1Glass Slipper by liahime
6 Slippers of Song
Disclaimer: Turn your thoughts upward, or if you live in Canada or above, downwards, to some wonderful American state filled with rain, coffee, and you just might hear someone-liahime maybe?-saying that she doesn't own Digimon, or the rest of the songs.
Jeri and Alice had eventually dragged Rika to Ayashi's huge house. It towered over the other houses in the wealthier district of the city, complete with the huge driveway that they were now walking up.
"Rika, take off your coat. You look fine."
Rika, hiding behind sunglasses and a huge coat, replied. "I look like an idiot."
Alice, completely in black, sighed. "Rika, you look good. Take off the coat. And the glasses. Now." When Rika didn't move, she frowned at her. "Rika. Rika. Rika. We spent about two hours on you, so you better take off that coat, or you're going to waste two hours... And you don't want to waste two hours, do you?" Alice, to the average passerby, was being very friendly and cheerful. But if you looked closely, you could see the glint in her eye that matched Jeri's. They both were cheerfully terrifying, smiling at Rika.
Rika took off the coat.
At the door, the butler looked down his nose at the three girls. "Name?" The door flung open.
"Don't worry, these are friends, um.. Er.. Servant person." Ayashi hugged Jeri. "Jeri, you look great!" She turned to Alice. "You too, Alice." Then she looked at Rika. Their eyes locked in a silent glare for a moment, and then Ayashi smiled again and complimented Rika... but of course, didn't hug her. As they went inside, Ayashi kept giggling and smiling, acting surprisingly-nice?
"I hope we can-" she stopped when she saw Ryo, and then began again. "I HOPE WE'LL BE GREAT FRIENDS, YOU GUYS!", she shouted, with a glance at the staring Ryo. "I'M SURE THAT WE WILL!" She was looking at Ryo the entire time. "NOW, LETS GO HAVE A KARAOKE CONTEST!"
Throughout the party, Ayashi was nice. It was disconcerting, having her pop up behind you, offering you some food, some compliment, something kind or nice. While the rest of the people seemed not to notice this change, Rika felt like a mouse, waiting for the cat to stop playing with it's prey and pounce. Something didn't feel right.
Frenzied applause. Someone had gone up on the stage, the first contestant in the karaoke contest. Who was it? Oh. What a surprise. Ayashi.
But Ayashi wasn't singing, just announcing. She clapped with the rest of the people, applauding Jeri as she went up onto the stage. Nervously, she looked around the audience before she began. "Um.. I'm singing Breakaway, by Kelly Clarkson.." She started.
"Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreamin' of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray"
Jeri had started nervously, and her voice trembled a bit, but went on.
"Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away"
After the chorus, she started to gain confidence, really singing now.
"Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get on board a fast train
Travel on a jetplane, far away
And break away
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun
I won't forget all the ones that I love
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging round revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
But, gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, break away
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye, gotta
Take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget of the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Breakaway
Breakaway"
The audience applauded. Suddenly, a spotlight settled on a huge screen behind Jeri, and two numbers flashed out. The computer read out "94 points!" A huge wave of computerized applause swept over the stage.
Ayashi came up. "Good job, Jeri! You got a good score!" She turned to the audience. "This machine judges your singing when you come up! Anyone want to try?"
People had gone off on and on the stage, getting scores that ranged from the off-key, off tune 21 to the low 90's. Jeri had been in the 90's. Kenta, was the 21 point scorer.
Then Ryo, who had been pushed by Takato, came up the stairs to the stage. He looked at Rika. "I'm Ryo."
The audience dutifully responded. "Hi, Ryo!"
"And I'm singing I'll Be, which I'm dedicating to one of the girls here tonight."
Ayashi and Asuka, sitting together at a table in the front, were being the example of the perfect hostess. But when Ryo had started to sing, Ayashi had grabbed the table in front, quickly cleared the food on it away, and she had squealed. She knew and loved this song, and her eyes were green. She sang a part of the song to herself. "Emeralds from mountains, thrust towards the sky." That girl had to be her. She now loved color contacts. Loved them. But then, listening for a while, her face worked it's way down into disbelief.
" The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath"
Ryo took a breath and looked down at Rika again
"Amethysts, from the mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth"
Ayashi's disbelief slid down to anger. Rika, however, was staring at him, wondering. Why this song? Why did he change it to amethysts? And who's this mystery girl he's dedicating this too? Having never heard the song before, she was confused. She shot a questioning look at Ryo. He just smiled and kept singing.
"Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up, with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
And I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
And rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead
And tell me that we belong together
Dress it up, with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
And I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
And I've dropped out, I've burned up
I fought my way back from the dead
I tuned in, turned on
Remembered the things that you said"
Rika would have loved the song- she wasn't sure why, she just liked it- if Ryo wasn't looking down at her. Or did that make it better?
"I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your-"
Rika had the oddest feeling that the song was dedicated to her, without any proof. She just had this feeling... Was it? She kept looking at Ryo, trying to tell. Surely, it was for some other girl
"Well, I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life"
The fangirls' applause was almost deafening. Each one of them was sure that it was dedicated to them, and they screamed. "I'll go out with you, yes, yes, yes, Ryo!"
"I do!"
"My eyes aren't green..." wondered one of the fangirls.
Ayashi swept onto the stage. "Now, we're going to have a showdown, between two random people that the computer picks. Everyone, stay still for a while!" She was angry, VERY angry, and was getting ready to show off. She needed to.
The flashing spotlights settled on Ayashi. Big surprise. The other one, kept searching, searching, until it landed on a redheaded girl that was really hoping not to be picked.
"C'mon, Rika! Come on up!" The entire crowd was calling for her to go up, pushing her forwards, to the stage. She stopped at Ryo.
"You sure you want to do this, wildcat?"
A moment of decision. Rika made it. "Yeah."
"Scared of Ayashi?"
"Who wouldn't be?" Rika walked up the stage, leaving Ryo laughing below.
Ayashi, the computer had decided, would go first. She sang "Toxic", and surprisingly had a really good singing voice. She sang really well- just like the CD!-and Rika, who was absolutely dreading singing up on stage, tried to sneak out of it.
Jeri caught her. "Rika, I picked the song for you, OK? Just sing the words on the screen." Onstage, Ayashi had gotten a high score- 98. Everyone applauded, unamazed. Ayashi, singing a 98 on the karaoke machine. She had actually been really good, so no one doubted the score.
Nervously, Rika went up on the stage, and without announcing the song, just a glare at Jeri and at Ryo, she started to sing.
"I had no choice but to hear you
You stated your case time and again
I thought about it
You treat me like I´m a princess
I´m not used to liking that
You ask how my day was
You´ve already won me over in spite of me
Don´t be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don´t be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn´t help it
It´s all your fault"
Was this Rika? Surprisingly, she too had a beautiful voice. With Ayashi, it hadn't been that much of a surprise- with the money she had, she could take the most expensive singing tutor there was- but Rika? Ice queen Rika? From Rika, it seemed like the voice of an angel. A really pretty angel, thought Ryo.
"Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole
You´re so much braver than I gave you credit for
That´s not lip service
You´ve already won me over in spite of me
Don´t be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don´t be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn´t help it
It´s all your fault"
Ryo couldn't help grinning.. Somehow, this reminded him of life, as if the song was made for Rika. Near him, Jeri was smiling too. She had picked the perfect song. It fit Rika and Ryo perfectly. Now, if only they would take the hint...
"You are the bearer of unconditional things
You held your breath and the door for me
Thanks for your patience
You´re the best listener that I´ve ever met
You´re my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long
I´ve never felt this healthy before
I´ve never wanted something rational
I am aware now
I am aware now
You´ve already won me over in spite of me
Don´t be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don´t be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn´t help it
It´s all your fault."
The machine whirred, and the score came out. "99!" Huge applause. Rika quickly exited the stage, while her audience was amazed. The ice queen, had beaten the cheerleading captain-queen, in karaoke? Who would have guessed? It was a surprise! But they all agreed- Rika had a beautiful voice.
"Did you dedicate the song to someone, Rika?" Jeri elbowed her and gave a meaningful glance to Ryo.
"I didn't know the song. How could I have done a dedication?"
"Still..."
Ayashi came up to Rika. "Hey! Good job! You sing beautifully!" She squirmed under Rika's stare, looking at her if she knew completely every plan that had gone into her head. "You must be thirsty. Have some punch!" She handed her a glass, and ran away.
"Ok..." Rika took a sip of the punch, and waited. She wasn't dead yet, and it wasn't filled with any disgusting thing. Had Ayashi become reformed? She took another, larger, sip. This was good! It had some strange, new flavor, and she drained the huge glass.
The table shook. Rika went and lurched on to it, moving as if the floor was rolling in waves. She giggled. Rika, never, ever, giggled. She lurched again.
"Rika, are you OK?" Her friends gathered around her.
She giggled again. "Yeah, I'm fine. Is there any more punch left?" She slurred the words, and almost collapsed on the table. "Ow." She giggled some more.
Henry sniffed the cup. "What!" They all looked at him.
"This cup- smell it- it has alcohol in it! A lot. It smells like someone poured most of the bottle into it, too. But who would do that?"
Jeri looked worried. "Lets see. She didn't get anything at first. And then someone came who was it? Oh! Ayashi!" She looked at the cup. "But Ayashi is nice now? Why would she do that?" They looked at Rika, who had fallen asleep on the table, and then at Ayashi, who looked smug as she smiled at Rika. She came over.
"Oh, the poor dear. She must be sick." Smugness dripped off her voice.
Henry looked at Ayashi. "No, she's fine. She'll just have a hangover when she wakes up tomorrow. Any idea who could have done that?"
"No idea, Henry!" Ayashi looked offended. "She's just sick." She reached over to pat Rika's head. Rika rolled her head to the side, leaving Ayashi patting the table. Ryo looked at Ayashi, and then at Rika. He gave Ayashi a glare that was worthy of Rika.
"Don't touch her, Fujiwara." He picked Rika up gently, making sure her head was safe. "We have to go now. Wonderful party." He was still glaring. Ayashi was nervous. This didn't happen, did it?
"But.. But.. Ryo! Why are you glaring at me?" He looked genuinely angry.
"I told you, Ayashi. Call me Akiyama. Not Ryo."
After telling everyone he was leaving, and getting rid of anxious friends, telling them to "just stay and have a good time! Really!" Ryo had gotten through the door, with the unconscious Rika. He walked to her house, carrying her each step of the way. Her head nestled into his chest, trying to get more comfortable. Ryo smiled. The wildcat really was more peaceful asleep. In reality, this- just carrying her, alone- was pretty much impossible. But then, here on this starry night, walking home with Rika in his arms- reality must have taken a break for a while. The stars shone brightly onto Rika's face, giving her face a glow in the darkness.
They got to Rika's house, and Ryo had the difficult challenge of ringing the doorbell, without dropping Rika. This was a challenge. Eventually, he rang the bell with his foot.
Rumiko answered the door. "Oh. Oh!" She looked at Ryo. "And you are?"
"Ryo Akiyama. I go to Rika's school, and today, someone gave her spiked punch... So she ended up like this. I just brought her home."
Rumiko smiled. Her daughter was a natural at this! Getting a boy to carry her home... Or was she really drunk? "Come inside. Here, you can set her in her room. It's this way.." She pointed down the hall. "That door. I'll open it for you. Thank you so much for bringing Rika home!" She looked closely at Ryo. "Are you her boyfriend? I always knew she had one!"
Ryo looked embarrassed. "No.. I'm not.. Just a friend, really."
"OK, set her down here."
Ryo started to leave. "I really should get back now..."
"No, no it's late. I'll give you a ride-" Rumiko remembered that she had been temporarily suspended from the car after going the wrong way in a one-way lane. It wasn't her fault.. She had been driving home rushed, coming from an exhausting photo shoot. "Actually.. Why don't you stay here tonight! Someone can drive you home in the morning. You can sleep in the living room." Rumiko hoped that her mother- and her mother's car- would come back soon from the monthly "bingo/poker" club.. She went and got some blankets for Ryo, who was calling his dad.
Oh my, she thought. A night out at a party with Ayashi Fujiwara, and her boyfriend carrying her home... She is going to be so delighted when she wakes up! Lucky girl...
Reviewers:
aNiMe-AzN-aNgEl- He had an answering machine message like that.. happy Ayashi-bashing! It's fun to do.. I did it all through this chapter..
Sparkling-Ruby-Gem-Thank you for the lyrics! I was going to use them, and then I decided to use the other song I used here, because it seemed more karaoke-ish. Thank you though!
Kay- Thanks for reviewing! I'll update more after Spring Break! Yay! Thank you!
MoonPrincess3- Thank you! It was fun to write..
Lil' Lilo- Thank you! Hope you liked this chapter!
cheriberigurl-There's going to be much more Ryuki in these next chapter! Please keep reading!
KuTiexAzNxAnGeL-Thank you!
GTKari-123- Thank you! I'm trying to make my chapters unconfusing... The last one kind of was. Anyways, hope you liked this chapter.
violetaurora- By 'wildcat' at the end, he meant Rika.. He calls Rika wildcat a lot.. And Rika would probably track him down and kill him after what he did in chapter 4 after the Iron Shoe run.. Hope you like this chapter too!
midnight-mystic-dragon- Please review more then! Thank you! Hope you like what's coming next!
DigiChick- Ok! I hope you like this chapter! Thank you!
Hi everyone! I wrote this chapter this morning- finally..- so I could get it done before spring break! I love spring break.. Summer break too.. Winter break... I wish spring break was longer though... It would be more fun. I'm going somewhere FAR away from my computer- no, not my kitchen..- and won't update for a while.. I'm not going to start typing for at least a week... Thank you for reviewing, everyone! Please review lots while I'm gone! Have a great spring break!
liahime