Ch. 9
The Tamers appeared on the beaches slanted shifting surface with quiet 'thuds' as they hit the sand. Takato caught Jeri as she passed out from exhaustion, Henry and Rika striving to protect Ryo's head from any sort of impact. Exchanging a look, they carefully picked him up and moved him the last few meters towards the cool water.
"Hey, Rika?" Henry asked quietly as they maneuvered the injured boy so that only his head and shoulders remained out of the ocean.
She glanced up at him, watching the surf wash over the silver Tamer in a slow pattern. It was relaxing to be next to it after being inside the cave. "Yeah?"
"Are you alright too? You're the only one who seems to have escaped without a scratch on you, and… I was really, really worried." He finished quietly, eyes turned downwards at the dark, wet sand.
What is he implying? That I didn't do anything? That I let this happen to Ryo?! "I don't know what happened, I was busy with Landersmon in… somewhere." She ground her teeth together, aggravated. "I'm not responsible for what he gets himself into!" She froze, I didn't just say that… he was right… I can't believe it… Ryo came after me… he was right…
Henrys facial expression changed, impossible to read, but changing. "You're not supposed to look after him, it's ok." He paused. "Well, I'm glad you came out unhurt, and I'm sure Ryo's thrilled to have someone like you looking after him."
Rika stared at her friend, what's that supposed to mean? I… failed… I messed up… it's my fault he's like this… As Rika tormented herself, Henry leaned forward kissed he lips lightly, like some sort of phantom. It didn't register for a second, then Rika's eyes snapped up to look at him. Confused, angry at being confused. What's going on… ?! He stood up, and walked calmly over to the others, acting like nothing had happened, callous, above it all.
Ryo's mind drifted conscious as Henry leaned forward over him and brushed Rika's lips with his own, he saw Rika's reaction, a confused look, eyes flicking everywhere. He spiraled downwards within himself; that bastard! He knows I care for her! He knows I like her! What's he thinking? Then his thoughts shifted, she didn't stop him, she… didn't care…
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Ryo woke up properly about an hour and a half later, and was content for about three seconds before he remembered what had happened. He was about to groan when he caught himself, if any of the others were nearby they'd hear, and he'd have to face them. He didn't think he could do that yet; he just couldn't conceal his emotions over what he'd seen.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. "Hey." A voice said softly, glancing at the figure beside him, he recognized Rika. She was crunched in a ball, running her fingers through her long reddish-brown hair which had been let down from its usual ponytail.
"Oh, it's you." Ryo replied coolly, he'd tried to sound nice, happy even; he just couldn't.
"You okey? Well other then the being smashed to a pulp thing, I mean." Rika smiled, it looked like she hadn't slept properly for a week. About 48 hours in reality.
"Yes, I'm fine." He knew it was a lie, one of the few he'd ever told. Probably one of the biggest too, he'd never felt so low.
"That's good." The pair stayed on the beach in silence; the only sound coming from Ryo's still slightly labored breathing. There's something different about him, she thought, something about his eyes, they're not happy anymore. That's it, no matter the situation they were always betraying how much he loved a challenge, now… I don't know…
"Rika?" Suzi said as she approached the two silhouetted teens, "Henry wants me to get you, he said something about where you'd gone in the cell when Landersmon got you. Jeri told him what she knew."
"Kay," the older girl replied calmly, "I'm coming." She glanced at Ryo. "Are you alright on your own?"
"You don't need to nanny me Rika, I'll be fine. Go see Henry." He'd practically growled the last bit.
Rika froze in mid-rise, and stared at Ryo, completely stunned. "A-are you sure you're ok? You sound seriously pissed at either me or Henry."
"Just go see what wiz-kid wants."
Rika finished standing, and then ran through her memory. What could have Henry done to make Ryo so mad? Well, there was the whole kissing incident, but she wasn't even sure that was real anymore. The trip was finished before she even noticed; Suzi left as soon as she showed Rika the clearing Henry was waiting in.
"Hello? Earth to Rika?" He waved his hand in front of her face, smiling a little as he watched her features change from pensive to her normal state of sarcasm.
"Yes." She sighed, "I'm on the same planet as you Henry, now what is it?"
The black/blue haired boy suddenly looked nervous, and swallowed. "Rika, I – I know you probably don't care about me any more then Takato, or Ryo, or… well, hopefully more then Kazu, but I love being around you, seeing you at school, and I - if it's ok, I mean – I was hoping maybe, we could… be more then friends." He whispered the last few words, forcing Rika to lean forward to hear him.
She just looked at him, her hair still down, nose hardly 3 inches from his from trying to hear what he was saying. She straightened, looking at him incredulously. "Did you actually just say what I thought you did?"
He was expecting a smart remark to some now, descending on him like some sort of swarm of killer bees. Truly it is words, and not the pen, that are mightier then the sword. Downcast, he broke eye contact with her. "Yes."
"Henry… I…" Rika knew that if she actually said anything she was thinking, she'd probably crush him. She wasn't prepared for what was going to happen if she didn't say anything.
He looked up sharply, mistaking her incoherence for elated happiness instead of extreme turmoil. "That's… that's great!" He smiled. Her features didn't flinch from their astonished expression, how is this great? How am I not going to completely trample - He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, until he could feel her up against him. He craned his neck forward, and kissed her again. He was gentle, and not noticing that there was no response from Rika, grinned a bit and got bolder.
It was then that Rika managed to pull herself out of the fog clouding her thoughts. She firmly placed her palms on his shoulders and pushed. His head pulled back, their lips parted, and she looked him straight in the eye. "Lee Jenrya, do not ever do that again."
"Rika? Henry?"
"Takato!" Henry gasped, partly from being spied on, mostly because he'd just been completely shocked by Rika.
"Henry! How could you do this?!" Takato cried, "Why? That is so low Jenrya! Lee you jerk!" His face paled in direct relation to his astonishment.
Rika took this moment to step in, saying quite firmly: "Takato, stop yelling! This is not whatever you first thought this is, do you hear me Lee?" She growled, turning her head back to him and drive her point home. "This is some sort of huge misunderstanding!"
She stepped backwards, trying to free herself from Henry's tight grip. He didn't realize what was going on, and failed to let go fast enough. Both Tamers hit the ground with a 'thud'. Henry turned bright red and rolled off Rika, extending a hand to help her up. "Sorry." He mumbled.
"Don't touch me Lee!" She hissed quietly, stood without his help, and stalked off deeper into the grey forest. Takato turned, confused and mad with worry about Ryo, starting back towards the beach at a slow trot. What am I supposed to tell him? I stalked them into the woods and probably got Henry furious at me, but broke them up? I am such a jerk! Ryo… why did he do that? Lee you moron!
Henry was left alone in the clearing. Why'd he have to interfere!? Why'd she leave…? Why… everything…
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s/k: I know, a short and… well, I suppose maybe dynamic chapter? I'd apologize to Jenruki fans, but really, I never liked that coupling. I've seen it done well once or twice, but Ryo! Ryo guys! Anyway, R&R, hopefully the next chapter will be up soon (also short)
P.S. with the whole calling Henry by three different names (his Japanese name…) I was trying to show how mad she was by what she was calling him. Hope that didn't confuse anyone too much….
P.P.S. Forlorn Melody (and anyone else who's curious), some of (ok, most off) the theory behind Ken's connection to that black thing and the dark ocean is in An Angels Wings. It's also been revised, so you're welcome to read that (no need to review or anything).
