The friends laughed and played games until they couldn't breathe, then they brought out a radio and listened to music while Takato opened birthday presents. Then they exchanged Christmas gifts.
"Your present is over here Takato," Jeri called. He walked over to her.
"I don't see one," he said, confused.
"That's because I moved it away from that," Henry said, pointing to the mistletoe over their heads. "You two know the consequence!"
Both blushing furiously, Takato and Jeri kissed. After quite a bit of ribbing from their friends, they settled down again. Well, as settled as kids can get at Christmas time. Kenta and Kazu got a package of digi-battle cards for everyone, and Jeri gave everybody little tokens that she had made, but the three tamers were a little more individualized with their gifts. Rika got leather card pouches like her own for everyone, with a specially chosen card inside each one. Takato had used pictures of the friends to create a scrapbook for each person. Henry had gone ever further. Each person's gift had been given special consideration. Everyone got something that they needed or wanted, something that would make them laugh, or something that meant a lot to them. Cries of laughter and delight greeted each of Henry's gifts to the others.
Henry's mom called them, saying that dinner was ready. Takato, Jeri, Kenta and Kazu headed straight for the dining room. As Rika moved to join them, Henry drew her to one side.
"Can I talk to you for a minute? I have something to show you."
They went back to the tree.
"What is it, Henry?" Rika asked.
"Well…I dunno if you noticed, but you didn't get your present from me yet. I didn't know if you'd like it, so I waited." He handed her a tiny package. "Now, if you don't like it, you can tell me," he stuttered as she peeled off the wrapping. She opened the box and pulled out the dog tags that she usually wore. They had been missing for a few days now. She looked at Henry, confused.
"Look closer."
Henry wore a big grin, enjoying her bemused expression. She looked, and noticed that there were two tags, connected at one edge by tiny hinges. On the back was inscribed, "Digimon Tamers: Rika Nonaka, Henry Wong and Takato Matsuke."
"Open it," he urged.
Rika pried open the tags, and saw two pictures, one of the three of them together, and another of her and Renamon. She smiled as she looked at her friends, and Henry's grin got bigger. He knew that he'd gotten the right gift.
"Come on," Henry said, "The others will start wondering where we are." They headed back towards the kitchen. Suddenly, Rika stopped.
"Are you okay, Rika?" Henry asked. She didn't answer, but stood shivering, eyes wide. A look of pure terror was on her face.
"Get away from me, leave me alone! I won't let you take me!" Rika backed up, staring into space, seeming to forget Henry. She started shaking even harder, and shrunk down as though wanting to run and hide. "Please don't take me. Somebody, help! Renamon, Takato, Henry!"
At this, Henry jumped into action. He ran to Rika and put himself between her and whatever she was looking at. He didn't see anything, but he could hear Rika behind him, breathing hard.
"Get out of here, go away and leave her alone! I don't know what you are, but you'd better stay back!" He whipped out his Digivice and a card, calling, "Terriermon!"
Terriermon ran in, stopping suddenly.
"There's a Digimon here."
A ripple of cruel laughter filled the room, followed by a flash of light. When they opened their eyes, whatever had been there was gone. Henry turned to Rika, and saw the terror in her eyes. Putting this together with that hauntingly familiar laugh, he finally understood. 'But he can't have come back, can he?'
The others ran in, followed by Mr. Wong.
"What's going on? What happened here Henry?"
"I don't know. There was this weird flash of light outside the window. I don't know what it was." Turning to Rika, he saw that she had regained her composure and was nodding, reinforcing his story. Together, they turned and followed the others to the food, Henry staying close by Rika's side.
◄♦►
It was a while later, after Kenta, Kazu and Jeri had left, when the three tamers finally had a chance for a private talk.
"Henry, come on, spit it out! What was that thing?" Terriermon insisted, jumping onto Henry's shoulder and tugging on his ears. Henry said nothing, just looked at Rika.
"He's back," Rika murmured.
"Who's back, who?" Takato and Terriermon were on the edge of their seats.
Henry didn't let his eyes leave Rika's face as he spoke.
"Icedevimon."
◄♦►
The door bell rang, but Rika, Henry and Takato didn't hear it. Mrs. Wong came in.
"Rika, your mother's here. You'd best not keep her waiting."
They all seemed to come out of a trance. Rika stood, and Henry helped her gather her things. When she was ready, the boys walked her to the door. On the way, Henry paused and turned to Rika.
"Don't worry about him. We won't let him get you. But make sure that you have someone with you all the time. Don't let yourself wander alone. At best, have Renamon nearby so you are protected."
"Henry, I don't need a chaperone!"
"But you do need a guardian! Please Rika, promise me!" He sounded so concerned that Rika promised.
When they got to the door, Takato stopped open mouthed.
"Rika!" he gasped, "You didn't tell me that you're mom's a famous model!"
Rika's look was so dangerous that Takato snapped his mouth shut.
While Rika's mother fussed over Susie, Rika said her goodbyes.
"Bye, Takato. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks, Rika. Bye."
"Bye, Henry. I'll see you later."
"Bye, Rika. Remember your promise."
"I will. And Henry…"
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
Henry smiled gently. "You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow, Rika."
"Bye. Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Wong, and goodbye to you, Susie."
As Rika and her mother walked away, Susie stuck her head out the door and waved, calling sadly, "Bye-bye, Wika."