Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: I lied! This will be my last update until after New Years. Happy Holidays everyone!

Love and War

Chapter 2

Ryo Akiyama

"Ryo, over here!"

Ryo looked up at the sound of Henry's voice and spotted his friend sitting on a bench with Kazu.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" he asked, sitting down next to Henry.

"Hey, Ryo," Henry said, giving him a warm smile. "I was wondering if you wanted to come with us to the park today. The whole gang is going to be there."

He raised his eyebrows and gave Henry a long look. "That depends. Is Rika going to be there?"

"If Takato can manage to convince her to come."

Ryo felt his stomach flutter and quickly lowered his eyes to the ground. "I don't know. Maybe that's not such a good idea. Rika probably doesn't want to be anywhere near me right now!"

I wouldn't want to be near me if I was her!

He knew she was angry at him. That had been obvious during the rare moments they had spent together in the last year.

If only I knew why. It's not like she cares about me or anything. If she did, she wouldn't be acting this way! Wait, what am I saying? This is Rika we're talking about! She'd rather chew rocks than admit her feelings for anyone! What is up with that girl? She's as stubborn as a mule, only a mule has more sense!

During their adventures in the Digital World, he had thought she might have feelings for him. Unfortunately that idea had flown right out the window after they had gotten back to the real world. Everyday she had started to grow a little more cold and a little more distant towards him.

He knew it was partly his fault. He should have made more of an effort to spend time with her, but so many people wanted to hang around him these days that he barely even had time to think anymore.

I wish people would stop treating me like I'm some sort of celebrity. I'm not, and I never will be. I just want to hang out with my real friends and win Rika's heart. Is that really so much to ask?

"Ryo? Dude, are you in there?"

Ryo blinked and turned to look at Kazu who was grinning at him. "Huh?"

"Man, you really are out of it today. Listen, chumly. Don't let Rika stop you from hanging out with us. If she starts to give you a hard time, we'll steal all of her digimon cards and turn them into confetti! That way she won't be able to compete in the tournament tomorrow! Besides, you promised you'd help me practice today. It's the only way I'll stand a chance against Rika in the tournament. Just don't tell her I said that!"

"Alright," he sighed. "But don't blame me if Rika throws a fit!"

"Trust me," Henry muttered. "We're use to it by now!"

"Yeah, girls are crazy," Kazu said, stretching out his legs and crossing his arms. "Especially Rika. She's the craziest girl I know! You're better off without her, my friend."

"If only that were true."

"Are you still planning on using the tournament to change Rika's mind about you?" Henry whispered softly in his ear.

He nodded and turned to gaze up at the bright morning sky. At first he had not been planning on competing in the tournament, but then Henry and Takato had ended up changing his mind. When Henry had told him Rika was going to be competing, it had given him an idea. He was going to use the tournament to get on Rika's good side again. He did not really care if he won or lost. All he cared about was Rika. It was the only chance he had of getting close to her again, and he was going to use it.

Henry was the only person who knew the real reason why he was entering the tournament, and his friend had been nothing but supportive. Takato had also helped change his mind because the goggle-headed Tamer's enthusiasm had rubbed off on him. Both Kazu and Takato knew he liked Rika, but neither one of them had made a guess as to why he was really entering the tournament.

That doesn't mean they're not going to find out eventually. I can tell they're already suspicious of me. In fact, I bet they've already figured out why I want to compete this year.

"Good luck," Henry murmured, smiling slightly. "You're going to need it!"

"Come on, Ryo. Let's hurry up and get to the park before Rika really does throw a fit!" Kazu said, getting to his feet. "Besides, I've got some practicing to do!"

Ryo smiled and nodded. "Alright. Hey, Kazu. I might be able to help you defeat Rika in the tournament, but there's no way you're going to be able to defeat me!"

Kazu elbowed him in the side and grinned. "We'll see about that!"

They quickly headed towards the park, and Ryo smiled at the sight of Kenta and Jeri coming towards them.

"Well, it's about time you guys got here! We've been waiting forever!" Kenta complained.

"Keep your socks on. Better late than never, as I always say!" Kazu shot back. "Where are Takato and Rika?"

"They haven't arrived yet," Jeri explained. "I hope Takato can convince Rika to join us. She sounded like she was in a bad mood when I talked to her over the phone yesterday."

"Rika's always in a bad mood!" Kazu joked.

Ryo stared at Jeri in surprise and frowned.

That's weird. Why would Rika be in a bad mood? She doesn't even know I'm competing in the tournament yet!

"Hey, Jeri. How are you?" Henry asked.

"Just peachy," Jeri replied, giving Henry a big smile. "I don't think the same can be said for Rika, though!"

Jeri had improved a lot since the day she had lost Leomon. She had seemed much happier in the last few months, and he was pretty sure Takato had something to do with her sudden change in attitude.

"Will you let go of me, goggle-head? I can walk on my own, you know!"

Ryo glanced up at the sound of Rika's voice, and his heart leaped into his throat.

Takato had a hand on Rika's arm, and the goggle-headed Tamer was dragging her towards them. Rika's bright blue eyes were blazing with anger, and she looked like she was ready to punch Takato in the face.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this!" she shouted. "You tricked me, on purpose! You knew for a fact I would never have agreed to come along if I'd known Ryo was going to be here!"

"Why do you think I didn't tell you earlier?" Takato shot back.

Ryo felt his heart sink, and he turned just in time to see Henry give him a sympathetic smile.

How am I ever going to win her heart if she doesn't even want to see me?

"She doesn't mean that," Jeri said softly, gazing into his eyes. "I know she doesn't."

He stared into his friend's eyes for a moment and frowned.

Does she know something about Rika the rest of us don't know?

Takato came to a stop in front of them, and Ryo found himself staring into Rika's cold, blue eyes.

His heart sank like a rock.

She knows I'm competing in the tournament. I can tell.

"Well, well," she said, giving him a look of pure loathing. "If it isn't the Legendary Tamer himself. If you think you can beat me in the digimon tournament tomorrow, forget it! Even the best Tamers have to face defeat once in a while, and you're no exception, Ryo. We're finally going to find out who's the better Tamer, and I have a feeling I'm the one who's going to come out on top! You better have your cards ready, Ryo, because this is one war I intend to win!"