Chapter 13
Looking in the Mirror
By RayD
Flamedramon opened his eyes as he felt a slight breeze come across his face. He sat up from the bed, and looked to see a window that was opened, which allowed the silent breeze to come in. "Well that's not a bad alarm clock." Flame mused to himself as he pulled the sheets back, and stood up from the floor. The dragon digimon stretched his arms, and yawned with satisfaction to a good rest. The mat was very soft, and was way better than the cold stone floor of Guilmon's hut, but then again he didn't mind where he slept. He smiled though as he thought about his dreams of Renamon. Of how he finally told her all his feelings, and love towards her, but then again it was only a dream. "Will I ever get another change to tell her?" he asked himself as his thought strayed towards last night. "I had the chance, but Impmon came…and my courage left me. Will I…ever get another chance?" Flamedramon shook his head, and decided that maybe it was time to train and clear his mind of things. He turned towards the door, but as he tried to take a step, something caught his foot. "Oh cra-!" Flame yelled as he felt his legs tangle up, and hit the floor hard.
After he got over the pain that went through his body, Flame looked down at his feet to see that the sheets he had slept in had wrapped around his shin and foot guard. They must have wrapped themselves around while he stood from before, but still he sighed with disappointment. "Don't I look smart." He said as he used his bladed hands and cut the blanket from his feet. "I guess that's what you get for sleeping with armour on." He mumbled to himself, but as he said those words he realized that he hadn't really taken his armour off ever since he digivolved to this form. Well the only thing that he did take off was his hand guards in the sparring match with Renamon, but that was it. "I wonder what I look like without my armour." He wondered to himself.
He stood up, and started to unbuckle his armour from his body. After a while of filleting with the many straps and belts, he managed to get all of the armour off except his helmet. Immediately Flamedramon felt his body cool down as the air came around his body. It felt very nice to be somehow free from the armour that he wore all the time, but still it felt awkward not have them on at all. He looked around, and noticed a full body mirror standing in the corner of the room. He walked over to it, peered into its gaze, and saw a dragon digimon that looked very awkward. "Well this is certainly new." He mumbled, as he looked himself over. However, he looked at his face, and the mask that he wore. In all his years of being a Flamedramon, that one piece of armour never came off him. He took a deep breath as though he was about to meet a new person, and slowly placed his hands around the mask, and pulled it off. The air again came around him, cooling his face from the warmth that the armour gave. He looked at the mirror, and saw his face like he had never seen it before. He didn't have a blade in his forehead since it on the helmet, but his face was a lot like his Veemon form except more mature looking with it being longer and angular . White fur came around his nose and jaw while the rest of his head remained blue. He still had the yellow markings around his eyes and the large V was still on his forehead, but the tuffs of fur on the side of his face were thick giving a more of a distinct jaw line than he was in his Veemon face. "I guess I don't look that bad." He thought as he continued to look at his face. He brushed his ears with his clawed hand, and looked at his armour that lay on the floor of the bedroom. Flamedramon bent down, and looked at the armour over. He could tell that they needed to be washed since frankly all the fighting he had done caused them to bring an unwelcome odour to the air. "That's all I need a stinky set of armour." Flame thought, "I wonder if there is a room where I can wash these?" He grabbed one of his sheets, and laid his armour inside so that he could carry it. He wrapped the sheet up, pulled it over his back, and walked slowly to the door. "I'll just take a look…maybe they have a laundry room." he thought as he slid the door open. He peered into the hallway, and saw that no one was there, which was good since Flame didn't really want anyone to see him without his armour on; especially Renamon. As the thought crossed his mind, a slow redness came over his face. That was something that would probably be awkward to deal with. Flamedramon took a step into the hallway, and again looked around with a cautious eye. Still nothing, "Perhaps everybody is still sleeping." He wondered as he took another step into the hallway with the wrapped sheet over his shoulder. Flamedramon quietly walked down the hallway, and went to the nearest door. He slowly opened it to find that it was…Rika's room! Inside he saw the young tamer sleeping on the floor wrapped up in her bed sound asleep. Rika moaned to herself as she rolled over in her bed. Flamedramon quickly shut the door, and took a breather. "Man I have to watch which rooms I open." He muttered to himself as he crept away from the door. Flamedramon glanced down the hallway, and saw another door that was at the end. He held his armour close to him, so that they wouldn't cause any noise as he walked. When Flamedramon got to the door, he placed his clawed hand on the handle, and pulled it open slowly, hoping that he didn't run into another bedroom. However, when he fully opened the door, Flame found himself inside a giant bathing room. It was very opened with the walls covered in dark wood sidings, and a skylight that seemed to light the room up. In the center of the room was a giant tub that could easily be classified as a swimming pool, but still was smaller. Flamedramon walked in, closed the door behind him, and placed his armour on the matted floor. "Wow…" he said as turn his attention to the tub. "This sure beats Davis' old bathtub." He exclaimed as he peered down into the surface of it. This would sure was a good place to wash his armour, but…maybe it would be nice for a change to have a bath himself. Perhaps that would clear his mind, and allow him to think of a way to tell Renamon of his feelings.
Flamedramon walked over to the facet, and turned on the water allowing it to fill up the tub.
Renamon…
The Sunrise came up on Renamon with warmth that seemed to comfort her as she sat down on the roof watching as she always did. Somehow, it seemed the same, but today a breeze blew by her face, and the sunrise glowed with a fierily red. She sighed to herself as she continued to watch, allowing her mind to wander a bit. However, as she looked out she saw flower peddles flew across her face. She looked down and saw that the Sakura tree in the family garden was realising there little flowers into the morning sky. She grabbed one peddle with her paw, and looked at it. Such a tiny thing, but it held so much beauty. However, as she looked at the flower, a shadow came behind her, and she turned around to see who it was. Her heart raced as she saw Flamedramon standing on the roof looking at her. He stood there in his fire armour that shined brightly in the morning light with a glow that only seemed to bring warmth like the sunrise had done to her.
Renamon stood up, and looked at Flamedramon with a smile that she never showed that often. "Hello Flamedramon…" she said.
Flamedramon smiled with the same smile that always melted her heart. "Hi Renamon…" he said in a kind voice. The two looked at one another with no words passing between them. The Sakura's came around them in a swirling pattern as though they grew with the intensity in the air. Flamedramon walked towards Renamon and stopped in front of her. Her heart raced and her throat went tight as she waited for Flamedramon to say something. "Renamon…I want to tell you something.." Flamedramon said in a soft tone.
"What is it?" Renamon asked trying to keep her composure as she looked into the crimson eyes that were Flamedramon's.
"I love you….with all my heart and soul."
Renamon's eyes looked at Flamedramon with surprise, but happiness as well.
'Flamedramon…I love you too…" she said.
Flamedramon smiled with adoration in his eyes. The two got close to one another, and Renamon felt Flamedramon's strong arms come around her. She looked into his eyes and he did as well. There faces grew close and they kissed under the morning sunrise.
Renamon stood up in bed, and looked around. She wasn't on the rooftop like in the dream, but in her nice soft blanket that she had on the floor. She peeled back the blanket from her body and stood up, trying to get her ideas straighten out. Renamon walked to the dresser that was in her room and looked into the mirror that hanged on the wall. Her face was the same, but yet she felt different for the dream was so real, and even still her heart raced as though the dream was happening all over again. The touch of Flamedramon's arms, the strength within them, and the handsome face that was about to kiss her. They all left there impression, and Renamon found herself closing her eyes, and purring slightly in her throat. However, she stopped at her action. "What am I doing…" she thought, "This isn't me…" she yelled to herself. Renamon shook her head, and looked at the mirror once more gazing into her eyes wondering what she was thinking. She couldn't feel this way about someone…but yet the dream was so perfect to her. Even the time they spent last night, him showing her the stars, and taking care of Impmon. It all seemed wonderful to her, but now she had a dream about him, and even purred at the thought. Renamon had learned at a young age that purring in her species was a sign a great affection, and she had never done it before.
"But could I love him?" she whispered, "Or am I being delusional about all this. Maybe what I said in the dream wasn't true.."
She looked up, and looked at her reflection, "Do I love him?" she asked herself as though her reflection would provide the answer. The question bounced around her mind, and one simple answer came to her mind…yes… "I love him." She said with a smile across her face. Renamon sighed as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She spread her arms wide, and started to spin slowly as he mind opened up to the feeling in her heart. Every since she had met him, she always felt this feeling, but never understood it, but now that she did…because of the dream. The feeling felt ten times as greater for love was the answer to the odd feeling within her. She stopped and gazed over to the white rose that Flamedramon had given her, and picked it up gently in her paws. She stroked it softly, and smiled. However, another sense came into her like a spear. Did Flamedramon feel the same way about her? Instantly, fear gripped Renamon's heart, and she placed the rose down on the dresser. She had now figured it out that she loved him, but now the fear of him not loving her became strong. She sat down on the floor and looked to the ceiling. "I have to tell him…but what if he doesn't love me in the same way." She thought, "Could I move on? Or will I be weak without him?"
Questions and more questions plagued the young kitsune as she tried to answer them, but as she was getting use to the silent of her room, she heard a soft noise of water. Her ears perked up at the sound, wondering if it was only her imagination playing tricks with her, but as she got up and moved to her door the sound became clearly. It was indeed the sound of water, but where was it coming from?
Renamon walked to her door, and stepped into the hallway. It was empty, but the sound of the water grew stronger. She walked further down, and stopped in front of a door that was halfway down the hallway. Renamon knew it was the bathing room, but who would be using it? Rika never used it since she liked to shower than bath in water so it hadn't been used for sometime. She knocked on the door, just to be sure that she was out in the hallway, but no answer came. Renamon placed her paw on the door and thought to herself that maybe someone had just left the water running. She pushed the door open and peered inside to see that luckily the water wasn't over flowing, but still at mid line of the large tub. The room was bare, and there only seemed to be a pile of sheets by the tub. She walked in, and approached the bathtub with watchfulness. She felt the water with her paw and found that it was hot. "Was someone preparing a bath?" she wondered. Renamon glanced over at the pile of sheets that were beside her and decided to check to see if maybe the contents would unveil the person that was using the room. She pulled the sheets open and gasped at what she saw. There in the bottom of the sheet was the all too familiar red armour that Flamedramon wore. "Oh my god he's the one taking the bath! I have to get out of here." She yelled in her thought as she quickly closed the sheets, and started to walk to the door, but just then, she heard footsteps coming from the next room. From what she could hear, they were very close and could come into the room at any moment. She ran to the door, hoping to get out in time, but then she saw a shadow come towards the door, and place a hand to the handle. Renamon closed her eyes, and with all her strength, she allowed her form to go into shadows, a cloaking method that her species used a lot, and ducked into the corner of the room. The door slide open, and Renamon gasped at the sight. There walking into the room was Flamedramon with no armour on. Renamon blushed as she looked at the dragon as he walked into the room with towels in his claws. That was probably why he was out of the room in the first place, but that quickly left her mind as she watched Flamedramon walk further into the room. His body was full of grace and power as he walked towards the tub, and placed the towels on the side. Renamon looked him up and down, and stopped at his face. His face was so handsome then she could ever imagine. His large expressive red eyes and the strong jaw made him appear so strong, but yet kind. "It's…a shame that he hides it behind a mask." She thought as she continued to look at the dragon digimon's uncovered face. Flamedramon walked over to the tap, and shut the flowing water off seeing that it had filled the tub. He then placed took his armour from the bag and placed them into the water. Once that was done, Flamedramon walked to the edge of the tub and placed both his feet in then allowing his whole body to go into the warm water.
Renamon knew that this was her chance to move and get out, but yet the face of Flamedramon kept her still. She wanted to see that face more. Wanted to kiss it like she had done in the dream. She shook her head, and decided that she better get out of there before Flamedramon could sense her. She dashed to the doorway silently not allowing her footsteps to be heard from the dragon. As she got to the door, she placed her paw on the handle, but looked back at Flame once more. The dragon digimon had closed his eyes, and was now floating in the middle of the pool. His face was handsome was relaxed and calm. Renamon could barely stop herself from unveiling her cloak and tell Flamedramon how she finally realized her feelings for him, but the fear of rejection remained. She opened the door quietly and just as she was closing it behind her she looked, and said. "I love you…my dear Flamedramon." She then slide the door close and made her way back to her room.
Flamedramon…
Flamedramon's eyes opened up as he thought he heard Renamon's voice in the room. He stood up in the tub and gazed around the room looking for any signs of the kitsune, but nothing was there. He sighed to himself, and allowed his body to submerge into the water again. The image of Renamon bounced throughout his mind, and even though the water was washing away the dirt on his body, his mind continued to be covered in images of her face. Everything about her was right to him. From her beauty face to the strong mind that laid within her, it was all perfect to him, but how could he even say anything to such a beautiful digimon. Could he say those words…those words that echoed in his heart? He didn't know as he looked up at the ceiling. After an hour inside the tub, Flamedramon walked to the edge and climbed out of the large tub, and pulled the plug allowing the water to drain. He grabbed a towel and dried his skin. He then pulled his armour, and started to dry them as well with the same towel. After he had done that task, he started to his armour back on. It was quite difficult getting the belt buckles to be fastened probably, and allow good movement. Sure enough, he managed to get everything on except his mask, which remained on the floor. He picked it up, and gazed into the mask. Its blade shined in the morning sunlight, and the marks of long ago battles still lingered on the cold digi-mirthril surface.
While he stared at his mask, Renamon walked back to the door that was the bathing room. She had gone to her room, and tried forget what she saw, but she had a duty to protect him as his bodyguard and came back to the room. "I'm just here to do my job." She thought as she laid a paw on the handle and pulled the door open. Flamedramon turned around suddenly and gasped to see his love standing there at the door. "Uh uh uh…hi Renamon." He said in a nervous tone. Renamon stood straight and tried to hide the blush that came to her cheeks. Flamedramon was back in his armour, but his face was still uncovered by the mask. "Uhm…I guess I should have knocked." She replied standing in the doorway trying to look strong in front of him. Flamedramon looked at Renamon with his uncovered face, and smirked a tiny bit. "It's ok…I guess I shouldn't have been in this room to begin with…"
"Always the gentlemen…" she thought to herself with a smile. "Well the others should be up soon…and I'll be following you around as your body guard for the day."
Flamedramon nodded, and placed his helmet back on his head. Renamon walked over to him, and did something that she didn't realize she was doing. She touched his helmet and smiled. "You don't look that bad without that mask." She said trying to keep her tone the same. Flamedramon looked at Renamon with wide nervous eyes. He wanted to touch her paw and feel her soft fur, but he his courage never came to him. Renamon turned around and left the room in a graceful walk. Flame stared at the doorway wondering what had just happened. However, with his heart racing, he too walked out of the room and followed the kitsune.
Wayne…
Wayne lay on his belly in the grass, and sighed as he looked out to the lake that was in front of him. It was early in the morning, and Wayne had just gotten through his first night in a Raidramon's body. While becoming a digimon would perhaps be any digifans dream, but being stuck in a digimon body was nothing to be happy about. Wayne sighed once more and looked down at his reflection in the lake. The surface was clear, and his Raidramon face could easily be seen. It was strange how just only yesterday he was human, but now a dark force had changed his whole life. Wayne could still feel the pain he felt in the transformation in his dreams, and see bits and pieces of the one that captured him, but whenever he tried to see, his face, but the pain grew worse and his dream always ended.
He was glad that he had been freed from the dark forces' control, but still one thing lingered in his mind. "How will I face my mom…" he thought. Wayne looked at his refection once more, and slashed at the water with his claws in fury. "Why did I have to go through this…" he said as tears came to his eyes, "How can my mum ever know it's me again…" Wayne shook his head, and went back down on his stomach and cried in his paws. He wasn't much of a crier, but still the thought of having his own mother being frightened of him was something that he found heartbreaking.
As Wayne continued to cry, a figure started to walk towards him from the bushes and make its way to him. Wayne's senses were blinded by his tears, and couldn't tell who it was that approached him.
"You okay?" a familiar voice asked. Wayne looked up from his paws, and saw the red digimon dino standing a couple of feet behind him with a concern look on his face. Wayne wiped the small tears away from his eyes with his paw and turned to look at him. "Yeah…I'm fine." He said trying to keep his emotions in check, but was barley able to.
Guilmon looked at Wayne and noticed his eyes were red, not glowing red like before, but red from crying that he had seen from the bushes. "Wayne I know your not okay. You've been crying." He said.
Wayne looked away from Guilmon's eyes and shook his head. "No…I just got something in my eyes." He lied as he sat down once again and looked towards the lake. Guilmon walked towards Wayne very slowly as he tried to think of something to say. However, nothing came to the dino's mind, and he sat down beside Wayne. Guilmon had only known Wayne for a short time, but he still liked him and considered him a friend, and seeing friends sad made Guilmon feel sad. His ears drooped and a sad frown came upon him as he sat there. Wayne noticed this and turned to Guilmon in a concern matter. "Guilmon why are you sad?"
The red digimon looked up at Wayne and sighed. "I'm sad because you're sad, because I don't know what to do." At that moment, Wayne felt guilt come into him and turned his body towards Guilmon. "Don't be sad Guilmon…I'm just…sad that I have lost my mum because of this transformation…"
"Is she…?"
Wayne looked at Guilmon and shook his head. "She's not dead…it's just I can't see her like this."
"Why not?" Guilmon asked, "Wouldn't she like to see you alive?"
Wayne stood up on his four legs and shook his head. "Guilmon…I can't…she wouldn't even recognize me."
"How would you know that if you don't even try?" Guilmon replied as he looked at Wayne with a puzzled look.
"Guilmon…you don't understand…she won't even know it was me…she would fear me and think I was a monster. I just…can't let her go through that…"
Guilmon stood up, and looked at Wayne with a serious look, something that he had never done before until now. "But you're going to let her go through the idea that her son ran away from her, and is dead." Wayne froze at the dinos words and looked at him with uncertainly across his face. Guilmon acted so child like when he first met him, but now he was being so serious. Guilmon walked towards Wayne and looked at the Raidramon face in the eyes. "Your mom won't think of you as a monster. You still alive, and that's what probably only counts for her."
Wayne smiled at Guilmon's words and nodded. "Guilmon…how did you come up with that idea?"
Guilmon shrugged, "Me got it from me head." He said in his childlike voice.
Wayne shook his head, and grinned. "Well Guilmon, you're right…I…should contact my mom and give her the news…"
Guilmon smiled again and nodded. Somehow, even though Guilmon was still a child in mind, he knew what to say to him. Maybe there was more to the red dino then meets the eye.
Guilmon looked up at Wayne and placed his paw on his friend's shoulder. "You going to come for some bread?" he asked.
"Alright Guilmon…let's go have some breakfast." The two friends smiled at one another and started their way back to the stone hut. Unknowing to them, as set of sapphire eyes glowed from the dark shadows of the trees, watching them with interest.
Somewhere in the Digital World…
An echoing sound of clicking could be heard from the endless dark clouds that shrouded around a chair. A figure sat down inside the chair tapping the black stoned arm under his clawed hands, he allowed his dark red eyes to move onto the images that floated in front of him. His creation had made it to the real world, but he lay hidden, and waited for the right time. Unlike his last creation, he wanted this one to remain hidden, and study the fire dragon closely. The other digimon that were there, fought well against the Raidramon, but that fox was something not to be underestimated. This didn't even include the now tamer of the fire dragon who now knew the powers of modifying. The dark figure placed his hands together, and pulled back his hood, allowing his face to come into the darkness that he ruled so much. "My creature better not fail…" he said in a cold voice that seemed to cause even the darkness to tremble in fear. The figure stood up from his throne of darkness and peered at the screen longer, and saw the fire dragon with the fox digimon. She had been close to him since the pervious night, and even now was near him. Was this fox the fire dragon's bodyguard or was there something more. The sinister figure smiled as a new thought came into him, and he placed his clawed hands together. "This could prove to be quiet interesting…" he said with his words drifting off into the darkness.
Rika...
"Mom I don't want a dress." Rika said with annoyance as her mother pulled out a pink dress from the rack of the many clothes that were in the mall's shelves. "But honey you hardly have any dresses except that one blue dress. Why don't you get some variety in that closet of yours? Every time I go in there all I see is jeans and more jeans."
Rika sighed at her mother's comments and looked at her with a calm matter. "Mom I like jeans not dresses." Rika's mother sighed and placed the pink dress back onto the hanger. "Alright Hon, I'll just go look at some of the jeans then." She said with a sad tone. She knew Rika didn't like dress, but her daughter looked really beautiful in a dress. She had seen it many times when they had gone out for dinner at the fancy parties or restaurants that she had been invited. True, even after the D-reaper incident, she was still a popular model who always was invited to many places, but now she always asked Rika if she wanted to come. The two had grown closer in the years since the final battle, and somehow found a proper balance in the new relationship. "I'll just go walk over here mom." Rika said as she walked away from her.
"Okay." Her mother called out as she looked through the racks of jeans.
Davis…
Davis looked around the clothing store with amazement. The place was filled with shorts, jeans, shirts, sweaters everything you could possible imagine was inside the store. Normally he never did go to the store since his mother knew his size, and what kind of clothes to get, but now being in another world and with only one pair of clothes, Mrs. Matsuki took him out to get some new clothes for him. He tried to refuse, but from over the time being in Takato's house he had learned that Mrs Matsuki was the kind of person that didn't take no as an answer.
"What about these shirts Davis?" Mrs. Matsuki said pointing to the many garments that laid out in rows. "Uhhhh I'm not sure." Davis said wondering, "I have never gone cloth shopping before."
Mrs. Matsuki gave a cheerful smile to Davis comment. "Well try these on in the change room. It might give us a chance to know where you are in terms of size." She said as she handed the shirt to him. Davis looked at the shirt and shrugged. He walked to the change room, and started to take his old shirt off and put the new one on. "Mrs. Matsuki." He said through the door.
"Yes?"
"This one is a bit too small for me." He replied as he walked out of the room with his old shirt back on him and the yellow shirt in his hands. "Mmmm…maybe you're a medium then. I'll go take a look at the other shirts and see if they fit you." Davis sighed under his breath, he appreciated all her efforts, but he didn't really want to be standing there trying on clothes all day. "Mrs. Matsuki is it alright I walk around a bit and see if I can find some shirts somewhere else?"
"Alright Davis, I'll call you back if I find anything that will fit you."
"Thanks Mrs. Matsuki I won't go far." Davis said as he turned around and walked away. Mrs. Matsuki looked at the 17 year-old with a smile. She never told anyone, but whenever she saw Davis, she always thought about the time when she and her husband had been planning to have a second baby. In a sense, when Takato brought Davis to there home, there wish was granted. "At least we don't have to go through the diaper change stage again.." she mused to herself as she continued to look through the clothes.
Meanwhile, Rika walked through the rows of shirts, jeans and many other kinds of clothing that were around her. She didn't care about clothes like her mother did so her knowledge of sizes or what kind of prices to look for was some what limited. Then again, she always liked jeans and that suited her no matter what. As Rika continued to walk through the alley way music pierced through the air, and into the store. It stared out slow then started to pick up a beat that was very catchy.
Feel my love, feel my soul
It's so magical
Take my hand, make me whole
It's so magical
Can't get you off my mind
What we had id hard to find
I feel his pain inside
But I know
"Wow…that's such a nice song." She thought as she looked up at the speakers from which the sound came from. As Rika made her way through the alleyway, Davis walked along the opposite side. His mind wandered as he thought about home, and the talk he had with Flamedramon, the day before. "I hope he did great on that date." He thought, "It's very good to…love someone." At that moment, Davis' mind strayed to Kari, how he wouldn't hear her voice, see her smile…everything that he loved about her. "I wish I had told her how I felt…but then again did she feel the same way?" he wondered. As he could remember her and T.K. had gotten really close lately, could she have liked T.K. more than him.
Davis shook his head of the thought; it didn't matter to him anymore. Like he would ever see her again to even find out. Davis continued to walk through the clothes and then heard a song come over the store's radio. He hadn't heard it before, but it sure sounded nice.
Your love, your love
You can set me free
Make me see
It's so magical
You and me
We are one, the moon and sun,
It's so magical
You'll see
Ladida Ladidi it's so magical you'll see
Ladida Ladidi it's so magical you'll see
The song seemed to have a mysterious power over Davis and Rika. It was so calm and beautiful, which made it feel so easy to follow. The two tamers walked down there alleyways, still listening to the song, without realizing that the two were opposite of one another. Davis' mind was traced by the song and he just listen to it not realizing were he was walking. Rika was the same; her eyes looked at the speaker, and concentrate on the song. Davis rounded the corner and sure enough, there was Rika who was staring off into the song, and the two bumped into one another. "Davis?"
"Rika?
Live is good, live is fun
It's so magical
Love is here, we are one
It's so magical…
The song died out and the two tamers looked at one another with a surprise. "Well isn't it gogglehead two." Rika said with a smirk across her face. Davis rolled his eyes, "Why are you numbering me and Takato?" he asked.
Rika smiled once again and tapped his goggles, "Well I have to tell the difference right? You don't want to be called Takato do you?" She said with a grin on her face.
"So why are you shopping here?" she added, "I don't see guys usually shopping."
Davis' face blushed for a second, but he managed to keep a cool posture so that Rika couldn't make fun of him again. "Well, Takato's mom didn't know my size so she brought me down here to try some clothes."
Rika nodded and leaned against a change room wall that was right beside her. "Yeah I'm here for some new jeans and a t-shirt." She replied, "Just the problem of finding some good ones without my mum picking a dress or a girly outfit."
"You don't like dresses?" Davis asked.
"No I don't…have a problem with it?" She replied dryly.
"No it's just that most girls I know like dresses…well like to wear them for special occasions." Davis said as he tried to not tick off the fierily tamer. "Well…I don't, and right now I am just here for jeans."
"Yeah…I'm here for a whole new wardrobe…just hope Mrs. Matsuki doesn't pick some ugly shirts." Davis replied.
"Well then why don't you pick your own clothes?" Rika questioned.
Davis froze; he didn't really want to tell her that he never went shopping for clothes. Somehow, that seemed embarrassing to say to a girl. "I…well I just don't feel like it. That's all." He lied, scratching the back of his neck.
Rika looked at the brown haired boy and smirked. "Never shopped in your life I image."
Davis stopped and glanced at Rika. "Uh…how did you know?"
"Well it doesn't take an Einstein to know that you are lying, and besides you're scratching the back of your neck, which I would assume what you're saying is a lie."
"Alright…so I have never shopped for clothes." Davis mumbled as his face started to blush. Rika smirked a bit and then thought of something that could help him with his dilemma. "Well why don't I help you with picking clothes." She said. Davis looked at Rika in disbelief. "Uh uh…"
"What are you afraid of a girl giving you advice on clothing?" she said with a smile at Davis' sudden look of embarrassment.
"I'm…I'm not afraid of anything, but I'll do it if you let me give you advice." Davis replied.
Rika chuckled as she looked at the dragon tamer, "You…help me…that sounds so funny."
"Well don't tell me that you're afraid that little old me might help you with clothes." Davis replied folding his arms in front of his chest.
"Alright you're on…" she said grabbing a shirt from the rack.
Flamedramon…
The sun shined brightly in Shinjuku Park as Flamedramon sat in the branch of a tree. It was about noon, and he had decided to go for a stroll to get some exercise. He could have stayed at Rika's house and exercised there, but he felt that he needed some time alone, and not be heard by the ktsune he loved. Even though he had spent most of morning thinking, he still couldn't figure out how he was going to tell her. He couldn't just say it out to her since well she was a warrior type. Mushy stuff like love would probably make her think less of him, but then again what if underneath that tough surface, was a digimon that cared about it. "Ahhh I'm so confused." He mumbled to himself in frustration, "All I need to do is say three words, but yet I can't."
That always seemed to crawl into his mind, "How should he put his words? How would she respond to them?" In truth, Flame didn't know that, but could someone else? He could ask Rika, and find out, but no…that would be a dumb idea since she would probably leak it out to Renamon. "How embarrassing that would be, but who else might know Renamon well other than Rika?" Flamedramon looked to the ground as he went down the list of people. Takato and Henry had never gotten close to her, and Guilmon and Terriermon were always playing; something that Renamon didn't do to his knowledge. But who was left? Who could he talk to…Flamedramon's mind wandered a bit as again he went through the list of people he knew. All of a sudden something came to his mind. Didn't Mandy say he was best friends with Rika for a long time?" he thought. Flamedramon went back and thought over the night he had dinner at Rika's house and remembered. "Yes she did…maybe she knows something about Renamon." He thought with excitement as he stood up. "I can go talk to her, and then I'll know how to say my feelings to Renamon!" However, just before Flamedramon could move another thought came to him. Where did Mandy live? He never recalled hearing where the dark haired girl lived, but she was a customer at Takato's bakery. "Well that's a start." He said to himself as he jumped out of the tree and down to the shop.
Rika…
"Meh the blue one would look better with the vest." Rika concluded, as she looked at Davis in his new outfit, and grabbed another shirt from the rack. Davis sighed as he took the shirt from her hands, and retreated back to the confines of the changing room. He had tried on several different outfits in front of Rika, while trying not to be so embarrassed, and he still hadn't even made a suggestion for her. "This is the last one." He thought to himself, "Then it's my turn." He mused to himself as he put the shirt on, and walked back out. Rika looked him over with an observant eye. "Well that seems good to me." She said as she circled around him.
"Well now it's my turn to pick your outfit." Davis said with a smile. Rika sighed and walked to the change room. "Alright, alright…I'll put something on." However, just as those words left her lips, Davis pulled out a blue dress, and placed it in front of her. Rika stared at the dress, and glared at Davis. "No…..way!" she said with a shout.
"Why not?" Davis said, "I wore what you told me to wear and now this is what I want you to try."
Rika glared at Davis with a fierce gaze that would have made even the strongest people to go to there knees. Davis eyes went wide at the death glare, but he stood his ground and handed her the dress. "Don't tell me you go back on your word." He said trying to show fear in his voice.
Rika sighed, took the dress inside with her, and started to change. "Fine…he wants me to wear a dress well I'll give him something he'll never forget." She thought.
Meanwhile Davis sat down on a bench in the store and relaxed. "Dam that was one scary glare." He mumbled to himself, "I wonder if there is some school that teaches girl how to make that glare. I sure haven't seen a guy do one of those." He continued as his gaze went over to a mirror that was not far from where he was. When Davis looked at himself in the mirror he could see his face, but it wasn't the one he remember when he was home. The face now was older and more mature than he had before. Of course, he had been like this ever since he came to the tamers world, but still it was still new to him in so many ways. Davis brushed his hair back and took his goggles off. They were starting to make his forehead sweat since he was in the store and the heating was on quite high so the aroma of the clothes would come to anyone's attention. Strange concept, but they said it worked.
"Alright I'm done." Rika's voice called out from the change room. "If you laugh goggle brains, I'll kick your ass."
'I won't laugh at you." Davis replied as he sat up straight on the bench. "Now are you going to come out?"
"I'm coming…" She mumbled back and pulled the curtain back to reveal her self in the dress. Davis almost couldn't stop his jaw from dropping at the sight. Rika looked stunning in the ocean blue dress that sparkled in the stores lights. The dress matched her eyes perfectly, and her hair was somehow out brought out more then every before. As if it was creating its own fire to shine across the room. He wasn't sure if she knew it, but Rika looked grand in a dress. "You…look great." He said getting the words to barely to pass his lips. Rika looked down at Davis and back to the dress. "Uhmm…thanks…I guess." She said somewhat surprised by his comment. The two looked at one another for a moment, and just smiled at the whole experience.
Davis didn't know what to say at the moment since it seemed kind of awkward being with Rika like this, and seeing her in a stunning dress. Rika was silent as well. Truth be told, she actually had fun doing this with Davis, and for the first time she actually liked picking out the clothes. They stood looking at one another for a bit until a voice called from the middle of the store.
"Hey Davis," Mrs. Matsuki called out, "we have to go."
"Alright Mrs. Matsuki!" Davis called back and turned to Rika. "Well, I better go…thanks for helping me out."
"No problem Davis…uhm thanks for helping me out as well." She said in an uneasy tone.
"Anytime Rika…" Davis replied with a grin crossing his face as he turned around and made his way to Mrs. Matsuki.
Rika turned back into the change room and started to get out of the blue dress that she was in. It didn't take that long, but as she emerged from the change room with the dress on it's rack she looked at it and thought about what Davis said. "I guess…I could use another dress…" she said with a soft smile as she took the dress with her and headed towards her mother.
Flamedramon…
"There she is." Flamedramon thought to himself as he saw Mandy come around the corner and head into the bakery. The streets weren't busy at this time of day, but even still Flamedramon lay hidden in the shadows of the rooftop of the building across the street. The last thing he needed was a person screaming out was monster when he just wanted to speak with one person. As Flamedramon watched, Mandy walked into the store and grabbed a couple of loafs from the selves near the entrance. She then moved on to the counter, where Takato was watching the register for the time. They said a few words and Takato walked to the back, most likely getting some of the freshly baked bread that just came out of the oven. Sure enough, Takato came back with a paper bag that had a couple of warm loafs inside. Mandy smiled as she took the bread from Takato's hands, and handed him some paper money, but just as she placed the money into Takato's palm, she reached over the counter and gave the young boy a kiss on the cheek.
Flamedramon's went wide at this site. He never knew that Mandy and Takato had a thing going between them, and wondered if the others knew.
However, there was no time to figure that out since he had to follow the young girl to her house and speak with her. Flamedramon stood up from his hiding spot, jumped to the next rooftop, and started to follow Mandy down the street. It wasn't that hard to follow the young human since she walked the whole way and found himself at an apartment building. As Mandy went inside, Flamedramon jumped up higher so he could figure out which window belonged to hers.
Flamedramon's eyes wandered until he saw a light come on and Mandy walking by the window. He jumped up from on apartment deck to another, being very quiet so not to alarm anyone in their homes that there was a digimon outside there door. At one deck, a little boy saw him and waved his little hand at him. Flamedramon smiled and waved back at him and quickly jumped to the next deck. Eventually he made his way to Mandy's outside deck and crouched near the window to see if she was inside.
"Did you get the bread like I asked you?" a women's voice came from inside.
"Yeah, it's right over here mom." Mandy replied placing the bread on the counter in the kitchen. "Thanks hon…" the mother said as she walked by with a laundry basket in her arms. "Hon…I'm sorry to tell you this, but I won't be here tonight. The hospital needs me for the day shift." Mrs. Kumashiro said as she placed the basket on the floor.
"But Mom you're always out. Why can't you stay home sometimes?" her daughter said with disappointment. Mrs. Kumashiro glanced at Mandy and started to fold some for the clean shirts. "Well me staying home won't pay the bills. I'm sorry, but it's a job that I have to do. I'll try to be home for tomorrow night and then we can watch a movie together alright?"
"Alright…" Mandy said with a small, but sad smile.
"That's my girl." Mrs. Kumashiro said as she kissed her daughter on the cheek. "I left you some sushi in the fridge, and I should be back home in a few."
Mandy looked at her mother and nodded, "When will you be leaving?"
"In an hour or so I just have to finish up some of these clothes and I'll be heading out."
"Okay mom…I'll just go in my room and read some of my mangas." She said as she made it to her room and closed the door behind her. She sat down on the bed, grabbed her Chobbit manga from the bedside, and started to read it. It had always been one of her favourite manga to read for hours. However, just as her eyes came over the first words, she heard a small knock come from her windowsill. She placed the manga down, and walked over to the window in wonder. She pulled back the curtains and her eyes met with a set of brownish red eyes that were Flamedramon's. "Mawhhh!" Mandy shouted in surprise as she backed off from the window. "Flamedramon?"
"Hon you alright in there?" her mom called down the hallway.
"Uhm nothing mom just the wind scared me." Mandy called out as she opened the window to let Flamedramon in. "What are you doing here Flame?" she whispered so not to make her mom wonder what was going on.
'I'm sorry it's just that I need to talk to you about something." Flamedramon replied as he turned around and looked down at Mandy. He was quite taller than she was and decided to go on his knees so he was eye level with her.
"About what?" she asked as she sat in her swivel chair that was by her desk.
At that moment, Flamedramon looked down in embarrassment. Other than Davis, no one knew about his feeling towards the kitsune, and here he was now trying to get the courage to tell another. "Well…Mandy do you know Rika pretty well right?"
"Yes were best friends."
"Well…do you know Renamon…as well?" he asked with a nervous tone.
"Well a bit…but not as well as Rika would. Why do you ask?"
Flamedramon looked away once more and fell silent to the question. He was hoping that Mandy would know Rennamon quite well, but it seemed she didn't. However, maybe she could help in a way. " Uhmm Mandy…I'm going that I don't want Rika or anyone else to know. Can I trust you not to tell?"
"Of course…Flamedramon what's troubling you?"
Flamedramon looked up at Mandy with his reddish brown eyes. "Mandy…I came here because I love Renamon, and I was hoping that maybe…you could help me tell her."
Mandy lit up with smile as she heard Flamedramon's words. "You do?! That's so great, but why come to me?" Mandy asked.
"Well…your best friends with Rika so I thought you knew Renamon as well. I just…don't know how to tell her how I feel when she is so tough on things."
At that moment, Mandy started to giggle, "Sorry Flamedramon but that sounds so cute of you to say that." She said as she tried to stop her giggling. "Anyway, why don't you just tell her that you love her?"
"It's a bit harder than that…" Flamedramon answered, "I want to do it just right…so she doesn't think I am an idiot."
"I doubt she would think that. Just say how you feel about her."
"I can't…"
'Why not?"
"Because I'm afraid…"
Mandy fell silent; it was quite strange to hear that Flamedramon, the one that held the crest of courage, was afraid of something. "You're afraid of being rejected…" she added.
"Yes…the thought of her saying that she didn't love me terrifies me to no end…"
"But what if you don't tell her and she falls for another…won't that be even worse?"
Flamedramon looked at Mandy with shock. What if Renamon did fall in love with another? Even the sound of such a thing made the dragon's heart wrenched in agony.
"Yes…that would. How do I tell her then?" Flamedramon asked.
"Well next time you see her. Sit her down and tell her."
"Is that what Takato did to you?"
Mandy's face went all red at Flamedramon's comments, and didn't say anything.
'I saw you give him a kiss at the bakery." He added, which only caused her to blush even more.
"Well…yeah Takato and I have been together for…4 months now. We haven't told the others cause…well we wanted to keep it to ourselves."
"Well how did he tell you that he cared?" Flamedramon asked.
"He told me in the bakery shop when I came to pick up some bread as usual. He just told me that he liked me and if I would go out with him." Mandy replied as she tried to get the redness to leave her face.
"We have been going out ever since…but Flamedramon. If you love Renamon, like I think you do, tell her right away. Tell her how you feel when she is in the room or when you see her face don't hold anything back Flamedramon. Just tell her how you feel, and I am sure she will feel the same."
Flame looked at Mandy and nodded. "Alright…I'll try."
'Don't try Flamedramon. Do it. Show her how much you care."
"Alright…I will. Thanks Mandy…I really appreciate your words."
"Anytime Flamedramon…" she said as Flamedramon stood up from the floor and walked to the window. "See you later Flame."
"See you later Mandy and thanks."
With that final word, Flamedramon pushed off and made his way back to Rika's house. "This time my love…I will tell you."
The opponent has arrived, but why is it laying in wait? And will Flamedramon overcome his fears and tell Renamon his feelings?
Find out in the next chapter of A New World: Love and Darkness
Author Notes:
*Comes out of his crypt* Dang you all must have thought I had died or something. Well couldn't blame ya since my updates have been slow to a crawl. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I apologize for saying that I would have the battle with the mysteries opponent this chapter, but dued to an over creative mind, I started to make this chapter to long. So I plan to put it in the next chapter. Also I would like to thank Wayne for his ideas, and Skittles who gave me the song "It's so Magical by ATC", and help me out with the clothing store idea.
As for updates, I will be returning to my original story Infection for the next month or so and hope to get that done for late Novemeber or early December. Digital Destiny is still on the back burner since Skittles has been working on Missing Link, which I recommend to anyone that likes the crossovers of all seasons, and won't be done for a while. As for A New World, my ideas for this fic have become slow lately, but I will try to get the next chapter up in late December or January. It's hard to say. Well anyway thank you all for your reviews and hope to see you for the next chapter of A New World.