Disclaimer: Of course Digimon doesn't belong to me.

Getting through the interview was a battle that after, Ruki didn't remember much of. But she didn't really need to. None of them had given Juri away, and they weren't going to. She accepted a bottle of water that someone handed her. "Thanks."

"You looked like you could use it." The person was a reporter, representing the Digimon Corporation--Kunda Tai. She was one of the few women here not in heels and a skirt. She was wearing designer jeans with a strapless dress over it, and hoop earrings. Not very modern, Ruki acknowledged, but very chic. Likewise with her hair, dyed platinum blonde, with a myriad of corkscrew curls that didn't reach past her chin.

"You're right," Ruki said, twisting off the lid. When the reporter didn't immediately disappear (not that Ruki expected her to), she had to ask, "Did you want something?"

"Yes," Kunda said. "You must know that I represent the Digimon Corporation. My boss is most interested in you."

"You realize that the interview is over, right?" Ruki asked. She knew just where this was going.

"I'm not interested in asking questions." A blatant lie, but Ruki didn't protest. Kunda smiled. "My boss wants to represent you, Makino Ruki. I know that we'll be good friends."

You know that I'll get you money, you mean, Ruki thought. "Not interested."

Fully expecting that, Kunda dug into her purse and pulled out a card. "Here," she placed the card firmly into Ruki's hand. "You keep this, and when you're ready, give us a call. My door's always open." The smile she gave as she left was golden, the kind of smile you expected from any Barbie doll.

Ruki watched her walk away, idly wondering how many of the other Tamers had gotten that same spiel.

"She got you too, huh, Wildcat?"

"Go away, Akiyama," she tossed over her shoulder.

Ryo laughed, ignoring the order. Like always. He came to stand behind the chair she was in, making her tense up. She hated it when people did that. "Sorry, can't do that," he said. He didn't sound very sorry. "Your friends Kazuo and Tadiyuki both had to go to the hospital."

"Kazuo and...?" Ruki frowned, trying to make the connection, before it hit her. "Ah! Iida and Okanao. Are they okay? What happened?" She hadn't even noticed they were gone. Says a lot about me, doesn't it?

"Tadiyuki's wife went into labor," Ryo told her. "They both went. So come on, get up, or you're not getting home tonight."

Grudgingly, Ruki did. "How is it that you're on a first-name basis with Iida and Okanao? Didn't you just meet them today?"

"Yep! So?" He paused long enough to look at her for a second after she was on her feet. "You're really short."

"No I'm not." He was, after all, only three inches taller than she was. That did not make her short.

"If you say so." He shrugged and walked off. Ruki watched him for a minute, then sighed and followed. He was so annoying sometimes. He walked out of the crowd uncontested, but, Ruki thought, he was just too perfect that way. Something else to hate him for. She, of course, was bumped into, but Ryo was never out of sight.

"How do you do this?" She demanded grumpily, as soon as she caught back up again.

"Do what?" He glanced over his shoulder at her, looking completely innocent--and twice as annoying.

"Avoid your fanclub."

"Oh." He shrugged. "Luck, I guess."

He passed right through the parking area, not even thinking about slowing down. Ruki hesitated, but continued to follow him. "I thought I was getting a ride home."

"Nah. If you got in a car, like I said, you wouldn't get home tonight. Have you seen traffic?"

It was kind of hard to miss. Everyone was bumper to bumper, and moving at a snail's crawl. "So how am I getting home?" She asked him.

"I'm taking you," Ryo told her, obviously enough.

That, she thought, is what I'm afraid of. "I can get home on my own," she said.

"You're ten years old, and a girl. Do you really think I'll let you walk home alone?"

Well, when he put it like that... "Then I'll get a ride with Lee. I told you, I don't need you to take me anywhere. I can take care of myself."

He stopped, and turned around to face her. Ruki didn't back down, but Ryo looked more amused than impatient. But he always looked that way. "You're so stubborn. Look at your watch, Ruki. It's almost 7:00, and the interview stopped at 5:00. I'm walking you home," he turned again. "Besides, I'm walking that way anyhow. Jianliang doesn't live that far out."

"Fine," Ruki said, and resumed following him. "But I warn you, if your fanclub jumps me, I'm going to blame you."

"Okay, okay! I'll take it."

Note: My brother wants the computer now, otherwise the chapter would be longer. (sigh) I'm sorry. I really tried.

karika88 -- I'll try not to make Ruki too mean. But she is 10, and a very grumpy individual, so she will have some bad points. And since it is her POV, she will perceive some annoying traits of Ryo. She probably won't see so much good in him until she gets to know him better.