Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Digimon.

"I suppose," Rumiko finally said, cooling down after an hour of arguing, "that you'll want me to drive you?" Ruki nodded. Rumiko sighed. "All right, then. You should hurry up and get dressed then. What time do you have to be in?"

Ruki was already walking back to her room. "Around 5:00."

"Ruki! It's 4:30!"

As if I didn't know that, Ruki thought, sighing to herself. Though she quickly changed into her jeans and trademark t-shirt, Rumiko was waiting for her at the door, and dragged her (or tried to) out to the car. If she wasn't already going to be late, Ruki would have dared walking. Especially since, she thought, her mother drove like a madwoman.

She pulled to a stop in front of the office building so fast that Ruki had whiplash, and all but shoved Ruki out of the car before she sped off to find a parking place. Not that Ruki minded much, since she hit the ground running.

Kunda was waiting for her just inside, her eyes widening when they saw Ruki. "Why, hello."

"Sorry I'm late," she managed to gasp out.

Kunda smiled, looking at the clock. "You look on time to me. Why don't you take a peek?"

Slowly, Ruki did look, and she saw it--a small round clock with a glowing face, and the small hand was on 5, and the long hand was on 12. She'd gotten here on time.

"Come on," Kunda said, her hands clasped behind her. "I'll show you where to go."

"Hold it!" Rumiko said immediately, standing in the doorway. "She's not going anywhere until I talk to who's responsible here."

Kunda smiled. "You must be the mother. I'm Kunda Tai," she held out a hand, but when Rumiko made no attempt to shake it the hand was withdrawn. Obviously not in the least offended, she continued, "Today Miss Ruki is supposed to see a few analysts. They will analyze her personality and interests, learn all they can about her, and then they can take what they know into marketing. This is how we will insure that Miss Ruki will never have to say or sell anything that she does not believe in one hundred percent."

Yeah, right, Ruki thought, and saw the sentiment mirrored on Rumiko's face.

Kunda continued to smile. "While I am prepared to answer all of your questions, it is imperative that Miss Ruki does get to the analysts immediately. In respect for her first day, she'll only be working the first half, giving her back to you by 7:00." She waved her secretary over. "Kasai, please take Miss Ruki's mother to my office. I will meet her in there shortly. Miss Ruki, please come with me."

Rumiko obviously didn't want to go with the secretary--odd behavior, Ruki thought, since he was as handsome as any of her Mom's boyfriends--but she didn't protest, since Ruki was already following.

"I would be giving you a tour," Kunda said, "but I'm afraid that there's no time for it today. I promise to give you one tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure." Ruki looked at her curiously. Kunda was acting a lot different than she had been after the interview. A lot less like a Barbie doll. Not that she trusted her any more, but it was weird.

Kunda stopped. "Here we are! The analysts room." She knocked on the door, and at the response, opened it. "Hello, sorry it took so long."

Three people were waiting in the room, smiling. "That's okay, Tai," the only woman of the group assured her. "We didn't expect to see you for a while, anyhow."

Kunda smiled. "Here's Miss Ruki," she introduced. "These people are Doctor Nakao Sakurako, the psyche analysist; Yamanoue Kinzo, to study your interests; and Marais Emmanuel, the fashion consultant."

"Fashion consultant?" Ruki demanded.

"Among other things," Emmanuel, the token foreigner, admitted with a shrug.

Kunda looked almost apologetic. "I'm sorry. You know I'd love to stay, but I really need to go. Be gentle," she instructed the analysists.

With a strange sense of foreboding, Ruki watched the three as they all cheerfully waved at Kunda, before turning their eyes to her. She had a strange feeling it was going to be a long day.

Note: I actually do like this chapter, which is good news since I had the toughest time writing it. I felt really unmotivated trying to start writing, so much that I alternated between writing and reading my manga (Fruits Basket volume 5, if you're interested). I finally got to chapter 29 (page 141, the most hysterical of them all) when I finished this chapter. I had originally intended this chapter to be longer, since the next Ryuki scene is going to be the next chapter (it got moved from Chapter 9 to Chapter 10 when Chapter 4 split).

Ack, and I'm cutting this update a little close (actually have to go to bed before 5:00am tonight). Sorry everybody. I think I'm going to have to just update three chapters tomorrow.

AzNAnGeL07 -- High praise! High praise! Thank you so much. :)