Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Digimon.

It turned out that the two hours the analysts got were spent with Yamanoue asking her probing questions, Emmanuel circling her like a shark while he picked her apart inch by inch, occasionally interrupting Yamanoue to ask his own, and Doctor Nakao watching and writing everything down. By the end of the two hours, Ruki was beginning to feel like she'd gone through the ringer.

Of course, Kunda was waiting there at the door with her Mom, and insisted on walking them to the car. "Your mother says that we'll only have you for a week if this doesn't work out," she said eventually.

Ruki watched her feet. It was too exhausting to look up. "That's what we decided," she admitted.

"Well, I'm sure that you'll like it here, Miss Ruki."

"And if there's ever anything you don't like here," Rumiko added, "you just tell me and I'll get you out of it." Ruki looked at her mother. She didn't seem quite as vehement as she had earlier, but she still didn't look very happy--or like she trusted Kunda.

Finally coming to a stop by the car, Kunda turned and smiled brightly. "I'll see you tomorrow."

And she did.

If Ruki expected anything to change after the first day, she was right. She was still being circled like an entree at a shark's dinner party, but she wasn't getting mobbed by questions--probably because of Kunda, she noticed, because they only quieted down when she got there. Otherwise Ruki was stuck answering questions like what her favorite color was, what kind of music she liked, what her favorite foods were...and on and on and on until she was sure that she'd been asked every question in existance.

And it was only her second day.

Finally noticing that her meal ticket was floundering, Kunda smiled at her. "You look tired. How about we take a break?"

Since Ruki was about ready to sell her soul to get a second to herself, she was quick to agree.

Claiming that ice cream was the best thing to recover in a short amount of time (ie, 20 minutes), Kunda was quick to introduce Ruki to her favorite shop: 31 Ice Cream.

She took one look at the crowded restaurant and murmured, "Hmm, a bit crowded today," before she turned back to Ruki. "What flavor would you like?"

Ruki stared at her blankly. "I haven't been here before."

"You eat ice cream, don't you?"

She continued to stare. "My Mom's a model."

"Hm, this is true," Kunda seemed to consider for a second, before she nodded. "All right, leave everything to me! You see that table over there?" She pointed to the one in the corner. "You sit there and wait for me. I'll order our ice cream."

Ruki walked to the selected table warily, keeping on eye on the cluster of people who were all enjoying their ice cream. There were so many colors. She sat down, and watched the line. It was kind of long. She was starting to doubt that they'd get back in twenty minutes. She watched Kunda, who had taken the opportunity to chat with the others in line, obviously unconcerned that they wouldn't make it back to work until, say, next week.

She winced when she saw Ryo get his ice cream. She hadn't seen him standing in line. It was typical, then, that he punished her for the oversight (or undersight, as the case may be) by walking directly to where she was sitting. She was getting prepared for whatever comment he would give, but he surprised her by sitting down right in front of her. And still didn't say anything.

After a long moment of him failing to acknowledge her in any way, she finally blew. "What are you doing here?"

He actually looked up from his ice cream--a swirl of orange and gold--and looked at her as if in pain. But there was humor in his eyes. "This is my table," he said, as though that were obvious.

"What do you," she paused when he slid a piece of paper that had been on the table in front of her. It read, quite clearly, 'This Table is Taken'. Fine, she thought. "I'll move, then."

"Why?" He resumed eating his ice cream.

"It's not like I want to sit with you!"

Several people looked over at Ruki's outburst. She tried to look composed, but after her day, all she really wanted to do was slide under the table and not come out until, say, the Digimon Card Tournament. Ryo, of course, smiled that little smile of his, the one that said, 'please now, don't embarrass yourself!'

"Why not?" He asked reasonably when the crowd stopped looking. "It's not like there's any more tables left."

Ruki looked. He was right, she saw quickly. "Fine, you can stay," she said grudgingly. Kunda was almost to the register now. Soon they could leave.

"Thank you," he said, as though it had already been decided.

Which, Ruki thought, it probably had been. So annoying. He resumed eating his ice cream. Since it was either watch him or watch Kunda, she did watch him. "You never did answer my question, you know."

His spoon paused on the way to his mouth. "Hn? Which one?"

"I only asked one!" Once again gaining the attention of the entire shop, she blushed about as red as her hair. Ryo seemed to be laughing, but it wasn't unkind. Ruki coughed uncomfortably, but then continued. "Why are you here?"

He seemed to consider it. "Are we talking my purpose in this universe, or are you hoping I'll tell you about the birds and bees?"

"I'm serious." Ruki crossed her arms, no longer concerned if anybody looked now. They didn't. "Why are you here, at this store, eating ice cream?"

Ryo actually grinned. "New flavor of the month," he gestured at the ice cream. "Jungle Kong Sherbert. Also, I like ice cream."

"Why didn't you say that in the first place?" She had a headache now.

He shrugged. "Usually, you ignore me."

"So this is some kind of revenge?"

His smile widened. "Is it working?" When she just stared at him, he laughed. "No, it's not. But that reminds me. What are you doing here?"

For a second she contemplated turning his reply back on him, but the shrugged. Kunda was almost to the register now. "Taking a break."

"From?"

"Work. I'm with the Digimon corporation now," she shrugged.

Ryo was actually staring at her. After a second he looked away. "Well, I didn't expect that," he finally said. "Why'd you do that?"

"None of your business."

"Okay." He resumed eating his ice cream, which had just begun to melt. Kunda was only four people away from the register.

After a moment, starting to get bored with Ryo eating his ice cream silently, occasionally humming along with the radio, Ruki had to ask, "Is that even any good? Jungle Kong Sherbert."

He looked at her blankly. "You never tried it before?"

Ruki shook her head. "No. I haven't been here at all before today."

"Then you need to try this," he said, and actually held a spoonful out for her.

She stared at him. "You're kidding."

"Nope! Everyone needs to try the flavor of the month at least once." There was an expectant look in his eyes, and the spoon was still extended. Not knowing why she did, Ruki actually did take a bite. "Well?"

Ruki waited until she swallowed it and registered the taste to answer. "It's good," she said, sounding surprised.

Ryo looked pleased.

It was funny. Sitting in a crowded ice cream shop with Akiyama Ryo, not fighting for the first time since the Digimon went home. Ruki had to laugh.

Curious, Ryo asked, "What?"

"Nothing." Ruki looked away and saw one of the workers bringing her an ice cream cone.

"Here you go, miss," she said, handing it over. "Sorry for the wait."

"Um, it's okay." Ruki continued to stare, even as the woman walked away. And when the woman was out of sight, she stared at her ice cream cone. "What is it?"

"Looks like Kong in NY Cheesecake," he said. Before she could protest, he stabbed at it with his spoon, and tasted. "Yep. That's it, all right." He made as if to take another bite, but she yanked it away. "Hey!"

"You already had a taste," she told him primly, and took a lick of her ice cream.

"Where's the lady you came here with?" He asked curiously, looking at the line. Kunda was nowhere in sight. "Wasn't she going to eat with you?"

Ruki shrugged. "I guess not." Suddenly she remembered. "What time is it?"

He checked his watch. "6:15. Why?"

So it hadn't been as long as she'd thought. "I need to go."

"Okay," he finished off his ice cream. "I'll walk you back."

"You don't have to."

He just gave her that look. "I know. Come on."

Since he was already walking towards the door, Ruki had little choice but to follow him. The office was only half a block away, but the block was all heavy traffic, so they had to wait for the light before they could cross the street.

"Miss Ruki! Wait!" They turned and saw Kunda running after them, awkwardly balancing herself on high heels trying not to drop her ice cream cone. She caught up before the light turned green, and took a lick of her cone, which was cream-colored with raisins.

"Where were you?" Ruki demanded.

"I'm sorry. I was talking to a friend of mine." She smiled at Ryo and held out a hand. "Hello there. I am Kunda Tai. We met at your interview a few days ago."

Ever polite, Ryo shook her hand. "I remember," he was also smiling. Ruki wondered what that meant. Come to think of it, it was rare for him to ever stop smiling. "Since your escort's back, I should get home before Dad starts to worry. Ruki, you'll be at 31 Ice Cream tomorrow?"

Ruki shrugged. "Maybe."

"Great. See you tomorrow." He waved, and then was quickly off.

Kunda smiled after him. "Are you and Mister Ryo friends?"

"No," Ruki denied it immediately. "We're just Tamers." The light was green, so they moved on.

Note: Whee! Today is my very good friend John's birthday! He's 23 today. Everyone please wish him a happy birthday. (We're driving down to Atlanta tomorrow to see him and give him his presents)

Sorry I didn't get a chance to write this chapter yesterday. I only got three hours sleep last night, but after lunch I took a nap and thusly am able to write this chapter! And the two regularly scheduled for today. This chapter is even extra long, for the inconvenience. And because I couldn't stop writing.

Also, a note on 31 Ice Cream. This is actually what they call Baskin Robins in Japan (31 for how many flavors there are there). So obviously, it's not mine, either. Jungle Kong Sherbert is also the current flavor of the month in Japan, along with Kong in NY Cheesecake. And for all of you watching, look! Another ice cream scene! Aren't you proud? All I need to do now is hit either Ryo or Ruki with a car, and this fanfic will be completely cliched!

advice lady -- Yes, I know. As stated clearly in Chapter 2: No Pictures, Please, I admitted that I take "wicked advantage" of the italics button. I can't actually say that I plan on stopping in this story, or editing it to remove some of the italics. Kunda definitely emphasizes about fourty percent of everything she says, and the italics point that out. She wouldn't be Kunda without it (you just didn't recognize this in Chapter 4 because she only had a few lines). In any case, I'm glad that you read my fanfic, even if that was all you had to say. Please continue to read, and I hope you enjoy the story, though obviously the italics bug you (at least it's not all in bold, though).

AzNAnGeL07 -- You review a lot during school, don't you:P And don't worry, I plan to. :)