Author's Note: I don't own digimon. Please read and review! Thank you! :D

Chapter 4: Reunion

A couple of days later, Rika was seen to be getting ready for the reunion. She was standing in front of the hotel and she was wearing her outfit already. Her dress was lilac in color and was buttoned down. She had a black belt along with it and she wore black wedged shoes. At that very moment, Rika was somehow restless. She did not know what to do or what to say if she was asked about her disappearance years ago.

I wonder where the others are, Rika thought as she began to walk towards the door.

Meanwhile, Ryo had taken his post as the receptionist wherein the guests would sign their names and identify themselves. He was wearing a blue buttoned down shirt and a pair of black slacks along with black shoes. He would have worn a tuxedo if this was a formal event.

"Gosh, Ryo! you looked like as if you can do an escort service!" Kenta teased. He was wearing a white buttoned down shirt and a pair of black pants.

"I'd rather work with Henry rather than do that kind of job!" Ryo protested.

"More like a call boy, if you ask me!" Kazu added. He was wearing an orange buttoned down shirt and a pair of black slacks.

"Stop it, you guys!" Ryo dismissed the teasing that his minions were giving him. "I'm just doing Takato a favor!"

Fortunately, a blonde with sapphire eyes showed up and walked towards Ryo. She was wearing a grey long-sleeved dress and with black high heels. Her straight hair had gained curls and she had learned to beautify herself when she was studying in America.

"Come on, you guys! Ryo can't do an escort service!" the blonde, now identified as Alice McCoy, chuckled.

Kazu became intrigued with the blonde's words. "What can he do?" he asked.

"A prostitution den!" Alice answered with a smirk which caused Kazu to burst into laughter.

It was Ryo's time to turn red. "Alice!" he said with embarrassment.

"Why, Baby Boy?" Alice teased as she messed up with Ryo's face by pinching him. "I'm just stating the truth alone!"

Ryo only laughed at the nickname she gave him. He used to call Alice "Baby Girl" because she was two years younger than him. Because of it, the blonde decided to call him "Baby Boy" just to counter the teasing that he was giving her when they were still younger. But only Alice retained the habit since it was a reminder of Japan to her.

"Thanks, Baby Girl, for not lying!" Ryo answered with glee, riding with the joy that Alice caused.

"No problem, Baby Boy!" Alice returned. "Now do your job!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Ryo answered and gave a hand salute.

Eventually, Alice went around and decided to scout for girls that she might possibly recognize.

At that moment, Rika was at loss on what to do. She did not know who to find because she did not even hear from her old friends before.

Gosh… I don't see Jeri or Alice as well! Rika thought. I wonder where those girls could be!

When she saw the reception desk, she became agape. She saw Ryo but she did not want to be seen talking to herself. She was certain that this was Ryo because of the skin color and the style of his hair as well as his eyes.

This is Ryo! I'm positive that he's this guy! Rika thought as she walked towards the reception desk.

Ryo was already seeing the auburn-haired woman who was pacing around aimlessly. He decided to help her even if she might be a stranger. Just as he could stand up, the auburn-haired young woman was walking towards his table.

"Hi…" Rika greeted Ryo.

"Hello…" Ryo answered but had no sign of recognizing the young woman. "Name please?"

This was Rika's turn to become a stranger. He doesn't recognize me. That's funny.

"I'm Rika Nonaka…" Rika answered casually.

"Rika Nonaka…" Ryo answered and gave her the list in which she was in.

Rika smiled deviously as she signed the attendance sheet. She was not really recognizable with her hair down.

"Rika?" Ryo asked as he realized who he was talking to. "Is that you?"

Rika let out a devilish grin. "In the flesh! What do you expect, Rooster Head?" she answered.

Ryo was speechless. He looked at Rika from head to toe and saw that she had changed visibly. She was no longer the teenage girl with the baby fats and her face had turned into a heart shape instead of the round one. And she wore a dress.

"Gosh, Wildcat!" Ryo noticed. "You look beautiful today! I'm sure Henry would be happy to see you!"

Rika was surprised with the name he mentioned. Her heart began to race in anticipation to meet him once again.

"Anyway, where is he?" Rika asked, interested to know where her ex-boyfriend was.

"He's just walking somewhere, Riks! I'm sure that he won't be absent for this day," Ryo answered, still could not believe that he was talking to Rika once again after six years. "Well, it's nice meeting you again, Rika! You look hotter than before!"

Rika let out a snort because of the adjective that Ryo gave her. What a smooth talker!

"You too. Nice meeting you again, Rooster Head!" Rika countered. "And thanks!"

At that moment, Henry just arrived and saw Takato standing right next to Ryo and Ryo who was seated at the reception desk.

"Hey, guys!" Henry greeted. "Sorry I'm late!"

"It's okay! Our fellow friends are already multiplying!" Takato exclaimed. He wore a red buttoned down long-sleeved shirt and a pair of black slacks together with his black shoes. "I've known gays in the past but became real men in the present and now!"

"Speaking of past and present, has anyone of you seen Rika?" Ryo asked from out of the blue.

Henry became surprised with Ryo's comment. Rika was attending this party?

"Why? What's with Rika?" Takato asked, feigning interest.

"Nothing! What I meant is that she changed a lot!" Ryo clarified.

Takato even wore a shocked look. Henry only looked at Ryo so he could explain.

"This is how it went. I saw her but I didn't recognize her. When she approached my table, she told me that she was Rika," Ryo explained the scenario earlier. "But dudes, she became more beautiful than ever!"

Henry became silent. He assumed that Rika must have found a new love and that caused her to become more beautiful according to what Ryo said. He decided to not speak about it for a while.

"Rika's really beautiful even before, right?" Takato asked nervously, sensing that his blue-haired friend became mum when the subject about Rika was brought up.

"This is different, Takato!" Ryo answered back, basing his explanation from the judgment he did earlier. "An improved version of Rika is what I saw earlier!"

Because of this, Henry became even more longing to see Rika. He wanted to see her so she could explain to him what happened to her, why she suddenly disappeared. Could finding another love be behind that sudden disappearance? If so, he still needed an explanation to why she fell out of love with him six years ago.

At that moment, Rika had been seeing so many people that she forgot. Because six years had passed since their high school graduation, she barely even knew the people that she saw, met or bumped with.

I couldn't find my friends… and Henry… Rika thought as she got fed up with all the walking that she just did. Maybe I should go to the bathroom first.

Eventually, Rika walked again so she could go to the bathroom. When she reached the bathroom, she fixed herself once again. She had put powder on her face and reapplied the lipstick that had faded. She combed her hair once again and inspected herself. she looked good as new once again.

Okay! I'm done! Rika thought as she saw herself and walked towards the bathroom door.

Unfortunately, when she was outside the bathroom, she saw again the people that she did not even know.

What if I go home instead? Rika thought and suddenly found the idea insane. No way. Your trip would be gone to waste if you go home.

As she was walking, she did not expect that her speed would increase. She also heard her phone ring. She knew it was a text because it was not continuously ringing.

Damn it! Rika thought as she opened her bag and fidgeted for her phone.

At that moment, Henry had just gotten out of the bathroom and decided to return to the table. He was supposed to rejoin Takato, Ryo and the other guys in table number two.

I wonder where those guys are, Henry thought as he walked as well. They were in the reception area when I left them!

As Rika walked while finding her phone, she did notice where she was going or the person that she might probably bump into as well.

Curse you, phone! What if there's a text from my mother? Then I won't hear the rest of it!

Meanwhile, Henry had been walking in Rika's direction. He was looking at his watch because the invitation stated that the reunion would start at six. It was already an hour since the people gathered.

I thought this would start early! Henry thought.

Unfortunately, as he was busy looking at his watch, he bumped into a frail figure that was walking as well in the same direction he was in. The impact caused the two to fall towards the floor and Rika's bag fell down with some of her things scattering on the floor.

"Oof!" Rika mumbled as her leg met the cold and hard floor.

When he heard a sound, Henry first looked to check the woman that he bumped. He was careless with what he just did.

"Uhm… Miss?" Henry asked the young woman whose head was bowing down because she was finding something. "Are you okay?"

Rika's head was bowing down because she was trying her best to gather the things that scattered due to the impact of the collision.

"Yeah," Rika answered. "I'm okay."

With this, Henry decided to help her get her things. He picked up an identification card, wallet and her bag. When he got hold of the I.D., his eyes went wide.

Rika H. Nonaka

Henry's heart had tripled its beat after realizing who the woman he bumped into was. When he saw the picture, it was the same Rika Nonaka that he fell in love with before. Eventually, he saw that Rika revealed her face and he looked at her closely. She still had the lilac eyes, her lips were red due to her lipstick and her shoulder-length hair and the shape of her face turned from round to heart-shaped.

Ryo was right, Henry thought. She had changed a lot.

Yet his heart was pounding loudly as he saw the beautiful face of his girl once again. He wanted to hold her, to touch her and to hug her. He missed this young woman so much to the point that he wanted to ask her what happened to her years ago. However, the statue position of the young woman gave him the sign that she somehow did not recognize him.

"Rika?" Henry asked as he recovered from his thoughts.

Rika looked up as the blue-haired young man in front of her mentioned her name and stared at the young man intently. Her heart had skipped a beat as she recognized the young man with the blue hair and tan skin. She became agape as she realized that the person that she bumped into was her first love, Henry.

"H-Henry?" Rika asked as her hand made its way towards her face. It is Henry!

Henry smiled because his assumption that Rika had forgotten about him was wrong.

"Yes, it's me… And I'm sorry because I bumped into you," Henry answered with a smile as he gave Rika her I.D. "Let me help you stand up."

Henry held Rika's wrists as he helped her stand up. When they were already on their feet, he immediately threw his arms around Rika and wrapped her in a warm embrace. He definitely missed his girlfriend because he had not heard from her for the past six years.

"I missed you so much, Rika," Henry answered as he hugged her tightly.

The young woman felt that tears were almost ready to fall as her love hugged her once again. However, she did not know if she could bring back the way they used to. Things had definitely changed during the years of her absence. Henry must have gotten married during her absence.

"I missed you too, Henry," Rika answered back wistfully.

When they broke apart, Henry and Rika let out a contented smile as they saw each other again. Surely, there would be a need for explanations as well.

"So, how's life?" Henry asked, wanting to know what transpired when they "split up".

"Well, I'm fine," Rika answered timidly. She was considering the assumption that Henry's wife must be around. "Anyway, I have to go."

Just as Rika could leave, Henry already got Rika's arm which caused the young woman to face him.

"Why don't you sit with us?" Henry offered.

Rika was beginning to be aloof right now because of the mere fact that someone would see them and accuse her of flirting with a married man.

"I… I can't…" Rika answered shyly.

Henry felt hurt as he saw Rika slowly denying him. "Why?" he asked.

"I can't… You're married already. Someone might accuse me of being an adulterer," Rika answered straight to the point in order not to embarrass herself.

Henry let out an amused grin to Rika's answer. "You think I'm married?" he asked.

Rika nodded slowly. She definitely wanted to get out of the sticky situation that she would probably get in. But her thoughts were broken when she heard Henry laughing.

"What's so funny?" Rika asked in confusion.

Henry cleared his throat. "I'm not married. And for the record, I thought that it was you who got married already."

This time, Rika let out an out of character giggle. "Really?" she asked.

"Yeah," Henry answered with a smile. Now he understood that both of them were still single.

"I'm not married," Rika answered bluntly. "Something happened to me six years ago and I can't talk about it right now. It's too sensitive."

Henry nodded in understanding. "Then I think it's fine that we sit together in our table."

"Why so?" Rika asked, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.

"We had friendship before so we can't be awkward with each other now," Henry assured and smiled at her. "Now let's go."

Rika felt at peace. If only she could tell him what happened to her, then she would not feel so guilty all over again.

"Okay," Rika answered with a smile.

Then the young couple went towards their friends' table. When they arrived there, they saw Takato and Ryo sitting there.

"Wow! It's Rika!" Takato exclaimed as he saw the auburn-haired young woman.

"I know!" Henry answered as his female companion smiled timidly. He offered Rika to sit down and he proceeded after.

Now that they saw Rika, they were sure that she was finding Jeri and Alice. Ryo stood up so he could find his blonde girl-friend.

Henry turned to look at Rika so he could talk to her. He had so many questions to ask from her because of the fact that he just saw her today.

"I missed you so much, Rika," Henry started. "Why didn't you write to me before?"

Rika let out a sigh as she tried to think of any valid reason. "I had been to several places and I always forgot to write. I've got so many things to do that time. Why are you asking me about it?"

Henry let out a sigh of relief. "I almost thought that you got married that time."

Rika laughed at Henry's sense of humor. "I haven't and probably won't."

Henry nodded again. "So, where do you live now?" he asked.

"I'm still living in the old house. I never transferred. It sucks," Rika answered.

"What about Mrs. Nonaka? Grandma Seiko?" Henry asked, wondering about her guardians as well.

Rika looked sidewards. "Well, they migrated to America six years ago."

"How did you study for your college degree?" Henry asked, surprised at the information.

"The first year was answered by Mom. But when I stepped on second year, I took a job as a librarian's assistant. That went place until I graduated," Rika recalled. "That was why working in the office seemed to be easy for me since I got a work experience."

"That's good," Henry answered with a smile, feeling proud of Rika's hardworking habits.

Not long after, the two couple saw Ryo and Takato bringing two familiar ladies. One was the blonde and the other was a brunette with her hair in a half-ponytail and she was wearing a yellow short-sleeved dress with white wedged shoes. Rika's eyes went wide as she saw her two friends once again.

"Rika! Do you still remember her?" Takato asked, his thumb pointing towards the brunette.

Rika was sure that the young woman beside Takato was Jeri. Her face began to wear a smile.

"RIKA!" Jeri exclaimed.

"Jeri?" Rika asked as she noticed the brunette.

"Rika! Oh my god!" Jeri confirmed. "It's me!"

Eventually, the brunette threw her arms around Rika and hugged her.

"I missed you, girl!" Jeri squealed while enveloping Rika. "You don't know how happy I am when I knew you're going to be here!"

Rika only let a soft smile as Jeri broke away from her. Eventually, the blonde spoke up.

"What about me, Rika? Do you still remember me?" Alice smirked.

"Of course I do!" Rika answered with a smug grin. "Alice McCoy!"

"I love you for that, Rika!" Alice smiled as she played with Rika's face using her hands.

"Thanks, Alice!" Rika answered as she held her face which was shaken by Alice.

Eventually, two young men appeared behind Alice and surprised Rika.

"Hey, Rika! Do you still remember us?!" the two asked in unison. One was a spiky-haired brunet and the other had green hair.

Rika knew that the two were the inseparable Kazu Shioda and Kenta Kitagawa.

"Of course, I do!" Rika snorted. "You two were the dweebs that almost ruin people's day!"

"That's right!" Kazu and Kenta answered in unison.

Henry only looked at Rika in admiration. He was still in love with her even if she had not told him what happened to her years ago.

Then the next thing they heard was music playing in the background. Jeri looked at Takato while Alice grinned at Ryo. Kazu and Kenta went off to get some partners to dance with.

"Come on, Takato!" Jeri spoke up as she held his wrists. "Let's dance!"

"Yeah, Baby Boy!" Alice seconded as she held his arm and walked towards the dance floor. "Let's dance!"

The two men had nothing to say against the young women who dragged them. Rika and Henry only found the scene amusing.

"Takato hasn't changed, huh?" Rika remarked as she saw the ever-obedient Takato dancing with Jeri.

"Yeah," Henry answered. "Unfortunately, he never got the guts to ask her out."

"Chicken," Rika concluded and Henry laughed.

Henry decided to join the others in the dance floor. He offered Rika his right hand. Eventually, Rika saw his hand and looked up at him.

"Can I have the honor of dancing with you?" he asked sincerely.

Rika thought for a moment. It was like this when he had asked her to dance during the senior prom. She decided not to waste time for the moment.

"Yes," Rika answered. "You can."

Henry took her left hand and led her to the dance floor. They were stationed just meters from the tables so they could rest whenever one of them got tired. Henry placed his right hand on Rika's waist while his left hand held her right. Rika placed her left hand on Henry's shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Henry asked, noticing that Rika had been shaking for the moment.

Rika nodded and Henry only increased his grip on Rika's hand. At some point, Rika felt secure with Henry holding her hand once again. She eventually laid her head on Henry's chest.

~ Don't stray
Don't ever go away
I should be much too smart for this
You know it gets the better of me
Sometimes
When you and I collide
I fall into an ocean of you
Pull me out in time
Don't let me drown
Let me down
I say it's all because of you

And here I go
Losing my control
I'm practicing your name
So I can say it
To your face it doesn't
Seem right
To look you in the eye
Let all the things
You mean to me
Come tumbling out my mouth
Indeed it's time
Tell you why
I say it's
Infinitely true ~

"Henry… I'm sorry if I can't tell things right now," Rika mumbled sadly.

Henry only nodded in understanding and enveloped his girl with his arms. "Shh… It's alright. You can tell me when you're ready."

"Thank you…" Rika answered as she resumed dancing with him.

~ Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you ~

Later that night, the reunion was over and the young men and women were tired from all the happenings that occurred earlier. Even the tamers got tired from all the dancing and partying that occurred.

"Rika!" Alice called. "Can I have your number so that I can call you and text you?"

"Sure!" Rika answered and gave her digits to Alice as well as Jeri who also obtained them.

"The reunion's fun!" Jeri exclaimed. "Thanks Takato for organizing this one!"

All of the tamers could see that Takato blushed at Jeri's comment. They definitely knew that Takato still had his undying crush on Jeri.

"You're welcome!" Takato answered and blushed.

Rika noticed that it was already late and she had no one to go with her so she decided to leave already. She saw Henry and bid him goodbye.

"Uhm… Henry, I'm gonna go now," Rika said and turned towards Takato. "Thanks for the invite, guys. Today was certainly nice!"

"Sure, Rika! Till the next reunion!" Ryo grinned.

Seeing that no one would accompany Rika, Henry decided to offer her a ride home.

"Rika, wait!" Henry called, making Rika turn around. "I'll drive you home. I don't want something happening to you."

Takato seemed to agree. "Yeah, Rika! Anyway, Henry, you drive her home. Ryo and the guys will take it from here."

Rika felt her heart tugging in anticipation. She had met Henry, danced with him and even he was the one who would take her home! Maybe fate was setting up for another chance between them.

Henry walked towards Rika. "Come on, Rika! Let's go."

Rika walked with Henry. She was not feeling awkward with him but she was rather guilty of disappearing without a trace. When they saw a black convertible, Henry pressed something on his key set and the car had made a squeak, signaling that it was already opened. When they were already in front, Henry let Rika hop inside first in which the young woman obeyed.

"Thanks…" Rika said as she sat down the seat next to the driver's.

Eventually, Henry also got inside the car and started the engine. Immediately they were already journeying around the city of Shinjuku. Henry looked at Rika one last time and concluded that she was troubled about something.

"Rika, are you okay?" Henry asked.

Rika looked at Henry and sighed. "Yeah, I am."

Henry did not accept this reason. Even if they went apart for years, he still knew Rika's emotions and how he could sense them. He wanted her to be honest around him since they used to be honest with each other years ago.

"You don't sound like you're fine," Henry answered casually. "If the dance earlier was the reason, then I'm sorry for it.

Rika shook her head. "N-No! It's not about the dance…"

Henry felt relieved. "Then what is it?" he asked.

"I'm just surprised with the changes that we had," Rika answered back.

Henry nodded in understanding. "Me too. But I'm really amazed with what happened to you. You looked more improved… but nothing is more beautiful to me than you."

Rika felt her cheeks turn hot with Henry's comment. "R-Really?"

Henry eventually gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes, you do. Aand if you have any problems and you need someone to confide with, you can tell me. I'll always be here for you… No matter what happens."

Rika felt more secure with Henry's assurance. "Thank you."

With this, the two began traversing the main road of the city. The journey was not that long since there was minimal traffic especially during midnight. Seeing that they were close to her street, Rika began to scout for the white gate.

"There's our white gate," Rika answered as she pointed towards the gate.

"Okay," Henry answered as he held the brakes in order to pull the car to a stop.

When they were in front of the Nonaka residence, Henry alighted first so Rika could hop down. The young woman was already standing on her feet as well as Henry.

"Thank you for today," Rika said as she looked into Henry's grey eyes. "It was really nice seeing you again."

Henry looked at Rika even more lovingly and caressed her cheek. "Don't mention it. And for me, I'm really happy that I saw you again. I missed you so much, Rika. I'll be willing to listen to you from now on. Even if we had grown apart, I will always do my best to be with you… even as a friend."

Eventually, he hugged Rika once again while Rika returned the hug back. When they broke apart, Rika turned around and opened the gate. Before she could go inside, she smiled Henry her warmest smile.

"Good night, Henry," Rika added. "I'll see you soon."

Henry returned the smile. "Good night and take care."

Then the young woman went inside the gate and closed it.

"Good night." Henry smiled as he saw that his love was already inside her house. "My love."