A/N: Written for the Tale in Fragments Challenge, 10 prompts List 1, prompt #04 – fire, and for the Female Character Appreciation Competition (with Ruki), both on the Digimon Fanfiction Challenges Forum (link's in my profile).
Enjoy. :D
Picnic Day
4. Fire
Their plan to visit the hot springs went ahead as planned, and Ruki couldn't even complain about the uncomfortable ride because of her excitement.
It wasn't the first time she'd been to the hot springs in the real world, though they were a rare treat. But it was the first time with Renamon, the first time since the gates have opened up again and Ruki had no sadness left to hang on to. And Renamon is a little giddy too, to find out what Ruki wants to show her.
Rumiko is excited too, because Ruki is happier, Renamon is with them and it's the makings of a perfect weekend vacation.
And it goes like that too. The mountain air is cool and Rumiko wraps her shawl a little tighter around herself as she pays the driver. Ruki has a jacket over her favourite t-shirt and is helping her grandmother. Renamon is on the other side, fur standing on end but insistent that she needs to article of clothing to keep her warm.
Ruki is looking amused, and the rest of them discover why when they hit the hot-springs. Renamon's first instinct is to yelp at the burning warmth that spreads from her toe to her ears. Ruki laughs, the sound like a chiming bell in the steam and she gestures the other in. 'No splashing though,' she warns.
Renamon grimaces at the very idea and slowly slips in.
Her body gets used to it quickly enough, and she doesn't go red like the humans. Rumiko is already fanning herself, though she is signing in contentment at the same time, and Renamon doesn't pretend to understand. It is cozy though, she confesses to herself. Not like the Digital World where everything is made out of data and can't become whatever they thought it to be.
Though she doesn't want to do this every day. Brushing her fur afterwards will be somewhat of a nightmare. But it is relaxing; it loosens her shoulders, so used to fighting and always a little tense. It teases into her fur and makes her skin curl at the warmth. It makes her ears lie down and calm.
Ruki grins at her, hair tied up in a bun instead of her usual spiked ponytail. 'What do you think?' she asked. 'Not what you imagined, right?'
'No,' Renamon agreed. 'It is a rare treat.'
Rare is right, because she can't think someone would want to do this every day. But once in a while maybe…
'It's good for the skin as well.' Rumiko slipped a little further down. 'The heat might make the skin a little red – ' She prodded her skin. ' – but it's worth it for all the cleansing and minerals we get from it.'
'Oh?' Renamon inquired politely. Ruki didn't seem interested; she had her eyes closed and was kicking about under the water. Ruki's grandmother didn't seem interested either, sitting on one of the stools in the hot spring – for those people who couldn't keep themselves afloat for long periods. Renamon thought some of the age lines were running away, becoming smoother.
Rumiko is glad for the interests and launches into an explanation that Renamon can't quite follow, lacking knowledge about the earth's minerals and the more delicate structure of their bodies. Even little things she doesn't understand, like why Juri had shrieked and slapped Kazu when he'd accidentally walked in on her changing. Like why Ruki had threatened Ryo if he even thought to peek. Why the girls always had some sort of top (even if it only covered their breasts) while the boys hung out on the beach with just their shorts.
Ruki had looked embarrassed when Renamon had asked, something amusing in itself because there were few things that could make Ruki embarrassed. But now Renamon could see a little more.
They'd accepted she was female, and maybe she was. Digimon just didn't use that classification. But they felt fine being undressed in her presence, and the steam didn't hide everything. Renamon could see the bumps in Ruki's chest, and the bigger bumps on the adults that the boys lacked.
Ruki suddenly looks up and catches her looking. She blushes hotly and sinks into the water. 'Renamon!' comes a wail soon after, partially punctuated by bubbles.
Rumiko examines her daughter as well. 'You're growing up some,' she commented, before noticing Renamon's lost expression. 'I take it Ruki hasn't explained anything about breasts to you, has she?'
The word is foreign to Renamon, but it is enough to make Ruki disappear underwater.