Chapter 9 : Limit
The sun almost on the peak of its might today, but its heat not bothering anyone who even spend their time outside. Snow still falling out and noon still freezing for most people. In makino's backyard, there is another source of heat beside the sun on the open space. It's small but the heat that it packs can't be underestimated, one touch could burn any human bare skin.
Multiple fireballs thrown at her, but she gracefully dodge it with minimal movement. "Not bad for today, had enough?" Renamon watching impmon who start panting in front of her, she walk closer and tap his shoulder. The imp's eyes still showing some energy but he still reckless as ever, so she need to step in right now, even if he disagree. "That's enough" She says to him, answering her own question for him.
Impmon quite annoyed, he want to go again but it seems that renamon serious on this, so he nod and their training over for today despite wanting to say no. Walking towards kitchen, impmon hop near the stove and cabinet before making tea for them, just an instant one though. His time in this house can be boring on some certain hour to the point that he watch and learn to make some drinks from miss Rumiko, his small build also help him to deal with more delicate things, although having only three fingers each hands can be difficult sometimes especially when he learn from human who got five on each of of them.
"What's your problem?" He suddenly said, his tone is showing some hostility.
Renamon frowned for a moment listening his complain, can't wrap her head on the problem he refer to.
"You think i'm just a pushover?"
Watching him pouting and look away, Renamon finally get what's he talked about. She want him to know that isn't true, yet there they're, drinking tea after she said he had enough for today's training. Instead of replying him, she giggle a bit while watching him keep pouting, that's not sit right with impmon.
"Great, just continue laughing at me, i just a joke, i know that" Grumbled impmon who still looking away, he then sigh and shove his anger aside before stare directly at Renamon, asking for a real answer this time. "Am i really that weak now? I just wanted to be strong like you, i feel like doing nothing when i lived here. Yet i always watch you train everyday on your spare time" Impmon look really sad in her eyes, now she feel guilty not replying him with a honest answer instantly.
She rub his back gently and his tail shot up for a moment before it curled up to the side, Renamon prefer not to comment on that and focus on his question first. "Not weak, you never been weak" Impmon stare in disgust hearing that, she want to ease him up but just ended up sugarcoating it too much. "Okay okay, i'm sorry" With hand still on his back, Renamon pull him closer to lean on her side, but the damage was done and even this not helping much. "Come on, it's not like training giving me more power"
"Huh!? You want me to stop fighting or not!?" Impmon snapped instantly and slam his fist to the table, startling Renamon. He stand on the chair and about to berate Renamon but discouraged after staring for few seconds, with angry snort he leave the kitchen.
Renamon could just hold him in place and explain but that just asking for more trouble, she wish that she can choose more subtle words before. This happen after he make a tea for her, making the guilty feeling worse for Renamon. She can hear he watch tv program on the room that got kotatsu in it, a table with blanket and heater or something like that, she never use that kind of thing. For now she let his anger to subside first before joining him on that room.
After an hour or two, Renamon knock the open door first, letting impmon know she's coming. The imp didn't response, not even taking a glance at her, but Renamon just goes in since there is no rejection either. She sit beside him who watch news, not that Impmon really interested on the news, he just trying to ignore her. Her tail wrap behind him and pull him closer to lean at her side. "I did want you to stop the training for today, It's for your own good" Her words still not enough to make him to even take a glance at her, but she can tell that he's listening. "I'm serious about what i said earlier"
After all this time, it's hard to bring too much anger at her again, it just not possible. Impmon grab her tail and wrap it tighter around his body, though he still want a clear answer from Renamon. "Then you just telling me that all those training you did is worthless" He replied to her with a gentle voice. "Is that what you really mean?"
Renamon got a chance to explain and she want him to fully understand what she meant, so Renamon trying to explain from the start. "We're not like human who grow stronger over age, that's why we fixated on absorbing other-"
"I know! I'm not that pineapple head!" Impmon cutting her words before Renamon even get to her point. "Just tell me why? Why you keep doing that if you say it won't make much different!?"
They heard a sigh from the entrance of that room, Ruki shake her head in annoyance. She join them and they instantly fall silent in the pressence of Ruki, the girl just hate this kind of pointless fight. "I just want to see but..." She stare at impmon and it makes him little bit scared, but she just disappointed. "Let her talk, what will you gain by yelling like that?" Scold Ruki.
"She, she keep saying this and that to dodge my question! I know she just want to keep me weak! You afraid that i would replace you huh!?" Impmon's accusation wasn't taken lightly by Renamon, they glare at each other now.
This accusation is very big and in front of Ruki no less. "I never said that" Her voice is threatening Impmon back and the tension quickly rise, like the two could dunk on each other right there right now.
Normally seeing two digimon fighting is scary, even a rookie level one can damage any properties or killed human with ease, but this already normal for Ruki. She sigh again when she look at them especially their position, Renamon's tail still wrapped around him. "Look at yourself for god sake" When Ruki point out about that, they quickly move away from each other, both clearly embarrassed. "Oh cut it out, you two still sleep together tonight" Watching them in this position is quite entertaining, especially Renamon who rarely show this much of emotion.
Impmon starting to think about Ruki's word when he keep silent and looking away from Renamon, there is no push or scold from Ruki either, giving him a moment for a deep thought of contemplating his action. After about five to ten minutes, he slowly move to touch Renamon's tail, just a little poke to alert her. "Sorry, that was a dumb move from me" He thinks that Renamon would turn back and smile, but that's not happening, the vixen still looking at outside and stay silent. "Renamon.. I'm sorry" Now instead ignoring him, Renamon get up and walk away from the room. Impmon can't do anything about it, just like when she let his anger dies out, Impmon also think that chasing her right away is just adding fuel to the fire.
Watching all of it crashing down, Ruki only stare at him. "Tell me what happen" She said, trying to understand the whole thing, she only knows that this two fight when they already on the tv room. Impmon tell everything, from the start of training until now. It's not hard for Ruki to understand, she know why both Impmon and Renamon upset about this, both got their own reason for it.
"I'm in big trouble am i?" Resting his head on the table, Impmon looking at the direction where Renamon leave. "I just want to know why she said training is useless, I shouldn't have said that.." He turn to Ruki, like silently asking for help.
Ruki want to help, there is no doubt on that, but she also want Impmon to understand his mistake first. "But do you get her point?" Ask ruki, which Impmon replied by shaking his head. "How can you not.." Although sometimes he's annoying and clueless, she glad impmon isn't that naive to be told. "Digimon like you made out of data, why do you think you got the need to load other digimon's data after fight?"
After a minute or two, Impmon feels like he got the same answer from Renamon before. "I know! I know that. I want to know why she's train Ruki, that's what i want to know"
"You think everything can be solved with one way?" His face showing 'oh' when listening her and then he close his eyes for a moment, like something so simple yet he can't get the hang of it quickly, or his temper just get the good of him first. Ruki grab his hand, trying to tell him that it's fine. "You only use two form, no wonder you just brute force everything with your gun"
Impmon nod. After granted the power to digivolve, he only fight with someone that weaker than him before losing to Dukemon. As Beelzebumon he may muster great power, but in the end he just blasting his gun to enemies that on his sight. "Well, I don't know how to fight properly, cause.."
"Cause no one there to help you, you lost your partners" The truth hits hard, if he just learn with his tamers, he may be on par with other digimons that also has their own tamers. Ruki isn't stopping there. "You just.. wasting your potential, i can put it with other words but you know it, i know it" She keep holding his hands and stare right on his eyes. She can feel his hands trembling, but slowly he calmed down by accepting it.
"Thanks" His reply is short but genuine, she know it from his eyes that stare at hers.
After the deep conversation, Impmon watch the tv with Ruki beside him. The girl want to help him further but she won't press him too much, he might just gonna have a breakdown if she talk about his tamers again. But she saw that he want something from her and curious about it, but now is not the time.
Watching tv with Ruki, Impmon can't focus on the programs on tv shows, his thought wandering again thinking about what he said to Renamon. He grab her hand to get her attention. "I'm sorry about that, I shouldn't have said that to her in front of you" His voice sounds sad and regretful. "She's your true partner, I didn't mean it and just wanted.. I just lost my cool.."
Petting his head, Ruki smile to him. "Don't be, i know you don't mean it like that. But you actually want that right?"
"What? No! I.. I won't do that! I swear! I never planning to-"
Ruki put her finger to shut him up, but there is no anger or resentment from her, instead of that she looks happy. "Don't lie to me, you want a partner again right?" He nod, after spending time in this house he can't help but having that desire, to have someone that guide and help him. He start to think that Ruki might help him, even though that's sound weird when she already got possibly the best digimon out of all tamer partners. "No, it's not technically possible. No one ever got two digimon partners, at least not now or we don't know how to obtain it" Impmon little hope quickly died out and he sigh, but Ruki make him look at her again. "You don't need an official things like-" Ruki giggle when Impmon hug her before she can finish her words, he pick the hint so quickly.
There is a lot of things he want to say, but only one coming out from his mouth. "Thank you" That's more than enough when his body already showing what he feels, even his tail move more lively than usual.
Carefully she pet Impmon on the head, it's not his first time and she knows how he's gonna upset if someone else sees him in this state. His reaction rather cute like petting a cat. "Heh, you sure you want me to become your master?" Impmon surprised she said something like that, isn't Ruki just offering him some help, like she want to become his tamer? "Isn't having a tamer making you a 'pet'? Hmm, Impmon~?"
When he finally know she just teasing, he can't help but laugh, though he still disappointed when she's not offering what he initially thought. He recall the first time he met Renamon and mocking her to have Ruki as her tamer, it seems that Renamon shared that one with Ruki. "Cut it out, i'm done with that, just.. just don't tell anyone about this" Impmon let go their hug but still looking at her. "So.. I don't actually understand how this is gonna work Ruki" He ask, looking for explanation.
Ruki pull out her deck of card, showing a lot of cards that she use to help Renamon in battle. There are a lot of simple stuff that Impmon quickly grasp just from a glance, like speed or defense cards. Then there are some cards that got other digimon picture on it, he wonder why one of it has Guilmon picture while Guilmon isn't her digimon. The most confusing cards for him is blue card and red card, Impmon doesn't know anything about those. After laying out some of her cards, Ruki sort them out first into three categories. "Okay, how much you know about these?" Ask Ruki, she let Impmon observe those cards first.
"Umm.. you take one of these and slide or put it on those little device?" He replied. "All I know is Renamon getting stronger or digivolving... with you sometimes?" Shaking his head, Impmon shows he got little to no knowledge about this, but he got the basic idea of it after watching her or any other tamer in battle.
This shouldn't be hard since Impmon isn't that clueless, so she get to the most important point first. "You can't use these, I can't help you with these cards" She said blatantly, not beating around the bush since he doesn't like that type of talk as well. Judging from his little reaction, he already knew. Ruki then grab cards that the sole purpose of those is to digivolve Renamon. "These, you never need these to begin with. You already got the power to digivolve on your own" She then showing some cards that the sole purpose is buffing Renamon, either through increasing power overall or giving her other digimon skill. "I'm thinking about making a team"
"What?" Impmon shocked, a team?
She nod to him and point out those cards again. "Sort of, since I can't help you directly, teaming up with Renamon is the best choice. I still have Renamon as my main figther but you will fill the gap that she can't close" Now he's not as confidence and hopeful as before, clearly unsure about all of this. "What? Too good for any help? Or just helping?" She said to him followed by chuckle.
Impmon shake his head. "Can i?"
It almost make her laugh, but she hold that. "If the battle not that hard then you two can go together without my help, aren't you like the thrill of it?" He snort and smirk hearing that. "Good, not that different from her. Renamon likes to challenge digimon with a level higher than her rookie form without digivolving. I'm sure she won't mind that" Ruki start to put her cards back into its holder. "I will judge the fight and make decision on the go, just trust my instruction and you'll be fine"
"Sure, it's not like you're one of those idiots" They laugh, now Impmon start to feel more confidence about this idea. "I'm sure you got a better view than I-"
Ruki's phone screen flash for a second, stopping Impmon before he can finish. She check what's going on but it just a text message, though quite important one. Showing her screen to Impmon, it says some text from Juri. "She's coming today, you can talk to her later" Says Ruki.
For past couple days Impmon tried to meet up with Juri and Gabumon, but Juri got something else that she can't leave. He then asked Ruki's help to let him know when she's available, which let to the current day. He's happy to hear it but this is not what he expected from it. "Text her back Ruki, she doesn't need to come here. I will go to her place tonight"
She shake her head. "No, she decide to come because she want to let me see her cards as well" Replied Ruki. "You didn't planned to have private conversation right, if so then.."
"No, it's fine. I just want some chat about how they met and you know.. it's been a long time since I went to digital world, I just want to talk with Gabumon"
Although Ruki want to ask him why he need to talk the later one with Gabumon, she just nod. He doesn't need to hear everything for her, plus it shows and help him to be more open especially with Juri and her new partner. After that they don't need to continue their chat about fighting, it just need a real test but unfortunately or fortunately there is no bio-emerging right now, or at least not near their position.
While watching TV, the uneasy feeling of guilt start coming back to him, so after taking some deep breath he get up. "Where?" Ask her short.
"Finding her, what else? You expect me to sleep with her tonight after that?" He clearly sounds sad, yet also sounds happy at the same time for some reason. "It's not like she can be mad at me forever, heheh~" He add with smirk.
Ruki chuckle. "You want to take that last one back Impmon, believe me"
Impmon doesn't really pay much attention and walk away from that room, he only take that as a little joke from Ruki, but she really mean it. Just two step away from outside that room, he can see Renamon standing right beside him, leaning on the wall while her arms crossed. He start sweating, Ruki said that could meant that she already knew Renamon already back or she was there from the start.
It scare Impmon and he take a little step back from her, but Renamon quickly lean lower to him. "I can't be upset forever? How about we test that, hmm?" Her teasing enough to scare him even more, but to her surprise he move closer to her.
"I'm sorry.." He said softly.
In one motion she scoop him and they enter the room again, Ruki only sigh and shake her head with giggle watching them. When Renamon sit beside Ruki, she still let Impmon rest on her lap, even his face rest on her fluffy white fur. "That's enough?" Ask Ruki to her which she reply with a silent nod, she doesn't need him to beg on his knees, seeing him flustered like this is more than enough. "Good, then I suppose you didn't hate my plan?" Renamon nod again. A team battle sounds fun rather than just fighting alone, especially with him.
"Here, put that in the table"
Impmon take the bowl of thinly sliced beef from Ruki to the table, there are some of it already on there plus sliced veggies. A big pot placed on the middle of it with little stove below it. While Impmon and Ruki preparing for dinner, Renamon only sit and watch. The vixen doesn't want just to sit and watch, but Impmon insisted to pick up more work as his way to apologize for what he said this noon.
"She's not having dinner with us?" Ask Impmon after he looking for miss Rumiko a moment ago.
Ruki shake her head. "She's busy for upcoming weekend, work and stuff" After she put everything together, she then join them on dining table. While waiting for Juri, she just playing with her phone when she notice Renamon act a bit weird. Her partner keep looking to the west. "What's the matter?"
"Is there any news about Bio-emerging?" Ask the vixen back.
It makes Ruki think for few seconds before looking at her phone again. "Don't worry, if we're not called then someone else dealing with it"
"But Ruki, the-"
Ruki sigh and that silenece Renamon in instant, she start to wonder if Renamon got an impulse to fight right now. "Last time we tried to take as many battle as possible, Yamaki scold us. Plus we need to let others to experience battle for themselves" She said, referring to tamers that isn't so good at battle.
"Almost half hour already, the digital field still not closing" Continue Renamon.
Both Ruki and Impmon surprised, but since Renamon isn't moving at all, they believe the problem isn't that severe. But with the new information, Ruki change her clothes and get ready for battle. "Let's go, we gonna try this out as well right"
There is a lot of problem I need to explain with the setting and especially names. Maybe I will change some part of the earlier chapter like Ruki's house to be more aligned with the anime (Maybe, cause I still want to explore the world and it may explain itself in later chapters). The house itself got a japanese style but I only use generic type of room. If you watch the anime than you can see Ruki sleeping with futon in episode 6 if I remember correctly, but in the earlier chapter... yeah, bed. The anime itself is quite old so.. no, I just forgot to be honest. This is just fanfic but it bothering me too much.
For the names, I prefer using the 'Japanese' one since I watch with subs (Though I watch a lot of clip from the dub one, that's how I wrote Impmon in this fanfic), but it isn't reliable since I watch.. I forgot when (My memory so bad, like sooo bad). Both of these will be explained in note on next chapter (Hopefully).
Honestly I want to include more character especially Jian/Jenrya or Henry if you watch the dub, but the naming problem again. I want to use him first rather than Juri for the one who saved Impmon, cause I want some fun interaction between Impmon and terriermon, plus he's a 'smart' character that good for explaining things, but it is what it is. Plus I want the clear OTP from the start, but both idea is fine for me.
I appreciate if you point out mistake (especially grammar) or anything that contradictive in the story. And If you still reading this for some reason, thanks. Thank you. Cause I never really think anyone would read my.. questionable fanfic.