Chapter 4

A rare moment occurred. Ruki managed to sneak out with Renamon noticing. Renamon had passed out on a nearby chair, something that had become increasingly common with her rough sleeping.

Switching from nocturnal to diurnal was hard enough on her without frequent nightmares making things worse.

Her head ached and she regretted leaving her partner alone, but was given a few reassuring by Seiko who noticed her having woken up.

"Oh Renamon. Ruki left to grab something. She'll be home soon or so she said."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I think she said she went for food."

That was strange. It was only recently Ruki bought all the things they would need for some time yet here she was out shopping again.

Soon after Renamon was out as well tailing Ruki' scent. She thought of communicating with Ruki at first but decided against it when she considered the odd likelihood that Ruki knew Renamon slept before she sneaked out.

Rather than speak to her she merely observed her partner's odd behaviour. Ruki looked all around her to be sure no one was following her provoking Renamon to remain hidden. When Ruki looked back she bumped into a nearby sign dropping her bag.

"Ow, fuck!"

Rubbing her head the human grabbed what had flung out of its bag.

"Chocolate? Well, well. Maybe she'll finally make a move after all."

Renamon laughed. Once she was sure Ruki had a safe path home she returned herself arriving well before her partner.

"Welcome back, Ruki."

"Oh uh, Renamon, hey."

Ruki's words carried more fear than usual.

"Out for something important, are we?"

Ruki didn't like that tone of voice. Did she already know?

"Y-yeah."

"Well hopefully it was worth it. I just got up to do some stretches."

It was a very rare thing for Renamon to lie. Ruki didn't believe it one bit. She had that voice she always put on when she teased her. Still Ruki chose not to pry for the slim chance she told the truth.

It meant she didn't have to answer why she had been sneaking around.

To her fortune Renamon never brought it up again.

Ruki opened her refrigerator and stuck her bag into a part of the fridge she was confident no one would disturb. She gulped and took a deep breathe. Tomorrow she would make a hard choice.

Ruki wouldn't say what it was, but Renamon knew. She would support her all the way even if Ruki would not tell it never evolved into a true conversation Renamon did lightly tease Ruki reading off their calendar next to her by speaking to her in that teasing tone of voice she had. "Oh look, tomorrow is White Day." To Renamon this would prove to be an interesting March.

The next day came and ran most of its course the same. Once Ruki left school Renamon did not follow. Ruki never said it and Renamon never asked, but both knew she wanted, no, she needed to take on her next challenge alone. Renamon thought back on the one conversation they had previous had relating to the current day.

"Hey Renamon." Ruki asked. "There are two pieces of spare chocolate in the fridge. You want it?"

Ruki's statement puzzled her. She determined that Ruki had purchased several types of chocolate for Takato, but was unsure of which to give him.

"Maybe, I will consider it. Thank you, Ruki." Renamon had replied

"Sure you or gran can have what's left if you want."

Back to more present events Ruki was nowhere to be seen.

By nightfall she had returned from Takato's high school to her own and once Renamon saw her she made her presence known to he partner.

"Did it go well?"

No teasing voice this time. She just a blunt and honest tone of voice to carry her words.

"Oh, Renamon. Well, kinda...wait! Don't get the wrong idea!"

"Then what is the right idea to have?"

Ruki didn't know how to respond to that, so she was just honest with her.

"I guess. I also gave Jenrya one, too."

"Only one for a nice boy like that?"

Renamon's teasing voice returned again.

Ruki fired back with a hint of confusion laced with fake anger.

"Hey! It's not like I am trying to date them both! I just thought that since they are both my best friends they both deserve something."

"Fair point. Its your business but at least you are honest."

"Honest?"

"Well you did say you didn't want to date them both further implying your own interest in one."

"..."

Renamon smiled. They were slowly coming to a point where Ruki would finally be open about her feelings to Renamon, but not quite yet. Ruki was stubborn much like her partner, but if there was anyone she trusted it was Renamon. She still wasn't too fond of talking about it, but would fully admit to herself growing feelings she had for a certain brown-haired young baker, but she was getting there.

Though neither of them spoke Renamon could clearly see Ruki was in deep thought. Was she finally reaching the point of acceptance? Renamon hoped so. She wanted to see her partner happy and trusted Takoto being one of the closest friends of them both. Gently placing a paw on Ruki's shoulder Renamon smiles.

"So, shall we return home."

"Yeah."

Ruki barely talked any for the rest of the night, but Renamon could see she was happy. The younger human girl approached everything with a faint smile for the remainder of the night. She was slower doing this than she typically was when seeking something she wanted. Still Renamon felt very confident in Ruki's future romantic pursuit.

Seiko gave her girls a farewell for the night while retreating to her bedroom and Ruki was the next to turn in. Before this she approached Renamon in the middle of their hallway.

"Hey Renamon."

"Yes, Ruki?"

Renamon was taken by pleasant surprise when her tamer's arms flung around her.

"Thanks. You know, for being here."

Renamon returned her hug eagerly but had only a brief moment to savour it before Ruki pushed her away.

"Good night."

"Good night, Ruki."

Not long after that Ruki passed out.