Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, nor do I own When the World's Not Ending, by Smartalec121 or any of their associated works.
Off the Beaten Path
Chapter: 40/ Reflections
Rika, held the door for her fellow Tamers and digimon while they stepped out of Hypnos. Looking out at the streets, she pressed her lips together as the rain, coming down like a thousand voices hushing the city, beat upon the streets. She had hoped that the weather would let up in spite of the forecast, but she supposed that had been too much to ask from the universe.
I've already made some pretty big wishes as it is, she thought. Guess it'd be bad for me to ask for more.
"So, I didn't do anything wrong?" Kenta asked upon joining her. Returning her attention to the boy and the conversation they had been having, she chuckled.
"Toshi's always been more 'out there' when it comes to text messaging. Don't worry about it."
"I don't know," spoke up Suzie, picking up her partner and settling them atop her head. "If I were him, I'd have plenty of reason to worry. Not even Terriermon would talk like that when he was in a playful mood."
Kenta couldn't help but press his lips together in silent agreement. Rika, likewise, understood his position, remembering how off guard her friend had taken her when they first began corresponding via text.
"Well, it'd at least keep things interesting," he said, not wanting to be critical. "Maybe I should ask her to say 'momentai' when she's kidding?"
Suzie gave Kenta a hard look before looking away.
"Well… It might help," she muttered before opening her umbrella. "We all know you need some peace of mind."
"If you'd rather, I could let her know to turn down the charm," Rika offered. Kenta immediately shook his head.
"No!" he exclaimed loudly. He blushed suddenly, but he remained firm in his position. "No. I-It's okay. I'm just not used to her being like that with her texts. She's usually…well, it's no big deal."
Rika smiled, liking Kenta a little more now.
"All right." She popped open her umbrella. "I'll leave you two love dorks to it then. Say hi to Gogglehead for me?"
"No problem." A troubled expression crossed his features at the mention of Takato and his absence from the day's training. No doubt, he was replaying the recent incident with Kouki in his mind, blaming himself for not being there for him. Reaching out, Rika placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze.
"Knock it off with that look," she said. "You did what you could."
"You as well," Lopmon said from atop Suzie's head. Rika met the Deva's eyes levelly.
"I know," she said. "It's hard to change how I feel though."
"Still ought to take your own advice," Suzie grumbled, opening her umbrella. "Catch you later."
Not interested in hearing Rika's response, Suzie dashed off into the rain. Puddles exploded underneath her feet as she went, and then she vanished into the crowd.
"Are you going to be okay?" Kenta asked. Rika shrugged.
"I'll let you know later," she said, and then gave Kenta an apologetic smile. The boy nodded. MarineAngemon, who thus far remained quiet, blew a heart at her.
"Pih!"
Rika rolled her eyes, but found herself grinning nonetheless.
"Yeah, you and Toshiko are perfect dorks for each other. Later."
Now it was her turn to take off, and she didn't look back as she went; preferring instead to do as Suzie did, and disappear into the crowd.
Adjusting her grip on her umbrella, she hurried along, splashing through puddles. She shivered as a particularly deep puddle erupted beneath her feet like an explosion, soaking her shoes and seeping into her socks. Rika cursed under her breath as the icy chill crept into her feet and began to spread their talons up into her ankles.
"I can carry you home, you know," came Renamon's voice, phasing into view next to the girl while she ran. Rika glanced at her out of the corner of her eye.
"I'm fine," Rika replied, feeling a flash of stubborn pride. "I need the exercise."
With an effort, she put even more power into her legs, driving herself to go even faster. The breathing rhythm she practiced these last few weeks began to collapse on her. Beside her, Renamon easily continued to keep pace with her.
"It won't do you any good to push yourself so hard that you exhaust yourself," the kitsune warned. "There is still a battle ahead after all. IceBeelzemon is waiting for such an opportunity to strike. You shouldn't chance giving it to him."
Clenching her teeth, Rika dialed back her pace and her rhythm reasserted itself, if raggedly. Her heart pounded against her chest, and before too long she found herself forced to slow even further until she all but dragged herself along through sheer willpower. Renamon slowed as well. Her blue eyes watched Rika carefully, gauging her emotional weather. Rika's expression didn't reveal much to most humans, but, of course, Renamon was far from human. Not that she needed to be to understand that her partner was upset or what made her so. Rika's stubborn behavior, she found, often materialized when something stressed her, and the weather had a habit of drawing it to the surface.
They continued on in silence, and they arrived at her home nearly half an hour later, finding it dark and empty, with no other noise save the pitter-patter of rain. Unsettled by the haunting shadows infesting her home, Rika quickly began turning on lights, marking a path of 'safety' on the way to her room. Once there, she sequestered herself inside to change as fast as she could.
Unfortunately, while rummaging around in her drawers, she found difficulty in locating something appropriate for the weather.
Too many nice clothes, she thought. I guess that's what I get for letting Mom decide what I wear.
Spotting an old, very fluffy affair embroidered with teddy-bears, she took it out. She remembered her mother bringing it home when she was twelve, excited about how feminine it would make her. A faint blush colored her cheeks, remembering how she put up with her mother dolling her up – fearful of causing a stir that might end her parents' marriage. She wore it on occasion to make her mother happy, but not in years.
She traced her thumb over the fabric, thinking about her mother. Then she returned the ancient dress into its drawer, pushing it out of sight. Settling on her new current look as the best option, she threw it on. Emerging from her room, she made her way down to where she kept her shoes. There, she slipped them on.
"All right," she said, snatching up her umbrella once more. "I'm ready to go."
Renamon phased into view before her. "Are you going to run to Kayoko's this time as well?" she said, her earlier offer of carrying her there hanging unspoken in her voice. Rika mulled it over before relenting.
"You can take me there if you want," she said. "The sooner we get out of the rain, the better."
Renamon nodded. She approached Rika and took her into her arms. Rika grunted as she was hoisted up, and she wrapped an arm about her partner's shoulder. Her eyes went wide, feeling how slick and cold her partner's fur felt.
"You're wet!"
"It is raining out," Renamon said, a note of humor in her voice. Before the girl could say anything else, the kitsune faded out of view, and Rika's view of the world became dark and dim. The rain didn't touch her however, save for those brief periods where they rematerialized in the normal, lit world so Renamon could get her bearings. Within seconds, they were outside Kayoko's home. Rika popped open the umbrella.
"We're going to have to dry you off," she said, frowning at her partner. Inwardly, she berated herself for not considering this sooner. How many times had her partner been out and about getting her fur messy and waterlogged? She always looked so nice whenever she saw her.
"I assure you, it is not necessary," Renamon replied. Rika shook her head.
"Well, I'm assuring you it is." She rang the doorbell to Kayoko's home. Minutes later, it opened, revealing the dark-haired girl in a plain tank top and sweatpants.
"Been waiting for you, Nonaka," she greeted, flashing the pair a grin. "You too, Bushy Tail."
"Pardon our intrusion," Renamon said, bowing politely. Kayoko waved her off.
"Just come in and get out of the rain."
"Renamon needs an air drier and brush, stat," Rika said, stepping inside.
"Oh-ho!" Kayoko's eyebrows went up. "Looks like this is going to be a very fun visit!"
"It's not necessary, I assure you," Renamon said evasively while Rika folded up her umbrella. A light blush stood out on her cheeks. Kayoko, however, took hold of Renamon by the arm and gave her a tug.
"Don't give me that. I-Wow. You really are damp. Well, no worries. You're going to love this." She tossed a look over her shoulder. "Toshiko! We're giving Renamon a makeover!"
"We're what?!" came the surprised reply from upstairs.
Laughing maniacally, Kayoko continued to try pulling Renamon toward the stairs. The kitsune, however, remained firmly rooted in place, nearly causing Kayoko to fall in surprise.
"I'm sorry," the vulpine said, helping her back up to her feet. Kayoko huffed.
"You two are perfect for one another. You're both just as stubborn."
"Excuse me?" Rika arched an eyebrow.
"Don't get offended because it's true, Nonaka. Besides, you know I'm just as bad as you." Planting her hands on her hips, she fixed Renamon with an amused look.
"Care to give me a solid reason why it's not necessary to dry your fur off?"
Renamon's tail slashed the air, indicating her uncertainty. "It will dry off on its own," she said. "There is no reason to concern yourself with me."
"Yeah, but where's the fun in that? Isn't it a good thing for you to have someone like, say, your partner, to fuss over you?"
"But…" Renamon glanced at Rika and her expression changed. To Rika's practiced eye, the kitsune looked like she feared getting her dirty. "You shouldn't have to…"
"Look, just trust in us, all right?" Rika asked. She proceeded to take off her shoes. "I promise, you won't hate what we'll do."
A faint blush became visible on Renamon's cheeks and she frowned. Although she no longer held the title of God of Destruction, she still felt the pride that came with it.
Still, she didn't want to hurt Rika's feelings.
"I suppose as long as you command it," she said to her partner.
At that, Rika's eyebrows went up angrily and Renamon saw she had done that regardless of her intentions. Seeing the spark in the girl's eyes, Kayoko coughed and held up a placating hand.
"We can start small," she said. "Wait here. I'll get you a towel. I don't want you tracking water in the house."
With that, Kayoko scurried off, leaving the pair alone while Rika stewed. Sensing her fuming, Renamon bowed her head.
"I am sorry," she said.
Rika pressed her lips together tightly, unsure what to say and feeling annoyed by the whole thing.
"I just want to help," she decided, softening her tone a little. "If you don't want us to dry you off, then we won't. I don't-I don't want our partnership to be this weird thing where I feel like I'm forcing you to do things you don't want to do."
Renamon blushed again. "That is not your duty to me."
"Well, why not?" Rika turned to face Renamon more fully. "Is it not proper where you come from? Is that it?"
"In a way. It is, I suppose what we would call 'The Order of things.' For you to abase yourself servicing a servant is unseemly."
"Well, there's a different 'Order of Things' around here," Rika hmphed. "But if you still don't want us to help dry you off, fine. That's up to you."
Renamon tilted her head to one side, contemplating her partner's words. What did she want? She had seen Rika and members of her family's household dry their hair off using a hairdryer and running a brush through it. She wondered many times how it felt. Humans did it frequently enough so surely it must feel good.
She desires that I feel that way, she thought. How different she is from the Sovereign I served. She feels a duty for me; to protect and care for me as I do her. Perhaps… Perhaps I should let her?
She placed a hand on Rika's shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze.
"Thank you," she said. "I will take you up on your offer and place myself in your hands."
Looking up at the kitsune, Rika smiled softly. Internally, she felt unsure if she did the right thing. Kayoko had stopped her initially, perhaps having more affinity with the nature of Rika and Renamon's relationship with one another. Thinking back on it, Renamon reminded her of a warrior, akin to the samurai of ancient days. The code they lived by emphasized service to their lord, and Kayoko, who dabbled with swordsmanship and the aesthetics of the samurai as part of Kenshibu, understood that.
She's more in tune with Renamon than me, Rika mused. I need to do a better job of understanding her.
Kayoko returned shortly after, a towel in hand. She handed it off to Renamon, who did a quick rundown of her fur. Once finished, they joined Toshiko in her room. Renamon cast her eyes about, taking it all in. It was different from where Rika slept, being smaller and more modern in appearance, but with ample room to romp around. On one end, lay a bed, and above it, a sheathed sword. Renamon cocked her head, surprised by its presence.
"It's not real," Kayoko explained, noting her curiosity. "Well, not 'real' in the sense that matters for a sword." She unwrapped the cord about her hairdryer's handle. "It's an Iaitō. A practice sword. Aluminum and zinc instead of steel. No edge."
Rika lifted an eyebrow, suddenly curious. "No edge?"
"There's laws about that stuff, Nonaka."
"Sorry. I guess I just never thought about it before." Her expression became thoughtful. "I didn't think about a lot of things until recently."
"Put a pin on that for a second." Kayoko plugged the hairdryer in and then held it out to Rika. She took it.
"Do you mind?" Toshiko asked Renamon, indicating the digital camera in her hand. "I'm, uh, taking reference pictures. I-I like to make plushies. Stuffed toys."
"I saw the one you made of MarineAngemon," Renamon nodded. "If Rika is fine with it, then so am I."
Why should it matter if I'm the one fine with it? Rika frowned. She nodded though, and then turned on the hairdryer. Renamon's back was struck by the blast of warm air, and at once the kitsune's eyes went wide with surprise. Rika immediately went to work, parting the golden fur with swift movements.
"Oh!" Renamon stiffened as the brush's teeth graced her back.
"Sorry," Rika said, embarrassed. "I'm kind of rough at this. Mom likes to go to all the trouble to make herself look good. I just kind of prefer not to take more time than I need to."
"Nonaka's a philistine when it comes to feminine maintenance," Kayoko laughed. Circling about, she produced a brush of her own. "Here. I'll pitch in as well." She giggled. "This needs more of a woman's touch. You're such a brute, Nonaka."
Although Rika knew Kayoko was only teasing, she couldn't help but blush further in embarrassment. Seeing this, Toshiko paused between pictures and fixed Kayoko with a harsh glare.
"Don't say that," she said. "Kayoko, why are you being mean?"
"Ohhh…" Kayoko flashed Toshiko a grin. "Look at that. I'm getting the infamous Toshiko-scolding!"
"You're quite energetic all of a sudden," Rika noted calmly while continuing to brush Renamon's fur. She turned off the hairdryer so they could speak more easily without the distracting noise. "Not to mention you're leading off with a sledgehammer. Are you covering for some insecurity or something?"
Toshiko's eyebrows perked up as Kayoko's grin faded.
"Y-You're right! Kayoko, are you? I mean, feeling insecure about what you wanted to talk to Rika about?"
Kayoko looked away, and now a faint blush colored her cheeks.
"Kind of a little," she admitted, her voice becoming sober. "Probably a lot actually." She gave her two friends an apologetic look. "Sorry. I'm letting my ugly side show up again."
"You've said that before, after the fight," Rika said. Kayoko sighed.
"It's what I call myself whenever I get wound up like this. My stomachs been all knots since then."
"Is it in your nature to antagonize your friends when you are upset?" Renamon asked. "I have observed your relationship with my partner, and it appears to be a rather antagonistic one."
"You keep quite the close eye on us, huh?" Kayoko asked, her tone becoming irritable. "That's kind of creepy."
"I prefer to think of it as being observant."
"The two ain't mutually exclusive, Bushy Tail."
Rika sighed, and upon hearing it, Kayoko did as well.
"Sorry," the dark-haired girl said, and set her brush down. "But yeah, Renamon. That's…kind of who I am."
She got up and went over to her wall where her practice sword hung. She took it off its mounting and turned back toward them.
"There's an old proverb," she began. "As the sword is the soul of a samurai, so is the mirror the soul of a woman."
She drew out the blade. Not far, but just enough to show off its polished surface. She angled it so she could catch Rika and Renamon's reflections. Rika's eyes followed it. Although she had seen swords in media, she had never seen Kayoko's practice sword up close outside of its traditional mounting. Up until now, her friend had never taken it down and she herself didn't have the interest. Now, her eye followed it curiously. It looked so smooth and graceful. Almost a work of art, yet more.
"In the stories, mirrors represent the truth of things," Kayoko explained. "In the past, they were the only objective viewpoint. They reflect the reality of what's there and nothing else. This is my mirror; my soul. Looks pretty, but in reality, not so much."
Renamon frowned. "And you are saying that you are like that sword?"
"Swords aren't nice things, Bushy Tail. Even if they look pretty."
"Why would you say that about yourself, Kayoko?" Toshiko asked. Kayoko's lips pressed against one another so tight they became pale. Rika, for her part, sat silently, waiting. She had an idea. They never spoke much to one another about their past, least of all their history with one another prior to becoming friends. Rika however had been keenly aware that something about her bothered Kayoko when they were children. She didn't quite know why, but she could guess. She tended to be aloof, and, while polite enough, tended to speak her mind regardless of the feathers she ruffled. And she could be pretty aggressive when angered, as Chikako, Toshiko's former bully, could attest. She didn't know if that last part had anything to do with their previous relationship, but people talked.
Seeing Kayoko's knuckles growing white as she tightly gripped the sword hilt, Rika decided to speak up.
"It's okay," she said gently, and meant it. Kayoko looked up at her and Rika met her gaze with a reassuring smile. Drawing in a deep breath, the dark-haired girl composed herself.
"Before we became friends, I was in the kendo club. It's not a big deal if you don't remember. We were in different social worlds at the time and, well. You know." She shrugged, embarrassed to remember how she used to treat Rika back then. "Anyway, I wanted to learn more about sword fighting. Actual sword fighting, not the stylized stuff where everything is controlled. I wanted to know what it was like to actually be in a sword fight and how to respond to it. I really got into it."
To demonstrate, Kayoko drew out the sword in full and fell into a stance. After setting the sheath on her bed, she then gripped the hilt with both hands. Rika felt the air change about her, taking on an almost angry atmosphere. Kayoko proceeded to execute a number of overhead strikes, hacking at empty air.
"Started getting into competitions. Got mouthy about it after I started getting wins for the school."
More overhead strikes, and each time the air flashed red in Rika's mind.
"Then one day I lost big. It was really humiliating. I got mouthy again. Got into it with one of my teammates and…" She thrust hard suddenly and Rika's mind felt as if a sudden darkness had swallowed the red. It came on so strongly it felt like running headlong into a wall. The silence hung there thick. So much so that when Toshiko gasped, it was like a knife cutting through it.
"I heard about that," she said. "I-I didn't know that was you!"
Kayoko withdrew her practice sword and fell into a relaxed stance. She looked tired. Drained. Yet, not so much that when she looked at Toshiko, there remained a flicker of anger. Not directed at her friend, but toward herself. "Still think I'm a good friend? All that crap I used to give Nonaka here before we became this little tight-knit group? Because of that."
"I-I don't understand." Her eyes darted over to Rika to see her reaction. Rika was gazing at Kayoko calmly. Yes, some of her suspicions were confirmed now.
"It's also why you make me vent," Rika said. "It's why you push me so I don't clam up and stew in my own bit of ugliness."
"I also took my problems out on you. When you clocked Chikako because she was a bitch to Toshiko, I just… I guess I saw that bit of me in you too." Picking back up her sword's sheath, she slid her Iaitō inside it in one smooth motion, producing an audible click as the sword's habaki secured the blade at the mouth.
"But you always said… Rika hitting Chikako for me was what endeared her to you!"
"It also made me scared of her." Returning to the others, she dropped down to the floor. She brought her sword to rest against her shoulder and closed her eyes. "Like a lot of people, I'm full of contradictions."
Reaching out, Rika took hold of Kayoko's hand and gave it a soft squeeze. One that was gratefully returned as their fingers intertwined about one another.
"All the stuff I said earlier about being angry brought that to the surface again, huh?" Rika asked.
"You're my best friend," Kayoko replied, laying her head to rest against Rika's shoulder. "I don't think it's wrong you being angry because what happened to your grandma was wrong, and anyone normal ought to be mad about that. I'm scared what might happen to you if you get too wrapped up in it. Like me swinging a bokken at someone on my team."
"Or me maybe dark digivolving Renamon," Rika added, looking at her partner. "Better to make me aware of it instead of keeping things under wraps."
Watching the pair, Renamon felt the weight of some earlier conversation she hadn't been aware of passing between the three girls.
The sword is the soul of a samurai, Renamon thought. I am Rika's sword, but what I am – what I become – reflects what is inside her, like a mirror. A sword should not be tainted by darkness. Its duty should always be just and right. A Tamer should always take care of her digimon to ensure that, just as the digimon should take care of their human partner.
The kitsune bowed politely to Kayoko.
"A friend of mine, Gaiomon, would have liked you," she said. Kayoko arched an eyebrow.
"Not so sure that's a compliment, Bushy Tail." She hesitated. Then shrugged. "But I'll take it in the spirit it's meant in."
Toshiko fidgeted with her camera. She wasn't sure what to make of the conversation. Kayoko's reveal left her particularly disconcerted, but looking at the pair and how close their bond was, she found she couldn't really hold it against her.
"It's-It's hard being honest, huh?" she said.
"You know that better than either of us," Rika pointed out, bringing her head to rest against Kayoko's. Toshiko nodded. Then, making a decision, she lifted the camera up.
"Hold that pose," she said before her camera clicked, capturing the moment.
Found my new wallpaper.
###
They resumed work on Renamon's fur, to which the kitsune no longer held any objections. Kayoko, topped it off by tying a small, blue bow to the fox's ear.
"Are you kidding me?" Rika glowered at Kayoko, who simply grinned.
"I told you; she needed a woman's touch," came the smug reply. "Toshiko? Picture?"
There came a click. Turning the camera around, Toshiko showed it off. "Well? W-What do you think?"
Rika scowled while Renamon simply looked on in amusement.
"It…looks nice," the kitsune replied politely. "But it would likely be ruined in my line of work." Reaching up, she carefully undid the ribbon and handed it to Toshiko. "However, it would go well with the plushie you intend to make." She bowed politely to the girl. "Thank you. You are very talented."
"O-Oh! Thank you!" Toshiko then gave a loud squeal and began to hop on her feet excitedly. "Kayo! She said I'm talented! Can you believe that?! I can use the ribbon, right? Can I?"
"Yes, you can," Kayoko laughed. She glanced over her shoulder at the window and then back at Rika. "Looks like the rain is letting up finally."
"Are you trying to kick me out?" Rika smirked.
"No. But you've got more important people to worry about than me and my issues."
Rika's smirk fell, but Kayoko's point was well made. She stood up.
"We'd better get back home, Renamon."
Renamon bowed politely to Kayoko and Toshiko. "Thank you for hosting us."
"No need to be so formal about it, Bushy Tail."
"Y-Yeah!" Toshiko squeaked. "You're part of the group now!"
"Here." Taking Rika's hand, Kayoko placed her practice sword in it. Her eyebrows shooting up in surprise, Rika looked at her friend.
"What…?"
"My 'mirror.' I want you to have it. I'm getting a new one anyway, so this one will need a new home." Kayoko looked away, blushing a little. Rika closed her fingers around the sheath. She decided not to argue, knowing Kayoko would just be put out.
"Thank you," she said. "Mom probably won't understand though. She'll probably think it's not ladylike or something."
Kayoko snorted. "My grandma's like that too. She's the more traditional type. Didn't want me touching a sword and would throw a fit every time I did. She was the one who tossed that proverb at me like it was some kind of anti-sword touching crucifix. Dad on the other hand wanted to keep the kenbu traditions alive no matter who does it, and since he's in charge of the dojo, he won out. Funny how things work." She smiled at Rika. "Your mom will probably be better about it. She's not trying to keep Renamon away, is she?"
"No, but it's been a rough road for us either way." Rika hefted the practice sword in her hand. She imagined it girted at her side and she herself dressed in a kimono like those ancient warriors of bygone days. It felt alien. But the reminder was needed. Necessary even, and she knew that this gift would be important for that. She found herself remembering a story she read once about a samurai who slept with a sword suspended over his head, like some eastern 'Sword of Damocles.' Ever vigilant about the nearness of danger.
"You know, there's more to the stories about mirrors," she said to Kayoko. "They're not just about truth. They're also about wisdom and honesty."
"Don't get sappy on me, Nonaka."
Rika smirked. "Don't worry. I won't."
###
Renamon deposited Rika in front of the gate of their home. The door stood open and lights were on throughout the house, indicating that her family had come home.
Is Grandma home? she wondered. She checked her phone and found no new messages waiting for her. Swallowing, she started toward the front entrance, Renamon following close behind. Arriving at the door, Rika slid it open and together they stepped inside.
"We're home," she said. Her father appeared, having been waiting for her.
"Hey," he greeted. His warm smile soothed the butterflies in her stomach. "We brought your grandmother home."
Rika let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. "Thank goodness. Is she…?"
"She's relaxing and enjoying some tea. She'll be happy to see you."
Rika sniffed happily. The corners of her eyes became damp. Hurriedly, she took off her shoes and went to go see her. Taking her sword, Renamon teleported it to her room.
"Grandma!" Rika called.
"Rika!" came her response, sounding as hail and as strong as ever. Picking up her pace, Rika rushed into the living room where she found the woman seated at her usual table. She had a bandage wrapped about her head and covering her eye. A bald patch was readily visible on her head, indicating where her injury – and subsequent surgery – had been. Her good eye shone brightly.
"Grandma…" Rika breathed, her eyes lingering on her bandages. Seiko smiled.
"I look a little bit like a mummy, don't I?" she said, giving a light laugh. Rika sat down beside her.
"Are you…? How do you feel?"
"I'm feeling fine so far. I took some medication to manage the pain. The doctor says I'll be dealing with that for a while." Reaching out, she took Rika's hands into her own. "I'm more worried about you though. How are you feeling?"
Rika's fingers twined about her grandmother's.
"Not-Not happy that you got hurt because of me," she answered honestly. "I didn't think that would happen. I thought…" Her shoulders shook and she bit back a cry. With an effort, she reigned herself in. "Well, now I know better."
Seiko smiled. "I'm still proud of you though. Please don't forget that. I had my doubts at first when this began, but I think I understand more how important it is what you do now." She squeezed Rika's hands tightly. "Don't blame yourself for what happened. I don't."
Rika's eyebrows knotted together uncertainly. "You're taking this awfully well," she said. "That must be some good medication."
Seiko gave a light laugh. Rika felt her stomach squeeze at the sound. Outwardly, she sounded jovial, preferring not to worry her grandmother or center the evening around her own problems. Internally, doubts plagued her, as did the fires of her anger whenever she looked at the bandages wrapped about her grandmother's head.
###
Practice sword in hand, Renamon appeared in Rika's room, leaving her partner to connect again with her grandmother. Through the link they shared, she could sense the knot of emotion in her partner. She thought about Rika's conversation with Kayoko and looked down at the Iaitō. Its hilt was long for a human – requiring two hands – but for Renamon, her paws were large enough to engulf it in her grasp. Curious, she pushed it up out of its sheath with a dull click, and its polished, aluminum surface caught her reflection.
Gaiomon's data stirred within her.
Not in terms of sentience. Her friend died and could never come back, but the data reacted to the sword almost instinctively. She felt comforted by this sensation, feeling some sense that Gaiomon could never truly be gone, and that he would always be with her, even in the darkest of times, guiding her.
Taking hold of the hilt, she drew the sword out fully. Catching light filtering through the paper door of Rika's room, it shone dimly.
"A sword is the soul of the samurai…" Kayoko's words spoke to her. Angling the blade, she caught sight of her reflection. The blade reflected her image poorly, but it remained recognizably her. Gaiomon's data shifted inside her and she tightened her grip on the Iaitō.
The final battle with IceBeelzemon approaches… What will the shape of our souls be, once it is all over?
No answer came to her. Yet, one thing she knew for certain. With her dying breath, she would ensure the safety of Rika and her family.
10