New Friend, New Love
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“Wind Seeker!!” In a quick motion unnoticed my Renamon, Harpymon drew its wings together and attacked. Renamon gurgled a scream as she hit the ground. Harpymon jumped up and lunged at her with one foot, then the other, continuously, with Renamon barely missing each one.
Ruki gasped, and reached to grab her cards. They weren’t there. Belatedly, she remembered purposely ignoring them on her desk.
no.... She looked around frantically for a weapon, or an escape. In desperation she grabbed a sharp stick off the ground and ran forwards.
“Ruki!”
“No Ruki! Don’t do it!”
Jenrya watched in horror as Ruki charged towards Harpymon.
No Ruki.. Don’t do it. Please. Don’t get yourself killed. Don’t be an idiot
But then he realized that if Terriermon had been in the same position, he wouldn’t hesitate to save his friend. It was just so out of the ordinary for Ruki. Just a couple of days ago she had claimed that she hated all digimon. Yet there she was, risking her own life for Renamon’s.
In one swift motion, she leapt up and jabbed Harpymon fiercely in the back. It was Harpymon’s turn to scream in pain as it rounded on Ruki.
Freed, Renamon dove towards Ruki, to save the person who had just saved herself.
“Renamon Shinka!” Renamon glowed in the air, still hurtling to Ruki. “Kyuubimon!” She reached Ruki just in time to use a single Demon Fireball to decimate Harpymon. Jenrya nearly fainted with relief.
you idiot... he thought fondly.
Ruki stared in disbelief at Kyuubimon, who had arrived in the nick of time.
“Kyuubimon....” She fought back tears as she fell to her knees at Kyuubimon’s feet. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know,” she whispered back, closing her eyes in pleasure of her partner’s embrace “I’m sorry too.”
Ruki’s shoulders shook silently as she cried into Kyuubimon’s great white mane.
“Lets go home,” said Kyuubimon softly, as Ruki nodded, wiping tears off her face. Ruki noticed that the fur around Kyuubimon’s eyes were wet, and then fought back another wave of tears.
I was so thoughtless. Why didn’t I see.... Why couldn’t I see what it meant to have a friend like Kyuubimon?
She squared her shoulders and stood up, trying not to look Takato and Jenrya in their eyes.
“Good-bye” she said as she turned away and put an unsteady hand on Kyuubimon’s shoulder.
Takato took a step forward, in an effort to stop Ruki from leaving, but Jenrya put a hand on her shoulder to stop him. “Let her go,” He said as she walked away. “She’s just had a revelation, I think. She’ll need some time alone.” Takato nodded once, with a puzzled look on his face, as if he didn’t quite understand, but he stopped anyways.
“I guess you’re right,” he said, “No, you are right. I see what you mean. She just learned that she likes Kyuubimon.”
Jenrya quirked his eyebrow at Takato’s unusual insight. It wasn’t very often that he looked beyond the obvious. It was apparent though, that Takato had surprised himself as well. Jenrya laughed at the look on his face, and Takato joined in as well. Terriermon and Guilmon approached the boys; Terriermon jumped onto Jenrya’s shoulder, and Guilmon bumped affectionately into Takato.
Jenrya smiled at his little friend, then looked at his watch. He sighed. “Time to go home,” he drawled. Terriermon groaned, “Do we have to Jen?”
“I know my sister isn’t very considerate, but it’s our dinnertime. We’re already late.”
Takato perked up, then looked at his watch hopefully. “It’s our dinner time in half an hour! Yes!”
Guilmon laughed, “I’m hungry too Takato, lets go home!”
Later that night, after Jenrya’s sister had been put to bed, and Terriermon freed from her wrath, Jenrya lay on his bed, thinking. Terriermon grumbled as he took off all the clothes that Shuichon had put on him.
“I’d rather face a disgruntled Mammothmon than her.” Jenrya smiled at his friend.
“What’s wrong Jen-chan? Momantai!”
“I could say the same to you, you know.”
Terriermon giggled. “It’s Ruuuuuukiiiiiiii isn’t it?” He teased, “You like her even more now, that she like digimon, don’t yyoooouuuuuu?”
Jenrya shoved the dog-rabbit of his chest and sat up. “So what if it is?” he said sharply, and regretted it immediately. “Sorry Terriermon, didn’t mean to snap.”
Terriermon just laughed again and poked him in the ribs.
“Hey!”
“Call her, I dare you!” he cajoled.
“I-” Jenrya got a thoughtful look on his face, “You know what, that’s not a bad idea!”
Terriermon’s mouth hung open in disbelief as Jenrya jumped out of his bed and snatched his phone. It rang twice, then someone picked up.
“Hello.”
“Ruki?”
“Yeah.”
Jenrya paused. “It’s Jenrya.”
There was silence on the other side for a moment.
“Ruki?”
“Oh, sorry.... Hi Jenrya.”
She doesn’t sound too happy. Maybe this was a bad idea. But it’s too late now.
“I was just wondering if you were okay, I mean, Harpymon could’ve hurt you. I was worried.”
“Oh. Yeah, I’m fine.”
Jenrya sighed inwardly. This wasn’t going how he had hoped. “Look, Ruki, are you doing anything tomorrow?”
“Um...” Jenrya listened attentively. “Not that I know of.”
“Cool. Do you think I could stop by for a bit?”
“Oh.. Sure.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Jenrya hung up at the phone, then stared at it. “Well now. That went well.” he said dryly.
The next day, Ruki sat around for a while, nervous out of her mind. She was never this nervous before, not even before a Digimon card tournament!
“Ruki. Calm down” said Kyuubimon, who was lying patiently in one half of her room.
“But... It’s... Jenrya. he’s coming over. Here. Today.”
“Considering the way you acted on the phone last night, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t show up at all.”
Ruki’s head shot up, “What?”
“Lets face it Ruki-chan, you weren’t exactly Ms. Welcome last night.”
“oh.”
Ever since Kyuubimon and Ruki had worked out their differences, they were now the best of friends. Ruki felt that the only person she could open up to was Kyuubimon. At the same time, Kyuubimon had stopped being so serious all the time.
“Hey, shouldn’t you have de-evolved by now? How long are you gonna be shedding all over my room?”
Kyuubimon just grinned and shrugged, sending more fur floating into the air, but was interrupted by the knock on the door.
“it’s Jenrya!” she cried as she jumped up.
“Calm down! don’t look so eager! He’s gonna think you wanna seduce him!”
Ruki blushed, but quickly covered it up with her usual morose look.
She opened the door and tried not to look to happy to see him. She just smiled and said Hi.
She’s not happy to see me. Damn.
“Hi Ruki, ” he said, hiding his disappointment at Ruki’s face. She had the same look on it as she always did.
“How are you?” He said as he came indoors.
“I’m Okay. You?”
He smiled and said he was fine. well, she’s talking more.
“Lets go into the yard.” She looked at Kyuubimon, then looked back at Jenrya, “Kyuubimon doesn’t fit.”
Jenrya and Ruki sat outside, and watched Kyuubimon and Terriermon play on the grass. They were playing tag. After getting tagged many times by the bigger, faster champion, Terriermon decided the only spot he was safe from her nose (which was what she had to touch him with to tag him), was clinging to one of her tails.
Ruki and Jenrya laughed heartily as Kyuubimon ran around futile in circles, trying to get her opponent who was latched to her tail. or one of them at least. She knew she’d never get him, but she was enjoying herself, and that’s what mattered. She gave up on circles, and went into bucking bronto mode. This just made Jenrya and Ruki laugh even harder.
Ruki was surprised in how comfortable she felt with Jenrya. She hadn’t laughed this hard for ages. Out of the corner of her eyes, she watched Jenrya at the same time as her digimon. He looked so cute when he laughed. Her attention was diverted however, as Kyuubimon began to glow. She had tired herself out enough that she was finally able to de-evolve. Terriermon blinked twice when he discovered that he wasn’t safe anymore. Renamon twisted around to face him, still hanging onto her tail. With one hand she lifted him off. She held him up to his face, and had such a serious look on her face, Terriermon started to look worried.
“You’re it.” She tossed him into the air, knowing that he’d catch the air in his massive ears, and took off.
“Hey!” came the startled reply, as Terriermon aimed his glide at Renamon.
Ruki and Jenrya had stopped laughing when Kyuubimon had de-evolved, but were now rolling on the ground chortling. Ruki took a deep breath and sat up, wiping the tears of laughter out of her eyes. Jenrya followed suit. She tried not to laugh, but continued giggling as she watched Renamon and Terriermon play.
Jenrya watched in amazement as Ruki giggled. he’d never seen her giggle, much less laugh as hard as she had been! She looks so pretty when she’s happy.
“Ruki?” he said, trying to keep the uncertainty out of his voice.
She turned a smiling face to look at him “Yeah?”
Jenrya nearly melted.
“Um..” He shook himself mentally come on, spit it out!
“Um.” He gulped. She looked at him questioningly.
“Wouldyouliketogotothemovieswithme?”
She blinked a few times as she tried to figure what he had said. Jenrya took this pause for a negative.
“I mean, if you don’t wan-”
“I’d love to.”
He stared in disbelief. He didn’t know what to say. He had hoped she’d say yes, but hadn’t prepared himself for it.
“Oh. really? that’s... great!”
Renamon ran over and stopped infront of the pair, Ducking as Terriermon shot over her head. He had launched himself out of a tree. He kept going, landing in a bush. He disappeared into the foliage.
“Terriermon!” Jenrya jumped up to aid his friend.
“Ask him to stay for dinner.”
“No way!” Ruki replied too quickly. “Wait. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Of course I do! ask him.”
“Shhh!”
Jenrya came back, with a Terriermon who looked like he had gotten into a fight with a shedding tree. He shot a dirty look at Renamon, who merly stuck her tongue at him. “Aim better next time.”
Jenrya laughed as he picked leaves out of Terriermon’s fur.
“hey Jen.. er, Jenrya, do you wanna stay for dinner?”
Jenrya looked startled.
Damn! I’ve scared him!
“Sure! just let me call home!”
As Ruki and Jenrya waited for Ruki’s mom and grandmother to come to the table, Ruki wondered what her scatterbrained mom would say. For once her Mom was home for dinner. Usually she was off on some date.
The door opened, and Ruki braced herself.
Ruki’s mom paused. For a second Ruki thought she was gonna freak out.
“He’s so cute! aren’t you a lucky girl Ruki!”
“Mooom!” she groaned. “I wish you wouldn’t-”
“Momantai!” came a little voice outside.
Ruki froze. So did Jenrya, He sat straight up, his eyes widening.
Her mom looked up. “I wonder what that was?” she said quietly, and left to investigate.
“Renamon!” Ruki hissed. She immediately appeared out of the shadows. “Don’t worry. I threw him in a bush. Your mom won’t find him.” Renamon turned to Jenrya with a smirk on her face, “Sorry, but you’re gonna have to de-branch him again later.”
“Thanks Renamon,” said Ruki, “can you keep and eye on him while we eat? Although he did choose a good time to distract Mom.”
Renamon started to laugh, but was interrupted by the door opening. She jumped backwards into the shadows and disappeared.
“Weird.” said Ruki’s mom as she came back in. “Oh well. Lets eat!”
Ruki’s grandmother then cam in, laden with food.
The next night, Jenrya and Ruki sat in the theater, watching an old godzilla movie. About halfway through the movie, they heard a crash, that didn’t come from the speakers. Ruki started, and Jenrya looked around.
“What was that?” said Jenrya.
Just then, two slits appeared on the screen. Two blue antlers ripped it way through, then a head appeared.
“A digimon!” cried Ruki, “It’s Moosemon!”
Moosemon forced his way through the screen, sending other movie goers screaming in the opposite direction.
“RENAMON!”
Moosemon somehow saw Renamon appear out of the shadows, and took a mighty leap forward.
“Ruki, watch out!” Jenrya knocked her to the ground, shielding her with his body, as Moosemon landed mere inches from where she had been standing a moment ago.
“Horn Blade!”
Before he could make the attack however, Renamon jumped forward, and hit him hard in his head backhanded. He skittered around to his right, unable to get a grip on the smooth floor, tripping on the stairs. In the same motion Renamon twirled around and kicked his rear with her right foot. He slammed into the rows of chairs, sending up a shower of debri. Ruki and Jenrya had sat up, and once again Jenrya shielded her from danger. In doing so his arm got cut by the jagged edge of a broken chair. He winced, but thought nothing of it.
“Fox Leaf Arrowhead!”
Moosemon flickered like a broken television, screamed like a dying..... moose, and disintegrated.
“Jenrya.....”
“Ruki, are you okay?”
“Jen... Jen-chan.... Your arm.”
“But are you okay.”
“Yeah, I’m fine, but-”
“Good. because if you were hurt I couldn’t do this.”
He leaned forward, cupping her face in his hands, and kissed her. She hesitated a second, but then kissed back. Renamon faded away to give them privacy in the now empty theater.
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