Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

Tangled Up in My Heart

Chapter: 01/ That Night of Dreamland

"There we are."

Rika popped open a box and began to sort through it, pulling out plates and small dishes, setting them in the hands of a smaller, brown-haired, amber-eyed young woman.

"Now we just need to find the glasses and things to eat with…"

"And to cook with," Jeri added. The fire-haired woman nodded in agreement before continuing without missing a beat.

"…and we'll be set."

Rika cast her gaze about, her expression thoughtful. All around her lay a fortress of boxes in an otherwise bare apartment. Today was the culmination of planning a new chapter in her life – living away from her childhood home – and yet it still felt alien to her.

Not quite like home yet, she thought. Ten years ago, I never thought about leaving it, and now…here I am.

She curled her fingers into the palms of her hands, still unable to shake off the unrealism of it all. Leaving her old home; leaving her family and making a new life for herself… If she hadn't been so eager to get out of the house, she honestly would have felt more nervous.

Without Mom constantly getting on my case, I wouldn't even be here.

Harrumphing to herself a bit in irritation of her mother and her nagging, she drew up a leg and glanced out the window, the Shinjuku government building in plain view. The once-upon-a-time source of her childhood adventures brought to mind the fleeting image of a yellow-furred, bipedal fox.

"You can't go around expecting her to come back," she remembered her mother saying. "And you can't expect to be a Tamer forever. Not when they're gone. It's time you grew up, Rika."

"Rika?"

"Hm?" Broken out of her reverie, she looked over at Jeri as she pointed indicatively at a box.

"This one's unmarked, and I'm not seeing any others for the kitchen."

Rika sighed and climbed to her feet. "Takato or Kazu probably forgot to label them," she grumbled. Making her way over to her friend, she tore the tape off and opened the box, only to sigh in disgust.

"What's wrong?" Jeri asked, peering over her shoulder, a split second later her eyes lit up and she reached in, pulling out a fashion magazine with Rika's smiling face on the cover, swirling a dress about in her hands. Rika made a disgusted face, wanting to wretch at the sight. It was completely the opposite of everything she was.

I still can't believe I let Mom get me into her business… Ugh.

"You're so pretty!" Jeri squealed, lifting the magazine high above her head as she spun around like a dancer. "I've been meaning to buy this issue ever since you told me you were going into modeling!"

"Please don't," Rika groaned, stalking away from her friend in search for another unmarked box to open. "I only did it because it shut Mom up. She wouldn't leave me alone about my career plans and working part time at Takato's place wasn't cutting it."

Rika scowled, remembering how she started at the bakery to earn a little spending money and to give her work experience for the future. Yet, as time passed, she found that she had…settled. All the drive she had previously had vanished it seemed without Renamon, her digimon partner, and without school or university pushing her to succeed anymore, she drifted aimlessly, eventually hardly leaving her home except to go to work. Everyone noticed, and of all of her family and friends, her mother began to really push on her to do something more than bake bread and man a cash register part time. Something that would ensure that she could maintain a comfortable life.

"Your grandmother and I aren't going to be able to support you forever, you know," her mother had told her in her old, authoritative tone. "And your job at your friend's place won't be able to pay the bills for this house. Especially not part time."

The arguments between them had grown thick in the house, but aside from an interest in Motor Cross, Rika couldn't think of a thing that she wanted to do, and eventually she just gave up resisting.

So now she was on the cover of her mother's company magazine.

And she hated it.

Jeri gave her a pitiable look as she lowered the magazine. Rika hated that look too. She saw it too often from her friends and family over the years and even without the timespan, she loathed pity period.

I don't want pity, she thought darkly. I just want understanding.

Jeri turned the magazine over, heaving a sigh.

"Well, I still think you look nice. I wish I looked half as good as you do."

"You look fine," Rika snorted. "And if you or anyone else can't see that, then you all need to get your heads examined."

She winced at her words, remembering how Jeri needed to see a professional psychiatrist after her own experiences years ago, when the malevolent entity known only as the D-Reaper had forced her to live her traumas over and over to fuel its power and evolution. She relaxed however when she saw Jeri simply sticking her tongue out at her before giggling.

"Easy for you to say, Ms. Daughter of a Famous Model who's now a model herself."

Sighing, Rika marched over to her friend and plucked the magazine out of Jeri's hands.

"You worry too much about stupid things. Besides, you'd make a better model than me."

Jeri opened her mouth as if to protest when the buzzer from downstairs caught their attention. Making her way over, she hit the reply button, already guessing who it was.

"Takato? Is that you? You two sure took your sweet time getting back."

"It's Kazu actually," came the voice of the man whose very grin made Rika's smile drop, thinking immediately of a wolf. "But Chumley's here with me. We've got grub and drinks."

"Come on up," Rika replied, unlocking the door for her two friends, the only friends other than Jeri she could count on at present to help her with the move. She glanced at Jeri to gauge her reaction, and not for the first time. The girl was smiling as well, albeit a bit devilishly, causing Rika to narrow her eyes at her, her lips changing direction southward into a frown.

"What's that look for?"

"What's what look for?" Jeri giggled, a knowing tone in her voice before searching about her in the forest of boxes, her good humor quickly evaporating. "Honestly, what did those boys do with the kitchen gear? I would have thought Takato would remember he would need them to, you know, cook with and would want them handy."

"I bet that was more Kazu," Rika chuckled, slipping the magazine back into its box, taking care to bury it as deeply as possible. "Takato can be a Gogglehead, but he's not an airhead like Kazu is."

She smiled faintly at the thought of their haphazard friend who, once upon a time, had worn a pair of yellow-rimmed, plastic goggles as though he were the lead hero in one of the grand adventure stories that he used to watch as a kid.

I wonder whatever happened to his goggles, she thought, remembering how they seemed to just vanish when he turned 14, about the same time she began working for his parents part time. She brushed the thought aside though, not feeling that it held any importance. Not when there were more important things to consider.

I wonder what he's got planned for dinner…

A faint blush rose on her cheeks and to distract herself, she tore into another box.

"So how's your job prospects going?" she asked. At this, Jeri made a dark face that quite shocked the taller, red-haired woman.

"Okay," she said, planting her hands on her hips. "Who do I need to hit?"

"Huh?" Jeri's head snapped up and she quickly shook it. "N-No one! Kami! It's just… The proficiency exams are…frustrating, and…and I have to write an essay too and provide a demonstration lesson and… Ohhh…" She pressed a hand to her forehead, groaning in pain and annoyance. "It's just so…frustrating becoming a teacher! And I'm not even guaranteed to get hired, and if not… I have to go through it all over again!"

Her shoulders sagged. "I have maybe a one in five chance of being hired, but I don't know where it might be either. I might end up far away from home. I…don't know how Ms. Asaji did this back when we were kids."

Rika faintly remembered Jeri, Takato, Kazu and Kenta's stories about their old teacher, Ms. Asaji and how strict she had been in the beginning of their adventures. Takato and Kazu especially felt that she had been out to get them with the numerous detentions they accrued under her tutorship.

"People usually find a way," Rika shrugged. "At least, if they want something bad enough."

Jeri brought one hand over her wrist and massaged it gently. Rika watched curiously, remembering how the wrist she rubbed once had a sock puppet riding it that she would use to communicate with as a child. The habit, it seemed had died, but the coffin remained quite noisy.

"Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it though," Jeri said softly. "When I think of what I gave up to become a teacher…"

Before Rika could question her on this, the door to the apartment opened, and in walked Takato and Kazu, both of them lifting their grocery bags, wide, beaming smiles on their faces.

"The triumphant heroes have returned!" Kazu crowed. "Price markdown on the meats by the way! We had to beat people off with sticks to get this stuff!"

"Great." Rolling her eyes, Rika sauntered up to Takato, who was carrying the lion's share, and took one of his bags. "Getting into trouble without me again?"

The crimson-eyed man grinned. "He's exaggerating, but we did end up getting yelled at by an old lady when Kazu stopped to get sake. Something about how 'young people like us' are the reason why everything's going down the tube."

"It goes great in cooking!" Kazu sniffed in annoyance. "I thought everyone knew that, but she went all postal on about how we're going to cause trouble…"

"And I'm sure she was right about you," Rika chuckled, eyeing him suspiciously as she waited for the other shoe to drop. Kazu sniffed again.

"It's just sake…"

"You bought shōchū and baiju," Takato pointed out.

"Those are house-warming gifts!"

"You bought five bottles! Big ones!"

"Well, obviously we're not drinking them all tonight, Chumley…"

"If we leave it to you, we probably will," Jeri giggled, grabbing Kazu's bag from him with a clink. "I think I'll be the one in charge of rationing it."

"Awww…"

"No complaining!" Jeri said sharply to Kazu, giving him a dark, menacing look. Laughing lightly, Kazu lifted his hands in a placating gesture.

"All right. All right. You've worked at a tavern after all, and you're a teacher too." With a bow, Kazu grinned. "Just whatever you do, don't give me detention or cut me off, Ms. Katou."

"Ohhh… You… Kazu!"

"Those two, right Rika?" Takato laughed as he and his red-haired friend decided to take the opportunity to make their getaway toward the kitchen and leaving the two alone for the time being.

"Just about always, but Kazu has that way of making anyone mad. I'd think it's the hair gel, but then, I know him too well."

Takato glanced over his shoulder at their slick-haired friend, looking surprisingly smart in his casual, business attire. University, it seemed, had done wonders in teaching him about how to be presentable.

"He does get it done somehow," he noted.

"I'll give him that," Rika admitted, thinking of how she had drifted since graduating before the two of them set their bags on the kitchen counter. "Anyway, what'd you two get?"

"The usual odds and ends." Takato grinned. "Also chicken gizzards, since I know how much you like them."

"Looks like somebody knows me too well." Smirking, Rika gave her friend a bump with her hip before digging into the bag. She paused however, as something within caught her eye. With a critical eye, she withdrew a fashion magazine, a copy of the very same one Jeri had seen earlier, and turned towards Takato, clearly expecting an explanation.

"All right. What's this doing here?"

"Huh?" Takato lifted a quizzical pair of eyebrows at his friend. "Is…that bad? I kind of wanted to show you some support since you just started working as a model." His smile returned, though it was now tempered by cautiousness, well aware from long history how Rika could get when annoyed by something or someone.

"You look great by the way," he added, hoping that would defuse the situation a little, knowing her secret fondness for compliments, especially when they came from him because, as she told him, he was the most honest about it. "I mean…you always look great. I'm just saying I'm not surprised you're on the cover."

Rika however, simply harrumphed, clearly unhappy.

"I'd rather you not see those pictures of me," she scowled. "They're not the real me. Just some dolled up version that pretends to like being gawked at and ogled over by complete strangers."

Tilting his head in sympathy, he chewed on his lower lip before responding.

"Is it any consolation that I know the real you and like the real you better than the you that's on the cover?"

A light blush again arose on Rika's cheeks and she shifted from one foot to the other.

"A little bit," she admitted. "But…I still don't want you seeing those pictures of me. They're not the real me."

Takato mulled this over for a bit as he took out some of his bag's contents and laying them out on the counter before finally nodding.

"Okay," he said. "I promise. From now on, only the real you and nothing else."

Unseen, Rika's blush only deepened at his words.

"I…won't stop you from having them though," she added, feeling suddenly flustered. "I know I don't go out of my way to show you the real me…"

Rika found herself cut off midsentence as Takato unexpected swung his arm around her shoulder and drew her close, giving a companionable hug.

"A promise is a promise," he smiled. "The real you and nothing else."

Takato gave her one final squeeze before retracting his arm from the furiously blushing woman who, unbeknownst to him, couldn't decide whether to glare at him or shrug the whole thing off. After several moments she opted to glare at him. Seeing this, Takato's nervous smile returned.

"Bad?"

"No…" Rika admitted, looking away. "Good. Just…unexpected."

Her lips curved slightly upward as she thought back to the feel of his touch on her shoulder. How warm and close he felt.

"But…unexpected isn't a bad thing. Maybe you should try doing that more often."

"Eh?" Takato's eyes widened at that. "Doing more hugs? Or just being unexpected? Wait… Are hugs unexpected? Or… Er…"

With red creeping into his face, his tongue became completely twisted about itself, and he quickly found himself unable to speak properly. The pair's eyes turned up toward one another, and after a minute, Rika gave a light, embarrassed laugh and began to route through the bag of groceries once more, suddenly realizing why Takato could get so flustered after he put his foot in his mouth.

"All right," she said quickly, opting to change the subject. "Let's get this ship started. Where's the gizzards?"

"T-This bag here, I think," Takato replied just as quickly, digging around in an attempt to distract himself from trying to think too closely on Rika's words. Unfortunately, they lay there, at the back of his mind, teasing him just beyond his reach.

"Er… Somewhere?" he continued, feeling that he had just been struck blind by the whole ordeal. What did Rika mean?

Man… Even after all these years of being her friend and working closely with her, she still finds a way to tie me into knots.

Frowning, he forced himself to throw all of his attention to his work. "Maybe it's…oh! Here we go! Right in front of me."

Drawing out the gizzards in question, Takato flashed Rika a triumphant smile, who regarded him with some amusement, having seen the impact her words had on him.

Always something so simple, she thought. But then…it's not like he doesn't return the favor either. Every time he puts his foot in his mouth…

"If nothing else," she remarked, letting the thought trail off before it could march down memory lane, "you're reliable when it comes to my favorite food."

"Hey! You can give me more credit than that! I'm plenty reliable. You've seen me in the kitchen, like that one time we had that fire. Remember? Your first year with us?"

"Fair enough," she replied, playfully bumping him again with her hip. "I…"

She paused, sensing an odd silence before turning, finding Jeri and Kazu watching them, the pair grinning devilishly. Her scowl returning, Rika turned to face them, hands planted on her hips in an authoritative manner.

"All right. What's that look for?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Jeri giggled.

"If it were, I wouldn't be asking."

"We'll let you figure it out," Kazu laughed, turning away. "It's fun watching you squirm, especially when it involves Chumley."

"Say wha…?" the red-eyed man gawked in surprise. "Why am I a part of this all of a sudden?"

Neither of their friends seemed particularly interested in answering, instead scurrying off to help finish locating all the eating utensils. The pair exchanged glances before Takato simply shrugged and went back to work, pulling out the supplies to get them ready for preparation.

"All right… Green onions… Eggs… Seaweed…"

"Here's a knife for the onions," Rika said, passing him the tool in question from an earlier unpacking without missing a beat, the two of them quickly fell into their work routine. "I'll take the eggs and get the tissues ready for you. Those onions look really fresh."

"Oh great… Give me the onions."

"Can't help it." Rika flashed him a grin and gave his shoulder a light tap with her fist. "I'm not giving Kazu the satisfaction of seeing me tear up. So that leaves you for the chopping block."

Opening her fist, she placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him a soft squeeze. "Don't worry. I'll make it up to you."

Takato chuckled, blushing lightly at her touch.

"The sacrifices I make… But it's worth it."

"That's the spirit. Now where's that cutting board?"

"Right here!" Jeri beamed, lifting one from a box triumphantly. Hurrying on over, she handed the cutting board off to Takato, who quickly set it down and began his work.

"Shouldn't Rika be the one on the sidelines and us doing the cooking?" Kazu asked, looking up from a box. "I mean, it's her first day here and she really busted her butt with all the moving, even with us helping. Shouldn't she be relaxing or something?"

"You'd have a better chance convincing an avalanche of that than Rika," Takato laughed, cutting off the stem end of the first onion and flipping it around to slice off the roots. He moved quickly, hoping to get it done as fast as possible before the onion fumes got to him.

"Got that right," Rika smirked as she headed back into the maze of boxes where she remembered seeing a box containing some pans. "No way I'm sitting still. Besides, Takato's bound to get himself into some kind of trouble without me watching his back."

"You make it sound like I'm always getting into some kind of mess."

"That's because every time I saw you, you were. Right from the very beginning."

Takato frowned as he began to cut up another onion.

"You know… You were trouble for me at the very beginning," he remarked, a small, playful grin touching his features as he remembered his first encounter with Rika, which was to plow his digimon partner, Guilmon, into a fence with her own partner, Renamon.

Rika tugged out a pan, her eyes dancing with memory. "Exactly my point. You're like a magnet for trouble."

"And you're the opposite that got attracted," Kazu smirked.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I think he means your trouble is the kind that ends up good in the end," Jeri coughed, seeing Rika's annoyed expression. Her eyes swiveling over to Takato, concern suddenly writ itself upon her face. "Takato? Are you…?"

"It's the onions," he replied, rubbing an arm over his eyes. Blinking them, he shook his head, tears spilling freely down his face. "Wow. Yeah, Rika, you weren't kidding."

"Hard to tell when she is," Kazu grinned, beginning to check boxes once more for eating utensils. "I mean, unless she's giving you the evil smirk of doom, she's got a heck of a poker face."

Returning to the kitchen, Rika placed the pot in the sink and flipped the water on.

"I don't kid when it comes to cutting onions. I've had my fair share of them." Glancing at her friend, she tilted her head, a bit worried. "That bad, huh? Do you need…?"

"Here you go," Jeri interrupted, coming up from behind with tissues in hand. Taking one of them, she rose up on the toes of her feet and began to dab at Takato's eyes.

"H-Hey!" Takato stammered out before giving a light, embarrassed laugh. "Jeri… Come on…"

Giggling, Jeri continued to dab at the young man's eyes, finding his reaction to her ministrations cute and endearing, reminding her of days long gone by, from just before their entry into middle school, when everyone seeing one another began to become difficult. However, movement from Rika caught her attention, breaking her out of her reverie. She paused, looking at the fire-haired woman more fully, seeing the blank expression on her face as she stared straight ahead, trying to ignore the scene next to her.

And, from the corner of her eye, she saw Takato looking at her with worry as well.

"Sorry," Jeri said quietly, flashing Rika an embarrassed and apologetic smile, causing her to shift uncomfortably and blush lightly at having been seen through.

Takato furrowed his brow, sensing that something had passed between them that he wasn't aware of.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," he said, forcing a smile on his face in the hopes of stopping up the odd tension that had suddenly filled the room. "But thanks for the help."

"N-No worries," Jeri replied, feeling a bit like a heel now, but eager to put the awkward moment behind them. "Um… I-Is there anything I can do to help?"

Rika lifted her violet-eyes and met Jeri's amber ones, an apology written within them. Before she could say anything however, Kazu gave a surprised holler from the living room.

"Whoa! Purple, Rika? And so lacy!"

Rika closed her eyes and set her teeth against one another, realizing she had forgotten a rather important box that needed labeling…and placing somewhere more private. Checking Takato, as he had turned to see what the commotion was about and upon seeing how his eyes went wide as saucers before he abruptly turned around with a jerk, she considered her suspicions more than confirmed.

"Cover for me while I hide his body," she said, crushing an egg in one hand while heat bloomed across her face once more. "That'll help plenty."

###

A pair of chopsticks clinked in a dish as Kazu – now sporting a bruise on his left cheek bone – leaned back, breathing in contentment.

"Damn, that was good," he breathed, patting his now full stomach happily.

"How would you know?" Rika asked, lifting an eyebrow as she popped a piece of chicken gizzard into her mouth. You barely took the time to taste it."

"I can taste as quick as I eat." Lowering his head, his cheeks puffed out slightly and he let out a loud belch. "Sometimes twice…" he added, patting his chest.

"Kazu!" Takato and Jeri both reprimanded simultaneously while Rika looked on, her expression deadpan.

"Disgusting…"

"Yeah, I know." Taking up his glass of sake unapologetically, he knocked it back in one gulp before continuing. "But even without me setting off car alarms as a compliment to the chefs, you and Chumley made this together. So, it's always going to be good."

"You're really trying to butter me up for what you pulled earlier aren't you?"

"No, I mean it," Kazu insisted before holding out his cup for Jeri. "Hit me up?"

"Last one," Jeri frowned. "You've had a lot already."

"Fine… Fine…" Kazu rolled his eyes as he continued to hold out his glass. The brunette took it and, after refilling it, passed it back.

"Look, I know I'm not the kind of guy who says nice things and everything. I know I'm not like Takato who can cause a hurricane whenever he compliments Rika…"

"Bu-wha…?!" Takato choked while Rika blushed furiously. "What are you talking about? Kazu, don't be ridiculous!"

"Who's being ridiculous? Iknow that whenever the two of you are together, working on something…I don't know. It's…kind of like magic happens. So…yeah. Your guys' food was magic today, just like those kitsune cookies you made for the bakery, Rika."

"That's because they make their food with love," Jeri giggled, earning her a hard look from the blushing Rika while next to her, Takato took a deep drink from his sake to distract himself. "That's really the best magic there is."

"Very subtle," Kazu snorted. "And it doesn't seem to be helping Kenta. Last he was talking to me about this girl he was seeing, he was babbling worse than Chumley is right now."

"I'm…not babbling badly or anything," Takato frowned behind a sip. "I haven't had that many drinks yet."

"How many have you had?" Rika asked, shifting in her seat so she was facing him more fully. At that, Takato lifted his eyebrows, lowering his glass.

"Um… Okay, I actually lost count…"

Sighing, Rika glowered at Jeri.

"I thought you said you were going to ration this stuff."

"I did! I am!"

"Not exactly doing a good job," Kazu chuckled. "But you've always had a bit of a soft spot for Chumley."

"Kazu…" Jeri growled, shooting him a warning look. Takato looked at them quizzically, sensing as though something were passing between them that only they knew.

"Um… Is there something going on here?"

"Nah," Kazu shook his head. "Jeri just spoils you more because you two used to be together."

"Kazu!"

The man in question blinked as both Takato shouted at him, practically rising to his feet, his face flushed and his hands drawn into tight fists, the eyes of the two women on him in surprise. Sensing that he had touched a nerve, he raised his hands in a placating gesture.

"Okay, okay. Sorry. I didn't know it was that big of a deal."

"Easy there, Takato. You're letting the sake do all the talking there," Rika said, taking hold of his wrist and tugging slightly, indicating for him to sit back down, once more surprised by how his normally quiet nature could be roused into a roaring dragon. Explosions like this were quite rare to the point that it was easy to forget that he could even get angry about something.

Even when remembering that time in the digital world when he had Guilmon digivolve to Megidramon, she thought, giving Takato's wrist a soothing squeeze as the tension in his body began to die back.

Seeing how everyone was now looking at him now, a flash of pain crossed Takato's features and he looked away, ashamed.

"Sorry," Takato said, releasing his fists and plopping back down, his expression sour from memory. "She just…doesn't like talking about…us."

Hearing this, Jeri cocked an eyebrow at him.

"That's…not why I was…" she began, her eyes flicking over to Kazu, reading his eyes. Now Rika saw something pass between them and she tilted her head to one side questioningly.

"All right, you two. What's up?"

"It's…It's nothing…" She shot a meaningful look at Kazu, causing Rika to narrow her eyes. Her expression almost read like a signal.

Help me.

"How's your sempai, Takeshi?" Kazu grinned, and at once Jeri's face bloomed like a field of roses opening all at once.

"Not your business!" she exploded. "And it's Takeru! Ta. Ke. Ru!"

Rika arced an eyebrow.

Oh…

Realization bloomed in her mind and she glanced quickly at Takato to see how he was doing. He didn't appear to be the least bit surprised by the suggestion of Jeri having someone else she gave her heart to, and even smiled a little watching Jeri and Kazu square off, though he continued to look a bit shaken by his earlier outburst.

Quite unexpectedly, Rika found herself relaxing a bit at his easy acceptance of Jeri's newfound love – if that's what the whole thing was about – and turned to watch the fireworks as they went off between their two friends.

"You mean Ta. Pe. Ru," Kazu laughed teasingly. "Or if you want, I can shorten it to TP."

"Kazuuu…"

"Better listen to her," Rika laughed, keeping a worried eye on Takato as he took another deep drink and appeared to waver in his seat, crimson painting his cheeks brightly. "She sounds like she's ready to pounce and you've already got one bruise on your face. Or are you looking for a matching set?"

"I have one thing to say to that," Kazu laughed before belching again, this time even louder than before.

"Manners, Kazu!" Jeri exclaimed.

"Forget it, Jeri. You might as well be trying to train an ape."

"Just take it as a compliment," Kazu grinned. "The grub was awesome!"

"A compliment doesn't have to be so gross," Jeri replied, wrinkling her nose as the man burped again. "And it doesn't speak well for what else you would call a compliment."

"Bathroom's that way," Rika added. "And if you make a mess, I'm not allowing you back in here. Ever. You're lucky I'm letting you even stay after what you did earlier. How do you even keep a job when you behave like this?"

"Hey, I may not be the most civilized person around, but that doesn't mean that I'm that disgusting out in public," Kazu laughed. "Decorum and all that."

"Ohhh man…" Takato chuckled dryly, trying to become a part of the conversation again, as the room swam before his eyes. Hoping to keep from falling over, he leaned his head onto one hand, forcing a grin on his face. "I'm surprised you even know what that word even means. Japanese was never your strong point when we were kids."

"I eventually figured out I needed to clean up to go out in the world and make money," Kazu replied with a touch of haughtiness in his voice. "Got to at least look respectable, but at the end of the day, I still like to wrestle in the mud. It's how I relax after being put in a pressure cooker all day long. Everything's got to be picture perfect all the time…" He looked at Rika. "You know what that's like, right?"

"Unfortunately," Rika sighed. "And I wish I didn't feel like I needed a shower for agreeing with you of all people."

"You too, Chumley. And Jeri." Leaning back on his spot, he lifted a knee and draped an arm over it, his expression suddenly becoming serious. "Rika has to put on a mask for the camera. Takato for customers. Jeri for everyone she has to prove herself to so she can become a teacher. And sooner or later that's going to mean the same act for students. We all got to put the brakes on things and just…pretend we're happy to see everyone around us, including those we would rather not. Places like home… Moments like this…" He spread his arms outward, indicating the apartment. "This is where we can take the mask off and just let it all hang out."

Relaxing in his seat a little, he smirked wolfishly at how Rika and Jeri both now stared at him incredulously.

"What's that look for? Did I say something that sounded good?" As if he just told a joke, he immediately laughed out loud. "Rika, I think you actually punched some sense into my brain for once!"

"It was a good punch…" Takato laughed lazily as he gazed at Rika, a wide, cheesy smile blooming on his blushing face. "The real you is so amazing… I'll keep my promise. I promise. The real you and only the real you. Man, I don't know why you'd want to hide the real you. I think you're…just…so…so… Whooo…"

"Whoa, Takato!" Rika's chopsticks clattered in her dish as she grabbed hold of the tottering brunette to stabilize his swaying form. "Easy! Easy! How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm swimming everywhere at once and not going anywhere at all…" Takato mumbled, leaning his head into both hands now. Kazu snorted.

"First timer."

"I'm not a first timer. I just…I just don't drink all that much. Too much stuff going on."

"I think that's definitely enough for you tonight," Rika said worriedly, pushing away his glass. "Jeri? You want to get him some water so he… Oh!"

The fire-haired woman blinked in surprise as Takato began to slump forward. She caught hold of him again and leaned him toward her, allowing him to fall into her shoulder. She looked a bit embarrassed at becoming a pillow for her friend, but after a moment, she allowed a soft smile to touch the corners of her lips and she threaded a hand through the thick mop of his hair, soothing its unruly strands out gently.

"All right. I guess we're doing this for a little while, now," she said, doing her best to ignore the watchful eyes of their friends.

"S-Sorry," he murmured, trying to push himself back up and away, only for Rika to tighten her grip around him, keeping him in place.

"Come on. Don't worry about it. Just take it easy. I've got your back."

Jeri turned a fearsome glare at Kazu.

"You had to get shōchū and baiju?"

Kazu shrugged and grinned.

"I put love into things I do too. I'm just a little crazy about it sometimes. Well… Crazier than Rika when she's on her period I guess…"

"Kazu?" Rika began warningly, still holding Takato as he began to mumble some nonsense about her sending him to dreamland for good. "Remember how I only gave you one bruise?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll shut up now."

###

"Sorry for not keeping an eye on how much Takato was drinking," Jeri said, gathering up her things as she and Kazu prepared to head out.

"What's there to be sorry for?" Kazu asked. "We got to see Chumley get a little bit tanked. Do you know how rare that is?"

Her cheeks rosy from drink, Rika leaned against the wall to steady herself, arms folded over her chest to discourage Kazu's lecherous, sake-fueled gaze.

"I think I prefer a sober Takato more." Glancing at where their friend lay, drunkenly waving goodbye at their reflections in the apartment window, she allowed a small smile to touch the corners of her lips. "He's much cuter when he's putting his feet in his mouth without outside help."

Kazu snickered at that and elbowed Jeri.

"She just said he's cute." He turned back to Rika. "Nice to see you letting a little bit of the real you outside the castle walls. Too bad Chumley's missing it."

Rika narrowed her eyes in irritation, causing Kazu to chuckle.

"Aaand back behind the castle wall she goes. Ah well. Sunsets are short too. Probably why they're so pretty."

"Kazu?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

Still grinning, the brown-haired man gave Rika the thumbs up.

"Are you sure you don't need help watching him or to help with cleaning up?" Jeri asked, adjusting her coat.

"I'll be fine," Rika smiled, though worry was writ on her face as well as glanced over her shoulder. "I was way worse than that at your place, remember?"

"Wait, what? Something happened at… Ow! Jeri, what'd you kick me for?"

"My foot slipped," Jeri said, keeping her eyes on Rika before stepping forward, embracing her tightly.

"You two take care of each other, all right?" she whispered into Rika's ear, standing on her tiptoes as she held her. "Call me if something happens, okay?"

"Oh, for goodness sake," Rika chuckled, squeezing her back. "You're such a worrywart."

"Sorry," Jeri squeaked in her powerful embrace. "I can't help it sometimes."

Drawing back, Jeri gave her a small smile before bowing. "Anyway, goodnight you two. And take care of each other."

Opening the door, Jeri stepped out of the apartment, Kazu following closely behind. With a final goodbye Rika closed the door on her two friends with a click and leaned her head against it, the world wobbling a little bit as she did so.

"R-Really shouldn't have had so much of Kazu's housewarming present," Takato's voice wafted in from the dining area where he lay. Rika giggled uncharacteristically and spun about on one heel. Without a care now that they were alone, she half-skipped, half-wobbled on over to him, her cheeks blushing lightly, and plopped herself down right next to him.

"Awww…" she cooed, poking the young man's cheek playfully. "Poor Takato couldn't handle his sake."

"N-Not funny," he swallowed. "Man… Rika, could you…could you make the room stop spinning please? I'd like to get off it now."

Laying herself down now, Rika snuggled up to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and drawing the two of them close to one another.

"I don't know about stopping rooms, but I'll do what I can to help you out until it stops on its own." She giggled again, feeling the temperature on his face increase in intensity. Kami, she loved how flustered he could get whenever she messed with his head.

"R-Rika! Not… Not so close! I'm not…" He groaned and clenched his eyes shut, a shudder passing through his body suddenly, causing Rika to look at him with a touch of worry in her eyes.

"Takato? Are you all right?"

"Thought I was going to get sick for a second there. I'm…I'm okay now."

"Good thing," Rika grinned, drawing her hand up to his face and caressing his cheekbone tenderly. "I just got this shirt and the apartment. You throwing up over both would be a bad way to baptize them."

Takato hummed, nodding. "Maybe you should keep some distance? You know… Just in case? I don't want to ruin your shirt." Opening his crimson eyes, he smiled at the girl. "It looks good on you by the way."

"You and my shirts," Rika laughed, ruffling his hair. "Ever since we were kids!"

"It…It was just the one time!"

"Three times," Rika corrected, switching over to grinding her knuckles into his scalp, causing the young man to squirm. She responded by throwing her arm around his head and once more pulling him tight to her, squishing his face up against her cheek.

"R-Rika…!" he blushed ferociously, his voice muffled.

"Just admit it!" Rika laughed through her alcohol-driven humor. "My shirts just drive you crazy! Come on, I can keep going all night until you admit it!"

"N-No! I'm… I'm… Oh nuts! Bathro…"

Heaving suddenly, Takato pushed away with surprising force and spun about in a direction away from the bathroom, his own drunken stupor causing him to get lost. Not that it would have mattered as the young man shook violently, convulsed once and then proceeded to vomit onto the floor.

"Takato!" Rika exclaimed in surprise as her friend gasped, panting heavily. Clambering over to him, she knelt down by his side, violet-eyes full of worry as she placed a hand on his back, massaging it gently.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked. In her mind it was a dumb question, she knew, but there was a difference between feeling sick enough to throw up once or twice and feeling sick enough for it to get even worse.

Slowly opening his eyes, Takato peered down at the mess beneath him, his breathing returning to something approaching normal.

"Well… It's not a weird color or anything…"

"Not funny," Rika scolded, but she smirked at him all the same. "Come on. Let's get you to the bathroom."

Helping him get to his feet, she turned him around in the proper direction and led him to where he needed to go. As she helped him settle down, she lifted the toilet seat up for him, running a hand through his hair comfortingly.

"There you go. Now how are you feeling?"

Takato leaned over the toilet, his stomach still churning.

"Give me a few minutes," he said exhaustedly. Chuckling, Rika clapped him on the shoulder.

"You're lucky you've got me to watch your back," she said. "You're staying the night by the way. There's no way you're going to feel well enough to travel and I'm not letting you out of my sight until you're sober and not puking up all over the place."

"T-Thanks…" the poor young man moaned into the toilet bowl. "Sorry about the mess."

Rika shrugged as she got to her feet, wobbling as she did so.

"Don't worry about it," she said, grabbing hold of the doorframe to steady herself. "I'll get you some water."

He opened his mouth to respond, but his stomach made an annoyed, gurgling sound and Takato, quick as a whip, bent back toward the toilet, groaning pitifully. Rika looked down at him sympathetically, remembering the first time she had been that badly wasted, and at Jeri's tavern no less. The time she spent over the toilet then hadn't been pleasant either, but Jeri helped her get through it with nothing more than kind words, sympathy and a towel over her head. She didn't understand what the towels were for, but they did help after a fashion.

Too bad I haven't unpacked them yet, she commiserated with a scowl before a thought occurred to her. A rather strange, almost wild thought that gave her pause, but only for a second before she shrugged and took hold of the hem of her shirt.

Well, since he likes it anyway…

Drawing it up and over, she plopped it down on top of Takato's head, making sure that it fell down over his eyes to give her some privacy. Not that she expected Takato to sneak a peak once he caught wind of what she did – he was too respectful to play tidily-winks with her or any woman – but she knew all too well how he would react at even the accidental sight of her bra-clad bosom, if not the thought of it. A cute reaction, to be sure with how wide his eyes would grow and how he would stammer and stutter as a bright blush devoured his face, but one they could do without for the time being.

"Don't look," she spoke softly into his cloth-covered ear. "I'll be back."

Takato mumbled something under his breath and Rika took that as a 'yes.' Stepping out, she wandered over to the sink and grabbed a glass. Filling it up, she took a quick swig and then refilled it without even thinking about it. As she made her way back to the bathroom, she cast her violet-gaze out over her apartment flat, the sake glasses that still lay on the table alongside Kazu's bottles, the source of her friend's upset stomach. In spite of that, she could still remember the sound of laughter that filled her new home, and a small smile drew across her face. A good sound, and one that she hoped would fill the place for some time to come.

Hmmm… Better give his folks a call and let them know what's up, she thought, taking her cell phone out of her pocket. Quickly locating the bakery number, she hit the call button and waited. She didn't have to wait long.

"Hey, Mrs. Matsuki, it's Rika," she greeted as soon as she heard the woman's voice answer. "Yeah, we're fine. Well, kind of. Takato's had a bit too much to drink from Kazu's 'house-warming gift.' I'm a little worried that he'll just fall down a well or something, so I'm going to keep him over here until he can tie his own shoes without barfing."

There was a buzzing of anxiety on the other end; a mother's worry, and one that she could understand.

"No, I think he'll be fine. He just needs to sleep it off. I promise I won't keep him up past his bedtime." She giggled at her joke, but Mie didn't seem to be sedated by this.

"No, I'm not worried." She frowned at Mie's buzzing about the two of them being alone together. "This is Takato we're talking about. Drunk or not, he wouldn't try anything I wouldn't want him to."

Some more buzzing on the other end, this time sounding quite alarmed. Rika's face flushed as she realized how that must have sounded to Mie.

"Errr… No, no. Sorry, I guess I just thought you meant…" Oh kami… "Anyway, I've got to check in on him. I'll call you if things go sour for him. Otherwise, we'll see you tomorrow."

With that, she hung up, pondering the matriarch of the Matsuki bakery before shrugging and pocketing the phone.

Something to deal with tomorrow, she thought. Adjusting her bra-strap absently she resumed her trek back to her friend, glass of water in hand.

"How're you doing?" she asked, reentering the bathroom.

"Better," Takato replied, lifting his shirt-covered head up at her approach. "I mean, I threw up one more time, but I think the worst of it's over now."

"Good," Rika replied, sitting herself down next to him, holding out the glass of water. "Now take this and see what happens."

Sitting up, Takato drew back the shirt before taking it and taking a deep drink. Letting out a satisfied gasp, he lowered the glass.

"Thanks Rika. I…"

Once again, Takato blinked, his eyes drawing down as his brow knotted up in confusion at the sight of Rika's cleavage, open to his gaze, a sensual valley that crested up into the swell of her breasts before slipping beneath a lacy, purple bra-line. Rika, frowning slightly at his lapse, followed his gaze and as realization dawned on the two of them, their eyes rose up to meet each other.

"Uh… Rika…?" he began carefully before looking away, searching for something that could be equally distracting for him. "You… You're… Um…"

"Y-Yeah," she stammered out, drawing an arm over her chest and hugging her arm close to her. "I know."

"Why…?"

"My apartment, my rules," she interrupted, falling back on her old bravado. "Besides. I haven't unpacked all of my things yet. I didn't want to have to go hunting for stuff like towels."

It sounded bad, she knew it, but Takato would either shut up or make things worse. Giving him a sharp glare, she indicated that 'shutting up' would be the best course of action for him.

Unfortunately, he missed it, as he continued to babble, trying to figure out what was going on, something that would have been fairly hard even if he were sober.

"I…I don't understand. You put a towel over my head, walk out and then come back without your shirt and a glass of water. Why would you…?"

He paused, and Rika could see the light bulb clicking on for him behind his eyes. He fingered the shirt she had covered his head with, and comprehension dawned on him.

"You mean…?"

"Well, you wouldn't shut up about it!" Rika interrupted with a snarl, taking hold of the shirt in question and shoving it down over his face. Takato squawked.

"Hey! It was just the one time! That's not not shutting up about anything! Rikaaa…"

"Don't Rika me, Takato!" she giggled before running her hand along Takato's shirt-covered face. Her expression softening, she smiled.

"Don't Rika me," she repeated, her tone gentle, continuing to run her hand across his cheek before leaning her forehead against his. "Kami, we're both a little bit out of it, aren't we?"

Taking hold of her hands, Takato lifted her shirt off, revealing his messed-up hair and his warm, red eyes. Their gazes met and, in spite of the tempting view in front of him, he held firm.

"Yeah," he agreed with a small smile of his own. "Well…more than a little. Kazu really did a number on us, didn't he?"

"I'll pay him back," Rika smirked, taking back her shirt, but not yet putting it on. "With interest."

They sat like that for a moment before Takato, starting to remember once more the situation they were in, lifted his hand indicatively towards the door.

"I…ah…I should probably get going. I'm feeling a lot better now and…"

"You're not," Rika cut in with a scowl. "I already told you, I'm not letting you get lost on your way home while you're like this. You're staying here."

"But…the others…"

"Forget them. Let them think what they want. I'm not…" She placed a hand over his. "I'm not letting you out of my sight for tonight. Not while you're like this. I don't…" Her fingers curled around his tightly as she scrunched her face up. "I don't want to risk losing you like we did our digimon."

The mention of their partners sobered them both, bringing the mood to a darker one. While their adventures from their childhood were not an off-limit topic for discussion – far from it in fact – it still left a dark cloud whenever it was mentioned. Tsking, Rika felt an old familiar anger flare up in her heart, and she squeezed Takato's hand.

"You're so stupid," she grumbled. "You were going to stay, and now you want to leave because I took my shirt off."

"Sorry." Takato scratched the back of his head. "I don't… I don't mean…" Drawing his free hand about he pressed it against one eye. "Man, I…don't know how to say it. I'm just…"

"You're just going to stay here. Kami, Takato. You're a guy! Shouldn't you be ogling me or something?"

"You don't like being ogled," Takato reminded out with a frown, lowering his hand. Rika tilted her head to one side, gazing at him thoughtfully before impulsively leaning forward and kissing his forehead, earning her a sharp gasp of surprise. Leaning back, she saw Takato swing his gaze up towards hers, his mouth working, trying to form words.

"Rika…"

"Don't be a dork about this," she berated as she drew closer to him, trying to hide her obvious, fearsome blush behind another show of bravado. "We just had an indirect kiss already. Nothing wrong with a more direct one."

"Wait. Indirect kiss?" Takato's mouth fell open as his hands found their way onto her hips.

Rika's blush only deepened and she glanced away.

"I…drank out of your glass before bringing it to you," she admitted. "Another thing I wasn't thinking about apparently."

"You know… If it weren't for all the sake we were drinking…" Takato barked a harsh laugh. "I'd swear that you liked me or something."

"Yeah?" Rika lifted her head slightly, frowning down at him. "So what if I do?"

Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what she just said, something she had never spoken of to anyone or even admitted to, and yet those words had readily leapt from her mouth, stunning them both. A pall of silence fell between them, the pair becoming all too conscious of their closeness as they gazed into each other's eyes, both searching out each other's feelings with regards to her words. Feeling uncomfortable with the sudden silence, Rika, moving on impulse once more, caught his lips in her own. She felt Takato stiffen against her and his grip around her waist tighten. She bore down on him in response, her heart pounding loudly in her ears as their breath mingled, nervous, excited and heavy. Takato made a muffled sound that was half a groan, half an attempt to speak, his hands hesitantly rising to her back, as though he were trying to get her attention about something. Opening her mouth, Rika only deepened the kiss, not wanting to give him a second to make things even more awkward than they already were with his incessant, blushing babble.

There remained, however, a faint taste of vomit in their kiss.

"Blagh!" Rika gagged, pulling away suddenly and spitting to the side.

"S-Sorry!" Takato stammered out breathily in utter astonishment, his eyes wide and shocked. "I…I was trying to warn you about…" He trailed off and shook his head, unable to believe what was going on. "K-Kami! Rika! What… What was all that for?"

"You mean besides the fact I just told you that I like you?" Rika snapped as she continued to spit, trying to rid her mouth of the awful taste.

"Ahhh…yes?" came the intelligent, but befuddled response.

"Well someone's got to snatch you up," Rika grumbled in reference to his present 'availability' as she climbed off her Gogglehead to locate her mouthwash, only to remember that she hadn't even unpacked that yet either. Snatching up the glass of water she gave Takato earlier, she drained it of its remaining contents and spat into the sink.

Better… she thought, gazing at herself in the mirror. She looked a bit frazzled. Her face was a deep red, and she could see the blush working its way down into her chest. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.

"And if someone's going to do it," she continued, amazed at how calm and lucid she sounded to her ears, "it's going to be me. I'm not settling for second best."

She heard Takato shift behind her, getting to his feet. Opening her eyes, she found him standing behind her, a perplexing expression on his face, as though he were trying to figure her out. No doubt her confession came as much of a surprise to him as it did to her, but before she could say anything, he, much to her own amazement, wrapped his arms about her and drew her into a hug. Her heart skipped a beat as excitement and worry surged through her body, but she hid it behind a confident smile and a happy hum. Closing her eyes, she relaxed against him, her hands taking hold of his arms, squeezing them lovingly, enjoying the feel of them around her.

"So… Decided you wanted to be snatched up by me after all?" She leaned her head against his, the end of her fire-red ponytail mingling with his chaotic mop of earthy brown. Behind her, Takato gave a light, nervous laugh.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're crazy?"

"Crazy enough to like a Gogglehead like you? No, that's a new one, but everything else, yeah. Plenty of times."

Her heart was beating even harder now; her breath coming out quicker. He was holding her! Actually holding her! Responding positively to her liking him! She admitted to liking him! What was going on with the universe all of a sudden?

Unbeknownst to her, though she could easily guess just by looking at his reflection in the mirror, Takato stood behind her, wondering the same thing.

This is…so nuts, he thought, tightening his grasp around her waist. Man, it feels like the whole universe just became unhinged or something. Or…maybe I'm still just dizzy?

"S-So what's the verdict?" Rika asked him, a surprising note of nervousness in her voice. He raised an eyebrow, unsure at first why she would feel anxious about anything, but then it hit him. She had just confessed to him; laid bare her heart and soul and he hadn't properly replied yet except to hug her. Kicking himself for a dope, he smiled and kissed her tenderly, just above her cheek bone. She trembled at that, nerves quaking as she tightened her grip around his arms, as if unable to believe he did that, but the smile that bloomed on her face – like some rare flower – made his heart want to hug her all the more tightly.

Beautiful…

"You've got me," he answered in a soft voice. "I think you've had me for a few years now."

Rika pondered that for a minute before giggling. "So that's why your goggles disappeared." Her grip loosening, she hummed in satisfaction.

"Um… Actually, I really did just misplace them," Takato admitted. Rika chuckled, massaging his arms.

"Bad Gogglehead. I'm going to have to get you new ones now."

"Eh? I thought you didn't like them because they were immature or something."

Turning about in his grasp, Rika smirked at him.

"Doesn't change the fact that you're a Gogglehead. My Gogglehead. But…" Lifting her hands to his face, she stroked his jaw happily. "I guess you don't really need them."

Her Gogglehead. Those words seemed to make everything more concrete. This wasn't a dream. This…was what she wanted. What they both wanted. And more. It surprised her. Even in her wildest dreams, she wouldn't have thought Takato would be so receptive, or that she would be so welcoming in return. Yet, here they were. Feeling her heart quicken its pace, causing the flushing of her face to deepen, she turned her attention to her Takato's eyes, gazing deep into those warm depths.

"Takato?" she began, swallowing down her anxiety.

"Yeah?"

Rika paused and reached behind her. "You said I don't like being ogled."

Unhooking her bra, she let it slide down her chest, revealing her breasts for him to see.

"Ogle away."

Takato's gaze darted down to her chest for only half a second – a part of him fearing some kind of trick on her part – before returning to her violet gaze, the crimson flooding his face darkening. His mouth worked, having found that it had suddenly run dry. This… This was unexpected, and a little fast, but Rika, he knew, rarely went into things halfway.

Still… a more rational part of him thought through his alcohol-muddled thoughts. This… This is a bit…different somehow?

Her eyes. Something shone in them, directed at him. A certain playfulness that he was long used to seeing, but there was more. An anxiety about how he would react to her showing this side of herself to him. A side that, as far as he knew, she never showed anyone before.

Will he hate me for this? was what he felt he saw in her eyes. Will he push me away?

"Rika…" he whispered, his hands rising up between her shoulder blades. Gathering his resolve, he drew her to him, his lips parting and pressing against hers in a loving embrace. He felt Rika shudder as she moaned against him, seemingly taken aback by this, but pleasantly so. Her hands fell to his shoulder as she shifted the angle of her face against his, deepening their kiss in response. Their breath came out quicker as they continued on, but only for a moment before Rika pulled away.

"Drink something to wash out your mouth," she whispered with a breathy chuckle. "And then we're heading to the bedroom."

This is actually happening?! Takato's mind exploded, feeling a strong part of himself twitch between his legs as she pulled away. Further thought was brushed away as she raised an eyebrow at his lack of response, and Takato quickly scrambled to correct that, fumbling with the glass the two of them drank from earlier and half-stumbling to get to the sink. A quick fill and a swig later, and in the next moment, she was pulling him in the direction of the bedroom, her melodious laughter filling the room.

"Come on. Don't be such a slowpoke."

"Slowpoke?" Takato grinned before picking up his pace. "I'll show you… Ahhh!"

"Wha…? Whoa!"

Takato's legs entangled with each other as they sped up, having not recovered their equilibrium just yet. He spun, trying to save his balance, but Rika's attempt to course correct him only worsened the situation, and just like that, they fell in a heap on the floor, Rika landing on top and the two of them laughing hysterically for several, long minutes before the young woman hoisted herself up, brushing aside a lock of hair.

"We're quite the tag team, aren't we?" Takato chuckled as Rika attempted to control her giggles and snorts, only to fail.

"We will be after I teach you how to dance properly." Seeing his raised eyebrow, Rika glowered playfully. "Yes, I can dance. Family thing. Don't ask."

"Ohhh… Now you've made me curious."

"Stay curious then." Leaning forward, Rika gave his lips a quick kiss before lifting herself up, giving Takato a full view of her swaying breasts as she did so. "I'd like to keep some mystery about me for you to figure out."

"You're definitely a fun mystery, that's for sure," Takato replied, climbing to his feet. "You're always a surprise, one right after another."

"Sometimes surprises aren't bad," Rika grinned. "Do you have any more for me tonight?"

"Well…" Takato wavered on his feet and took a breath to steady himself. Once he was sure they would stay under him, he pounced, and with swiftness that caught Rika by surprise, he swept her off her feet and into his arms bridal style, causing her to look at him incredulously as he teetered briefly before righting himself.

"Takato…" she began in a warning tone, but Takato gave her a disarming smile.

"Sorry. I thought you might like being surprised."

"I don't think it counts as good if I have to be surprised that we didn't land on our butts again!" Laughing anyway, Rika wrapped her arm around the back of his neck and pulled herself up so that she could nuzzle him before taking a playful nip at his exposed skin.

"Ow! Rika…!"

"Just get us to the bedroom, Takato. That's an order."

"Jeez…" Takato laughed, starting forward once more, taking care so as to not upset his balance any more than it already was. Excitement beat in his heart alongside nervousness. They really were going to do this. Rika wanted him to do this.

I'm…up for this, right? he found himself wondering as they crossed the threshold to her room. He had never come this far before. Not ever, though there were times that he wondered with Jeri, during the brief period they had dated. He had no experience with pleasing a woman sexually and very little romantically. He wanted Rika to enjoy herself. He wanted to please her; to show how much he cared for her. He wanted…

He tripped on the bedroom rug and as Rika cried out in surprise, he threw himself forward, causing the pair to collapse onto the bed, this time with himself on top of Rika.

"Nice save," she laughed as she ran her hands through his hair.

"That's the job of a Tamer after all," he chuckled before leaning forward and kissing the corner of her mouth. Humming happily, she returned the favor, drawing him close to her.

"W-What would you like me to do?" he asked, his voice muffled against the edge of her jawline. He was nervous. His heart was beating a thousand miles a minute, leaving him worried that he might end up puking on her this time. So far though, the butterflies in his stomach remained caged, but he could feel them fluttering about frantically.

Rika responded by sliding her hands down his neck and dipping them beneath his shirt. Taking hold of a fistful of fabric, she gave it an indicative tug.

"Well… You could start by taking your clothes off…" she suggested before kissing him again. "You know… Just a thought."

"R-Right…" Takato's heart beat loudly in his ears as he awkwardly began to help Rika pull his shirt off, a heavy thrumming noise that had the feeling of pressure behind it. "Don't want you to be the only one here that's…ah…naked after all."

Drawing it up, he gagged as he found himself suddenly getting caught in the neck of his shirt, giving Rika a full view of his chest and stomach, toned from their morning exercises. His face flushing in embarrassment, he tugged and pulled, twisting his hips as though doing so would help until, finally, the shirt came off, returning his view of the world – of Rika – to him, as she began the process of unbuckling her jeans.

"Nice show," she grinned humorously, her belt clattering as she popped it loose. Smiling back, he leaned down and, seized by sudden impulse, kissed the soft, milky skin of her exposed stomach, his hands coming to rest over hers.

"You want me to do this?" he asked, his crimson gaze meeting her violet ones as he slipped his fingers around hers. Rika's breath seemed to catch in her throat for a second before nodding.

"Well… You can help."

Nodding, Takato laced his lips back to her belly, giving her tender, butterfly kisses as his fingers rose up to her belt and finished unbuckling her. His heart and mind were both going crazy, yet his body continued to operate, seemingly independently of their raging anxieties. Her jeans now loosened, he slowly, with great care, began to slip them alongside her underwear down her hips, revealing the crimson tuft of hair that lay beneath. He gazed at it in wonder before leaning into it, kissing it lovingly, causing Rika's hips to jerk against him as she gasped lightly, having not expected that.

"Ugh… T-Takato…" she whispered, threading her fingers through his hair and gripping a handful of his locks tightly. "M-More…"

Takato found himself more than happy to oblige, his hands slipping down to her rear, kneading the flesh of her buttocks experimentally as he continued to kiss along her clitoral hood, brushing against her labia. He had no idea what to do, but he was determined to at least try to please her.

Rika let out a low, keening cry as his tongue washed across her labia, a series of tremors working their way along her legs. Her breath came out quicker now, and he could feel her fingers drawing all the more tightly in his hair. He squeezed her rear back in return, continuing to kiss until, finally, with another loud groan, Rika sat up, pulling away from him, leaving him looking up at her, baffled.

"Wha…? Did I do something wrong?"

"N-Nothing…" she began, shuddering as she crawled over toward him, pushing at his chest indicatively to get him to sit up. "Nothing…wrong." Closing her eyes, she shuddered again, a smile beaming on her face. "I just…just…wanted to try something else."

Opening her eyes, she gave him a mischievous, catlike look as she smirked, her fingers moving down to the button on his jeans. Her nails drew a circle about it questioningly.

"You don't mind?"

"Huh? Oh!" Takato felt the blood rushing to his face, and he nodded numbly in response. Flashing a grin, she took hold of the hem of his jeans and quickly snapped them open, her hand dipping inside his underwear and taking his hard, trembling penis into her hand.

They were both shaking now as Rika slipped him free from his underwear, baring him to her eyes as she had to him. Deep down in the haze of hormones and alcohol, Takato realized that they were about to take a major, major step toward something from which there was no turning back. Seeing her trembling, Takato felt his heart crack and he took her into his arms, surrounding her with his warmth

"Ah…!" Rika gasped in surprise at his unexpected, though far from unpleasant, hug. "Hey, is everything all right?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" he asked, rubbing her back. Closing her eyes, Rika shuddered again beneath his touch. Smiling at his concern for her, she brushed her cheek against his before stroking his erect penis.

"Not sure why you're asking that now," she hummed pleasantly, her motions encouraging his hands to rise up into her ponytail. Taking hold of the band that held it back, he tugged it off and her hair fell down her back in one, fluid motion, burying his hands beneath its radiance. "I'm fine with going further if you are."

Takato kissed the nape of her neck, his hands drifting back down, inching their way to her rear. Grasping hold of her posterior, he squeezed her tight. Now he wasn't sure what to do, having realized that he hadn't had a chance to think much further than this. He knew roughly the details of where they were going, and yet…

"W-What do you want me to do? I'm…" Adjusting his hips, he nudged along her hand, the head of his penis brushing against the red hair that lay between her legs. He trembled at its smoothness and instinctively pushed into it. "Oh, Kami…"

Rika giggled at his awkwardness, loving every bit of it.

"Show me what you'd do first," she replied huskily. "And then maybe I'll show you what I like."

"Geez…" Takato groaned as her hand encircled his shaft, pumping him, encouraging him. His mind was awhirl with a thousand thoughts and feelings, leaving him with the sense that he was walking through a dense fog. Determined to not disappoint her, he decided to go with the next instinct that came to mind and leaned forward, slowly, steadily pushing her down to the bed, his lips catching hers as he did so. Rika moaned at this eagerly, starting to kick off what little of her pants that stayed on as she worked to wiggle his own down his hips, a task made considerably awkward by their position as she found herself relinquishing her grasp on him. Takato's penis, now free, probed about, searching for her opening and, with a moan upon finding it, slipped inside its swollen warmth.

Takato gasped audibly as she squeezed down on him, her legs, now finally free of her jeans rising up and locking around his waist. She's… Oh kami… "R-Rika… You feel…"

"Nnn…" Rika acknowledged, biting her lower lip, feeling him slide on in. It hurt a little bit, having never had sex before now, but much to her surprise there was no blood and the pain gave away quickly to a pleasant, needy heat from deep within her belly. Takato, it seemed, fit her just right. Taking hold of his face, she drew him back into a kiss. As though it were a signal, Takato thrust forward, and a tremor went through him. A powerful, surging heat centered around his crotch, and it sat there…pulsing…throbbing…waiting for one of them to make the next move.

"R-Rika…" he stammered out, breaking the kiss with a shudder. "I think I'm…"

He found himself cut off as Rika moaned, both their ends thrusting toward one another instinctively, meeting all the way to the hilt. The throbbing heat rolled forward like a powerful tempest, and Takato quivered as the pleasure that racked his body so far became instantly manifold. His penis pulsed inside Rika and he found himself frozen there on top of her, no longer capable of stopping himself or to even withdraw. He didn't know how long he lay there, quaking, unable to move as the throes of orgasm crashed upon him, one contraction after another, but when it was over – far more quickly than it had felt – he found Rika kissing him tenderly, her hands running along the back of his neck, stroking him lovingly.

"Welcome back to Earth," she hummed, feeling him relax and knowing what it meant.

"S-Sorry," he panted, forcing his hips to move again in spite of the heavy exhaustion that now crashed down onto his body. "I've…never done this before. I'm not very good at it yet."

"Don't worry about it," she replied, brushing her fingertips against his face with a playful, but comforting smile, feeling him struggling to coax life back into his member. Takato scowled, wriggling his hips.

"I just…want to help you feel good and I just went and…um…" He glanced down between them, seeing his semen leaking out of her. "I…kind of blew it…"

"We'll get you there," Rika chuckled. "Here. You want to help me with feeling good? Let me…" Frowning, she shifted with a grunt, rising onto her elbows.

"Rika?"

"Can you… On your back?" Taking hold of a shoulder, Rika nudged him with her leg. Starting to understand, Takato rolled over, Rika following quickly, pressing down hard all the while to keep him from slipping out of her.

"T-There," she said with a low groan, feeling him jerk inside her in response to their movements. She could feel that he wasn't as rigid as before, but it was clear that his body was fighting like mad to recover for her.

"So…what next?" Takato asked, his hands drifting to her hips, caressing her softly. Grinning, she leaned forward, capturing his lips in her own briefly before drawing back.

"Now…I'll help you figure out what I like and then we can go from there."

Something about the way she said that made Takato cock an eyebrow, sensing that she wasn't going to be direct in her answers.

"Just…help me figure it out?"

Rika eyed him like a cat would a cornered mouse.

"Well… You know how I like playing games, so…" Taking his hand into hers, she proceeded to guide him between her legs where their mingled essence continued to trickle out of her. Takato swallowed as he felt his fingers bump along the bulb of her clitoris.

"I'll let you know when you're getting hot," she finished, the light in her eyes dancing with mischief before leaning forward, her lips again meeting his in a tender embrace.

Oh kami… Takato blushed, proceeding to kiss her back.

The pair surrendered themselves to one another in a cry of ecstasy that lasted well until sleep claimed mastery over them.

###

A/N: A year ago I wrote a scene as a oneshot, but never published it, as it was more an experiment than a coherent story and, given how it started and ended (and no, I'm not telling), would have had a number of requests for a follow up to sort things out, which I had no plans for at the time. Flipping through old works and ideas that never saw the light of day beyond my computer screen, I found the oneshot again and began to work backwards from it and over the course of a week and a half, came up with this chapter, and have plans for a couple more to follow up on it, exploring Takato and Rika in their new circumstances as well as some life stuff such as their jobs and interests. One thing that snagged my attention that I wanted to touch on about the new Tamers Drama CD (one of the many things actually) concerned Rika and her brief modeling career and how her mother had forced her to do it. Information on why this occurred is sparse – having only Rika's brief statement on the matter and leaving it at that – and while it might be tempting to believe Rumiko's character development had been ignored or forgotten, I'm leaning in the direction that Rika kinda/sorta lost her direction and Rumiko was trying to either a.) get her into a decent paying career where she could at least support herself independently and/or b.) give her the boot she needed to find what she really wanted to do.

I'm just spit balling here, but some of this has to do with the previous Drama CD, Message in the Packet, where Henry asks Takato and Rika what their plans are for the future and neither of them have an answer. Throughout the series, Rika had shown that her primary goals and interests involved being a Tamer and being Renamon's partner and very little else. Renamon's loss of course hit her hard, and it's possible that in spite of her fears, she kept hoping for Renamon's return, going through the motions of school and excelling in that, and when it was all over and done with and Renamon still hadn't returned, she might have found it hard to adjust, not knowing what to do with herself, except for what she might consider at the time of this story, a minor hobby in motorcross that she enjoys in her spare time.

I think that just about wraps it up for this chapter at least, so until the next one then. Here's to the journey. :P

-Crazyeight

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