Sakura Blade

It shined as the light hit upon it, giving off the reflection of the holder. The blade was sharp at every exact angle, as if it could never afford to get dull. It glowed with porcelain white, almost boasting out its beauty without saying a word. Ironic, that in every way, it was exactly like herself.

She rested her back against the tree, while at the same time hanging her legs over the branch. They dangled, playing with and against the forces of gravity. As she sat, she lifted her blade once again to the sun and let it grow with the warmth of the light. Moments like these were around her more than ever. Without a digimon, life was just a thing to watch pass by. But if ever there was something to catch the eye, she knew to hold on to it. Even though it could leave as fast as it came, the memories would be better then nothing. She muttered to acknowledge the passing thought, "Renamon.."

She rested her blade down and began scratching an image into the bark of the tree. It may not have been the real thing, but with Takato's drawing lessons… It looked more of Renamon then what it could have been.

"Hey monkey! Have you lost a banana or something!?" Hirokazu's voice and a laugh from Kenta invaded her concentration. She ignored it any ways. Even though she would have liked throwing her pocketknife at them… She wouldn't want to give them the satisfaction of offending her, but more importantly, she didn't want to lose her knife.

"Great!" his voice stressed, "Now we have a deaf monkey in front of us."

"At least I'm not a ugly retard who can't even play a card game right!!" Ruki snapped, standing atop the tree branch. Just as she was about to jump down the two boys began to run away. They screamed all the way to the playground and as she watched, she couldn't help but laugh at the idiotic display as they tripped over each other. She sat back down and thought back…'Even those two are worth remembering…'

Darkness was creeping as she balanced along the stone fence. Even though dinnertime had past, she didn't bother to quicken her pace. Her mother, like always, was off, over seas to places she had no care for. Her grandmother, she assumed, was doing whatever she usually did. Surfing the net? Who knows, who cares…

She gripped her leather coat as she came to the edge. The chill winds were finally coming about, but it didn't sway her into going home. Instead, with some spare change, decided to obey the demands in her stomach. She jumped and started to sprint towards the street market. There was bound to be something decent worth less than a dollar.

"Hmmm…" she stepped into the homely lit store, taking in the many aromas that were dismissed around the room. Everything seemed to be so spotless and clean, the glass, the trays… No crumbs were strayed about even though it was a bakery. She took a glance at the neat presentation of the products of the day. Some treats were golden, some were colorful, and some were smothered in a shameless amount of melted sugar and cheese. But there was one that caught her eye instantly. Oddly shaped but with a unique design of cherry red triangles and circles, it's name could only give a hint on what it truly was. But even then, no one could ever know what the creation meant without talking to the creator, or at least, meeting what inspired it. She continued to decide, and after a moment, picked one of the 'Guilmon' bread and placed it on her tray. The store was considerably empty so the line up wasn't that long, and in less then a minute, she was already at the register.

"Would you like anything else?" The deep but friendly voice asked her as he began to work with the register keys. Quietly she nodded her head in disagreement and proceeded to take a few more glances around her. He handed her the brown paper bag, but as she received it, she still continued to linger. The man looked at her. Her eyes were hidden behind a pair of purple sunglasses, and her hair seemed to be sprouting in a crazy array of spikes. He was sure, that under her shades, there would be a wild fire burning, but by the way they were placed, it looked as if she were suppressing it. But who knows, maybe she was just protecting herself, or even, she could just be trying to protect those who chose to look into them. He remembered subconsciously… 'Eyes are the window to the soul.'

The store sensor went off, opening the sliding door and triggering the lighthearted jingle. The man responded to his son, "It's about time that you came home! I was just about to eat your dinner!"

"Sorry Dad! Jen was just showing me his new computer game." He replied. Just then he saw Ruki standing by the counter, taking a bite out of her guilmon bread. He talked to her in delight, "Ruki! How's it going? I didn't know you were going to drop by."

"Me neither… I just happened to get hungry, and, here I am." She took another bite into the bread, reaching the red bean paste that lay inside.

"Well, since you're here…" Moving towards the stairwell, he waved her over, inviting her to the kitchen table. She followed and sat upon the chair that he pulled out, leaving his dad to serve the approaching customers. As she continued to eat her bread, he went to the fridge to pour some milk into a clear glass. He placed it on the table for her and went again to get one for himself. He began, "It's not like you to be wandering around this part of town."

"Who said I had any kind of boundary?" She took a sip from her glass, and as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, she skillfully pulled off her sunglasses. Her eyes shined with an inner strength, much like Takato had remembered. He sat down across from her, and began to chuckle. Asking, but more so as a demand, "What are you laughing about?"

"Heh…Wow, I never knew how much I would miss this sort of thing…" He laughed again, waving off the tension that he almost started. Noticing that she was at her last bite of bread, he offered some of his dinner that was wrapped neatly, waiting for his arrival.

Instead of taking the offer, she leaned back against her chair and while stroking the glass, "So how is everybody?"

"No different, I think everyone has carried on pretty well." He answered, reflecting on the day that everyone had to say goodbye to his or her respected partners. Even though everyone cried, they all knew that, that day had to come. So in a way, they were all prepared for it.

"Hmm…" She took another sip from her glass, then wearily began to look at the rest of the contents. She replied softly, "That's good…"

Takato looked into her eyes, wondering where that gentle voice had come from. It wasn't like her to talk to him at this kind of level, but in some way he kind of liked it. It made him feel like they were finally real friends. So he asked, like any true friend would do… "Ruki? Is something bugging you?"

"Huh!?" her eyes snapped out of their faze and she looked at him, a little confused. "What are y--"

"Ruki…" he smiled gently at her, it was almost encouraging her to let whatever problem she had out in the open. He pressed on with his eyes; "…What's wrong?"

She looked at him with a tinge of shock and disbelief. It was never like him to treat her like this. There has always been an unspoken truce that if he would respect her by keeping his distance, then he wouldn't get hurt. It was unusual for him to step over the line, but by some bizarre thought, she agreed to the intrusion and was not at all reluctant to accept the generous offer of sympathy. But it wasn't like her to let anyone in so easily; he needed to be tested… Ideas that come too fast can destroy all that one has left.

"Ha, Takato, you're so straightforward. Why can't you just be a little indirect?" She advised as she rose from her chair. Just as she was about to exit the room, she sidestepped and rubbed the back of her hand against the top of Takato's lips, removing the milk that had formed as a moustache. He was taken aback at the action, but before he could see how she reacted to it, she was out the door. The cheery tune of the sensor rang, confirming she was gone.

"Ruki…" He whispered. For a second his mind raced upon the meaning of what she said, and her most latest actions, but before he could peace everything together… His stomach grumbled irritably. Looking at his untouched dinner, "Eh…Might as well.."

"Oh Ruki! I was wondering when you'd get home! For a second there I thought you hated my cooking!" Her grandmother's joyous voice brightened her mood just a little. It was interesting; to have a grandmother who's attitude never seemed to age more than a teenager's. "Oh no! You mean you really don't like it??"

"Grandma! Okay okay! I'll eat whatever it is you cooked if you stop acting like that!" Ruki exasperated.

"Ha! I knew you would!" She smiled for succeeding in her mission, and even though she fell into the trap, Ruki couldn't help but smile too.

"Hmm…Soup…" Ruki looked own in her bowl as the swirling contents followed her spoon. It tasted good, but she wasn't hungry enough to finish it off. So she sat…falling slowly into another daze.

"Honey?!" her grandmother called, "Someone's on the phone for you!"

"…Alright…"

"Hello…?"

"Ruki! It's me, Takato." His voice sounded excited but in some way she could feel that he was trying not to let it.

"Oh, hey…" She responded slowly.

"…You sound so 'out of it'…" His voice came out calm and soothing but she responded like the words meant nothing special, as always…

"Whatever…So?"

"Ha okay, well, do you want to hang out tomorrow?"

"uh…?"

"For the festival tomorrow! I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss out on the Singing, laughin-"

"… the Sakura..!" It hit her. How could she forget? Cherry blossom season was here!

"Yeah! So come on! Come with us!" His voice was delighted to hear that she was interested.

"Wait, we? Jen and Juri? Not Hirokazu and Kenta?" she couldn't stand being near those two for a whole day.

"Sorry." As if by reflex he knew she would back out, so he countered, "I just wanted it to be me, you and Jen, but then Juri asked if she could come and well… Hirokazu and Kenta sort of over heard and so… they invited themselves…including Ryo."

"Hrmrm…" She grumbled. "Ryo, and his fan club…No thanks!"

"Hey! Hey! How about this? We meet up earlier then I told Kenta. So then we can just enjoy the day for a couple of hours and then when the others come you can go off without any hard feelings."

"And who thought this one up?" she joked.

"Why me of course! Who else would it be?" he bragged.

"It was Jen wasn't it?"

"…..yeah."

"Thought so." She laughed. A few hours with people she learned to like… "Okay, I'll be there."

"Thanks!!"

~*~

"Oh wow!" Juri screamed with excitement at the glorious view of pink cherry blossoms. So few had fallen, it was the beginning of life all over again.

"Let's go find a nice spot!"

In the back round people were singing to the haunting but beautiful tune of instruments. Ruki couldn't help but be enthralled by it.

"Sakura ... sakura ... noyamamo satomo"

"Over here! This place it great!" Takato directed. It was perfect; they could see everything from where they were. They could hear everything…

"Miwatasu kagiri"

"Thank you," Ruki responded happily as she and the others received a box of assorted food prepared by Jen's mother.

"No problem!" Jen smiled.

"Kasumi-ka kumo-ka ... asahi-ni niou"

"I love spring." Juri commented as everyone dug into his or her lunch. Slowly the song came to an end, but Ruki never wanted it to stop.

"Sakura ... Sakura... Hanazakari…"

'It's so beautiful…'

~*~

"Hey Juri.." Takato's voice uttered sheepishly. "Let's go look around!"

"Yeah! Okay!" her voice flew gentle but strong. But then again, that's who she was. "Over here! By the lake!!"

"HEY! Wait up!!" Jen didn't want to miss out on anything. He packed up his box and was just about to sprint but then stopped to ask Ruki. "Aren't you coming??"

"Uhmm…" Honestly, she didn't want to move anywhere if she could just be by herself for a moment.

"Oh Ruki! Come with us!!"

"Yeah, You have to see this view!!" both Juri and Takato hooked her up by the arms and dragged her towards the lake. Even if it was an uncomfortable ride, it was rewarded with the most mystical view she had even seen. The water was tranquil in every aspect. It was as if the silver and orange Coy were swimming in air.

"Hey there little buddy! You want some food?" Jen slowly kneeled down to feed a cool white Coy a bit of his lunch.

"Wow…He sure is hungry!" Juri pointed out as it ate everything Jen handed out.

"Reminds me of Guilmon!!!" Takato chuckled. Everything reminded him of Guilmon, but he never complained. He would never let himself forget.

A slow breezed moved in, bringing with it a few fallen petals…They flew and graciously fell towards the surface of the water. As they touched, the ripples waved out…gradually Ruki remembered the feeling…but all was naught as three sets of voices barged their way into her head.

"HEY!! YOU GUYS!!!" his voice could penetrate anything.

"Hirokazu! Kenta! Ryo! You're here so early!!" Takato was shocked, and almost automatically he turned back just barely seeing Ruki's form run off into the distance.

"Why did she--?" Juri began to ask as the three boys came closer.

"Oh don't mind her, she probably went to the washroom or something…" Takato didn't see the point of telling her the real reason, not when Ryo and the others were in audible distance.

"You're here early." Jen pointed out.

"Well yeah, we just couldn't miss out on the festivities," Kenta's reason seemed to come out as a lie..

"Honestly, I came here to drink!!" Hirokazu announced, hitting his chest as a sign of strength. "…and play a few games until then."

"What about you Ryo?" Juri asked after laughing a bit at Hirokazu.

"I just happened to wake up early this morning, and when I went outside…" He pointed to both Kenta and Hirokazu, "These two dragged me here!"

"Figures…" comments Jen as he folds his arms.

"What are we standing around here for!?" Takato raises his arms in exclamation. "Let's go everywhere since all of us are here now!!"

"But Takato, shouldn't we wait for Ru--?" she abruptly stops as he covers her mouth with his hand. The scene was awkward but Jen knew what he was trying to do. So he helped out.

"Oh! We have to show you this cool area we found. It's over here!" He points cleverly to the opposite direction of where Ruki would be.

"Yeah lets go!" Takato pulls Juri by the hand and tries to make everyone else follow. In the sidelines he gives a wink to Jen, thanking him for his help. Jen returns it by giving a thumbs-up as he follows behind the rest of the crew. All together they walk with Takato leading them to a place even he didn't know of. 'As long as I don't lead them to Ruki' he clarifies in his head, 'she won't beat me to a pulp…'

~*~

The blossoms glided on the passing breeze. One by one, taking their turn to fall…But some were lucky. Opening her hands, she clasped the petals, gently letting them rest on her pale fingers. To her, they looked like they we're so full of life, that it wasn't their time yet to break upon the moss. But she knew that certain things had to happen, even if she didn't want it too…These petals were meant to fall, not to be held in a lifeless state…Not to be frozen it time. It was they're destiny to prove the value of life through death.

As if animated, she lifted her hands to the wind, letting the saved petals back on their feet. They flew and surrounded her, for another second she felt whole again. But it faded when the wind broke; leaving her with only the remains of what was beauty and strength. She slowly collapsed in the silent field.

"…I am…Sakuyamon…"

~*~

"3-14" Jen announced. A game of Go was always a great pass time. Especially when his only competition was Kenta. "Hey, hurry up"

"Don't rush me!" he complained. Even though he has lost a lot of games…he would never get used to it. He took a move and with a grunt from Ryo, it wasn't a good one. Annoyed, "You be quiet!"

A ways from the table sat Juri as she began to make a paper lantern . Takato watched intently as she built it. It was his job to paint it, but he still didn't know what to do. It wasn't like him to not know, since for most of his life he's been imagining and creating. He watched from afar, like always, as Hirokazu walked to Juri, making a gesture if he could sit down. As expected, Juri didn't mind.

"Looks pretty good," Hirokazu commented as Juri fastened the paper on the wood frame. It was round, just like a giant pearl.

"Thanks!" she said as he took a sip out of his cup. Even if it was a little diluted with orange juice, the fact that it was steaming she knew it was Sake. A little intrigued, "You like that stuff?"

"Yeah, So?" This time he took a big gulp, finishing it off. From his face after wards she could tell that it didn't go down as easily as he would have liked. She laughed out loud when he stuck out his tongue and wailed that it was burnt.

Her voice rang out genuinely and he watched as her features brighten the area. Inside, a part of him didn't like it. Takato looked away for a second, saying to himself, 'Your reading into it too much, she doesn't like Hirokazu.' He looked back; Hirokazu was holding the lamp as she re-glued a piece that had somehow came apart. His eyes traced to Hirokazu's. But they didn't connect, because Hirokazu seemed too preoccupied with who was in front of him. Again, the feeling of anger and disgust rose inside and as Juri gave a smile at Hirokazu, a feeling of possessiveness arose with it. He couldn't let her make a decision, not when he still had something to say.

Takato made his way over to the table, and just as he was about to say 'hello' Juri interrupted.

"There you are Takato! Here…" She handed him the paper lantern and continued, "Now you can finish it up!"

Both Hirokazu and Juri stood up and began to walk away. Takato asked, and in his voice you could hear it was strained, "Where...are you two going?"

"Hey buddy," Hirokazu slapped him on the back, "We know how you like to work privately so…we'll just be over there getting ourselves some noodles."

"See-ya Takato!" Juri waved as she and Hirokazu began to walk away. They left him standing alone, holding onto the lantern. He slowly turned his eyes down and peered into the lantern…It was empty.

Ryo walked briskly across the moss and broken petals. Where was a washroom when you needed one? He looked out everywhere, forcing himself not to blink so then for sure he wouldn't miss seeing a Port-a-potty that the city had apparently set up for the festival. After passing a tree he caught site if a green colored door, "Bingo!!"

~*~

Her body sat, unmoving, even though the growing winds chilled her to the bone. Unknowingly she was falling into her mind again… but she ran deeper than usual. It was like she had forgotten that there was still a world around her… Sometimes a blossom would be brave enough to stroke her face, but it still didn't wake her. Instead it made her fall deeper.

"…Renamon…" Ruki moved here hand to her back pocket, revealing her small knife. It slashed the air as it opened, shining, glimmering with a deep strength. Holding it with her right hand, she stroked the blade across her left. She lowered it along to her wrist. There it stayed for a few moments, teasing…

~*~

"Woo!" Ryo said emerging from the Port-a-potty. He felt so relieved, but those feelings disappeared when a light hit the corner of his eye. In the distance he could see a form of someone, and it appeared to be sitting down. He started to make his way closer, the light still reflecting of whatever the person seemed to be holding. Could it me some sort of mirror?? He stopped, deciding to just squint from where he was. Very, very slowly the form started to become clearer, and in a brief moment the person was somewhat recognizable. He felt that, he knew who it was. Unfortunately he couldn't confirm it, for just then a whole group of high school students intercepted between him and the distant figure. Once they finally past through, the figure was gone, leaving Ryo somewhat dumbfounded… "Ruki?"

The sun was setting, and it was then that Takato was finally done painting the lantern. He analyzed it, satisfied with his latest work. Finally realizing that time has past, he looked around him. No one was there. Even Jen had left him. Inside he felt sort of ditched, but he didn't let this get him down. Instead, he picked up the lantern, and with it, made his way to the closest noodle cart. They were bound to be there.

In a twenty minutes he made it the outdoor food court. It was packed with so many people, but luckily from where he stood he could see Jen and all the others. They were all eating at a table that the opposite end, which was quite a distance. It didn't matter though, since he began making his way through the crowds of people and tables. He scrambled, unable to suppress his excitement of showing them the lantern design.

He passed through teenagers, and even some grandparents playing the digimon card game. He stopped for a second to watch them play, and realized that even they had a better deck than he did. Feeling a little inadequate, he left and continued the rest of his journey to the table.

"Guys! Che--??" Takato couldn't believe it! They were gone! Again!! Even though they could have just not seen him, he didn't want to give them the benefit of the doubt. A little steamed, he made his way out of the area. Walking as fast as he can to anywhere they would probably not be. His steps ended up stopping at the lake.

Takato sat, his legs rested in front of him as his arms were wrapped around the lantern. Time was passing, but all he could do was look at the Coy that we're swimming in the lake. As he watched, he couldn't help but want to be with his cousin Kai again. At least there he could be with someone that sort of understands him…

"…Hey…" The voice entered somewhat accusingly, but he didn't respond to it.

"…Hey?…" It questioned…He could feel the person sit beside him, but he didn't bother looking.

"…Takato?…" This time it came out soft and along with it a gentle touch to his shoulder. Still he did not turn, suspecting that it was Juri. He smiled to himself; thinking that she was finally caring for him like he always has for her. "…Are you okay?…"

"…I.." He blushed. Instead of what he imagined as Juri, sat Ruki, and oddly enough looking as concerned as he never had imagined coming from a girl like her. He was shocked to actually find that it was her hand that was on his shoulder, that it was her voice that was so caring… That it was her sitting so close beside him… It was when he looked her in the eyes, that she turned away…His sarcasm screamed in his head, 'So much for the moment.'

He breathed out, moving his gaze out to the lake. Some of the lanterns were being lit on the other side, and along with it the moon started to gleam against the passing clouds. He could still feel her breathing beside him… "…No…"

"Huh?" She turned back to look at him again. He was looking down this time, to the lantern in his lap. She moved her gaze down and began tearing apart the moss beside her. "…What, happened?"

His anger somewhat resurfaced, and he looked up again, a group of small lantern boats were floating along the lake. At a considerable distance, another was floating slower than the others… "They ditched me…"

'That's weird' Ruki thought as she too watched the little boat slowly try to make its way to the others. "It's not like them to do that. Are you sure they saw you?"

"Hmmm…" was his answer. She thought, 'be it Takato to assume so much…' Ruki looked up towards the sky. The moon was glowing. A few moments passed until he started to talk again. "…Ruki?"

"What?" She continued to look at the moon.

"Do you think, that, Juri would ever like Hirokazu?" Part of him felt like the answer was obvious, but these were broken once Ruki started laughing uncontrollably.

"…What?! It this really what your upset about??" Takato grew red with embarrassment at she continued to laugh at him. "It is isn't it?"

He turned away abruptly, "No it isn't, I was just wondering!"

"Takato…" she continued once she was able to suppress her laughter to a smile. "Who in the world would like Hirokazu???"

He was stumped. In some way, she was right… Of all the people, Juri would pick Hirokazu?? Yeah right!

He laughed. He laughed all his doubts and insecurities away as he watched the little boat catch up and join with the others.

"So are you better now?" She asked.

"Yeah, thanks." He smiled back at her. The clouds were coming in deep now, and slowly the moonlight weakened. "So where have you been?"

"Oh, just thinking…" she turned away a little, darkening her eyes from him.

"About what?" he asked, noticing the sudden turn of mysticism.

"Wouldn't you like to know…" slowly she was losing touch with him, bringing out inner anger, her shield.

"Hmm…" He watched as she began to rub her left wrist. He was just about to ask her if it was sore, but then he remembered her saying he was too straightforward…

"…uh?" She felt something hold her wrist, firmly, but gently too… She looked and there she found Takato, holding, and examining the cut. It was dark pink now and even though it didn't pierce through all of her skin, it was long. He ran his finger over it, making her wince.

"What happened?" He asked, confused

"None of you business!" Inside she hated the fact of forgetting to wear her wristbands.

"Ruki!" He wouldn't let her back out this time. Not when it was this important. Unknowingly he squeezed his hand, breaking apart a little of the healing skin. This made her bite her lip instead of retaliating. Shocked, "Ah! Ruki! I'm sorry!"

"Takato!!" but before she could hit him he pressed his other hand on top of the wound, stopping the pain that he started. Slowly it became numb, making her relax. After a while she began to talk again, "I was thinking about Renamon…"

Takato looked at her face as he still continued to hold onto her wrist. His confusion tingled his brain as she continued talking. "…I don't know why I put the knife there…all I could think about was that I miss her, about losing a part of myself… and that she promised she would be back again… That's when I stopped pressing."

He never stopped looking at her face, even though he could barely see it. He was still a little confused by why she would try such a thing…but he was even more confused on what to say… Despite it all, he knew what she was going through, maybe that was what made him take off his yellow wristband and put it over the cut.

She was surprised when the soft fabric touched her skin, she was sure that it would have been irritating, but it wasn't… Ruki looked up at him but all she could see was the little moonlight that reflected off his eyes. Part of her somewhat expected him to ruin the moment by saying something retarded, but he didn't. She smiled, 'For once goggle-head, you're learning…'

She stopped smiling once the moonlight came full force from behind the clouds. But he was still looking at her, and under his gaze all she could do was laugh. The moment was ruined because of her… 'Oh well, I guess this'll be it for now…' She looked down and noticed the lantern, "Hey, don't you want to put that to use, since you made it?"

He looked down too, letting go of her hand. The lantern had fallen to the ground. Thankfully it wasn't broken. Excitedly he got up, "Oh yeah! C'mon let's go find some candles!"

They walked, stumbling into an area full of small stores. The place was empty of people, but their merchandise was still there. Takato assumed that they were all on the side of the lake with all the little lantern boats.

"Here, hold onto this." He handed Ruki the lantern as he went and ripped apart the candle from another one.

"You didn't have to break that apart when all we needed was light." She said as he made her way towards her.

"Yeah, but I want mine to light up, not that one." She grunted as he fastened the candle into the lantern. Suddenly he remembered, "Ah! I forgot to look for matches!"

"Don't worry about that!" From her pocket she pulled out a pack of matches. She liked being prepared. "Hold the lamp up as I light it."

Quickly she striked the back of the packet, and lit up the candle. The lantern glowed dimly, but in seconds it grew, able to send shadows of the design on both Ruki and Takato. They stood together as they watched the fire glow between them, oblivious to the approaching footsteps.

"Looks like you two have been having fun without me." Even though it was an accusation, his voice said it in the friendliest way.

"Jen!!" Takato was happy. Finally, it was just the three of them. Takato smiled as Jen walked toward them. Side by side they stood and together they held the lantern. In that moment, smiling at each other, they felt that no matter how far apart they are in life, they are always connected as being tamers.

~*~

"Say, where did Jen go?" Ryo asked Kenta as they sat in front of the bonfire.

"I think he went to get more marshmallows." He answered as he poked his barbecue stick to the ground.

"Oh hey! There he is, and look who he found!" Hirokazu announced to everyone as Jen, Takato, and then Ruki emerged from the trees. The lantern shined as a beacon for them to follow.

"Here you guys, just as I promised" Jen threw the bag of marshmallows to Kenta. Unfortunately, he sucks at catching too. "Great job Kenta."

Everyone laughed, but to Takato it seemed a little different. He looked at Ruki if she felt the change too, but she was also too busy laughing at Kenta. 'Laughing? With these guys? Hmm, maybe that's what feels so different.'

"Hey Takato? What's it with you and drawing faces with no noses?" He pointed to the lantern that Takato had painted. On it was everyone's face, just like the tamer flag, but this time, everyone was happy.

"Hirokazu…We know you…" Ruki began to talk in Takato's defense, "We know you'd go ballistic if he painted the truth…"

The others started to giggle frantically, and you could feel it rise a little higher as Hirokazu began demanding an explanation to what she said. It was Juri that got the biggest laugh.

"She means your ugly you big idiot!!!"

"Wha!!! Ah!?…Arrr!!…Hmpf!" He was at a loss of words.

"Ruki?"

"What do you want!?" She snapped. No one bothered her, especially Ryo.

"Look, I was just going to ask you if you were at the eastside of the lake today."

"Nope."

"Are you sure."

She thought, 'What? Are you begging me to break your neck and rip your brain out to mash to bits?!?" She lifted her left hand to rub her temple. "I'm not stupid like you Ryo, I actually know where I am instead of only half the time."

"Fine," he said annoyed, 'I guess it wasn't her who I saw at the field.' He took a step back and just as he was about to turn around, he saw the yellow band around her wrist. Vaguely remembering who also wears that, he turned around to look at the others. He looked at their wrists too. It was when he saw Takato wearing only one that he knew where she had got it. He was just about to ask Ruki another question, but stopped as he realized that she had walked away. 'Ah, there are other ways to find out information.' It was then that his gaze fell on Juri.

~*~

She leaned against the tree as she watched all the others roast marshmallows upon the open fire. Odd, that just looking at it made her feel warm. She let her eyes roam along their faces, analyzing their gestures. They stopped when she caught Takato smiling at her. She still continued to watch as he turned away to talk to Juri. In the pitch of his voice and the turn of his head she knew that whatever doubts he had where completely gone.

It was then that she lifted her left hand to examine the damage that she had done to herself. She was mad, mad at herself for trying such a stupid thing. 'I'm just like a psychopath that need to wear those white jackets!' She let he finger run over the scab, and as she did she hit against the wristband. 'It's so yellow, like Renamon, and it's so soft like…' She placed the band once again over the wound so as to finally let it heal under wraps.

Looking up, she saw Takato, but this time he waved her over, inviting her to join them. Her heart laughed as she ran to the group. Another gust of wind blew, giving her an almost lightweight feeling. The last of the blossoms came with it, letting her pretend she was Sakuyamon again…'I don't know how long it takes Renamon, but I'll wait for you, and if some way I can't…' She caught a glimpse of the yellow wristband again… 'I got a friend that'll help me out.'

Gyah! Hahahah! Yeah, Like it? Review! Hate it? Then really review! I know it moves kind of fast and the plot is sort of messed up, but maybe there's more that I haven't seen?? N-E-ways, here's the translation to that song…

Cherry Blossoms, cherry blossoms. On mountains, in villages.
As far as you can see.
They look like fogs or clouds. They are fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms. In full bloom.