40A/N- I have only ever seen the American version of these so I had to look up the age difference for Ryo and the other Tamers. I think I've got it right. I found two sites that said he was 14 in the Japanese version when the others were 10. I can't, however, find Suzi's original age so if you know that'd be great. Anyways, I'd like to again warn that I've only seen the American version so if something was dubbed funky and thus varies slightly from what you saw I apologize in advance.
Well, on another note, I do not own digimon at all so don't sue me.
Also, this story is to act as a prequel to my other digimon fanfic and serves as the bridge between the end of Tamers and the start of Digimon: Digivolution Saga You do not, however, need to read this fanfic to understand the other or the other to understand this fanfic. In fact, I won't be finishing Digimon: Digivolution Saga until I finish this fanfic so it'd be a bit tough to do the latter.
Lastly, if you are interested in being a BETA reader for this fic and Digimon: Digivolution Saga please drop a review or send me a private message letting me know. Please and thank you!
Now onto the story!
Luv ya,
Political Blonde
Ch.1 Of All the Luck
Fourteen-year-old Rika Nonaka was going to go insane. Somehow the fates of hell had destined her to be the third wheel on a Takato Jeri date. She sneered as she glanced over at the couple in love and cursed Henry in her head. The four of them were supposed to be spending a relaxing day at the beach and Henry had practically begged her to come so he wouldn't have to be the third wheel for Takato and Jeri. Somehow, those two seemed to turn every outing into a mush fest. Rika crossed her arms as her mind drifted to her birthday a few months ago when the two had both reached for the same piece of cake resulting in a twenty minute, "You take it, no you," argument. Needless to say there had been lots of blushing and far too much politeness that left Rika no choice, but to give them each a piece, right in the face.
Rika rolled her eyes and exhaled angrily as she listened to Jeri giggle at her, "snookums." She was so going to kill Henry. He hadn't even given her forewarning so she could find some excuse to drop out of the trip herself. No, it wasn't until she was at the beach with her sunscreen on and waiting for him that he decided to call and tell her that he had woken up with the flu. Rika put her head phones in and turned the volume up full blast. "Stupid germs, stupid flu, and stupid Henry," Rika thought as she closed her eyes satisfied that she would be able to ignore both the sights and sounds of the happy couple for at least the next two hours, unless of course her batteries died and if that happened… She cringed at the prospect.
DIGIMON
Seventeen-year-old Ryo Akiyama couldn't believe his luck as he gave a high-five to his buddy Forest before bending down to pick up the volleyball from the ground. He and Forest had delivered their opponents a shut out. Ryo grinned to himself as he tucked the ball under one arm and used the other to wipe the sweat off his brow. Walking back over to his towel he set the ball down in the sand and looked over his shoulder to see Forest flirting with several lovely girls who had been watching the match. Ryo laughed as one of the girls pointed in his direction causing the others to giggle and Forest to pull a face. No doubt, they hadn't been waiting for Forest, but rather, the famous Digimon King.
Ryo smiled and waved before turning around and digging into his bag to fetch some money. Perhaps if he disappeared for a while Forest could get the attention he so obviously wanted and getting a drink seemed like the perfect way to do just that. Standing back up with his money in hand Ryo made his way across the beach whistling happily to himself as he felt the warm sand squish between his toes.
"Takato put me down! I swear if you!" Ryo stopped mid whistle at the sound of a familiar voice, Jeri. He turned toward the source to see Takato with Jeri in his arms running towards the water. The girl in question was laughing madly despite her protests and only swatting at him lightly. He chuckled to himself as he watched the two love birds before turning to look in the direction they had run from.
Did I mention that Ryo Akiyama couldn't believe his luck? Well, if his volley-ball games hadn't proved he was quite a lucky boy the sight that greeted him as he looked towards Jeri's and Takato's starting point certainly confirmed it. There was Rika, her red hair pulled up into its familiar spiky pony-tail stretched out on a rented beach chair. She had her arms folded up under her head and her sunglasses pulled over her eyes. She was nodding her head and tapping her foot to whatever song she was listening to. Ryo grinned to himself as he took in the purple bikini top she was wearing with a pair of brown shorts. Damn, she looked good. Ryo quickly looked around for some sign of the other Tamers. Seeing none, he smiled to himself and changed his course heading for his card counterpart, the Digimon Queen.
DIGIMON
Rika was thinking about Renamon as she bobbed her head to her music. The other Tamers' lives had gone back to normal months after the final battle with the D-Reaper, but for Rika Nonaka, even years later, that feigned sense of normalcy just wouldn't come. She had tried going back to just playing the card game that had satisfied her need for power prior to Renamon, but the whole concept seemed so childish now that she had experienced the real thing. Rika sighed as she imagined the fox like digimon in her head and the way it felt to be biomerged as Sakuyamon. It was a rush and completeness that she was sure could never be matched especially by a card game.
Rika frowned as she felt someone sit on the end of her chair. Expecting it to be Takato or Jeri, she pulled out her headphones and got ready to make some snide remark about them having their own chair, but as she opened her eyes she was met with the unexpected site of Ryo Akiyama, stupid, cocky Mr. Perfect.
He flashed her his award winning smile as he gave her a mock salute. Rika frowned as she sat up angrily crossing her arms. "How's it going, wildcat?"
"Brilliant, pretty boy; I'm at the beach acting as a third wheel something I look forward to everyday," she responded her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now would you mind getting off my chair?"
He ignored her question and instead looked out towards the ocean to see Takato and Jeri merrily splashing each other. "So did you choose to come on their date?" He asked turning back to her so that his blue eyes met her violet ones.
Rika snorted. "As if. Henry was supposed to come, but he got the flu and now I've got to stay here because Jeri's my ride. I've been trying to drown those two out for the last hour, but every ten minutes Jeri has to tap me on the shoulder and ask me if I'm ok. It's annoying."
Ryo laughed. "It can't be that bad. Takato and Jeri are nice."
Rika glared. "Not that bad? You, pretty boy, haven't been sitting here listening to their stupid pet names or opening your eyes to see them doing the whole scoot and blush thing. I swear if Takato wants to kiss her, he should just do it and save us the stupid innocence act." Rika bawled her hands into fists of frustration. "I am ready to just tell him to kiss her so she'll stop texting me to ask me how I think she and Takato are doing. I don't know! I'm not their stalker!"
Ryo laughed even harder and even Rika had to crack a grin as she watched the tanned tamer and his antics. She glanced over him quickly taking in his blue trunks and his toned chest. Rika had to admit, only to herself of course, that he looked pretty good, but that damn laughing, like so many other things and people that day, was going to drive her insane. "It wasn't that funny Akiyama."
The Legendary Tamer halted his chuckles and again met her eyes. "Actually, I think it was. I just can't see you putting up with their relationship this long. I'd have thought for sure one of them would be seriously injured by now."
"Well, you better believe it. I'm not as crazy as Kazu likes to think." Ryo smiled warmly at her. Did he ever stop grinning?
"No, but you're Rika all the same."
Rika growled and sat up so that her face was inches from his. She could feel the blush creep into her cheeks. Perhaps this intimidating stance should have been saved for Kazu and Kenta and not the likes of Ryo Akiyama, but deciding it was a little late to change her approach she continued, "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing at all pumpkin." He winked as he stood. Rika's eyes followed him upward. "Well, how about I become you're favorite person in the world?"
Rika snorted. "Not possible, pretty boy."
"Oh, but I think it is. You see, my friend Forest and I are getting ready to leave so unless you want to spend an entire car trip back to the city with the happy couple I think you're going to be begging me to take you with me."
It was Rika's turn to laugh. "I would never beg you for anything."
"Really, I don't think that's true. I know you Rika, you're tough, but at some point you'll beg."
"Clearly you don't know me as well as you think pretty boy because I don't beg anyone. Not even you. You'll have to talk to your fan club if you want begging."
"But I don't want my fan club to be begging me for anything. Just you pumpkin."
Rika punched his arm lightly. "Like I said, I don't beg anyone for anything even if I really want that something."
Ryo smiled brightly. "So you admit you do want to ride with me? Wonderful! Just tell Takato and Jeri and we'll call it a date."
Rika growled. "Don't put words in my mouth pretty boy. Even the annoyingly innocent love of those two couldn't possibly get me into a car with you for an hour."
"I think it will."
"Don't count on it," Rika replied with a smirk. Pretty boy was just so adorably stupid if he honestly thought she'd cave. Unfortunately for Rika, Takato and Jeri chose that very moment to make their way back up to her hand and hand and gazing at each other lovingly. She was so going to gag.
Ryo raised a brow as he met her gaze. "So about that ride?"
Rika sneered. "Fine, but only because I'd prefer to keep my lunch."
Ryo smiled, satisfied. "Good, because I wouldn't have it any other way, wildcat."
DIGIMON
Ryo had to admit as he sat in the back of Forest's car with Rika Nonaka, life couldn't get any better or any luckier. The fiery redhead had been less than polite as she gathered her stuff on the beach and followed him back to his friend, but the moment she got into the car and the music was turned on she'd actually become somewhat sociable; at least by Rika standards. Ryo smiled to himself as he leaned against the window and watched her argue with Forest about whether or not she could beat Ryo in a Digimon Card match. She hadn't played in years and Forest was basing his entire argument on that. Rika was arguing purely on the fact that she was still the queen and, "Pretty boy a threat? Ha!" with little else to back it up. She didn't need it though; Ryo knew, that despite the fact that she had given up the game following the defeat of the D-Reaper, she was likely still a major threat to other players; maybe not to him, but definitely to other players.
Rika was getting pretty heated and Ryo decided now would be as good a time as any to play damage control. Sitting up straight the brown haired boy decided to change the subject. "So pumpkin, it's my birthday next week, am I going to see your pretty face at my party?"
The use of her hated nickname got the girl's attention as she turned to glare at Ryo. "No, why would I voluntarily spend even a few hours at your house worshipping you? You can count me out pretty boy."
"You'll come."
"No, I won't. Are you deaf Akiyama? I just said no."
"I heard you, but I still think you'll show." He smiled knowing he was going to piss her off, but it was just too much fun and she just looked amazing when angry. "You love me too much not to."
Rika snorted her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Hardly. In case you don't remember, I'm not one of your fan girls and I certainly don't love you."
"Whatever you say; I'll still save you a slice of cake."
"You're stupid you know."
"So you've told me. Either way it's next Saturday at 6:00pm"
"Again still won't be there. Turn right Forest." Rika turned her attention away from the legendary Tamer giving him time to tear his eyes away from her and check out the scenery outside. They were now in Rika's neighborhood and he listened silently to the girl's voice as she gave directions to her house. "That's strange. Someone's car is here."
Ryo blinked as he saw that Rika was right; there was a red van in front of her house. Ryo frowned as he read the bumper sticker on the back, "Got Digimon?" He cringed as he recognized the korny sticker his dad had picked up at the Digimon Grand Prix the year he had won. His dad had been so proud and had put it on his red van right away. "That's my dad's van."
Rika turned to him confused. "What's your dad doing at my house?"
The Legendary Tamer shrugged just as confused as her. "Hey, Forest, I think I'm going to get out here. I'll just get a ride with my dad."
The other occupant of the car nodded. "Ok, Ryo. I'll call you tonight. Good luck with your parents."
"Yeah, thanks," he replied distractedly as he opened the door and got out of the car. Rika was already out and looking at him with her expression emotionless. Only he would know she was anxious. Ryo walked around the car and waited until he heard Forest drive off before voicing the question at the front of his mind. "Do you think something is wrong in the digital world?"
"Maybe," Rika murmured pushing open her gate. She could hear muffled voices through the dining room window. Rika and Ryo walked side by side through the afternoon sun a sense of dread settling in their stomachs. Rika opened her front door and slid her shoes off quietly as Ryo did the same before they both made their way to the dining room.
Rika cocked her head to one side as she took in the occupants of the room; her grandmother, mother, and Mr. Akiyama; all of whom were seated around the table deep in what appeared to be a serious discussion. Ryo cleared his throat beside her causing the three adults to look up startled.
"Rika! Ryo!"
Rika turned to face her mother. "What's going on? Is something wrong?" she asked calmly.
Her mother shook her head in response looking rather nervous. "No, everything is perfect actually. We've just finished working out details with Ryo's father."
"Details? Details about what?"
"Well…" her mother trailed off looking anywhere, but at her daughter. Rika definitely wasn't getting answers from her so she changed her approach and turned to her grandmother who was calmly sipping tea.
"Grandmother?"
The older woman turned to look at Mr. Akiyama. "They're both here and they're no doubt curious. Do you object to us telling them early?"
Mr. Akiyama seemed to think a moment before standing up and approaching the two Tamers his face completely serious. "Well, Ryo I actually wanted to tell you after your birthday when I'd had more time to think of an easy way to break it to you, but apparently that isn't going to happen."
"Just spit it out dad."
Mr. Akiyama took a deep breath preparing himself for the inevitable reaction of the two tamers. "Well, the bottom line is, Rumiko and I have just finished ironing out the details of your arranged marriage."
"Our what!?"
A/N- Something tells me that development isn't going to go over well. ;) I hope this provides for a unique take on the Ryuki ship and I look forward to writing it. Something tells me this'll be awesome fun. Well, read and review please because I'd love to hear what you think!
Also, like I said at the top; I'm looking for a BETA for this fic and Digimon: Digivolution Saga so if you're interested please drop a review letting me know or send me a pm. Thanks!