Rio held his tongue, but only until they had left the court
chambers and were in a private chamber nearby. "How could you?!" he
demanded of Rika disbelievingly, stepping up to almost shout his words
into her face.
Renamon moved like a shot to shove him back from Rika with
only one hand, her expression nearly murderous as she said, "I do not
care for your tone, sir. Moderate it, or else."
Rio paled at the fierce look on her face and took another step
away from them.
Rika gently put her hand on Renamon's arm, and her protector
visibly worked to control her temper. She looked at Rio and Rika asked
him softly, but with intensity, "Can you tell me of one law that
forbids them their request? Even one?"
Rio sighed softly, admitting, "I can't."
Rika continued on, "I will not make my decisions based on whom
they might or might not offend. I must follow my conscience, whatever
the cost."
It was quite obvious from the look on his face that Rio
strongly disagreed with her, and he probably would continue to, but
there was something else there as well. A grudging respect was visible
as he said, "So be it, milady." With those words, he turned about and
marched away.
"Perhaps he's not so much of a toad as you had thought," Rika
murmured to Renamon softly once he was gone.
Renamon smiled at her wryly, "Personally, I'd wait to see what
he says about you when you're not with him." She shook her head,
dismissing him from her thoughts as she asked Rika, "What do you want
to do now?"
Rika sighed, "I'll need to prepare for all the formal protests
from the priests and noble families, most likely."
Renamon hesitated for a moment, looking down at the young
noble lady who was standing before her. She saw the lines of stress
that still remained on her face, even with the good night's sleep that
she had been getting lately.
"What?" Rika asked, a bit of a flush appearing on her cheeks.
"Sorry," Renamon smiled slightly. Softly she asked, "Instead
of waiting for them to trouble you, how would you like to take a day
off?"
Rika's face lit up, then she frowned, shaking her head. Softly
she said, "The courtiers and nobles would never allow it."
Renamon gave her a smile that could almost be described as
evil, "I wasn't thinking of asking them." A little pause, "Do you want
to?"
Rika just had to smile back, "Yes."
"Good," and Renamon surprised her by stepping forward and
picking Rika up. She cried out softly in surprise, even as she felt
those arms holding her gently close. "Put your arms around my neck,"
Renamon her advised, "and hold on tight."
"Why do I need to..." Rika started, but did what she was told.
"Because of this," Renamon grinned.
Rika gasped, as Renamon bounded down the darkened hallway,
then right out the upper floor window. They seemed to hang there in
midair, then almost soundlessly dropped down onto a slate roof.
Renamon skimmed over the surface then leaped from roof to roof again
and again. They soon reached the edge of town, and somehow remained
utterly unseen by the townsfolk.
Rika laughed softly, muffling her voice against Renamon's
soft, sweet smelling fur. "That was incredible," she told her softly.
"We're not done yet," Renamon said laughingly.
They crossed the fields of golden wheat at the edge of town
soundlessly, leaving almost no sign of their passage behind them. The
cool forest embraced them both, as Renamon moved through it like it
was her natural home. She leapt up into the tree branches, continuing
on soundlessly.
"It's beautiful," Rika murmured, looking about her in awe.
Renamon slowed just a bit, the leaves swirling about them for
a moment, "Yes it is."
They reached a massive stone face, and like a cat Renamon
climbed it easily. It seemed such a harsh place, almost stark against
the soft green of the forest, and Rika began to wonder just where
Renamon was taking her. They came to the top, and Renamon leaped down,
bringing them to a rest upon... a field of green.
It was almost like an oasis, this place of vibrant green
concealed in cold, hard rock. A few trees grew up, gathering sunlight,
and the ground was covered with springy, soft grass. A spring burbled
up water that Rika just knew would be both cool and sweet.
"It's.. wonderful," Rika murmured as Renamon gently set her
down, knowing that her words were completely inadequate.
"I found it years ago," Renamon said softly, "and it became my
refuge, when my life grew too difficult. I've never told anyone else
about it, until now."
Rika looked at her, her eyes wide, "But, what if I spoil it
for you?"
With a gentle smile on her face Renamon said, "You could never
do that."
Rika smiled back at her, a few tears glinting in her eyes as
she said, "Thank you." She took a few steps, then sat down to pull off
her pair of boots, then strip off her socks. With a blissful sigh she
wriggled her bare toes in the grass.
Renamon just had to smile at such obvious enjoyment. The tall
kitsune paced over to a large stone nearby the spring, and with a
surprising show of strength rolled it aside. Beneath was a cache of
supplies, kept chilled by the waters of the spring beside it.
The bag of wine Renamon pulled out caused Rika to raise her
eyebrow in question. Renamon laughed softly, "I was assured that it
would age well." She uncorked it, took a sniff, and her smile
broadened, "It seems I chose well."
Renamon passed the wine over, and Rika took a tentative drink.
Her eyes widened and she gasped, "Whoo! That's got some kick."
Renamon drew out dried meats and some preserved fruit,
carrying them over to Rika's side. She accepted the wine back and took
a drink, before setting it down between them. "Hmm, jerky," Renamon
pulled some off with her teeth before passing it on to Rika.
As Rika accepted it she softly said, "I'm glad you chose to
share this place with me."
Renamon had a slice of fruit, while she carefully considered
her answer. "I've never known anyone more worthy," she finally said.
It wasn't quite what Renamon really wanted to say to Rika, but for now
it would serve.
Rika didn't choose to answer her verbally, instead she simply
lay her hand over Renamon's and squeezed it gently.
Back to Dark Guardian: A Tale of Rika and Renamon Index - Back to Digimon Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction