Disclaimer: Shugo Chara! © Peach-Pit
Rating: M; Later to include sexual themes, sexuality, language, etc.

AN: Hi all, I thought it was time I updated this, it seemed the different perspectives was something we might like last chapter? Well, you could probably see Nagihiko and maaaaybe Rima would get their time to shine as well (although their screen time depends on how people like them). I will try to avoid OOC moments especially considering the environment, and I'll try and get to some of the other cast but this really is a Ikuto/Amu and Nagihiko/Rima centered story. We'll see how everything pads out.

To the reviewers!
Queenzeze: That's so kind of you to say :) I really enjoy the story; I hope I can do the ideas in my head justice so we can get to the real good stuff soon!
mandy1324: Thank you again, hopefully this chapter is enough! Let me know your thoughts :)
cuppycakelol: A huge thank you for coming to ver 2 of this fanfic. Here's that update ;3
Thanks to:
Queenzeze, , mandy1324, tonerion for the alerts and favs, it's really inspiring! Here's to you guys :D


Phoenix


Chapter 3: Nagihiko Fujisaki


"Amu," Nagihiko waved, "Amu!" He beamed, Amu shuffled past the morning crowd and fell in step with her new handsome friend. He chuckled to himself, recalling the memory. Two days around this interestingly honest girl had proved healthy for Nagihiko; a makeup artist on his shoot last night had made a point of how much happier he seemed at work. She bit her timid nature and forced her way past the people between them, emerging finally she fashioned a denim jacket, pale tank top, with black shorts to match the boots. Considerably more comfortable in this weather than the long pants and button up shirt Nagihiko was restricted to.

"Morning Nagihiko," She greeted, letting out a small breath from the battle. "How are you?"

"Fine, do you know how to get to the first class today?"

"I was hoping you did." They passed looks of concern amongst each other. "Onward to adventure?" Amu guessed, straightening at her denim jacket, and bouncing her small bag on her shoulders.

"Adventure is out there." Nagihiko quoted. Amu's eyebrow twitched with interest. His own mimicked her action, maybe she didn't understand the reference? He pointed and she blinked her attention away and to the direction, "I suspect it's that way," It seemed like any of the other corridors, "I've noticed a few classmates heading that way." Amu nodded and the two followed along, what they hoped was, the path to their writing class. The tall male by her earned an appreciative smile as he made sure Amu didn't get lost in the sea of bustling people. She felt notoriously short but Nagihiko was able to keep an eye on her thanks to her hair. They breached the crowd and continued down until they found the right number plaque. Sighing contently they leaned against the wall as they waited for their teacher.

"What're your plans, Nagihiko?"

"Hmm?"

"With media. You seem to have many talents, why not pursue those?" She inquired innocently. Nagihiko partially parted his lips to answer but took a second to think. Amu quickly added, "If it's too personal you don't have to answer." The indigo gentlemen merely looked off fondly, scratching his cheek.

"I met a wonderful person while modelling."

"Rima Mashiro?" He blushed and played with his shirt sleeve between delicate fingers, slowly nodding to himself.

"She's talented, and smart," He let out a breath, still faraway in his gaze, "I was having a bad day. And she saw through that quickly, pinpointing what was getting me down and everything." He glanced at Amu, "With just a few words I was captivated."

"So... you want to meet her again?"

His breath hiccuped and he instantly seemed to regret his phrasing, leaping into a monologue after that. "I-It wasn't my intent. I didn't even know she went to school here. I just wanted to pursue this career option. See where it takes me really. I've always been interested, and I never saw my kind of perspective in films. And so she recommended I start making the films I want to see. That way I couldn't be down when another blockbuster never really spoke to me, because I'd be taking the steps to making films I felt needed to see light. And I'd meet like-minded people with differing opinions. And... and-"

"Nagihiko." Amu interrupted, he bashfully stared at his feet, rocking back and forth slightly on his heels, "I think that's wonderful, and you don't have to worry about making a bad impression. I wouldn't take as you as the type to stalk a woman into dating you." She joked. He chuckled weakly before looking off down the hall for the teacher. It grew quiet but Amu didn't make a point to force conversation which Nagihiko appreciated. He needed to calm down, if he got so flustered every time the notion was mentioned then if he ever did meet Rima who knows how she would react to his bubbling self.


Class breezed by, another meet and greet for the writing teacher. They completed some simple grammar and spelling tests with the leftover time before disbanding. Three hours in a classroom, if that didn't make you tired the twenty year old wasn't sure what would. He yawned as he and Amu trudged up to the cafeteria. "Coffee, large, one sugar please." He mumbled to the worker.

"Salad and a strawberry milk, thank you," Amu ordered from the secondary counter. As they shuffled to a spare table Amu couldn't help but chuckle, Naghiko didn't seem to notice. They sat and after at least three sips he returned to the realm of the living.

"Was something funny before?" He asked, realizing Amu was patiently waiting for the question.

"Well, I don't want to you to worry, but, you know how you were excited to be studying in the same building as Rima Mashiro?" Amu could see Naghiko's jaw tense as he took another sip. He forced it down and tried to play it coolly, lowering his shoulders and leaning into the booth seat cushion.

"Yes," Amu simply blinked to the right and back to him. He furrowed his brow, following her sights to his left. Surely enough, four tables down was the blonde bombshell. Cascading waves flowed and reached her lower back. Her legs were crossed in a black, pencil skirt. Her blouse a modest eggshell colour. She brushed her eyebrow with her pinkie, scratching her temple with two strokes before returning to her book and rice dish. Nagihiko let out a distracted breath, she was a vision of beauty to him. Doll like but that was only face value; Rima was much more. Oh so savvy and opinionated to boot; she was exceptional to work with and never let the standard she expected slip.

Nagihiko practically forgot about the coffee he was holding and Amu almost smacked her face into the table to reach for it. "I'm so sorry," He muttered, swiping up his napkin to dab at Amu's jacket sleeve. "I'm really sorry, Amu. You know me for a day and already I'm acting like an idiot." He bashfully padded at the sleeve, a soft air about him as he concentrated. Amu blinked in surprise as she waited for Nagihiko to let go of her wrist and hand. He turned her arm over and back to make sure he wiped off most the spill. He relinquished her hand but not before another flurry of apologies that Amu swiftly batted away kindly.

"Look if it helps there's someone here I lik-" She hadn't meant to word it like that at all. Immediately she wished she hadn't of. Nagihiko leapt up in his seat, anything for a conversation change. She crunched on some lettuce and weighed her options. Divulging details seemed the least painful route. "Well... I don't like like him. I don't even know him. I just bumped into him yesterday." Amu sank ashamedly into her seat, "Literally."

"Do tell." Nagihiko beamed, returning to his more calm self with another few sips of his remaining coffee.

"He's a diploma student,"

"Older guy?" Nagihiko tweaked a brow, smirking.

"I'm not sure. This school accepts anyone over eighteen so..." Amu shook her head, pink whipping about her face, "Anyway, he was really nice despite my embarrassing assault on him." Nagihiko paused for a moment, then two.

"...I didn't know you were so forward." He laughed behind his hand and Amu's cheeks flushed a natural bright rouge.

"It's not- No, not like that." She forced out in her embarrassment.

Nagihiko finished chuckling behind his hand, he hadn't meant to make her react to harshly, "Thank you, Amu," He lightened his expression, relaxing in his seat. "You're really nice." He glanced towards Rima to find she was staring in his general direction. Her thin eyebrows were knitted in concentration, her nose slightly wrinkled in the effort. "Ahh..." Nagihiko half smiled at her before returning to Amu who was sipping on her milk, her salad finished.

"We can leave if you're feeling nervous." He nodded curtly, subtly.

"I dunno what it is. Normally I don't feel like this at all." He mumbled, stroking his long hair. He perked his chin up, staring intently at Amu, "I'm also really honest around you Amu, I don't think anyone's ever gotten to see me as such a mess before."

Amu waved a hand dismissively, "We're all a mess. I assaulted someone and was still flirted with," She threw him a fun shrug and stood up, taking another sip of her milk, "Shall we?"

"Thank you." He murmured, picking up the rubbish. His ocher eyes flashed back and gleamed at Rima, who seemed to watch them above her book as they left. Nagihiko tried to calm himself. He pondered briefly whether she recognized him but dashed the thought away as he and Amu worked their way further from the cafeteria. Models and photographers rarely knew each other personally unless they worked through the same specific fashion company, or magazine. He also faintly blushed to himself, and of course it was unlikely she'd recognize him when he wasn't in heels and a dress.


"So... are you gonna try and meet him around school?" Nagihiko questioned, regarding Amu with interest. The two were leaving the school but taking their time doing so. They weren't in a rush to end the day. The kind, and wonderful personality Nagihiko had observed from Amu didn't seem to mesh with the type to leap into something; but he supposed he'd only know if he asked. Maybe she shared his views on the 'first sight' notion. He watched her as golden eyes seriously considered the sentence before that blush graced her and she shook her head furiously.

"I don't think I could handle it." She answered honestly. "He was really attractive..." She added under her breath.

"Hey! Bubbles!" Someone called, Nagihiko wasn't really sure who they were talking to. He continued wandering with Amu as her chuckled at her last reaction. "Don't tell me you forgot me already?" She paused, angling her ear better, was that voice familiar? A slender frame came into view, waving at Nagihiko before smirking at her. "Who's your friend?"

"Uh-" Amu froze. It didn't take much context deduction to know it was the same charmer from yesterday. He remembered her, and what's more... he was going out of his way to say hi? Nagihiko picked up that Amu wasn't processing much right now and took the initiative.

"My name's Nagihiko, pleased to meet you,"

"Ikuto, likewise." He introduced, taking Nagihiko's hand firmly.

Amu still wasn't moving but somehow she managed a strangled, "Bub...bles? Ikuto leant over her and pointed at her fringe.

"Your hair. It's bubblegum pink. Pinky didn't sound right, neither did Gummy, or Bubblegum." Amu still didn't gather where this was truly going. Ikuto flashed a toothy grin, "You never introduced yourself," Ikuto filled in the gaps, "And so a nickname had to do."

"I'm so sorry, my name's Amu Hinamori. Just Amu will work." Ikuto stroked his chin, squinting at Amu.

"But I'm already attached to the name Bubbles."

Amu pouted, "You can't just rename people." The reaction seemed to intrigue the man of mystery. Nagihiko could see he clearly wasn't used to someone as honest as his new bubblegum pink haired friend. He cleared his throat and graced a smile for Ikuto. He couldn't tell much from glancing at the man before him but if he was in fact the Ikuto mentioned in magazines next to Utau then Nagihiko would be lying if he wasn't feeling a tinge of protective nature towards Amu. The man in those magazines had flings, and lots of them; Nagihiko didn't want to let that completely colour his opinion but it was hard. Pictures could say a thousand words, that he knew well.

"Amu I really need that coffee fix. Could we head to the cafe around the corner?" He nodded to Ikuto, "You're welcome to come with." That hostess smile never left his cheeks, but he couldn't read Ikuto. He seemed amused by the thought and with a small glance to Amu with those midnight eyes he sighed.

"Class, I'm afraid. Thanks for the offer, I'd like to go some other time though. If it's the one I know it's really something great. Let's go together some time." Nagihiko knew that was pointed at Amu but she didn't seem prepared for it at all.

"Sounds great. We both look forward to it." Ikuto tilted his head, perking an eyebrow. His lips were parted and it seemed they were ready to rapid fire something but he held himself back. Nodding to Nagihiko and Amu.

"Wonderful. Until then, could I get your number?" Amu watched the two closely, returning to her head. She pulled the phone from her back pocket and exchanged numbers. "Get my number from Amu, ok? I gotta go. See you around." Ikuto waved a hand before spinning on heels and heading towards the main building. Nagihiko sighed, maybe he was just being overbearing but he didn't really like Ikuto's attitude.

"Sorry, I hope I didn't ruin that for you," He apologized for the fiftieth time that day.

Amu smiled sweetly at him, "It's ok, I got his number out of it. I don't think I'm really after anything though," She scrunched her nose and poked her tongue out, "Time will tell. Did you really want that coffee fix though?"

"Desperately."


101: *pokes out tongue* Coffee, ick.
233: It's not sooo bad.
559: It's actually really good, but *shrug*
233: My apprentice! *leaps into air and floats towards 559*
559: I'm not your apprentice *side steps 233*
233: Aww, come on, be my apprentice. I've got cookies!
559: So does the dark side, but you don't see me acting evilly.
101, whispering: ...yet.
559: What?
101: Hmm, what?
233: Got you *leaps onto 559* Now you have to be my apprentice!
559: No! *blasts force from hand that propels 233 and herself through the ceiling*
101: *facepalms* This is why we can't have you two in one room.