Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara!
I hate royals, and politics and especially wars. The war between the Tsukiyomi and Hotori prefectures for the Shogun title has been raging seven years! It's been seven years since my friend Amu has been kidnapped by the Tsukiyomi's. She's written a letter or two, but I haven't seen her since. War took my best friend from me, and later so much more. I won't forgive it for anything in the world.
"Nadeshiko-san," my mother said. "What about yesterday's suitor. He was suitable." I rolled my eyes. They're already trying to marry me off.
"I didn't like him, he was unintelligent." I stated honestly. I usually try to be less shrewd with my mother, but I won't end up in a bad position because I didn't speak my mind.
"Then what about the scholar from yesterday?" I scrunched up my nose.
"No, he was condescending. He wouldn't value a woman's opinion, and besides that he's too old!" I said. My mother rubbed her temples. We were both experiencing a familiar headache.
"I hope you're not waiting for a Tokugawa or a Yamato!" she snapped as Baaya walked into the room. She held out a letter with the imperial seal on it.
"Word from Nagihiko-sama!" she said. Our faces lit up. My brother had been away fighting all year and we haven't heard from him at all. I scanned over the letter and the color drained from my face. He was being honored and promoted. All members of the Fujisaki house are being called to Royal Court as guests.
"Nadeshiko pack your things! We'll leave in the morning," my mom said. I sighed. As much as I miss my brother, court incorporates everything I hate; narcissistic lords and greedy advisors, but there would be no arguing with my mother this time. The next day, I arrived at the Hotori Palace around midday and was immediately shown to an elaborately decorative room.
"Your brother is in a war meeting," a servant girl informed me. "You will be able to meet with him shortly." I thanked her and then decided to walk around. I had to see if there was anything interesting to do around here. Soon I came across a little girl with pink hair; it was a lot darker than Amu's but the soft spot still registered. She was crying.
"What a disgusting little thing," some stuck up woman said as she passed by.
"It's amazing they let the maids keep their children. What is this world coming to?" another asked. I rolled my eyes and bent down to the child's level.
"What's the matter? Don't cry," I said in a soft voice.
"I-I can't find my mommy," she sniffled. I smiled sympathetically. In a couple of years, not finding her mother will be a glorious thing. I wiped the tears from her face.
"How about this, I'll take you to get some dumplings and then we'll look for your mommy" I said. Her eyes lit up.
"Really?" she asked.
"Rikka-chan," a velvety sounding voice asked. "Are you lost again?" Oh so that was her name.
"Tadase-sama!" The girl shouted, running to hug the boy. My heart stopped in my chest. Tadase. Hotori Tadase. The prince was in my presence. "The pretty girl saved me!" she said. He turned to me, ruby eyes bright enough to melt my indifference.
"You're Fujisaki Nadeshiko-san, right?" he asked. I nodded, using every inch of my willpower not to blush like an idiot.
"Oh, you two really are twins. Your brother is quite the tactician," he said.
"Nagi is really smart" I added. "I heard that you were leading the war meeting. How was it?"
He made a face. "Interesting, I guess. It's just that people are getting too carried away with the war to think about actually ending it. I mean the people are suffering and here we are thinking about gaining territory," he explained. Someone finally knew what I was talking about!
"I wish more people thought like you," I admitted. "Here we are nobles and royals thinking about how to get more power but we aren't the ones being attacked. We're not the ones at risk." He turned to me and smiled.
"Nadeshiko-san" he said.
"Yes Tadase-sama?"
"I don't think I've met a girl like you before."
"Ooh, he likes her!" Rikka said. I almost forgot she was behind us. "Tadase-sama should marry her! Nade-sama is better than those other girls!" she said. And surprising as it may be, that little girl had better insight than anyone can account for.
"Nadeshiko!" Temari shouted as she poked the girl with her fan. "I think he's waking up." Nade rubbed her eyes as started to remember what happened. Tadase was in the hospital because he got sliced up by Ikuto's scythe and she stayed by his side, eventually falling asleep. "Oh my," the elegant chara continued. "He really did get cut up though."
"Must you commoners harp upon the negative? Tadase is a gallant hero and being his guardian chara as I am also. Pay homage!" he said. Temari stuck up her nose.
"No one is disputing your," she giggled. "Chivalry, but Musashi-kun is still cuter than you!" she pointed out. A vein popped out of the king chara's head.
"What have I told you about that stupid green samurai? He is still beneath you!"
Nadeshiko raised an eyebrow. "Are you two dating?" she asked the charas. The blushed, looked at each other and then floated to opposite sides of the room. Nade smirked. The things she did on the quest of peace and quiet. While she was relishing her achievements, Tadase woke up.
"N-Nadeshiko," he said softly. She brushed the hair out of his face fondly.
"What is it?" she asked.
"What happened?"
She flinched. No one would have the heart to tell him how Amu-chan just betrayed him, least of all her. "Um, I didn't really see what happened so…" He gave her a look.
"Nade-chan," he said, starting to sit up.
"Are you crazy? Lie back down, you just got fourteen stitches!" she yelled in character change with Temari. Her phone vibrated and she sighed. It was Amu.
-come downstairs please! It read. The girl rolled her eyes. Her pink haired friend was in no position to be demanding anything, but she would go if only because of the dream she just had.
"Hotori-kun, I'll be back in a minute," she said before leaving the room and descending the staircase. The pink haired girl sat in the waiting room with a sullen expression on her face. She smiled brightly when she caught a glimpse of her friend.
"Nadeshiko! How is he? Is he okay?"
"He's fine Amu-chan," she said stiffly. Amu released a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Thank goodness," she paused. "He doesn't hate me does he?"
Nadeshiko sighed. "No, he doesn't hate you Amu-chan. He doesn't really remember what happened." His poor princely psyche wouldn't allow him to think that his precious Amu-chan was capable of doing anything wrong.
"That's perfect! And you won't say anything, right?" she asked.
"And why exactly would I do that?" Nade questioned. "You have that little faith in me. Yaya's the one you've gotta worry about. She's always had a mouth on her," she joked.
"Nadeshiko thank you!" the pink haired girl said. "See you later." She waved making her way towards the door.
"Wait, you're not going to see him?" Nadeshiko asked. That was kinda the point of going to the hospital…you know….to visit the hospitalized. Amu stopped.
"Oh um…you know it's getting late and my parents might freak out so can you tell him I said hi?" she asked.
"Sure."
"But Amu-chan isn't Ikuto at your house?" Ran asked.
"Yea, and aren't your parents and Ami out of town so it's only you two?" Miki concluded.
"Shut up!" Amu shouted, upset that her cover was so easily blown. She looked up at Nadeshiko with pleading eyes. The purple haired girl rolled her eyes and then smiled despite of herself.
"Have fun, but this isn't helping you with Tadase. You're in love with him right?" she asked. Amu looked at her strangely and then chuckled a bit.
"Nadeshiko, I'm not in love with Tadase-kun…you are," she said.
"I'm WHAT!"
Amu laughed and ran out the doors and into the arms of a certain black cat like person outside.
A/N: This is chapter 3…it's short, I know but I'm pressed for time right now (going to the movies) leave a review please, I'll try to update soon.
