Amu

Rays of sunlight poked through the gap between my curtains and rested on my pillow, just inches away from resting on my face and disturbing my peaceful sleep. The soft sounds of the morning, of birds chirping and the rush of clean morning air, were distant.

"AMU-CHI! AMU-CHI! WAKE UP!"

I jolted awake with a gasp as Ran, Miki, and Su danced around my head, laughing and chattering in my ears.

"Time to wake up, time to get ready!" Ran chanted.

"Ran! How many times have I told you to stop waking my up so early?" I said angrily.

Su giggled. "But it's nine-thirty, Amu!"

"You're supposed to meet Yaya and Rima at the mall in half an hour." Miki reminded me. "If you don't get out of bed now, you'll be late."

I sat up quickly. "WHAT? Why didn't you wake me up earlier? Ahh!" I leapt out of bed and frantically searched through my drawers for something to wear. "I need an outfit, I need to shower, and I haven't eaten breakfast…"

"I've already got your outfit planned." Miki chuckled.

"I made you breakfast!" Su declared.

"I supervised!" Ran cheered.

"So you really weren't that helpful…" I sweat dropped.

"As much help as Dia…" The other two guardian characters sighed in unison.

A large crash sounded from the kitchen, and the four of us rushed downstairs. "What's going on?" I shouted.

"Amu, help me!" Dia was trapped, wriggling and waving her arms wildly, kicking and trying to escape. "I was guarding the food, and Ami came downstairs with Suzu! She's gone mad!"

Ami, fully dressed in her Seiyo Elementary outfit and Guardian cloak, turned to me. She was exasperated. "I can't get her to let go of Dia."

"You've got to be kidding me…" I sighed. "Not again, Ami!"

"I'm sorry!" She wailed. "I didn't know she was down here!"

Ami's guardian character, Suzu, was laughing joyfully as she hugged Dia's middle, unwilling to relinquish her grip on my unfortunate guardian character. Suzu, a lovely guardian character with long auburn hair in a fishtail braid down her right shoulder, wore a pretty white halter dress and a black headpiece spangled with a shining silvery star design that was on her cheek, microphone, and black ballet shoes. Her eyes, like large pieces of amber, shone with happiness as she clung to Dia.

"Onee-san!" She cried.

For whatever strange reason, lately Suzu's cute, flirty and feisty personality was thrown right out the window whenever she saw Dia, who she seemed to think was her older sister. Suzu loved cuddling, especially giving crushing hugs that, according to my guardian characters, were tighter than if an angry grizzly bear hugged you. Dia, however, is NOT a touchy-feely kind of guardian character. I'm not even kidding when I say this dilemma just happened out of nowhere a few weeks ago.

"Look! Something shiny!" Dia shouted and pointed.

"Ooh! Where?" Suzu turned to find it, (she was also slightly naïve and easily distracted) and Dia slid out of her grip. She rushed to hide behind Amu, along with Ran and Miki.

Su, of course, rushed forward to distract her. "Would you like a hug?"

"That would be awesome!" Suzu reverted back to her usual cool self and embraced Su, causing Su's eyes to pop out. She began to whimper and struggle frantically. Her mouth was moving frantically in my direction. I assumed she was trying to tell us to help her.

"All right, all right, Suzu, that's enough." Ami and I managed to separate the two. Su popped free, and flew off to find my other guardian characters, Suzu calling for her to wait up.

I turned back to Ami. "So, how are you doing?" I questioned.

"All right, I guess. It's kind of boring, you know. I have nothing to do." She looked up at me. "I know that hunting X-Eggs wasn't exactly fun for you, but I have nothing to do! I feel kind of useless."

I smiled and ruffled her hair, and she protested, trying to protect her French braids. "You're such a cute imouto, you know that?"

She laughed. "That's the best compliment you've ever given me."

"What? That is totally not true! How many times have I told you that you were pretty or smart or cool?"

"Well…"

"Shut up." I smacked the back of her head, and she snickered.

"Eh, I've got to go. See you later, Onee-san!"

"Bye, Imouto!"

Gosh, she was just growing up so fast…

I climbed the stairs quickly, and rushed into my room. My guardian characters were whispering with Suzu. I grabbed my clothes and rushed into the bathroom.

Wait…

I paused, glancing around the corner of my bathroom door in suspicion. Something wasn't quite right…

I shook my head. I had to get ready! I was going to be late!

Suzu sighed in relief as Amu slammed the door to her bathroom shut. "That was close. I thought she'd caught us right there."

"I know, I know." Ran nodded nervously. "I was so sure she'd figured it out."

"Sorry if I hurt you or anything," Suzu told Dia and Su. "I kinda got carried away." She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

"Don't worry," Su said cheerily. "I actually rather enjoyed that!"

Dia laughed. "Me, too! I didn't hurt you, though, did I?"

"Nah, I'm fine. But was it enough time to send a text to Ikuto?"

Ran nodded happily, attempting to keep a grip on the phone, which was as big as she was. "I got an answer, too!"

Miki snatched the phone from her and displayed the phone to the other characters. "Well, let us see!"

we r throwin surprise bday party 4 tadase. can u come? –Amu

Of course! When and where do I need to be? –Ikuto

The other three stared at Ran strangely. "Where exactly did you learn to spell, Ran?" Miki asked.

"Spelling isn't important in a text, Miki!" Ran huffed. "Besides, this is how Amu texts!"

"Send something back." Suzu urged. "He's got to have an answer. Judging by the reaction time of his text added to further evidence based on Amu's physical actions, I would judge that their relationship is slightly unstable. Thinking psychologically, it is likely that while our subject has strong feelings for Ikuto, she is unable or unwilling to reveal her emotions that would normally secure a healthy romantic relationship.

"Knowing that they have been communicating this way for some years, his confidence that she cares for him romantically would become fragile enough that most likely a sign of disinterest, as in not including him in an event, would be damaging to—why are you guys looking at me like that? Just because I'm a singer doesn't mean I'm not interested in anything else, you know."

"Well, okay then," Miki muttered.

Suzu typed in a quick response. "Still…planning...Where are they planning again?"

"Cherry Tree Mall at the restaurant Karai!"

She typed the information in and shoved against the SEND button with all her might. "There! That should be good enough."

Ran snatched the phone back. "Now help me delete it!"

"Why?" Miki was mystified.

"Because if Amu looks through her texts, she'll see a conversation with Ikuto that happened while she was in the shower. She'll know something's up." Suzu scrolled through the phone and hit DELETE for all three messages.

"AH!" The door to the bathroom door banged open, and they shrieked and hid under the bed, Ran, Miki, Su and Dia forgetting that it wasn't strange for them to be in Amu's room. "I feel so awake now!" Amu stretched her arms. "Where's my outfit?"

"Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late!" I hurried over to where Rima, Yaya and Utau were standing. "I woke up late."

"That's fine. Since we were waiting, I decided to get Tadase this." Utau held out a yellow bento box shaped like a crown. "I saw this and knew he'd be embarrassed!"

"Uh… why'd you get him something so that he'd be embarrassed?" I asked.

She laughed. "First of all, Amu, he's going to love it. Being embarrassed is how you can tell he loves it. He thinks that a great gift means that others know him too well. Thinks it means he's transparent. Second, I'm totally allowed to embarrass him. I'm practically his older sister."

"But he is transparent!" Rima snickered.

"Hey, by the way, where are Ran, Miki, Su and Dia?" Utau glanced around me. "I would've thought they'd have come with you to hang out with the other guardian characters."

"They said they had something to do," I said vaguely. "Yesterday we decided they were probably in love or something."

"That's definitely it," Rima nodded. "KusuKusu is gone, too. Probably off with Rhythm."

"How cute!" Utau chuckled. "Wonder if that ever happened with Eru and Iru." She sighed sadly.

"What's wrong?"

"I miss them, Amu. They've been gone for so long. I never thought I'd miss their bickering."

I patted her shoulder and felt just as depressed. "At least you won't be alone for much longer. I'm sixteen, and so are Rima, Tadase, and Nagihiko."

"Yeah..."

"Well, are we ready to shop?" I asked brightly, trying to lighten the mood. "Where's Nagihiko?"

Surprisingly, Rima spoke up. "Nagi says that since we were both late home, his mom told him he'll have to be at dance practice longer, so he's going to meet us for lunch."

"Late? But how come you guys didn't get home in time? An hour is enough to walk a couple blocks, right?"

"He and I both found presents for him, so we're good." She smiled. "I got him a cute little book. It's called, 'How to Take Over the World.' Nagi got him a Prince CD."

"When did you get a present for him?" I was incredulous. "Where did you find the time?"

"Oh…" Pink flooded her cheeks. "Uh, Nagihiko and I decided to go shopping after you left. Together. Just as friends," She added.

"Sure, Rima." I tried not to laugh. "Let's start at the fifth floor and work our way down."

We set off at a brisk pace, laughing and chattering, the floor clacking and squeaking slightly under our shoes. After dismissing several clothing shops, book stores, and restaurants from consideration, the conversation turned.

"…So, Yaya, you're pretty quiet. Is something up?" Rima was concerned.

It was true. Yaya had been silent since we'd first started shopping, only vaguely following us with a strange look on her face. She looked slightly frazzled, as well. Her eyes were filled with stress, her walk slowed, shoulders slumped… what exactly was going on?

"…Are you okay, Yaya?" I asked. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and mumbled, "I don't want to talk about it."

Utau bumped her with her shoulder. "Hey, you know you can tell us anything. We'll understand."

Yaya glanced up, her eyes confused and worried. "Guys… I think… I think…" She lowered her voice. "…I think you guys were right. I…" She gulped. "I think I do like Kairi."

"…Wait, what?" I froze. Rima, Utau and I pulled to a stop. "You do? Yaya, we were just joking! Seriously?" I giggled. The three of us squealed and jumped on her. "That's awesome!"

She stood still. "I…"

Utau broke away. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?"

"… He…"

We froze. "He didn't do anything to you, did he? Because we can kill him for you, if he—"

"No, it's not like that." She shook her head. "Um… I was, you know, all red faced and that kind of stuff…"

"And?" I prompted.

"He thought I was sick, and he carried me home and took care of me… And then I…"

"What? Spit it out!" Rima begged. "I'm dying here!"

"… I don't know, I was half asleep and dreaming… But I think I dreamt that he kissed me."

"Oh." We looked at her strangely. "And… you didn't tell him you like him? Haven't called him? Aren't going out with him?"

"Of course not!" She snapped, suddenly harsh. I raised my eyebrows. "It's just a crush. I'll get over it."

"Yaya… I don't think that's a good way to—"

"Look, it's really not your problem. I can handle it. I've dealt with unrequited… love. And it's not love!" She said hastily.

"Yaya—"

"Hey, Amu!" A very familiar voice called out.

I froze. And blushed. And failed miserably trying to hide it.

Two arms wrapped around my waist, and I felt someone's cheek rest on top of my head for a brief second.

"Hey, guys," Ikuto panted. "I got here as fast as I could. It's a good thing I was in town. Hey, shrimp." Rima stuck her tongue out playfully at him. "Hey, sugar." Yaya managed a smile. "Hello, Imouto!" Ikuto hugged his little sister and ruffled her hair. "You've all sure grown up!" He said cheerfully. "So, where are we planning this shindig for little Tadase?"

"Hey, Ikuto! Great to see you!" Utau smiled, pleasantly surprised. "I didn't know you were coming. Or that you knew about the surprise party."

"Oh, yeah! Amu texted me this morning. Funny, I kind of assumed that there would be more kids… Little King has more friends than this!"

"I didn't text you this morning!" I protested. "At least, I don't think so."

Utau shrugged. "You might've. Your memory isn't exactly the best."

"Yeah…" I wasn't so sure. I was rather sure that I'd remember texting the sexy guy that I was in love with. But Utau was right, so I set that aside.

"Anyways," Rima said. "We haven't actually gotten to plan the shindig yet. We actually were searching for presents for him. The party-planning comes later. But you can join us for shopping, if you want. Have you gotten him a present yet?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." Ikuto grinned. "Did you guys forget his birthday?"

Utau laughed. "They did, not me! I got him a crown-shaped bento box."

"Ah, he'll love it!" He laughed.

"I did not forget his birthday!" Rima protested. "It… just wasn't at the top of my list of things to remember."

"Sure, shrimp." Ikuto ruffled her hair.

"Hey!" She waved him off, frantically trying to fix her mussed hairdo. Readjusting her hair band, she gave him a deathly look. If looks were weapons, Ikuto would be a pile of dust. Very sexy dust.

"Well, that was a dirty look!" Ikuto laughed. "Ouch! Is someone a bit grouchy without her purple-haired boyfriend here?"

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Rima said loudly. "We're just friends!"

"Sure you are. And Amu is not madly in love with me." He winked at me and kissed my cheek.

I would have argued, except the stupid perverted kitty cosplay boy was making it very hard for me to breathe, so I could do nothing more than turn strawberry red and stutter uncontrollably.

"I-I d-don't like y-you, stupid!" I whacked him on the head. "P-pervert!"

"You didn't call me a pervert the first time I kissed you," sang Ikuto.

"Yes, I did!" I said angrily. "You stole my first nose kiss!"

He grinned evilly. "Oh, no, Amu," He purred my name, and I gulped and forced my legs to stop shaking. "I meant that other one."

Utau came to my rescue. "All right, all right, enough. Ikuto, stop messing around with Amu. We've got stuff to do."

"All right, Mother, keep you hair on."

She snorted. "What did you even get him?"

Ikuto produced a small box. "The world's finest fruit tarts. Or so that Parisian said."

"You've got to be kidding me." Rima looked at him incredulously. "Seriously?"

"And they weren't cheap, mind you." He smiled fondly. "And all for…" He waved the box in front of Yaya, who was once again lost in her thoughts and ignored him completely. "My favorite little king." He frowned. "What's up with you?"

"Yaya blinked. "Hmm?"

"I just waved a box of sweets in your face. Sweets! Are you sick or something?" He grinned; unaware he was stepping into a minefield. "Perhaps lovesick?"

"It's really none of your business." For the first time since I had met Yaya, she had become completely closed off. Her face, her body language, was entirely drained of emotion. Her eyes were dead. She might as well have been a talking mannequin. It was the scariest poker face I had ever seen, because the normally expressive, passionate girl I was used to was suddenly gone.

Kukai appeared behind Utau. "Hello!" He kissed her on the cheek gently. "Hey, guys. Just got out of soccer practice and skateboarded here as quickly as possible. Hey, Ikuto! Good to see you, man. So—" He stopped. "What's going on?"

Yaya's expression didn't change. "Nothing. Let's go shopping shall we?" Her voice was nonchalant, and yet still empty somehow. She looked away and began walking, appearing unconcerned as to whether or not we were following her or not.

"Uh…" Ikuto looked at the rest of us in surprise. "Did I say something?"

Your name is Akira, and you are the first Joker.

Sweat drips down your forehead and into your stinging eyes. With burning muscles and heavy shoulders, you know you are close to passing out. You must finish this quickly. With a cry and a leap, you vault over the monster, gripping the twin blades in your hands tight as you slash at the demon in a wide curve. It shrieks in agony, a metallic, ancient sound. And then you run for your life.

It flies through the shadows after you, snarling dark magic words in a whisper as you sprint across the grounds. You must make it to the front of the school, to where he lies in wait.

If you two fail, there is no hope.