(¯`*•.¸,¤Ϭαмε Ονεя °¤,¸.•*´¯)

After giving his little sister the headband, Ikuto drove to his next destination: the music studio. As he waited for the light to change, he peered out the window and saw a jet about to land; he chuckled to himself, knowing exactly who was in it.

Once he arrived and stepped into the building, his boss walked on up and, just like Ikuto expected, nailed him for being late. "Tsukiyomi-kun, there you are! According to the clock, you're twenty minutes late!"

Ikuto simply pushed it aside and replied, "I'm here now, though."

His boss slapped a hand over his face, sighing. "But why are you almost always late? Ever since... Ever since…"

Utau went on her world tour and Rima wouldn't have been as safe, Ikuto finished. It was my fault, after all.

As his boss lectured him about punctuality, Ikuto rewound to ten years ago.

Eleven-year-old Ikuto tapped a pencil on his desk, staring out the window. School would be let out soon and he'd be able to get his violin from the shop. He went to the front of the school and waited for his younger siblings once the bell rang. He waited some minutes before remembering that Utau had an audition and Tadase had a doctor's appointment; they were no longer at school.

He figured he'd leave since all his siblings were taken care of. Ikuto ran all the way to the repair shop; he disappeared from view right as a seven-year-old blonde girl emerged from the building.

Ikuto made it to the store and was immediately greeted by the former store owner. "Ikuto-kun, your violin and I've been waiting for you. It's as good as new!" The shopkeeper went behind the counter and revealed the restored instrument.

Ikuto's blue eyes lit up as he took it and reached in his pocket. "How much?"

"Just for you, the son of Japan's finest violin player, free of charge." The shopkeeper smiled, but Ikuto refused; he wanted to pay. "You remind me so much of Aruto. If you insist on payment, why don't you pay me by playing a song with your violin?"

Ikuto agreed to the terms. He propped the stringed instrument to his neck and lifted the bow, ready to play, allowing his fingers to decide which song.

After he finished the sweet song, the owner clapped his hands. "You're going to be just like your father one day. That was a lullaby, right?"

Ikuto nodded; 'Song of the Cradle' was the first thing that popped into his head, for some reason. "Yes. It's what I used to play for Rima when she…" That's when he realized he forgot about Rima...

No, he knew she either went with Tadase or Utau and if not, they would've gotten her from school by now. Ikuto had nothing to worry about. He stayed at the shop a while longer playing songs for the owner, not noticing that his phone received several missed calls and messages.

While his boss continued lecturing, Ikuto shrugged his shoulders and went into his cupboard, taking the same violin from ten years ago off the shelf and dusting it off. Ikuto loved music and his violin, just like his father, but because of it, he almost lost Rima; he didn't want it to happen again.

Ikuto interrupted his boss's speech. "I'll be on time."

His boss stopped mid-sentence and eyed his employee. "We'll see about that. If you're late one more time, though…"

Ikuto assumed he'd be fired, but his manager's next words threw him for a loop.

"I get to meet your father." Ikuto held in his surprised reaction as the short man explained. "I've always wanted to meet that violin genius, have him come into this store and…"

As his boss went fanatical, Ikuto walked to his room at the back of the store – he passed other employees' rooms on the way, their doors shut – and saw someone sitting in a chair, waiting for their violin lesson.

~.X.~.X.~.X.~

Once Ikuto finished music lessons, he went to buy the groceries his mom requested. He came out of the store and got inside his car, placing the bags in the backseat.

Right as Ikuto was reversing, something caught his eye; he saw familiar pink hair across the street. Amu inspected her hair in the motorcycle mirror, as the person next to her, someone Ikuto didn't recognize, put the helmets in the back compartment.

Ikuto ignored them and drove home.

Upon arriving at home, Tsukiyomi Souko, welcomed her son and offered to put the groceries away. "Someone's waiting for you." She winked, taking the bags from him, her flowing, straight blonde hair bouncing a little.

As his mom put away the groceries, Ikuto went out into the backyard. He paused in the middle of two trees and bent down, his hand scanning the grass for a metal handle. He pulled on it until the trap door was all the way up; before he descended the stairs, he pulled the cover back down. Ikuto arrived at the bottom of the stairs and pushed open a door.

The room he stepped into contained shelves and shelves of books. He traveled the many rows until he came to the last one. His fingers glided across the books, stopping on a certain one. Ikuto tilted the book forward and the shelf beside it slid away, revealing another door with a scanner. The blue-haired man walked up to it. Once the scan read and processed, it said, "Welcome, Tsukiyomi Ikuto."

The door slid open; Ikuto walked through a hallway into an underground lair with flat screens, computers full of research, cameras placed all around the room and four uniforms.

In the corner of his eye, he noticed blonde pigtails. The person swiveled in the chair and smiled. "Long time no see, Ikuto." She smiled, going toward him, her purple eyes lighting up.

"It's been a while, Utau," he replied.

Utau undid her pigtails, allowing her blonde hair – it was similar to their mother's – to fall; she shook her head a couple of times. "Kairi's with Yukari, so she'll explain everything to him. I called Tadase earlier however, and he can't leave without Rima getting suspicious; he told her that he was talking to his grandmother. It'll be your responsibility to tell him."

The two then approached the middle computer; they inputted numerous codes, making the screen glow and a thumb print scanner appear. All sorts of information filled up the monitor and a computerized voice called out, "State your name."

When that was over, they used the keyboard again, but this time, to make a phone call. A man resembling Ikuto appeared; his hands were placed underneath his chin. "Ikuto and Utau, I've been expecting you. I knew I could count on my kids, the best trained agents in Guardian Dream Association."

The Guardians, stationed in Hokkaido, is a small section in Japan's Criminal Investigation Department designed to aid police forces, solve crimes or assist them when numbers are short or if they're better suited; they also protect the citizens and make sure they're safe.

In almost everything imaginable, there's a good and bad side. The Guardians would fall on the good side.

The owner, Ikuto and Utau's dad, took it upon himself after reading, watching and witnessing countless offences, not to mention his best friend's daughter near kidnapping. He asked Japan's Department of Justice if he could form a section to help out. After going through numerous measures and legalities, the section was created.

One of the documents he signed stated that he had to keep it a secret, – it'd be an undercover job – except to the people who he trusted to be involved, which is why the Guardians is made up of close friends, their family and his own family.

On top of managing the Guardians, Tsukiyomi Aruto is a well-known violinist in Japan; he's one of the headmasters of music at Hokkaido University of the Arts. Every now and then however, he flies to Tokyo.

"Both things I have to discuss are important, especially the second. First, since Utau's done with her tour, I thought it'd be the perfect time to start training new agents. Because you two have the most experience, you'll be doing it. You'll be training your mom's cousin's grandson… Your first cousin once removed," Aruto explained.

Utau and Ikuto exchanged a glance and accepted. "When should we start?"

"Once we're done here. I hope you haven't told Rima you've arrived yet because Utau, I want you to come to Hokkaido for a week. Ikuto on the other hand, I have a separate mission for you concerning robberies in Osaka."

The siblings listened as their dad described their tasks.

"It's important that you don't screw up." Ikuto and Utau exchanged another look, until they heard laughter from the screen. Three people they knew joined their dad: Tadase's parents and their uncle. "Sorry, I wanted to kill the serious tension with some humor. I know you'll do just fine."

Ikuto chuckled and Utau raised her eyebrows. She placed her hands on her hips, getting impatient. "What's the second thing you need to tell us, Dad?"

The three Guardian employees disappeared from view while Aruto snapped his fingers. "Hideaki has publically announced that he's working on a new experimental project. You know what that means, correct?"

They knew exactly what it meant and they'd make sure the other two knew, also. The four will have to keep a closer eye on Rima to guarantee her and her dad's safety. "We won't let you down."

"That's what the Tsukiyomis' are made of. I'll send the jet to pick both of you up at the airport. Utau, I'll see you soon. And Ikuto, I can't wait to hear good things."

As the two exited the underground lair, Ikuto turned to his sister, finally being able to say something to her that didn't involve their job. "So how are you doing, sis?"

~.X.~.X.~.X.~

He fell on his knees to the floor, his hands in a prayer stance, hoping they'd come soon.

"Get up," somebody ordered, "or I'll make you get up." The robber wore a ski mask and was dressed in black. He successfully grabbed all the money but searched the entire store and failed to find the precious jewel. At least, he had something up his sleeve.

The jeweler obeyed and begged him to leave. "I'm very frail. Please, spare my life."

The thief sneered, "I might consider if you tell me where it is."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"The pearl, old man! Tell me where the dragon pearl is or there'll be consequences." The keeper shook his head, saying that he's never heard of it. "Suit yourself." The robber grabbed the elder, making them face-to-face. "You have one more chance to tell me."

Once the old man was placed back on the ground, he made a dash for the phone, only to be stopped short.

"Now, you've really pissed me off. I've cut all the lines. Don't think the police will come and save you." He wrapped an arm around the jewelry store owner's neck and squeezed.

The windows suddenly lit up and the door was kicked in. "You mean us, right? Are you sure about that?" A tall man with blue hair and eyes stepped forward in a police uniform, flashing a certified badge. "Jeweled Bandit, you are under arrest, order of the Osaka police."

The bandit's eyes shifted from the old man to the officer to the old man again. He reached into his suit and pulled out the gun he found lying around in the store. "Any sudden moves from you and I shoot." He pointed the gun at the man's forehead. "What do you say?"

Ikuto smirked, seeing the painted dot on it. "I say, you really should've checked the gun first or come better prepared." He snapped his fingers.

The robber, confused by his words, tightened his hold on the owner and examined the gun, giving the officers who were entering from the back enough time to surprise and attack him. Ikuto moved forward and karate-kicked the gun out of the thief's hand and freed the aged owner.

Policemen entered from the front and handcuffed the bandit, who surrendered all the yen and was on his knees. They led him into a flashing police car but not before he turned to Ikuto, anger across his face.

"I was so close. No police in Osaka had caught me."

"I'll admit you were close, but your weakness was your downfall. You were too over-confident in yourself, thinking you wouldn't get caught, but you didn't think things through," Ikuto explained.

He aimed the gun at the robber who shut his eyes on impulse. When no blow came, he opened them and saw what he meant. Ikuto disassembled the gun, revealing that there weren't even any bullets.

"If you were really a clever thief, you would've looked in the most obvious place." He removed the rare pearl from the bullet cartridge. "Police, take him away."

The police car containing the thief drove off with another car. Ikuto went up to the jeweler, applauding his courage for going with his plan.

"No problem, young lad. It made me feel like a twenty-year-old in an action movie all over again. Thanks for saving me and the rest of the precious jewels."

Before Ikuto was able to say anything, his phone brought him to the side. He reached into his pocket and would've died then and there if there weren't people around. He panicked as he brought the phone to his ear, wondering what Rima wanted. "Ikuto, here."

"Ikuto-niisan?" Ikuto's eyes widened as he checked the caller ID; it was Rima's number and contact picture, yet it was Tadase's voice. "Sorry if I scared you by using Rima's phone. Betty took mine and hid it."

"Why would I be scared that you're using Rima's phone?"

There was a short pause before Ikuto heard a door sliding close and a running fountain in the background. "I know you're in Osaka and I doubt you want Rima to know. Anyway, I'm calling to ask about Guardian news."

Ikuto repeated what they discussed earlier regarding the new agents, Hideaki's newest project and protecting Rima. "For some reason, even though we'll have all four agents in the area and six others, I don't think it's enough."

"Ikuto-niisan, I'm just as worried about Rima's safety, but aren't you thinking about it too much. I made sure Nikaidou was assigned her home room teacher and Tsukasa will be wandering the campus."

"If you so, Kiddy King. Before I go, can I speak to Rima?"

Tadase slipped back into the living room where Rima was playing a video game, something she started after befriending him. She took the phone from Tadase; they had a short and simple conversation.

"I'm out of town for two days, so you're staying at Tadase's house. Listen to everything he says, make sure you do your homework, stay out of trouble and take care of yourself."

Rima rolled her eyes. "All right, Dad." She giggled then and added, "I'll see you soon. Night, Ikuto."

Ikuto genuinely smiled. "Have a good night, Rima."

She hung up and dropped the phone on the couch, motioning for Tadase to give back the controller. Although, Tadase didn't like offering 'if' solutions, especially to his 'siblings,' he had to do it for her safety. "I'll give it back if you help me with paperwork during your free period tomorrow."

"Deal. It's not like I have anything better to do." Tadase handed her the controller and she continued her game, while he watched. The game lasted thirty minutes until she lost her last life. She growled as the screen taunted her with two words.

Tadase chuckled and grabbed another controller from the cabinet. "Want to play another round?"

"Start it up, Tadase." Rima grinned, "I hope you don't go crying to your grandmother when you lose."

"We'll see about that, Rima."

The blonde siblings got comfy on the couch and started to play. They were too busy with their game to not notice two things: Betty bringing back Tadase's phone or his parents coming through the front door.

~.X.~.X.~.X.~

Rima tapped the papers on the table before paper-clipping them. True to his word, Tadase had given her paperwork to do in the library during her open period, though Rima didn't see a point to it; she didn't mind helping her brother. The only thing that bothered her was that somebody might've been watching her the whole time. "Fan-boys just won't quit, will they?"

She hurried out of the library and went to the office, dropping off Tadase's stuff. The bell rang as she exited the office; she was met with a flow of students going in different directions.

Rima waited until the amount of people decreased, so she wouldn't be trampled. She had gone several steps later and bumped into someone. Cursing to herself, she gazed up at the person; it had to be him.

"Hey, Rima-chan," he smiled. Rima rolled her eyes and turned her head. "Is something wrong?"

She hurried down the hallway, trying to get to the cafeteria before he caught up. Unfortunately, several of her steps equaled one of his. He's fast, she thought.

"Don't you remember me?" He stuck out his hand. "Nagihiko? I asked you for directions yesterday and I'm in all your classes."

Rima put his back to him. "Are you this annoying or are you just doing it on purpose?"

Nagihiko seemed taken aback from her question, not believing that she was the target. The only reason he gave Amu a ride yesterday was to find out about Rima. When he first met her, she seemed nice and then later at lunch, she seemed hostile. He didn't expect Amu to tell him that piece of information.

He didn't know how to answer, so he just said the first thing that popped into his head. "You wouldn't happen to be a twin because the girl I first met was an angel but you, you're a chibi devil."

The hallways were empty except for the two teenagers. "Well, you wouldn't happen to be a twin also because the guy I first met seemed pretty cool and you…" Rima didn't want to say it, so instead she opted for... "I have my reasons."

"Sure, you do." Nagihiko wasn't convinced. "Do you have a reason why you're so short for your grade?"

Rima emitted a deadly aura as she struggled to remain calm. "I might, as long as you have a reason… for having freakishly long hair!" They continued through the hall in silence, trying to stay relaxed. When Rima thought Nagihiko wasn't paying any attention, she mumbled, "What does Amu see in you?"

But Nagihiko was paying attention; he heard what she said and smirked, walking a bit closer to her. "So that's what this is about. I should've known," he sang, chuckling at her questioning expression.

"What?"

He was glad he picked Amu. "I know why you're being like this." He shut one eye but kept the other open to look at her. "Don't worry though, there's nothing going on between us. I promise I won't steal your best friend." Nagihiko grinned wider, an obvious Cheshire cat grin.

It took Rima every ounce to restrain herself from saying anything, for the moment. Instead, she shot her world famous death glare and rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I wouldn't be jealous even if you were the last guy on earth. Now, if you excuse me, I better get to the cafeteria."

Rima ran a few steps, leaving Nagihiko. He seriously could not believe Rima was the 'precious angel.' This mission might be a little more difficult, but it's nothing I can't handle," he believed. Nagihiko snapped back into reality after noticing that the short blonde girl returned.

"This is a better time than any to make things clear. Though Amu's not my best friend, she's still a good friend, so treat her right." She pointed a finger to warn him.

Nagihiko's eyes widened. "If Amu's not your best friend, then who is? You two seemed really close..."

"Yeah, she's the peacemaker in our group and everybody's cool 'n spicy girl..." She shook her head when she realized something. "Why is it your business to know who my best friend is? Did you purposely give Amu a ride yesterday because you thought she was my best friend and it'd make me jealous?" Rima knew it wasn't true, but it was worth a shot to ask.

"I'll admit I offered her a ride because of you, but I wanted to know if you were bi-polar, not to make you jealous," he replied, smiling.

Rima believed him for now. If she didn't, he'd probably come up with another thing and they'd be even more late to lunch. "Fine. If you should know though, I technically have two best friends, but one is more than the other." She turned to see Nagihiko's reaction; he raised his eyebrows, shocked.

Nagihiko decided to guess since Rima had cooled down. He guessed everyone who sat at the table yesterday including Tadase, who Rima said was her 'brother.'

That's when Nagihiko had an idea. He smirked and bent down to Rima's height. "Am I your best friend?"

Rima let out a heavy laugh, something she hadn't done in a while. Once she stopped, she flicked him in the forehead and answered with a big fat 'no.'

He wanted to find out badly, not just to know who it was but also to see how she acts around them. "Rima-chan, can't you just tell me?" She rolled her eyes in response. He figured pestering her, repeatedly saying her name until she'd tell him, would work. "Rima-chan. Rima-chan. R—" He was about to poke her cheek but another voice interrupted him from behind, a hauntingly familiar voice.

"Rima! Guess who's back!"

Nagihiko watched the expression on Rima's face go from annoyed and bored to happy and overjoyed; she smiled and waved to the person. Rima faced him and smirked a little. "You want to know? That's my best friend."

The person was coming from the opposite end of the hallway, so it gave Nagihiko time to think why the voice sounded familiar. When he had a theory, he shuddered, hoping it wasn't right. He was almost too scared to even turn around to check. He did anyway and got one hell of a shock. This mission, he knew, was now going to be even more difficult.

Nagihiko's mouth dropped as he stared at Rima's best friend. There's no way... She cannot be Rima's best friend!

~.X.~.X.~.X.~

Yay, for the first cliffie~ Anyways, I wrote this in first person but changed it to third person. So should I write in first, third or mix-and-match it up? Thanks for the reviews~ See you next chapter! ^^

~Hallie-chan