Piggy-chan: Sorry for the late update, I've been studying for my piano... theory exam... it's a pain...
Rima: Also she's going on a trip for 5 days, meaning she'll be away from the computer... for five days... you're sad.
Piggy-chan: Well, it's summer and I have to spend time with my family. So... yeah ^-^
Rima: Okay, let's get this chapter over with because I really can't stand reading this chapter.
Piggy-chan: THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS! Nagihiko KISSES Rima in this chappy :D I'm so proud of you Rima~
Rima: *blushes like crazy* SHUT THE FUDGE UP! Piggy-chandoesn'townanything, Peach-pitdoesOKAY! On with the story!
Piggy-chan: Hey wait-
-NW :3
Shugo Siblings!
Chapter Six
Illusions And Nayuka's Here
I couldn't wait to see the look on Rima's face! I accidentally blurted my giggles and slapped my mouth with one of my hands. Yes, I've been feeling better, and the cut on my shoulder was healing a lot faster than I thought it would. But the pain was so strong the moment Rima-chan's father hit me, it still stings to remember. I was still trying to get used to everything. I mean, being human that is. It's different from being a chara, way different, but it has a lot of inconveniences too. Adults can see me (I mean regular ones, not people like Tsukasa) and they order me around. It's so infuriating! I don't want to set up a table or anything! Rima always did that kind of thing, not me!
Nagihiko's mother went to some people of the government who decided on orphaned children and demanded they let Rima stay with them. So apparently, we were 'adopted'. But not so that we were all family! Rima got to keep her last name. But this meant we had to stay at their house until Rima got some relatives to claim her or her dad came back. Because none of her parents left any will's, Rima got to pick where to stay (not that she had a choice) so in the end, she had to stay at the Fujisaki's residence.
"Are you sure Rima's not going to get sick from eating that stuff?" Rhythm plugged his nose with a hand before poking the soup with a spoon.
I gave him a cold stare. "That wasn't funny. You're a disgrace to comedy."
He laughed and put an arm around my shoulders. "Well, you'll always be the goddess of comedy with Rima!" I flicked his arm away and put the lid back on the hot soup.
"Thanks for not helping me, why didn't you go to school? You'll miss so much!"
"Go to school? Eww…" he made a gross face. "That's like asking a rich man to live the rest of his life as a hobo!" He stated, scrunched up his nose like he smelled a skunk.
I giggled. Okay, I'll admit, that was funny.
He smiled. "See? I can make you laugh."
I blushed slightly. Sometimes I wondered to myself, if we were going to be Nagihiko's and Rima's would-be-self, then they actually might get along! I'll be honest, I like having Rhythm here for company, but Rima and Nagihiko fight all the time. Was it possible to have them get along? And maybe more?
I looked at Rhythm who looked deep in thought as well.
"What are you thinking about?"
Rhythm rested his chin in his hand on the counter. "Why is it that Nagihiko and Rima hate each other so much?"
I gasped. "That's what I was thinking about!"
He grinned. "Maybe we should help them." I felt excitement arise in my chest.
"Maybe they can actually be friends!"
His grin got even wider… I couldn't help notice a twinkle in his eyes like he had thought up something ingenious.
"And maybe more…"
"I feel a planning mood in the air." I smiled evilly.
He did the same. "Yes, I do too. To the drawing board room!" I turned the heat off the stove and let it cool a bit. We had about an hour left until they arrived from school. Then we raced out of the kitchen and down the halls. Then I felt curious.
"Rhythm, I didn't know you had a drawing board room…"
Rima's POV
"Hello everyone, welcome to drama class." A pretty and elegant woman stood on the stage while everyone sat down in the auditorium of the theater. "My name is Calliope Bacchus, but please call me Calli." The woman smiled her white pearly teeth and I heard whispering behind me. Looks like Ms. Teacher had some fan boys on her tail. I giggled. Calli looked young for a teacher, and I could understand why guys would start liking her. She had warm, light peach skin and pretty pink-ish purple eyes. She had smooth, long ruby-red hair that hung from a messy yet elegant bun. She wore a funny style of clothing, like the bright decorative skirt and patterned blouse. She had a loose green scarf around her neck and green high-heels. There was only one word to describe her; dramatic.
"Um… Ms. Calli?" A girl raised her hand. "Is it really okay to call you by your first name?"
"Of course! Is there a law against it?" She sounded surprised.
"N-no, but all the other teachers insist we call them sensei…"
"Well, I'm not as elderly and formal as those old teachers, as you can see."
Everyone whispered and giggled. We all liked this teacher, that's for sure.
"Anyways, everyone, come around here and we'll start our first lesson."
Everyone looked at each other, then got up and began to climb onto the stage.
"I like this teacher." Amu whispered to me.
"Yeah," I agreed. "I do too."
"That's a first." Amu teased. I rolled my eyes.
"Today, we're going to explore illusions." Calli said. She took out strange pictures that didn't make any sense.
"This is called an optical illusion. It means, these pictures trick the eyes." Calli explained. "This one's called 'The Herman Grid Illusion'." She took out a picture of little black squares in a grid formation. "If you don't look directly at the white lines, you can see faint dark dots at the intersections?" We nodded. "Now look directly at one of the dots."
I did as told to and realized the faint black dot was gone. I gasped.
"Do you see? If you stared at it with all your focus, it became clear."
"Wow!" "Cool." "Magic trick!"
I giggled. This was by far the best class I've been to in all of Middle school.
"Let's try another one." She took out another picture. "What do you see?"
Calli smiled warmly. Then I realized she was looking at me. "Rima-chan?"
"Y-yes?" I said, slightly startled.
"What do you see?"
"A-a vase, I guess?" She nodded, as if disappointed.
Then she turned and looked at Nagihiko. "What do you see?"
"Two people staring at each other."
"Good! Anyone see both?" Some nods where exchanged around the class.
"You see, these optical illusions trick the eye, but if you focus, you will be able to see everything clearly. Keep an open mind." I felt her eye piercing gaze land on me.
Suddenly, the bell rang for home time.
"We'll finish tomorrow! I'll see everyone tomorrow!" A few people waved, but I on the other hand, ran out of the theater as fast as I could go.
"Rima-chan!" Amu came puffing behind. "Wait up! What's the rush?"
"Nothing," I mumbled.
She laughed. "You looked like you'd seen a ghost."
I stared at my feet as I walked. "I don't know. I just have a bad feeling."
"But I like Ms. Calli," Amu protested. "She's nice and funny. A lot better than our grumpy math teacher." I would have agreed with her on that, but suddenly a grouchy old algebra teacher didn't sound all that bad.
"What I can't get," I paused as I opened my locker, "Was how she knew my name when I had never told her."
"Attendance maybe…?" Amu suggested. But I highly doubted it.
"How was school, Rima-chan?" Nagihiko asked me for the fifth time. I could tell he was getting agitated. Why did he have to live so far away from the school? Ugh. Walking sucks.
I ignored him again. I heard him sigh. About another few minutes passed until I replied, "Same as always."
He gave me a confused look. "That took you five minutes to answer."
"So?"
"You… never mind." He gave up. "So school's always the same, huh?"
"Yes," I said quietly, staring in-front of me.
"What's school like, then?"
Strange. "Boring."
He stopped walking. "Boring?"
"Yeah, got a problem with that?" I kept walking ahead.
"How is school boring?" Yikes, he sounded mad.
"Someone sounds offended~!" I said in a sing song voice, teasing him as I turned around. The rain hadn't let up even now. I held a pink umbrella to keep myself dry while Nagihiko had a blue one. I smiled as I let my golden locks swirl with my body and then sway to a stop at my hips. For a second, I thought I saw Nagihiko blush. "Hm?"
He walked up to me and pushed me along, looking away. "We should hurry, mom's going to get mad if I don't make it to dance practice."
"Or cross-dressing practice." I giggled. "Nadeshiko might get in trouble~!" It was fun to tease Nagihiko. I saw him rub his forehead with one hand in frustration.
For another few minutes we walked in silence. "Nagihiko?"
"Hmm?" Then he stopped walking again. "You called me by my name!"
My face was blank. "No I d-didn't…"
"Yes you did!" He literally beamed. "You did! You so did, I knew you did!"
"Shut up." I walked with as much speed as my short legs could put up.
I heard him chuckling behind me. "This is so going to haunt you for the rest of your life."
I was about ready to beat the shit out of that guy when I remembered my mom telling me about holding grudges.
"You should never hold grudges; that's what I learned in life, Wendy-Chan. Thankfully, you never had the chance to be cursed the way I was."
Don't hold grudges, don't hold grudges, don't hold grudges, I thought repeatedly as I walked. You don't want to end up like mom, right Rima?
"Rima-chan?"
Silence. Damn it! Stop annoying me Fujisaki! You're making it harder than it already is, so please shut up!
"Are you resisting the urge to argue with me?" But he kept pestering me.
"YES! Now, Shut. Up! It's hard enough to resist the urge, but now it's mandatory if I don't want to end up like my mother!" I snapped, realized what I had just said, and hoped he hadn't heard it right.
His face was pure shock. Not just because I admitted I didn't want to fight, but I accidentally blurted out my thoughts. "Why would you end up like your mother by holding a grudge?"
Oh God, no, please, no! "You know what? Forget it."
"But―"
"Oh look! It's your house, let's go." I cut him off and pretty much pounced on the door.
"You're home Rima-chan!" I was tackled by an unidentified flying object a.k.a. Kusukusu. "Com'on! I made you something!" She tugged me to the kitchen like it was the end of the world. Strangely, I noticed not many servants and maids were around. "Where's everyone?"
"On vacation for a day." Then she stuck a spoon in my mouth from saying anything more. "How is it?"
I took the empty spoon out and swallowed. "Pretty good, actually." She beamed.
"I made some more for you and put some in your room."
"Oh, okay. I'll eat it later―"
"No! It'll get cold." Then I was being dragged again. She brought me to Nagihiko's room and slammed the door. I heard a click sound behind the door and I knew she had locked it.
"Looks like they tricked you too, huh?"
I whipped around to see the one and only, Nagihiko.
"Noo! Kusukusu! I beg you! OPEN THIS DOOR IMMEDIATELY!" I banged the door with all the force I could take out on the stupid door, but at the back of my head, a little voice told me it was futile. I was stuck in here. With. Him.
Fifteen minutes later…
"Fine! Forget it! Don't open the door. HAVE FUN ON YOUR OWN!" I panted, then I collapsed on the carpet of Nagihiko's room. No matter how much I wanted Kusukusu to die right now, there was nothing in my power I could possibly do to her at the moment.
I tried the attic door, but it looked like it was sealed with super glue or something. I tried the window, but it was stuck too.
"They already planned everything before we arrived." Nagihiko sat in the corner with his arms and legs crossed, his eyes were shut, and was quiet the whole time I had yelled and banged the door.
"Wait!" I snapped my fingers. "Your mom! You're supposed to have dance practice, right?"
He bit his lip, "I forgot my mom was going to give me a day off because she needed to finish some papers of your adoption registration."
"What about Tierra and Neige? They live here, right?"
"Yeah," Nagihiko stopped. "But their dorms are in the East wing of the house with some other employees that stay here."
"Baaya?"
"I don't know what she does. We have school tomorrow, so the least Kusukusu and Rhythm could do is lock us up for one night."
I've tried to resist the urge to scream, but I couldn't take it anymore.
"AHH!" I launched myself on his bed and began to rampage his covers. "Why does my life suck so bad? What did I do to deserve this?" I screamed into his pillow. Usually, I wouldn't even be near his stuff, but I had to take out my anger on something, and this was Nagihiko's room, so it wasn't like I had anything else.
"Rima-chan?"
"What?"
"I was just wondering…" I felt his body sit beside mine on the bed. "Do you think you could teach me?"
I turned to look at him and saw he was holding the guitar I had took.
"Why?" There was no way I was teaching him. What if he wanted to be as good as I was with the guitar too? Or maybe take advantage of me or… okay, maybe I am paranoid.
He frowned. "I…I don't know. I guess I feel empty… and useless that my father could play it and not me."
Well, if that was the case, I had no problem with it. I smiled. "Okay, but you have to listen to me."
I threw myself onto his bed again. This was all insane. I had tried to teach him, but it seemed he wasn't a fast learner with music. It was completely pointless, he could play some notes, but it was near impossible for him to learn a whole song.
"Hey, Rima-chan?"
"What do you want, purple-head?" I said, my face still in his pillow, so it sounded muffled.
"Do you like anyone?"
"Sure, I like Amu and Yaya and Kusukusu and―"
"No, I mean, love anyone?"
I felt my cheeks burn so I pushed my face even further into the pillow.
"Why would you want to know?"
"I'm just… curious." His voice sounded nervous.
I lifted my head a bit. "Why, do you?"
"…Uh, what makes you say that?"
"You asked the question to me, but I won't give you an answer until you answered mine."
He sighed. "I… I think I do. I'm not sure if it's love, but every time I see her… my heart starts beating so fast, it feels like it's going to explode."
I felt my heart tear slightly. Wait, what's this? Is this… jealousy? For the enemy? DISCARD THAT FEELING RIGHT NOW RIMA! Get a hold of yourself!
Why was I even feeling that for him? Was I jealous of the fact that he… liked someone? How could I feel jealous? Okay, if I don't want to be like Amu, I can't be dense. Think of the possibilities, Rima. Number one, you could just be having a heart attack. Number two, you could be feeling nausea being in the same room together. Option three… you could like him. Option four, you could be feeling undigested soup that went to your heart or something― WAIT A MINUTE! What did I just think?
"Well?"
"Hm?" I looked at his form sitting on the windowsill of his window, the setting sun casting his shadows into the room and his― SNAP OUT OF IT RIMA!
"It's your turn to confess." He smiled.
I felt the burning sensation of my cheeks again and plopped my head back down on his pillow. Was it possible, I, Rima Mashiro, his enemy, liked Nagihiko Fujisaki? Why was it I always found him good at everything (even stealing best friends), blushed, stuttered, and even felt protected when he was around? I thought at first it might have been because he was a horrible and a trickster, gave me heart attacks, embarrassed me, and had no common sense what so ever. Yet I had some giddy feeling bounce around in my chest when ever I was near him.
"I guess so…"
"What?" He came closer and cupped a hand around his ear in a teasing manner.
"I said I guess I do!" I yelled.
At first he was stunned, then he looked… sad. "I see."
I see. I see? What the hell type of response is that?
"So, Rima-chan, who is this―"
"You know, maybe we should try your guitar practicing again." I jumped in, desperately trying to change the subject. There was no way, (I wasn't even entirely sure if I liked him yet) in all of heaven, no way I was telling him anything.
He stared then shook his head. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, I want to know about something else. But you have to promise you'll answer."
"Does it include the Ancient Japanese trivia on our next history test?"
"Uh, no?"
"Then I will answer this question."
I thought I saw him smile, but maybe just for a second, but his face went back to serious.
"I want you to tell me what happened that night. The truth, sincerely, tell me what happened and also in the hospital room."
I froze. "I d-don't know what you're talking about." I said, trying to play dumb. "Which n-night? What are you talking about―"
"Rima!" He grasped my wrists in his strong and firm hands, twisted me around so we were face to face. I wanted to squirm out of his hold, but I already knew it was senseless. "Please. I can't bear to see you like this." His gaze was soft and warmth touched my heart, but if I did tell him, he would be sad and feel pity for me. I don't want anyone to feel like that for me. I wanted to be strong as everyone. I didn't want to be trapped in this fragile body to let everyone know how weak I was, I wanted to be able to stand up on my own without help from eyes of sympathy.
"I… I can't." I looked down.
"You can." He said confidently, raising my chin to stare into my eyes. I felt my blush start to grow, but swallowed it down.
"I won't." I said stubbornly, but added quietly, "I'll only end up hurting people."
His grip on my wrists tightened. "Rima…" I glanced at his angered yet worried face. "If you don't see, you should look in a mirror, but holding everything in… it's hurting yourself more than it would hurt others."
I felt tears wobble down my cheeks. It was true, if I did hold everything in, I would only hurt myself. The nightmares I had every night burned my memory and felt so real every time I had them. There had to be a way to tell him… "I'm sorry. But I can't. If it's going to hurt just me… then I'm fine with it."
"But I'm not!" Nagihiko… I stared into his eyes.
"You're… crying. Why?"
"Because," I saw him try to hide them by blinking them away, but horribly failed. "Every time, you cry, I will too. Every little thing that pinches you would stab me. Every time you smile, I laugh for you. You… I can't bear to see you hurting alone."
"What are you saying…?"
"I… I…" His face started to turn red, the way Amu's did when ever she was around Tadase or Ikuto. This was getting… uncomfortable.
"Yes?" I tried to say softly, but I was patience was wearing thin. I didn't get anything at all. Maybe I am dense like Amu, I should guess why he's so red… heat stroke?
Suddenly, Nagihiko's face pulled forward. For a split second, I saw the illusion Ms. Calli showed us. The two-heads-and-vase illusion. But if there had been any vase, it would have been completely squashed, because there was no longer any space in-between our heads.
His lips crashed against mine, sending us both down on his bed. Me underneath and him on top. I was freaked out, but at the same time, it felt… right. Like it was supposed to be like this when none of us knew. If it wasn't Nagihiko, I would have freaked out, but it was… maybe all this time I had hated him, I had liked him. And vise versa.
His warm lips and hot breath tickled my skin, his purple hair wrapped around mine like they were ropes, but soft and smooth. I felt something inside of me feel… alive. Like a tougher side suddenly awakened. I felt strong. I felt confident. It was hard to explain. Maybe, Nagihiko was my strength. Maybe we always helped each other because we needed each other to strong. I don't know what made me, maybe it was my feeling of strength or instincts to do so, but I started to kiss him back.
He must have felt the same, because he started to kiss me violently.
I didn't know anything.
I didn't feel anything.
I didn't see anything.
I didn't hear anything.
The only thing I knew was Nagihiko.
That is, until the door swung open.
Kusukusu POV
"Maybe we should go check on them." I said at last.
Rhythm frowned. "But then Rima could get out."
Temari made a giggling noise. "They must be having so much fun right now~"
I laughed, thinking of what fun they could have. Maybe hanging each other. "Well, we should check on them if they've killed each other yet."
Rhythm rolled his eyes. "A girl can't defeat Nagihiko." Temari and I gave him a death glare. He added, "U-unless it's Rima or… uh…"
Suddenly, a ringing noise filled the air.
Rhythm lifted the phone and said, "Moshi moshi, Rhythm here."
The ringing continued. "What the mother of―"
"Wait!" I rummaged through Rima's backpack which she had left in the kitchen. "Got it!" I pulled out Rima's cell phone. "Moshi moshi?"
"Um, can I speak to Rima please? It's me, Amu."
"Holy shit!" I heard Rhythm curse out loud, and Temari whacked him on the head. "Oww, God damn-it Temari!" Whack. "Okay I'll stop swearing you fu―" Temari brought out her naginata. "F-fun loving twin sister…"
I giggled. "Sorry, Rima's um… busy at the moment. Do you want me to pass her a message?"
I heard yelling in the background, running and then a door slam. "N-no, I really need to talk to her, like ASAP."
I gave Rhythm a desperate look. He shrugged. Thanks Rhythm. "Can she call you back?"
"NO! He's loose in the house and I'm all alone! My parents went shopping with Ami, Miki went to look for a spot to draw the sunset with Yoru, Suu is grocery shopping, and Dia and Ran are at the mall looking for new CDs!"
One of my eye brows rose. "And you're home alone with whom…?"
"With―"
Then she was cut off, a door slammed open, screaming, chuckling, struggling and moaning could be heard on the other line.
"Hey kitties~"
I almost dropped the phone. "I-I-Ikuto! W-what have you done to Amu?" I screamed, terrified. Rhythm was frozen to the ground and Temari was giggling again.
"Not much, she fainted after I kissed her. Oh wait, she didn't faint, she just went into fan-girl mode. Now she's okay."
Slap. "IKUTO! Shut up! Gimme the phone!"
"Ow, that hurt."
"Look Kusukusu, can you please get Rima on the line, like NOW?"
"Uh…" I sweat dropped. "S-sure…"
I gave Rhythm a doubtful look and he gave me a thumbs up. I smiled. "Okay."
"Good, because I can't take it anymore."
"Oops." The phone must have been snatched away because Ikuto was back. "Sorry kitties, my strawberry and I have some business. She'll call you back, 'kay?"
"NOO! Ikuto, I swear if you end that call I'll―"
The line went dead.
For a few minutes, we were all stunned. Then Rhythm broke the silence.
"Five bucks says Amu's lost her virginity by morning, no?"
Temari and I rolled our eyes and sighed.
"Speaking of Rima, maybe we should check on them." Temari suggested. We nodded and walked to Nagihiko's room.
"I hope I haven't killed them." I mumbled. "I just wanted them to get along…"
Rhythm unlocked the door and pushed it open.
And I saw… more than I wanted to see. Sure, I wanted Rima to be friends with Nagihiko but… Rima…was under… Nagihiko. Nagihiko. Was. On. Top.
"…What…"
"The…"
"He―" Temari took out her naginata. "H-he-hair br-brush?"
I would have giggled if I wasn't distracted. Well, at least none of their clothes were… off…
"I-it's not what you think!" Nagihiko jumped up, blushing like a tomato.
Then it was dark.
I had fainted.
Normal POV
The 'family' ate dinner quietly. Nagihiko's mother had cooked because she needed to 'brush up on her cooking skills'.
Rima sat in the corner, trying to keep a low profile and avoid any eye contact what so ever. Nagihiko just stared at his plate blankly; pushing the food around the bowl with his chopsticks like it was some kind of ride for his food. Kusukusu was confused, but eyed both Rima and Nagihiko carefully. Temari smiled and Rhythm bit his lip from laughing. Baaya glanced around the table wearily, knowing something was wrong, but said nothing.
It was quiet and peaceful, but outside of the household, a figure lurked in the dark.
"Nayuka!" The small French chara giggled. "Let's go!"
"Moe, we have to stay quiet until Master sends us the message. Be patient."
Moe huffed and stuck her nose in the air. "We shouldn't take orders from anyone. Come mon chere! We will show true woman spirit!"
"No. We have to wait." Nayuka muttered firmly.
Her phone began to ring. "Finally." She pressed talk and the screen on the phone showed a shadowed man sitting in a dark office.
"You may proceed, Nayuka. But beware, they will try everything they have to eliminate you."
"I've known that since the day I was born." Nayuka said with clenched teeth. "I haven't forgiven them yet."
The man chuckled. "Let you're wild spirit be freed, and I shall see to it you get what you want when you fulfill your mission. Understand this, you can't do it alone. You'll need the others to finish the job, for this is only the beginning."
"I understand." Nayuka bowed her head.
"Good. I'd better hear from you tonight if you have succeeded."
Nayuka nodded. "Yes."
"And remember," The voice turned ice-cold. "If you fail, you'll never see what you want from us ever again. Just like the others."
Nayuka clenched her fists into tight balls. "I know."
The phone call ended and Nayuka sighed. "Moe, let's get going. We have a mission to begin."
Moe giggled and twirled around. "Mon dieu! An adventure! Tres excitant!"
A slight movement in Nayuka's hand bag caught her attention. Nayuka peered into her bag and whispered to her other egg, "Don't move. I don't want anyone knowing about you. I've disguised you're chara presence, but they will notice if you move." The egg remained still and Nayuka sighed. "Com'on Moe."
Nayuka dragged her luggage through the gate and to the porch of the giant house.
She rang the door bell.
"Who could that be?" Nagihiko's mother waved one of the remaining servants to get the door.
The there was a scream. "MISTRESS! I think you better come!" Tierra's voice exclaimed loudly.
Everyone rushed over to see the commotion. Nagihiko peered over the butler's shoulder and felt his teeth tighten their clench.
"Fujisaki Nayuka," Nagihiko welcomed dryly, "What has brought you here?"
Nayuka smiled innocently while everyone but Kusukusu and Rima glared.
Piggy-chan: MWAHAHAHAHA! Cliffie! And I thought everything in this chappie was cute Rima! Even Amu's call (heheheh, Ikuto's such a pervert... T.T)
Rima: Hmm... kinda strange the way you left the story off...
Piggy-chan: O.O Really? eh, oh well. This chappie was looong, not that I'm complaining or anything, but so far, this chappie was the longest I've ever done :D YAAYZ! Ten pages long on Microsoft word!
Rima: 'Kay stop bragging.
Piggy-chan: T^T I'm not.
Rima: Fine then, whatever. REVIEW PLZ!
Nagihiko: If you liked the kiss and everything, please review, I'll make sure it happenes again ;) *perverted smile*
Rima: Yeah, review so- WAIT A MINUTE! What did you say Nagihiko? I'm gonna rip your mouth off and throw your body to a garbage collector-
Piggy-chan&Nagihiko: PLEASE REVIEW!
-NW :3
