Author's Note: So begins another chapter. Lol I'm hoping that everyone who has been reading so far as enjoyed what I've done. Still waiting on people requesting a sneak peek at the sequel that I've started. Love ya guys~!
Dedication: Carlaivy, whom reviewed in the short time between posts and because her reviews make my day brighter. I love Ya!
Rating: T
Summary: Like any popular boy, Ikuto has many girls that chase him on a daily basis besides his sister, so there's only one way, in Ikuto's mind, to stop them. Have a fake girlfriend of course!
Chapter 9: Wild Egg Chase
Hotaru sighs deeply, the day having gone by slowly. Her bruises had caused her to stay up throughout the night in pain, causing Amu and Mrs. Hinamori to insist that she stay home from school. Hotaru only agreed in the end because she was afraid to face Ikuto. Hotaru flinches a bit at remembering the look on his face the day before.
'He's angry…'
She knew that for sure. She walks over to the balcony, her summer dress billowing from the passing breezes. She frowns at the bandages encasing her legs, the sight making her cringe. Amu had not been happy when she saw them and it ended up with receiving a lecture from the 6th grader. Kia sits on the railing, looking up at her creator, Hotaru's 2nd egg hanging around her neck from a makeshift necklace.
"Hotaru…you miss him don't you?"
Hotaru looks down in shock, her lavender locks floating around her playfully. She frowns.
"O-Of course not! How could I? He's part of Easter!"
Kia's eyebrows furrow worriedly as she floats up to Hotaru's face.
"Yes, but…you didn't know that when you became his fake girlfriend…and I doubt it would've stopped you from falling in love with him. Am I right?"
Hotaru looks down, her anger apparent, the conflict in her heart tearing her up inside.
"It doesn't matter….He hurt Amu. She's like my little sister, I can't love someone who does things like that. It's…"
She sighs, her forehead pressing to the railing, the cool sensation of the bar calming her a bit.
"….it doesn't matter."
"Hotaru!"
Hotaru turns around in time to see Amu run in, her expression quickly becoming one of mellowness.
"What's wrong Amu?"
Amu struggles to regain her breath as she begins to lead Hotaru downstairs, sweat running down the poor girl's features.
"We think…We think we might have a way to find my eggs."
Hotaru perks up at the news, ready to help for any reason. She begins to walk ahead of Amu as she slips on her sandals. She smiles happily, Kia now sitting on her shoulder.
"Then let's hurry, c'mon~!"
"So…who exactly are we looking for?"
Amu's eyes continue to scan the crowd, her golden eyes quickly moving back and forth.
"We're not sure yet, but the others said they had an idea."
Hotaru raises an eyebrow, her doubt beginning to rise a bit.
"Alright…let's hope it works."
Amu only nods her head before lighting up suddenly. Hotaru follows her line of sight to see four kids wearing uniforms that were similar to Amu's. They walk over, Hotaru's hand gripped tightly in Amu's, one of the four spotting them and waving happily.
"Amu-chan! There you are."
"Ah, so this is who Amu went to retrieve."
"She seems shy."
"Hinamori-san, may I ask who this is?"
Amu raises a hand toward Hotaru in introduction.
"This is Hotaru. She's been my babysitter a few times and is a good person. I feel like she should come along."
Hotaru notices the young girl with pigtails point toward her shoulder happily, sparkles evident in the girl's eyes.
"Oh wow, she has chara too!"
The others turn their attention to the little ninja who has actually begun to bow. The brown haired boy is the first to speak up.
"Oh, wow! A ninja! That is awesome!"
Nadeshiko steps forward, her ponytail waving behind her gracefully. Hotaru seethes a bit, a bit jealous of the girl's graceful posture.
"It is good to see you again Hotaru-san."
Hotaru nods her head a bit, a smile on her face as she pushes her bangs out of her face.
"Ditto Nadeshiko-chan."
Amu turns to Hotaru as she captures the girl's attention.
"Hotaru, this is Kukai…"
Kukai winks at her, his fingers giving a bit of a salute.
"….Yaya…."
Yaya giggles cutely, her pigtails bouncing as she waves happily.
"…and Tadase."
It's when Amu mentions the name of the young blonde-haired boy that a light bulb clicks in her mind.
'Tadase? As in Amu's Tadase?'
The young boy smiles at her, and Hotaru can swear that he's sparkling.
"It's very nice to meet you Hotaru-san."
A slight blush encases her cheeks as she unconsciously smiles back, her head looking down guiltily.
'I think I can understand why Amu likes him so much…he's adorable…'
Hotaru returns her attention after recovering and smiles widely.
"The pleasure is mine."
"So, Hotaru-chan…"
Hotaru turns toward Kukai, her mind not even having registered the suffix added to her name already.
"Do you know why Amu brought you along?"
Hotaru smiles softly as she turns to Amu, her eyes soft and kind. A few passing people actually blush at the soft girl's kind look of affection, not even noticing that they're staring.
"Because my br-"
"Because she promised to help me recover my eggs. Hotaru is always looking out for me. She's like my big sister."
Hotaru is a bit shocked at Amu's sudden intrusion but decides against finishing her statement.
'Maybe it's best that they don't know that my brother is part of Easter….'
Hotaru's head hangs a bit at remembering her brother's actions, the memories causing her heart to clench tightly.
"Hotaru-san?"
Hotaru looks up suddenly, Nadeshiko's concerned expression giving her a bit of relief. She smiles reassuringly.
"So, everyone ready?"
All nod their heads quickly. Hotaru begins to wander off unconsciously as Amu and the others begin debating on where to look. Kia follows her master, her concern for Hotaru high.
"Hotaru-chan?"
Hotaru sighs deeply once more, a sign to Kia that she's listening.
"Kia…I don't know what to do. Every time I think about what my Onii-chan is doing…it hurts…"
Hotaru shakes her head dejectedly, her loose, low ponytail swaying with her actions.
"You!"
Hotaru looks up suddenly, not having realized that she was standing in an alleyway. She turns to the source of the outburst, her eyes widening in shock at seeing the pop idol, Utau Hoshina. The scowl on the singer's face causes her to step back a bit.
"U-Uh, yes?"
"You're the girl that Ikuto is pretending to date!"
"Y-yes?"
Hotaru instantly regrets her words as she senses the killer aura from the girl before her.
'Oh…she doesn't seem to like me too well. She probably cares for Ikuto as well…'
"I won't lose to you! Ikuto has no interest in anyone, so don't even think that you're current role gives you an edge. He doesn't love you!"
Utau's words stab at Hotaru's heart, her breathing faltering a bit as she realizes that she's right.
'Ikuto doesn't love me…I'm only by him to keep the fan girls at bay.'
Hotaru is quiet, an awkward silence filling the air when suddenly the ribbon holding her hair back transforms into a crescent moon.
"So…that doesn't stop me from caring about him. Whether I'm fake or not, I treasure the times I spend with Ikuto-kun. Nothing you do or say will change that."
Hotaru watches the shocked expression on Utau's face, her body actually flinching as if struck by some invisible hand. After awhile, she frowns a bit at the ground, the girl obviously at a loss for words. Small footsteps gradually come closer before a shocked exchange is heard.
"Amu Hinamori?!"
"Utau Hoshina?!"
Hotaru stays in the background as the two talk it out, her ears picking up a few essential words here and there. It's when Utau becomes curious about Amu's dismay and situation that she decides to tune in more.
"Actually…"
Hotaru is quiet as Amu explains the situation, Utau's face one of no emotion. Hotaru flinches as Amu comes to her brother's betrayal, the memory not pleasant. After the explanation, Utau puts a hand to her chin in thought, her mind working to figure out this mystery.
"Nikaidou-san is taking a big risk…"
Hotaru's eyebrow raises delicately, a frown settling upon her face.
"You know Onii-chan?"
Utau turns to her, her reaction now like Hotaru's.
"Onii-chan? Nikaidou-san is your older brother?"
Hotaru looks down meekly before slowly nodding her head, her eyes beginning to water up a bit.
"Yes…he is….but…"
Her eyes close, her thoughts of happier times with the brother she trusted.
"…I don't know what to think anymore. So…How do you know Onii-chan?"
Utau turns her head as if looking around at the activities going on around them.
"You could say that…In Easter, there's more than one group trying to obtain the embryo. Your brother and my manager are competing to find it first. Whoever does is most likely to gain a big promotion."
Amu's eyes widen a bit, her mind in shock a bit.
"…Promotion…?"
Utau sighs, a bit annoyed at this point.
"The Embryo can grant any wish, right? I don't understand why they just don't grant their own wish, but then again I don't know what they're thinking. I guess money means more than hopes and dreams."
Utau then turns to Amu, a sincere look in her eyes.
"I don't like Nikaidou-san's methods though…towards a little kid like you…and abandoning his sister the way he has….I won't do things like that."
Her eyes harden.
"You'll see….I won't use tricks like that to gain the Embryo. I'll find it on my own and save Ikuto from Easter by myself."
Hotaru's eyes widen slightly, her heart racing at the words that just entered her ears.
"Save…? Ikuto-kun…?"
Utau sets her glare at Hotaru, her jealously evident once more.
"Don't say his name like you're close. You're only a fake girlfriend, remember that! I won't lose to you!"
Hotaru smirks a bit, her courage rising once more.
'That's right…I can't give up. Not when Onii-chan is doing things that are wrong.'
"I won't lose either!"
Amu nods her head, her head waving toward the two of them.
"We don't like seeing X's on people's heart eggs. It's wrong. We'll save them, all of them!"
All is quiet for awhile before screeching tires tear through the air. Hotaru and Amu jump back just in time for a van to halt before them, heads popping out the side of the window.
"There you guys are!"
"We've been looking for you!"
"Get in, we have a way to find your eggs now Amu-chan!"
Hotaru peeks her head in a bit, her eyes shocked by who she sees.
"Nobuko Saeki?"
Tadase nods his head, his golden hair shining brightly from the sun's rays.
"Yes. Miss. Saeki agreed to help us. We believe her to be a very accurate radar."
Amu's look gives away her thoughts of doubt, her mouth muttering a bit.
"The fake fortune teller? Are you sure?"
Saeki turns around, an aggravated expression on her face.
"Fake?! That's a bit harsh."
Kukai waves his arm to signal around the bus.
"We'll explain later, c'mon!"
"Alright."
As they start to get aboard, a voice cuts them off.
"Wait!"
They both turn around, the singer obviously determined.
"I'm coming too. Though I work for Easter I cannot support what Nikaidou-san is doing."
Hotaru is in slight awe, her eyes glowing a bit in admiration.
'Wow…despite everything…'
Hotaru smiles a bit as they get on the van, her hope starting to rise.
'Utau is a good person deep down…'
The drive is…
…not exactly what Hotaru pictured. For a majority of the ride, her hands were gripping the seat she was in tightly, her heart pounding in her chest in fear.
"Red light! That's a red light!"
"AAaaaahhhhhh!"
Hotaru's eyes were scrunched closed, not wanting to even see her death coming.
"That's another red light! Do you even know how to drive?!"
"No! I'm only doing this because that beautiful boy there asked me!!"
Everyone turns to Tadase worriedly, their faces pale. Their eyes follow him as he walks to Saeki's side, his smile still intact.
"I'm sure you're taking us in the right direction. You're driving is very good as well."
"O-oh…thank you…"
"Tadase!!"
"That's a corner! What're you doing?!"
"Dead end! Hit the brakes!"
Hotaru spots that they might crash, her voice a bit high pitched as she yells.
"Stairs! Stop, stop!"
Another screech of brakes as they halt on the stairwell, the only sound evident is everyone's heavy breathing. Hotaru holds a hand to her chest, her mind willing her heart to calm down.
"Are we there?!"
"We're…here…"
"Thank you Miss. Saeki."
Amu suddenly stands up, her finger pointing at a silhouette.
"That's…!"
Author's Note: And I'll stop there for now, though I'm sure those who read the manga know what happens. Lol Anyways, I'll be sure to update as soon as possible~! Thank you guys for reading. Remember that reviews make my heart smile~!
