Chapter Thirteen
As we walked together down the street heading to Tadase's home, I couldn't help but to notice how the more time I spent with Ikuto, the more a comfortable silence grew between the two of us.
We didn't need to talk to ease the awkward air, actually, it felt natural.
Yoru was snoring again, sleeping on Ikuto's shoulder to finish out his nap, and as much as I wanted to calm my nerves I was on edge. I couldn't shake the thoughts of how Ikuto meeting Tadase's new girlfriend might go.
He wouldn't try to start something with Tadase-kun would he, even though the last time they seen each other they left on great terms?
Hinari, had been accepted into the Guardian Meetings, she even had a Guardian Character of her own named Miwa. Hinari's dream was to be a model, so of course her would-be self, her Guardian Character was born from that dream.
Miwa had matching golden blonde hair just like Hinari, though her hair flowed all the way down her back when Hinari's hair stopped right at her shoulders in a bob haircut. Upon Miwa's head were sunglasses, the lenses in the shape of stars, with a pink-sequin halter top dress that flowed with each move she made.
I had to admit, she was an adorable Guardian Character.
Once we made it to our destination, I rang the bell, the gate instantly opening since our visit had been expected. I even had to stand there and take a deep breath to mentally prepare myself for this.
Past the gate, Tadase's traditional Japanese home looked beautiful in the fallen snow, the pond with Koi swimming around under a thin sheet of ice caught my attention as we walked past, though I couldn't enjoy the view as much as I had liked; I still felt uneasy.
At the door, I knocked twice before it suddenly slid open with arms wrapping around my neck, throwing me backwards into Ikuto's body as the three of us tumbled into the snow.
"Yay, Amu-chi is here!"
Yaya was still holding on to me as she screamed the status of our arrival, nearly choking me to death with her tight hug.
"Yaya, I can't breathe," I coughed out, trying to sit up while watching Ikuto stand to dust the snow off his body.
Poor Yoru was tossed all the way across the yard from the impact, landing upside down in a pile of snow with his feet and tail sticking out, he also had to scramble to free himself before sitting there befuddled. After all, he was asleep when all this happened so he had no idea what was going on.
"What the heck was that, nyaa!?"
Yaya released her death grip, jumping up in a burst of energy before tugging me up by both my arms. Clearly she had been in the sugar already.
"Amu-chi's here, Amu-chiiiiii," she sang as she made her way back into the Hotori household.
Ikuto gave a shrug as Yoru floated over to us, the Guardian rubbing the back of head as an inaudible group of words were mumbled under a growl.
Poor Yoru. Note to self, buy Yoru a bag of catnip when this was over.
I entered first, throwing up my hand in a wave while giving a warm smile to my friends.
"Heh, s'up guys."
Rima was sitting off to the side holding her tea-cup in both hands like an elegant little lady, sipping quietly with her eyes closed, only when she heard my voice did she look up, giving a smile in return.
Nagihiko was sitting closer to Rima then the others, he smiled while closing one eye in a wink, and of course Kukai wasn't around but after what Utau had said I wasn't surprised.
Yaya was back sitting in front of the treats someone made for the meeting, and then there was Tadase and Hinari. They were seated properly beside one another, holding hands while keeping their posture straight; like a king and queen would upon their thrones.
Hinari sipped on her tea as if we hadn't entered, never glancing in my direction at all.
Beside her though, was a girl I had never seen before.
She was adorn in what looked to be a prep school uniform, her long, black straight hair flowing down over petite shoulders with bobby pins on each side of her pixie face making her look like a porcelain doll.
The moment Tadase seen Ikuto, all the color drained from his face, those ruby-pink eyes widening as he searched for the right words.
"I-Ikuto niisan?!"
"Yo," Ikuto flatly stated as he plopped down on the floor, placing both hands behind his head as he lounged back with a yawn.
"Niisan?" Hinari asked, finally looking up to disapprovingly eye Ikuto, trying to understand what was happening.
"O-Oh, forgive me, Hinari, this is Ikuto niisan. Ikuto, this is Kishimoto Hinari. And over there, is her friend, Kazuki Asuka. Her egg was born earlier this week, and even though it hasn't hatched we thought it would be good experience for her to attend a meeting."
The black headed girl, Asuka, had not taken her eyes off Ikuto from the moment we entered, those crystal blue orbs watching him as if he was the only other person in the room.
"Tadase, what is this meeting about? Why isn't Kiseki and the other's here?" Nagihiko asked, running fingers through his long purple tresses.
Tadase's face went from pleasantries to strict seriousness within the blink on an eye, making the air in the room heavy with concern.
"Kiseki and I have kept an eye on the news for the past couple of months, at first we didn't think much of it, until the numbers started to go up. After some research, we've come to the conclusion that before it started here, it was spreading over North America, then just all of a sudden that activity stopped when the numbers started to spike in Tokyo."
He released Hinari's hand, leaning forward to rest his chin in his palm; seeming deep in thought.
"Have you guys been aware of the recent coma's in the media, their causes unknown? People have dropped down without any medical evidence of why. Perfectly healthy people, not to mention the Guardians have been sensing this weird ominous stench in the air since these numbers have started to rise."
Rima set her cup down, her fragile voice making itself known for the first time.
"I've noticed this as well, last week a woman fell down in the mall district while Christmas shopping. Why hasn't Kusu kusu said anything to me about this?"
"Rima is right," I spoke up, wondering the same thing. Why would our Guardian Characters keep something like that from us?
"That is partly my fault. Kiseki and I felt that it would have been the best for everyone if they didn't know, just to see if our assumptions were correct before alarming everyone and ruining their Christmas break."
Tadase lowered his head after speaking, his voice dropping to nearly a whisper now.
"I'm sorry, I truly thought it was the best action at the time."
Well, that would explain where Miki, Ran, Su and Dia were going everyday. Still, I would have wished they had at least told me, it must be hard to carry such a frightening secret with them. I had no idea.
"You feel it too, right, Yoru," Tadase-kun asked, his eyes flicking over to the Guardian though never lifting his head.
Yoru was floating between Ikuto and myself as I remained standing, too worked up now to sit and relax even if I wanted to.
He nodded, scratching at his cheek with his claw.
"I thought it was just me, nyaa, but there is something different about the Tokyo air. I sensed it when we got off the plane."
"So what do we do now? Do you think it's Easter all over again?" Nagihiko's tone was stern and powerful, the reflection from his eyes showing that he was just as worried as the rest of us.