M.L.D: Hi there and welcome back to 'A Simple Thread' everyone! Oh, and a Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays) to all! I hope the New Year brings wonderful blessings to you all ^^
Kusukusu: Hi, hi! You guys are not going to believe what's in store for you all in this chapter. It's basically about Rima and her Mamma and they go out and have a fun time at some new shop only to - *rushes over and covers the small Chara's mouth*
M.L.D: Really Kusukusu? ! You were just about to tell them the big climax in the chapter!
Kusukusu: *muffled* Sowwy . . .
Rhythm: Haha, so yeah. Let's move onto the chapter! MoonLightDaiyz owns nothing of Shugo Chara, but her own OCs. Enjoy the following chapter guys, yay!
~ …Chapter Twenty One – A Day to Remember & A Day to Forget… ~
Rima's POV ...
I gaped silently as I sat awkwardly on the family's living room couch, watching Mamma practice her scheduled Thursday yoga routine. My eyelids shuddered faintly as I watched on; Mamma took in a deep breath as she stretched herself into the snake pose, stretching her back and spine. I wonder if I could do that, but then again, why would I even try to do something like that? How can nearly breaking your back relax a person? "Looks like that hurts . . ." I winced slightly as I heard a few faint cracks. Kusukusu blinked as she floated over just in front of my Mamma's face, "Uh, do you . . . do you think she knows what she's doing?" She asks worriedly. I slowly shook my head as an answer, until a sudden thought struck at me, "Hey, Mamma . . . don't you have to get ready for work?"
She grunted a bit as she slowly leaned back some more, furthering her snake form, "Well, Ri-chan . . . ugh . . . there was a slight problem with the security system and Akimoto-san suggested that all the workers stay at home until he gets someone to fix the repairs to the system."
"Oh," I hummed gently, glancing over up to the modern clock hanging on the living room's wall. '7:46am', it read.
'Nagihiko should be coming up the sidewalk right about now,' I thought to myself as I yawned gently and then reached for my schoolbag. "Okay Mamma, I'm going to get ready to head on out to school." I tell her as I stood from the couch and started towards the front door.
"Al-alright, Ri-chan. Hey, maybe after school, we could go down to the new sweets shop that just opened up. We can even invite your friends to come along, if you'd like." Mamma asked me as she straightened herself out and was sitting on the floor. I smiled faintly at the sight; she seemed like a happy-go-lucky teenager again, with her big light brown eyes and bright childish grin. She was sitting with her legs out in front of her and her hands between her legs on the carpeted floor; her brown wavy shoulder length hair rippled from the side of her head in a high, left sided short ponytail.
It's been a while since we went out, just it being the two of us. Mamma's been pretty busy with work, while I've been busy juggling school and the new X-Egg impact and such. It could be fun to hang out with my Mamma after school today and it could also calm down the stress I've been dealing with recently; not with Nagihiko although we have to constantly hide the fact of our dating each other and along with his Nadeshiko personality secret, but anyways . . . life as a young teenager could be quite stressful at times and it's good to have a day just to kick back and relax, forgetting about the world for a while. The same could go for Mamma as well, hehe.
It could be fun to hang out with my Mamma again after a while, I guess. Even though she's a bit unpredictable and odd, she's still my Mamma and I love her. I suppose we could go out for a bit, but I'll have to take a mental note to keep her away from any alcohol, although she's almost thirty-nine, Mamma still can't hold her liquor. It's a bit funny to watch, until we make it home and she acts all giggly and droopy. Sometimes, I swear that I'm the parent while she's the crazy and goofy child; but once I think about it, not many parents are as carefree as Mamma is; it's a rare trait that anyone would love. I sighed softly at the very thought, but gave off a light giggle as I turned fully around with a small smile on my face, "Sure, but can it just be the two of us? It's been a while since we went out together."
"Hehe, consider it a date then." Mamma cheesed a wide grin, looking even more like a big kid.
"Okay. See you later, Mamma." I waved her off as I started once again towards the door with a singing Kusukusu floating just beside my shoulder. I smiled faintly at this as I watched her from the corners of my eyes, making my way over to the front door, being sure to slip on my uniform shoes when I reached the small front hallway. Kusukusu then paused for a second after I tapped the toes of my shoe to make sure it was fully on and then she smiled, "Len and Takashi are here to!" She cheered.
"They are?" I ask, reaching for the door knob. Opening the door, I met with a hazel ochre and navy blue gaze; belonging to Nagihiko Fujisaki and Takashi Nakamura. I blinked as I looked up at the two boys; Len and Rhythm were floating just beside each other with a matching pair of faint smirks as Temari was sitting calmly on top of Takashi's left shoulder, she gave me and Kusukusu a gentle wave. Kusukusu waved back in return as I flashed the small purple Chara a gentle smile as I closed the front door behind me with a soft click.
"Good morning," Takashi and Nagihiko chimed in unison. I blinked again as I turned my eyes back onto them, finding them both titling their head to the right at the same time with a quite similar pair of genuine smiles on their faces. My eyebrow twitched slightly at this as I looked between the two of them, "Seriously?" I managed out, with a tittering Kusukusu and Temari. Takashi and Nagihiko both blinked together, "What?"
'Seriously?' I re-asked myself in my head as I glanced over to them slightly. They seem so alike . . . maybe because they were both brought up and natured the same way or whatever? "You're doing the same thing at the same time. It's kind of creepy." I tell them.
"We are?" They asked as they looked at each other and then back at me, sharing a faint chuckle.
"Now, you're just doing that to mess with me." I say to them with a small growl. Nagihiko and Takashi only laughed at me with a snickering Rhythm and Len; I rolled my eyes at this as I crossed my arms over my chest, "Yeah, you two are going to get enough of teasing me." I warned them, which made Takashi freeze in his laughter and Nagihiko laugh more.
"Haha, okay, okay; but the first time we weren't doing it on purpose, I swear. It was only a natural coincidence." The purple haired boy gasped out, still chuckling. Takashi gave me a small gentle smile as he nodded his head in agreement.
"Yeah, uh-huh . . ." I looked them up and down as I shifted my schoolbag onto my shoulder. The two boys shared another laugh, "Awh~ is Rima-chan getting upset now?" Nagihiko smirked over to me and gave me a quick wink, which went un-noticed by Takashi. I flashed him a playful glare, letting off a soft scoff.
"Come on, you two. Let's be on our way." Takashi chuckled softly as he turned and started on his way. I smiled after him as I started down the front steps, but giggled faintly as Nagihiko reached behind me and pulled me gently back to him. I giggled softly as I glanced up to him, "Nagihiko, hehe, what do you think you're doing?"
"I know that Rima-chan was not just going to leave the house without locking the front door. Now that's just irresponsible." He tsked, closing his eyes with a chuckling smile.
"Maybe, I don't have the key on me." I tell him, turning my face from him slightly and crossing my arms. Nagihiko laughed a bit at that and leaned closer to me, making me blush. His lips were close to my ear as his hands slid from around my waist towards my hips, digging their way into my uniform blazer's pockets and started to rummage around inside; my body tensed at this slightly. From the corners of my eyes, I noticed Kusukusu and Temari both blushing as they watched in on the two of us.
"What's the matter, Rima-chan~?" Nagihiko asks in a soft whisper, his breath faint and warm against the bare skin of my ear.
"U-uh . . . N-Nagihiko . . ." I stuttered as I closed my eyes, feeling a brewing pink hinting at my cheeks. I don't know if I should be furious or somewhat giddy about this . . . b-but wh-what if Takashi were to turn back around and see us? But I can't make my body move for some freaking reason! I hate that he has these kinds of effects on me!
"Found it," Nagihiko hummed as he triumphantly dangled my house key just in front of my face. "My, my . . . your face is quite red, Rima-chan. You might want to try to tone that down a bit before Tashi-kun starts wondering things." He commented as he turned and inserted the silver key into the key hole and twisted it swiftly with ease, locking the door.
I gulped down my bright blush and turned around, managing to give him my signature death glare. "You're such a perv . . ." I say to him with a low grumble. Nagihiko grinned innocently down to me, "Only for RiRi-tan and she loves it."
"Riiiiggght . . ." I droned, rolling my eyes as I started down the front steps again and froze for a quick moment as I noticed Takashi peer back into the front yard, from behind Mamma's favorite large oak tree, "Are you two still arguing? Haha, you're worse than a married couple. Come along now or we'll end up late."
I felt another round of a small blush hinting at my cheeks from the very thought of Nagihiko and I being married. Isn't it sort of bad luck to be thinking about something like that at this age and just getting into a relationship? Well, with that thought aside, I easily strode down the small walkway, standing just in front of Takashi in front of the front yard, "It's Baka Fujisaki's fault. He just had to say hello to Mamma and she went into total fangirl mode and everything." I easily lied with a fake annoyed huff, quickly waving the previous scene from my head. The navy haired boy, in front of me, tried stifling back a chuckle, "I hear many crazy things about Mashiro-san. She's such a lively character."
"I guess, but you should try living with her 24/7." I smiled teasingly, with a tittering Kusukusu floating just above my shoulder.
"She's pretty fun." Nagihiko's voice chimed behind me; I blinked as I glanced between him and the front door. Darn it, he moves pretty darn fast! "Rima-chan just has to put a slight damper on things, but Mashiro-san is a joy to have around, though."
"Totally," Rhythm smirked, floating just above Nagihiko's head. "She's pretty awesome, you know, for a mom."
Kusukusu and Temari giggled at his comment, as I simply rolled my eyes with a smile on my face. "And I'm the one who have to put a damper on things?" I ask the Chara's bearer with a cute quirk of my eyebrow, laughing a bit to myself. Takashi joined in to, along with Temari, Kusukusu and Len. Nagihiko shook his head slowly as he chuckled to himself with a mimicking Rhythm.
"Well, this conversation has been quite lovely, but you three still have to make it to school before the bell rings for Homeroom." Temari explained, with a nodding Len just beside her. Takashi, Nagihiko and I all shared a slightly freaked out look and turned, heading down the street towards Seiyo Academy.
~ …A Simple Thread… ~
After making it up to the school, Nagihiko and I –along with our Charas all waved Takashi off as he went over to the Seiyo Academy division of the middle school, over towards his friends. I smiled as I even noticed Yaya and Kairi. They smiled over our way, as Yaya was hugging Kairi's arm within her grasp. Nagihiko and I both chuckled at this.
"Maybe they're dating?" I ask him lowly, after waving the small group off.
Nagihiko quirked a smile, "Or maybe Sanjou-kun had given Yaya some sweets this morning. You know how she can be, haha."
"Yeah, maybe, hehe," I giggled and followed after Nagihiko as we entered into the building. We made sure to go our separate ways to not draw anyone's attentions to us. Kusukusu beamed at my shoulder, doing a few flips in the still air making me giggle softly, "You're such a silly Chara, Kusukusu."
"Hehe, Kusukusu can't help it!" She beamed with a bright smile.
I smiled over to her in return as I made it over to my locker and switched to my morning classes books and junk. After transitioning my school supplies, I placed them all into my schoolbag and shrugged it back onto my small shoulder.
"I hate that my classes' been switched around for the new spring semester . . ." I groaned lowly as I headed off towards the auditorium. "But, I guess it would be okay since Nagihiko's classes are more of match with mine, hehe." I beamed gently.
Kusukusu caught what I said and beamed a sly grin across her lips, "Ooo~ Rima's all smitten, isn't she?"
"Oh, hush up Kusukusu." I shook my head, avoiding her giggling gaze. She tittered some more as I hurried heading towards Mitsuki-sensei's class in the school's auditorium.
In the auditorium …
Mitsuki-sensei beamed out to everyone, wearing another one of her originally made and crafted outfits. Today she was wearing a bright long sleeved hot pink blouse, which was slightly see-through. In the front, the blouse had split in two, fluttering down gently, revealing a plain hot pink shirt underneath the blouse with a nice (and unexpectedly normal) pair of black jeans with a faint glitter design on the legs of them; on her feet were a pair of glittery three inch pink wedges with an even fainter glitter design dancing along the sides of them. Her black hair was nothing but rippling curls dancing about her head and was hanging all down, just tickling her neck with her long bang hanging just over her ocean blue eyes.
"Good morning, young pupils!" The cheery Mitsuki-sensei greeted as she strode over towards the front of the classroom. I rolled my eyes at her early craziness, feeling Nagihiko chuckle softly from beside me. Some of the kids around me, groaned lowly as they greeted Mitsuki-sensei back in return. "Good morning, Mitsuki-sensei." They droned.
"Oh, my, my, my . . ." The ebony haired woman tsked, placing her hands onto her hips. "Now, do we have to go over our vocal exercises some more today? Alright, let me go and get the karaoke machine out then –"
"Good morning, Mitsuki-sensei~" We quickly exclaimed. I hung my head down with an awkward heavy sweat drop trailing down the side of my head, "Please . . . Kami, please don't make us go through that torture again . . ."
"Heh, silly RiRi-tan," Nagihiko snickered softly as he poked me in my side. A bit startled, I yelped out a small scream, catching everyone's attention. They all glanced over in my direction towards the back of the class. I felt myself blush slightly and I also could clearly see Nagihiko looking over to me "innocently" with a playful gleam sparkling in his eyes.
I tried to muster up my typical small glare, "What?" I countered to the rest of the staring students, making them shake their heads and turn back around, re-facing Mitsuki-sensei who was rambling on about today's drama lesson. "In the preforming arts of theatre, one must always be ready for anything to happen on set or better yet, on stage to keep entertainment within the audience's perspective, without a failed swoop. An actor or actress, mind you, hehe, must always stay on their toes and within character during a performance no matter what the circumstances are. You must become one with your acting procedure and you mustn't EVER break from your character. Oh, yes, Fujisaki-san?" She broke off her lecture as she noticed Nagihiko's raised hand in the air.
"So . . . say if something so does actually happen within a performance, it's better for the actors to improvise to keep the act going, in simpler terms."
"Yes, exactly," Mitsuki-sensei exclaimed as she pointed over to him excitedly. "Fujisaki-san is completely on point. So today class, we will be dabbling in the art of "Adlibbing", as some would call it in the business. To practice going along with a few tweaks and such, while during a short act." Mitsuki-sensei explained. Some of the class groaned slightly as they stood from their seats and wandered over to a few students, claiming them as their partners and such.
"Oh, and the limit number in groups are four students. That should be about enough." She told us as she went past already formed groups and gave them a half sheet of paper. "These are the scenes you will start with, while the rest is simply blank."
"Why?" a girl asks from behind Nagihiko and I. Mitsuki-sensei giggled as she glanced over in the girl's direction, "Well, that is because the remainder of the scene will be up to your group to make up on spot and you all must be able to cope and fall into it without hesitation. Whoever faults in their scene will be noted of such and will get a F on this assessment."
Rhythm pouted slightly as he floated over to my shoulder, "That seems pretty hard . . ."
"Really it isn't. All you have to do is follow the lead of the person before you." Temari explained to her twin brother with me nodding my head in understanding. Nagihiko turned over to me, "Would you like to be partners, Rima-chan?"
"Sure, okay." I answer him as I took the two scripts from Mitsuki-sensei. I looked over the scene for a few seconds. Okay, I'm supposed to be a girl named 'Yuki' while Nagihiko is to play a guy named 'Hitaro' and we're supposed to be acting out a scene of Hitaro moving into a new apartment and Yuki was his peppy landlord, explaining the few problems that was wrong with the house.
"Hm, seems pretty easy." The purple haired boy commented and I nodded my head, agreeing with him.
"Alright, if everyone is settled into their groups; can we have a volunteer to go first?" Mitsuki-sensei clapped her hands. It fell silent for a few seconds, but a girl with long tan hair and green eyes raised her hand into the air. Mitsuki-sensei gave her a small smile as she nodded her head.
"Oh, so she's in this class . . ." Nagihiko hummed as he watched her and her group head up to the stage. I blinked and quickly gave the Fujisaki a glare. "Hm? Who is that girl, Nagihiko?"
He chuckled softly, "Is Rima-chan jealous?"
"N-no, what makes you think that? I just want to know who she is and how do you know her." I quickly rambled, trying to fight back my blush.
"Okay, as long as you're not jealous, haha," Nagihiko chuckled with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "But anyways, that's the new transfer student, Rinetto Yorokobi. She just arrived here yesterday and it seems that our little king has taken quite a liking to her already."
"Oh, really? I thought that he was so in love with Amu." I thought aloud as I glanced back over to the front of the class, towards the stage which Rinetto, a brown haired boy and a black haired girl all stood up on the stage.
"Well, he decided best to move on since Amu-chan seems to have more feelings for Ikuto-san than himself; but I didn't think that he would be able to move on so soon after finding that news out, but I have to give him some credit. Tadase sure has good taste in nice girls."
"Yeah, she seems pretty nice. I hope they could work out." I say quietly. "But then again, it's not really my business if they would or not."
"Haha, that's true." Nagihiko chuckled, but was cut off by Mitsuki-sensei shushing everyone, so we could watch the three teens' performance.
Rinetto stood at the end of the stage and made a gesture as if she were opening an imaginary door and entered into the "room" or "house", "Hey Mom, Dad. I'm home!" She called out and closed the "door".
"Hitomi dear, could you come into the kitchen for a minute or two?" The girl called from the other end of the stage. It seems that she was pretending to wash dishes. Rinetto stood frozen as if she was nervous to go into the eating area. "Um, o-okay." She said as she headed over to the other side of the stage. "Hey, what's up?" She asks, placing her schoolbag on the floor. The brown haired boy crossed his arms over his chest, "Ahem, your school called earlier today." He spoke; I sweat dropped. Okay, he didn't seem to be the best of actors, haha. I snickered softly.
"Don't laugh Rima." Nagihiko scolded me and I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms.
"They did?" Rinetto continued with a small awkward smile.
"Improvise!" Mitsuki-sensei clapped her hands, making almost half of the students flinch, catching them off guard.
"Yes, they did and we just want to know why you haven't been attending your fifth hour class." The girl crossed her arms, turning from the "sink" to glare at Rinetto. Rinetto took a step back, a bit startled by the statement, "Um . . . well, that's because I'm helping out with the dance activities."
"Which was two weeks ago." The girl pointed out, making the students chuckle a small round of laughter.
Rinetto flinched at this, "W-well . . . okay . . . we're doing presentations for the class in Literature . . . and I'm like seriously nervous to present."
"Not a really good reason to skip the class." The boy pointed out simply. Rinetto gave off an awkward chuckle as she rubbed the back of her head, "U-um, it kinda is if you get so nervous to the point where you literally throw up in front of the class."
The boy and girl both blinked and gave their "daughter" a wary glance. Rinetto gave the two of them a small grin, "Hehehe . . ."
"You're going to do that presentation, I'll just have to call your teacher and tell her that a janitor has to be present." The girl beamed a smile, holding up her hand. Rinetto and the boy both sweat dropped.
"That's kinda bad. I don't think that our family is exactly normal . . ." Rinetto chuckled lightly and Mitsuki-sensei clapped her hands together, "Wonderful, nice and easy to follow. You three all have A's for today."
"Yes!" Rinetto beamed and high-fived the members of her group. Mitsuki-sensei nodded and then beamed a smile out to the rest of us, "Alright. Would anyone like to go next?"
~ …A Simple Thread… ~
… LUNCH PERIOD …
I watched as Kukai dove his face into his ham and turkey sandwich and felt my left eye twitch as I watched him. How can a guy be that happy about eating? I mean sure, lunch is like the best subject in school ever, but no one said that you have to suffocate eating . . . no matter how delicious the food might taste.
"Can you believe that Valentine's is coming up soon? I mean, New Years' wasn't that far away ago. This year seems to be passing by rather quick." Tadase commented, to break the short silence. I blinked my eyes at that, my chopsticks pausing just inches from my mouth.
"Haha, I guess time can really fly, huh?" Kukai chuckled after taking another huge bite from his sandwich, until Utau casually placed her hand over his mouth, pausing his laughter. "Nuh-uhn, you're not gonna be doing that with your mouth full." She says simply. This made the brunette blush a bit as he glanced over to her from the corners of his eyes.
I giggled at this, but my mind couldn't stop wondering about the upcoming holiday . . . since Nagihiko and I are now together, would that mean that I'm expected to give him something for Valentine's Day? Our relationship is pretty recent, I mean it just freaking happen like last week . . . I guess getting him something would be pretty nice with me being his girlfriend and all . . . but would it be necessary for us just getting together? Would it make me seem desperate? Too clingy? I wouldn't want to give him that impression . . .
But what if I don't get him anything and he buys me something? Ugh . . . that'll be terrible. I couldn't accept his gift without having anything to give him in return; but then by not accepting his gift, would I seem rude? Uninterested in us being together by awkwardly rejecting his gift?
Being in a relationship is just too much work and a major headache . . . maybe it seems hard because this is my first one? But, I can also imagine it could only get harder.
"Better watch those fan girls of yours, Tadase. They seem to get pretty fierce with each passing year." Utau joked, bringing me from out of my raging pool of thoughts.
"Yes . . . they could be . . . a bit aggressive, I suppose . . ." the blonde sweat dropped, making Nagihiko and Kukai both chuckle. Kukai placed his half-eaten sandwich into his bento lunchbox as he beamed a teasing smirk over towards the blonde; Tadase blinked his magenta eyes at this, easing back, a bit unsure of what the spiky haired brunette was planning.
"Mr. Prince Charming here can handle himself just fine from what I seen. Innocent little Tadase is a hush-hush little flirt." Kukai grinned, which made Utau grin as well from hearing this juicy news. I have to admit, even I'm surprised. Who knew that Tadase, Mr. Sweet-Innocent-Caring & Oh-So-Charmingly-Noble "King" Tadase Hotori was a flirter? I can't even picture that one myself, haha! So I decided to listen in and enjoy the conversation, adding in my small teasing remark, "Oooo~ Tadase has a crush~"
This made Utau and her Charas, Kusukusu and Nagihiko chuckle; Tadase's cheeks hinted a soft pink as he looked incredulously over towards Kukai, with a snickering Nagihiko sitting just beside him.
"Wh-what are you going on about, Kukai? I do not flirt with anyone."
"Au contraire, my shy little friend. From what I observed just yesterday, Ikuto seems to have rubbed off on you a little." Kukai spoke in a manner as if he were an instructor of a class, wagging his finger just in front of the blonde's face.
"I was simply introducing myself and welcoming her to the school." Tadase tried to defend himself, but Kukai and Utau weren't trying to have any of that. The pigtailed blonde giggled to herself as she gently gripped onto Kukai's arm sleeve, beaming up to him, "So what's the little lady's name? Do I know her?"
"Well –"
"Her name's Rinetto Yorokobi and she's in the same grade as Rima-chan, Tadase and I are. She's a new transfer student." Nagihiko smiled, with a slight hint of a smirk as he cut Kukai off. The brunette wore a faint agitated look on his face as he quickly turned to the purple haired boy beside him, flaring his nostrils a bit, "I coulda' sworn that Diva was talking to me." He growled.
Nagihiko only smiled over to his friend, "Oh, I'm sorry. Try being a little faster next time, your timing was just too slow."
"Heh, that's what she said!" Rhythm floated up to Kukai's shoulder, snickering to himself at his small joke. This made me blush slightly at what the joke intended to, but I had to laugh a bit as I watched Rhythm and Daichi float just beside their bearers cracking short minded gags here and there, while Kukai was glaring playfully down to Nagihiko who was beaming an innocent smile. I just love watching Nagihiko act out like this with the others, he's more fun when he lets loose like this.
"Maybe his timing's off. Does Kukai have to pace himself, hm? You know what they say, the older you are, the slower you get, haha . . ." Nagihiko trailed off as Kukai growled over to him, quickly winding his arm around the purple haired boy's neck, giving the top of his head a playfully, but annoyed noogie.
"Oh, what's the matter? What happened to all that trash talk that you were laughing about, huh?" Kukai taunted down to the laughing Nagihiko. Kusukusu and I could barely hold in our laughter; I held my sides, giggling nonstop.
I saw Utau sneak over to Tadase with a rather large smile plastered onto her face, from the corners of my eyes. "So . . . about this Rinetto girl . . ." she prompted, "is she cute?"
Tadase's cheeks flared a bright pink, "But, Utau-neechan, I've already told you that I don't feel that way about her –"
"I know, I know," Utau waved her hand delicately. "But, there's nothing wrong with thinking that a girl's cute." She reasoned.
The blonde male sweat dropped at this, but a small and faint smile slowly started to breeze into his face, "Well . . . she seems pretty nice and she has a cute personality from what I've seen."
"Ah! My little Tadase is smitten! That's too cute!" Utau squealed as she hugged the blonde by his shoulders. Kukai and Nagihiko watched this, chuckling amongst each other.
"Ugh . . . please stop, Utau-neechan . . ." Tadase closed his eyes, a sweat drop slid down the side of his head. Utau giggled to herself as she hugged her "younger brother" close to her, tittering that he's finally growing up under her breath. "Hehehe~"
I laughed quietly at this, until I heard a few footsteps clicking over the rooftop's pavement. Turning my head, I noticed Amu and Takashi walking over our way.
"Oh, hey guys." Kukai grinned over to the pinkette and dark haired boy. They waved over to us in unison.
"Hey there, Souma-sempai; may I ask why is it that you have Nagihiko-san in a headlock?" Takashi blinked with a chuckling smile prancing over his lips; I giggled some more at this followed by Amu and her four Charas, "You two are so crazy." She says.
Tadase forced a small chuckle as he turned his face over towards the pinkette, "Hello you two. Would any of you perhaps like to pry Utau-neechan from off of me?"
~ …A Simple Thread… ~
As the electronic school bell rang throughout the entire school, I let a small groan slip from out of me as I leaned over my desk, stretching my arms out in front of me, closing my eyes as I stretched my arms and my back.
Kusukusu peeped her head from out of my blazer pocket, reaching her tiny arms over her head, stretching out her back as well, breathing out a tiny a cute yawn, "Wow, that was a pretty good nap. Rima's pocket was so warm and comfy~"
"Should I feel used?" I giggled as I glanced down to the small clown Chara, after easing myself back into my seat, leaning my back against the desk's seat behind me. Kusukusu blinked her orange-red eyes as she lifted her head to look up to me and beamed a bright, cute smile, "Kusukusu's not using Rima. She loves Rima too much!" She giggles.
I laughed faintly, smiling down to the small Chara, "I'm only teasing you Kusukusu. I love you to."
"Hehe~" Kusukusu tittered as she snuggled herself back down into my blazer pocket. I smiled at this and then turned to start packing my things up to get ready to head home. I guess, you can say that I was a bit excited to be going out with Mamma this evening. I wonder if she would want me to change out of my uniform first. Would I need to? The thought rumbled around my head for a few moments of if I had to switch out of my uniform, what would I even wear?
I shrugged the thoughts off as I tuned back into finishing up my packing, 'Well, I shouldn't leave Mamma waiting,' I thought to myself with a small soft giggle, but I was a bit startled when a felt a small poke at my right cheek. I glanced over at the right of me to find a smiling Nagihiko with Temari and Rhythm both floating at his shoulders. I blinked my honey brown eyes as I noticed the three of them, well mostly Nagihiko since he's so much bigger than Temari and Rhythm, hehe.
"Oh, hi," I beamed gently.
"Hey you," he chuckled and gave me a small peck on my cheek. "I was waiting practically all day to do that." He smiled down to me. I felt my face grow a bit hot at what he said, before I gasped out softly, glancing around the room.
"It's alright, we're the only two in here. Everyone's already taken off to go on home."
"Oh . . . okay. I-I'm sorry." I apologized, turning my eyes away from his slowly. I don't want him thinking that I'm embarrassed to be with him. Maybe I really am awkward with this whole relationship thing . . .
When I glanced up to him, I blinked my eyes again as I noticed him dip his head towards me, a hand laying tenderly over his chest, "Would the fair lady be needing an escort home?" He asked, seeming unfazed by my quiet apology. Maybe he didn't care about us being kept secret after all?
Shaking that thought out of my mind, I giggled a bit at him, "Oh, why thank you. You're quite the gentleman, Nagi-kun." I say as I curled my arm within his, not forgetting to slide my brown leathered schoolbag onto my free arm's shoulder; Rhythm and Temari both laughed quietly at this as they followed us through the classroom's doorway and into the hallways, throughout the school. Many of the halls were emptied, which was nice because I get to walk like this with Nagihiko. I couldn't help the small smile that I wore on my face, cuddling my cheek into his blazer's sleeve.
"Aw, would you look at how affectionate RiRi-tan is being. That's so adorable." I heard his voice chuckle just above me (again . . . curse this short stature of mine!). I gave him a small playful glare and unhooked my arm from his, "Hmph, if you're going to tease me about it, then I might as well just walk beside you as punishment. Besides, don't you go and get all use to it, it's not like this is going to be an everyday thing."
"And our little Sour Patch went bitter again." Nagihiko smirked over towards a grinning Rhythm. I puffed up my cheeks at their teasing of me, "Grrr, don't you two go relating me to a piece of candy. I'm not some treat for anyone –"
"But, Fuji-kun~" Fujisaki joked, placing his hands into his short's pockets as he gave me that genuine smile of his and I felt myself blush at that comment. Quickly, I turned my face from his chuckling view as we exited out of the academy. The air was clean and fresh with a faint breeze dancing about, catching some loose strands of our long hair gently.
~ …A Simple Thread… ~
As we neared the front gates, I could hear the sweet, but loud calling of my name, "Ri-chan dear!" I blinked and slowly tore my gaze away from my boyfriend. Oh, I just love saying that to myself . . . Nagihiko Fujisaki and I are officially a couple! Ahem, but anyways, I glanced up towards the front gates, finding my Mamma with her short wavy brown hair neatly combed up into a cute curly high ponytail tickling the back of her head. She was wearing a fitting, yet casual baby blue, long sleeved V-neck with a pair of faintly tanned cotton stitched pants with a nice pair of open toed sandals on her feet. I smiled slightly; she looks like a young college student.
"Hey, it's your mother," Nagihiko spoke beside me. "I wonder why she came all the way down here."
Kusukusu giggled loudly as she floated from out of my pocket, close to Nagihiko's shoulder, "Rima and Mamma are going to go out tonight! It's going to be so much fun!"
"Oh, a girl's night out. Haha, it seems that it will be fun." Nagihiko smiled over to me. "Mashiro-san sure seems to be excited from the looks of it."
I blinked at what he said and then turned my gaze back over towards Mamma, who was smiling brightly over towards me. Her eyes were closed in a blissful manner as she wore a perky and awfully childish grin on her face, giggling quite enthusiastically. She shifted over onto her left foot slightly with her free foot out in the back of her, the toe of her sandal poised on the ground. Mamma's free hand was out to her side, while her other hand was high over her head gesturing over in my direction, "Oh, Ri-chan!" She waved rather cutely. "Come on! Let's get going before it gets too crowded!"
I giggled faintly at the very sights of her, "I'll be right there, Mamma." I called back a reply, waving my hand gently. I then turned to Nagihiko and glanced up to him apologetically; now he has to walk home alone the whole way. "I'm sorry –"
"It's okay." He said in a soft, sincere tone, cutting me off. "Go on and spend some time with your mother, Rima-chan. I wouldn't want to keep you from spending time with Mashiro-san, I mean, haha, she came all this way and everything. So go have fun and you can tell me all about it later, okay?" He smiled gently down to me. I blinked and gave him a gentle smile of my own, "You're sure that you'll be okay walking alone?"
"Haha, although it should be the other way around with me asking you that, I think I'll be able to handle myself just fine." Nagihiko chuckled as he gripped his hand in front softly, highlighting his point. Kusukusu and I both giggled at this. Okay, he's going to use the "Tough Guy Boyfriend" bit on me. It's crazy that it's having an actual effect on me, I usually don't fall for acts like that . . . but I guess Nagihiko's different from most guys though.
"Okay." I say as I reached for his hand and raised it to my cheek quickly, smiling up to him, "I'll see you tomorrow, Nagi-kun."
"Alright, Rima-chan." he chuckled and I let go of his hand, turning away and lightly jogged over towards my Mamma. I could feel Nagihiko's hazel ochre gaze watching after me as he waved me off, maybe even giving Mamma a wave as well.
As I made my way over towards Mamma, I noticed her return Nagihiko's wave. I smiled at this as I came to a slow stop in front of her, placing my hands on my knees as I panted lightly. Okay, I know I'm not the best of athletes, but jogging can really make you break a sweat . . . even if it's just a small one. But, I shook that off as I smiled up to Mamma, slowly catching my breath, "Hi Mamma." I greeted her, but blinked as I notice her giving me a small knowing grin. "What?" I ask confused.
She merely tilted her head to the side, her smile intact, "I saw that." She says.
"Saw what? Did that Baka Fujisaki tease me while I was running over here? He's so going to get an earful tomorrow –"
"Nuh-uhn, nothing like that, Ri-chan. I noticed that back there with you and Fuji-kun." Mamma giggled softly to herself. I cocked my head to the side, "I don't know what you're talking about. You're being random again, Mamma, hehe." I laughed off as I just remembered what I'd done just before running over here: the small affection that I showed back there with Nagihiko; the small blushing smile and my cheek resting quickly on top of his hand.
"Oh, just know that I saw it~" She hummed in a sing song voice as she clapped her hands behind her and slowly started to stroll away from me with a small teasing smirk quirking at the corners of her lips. I could feel my cheeks burn in embarrassment at that last comment as I quickly tried to catch up with her, "Wait! Mamma! Don't leave me behind!" I called after her, with a tittering Kusukusu chasing after me. I had to drop the subject . . . if I tried to prove her wrong some more, it'll only make what she thinks a more plausible truth. So, I decided to not argue with her and just walk alongside her until we made it to the new sweets shop; it was called "Hiroshima's Fantasy Delight".
I raised my eyebrow slightly at the strange sign hanging over the front door, "Hiroshima's Fantasy Delight . . . ?" I questioned out loud, bringing Mamma's attention back to me. She had a wide smile spread into her face, "Oh, doesn't this place look so cute? And the name is just too adorable!"
I sweat dropped at Mamma's giddiness, closing my eyes, "Y-yeah, it's so cute Mamma. It's so girly and . . . pink." The building indeed was entirely pink, a neutral kind of pink . . . but no building should ever be this pink. It reminds me somewhat of Amu's hair in a way . . . The brick walls were painted a faint rosy pink color and the frames around the wide scenic windows and the front door were a darker pink, almost close to a mix of hot pink and almost red. I felt my left eye twitch at the over-girly aspects of the building; Yaya would love to come here, I bet. Anyways, I've heard a lot about this place recently and how popular it seemed to be developing. A lot of people seemed to like to hang out around here on the weekends or sometimes after school, and what makes this place so great (minus the weird shop's name) is that this place only sells sweets, desserts, all kinds of cakes and delicious pastries along with really good, fruity and sweet beverages like milkshakes and creamed soda and etc. This place would be like the new WacDonalds' in the Seiyo region (A/N: Disclaimer, I know that WacDonalds is like a trademark from the anime InuYasha, but it was the first thing to come to mind in comparison. So for safety reasons, I'll disclaim it, alright. Continue, sorry for the interruption).
Without warning, Mamma reached her hand over to mine and pulled on it faintly, "Come on, silly-ninny! Lets' go on inside! I bet it looks even cuter on the inside than out here!" She giggled and literally dragged me into the pink building; I yelped out a small startled gasp as I was flung into the small shop behind Mamma.
Once inside, the two of us stood with our eyes slightly wide as we peered around the faintly bustling business, until a teenage girl with ocean blue eyes and bright yellow like blonde hair greeted us with a bright and perky smile beaming in her face. Her eyelashes were really long and thick and she looked like she was about my age . . . wait . . . "Isumi-chan . . . ?" I ask aloud after recognizing the girl. Her long bright yellow hair was neatly pulled into a pair of high twin ponytails, with two curly side bangs hugging her face, while on top of her head were a pair of cute pure white furry cat ears that matched perfectly well with the pair of cat paw mittens that she wore on her hands. She was dressed in a cute light blue Wa Lolita kimono with a lovely frilly hem, tied around her waist was a crisp white obi, quite snug and fitting.
I blinked at this, my eyes wide with a blushing Kusukusu sitting on my right shoulder. Mamma only squealed in delight at the girl before us.
Isumi-chan blinked her eyes at the mentioning of her name, "Oh, we meet again, Rima. It's been a while, hasn't it?" She asks. A bit too long, by the looks of things; what is she doing here and dressed like that nonetheless?
"What are you doing here?" I ask a bit surprised.
"Oh, well that's easy. You already fully know that I work at the Fujisaki home, but now I'm starting to work here to in the evenings." She explained, waving her hand to a few more entering customers with a warm smile curling into her face.
"Why?"
"Well, that's only to earn a little more money. You see, I have a younger brother who's attending college and he needs a little help with paying through his first few semesters. Since I wasn't making enough money at the Fujisaki's, I decided to get an extra job."
"Oh . . . well, why don't you just ask Nagihiko or his parents if they'd consider giving you a bit of a raise?" I ask.
"Oh, no! I couldn't do that. No, no, no . . . they've already done so much with hiring me and all. I couldn't bother them for a raise, I'd only be asking for it." She tittered, waving her hands in front of her as if she were committed in a harsh accusation. I tilted my head at this, but remembered my Mamma standing silently beside me in confusion. I blushed at my terrible manners, "O-oh, Isumi-chan. This is my Mamma; Sunako Mashiro," I gestured from Isumi-chan to my Mamma and then vice versa, "Mamma, this is Isumi-chan. She works as one of the maids at the Fujisakis'."
"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet one of Rima's and Fuji-kun's friends." Mamma smiled, extending her hand towards the bright blonde. Isumi-chan giggled faintly as she took Mamma's hand and shook it in a friendly manner, "Aw, thanks. And might I say, it's a pleasure to be meeting the wonderful mother of Rima. She's so interesting to have around."
"Haha, I can easily tell you, that I know fully from experience." Mamma joked. I smiled as I watched the two; they seem like they could be close friends. I mean, their personalities are a bit close to being similar in some ways, but they're both completely too goofy for their own good.
"Okay, hehe. Would you two ladies follow me? I'll show you to your table." Isumi-chan smiled at us, after noticing a brown haired girl giving her a quick look. I suppose it was to tell her to get back to work and stop with all the chattering. I giggled at this as me and Mamma both followed after the blonde towards a nice table booth that was sitting just beside the wide window; Mamma and I sat opposite of each other as we slid into the looping seat, but Mamma had to run off and use the "little ladies" room, so I was sitting at the table (already having taken order). Isumi-chan was standing at the table still, pretending to take down my order.
"So . . . you work here now . . ." I started and Isumi-chan glanced over to me, smiling gently, nodding her head. "And you have to dress like that?" I ask, my curiosity finally getting the better of me.
Isumi-chan giggled at this, "Of course. I think it's pretty cute, but the way that some of the guys come in here and gawk at me, just creeps me completely out. I mean, lots of girls would like the attention, but those kinds of stares are just weird . . ." she quickly rattled. I nodded my head at this in understanding, I mean, I could actually very much understand where she was coming from with the guys staring at you thing.
"So that's your uniform? I couldn't wear that every day." I chuckled a little to myself. Isumi-chan blinked and then beamed a small smile, "Oh, I don't wear this every day. You see, there's a system in the uniforms that works around here at Hiroshima's Fantasy Delight; like a weekly planner if anything else; it's the theme here. Today's Thursday, which is known here at work "Kitty Thursday" and I have to wear cat ears, paws and this little adorable tail." She explained, giving her hips a little wiggle, making a white fluffy tail dance behind her. "Tomorrow's supposed to be "Foxy Friday" where we replace the kitty get-up with fox features and after that is "Supernatural Saturday", hehe, that's when we keep on the Wa Lolita kimonos but we can be some kind of mystical creature with it like a fairy or something, it's like a choice day. And then there's "Miko Monday" where we act and wear a shorter version of a priestess styled kimono. Then there's "Cottontail Tuesday" where we replace the kitty get-up with bunny features and such. And last, but not least there's "Wa Lolita Wednesday" and that's when we can just were the plain Wa Lolita kimonos', but throughout the whole week even with the small trinkets the kimono is the main body of the uniform. I guess, it keeps the Hiroshima part intact and such." Isumi-chan explained and I couldn't help my eyes from going wide . . . this seems more like a fantasy place for pervy guys! I mean, they get two of their most favored things and that's fantasy posing girls and junk food . . .
"And you applied for this job knowingly?" I ask. I just had to be sure.
She shrugged her shoulders faintly, "Well, yeah. It's not because I so much as wanted to; I'm doing this to help out my younger brother, Akio. He's the only family I got and besides . . . working here isn't all that bad, it's a bit fun and I get to be someone I'm not for a little while every day. Thinking like that, just gives me something to look forward to, hehe. Plus the pay here is pretty good." Isumi-chan smiled down to me and before we knew it, Mamma was walking back over towards our table; she quickly rattled off what she wanted to snack on and Isumi-chan was directly on her way, skipping towards the kitchen area.
Mamma smiled after her, "Oh my, Ri-chan . . . you do seem to have plenty of interesting friends. You can always easily surprise me. Hehe, I suppose it's something to look forward to."
"Aw, thanks Mamma. Well, I guess I know where I get it from." I joked a bit, making Kusukusu laugh a bit. The tiny clown Chara floated over towards Mamma and sat on her left shoulder.
Mamma wandered her brown eyes around the shop, giggling softly to herself, "This place seems pretty nice, don't you think? Especially the cute little uniforms; they're just adorable!"
"Haha, yeah . . . they're really cute . . ." I trailed off with a slow sweat drop sliding down the side of my head. The costumes' remind me too much of Mitsuki-sensei's taste in clothing. I shook my head lightly at the very thought.
"Oh, I can just imagine you in an outfit like that!" Mamma beamed, clapping her hands together in gleeful excitement; I flinched at that statement. "That'll be just too cute. Oh, and I bet that Amu and the others would like to see that to. Especially Fuji-kun and his family, you know, with them liking the kimono style and everything –"
"Nuh-uhn, there's no way I'm wearing something like that Mamma. I'm not into cosplay." I retorted.
"Cosplay! Hehe, ooo~ that could be so much fun!" Mamma giggled; Kusukusu joining her after a second, still sitting on Mamma's shoulder. I glared slightly between the two of them . . . okay, something is seriously wrong with these two.
"Oh, don't you give me that look, Ri-chan. I was only teasing you; don't get all upset okay?" Mamma shook her head, smiling over towards me. I rolled my eyes at this, but returned her smile nonetheless. She's just so silly.
After a few more minutes, Mamma and my orders arrived and were set out before us. We both quickly took to devouring the sweets, with us laughing a bit at how each other were eating them and making quiet "mmm" noises. The food was pretty good; I had ordered a delicious looking strawberry cheesecake, sided with three sugar cookies along with a small sized strawberry shake. Mamma on the other hand, had ordered a slice of chocolate fudge cake with extra whipped cream to top it off, two cream wafer sticks and a cream flavored soft drink. "Wow, the food here is just amazing." Mamma piped up as she closed her eyes in delight. I nodded my head this and went to continue eating my small meal with Kusukusu stealing a few chunks from my cake and cookies. I shook my head lightly at this, but found myself giggling softly at the fun that the three of us were having together.
~ …A Simple Thread… ~
Mamma and I waved back towards Isumi-chan as we started over to the front door, ready to take our leave. Me, Mamma and Kusukusu really had a good time at Hiroshima's . . . even though all the costumes were weird, they were quite cute as well, but I'd never be caught dead wearing something like that. What? Why would I want random guys gawking at me like that all day? That's just too creepy . . . I mean, sometimes I thought that I would be cute in an outfit similar to something like what the employees were wearing, but I couldn't stand having all that attention; it would get a bit annoying.
"Oh, it's already starting to get dark," Mamma noted and I blinked, turning my head over to her from beside me and then I glanced up to the darkening skies, which was slowly transitioning from a dark rosy red into a calm and relaxing heavy cobalt color; it was the ending of a beautiful sunset over a few tall buildings of Seiyo, from the looks of it. We were walking down the sidewalk along with a few late evening crowds, the mobs were trivial and minor, however we still had to maneuver around some groups of people that were bustling down the street. "I guess it's still nice out for a small walk though, don't you think, Ri-chan?"
"Well, I guess. But it would've been better if you brought the truck."
"Haha . . . about that, I sort of forgot to put gas in it earlier today." Mamma gave off an awkward chuckle as she rubbed the back of her head. My eyes widened slightly at this, "You forgot to put gas in your truck? How can you forget something like that?"
"I just did, I suppose. Plus I was just getting back from grocery shopping and all –"
"Don't you go and start making excuses, Mamma." I scolded the brown haired woman with a small giggle. She's so crazy, I swear. "Why does it feel like I'm more of the adult and you're the teenager?" I questioned with a laugh. Mamma stopped her walking for a brief second and struck a flashy pose, throwing me a peace sign with her left hand, while her other hand was tucked away at her hip, "Because I'm so delightful and spunky!"
I sweat dropped at this, "There you go, acting like an overgrown kid again Mamma. Aren't you supposed to be an adult?"
"Yup! But, I'm the one parent that can make being childish and equally be a mother work and I can get away with it because I'm just that charming." She winked down to me and I only laughed at her as we turned around a corner. Well, I can tell you one thing, Mamma sure isn't insecure about herself, haha.
"You're something else, I swear."
"And the "something" is an amazing thing." She tittered. I shook my head at her with a giggling Kusukusu floating just over Mamma's shoulder.
Normal POV …
A slim figured female stood patiently on top of an office's towering building, the slightly chilled and dark shadows covering over her body like a low hovering haze with her hidden beneath a curtain of wispy clouds. The darkness was the girl's one friend at the moment as she observantly watched over the Mashiro mother and daughter. The gentle winds breezed about her in an ill-omened way, making the many wavy strands of the girl's long black hair ripple from around her face.
"They seem to be alone," she spoke into her small sky blue cellphone. "Throughout the whole evening it's just been the two of them and only them, Sir . . . seems like they're on a simple outing."
"Excellent," a deep male's voice responded from the other end of the receiver, "this makes things much easier; you know what to do. Your target is quite clear. I want her alive."
"Right. Of course, Sir," she responded before she pressed the end call button and closed the flip cellular device, casually tucking it away into her black pea coat's pocket. She narrowed her eyes slightly as she bore down to the two-person family and watched as they rounded a corner continuing down the street, a street that was practically emptied of other civilians. The wavy haired girl smirked gently at this and narrowed her eyes into an amused tight slit, "Madoka." She stated firmly and no sooner as she said this, a small chibi blacked haired Chara appeared at her shoulder; her hair was rather short and nearly brushed against her shoulders, which were left bare by her sleeveless white blouse. The Chara's eyes were a cobalt blue, matching her tight magician's pants and she held a tiny and thin red wand in her hand, "Yes, Mizuru-chan."
"My own heart . . . unlock." Mizuru chanted and a bright light enveloped around her and she soon transformed into her Chara Transformation: Jinx. She stood smugly in the same place she was just a few minutes ago, but now she was dressed into her Chara Transformation outfit; her ring intact.
Mizuru raised her arm out at the side of herself and out of thin air; her blue wand appeared into her hand. The girl giggled a bit to herself as she waved her wrist into the still air and chanted just under her breath, "Triple Ganger . . ." she spoke and two copies of herself appeared at her sides and then she went to cast another spell, "Mask of Illusions." A blue light engulfed the three Mizurus' transforming them into three slim, but well-built young men dressed in dark clothing and masks on their faces. They all watched Rima and Sunako walk along the sidewalk and then they each shared a glance with one another, nodding their heads and then they flashed from where they were.
Sunako giggled some more down to her daughter, placing her hand on top of her shoulder, "When we make it home, I think I'll have some of that carrot cake that has been sitting in the fridge for a few days."
Rima blinked her honey brown eyes, widening them some, "Are you seriously still craving sweets after just eating three servings of cake?"
"You can't judge a person by the unlimited filling of their stomachs, haha." Sunako chuckled. Rima shook her head gently at this, "Ugh, Mamma . . . you are something else –" the small blonde cut off with a gasp as the three male-Mizuru's appeared just in front of the two of them. Sunako and Rima quickly halted their walking as they saw the three criminals.
"We can do this the easy way . . . and no one gets hurt." The first (and real) male-Mizuru spoke; making the two Mashiro's share a quick glance with each other. Sunako protectively placed both of her hands on top of her daughter's shoulders. "What do you want?" She asks defensively, faintly tightening her grip on Rima's shoulders; Kusukusu floated just above Sunako's head, glaring over slightly towards the three teens.
The third male-Mizuru said nothing; he only raised his hand and pointed over towards Sunako. Rima and Kusukusu both sucked in a quick breath at this new knowledge.
"What?" Sunako breathed out, "Wh-who are you people?"
"What do you want with my Mamma?" Rima growled under her breath, steadying her ground; even though she knew very well that she couldn't do much against three teenage boys without having to transform in front of her own mother. The blonde narrowed her eyes a bit as she slowly took a few steps closer to her mother backwards.
"It's none of your business. Just be a good little girl and move from out of the way; this doesn't concern you." The second male-Mizuru snarled over to Rima. Sunako tsked under her breath as she eyed the three boys anxiously, "What if I choose not to go?"
The first male-Mizuru cackled over to the two Mashiro's, "You have much of no choice. Either you come with us willingly or we'll have to resort to force."
Sunako bit on the inside of her bottom lip as she hesitantly glanced amongst the three of them and without any warning, she reached for Rima's hand, gripped it within hers and swiftly turned on her heels, darting away; the only thought in her mind was her only daughter's safety. Rima's eyes widened at this as she felt herself being dragged away; her long hair whisking after her quite rapidly. She had let out a light, surprised gasp as she stumbled over her feet, trying to keep up with her mother; Kusukusu shot after them.
The third male-Mizuru chuckled under his breath at this, "It's not going to be that easy, you know." He chuckled, quickly running over after the two. With him, the second male-Mizuru appeared at his side, just in front of Sunako's path. She quickly skidded to a stop, with Rima running into her mother's back, "Ugh!" Rima yelped at the sudden stop. Sunako narrowed her brown eyes onto the two boys in front of her and then flashed an expecting glare over her shoulder behind her, finding the first male-Mizuru, "Don't make this harder for yourself, Sunako Mashiro. Just come along with us willing and we'll even take to avoiding harming the girl."
The older Mashiro gritted her teeth as she glanced around the three boys a bit frustrated with the situation. On the other hand, Rima held onto the back of Sunako's shirt, glancing back and forth between the three teenagers. What were they going to do? Why would they even want her mother anyway? She wasn't a bad person and didn't owe anybody anything; so what was the deal with this ambush so suddenly after their fun outgoing? Rima glanced around, although there were only three of them, she concluded to herself that they were surrounded and there was no way that they could run away . . . the three males were just way too fast and Rima would only slow her mother down with her terrible athletics. The small blonde glanced up to her Chara, Kusukusu; the small clown Chara looked frightened, but angry about the situation.
"Rima," Sunako's voice spoke in a light, but indignant tone, "you have to get away from here, alright?"
Rima blinked her eyes and quickly glanced up to the back of her mother's head, a taken aback and disbelieving expression piercing through her face, "What? B-but, Mamma, I'm not going to leave you –"
"This isn't an argument, Rima." Sunako spoke more firmly. "For me, please . . . this doesn't involve you. I don't know exactly what they want with me, but if they promise not to hurt you then there's at least some kind of upside to this."
"You can't ask me to do that, Mamma. I refuse to leave you." Rima tightened her grip on the back of her mother's shirt, tears slowly starting to brim at the corners of her eyes. "Y-you can't ask me to do something l-like that. I-I won't do it –"
"Then I won't ask you," the brown haired woman cut her daughter off, her voice choking off a bit with a short sob. "Now I'm telling you Rima Mashiro, get away from here now. Go as far as you can and don't stop at home." She scolded her daughter, muttering the last part under her breath; just to be sure that one of the teens wouldn't go after her and know where she lives. "Just go, and I'm not going to tell you again."
"Mamma . . . please, don't make me do this –"
"Well, why this is awfully sweet and touching; we have things to take care of. You're coming with us now." The first male-Mizuru stated as he started over towards the two women. Rima blinked her honey brown eyes at the sound of his nearing footsteps, the tears straying from her eyes. As she turned to face him, she saw that he had a small blade within his hand and she gasped, drawing in her mother's attention. Sunako glanced over her shoulder and noticed this, "Stay back from us!" She screeched as she whipped around, wrapping her arms around her short daughter. "I'm warning you. Don't come any closer! I'll come with you, I will! Please, just don't hurt my daughter!"
"Haha, I don't have that much patience. I've had enough of this –" He started, but was cut off as Rima whacked him across the face with her brown leathered school bag; her eyes widened at what she'd done, her body going rigid. His head flew back a little from the sudden impact as he had let off an irritated groan. "We're not that defenseless. She said stay away from us." Rima choked out, glaring up to him, with a yelling Kusukusu at her side; the other two Mizuru's were at his side in a moment's notice, seeing if he was alright.
"Rima, now's your chance! Get out of here right now while they're distracted." Sunako told the small blonde; Rima shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving you here with them alone –"
"Will you stop being stubborn and get out of here, Rima. Just go –" Sunako started, but was cut off as she was hit in the back of the head with the second male-Mizuru's forearm taking a quick whack at her. Rima's eyes widened as watched her mother fall onto the ground unconscious; she didn't know what to do as her honey brown eyes stared down to her knocked out mother. One of the male-Mizuru's looked over to the small blonde and glared at her menacingly, flexing the knuckles of his hands.
Kusukusu shivered at this and quickly floated over to her shaken up bearer and pulled on a lock of her golden hair, "Rima, come on, we can't stay here!"
"M-mamma . . ." the small blonde trailed off in terror, her body paralyzed by complete shock and distress. The blonde's Chara shook her head at this, full and heavy tears streaking down from her eyes, "We have to go Rima. This is dangerous, we can't stay here!" The Chara shrieked as she pulled harder on the young blonde's hair and with the remainder of the strength that she could muster Rima quickly turned and ran down the street aimlessly, crying her eyes out with Kusukusu trailing after her.
~ …A Simple Thread… ~
M.L.D: Well, everyone there's chapter 20 for you all. Sorry that I had to end it on a rather depressing and sad note, but it's one of the climax builders within this fanfic; it's part of the main plot though for sure. And I'd like to apologize for the long awaited update, it just took me a while to finally compose this chapter and I think it's about the longest one updated so far ^^ (possibly, I'm not so sure, lol)
Temari: Well, there isn't much to be said this time, so would you all be so kind as to review? It would mean a lot everyone. Thank you and have a wonderful day all *waves to the readers*