Chapter 26

~~~~Amu's POV~~~~

I sighed then stared out the window. I was never into school, but I didn't seem to mind math class. What I hated was English. However, I couldn't listen. Too many thoughts were blocking out what the teacher was saying.

The way Rima acted towards me earlier completely shocked me. Also, why were her eye bags so big? She probably didn't get much sleep last night but why?

It could be simple reasons like watching a gag show all night and losing track of time but Rima wasn't like that. She's too responsible to watch all night, knowing that there's school the next day.

"What's bothering Rima…?" I voiced my thoughts. A slam on my desk startled me; the teacher eyed me.

"Hinamori-san, please answer the question on the board!" Sanjou-san narrowed her eyes. Everyone in class 'ooed'.

It was Cool n' Spicy vs. Yukari-baka.

I looked at the board then gulped.

Find the inverse of:

F(x) = 3x + 6

What the heck's with all that random numbers and letters put in a random order? What's with the x and the 6 and 3x and equal and inverse and… f…?

Am I supposed to be finding the f?

"Pst! Amu-chan! The answer's simple! It's x–6/ 3!" Miki whispered.

"It's x-6/ 3" I said in a cool monotone. Yukari gave me a suspicious glare before walking back to the platform. I sat there, wondering how the heck that became the answer.

"Thanks, Miki. How'd you know?" I asked. My chara sighed. "I pay attention in class"

I sweat-dropped.

"Uh…thanks…"

The second the bell rang, I gathered my things then raced out of the door. I was in too much of a hurry to find Rima, though, that I must've failed to slow down at a sharp curve in our school hallways. Without warning, I crashed into someone, causing his or her books to scatter all over the ground. As the cool n' spicy, however, I couldn't show mercy.

I just calmly picked up all the person's books then placed it on his or her lap. My way of showing my sorry without actually saying it…

"Watch where you're going" I muttered.

The person scoffed. "What do you mean by that? Apparently, you're the one that bumped into me"

I frowned then looked up to see the person, only to cock my head in confusion.

This girl had a beautiful structure; she was slim but the beanie and glasses covering a plenty amount of her face kept me from seeing how she looked. The only body part of hers that was clearly seen was her blonde, braided pigtails.

I sneered then stood up, noticing the many students that were starting to crowd us.

"Whatever. You're not worth my time" I grumbled.

"…Yes, and so are you; now move since I don't want to be seen with you…squirt" She sighed, walking ahead of me. I stood there, paralyzed. Did that girl just…make a comeback…? The crowd started to chatter on about a rivalry between us. After awhile, I started hearing things about her being my long, lost, cool n' spicy twin.

Seriously?

I shrugged it off with a sigh. Right now, I need to find Rima.

Ran, Miki and Su are of no use again, because they left me to finish their project (whatever it may be) so it was more difficult for me to find her. Alas, I found myself resting behind the Royal Garden. After awhile of resting, a blonde, noodle-like hair caught my eye. I felt my legs spring as I made my way towards the blonde.

"Rima!" I yelled.

She didn't move, making me worry. She always reacts to my voice.

I stopped running towards her, realizing that she didn't even care. I clutched my fists then bit my lips in worry and anxiety. I've never felt so distant from Rima.

When something tapped me on the shoulder, I felt myself jump. "Nadeshiko?" I screeched. She smiled warmly then held my hand. "Let's talk to her together okay, Amu-chan?"

I sniffed then wiped my eyes with my pinky. I didn't realize that I was starting to tear up.

"Thanks"

She sighed then squeezed my palm. She inhaled before pulling me towards Rima. When she saw her face, however, Nadeshiko fell on her knees then clutched both sides of Rima's shoulders. "Rima-chan? Rima-chan!" She started to panic. I felt my breath quicken as I, too, rushed towards her.

When I saw Rima's face dull lacking color, my eyes widened.

"Rima…where's…Kusukusu…?" I gasped.

Her face lacked color and emotion and her eyes were dull and monotonous. She kept her face blank as she replied, "Why would I need Kusukusu…? That guardian character is useless because my dream is pointless…"

"Making people laugh is not pointless! Rima, it's your hobby!" I automatically screeched. Nadeshiko froze then stared at me.

"T-that's chibi-devil's dream…?"

I mentally face-palmed. I can't believe I let one of Rima's secrets slip. Then again, I can trust Nadeshiko. "U-um…yeah…" I muttered. She turned her gaze back at Rima, but this time, with a smile.

"Your dream isn't pointless, Rima-chan. You made me laugh countless times and…I liked it" She sighed then let go of Rima's shoulders

"You're lying" Rima muttered. "You're a liar…Nadeshiko…"

"This time I am not lying!"

"How can you prove it? For all I know, you're lying about not lying. Can't you see? I have no purpose"

"It's impossible…"

Nadeshiko and I gasped as Rima started to float. From behind her and x-ed version of Kusukusu's egg came. It gave off a dark, violet light and then enveloped Rima. My heart-beat paced as I watched in horror as Rima transformed in the midst of that dark light.

"Is she…" Nadeshiko started.

"…doing charanari…" I finished.

Yaya, Tadase, Kukai and Kairi ran towards us with exhausted faces. Following them were theirs and my charas.

"W-what's happening to Rima-tan?" Yaya panicked. I gulped as I helplessly watched Rima's costume finish.

"She's character transforming…with Kusukusu's x-egg…" I gasped.

Everyone's jaws were dropped as they watch in terror.

"Amu-chan, don't just stand there! Character transform with me!" Su squeaked. It took me awhile before I could speak again. "C-character transform with you, Su? S-sure!" I nodded. Everyone turned to me with hopeful expressions as I fell into the bright green light.

"Charanari: Amulet Clover!" I gasped. Rima finished the same time as me.

She said in a monotonous manner, "Charanari: Solemn Jester"

For the first time, she had her hair in a low twin-tail, held by two large, black ribbons. Solemn Jester's outfit was a black dress ending around three inches above her knee with a huge bubble. Her neck was covered with a grey, clown collar; she wore grey, net stockings and her shoes were too big on her, yet giving her an adorable look.

She made her first attack, only to startle me, seeing that these were deadly knives aiming straight at me. From the shock of her weapons, I couldn't move.

"Holy Crown!" the move protected me just in time.

I turned, only to meet a pair of magenta eyes. I felt my face flush as I started to mumble a soft "Thank you" to Tadase-kun. He smiled. "It's no problem at all. We'll be here to support you, Amu-chan!" He said.

Yaya, Kukai and Kairi were already in their character changes. "Thanks!" I blinked. I turned my gaze back at Rima.

"Bring it on!" Kukai yelled, flying up, up, up in an attempt to distract Rima as I hurled towards her, successfully dodging all the weapons she aimed at me.

I never knew that there would come a time like this. A time wherein Rima and I would fight, neither holding back. I knew I couldn't hold back. Rima's character transformation was obviously more powerful (not to mention dangerous) than mine. Of course, I also didn't hurt her whenever I got a clear shot on her face. It just scared me how such a small, innocent girl could handle such deadly weapons.

"Rima, snap out of it!" I cried as she managed to bruise my stomach. Though the blood seeped through my green dress I gasped, not from the sight, but from the pain.

Rima grabbed the knife that hit me, then flung it at me again, only to miss me because I fell just in time because of the pain. Luckily (…I think…) I fell into a trash bin so I didn't get too hurt. Rima's face remained emotionless as she floated down until she was close to me. I shut my eye as she raised the knife, ready to stab me with it.

The exact same time I expected her to stab me, that's the exact same time I heard a loud 'clang'. When I opened my eyes Nadeshiko was shielding me with the trash can's lid.

"Naddy!" Yaya screamed, making her way towards Nadeshiko and me. Kukai landed as Tadase followed Yaya.

"Rima-chan, that was dangerous!" Nadeshiko yelled, dropping the trash can's lid and abruptly grabbing both of Rima's wrists.

"Let go. You know, I can still hurt you even if you have my hands held out like that…" Rima replied calmly. I quickly got out of the trash can then made my way towards Rima but Nadeshiko held me back. She's obviously telling me to stay back for safety reasons but why is she risking herself? I can literally feel my heart pounding with worry.

"When people laugh, they become happy, even if it's just for a second. The thing is, Rima-chan, you didn't make me happy for just a second but…you make me happy for longer than I should be…" I noticed how Nadeshiko's grip on Rima's wrist began to lighten as she said those.

"Rima-chan, many people love you for who you are. You should just notice them…" She sighed.

Rima's lips began to quiver but her face remained stoned.

"…Also, don't be afraid to cry…" Nadeshiko hummed. That's when, for the first time, I saw Rima cry. Everyone stood in silence as they watched with sympathy, sadness and a mix of other emotions. Nadeshiko began to lightly tap Rima's shoulders as her small figure began to shake.

At that time, only the sound of her silent sobs were heard. Even the grasshoppers and birds remained silent, as if they knew what was going on.

"Amu-chi…now's the time!" Yaya reminded me. I smiled.

"Negative heart: Lock on…" The bright light aimed itself at Rima. "…Open heart…"

~~~~Rima's POV~~~~

I'm drained…

...And relieved

I wiped the races of tears from my cheek as I continued to make my way home, not even bothering to call my parents to pick me up. Too many emotions were flooding my heart and seeing my parents is the worst thing I could possibly want at the moment.

I walked in silence as I cradled Kusukusu's egg in my palms.

"I'm sorry, Kusukusu…" I said, but she remained silent. I sighed. She's mad at me for turning me into that, so I still need to gain her affection. A large gallon of ice cream could fix that problem, I'm sure.

"Is your house this way, Rima?" Amu asked. I nodded lightly as I continued to follow her. Beside me was Nagihiko, and if it weren't for what he did for me, I wouldn't even be letting him get this close to me.

Both knew how much I hated to see my parents at this point, so they both offered to walk me home. I assured them that I will do the explaining when I get home and they don't need to worry about me with that anymore.

Yaya, Kukai, Kairi and Tadase left and went home, seeing that the three of us needed our alone time.

"Amu…I'm so sorry…" I cried as I gazed at the wound in her stomach. She clutched it before turning to me with a smile. "It's okay, Rima. I'll just bandage it. No biggie"

It is a big deal. The blood's leaking through her uniform so how can she smile?

"Rima-chan, stop blaming yourself" Nagihiko put a hand on my shoulder. I sighed then turned to him.

"Rima." I said. He widened his brown eyes in confusion.

"What…?"

"You can call me Rima" I smiled. Nagihiko smiled in return then chuckled.

"Okay then, Rima!"

Amu turned to us with a smile.

"I'm glad that you guys are getting along"

I came to an abrupt stop then sighed.

"Well, this is my house…" I mumbled, looking up at the white house beside me. The brows of both creased as they looked through the window. "Are you sure you don't need us to help you explain?" Amu wondered. I smiled simply then walked to the door.

"I'll be fine…"

I walked in the shut the door behind me. The first thing I heard was a pan fall and my mother's desperate call.

"Rima, is that you?" She screamed. I let out a sigh before groaning a yes.

My parents scurried to the door then hugged me. When they stopped, they brought me to the couch.

"Okay, Rima. Tell us where you were!" Dad exclaimed. I sighed before muttering "In school"

"What were you doing there? Why didn't you call us?"

"I was with my friends!" I screeched. Both parents looked at each other before turning back to me.

"Do you have any idea how much we worried! This is your fault for being such a terrible example!" Dad screamed at my mom. Mom's face reddened in fury as she pointed an accusing finger at my dad. "How is this my fault? You've got no one to blame but yourself!"

Mama and papa are fighting again, but the feeling of this one is worse. It's got a lot more hate and anger involved.

Once again, I felt the tears tugging to get out, and remembering Nagihiko's comforting words, I let them fall.

My parents abruptly stopped fighting then turned to me with shocked faces. "R-Rima? Why are you crying?" Mom panicked as she hurried her way beside me. Dad sat on my other side, the same worried face etched all over his face.

"I-it's just…why can't you both just get along…?" I sobbed.

They both looked at each other in silence and a different expression I've never seen before. It's not hate nor is it pure, everlasting love. It was something entirely new.

All of a sudden, I felt both their arms wrap around me in a comforting manner.

"We're sorry…"

"You know, we love you…"

Yehey! Some Rimahiko moments, although Amu was oblivious. Of course, she doesn't know that Nadeshiko is a guy.