Author's Note: I am so sorry that I haven't written in so long! So much stuff has happened! I'm in the process of getting a computer built (my house was broken into and my laptop stolen.) It's almost done and once I move out onto my own, I'm sure I'll have more time.
I want to thank all of those who are waiting patiently and for those who have watched me recently. It means a lot to me! I will do my best to make this chapter amazing!

Rating: T (Just to be safe.)

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 35: To the top...

Hotaru's breaths come out in puffs as she continues to lead the way up the stairs. The others were close behind her, each one doing their best to keep up when a voice breaks the air.

"Waaiiiittt!"

It was Yaya. It seemed that the height was starting to intimidate some. Nagihiko speaks his thoughts out loud, the thought that was on everyone's mind.

"The radio tower...Looking at it from the bottom, it really is tall, isn't it?"

Some of the guardians nod in agreement, Hotaru doing her best to not let it get to her. Her mind was solely on one person. Her hand clenches the key tightly, imprinting it into her palm slightly when a noise begins to fill the air. Hotaru pauses slightly, when the chara begin complaining.

"Ugh! It's that horrible noise again."

"It's coming from the top!"

Hotaru turns to her chara, each one covering their ears tightly. Tadase's voice catches her attention as they continue moving up.

"It seems there are three levels to this tower! Ikuto is most likely on the top floor!"

Hotaru nods her head, Amu giving her a thumbs up for encouragement.

"Let's hurry."

Rima begins to lag behind, Nagihiko hurrying to help her up, the two getting caught up in a conversation. Hotaru's ponytail sways behind her as she climbs further, now grateful for her figure skating practice. Climbing these stairs requires a lot of stamina. Hotaru stops as the stairs do, her eyes gazing about.

"The first floor..."

"We finally made it!"

The others soon join her, worry filling her.

"We need to hurry on-"

"...is someone there..?"

Everyone turns their attention to the shadowy figure, said person coming closer and into sight. A young girl stands there, void of emotion, X-eggs floating around her.

"It's a girl..?"

"She's surrounded by X-eggs?"

Yaya gasps, Hotaru's hand coming up to cover her mouth in shock.

"What is she doing here?"

"The violin probably snatched the egg right out of her!"

Before they can ponder any further, the X-eggs begin to dash towards them, everyone readying themselves for a fight.

"Let's transfo-"

"Wait!"

Hotaru turns her head to see an already transformed Rima, already calling an attack. A rope shoots out from her hands, blocking off the eggs as she calls out to everyone.

"Go ahead! I can handle this!"

Amu steps forward, already ready to protest.

"But Rima-"

"This isn't the time to idle around. Go on."

"But-!"

Rima turns her head to Hotaru, smiling softly.

"You have to save Ikuto. Hurry."

Hotaru is in awe, Amu beginning to yell once more when Nagihiko steps in front of her.

"I'll stay behind too. Don't worry."

Nagihiko smiles towards them, Amu blushing slightly.

"Believe in us, alright?"

Hotaru and the others can only stand there for awhile before running on ahead regrettably. She does not to look back as they continue up another flight of stairs. Yaya turns back a bit, wory etched in her features.

"Do you think Rima-tan and Nagi will be okay?"

Tadase turns to her, offering a smile of comfort.

"If it's Fujisaki and Mashiro, I know they'll be fine. We have to do as they say, and believe in them."

Yaya smiles after awhile, nodding her head in agreement. Hotaru can't help but smile to herself, the words bringing comfort to her own heart as well.

'I need to believe in him...'

She frowns a bit.

'Ikuto...'

She turns another corner, continuing up the stairs.

'Please believe in me!'

A man chuckles atop the tower, his smirk casting down on the ones below.

"It looks like it's started."

It's when his ears note something to him does he turn around, anger already setting into his features.

"What's wrong Ikuto? Don't stop play!"

Ikuto is on his knees, his face pale, sweat dripping down from exhaustion. His violin and bow lay in his hands forgotten, already weary from the unknown transformation. Kazumoi frowns, his hand reaching into his jacket, his fingers retrieving the modified tuning fork.

"Tch! Useless brat!"

He hits it lightly, the noise causing Ikuto's mouth to gape open in pain, though no sound emits. Kazuomi chuckles, Ikuto now struggling to his feet despite his lack of energy.

"Yes, that's right. Stand up. Keep playing the violin, Ikuto!"

Ikuto's eyebrows furrow from pain, his cat ears down as he follows his orders, his body shaking as his hands move on their own.

Hotaru's body is pushing it's limit, sweat starting to form on her face just as they reach the 2nd floor.

"We finally made it."

She leans over a bit, doing her best to catch her breath when a few startled gasps cause her to look up. Her blood runs cold at the sight, the snarling teeth frightening her greatly.

"W-what is that?"

"A dog!"

"No way!"

The dog seemed dark and ready to attack. Tadase's hands clench tightly.

"What's going on?"

"The X-egg is probably controlling the dog!"

Hotaru grimaces, hating the feeling of knowing that someone else was now a tool of Easter. Tadase steps forward.

"I won't forgive this! Heart Unlo-"

"Hold it!"

A shine forms behind them, Yaya having trasnformed already. She jumps before them, Hotaru blinking in shock as she turns and gives them thumbs up.

"Leave this to me! Believe in me!"

Hotaru feels a blush in embarrassment as Amu and Tadase question her.

"What are you doing?"

"Weird..."

Yaya is shocked, obviously upset by their response.

"Why are you guys acting like that? You were fine when it was Rima!"

Yaya pouts, crossing her arms childishly, her outfit now suiting her.

"Well, Rima is different from you."

"And besides, Nagihiko went with her."

Yaya sighs, Hotaru laughing a bit at the sight.

"You guys are patronizing me, aren't you? I'll show you what I can do!"

Without another word, Yaya yells out an attack, an army of ducks speeings towards the canine who had been watching them argue. All are in shock though as the dog counters Yaya's attack, Amu and Tadase stepping in front of her.

"Character transform!"

"My heart unlock!"

Amulet Heart and Platinum Royal appear, both ready to attack.

"Yaya, we'll deal witht his!"

"Stay back!"

Hotaru steps forward to join them when another eerie melody fill her ears, her heart clenching at the sound. Her head shoots to look up, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"That sound..."

"So the guardians cleared the first floor."

He chuckles.

"So what do you think of this trap? It's just the same as filling the violin with X-energy."

He smirks as he turns his attention to Ikuto, said person's eyes void of any feeling.

"What's wrong Ikuto? Why are you wavering? It's only been a few hours and already you look like you're about to die. Are you really the son of a genuis violinist?"

He walks over to the railing guarding the edge of the top floor, his voice menacing.

"Because you're young, you think it's okay to be weak?"

He only laughs as he mocks the teenager, the town shining below with life, no clue to the battle that's going on.

'What am I doing? Why am I just standing here?'

Before her, Amu begins to attack the dog, the sound of the violin ringing through the air, the sadness emanating from it loud and alluring. Hotaru gasps as the dog begins to head toward Amu when Tadase steps in, shielding her immediately.

"Amu-chan! Tadase-kun!"

Amu turns to her as they block another attack.

"Hotaru-chan! Hurry ahead!"

"But-!"

Amu only smiles, Hotaru's heart warming at the sight.

"Ikuto needs you."

Hotaru is quiet, her egg shaking around her neck as a breeze passes through. Hotaru's face fills with determination as she nods her head, using Kia to help sneak by and rush up the stairs. It's as she turns another corner does a blur speed past her, a small familiar voice whispering in her ear.

"Take care of Ikuto."

Hotaru turns her head but sees nothing, though she knows full well who it was. Continuing on, she pushes harder, knowing that she had people's support behind her.

"I will save you Ikuto-kun. Wait for me!"

'Everyone...thank you so much for your courage. I won't let it go to waste!'

From a dark room, the person behind everything watches, his voice dark and dripping with plotting.

"I will finally get my hands on the embryo."

Author's Note: Don't worry, I'm working on the next one as well! I'm too pumped not to write it! Look forward to the action! X3