"I'm heading to see what we can find in the sewers, you guys chill at the garage," Boogie said, and skated to Rokkaku-Dai Heights.

"Alright, good luck!" Rhyth called, waving as Boogie turned and entered the pipe that connected the two areas. Even as she said it she felt her stomach fall. Cube had been defeated. The multiple switches must have been done in order to open up the sealed doors to Kibogaoka Hill. That meant that someone had challenged Poison Jam to Graffiti tag. That meant someone knew about Cube being their leader besides Corn and herself. She sighed.

"What's wrong?" Gum asked, she had watched the girl consumed with such silence and thought. Apparently Rhyth had forgotten Gum was still there.

"Oh, nothing really," Rhyth lied, turning to face the blonde.

"It must be about those Rokkaku guys, right? Don't worry, I'm worried too. They're getting a bit heavy , don't you think? Normal police never get this obsessive in tracking us down. They've got agents everywhere it seems." Gum said, voicing her own worries. It reminded Rhyth of that strange threat as well. What was left for them? Skating noted Boogie's return before Rhyth could answer. They turned to see Boogie.

"Hey, did you find anything?" Rhyth asked. Boogie shook her tanned face.

"I'm headed for a new section of town that just became easy to sneak into with my skates. It's down the highway from 99th street, called The Skyscraper District and Pharoh Park. It seems I've got some spraying to do there. These fools, the 'immortals' are hiding there. And what better way to lure 'em out?" Boogie said, then grinned. Boogie skated off towards the entrance to 99th street from the garage, and left the two. There was nothing to say. They trusted Boogie to get the job done. That was how it worked. Boogie knew it too. She didn't need to hear it. She knew it.

"I wonder what those Rokkaku guys are planning, don't you?" Gum asked curiously. Rhyth stopped to think on it. It at least took her mind off the sewers.

"Yeah. What do you think they're really trying to do? And what's that Hyashi guy's problem anyway?" Rhyth answered. At the mention of the psycho commander they both laughed.

"I hear he doesn't get breakfast since he's so busy attacking GG's left and right. Man, that's gonna be his downfall. He doesn't know how to relax," Gum said. They skated up to the red couch and settled onto it. The moment the two girls had arrived Corn left the garage. Gum frowned after him, wondering what was going on in his mind. She quickly shrugged it off. Men never had any thoughts in their head that were logical. "I wonder why Corn has been acting so strange lately," .

"Strange? Doesn't he act this way all the time?" Rhyth asked.

"No, I mean... he chuckled." Gum said shortly, and Rhyth fell off the couch in response.

"You're kidding, right?" she asked, getting back up. She sat back onto the old couch. Gum shook her head. "Perhaps those Rokkaku police are getting to him,".

"I don't think so. He seems to know something we don't. It's just... he seems so distant and secritive(a/n: ....sp?!) lately. I wonder what's happened," Gum said, looking back at where he left. It was convenient for Rhyth, who blushed heavily.

"Surely you don't think..." she began, but couldn't finish. Gum couldn't look at Rhyth. She was guilty of the same offense, she couldn't blame Corn for anything he did if it was something she did as well.

"Well, I'm not sure whether it matters. I'm sure you know about... well, everything." Gum said. It felt good to get it off her chest to someone. She had felt so alone in all her secrets, but if Rhyth was to be her successor she needed to know what it was like.

"Yes. Although, I don't understand why Beat..." Rhyth said vaguely, noting all the times Beat didn't seem to be like the others.Gum understood what she meant.

"No, I haven't conquered him, and never will. Someone else already has. But since that person has loyalty to me it's not really a lost battle," Gum said quietly.

"Someone... else? But...." Rhyth said, confused. The female GG's were not to dispute Gum. Also, they weren't the girly types. Which meant they never actually dated other members of the GG's. Most were conquered by Gum anyway. Tge silence lasted only a moment before a serious expression covered her face.

"Hm. Well, you understand the implications... If you really want to know, then I will tell you. The gangster from Shibuya terminal," Gum explained. That was everything. Rhyth's eyes widened. The silence consumed the two girls for a few moments.

"How do you... I mean, how do you handle it?" Rhyth asked. Gum chuckled lightly.

"Rhyth, at first it's shocking. But you get used to it after a while. But no one else must know but us," she said quietly, leaning closer to Rhyth so that they couldn't be overheard on the empty top where the leader usually sat with assorted members of the GG's and Roboy. Gum's words made a question in her mind.

"But Gum... why are you telling me this? I shouldn't know," Rhyth said quietly. Gum smiled warmly.

"Because Rhyth. I have chosen you to take my place if anything should happen. In order to take over you need to know everything that I know," she replied, still whispering. Rhyth's eyes were wide.

"Are you serious? Me? " she asked. Gum nodded. "But... Yoyo won't follow me. He hates me still,". Rhyth looked down. Gum sighed and took Rhyth's chin into one and and forced her to look her in the eyes. With the other she touched the tattoo on her cheek.

"This mark ensures that you will be great wherever you go. As for Yoyo, if I ever disappear then you will be able to break him in. Make him your slave, using anything you have. Do what you must to enslave him to your will," Gum said quietly. There. Now Rhyth knew the secret. The secret of the queen. She seemed shocked. Gum assumed her naiive nature was acting up, she wasn't used to the arrangement yet. But Gum needed to make sure the right person could take her place if something happened. It was only fate that she had chosen Rhyth. Rhyth's tattoo indeed made a peculiar marking that made her different from the others. That was why she would be the one to take over the part if Gum would disappear.

"I... I don't know what to say," Rhyth said quietly. Her world was suddenly clear. She knew the secret. "Why me?". Gum released her chin.

"You can break through, I know you can," Gum said. Rhyth silently questioned.

"Break through what?" she asked.

"Corn's mask. In order to take my place if I go you need to be the first to catch Corn's eye. I assure you that will not be hard with everything you have to work with. Now that I have decided, I will send you to Corn. Tell him that I have sent you and only tell him that you were chosen as successor. The leader of the GG's should never know the truth about the queens. They would not be able to handle all that we are given to handle. Go to him tonight, but for now you will stay by my side and learn," Gum said.She allowed Rhyth to take her previous position that provided more comfort. Rhyth didn't know what to say. Gum was smart. She was intuitive. She was their queen.

"Gum," Yoyo said, skating up the stairs.

"Good afternoon," Gum replied, smiling. Yoyo didn't break face.

"I'll be going out skating this evening. I won't be able to make it to our previously arranged engagement." Yoyo said quietly. He didn't seem to take Rhyth's presence into his words or eyes. Gum nodded in understanding.

"Yoyo, do you so hate Rhyth?" Gum asked quietly, but with the eyes of a predator. Yoyo's hands slightly shook.

"I don't care anymore. I hate her. If you can't see that it's dangerous to be with her alone, then I will prove it to you. I will prove my loyalty to the GG's, and you will see that I am the one to believe," Yoyo said gruffly.

"She will not harm me Yoyo. Go, if you're still planning to," Gum replied, with no emotion. To show she didn't need him. When she didn't need him, he needed her. Yoyo skated away in the silence. Rhyth became aware of someone turning on the radio below.

"Gum..." Rhyth said quietly. She was unsure what to say.

"Come Rhyth, it's time to just relax and dance. Don't think of things that worry you or make you sad. Just have fun today," Gum said, then stood and started to dance. Rhyth understood more now. More about their queen. It was a large position to fill. Rhyth feared she wouldn't have the confidence and charm. But nonetheless, she was glad to remove that tension from her body and dance. The others who normally stayed up there returned, and all was normal. Except for Rhyth. Rhyth was there now. She was at their level, and she was to watch any business interactions Gum had or did throughout the afternoon so she also would be ready for that task if it would ever befall her. Which, if Gum so surely thought that she was needed that something was going to happen. Something big.

(a/n)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hm. well... I wanted to post!!! I wanted to write! This story is getting so good I had to write more!! I know, I should have waited but I don'y trust this computer with my files anymore... *shifty eyes* *anti-relena fans come and burn her tied to a pole* Feh. Don't these people get tired of the same way to kill me? Oh well. * unties herself with her authoress powers and walks away*