Recap

"The reason I'm afraid of bikes is...it...it reminds me of my parents fighting. The very first time I started to notice it was when papa was trying to teach me how to ride a bike."
-Rima

"I'm glad you could spend the night Rima."
-Amu

"We'll test it on a new couple tonight sir."
-Scientist

I suddenly felt a wave of heat. I kicked my blanket off. I began to sweat in my warm pajamas. It felt like a sunburn all over
-Amu's POV

"Yes. I think I'm sick. I don't feel bad or anything but I'm cold."
-Ikuto

"Hot and cold? It's spreading."
-Rima

Chapter 9 Not All Fun and Games

*Rima's POV*

"Hot and cold?" Tadase asked.

"Yes, it's been happening to Rima and me. It seems it's happening to Amu and Ikuto too," Nagi answered. All of our friends were at Utau's house. Amu and I told everyone that we needed to tell them something after school. Utau offered her house since her mother wasn't home.

"Is there a connection?" Aarin asked.

"I don't know," Amu said.

"Ikuto and Rima are cold. What do they have in common?" Nami asked.

"Sarcastic," Rei said.

"Rei!" I whined.

"It's true," she said.

"Mashiro-san and Tsukiyomi-san are polar opposites. She's short and a female. He's tall and a male. It seems like they have nothing in common physically," Kairi examined.

"Thank you captain obvious," Ikuto said.

"What about Amu-chi and Nagi?" Yaya asked.

"There doesn't seem to be anything similar about them either," Nadeshiko said.

"We have no leads!" Yaya whined.

"It could happen to the rest of us too," Kairi said.

"I got something! Each hot person is dating a cold person. Maybe this is contagious from kissing. Fujisaki or Mashiro must have given it to each other and Mashiro probably shared a drink with Hinamori, who gave it to Tsukiyomi," Kukai said.

"That would work and everything except that Amu and Ikuto didn't kiss till after they were hot and cold," I pointed out.

"You said this happens at night?" Tadase asked trying to move the conversation away from Amu lip-locking with Ikuto.

"The first time seems to always happen at night. After that it happens at random," Nagi explained.

"All we know is that when I'm cold, Nagi is hot. It's the same for Amu and Ikuto too. All of us began to feel hot or cold at the same time. Now that I say that, I don't think this is just a cold," I said.

"What could it be?" Nadeshiko asked.

"I have no idea," I answered.

"We should go talk to Easter. Maybe they are up to something again," Rei suggested.

"The director has been on vacation recently. He's taking his grandson somewhere. He's been gone for two months," Utau informed us.

"It can't be Easter," Kukai concluded.

"Then how?" Amu asked. She seemed a bit scared. I was too but it hasn't really hurt us, at least not yet. Who knows what could happen?

"Nagihiko, we need to get Rima home. Girls take a long time getting ready," Nadeshiko said.

"You're right," Nagi said.

"What are you getting ready for?" Amu asked.

"There is a festival tonight. Nagi is taking me," I said.

"Yaya wants to go!" she yelled.

"We can all go," Nagi said.

"But we don't have a kimono," Utau pointed out.

"The Fujisaki house is full of male and female kimonos," Nadeshiko said.

"Then what are we waiting for!" Yaya cheered.

"I thought we were trying to deal with a problem," Kairi said.

"Don't be a party pooper Sanjo," Kukai said and slapped him on the back a little too hard.

*Time Skip*

"Amu-chan, you look very pretty," Nadeshiko said. Amu was wearing a faded pink kimono with lavender sakura petals and obi. Her hair was in a small bun. Nadeshiko wore a dark purple kimono with dark blue sakura petals and obi. It reminded me of Rhythm's hair. Her hair was braided.

"T-thanks," she said.

"What's wrong?" Nade asked.

"Nothing really. It's a little weird that you're real. I mean I'm so used to Nagi being you. I mean-" Nadeshiko giggled while Amu tried not to be offensive.

"It's understandable. Nagihiko and I look very similar. I could look like him if I wanted too," Nadeshiko said.

"Really? Na-chin?" Yaya asked. She wore a bright yellow kimono with an orange obi. It was very plain.

"Of course," she said.

"Please don't," I said. Nadeshiko smiled at me.

"What's wrong Rima-koi? Too freaky for you," Nadeshiko said using her Nagi impression. Rima's cheeks heated up.

"He doesn't call me Rima-koi," I said. Nadeshiko giggled while I was flustered.

"It's really weird that you two can do that. How do we know you're Nadeshiko right now. Nagi can be a big pervert and act like you," Utau said. She wore a lavender kimono with dark purple designs on the side. Her obi was dark blue. The kimono matched her eyes.

"Nagihiko would never do that. Now that I think about it, that can be a little scary," Nadeshiko said.

"I can tell you two apart really easily," I said.

"Really?" Amu asked.

"I've been around Nagi so much that it's easy," I said.

"Speaking of my brother, I would like to know how close you two are. He's never had a girlfriend before. I hope he's treating you well," Nadeshiko said.

"He's treating me well," I assured her.

"They are in love," Rei blurted.

"You two confessed your love?" Amu asked.

"Yes. The day of Rei's concert," I said. I know my cheeks were red.

"Awwww," all the girls said.

"Shut up," I said.

"Her cheeks are red," Utau teased.

"Enough. We better finish getting ready. Rima, I'm done with your hair. You better get dressed into your kimono," Rei said. She wore a light blue plain kimono with black obi with her hair down.

"Alright," I said. I went behind the screen. Nadeshiko picked out this kimono for me. I usually wore an orange kimono but this one is red. It had white speaks on the side and rich, dark purple vine-like design. My obi was the same purple color. I put it on and checked myself in the mirror. My hair was in two chinese-style buns. Each bun has two stands of long hair sticking out straight. It was a mystery how Rei worked with my hair.

"Let's see Rima," Rei said. I came out and they all stared at me. No one seemed to be able to say anything. Of course Yaya broke the silence.

"Rima-chi is so pretty!"

"You look-," Rei said shocked not being able to finish. I knew what she meant. I didn't get curves or anything. I'm still flat-chested. Utau is the only one that wears a bra out of all of us. She meant that I look mature.

"It's like you're shining," Amu thought out loud.

"It no big deal," I said brushing it off.

"I chose red for you because in the Fujisaki house, it represents love," Nadeshiko said.

"Really?"

"Yes, now one last touch. Close your eyes," Nadeshiko said. I was a bit curious but I played along. I felt something on my lips. I was about to open my eyes.

"Don't peak," Nadeshiko said. I kept my eyes closed.

"Girls, may Baya and I come in?" I heard Mrs. Fujisaki ask.

"Yes mother. We're all dressed," Nadeshiko said. I heard the paper door move.

"You all look lovely," she said as she walked in.

"Thank you Mrs. Fujisaki," Yaya said.

"They all seem older," Baya said.

"I'm just finishing Rima up and then we'll be ready," Nadeshiko said.

"It's too bad that Nami couldn't make it," Rei said.

"She said she had family plans," Utau said.

"This was very short notice," Amu pointed out.

"I know but I feel like she doesn't get to hang out with us a lot," Rei said.

"She lives in another city. It's probably hard for her to get here as much as she does," Utau said.

"Done!" Nadeshiko announced. All of them looked at me.

"Rima, you're so beautiful," Mrs. Fujisaki said.

"Thank you," I said. I'm glad Nagi's mom likes me. It's a little weird but when my parents were fighting, I looked up to her like a mother. I never said that to anyone. Rei would be the only one I would tell and she would tease me saying Mrs. Fujisaki will be my future mother-in-law.

"Here have a look for yourself," Amu said as she handed my a small mirror. I had ruby red lips that matched my kimono. Also my face looked flawless. I did look beautiful. I was always told I'm cute or pretty. This time I was beautiful. It feels different but I like it.

"Let's get the boys,"Mrs. Fujisaki said. She guided us to them. They were waiting in Nagi's room. All of them wore guy kimonos. Of course they didn't try hard to look good as much as the girls did. They were sitting on the floor in Nagi's room playing cards. Utau cleared her throat. All the boys looked at us.

"We didn't even hear you come in," Kukai said.

"Good thing you were all dressed then," Baya teased.

"Auntie, you're being a pervert again," Nagi said.

"Again?" Nadeshiko asked.

"Tell you later," he said. Nagi then looked at me. She seemed to be speechless just like the girls were. I smiled at him. All the boys went to their dates. Nagi grabbed my hand and kissed it.

"You look stunning," he said. His eyes looked different. They looked warm. Was that what love looked like? My tummy started getting butterflies.

"Thanks," I managed. He smiled at me.

"I would like a few pictures," Mrs. Fujisaki said. All of us got together and did a few group pictures.

"Alright. You may go. Nagihiko, Rima's parents are going out so please bring her and Rei here before midnight," Mrs. Fujisaki said.

"We're staying here?" I asked.

"Yes, it was suggested by their therapist. They are having a date night. Your mother asked if you two could spend the night here," Mrs. Fujisaki said.

"They can sleep in my room with me," Nadeshiko said.

"Absolutely. Baya will prepare the beds. Now go on everyone," Mrs. Fujisaki said. All of us left and walked to the festival. It wasn't very far. There were colorful shops and crowds of people wearing kimonos.

"We'll split up in groups and meet here at eleven-thirty," Tadase said.

"I call Kairi-kun," Yaya said then dragged him off somewhere.

"Why don't we do couples? Nadeshiko and Tadase will be a group since they are left over," Amu said.

"Sure," Nagi said. He grabbed my hand and guided me away from the others.

"What do you want to do first Rima?" he asked.

"I don't know. There are so many things," I said.

"Look Rima. There's a show over there!" Kusukusu said.

"I guess we start there," I said. Nagi and I walked over to the little stage. There were women doing traditional dance.

"Nagi do you want to watch?" I asked not sure if he would like it.

"Sure Rima," he said.

"Does it..."

"Does it what?"

"Does it make you sad?" I asked not quite sure how to ask him.

"Rima, I've accepted my tradition a long time ago. Besides, I would go through anything just to see you smile," he said.

"Is my smile that special to you?" I asked.

"Yes," he said. Him and I sat down and watched the performance.

"Are they from your mom's dance school?" I asked.

"None of them look familiar. Maybe there is another traditional dancing school," he said.

"Valentine," Temari said.

"What?" Kusukusu asked.

"That's what the sign says. Valentine dance studio," Temari said.

"So I guess you were right," I said to Nagi.

"I've never heard of them before. Maybe it's new," he said.

"Are you worried that there is a dancing rival?" I asked.

"Not really," he said.

"Rima, can we go get something to munch on?" Kusukusu asked.

"Sure. I'm a bit hungry," I said. We walked around looking at the stalls.

"How about a caramel apple?" I asked Kusukusu said.

"Sure!" I was about to get my wallet out but Nagi grabbed my hand.

"A caramel apple please," he said to the clerk. Nagi paid for it and handed it to me.

"Nagi I could've-" He put a finger to my lips.

"Rima I'm your boyfriend. I'm supposed to buy you things," he said.

"But-"

"No buts," he said.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome," he said. He grabbed my free hand and him and I walked around looking at the shops while Kusukusu and I ate our treat.

"Look it's Utau and Kukai," Rhythm pointed out.

"They are having another ramen contest," Nagi said.

"It's not a surprise," I said.

"I wonder if we can find the others," Temari said.

"There's Amu and Ikuto over there," I pointed out.

"Ikuto had one arm around Amu's waist. He had shopping bags in his free hand.

"She's using him as a mule," Nagi sweatdropped.

"He doesn't seem to mind," Rhythm said.

"Yaya is over there," Kusukusu pointed out. She was gobbling up candy while Kairi apologized and tried dragging her away.

"And there's Nadeshiko with Tadase," Nagi said. They were walking and talking to each other. They weren't supper close or anything. Just two friends having a conversation.

"I wonder where Rei is," I said.

"She's probably nearby," Nagi said.

"There she is,"Kusukusu said. She was playing games with Aarin. Both of them were laughing.

"It seems everyone is having a great time," Nagi said.

"I'm glad you took me," I said. He smiled at me then kissed my cheek. I smiled at him.

*Time Skip*

"I had so much fun," Yaya cheered as we all met where we planned.

"Me too," Amu said.

"We should do things like this more often," Utau said.

"But now we have to leave," Pepe whined.

"You said it," I said. Nagi gave me a look that I didn't quite know what it meant. I looked up at him curiously. He quickly looked at Nadeshiko then back to me. I now understood. Nadeshiko doesn't have a chara. All of us are so used to Nadeshiko having Temari as a chara but she really belongs to Nagi.

"You're right Rima-chan, we should go to more things. I haven't been in Japan long but I've had a lot of fun," Nadeshiko said. Luckily my comment earlier fit into the conversation.

"We better head home. Curfew is coming up and we don't want mother to get mad," Nagi said. Everyone went separate directions. It was just the twins, Rei, and me.

"That was a blast!" Jazlynn yelled. Rei was about to open her mouth to respond. I let go of Nagi's hand and tugged Rei's arm. She stopped her attempt to talk.

"What's wrong Rima?" she asked. I had to come up with a lie, fast.

"We don't have any clothes for the sleepover," I quickly came up with.

"You can always borrow some of my clothes Rima-chan," Nadeshiko said.

"Oh, thanks," I said. Rei gave me a curious look. The twins were ahead of us and I still held Rei's arm. I looked at her then Nadeshiko and back to her just like Nagi did to me. She didn't get it. I pointed to Kusukusu then to Nadeshiko. She seemed to grasp what I was saying.

"I see," she said quietly.

"I did the same thing," I said.

"We're here," Nadeshiko announced.

"Good. I'm pretty tired," Rei said as she stretched. All of us went in.

"Welcome back," Baya greeted us.

"Hello Auntie," Nadeshiko greeted.

"I set the beds in your room young mistress," Baya informed.

"Thank you," she said.

*Nagi's POV*

"Goodnight girls," I said.

"Night." Nadeshiko and Rei said at the same time.

"Night Nagi. I had a great night," Rima said. She pecked my cheek then went to the girls. They were giggling and talking while they went down the hall. I heard a click.

"This is a nice one," Baya said. I looked at her confused. She had a camera in her hands.

"Again Auntie?" I asked.

"Look in the mirror," she said. I looked at her confused.

"Anyway, your mother wanted to speak to you now," she said.

"Is she in her room?" I asked.

"No, she's in the backyard," she informed.

"Thank you auntie," I said. I quickly made my way through the labyrinth I call home. I saw my mom sitting on the low porch. She had her back to me.

"Mother." She seemed surprised and turned to me.

"You needed to see me?" I asked. She smiled at me.

"Yes, sit next to me," she said as she patted the spot next to her. I did as I was told. I looked up at her. She looked up at the sky.

"You had a good time," she said.

"Yes."

"Oh I know," she said.

"How?" I asked.

"Go look at your reflection in the pond," she said. I stood up and walked to the small koi pond. Now I see why Baya took my picture. I had a red lipstick kiss mark on my face. My cheeks became pink. I heard my mother laughing. It was good to see her laughing.

"Nagihiko, come here," she said. I went over and sat down next to her. She grabbed my face and rubbed the lipstick off with her kimono sleeve.

"Your cheeks are a little pink," she said.

"I know," I said not being able to say anything else.

"It good that you still blush. It shows that you're still a gentleman. You have only good intentions for Rima," she said.

"Not to be rude mother but why did you want to see me?" I asked. She sighed and looked back up at the sky. She didn't speak for a few seconds.

"Nagihiko," she said gently. Does she have bad news? Is that why she's speaking gently?

"We are skating on thin ice," she said.

"I know," I said.

"Our tradition is being very close to being discovered. Not just from Nadeshiko being here," she said.

"What do you mean?" I was starting to get worried.

"There is someone else trying to discover the Fujisaki secret tradition. The only ones that know are the family. I fear for your future," she said.

"Who is doing this?" I asked.

"I don't know. No matter what, you do not crossdress anymore. I know it's backwards from everything our tradition is about but they can't find anything if they can't have proof," she said.

"Alright mother," I said.

"Keep an eye on all your friends and don't bring over new ones. I think all of your current friends are fine. Although I don't know too much about that American boy," she said.

"Aarin wouldn't hurt a fly," I said.

"You say that but he was an enemy last year," Rhythm said.

"But he turned out to be good," Temari pointed out. I'm glad my mother can't hear them. If she knew that Rei and Aarin were bad then she'd never trust them. Even Ikuto and Utau were against us at one time. Of course that was just the guardians, not my family.

"You are deep in thought," she noticed. I need to come up with something.

"Mother...do you think that..."

"Do I think what?" I now came up with something perfect. It's something I've meant to ask her anyway.

"Do you think Rima should know?" I asked.

"Know about the tradition?" she asked. I nodded my head.

"I'm worried to tell her right now," she said.

"Why?" I asked.

"She's going through some things right now. Her family is getting better but she still goes to therapy. When you are talking to someone who you trust to keep your secrets, things slip out. I don't believe Rima would do it on purpose, but we have to be safe," she said.

"I know that's not the only reason," I said. I know what she wanted to say but she was afraid it would upset me.

"Also there is the fact that Rima and I could break up," I said for her.

"I know you don't want to hear it but sometimes things like that happen. I love Rima. I hope you two stay together forever but things happen. Rima probably has love issues too from her parents," she said. I can't believe her! How could she say this? I felt anger boiling my blood.

"MOTHER!" I yelled.

"I don't mean to dishonor Rima in any way but we have to the most careful we've ever been," she said.

"I can't believe you would say that. Mom, I love her," I said.

"I know," she said.

"Then why?" I asked.

"BECAUSE I CAN'T LOSE YOU TOO!" Suddenly my anger was gone. I saw tears in my mother's eyes.

"Nagihiko...Nagi, you're the only man in this house. I already lost your father. I pretty much lost your sister when she went with him. I need you here," she nearly begged. I had never seen my mother like this, vulnerable.

"Mother," I said softly.

"Nagi," she said as tears fell down her face.

"I won't tell mother," I promised. She wrapped her arms around me and held me close.

"Thank you," she cried. I hugged her close to me till she stopped crying.

"Mother, you shouldn't bottle everything up," I told her.

"I know. I also know it's hard for you to keep things from Rima. I adore Rima. If you came to me today and asked to marry her then I would give you my blessing," she said.

"I know mother. I understand why I have to be silent," I said.

"I wish you could have normal life. Nadeshiko, I do love her, but she lives easier than you do. It's not fair," she said.

"Life's not fair, but we always find a way to deal with it," he said.

"You're a good boy Nagi," she said.

"And you're a good mom."

Rhythm: This chapter was sad in the beginning and end!

Temari: At least the middle was fun

Rhythm: Poor Nagi's mom

Temari: We need to lighten up

Rhythm: You're right and we need to do the question of the chapter

Yaya: Can Yaya do it?!

Rhythm: Uh...sure

Yaya: Alright! Question # 10! Who is trying to discover the secret of the Fujisaki tradition?

Pepe: Review!