Recap

"Right, that means that someone with a chara is making the ? eggs. It also means that it has to be someone around our age," -Rima
"They would also need some financial support since they're following us around America,"-Utau

"Then I'll ask the big question. Who do we know that has a chara and isn't on tour with us?" -Aarin
"Nami"-Rei

"SHUT UP!" She pushed me down and sat on me so I couldn't get up. She went to punch me in the face but I blocked with my arms. Every word she said was another punch. -Nami's POV

Nagi always makes sure Rima is happy. Ikuto always makes sure Amu is safe, even if he loves to tease her. Kukai always makes sure to bring the best out of Utau, Kairi always makes sure Yaya knows what's happening. Aarin always makes sure that Rei shines. Why can't my relationship be like that? -Nade's POV

I didn't notice it before but Tadase always makes sure that I'm not left out of anything. -Nade's POV

"I hate to admit it but, I'm scared. The minute I came out I was locked in my egg. Why did you do that?" -Nade's chara

Kusukusu: Wow there was a lot of plot violence in the last chapter

Rhythm: Especially the part where Lulu freaked out

Temari: Daydreamer1105 noticed that there has been a small lack in Rimahiko. She wants to let everyone know that after the America ar of RB and ND there will be more fluff. Of course there will be fluff here and there but she has more action planned than anything right now. There is a lot of Rimahiko in this chapter.

Rima: How many more chapters of us in America?

Nagi: Daydreamer1105 isn't sure but around three or four. It's almost over. The climax of the America arc is close so don't worry Rima. We'll be home soon.

Rima: I kinda miss my bed

Chapter 28 Independence Day

*Nagi's POV*

"Hey Sanjo? Could we get sparklers when we get to the next town?" Aarin asked.

"Why?" she asked.

"Today is Independence day. There's always fireworks on the Fourth of July," Aarin said.

"America's Independence day is on Nagi and my birthday," Nade said.

"It seems we'll get to celebrate it with fireworks," Rei said.

"It's your birthday?" Blue asked the twins.

"Yeah." I answered.

"I had no idea," Leo said.

"It's alright. I didn't tell you," Nade assured him.

"How about we go see fireworks for the twins," Sanjo offered.

"Yay! Fireworks," Yaya cheered. Rima smiled up at me and squeezed my hand.

*Time skip*

"I can't wait!" Yaya cheered.

"We have to wait for it to get dark. It wouldn't be as pretty during the day," Amu said.

"Fireworks are for little kids," Ikuto said.

"No they're not. They're pretty and romantic," Amu argued.

"Oh really?" he said as his cat ears popped out.

"Don't get any ideas pervert," she said. He started to chase her as she ran away.

"Those two," Nade said. Everyone sat on a couple of blankets. Amu, with Su's help, made us food earlier to eat while we waiting for it to get dark.

"I'm sorry that we couldn't really get you presents since we've been here for a while," Utau said.

"It's alright. We don't expect anything. Fireworks on our birthday is a great present," Nade said.

"I agree," I said.

"I still feel bad," Rima said. She was sitting on my lap and looking up at me.

"You can always give him birthday kisses later Ri-ri," Rei teased.

"Stop calling me that," Rima said.

"I can't help it," she said. Rima just sighed. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer to me. Her arms rested on mine.

"Wait a minute! Isn't there a concert today?" Nade asked.

"Don't worry about it. We moved it to tomorrow. We'll just have our fun day today and our concert tomorrow," Utau said.

"You didn't have to do-"

"Yes we did," Utau interrupted her. Nade smiled at Utau.

"Thank you Utau."

"Happy birthday Nade."

"PUT ME DOWN!" we heard Amu yell.

"Looks like Ikuto finally caught up to Amu-chi," Yaya said.

"More like he was tired of cat and mouse," Kairi pointed out.

"The fireworks should start soon so stop squirming," Ikuto said.

"I thought you said they were for little kids," Amu said.

"I changed my mind," he said as he sat down and put Amu in his lap. She seemed to go quiet really fast.

"Here everyone," Aarin said as he passed sparklers around.

"Wow!" Yaya cheered.

"We have firework pops too," Aarin said.

"What are those?" Kukai asked.

"You throw them down and they pop," Aarin said. He demonstrated by taking one and throwing on the ground. It made a louder pop noise than we expected.

"Cool!" Rhythm said.

"Here," Aarin said as he handed a box to Kukai. The ginger thought it would be funny to throw one down next to Utau and make her jump. He laughed as she jumped.

"It's on!" she said. The couple had a war with the firework pops.

"I guess you can do that too," Aarin sweatdropped.

"Leave them be. It's kinda cute in their own way," Rei said. I ignored everyone else and looked at Rima. She was smiling at her sparkler.

"That's a good birthday present Rima," I said.

"Huh? What is?"

"Your smile," I said. She lightly hit my arm.

"That was cheesy," she said.

"I guess it was," I said. She kissed my cheek.

"But it was still sweet," she said.

"Rima! Nagi! The fireworks will start soon," Nade said. Everyone sat down on the blanket. Not too long the dark sky was filled with bright colors. Yaya called and the rest of us smiled as the fireworks went off. It was a great birthday. I had my girlfriend in my arms, my friends surrounding me and fireworks above us. What more could I ask for?

*Time skip*

*Rima's POV*

"Goodnight Rima." Nagi said as he wrapped his arm around me.

"Nagi?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for your birthday," I said.

"This again? I told you that I don't care," he said.

"But I do," I said.

"You can draw me something then," he said.

"But that's not fair. You got me a really good gift for my birthday and I give you a drawing. You get the short end of the stick. I want to be a good girlfriend," I said. He turned me over so I was facing him.

"Rima, it's not a competition. It doesn't make you a bad girlfriend. You're an amazing girlfriend," he said.

"You're just saying that because you're too nice," I said.

"Rima I-" I flipped him over on his back

"Rima!" He was shocked. I was sitting on his chest.

"I have to do something," I said.

"Just being with me is enough," he said.

"No, that's not good enough," I said.

"Then what do you want to do?" he asked. I didn't know what to do.

"You can always give him birthday kisses later Ri-ri." That's it!

"Rima I'm tired. We need slee-" I leaned in and kissed him. It took him a few seconds before he reacted. One hand was on my cheek while the other was in my hair. I didn't really know how to make our make out session special. We were too young to go any further than we have. I felt something lick my lower lip. He wanted entrance. I might not be able to make it special but I'll follow his lead. I let him in. We haven't kissed for this long before. Of course we had to stop for a second for air but we would kiss more. He sat up, making me fall into his lap. His hands went to my waist as my went to his hair. I decided to be more bold. I began to kiss his cheek and down his jaw to his neck. This time I noticed that his breaths were different from normal. I didn't notice last time. I made sure to go lower on his neck so he could cover it up later. I wasn't making that mistake again. After a bit I worked my way back up to his lips. He kissed me harder. I completely forgot that I was doing this as a birthday present. I was enjoying it to. He pulled away and was panting since we needed air.

"You're really good at that," he said as he leaned his forehead on mine.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I don't really know what I'm doing to be honest," I admitted. He gave me a light peck.

"You're amazing Rima," he said.

"Happy birthday Nagi," I said. He smiled at me.

"I'm guessing you liked your present," I said.

"Yes, very much," he said a bit embarrassed. I smiled at him.

"I love you."

"I love you too." He lied down with me. He held me tight.

"Goodnight Nagi."

"Night."

*Lulu's POV*

"The machine should be complete in a couple of months. The kids will be back in Japan by then. Make sure you keep them occupied. It would be a shame to do all this work for nothing," Mr. Valentine said over the phone.

"Don't worry, I've kept them busy. They have no clue it's me too. I have a few ideas to make this creative," I said.

"What do you plan to do?"

"I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. I have a few creative ideas and I always have my ace in the hole, right Nami?" I asked.

"I'm not talking to you," she said as she walked into the other room.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Mr. Valentine said.

"I have a trick or two up my sleeves. I won't get caught even if they find Nami," I said.

"Oh really? You and I both know that she knows that you're part of this plan. She'll reveal too much. How are you going to tame her?"

"A spirit can always be broken. It's not hard to put doubt in someone's mind. I also have desperate measures if needed," I said.

"Also I heard there was a new chara," he said. How did he figure out that Nade had a chara. I didn't tell him and I know Nami wouldn't speak to him. It had to be one of the guards.

"Yes sir. Nadeshiko now has a chara. I tried to capture it but I ran into some trouble. I couldn't keep my identity hidden and keep the chara," I said. I felt terrible telling him this. I'm betraying Nade. I promise I'll make it up to her.

"We shall start using her for the machine too. It will go a little faster," he said.

"Yes sir." I said disappointed.

"Are you doubting your role Lulu?"

"No sir. I'm just tired is all. I've had a long day of travel. I'll be alright after some sleep," I lied.

"Work on breaking down my step-daughter. Good luck Lulu," he said before hanging up. I sighed.

"Lulu," Nana said concerned.

"I have a job to do," I said.

*Nami's POV*

"Nami look! Fireworks!" Kaya cheered. I looked out the window to see red and gold fireworks explode in the sky.

"It's Independence Day here. Aarin told me all about it when we were younger," I said.

"It's pretty," Kaya said.

"I forgot that it's your first time seeing fireworks."

"I love them. They may be fleeting but they're beautiful when they're there and they stay in our memory," she said. I smiled at her. I need to keep hoping. I can't give up now.

"Nami!" Lulu barged into my room with two bodyguards.

"What do you want?" I asked as Kaya hid behind me.

"One thing simply. It's time for us to take Kaya."

"I won't let you!" I yelled.

"Nana." I heard a small scream. Nana managed to sneak up and tackle Kaya.

"Kaya!" The bodyguards grabbed my arms so I couldn't move. Lulu put her in a weird container.

"Let me out!" Kaya yelled.

"What are you doing to her?!" I yelled.

"Don't worry, I'm not hurting her yet. Just think this as insurance. If you speak one word of this plan I worked hard on then Kaya will be forced in her egg and crushed. You can purify an X egg but you can't get a chara back after it's been destroyed.

"NO!"

"Be a good girl and stay quiet about this. After everything is over you'll get her back safe and sound," Lulu said as she walked out of the room.

"Lulu you can't do this," I begged.

"Oh I can and I am," she said. I struggled against the guards but they were too strong.

"NO KAYA!"

"NAMI!"

"Lock her up. The only time she can leave is when she's with me," Lulu said. The guards pushed me down and walked out of the room. I got up quickly and tried to escape out of the room but the door slammed in my face. I tried to open it but I heard the small click of the door being locked. I pounded on the door.

"KAYA!" My hands hurt. I leaned on the door and slid down till I was sitting. Tears filled my eyes. I saw the fireworks still going off through my window.

"It's Independence day. The day that Americans celebrate freedom. If that's true then why am I a prisoner?"

Kusukusu: Poor Nami

Rhythm: I agree

Temari: The chapter started off really cute and then it got sad

Kaya: It will be alright in the end. Daydreamer1105 likes happy ending

Kusukusu: You're right. It can only get better from here...right?

Kaya: Of course. Question #30. What do you think Lulu is going to do next?

Kusukusu: She's going to give Kaya back and stop being bad and we'll all live happily ever after

Rhythm: Probably not babe

Kaya: Review please