Me: Wow.

Amu: What?
Me: This story's chapters have made it to the double digits before I got bored with it. That's a new record.

Amu: Your life must be boring.

Me: A life? What's a life?

Amu: Oookay. Oh btw, 'Alice' doesn't own Shugo Chara.

Amu POV

We raced towards the screaming. My heart was racing, my breathing erratic with the sudden panic. We rounded the corner to see Utau screeching like a banshee and Kukai struggling to hold back his laughter.

Before I could ask what the problem was, Utau's screeches became coherent. "Eww I'm going to kill that bird! My hair has got bird poo all through it!"

It wasn't long before Ikuto was chuckling beside me, and I was pressing my lips together in an attempt not to join in. It was quite the difficult task. The fit she was throwing over her hair made her look like a bratty three-year-old.

"Utau calm down. It won't be long before we have to get off. You can see the island from here now," Ikuto said between hysterics, pointing into the distance.

Sure enough, when I stared towards where he was pointing, I could see an island lined with palm trees that were all swaying in the breeze and just behind them a small building which I guessed was the hotel.

x-X-x

We'd all gotten off the boat with light loads, as our bags were on the back of a trailer which had somehow managed to fit on the small boat with us. To my dismay, there was a small amount of bickering. Why couldn't this holiday just go smoothly? I tried to pick out the voices and understand what they were arguing about. It sounded like Ami and Kukai were fighting over who was going to ride the quad-bike up. Thankfully, Papa interfered and told Ami she couldn't; she was too young and could hurt herself. I heard Kukai laughing quietly; they were probably making faces at each other. The engine started and roared off, but when I turned to comfort Ami, I saw Kukai chasing after the bike. The peace of the island was broken by our arrival. I tried to ignore his yelling directed at Yaya for taking the bike without asking, and turned to wait for Rima and Nagehiko who still had to get off the boat.

"What are you worrying about now? We're here, and we're safe. Easter has no idea," Ikuto whispered from behind me, making me jump slightly.

"No, it's not that. Rima and Nagehiko haven't come off yet," I replied, "and I'm contemplating whether or not to go up and find them or let them be."

"Hmm, well we need to show them where their room is, so you might as well go and get them," Ikuto suggested.

"Yeah, probably should," I agreed, taking a few steps. It was harder then I thought; apparently Ikuto hadn't planed on letting me go.

"You weren't supposed to take me seriously," he whined.

"Sorry, but I still have to go and get them." He reluctantly removed his arms from my waist.

"Fine. I'll go try and get a turn on the quad bike, before it runs out of fuel," he laughed before jogging off towards the fading sound of the roaring engine.

I made my way back onto the boat and began searching for them. Even though there was no need to panic, I still couldn't help but feel worried. All of the events of the past few weeks had left me feeling insecure and exposed. Fortunately, I found them a few minutes later up on the top deck. Rima was sound asleep on Nagehiko's chest, with his arms wrapped around her.

"Hey, are you guys going to get off the boat before it gets cold?" I asked quietly. Nagehiko nodded with a small smile and gently shook Rima awake.

"Huh, what?" she groaned, her eyelids drooping heavily. "Why are we still here?"

"Because you fell asleep and Nagehiko didn't have the heart to wake you up until now. It's starting to get cold so you guys should go inside and unpack. I'll show you to your room." Rima was still groggy as they stood up and I led them back to the hotel.

x-X-x

Once we were all unpacked we had agreed on meeting up at the large patio behind the building. It was perfect because it was accompanied by multiple barbecues. Everyone had decided it was going to be the celebration to start the celebration. Ikuto and I thought of it differently; it was a celebration of our temporary freedom.

"So tell me again why there are still people working here and how are they paid?" I asked for the millionth time. It still baffled me as to how someone; who hasn't been seen in years, still manages to run a small resort and pay the staff without any queries arising.

"My guess is probably as good as yours," Ikuto simply shrugged. I let it go; does it really matter at this time of happiness and freedom.

The celebration's dress standards were 'classy yet casual' as Rima put it. So I decided on a simple black halter top and denim jeans. I tied my hair up in a ponytail letting some curls fall to hang beside my face, and placed a decorative X clip on the band. For the final touch, I added a bit of 'classy elegance' by putting on the same necklace and earrings from Ikuto. After a quick glance at my reflection in the tall glass window I determined my outfit was perfect for this occasion.

I stepped off the ivory white tiles onto the cream cushiony carpet. It felt so soft that it'd be comfy enough to sleep peacefully right there.

I looked up to Ikuto, who hadn't dressed up in the slightest. He was still in the same jeans and T-shirt he's worn on the trip and his hair was still a messy disarray of dark blue hair. "Could you at least try to, I don't know, comb your hair?" I asked.

"Why? It'll just get messy when I go back to sleep," he argued playfully. "Besides, it's as classy as you'll get."

"Liar, I've seen you dress formally," I retorted just as playful, remembering the formal graduation he attended because of my teasing pleads.

"Ah but there was no choice then, this time I get to have a choice," he pointed out. I rolled my eyes and he smirked in triumph.

I couldn't help but smile back at the smirk I'd come to love so much. "C'mon, before we're late for our own engagement party," I said. He hopped up and eagerly grabbed my hand, leading the way down to the barbecue patio.

We reached the patio and gasped. Rima had really outdone herself. There were festively coloured lanterns held up by tall tiki torches. Each torch had a vine of frangipani flowers spiraling around it. The delicious smell of the food wafted across to us, making us breathe it in deeply. It was coming from the large bench which was set to one side of the patio with plates of 'nibblies' spaced across it. We made our way over to them. I hadn't noticed how hungry I really was; starving in fact. I grabbed one of the pineapple slices and took a juicy bite. There was beautiful music playing from the other end of the floor. I wasn't sure what language it was, but it was certainly music meant for parties.

I turned around in a spiral so I could see everything that Rima had accomplished for this party. All of a sudden, someone jumped onto my back and latched her arms around me. "Big sis!" she screeched in my ear.

"Ami, don't break your sisters back. You're not five years old anymore," Mama scolded as she tried to pry Ami off my back

I unlocked her fingers and placed her gently to the ground. "Ami, Mama's right. You're a little too heavy for me." Her face fell into a pout. "Of course Ikuto would be able to give you a piggy back," I offered slyly.

Ami's face lit up and she sprinted over to Ikuto. She jumped and locked her arms around his neck screaming, "piggy back, piggy back!" in a demanding, yet childish voice. Ikuto struggled a little with unlocking her arms but soon gave up and settled for leaving her there. It looked like he had a hot pink backpack with caramel streamers for the evening's events.

I couldn't help but laugh along with the others. He whispered something to Ami and she giggled something back. I wasn't sure what he said, but I had a feeling I should be a little worried when I saw the glance he shot at me. I knew it somehow meant payback, but the atmosphere of joy and happiness distracted me enough to keep me unworried, for tonight at least.

Everything was perfect for the moment and I didn't see how anything could go wrong. That was until I saw Rima run across and off the deck into the trees. Nagehiko followed her.

Some of us went to follow but Mama spoke up. "You should let them be."

"Why? She might want help," I reasoned.

"I'll tell you later," she answered in a hushed whisper to me.

Me: Okay that seems good.
Amu: Wait, what's wrong with Rima?
Me: You'll find out later. Anyways, please review. Click the green button even if you haven't signed up; I allow anonymous reviews. A huge thanks to my editor IAmTwilighter; I love you. And I love you guys who read my stories.