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~ I do not own Shugo Chara. ~

Chapter Three

~A War?~

The sweet smell of strawberries wafted in the air, tickling the blond boy's senses. The smell of permanent marker was evident, too which made him wrinkle his nose. Actually, now that he noticed it, the smell of permanent marker was really strong, almost overpowering his senses.

"Whu?" He heard a small snort from next to him. His eyes shot open as he regarded the sniggering pinkette.

"Bout time you woke up, Prince-sama! You're a pretty heavy sleeper, you know that?" Her eyes twinkled mischieviously as she stood. "Better get to the theater. Assembly is starting in five minutes!"

"Okay?"

She full out laughed as she went down the stairs causing Tadase to raise his eyebrows. "Am I missing something...?" He shook his head and packed up his stuff. Huh, he didn't remember taking out his marker. That would explain the smell at least. He shrugged, got up, and left for the theater.

Down the hallway he noticed everyone staring at him, and not in a flattering way either. People were taking pictures, and laughing behind their hands.

"Oh no, my hair must still be a mess or something..." he mumbled self-consciously. He wiped his suddenly sweaty hands over his hair, and glanced around at the still amused student body.

"Likin' the look, my man!" a cheery familiar voice said as an arm came around Tadase's shoulders.

"What's everyone freaking out about, Kukai? I know my hair's a little messed up, but for everyone to be so amused by it..."

"Trust me buddy, it ain't the hair!" Kukai laughed until tears sprouted in his eyes. "Gotta hand it to Hinamori! Didn't think she had it in her!" Tadase's brow furrowed. What did she have to do with anything? Just then, he caught his reflection in one of the glass cases. Oh. Well, what a lovely nap indeed.

XxX

"Hahaha! You should see his face, Rima! I drew all over it! It was so perfect, I can't believe he didn't wake up! I felt kinda bad since he was down, but it was the perfect scenario! That'll get his mind of his issues while at the same time showing the Princes, Ikuto, that they aren't the bosses. Two birds with one stone!"

Rima laughed with her pink haired friend as she heard a bunch of people relaying the image of a thoroughly embarrassed Tadase.

"I'm proud of you. You finally caught onto my evil ways. Anyway, come on let's get to the assembly. Heard there's some big announcement."

"Probably something about the four pretty boys. Did I mention I accused Tsukiyomi of working in a gay bar? I swear I had him pegged there."

"Oh really now?" Amu winced at the proximity of the boy's voice. How is it that he always finds her? And does he know the meaning of personal space? For some reason though a shiver ran down her spine, but she shook it off as being creeped out. No way she would find his presense nice in any way.

"What do you want, Tsukiyomi?" she asked icily. He met her icy tone with a equally cool response.

"You're sitting with me, no questions." He quickly grabbed her arm before she could protest and sent a wink at Rima. "Borrowing her for a bit."

"What is wrong with you?! Let go of me! Why is it so important I sit with you when I obviously don't want to."

"Just shut up and go with it for a minute. You'll see." She bristled at his tone, but complied nonetheless. No point in resisting now since he had a death grip on her. The theater was not your average high school theater by any means. They had ushers (which Amu would never begin to understand why), velvet seats, and high-class lighting and sound systems to ensure everyone could see and hear in the enormous space. Bright lights lit the amphitheater-like room as thousands of students and faculty rushed to find their appropriate spot. Each year sat in a different section of the room with their respected homeroom classes. Ikuto dragged Amu over to their section in the center of the theater to where the other three princes sat in the front row. They greeted her, save for one embarrassed looking blond with a face red from rough scrubbing.

"Still got a little something on your face there, Prince-sama." she smirked, receiving a glare from the blond and laughs from the others.

"Hinamori! You are officially the coolest girl I know! You and I must compare notes for pranking! Up top!"

"Why?" Tadase asked quietly, face now carefully turned away from her.

"I'm assuming you're asking why I did that to you. That should be obvious." she shrugged not intending to expand on her reason as she looked away from his confused face and paid attention to the principal now speaking. He was a tall, well-built man with a hard expression forever placed on his face. Amu couldn't recall a time where she saw the man smiling, but despite that, he was still handsome. He was chosen by the directors themselves who said the school needed an attractive principal to represent the school. Amu scoffed lightly under her breath.

"Today, as most of you know, the four sons of the four great companies of Japan transferred into our school today after their two-year studies over seas. Their families help fund this school to be what it is today, a great and prosperous place where students can-"

Amu began shutting is voice out as she took in the four boys. She knew they were the four heirs, but for some reason it still hasn't sunk in. She hardly saw them, excluding Fujisaki since she never got the chance to talk to him, as future business leaders. Then again, they were only sixteen and seventeen with hormone-driven minds. She shrugged.

"-and here is Tsukiyomi Ikuto himself with more details."

She broke out of her thoughts to watch Ikuto walk up to the stage to the microphone as fangirls squealed. Crap, she totally missed everything the principal said. What was happening?

"My family has been supporting this school to live up to its potential. We provide the school with many services and facilities that make it what it is today. We earn great benefits from the school, as well as great pleasure in knowing how this school is revered globally. To further the school's success even more, we wish to give the student body a direct voice and representative that will report to us personally with the needs and concerns of you, the student body."

Amu listened intently. Now that he talked like this, she could see the potential of a leader in him. It was obvious he was comfortable speaking up there, and without the infuriating smirk, he did look kind of cute. Wait, what?

"We would have chosen the student council president for the job, however, Kiseki already has enough work on his hands. Therefore, we decided to choose a student who the student body knows and respects, has high grades, and would voice your comments to us comfortably and professionally. For these reasons, we chose Hinamori Amu as your representative." he finished as claps and cheers filled the air.

"Ah, Hinamori Amu. How nice for her!" ... "Oh crap that's me! What why?!" she panicked and sent accusatory glares at the three sitting next to her. They looked equally surprised and sent her amused, wide-eyed grins.

"Hinamori Amu, if you could please step up to the podium?" Ikuto motioned calmly with a small smirk on his face that didn't go unnoticed by Amu. She felt like lead as she stiffly walked up to the microphone and stared into the sea of students blankly. "Do you accept this position as representative?"

Honestly, she was still in shock. Why the hell would he choose her? Was he trying to be funny? Was this some kind of joke? She supposed she was qualified since she probably was the only girl, besides Rima, who wouldn't faint by being in the same room as the four. Her grades were good and consistant. She was popular with the students and knew quite a few. But she could tell he had his own agenda in this decision, too. His smirk and the mischievious glint in his eyes proved just that.

Obviously, no one else saw a problem with this decision, despite her argument with Ikuto this morning, since the student body excitedly smiled at her and cheered her on. Apparently her ability to stand up to him rendered her more qualified than ever in their eyes. She considered refusing point blank right them just to spite him. It would be incredibly easy to do so just to see the look of surprise on his face.

"I accept."

Then again, two could play at this game. Like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This was war, and Ikuto would be sorry he ever initiated it.

-End-

This has been edited(: