I don't own Shugo Chara blah blah blah

We were outside waiting for Nagihiko's mom to welcome us in. "Rima," Mama called softly to me. "Are you still enjoying Sado class?"

"It's alright Mama. I learned a lot last two weeks." I smiled at her. Mama and I were actually really getting along, just like how I always wanted. What's even better is that my Papa's now been getting along with us too.

"Welcome back students," Mrs. Fujisaki greeted. "Please come inside to begin class." Everyone silently shuffled into the house. "Mashiro-san," she said to Mama. "I forgot to thank you for the catalog!"

"Oh my pleasure." I walked by myself to the kids room. I eavesdropped a bit. "She's getting along very well with him, don't you think Fujisaki-san?"

"Who knows? Maybe they could be more than friends in the future." Both mothers giggled. Nagihiko and me? I gagged.

"Is everything alright Rima-chan?" Nagihiko appeared right behind me. I nearly jumped. Holy snap! (lol. that phrase is funny. xD) When did he get here? Did he hear what our moms were saying? I felt a cringe in my spine. Gulp.

"None of your business," I snapped. I guess this was the best cover to use right now.

"Whoa, cool down Rima!" Rhythm said to me.

Nagihiko chuckled and whispered, "It's alright, she gets like that a lot."

------

We were in the middle of Sado class. I calmly watched Nagihiko help the younger children. Funny, there were less kids that attended since the beginning. Oh well, I guess if I was only seven years old I wouldn't want to to stuck in a class where all they teach you to do is serve tea. You have to be patient too because some ceremonies take over an hour to perform.. (I wonder if the Fujisakis ever heard about something called a tea bag. Instant results.) There was only a small handful of kids now. (Most of them were actually napping!)

"So what's the thick bowl used for?" Nagihiko quizzed me.

"The thicker tea." Obvious answer.

"Which side of the bowl do we drink from and why?"

"The side with the imperfections because that's usually considered the front of the bowl."

"If only one bowl is used how many sips can each guest take before wiping the rim and giving it to the next person?"

"Two."

"Which type of tea is served in a more casual manner?"

"The thin tea. The thick tea is more formal."

He smiled. I felt a knot in my stomach. "You've learned a lot Rima-chan." I weakly smiled back. Oh crud. I'm smiling back! Don't blush Rima, DON'T blush.

The tatami door slid open. Thank God that stopped me.

Oh great, Chunge was back.

Her face was dead white. Wow, it was like she just came back from the Underground or something.

"How was your trip? Hey hey, did you know that Rima actually learned something last week when you weren't here? Teehee!" Kusukusu snickered, observing the "I heart CA" T-shirt Chunge was wearing.

"Who's this?" Rhythm asked.

"It's Nagi's relative. She can see us!"

Chunge did nothing but nod and utter, "We're gonna die."

My personality kicked in. "Everyone will die eventually." Oops, it couldn't be helped.

Kusukusu, Rhythm, and Nagihiko sweatdropped. "Would you like some tea?" Nagihiko offered.

"I'd like to take a blade and kill myself," Sheesh, so dramatic. Ha, well it is a family of actors isn't it?

"Well you know where we keep the naginatas," Nagihiko sweatdropped even more.

Kusukusu scolded them. "Suicide is never the answer!" (seriously, o.o )

"That's not cool," Rhythm commented.

"So what's the problem?" Nagi asked.

Chunge dropped her voice. "Nomi," she uttered like it was a forbidden word.

"Come again?" Finally, she could take it no longer. She grabbed Nagihiko by the collar and shook him violently.

"NOMI'S HERE! OH MY GOD WE'RE DOOMED! NOMI IS HERE!!!" she screamed and woke most of the kids up from their little naps. They grumbled.

"What?!" Nagihiko joined her in a panic spell. "She is? Aunt Misaki and Grandaunt too?"

"Yes! Oh Hell, what are we gonna do?!" Chunge ran around in circles.

Obviously, the first thing they could do is calm down. I spoke up. "Who's Nomi?"

"Only the world's biggest, brattiest, kiss up!"

"She's our younger cousin," Nagihiko explained more clearly. "She's only Yaya's age, but she's so arrogant. Aunt Misaki is her mom and Grandaunt is like the boss of our family,"

"I hate all of their nagging!" Chunge whined. "They are the most impossible people in the world! They think that anybody who can't dance well is worthless or something!"

"Is that so?" I said plainly. I really couldn't believe them; they exaggerate too much. Okay, I'm getting to know his family a little bit too well. (The thought of that actually scares me a lot.)

"Konichiwa Japan!" a little girl cried. She flounced in the room. "Nomi here!" So this is Nomi? I studied her closely. First thing I noticed was her hairstyle and hair color. It was a wavy medium length red-brown instead of the customary long flowing purple. Her bright eyes were blue. Wow, the Fujisakis are er.. colorful. I have to say that she looked kinda adorable, but I couldn't be fooled. All cute faces have a nasty side to them. (Do I have to tell you that I was one of them?) Nomi wore a light blue sundress and sunglasses. She put her hands on her hips all sassy and lifted her sunglasses off her face like a celebrity or something. Hm...

"What a presence! She's so pretty!" Some of the kids gasped. I inwardly sighed; they were no different from the ones at school.

"Nagi!" Nomi ran and hugged him. "Long time no see!" Nagihiko sweatdropped as she pulled his cheeks.

"It hurts my face Nomi. Oh my goodness, what happened to your hair?!" So it probably was purple before.

"I cutted it and dyed it stupid! And it's okay! Not like I'm gonna ruin and make your face any worse than it already is!" Gasp. Did she just realized what she said? So this must be why Nomi's impossible. She let go of his face. Ugh. Her fingers were like crab pinchers. "So Momma told me that you and your mommy are teaching a Sado class, it looks fun!" She skipped over to the other students and examined them for a few moments. Then she skipped over to me. "Hi there! I'm Nomi, what's your name girl?"

"You will not address me as 'girl'," I said. Nomi tossed her head and put her hands on her hips again.

"Well it's not like I know your name in the beginning. So what may I call you by?"

"Mashiro-san," I grumbled reluctantly.

"Grade?"

"Why do you need to know such personal information?"

"Rude! I just thought you were in my grade. We could've been friends. Oh well, your loss."

ARROGANT, RUDE, LITTLE-

A shrilly sing-song voice pierced the air. "Nagihiko!" It sounded like the voice of a middle aged woman. I felt my eye twitch. I guess the one thing the Fujisakis can't do is sing. "It's Aunt Misaki and your Grandaunt . Shouldn't you know better to come out to greet us rather than be called for?"

"I uh- I'll be back in a minute. You all just stay here." Nagihiko quickly left the room. What was all of that?

"I'll come too!" Nomi skipped after him. After they were gone, Chunge gave the loudest, longest sigh ever. She massaged her temples for a few seconds and grumbled to herself.

"So!" She grinned. "Did you miss me?"

I thought about it for a moment. "It was surprising how much I learned in here without you." Kusukusu and Rhythm snickered.

"Hey, I don't recognize you." She pointed to Rhythm.

"Yo! I'm Nagihiko's chara. About time you noticed. Yay!"

"His more carefree side," Chunge observed. "I'll look forward to getting to know you later."

------

Half an hour passed. Nagihiko still wasn't back. Some teacher. It was approximately ten minutes before Sado class ends. I felt like fidgeting. It wasn't like me to get restless. "Where's Nagihiko?" I asked Chunge.

"Beats me." I gave her an unsatisfied look. "Hey, if you're so curious then why don't you go look for him?"

"I don't know my way around this place."

"I won't help you look for him if that's what you're asking. I can't stand being in the same room as Nomi and Aunt Misaki." She crossed her arms. Stubborn.

"Please Chunge?" Kusukusu pleaded. Chunge tossed her head up in the air. (Bad habit. It makes her look so snobby.)

Rhythm flew up to her. "Please cousin?" He hugged her cheek. "For family?" What the? Was Rhythm using the 'cute technique' I used to use on my parents when I was younger? GASP. Worst than a flirt, he's a complete convincer! (hehe. there's such a word?) Chunge's eye twitched.

"But the moment I get completely sick of Nomi and Misaki that's the moment we're leaving." She got up and turned to the kids. "We'll be back in two minutes. C'mon Rima. The quicker we get there the quicker we can leave."

------

Chunge slid another tatami door open by only a crack. I heard the sound of different stringed instruments being played: Kabuki music. I peeked in the room. Nagi was dressed in a red kimono and he had his hair tied up. He wasn't himself anymore, he was Nadeshiko. He was dancing alone on a small stage. His audience was an old lady, a woman with red-violet hair, Nagihiko's mother, and Nomi. All were in kimonos too and were completely silent. The only time they moved was when they took a small sip of their green tea. We watched him dance for several minutes. When Nagihiko was finally done, Nomi was the first one to speak. "You call that dancing!?" I at least must give Nomi some points for being so passionate about Kabuki.

"Hehe! That reminds me of Rima and I when people don't do the Bala-balance right!" Kusukusu clapped.

"You're too aggressive, your footing's too loose, and-"

"Nomi that's enough," the red-violet haired woman said. "Grandaunt, what do you think?"

The old woman spoke. "Nagihiko, I've seen you do better."

"I'm sorry Grandaunt."

"Nagihiko was taking a break from dancing," Mrs. Fujisaki defended. "If he had known you were here he would've had time to prepare."

"Wow," Rhythm whispered. (There was no need to though. It's not like they were gonna hear him.) "I've never seen Nagi dance before. Those ladies are making me sick. Chara-change!"

"No!" Kusukusu and I whispered harshly.

Headphones appeared on his neck. They looked completely misplaced with the red kimono. (It suddenly occurred to me, do regular people notice the changes on us when we chara-change?) "Actually, I've been doing more sports lately too!" Nagihiko blurted. Having heard what he said, he gasped a bit.

"Sports! Like baseball or soccer?!" The red-violet-haired woman covered her mouth in shock.

"Where you get all muddy?!" Nomi imitated the woman. (I assume that the woman was Nomi's mother.)

Nagihiko looked at the door. Everyone else did the same. "We're busted!" Kusukusu cried.

"Oops." Rhythm scratched his head. "Lost my cool for a moment." How reckless.

"Show yourselves," the old woman said. "There's no need to run and hide." Chunge slowly slid the door completely open.

"Rima insisted," she muttered. What?! I glared at her. She avoided eye contact, but I knew she could definitely feel the tension. "Hello Grandaunt, Aunt-Misaki." she bowed. Chunge nudged me a bit.

"Oh-" I quickly bowed. "good afternoon." Grandaunt motioned for us to come over.

Aunt Misaki eyed us carefully. "Spying is not very respectable is it? Chunge, how's your dancing compared to Nagihiko's?"

"More or less better. I said I preferred acting onstage more now than dancing."

"Sports and now this! Hm.. at least yours has something to do with stage if nothing else. You were a stagehand the last time in the culture festival weren't you? that's what I've been told." Chunge nodded. "Well that's fine. You know, actresses don't have acne across their face." Chunge instinctively covered the area around her nose with her hand. There were only several small pimples I saw, but compared to her Aunt's flawless face I understood Chunge's embarrassment. That's was a definite blow to her pride. Nomi snickered.

"It's not that bad," Chunge grumbled. She turned to Nomi. "I wouldn't be laughing 'cause you're gonna be the same in just a few years." She felt completely ready to leave.

"Hmph. Teens. Nagihiko," Aunt Misaki beckoned him to come over. She gently grasped his face and examined it. "You need to be washing your face two times a day too." Note To Self: Remember that. She let go. "And who is this?" She turned to me.

"Mashiro Rima. I'm a student in Sado. Pleased to meet you." I faked a smile.

"Sweet girl," Grandaunt praised. "You may call me Grandaunt, this is Aunt Misaki, and Nomi. I am the head of the extended family. We came here to check on Nagihiko's dancing."

"Chunge, Mashiro-san, shouldn't you be back at Sado class?" Aunt Misaki said.

" I have Bayaa taking over the adult's class. You should go back and tell the kids to go to their mothers. Class is ending in a few minutes anyways." Thank you! Chunge and I nodded. We bowed and started to get out. From the corner of my eye I saw Nomi give me a mischievous grin.

"Ahhh!!"

I stumbled over. That brat! She tripped me ON PURPOSE! How did she even do that? I swore I saw Nomi sitting with her hands on her knees just a moment ago! Suspicious and sneaky. I looked down. Thick green tea stained my kimono. Shoot.

"Nomi!" Mrs. Fujisaki scolded.

I heard Chunge, Kusukusu, and Rhythm mutter, "Ouch."

"Rima! are you okay?" Kusukusu hurried over to me.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Mashiro-san!" Nomi buried her hands in her face. That was so fake. Only an idiot would believe her.

"Darling! Are you alright?" Aunt Misaki said. "I am sorry Mashiro-san. Thank God it was only an accident. Mashiro-san, you must be more careful."

CAREFUL?! Idiot. That was a purely intentional, evil act! In the first few minutes I met Misaki and Nomi, I decided I won't get along with them ever. Why I oughta- "Rima." Nagihiko put a hand on my shoulder. That stopped my train of thought. "It's okay. Why don't you come with me to the kitchen to wipe that off?" He helped me up. Good idea. I nodded. "Nomi, you should also be more careful too."

"Sorry Mashiro-san," she said her sugar-coated apology again.

"Mashiro-san, I'll tell Bayaa to get some towels and a stain-remover for you. I'll also tell your mother about dry-cleaning the kimono," said. I thanked her before Nagihiko and I started for the kitchen.

---In the Kitchen---

Nagihiko helped me down onto a chair. "I'm so sorry about Nomi."

"It wasn't your fault. Don't be stupid and apologize or something you didn't do," I muttered. "Although you should apologize for being such a bad teacher. They actually return to class after they say they'll 'be right back.' " Nagi sweatdropped.

Rhythm nodded. "I don't like Nomi. I sense a bad vibe from her." Bayaa came in with some towels and a spray bottle.

"Nagihiko-sama. Mashiro-san. Here are the towels and this bottle will help get the stains out a bit. after that, a single dry-clean should have this good as new," she chirped. "Oh I have to clean up in the kid's Sado room."

Nagihiko smiled. "Oh you don't have to Bayaa, that's my responsibility."

"I insist Nagihiko-sama." We suddenly heard pottery breaking. Bayaa quickly bowed and exited.

"Well," Nagihiko started to fill the silence. He took a towel. Oh no...

"I can do this myself." I quickly grabbed it from him. Oh my gosh. Was I...flustered? I've never been flustered before! Gulp. I tried to bend over to wipe the stain off. Nagihiko watched me. "What are you looking at?"

"I think the guest shouldn't have to do this," he said. He took the towel back from me. "Aren't you used to being treated like this by your fanboys anyways?"

"They don't wait on me as much anymore. I don't need your help."

"It's not even appreciated a bit, Princess Rima?" That struck me. P-princess? Kusukusu giggled. Nagihiko got me there. UGH! Curse you Purplehead and your flirty ways!!! I reluctantly gave in.

A minute later my phone vibrated: I got a text. I quickly checked it.

.

Amu: ~Hey Rima! We're gonna go to the park Friday near the Loveknot temple. We'll just be hanging around, working on the dance plans, and having a picnic. Can you come pretty please?~

.

Pretty please? Amu was more girly than I thought. Even I don't say such a silly phrase. Before I could text back, another phone vibrated. My eyes turned to Nagihiko. "Gomen," he said. He picked it up. "Hello? Oh thank you for calling back." Since when did he get a phone? He looked over to us. "Excuse me a bit." He left the room.

Kusukusu said to me, "Rima, you should get his number later!" HELL NO. Not in a million years. I thought about it more deeply for a few seconds. Okay, I decided If I did then I'd have to secretly steal his phone or something. (Also not gonna happen! That's called stalking and stalking is pathetic. Believe me, I should know. I still have a bunch of fanboys following me all around school everyday.) I soon heard Nagihiko raise his voice like he was arguing or negotiating. So much for leaving for privacy.

"Fine. Okay, so you can make it? Great, but please tell him not to cause a fuss at the dance. Yes, we'll provide the sound and everything. You'll help with the equipment? That'll help so much, and it won't cost us a single yen if he comes? That's fine. Nice doing business with you. Thank you, have a good day!" Nagihiko ended the call with that annoying happy-to-help receptionist voice. Ugh. He came back in. Who was that? I think he read my mind. "I got our entertainment for the dance. It'll be great. Do you have an outfit picked out yet?" Way ahead of you, Mr. Fashionista. I picked it out last week. Ha! (Always be prepared right?)

I ignored his question. "You got a phone?" I asked instead.

"Yup." He opened out a palm. "May I?" Huh? He gently took my cell phone out of my hands. "We're going to the park Friday? Oh great, that's near my house!" Nagihiko said excitedly. He continued to press some buttons.

"What are you doing?"

"Hold on." He pressed several more numbers. "There, you have my cell phone number now." I swear I saw Nagi smirk triumphantly. Grr...Purplehead. I said nothing as he gave my phone back to me.

"Sure beats trying to steal his number right Rima?" Kusukusu whispered. I threw her a warning glance. I tried to shrug it off. She was right after all. Who knows? It could come in handy for a good old prank call someday...

whee! x.x another chap done.

first off, i'd like to give a thanks to x-Raven-Rave-x for giving me a truckload of reviews. X] i especially appreciated you editing my mistakes. (i'll be going back to fix 'em later.)

and also to Chika-Hoshi. :] she made this awesome haiku in one of her reviews and i thought it was uber awesome that someone would do that in reading my fic so i wanna share it with you guys. (Yes, this is her haiku, not mine! so all praises for this one goes to her :] )

Oh why, Rima, why
Why won't you tell him the truth
That you like him too?

reviews are always appreciated (CC especially. :] )

i know, i was late on updating- again. Well you see, xRinrin took a family vacation to Cancun for a week. Then when she got back her mind was still in vacation mode and she was ticked off at all the crappy fics she's been reading lately (she made a rant on it in her profile. xD ) and took another week off. Not to mention she stumbled on a brick of writer's block. :P Her next chap might be a tad bit late too. :p

and yeah, in this chap we have some very unlikable characters introduced. ^^; the chappie's to move on the plot so not much fluff or anything here. you'll get a real good chapter you've been waiting for soon :) . also, for those curious, no this fic won't be ending soon. i planned it all out and we have a very good handful of chaps to go. ;) i guarantee this fic will last till September. (Most likely past September even. :] )

~R_'n_R~?

No? ;__; That's alright too. x]