I don't own Shugo Chara blah blah blah
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
---Friday---
"Thanks for the ride Mama!" I waved. I'm kinda excited to see the park. I didn't know it was so close to Nagihiko's house. I also didn't know there was a temple here. There were many trees overhead. Sunlight that managed to shine through the leaves dappled the concrete path.
Kusukusu called. "Rima! Let's go!" I looked ahead. The path was split in two. Where do we go? It was kind of...scary. Just scary being alone like this. The atmosphere was nice though. I tried to shake my feelings off. Doesn't a nice walk in the park always make people feel better? "Rima! Where should we go?" I shrugged.
"Eeny meeny miney mo..." Eventually, I chose the path to the right. We kept walking around in circles. Stupid Amu, she should've told us exactly where to meet. I couldn't help but admire the park though. So pretty. I suddenly heard barking. I turned toward the sound. Less than ten feet away was a cream colored dog. I froze.
"R-rima! What should be do?" Kusukusu flew behind me. The dog took a step forward. I took a step back. It continued like this for a few more steps. Where was the dog's owner? Oh no, was it rabid or going to bite me?! The dog never stopped barking. It suddenly jumped. Only one word came into my mind: run.
"Ahh!" I cried. Shoot. Now I'm done for. Running... what was I thinking?!?! I hate running and I'm no match for a rabid dog! Also, those animal channels said to never run when you're in front of a lion right? Would a dog be any different? No more questions came to my mind as my body was going through the flight response. It seemed like I was running forever until something jumped down from a tree ahead. Whatever it was, I managed to crash my head into it. "Oof!" It wasn't hard, but it also wasn't a soft pillow either. I still heard barking from behind me coming closer. I felt a hand on my head.
"Benke! It's okay, it's me!" Naghiko said.
Wait, Nagihiko? My body froze, but my eyes snapped open. School uniform. Blue tie.
My head. Crashed. Into his. Ch-
I gasped and staggered back. "Benke! It's Nagihiko remember?" The dog immediately stopped barking and ran up to lick Nagi's face. He chuckled. "So," Nagihiko stood up. "what brings you here? Nobody's supposed to know about my secret path except for me and... only one other person."
Kusukusu answered for me. "We stumbled here Nagi! That dog was scary!"
"It's okay, Benke's just scared of strangers. Here, you can pet him Kusukusu." Kusukusu cautiously stroked Benke's fur and giggled. "Would you like to pet him too Rima-chan?"
I crossed my arms. Hell no. "Where are the others?"
"We're coming to them." He looked at his watch. "Oh my. They're there already?! We have to go, we're already 7 minutes late!"
"7 minutes? You're too precise and-" Nagihiko grabbed my wrist.
"Rhythm!"
Rhythm nodded. "Chara-change!"
"Let's go!" Then he looked at Benke. "See you later Benke! C'mon Kusukusu!"
I protested loudly before he even took a step. "No! I'm not going to run Nagihiko!"
"Then you won't have to!" He scooped me up in his arms. WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!?! Before I knew it, he started running.
"NAGIHIKO!!" I screamed. "Put me down! Put me down this instant!" My demands were ignored.
"Isn't this fun?" Rhythm grinned. No! Now I know why Nagihiko didn't put me down!
"NAGIHIKO WAKE UP!"
"I-" Nagi snapped out of the chara-trance. (haha! coined term.) "R-rima?!" His pace slowed. "What am I-?" He snapped all the puzzle pieces together. "RHYTHM!"
"Yo!"
"You shouldn't chara-change without my permission!"
"Nagi! Watch out!" Kusukusu cried. Huh? I felt my body feeling lighter. Several hair strands bounced up too. From the corner of my eye, I saw a bridge. BRIDGE?! That means...
"AHHHH!!!!!" This time, my screams weren't alone.
.
SPLASH!
.
"Nag-" I coughed out water. "ihiko!"
Nagihiko groaned and slapped his forehead. "Rhythm!"
"Whoops!"
I quickly stood up. Oh my gosh. My phone! I quickly took it out and dried it. Please don't let it die, please don't let it... I opened my poor phone. Yes! Yes! It still works! That was too close. My phone vibrated and bleeped. New text.
Amu: Rima? Where are you? We're all here except you and Nagi. We heard a scream earlier and it sounded a lot like you.
I texted back.
We'll be there in a sec.
"Look at what you've done!" I yelled.
"Me? I'm usually not the one to blame on others but Rhythm was mostly at fault. Your phone works doesn't it?" He pulled his blue phone out. "Thank God," he muttered. "so does mine."
"I meant this." I pointed to my wet uniform. "What will Amu and Yaya think!?"
He stood up and brushed the mud off his uniform. "That we both fell in the pond?" This isn't a game show Nagihiko!
"No! Well yes but..." I stopped. The next part was too embarrassing to tell. What was it? Well, you know in those romance movies when the boy and girl accidentally fall together in a river or whatever? That's why. Telling this to him would be mortifying.
"Ahh..." Nagihiko nodded. "I get it. Well, we'll just tell them that we fell in a pond. I wasn't looking at where I was going and we fell. That's that."
"How did you know?"
"The classic fall-into-the-water movie scene right?" he winked. "I learned that as Nadeshiko." Aced. I blushed.
"Shutup. And how will they think that I fell in? I'm not that clumsy."
"It's alright. Everyone knows that Rhythm's a flirt right? It wouldn't make much of a difference then." This guy is too self confident. "Let's go. Amu and the others are getting worried right? This time," his voice hardened and he glared at Rhythm. "we're walking." Rhythm nodded and flashed an uneasy grin.
-----------
We dragged ourselves to the Loveknot Temple. Thank God it was only a short walk away. "Eww...the pond water is dirty," I complained. I pulled out a leaf out of my wet hair.
"The pond water isn't really dirty Rima. The water was quite clear."
"You really annoy me." Ugh. Purplehead.
"Rima-chi!!!" Yaya's voice rang out. she ran over to me. "What happened? Yaya was getting so worried! And why are you all wet? Amu-chi! No one ever told Yaya we were going swimming!!!"
"We're not Yaya." Nagihiko explained the whole entire situation out as we sat on the picnic blanket.
"WHAT?! Nagihiko carried Rima?!" Amu shouted in disbelief. We're in a public park She's so loud!
"Well, I chara-changed with Rhythm so that's what happened."
"Wow, that must've been easy then," Tadase said.
"Well, Rima was a bit heavier than I thought."
"Are you implying I'm fat?"
"N-not at all! I meant more like you're-"
"Growing!" Yaya suggested.
"Exactly."
"Since you two were late were we kind of jumped ahead in the dance plans. It's coming up so soon! And after that we'll have to work on the graduation event."
"Wha!!" Yaya sniffed. "I'll be the Queen next year but I don't think I can handle it. It'll feel too grown up for Yaya!" Please tell me I was hearing things, but did Yaya start her sentence off in first-person? I smiled. She was growing up and she didn't even no it. Like me...
"I'm sure you'll do great Yaya," I assured her.
"There will be new guardians too," Amu said. "I hope there's enough shugo-chara bearers to fill each job." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Tadase grabbed some papers. "So we'll work first. It's just all the finishing touches. I can't believe we've done this much work in such little time. Banners are put up and everyone knows about it. Everything is getting shipped in this week. The dance is on Thursday from 5:30 till 9:30..."
Yaya interrupted. "Geez Tadase!" This is a rare Guardians' Meeting! We're not in the Royal Garden so we should enjoy it for just a bit! Yaya says play first, then work.
"That won't do, Yaya. Let's just finish it up now. We could eat our picnic food while doing it. I know you don't like getting hungry," Mr. Purpleheaded-Genius Nagihiko spoke up.
"Hooray! You know Nagi, Naddy said something like that to me too. Yaya thinks she said something like 'let's finish it up today'. She was so on time for everything just like you! Wait, how does Nagi know that Yaya hates being hungry?"
"It's obvious judging from your behavior, and 'Naddy' tells me a lot about you guys." I knew Nagihiko was trying out Yaya's nickname for his alter ego. Whoa, am I starting to read his mind too?
Nadeshiko. I glanced at Nagi. Did he still remember our deal? He had to tell the truth to Amu before the dance ended.
"Amu-chi! Can Yaya be your escort then? The dance is only for sixth graders right? Yaya wants to go!"
"I guess..."
"Great! Hey King, will there be slow dancing?"
"Eh?" Tadase was shocked at the question. "Well, I'm not sure. There might be if the DJ brings any slow music. Keep in mind that we're sixth graders. Most of us don't slow dance."
"Ooh. Well Yaya's looking forward to Amu-chi dancing with Tadase." She smirked. "Hey Amu-chi! Let's see the Loveknot temple and pray for a good time at the dance with you know who..."
"Yaya!"
---Loveknot Temple---
I stood a good distance behind Amu and Yaya. They were still arguing among themselves. "Yaya!" Amu blushed and turned her face away from Tadase, who was standing beside Nagihiko and I.
"Do you have an escort yet?" Nagihiko asked Tadase.
"Yes, Souma-kun. He was more than happy to go. He told me he heard form Yaya that you have a new chara."
"Who's Souma-kun?" Rhythm asked.
"He was the Jack while I was the Queen." Tadase elbowed Nagihiko and glanced at me.
"It's alright Hotori-kun. Rima knows."
"Eh? Really Mashiro-san? When?"
"A while back," I replied. "Nagihiko, you remember our deal right?" Nagihiko nodded. Tadase gave us a 'care to explain?' look.
"I have to tell Amu the truth before the dance ends."
"My, so soon!" Tadase said. "I'm afraid to ask what will happen if you don't Fujisaki-kun." Smart Tadase. (The plan actually involved me telling Amu herself and snatching a photo of hilariously-short-haired Nagihiko at age two then giving it to Yaya so she can tease him to no end. )
"Fine fine!" We heard Amu give in. Yaya grinned.
"Hey everyone! Let's all make a prayer together! What will you pray for Rima?" Not answering.
.
Nagihiko shrinking to my size.
(I'd like to yell in his face when I'm mad without tiptoeing or standing on a stool.)
.
"Hey Nagihiko, what about you?" Amu said. Nagihiko looked confused. He responded that he didn't know. "Oh, when we first met here didn't you say there was a girl you were interested in? How's that going?" A girl he was interested in?! How long ago was this?
"Nagi has a crush on someone?" Yaya exclaimed. "Who is it? Do I know her?" Normally I'd join in but this was Purplehead, not Amu having her moments with Tadase.
"Nagi!" Rhythm joined in. "Is it the girl you like now or another?" He likes another girl? I felt my stomach knot a bit. 'In like' (as I possibly was) or 'in love'?
"Rhythm!" Rhythm gave another 'oops'. Yaya and Amu bombarded him with questions. "Well you see, the girl that you were talking about Amu, my feelings have changed. We're just good friends now." Good friends? I quickly figured it out. Sheesh. Amu was so dense. Only good friends. Whatever. No big deal right?
"Oh? That's good. So what about the girl you like now?" Big deal.
He shrugged. " I honestly have no clue. She's a mystery." I saw Nagihiko's face redden a bit after the last sentence. The knot in my stomach grew tighter. Was I possibly...jealous? I couldn't be jealous! I don't even think I know who she is! Yaya and Amu apparently weren't too satisfied with Nagihiko's answer.
"Who is it? Do we know her?"
"I'll leave it from there," he sighed.
"Now can we all pray?" I complained.
Everyone chorused together, "Yeah sure!"
---------
After we we're done praying and finished all the Guardian work each of us quickly headed home. I called Mama. "Hello?"
"Mama. Can you pick me up?"
"Sure. Just stand at the place where I dropped you off okay?" Whoops. Kusukusu and I we're literally walking in circles till we found the dog.
"Umm... Mama. About that... I forgot where I was dropped off."
"Rima!" I heard Mama groan. "How am I supposed to pick you up? Oh wait, it's close to Fujisaki's house right?" Here we go again, something about Purplehead! I replied 'yes'. I knew exactly where this was gonna go. "Can you ask him if you can stay over for a few minutes? I also need to pick up something from his mother. I'll be picking you up in 10 minutes." Our moms were trading goods back and forth. Fantastic.
"Yes Mama." I hung up.
"Your mother needs you to go to my house and she's probably giving something to my mother." He catches on quick.
"Actually, your mama is giving something to mine." Nagihiko chuckled at my response.
"Of course you can, but I want to do something quick first." He headed back to the temple.
"You're going to make another prayer?" I asked. "Why?"
"Just in case." He shrugged. He rang the bell and clapped his hands twice. I went off to read the different temple charms while he prayed.
Hope. Luck. Innocence. Beauty. True Love. Marriage. Eternal. Hey, they were all in chronological order!
"I'm done!" That was quick. "Reading the charms?" I prefer not to answer such obvious questions. "Here, you could have one. They're free you know." He gently tossed me one. "We have a matching pair." What? I opened my hands to see which one he got. The red charm read:
真愛 (True Love.)
I don't know whether I should gag, blush, or mentally squeal. Note to Self: Hide this in the darkest deepest corner of the closet. "Whatever." I put it into my pocket. Wait! He had another girl he liked right?! "Flirt," I blurted.
"Pardon?"
"You said you liked another girl."
"Interested in. There are so many types of 'likes' huh?" he winked. "I'm keeping my options open. I'd hate to fall too hard and only have her reject me on the coldest ways." Something was strange about his tone. "Your Mama should be driving here by now. Let's hurry back."
I heard Kusukusu giggle...
and I could've sworn I heard Rhythm snickering beside her.
----Nagihiko's House----
"Thank you Mrs. Fujisaki."
"Tell your mother it actually works best in cool water rather than warm water." She smiled. "And are you going to the dance?"
"Yes. I'm a Guardian so I have to-"
"You guys are having a dance?" Chunge happened to pass by and overhear.
"Don't interrupt," Mrs. Fujisaki reminded.
"Sorry. When is it?" Ha. Who's being nosy now? "Will there be chaperons?"
"You want to escort Nagi?"
A pained expression grew on her face as she mouthed "Nomi." So that's why. How shrewd. I thought about it for a moment. Opportunistic. She probably didn't care what would happen to Nagihiko at the dance. He could obviously take care of himself. I didn't really like the idea, but I have to somewhat respect her scheming ways. I'd probably do the same if I was her. (Gosh, the Fujisakis are evil geniuses.) I felt SO tempted to say 'no' just for being evil. "Whatever the price is, I'll pay!" she begged.
"CHUNGE! YOUR STUFF IS TAKING UP ALL THE ROOM AND THERE'S NO SPACE FOR MINE!!!" Nomi's wail echoed through the mansion.
Deal. "It's a formal on Thursday 5:30 through 9:30." I'm not being greedy, by the way. This is just in case I ever need some Nagihiko information for maybe some blackmail, a prank, or possibly revenge. (NOT FOR STALKING HIM! Sheesh.) I also secretly hoped Nagihiko will get upset for this. (I'm still not over about being dropped in a dirty pond.)
Chunge clapped her hands. "I owe you big!~" I nodded a bit.
"Mashiro-san, your mother is waiting now."
I nodded. "Goodnight then Mrs. Fujisaki."
.
.
---Thursday---
I stepped out of the car. I was so excited for the dance! "Yes Mama." Was that the millionth and eighth time I said that to her today? While we were driving all she did was tell me a huge list of things I'm supposed to do and not do.
"Remember to ALWAYS stay near the gym."
"Yes Mama."
"Keep your cell phone on all ALL times."
"Yes Mama."
"And..." blah blah blah.
"Don't worry Mama, I'll be fine. I have all my friends there and Nagihiko remember?" I purposely mentioned Nagihiko separately so then Mama would stop worrying.
"Okay then. Have a great time darling! Papa and I love you!" Success.
"Me too. Bye Mama." I watched her drive off before walking into the gym with my fantastic dress, my dignity, Kusukusu, and all.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Hello! This chap was so hard to write, (Writers block :P ) but I finally got through. How was my chapter? Fluffy or not enoughfy? (Haha, LAME!) Also, I wrote the next chapter a long time ago so that will be up next week, I promise. Ergh. That ep in the anime when Nagi was carrying Amu ticked me off. (Anyone else out there ticked off?) so then this is to make up for it a bit. x3 Reviews are appreciated! By the way, eeny meany miney mo doesn't work with two choices. ;)
xoxo Rimahiko! xoxo