Finally, an update! I sort of have a cycle in which I update three stories. Also, juggling with school and homework, it takes a while. None the less, I own nothing, and I hope you enjoy! A little twist in the beginning..sort of.
"I…" Rima hesitated, unsure what to say. "I…I'm in."
Everything seemed to freeze. Rima knew she wanted to be human, but should she say yes to a random person? Rima had dreamed, not literally because she couldn't sleep, about becoming human again. Being a vampire was like living a bad nightmare. However, even if she didn't want to, she had already accepted. Was it a scam? Yeah, she said she'd lose something valuable, but what did Rima really have to lose? Did the others agree with her? They were all watching her, no one saying a word. Ursa, the woman who offered this deal, smirked.
"That's a good move, kiddo." She whispered, stroking Rima's chin. Rima flinched, frightened by Ursa's long, black nails against her skin. Ursa gave her the creeps. However, if she could be human, Rima had to take this option. "You won't come to regret it." Ursa whispered. Ursa whispered a bunch of words that sounded ridiculous; was this magic? Rima could've laughed, if things were different. Ursa snapped her fingers, and suddenly the world began to spin. The last thing Rima heard before passing out was, "Help…me…"
"Rima-Tan, wake up!" Rima heard Yaya yell. Rima's eyes opened slowly. Yaya was standing over her, a worried expression on her face. Rima, slowly, stood up, and remembered she was in Kairi's tree-house. "Yay, you're awake!"
"What…happened…?" Rima muttered. That's when it came back to her. "D-Did it work?" Rima exclaimed. Rima looked through up, directly at the sun. Besides her eyes' narrowing from the brightness, she didn't feel sick. Excited, Rima suddenly felt hungry. A rare grin appeared on her face. "I'm human!" Rima exclaimed. "It worked!"
"Congratulations." Amu said calmly. Why was she so calm? Rima was herself again! She was Rima Mashiro, a normal human. The only thirst she felt was the thirst to drink an actual drink, and not blood.
"Amu, don't you get it? I'm me! Not just some vampire freak, I'm me; Rima Mashiro!" Rima exclaimed. "Kusu-Kusu, you and me are- Wait… where is Kusu-Kusu?" As she said that, it had already dawned on Rima. Something valuable to her would be gone… That was Kusu-Kusu…
"Right after you passed out, Kusu-Kusu was trying to yell for help. That's when she fell into her egg, and it disappeared." Nagihiko explained. Rima's eyes widened, as she sank to her knees. Rima didn't think that she'd lose anything. Yet, she lost what meant the most to her. A shadow crossed her face.
"No…" Rima began to sob. The tears felt new to her cheeks. It has been a little less than a week being a vampire. She had not been able to cry. Now, the tears fell down, and nothing was holding her back. Maybe Nagihiko put his arm around her. Maybe Amu put her hand on Rima's shoulder. Rima was too upset to pay much attention.
"Mashiro-San, we should get going." Tadase's voice said. Tadase? When did he get there? Rima peered up, brushing tears out of her face. How long was she crying for? It felt like years, but Rima soon realized it was only ten minutes…
"R-Right…" Rima whispered. She looked up, wondering how to get out of the tree-house. Out of nowhere, Nagihiko put his arm under her legs, picking her up. He carried her, bridal-style, out of the tree-house, and onto normal ground. Rima felt her face redden. Rima was happy to be human, but she missed Kusu-Kusu… "W-What are you doing?" Rima exclaimed, as Nagihiko put her down. That's when she noticed the headphones around his neck disappear. Nagihiko glared at his chara, making Rima miss her own. Amu floated up, Tadase holding onto her. Yaya was being picked up as well by Kairi.
"Now what?" Amu asked, turning to Tadase.
"We need to somehow prove that Mashiro-San is human now, so they won't come after her." Tadase whispered. "It will take a while for people to believe that vampires are real. So, don't worry too much about that." Rima nodded.
"It's Yaya's fault, isn't it?" All eyes turned to Yaya. "Yaya wanted to go to the candy store, and that's where the drama began…"
"No, it's not your fault." Rima muttered. "I used it to get you to stop talking about…" Rima stopped herself. "Whatever. The point is, we're, no, I'm caught up in the mess. My chara, the only one I could talk to, is gone. I'm human. Everyone hates me. I killed Kirishima."
"Kirishima-San isn't dead." Tadase said. Rima looked at him. "You didn't bite him enough to kill him or change him to a vampire."
"Why don't we visit him in the hospital?" Yaya wondered. "We can clear it all up to him!"
"Yaya-Chan, Kirishima-San is still delirious, I can imagine." Nagihiko said softly. "He's in no condition to see us." Yaya pouted. "It was a good idea, in theory…"
"Yo everyone!" Everyone looked up, and saw Kukai and Utau. "Ikuto went… wherever Ikuto goes, but the coast is clear! How about we call it a day?"
"Might as well…" Nagihiko said.
"Yaya, let's go. I'm getting quite tired." Rima muttered. She was tired. Now that she could be tired, she was exhausted.
"Wait… My parents are home now… Oh no!" Yaya exclaimed. Now how was Rima going to stay at Yaya's house?
"Great." Rima grunted. "Well, I'll go back to my house. Or the streets."
"Rima, my parents wouldn't mind!" Amu reassured. "Stay at my place!" And it was decided Rima would stay at Amu's place. Amu and Rima went back to Amu's house. Rima pulled her hair back, and put on sunglasses.
"Hey mom! Can Ri-err…" At that moment, Rima could tell Amu blanked out on Rima's fake name. Amu's mom looked up at them. Rima forced a grin.
"Amu, how could you forget my name? I thought we were friends! Geez… it's Nema!" Rima lied.
"Ehehe, sorry Nema-Chan… Well, can she stay for the night?" Amu's mom nodded, as Rima and Amu hurried up to Amu's room.
"That was close!" Amu exclaimed, collapsing on her own bed. Rima nodded.
"Yeah… Shoot! Amu, can I borrow your clothes? I left mine at Yaya's house…"
"Oh, of course!" Amu said, smiling, handing Rima a nightgown. Rima changed into it. It was big on her, but it was just a nightgown.
When Rima walked back into Amu's room, there was a mattress on the ground. "Here, I made this mattress for you!" Amu said, smiling.
"Thanks…" Rima whispered, lying down, as she closed her eyes. "Good night Amu."
"Night Rima…" Amu whispered, just as a knock was heard on the window. Rima's eyes opened, as Amu grunted, and went to the window. She opened it, sighing. "What do you want? Rima's staying here!"
"Well, so am I." A familiar voice said, lying down on Amu's bed. Amu sighed, and rested next to Ikuto. Rima turned to the other direction, closing her eyes.
The doorbell made Rima wake up at once. She yawned, looking at the clock. It was 9:00. Rima suddenly remembered she was at Amu's house. Right, Kusu-Kusu was gone… Despite all of that, Rima smiled, enjoying the feeling of sleep. She had not slept in so long, and it felt good. She looked up at Amu's bed, to see it empty. Where was Amu? Rima rubbed her eye, as Amu walked into the room.
"Rima, get dressed! Nadeshiko's back!" Amu exclaimed, a huge smile. Rima looked at Amu, not blinking. Why on earth would Nadeshiko make her rush? Nadeshiko was just Nagihiko's twin… Suddenly, Rima remembered that they weren't twins.
"He didn't tell you yet…" Rima muttered. Amu looked at her, puzzled. "I thought he may have told you while I was 'dead…"
"What? Who would've told me what?" Amu wondered.
"Nothing." Rima muttered. "Let me just get dressed." Amu nodded, and handed her an outfit.
"You're a smaller size than me, so I haven't worn this since I was ten…" Amu admitted. That made Rima feel odd; she was the same size as Amu when she was ten? Rima nodded, as Amu left the room so she could change. Rima pulled the clothes on, and looked at herself in Amu's mirror. She had normal skin tone; back to the peach skin she had before. Her blond hair was a mess. The clothes she borrowed from Amu were purple. She wore a purple shirt that had a heart on it. She wore matching jeans that were slightly small. She borrowed Amu's brush, and brushed her hair. Even though he was dressed as a girl, Rima was still seeing Nagihiko, her, almost official, boyfriend. Not that Nagihiko would really judge her either way…
"Do I look good?" Rima wondered. She expected Kusu-Kusu to respond. However, Kusu-Kusu never answered. A shadow crossed Rima's face. Kusu-Kusu was really gone. Was there any way she can undo the deal, and get Kusu-Kusu back? She'd give up anything to get her chara back…
Sighing, Rima finally made her way downstairs. She didn't bother to disguise herself. She didn't care anymore. What was the worst that could happen; she wasn't a vampire anymore.
"There you are!" Amu exclaimed, smiling. Rima looked at Nadeshiko. "She" had her hair tied back with a green ribbon, and she wore matching green clothing.
"Hello there Nema-Chan. I don't believe we've ever met. I'm Nade…"
"We've met." Rima snapped. "I'm Rima. I'm not going by any useless name. I'm me. Maybe you should learn that too." Nadeshiko's eyes narrowed. Amu looked confused.
"Well, we should do something! Nadeshiko, it's been so long! The three of us can do something fun! Things have been tense…"
"What an understatement." Rima muttered. "It's been extremely tense. Surviving as a vampire, losing the only person who understands you…"
"I understand you." Nadeshiko said.
"No you don't!" Rima snapped.
"I do, as a matter of fact. Of course, I wasn't a vampire, but I lost my chara…" Amu looked at Nadeshiko, shocked.
"You…did?" Amu exclaimed. Nadeshiko ignored her.
"Well, yours came right back to you!" Rima countered.
"I didn't realize that at the time!" Nadeshiko said. "Besides, you can't give up Kusu-Kusu. I'm sure you'll find her. Don't give up on her."
"I gave up, because it's hopeless!" Tears were in Rima's eyes.
"How do you know?" Rima looked at Nadeshiko. "Magic isn't, wasn't, real. Nothing can just 'vanish' out of thin air. It's virtually impossible!"
"Nadeshiko, how did you find out about this?" Amu asked.
"Nagihiko-San told me." Nadeshiko said, a lie that Rima would've believed if she didn't know the truth. Just by the mention of his name, Rima turned red.
"Did he tell you about him and Rima?" Rima shot Amu a glare, Amu smirking.
"Uh, yeah, he did mention that… Anyway, we should have fun!" Nadeshiko said. "Why don't we hang at the park?" Amu smiled, and nodded. Rima sighed, following them. Rima was slightly annoyed at Nadeshiko, but she tagged along, not having anything better to do. They arrived at the park, and suddenly, Rima remembered when they were last there. That was when the vampire hunter, Vladimir, had found her, and saw her kill the duck. There was a baseball team that saw as well. She had run with Nagihiko, and they had kissed. Out of the corner of her eye, Rima noticed Nadeshiko tense a little, entering the park.
"Nade-Chan… What exactly happened to Temari?" Amu wondered.
"Well, at one point during my trip in Europe, I had begun to doubt my ability in dancing. Temari had gone inside her egg. That's when I… " Nadeshiko paused. "…Lost Temari." Amu nodded.
"How did you know that, Rima?" Rima looked up. She didn't have an excuse, and she didn't care if she blurted Nagihiko's secret. It was his fault for keeping it, anyway.
"I don't know. Why don't you ask Nadeshiko here?" Rima muttered. Amu looked at Nadeshiko, confused.
"I…ran into Rima-Chan the previous day." Nadeshiko lied.
"Why didn't you tell me you were back before?" Rima could tell Nadeshiko was beginning to have trouble answering Amu's questions…
"I didn't have time…"
"You're hiding something!" Amu said. "I know it!" Nadeshiko looked nervously at Rima.
"Yup, he is." Rima confirmed. Nadeshiko glared at her.
"I…can't tell you. Not yet. If I could've, I would." Nadeshiko whispered.
"Why did Rima call you a boy?" Amu exclaimed. "Nadeshiko, please!" The look Nadeshiko gave Rima made her feel almost guilty. Wait, why would Rima feel guilty? It was his fault he was in this mess!
"I…" Nadeshiko sighed. "It's complicated…"
"Nadeshiko, please, it must be important! I'm your friend; I want to know, because I care about you!" Amu pleaded.
"I-I'm not who you think I am." Nadeshiko whispered. She reached up for her ponytail, and began to pull it out. Amu gasped. Rima watched him, her arms crossed. "Nadeshiko and I am the same person. We aren't twins, Amu-Chan. I dress as a female to dance." Amu's eyes widened.
"No…" Amu whispered.
"I would've told you sooner, but I couldn't. I-I didn't know how to…" Nagihiko whispered. "I actually have two charas." Rima watched Nagihiko, seeing how worried he looked about Amu. It was a little funny. However, a wave of envy filled through her. How come he had two charas, when she currently had none? Amu was speechless.
"Don't hold it against him." Rima muttered. Both of them looked up at her. "I only knew, because I found out by accident. Look, he's the same person either way. It doesn't really matter." Nagihiko smiled at her, making her face turn red. "Look, I-I'm only helping, because I guess I sort of made him tell you…"
"I'm not mad. I just…didn't expect that." Amu laughed. "How unexpected!" Amu looked at Nagihiko. "I would've liked you to have told me a while ago, but I'm not mad!"
"Thanks Amu-Chan…" Nagihiko whispered. Amu smiled. The three of them decided to get lunch. Rima got a sandwich, and happily ate it, the first meal she had since blood.
"Shoot… I just realized Ami has a dance recital today!" Amu realized. "Oh geez, I have to run! See you guys later!" Amu hurried off, leaving it just the two of them.
"…So it's just us." Nagihiko said.
"Yeah." Rima grunted. "Sorry, for making you tell Amu…"
"No, you were right." Rima looked at him. "I had to tell her at some point. Now was as good as any other time." Nagihiko smiled. "Want to see a movie?"
"A movie?" Rima wondered. Maybe that was a good idea. It would distract her from reality; Kusu-Kusu's disappearance. And it was good that it was with Nagihiko. The two of them made their way to the movie theatre, and got tickets to see a romantic-comedy. They sat down next to each other, and started to watch the movie. The movie was awful, in Rima's opinion. Since she had not slept in a while, she placed her head on Nagihiko's shoulder, and closed her eyes.
After the movie ended, Nagihiko woke her up. Rima opened her eyes, and followed Nagihiko out of the theatre.
"Was the movie good?" Rima wondered. Nagihiko laughed at her.
"No. But it was nice having you next to me." Rima blushed at that comment. "Sometimes, I have to agree with Ikuto's comment of enjoying making Amu-Chan blush." Rima glared at him.
"I thought you didn't like Ikuto dating Amu and wanted Tadase with her." Rima pointed out.
"It's whatever Amu-Chan wants. Don't tell Hotori-San I said that, by the way." Nagihiko said. Rima nodded slowly. "Come to my place, for the night." Rima looked at him. "If that's alright with you, of course."
"You mean to stay at your place for the night?" Rima wondered.
"Precisely." Nagihiko replied. "My house… has more room than Amu-Chan's or Yaya-Chan's. We can go to Yaya-Chan's house to get your clothes, and then you can stay over."
"Fine." Rima muttered. "I just want a different room."
"That's fine." Nagihiko said.
"Would…your parents mind?" Rima wondered.
"My mom wouldn't mind. She thinks having girls over helps me become more feminine. I wouldn't tell her that you're my…" Nagihiko paused, blushing. "Heh, anyway… Let's go to Yaya-Chan's house." So, they went to Yaya's house to get Rima's stuff.
Later, they arrived at the Fujisaki Manor. Even though just the day before Rima had been there, the size still over-whelmed her. She was almost excited to stay at such a large house. Nagihiko tied his hair back.
"I have to pretend I'm Nadeshiko." He said, as he led Rima inside. "Baaya-San, I'm having my friend, Rima, stay over."
"That's fine, Young Master." Baaya said, smiling. Nagihiko smiled back, as he led Rima to her room.
"This is where you'll be staying. There's a bathroom, if you need it." There was a bathroom inside the guest room? Or, should Rima say, one of the guest rooms. The size of the room was half the size of her old house. Rima was amazed. "Well, good night, Rima-Chan. Breakfast will be served tomorrow morning." Rima nodded.
"Uh…night…" Rima muttered. Nagihiko awkwardly stood there, than hugged her. Rima's face turned bright pink, but she hugged him back. He let go, and left for his room. Rima sighed, lying down on the guest bed. "I wish you were here, Kusu-Kusu. Why did I ever trust Ursa?" Rima wondered to no one. She sort of regretted asking to have a separate room. She felt lonely. Whatever, there's tomorrow morning, Rima thought. I'll see him tomorrow. At that moment, she knew she loved him. She had already realized that, but it just came to her even more.
I hope this is what you Shugo Chara fans were hoping for. There was no violence really, but it was replaced with a bunch of RimaHiko fluff. Next chapter, violence will probably occur. Review!