Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara

-Hello everyone! I'd like to thank all of you for the reviews : )

-This chapter has Utau going to town again

-I hope you like it and sorry for the wait

-Please tell me what you think and Review, any questions will be entertained : )

-On with the story:

An Unexpected Turn Of Events

It was bright and early when Amu and the others started doing their chores around the house. Amu couldn't forget the events that had occurred last night. She didn't know what was wrong with her. All she could think about was his smile, or rather smirk, his voice and his constant teasing as well. "Ah, what's gotten in to me?!? I'm going insane here, why am I thinking of that perverted freak all of a sudden?!?" thought Amu

Unknown to Amu, Dia and Rima were staring at her with nervous smiles on their faces as she was rambling with her own personal thoughts. "What do you think Amu-chan is thinking about all of a sudden?" Dia asked Rima

"Who knows? She's been like that ever since we started." Replied Rima plainly, but she was also in deep thought as to what Amu was thinking about.

As Amu was deep into her thoughts, she was suddenly disturbed by Saaya's yelling voice. "Amu! You get up here right now!" she yelled

"Oh no…" muttered Dia and Rima

Amu snapped out of her thoughts as she heard Saaya's shrieking voice "What could she want this time?" asked Amu in a low voice as she sighed

"That girl is always trouble, so whatever it is that she wants can't end up being a good thing." Replied Rima who happened to hear what she just said.

"Rima don't be that way." Said Amu, even if she had to admit that deep down, Rima had to be right.

"Please, all she does is order you around. She can't do things on her own, not even once. Makes me wonder what would happen to her if we weren't here. Not that I'd care so much to begin with." Said Rima

Once again they were interrupted by Saaya and this time, she sounded way angrier. "Amu where are you?!? Didn't you hear me?!? I told you to get up here now!!!" she shrieked

"Great just great…" muttered Rima in annoyance

"Amu-chan you better go before she suddenly comes down here and things could get much worse." Said Dia

"Alright, well I'll be seeing you two later then." Said Amu "Wish me luck guys."

"Looks like you're going to need it too. See you later Amu." Said Rima

"Be careful Amu-chan." Said Dia

"I will Dia thanks. See you guys later then." Said Amu. She then continued to walk up the large stair steps and soon she reached Saaya's bedroom.

As Rima and Dia watched Amu enter the room, Dia was suddenly disturbed by a sudden thought. Rima had noticed that her friend's expression had suddenly changed so Rima asked "Dia, are you okay? You suddenly look pale…"

"I'm perfectly fine Rima-chan, but something just occurred to me just now." Said Dia seriously as she looked over at Rima

"A thought? My guess is whatever it is, it's not such a good thing isn't it?" asked Rima

"No, but it's just a thought. I'm not certain." Said Dia

"I thought so." Replied Rima then she asked "So what is it all about? If you don't mind me asking and all."

"No I don't Rima-chan. It's just that, you don't think Amu-chan was called there by Saaya because she found out do you?" asked Dia

Rima thought about this for a second and replied "I doubt that, if you mean finding out about yesterday then it's a bit impossible at the very least. None of us told them about it, so unless they can read minds then I doubt they found anything out." Said Rima

"Then why do you think she was called?" asked Dia wanting to know about Rima's insights

"Well, must have been something simple that Saaya just didn't want to do by herself, you know how she is." Said Rima "Either that or she really just does get the pleasure in seeing Amu suffer."

"I guess it can also be a little bit of both, don't you think so?" asked Dia

"Yeah, I guess it is…" said Rima as she and Dia both let out a sigh "She's been nice enough not to complain you know."

"I guess that's just how Amu-chan is…" muttered Dia and soon the two of them went back to their daily chores waiting for Amu to return…

Amu walked up the stairs and went to Saaya's room hesitantly. She really didn't want to be told what to do again, and she hoped that whatever it was that Saaya wanted, she wouldn't have a hard time getting it. She knocked on the door and went inside.

"Amu! What took you so long? Didn't you know that I hated waiting?" she asked turning to look at Amu furiously

"My apologies, I'm sorry for making you wait long." I told her, but deep down Amu wasn't that guilty about it.

"You better not let it happen again or you know what mother can do to set you straight." Said Saaya

The mention of Lady Yamabuki getting involved in this wasn't something Amu was happy hearing. In fact, as soon as Saaya brought that up, Amu was sure she was squinting a bit as she remembered the pain of her wounds that have just healed. She also didn't like it when Saaya always ran to her mother when she felt like wanting to get them hurt.

"Of course Saaya-san I wouldn't think of letting it happen again." Amu told her

"Good."" Replied Saaya with a smug smile of success in her face then soon she spoke again "Now putting that aside, I want you to do something for me." She told Amu

"And what might that be Saaya-san?" asked Amu, she just wanted to get this all over with so she can leave the room and stay away from Saaya as much as she could.

"I want you to get my things and ready the coachman, I'll be going to town today." Said Saaya

"Oh? Why is that Saaya-san?" asked Amu. This got her curious. Why would Saaya want to go to town all of a sudden.

"It's none of your concern really, but if you must know, the royals made an appearance there a few days ago and I was hoping to find them there again if I get lucky. I've been wanting to see the prince since we've met and I'm sure that he is just as thrilled as I am." Said Saaya proudly

Amu stayed silent and thought about this statement to herself. There were a few things she was certain about though. One, Saaya was either being delusional or clueless because Ikuto never even bothered to pay attention to her. Two, would it even matter if she went to town to find them if they weren't looking for her? And three, she felt so bad for Ikuto right now…

"Um…that's nice Saaya-san." Amu simply replied, clearly a contradiction with her own thoughts.

"Yes, now hurry up, and get my new dress out. Don't forget to get everything ready and the coachman as well. We'll be leaving in an hour and I want everything done by then. My things should be downstairs alright?" asked Saaya and Amu just nodded

"Of course, I'll get everything ready right away Saaya-san." Said Amu

"Good, now go and do your job right." Ordered Saaya

Amu bowed and walked out of her room. She was relieved she was finally out of there and didn't need to hear more of Saaya's ranting. She walked down the stair steps and soon met with Rima and Dia who looked happy to see her back.

"Amu there you are, well? What happened up there?" asked Rima curiously

"What did she ask of you Amu-chan? Nothing bad I hope." Said Dia and Amu smiled and she shook her head

"It was nothing serious, she just asked me to do some things for her like usual." Said Amu

"Oh great, what was it about this time?" asked Rima

"She just wanted me to get some things ready for her that's all." She told them

"Oh? She plans to go somewhere?" asked Dia "Where to?"

"The town." Replied Amu

"What?!? Why would she want to go to town all of a sudden?" asked Rima in shock "Did she hit her head or something?"

"Shh Rima, I'll tell you later when she leaves okay?" said Amu "Right now I have to do my job, I told her I'd be done by the time she gets down. I'll be in trouble if I don't keep my word you know." Said Amu

"When will she be leaving for town?" asked Dia

"In an hour, so I have to get things ready now." Replied Amu

"Alright, you do your job, but you have a lot to tell us once you're done okay?" asked Rima and Amu nodded in agreement

With that all cleared up, Amu headed outside to inform the coachman f Saaya's sudden decision and she went back inside to complete all the tasks that needed to be done. She would like nothing more than to chat with all her friends after this is all over.

Meanwhile At the Palace

Utau was walking through the halls of the palace and she spotted Nikaidou talking with Yukairi. She approached them and greeted them with a smile "Ohaiyou, Sanjo-san, Nikaaidou-san." Said Utau

"Utau, I didn't notice you arrive." Said Yukairi "What are you doing here, I was expecting you to be in your room."

"Just walking around is all. There isn't much to do elsewhere anyway." Said Utau with a sigh. She was used to being bored to death at home, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

"I see…" replied Yukairi

"What about you two going somewhere?" asked Utau curiously
"Well, Yuu was planning to go to town today. He has to go and get some groceries." Said Yukairi "And I couldn't accompany him because of my job, Kairi and I still have a lot on our hands right now."

"Oh…" replied Utau then that made her think for a second. "Wait Nikaidou-san, what if I go with you?" asked Utau

"Eh? Now Utau-chan, don't you have things that you need to do here?" asked Nikaidou

"Please, Nikaidou-san?" asked Utau and she was giving him a pleading look "Ikuto's being introduced to a bunch of girls again and he's in a meeting with father right now, plus Yoru isn't here either because he had to accompany him."

"Ah….well…" Nikaidou was having a hard time making this decision. He didn't mind letting her go with him, but how would he tell her parents that?

"Come on Yuu, wasn't the whole: give them a bi of freedom your idea?" asked Yukairi

"Eh? That was your doing Nikaidou-san?" asked Utau surprised

"Um, well sort of. Yukairi helped too…" replied Nikaidou

"Oh, well then I was never able to thank the both of you." Said Utau

"No need for the thanks Utau. We just thought that such an idea would help you and Ikuto all together." Replied Yukairi with a smile

"It was a big help, thank you." Replied Utau with a warm smile on her face

"Good to know." Said Yukairi then she turned back to Nikaidou "Well? Will you take her with you?"

"It's okay if you don't want to though. I don't want to be a bother." Said Utau

"No I don't mind taking you with me. I mean, I definitely have no problem with that. It's just that, well…how are we going to tell your parents about it?" asked Nikaidou

"I'll tell them." Said Yukairi "You two can go ahead and leave for now. I can inform them, Utau has no duties here in the palace today so leaving won't be a problem."

"No suitors?" asked Nikaidou

"No, none at the moment." Replied Yukairi

"Well I guess we can leave. I'll just go over and inform Queen Souko about it then." Said Nikaidou

"So I can go?" asked Utau

"We have to tell your mother first, but if she has no objections about it then yes, you can go with me to town." Said Nikaidou with a smile

"Thank you so much!" said Utau as she went to her room to get some of her things

"Well you've certainly made her happy." Said Yukairi

"Those two deserve just as much as any normal person." Said Nikaidou "I don't think I'd like it if I was stuck here on my own either. Just putting myself in her shoes shows how hard it can be for those two."

"That makes enough sense." Agreed Yukairi then she spoke again "Well you better go an tell her highness before anything else, you wouldn't want to have gotten Utau's hopes up for nothing."

"Right…" replied Nikaidou as he walked towards the throne room

Back In the Hinamori Residence

By the time that Saaya had left, it was already lunch hour. All of them gathered in the garden to eat lunch, as usual Su had been the one to prepare it for them. As they sat there at the table, Rima suddenly brought up the topic that she had wanted to ask Amu earlier.

"So Amu, why did she suddenly want to go to town?" asked Rima

"Town? Is that where she's heading?" asked Nagihiko and Amu nodded in reply "Why is that? She never had interest in going there before." He continued

"That's what I wanted to know." Said Rima "It's strange and suspicious at the same time."

"Did she tell you why she was headed there Amu-chan?" asked Ran and once again Amu nodded

"Yeah, she did. I was able to get the answer by suddenly popping out the question. I was kind of surprised she answered it to begin with." Said Amu as she looked over to her friends

"So? What did she say?" asked Rima

"Apparently, she found out that the royals have been to town. She said she's hoping to see them there once, especially Ikuto." Said Amu

"Why? It's not like their looking for her are they?" asked Rima but she knew the answer was quite obvious.

"No they aren't looking for her Rima, but she sure thinks they are." Said Amu as she remembered Saaya's speech

"She sure thinks they are? What do you mean by that?" asked Rima

"Well, she thinks that Ikuto feels the same way for her that she does for him." Said Amu

"She's kidding me right?" asked Rima

"No. That's what she told me. She thinks he'll be 'just as thrilled' to see her." Said Amu

"She sure is dense for that matter." Said Miki and the others agreed "Amu-chan, if there's anyone I think he wants to see, I'm putting my bets on you not her."

"What makes you think that Miki? He's been nothing but a total pervert to me since they got here!" countered Amu, she was blushing a bit after Miki had pointed that out.

"True, but he only talked to you the whole time remember?" asked Miki making her point "He kept emphasizing our name too, and you're calling him Ikuto."

"B-but I only call him that because he calls me Amu, and the fact that he keeps emphasizing my name is just to annoy me to death." Said Amu

The others laughed at her sudden outburst and then she blushed. Nagihiko looked at her and broke their laughter "Don't worry about it Amu-chan, we were just kidding. But it really was nice to see them wasn't it?"

"Yeah, they seemed livelier than the last time too." Agreed Dia

"But it's kind of shocking that Saaya thought of something like that don't you think?" asked Rima

"It'd be shocking if it were true though." Said Nagihiko

"No way, it can't be. They'd be insane if they really do think about her and want to see her again." Said Miki

"That's true. Besides, if they were looking for her they would have left when she wasn't here yesterday. But they stayed didn't they? So that's a good sign right?" asked Ran

"Yeah, a really good sign~desu." Said Su and the others agreed completely

All of them continued to eat, and spent their day the way they felt like it. What they didn't know was that things might just not be as peachy as they claimed it out to be today…

In the Town of Corinth

Nikaidou was riding with Utau in the markets, Utau was permitted to go with Nikaidou as long as they get back not to late at night. Utau was glad that she was able to go and surpass her boredom. She smiled seeing the people of the town all over again, she was greeted with so many kind gestures and she smiled and thanked them in return.

Nikaidou sighed as he saw that the place he usually brought some of his groceries at were closed. He continued to ride around the large marketplace with Utau and he soon reached the other side. He found a suitable market that had a huge variety of food and ingredients that he just needed.

Nikaidou walked over to the counter while pulling on the horse as Utau walked beside him. "Excuse me sir." Spoke Nikaidou. The salesman had his back turned but he seemed to have heard the voice speak.

"Yes? What can I do for…oh…Utau-hime…" The voice belonged to Rhythm and it seemed that Nikaidou and Utau happened to stop by at his shop.

"Yes, well hello…" greeted Utau "We'd like to make some purchases in your shop."

"Huh? Oh of course, I apologize for that. I guess I was still a bit dazed, forgive me." Said Rhythm with a bow

"It's not a problem at all. You don't have to apologize." Said Utau with a smile
"Oh yes, my name is Rhythm by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you. Now, what can I get for you today?" asked Rhythm.

"Well…" Nikaidou handed Rhythm a list for him to look at. After he took a little glance at the list he Rhythm excused himself to get the items.

"I'll be right back." He told them before he left.

Utau and Nikaidou patiently waited for Rhythm as they observed the other people in the busy markets. Soon enough, Rhythm appeared with all their groceries just as he had once with Miki. "Sorry for the wait, but I got all the items on the list."

"All of them?!?" asked Nikaidou in surprise. Usually he'd have to go to three more shops to complete the whole list.

"Yes, is that a problem?" asked Rhythm a bit confused

"Nothing, it's not a problem at all. I was just a bit surprised that you had all the items. I've never found a shop that's completed it all at once." Said Nikaidou honestly

Rhythm smiled "I'm glad to have been of assistance, always here to help when you need me." He gave them a thumbs up.

"It's good to know. You wouldn't mind if I came back would you?" asked Nikaidou

"No, I would be honored." Said Rhythm

The three of them had a little conversation for a while and a voice was something that had interrupted it. "Rhythm? Long time no see." Said the voice

Rhythm turned to look at the person and he smiled. It was Temari, she smiled at him as he spoke "Ohaiyou Temari, what brings you here?" he asked her

"Hm? Just shopping for groceries as usual. I came here to give you another list of things that I needed. Will that be okay?" asked Temari

"Of course, you know that I always welcome a friend here." Said Rhythm with a smile

Temari soon noticed Utau and Nikaidou there and she was thankful that she didn't say anything about Ami or things could get messy. She remembered how Nagihiko had told her about Amu getting punished for just meeting the royals, she couldn't imagine what could happen if they found out that the royals knew that the Hinamori siblings were very much alive and well.

"Oh, my deepest apologies. Welcome Hime-sama, my name is Fujisaki Temari. I manage a dance academy just a few blocks from here." Said Temari as she bowed

"Oh. It's a pleasure to meet you…" said Utau then something that Temari had said suddenly sunk in and she asked "Fujisaki? Did you just say you were a Fujisaki?" asked Utau

"Well, yes Hime-sama…is there something wrong?" asked Temari confused

"The Fujisaki's have been here for a long time now. They manage the dance academy nearby." Said Rhythm

"Well, by any chance are you related to Nagihiko?" asked Utau. She remembered Nagihiko mentioned something about his sister taking care of Amu's younger sibling.

"Yes I am. Nagi happens to be my younger brother." Said Temari a bit shocked that Utau knew about Nagihiko when Nagihiko simply mentioned that Utau's only met Amu, Miki and Kukai.

"I have been told such." Said Utau "I just wanted to make sure…"

"You've met Nagi?" asked Rhythm in a surprised tone

"Yes, he works for the Yamabukis correct?" asked Utau and Rhythm and Temari nodded in reply. "I've met him here in town during one of my past visits, he was very nice and kind to me."

Temari smiled, she was glad that Utau found her brother to be such a good person. "Thank you for saying such things about Nagi. I'm glad." Said Temari

"He really is a nice guy." Said Utau "And he's very friendly too."

"Ah, if you've met Nagi here then I would come to say that you've also met both Souma Kukai and Souma Daichi right?" asked Rhythm

"Yes, I have met both of them as well." Said Utau with a smile "People of this town are very friendly."

"We're glad." Said Temari

Suddenly in the midst of their conversation, a voice was heard and once again was once, it was an all too familiar voice. "Oi Temari-oneesan, Rhythm-san!"

All of them turned to the source of the voice and saw Kukai waving, with a large smile on his face. "Kukai! How are you?" greeted Temari happily and she gave him a hug.

"Fine I guess, Daichi's down at the restaurant. I left to get some things in your shop." Replied Kukai looking at Rhythm

"Good to know you still remember me." Said Rhythm and Kukai gave him a thumbs up, then Kukai noticed the presence of Utau and Nikaidou and he grinned at her. "Hey you came back just like you said you would. Man you must really like it here then don't you Utau?" he asked

Nikaidou was shocked at Kukai's choice of words and so were Temari and Rhythm. They looked at him with wide eyes. Nikaidou thought that Kukai was just a guy with a huge lack of respect, he found himself wrong when Utau casually responded to him.

"Hmp, well I did say I would come back did I?" she asked him

"True, but I didn't imagine you to come back so soon. I mean, it's only been about two days since you've last been here." Said Kukai, his grin still in his facial features.

"Please, I can come back whenever I want to you know." Said Utau looking at him

"I didn't say you couldn't. All I said was that I was shocked. Man you're just as stubborn as her aren't you?" asked Kukai with a light laugh

"Oh very funny." Said Utau sarcastically

"Hey I was just kidding, but joke are half meant right?" said Kukai and Utau just shrugged him off

Nikaidou observed Utau's behavior and he couldn't help but smile. This was the first time he's ever seen her act like this, so carefree, so happy, so…normal. Temari and Rhythm looked at Kukai and smiled, he was, as they have anticipated, the same as usual. His carefree nature tends to rub off on others and it seemed to have worked well with Utau.

"Hey why don't you guys come with me to my place? We can go and talk there." Said Kukai "Beats standing here under all the heat. You come too Temari-oneesan."

"I'd love the offer Kukai." Said Temari with a smile "I need to drop some things off at home first. My…guests…need some food…" Kukai immediately understood; those guests were Ami and Yaya. Ami in particular.

"I see, well catch up with us if you can okay?" asked Kukai and then he looked at Rhythm and asked "Ne, what about you Rhythm-san?" he asked

"I can't, I have to guard the shop remember?" reminded Rhythm

"Okay, another time then." Said Kukai and then he turned to look at Utau "So are you in?" he asked her

"Fine, not like I have anything better to do anyway." Said Utau

"You say that, but I know deep down that you want to go right?" teased Kukai

Utau flushed and spoke "As if, l-let's just go already." She was soon walking away with Nikaidou following her and he sweat-dropped

Kukai laughed silently to himself before he softly spoke "I can bet that she doesn't even memorize the way to my place, I doubt she knows where she's going…" he said while slightly laughing.

Kukai turned to face Temari and Rhythm before he left and spoke "I better get going, before she ends up somewhere else."

Temari nodded and smiled "Be careful on your way back." She told him

"Yeah…and Kukai?" started Rhythm

"Yeah?" he asked

"Go get her." Said Rhythm with a smirk

Kukai blushed at his comment and spoke "Hey now, i-it's nothing like that." He told them

Rhythm chuckled and spoke "Sure it isn't Kukai, sure it isn't…." he told him

"Ah, whatever I have to leave." Said Kukai as he followed the path that Utau had taken as to track her down.

Rhythm spoke loud enough for Kukai to hear "And you called her the stubborn one!"

"Knock it off!" called Kukai and Rhythm and Temari couldn't help but let out a light chuckle each.

Once Kukai had caught up to Utau, he told him that she was going to the wrong direction. She obediently followed him to the right direction, but she was being stubborn at the same time. They were having a little argument their whole way there.

When they got to the restaurant, Daichi was there to meet them. "Kukai you're back…oh and you brought Hime-san with you too."

Kukai didn't hear his brother for he was still having a little scuffle with Utau "Come on, Utau that's not fair, you really were going in the wrong direction." He groaned

Utau ignored him and he didn't know if she was just enjoying the fact that he was acting this way or something like that. "Utau…." Called Kukai again

Daichi couldn't help but laugh at his brothers actions, this was a first, at least for Kukai it was. "What happened with you two?" asked Daichi

"I don't know, but she's ignoring me." Said Kukai

"And you're bothered by that?" asked Daichi

"Well, yeah I guess so." Said Kukai as he continued to force Utau to talk to him again.

Daichi continued to laugh whilst Nikaidou watched the scene in amusement. Daichi suddenly stopped and ceased his laughter when he remembered something. "Eh Kukai…" he started but his brother still didn't notice "You know, I almost forgot to tell you, but Saaya came here today."

That had caught both Kukai and Utau's attention. Kukai looked at Daichi seriously now and asked "Why?" his voice was serious and a bit cold

"She asked me if the royals have been here, but that was it. I said not today and she just went off." Said Daichi

"Why was she looking for us?" asked Utau

"I don't know, but…Kukai…something's odd…" said Daichi

"What do you mean by that?" asked Kukai

"Well, when Saaya went here, she bumped into a friend of hers. I forgot her name but I recognized her face from somewhere. She was one of those rich kids that passed here to go to the Yamabukis house from time to time…" said Daichi

"Did Saaya say something unusual?" asked Kukai

"Well I only heard a little but I could tell you some of it. She told Saaya how lucky she was cause the royals visited her place yesterday and she said it might have been because the prince was looking for Saaya herself. She mentioned that she heard about it from some of the nobles near their place and how exciting it must have been. " Said Daichi

Kukai thought about this for a second until it all sunk in. He looked over at Utau and asked "Did you? Did you got there yesterday?" asked Kukai urgently

"Well yes, but they weren't there…" said Utau she was suddenly shocked because of Kukai's sudden change of tone

"So you're saying you went there to see her and the others right?" asked Kukai, his tone still the same, urgent and needed answers.

"Y-yes." Replied Utau softly

"Kuaki…this means…." Daichi spoke with a tone of worry "The reason she left immediately was…."

"She found out….she must have found out…." Muttered Kukai

"Kukai?" asked Utau as she approached him carefully

"She found out that you went to their house yesterday…." Said Kukai softly

"Oh…no…." said Daichi with a sigh

"What's wrong?" asked Utau and Nikaidou threw them a confused look as well.

"Her mother isn't going to like this….which means….trouble…." said Kukai as he looked straight at Utau, and it finally sunk it to her too…

She looked back at him wide eyed and remembered what Nagihiko had said. "Amu-chan was whipped…." Her hands soon found theway to her mouth, as she covered them, she gasped. All of them thought the same thing now, with the exception of Nikaidou.

They knew that something was bound to happen now, something terrible, and it might even be worse that before. Amu and the others were about to face punishment…all over again….

Authors Note: Here it is, please tell me what you think. Sorry for the wait. If there are any confusions feel free to ask me : ) Please Review, thank you everyone : D