Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara.
-Thank you everyone, for the reviews and for adding this story into your favorites. Thank you all so much :D
-This chapter has minimal pairings, but all the pairings will be featured in the next chapter : )
-It's more focused on the visit and some talk and other things.
-Oh, just to clarify, Musashi is not that much of a major character, his role is much like Rhythm's and Temari's.
-I hope you like this chapter. Please do Review and tell me what you think of it afterwards. Thank you! :D
-I hope I didn't bore you all just yet. :D On with the story!
The Visit and The Talk
It was early in the morning, about six or seven to be precise. Ran, Miki, and Su were cleaning the house when the bell of the mansion rung. Dia went to answer the door and it revealed a man, dressed in fancy clothing, and not to mention a really expensive looking carriage behind the man.
"Yes sir? What may I do for you?" asked Dia kindly. She's never in her life seen this man before.
"Ahem." The man cleared his throat before speaking. "I am here to be of service to one named Miss Dia and company."
"Um…that would be me." Said Dia "I'm Dia, what can I do for you kind sir?" she asked confused.
"Our beloved Hime-sama has asked me to fetch you all, and humbly to escort you to the palace right away." Said the man. "I am to be the coachman for your travel to the palace."
Dia stared at the man for a few seconds and soon asked "Are you saying….Utau-san sent you?"
"Yes, that's precisely the reason why I'm here." He replied.
"And to make things clear…you're here to take us to the royal palace?" Dia asked again.
"Yes madam, I am." He replied again. "Was this quite unexpected?" he asked her.
"Quite." Replied Dia. "Would it be alright if I called the others first? I hope it won't be any trouble."
"No, of course not, do take your time." Said the coachman with a smile.
"Thank you very much….I'll be back in a while." Then Dia bowed, and went away to fetch everyone else with the shocking news.
Dia briskly walked into the halls and called out the names of all her friends. She waited until all of them were present in the halls and then soon Miki asked. "What's the matter? Who was at the door?"
"The royal coachman, or I think that's him…" said Dia. As said, she's never seen him before so she really couldn't be too sure.
"What's someone like him doing here?" asked Rima "Something he wanted to deliver maybe?" she guessed.
Dia shook her head and replied. "No that's not it. Utau-san happened to send him here."
"You're kidding right? What for?" asked Ran.
"Remember when she asked us if we wanted to go to the palace?" asked Dia and they all nodded their heads in reply. "Apparently, she was quite serious about that."
All of them stayed silent for a minute then ended up yelling "WHAT!?!?"
"Y-you mean…that man…" started Ran pointing at the door, "Is here, now to fetch us?" she then pointed to herself and the others.
"That's what he said." replied Dia. "Looks like when Utau-san says something, she really means it."
"Yeah, that's how it would seem." Agreed Nagihiko. "Are you sure he's here for us?" he asked again.
"Absolutely, I asked him multiple times about it, and he kept saying yes. He even mentioned my name." said Dia.
"Well? What do you guys plan to do about it?" asked Miki "Should we go or not? If that's really what he's here for then Utau seriously must be waiting for us."
"I want to go." Said Rima "Amu's there remember? This might be our only chance to see her in a while."
"I do miss Amu-chan very much~desu." Said Su "I'd like to see her now too."
"Well, if you guys put it that way, is there really a reason to say no?" asked Ran. "If it's the one chance we'll get, we might as well take it."
"I agree with her. Amu-chan is our friend after all. Utau-chan is just giving us a great opportunity." Said Nagihiko with a smile "And I doubt she'd like it if we turned her down."
"It is a kind offer. So let's go." Said Ran excitedly.
"Can we go change first? And I suggest we bring cloaks, just to be sure." Said Dia.
They all nodded in reply and started to get dressed for the occasion. Soon, they all met back at the lobby of the mansion and headed for the door outside. They saw the coachman waiting patiently for them there.
"We apologize for taking long; we just weren't expecting someone to come get us." Said Dia apologetically.
"Not to mention fetching us this early." Said Ran with a laugh.
"No worries, I've been told to wait by the princess and I will. I am glad to accompany you all today." He told them with a smile.
"Do you have a name?" asked Miki. "We'd like to know what it is if you don't mind."
"Yes, my name is Musashi, I apologize to have failed to introduce myself." He told them with a bow. "I work at the palace as the royal coachman."
"We can see that." Said Rima. "Thank you for taking you time to come here."
"As I said, it was my pleasure." Said Musashi and then he asked "Would any of you mind making another stop before we head off?"
"No, not at all." Said Nagihiko. "Where exactly are we heading to?" he asked.
"Hime-sama told me to fetch two more people after I head here." He told them "She said, they lived near the markets in the nearby town."
"Markets in the town?" questioned Nagihiko "Could it be…."
"Yes?" asked Musashi confused "Is there a problem?"
"No, it's nothing big, we should be heading off now." Said Nagihiko with a smile.
"Alright, please do get inside now." He opened the doors for them and then got on the front and started to maneuver the horses into another direction away from the mansion…
Soon, they got into the town of Corinth. The town was a bit empty than usual, it was way to early to cause a fuss. At first, nothing seemed to make sense as to where they were heading, until Nagihiko recognized an all too familiar street. He knew whom they were fetching next, and his guess was, they had no idea what was about to hit them either.
Musashi knocked on the wooden doors of the Souma household. Soon enough, out came Kukai who was tired and seemed to be groggy that he just woke up. Kukai didn't recognize the man in front of him so he asked. "Um…hi…do I know you?"
"I am here to fetch the two brothers of the Souma family. Souma Kukai and his younger brother Daichi." Replied Musashi.
"Oh. That'd be me. My name's Kukai." Replied Kukai, he was now fully awake "What can I do for you?"
"Utau hime-sama has told me to fetch you sir." Started Musashi "You are to be accompanied to the palace along with your brother."
"…." Kukai didn't reply and continued to stare and then he asked "This isn't a joke by any chance is it?"
"No, I can assure you that I am quite serious sir." Replied Musashi.
"No way…" mumbled Kukai as he paced back and forth trying to make things register in his head clearly.
"Yes way Souma-kun." Nagihiko got down from the carriage and turned to face Kukai. He sighed and spoke "We couldn't believe it too, but it seems as though Utau-chan was telling the truth when she said she wanted us to go."
"You're telling me that Utau was serious?" asked Kukai again.
"Yes she was, and you have to go with us, or she might be upset if we tell her you didn't go because you didn't believe her." Said Nagihiko.
"Yeah but…." Kukai looked over at the carriage and shook his head "She seriously had to send someone didn't she?"
"I don't think she'll think we'll go there by walking and to make sure that we'd go, she sent someone to come get us." Said Nagihiko.
"Yeah I get that part already Nagi, just never really thought she was serious." Said Kukai.
"We didn't think so too." Said Nagihiko "Are you going to go then?" he asked Kukai.
"Well it's not like I have a choice, she'd come here and cut my head off if I didn't and then I'd get in trouble. I'd rather not." Said Kukai and then he added, "Besides, I'll get to see you-know-who if I go right? That's definitely a plus side right there."
"That's what the others said too." Said Nagihiko with a smile "After such a long time, this is a perfect opportunity."
"No kidding." Replied Kukai with a laugh and then he turned to Musashi. "Can you wait for a few minutes, I'll go get my brother."
"Of course sir." Said Musashi "Take all the time you need."
"Thanks a lot." And then Kukai went inside the house and called his brother. "Daichi, wake up you lazy bum!"
"Hm, five more minutes….ZZZzzzZZZzzz" replied Daichi.
Kukai took one of his pillows and hit Daichi on the head "Forget the five minutes, get up man!"
"OW! Kukai! You didn't have to hit me!" said Daichi as he rubbed his head "What's the big deal? We don't open after another hour you know. And since when did you get so energetic this early in the morning?"
"I'm not, but this time it's different." Said Kukai. "Get dressed and meet me downstairs quick. Every second counts, now move, move, move!"
"Okay, okay I'm moving, I'm moving sheesh…" as Daichi got up and was getting some clothes to wear he asked his brother "What's the hurry anyway? I don't remember anything supposed to happen today."
"Yeah, well change of plans." Said Kukai. "We're going to the palace."
"Huh?!?" Daichi dropped whatever he was holding and stared at his brother. "That's not a funny joke Kukai."
"Get over it because it's no joke. Because if it was, the royal coachman wouldn't be there and there'd be no carriage waiting for us downstairs with Nagi and the others waiting in it." Said Kukai in a knowing tone.
"Are you serious?!?" asked Daichi, he still couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Yeah I am, now get dressed already because people are waiting for us." Said Kukai "I'll meet you downstairs. I'll use the bathroom in my own room, just be done soon kay'?"
"M'kay, see you around Kukai." Said Daichi and then he muttered to himself "I can't believe she wasn't kidding…"
A few minutes later, Kukai and Daichi came out and went inside the carriage. Musashi soon started to drive them towards the palace, and as they were moving, all of them were engrossed with their own topic of conversation.
"So, did any of you think she was serious?" asked Miki.
"Nope, didn't think she was. Guess she wasn't kidding." Said Kukai with a sigh. "But what are we supposed to do when we get there?"
"Yeah, wont her parents somehow recognize us?" asked Daichi.
"That's true, but we don't really have a choice but to go." Said Nagihiko "And it is a chance to see her again, then so be it."
"I can't wait to see her." Said Ran happily "It's been weeks now and I'm just excited."
"I think we all are." Said Dia "I miss Amu-chan too."
"I don't think I'd like to see that Ryo guy again though." Muttered Kukai "He spells big time trouble in my book. Plus, the fact that he knows me doesn't make it better on my part."
"Leave him alone Kukai, we'll all be there. And with Utau there I doubt the guy can do anything to you at all." Said Rima.
"Even if Utau wasn't there I doubt he could do anything at all." Said Miki in a knowing tone. To her, Ryo didn't seem like he stood a fighting chance against Kukai at all.
"True, the guy's nothing to you now." Said Ran "It's not like you did anything wrong to begin with. You don't have to be afraid of him."
"I'm not afraid, but I don't want to get caught ripping him apart if he tries anything." Said Kukai seriously.
All of them continued to talk a bit more when Musashi suddenly pulled into a stop. "Minna-san, we're all here." Musashi told them "I am to guide you all to the palace now that we've arrived."
At first none of them made any comments, they couldn't see things much from inside the carriage. As they got out though, most of their mouths were wide open in shock, awe and amazement. They've seen the palace afar, but never this up close and personal.
"Wow…" muttered Daichi "It's…huge…"
"Huge? More like gigantic…" continued Kukai.
"Utau-chan lives in a place like this~desu?" asked Su in shock. "She must be so lucky…."
"I knew it was big….but this is just crazy…" said Ran.
"I second that." Replied Miki.
"Um…." Musashi couldn't help but laugh at all their shocked expressions, but he needed to get them inside.
"Oh!" exclaimed Dia "Minna, we're being rude."
"Sorry…" they all spoke in unison.
Musashi shook his head and responded. "Not to worry, it's a normal reaction for anyone. But I would like it if you allowed me to take you inside rather than just standing here."
"Yes of course, we didn't mean to space out like that." Said Miki with a smile "We're really sorry Musashi-san."
"No it's honestly fine. And please just call me by my first name." said Musashi "Kindly come with me." He told them as he started walking and leading the way.
Musashi led them to the entrance gate and then inside the palace itself. Kukai and the others continued to stare in awe at the huge place. Once inside, Musashi led them to the throne room and he knocked on the door.
"Come in." said the voice from inside.
"Please observe proper behavior when inside." Said Musashi as he looked at the others and they all nodded in reply.
They all followed Musashi inside and then they saw the king and queen seated there, right along with Ikuto and Utau. Aruto looked at Musashi and the others with confusion.
"Musashi, what brings you here? And who are these people?" he asked.
"Your highness, they're guests." Replied Musashi with a bow.
"It's our pleasure to be here sire." Started Dia as she bowed too, followed by all the others.
"Father…" started Utau as she looked at her parents "I…I was the one who brought them here. I told Musashi to fetch them and bring them here…"
"This was your doing Utau?" asked Aruto surprised.
"Yes, well….yes it is…" replied Utau "I just wanted them to pay a visit to their friend….she's the girl Ikuto found…"
"Well if she has so many friends then whys is she here?" A voice suddenly spoke. When they all turned around, they saw Mai there.
"That's none of your concern Mai, this is no business of yours." Said Utau.
"Actually it is. As Ikuto-koi's future wife…" she started.
"Future…wife?" muttered Kukai in shock. "So this was the Mai that Utau told me about? Harsh…"
"She's the girl Utau was talking about?" asked Daichi in a low whisper.
"Yep, sure looks like it." Replied Kukai.
"Ouch, man tough luck for him." Said Daichi as he glanced at Ikuto.
"Definitely…" agreed Kukai.
Ikuto had it, when will this girl give up an get it through her thick head that he wasn't and never will be interested. "Mai…" he started in a warning tone.
"Yes?" asked Mai sweetly.
Utau rolled her eyes and muttered "Oh please…"
"How many times do I have to repeat it Mai? Is it that hard to get it into your thick head that one: I will never be interested in you. Two: I never was and three: do you want me to say it again? I'd rather marry a cow." With that said, Ikuto walked out the throne room, not bothering to look back and slammed the door behind him.
"…" everyone was silent. Utau smiled triumphantly at what Ikuto just did, and well….the others were trying to hold back their fit of laughter, even Musashi.
"Well that was…entertaining." Said Utau silently.
A few more minutes later… "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Mai screamed again and Kukai had to cover his ears since he happened to be nearest to her.
"I think I need my ears checked after this…" muttered Kukai.
Daichi and the others twitched, even Aruto and Souko. "Mai…please stop." Said Aruto with a sigh.
"Why?!? Why doesn't he like me!!!!! It's not fair!!! It's that wretched girl's fault!!! Let her go back already!" screamed Mai. She was acting like a spoiled brat.
Utau paid no heed to her and spoke "And I think we can be excused now father." Said Utau, she smiled at the others and gestured for them to follow her out the throne room. Dia and everyone else gave one last bow before following Utau out the door.
As all of them got out the door, Utau dismissed Musashi and thanked him for everything before she turned to the others completely. "Well? How do find the palace?" she asked them.
"Great. But I'd rather not have that woman near me. Man my ears feel like they're going to pop out any minute now." Said Kukai.
"What was up with that girl?" asked Miki.
"She's a pain isn't she~nya?" Yoru suddenly came and approached them. He sighed as he spoke again "The whole palace heard her scream~nya."
"And why is that not such a surprise?" asked Daichi sarcastically "I think the whole town could have heard her."
"Well, I have to apologize for Mai's…unwell behavior." Said Utau. "She's always like this. This isn't the first time it happened so it isn't such a shock."
"How can your parents stand her anyway. I'd be running out of that room if I were there." Said Kukai.
"My parents and her parents happen to be good friends. Pain how she uses that to her advantage." Said Utau with a sigh.
"She sure got dumped big time by Ikuto though." Said Ran.
"Ikuto's just being nice to her. And it's not like he wasn't telling the truth at that." Said Utau. "Mai brought this upon herself, so there isn't any need for Ikuto to feel guilty about it."
"True." They all replied in unison.
"Now come on. I meant what I said, you guys probably want to see Amu right?" asked Utau.
"That would be nice Utau-chan." Said Nagihiko with a smile.
"Come with me. Let's go to her room." Said Utau as the others soon started walking and followed right behind her.
They walked in the huge halls and into Amu's room. Her room was in the far corner, right next to Utau's and very near Ikuto's room too. Utau knocked on the door and then went inside. All of them slowly walked in and saw Tadase, Kairi, Ikuto and Tsukasa there too.
"Utau? What are you doing he-.." Amu didn't finish as she saw the faces of her friends.
"Surprise Hinamori, long time no see!" greeted Kukai with a smile.
"Kukai!" called Amu "Minna! You're all here!"
"We wouldn't miss seeing you for the world Amu." Said Rima with a smile as she went over to hug her friend.
"Ohaiyo Amu-chan, it's been quite long hasn't it?" said Nagihiko with a smile then he looked over at Tadase. "You too Hotori-kun. It's been long."
"Fujisaki-kun?" asked Tadase in shock "Eto… Souma-kun's here too."
"Yup, it's been a while Tadase." Said Kukai with a thumbs up. "Looks like you've changed a bit."
"You did as well Souma-kun, but you still do act the same." Said Tadase with a laugh.
"Of course!" said Kukai with a grin.
"Looks like everyone's here. Nice to see all of you again after such a long time." Said Tsukasa with a smile.
"Tsukasa-san!" exclaimed Miki. "Nice to see you too."
"Ne Kukai, what are you all doing here?" asked Amu.
"Well, Saaya and her mother took a leave for three days. This is the second day, they'll be back tomorrow night." Said Dia.
"So Utau took us here an here we are Amu-chan!" said Ran happily.
"Arigatou Utau, you don't know how much this means to me." Said Amu with a warm smile.
"It was nothing, we're friends aren't we? And I knew you felt rather lonely." Said Utau "It was my pleasure to take them here."
Amu soon started to catch up with what's been happening while she was away. "Gomen Rima, she's giving you a hard time because I was gone." Apologized Amu.
"It's nothing Amu, at least you're safe here, and that's all that matters now." Said Rima with a smile.
"But, you guys have done so much for me already." Said Amu "I can't just leave you guys there."
"We wont be left there Amu-chan, we'll find our own way out." Said Nagihiko "You need not to worry about us."
"He's right Amu-chan, we're all just happy you fell into the right hands when you disappeared." Said Dia.
"That's why we want to thank you as well Ikuto-kun~desu." Said Su as she looked over at Ikuto.
"Su's right, if it wasn't for you, and if you didn't save Amu-chan, something could have happened to her." Said Miki with a smile "We really do owe you."
"You have but our biggest thanks and gratitude Ikuto-kun." Said Dia with a smile.
"It was nothing." Replied Ikuto.
"Where's Yaya? Didn't she come along?" asked Amu.
"Oh that, Yaya went somewhere with her family today, they're out of town." Said Kukai "Temari-oneesan closed the academy for the day to take care of Ami."
"Oh I see…" said Amu and she asked "How is Ami by the way?"
Everyone stared for a while and Ikuto kept his eyes on Amu. Kukai sighed and spoke "Well, she's fine to say the least…but…"
"But?" asked Amu.
"But she does miss you…a lot." Said Kukai.
"Oh…." Replied Amu and then she gave off a sad smile "If you go visit can you tell her I miss her too and that I'm sorry didn't get to visit in a while."
"We told her you were busy." Said Miki. "She just…well she said she's looking forward to having you there again."
"I miss her lots too, but things are….complicated right now, and I don't want to end up dragging her into things." Said Amu.
"I'm sure you'll get to see her again Amu." Said Utau with a smile "We'll help you with it, in any possible way we can."
"Thanks Utau." Smiled Amu.
Soon someone else spoke. "Anyway, what are we going to do now~nya?" asked Yoru. He wanted to break the sad aura surrounding them.
"Hm, good question…" started Utau "Would you guys like some kind of tour?"
"No it's alright. We don't mind much anyway." Said Ran.
"Speaking of which, what was with that girl Mai?" asked Kukai "She has issues or anything with you Ikuto?"
"No, I don't have anything to do with her. She's the one who keeps following me around. It's annoying really." Said Ikuto with a sigh.
"How could t not be?" asked Miki sarcastically.
"Have you met her already?" Amu asked her friends.
"Yeah, we have and it wasn't all that pleasant. What about you Amu-chan? She didn't seem to like you when she talked about you earlier." Said Ran.
"That's because she has huge issues. Ikuto doesn't like her, and just because he spends more time with Amu, she gets al jealous about it and blames Amu too." Said Utau with a sigh.
"Well, she's got her own problems now. I think you made things quite clear with her." Said Rima as she looked at Ikuto.
"No, she won't stop there, I tried it once and it just happened again." Said Ikuto.
"Wow, tough luck…" said Daichi.
All of them continued to talk, and unknown to them, Nikaidou and Yukairi were summoned to the throne room, just shortly after Mai gave up and left. Aruto and Souko wanted to talk to them about something important and thus, they were called.
"You called for us sire?" asked Yukairi.
"Is something wrong?" asked Nikaidou confused.
"We wanted to talk to you both about something." Stated Aruto.
"And what would that be sire?" asked Yukairi with a questioning look.
"It's about Ikuto and Utau. Ikuto in particular." Said Aruto. "Has he been acting…strange to you lately?" he asked.
"Strange? In what way sire?" asked Nikaidou.
"I'm not so sure myself. But one of Mai's complains got to me. She mentioned Ikuto spending much more time with that girl he rescued and the fact that Ikuto seemed quite angry when the girl was insulted by Mai." Explained Aruto.
"Yes, he has been spending a lot of time in that room. So has Tadase and the lot of them." Said Yukairi, even she was sharp enough to notice that.
"Why do you think so?" asked Souko.
"We don't have much of a clue either, but that girl must be something special if Ikuto-kun is willing to visit her daily and defend her." Said Nikaidou.
"Yes, that girl…Amu was it? Somehow, Ikuto seems to pay extra attention to her. And why is it that I have this feeling that her name is familiar to me. As if I've heard it before." Said Aruto.
"But she doesn't look familiar to us." Said Souko. "Utau herself has begun to act strange as well."
"She's been changing, but I don't think it's for the worse. I myself think that she's been improving." Said Yukairi. She can see Utau smile more, and is more active now. Yukairi found it relieving to see Utau so happy.
"Yes, but what's been highly bothering me is what's causing them to change." Stated Aruto.
"Sire, maybe they just need some time, it's definitely working for them." Said Nikaidou. "They haven't looked this happy in quite some time."
"I know that, but it hurts me personally as a father not to know what's happening with my own children." Said Aruto sadly.
"We haven't paid much attention to them have we?" asked Souko, and she knows that she's right about that.
"As Kairi had said, they've been raised to follow orders. Not much freedom has been handed down to them, not until now that is." Said Yukairi.
"Maybe they are improving for the better sire." Started Nikaidou "You could always talk to them about it."
"Yes, but would they listen?" asked Aruto. "They rarely do these days."
"It won't hurt to try and ask them would it? Possibility is, they're afraid to open up." Said Yukairi "It's been nothing but their duties, those are the things they always hear from you sire, and it might have had a big affect on things."
"Yes, maybe it would be best to try and talk to them about other things." Agreed Aruto. "Nikaidou?" he called again.
"Yes sire?" asked Nikaidou.
"Those people, kids, that Utau had brought here…do you know them?" asked Aruto. "They're from town aren't they? And the others worked for Tsugumu's family."
"Yes, I know the boy and his brother. They're the Soumas, they run a restaurant and a shop down town. They're very kind boys sire." Explained Nikaidou "And I know the boy with the purple hair. He's known to be a member of the Fujisaki family, the owners of the most famous dance academy in town."
"I see. Utau seems quite attached to them." Said Aruto.
"Yes she is…." Said Nikaidou. He remembered when Kukai spoke with Utau so informally in town and she didn't seem to mind. He's been having his doubts but he didn't say anything for her found it better for Aruto and Souko to talk to their own daughter and son.
"Well…anyway, I thank you for your time. That was all I needed to know." Said Aruto with a smile. "I will try to talk to them. Thank you for that advice."
"Not a problem sire, we're happy to be of service any time." Said Yukairi.
"Thank you, both of you." Said Souko with a smile.
"The pleasure was ours." Said Nikaidou.
"Now, that is all. You are both free and dismissed for now. Thank you once again." Said Aruto.
Nikaidou and Yukairi bowed and soon went out the throne room. As they got outside, Nikaidou sighed and spoke. "Ne, you noticed it too right? When they started to change." He asked.
Yukairi nodded. "It's hard to miss actually. I think they're changing for the better."
"True, but others seem to think they're both getting worse." Said Nikaidou as he remembered how many times Ikuto and Utau were called in because of complains.
"Well, we'll just let them think what they want to think." Said Yukairi "And the issue of the upcoming ball is there too."
"Mai and Ryo being here doesn't make it better for any of them." Said Nikaidou with a sigh and then he asked "What do you think is going to happen?"
"It's up to them and their family to sort things out now. Let's just hope these friends that Utau and Ikuto have don't let them down." Said Yukairi.
"Looks like there's much more to look forward to." Said Nikaidou "You never know what can happen."
And he was right, who knows what can happen next? Now all they had to do, all they could do is wait. Mai and Ryo, the ball, the king and queen's goals and roles with their children. With so many things to worry about in the future, what's going to happen along the way? Will Ikuto and Utau really get through smoothly, or will something suddenly ruin it along the way? It's true, there is indeed much to look forward to….
Authors Note: Thank you again everyone for all the reviews! :D I hope you liked this chapter. Please Review and tell me what you think. Thanks you guys! :D