Finally, chapter 9! Again, it's more of a lead for Chapter 10 and 11. I hope I didn't cease to disappoint anyone. I own nothing!
"Today! It's today!" Rima opened her eyes, facing her clown chara. She glared at Kusu-Kusu, then yawned, sitting up.
"I've realized." Rima muttered. Today was the dance. Hopefully it as ready… She got changed, and walked downstairs. She got her books for school, and left for the door.
"Have fun!" Yukari called. Rima gave her a small smile before leaving. Rima started walking to school, holding her bag at the side. Suddenly, she saw a huge crowd outside of the school. Out of curiosity, Rima made her way over to the crowd, to see what was going on. There were two girls in the center with a boy. Rima would've just walked away if she didn't recognize all of them.
"Yamabuki-San, please, stop…" Tadase muttered. Saaya was kissing Tadase's cheek and Amu was glaring.
"Tadase-Kun doesn't like it!" Amu yelled, looking furious. Way to keep your cool and spicy…
"Oh, why get in the way of me and Tadase-Kun? We're a couple and we'll be dancing later today!" Saaya said.
"Tadase-Kun belongs to Saaya!" Her followers chorused. Saaya smirked. Amu glared at Saaya.
"Well, Tadase-Kun isn't exactly property! He can choose whoever he wants!" Amu yelled. She clenched her fists.
"Oh, super cool Amu is looking for a fight with me? Well, I'll give you one!" Saaya went over to Amu, and punched her in the face.
"Amu!" Rima cried. Tadase looked mad now.
"Yamabuki-San. Don't you dare hurt Amu-Chan." Tadase said, walking over to where Amu was. "Are you okay, Amu-Chan?" He asked, helping her up.
"I-I'm fine…" Amu whispered. She grabbed Tadase's hand.
"Let go!" Saaya screeched, running towards Amu. Suddenly, something scratched Saaya. The familiar cat boy jumped up, and did a flip in midair, landing. Saaya watched him, in awe. "That was…so cool!" She exclaimed.
"Don't you dare hurt Amu. Or you have to pass through me." Ikuto said. He ran towards Saaya again, and scratched her some more. Saaya screamed. What did Ikuto want? Rima knew it was Amu he wanted. Was that it? He was just some cat kid who was insanely obsessed with Amu…? He hurts others, Rima included, just to get Amu?
"Stop!" Nikaidou yelled, running through the crowd. Ikuto fled as quickly as he came. Amu stared at him, her face looking astonished. "W-What happened?"
"It was Amu!" Saaya screeched. "She tried to steal my boyfriend!"
"Yamabuki-San punched Amu-Chan in the face." Tadase explained. Amu nodded, her hand against her cheek where Saaya punched her.
"Yamabuki-San, go to Amakawa-San's office." Nikaidou instructed. "Now." Saaya nodded, as she began to go to the office. Her followers began to follow. "You four, stay. You aren't her minions. Don't follow her around." The four girls looked at each other, nervously. Nikaidou walked back to his classroom.
"…We were supposed to meet at the Royal Garden, right?" Rima wondered. Kusu-Kusu nodded. Amu and Tadase saw Rima, and walked over to her. "Amu, how's your face?" She wondered, brushing her hair in front of her.
"It's fine…" Amu whispered. "I just don't know what's up with Ikuto…" Tadase gave Amu a reassuring smile.
"I hope he doesn't interfere with our dance…" Tadase whispered. "I wouldn't be surprised if he paid us a…" The three of them froze in front of the Royal Garden. Everything was knocked over. It looked almost as if a hurricane hit the Royal Garden.
"Who did that?" Amu exclaimed, shocked. There was a piece of paper in the center. The three of them ran inside, Rima picking up the paper. "What does it say?" Amu wondered.
"It says… Be careful…?" Rima read. Just two words; there was no signature, nothing else.
"The handwriting doesn't look familiar…" Tadase noted. "Where are the others?" Amu and Rima looked around.
"Amu, why don't you fix this place up. I'll find the others." Rima muttered. Amu nodded, character changing with Su and making the Royal Garden look shiny. Rima left the Royal Garden. After a few minutes of searching around, the bell rang, leaving Rima to go to her class. Where were they? Rima decided not to worry too much, and she sat in her seat. Amu and Tadase walked in shortly after, sitting beside Rima. The whole class stared at Amu.
"Why are you looking at me? Is there a problem?" Amu asked, her arms crossed. The class turned away, and class began.
Class was over after a few hours. Nikaidou let the class go a few minutes early, to let the class begin to prepare for the dance. Saaya's punishment for punching Amu was missing out on the dance. She also had her face covered in bandages from Ikuto's scratches.
"We should head to the Royal Garden to do some last minute preparations." Amu suggested. Tadase nodded.
"I hope it's perfect…" Tadase whispered. "If Ikuto-Niisan decides to pay a visit, let myself and Fujisaki-Kun deal with it. Amu-Chan, he would want to see you. I won't let him see you, if you're uncomfortable." They shared a smile. "You too Mashiro-San, of course." Tadase added.
"Hey, why is Rima-Tan an afterthought?" Rima heard Yaya wonder the words that she thought. Rima turned, surprised to see Yaya and Nagihiko both walk in. "Hi everyone!~"
"Did you guys see the Royal Garden earlier?" Nagihiko wondered.
"Yeah… Amu-Chan was the one who cleaned it." Tadase said, smiling at Amu. Amu smiled too. She held an ice pack to her face.
"Ohhh, Yaya heard about Saaya being mean Amu-Chi!" Yaya said, jumping up and down. "Saaya was being mean!~ And I heard a cat scratched her!" Yaya giggled. "She deserved it!" Rima raised her eyebrows. A cat?
"A…cat…?" Nagihiko wondered, as if reading Rima's mind. "I wasn't there to see the situation, Yaya-Chan, but I can only guess it wasn't an actual cat…" Amu and Tadase nodded.
"It was him…" Amu whispered. "W-Well, do you two know who did this to the Royal Garden? They left a note saying be careful as well… I just don't get it!"
"Do you think it was Ikuto?" Nagihiko wondered. "I mean, he seems to keep showing up at the wrong times. What does he mean by be careful though? Is Easter planning something?"
"I was thinking it was him as well…" Tadase admitted. "I just don't understand why Ikuto-NiiSan would do something like that."
"Can you really ever trust him? All he does is jump in when you don't want him." Rima grumbled. "I wouldn't be surprised if Ikuto is actually helping Easter. Well, he clearly is, since I was clearly a part of some plan…" She clenched her fists, and sighed, putting her head on one of her fists. Rima felt Nagihiko's eyes on her, but she ignored him. There was a silence, when Yaya started giggling uncontrollably. Everyone looked at her, surprised.
"What if… Kukai-Tan messed up the Royal Garden?" Yaya said, laughing. "Maybe as a joke, knowing Amu-Chi could fix it!" Amu sweat dropped.
"I don't think it was Kukai." Nagihiko said. "He wouldn't do something like that. Yet… the thought is funny." Nagihiko said, laughing slightly. Rima crossed her arms, not finding the humor.
"Anyway… We can worry about the Royal Garden and Ikuto-NiiSan later… for now, we should discuss the dance. We have some last minute preparations to make. Tsukasa-San said he'd handle most of it, but we need to contribute too, since the guardians are sponsoring the dance." Tadase said. Everyone nodded.
"What do we have to work on though?" Amu wondered. "We already have everything pretty much ready to go."
"We need to set up the dance, for one thing. Why don't we go do that now?" Tadase wondered. "The dance is taking place at Tsukasa-San's place. He doesn't live far away from here, so we can walk." Everyone stood up, and followed Tadase to Tsukasa's house.
"Yaya's feet hurt." Yaya moaned.
"Yaya, we've been walking for two minutes." Rima muttered, flipping her hair to the front of her. "We'll be there in like five."
"But Yaya's feet hurt!~" Yaya moaned. "Let's get candy!"
"Yaya, there's going to be candy at the dance. Don't worry." Amu reassured. Yaya's eyes lit up. "Or ice cream… I'm not really sure which one…" After about seven more minutes of walking, they made it to Tsukasa's house. To Rima's surprise, it was a three story mansion. Amu, Yaya, and Rima stared at it, wide-eyed.
"Wow, Tsukasa-Tan's house is sooooo large!" Yaya exclaimed. "It's soooo cool!"
"It is!" Amu exclaimed. "It's nothing compared to the Fujisaki Manor though." Nagihiko looked uncomfortable. "I remember I had a sleepover with Nadeshiko…" Amu paused, looking aside. "Well, it was with Nagi I suppose, since, well…" Tadase looked at her, surprised.
"You know about Fujisaki-Kun?" Tadase asked, surprised.
"Tadase-Kun, you knew too? Nagi, why didn't you tell me?" Amu asked, sighing.
"Uh, well, I couldn't…" He said. "…To be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure how to tell you…"
"Why did it come so easy to the others though?" Amu wondered, anger rising to her voice. "Everyone knew, except for me!"
"Yaya didn't know either!" Yaya pointed out.
"I needed to tell Tsukasa-San about myself when I first transferred so if I had ever decided to change who I went by during school, which I did, he could know. Hotori-San was there when I told him. I told Kukai, because he's my closest friend. Rima-Chan? She found out herself…" He smiled at Rima, making her blush. "Actually, a part of you did know Amu-Chan." Amu looked confused, when Nagihiko nodded towards Amu's fourth egg.
"Eh? Dia knew, but not me?" Amu exclaimed, shocked.
"Well, yeah…" Nagihiko admitted. Amu's fourth egg rumbled slightly.
"Can we go inside?" Rima grunted. "I'm bored. This discussion serves no purpose." Everyone sweat dropped, as Tadase took out a key, and opened the door. The guardians walked inside, and checked out the house. It was three stories large. It was beautiful, and all set up for the space themed dance.
"This is where people can eat." Tadase explained. "There are dinner foods, dessert items…"
"DESSERT?" Yaya exclaimed, her eyes widening. Ignoring her, Tadase led everyone upstairs.
"On this floor, is where the main dancing takes place." Tadase explained. "Since, you can clearly see the dance floor and disco ball. The last floor is pretty much for those who want to take a break. There's a balcony on top that has a beautiful view."
"Wow, I can't wait for tonight! The dance is at five, right?" Amu wondered.
"Yes, it is." Tadase said. "It's going to be great. I can't wait to dance with you Amu-Chan." Both turned red.
"Yaya isn't dancing with anyone…" Yaya muttered, sighing. "Yaya asked Class President, but Kairi-Kun is busy…"
"I-I'm not dancing with anyone either!" Rima said quickly. She crossed her arms. She hoped it was true. Yaya raised her eyebrows, and Nagihiko narrowed his eyes.
"Sure…" Yaya said.
"Not anyone officially." Rima grunted.
"Well, I don't have to physically ask you, do I? Wasn't that implied when we both said we liked each other?" Nagihiko said. Rima glared at him.
"Shut up." She muttered, embarrassed.
"Yaya, Rima, why don't you guys stay at my place until the dance and we can all go together." Amu suggested.
"Sure. Yukari won't care." Rima muttered.
"Okay Amu-Chi!~" Yaya said, giggling. "Sorry boys, you clearly aren't invited!" Yaya stuck her tongue out.
"It's alright Yuiki-San…" Tadase said, sweat dropping. Nagihiko smiled.
"Kukai wanted to play a game of basketball… I told him I could fit in a game before the dance, so I can't come anyway." Nagihiko said. The five of them left Tsukasa's house, and began to walk back. Nagihiko and Tadase left for their own houses, while Amu and Yaya followed Rima to Yukari and Nikaidou's place. Rima got her dress, and they left for Amu's house. Yaya picked up her dress as well, and then they got to Amu's place.
"HI!" Rima and Yaya turned, seeing Ami behind them, waving. Rima's eyes narrowed. She wasn't exactly great with little children, mostly due to Yaya's personality making her pissed every two seconds.
"HI!" Yaya greeted back. "Ami-Chi! I'm Yaya Yuiki, Amu-Chi's buddy!" Yaya hugged Amu.
"Y-You're a friend of Onee-Chan's?" Ami exclaimed. "So… cool!" Yaya grinned, and turned to Rima. "That's Rima-Tan, Amu-Chi's friend too!" Yaya giggled.
"Onee-Chan's friends are friends of Ami's too!" Ami said, giggling too. She hugged Rima and Yaya, and laughed. Yaya laughed with Ami, and Rima grunted. Amu sweat dropped.
"Ami-Chan, we're going to go to my room…" Amu said, standing up. Rima and Yaya followed. Yaya waved good-bye to Ami.
"Onee-Chan, can I come?" Ami wondered.
"We need to get ready for the dance. Look, sorry Ami-Chan, I'll play with you later." Amu reassured, leading the others to her room. Ami pouted, but let them go.
"The dance is soon!~" Yaya exclaimed, giggling. "We should change into the dresses!" Yaya flopped down on Amu's bed. "Ami-Chi, your room is messy."
"W-What? Hey!" Amu exclaimed. The girls changed into their dresses. Amu's blue dress was below her knees. It was dark blue, and Amu wore a matching headpiece. Yaya's dress was lavender, and wavy. It had tons of ruffles, and it stopped slightly above her feet. Rima put her light blue dress on. Like the previous day, it looked gorgeous on Rima. Yaya and Amu stared at her in awe.
"It's still beautiful Rima-Tan!" Yaya exclaimed.
"…Thanks." Rima muttered. She looked in a mirror. Utau was right; it was too formal… She sighed. There was nothing she could change about that.
"You really do look amazing!" Amu exclaimed. Rima smiled softly. The three of them went downstairs.
"You girls look beautiful!" Amu's mom said. "Alright, I'll drive you." Amu's mom led them to the car, and they sat down. When they got to Tsukasa's house, she let them off. "Have fun!" she said, driving off. There were many people outside the house, socializing with their friends, going inside, etc.
"I feel almost nervous…" Amu admitted. "I hope Tadase will like it."
"Tadase will like anything you put on." Rima muttered. "It doesn't take much for you to impress him." Amu blushed. The three girls walked inside the house. The noise in the room, minus the music, suddenly stopped. There were many guys, Rima recognized as her own fan boys, who were staring at her. Rima felt uncomfortable. She should've expected it. She shouldn't have worn this dress. She shouldn't have come to this dance. She clenched her fists.
"M-Mashiro-Sama?" The fan boys exclaimed, surrounding her. Rima was breathing slowly. She wasn't ready for something big like this. It was over-whelming. "YOU LOOK SO HOT!" They exclaimed. Speaking of hot, hot tears formed in her eyes.
"That's nice." Rima muttered. She didn't want to be here at all. Boys were surrounding her, music was playing loudly, everything was just loud, and not what she was expecting.
"Dance with me!" She heard someone scream. She wasn't unsure it was to her or not. She heard lots of noise. It was stressful. She wanted to leave, right now. Without thinking, Rima felt herself push through the crowd of boys surrounding her. She felt eyes on her, but she ignored them, as she kept running upstairs.
"Mashiro-San?" She heard faintly from Tadase. She tripped on someone's foot, falling. She wanted to cry. She stood up, and ran up to the balcony, where she was alone. She was panting, as she put her hands on the end of the balcony.
"I can't deal with this." Rima whispered. "All of this stress… I'm not ready for people to start treating me like I'm some sort of…goddess…"
"Rima…" Kusu-Kusu started. She stopped. "Where's your shoe?" She wondered.
"I don't really care!" Rima cried, tears running down her cheeks. "I just want to leave this dance… I want to go home now! And I mean real home, not Sanjou-San's house. I want my house, I want my parents to love each other, and I want everything how it was a year ago! I wish, I was never kidnapped!" She was crying uncontrollably.
"Don't worry!" Kusu-Kusu reassured, but it wasn't working.
"Hey, you dropped your shoe."
The ending is sudden, I know. However, I'm sure some of you will get where I amn going with the fallen shoe. The person saying it? You can also figure out, I'm sure. Please review! My updates will be less often, even though they are already not too often, thanks to school. Sorry, but I have to prioritize. Do not worry readers, for this story is my top priority to all of my others :D.