So, after fourteen chapters and almost a year, this story is finally going to come to an end. Thanks to all of those people who read this! There weren't too many, but for those who did… I can't thank you enough! Although it took me ages, many times, to update, you still kept reading! Although this story is ending for good, you can still read many other stories with RimaHiko written by me. Well, before I deter you anymore, let me get on with the disclaimer. I don't own Shugo Chara, or Airplanes. Thanks B.O.B and Hayley Williams for creating this song to inspire me to write this initially. I sincerely hope you enjoy the final chapter!
Many people have issues in their lives. However, for Mashiro Rima, her problems came trampling on her at once, having limited time to deal with each one. The major problem began when her parents' arguing took a turn for the worse. They fought through the night and every day, preventing Rima from sleeping at night. When she did sleep, she often cried herself to bed. The worst part was that her parents ignored her rising depression. Based on this, Rima became isolated from the guardians, the only people she could talk to, and her chara, Kusu-Kusu. The guardians and Kusu-Kusu, therefore, became increasingly worried about her. However, Rima didn't tell anyone, except for Kusu-Kusu since she was with Rima always, what was wrong. Shortly prior to her parents' fighting, an issue in her life that wasn't too major became difficult to handle. She felt that romance never worked out, since her parents broke up, so having a crush that she insanely liked wasn't exactly the best thing for her. The worst part was he always attempted to talk to her, when she didn't want to. Rima's depression took a suicidal turn when she went out with Tsukiyomi Ikuto for an escape, even though she didn't have feelings for him. Ikuto acted all romantic to her, when it turned out, Ikuto had used Rima as bait to save his sister. Rima was heartbroken, to say the least. Finally, life began to get better. Although some worse events occurred, such as a suicide attempt and her father kicking her, Rima finally was able to move out of her parents' house, and live with friends. When she confessed to Fujisaki Nagihiko, he was able to reciprocate the love she had for him. Even Ikuto seemed to be apologetic in his own way. So, gradually, Rima was now recovered. She wasn't the way she used to be a year ago, but she was certainly how she was a few months ago.
"Rima!" Rima snapped out of her daydream, looking around, puzzled. Someone was waving in her face, trying to receive her attention.
"Huh? What?" Rima wondered, blinking. Without second guessing, Rima sighed. "What do you want Yaya?"
"You can't leave!" Yaya moaned. "You can't!" Rima suddenly remembered she was wearing a green gown for graduation. That's right…she was graduating in a few minutes.
"Yaya, it's not like I'm never going to see you again. We'll still be friends. Didn't you go through the same thing when Kukai left? Look how close you two are!" Rima said.
"Well, yeah, but… Yaya's going to be all alone!" Yaya moaned.
"You won't be alone. You'll find others to be in the guardians…" Rima pointed out.
"Kairi-Kun said he was going to be moving in with Sanjou-San and attending." Yaya said.
"See? Kairi is coming, so you'll have your boyfriend." Rima muttered.
"He's not Yaya's boyfriend!" Yaya protested. "Not yet anyway." Yaya grinned briefly, and then frowned. "Rima-Tan! Why do all of you have to be in the same grade? You're too short to be in the sixth year!" Rima narrowed her eyes.
"Yaya, I'm sorry I was born in the same year as the others." Rima muttered. Before Rima could open her mouth, a familiar pinkette and purplette walked towards the pair of them. Amu wore a black dress, and Nagihiko wore a blue dress shirt with black pants.
"Rima, we have to go; graduation will begin soon. Yaya, aren't you late to class?" Amu said.
"Well, yeah, but…" Yaya looked at the ground.
"Yaya-Chan, we'll still help out with the guardians." Nagihiko smiled reassuringly. "This won't be the last you see of us." Tears began to flow out of Yaya's eyes.
"Relax Yaya." Rima muttered. "Look, we can do something as the guardians after graduation. Didn't Tadase mention he wanted to do something momentous?"
"Yeah…" Yaya smiled. "See you guys later!" Yaya waved.
"Let's go." Amu said to Rima and Nagihiko. They nodded, following Amu to the auditorium. The three of them walked inside, finding their places in the back. Rima was far away from her friends, being an "M". Amu and Tadase were near each other, while Nagihiko was towards the front. He gave Rima a smile. Rima's face reddened.
"Amara, Lance." The announcer called, beginning the graduation. Rima recognized that name, since that was a random fan-boy of hers. A few more names were called, as students crossed the stage, receiving their pointless diploma.
"Fujisaki, Nagihiko." Nagihiko walked across the stage, elegantly as usual. He was confident on stage, used to dancing in front of many people. Amu and Tadase were called, receiving their diplomas. Rima moved closer and closer to the front, awaiting her name to be called.
"Mashiro, Rima." The announcer called. Rima really didn't care about the graduation, so she walked on stage, not nervous. As an administrator handed her the diploma, Rima scanned the audience, looking for someone that would never be there. Not to her surprise, her parents were not there. In fact, since Yukari and Nikaidou were on their honeymoon, no one was there for Rima; no one to care that she graduated elementary school. Although it wasn't a big deal, it still hurt that no one cared about her. Seeing her disappointment, Kusu-Kusu cheered. Rima gave a small smile, walking off the stage. The second she wasn't seen by the audience, tears welled up in her eyes. It wasn't sentimental for officially being graduated from Seiyo.
"Rima, we did it!" Amu walked towards her, smiling. "We made it so far!"
"I was only here for a year; it isn't a major accomplishment." Rima muttered. "You were only here for two years."
"Yeah, but it feels so much longer doesn't it? I mean, I was lucky to meet you guys. At my old school, I never really had friends…" Amu smiled.
"Yeah, whatever." Rima muttered, turning away.
"Rima, what's wrong? This should be a happy occasion!" Amu said. Upon seeing Nagihiko and Tadase walk over, Rima forced a smile.
"It's just so emotional… I've accomplished so much in one year! Their tears of…happiness…" Rima lied.
"You aren't the sentimental type." Nagihiko pointed out.
"I guess everyone is in their own way." Rima looked at him in the eye, and grinned. Nagihiko raised an eyebrow.
"Rima-Chan, if you are going to lie, grinning for you won't work, especially when you're upset." Nagihiko pointed out. "It only makes it more obvious."
"B-But, I'm not…" Rima sighed in defeat, and crossed her arms.
"Well, as guardians, we should do something. I mean, we won't be considered guardians anymore…" Tadase pointed out. "I'm sure Yuiki-San will handle the position very well." Amu nodded, smiling.
"Speaking of Yaya, we should go find her. If we spend time as guardians, we need our last guardian." Amu said. "Well, after our families of course." The four of them went outside, Rima trailing behind. She watched as the other three ran up to greet their families. Rima crossed her arms. They all had families who cared about them. Rima didn't. Tears began to form in her eyes, as everyone in the graduating class was with their families, except for Rima. She noticed Nagihiko glancing at her, probably realizing why she had been previously upset. Suddenly, someone wrapped their arms around Rima's shoulders, making her jump.
"CONGRATZ RIMA!" The voice yelled, grinning. "Welcome to the years of Middle School!" Rima didn't need to look backwards to see who it was.
"T-Thanks… Can you let go now?" Rima muttered. Kukai smiled, letting go. Rima faced him. He was wearing a tee-shirt and jeans. "Don't you have school?"
"Oh no, I'm on summer break!" Kukai grinned. "Hey, can I join you guys on your guardian thing? I know you want your actual guardians, but I helped out a lot!"
"I don't know; it's up to Tadase, or whoever." Rima muttered. As if on cue, Tadase, Amu, and Nagihiko walked over to the two of them.
"Hello Souma-Kun; thanks for coming." Tadase smiled.
"Sorry I didn't watch the actual graduation… It looked boring." Kukai grinned. "Besides, I was doing something with, a certain friend." Nagihiko raised an eyebrow.
"A certain friend?" Amu questioned. "Are you sure that 'certain friend' isn't someone we know?" Kukai blushed.
"Okay, you win; you know my certain friend very well." Kukai sighed. "Oh, and before you get the wrong idea, we were on a date for brunch." Kukai grinned. "Hey, can I join you guys today?"
"Of course Souma-Kun; you were very involved with the guardians." Tadase smiled. "I suppose you're overdue, since you never had something like this done for your graduation."
"Yeah; thanks for leaving early Nagi!" Kukai moaned.
"Well, we didn't do anything for you because you were the only guardian graduating." Nagihiko pointed out. "It had nothing to do with my departure."
"Hey Nagi, I have a question about that." Amu said. Nagihiko looked at her. "Why didn't you tell me in person you were leaving?"
"Well…" Nagihiko looked at the ground, hesitating. "I know this might sound stupid, but frankly, I didn't know how to, besides in writing. You meant a lot to me…" Rima was very shocked to hear this coming out of his mouth.
"You mean like…"
"Yup…" Nagihiko admitted, blushing. "However, that's over now. I don't have romantic feelings for you anymore, obviously." Amu nodded. Tadase smiled. Rima stared at Tadase, sighing. He was very overprotective about his feelings for Amu…
"NAGI-TAN, YOU LIKED AMU-CHI?" Yaya exclaimed, jogging over. "WHOA!"
"Look, does this need to be our topic of conversation?" Nagihiko muttered, evidently embarrassed.
"Hello Yaya!" Amu smiled at her. "Class sure ended early, didn't it?"
"Well, it's the last day before break, so it always ends early!" Yaya grinned, and hugged Rima tightly. Rima sighed, wanting to be left alone. She was currently not in the greatest mood.
"We should all get changed out of our formal attire." Tadase pointed out. "We'll meet in the Royal Garden." Everyone nodded, as Yaya and Kukai jogged to the Royal Garden. Rima began following Amu to the girl's bathroom.
"Hey Rima-Chan, can I talk to you for a second?" Nagihiko asked, stopping her. Rima turned.
"Yeah, sure." Rima agreed, following him to a spot in the woods near the school. Once they were far away, Nagihiko looked at Rima.
"Who picked our dress and did your make-up?" Nagihiko asked.
"Why do you care?" Rima asked.
"Was it Miki?" He asked.
"Yeah, but again, why do you need to know?" Rima asked accusingly. "It doesn't benefit anything for you knowing or not."
"I was just curious, since it looks nice." Rima glared at him, flustered.
"Is that all you have to say?" Rima asked.
"Nope." Nagihiko tried to grab her hand, but Rima resisted. "Look, I understand why you're upset; you have every reason to be."
"It doesn't matter." Rima muttered, looking away.
"You're right." Nagihiko smiled. "It's okay you didn't have anyone in the audience. Look, don't feel alone, okay? You can always talk to me about anything, or any of the others." Rima glanced at Nagihiko again. He looked like he was about to say something.
"What?" Rima wondered. "Are you done?"
"Rima… My mother wants me to leave for Europe again, to practice for another year dancing." Rima gawked.
"W-What?" Rima exclaimed. "You can't do that!" Rima was suddenly upset. "Nagi…"
"Relax Rima-Chan; I'm not leaving." Nagihiko looked at the ground. "I've never said no to my mother before… She was astonished when I told her I told her I didn't want to leave. I don't know what's going to happen, but I can promise I won't go to Europe." Rima uttered a small smile.
"I'm sure it will be fine. Maybe your mother can finally understand you don't want to leave." Rima tried to reassure. She had never seen this happen. It was always Nagihiko who comforted her, and Nagihiko had no problems. Rima had no idea how to reassure anyone, let alone Nagihiko.
"Yeah…" Nagihiko smiled. "We should get changed before the others think we ditched them."
"That's probably a good idea." Rima agreed. Before standing up, they kissed. It was the first kiss they shared that they both expected it. They let go after a minute. Nagihiko smiled at her, and left to the men's restroom. Rima went into the women's restroom, and changed into the school uniform.
"Rima." Kusu-Kusu whispered. Rima looked at her. "It was so much fun being a guardian with you! I can't wait for more adventures outside of being the guardians!" Rima smiled at her.
"Yeah, same…" Rima muttered. "But, what type of adventures do you mean?"
"Well, I can't tell the future!" Kusu-Kusu moaned. "Let's go to the Royal Garden now!" Rima and Kusu-Kusu made their way to the Royal Garden. Before walking in, Rima watched everyone else. Yaya was running around the table, grinning. Tadase was smiling at Amu, who looked out the window, reminiscing about something. Kukai and Nagihiko were chatting, Kukai using very large hand gestures. Nagihiko's eyebrow was raised. Rima opened the door to the Royal Garden, interrupting everyone's thoughts and conversations and…running.
"We were wondering what happened to you!" Kukai exclaimed. "We thought you ran away!"
"It took a while to take off the make-up." Rima muttered.
"Come to think of it, Nagi also came a little late, and he doesn't wear make-up or a dress!" Kukai cocked an eyebrow. "Well, he has worn dresses before…" Nagihiko narrowed his eyes.
"Rhythm wanted to show me something." Nagihiko lied. For once, Kukai didn't believe Nagihiko's lie. Kukai studied Nagihiko, specifically staring at his lips. "Kukai, you're creeping me out…"
"Well, since Rima was wearing lipstick, it must have gotten on your mouth….." Kukai muttered.
"Well, I'm not exactly agreeing with your theory, but if I did, wouldn't you think I washed it off while I was changing?" Nagihiko pointed out.
"True…" Kukai admitted.
For the rest of the day, the guardians spent time hanging out and eating dinner. Finally, it was late. Yaya was sobbing uncontrollably, gripping Rima's cape.
"Is your guardian thing done?" A voice asked. Everyone turned, and Amu blushed, seeing Ikuto.
"Y-Yeah…" Amu admitted. Ikuto picked up Amu. Amu waved to everyone, smiling weakly. Tadase watched in jealousy. Ikuto carried Amu away.
"On that note…Yaya let's go!" Kukai grinned, waving to the others.
"I should go too…" Tadase smiled, and left Rima and Nagihiko to themselves. They stayed silent for a minute, but held hands.
"Rima-Chan, are you waiting for someone to pick you up?" Nagihiko asked.
"Yeah, Sanjou-San and Nikaidou said they'd pick me up, since they're coming home." Rima said. "Do you need a ride?"
"If they don't mind." Nagihiko smiled. Finally, the car arrived, and Rima and Nagihiko got inside. "How was the honeymoon?" Nagihiko asked Nikaidou, since Yukari wasn't there.
"It was nice, except that Yukari's sick now." Nikaidou said. "She keeps throwing up…" For the rest of the drive, they were silent. Finally, they arrived at Nagihiko's house. Nikaidou stared at it, amazed.
"Good-bye Nikaidou-San; thanks for the ride." Nagihiko said. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he said softly, "Good night Rima-Chan, I'll see you soon."
"Yeah, see you soon…" Rima whispered.
"I…I love you." Nagihiko whispered shyly, quickly leaving the car. Rima stared at him, in a daze. She couldn't believe he had just said that. Nikaidou started driving back to Rima's house, the home where she was always welcomed. Rima smiled as she got back home, seeing Utau, Kairi, and a sick Yukari.
Well… It's over. Please review and I would love it if you read some of my other stories!