Author's Note: Yay~ Look another chapter! And I have good news....I'm out of my slump! Awesome! Thanks to a new volume of Black Bird and a lot of emotional music, I finally got the urge to write again. I must admit, it's good to be back, especially after all the stuff that's been happening at home. *sigh* Anyways, moving on, it's just occurred to me that there might be some of you out there slightly rooting for Kairi, so I decided that IF...big IF...since I might not be exactly right, IF you guys want to, you can write a small little chapter of Hotaru and Kairi for the contest...interesting twist, neh? Should I allow you access to other guy characters too? Yeah, sure why not...I'm not picky. I love to see creativeness.

Can't believe that I'm only one chapter away from 25 and I can assure you that it will be posted next friday, so the deadline is coming up. I hope you guys are all ready! Now, onward with the chapter!

Rating: T

Dedication: 13Lulu's, Witchgirl1590 and i love athrun for reviewing my last chapter. Glad to know that some of my readers haven't left!

Summary: Like any popular boy, Ikuto has many girls that chase him on a daily basis besides his sister, so there's only one way, in Ikuto's mind, to stop them. Have a fake girlfriend of course!

Chapter 23: A Pinky Promise to Be Kept

"The gathered radiance…A black diamond…"

A whole crowd of young kids and teenagers are screaming, the group before them entrancing.

"It's their major debut!"

"A new member joined!"

Center stage and at the microphone was Hotaru, her hair pulled up into a bun, her hair long enough for the excess to stream down toward her waist. Sunglasses were on her face as her body moved to her voice. Not too far away to her right was Ikuto, his violin in hand, shades adorning his face as well. He was playing the music, but his eyes and mind were only on one person. The twinge in his chest only confused him further.

'Normally I wouldn't care what they do or to whom, but…'

"WWwwaaaiiiittt!"

The entrance bursts open, the music halting as everyone turns around.

"It's Amulet Angel. In the name of love, I shall punish you!"

"Hinamori…"

"That sounds kind of familiar…"

"I don't know you…"

Amu's cheeks take on a dark red as she grabs the sides of her face in embarrassment.

"El! What are you making me do?"

[A Heroine always has to make a dramatic entrance!]

"Amu?"

"Amu-san?"

Ikuto and Kairi are shocked at the sight of Amu and the rest of the Guardians, but Yukari only chuckles.

"I figured they'd show their faces. Hotaru…"

Hotaru is quick to react, Ikuto's key glowing as her clothes change. Her hair is pulled into two loops near her neck, diamond accessories holding them up. A dress covers her body, the main pattern one of diamonds, the skirt opening up at her upper thigh before cutting off above her knees. Fingerless gloves were on her hands as she waves one forward, X eggs following her call. The others are shocked to see the audience on the floor, their bodies motionless.

"The audience, their eggs…!"

Utau suddenly steps forward, Hotaru's transformation dropping, said girl falling to her knees. Ikuto's eyes widen as his key begins to glow once more, Utau's clothes changing into those similar to Diamond's.

"She..!"

Those watching are in shock as Utau Character Transforms with Diamond, Hotaru now sitting on the ground, her eyes empty as usual. Ikuto notices the key shining and frowns. He begins to head over to Hotaru, but Yukari gets in his way.

"Don't forget your place Ikuto."

Ikuto's frown deepens as he stands his ground.

"Get out of my way Utau."

"You're in my way, you know?"

The two stare down as Utau begins to send attacks towards Amu, her other hand guiding the X eggs towards her. The others watch in shock, mainly in fear of getting in the way. It's when Amu notices Ikuto's disappearance and Yukari tugging on Hotaru's arm does she become serious.

"Let her go!"

Amu begins to step forward, Hotaru in her line of sight.

"Wait!"

…but someone stops her. Amu's eyes raise to notice a wooden sword in front of her, Kairi pushing up his glasses, a challenge set in his orbs.

"Class president…"

"From now on, I'm your enemy Joker."

Utau, having noticed that Ikuto was gone, takes off after him. Yukari, realizing she cannot move Hotaru, leaves without her, a plan to retrieve her beginning to form. Amu can no longer watch though as Kairi begins to attack her quickly, Amu barely managing to dodge the swipes.

"Hey! Wah!"

"I'm sorry, but I have to cut you down!"

Amu can no longer do anything, but thankfully for her, her Chara are one step ahead of her.

[Quick! Switch!]

Kairi is shocked by his sword being halted, his eyes quick to take in the pink baton in Amu's hands, her outfit now one of a cheerleader. She was now Amulet Heart.

"It was a lie, right, class president? If you were our enemy, then-"

Kairi is quick to cut her off, his sword now inches from Amu's face.

"This is our battlefield."

Ikuto was currently lurking in the shadows outside the side entrance, his ears twitching at the sound of Utau and Yukari coming. He waits for their voices to vanish before heading back into the building, his keen eyes having only noticed one thing.

'Hotaru wasn't with them…'

"You're…you're lying…"

As the two stare down, the X eggs begin to gather, the others taking notice.

"Quick! Let's help!"

Yaya raises a fist into the air, her enthusiasm showing.

"Time for a Pepe transformation!"

"Character Transformation!"

All three change into their individuals forms, Platinum Royale, Clown Drop, and Dear Baby, each beginning to battle off some of the X eggs, but it was obvious that they were outnumbered. Hotaru was still in place, her eyes on the group before her.

"Am…u….Kai…ri…."

She begins to raise to her feet, her legs struggling after having transformed with a Chara that wasn't her own, her eyes beginning to switch between their empty state and their usual fawn like state.

"…st…op…."

Sweat was beginning to run down Kairi's face, his mind glad that his hair was pulled into a ponytail like those of the samurai.

"So this…is the power of the humpty lock…"

Musashi floats to his side.

"Don't give up Kairi!"

The X eggs begin to form into a singular group.

"They're getting together!"

Tadase holds up his scepter, his voice laced with resolve.

"Holy crown!"

…but his attack does nothing. Yaya is quick to step in, her confidence overflowing.

"Leave it to me! One, two--Merry merry!"

Above her head appears a mobile, the melody emitting from it soft and child-like. The others are a bit shocked by the attack, but begin to rejoice when the X eggs begin to slowly go to the ground. Amu begins to back away from Kairi, Suu quick to come by and switch off with Ran.

"Amulet Clover! Sweet Appliqué!"

Whisk and sewing materials in hand, a ribbon arrangement appears on Kairi's sword, the boy shocked by the weird assault. Tadase and Rima jump back, the X eggs having recovered from their nap. They were busy defending themselves, their attacks doing little to no damage to the X eggs. No one seems to notice Hotaru gradually walking over to them when her hand grips her head, her head shaking slightly as if to rid herself of unwanted thoughts. After awhile, she looks up, her mind cleared somewhat as her eyes take in everything.

"What's….going on?"

She notices Amu and Kairi in a stare down with each other, a small gasp escaping her lips.

"Don't you get it Joker! No matter what you do, you're going to lose. Fight me! I'm your enemy."

"Is this true?"

Her voice seems to break the air as everyone turns to her, Hotaru's eyes wide in shock and fear. She had no idea where she was or how she got there, all she knew was that Kairi had admitted to being their enemy…

…and she didn't like that one bit.

Hotaru's hand comes to grasp the front of the summer dress she was currently clad in, her eyebrows furrowing in pain, her hair having returned to the bun, a black ribbon holding it securely.

"Tell me this isn't true Kairi-kun? You wouldn't do that, right?"

Everyone is quiet as Kairi hangs his head before raising it once more, a sinister smirk on his face. Hotaru's eyes widen more at the sight, her feet taking her forward even more.

"You truly are naïve Hotaru."

A gasp.

"Kairi! You can't possibly mean that! I still believe in you! I know that what you're doing isn't the real you!"

As she says this, her voice rises with each statement, tears welling up in her emerald eyes. Unfortunately, it only seems to attract unwanted attention, the X eggs quick to notice Hotaru's lack of power. Rima's voice rises above the ruckus.

"Hotaru-san! They're coming toward you!"

Hotaru continues forward.

"I know that the Kairi I know and love, is the real you! The you that you are when you're around Amu and the others!"

Kairi's body is frozen as his mind begins to recall his thoughts when he was younger.

'The real me…?'

(Flashback)

A young Kairi is reading a book, his eyes in awe at the pages before him as he takes in every word. Behind him, peeking over his shoulder is a younger Hotaru, her lavender hair pulled into a side ponytail as she reads along with him. As they finish the book, Kairi turns to Hotaru, a smile on his face.

"Musashi Miyamoto has never lost a battle! He's so cool!"

Hotaru only giggles at Kairi's enthusiasm, her eyes lighting up along with his. He stands up, waving an invisible sword, his legs going into a few stances that he had memorized from the book. After awhile, he turns to Hotaru, his smile seeming to have widened.

"I want to be a samurai! A cool, strong samurai!"

Hotaru tilts her head to the side in question.

"A samurai?"

Kairi nods his head.

"But you know, I'm not just going to be strong. If someone weak is getting picked on, I'll save them! Like a gentle samurai!"

Hotaru giggles, holding out her pinky to the young Kairi.

"Then promise…Pinky promise that whenever I'm in trouble, samurai Kairi will come and save me."

Kairi nods his head enthusiastically before linking pinkies with her, a slight blush on his face, his eyes bearing deep promise.

"I promise."

(End Flashback)

"Hotaru! Above you!"

Hotaru's head raises in time, her body quick to roll to the side. She comes to a stop, her arms struggling to push herself up. Her energy was low.

"Look out!"

"Hotaru!"

"Get out of there!"

Amu's golden eyes begin to well up with tears as Kairi's thoughts come to a conclusion.

'A gentle samurai…'

"It's too late…"

"Pinky promise that whenever I'm in trouble, samurai Kairi will come and save me."

Hotaru's eyes widen in shock, before throwing her arms over her head, her body trembling and bracing itself for the blow to come.

"Aah!"

…but the blow never hits.

A blinding light causes Hotaru to raise her head once more, her eyes widening at the amazing sight before her. Blades in hand, body garbed in a samurai outfit is Kairi, his stance poised and beautiful.

'He protected me…'

Kairi turns his head to Hotaru, a soft smile on his face, his words barely above a whisper.

'Unlock my heart…'

"I promised…"

Hotaru is unable to fight the blush that rises to her cheeks, her ears having managed to catch his words. A soft smile takes to her face.

'He remembered…?'

Author's Note: Yay! I have to admit that I did like this one and for those of you who don't like having Kairi having a small place in Hotaru's heart, I apologize, but I have to admit...that besides Ikuto, I do love Kairi. He's so cute! Honestly, if I got enough people, I would probably write an ending where she ends up with him. lol but that's only. So, I hoped you enjoyed it and look forward to the next chapter next friday on the 14th! Yeah!