Chapter 24!!!

Whatever you do, make sure not to miss this chapter!

By the way, sorry for not updating for so long! You see, I was busy… Anyways, enough of my babbling! On with the story!!!

~~~~~~~~Rima's POV~~~~~~~~

My thoughts seemed clouded and I didn't know what to do. If you have only met me, you would think I would be the calm one in this situation but it doesn't seem to be like that!

Actually, I'm not even in my most panicky mode. It was Nagihiko who let me keep even just a little bit of my senses.

"TANAKA-SAN!!!" I heard his yell. My eyes shot wide open, knowing that it may end here. "Missed me?" The aristocratic voice said.

No! I did not miss you, baka!

"Why don't you just give up!" Nagihiko's voice seemed more mature than usual. I looked at him with a little worry. Worry because I know just how short-tempered Tanaka is and if he was not so respectful, she might hurt him!

She shot a glare towards his direction. His eyes narrowed at her. "I loathe you…" She muttered. Nagihiko huffed then turned away from her. "Why are you here, anyway?" Nagihiko grunted. Tanaka smirked.

"My job would be easier if I take you all on one by one" She crossed her arms. Nagihiko frowned. "You're not getting near her" He said as he hurriedly glanced at me. I flushed a little.

"*Sigh* Love is such a useless feeling…" She said as the dark energy, a bit lighter and less-threatening than before veiled her palms. I gasped when I realized it was aiming at me. "Rima-chan!" Nagihiko cried.

It hit me and pushed me backwards. The impact of the rocky land and my skin was painful! I got scratches on my palms, knees, shoulder, back…everywhere! He went running towards me but the same energy hit him. I swear he looked even worse than me! I looked at myself. Only a few scratches. I looked at him. He had a gash on his wrist. I swear than if he were to get as hurt as before and turn even younger or worse, I would be curling into a ball all my life!

"Nagihiko!" I ran towards him, ignoring the slight blood that came off my knees. Tanaka hit him some more and this time, he fainted. "NAGI!!!" But it was useless.

I finally fell to my knees, bawling and sobbing when I realized that I was useless without Kusukusu. That we would both die here only he would go first and I would see it and that was very painful!

"N-Nagi…" I sobbed. He struggled to open his eyes and lift his head. When he did get to lift it, he looked at me then smiled, although there were some blood dropping from his mouth. I gasped. This was all too hard! Why does this keep happening to me?! Is this all some sort cruel of joke?! If it is, I don't think I can take it! He's being beaten up!!!

"I want to…" The words escaped my lips.

"I want to…" I trailed off.

Just then, Tanaka punched Nagihiko square on the face. I knew that one more would be a little too much for him! I suddenly gathered enough courage to say what I wanted to say.

"I want to protect Nagihiko!"

"I see…" A voice said. I gasped then looked around. Nagihiko and I were floating face-to-face in this bright light (The light in charanari) with one little chara in between us.

She had black hair and blue eyes although I noticed something was different from before. Instead of her usual long, straight hair, it was all curly like mine with a purple streak and it was tied up in two low pig tails. Instead of her white shirt and blue leggings, she wore a white long 18th century dress that had sleeves that was tight around the arms until the elbow, then the sleeves loosen and become longer. She held an archer as a prop. (A/N The idea of this was from from RimaxNagihiko1 in one chapter on chapter 10. Sorry I changed her a little like the hair and name! Haha! I didn't forget about it!)

Nagihiko stared wide-eyed at the chara.

Taki turned to him (A/N If you don't remember, then go to chapter 11)

"W-who are you…" He said. I then realized one thing! Nagihiko was not a child! He was his usual teenage self!

The chara turned to me then blinked.

"Rima has already met me, Nagihiko, but you haven't. I am Taki, born from you and Rima's desire to protect each other. I only come out whenever you need me the most and when your desire to protect becomes much stronger but until then, I will be resting in your hearts" She explained. Nagihiko seemed dumfounded while I simply enjoyed the sight of his being so confused and freaked out.

Taki sighed to break the silence then finally said "Would you both like to do a charanari with me?"

My heart seemed to glimmer in happiness. For one thing, I knew we would be alright. Both of us. I smiled at Nagihiko while he forced a smile. Forced because he happens to be a little too shocked. "L-let's go" He said. Taki smiled then went inside her plain white egg the had a cross made of two swords in the middle.

"Watashi no kokoro: UNLOCK!" We both said simultaneously.

The light that surrounded us became even stronger. The feeling of transformation was refreshing for I haven't done it in a long time. Before we know it, we were both in our charanaris.

I had an outfit pretty similar to Taki's although the sleeves were puffed and the edge had ruffles in it. I also wore some white stockings and white ballet shoes. On my right arm, I held a huge archer and as you can see, in my back were two average-sized angel wings and my hair seemed to be a lighter shade of blonde (A/N I kind of changed it from the review. Hope it's okay)

Nagihiko's outfit was different from mine. He had a white polo and some formal-like pants. He also had wings the same size as mine. On his right had was a sword and if my eyes did not deceive me, I would've sworn he was glowing.

"Charanari: Heaven's archer!" I chanted

"Charanari: Heaven's sword!" He said, still a bit confused.

The white light faded and we were faced to face with Tanaka. Her jaw dropped when she saw us. "This is so unfair!" She complained. She nervously aimed her palm at me. "Yumei Takai!" She said and the same horrifying energy that brought me to the hospital some months ago came hurling towards me. I squeaked then ducked my head. I was prepared for the pain but it never came. When I looked up, Nagihiko was shielding me with his sword.

He looked back at me with a smile while I looked at him wide-eyed. "His eyes are a shade or brown and gold. A bit darker than mine…" I muttered unconsciously. I then covered my mouth after I said that while Nagihiko laughed then looked back at Tanaka.

The reflection of the sword sent the energy back at her. It hit her on the stomach but she didn't seem as hurt as we were. WHAT WAS SHE?! IMMORTAL?!?!

She flew away but not before we heard her say, "I will get back at you!"

We undid the charanaris then Taki's egg came out from both our chests. It was two at first but then it became one. It then hatched into Taki. "I'm glad to have been able to work with you. I will be back some other time!" She said as she did a flirty flying kiss, waved her little hands at us as if she were a celebrity and we were her fans then went back into her egg. As if there were two eggs, it separated, one going to my heart and one going to Nagihiko's.

I held my heart with a contented smile until I remembered something. I sharply placed my hands beside me then looked at Nagihiko who was (Fortunately!!!) a teenager.

"Umm…Nagihiko…?" I started. He seemed to be in his own world until I broke it. He looked at me with sincerity. "Yes?"

I took a deep breath then said, "You do realize we're still lost"

Did I leave this at cliff hanger? Haha! Well, if I did then I am so sorry. All part of the plan! Anyway, RATE AND REVIEW!!!