Chapter 37

"Yo! Tadase!" Kukai called out to the boy. Beside him was Ikuto, who was rubbing his eyes as if he just came from a nap, when in fact he did.

The blonde turned to Kukai who was waving at him. "You seen where the others are? I wanted to play a game" He stated. Tadase just shrugged. "But…" He added. "Zack, Cody-kun and Bailee-chan must be available" He said.

"Yup! We are!" Bailee suddenly said from behind them, making the boys jump in shock. "S-since when were you behind us?" Kukai exclaimed. Zack shrugged. "Five minutes ago" "Anyway, do you guys know where Amu-chan and the others may be?" Tadase asked. Zack and Cody did not answer but Bailee replied, "Underwear shopping. Their bags were thrown off the ship" She said.

Tadase, Kukai, and Ikuto blushed. "I see…" Kukai mumbled. Bailee then started looking around. "…by the way, have you guys seen Nagi?" She asked. "Probably with Nadeshiko" Tadase replied.

Zack then immediately shook his head. "That's impossible! Nadeshiko went out to shop with the other girls"

At the mention of that, Tadase and Kukai blinked twice. Suddenly, their faces reddened then they exclaimed, "SHE WENT WHERE WITH THE GIRLS?"

Nagihiko slid his ponytail off his long, violet, silky hair. "Never again would I ever hang out with the girls…" He mumbled as he went to pick up his 'Nagihiko outfit'; long, skinny black pants, a white polo and a brown coat. He glanced behind him, where he saw Tadase and Kukai both glaring at him, their aura dark and evil.

He sighed. "Listen, you guys. It's not like I actually saw anything. Besides, I was forced to come along…". Kukai crossed his arms then pointed an accusing finger at him. "Liar! We know you saw something! We know you liked it! How dare you take advantage of Nadeshiko!" He yelled, making Nagihiko sweat-drop. "…I thought you were a gentleman, Nagihiko…" Tadase faked a sob.

The door to the boy's room slammed open and Ikuto walked in. He lay on the couch then stared at the three boys. "Did something happen…" He wondered. Nagihiko shook his head. "Nothing, really…" He sighed. Kukai frowned. "We just have a peeping tom here in this very room!" He accused. "Please stop it already…" Nagihiko's shoulders sagged. Ikuto raised an eyebrow then smirked. "Did you really? And here I actually thought you were a gentleman"

"Oh shut up already would 'ya!"

Rima wearily grabbed her lavender dress then placed it before her. It was simple, actually, with puffed sleeves and a length that ended before her knees. Although the dress was cute, she scowled at it. Tonight was the Couple's Night and she knew she was going to dance with a fat, bubbly boy…

…right after she thought she captured the heart of someone as hot as Nagihiko…

She looked out through the window. The sun was setting. Amu and the other girls were happily dressing up while she was there, hoping that something would ruin the night.

She wondered how Nagihiko would pull it off. He has a date with Bailey and he didn't seem to mind at all!

Then again, maybe he was really an evil genius playboy who breaks hearts. Was he really capable of that? She remembered what had happened yesterday, after the shopping incident. He, as Nadeshiko, pretended that a huge emergency has come up and she had to go and bid everyone farewell. Amu nearly cried but Nadeshiko had promised to come back, hopefully not in a wrong timing as yesterday.

"Rima, what are you sulking around for?" Amu asked, concerned. Rima sighed then shook her head. "Betsuni" She muttered. Amu didn't buy it. "Well, I'm here if you want to talk about it" She said. Rima smiled at her. "Thanks, Amu…"

"Tanaka-dono…is this really necessary?" Aika asked. The beautiful woman giggled. "You know I was made to kill. I would kill everyone in this boat just to rid those rude guardian kids" Her aristocratic voice echoed through the sunset. Aika sighed. "You idiot. I swear, one of these days I would stuff a dirty sock into your mouth, then I would watch you chew it…laughing…" The thought made a smile creep into Aika's face.

"What are you creepily smiling about, wench? It's freaking me out…" Tanaka narrowed her eyes.

"Oops…I forgot to not smile and look sad…" Aika thought.

Tanaka turned away from the child. "Insolent fool" She had mumbled before she left the nine-year-old all alone.

From the sky, she looked down at the ship. The people were all so happy and peaceful. She caught a glimpse of the Shugo Charas. They were gathered in one table with the blonde twin tail, who was dressed in a fit, black, spaghetti-strapped.

Aika's brown orbs creased with guilt. The guardians seemed like a nice group. She didn't want to hurt them. They seemed to fun to be with, unlike Tanaka who often mistreated her. She's been working for that woman, who's obviously got ego problems, for many years and not once has she shown concern for Aika, no matter how loyal she was to her.

The little girl clenched her fist with anger as her brain traced back to the many, painful memories she had with Tanaka. Finally snapping out of her daze, her pitiful expression was replace with nervousness. This was going to be the first time she'll do it.

"Guess what, Tanaka…"

She though before flying away with such speed.

"I'm tired of watching anyone, other than you, die"

Rikka prepared the mattress for the night then immediately sat on it. "I'm ready to get some shut-eye. Are you, Hikaru?" She asked. The boy frowned at her. "It's still morning…" He muttered. Rikka rolled her eyes the lay down.

It was silent in the Royal Garden after that. Rikka was clearly still awake while Hikaru did some research about rocks. The only sounds were the keyboard and the mouse's click.

Almost suddenly, the glass of the Garden's roof crashed. "Rikka!" Hikaru whined while Rikka abruptly sat up, her arms were palmed before her. "I swear it wasn't me this time!" She quickly said. Hikaru raised his brow. "Then who else…?"

"ME!" An unknown voice said from above. The two looked up, just in time to see a girl in a red, ruffled dress, aqua-colored hair and brown eyes, slowly float down until she was an arm distance from the two of them.

Hikaru and Rikka had their mouths gapping wide open as the girl went on with her introduction. In both Hikaru and Rikka's hearing, all this girl was saying was Blah Blah Blah. Their senses were too stunned to work from the shock.

The girl noticed this and so she waved a hand at them. "You guys listening?" She asked. Rikka was the first to snap out. "WAAAH! Now we have to fix the roof for the 27th time today!" She cried. Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "You're acting as if it wasn't you who caused the roof to break in the first place…" "What do you mean by that?" "I'm being very honest" "What do you mean by that?" "Is that all you've got to say?" "What do you mean by that?"

Aika's left eye twitched as she watched the two argue to no-end. "Is this how normal people act or is it just them?" She wondered.

Finally gaining his composure, Hikaru turned to Aika then fixed his tie since he still hasn't changed out of his uniform. "I believe there is something you want to discuss with us?" He said.

"Now he's all business-like? Do guys have mood swings or something?"

"I'm Aika and I flew all the way from America with important news" She recited. Rikka didn't seem at all interested with the business-like talk so she cuddled back to bed.

"It's about the guardians"

"Amu-senpai!" Rikka cried out. In a blink of an eye, she was nose to nose with Aika. "How is she?" Hikaru cringed. "Calm down, Rikka or she couldn't go on"

Rikka slowly walked to Hikaru's side then listened. Aika had explained to them the plan and how badly Tanaka planned to kill the guardians. The more she said, the wider the eyes of the two Guardian apprentice's eyes became. Finally, when she was done with the explanation, Rikka bawled.

"Waaah! Rikka doesn't want them to die! What can we do to save them?" She sobbed. Hikaru's eyebrows were creased with worry then he flickered his eyes to Aika. "What can we do?" He gulped. Aika's eyes flashed. "I'm not really sure if it would work, but we can call onto the others who know about the Guardians and ask for their help. I don't know how to do it, though" She said in misery.

Hikaru smirked then held out his cell phone. Rikka gasped. "Hikaru-kun's going to use his powers!"

Aika gasped. "Is it powerful?"

"Yes! Very!" Rikka replied with twinkling eyes.

He dialed a number then placed it into his ear. After one ring, the phone immediately picked up.

"Hello, this is Gozen. Men, I have a mission for you! …Go bring Lulu de Morselle, Kairi Sanjo and Noboku Saeki here in the Royal Garden ASAP! Even if it means you have kidnap them! They have to be here within thirty seconds!" And with that, he hang up.

Ten seconds later, helicopters were heard from above the garden. Lulu and Kairi crashed down the roof in parachutes. "Where's Noboku?" Rikka questioned.

"No! I am not going down without my miso peanuts!" Everyone looked up at the familiar voice and sure enough, there was Noboku, who held onto the helicopter's side for dear life. Two big men were trying to push off the fat woman but she wouldn't let got. "Please, miss Noboku! You just have to pull the string of the parachute once you fall off!" One of the men said. "NOOO!" She screamed. Hikaru smirked then dialed again. "Pilot, this is Hikaru. Tilt the helicopter"

The helicopter tilted, making the fat woman fall off before he could even press the red button.

Rikka had a look of pride in her face as she watched Aika's shocked expression.

"That's my Hikaru-kun!" She thought.

Lulu dusted off dirt on her pretty tan coat while Kairi pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. Noboku, on the other hand, was floating by the fountain.

"Okay, talk. Why'd you call me here?" Lulu demanded. "Tsk" Kairi flicked his tongue. "Why'd you fly me so far away from home?" He asked. Hikaru frowned. "If I'm correct, you are friends of the guardians, correct?" He asked. The two nodded while Noboku still had swirly eyes.

Hikaru gave way to Aika. "This girl has something to tell you"

The spotlight was immediately on Aika as she explained Tanaka's plan to murder the guardians. Both Lulu and Kairi's faces were of pure horror.

"…the thing is, they don't know what's coming for them and I couldn't warn them directly or Tanaka would catch me!" She ended.

Lulu and Kairi frowned. "Let's save them" They both said in unison. Hikaru got his phone. "Hello, bring us a plane. Now."

Three seconds later, you could hear a plane howl loudly outside the garden. Everyone had brisk-walked to the plane, except for the still dizzy Noboku who was being dragged by Lulu.

"Rima, stop complaining! You look adorable!" Amu cooed, making an agitation mark form Rima's forehead. "Keh!" She said as she turned away. The lavender dress she had been holding up awhile ago looked entirely different once she actually wore it. Not only was it the perfect fit but when matched with stockings, indigo shoes and a large, indigo ribbon head-band, she looked like a million dollar doll!

She noticed Nagihiko's glance at her and her face reddened in fury. Not only did he smile at her as if nothing was wrong! He was surrounded by a bunch of fan girls! How can he look so calm knowing that he was nearly cheating on her? And she has a perfect view of him cheating on her!

Rima turned her back at him then stomped away. She failed to notice that his face fell right after the action she had taken.

"Man. I'm screwed. She really hates me now…" He thought. "Just go to her and apologize! Ask her to dance with you!" Rhythm said with a shoulder shrug. "She sees me as a playboy now…"

"If you don't make a move on her, she'll think even worse of you" Temari, who has been hiding under his large amount of silky hair, whispered. Nagihiko sighed then gazed at Rima.

All of a sudden, Nagihiko felt someone elbowing him at his sides. He quickly turned to see a smirking Kukai. "Yo. You've been longingly staring at the queen for five minute, Fujisaki. Tell me. Do you like her?" "W-what?" Nagihiko panicked. "Don't deny it. It's the former queen falling in love with the current queen. Isn't it ironic?" He continued to nudge him.

Instead of fighting back, Nagihiko sighed then buried his palm to his hands. "I think I broke our relationship…" He said through muffled words. Kukai raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" He asked. Nagihiko sat upright then stared into Kukai's eyes, sending shivers down his spine.

"Why is he staring at me like that…? It's scaring me!" He thought. Nagihiko sighed once more. "Can I trust you with a secret?" Nagihiko asked. Kukai eagerly nodded.

He knew that if it was him keeping a secret, it was normally a big secret. Like the Nadeshiko secret. Nagihiko stared at him a bit longer until he sighed…again. "Never mind. I change my mind. Turns out I can't trust you afterall…" He mumbled.

"What?"

Oooooh…I just remembered that I actually have a batch mate named Tanaka…and I once had a classmate named Aika. Isn't that kind of ironic…?

Anyway, thanks for reviewing the Author's Note! I'm glad I haven't lost many readers! So…um…I'm sorry if there wasn't much Rimahiko. I'm getting warmed up after not writing for so long.