I DO NOT OWN SHUGO CHARA, ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS, OR ANY LICENSED MATERIAL THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS STORY AND CHAPTER.
THIS STORY IS RATED T FOR LANGUAGE AND CONTENT SO BEWARE OF THE LANGUAGE!
Taking One for the Team
CHAPTER 6: Are you On Drugs?
FLASHBACK
Rima after being shoved into the house was being beaten senselessly by her mother, suddenly the door swung open and Nagihiko entered looking as somber as ever. He grabbed Rima and pulled her away from her mother.
"Where is your room?" He asked hectically Rima grabbed his hands and blushed at how strong and warm they were and lead him to her room quickly with her mom cursing and following them. She flung open the door and pushed Nagihiko inside, following in after and locking the door.
"This is it," She said sniffling. Her eyes were red and puffy and she was covered in bruises.
"Does she act like this all the time?" He asked seriously. She looked down and went quiet, he moved nearer and placed both of his hands on her shoulders and said seriously , "Rima I want to help you, but you need to tell me….does she act like this often?"
Rima blushed as he looked directly at her, she looked away and couldn't help but swallow.
"Yes, she does. Around twice a month….she only beats me when she gets fired, but she often hallucinates that papa is here." Rima replied.
"What do you do?"
"I bear with it," She mumbled, she was looking away from Nagihiko when she suddenly started to shake, her cheeks turned red and then she bursted into tears, " I try to make her love me! I wake her up in the mornings! I hug her, I kiss her… but she hates me!"
"Rima, she doesn't hate you," Nagihiko said leaning down, "She doesn't!"
"You don't know!" She shouted. He tilted her chin up so she was looking at him, her eyes were swollen and red and it matched with her pinkish colored nose, tears were still streaming down, it made his own heart cringe to see her like that.
"I can read people, remember?" He said grinning. Her eyes widened and she didn't say anything she continued looking at him sniffling and batting her eyelashes.
For a while they stayed like that looking at each other with her chin tilted up as her mother banged on the door in rage.
"Rima pack some clothes and your uniform, I can't allow you to stay here any longer," He said in all seriousness. Her eyes widened.
"Where can I go? How can I go? I can't leave mama!" Rima cried in rage shaking him away.
"She needs help; she needs counseling or something, so she could be able to show her love for you! The love you think doesn't exist! Otherwise you take your chances being seriously injured by her violent acts!"
"Nagihiko….." Rima murmured trailing off. She looked down and coughed a little hiccupping and crying yet again, "Ok…where am I going?"
"It's getting late, for now you can stay with us. Mother wouldn't mind, she has always wanted a girl." Nagihiko said, however Rima noticed the bitterness in his tone as he mentioned the last part, "We have plenty of rooms for you to say, the maids will take care of your bruises. If you aren't comfortable, you may stay with Amu, or Yumi. Perhaps even Yaya,"
Rima stared at him for a while blinking and shaking her head in utter shock. She turned around and looked at the closed door being banged on by her angry mother.
"Okay," She said as she opened her closet, she pulled out a suit case she folded some of her favorite outfits, and three school uniforms, she put in her books and writing utensils then she zipped it up.
She had a smaller ballet bag; she unzipped it and put in her bras under wear with her back turned from Nagihiko. She gathered some shoes and put them in a plastic bag in the ballet bag. She turned and nodded at him. He smiled. He grabbed her suitcase for her as she carried her small bag and he opened the door roughly revealing her mom.
With much effort and a dramatic fight, they managed to escape into the night with her mom flinging beers after them.
They eventually arrived to the Fujisaki mansion and it was already 9:00, Nagihiko arriving with a girl covered in bruises and carrying a bag and him carrying a pink suitcase in the middle of the night was pretty much a rhetorical sight.
"Mother," Nagihiko called out as he and Rima entered a huge traditional room, he slid open the screen, and Rima saw a beautiful woman with dark purple hair tied up flawlessly with the most gentle, beautiful, face. She sat reverently on her heels in the best Kimono Rima had ever laid her eyes upon.
When she heard Nagihiko's voice she looked up suddenly, her every movement and manner elegant.
Perhaps for the first time ever in her life, Rima was intimidated.
"Nagihiko, you have brought home a guest." His mother observed as she turned back to what she was doing, which was staying as still as a statue staring forward at the wall.
"Yes I have, this girl is Mashiro Rima, a close friend of mine," Nagihiko introduced, Rima bowed as gracefully as possible not wanting to look as scared as she was, for these people had a habit of being know-it-alls.
"Her mother beats her sometimes, this night in particular we went for an outing after basketball practice with three other friends, since our house is farther than her's and everyone else's house was before her's, me and her were the only two left, when I dropped her off at her house, as we were saying goodbye her mother came out rather intoxicated and started shouting, she forced her into the house and Rima cried for help I ran up and opened the door, we hid in her room. I invited her to stay here and to help get her mom counseling,"
"However," Rima spoke not to long after he had finished, "If I become a burden, I shall stay with a friend of mine instead, but for tonight, considering it is already this late….please allow me to stay in your home!"
They both bowed an awaited for her elegant response.
Instead they got this….
"EEP! Rima-chan you are so cute!" The woman replied as she rose maladroitly and hugged Rima, "Stay for as long as you like!"
"T-Th-Th-Thank you!" Rima exclaimed.
"Your pretty face…." She said as she stroked Rima's cheek, "It's been bruised! MAIDS!"
"Yes Mistress?"
"Please Take, Rima-chan and take care of her bruises, than lead her to the prettiest room you can find, she will be staying with us for a while, also, be sure to take notes on what she likes to eat." She commanded. Rima's eyes widened, how could she have taken a liking to her so quickly? Rima glanced at Nagihiko and smiled happily.
"Yes mistress," The maid said bowing to her boss, "Please follow me, Lady Rima."
"U-Uh okay!" Rima agreed and followed the maid as she took one last look at Nagihiko.
Her bath, and de-bruising took her a long time, then when she finally got to her "Room" she unpacked a little and did her school work, she sat on the floor crouched around her low table, she glanced at her antique and pretty futon. Her room was oddly dark lit slightly by a lantern from above. The window was high and brought in a little moon light.
By the time she finished her school work it was already midnight, and she had to call someone. To vent.
END FLASHBACK
O.O.O.O
"Wake up Rima-sama!" A maid cried shaking the blonde girl as she slept in her light pink futon her blonder curls all over the wooden floor, "It is time for school!"
Rima rose from her bed with her hair sticking up in all angels. She sighed and yawned.
"Oh Rima-sama you are a mess, it is time we cleaned you up!" The maid admonished. "You, iron her uniform! You prepare the hair instruments!"
"Huh?" Rima asked, then she noticed the room was lighter….but still dull, "What time is it?"
"5:00 A.M, mam, standard time for a girl to wake up. Is it too late?"
"Uh….no," Rima replied awkwardly.
"Your bath is ready, mam." The maid said to the girl. Rima nodded and stood up, she followed the maid to the bath. The maid slid open the door and gently pushed Rima in, "I will be back soon with a robe to escort you to your room,"
Rima plunged in wildly, happy to be alone. She soaked in the water, thinking back on everything. She was in Nag-stupid's house, bathing in his bath, being pampered by his maids. It didn't make much sense, thinking back on all the times they've interacted they were not that close but due to certain circumstances she was in his bath!
One thing is for sure, she is not staying here. Once at school she'll ask to stay by Amu. She won't abuse their kindness.
Soon the door slid open revealing the maid with a robe, Rima dried off and put on the robe, her hair wrapped in its own towel. She was lead back to her room, where they ironed her uniform, they sat her down at plucked her eyebrows against her will then they put on mascara and lip gloss, then they started working on her hair, she did not see what it was but it annoyed her. When she looked in the mirror she nearly knocked them out.
Her curly hair was straight! It was let out with two stray pieces braided and tied to the back where it met a bun. A very fancy hair style! Before she could complain they forced her into her uniform. They polished her shoes, and even brushed her teeth! They perfumed her and packed her bag by looking at her schedule, but she double checked anyway. Then they lead her to the dining hall, once she was escorted to the doors they dismissed themselves and left.
She inhaled angrily, and she slid open the door slowly. Once inside, she saw Nagihiko….and him only. Thank God! She could be herself.
"I have never been so excited to see you in my life!" She cried though gritted teeth.
"What's this? You're unhappy with being lady-like for once?" He asked placing a piece of pork on his tongue then swallowing it.
"Shut. Up." She growled, she crouched down next to him around the giant rectangular low table. "They straight my hair,"
"Don't worry your curls will come back once you wet it, but it should stay that way for a month without being exposed to water," He explained.
"Oh," She sighed in relief, "How do you know that?"
"No reason," Nagihiko replied darkly. Rima decided to leave it alone. She was shortly presented with her favorite strawberry waffles by a maid she had not met yet, she soon found out it was because she worked in the kitchen. "So you like waffles?"
"Yup," Rima said smiling as she practically inhaled the syrupy slices of waffles.
"You know," Nagihiko said looking at her intently all of a sudden he started laughing to herself.
"What ya laughing about Nag-stupid?" Rima asked her mouth filled with waffles.
"Well I am not sure what you just said but," Nagihiko began causing Rima to frown and swallow her waffles, "I always thought you were one of those girls who we're pretty enough not to need make up, but now I see that even though I thought you couldn't get prettier….the makeup makes you shine even more,"
Rima's face turned red and her palms got so sweaty that her fork nearly slid out her hands.
"You thought that….?" She mumbled looking down shyly.
"Yes I did," He replied bluntly continuing to pig out.
"This is a pretty big table," Rima observed trying to change the subject.
"Yes some of the greatest and most skilled dancers have sat around this table, believe it or not." Nagihiko bragged.
"Really?" Rima asked interested suddenly.
"Yeah, most of them Fujisakis,"
"Really? Does that mean you're a dancer?" Rima asked in shock.
"Not me, Nadeshiko." Nagihiko replied bitterly. Rima furrowed her brow and slammed her fist very unladylike onto the table.
"Damnit, would you just tell me who freaking Nadeshiko is!"
"Even though you look so elegant you're still as ungraceful as ever," Nagihiko noted.
"Would you tell me? You and Ikuto avoided it last time, and I can tell it's a touchy subject but don't freaking mention it if you won't explain!"
"Rima," Nagihiko sighed looking at the girl, "Last night….does….Amu know your mother is that way?"
Rima watched him suspiciously for a moment then sighed and nodded. She looked away far off into the distance as she stared at nothing in particular, looking as beautiful as ever courtesy of the makeup.
"I have known Amu, for quite some time." Rima replied, "She knew me when things were still good, and she knew me when things went bad. She knows everything about me, and I know likewise when it comes to her. She even knows what happened last night and that I am here,"
"Does anyone else know?" Nagihiko inquired staring attentively at her gentle gaze, suddenly she looked up at him with the same calmness in her eyes as he had, she shook her head and gazed back at the wall, "last night when your mother called out to you, you were fearful that I would see her, I could tell."
"Yes, I was." Rima replied quietly.
"It is something personal, is it not?"
"Yes, it is,"
"I am sorry about everything," He apologized, "It seems I have seen something I shouldn't have."
"Don't be!" Rima snapped her head up looking at him with her eyes as wide as ever, "If it weren't for you….I probably would've been hurt last night, it never would've occurred to me, to leave her…..to get her help!"
"I am happy that you have no regrets," Nagihiko said smiling brightly, "Since I have seen so much, I'll tell you a bit of my past, promise not to tell anyone."
"I have no one to tell," Rima replied frankly. Nagihiko chucked and looked down with a smile.
"I guess you don't," He muttered, "I am Nadeshiko,"
"What…." Rima whispered her eyebrows furrowed.
"My mother makes me cross dress," Nagihiko replied, "The males in our family have been doing it for generations, and in my old school I was Fujisaki Nadeshiko….head cheerleader."
"…." Rima stared at him blinking wildly she didn't say anything. Everything suddenly made sense, his 'understanding' for females, his passion about the hard work it takes to be a cheerleader, his ability to read emotions, everything made sense! "Oh, I see,"
"Only Ikuto knew, well he sort of figured it out, my file had me listed as Nadeshiko when I first arrived, and he….guessed." Nagihiko continued weirdly.
"He's such a freak," Rima muttered.
"Do you understand now?" Nagihiko asked, Rima nodded quickly.
"Sorry, that I made you tell me that," She apologized a slight tint of pink appearing on her cheeks.
"It's okay," He assured her, he rose from his position on the floor, "It's about time we head out, we'll go to Ikuto's house first then meet up with Kukai and pick up Amu next."
"Hm? Oh…okay," Rima replied somewhat surprised.
"Rima-chan!" an excited voice nearly squealed. Rima glanced upwards to see Nagihiko's mother standing above her with clasped hands and a happy smile.
Rima rose up hastily and bowed respectfully syrup all over her mouth.
"Rima dear, I have picked out excellent décor for your room! Oh! I bought you so many kimonos!" She squealed happily, "You will be as happy as a clam for as long as you're living here!"
"Aunty," Rima muttered flabbergasted by her enthusiasm towards Rima's stay, Rima bowed once more, "Aunty I apologize for making you do so much for me as I have decided to stay elsewhere during my mother's counseling,"
"What? Why! Have the maids not treated you well?" She exclaimed worriedly. Rima stopped bowing and instead shook her head with a smile.
"It's not that they have been very accommodating," Rima replied, "It's just I would find it very uncomfortable to be staying in the same house as a boy….especially your son,"
"Has Nagihiko not treated you well!" She gasped.
"No, I just do not like him," Rima stated bluntly. The older woman blinked for a moment taking in what she just said.
"Rima-chan I truly like you," She said with a smile, "I don't like him very much either,"
"Mother," Nagihiko grunted angrily.
"Oh hush," She said with a giggle, "However Rima-chan you must repay my kindness in some way,"
"Of course," Rima agreed.
"Visit me every week, on Mondays!" She proposed with a huge smile plastered to her face. It took Rima a few seconds to reply but after alot musing she did.
"As you wish, Aunty,"
"Alright, off to school you two," She commanded. Rima and Nagihiko obeyed her order and left the dining hall.
O.O.O.O
Rima and Nagihiko had first went to Ikuto's house he was a bit skeptical as to why they were together they merely said that Rima had a lot of drama happening at home and she had to leave for a while and considering the late hour the Fujisaki residence was the best place for her stay.
Ikuto only commented on her make over and they continued on to Kukai's house; Kukai however had many questions about their night, many of which were irrelevant and not answered. Amu was already told about her night and just smiled at Rima's new look, which slightly annoyed the blonde child.
The rest of the walk passed by peacefully and Rima's thoughts settled on Nagihiko's mother's request. It was all very strange, but she was quite excited about her new life. Just a few weeks ago she was running down these very streets, hair uncombed and wild, in a rush to reach to school on time not looking forward to anything but sitting alone on the roof and watching the cheerleaders and Ikuto live their lives to the fullest.
Now, here she was! A cheerleader herself, walking with the three most popular guys on the basketball team to school looking forward to eating lunch and conversing, with make up on and a bun placed on her head she smiled at the sunny weather and calm air. Life was sweet.
O.O.O.O
IN THE BATHROOM, CHANGING FOR PRACTICE
15:15
For the fun of it, Rima and Amu had taken care in their gym uniform's style. With Rima's new straight hair that not many had seen, and her short pants she was now truly irresistible. She kept her hair out, but took out the fancy bun and the braids.
Instead of wearing blue at the bottom and black at the top, she now were black at the bottom and blue at the top, so that she could stand out. She wore short black sweats with two blue lines running down the sides, and a tight blue tank top.
Amu wore a short black skort with pleats, and a blue shirt that showed a bit of her stomach, her hair was let out too.
They smirked at their new appearance and high fived each other, with their bags thrown over their shoulders coolly. They emerged from the bathroom slowly. All eyes were on them.
RIMA'S POV
As we walked onto the field I imagined us in slow motion just like in the movies when the main characters get a really cool makeover. Anyway, straight hair isn't that bad, except it seems much more thin and it flies all over the place, especially since mine is so long.
Anyway we modeled over there fashionably late. 15 minutes to be precise. Utau fumed when everyone shouted our names in surprise, she turned to look at us herself and her jaw practically fell to the ground.
Slow motion sexy catwalk activate!
I made sure when I bounced over there I flipped my hair at least once. Amu was giggling almost all the way there. It was really funny actually to see Utau, Saaya, and Lulu's faces. Yumi nearly crapped herself. Yaya was just whistling like a pervert. Now I can see why she and Kukai are friends.
"Hey Utau," I greeted with a deceiving smile; I batted my eyelashes for effect.
"Sorry we're late you know how persistent guys are sometimes," Amu lied. Well, sort of. We did attract a lot of attention on our way but I can scare the crap outta any guy, so we could've made it on time if we tried.
"We do?" Saaya asked clearly confused. Utau stomped on her foot….very hard too.
"That reason is not valid at all!" Utau snapped, "Listen to me, and listen to me carefully! DON'T DRESS LIKE THAT IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE EXTRA ATTENTION!"
"But honey, we are just taking your advice," I said putting my arm around her, "Remember?"
"Amu, Rima," Utau said as she approached said girls.
"Yes mam?" Rima asked dryly a smile plastered onto her face. Utau ignored it and continued.
"You guys are cheerleaders now, at least have some style when it comes to your gym uniforms," Utau stated spitefully glaring down at them.
"You said we needed some style," Amu recalled.
"So we tried our hardest to look as trampy as you!" I exclaimed. That did it. She reached her boiling point.
"I AM TIRED OF THIS! TIRED!" Utau yelled nearly ripping her hair out, "YOU JOIN MY SQUAD! YOU DATE IKUTO! YOU FLAUNT YOUR FREINDSHIP WITH THE THREE HOTTEST GUYS! YOU DRIVE ME TO THE EDGE EVERY DAY! NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY I CAN'T GET RID OF YOU TWO!"
"Utau calm down!" Lulu begged.
"LAPS! EVERYONE DO LAPS!" Utau ordered. Terrified by Utau, most of the girls sprung up and started circling the field, including Saaya. Amu, Lulu, Yumi, and I stayed and looked at Utau blow a fuse.
"FASTER! FASTER! DON'T STOP TIL YOU ARE AS PISSED AS I AM! WHEN I AM UPSET SO ARE ALL OF YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME?" Utau shouted. Suddenly the madness stopped when the coach appeared out of a corner.
"Utau," Yukari-sensei said calmly appearing behind the girl, "Why are your tormenting these girls? I put my trust in you as head cheerleader."
"YUKARI-SAN! Thank god you are here!" Utau yelled then she began pointing at me and Amu angrily, "These girls should not be part of the squad!"
"Well, why don't you throw them off the team?"
"Because the majority voted for them and because they have kick-ass skills!"
"So what's the problem?" Yukari asked folding her arms.
"EVERYTHING!" Utau shouted nearly losing her voice. She collapsed onto the ground and started pointing at us even more, "EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING!"
Yukari-sensei just looked at the psycho path. The whole field fell silent waiting for the coach's wise response. She sighed exhaustedly then looked down at Utau and calmly replied:
"Are you on drugs?"
O.O.O.O
After that, Utau was taken to the infirmary by order of Yukari. Saaya and Lulu escorted her there so Yumi was left in charge. She was overjoyed to do so.
"Alright girls, these girls we are up against don't screw around," Yumi explained loudly to the entire squad, "I should know, my sister goes there. Toyotomi High school is filled with, gymnasts, dancers, and full time whores! We might as well give up. If it were up to me I would have us back down, but wise Utau wants to keep fighting so here's the deal: We are gonna step up our game!"
"How?" Yaya asked already excited. Yumi smirked and pulled out her boom box, she pressed play and I Like To Move It. Started playing.
"Everyone stand in a horizontal line in front of me," Yumi ordered, and as the song chanted 'I like to move it' at the beginning, we all assembled into our line. Then when the song got really upbeat Yumi stood in front of us and started dancing, "Do what I do!"
We all obeyed, and tried our best to do what she did. I never saw anyone dance like that. I didn't even know people could dance like that! It was like her waist had a mind of its own!
She explained that she lived in the Caribbean for a while and they taught her how to dance in one of the public schools she attended.
When we all knew how to dance somewhat like her, she changed up the routines a bit. For the very first time, practice was fun! Even though it was hard work, seeing how it all played out was really cool. We even flung people ten feet into the air! When Yaya was flung into the air by the girls in the center she somehow made it the highest and even did a summer salt. Amu could go pretty high herself.
I was on the ground throughout the whole thing (even though I am light weight and short), particularly opposite Yumi, cart wheeling across the field, and jumping over people. Lulu and Saaya joined later and picked up quite quickly. Saaya, I have to say, is an amazing gymnast, she was on top of our pyramid doing a one-armed hand stand, Lulu and Yaya was underneath her and she wasn't afraid at all. I really can't wait for the game now. I guess Utau was a really bad Captain.
I am beginning to think she really does take drugs.
O.O.O.O
THANKS FOR READING! ONCE AGAIN, REVIEWS ARE APPRECIATED!
SONGS USED IN THIS CHAPTER:
I LIKE TO MOVE IT (BY REEL 2 REAL)