A Guardian's Promise

Chapter 2

"Ohhh… now I will never leave you, Yaya

"Ohhh… now I will never leave you, Yaya!" Pepe-chan sat on her head as Yaya walked down the street. It was a busy week because graduation will be held on the week after. The grade 6 students are to become high school--Kukai is going to be high school.

So… no more helps for Yaya until we have another student to sit on the Jack's chair…She stopped walking, thinking of the fact that someone's gonna leave her… It's too soon... She looked down her skirt… then her feet… and into the puddle where she can see her reflection.

"Oh, Yaya, look!" Pepe-chan pointed.

Yaya turned her head, but instantly, after a short glance, she turned her back. Her face reddened as she bit her lips.

"Souma-kun with two ladies hugging in each arm… are all soon-to-be grown-ups really like that?" the bunny headed Shugo transferred to her shoulder.

"I don't know… Let's go, Pepe-chan" Yaya seemed to bitter…and Pepe-chan sensed it too. Is it because of the graduation? Or Souma's date with a lot of girls?

Yaya kept on walking, still thinking for the big event next week. She is going to lose a companion. No one will be there when she's lost, no one to eat brownies with her, No one to help stamp all the papers, and still, no one to look after her. The world is going upside down without him. It's truly going to change.

And now that Kukai is high school, maybe he won't mind me anymore…and just now, he's got with him two girls to date... he'll never be the same again. The young girl just left her shadows as she walked away. Though he seemed occupied, he was able to give a quick glance at her feet.

"Daichi… help me…" Kukai whispered to his shugo. He didn't want these girls around him. He was already okay with the cheering squad when they play… but these? No way.

"Oh! The beach!!" Ran cheered as she was about to approach the shore.

"Raaaan??" The Joker, Amu, tried to discipline her.

"Oh, don't worry, Amu-chan." Nadeshiko arranged their things on the table. They were in a restaurant near the shore. "It's the beach after all. Maybe Ran can even look after all of them… right?"

"I'll wait for you Amu-chan!!" Ran, together with her fellows went near the shore.

"I wonder where Souma-kun is… he isn't here yet…" Tadase sat on the chair of their table.

"He's probably still hanging out with the high school girls…" Yaya answered, as she bit into the cookie.

"High school girls…"Amu whispered. "I think he should be here… Because we set an outing so that we will have a little bonding before he graduates…" She was sad. Of course, they all are. They all looked down in depression. Yaya couldn't even finish her cookie.

"Oi! Guys!! Sorry I'm late!!" From his feet to his face, it was really Kukai. He sat down between the Queen and King cheerfully. But still, no one spoke or even moved. Their face showed weariness.

"What happened…?" He asked. He didn't have a clue that they were talking about him. Kukai looked around him, turning from each of the guardian's face to another. They all looked the same--weary and sad.

Yaya suddenly stood up, distracting them and getting all their attentions. They all turned to her. She was still looking down the table but then, she stepped backward and ran away from the place.

"So I think Yaya's with the shugos… we should get a room now and join Yaya. She's pretty upset now… you know, Kukai?" Amu made a sharp look at Kukai.

"Aww… It was my fault…" He sighed and looked at her back.

They all got their things and went into an inn where they can keep their things and spend the night. They were given the key, and got what they need for this short time. Good thing that Amu was there, she gave the two all the laugh they can get so that they would cheer up, forgetting about this one week time and just spending time with each other. Kukai knew this, and just bear with them.

The shugos became silent as they came and all looked at Yaya.

"Yaya-san…" Tadase tapped her shoulder as they arrived. She was just playing with the sand but though, she was still sad.

"I'm here… C'mon, I don't want to make this plan go into a waste!" Kukai looked at Yaya. His eyes met with Yaya's innocent ones. "Let's go" He just pulled her hand and looked at everybody else. They all were blank but as soon as Kukai smiled at them lively, they brightened up and joined in the water too. It was just a day—No—just hours to spend with each other.

I guess it may be the last time… but I'll try to make it as memorable as possible! They enjoyed every second they had. It would never be the same again… those days will never be back but still, they'll stay as memories that would last for a lifetime.

"Oh, the fireworks display is about to start!!" Nadeshiko pointed. They all sat on each other's side. The night sky was suddenly illuminated with bright lights. There were colors flying around and so many cheers that implied amazement. But the guardians were just silent. It was a quality time. No conversations but they felt close to each other.

But of course, being young that she was still depressed, Yaya again wanted to be separated from the group. She stood up and walked away.

"Oh no… Yaya's still sad… I guess you should talk to her." Amu gave a friendly advice but with a sad look on her face.

"Okay…" Kukai stood up and followed Yaya. He looked around but no signs of Yaya being there. But, instead of stopping, he walked and followed the track of the shore. So she was really there… I think I disappointed her because of what she saw. Oh, what more when I step to high school?

He saw a girl standing by the shore, looking at the skies, though there were no fireworks. There was no one else except him and that girl.

"Yaya…" Kukai whispered as he approached her.

The girl turned to him with a blank face. "Why are you here—by" he was just about to touch her but, she fisted his shoulders lightly. Kukai was surprised but at the same time, curious. It didn't hurt but why on earth would she do that? Yaya sat down on the spot where she was standing, facing the vast ocean. Kukai sat with her too, wanting to apologize for what happened. He looked at Yaya. She was solemnly looking at the night sky. He just kept silent and moved closer to her.

"Don't you think that the stars are more beautiful than the fireworks…? I mean… they're always there to illuminate the sky but no one notices and adores how beautiful they really are…"She frowned a little.

"But… that's why they adore the fireworks. Because it isn't there all the time… so…" Kukai replied with his common sense.

"But still… looking at the stars is more soulful than that of the fireworks… they are so mystical that one look… can make you feel so solemn and complete inside…" Yaya's words surprised Kukai too much. Is this… Yaya…? She really is matured… far more than I've thought… He blushed a little and looked down at her small hands.

"You know—I" Kukai started but Yaya cut in quickly: "I hate you"

What…? Kukai looked at her solely. "I know you don't hate me and I like you because you said that. But now I hate you…" she picked up a stick, "I really hate you…" she raised the stick up.

"I REALLY REALLY HATE YOU!!" her eyelids were wet and her cheeks became so hot. Kukai unintentionally opened his arms and the scene just led to crying and to her caress.

"I've always believed you are a star… I know you were always there and because of that, I believed it would go on forever… but I realized that stars disappear too when they get old…" she didn't want to let him go and embraced him even tighter.

"I know you'll leave me after this… and then you'll have a lot of girls around you more often. Not only two, but more of them…and you won't care for me anymore…" Yaya whispered into his ear.

"You mean…" Kukai leaned back, and so was she, but they were still holding each other. "You like that I care about you…?" he asked. She tightened her grip on his arm and nodded, her cheeks becoming slightly pink.

"And… you're jealous because of the… girls…?" He smiled at her.

"Well… to be jealous…" she turned away, making that slightly pink cheek turn red.

"Oh my god, you're blushing!" Kukai chuckled as he turned his head away a little. Then, after that, he came back to his self.

"You know, I…" He also became nervous and at the same time, his heart pounded like it would break his chest open.

"You…?" Yaya continued. She looked at him eagerly.

"Well…" Kukai stood up and offered a hand to help Yaya to stand up too. She grabbed his hand and stood up, but he didn't let it go and instead, held it more tightly.

"Yaya, you've grown so mature…" Kukai gave her an observing look, but the truth is, he just wants to see her face.

"You know, I'll wait until you have turned into a teenager… and by that time, you will have grown into a fine lady, and you have already learned a lot of this world…" he smiled at her so innocently. Yaya blinked and recorded every word Kukai has mentioned. She'll definitely become that.

"Yes, I'm a star… but remember, when stars grow old, they explode and become a dwarf star. They are so small and looks so distant, but when you look for them closely enough… you will realize that they are there." He put his other hand on her head and leaned down, narrowing the distance between his face and her's.

"Yaya, I want you…" he whispered. His eyes were so serious that it showed sincerity. Of course, he was also nervous, but that's just what he wanted to say.

"Wha—what…?" Yaya was surprised and she wanted to stop her heartbeat and stare at him for a little more time. She closed her eyes in tremble as to thinking what will happen.

She only saw darkness, but though, she felt warmth. She opened her eyes and saw that he just placed a little kiss on her forehead.

"I will hold on to this feeling… until you grow up… I promise…" Kukai whispered.

"I… promise…?" she repeated what he said and smiled.

"But for now, we can keep our innocent little crushes." Kukai stood up, and smiled like the usual.

"Let's go! They're waiting for us! The one who would be last will clean the dishes for tonight!!" he started running.

"That's not fair! Heey!!" Yaya chased after him. They were very happy, because now, they can look up to the future with a hope that there's something they can be sure of: the fulfillment of the promise the stars and even the moon had witnessed.