Definately Maybe

::Rima's POV::

"Rima-chan, where are you going?" My chara, Kusu Kusu, asked me when I was on my way out the door.

"Amu-chan's house." I said. "I just got a text from her." I added, holding up my cell phone. "I'll be back in a little while."

I closed the door behind me and started running. Of course I lied about going to Amu's. The person that I actually got the text from was Nagihiko. It read:

"Rima. Meet me at the park asap.

-Nagi"

It sounded somewhat urgent to me. I had hoped that he and the others weren't under attack of another mystery egg. But... if that were the case, wouldn't Kusu Kusu of sensed it?

I got to the park only to find absolutely nothing wrong. It looked so peaceful and quiet. The sun was already setting, so everything had a pretty orange glow to it. my eyes wandered and spotted Nagi on one of the swings. I approached him silently, keeping my eyes glued to his face... he looked so at ease, going back and forth slightly, with his eyes closed. He opened them when I sat on the swing next to him.

"Rima-chan, you actually came." he greeted happily.

I nodded. "Of course. Your message sounded urgent. I thought you might have been in trouble. I grew concerned."

"No need to worry about me. Even if I were in trouble I would have been fine." he replied.

"I can see that." I said, "But... what if you would have been in real trouble? You can't chara change, Nagi... You could have been hurt. And you would have called me... relied on me, when Amu-chan's house is so much closer to here. And she's the only one who can purify the X-eggs...I..." my eyes over-filled with tears without me noticing.

Suddenly Nagi was kneeling in front of me, holding my hand in his. "Rima... why are you crying? Please don't say it's for me."

"I was just thinking that if you got hurt... and I couldn't protect you like Amu-chan could..." my words trailed off into my thoughts.

Nagi wiped a tear from my cheek. "What does Amu have to do with any of this?"

"I see the way you look at her... I know you like her..." I assumed.

His hand tightened around mine. "Amu is a very good friend. That's all. I have no interest in her what-so-ever."

"But your always smiling at her... and you get along with her so well. It seems like every time she had a problem she comes to you right away." I said sadly, keeping my eyes away from his.

Nagi sighed deeply. "Would you like to know why I'm so incredibly close to Amu?"

"I'd rather not..." I shook my head 'no'.

::Nagihiko's POV::

I sighed again. "Looks like she won't listen to reason. I have no ther choice but to tell her the truth." I thought.

"Rima... I'm Nadeshiko..." I blurted out, letting go of her hand to take a step away from her.

Her head jolted up suddenly. "What?"

"Yes, you heard me correctly." I answered, "I'm really Nadeshiko. Up until I arrived here again I was raised as a girl for the sake of my families dancing. So, you see, that's why I'm so close to Amu. We were best friends when I was Nadeshiko, but now because of certain circumstances, I can't tell her who I really am."

Rima's eyes were wide with shock. "Nagi...I...Gomen. I selfishly accused you of something that isn't true..."

"It's okay. I understand completely." I replied, taking Rima's hand to help her off the swing. I didn't let go. "And besides, there's a different girl who I'm interested in."

"Oh, I see..." she mumbled quietly.

I smiled pulling both of her small hands into my own. "Do you happen to know who the girl might be?"

This seemed to grab her attention a little. "Your going to tell me who you like?" she questioned back. "Wouldn't that be embarrassing for you?"

My smile grew. "Not in the least... because the girl is you, Rima-chan."

She gasped as a cute, pink blush flushed her cheeks. She smiled back at me shyly. "I never knew... that makes me so happy to hear, Nagi."

"Then would you grant me the honor of becoming your boyfriend? I know that not too long ago on your birthday your turned down someone else... but, your the only girl who I've actually felt this way for. So please, if you would give me a small chance, even just one date. It would make me very happy...and..."

Rima giggled. "Nagi, your rambling."

I blushed. "Oh, gomenasai Rima-chan!" I guess I just don't know what to really say in this kind of situation. I'm nervous." I replied.

"Nagi, I want to be your girlfriend." Rima said sweetly.

"Really?" I looked at her and found a beautiful, sincere smile was on her face.

"Yes." she said, wrapping her arms around me.

I returned the hug quickly. "So... shall we have our first date tomorrow since there's no school?"

Riam nodded a took my hand, while we started our walk home.

::Normal POV::

Behind the brick wall of the park Yaya, and Amu were watching the whole scene in secret.

"I knew it!" Yaya squealed with joy, punching the air in victory.

"I told you that this would happen today Amu-chi!! Come on! Let's follow them!" she exclaimed about to dash towards the two.

Amu sweat dropped and grabbed Yaya by the arm, "No, Yaya, let's go home. You've eavesdropped enough on them today." she said dragging a now very unhappy and pouty Yaya along with her.

A Bloddy Hell of A Confession

She entered the Royal Garden. Rima looked around for Nagihiko. Ah-ha! She found him crawling on his knees under a table muttering to himself. Rima walked towards him. Her palms started sweating. She took a deep breath. "Fujisaki," she called.

"Hai, Mashiro-san?" the purple head replied. His head was still down searching for something. He continued to grumble in a low voice. "Where the bloody hell did the stupid thing go?!"

Okay, here goes nothing. Hopefully, he wouldn't even hear what she was about to say with all that mumbling. And since when did anyone in Japan ever say "bloody hell"? (A/N don't get me wrong Britians, I love that phrase! :D ) ? Rima took another deep breath. "Fujisaki, so meantoyounthepastand I knowyouwon'tlikemethatway but ihopewecouldjsutstartoveras friendsratherthanrivals also,this is partlyAmu'sfaultformakingmedothis and -" she ran out of breath, and words to say. Rima squeezed her eyes shut, waiting to hear a dreaded answer.

"Umm..,excuse me Mashiro-san, but are you addressing me?" Rima stood speechless. Of course I'm talking to you, you stupid idiot, she thought. "Ah! I found it!" Rima suddenly opened her eyes.

"Found what?" Rima heard a soft giggle.

"My hair tie. Goodness, how unlike of me to forget! I left it in my pocket all this time."

.Gosh.

Rima swallowed hard. "N-nadeshiko?" The purplette stood up.

"The one and only, Mashiro-san," Rima took a step back. "Oh my God. Oh my God. I just confessed my love to my crush's twin sister! . How the hell did I get them mixed up?!" Rima looked at Nadeshiko. Maybe it was the absence of the Guardian Cape?


Flashback

Rima glared at the former Queen. Coming back so unexpectedly, what nerve! What's next? Tadase asks her to replace Rima?

"Nadeshiko, since you're back, why don't you resume your position as queen?" Crap! Nadeshiko thought about it for a second. She glanced at Rima. Rima felt like she was on the brink of tears.

"I'm sorry Hotori-kun. I can't. It wouldn't be fair to Mashiro-san." Rima blinked hard. What?!

"Nade-! Why not? How about both of you can be queens! We can have two!" Yaya cried.

"That's not a bad idea," Amu chimed.

"No." She said firmly. Everyone was stunned silent. "It won't work. It's not going to be proper to have two Queens and one of everybody else. It's like having two kings. you wouldn't want that would you
Hotori-kun?" YES! Rima was celebrating on the inside. I save my position and Amu!

"My sister has a good point." Nagihiko commented.

"I guess you're right Fujisaki, but we've all missed you terribly. You can at least come over for a meeting everyone in a while and help us right?" Tadase said slowly. "you can even get to know Rima better and help her with your longer experience." Tadase, Rima thought, you're really getting on my nerves. As Queen, I think I'm-

"I believe Rima is doing just fine as the Queen," Nadeshiko smiled. Whoa. Mind reader. "but of course I will come to the meetings time to time like Souma-kun." Everyone silently agreed. Nadeshiko turned to Rima. Remembering her brother's stories about Rima's jealousy, she said "Mashiro-san. I hope we can be good friends."

With reluctance, Rima politely nodded. It's was getting harder and harder to hate the Fujisaki tiwns.

____________________________________________________________________________

Or was it just the -

Rima couldn't think of a better excuse. Her mind raced. "Oh no, what am I gonna do?! Should I deny what I just said? No, I can't. I used his last name and if I don't say that I was trying to tell Nagihiko that then she'll probably think I'm lesbian (a/n no offence to les ppl. but just assuming all the characters here are straight, and yes even tadase) or something, and-"

"It's okay Rima, I won't tell him." Nadeshiko softly smiled. "You know, it's not everyday that I get a confession not intended for me."

Rima looked down trying to hide her red face. "I-" she still didn't know what to say. Nadeshiko stiffened ever so slightly. An awkward silence came between them. Nadeshiko's face suddenly lit up.

"Oh look! Here comes Nagihiko!" As if on cue, her brother casually walked in.

"Hello Nee-sama, Mashiro-san,"

Rima quickly put back on her outside personality. "Is Amu-chan an the others on their way?"

"Hai, what brought you two here so early for the meeting?"

"I misplaced something. Rima just happed to come early on her own and was about to help me." A flawless half- lie. Rima almost believed the second part herself.

"And did you two ladies find what you were looking for?"

"Yes, we did. Ariigato Rima," The twins smiled.

"Uhh.. no problem Fujisaki-san,"

"Call us by our first name. After all, there's two of us." Nagihiko chuckled. as he pulled out a chair. Nadeshiko smirked.

"Hey guys!" Amu burst in along with Tadase and Yaya. "Excellent," Tadase said. "now let's begin the meeting,"

"By the way," Rima whispered to Nadeshiko. "bloody hell?"

"Something I picked up in Europe." Rima stared blankly at her. "It gets very catchy!"

Afterschool


The Fujisaki twins were walking home.

"How much of it did you hear, Nagihiko?"

"Everything after the 'it's not everyday' part."

"So you know about it now,"

"Yes,"

"I know that you feel the same way about her,"

"Twin telepathy," Nagihiko mumbled.

"So what will you do about it?"

"I don't know,"

"Tell her you like her too! Maybe tomorrow! Although, there's no need to rush, Ani-kun," Nadeshiko advised.
Nagihiko raised a brow.

"You embarrass me when you say that," he mumbled. "It makes me sound like a baby,"

She laughed. "So will you?"

"Tomorrow sounds good, but I don't know. We'll see,"

Nadeshiko giggled. Twin telepathy told her that this time, 'we'll see' meant 'yes'. That marked the end of their conversation. The twins walked in silence. Then-

"So what do you want to practice first? Basketball or Dancing?"

Him and Her

It must have been just a bad day for Rima. It was pouring rain that Monday morning, and she had no umbrella. Rima, being a total freak for looking her best to impress everyone, was frantic since her hair would get all messed up in the humidity. She sighed. "How am I going to get past this rain? I can't go to school with my hair looking the way it will!", she said mournfully. She was still standing at her doorstep, as she was sheltered from the rain there. Pulling a book out from her bag, she lifted it up on her head and made a mad dash for school.

Nagihiko, however, was having a much better day. He'd studied that night and was entirely prepared for the test that day. He had his same content smile on his face. And he even had an umbrella. As he stepped over a puddle so as not to get wet, Rima was running right behind him, and she stepped right in it, getting her shoes soaking wet. She gasped, staring doing disdainfully. She looked up now though, after noticing a sudden shadow over her. Nagihiko held his umbrella above her, smiling warmly, being a gentleman as always. He chuckled. "Ah, Rima, you're getting wet." he remarked. Rima frowned.

She didn't really like Nagihiko in the least bit. He had been close to Amu for as long as she could remember. This honestly wasn't that long at all. She dreaded accepting favors from him, but she couldn't take the risk of looking bad for school. She walked, dragging her feet a little. Nagihiko keep his same cheerful pace, his happy face still on. He looked down at Rima. He was quite tall, but she was also very petite. "So, are you ready for the test today?", he asked cheerfully, as he was trying to stir up a conversation. Rima sighed. "No, I didn't study much last night. I'm going to regret it today…" she sighed. But then she stopped, her eyes widening. She stared at the ground, her cheeks a slight pink. "What am I doing talking to him?!" she yelled in her head.

Nagi chuckled. "Oh, well I could lend you my notes before class if you like." he replied, grinning down at her. Rima looked up with an irritated expression. "Thanks.", she muttered. They walked into the school, and as Nagi folded up his umbrella, Rima noticed several eyes watching the two suspiciously. Rima gasped. Uh-oh. They were probably thinking what she thought they were. She now started to run off to class, as she didn't want people to assume they were together. Nagi looked up, noticing she was gone. He blinked, watching her run. He smiled though, as he knew she would have done that.

As Rima walked into the classroom, Amu and Yaya took notice of her presence. Yaya waved in the same hyper manner she always had. "Rima-tan!" she sang, smiling brightly. Amu smiled as well, waving, but not with as much zest as Yaya had. "Hey Rima.", she said. Rima smiled back. As soon as she saw her closest friends, she was instantly in a good mood. She walked over and took her seat behind Amu. Amu turned to face Rima. "Oh, so are you ready for our test first period?", she asked happily. Rima sighed again, and a depressed atmosphere now drifted upon her. Amu cringed, noticing what she'd done. "O-Oh but I'm sure it'll be easy as cake!", she said hurriedly.

Amu sighed in defeat. "Well honestly, I didn't study much either…", she sighed, trying to cheer her up. Rima simply kept her same mournful manner. Amu smiled though. She knew how stubborn Rima could be. "Alright everyone, get ready for class!" , called Nikaidou-sensei. "Okay…attendance book…", he mumbled to himself, searching through the pile of books on his desk. And as always, with his horrible luck, the pile of books landed right on him, and he fell right out of his seat. "Ow…", he groaned, rubbing his head. The class was now in a roar of laughter, and even Rima couldn't help but giggle. "I got it, I got it!", the teacher declared proudly, waving the book in the air. He then opened it up, and began to take attendance. After that was finished, the class began to prepare for the test. "Ohhh…", Rima whined. She was sure to bomb it! "Buutt...", the teacher began, a grin on his face. "You may all have 5 minutes of extra study time. Since I can tell by some of your expressions that you haven't studied.". He winked, and the class began to talk wildly, everyone dashing to each others desks for notes that they themselves didn't have.

Nagihiko walked up to Rima, who was sulking. He smiled. "Oh, here's those notes I told you I'd lend you.", he chimed,setting the notebook on her desk. He gave her a warm smile before turning and walking back to his desk, his dark violet, waist length hair following after him. Rima looked after him in a stare for a few moments, but then shook her head. "Focus Rima, focus!", she hissed in her head, opening the book. It was in mint condition, although the year was more than half over. She was in slight awe at how neat the words were written and how orderly they were all in. It was amazing he could actually keep up with the notes, while she herself rushed to finish before they moved on.

She read them all, and immediately after she finished, the test was ready to begin. Rima turned to look to Nagihiko to see if she should give him the notes back. But he winked as an indication for her to just keep them until the test was over. She gave a light smile and carefully put the book in her desk. She smiled, facing the blank test in front of her. The pencil hit the paper almost instantly, as she knew the answers to all the questions right away. She kept a confident expression the entire 20 minutes it took for her to finish the test. She got up simultaneously with Nagi, and she and he walked up to the teacher to hand in their tests. Nagi grinned to Rima, and Rima smiled back, but only to show she was grateful.

At break, which was after the test, Rima walked up to Nagi and handed him the book. "Thanks, I think I did really well." , she said happily, which was new. She controlled herself though, as she didn't want him to get any ideas. Nagi chuckled. "No problem.", he grinned, giving a thumbs up. Amu and Yaya called over to her seconds later, and Rima simply ran over without a goodbye. Amu giggled with Yaya. "Rima, guess what? There's a dance on Friday!", she said excitedly. Rima blinked. "Maybe you should go with Nagi!", Yaya sang, pointing over at him. Nagi wasn't looking in their direction, rather talking with some other boys. Rima gasped, her cheeks turning red. "N-No! What gave you that idea?!", she cried,slamming her hands on the desk. Amu and Yaya roared with laughter, as they were simply teasing her. But as upset as she was, Rima looked over at Nagi and had second thoughts. And as she stared at him, he turned and smiled. Rima smiled too.

Queen's Waltz

'Liar.'

She snapped back at me so bluntly, shoving the hand I had outstretched for her to take. It was obvious she had been lagging behind after running so quickly. She was never good at sports too, according to Amu-chan.

'Don't lend me a hand,' she scoffed, still glaring right back at me with her large golden orbs. I was positively stunned by her words. I felt myself breaking into some cold sweat.

'W-What…?' I managed to speak after finding my voice.

'I heard you. When you spoke to Nobuko the fortune teller,' she continued staring straight back at me. 'When you were leaving the dressing room…'

'Then, excuse me,' his hair of violet streaked past as he took a short bow and started to head out. The much older woman, overly dressed in makeup pushed her glasses up as she examined the boy.

'Aren't you…Last time we met, you were a girl, right?' she questioned, point blank. The boy stopped in his tracks, frozen.

'Eh? That? That person was my twin sister you see, you might have mixed the two of us-' he started, but Saeki Nobuko interrupted.

'Who do you think I am dear? While your appearance may have changed, you still cannot fool Saeki Nobuko's eyes. You definitely have the presence of the same guardian angel.'

'You're the same as that girl from before, with the ponytail!' she declared with hesitating, a face of pure confidence plastered all over her. From the door ajar, the small sized blonde peeked an eye through, her yellow hair brushing past as she turned away.

'Were you… the last queen's…' Rima started, eyes still cold without concern as she pouted at me.

I remained quiet for a minute, and the original confused look was replaced by the slightest of smiles, '…It looks like I've been found out.'

'Ah…'

I withdrew the two eggs from my pocket, gently placing my index on my chin with a wink at the current queen. The two eggs were of complete opposites – One was the gentle pink with darker sakura patterns, the other a striking navy blue, with lighter designs etched onto it.

'Can you keep a secret from the others for a little longer?' I tilted my head slightly with a small smile.

Rima did not answer my question. Silently she continued up the stairs to the first floor. I followed right after. Amu-chan and the others would most likely be there already.

-

'We've made it! The first floor!' they declared, looking around carefully to examine the place. The silence was disturbing. At the end, a faint light glowed. Not one that gave off happy feelings, more like one that gave off feelings of depression and crushed dreams.

'There… There are so many x-eggs!' Yaya shrieked, 'With the x-eggs… A girl?! What's she doing in a place like this!?' The Ace trembled, not one bit happy about the situation.

'The violin must have snatched the heart's egg right out of her!' the king had wasted no time to explain. The black eggs branded with a white 'X' on them dashed straight at the group.

'Amu-chan!'

'Right, Ran! Character Transformation-' the girl started, but was interrupted by a bright flash of light.

-

'Character Transformation… Clown Drop! Tightrope Dancer!'

Immediately, long strands of thick nylon rope lunged at the eggs, batting them aside with ease. The petite girl in the middle of it all was determined. Amu shouted at the queen, but the blonde-haired girl talked right back.

'I can do this by myself!' she called back at her friend, 'There isn't time for everyone to idle around. Hurry up and go!'

'But…'

'Ikuto is waiting… Hurry!' she argued again, but Amu-chan wouldn't give up giving more reasons, 'Rima, it's impossible for you to take on all that yourself…'

'Then I'll stay behind too,' I answered calmly, 'Don't worry.' My signature smile and wink did not help; she only got more worried over the matter.

'Nagihiko! B-but!'

'Go. Believe in us!' I watched Amu-chan rush off, her pink locks flailing about in a mess as she took off.

'Rima!' Kusukusu called out to her. She paid no attention. I grabbed her and shoved her to the side a little too forcefully, but necessary in dodging the violent ball that bounced past both of us, nearly injuring the queen in the process.

'…A… basketball…?'

-

'It looks like everyone left…' I muttered, eyeing the x-eggs that were swarming around us like hungry hounds, ready to strike at any time.

'I didn't think they would have believed us,' Rima-chan commented with much pessimism, on her guard, two juggling pins brandished.

'Ah, don't say that. We're both keeping my secret, right?' Rima was silent.

'Do you want to know why I'm keeping it a secret? I can't do a chara-change or character transformation. I'm a burden on everyone.'

'I can't take on this many x-eggs by myself…' Rima-chan muttered as a reply.

'Offense! Defence…! Pass and cut!!' the small black character hatched from the egg of which it had slept for so long, a large white 'X' on its forehead. It's grin just turned into a wicked one as it cackled at us.

'An X-Character!'

'It looks like it hatched from that girl's x-egg,' I noted.

'Hey hey, dribble! Dribbling!' it taunted, keeping a small little basketball on the go as he passed it from one hand to the other.

'Seems to be a basketball character… And Rima-chan's least favourite sport,' I noted even more. Rima-chan grunted in response to my last statement. I held back a laugh.

'Then let's play,' I declared softly. The blue guardian's cape fell to the ground as I discarded it, 'Could you eggs wait one second?'

'…Eh?' Rima-chan seemed confused.

'The truth is…'

'Basketball's my favourite sport.' I loosened up the tie on my school uniform.

'Shoot!!' the small black figure threw the ball recklessly. My feet hurt rather bad. My shoes were already losing friction from the constant skidding of my feet against the floors. Nevertheless, I grabbed the ball and blocked it from hitting me in the face.

'Alright, here I go!'

I felt so free, dribbling the ball behind and forward, across and under. I loved this feeling. I felt as if I was dancing with my very own rhythm, the ball acting as a tempo as it went up and down, again and again.

'Amazing… He looks as if he's dancing…'

I had forgotten this sensation from so long ago… That's right, back then…

The small sized female trotted past the crowd, eyeing with utmost jealousy of the boys. Those laughing away with baseball bats in their hands, those with grime-filled faces yet filled with so much happiness in them.

The older lady was seated on the floor, raising her finger, 'To dance like a girl, you must be a girl. You must learn how to act like a woman.'

Every time she looked at them with jealous eyes, she turned away, once again reminding herself, 'I must be girly…'

And every time during physical education, she'd look high above her, knowing that a girl could never jump high and people wouldn't think she was a girl if she did. But the truth was, she wanted to jump as high as she could.

Her haunt was the deserted basketball court that no one ever went to. She would heavily cloak herself with a hood, only the sides of her violet bangs showing. She knew, if she jumped here, it would be fine.

'As high as I can go!'

Because it was okay for boys to try their hardest.

'If it's going to be a one-on-one, looks like I'll win,' I smirked, brimming with confidence at the awestruck X-Character. Determined not to lose, it split into three without permission.

'Th-they split into three?!' I sputtered, simply dumbfounded by their actions.

'They're forming a team…' Rima-chan was not helpful at all.

'Three… on…three!' they demanded, gathering a group of x-eggs to form a circle as they tossed a basketball in. Rima-chan identified the spinning ring of x-eggs to be the net.

'I won't lose,' I declared, bracing myself for whatever that was next. And Rima-chan piped up, 'Piece of cake.'

She grabbed the ball, much to my surprise, 'Back me up! Shoot for the basket!'

'Okay!'

I know this feeling... I can feel my own rhythm…!

'Nagihiko…!'

'Eh?' I believe I heard something faintly.

'You've finally found it! Your rhythm!'

'The blue egg… Ah!'

It cracked open before my eyes, every step of it, the small character from inside leapt out, hands shoved into his pockets, 'I'm Rhythm, come on…!'

My own heart, unlock!

The flash of light was blinding. Yet at the same time I felt as light as feather. When the bright light had subsided, I was a completely different person. Rima-chan seemed amazed.

'Character Transformation, Beat Jumper!'

'Let's beat them the cool way Nagi!' Rhythm said. I glanced at the ball in my hand, 'Okay!' I leapt as high as I could, the ball tightly clutched in both hands as I started sailing down. The orange basketball flew through the ring of black eggs and bounced off the ground forcefully.

'Beat… Dunk!'

'And that's a match!' I smirked.

'Can't you just give up?' Rima-chan stared at the X-Character, who seemed to be falling as it returned back into just one.

How pathetic, how horrible…

'…Eh?'

I can't jump… I can't jump like a boy…

'This voice…' I didn't know why, but it felt so close to me. I glanced at the unconscious girl on the floor.

I took a boy's position. Because I wasn't a boy, I wasn't getting any taller. There are so many differences… I can't be strong like a boy…

Like a boy…

I remembered this feeling. This feeling…

'Bravo Nagihiko!'

'Fantastic Nagihiko!'

'But how disappointing,' one pointed out. The performer stopped and gracefully dabbed away his sweat. 'Even though you are a boy, why do you act like a girl?'

'Of course, your dance is wonderful and mysterious, but if you were a real girl, surely you would be more graceful.' Everything dawned upon him at that point of time.

I knew that I was no match for a real girl. At that time, I was steadily maturing, and I questioned myself whether I could really dance like that.

'But… That's wrong.'

'Changing your gender isn't the problem. Improve your art and your heart. If you throw your heart into it, it is fine. If you won't get taller, then… improve your jump. If you can jump, you can do it!'

'Only your jump…'

'Only my dance!'

'Temari!' How long has it been since I saw my first Shugo Chara, I had lost count. But she had finally emerged from her egg now.

'It's been a while, Nagihiko,' she said with her usual gentle self, and proceeding to swapping places with Rhythm.

My own heart, unlock!

'Character Transformation… Yamato Maihime!'

Rima-chan watched with awe, 'So… pretty…' Kusukusu commented about the second character transformation. The long kimono swept across the floor, and I smiled at Rima-chan.

'It's my first time seeing you in such an outfit. So you're the last queen, Nadeshiko…' she stated, and I just hummed quietly.

'Alright then, let's combine our power!' I extended my hand out to her.

And for once, she took it.

'Queen's Waltz!'

The black character cried in surprise as the x-egg returned to normal, and a proper looking character thanked Rima-chan and I before returning into his egg, following by returning back into the unconscious girl. The surrounding eggs were purified once again.

Kusukusu giggled as usual, 'We can purify x-eggs now! Kehehe!' The clown character giggled happily. Rima-chan looked over at me, 'It wasn't my power alone. If I combine my power with this kid…' I was too busy embracing the return of my chara and a new one to hear.

Rima-chan trotted over, 'That thing you said before… I can trust you… Just a little.'

'The eggs are returning…' I pointed out, looking high above at them.

'Thank goodness.'

'Mm hmm.'

'…Why'd you change to Nadeshiko?'

'I don't know. Both of them are the real me, so don't worry too much about it.' I gave her a smile back that was maybe just a tad bit cocky.

'Jump!' a voice called. I lit up and turned to the source. The girl was asleep on the ground, a grin on her.

'I did it… A slam dunk… I'll definitely become a regular…'

I returned the smile Rima-chan gave to me.

A Special Birthday Call

Nagihiko woke up to a sunny Saturday morning. "Nagihiko-sama!" Bayaa, the family housekeeper, called.

"Good morning Bayaa,"

"Happy Birthday young master," she smiled. He smiled back. How could he forget? "Come downstairs to eat. Are you having any special plans today?"

Nagihiko shook his head. "No Bayaa. I'm just going to go to the park for longer than usual in the afternoon. That's all." He yawned and stretched.

"Alright young master." DING DONG. It was the doorbell. "Oh excuse me, I'll go get that." She bowed and dismissed herself. Nagihiko got up to do the daily morning tasks. He changed into some comfy jeans, a white shirt, and that black and orange sweater. He calmly walked downstairs to eat breakfast. Nagihiko met with his mother.

"Nagihiko. Amu, Tadase, and another friend of yours are waiting for you at the front. Also, happy birthday darling." She gently ruffled his hair. He giggled.

"I'm surprised you still remember their names."

"I try to remember all of your important friends' names. Now hurry up, we don't want to keep guests waiting." Nagihiko nodded and hurried to the front.

"Hey there guys," he greeted them. Amu and Yaya responded back with a tight hug.

"Nagi!!!" Yaya started whining. "Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday?! Yaya would've never known if Tadase didn't text her about it today! And wow, your house is so big!"

"I know!" Amu agreed. "and if you get the chance, please tell Nadeshiko happy birthday too! Funny, even though she was my best friend I never even got to say happy birthday to her even once! I didn't even know when her birthday even was," she hung her head in shame.

Nagihiko sweatdropped. Why was he so surprised? It was almost impossible to not hear about his "twin sister" on his birthday. He shot a glance at Tadase, who was probably thinking the same thing he was. "Well, I'm sure Nadeshiko will know that you've wanted to say that to her. She'd understand. It was her fault for not telling you," Nagihiko reassured her. "and you're starting to choke me."

"Amu-chan, Yaya," Tadase said, trying to change the subject. "why don't you let go of Fujisaki-san so we could show him what we got for him?" Amu and Yaya instantly let go of Nagi.

"What? Oh you didn't have to get me anything," Nagihiko scratched his neck.

"Well it's not really anything, it's only a card." Amu dug for the card in her jacket. She pulled it out. "Sorry we couldn't get you anything really special on such short notice," said apologized as she handed the card to him. "We made all the Guardians sign it including Kukai and the charas!"

"Oh really? This makes it really special now!" Nagi exclaimed. He looked at the front of the card. It was a simple diamond checkered design. The diamonds were blue, brown, and tan. The middle of the card had a white box saying 'Happy Birthday!' in elegant kanji. He opened it to read all of the comments.

"Nagi! Yaya hopes you have a fun birthday with lots of candy! If you do remember to share! Teehee! "

"Pepe wants to wish you a happy birthday Nagihiko!"

"Oi shugo chara-less Jack! Happy birthday! You know, you need to hang out sometime with me and play some sports to man you up! - Kukai "

"When Temari or your new Shugo Chara comes out I can't wait to play with it! And Happy Birthday Nagihiko! - Daichi"

"Nagihiko desu!~ Suu wishes she had enough time to make you cake. You're a great cook! -Suu"

"Nagi! You have a good fashion sense. Haha. Happy birthday! -Miki"

"I hope you have lots of luck and happiness on your birthday Fujisaki-san, -Tadase"

"Since it's your birthday I guess I can let you be king for just today, -Kiseki" (A very generous offer that was!)

"Nagi! Amu here to wish you a happy birthday! xoxo"

"Cheers for Nagi's birthday! And I can't wait for your Shugo Chara to hatch! -Ran"

Dia even signed it. "Nagihiko, happy birthday. May your radiance especially shine today and everyday... -Dia"

Nagihiko giggled. Wow, Dia talks to him almost more than she does to Amu! He quickly scanned the card again.

.

"Eh? Where's Rima-chan and Kusukusu's?"

.

Did she really hate him that much to not even sign his birthday card? He could've sworn they were getting along so much better! "Oh I forgot to tell you about that Nagi! I'm so sorry!" Amu cried. "It's not really her fault. You see, her parents took her out somewhere for the entire day so she couldn't sign it, but I bet she really would've!"

"No, it's okay. I was just wondering," Nagihiko said. He felt uneasy mentioning Rima and Kuskusu in front of Amu like that.

"Nagi! Do you have any birthday plans today?" Yaya asked. Nagihiko shook his head.

"I was just thinking of going to the park-"

"Well then let's go!" Ran grinned.

"That park was so pretty desu~!"

"Park?" Kiseki asked. "What park?"

Nagihiko explained, "There's a park close to the Loveknot temple and nearby my house. I love going there. I'll have to ask my mother first."

Nagihiko's mother appeared from behind him. "Of course you could go, but you haven't even had breakfast yet!"

"Can I put it in a bag to eat while I'm at the park?" His mother thought about it for a moment.

"Alright," she decided. "I'll give you some money for lunch too then,"

"Thank you Mother!"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

9:00 P.M.

Nagihiko was drying his hair. (It was tedious as it took him fifteen minutes while all most guys just needed three.) He just finished showering and changed into the new set of pajamas his mother gave to him as a birthday present. They were light blue with thin vertical stripes running down. He sighed with content. It was a great day. He had lots of fun hanging with his friends. Somehow though, he felt incomplete. "Nagihiko!" his mother called from downstairs. He quickly ran down. It wasn't like her to yell from a far distance.

"Yes Mother?" he asked worriedly.

"There's someone on the phone," she announced.

He sweatdropped. Who would be calling at night? He took the phone. "Thank you Mother." Nagihiko cautiously put the phone next to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hello Nagihiko," a sweet voice said. His eyes widened.

"Rima-chan?"

"and Kusukusu!" her chara exclaimed.

"Um..." Nagihiko wasn't sure of what to say. "how are you?"

"I'm fine Nagihiko," Rima responded. "I didn't get the chance to sign your birthday card so I had to make up for it by calling you. Happy birthday."

"Kusukusu says happy birthday too!"

Nagihiko smiled. " Aww...you didn't have to call me to make it up,"

"Yes I did, or else the others would have to nag me to say happy birthday to you on Monday." Nagihiko laughed inwardly. It was so like Rima to say that.

"Where were you today?"

"I was spending time with my parents in the next town and now we're watching a meteor shower."

"A meteor shower?" Nagihiko said. " I didn't know there was going to be one tonight. Is it still going on right now?"

"You can probably see it from anywhere if you're up high enough." He could hear Rima's nod. Nagihiko thought about it.

"Hold on for a moment." He quickly went up to the attic and climbed on a ladder leading onto the flat rooftop of his gigantic home. Sure enough, many white lights streaked across the dark night sky. The moon was even shining brighter than usual to heighten the effect. (Or who knows? Maybe it was just his imagination.) "Wow," he whispered, bewildered. It was so beautiful. Nagihiko could just imagine Rima looking at the same sky with him right now. He found himself blushing at the thought.

Rima heard his reaction. "Y-you could think of it as my birthday gift to you," she stuttered. Thank God her parents weren't right next to her at the moment; there was also a very noticeable blush on her cheeks as well. Kusukusu giggled quietly at the moment those two were having and flew away to give some privacy.

"Thank you Rima," Nagihiko said. "This was one of the best birthday gifts ever." There was a small, calming silence between the two as they both watched the celestial event together, even though they were a bit faraway from each other.

"Rima!" her father called.

"In a moment Papa!" she answered back. "Hey Nagihiko, I have to go. By the way, you're not telling ANYONE about this," she instructed.

He smiled. She was so cute, even though she was slightly mean to him at times. "I wasn't planning to." Then he thought to himself, "So this was why I felt like something was missing? It was all because of Rima?" He giggled.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

"What?"

"You were laughing."

"Oh, it was nothing," Nagihiko assured her. She probably didn't buy it, but either way she didn't bother to comment on it any further.

"Well then," Rima paused for a moment. She changed her tone into something Nagihiko couldn't put a finger on, but it was pleasant nonethless. "goodnight Nagihiko,"

"Goodnight Rima-chan," he replied back softly. He hung up. A warm feeling crept inside of him. Nagihiko whispered to himself,

.

"Definitely the best birthday present ever..."

Can You Feel The Love Tonight?

At Amu's home where they are hanging out, the Charas are floating around chatting. Two, Pepe and Daichi, are busy arguing about their charanaris while Rhythm just watches with a smile.

"Pepe-chan and Daichi. You learn to love 'em," said Rhythm, until he saw KusuKusu, bowing her head down sadly, "Nani? What is it?"

"It's like your owner is getting more and more away from minna-san," KusuKusu answered, "You don't know how much this will mean to everyone," KusuKusu began to cry, "What it means to me…"

"Hey, it's okay," Rhythm smiled.

KusuKusu rubbed her head under Rhythm's chin and hugged him, "I really miss you."

Rhythm startled for a moment and hugs her back, "I miss you, too." As they continue to hug, Ran, Miki and Suu watch them behind the bushes.

"I tell you, girls. This stinks!" said Miki.

"Oh, sorry," Suu apologized.

"Not you, them! Him. Her. Alone," said Miki answered.

"What's wrong with that?" Suu asked.

Miki: I can see what's happening

"Nani?" Suu asked.

And they don't have a clue

"Who?"

They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line

Quadruple down the three

"Oh,"

Ran sang in a sarcastic French accent.

Ran: Ze sweet caress of twilight

There's magic everywhere

And with all this romantic atmosphere

Disaster's in the air

Rhythm and KusuKusu floated near the fountain in the garden.

KusuKusu (singing): Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

The world, for once, in perfect harmony

With all its living things

Rhythm and KusuKusu stopped by the water and they began to stare in the water.

Rhythm (singing): So many things to tell her

But how to make her see

The truth about my owner's past? Impossible!

She'd turn away from me

KusuKusu: He's holding back, he's hiding

But what, I can't decide

Why won't he be the Chara I know he is

The Chara I see inside?

Rhythm left, while KusuKusu wondered what he's doing, until she saw him flying and he flew into the water.

Chorus: Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

KusuKusu looked around, until Rhythm grabs her and pulling her in the water. KusuKusu broke into the surface and came out dripping and miffed. She smiles at Rhythm, as he came out, but she pushed him back in.

The world, for once, in perfect harmony

With all its living things

Rhythm chased KusuKusu through the valley and they fought, playfully. After they tumbled down a hillside, Rhythm finally pinned KusuKusu on the ground and laughed happily.

Can you feel the love tonight?

You needn't look too far

KusuKusu gave Rhythm a kiss on the cheek. Rhythm looks startled and stares at KusuKusu, as she stares back with a seductive smile. Rhythm smiles the same way. They leaned their faces close, until they kissed with passion, as KusuKusu wrapped her arms around his neck and Rhythm wrapped his arms around her waist.

Stealing through the night's uncertainties

Love is where they are

Miki, Ran and Suu watched as the new couple kept kissing and floated off, hand in hand.

Miki: And if they fall in love tonight (Suu and Ran sniffle)

It can be assumed

Miki hugged Suu and Ran, tearfully.

Suu: Their carefree days with us are history

Miki, Suu and Ran: In short, our pal is doomed!

Miki, Ran and Suu let out a loose crying full force.

Out of the Dark

Rima Mashiro picked up the delicate handle of her teacup with her thumb and forefinger. She sipped her tea with her eyes closed. She concentrated on the taste of the tea, even though she really didn't enjoy this flavor. Her purpose was to ignore the gaze of the purple haired boy on her right.

Nagihiko Fujisaki knew she wasn't looking at him. He wished he had her willpower. She somehow managed to not look at him this whole time. Nagi kept glancing at her, to check if she would look at him. He couldn't get why she was so angry.

Amu looked at the two of her friends, who were silent and looking at everything but each other. Amu didn't get why Rima disliked Nagi. Things had always been a little rocky between them, but they had been acting more like friends lately. This made the tension between them all the odder.

Tadase and Yaya acted like they couldn't feel the electricity in the room. Tadase just continued talking about the boring paperwork that needed to be done. "Amu," he said. "You'll be working with Yuiki-san in filing these essays. Mashiro-san will be working with Fujisaki-san."

There was a sound only described as two teacups being set down purposefully. All eyes turned to Rima and Nagi. Rima looked up at her fellow guardians and said, "I refuse." Amu cringed. Icicles could have hung from those two words. Amu glanced at Nagi. He looked upset by what Rima said. Rima didn't even look at him.

Nagi's chair scraped the floor as he pushed it back. He slammed his hands on the table and cried, "Why are you angry?! You haven't spoken to me or looked at me for three days! Tell me what I did wrong this time?" Rima finally turned and met his gaze. Rima icily replied with, "Why is it any of your business why I'm angry with you?"

"Rima, we're friends. I think Amu wants to know too."

Amu looked at Rima. Rima's gaze fell downward. She felt annoyed and sad at the same time. Rima stood up and walked off. Amu watched Rima walk away with her head down. Nagi sagged back into his chair. "I don't get why she gets angry with me," he said. Amu nodded. She didn't get it either. Rima always objected if Nagi came with them somewhere. She wondered if her friend was jealous. But why should she be?

Rima marched off down the path. She didn't know where she was going, but that didn't matter. Kusukusu flew behind, crying, "Rima! Rima! Look, funny face!" Kusukusu pulled her cheeks and stuck out her tongue. Rima ignored it. She was too angry. The reason she was angry at Nagi was that he was a best friend stealer. He always tagged along whenever Rima and Amu went somewhere. She knew that Nagi had been Amu's best friend once. That was a year ago though. I'm Amu's friend now, she thought.

She stopped. She heard something. Somebody was crying. Rima approached the trees by the side of the path. There was girl crying underneath a tree. Her head was lying on her knees and her shoulders shook. Rima knelt down. "Are you…?" she murmured. She trailed off when she saw the girl lift her head, her eyes full of tears. "I can't," she sobbed. "I can't make people's dreams come true. Everyone says it's impossible. It is. I can't make people's dreams come true!" Rima flinched. She tried to think of something comforting to say. It wasn't her forte.

Kusukusu shocked Rima by crying, "Watch out! I sense an X egg!" Rima watched as the black egg emerged from the sobbing girl's chest. Kusukusu cried, "Let's call Nagi! We need his help!"

"No we don't! I can handle this!"

Rima Character Transformed into Clown Drop. Kusukusu, from the depths of Rima, said, "How will we purify the X egg without Nagi?" Rima ignored the comment. The egg cracked and hatched. A little X character burst out. It cried out, in a grating high pitched voice, "Let me make your dreams come true!" The X character grew larger and sprinkled something that looked like glitter down on the girl. She slumped over and became unconscious.

The X character blasted a huge stream of dark energy at Rima. She jumped to the side, dodging the blast of energy by a hair. "Look out Rima!" cried Kusukusu. The warning came too late. The dark energy hit Rima full on. She screamed and fell over.

The X character laughed and flew away. Running up the path were the guardians in their character transformations. Nagi was in front, as Yamoto Maihime. "Are you sure the X egg we sensed is here?" he said. Then his gaze fell upon Rima. The guardians dashed over. Tadase looked over at the girl. She was still out, but she seemed fine. Amu, who was Amulet Heart, bent down and looked at the two halves of eggshell on the ground. "It looks like an X character hatched. I think it flew off," she said. "Tadase and I will go after it. You guys stay here and take care of Rima." She and Tadase ran in the direction the X egg flew off in.

Yaya and Nagi came out of their transformations. Nagi dropped down beside Rima and gently shook her. "Rima?" he said. "Rima are you alright?" She didn't say anything. Something was wrong. Her body seemed free of injury, but she was very still. "Is she asleep?" asked Yaya. Nagi gently opened up one of Rima's eyes. His breath caught in his throat. Rima's eyes were completely blank. No highlights or pupils. All he could see was her iris color. Yaya held something up. It was Kusukusu's egg. "I think Kusukusu is asleep too," she said. Rima's face looked troubled. She was having a nightmare.

Rima stood in the middle of a dark maze. Tunnels branched off in all directions. "Is this real?" she asked out loud. Her voice echoed emptily around the maze. She started walking off to the right. She couldn't see Kusukusu or anyone else. Where was she?

She stopped. She could see Amu. Amu smiled at her, then turned and started walking off. Rima dashed after her. "Wait!" she called. "Amu, wait!" Amu just kept walking. She kept walking through a wall! Rima stopped. It was an illusion. She was stuck once more. She shivered. "Where am I?" she called. "Is there anyone here?" No one answered. She crouched down hugged her knees. "Anyone?"

Nagi held Rima on his lap, her head supported by his arm. Yaya crouched nearby. She looked like she was on the brink of tears. "What's happening to Rima-tan, Nagi-nii?" she whimpered. Nagi looked down at Rima. He had a theory, but it could be wrong. "I think," he said. "She got attacked by the X character. It put her to sleep. I think she's having a nightmare. One that she can't wake up from." Yaya gasped.

"Th-That's horrible! Yaya hates it whenever Yaya has a bad dream. Right Pepe?"

"Yeah-dechu!"

"What is Rima-tan dreaming right now?"

Nagi shook his head. He had no idea what Rima was dreaming about. He didn't know much about her. What was also puzzling him was how to wake her up. Yaya looked at Nagi and said, "In every fairytale Yaya has read, when a beautiful young maiden falls asleep forever, the prince wakes her up with a kiss!" Nagi's cheeks burned pink as he said, "That's only in fairytales."

Meanwhile, in the nightmare, Rima was trying to find her way out. She had a feeling she was going around in circles. She kept one hand on the left wall as she walked through. She kept seeing Amu walking about like she knew the way out. But she couldn't follow Amu. She had learned that Amu was like swamp gas. It was simply an illusion to get her more lost. Maybe that's because me being her best friend is just an illusion, Rima thought.

Rima heard something. She ran toward the noise. There was someone else in the maze! She was excited. She could get out. She halted. The tunnels branched off in two different ways. Her mother stood in front of one tunnel and her father stood in front of the other. Her father said, "Rima. Come this way. I love you the most." Rima stepped toward her father's tunnel. Her mother called out, "Don't trust him, Rima! Trust me! I love you the most!" Rima went over to her mother.

"Don't trust her! She just wants to lead you away from the exit!"

"He's lying! You can't trust him!"

Rima backed away as her parents started arguing. She turned away and ran. Trust? Was this whole thing about trust? Rima kept running. She ran blindly through the winding, endless tunnels. She couldn't trust anything in the maze. She stopped at a dead end. To think this had all started by getting mad at Nagi. She heard a rumbling sound. She whipped around to see a wall going up behind her. She ran over and tried to push it, but it didn't budge. She was trapped in the dark. She curled into a ball and sobbed, "Somebody, please. I'm scared. It's so dark. I want someone I can trust. Something that isn't an illusion. Please!"

Nagi's eyes widened. He was sure he heard Rima murmur those words. "Rima," he said. "Can you hear me? Tell me if you can hear me?" Rima's eyebrows furrowed. "Nagi?" she murmured.

Rima heard the voice in her dream. Light flowed into the dark room. Rima raised her eyes. Nagi was standing in front of a large hole in the wall. He smiled at her. "Rima," he said. "You can hear me." Rima was silent. It had to be another illusion. "I can't trust you!" she cried. "You're not real!" The space between them jumped. They were farther apart than before. "Rima," said Nagi. "Why are you angry?" Rima wondered why she was angry. "I was jealous," she said, wiping away tears. "I was jealous of you. You were Amu's best friend. You had a whole history that I didn't have. You have all the good qualities I don't have. In fact, I probably don't have any."

"That's not true." Rima looked up. Nagi was still talking to her. "You say that you don't have good qualities. That's not true. You look out for your friends, you make people smile, and you're capable." Rima got to her feet. She wiped away the last of her tears. "You're lying," she mumbled. Nagi's face melted into a look of sincere warmth. "Why lie to a girl I like?" he said. Rima blushed. She knew who to trust. She ran to Nagi and threw her arms around him. Light flooded into the dark. "Wake me up," she whispered.

Nagi looked at Yaya. "How do I wake her up again?" he asked. Yaya jumped up and cried, "You must be her knight in shining armor and kiss her!" Nagi blushed. "Come on!" said Yaya. "Kiss her!" Nagi leaned in. He gently propped Rima up a bit and pressed his lips to hers. They were surprisingly soft. Yaya smiled. It was just like manga.

Rima's eyes opened slowly. Her pupils reappeared and so did the shine of light off her eyes. They no longer looked flat. Nagi leaned away. Rima scrambled up and touched her lips. She turned a bright shade of red. She turned to glare at Nagi and said, "You didn't have to kiss me."

"It was Yaya's idea, not mine." Nagi was red though. Rhythm and Tamari held up Kusukusu's egg as it hatched again. Kusukusu popped out and rubbed her eyes. "What happened?" she yawned. Rima smiled. It was a relief to see Kusukusu there.

Amu and Tadase came running down the path. They were followed by a Guardian Character. She drifted over to the unconscious girl, went back inside her egg and melted back into her chest. She stirred. Amu and Tadase were already changed back. "How have things been here?" asked Amu, as they walked back to the Royal Garden. Rima and Nagi didn't meet each other's eyes. "Are you still fighting?" asked Tadase. Rima looked at Nagi and blushed. Nagi reached out and took her hand. Tadase and Amu blinked at each other. "Did we miss something?" they asked Yaya. She just giggled behind her hand.

Later, Amu asked Rima, "How about we go to the mall tomorrow? Oh, Nagi is coming. His house will be empty tomorrow and his mother doesn't want him to be alone in the house. If you don't want him to…" Rima cut her off by saying, "I'd be happy if he came." Amu was taken by surprise. Rima smiled at her as she walked off. She turned to Nagi, who just smiled innocently and jogged to catch up to Rima.

Vacation

~Nagi POV~ Driving~

These girl clothes are so itchy, how do girls stand them. At least Nikaidou didn't make me wear a skirt, ugh. Thank god for jeans.

Flashback~~~

I slammed the door, and tried to block out the fangirls.

"HELP ME!!!" I yelled to Nikaidou. He sighed, and pressed the door on the intercom.

"Excuse me, rapid screaming fangirls." The noise outside quieted down. " in the Empire State building (A/N No idea if such a thing exists, but in here it does, and it's pretty far away from were Nagi and company are.) They are giving away free copies of a yet-to-be copies of magazines, with pictures of Nagihiko sleeping! And. . .shirtless!(A/N OMG I totally want one XD) And they're signedby Nagihiko himself! Hurry, they only have 100 copies. And they're limited edition!"

Immediately the sounds of thousands of feet could be heard rushing towards the Empire state building. There was a lot of shouting, and slapping noises. Then it got brutal.

Nikaidou and I watched from the surveillance camera for an hour, and then called security to get rid of the bodies of the knocked out girls. Then I turned to Nikaidou.

"What magazines? What pictures? When'd you take them?"

"Oh, that. There are no magazines; I only said that to keep them away."

I smirked. What, do these fangirls have no life or something?

"Nagihiko." I snapped back to reality and began to listen to him. "These fangirls are causing way to much stress on you. When was the last time you slept?"

I thought about it, and was about to answer.

"Wait, don't answer that." He interrupted my thoughts." My point being, you have to get away. I'm sending you to a remote beach place." Lacking vocabulary skills there Nikaidou." But, the fangirls will find you anywhere. I –"

"NO! Please! I have to get away! I'll do anything!" I really needed a break. These fangirls and a few fanboys, were driving me insane.

"Alright, but, you'll have to . . . cross-dress." He grimaced and looked at my face for my reactiton.

I was horrified. I don't want to cross-dress, but I have to get away.

". . . Fine." I finally said.

"What?" He looked astonished,

"I said 'fine' I haven't had a good sleep in forever. I need to get away."

I turned and headed toward the door.

"Make sure to get all the paper work done. And I want a room alone."

I said over my shoulder.

~End Flashback~

I looked out the window. We were arriving now.

"Be careful, Nagi, don't get to close to anyone." Nikaidou warned me.

"I know." I replied ion my 'Nadeshiko' voice.

"Dude, that's creepy." Nikaidou told me.

"I'm an actor, what do you think?" I said in my normal voice.

I closed the door, and began walking to my cabin. That's right. A cabin. Number 13. All to myself. The first thing I'm doing is sleeping.

I smiled and opened the door. And began to move onto the bed. (The boys brought in my luggage already)

Then I noticed someone was sleeping on it.

Reaching

"Meet Mama at the exit in two hours, okay? Don't talk to strangers, don't wander off, don't take anything from strangers, don't…" I droned out the rest of her speech. I had memorized it by heart, after all.

Mama was so protective these days. Which was better then angry and upset, but you get the point. Ever since Papa and Mama decided to live apart (Not divorce!), she's been more relaxed. Which is a huge improvement.

I nodded and left her standing their by all the large textbooks. She knew where to find me. I always was at the largest section in the store, giggling freely on a comfortable chair with a pile of colorfully drawn gags within arm's reach.

This place was happy. It made Mama laugh and me happy. When I was little, Papa and Mama would read the gag comics with me and smile at each other every time I laughed. It always filled with this…feeling that I haven't felt for a long time…We haven't been to a book store in a long time, either.

I remember the week when they started planning the whole issue of living separately. I had desperately tried to put the pieces back together, in hopes of changing their stubborn minds. It was then I realized it was fruitless. The past was the past, the future was being written, and the present was the present. I couldn't change a thing.

…

This so weird of me; talking/thinking so poetically or deeply. Blunt and straightforward was me; poetic and deep was Nagihiko. Wait.

Why did I even think that?! Since when did the cross-dresser start intruding my thoughts? See? Everything is changing. Too quickly, I suppose.

Amu's changed. She's no longer the dense girl having love problems. She found a path to take and followed it through. Yaya's grown up. She took out the ridiculous ribbons in her hair and only put a clip with pink ribbon as a reminder of childish side. Not that she's NOT childish anymore. Tadase's changed. He's still polite and 'princely' as ever. But he's learned to let go and move on.

Utau's changed. Ikuto's changed. Kukai's changed. Kairi's (Who is in another city somewhere; I didn't really listen when Amu talked about where exactly he moved to) changed.

I've changed.

Except, of course, for my blasted height. I haven't grown much in the two years since the 6th grade. A few inches here, a couple more there. I was getting sick of the fact both of my parents were tall while I was some elf.

There. There is was. The manga shelves, stocked full with drawn comics, romances (Like I'd read that!), and my favorite: Gag comedy! KusuKusu made a squeak of glee when we neared the shelf where the gags were placed in neat, straight lines.

I couldn't stop the smile from lighting up my face. I had forgotten this feeling of masked delight when seeing all these books. Mama bought me all the gag manga anthologies online. She had always been too busy to take me out to buy them in person.

My walking slowed to a stop, only a few feet away from the last shelf in the corner. KusuKusu was talking to me, but I didn't hear. My smile fell.

From this far, I could see. See that the newest volume of what I had been looking for. There was only one left, atop the highest shelf and all the way at the back. Without a doubt, there was probably no way I could ever reach it. Mama could reach it; Papa could reach it, and heck! Yaya could reach it (Or at least touch it enough to make it fall)!

But I could not.

I tried too. KusuKusu and I found a stool. I stepped on it and tried reaching, jumping, on my tippy-toes, anything. KusuKusu tried to pull it down, no luck. It was a principally heavy gag manga, filled with the entire year worth of gags, for her tiny body. When it fell, it simply tumbled over; slightly wavering over the edge. Then it was still.

"Rima-chan! Get someone to help." My chara suggested, though she knew full well that I would not comply. It was a pride thing. This was my mission, and I would somehow solve it.

Hopefully.

---

"You need to stop, Rima-chan! You look icky now." KusuKusu murmured, tugging on the strap of the sundress Mama had force me into. She was right, perfectly right as she had been for the last thirty minutes. My arms were sore and bruised from banging against the shelves, my legs hurt from springing so much, and my head…It's like a herd of elephants is stampeding through it.

But I would not give up. I've put up with too much to leave empty-handed or ask for help. Mashiro Rima does not give in that easy.

I reached my arms up for another try, squinting my eyes tightly together, and muttered obscenities under my breath. They fell back to my side like limp spaghetti Mama used to make when she was in a particularly foul mood. KusuKusu had resigned from cheering me on. I sort of wish Ran was here now; it is nice to have a cheering section from time to time.

"No. No. No." I whimpered to myself, summoning the toughest scowl I could. I would not surrender. Not now, not ever!

So once again, I pulled myself up from pits of despair and do the only thing I could. Reach, reach, reach, and reach. I really did endeavor. Why was I cursed shortness?! This was so embarrassing… Flailing my arms around trying to find a way to merely pull a book off the uppermost shelf! If anyone saw this…I would die; seriously die of mortal humiliation.

Subsequently the most embarrassing thing in all my life happened.

I was reaching for another attempt at it, my cheekbones flaring and my patience wearing thin. I could already feel damp drops lining up my hazel eyes. They weren't crocodile tears. I was that terribly upset. Being short always had bothered me, but this…This was an ultimate low. Who actually spent almost a half hour trying to get a book?

This was just… shameful. Disgraceful! Mortifying, even!

Swatting away angry tears threatening to spill, I attempted it again. Reaching, reaching, reaching…

And then the strictly impossible happened.

---

I had just begun to work at this old book store near town. I needed the part time job, and it offered an escape from my over bearing mother. Okaasan was trying to persuade me into leaving Japan and return to Europe under my alias.

She knew what my answer would be. Still, Okaasan wouldn't let the topic drop. I was tired of those tortuous words she constantly sprouted.

"Nadeshiko was just a divine dancer! Why did you quit?"

"Dancing as female is part of the tradition! You can't blame me for wanting to keep it alive!"

"I will not refer to you as a son! You are a kabuki, Nagihiko! I will forever call you Nadeshiko until you find the true meaning of dancing!"

Mother could be rather theatrical at times. Especially when taking 1) Nadeshiko, 2) Kimonos, and, 3) My love life in account. It was…sickening.

At the time I decided to stack all the gag comedies at the top of the self, the thought of Rima-chan no being able to reach didn't cross my mind at all. My manager, a stern man who had his nose constantly stuck in a book, had just given me the job without a mention of instructions.

"Here," He had said in a muffled tone, "Take this and stack 'em."

So I did. I put them right at the tallest empty shelf, thinking smartly to myself that no one really cared for gag comedies much so it was the perfect spot.

Oh, how I was wrong.

It was only after I stepped into the manga division of the store and saw the familiar of figure of the Queen's Chair by the gag comedies; I knew I had made a horrible mistake.

She looked like nothing I had ever seen at school: the cool, self-assured dignified doll that seem to never drop a sweat. Rima looked…Awful in this position. Everyone knew she was short, but now she seemed to shrink even further more. Her face was clearly trying to remain calm on the surface, but failing miserably.

Lucky for me, I had left Rhythm at home due to the massive trouble he had cooked up the last time I was here. KusuKusu wouldn't be able to sense another chara's presence.

I wanted to help her. Not just reaching for the book but something else…A meaning hidden under her strong-willed actions. I had no idea which was more impossible. Reaching the book meant revealing that I worked here (Seeing my well polished name tag and uniform) and, gulp, that I was the one to place it so high up. Plus, I knew Rima-chan hated to be…fussed over.

The Guardians have never been told the story of why her parents are what they are. But I deduced it. Over-protective parents usually have a reason for being so protective. There were many possibilities but only one seemed the most reasonable.

Either her parents are complete paranoid loonies or Rima-chan's been kidnapped before.

Truthfully, I was leaning to the first one. But I remembered her hush chats on that orange phone of hers before. Clipped off words, but words nonetheless. Being an actor and all, I had good hearing. Off set cues were very important back when I was still Nadeshiko.

A lot of those talks had something about "What if--", "We don't want that to happen again!", "I'm just trying to do the best for you!", and whole lot of bickering from the other end of the phone. Rima's been hiding it but I also know her parents have recently separated.

My mom is the host of S.S.M.S (Single Mothers Secret Society) tea parties for a reason you know. Sometimes, I think she has a clandestine underground base that retrieves confidential information about others people's lives.

The next thing that happened was completely unexpected of me. I don't know what took over my body, but it did.

I found myself walking steadfastly towards her with a calm smile edging itself on my mouth. In a few steps I was behind her, an arm snaking out and grasping the thick gag comedy with ever so subtly wavering fingers

---

When the arm reached out from around me I didn't know what to think.

Long, slender fingers wrapped around the spine of the manga anthology; giving me a fleeting visualization of fingers on ivory piano keys. Still trying to collect my thoughts, I heard a light chuckle.

The gag was being handed to me from behind…The person was still behind me… That meant one terribly thwarting thing.

If I wasn't so shocked, I would have turned a shade of scarlet…The person's arms were literally around me.

Gingerly taking the book, I felt my surroundings go blurry. The only thought in my mind was to start reading. Legs going wobbly, I resisted the desire to collapse on the ugly navy carpeted ground and start reading then & there. I felt oddly cheerful, similar to the feeling I received when around Amu. It was like my entire character was turned inside out.

So I glanced up and opened my mouth to pronounce a soft word of thanks.

Nothing but a strangled sound came out. My throat had grown absurdly dry. For a good reason, too.

The arm that had helped me reach the dear comedy, clad in a shamrock green polo with a name tag hanging on a chain-y thingy, was connected to the last person I had ever wanted to see in such a appalling situation: Fujisaki Nagihiko; Former Best-Friend-Stealer (That position had, grudgingly, been given to Ikuto Tsukiyomi), Cross-Dresser Extraordinaire.

And he was actually grinning… at me!

Wait-- Fujisaki had been…embracing –If you could call being encircled that− me from behind.

Blast him and his stupid soothing smiles.

---

I didn't know which was cuter: Rima's in-a-oblivion expression or her down-right pissed off expression. Both, to me, were simply angelic on her.

"Hello Rima-chan. How are you today?" I asked, thrusting my hand down at her sitting form. Her smile was gone, replaced with an unsure line. Predictably, she didn't take my hand. Just hold the gag closer to her chest and glare.

"Nagi-kun, where's Rhythm?" Her chara squeaked flittering up to me with wide eyes.

"Don't talk to the enemy, KusuKusu." She finally said hoisting herself off of the ground and waltzing off toward a small coffee table with two wooden chairs propped up crookedly by its side. The chara glanced at me for a second and waved before floating back to Rima's side.

The hazy happy look in her eyes that appeared when she finally had the comedy in her hands was gone, replaced by those cold monotone orbs. I could tell she was self-conscious. Who wouldn't be after that scene that just took place? In the distance, I saw her climb onto the chair and place the book with careful movements on the fake wood table. Her delicate shoulders were slumped over, the thin cardigan draped over them rustling slightly as she took shuddery breaths.

Reluctantly, I followed her and sat down, my own eyes never leaving her bowed head. I sat straight, ready for an insult or threat. None came. Then I saw the way her face looked.

She glowed; glowed with an insane light from inside, as if she was in the middle of a character transformation. Rima's cheeks were flushed pink, her lips curved in an innocent smile, blonde curls hanging at the side her face like curtains, and a twinkling giggle starting to form. She was…truly happy.

I had never seen her this way. Every time I stepped in room, her face was lifeless and bored. Once, I'd catch a glimpse of a small smile. Only if Amu-chan was around though. I had never seen her sincerely happy. I didn't even think she noticed I was sitting directly in front of her, either.

The girl was in her own little world where comedy fairies roam, people who perform gags incorrectly are sentenced to jail for eternity and the Goddess of Comedy reigns supreme.

"Why are you watching me like that, Nagihiko?"

I blinked with surprise. The gag comedy was lying flat up on the table, shut close. She had finished. Rima's voice was…different, drawled and dazed sounding. And she was calling me by my first name; proof that she wasn't thinking right.

"Nagi—Fujisaki, why are sitting across from me? Go away." Heh. That lasted long.

"You looked happy." I answered, ignoring her statements completely. She turned her face away, fidgeting in the too big chair. "Do you come here often, Rima-chan?"

"Do you work here or something?" the blonde shot back, viciously glaring solidly back at me. Managing a lopsided smirk, I raised an eyebrow.

"How did you know?"

---

It drives me nuts! How can the pretty boy not flinch under my gaze?! I was rapidly breaking inside; I had let someone see me at my weakest point. Only KusuKusu & Amu knew that…soft side of me.

Nagihiko was feigning mock surprise. I should have known he would get a job first out of all us Guardians. Except maybe the Chairman, but he doesn't count anymore. Nagihiko was wearing one of those uniforms, green with the logo of the book store embroidered on the right side. Green actually looks good on— what am I saying?!

"Will you leave me along? Don't you need to take care of the cashier or stack some—" Realization dawned to me. It couldn't be…right? Was he the one that placed the gag comedies on the top shelf?

No. Way.

"YOU!" I accused, my voice going all shrill, "You were the one that put all those comedies on the highest shelf! You…You were the one that put me in all this torture, degradation, and pain of being short! This is all your fault!"

His face turns slightly pink, nervously chuckling. "Well, Rima-chan, it's a really funny story. Is that a new dress?" He explained, trying to play it off. Stupid Fujisaki.

But lucky for him, I still have a pile of mangas to read. No time for a brilliantly thought up plot this time. Grabbing the top book from my pile (Which I coincidentally had placed near my chair), I lean back in my chair and open the cover. KusuKusu is giggling already. Bleh, does my chara even know how to read? Or does she just look at the funny picture? I'll have to ask Tadase later.

I find the first speech bubble and mouth the first word when something feels out of place. Looking up, I see the cross-dresser is staring at me with these…eyes. I feel self-conscious now. Is he checking me out?!

"Get your mind out the gutter." I order, my tone coming out raspy. He's not blinking; is Nagihiko delirious? KusuKusu pays no attention to us. She's too busy practicing the 'Bala-balance!' on random children --that can't see her-- to care.

"Serenity, it's a beautiful thing isn't it?"

"Are you talking about Utau's chari nari? I didn't know you liked Utau. But I think she's dating Kukai. Don't get your hopes up." I'm rambling now; I really don't like the way he's smiling. Creepy…

His amber eyes rolled dramatically. "Nevermind. My intelligence is wasted on you. Go back and read."

"Yeah…I'm just going to do that."

---

Silence surrounded the small coffee table as the former Queen and Jack sat across from the other in a book store.

Rima reading her gag comedies, Nagihiko watching her carefully from behind a book he plunked off the shelves, and Ms. Mashiro spying with knowing eyes from her hiding place chatting on her cell phone... With Mrs. Fujisaki and the entire hoard of S.S.M.S. ladies.

Who would ever predict this little scenario would be repeated a number of times afterwards? And that it would become so much more then just a little scenario?

Till Death Do Us Apart

"I'll have a decaf latte," Nagihiko ordered.

He didn't see Rima standing right behind him ready to order, causing him to crash into her, accidentally spilling his latte on her brand new white sweater.

"Have we met before?" Rima asked suddenly, when she looked into his golden eyes.

"I don't think so. I would have remembered seeing such a gorgeous face before." Nagihiko said smiling.

"U-Umm... I'm so sorry!" apologized Rima, blushing, and dabbing at her sweater with the napkins that Nagihiko had handed her quickly.

"No, no, it should be me that should be apolozing. I was the one who crashed into you... I didn't see you because..." he trailed off, amused with the glare on the petite blonde's face.

"I'm aware that I'm short, no need to rub it in! I'm quite sensitive about my height." Rima retorted stiffly.

Nagihiko chuckled.

"Well, I'm sorry; For both the rude comment and for spilling my coffee over you." he said. "Let me make it up to you."

"Hey lovebirds!" shouted a man waiting to buy his coffee, in the line behind them. "Could you schedule your date elsewhere? We need our caffine ya'know!

"Sorry!" Rima and Nagihiko said in unison.

Rima blushing furiously went to go sit at a table, with Nagihiko following after her.

"Stop following me!" scowled Rima.

"That's one more think I have to make up for." chuckled Nagihiko.

"And how exactly are you going to accomplish that?" Rima questioned.

"I'll do what that man suggested... I'll take you out on a date." he said winking, and handing her a peice of paper, with a note inside it along with his cell phone number. He turned and left the cafe.

-My name is Nagihiko. If you are interested in my offer, please call me.

The only thing that Rima wonder was when Nagihiko had written that down.

*****

"He was cute, I guess." Rima confided in her best friend, Amu.

The pinkette laughed.

"Ohh! Rima's gotta cruuush!!" Amu sang.

"S-shut up, Amu!" Rima said blushing.

"What? Do I now have no right to be happy when my best friend is finally interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with someone?!" she exclaimed.

Rima just kept quiet and glared at her best friend.

"Tell me what he looked like!" Amu begged.

"For the thousandth time... He had long purple hair, and golden eyes. He's lean and tall.... and good looking." Rima whispered the last part, causing Amu to squeal happily.

"And... he looked familiar..." Rima added to her description.

"Ohh... Maybe it's a reincarnated love?" Amu said, laughing at Rima's facial expression when she said that.

"Let me see his number! I'll approve of him! I shall see if he is worthy of you or not!" Amu declared.

Rima closed her eyes and sighed... "It's in my pocketbook." she said.

Amu jumped up from Rima's bed, and went to grab her pocket book. She dug around until she found the slip of paper.

She got her own cell phone and dialed Nagihiko's phone number.

"Hello? " a voice answered.

"Amu speaking... Is this Nagihiko?"

"Yes, it is. May I ask whose you are? I don't think I know a person named Amu."

"Amu, I'm the best friend of the short blonde girl you spilled coffee on."

Naghiko chuckled.

"SO anyway, I am calling to make sure that you aren't some werid creepy stalker dude or something..." Amu continued. "So how are you?"

"Fine thank you." Naghiko answered, laughing.

"Oh! Also, I am going to schedule your date because she needs to forgive you for doing whatever.... So hows Friday... at let's say nine-ish?" She said.

"What are you doing?!" Rima hissed at her best friend.

"That's fine with me, Amu." Said Naghiko, at the same time. "Please tell, Rima that I will pick her up at 8:30 that day."

"Okay, can do... Just remember to plan the date!!" Amu said hanging up.

****************

"Okay, Rima, you can open your eyes now." Nagihiko said to Rima.

Rima opened her eyes and was astounded by the scene she saw.

It was a picnic in a large, secret garden, lit by candles, moonlight, and stars.

It was right beside a pond that glimmered and shined in the moonlight.

"Wow..." Rima whispered.

"Does that mean I'm forgiven?" Nagihiko asked.

"I never said you were, but yes, you are." replied Rima.

Nagihiko chuckled, and took Rima's hand.

Rima bit her lip, trying to fight back a smile of happiness.

Naghiko led the way to where the picnic blanket lay.

Rima stopped all of a sudden, and when Naghiko turned around, he found her massaging her temple.

"Rima? Is everything alright?"

Rima nodded and whispered something.

"Excuse me?" Nagihko asked.

"I-I just had this really weird vision flash thing. About us. We were walking through a forest, and we were dressed in like, old-timey clothes. I was laughing, as you led me, holding my clothes.... It was ... like so much like this one... except it wasn't." Rima repeated, and explained what had happened as best as she could.

"Well, maybe one of your ex-boyfriends did something like this, but you just now remembered this."Nagihiko offered stiffly.

"No..." Rima said. "All of my exes are too gay to have thought up of something this romantic." Rima blushed, and looked down.

"Look up..." Nagihiko breathed.

Rima obeyed his orders and looked up.

She saw Nagihiko's golden eyes staring down into hers.

He put a hand on the side of her face and leaned down.

Their faces got closer, until their lips were only millimeters apart.

"NAGIHKO!" A female voice screeched, making Rima and Naghiko break apart.

"WHAT. THE. FREAKING. HECK ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS... TRAMP?!" a woman screamed, her face red with anger.

"Sayaa... We broke up a year ago. Just leave me alone already!" Nagihiko said, patiently, with his arm around Rima.

"But I still LOVE you!!" Sayaa screamed with her eyes glazing with tears.

"We were supposed to get married! And have a family! And be together forever!" Sayaa continued.

"Perhaps you thought so. But I think differently. I don't love you." Naghiko said, breaking the news to her.

Sayaa's tears spilled out of her eyes, and streamed down her face. She glared at Rima.

"YOU! YOU did this to me! You're the one who stole Nagi away from me!"

"W-" Rima began, but was interrupted by Sayaa slapping her across the face.

Rima held a hand to where she had been slapped, not even five minutes ago, and let out a small whimper of pain.

"Rima? Are you okay?!" Nagihiko asked urgently.

Rima didn't answer, because she was in shock.

"Sayaa! I am tired of you and your jealousy! J-Just get away from here! Go away!" Naghiko dismissed Sayya.

"F-Fine! You and that s-sorry excuse of a w-woman can j-just d-die and go to heck!" Sayaa sobbed, stomping away.

"Rima? Are you okay?" Nagihiko repeated his question.

Rima nodded, and hid her face with her hair.

Nagihiko brushed her hair out of her face and saw that she was crying.

He wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks.

And hugged her.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't expect for her to follow me here." He whispered into her hair.

After a few minutes, Rima lifted her head from Naghiko's chest.

"Well, let's at least make the best of this, shall we?" Rima said. Then she smiled. "I still have to forgive you you know!"

"I thought you had forgiven me already." Naghiko said, smiling.

"For one thing! I still have to forgive you two more things." She said, smiling, and taking his hand, leading him to where the picnic blanket lay.

****

Five months later

Rima squealed and hugged Amu when she heard the good news.

"Really?! I can't believe it! I'm so happy for you!" Rima said.

"Same here!" Amu said. "Ikuto finally proposed!" Amu did a little happy dance.

She stopped suddenly.

"OMIGOSH!!!" She said. "Maybe Nagi will propose!"

"Amu... Shuttup!" Rima said, blushing like crazy. "You'll jinx it!"

Amu laughed.

"You'll be my maid of honor? Right?" Amu begged suddenly.

"Try: DUH! Of course I will!" Rima responded.

"Utau is gonna help too! She's gonna help plan the wedding and everything! Considering how much experience she has with weddings." Amu said, referring to the fact that Utau and Kuukai had gotten married, last year.

Rima laughed. "So how's she doing?"

Amu laughed. "She found out she's having a twin boy and girl. Kuukai's so happy, he's already started baby shopping and everything! Utau is the one who wants to stay home, and eat tons of chocolate ice cream, in front of the TV. He wants her to pick her butt off of the couch and go shopping for cribs and everything!"

"Good Ol' Kuukai." Rima sighed, laughing half-heartily.

"Rima? What's wrong?" Amu asked.

"Ugh. It's that beotch Sayaa." Rima responded wairily.

"What did she do this time?"

"Ok; So she keyed my car, and spray painted in noen pink, 'You b----, you better stop effing my dang boyfriend or else I will eff you up, and kick you little mofo arse.' "

"Gawd. She's so classy." Amu chuckled. "Have you thought of suing?"

"A gazzillion times. I just don't have proof."

"Well, then how do you know that it's Sayaa, and not another of your boyfriend's fangirls?"

"Because! His fangirls don't stalk him, have never done anything to me, and don't think I'm screwing her/their boyfriend! It's so obvious!" Rima said.

And right after she had said that, Rima's phone rang.

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard! And they're like it's better than yours! Dang right! It's better than yours! (The rock version)

It was Nagi's ringtone.

Amu laughed, and shook her head. She still thought it was hallarious that some thing like that would be his ringtone.

"Hello?" Rima answered, and as Amu put it, switched off into lovey-dovey mode.

"Rima?" Naghiko said. "Can you meet me in the cafe in about an hour? I need to talk to you." He sounded a bit distant.

"Sure." Rima answered. "I love you."

"Yeah. Me too." Nagihko said, hanging up.

Rima looked up at Amu worridly.

"Do you think he wants to break up?" She whispered.

"NO! Why would you think that?!" Amu yelled.

"He didn't say I love you like he normally does... and he's been... distant lately. Maybe he doesn't love me anymore." Rima said... tears filling up in her eyes.

"Well, if he did break up with you, then that's because he's too freaking blind to see what a wonderful, caring, smart, beautiful person you are!" Amu exclaimed.

"Yeah... I bet your only saying that because your my best friend!" Rima pouted.

"As that freaking Sayaa! She'd call me a skank, slut, ugly, dumb, self-fish, boyfriend stealing..."

"Um, yeah. But that's because she hates you!" Amu said, trying to put some sense into her. "Now! You! Go to your closet! And pick out some clothes. You will then change, and borrow my car, and meet up with Nagi!"

"Yeah... but how will you get home?" Rima questioned Amu's plan.

"Duh? I'll call Ikuto! Then he'll come get me!"

"Well... can you help me find an oufit?" Rima begged her best friend.

******

At the cafe

Rima had decided on a white denim skirt, with an aqua blue blouse, with matching colored flats, and a purse.

She entered the cafe, and saw Naghiko sitting at a table.

He smiled when he saw Rima and stood up to hug her.

"You look beautiful... like always." he told her, making her blush.

She smiled and sat down, accepting the decaf latte that he handed her.

After about fifteen minutes into the conversation, Rima told Nagihiko the news.

"Ikuto proposed to Amu!" Rima squealed.

"Yeah, Ikuto told me." Nagihiko chuckled. "He was so worried that she would say no."

"Pfft. As if! Amu is head over heels crazy in love with him!" Rima laughed.

Nagihiko smiled and all of a sudden sneezed.

"Bless y-" Rima was suddenly cut of by a little boy who tapped her shoulder and offered her a black velvet box with the words 'open me' printed on it.

"Um, thank you. But this isn't mine..." Rima said.

"Y-you um... d-dropped this before y-you came in." said the little boy, who then walked away.

Rima blinked, and opened the box, wanting to see what was in there.

Inside the black box, was a beautiful diamond ring.

Rima gasped and looked at Nagihiko, wanting to ask what she should do with such an expensive thing.

And she found him standing up.

"Listen up everyone!" Nagihiko said, in a loud voice, drawing attention to everyone in the cafe.

"This woman here, this beautiful, one of a kind, smart, caring person is a person that I have fallen in love with. I loved her from the first time that I saw her, here in this very cafe, where I accidentally spilled my coffee all over her. I have decided that she is the one I wish to spend the rest of my life with. She's made me the happiest man alive, so..." Nagihiko bent down on one knee, and took Rima's hand.

"Rima Mashiro... Will you marry me?"

Rima nodded, crying in happiness.

The audience clapped. Naghiko helped Rima up from her seat, and put his hand to her... and kissed her tenderly... whispering the words "I Love You" on her lips.

******

After everything had calmed down, and everyone had finished congratulating the happy couple, Rima called Amu to tell her the great news.

"Hullo?" Amu answered.

"Amu... Guess what Nagihiko did..." Rima sniffled, still trying to stop crying from happiness.

"OMIGOD!" Did he break up with you?! IKUTO! Get this car over to that cafe! I'mma kick that boy's butt! No! Even better! Get me the razor blades and lemon juice!" she ordered.

"Um... Amu? Three things; One: Nagihiko did not break up with me!; Two: I'm engaged, and I order you to be my maid of honor!; And three: You're on speaker phone... So Nagi can hear everything you're plotting!"

"Hey, Amu!" Nagihiko greeted, amused.

"EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! You're engaged!! To who???" Amu asked. "To Nagi? Hey, Nagi! Haha, sorry about that! But at least now you know what fate shall await you if you dare break my dear RiRi-Tan's heart!"

Nagihiko laughed.

"Well, put away those razor blades, and lemon juice, because I don't plan on breaking Rima's heart soon." He said, winking at Rima.

******

Three months later, at the WEDDING!

Amu and Rima had a double wedding.

Amu had on a cream colored wedding dress, with a frilly ball room gown skirt, with a sweetheart neckline.

Rima also had a cream colored dress, tinted with lavendar. It had an imperial skirt, with an of the shoulder neckline.

They had planned everything down to the exact detail.

They planned to have a ceremony together... and did.

Afterwards, they went to the park to have pictures taken, because it was truly a gorgeous place at that time of year.

Amu and Ikuto had already left, and gone ahead to the reception, leaving Rima and Nagi alone together.

He hugged her, and kissed her, and she kissed him back.

"You look beautiful..." he whispered into her ear.

"Well, you look pretty handsome yourself." She told him.

"Are you happy?" he asked her.

"yes... I'm very happy." she answered his question.

"I love you, Nagihiko." Rima whispered.

"And, I love you, Rima Fujisaki." he whispered back.

There was a loud bang, and suddenly Rima felt a sharp, pain in her back.

She felll against Nagihiko, half concious.

He set her on the grass, frightened by the blood soaking out of her and into her wedding dress.

And just as her was about to get his cell phone and call for help, there was another loud bang, nad he also felt a sharp pain in his back.

As he lay down on the grass, beside his beloved, he saw Sayaa.

She wore a wedding dress, and had mascara streaking down her face. She sobbed. She also held a gun.

"I-if I can't h-have you... then n-no one can! N-not that th-thing... not anyo-one! And no one ever wi-wil!" She screamed the last part.

"R-Rima... I love you." Nagihiko whispered.

"I love you too... Nagihiko." she whispered, tears running down her face.

Holding each others hand, they each drew their last breath.

******

20 years later

A pitete blonde girl ran across the campus, trying to get to her next class before the bell rang.

She crashed into a familiar looking, tall, purple headed boy, spilling her papers and books everywhere.

"I'm so sorry!" the girl and the boy told each other, trying to gather all of her papers at the same time.

When they both looked up, they gazed into one another's eyes.

"Have we met before?" Rima asked Nagihiko.

"I don't think so... I would have remembered seeing such a gorgeous face before, Nagihko told her, smiling.

Not Jealous

Nagihiko was not jealous. He is not a jealous person. He is calm, cool, and collected.

"Then why?" he thought. "Why am I getting angry over her?"

By her, the former Jack chair meant none other than former Queen's chair Rima Mashiro.

Yes, Rima Mashiro, also known as the beauty of Seiyo High School. Not that Nagihiko pays attention to what people say. It is just that Rima is his friend, and he wants to look out for her. So when high school boys decide to talk about how Rima has a great body or the cutest butt, Nagihiko likes to put them in their place.

It wasn't because he liked her or anything. It was only because they were friends and boys should treat women with respect.

With this logic, Nagihiko used it to explain his anger of that boy. By that boy he meant Fuyuki Kirishima, the captain of the basketball team.

Oh yes him, Fuyuki, the one all of the girls fall for. And what is not good about him? He gets perfect grades, he is apparently quite handsome, he is genuinely nice, and as Nagihiko hates to admit he is one hell of a basketball player. But that does not give him the right to talk to talk to Rima like that.

Not that he was saying anything bad. Or not that Nagihiko was looking at them or anything. He was just watching Rima and Fuyuki as they talked over lunch. They were both by the picnic tables. Rima was sitting perfectly on top of the table, and looking like a young lady, while Fuyuki was sitting on the bench below her. Like that they look like a perfect couple.

Not that Nagihiko was jealous. He thought that Rima could do much better. He also thought why would Fuyuki like Rima anyway? She is mean, cold, and the only good thing about her is how cute she looks when she is laughing.

Not that he thought Rima was cute or anything. She was just his friend. And Fuyuki was his friend as well. He was just trying to prevent bad break ups between friends.

He was not jealous.

While looking at them, he heard they were talking about some class. Chemistry.

"Oh yeah" he thought "They have chemistry together." No not THAT kind of chemistry. The class, the science class.

Nagihiko looked quite mad for thinking that. But not as mad as he was going to be when he saw what was happening next.

Rima was giggling. GIGGLING. At something Fuyuki said! "What could be funny about chemistry?" he thought.

Then he saw it. The look she was giving him. The way she was twirling her perfect curls in her perfect fingers. Nagihiko was not having any of it. So he did what friends, or at least in his mind, should do.

He marched right up to them. Startling them both.

"Ah Nagihiko-san, is anything wrong?" asked Fuyuki.

"Hurry it up Nagihiko, we are studying Chemistry together" said a rather annoyed Rima.

He looked at Fuyuki, and then looked at Rima rather intently. This startled Rima for a bit.

"Let's go Fuyuki-kun, somewhere that is not too crowded to study" said Rima.

Fuyuki looked confused, but nodded in agreement. No one could explain what driven Nagihiko to do this next move.

Nagihiko picked up Rima from her perfect position on the table and carried her… bridal style.

"What the" Rima said "PUT ME DOWN." By now her pretty face had turned into a dark shade of red.

"No" Nagihiko replied simply. He then started walking towards the back of the school.

Fuyuki just sat there, looking puzzled.

"Put me down" Rima said while kicking and punching.

Nagihiko just kept walking while wondering why she is so light. And also what perfume she was wearing because it smelled really good.

When they finally reached the back, Nagihiko put her down.

"What the heck was that about?" Rima yelled.

"Nothing, I was just saving you" Nagihiko said.

"From what do I need saving from?" Rima yelled exasperated.

"Not what WHOM, I was saving from a relationship that would have ended I tears" said Nagihiko.

"Huh?" Rima said. "Oh, you mean Fuyuki-kun? What the heck Nagihiko, he is just a friend."

"Uh- huh, I saw that look you were giving him" said Nagihiko. "And twirling your hair, batting those eyes. Don't forget I had to act like a girl too you know."

"If you pay attention, you would know Fuyuki-kun is dating Hitomi-chan. And that Fuyuki-kun is the smartest one in our Chemistry class" said Rima. "Which I am doing rather poorly in."

Nagihiko was dumbfounded. He did not see that one coming.6

"S-So why you didn't ask me to help for chemistry" said Nagihiko after his pause.

"Why? You are not even in the same clas- Oh I get it." Rima said slyly. "You jealous, that explains everything." Rima was smirking at this ne found knowledge.

"What?" Nagihiko exclaimed. "I am not jealous."

"Oh sure you aren't. You could not stand me flirting with another boy." Rima said.

"Yeah right. I was just trying to prevent a bad relationship" replied Nagihiko.

"Oh if that's how you feel about it" Rima smiled mischievously. "Then I guess you won't mind if I go make a move on Yuki-kun from your class right?"

Nagihiko was speechless.

"Hmm maybe if I twirl my hair and make cute faces at him" Rima continued, "Well see you Nagihiko."

Rima started to walk away, and for the second time today Nagihiko could not explain his actions. He grabbed her hand.

"Hmm what is it?" asked Rima innocently.

"Don't make any cute faces for him" Nagihiko mumbled.

"Well why not?" Rima asked slyly.

For the third time today Nagihiko could not explain his actions. "BECAUSE YOU SHOULD ONLY MAKE THEM FOR ME" Nagihiko said.

"Well dummy, you should have said that sooner." Rima said as she tip toed toward Nagihiko's face and gave him a kiss.

Nagihiko was startled, but gladly began kissing her back with much more force. It wasn't until they that remembered humans need air they separated. Nagihiko then pulled Rima close to him, into a tight embrace.

"See" she mumbled into his chest "You were jealous."

Nagihiko looked at her and said "I was not jealous" and pulled her into another kiss.