Chapter 2
"Amu! Hurry up! I can see them waiting for you!" A tiny human shouted as it flew back.
"That is not something the person who caused us to be late should say!" A pink haired girl shouted back as she ran as fast as she could.
Ran shrugged. "It wasn't my fault. It was because Suu was still busy tidying up the room."
Suu giggled. "Hehe. That's true. But that was because Miki and Ran dirtied the room awfully yesterday night, so I had to clean up don't I?"
"He - hey!" Miki protested. "Don't blame it on me! It was because Amu wanted to play, so we just played along with her!"
"ARGH! You guys shut up!" Amu shouted in exasperation.
Just then, the group of people which Ran had seen noticed her.
"Oi, Joker! You're late!" A boy shouted energetically as he put his hands on his hips.
"I know, I know! And I'm not the Joker anymore. So don't call me that." Amu retorted back as she finally reached them.
"Don't listen to Kuukia," a golden haired boy said good-naturedly as he smiled at Amu. "You're not late, Amu. And good morning."
Amu blushed immediately. "A…ah. Good morning too, Hotori–kun."
Tadase smiled. "You can just call me Tadase. There's no need to be so formal."
Amu blushed even more. "Ah… ok…"
Just then, the three people who had been ignored coughed.
"Amu-chan. Good morning." A small girl said as she grabbed Amu's arm.
"Ah, Rima. Good morning! Nagihiko-kun and Kuukai-kun too!" Amu said as she smiled at everyone.
"Ah… time passes fast doesn't it? You were all just brats when I met you. Now you are all grown up!" Kuukai said as he sighed.
Rima glared at him. "You're just one year older than us."
"Hoho. Some people feel older because they have a girlfriend don't they?" Nagihiko said teasingly.
Kuukia turned a deep red as he protested. "Wa...what are you talking about!"
"Ah yes! How's Utau doing?" Amu asked as she turned to face him.
Kuukia blushed as he replied, "she's doing fine. She's currently overseas doing a promotion for her newest single, but she will be back soon."
"Ah… I see."
Hmmm… It's been quite some time since I've seen her. I wonder how she is doing. Amu wondered thoughtfully.
"Don't worry, she's doing well." Kuukai said when he noticed her worried expression.
Then, clearing his throat, he announced. "Ahem, anyway, congratulations on entering middle school!"
All of them smiled as they replied. "Yes!"
Suddenly, Amu realized something strange.
"Eh… what happened to our shugo charas? Where did they go off to?"
"Ah. Didn't you notice? They flew off together soon after getting here." Tadase replied.
"Ah. Really?" Amu sweatdropped. Argh, trust them not to tell her.
Hmph. Let's see how she will deal with them afterwards!
Meanwhile…
Akina walked unhurriedly as she walked towards her middle school, Seiyo Middle.
Just as she was nearing the school, Hibi who was in her bag poked her head out. "Akina-chan. I feel something weird. Do you feel anything?"
"Huh? Is there an X-egg or something?" Akina asked softly, trying not to let any other student over hear.
"Nope it's not. It feels different." Hibi shook her head.
"Then it's probably nothing then."Akina said as she continued to walk.
"Hmm, maybe…" Hibi said thoughtfully as she back into the bag.
Amu looked up as she felt a jolt of electricity pass through her. She looked up immediately and searched around with her eyes.
"Did you guys feel that?"
Rima looked serious too as she nodded.
"Hmm… I think that I sense another shugo chara." Kuukia said thoughtfully as he looked around. "Ah… but I can't be sure until the shugo charas come back and confirm it."
Nagihiko smiled and suggested, "why don't we try to see if we can see any shugo chara eggs or shugo charas?"
Tadase nodded in agreement, "that is a great idea. Let' split up and search the school then?"
The rest were nodding in agreement when, Amu interrupted. "Hey wait! I'm not sure if I really understand why we need to search for the girl. It is good to meet another person who also has shugo charas, however, there is no need to go and actively search for her right?"
The rest of them look at each other, before Tadase finally spoke up. "Amu-chan… you were not here when Kuukia was telling this to us just now, so you would still be unsure…"
"…" Why does she suddenly have a bad feeling about this?
"We are thinking of creating another group of Guardians here," he finally let out.
"…" It seems like her intuition was right.
"Wait! Why? I thought that the Guardians were only for Seiyo Elementary!" Amu exclaimed.
"Yes, but now, we are thinking of making it for Seiyo Middle too." Tadase explained.
Faced with such a cute and innocent face, Amu could not help but swallow down all her protests.
"I… see…" she finally said.
"Good then, so let's go and search for the person now?" Kuukia asked.
"Alright, alright," Amu agreed reluctantly.
"Amu, don't be sad, I'll accompany you." Rima said comfortingly.
Just then, Kuukia cut in. "No. Rima will go with Nagihiko. I'll go with Tadase and Amu will be alone."
"What? Why?" Amu protested loudly.
"Because I'm the eldest here. So I make the final decision," he stated proudly.
"…"
Finally Rima sighed. "Seems like it can't be helped then. Let's go, cross-dresser," she said calmly and walked off.
Nagihiko sweatdropped at being called a cross-dresser, but obediently followed her.
"Good luck then Amu! We will be heading to the classroom block to search." Kuukia said cheerfully as he strode off.
Tadase hesitated for a moment, before asking. "Are you sure you are fine with this Amu-chan?"
Amu tried to smile. "Ye...yeah. I think so."
"Then, see you later, Amu-chan?" he replied, as he waved and ran to catch up with Kuukia.
Amu continued to wave until he disappeared into the building. Heaving a big sigh, she thought, nice day I'm having, first I'm late and then I'm told that I will have to join the Guardians again and now I have to go around the school finding the person with shugo chara.
And it is only the first day of school!
Oh well, I guess I should get started, the faster I get this done, the quicker I can go and enjoy my middle school life! Amu thought encouragingly.
Ok… then… where should I go now?