Nagihiko's POV

I woke up, quietly getting dressed as to not wake up my mother. I slipped on my white hoodie and jeans, then started to head for the park with my basketball in hand. I bounced the ball on the sidewalk along the way.

It was a nice and bright day. The sky was clear, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky as far as I could see.

"Nagi," came the voice of my Guardian Character.

I looked to my left, Rhythm was glaring at me sternly.

"What?" I asked, continuing to bounce the ball.

"Why did you sneak out?" Rhythm asked.

"We have dance practice today," Temari said, appearing at my right.

I sighed and stopped bouncing the ball and held it under my arm. "Guys, I don't really feeling like dancing today. Can't I just take a break?"

"Hey, don't ask us," Rhythm said. "Ask your mom. If she or Baaya found out you snuck out they'll be in a complete panic!"

"Come on, Rhythm, I thought you wanted me to be more out going," I said, getting angry.

"Listen, here Nadeshiko-"

"It's Nagihiko!" I shouted. I stopped walking and stared at my shoes. "Why can't you guys just accept that I'm Nagihiko? I'm not Nadeshiko. When I'm in these clothes I don't want to be treated like that…"

"Nagi, we're sorry," Temari said.

I couldn't bring myself to look at them. What was wrong with me today? I woke up and had the sudden impulse to go and shoot some hoops, now I was yelling at my Guardian Characters. Maybe I really did need to take a break from crossdressing.

"I'm sorry too," I said, "but I'm not going back home until later."

"Okay, we're fine with that. Whatever will keep you happy," Rhythm said. I couldn't see him or Temari, but I knew they were exchanging nervous glances.

I started to walk again, bouncing the basketball this way and that. Finally I got to the basketball court. Oddly enough, I saw the person I least expected to see.

She sat on the bench, her long blond hair tied up in a ponytail and she wore shorts and a tank top.

I walked down the slope to where she was, "Mashiro-san?"

Rima Mashiro looked up at me, her eyes round and teary. She wiped away her tears and glared at the ground, "What're you doing here Fujisaki."

I froze. She was always this rude to me, that little brat. I shook the feeling off, she was the one of the first people to know I was actually who I really was and urged me to tell Amu. She wasn't that bad, but she still didn't really like me much.

"I was going to shoot some hoops," I said, showing her the basketball.

Rima didn't say anything, she kept her eyes at her shoes.

"So, why're you crying?" I asked, kneeling down to get a clearer view.

"I was practicing," Rima mumbled.

"No you weren't," I said shortly.

Rima shifted her gaze up to me, "Fine I wasn't. What's it to you?"

"Nothing," I shrugged and stood up. I took out my mp3 player and put on something catchy, then put the earphones in and started to shoot my hoops.

I started to feel the Rhythm. I pretended to dodge as if I actually had opponents and I managed to score a good ten hoops. By the time I stopped for a break, Rima had stopped crying. I went over and sat down, chugging down my bottle. After I finished I looked at her, "You wanna tell me why you were crying?"

"No," Rima said stubbornly.

"Seiyo Junior High is just around the corner. Spring is starting soon," I smiled. "Ah, the cherry blossoms are going to be nice."

"What?" Rima glanced at me.

"When I think about the cherry blossoms they make me happy. It's like we're starting new every school year, just like the blossoms," I said.

"What are you talking about?" Rima said, looking at me with a completely confused look on her face.

"Are you going to tell me why you're crying?" I asked.

"Smooth," Rhythm whispered.

Rima hesitated, "My parents were arguing again. They sounded really serious this time. They were yelling about divorce and…and they kept arguing about who'd keep me. They both kept making up excuses, saying they don't have time for me and other crap. I'm tired of it, Nagihiko. I just wish I had never been born-"

I covered her mouth, her eyes widened. "Be careful what you wish for Rima. It might come true and if it does…well, I won't be the only one who misses you."

I let her go. She glared at the ground again, "Why would you miss me?"

"Well," I smiled, "you pushed me to telling Amu that I'm me and my "twin" were the same. When I was depressed, you got me out of it and Temari came back. Without you, I kind of don't know what I would have done. I bet I would've stayed like that forever. So in a sense, I need you more than I'd miss you."

"Really?" Rima whispered, "You'd miss me?"

"Uh-huh," I nodded, then looked at her. "Now, how about changing that wish?"

I stooped down and picked up a dandelion, "Here. Close your eyes, make a wish, and then blow."

Rima smiled faintly and closed her eyes, then she blew.

After a small while I said, "What did you wish for?"

"I'm not telling you," she said, back to her usual self, "What if it doesn't come true?"

"Ha!" I laughed and stood up, picking up my basketball. "Alright, Rima. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Rima looked at me with a perplexed look.

"You haven't been checking your messages?" I said, taking out my own phone. "Tadase said he wants to have a meeting before school starts."

"Oh, thanks for telling me," Rima said.

"Yeah, no problem," I shrugged. "So, see you tomorrow, Mashiro-san."

"Rima is fine," she mumbled.

I smiled, "Bye Rima-san."

I felt a soft breeze against my cheek. For some reason, I felt that tomorrow would be a bit different, but for now I'll have to endure that horrible training.

"Straighten up your back," my mother said.

I did as she told. It was hard, but I had gotten so used to it now. I moved with the rhythm, Temari hovering next to my mother reassuringly.

"Nadeshiko, think of something that makes you happy and you won't be as stiff," Temari advised.

I took a deep breath, searching for anything. The first thing that came to mind was all the guardians. How they smiled and how they were always by my side. I smiled and started to dance with more ease, but something flashed in my mind. Rima. She was crying. I always complained about how my life was hard, but wasn't her life worse? She had to deal with her parents screaming at each other day in and day out.

I stumbled over my own feet and tripped. I let out a muffled scream of agony.

"Nadeshiko, are you okay?" my mother asked, standing up to come over.

"I-I'm fine," I said, attempting to stand up myself, but failing.

Temari hovered at my ankle and said, "Nadeshiko, it's sprained."

"Oh no," I groaned, "The performance…"

"It's fine, it's fine. It's probably not that bad," my mother said, helping me over to sit down. She knelt down and touched my ankle gently, "Can you move it at all?"

"Just-just a little…" I mumbled, feeling terrible.

"Nadeshiko, it's fine. It'll heal," Temari said, reassuringly.

"It'll heal," I repeated to myself, "It'll heal. It's fine."

"We'd better get a doctor to check this out though, but I'm sure you'll be fine," my mother said, smiling. "Come on, let's get you back to your room and get you changed. You did well today."

"Thank you, mother," I said, slightly ashamed of myself. What part of that practice was good? I tripped, I stumbled, I even got distracted and sprained my ankle. I wanted to cry, but Rhythm appeared next to me along with Temari and all urge to cry was gone.

I curled up in my bed, disappointed I wouldn't be able to get in much practice time. I somehow managed to fall asleep with that remorse in my mind.