Chapter 1

"Amu-chan!" A gentle voice called my name and I spun around.

"Tadase-kun!"

I saw my blonde prince standing there, arms outstretched. He had a gentle smile on his face and I ran to him. "Tadase-kun!" I called his name again and he beckoned me forward. I reached out to wrap my arms around him and snuggle my face into his chest. I lunged forward and felt my fingertips brush against his skin, but when I proceeded to close my arms his image cracked. "Tadase?" I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I watched him shatter into a million tiny glass mirror pieces. In each piece, I saw my broken reflection. A lone tear fell from my right eye and slid down my cheek.

I'm scared.Heartbroken.Terrified. I found myself in a void of darkness.

BANG! A shot rang out and I felt a pain in my chest. I turned around to see my blonde-haired prince standing there, pointing a shining silver gun at me. BANG! I heard screams...

"Tadase-kun?!" I stared at him in disbelief as an evil smirk grew on his face. I saw three figures laying on the ground in front of me. Okaa-san...Otoo-san...Ami...

There was blood pouring from the three corpses and I dropped to my knees in the blood. I reached out to my mother...my father...Ami. My little sister. "No..." I whispered softly.

"Amu-chan!" I heard his voice again and looked up to stare into those red rubies. "I love you!" a graceful smile took over the blonde's face and I stared blankly at him.

This can't be happening. THAT'S A LIE!

"NO!" I screamed and burst up from my bed. Sweat dropped from my forehead and I was trembling. I looked around my surroundings and found myself in my room. My soft pink blanket was scrunched up and thrown away from my body. I sat there on my bed, holding my head in my hands. Golden honey eyes wide.

"Amu-chan.I love you!" those words rang through my head as I trembled in fear. The sight of my parents and Ami laying there, lifeless, in front of me. Blood pouring from them. Tadase standing there with a sweet smile, holding a shining gun pointed right in my direction. His lips uttering out those three words: I love you.

The scene flashed by my eyes. I checked the time. It was 1:00 on a Monday morning. I clutched my knees close to my chest. My head was buried in my legs and my pink hair sprawled over my knees and back. I sat there, waiting for dawn. Waiting for the terror to be chased away.

Timeskip...

My alarm went off at 6:00 am and my charas woke up.

"Amu-chan?" Ran rose from her egg, sleepily rubbing her eyes.

"Amu-chan, you're awake?" Miki peeked from her egg and floated over with Ran.

"Amu-chan! Morning! You need to get ready for school!" Su popped from her egg rather energetically and flew over. As usual, Dia didn't wake and prefered to stay in her egg. I flashed a small smile to my charas and hugged them to my chest. The sun shone through my balcony window brightly and lit up the room. I relaxed as the warmth touched my skin and I released my charas. I stood up from my bed and made my way to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and brushed my hair out. After brushing my teeth, I secured two mini pigtails on each side of my head with little black X clips. I came out from the bathroom, and quickly pulled on my high school uniform.

It's been three years since I saved Ikuto from Easter and he left to find his father. The other guardians and I are now ninth graders. We have new uniforms and the girl's uniform was similar to our previous one, but instead of a red tie and pink skirt, we wore a dark purple bow and deep violet skirt. I didn't wear leg warmers anymore and instead wore a black anklet on my right ankle. We still wore a black cardigan, but it wasn't necessary all the time. I slowly made my way downstairs and found my mom cooking breakfast, my dad sitting on the couch reading the paper, and Ami sitting at the table, happily eating eggs and bacon.

"Ah, Good morning Amu-chan!" My mom called and I smiled.

"Mornin'"

"Morning Onee-san!" Ami had grown quite a bit and was now 8 years old, and going to Seiyo Elementary.

"Good morning my little sparrow!" I shrugged off my dad and sat next to Ami at the dining table. My mother set down a warm plate of eggs and bacon in front of me and I ate calmly.

It was only a dream. My family is safe and Tadase would never do anything like that.

I sighed and quickly finished breakfast. Ran, Miki, and Su flew into my bag and I pulled on my shoes.

"Bye Okaa-san, Otoo-san, Ami. I'm going now!" I called to my family before shutting the door closed. I walked up the hill and my charas floated by me.

"You're leaving so early Amu? Normally you're late to class!" Ran giggled and I smiled.

"Yeah, I just woke up early and felt like getting to school earlier than usual." my charas and I walked on in silence until I approached the gates of the high school. I took a deep breath and walked to my classroom. I was about one hour early before classes start and I took my seat by the window early. Sighing again, I laid my head on my desk and stared out the window.

What was up with that nightmare this morning? Tadase would never hurt my family or me right? I mean he's my boyfriend for goodness sake! The day we graduated from elementary school Tadase asked me to officially be his girlfriend. Of course I accepted and we have been going out these past three years, ever since Ikuto left. We've kissed a few times, but each time I felt like something was missing. I mean I love Tadase and all, but I feel like Tadase is lacking in something. I just don't know what, but our kisses didn't 'click' in my mind.

I sighed deeply and checked the time. 7:30. Another half hour before classes start. I was relaxing in the peaceful silence when the door to my classroom opened. I immediately got up from my seat and looked to see who it was.

"Amu-chan? What're you doing here so early?" A familiar purple-haired boy stood there in the doorway with surprise masked on his face.

"Oh, mornin' Nagi." I relaxed again and greeted my friend. My charas also all flew out to meet with Rhythm. "I woke up earlier than usual this morning and just decided to come to school early. How come you came early?" I questioned and he smiled.

"Heh, same reason. Woke up early and decided to come early." Nagi took the seat beside me. "So...how are things with Tadase?" he smirked as I tried to hide my blush from his question.

"W-we're doing good. We've kissed a few times, and I love him as my boyfriend." I said quietly while looking out the window. I swear Nagi was smirking widely at my comment. Well, we sat in silence for some time and I admired the way the wind blew gently through the trees outside. Nagi played with my hair as I looked out the window and I enjoyed his presence. Our charas just talked quietly when the school started bustling with life. Students started walking on campus and teachers were going to their classrooms. The bell rang at 8:00 and Nagi went to his actual seat near the front. Our teacher, Enko-sensei, took role and started the lesson.

Timeskip...

The bell rang and it was lunchtime. I met Tadase at my locker after fifth period and he gave me a greeting kiss.

"Hello Amu-chan!" my face flushed light pink as I felt his lips brush softly against my cheek.

"Hi Tadase-kun!" we hugged and I took his hand.

"Shall we go?" he asked and I smiled, nodding. We walked to the rooftop together where we met the rest of our friends. Like old times, all our charas met and greeted each other.

"Amu-chan!" Rima said happily and I hugged her.

"Hey, Amu! Tadase!" I fistbumped with Kukai and we laughed.

"Hello Amu-chan. Tadase." Nagi greeted us and I waved.

"Hey Rima, Kukai, Nagi." I sat by Rima as Tadase joined Nagi and Kukai. We were eating and talking happily when I heard a voice from behind me.

"Amu." That voice...

"Utau!?" I turned around and found the smirking blonde standing there with her arms crossed.

"The one and only. I also brought someone else with me." she stepped aside and the perosn who stepped out from behind her made my jaw drop.

"Long time no see, my little strawberry." he smirked.

That blue hair, midnight eyes, incredibly sexy figure, and the most incriminating evidence...THAT SMIRK!

"I-I-I-IKUTO!?" I screamed and everyone flinched. "WHA-!?" I was about to scream when Rima clamped her hand over my mouth. I started squirming until I felt a warm hand touch my hand. Tadase was holding my hand and I calmed down. Rima let go and I composed myself enough to speak rationally. "When did you come back Ikuto? And did you hair get longer?"

"I came back last night and yeah. I grew again too. So how old are you now anyways? I'm 21, Utau's 18 so you should be like 15 right?" he raised an eyebrow and looked me over. "You grew quite a lot too Amu. Especially your che-" I cut him off with a punch to the arm.

"Sh-shut up you perverted cat!" I blushed a little and he laughed along with Kukai. Utau sent a death glare and Tadase tried to calm me down. But it was true, I had grown quite a bit from last time we saw each other. Before I was about 4 ft. 6 in. and flat-chested. Now I was 5 ft. 6 in. and had size C cups. Kukai had teased me quite bit about it and I didn't want to hear it from Ikuto too. I looked back to him and noticed he was a lot taller than before. "Hey how tall are you?"

"Heh. I'm 6 ft. 4 in. You finally attracted to my awesomeness now?" his smirk grew and I felt a tick mark on my forehead.

"In your dreams Tsukiyomi. But I have a boyfriend, you lucked out on having MY awesomeness!" I taunted and when I mentioned the fact I have a boyfriend, he rose an eyebrow.

"You have a boyfriend Hinamori? Who?" he asked.

"Tadase of course!" I pulled the blonde to my side. He was blushing, but stood close to me anyways. Ikuto looked him over and then stared at me and looked back at Tadase.

He looked back at me and said, "Amu he's not worth your time."

This pissed this both off.

"What do you mean I'm not worth her time?!" Tadase was furious and I defended him.

"What do you mean he's not worth my time!?" I screamed back and Ikuto burst into laughter.

"Exactly what I said. First off, he's shorter than you." he pointed out and I actually thought about this fact. I was 5'6 and Tadase was only 5'5. One inch shorter than me. That meant I couldn't wear heels or else it looks awkward. "Second, why would a hot and sexy vixen like you, Amu, play with the timid little bunny, Tadase?"

"Oh why thank you for the compliment Ikuto." I smiled at the older adult until it hit me. "Hey! Tadase is not a timid little bunny! But true that I AM hot!" I retorted back.

"Pfffft..." Ikuto was trying to suppress a laugh. "What is this? Why is the girl defending the guy? Again I say, a fox does not play with a bunny but plays with another equally sexy and hot fox, such as me." I opened my mouth to talk back, but I couldn't come up with a good comeback. I closed my mouth and turned away instead, arms crossed. "Heh, cat got your tongue, Amu~?" his tone ticked me off, but I ignored it. What I didn't notice was a fuming Tadase next to me and was glaring at Ikuto the entire time.

"Tsukiyomi, you evil cat! You're trying to take Amu away from me again aren't you?!" Tadase finally exploded at Ikuto and this caught my interest.

"Why do you care kiddy king?" Ikuto and Tadase had a staredown.

"Argh, Kiseki!" Tadase character changed and a little crown appeared on his head. Ikuto smirked at the same time as cat ears popped up on his head and he waved his tail behind him. Tadase attacked Ikuto with his scepter thingy, but Ikuto easily dodges them all since he has cat-like reflexes.

"Go Ikuto!" Yoru called from the sidelines and butt heads with Kiseki. I decided enough was enough and intervened.

"Ran!" Pink little wings appeared on my wrists and ankles and I jumped in between the middle of the fight. I quickly dodged Tadase's attack and grabbed Ikuto's tail, making him yelp in pain. I glared at both and they froze. "Sit!" I commanded Ikuto and he obediently followed like a little kitty would do. "Tadase, restrain yourself!" Tadase's character change faded and he sat back down next to Nagi, sulking. I sighed and walked over to Ikuto, pulling out a fuzzy (A/N: You know, like the green thing Tsukasa used to tease Ikuto in the anime) from my bag. Ikuto's cat instincts kicked in and I played with with him until he finally snapped out of it. I giggled as he kept swiping at it, but I pulled it out of his reach. Yoru stopped the character change and Ikuto froze. I stood up and put the fluffy back.

"Pfffft, now who's laughing?" I took a step back before laughing my head off and Ikuto was the one to get ticked off.

"Amu..." he had a fiery aura surrounding him and approached me. I stopped laughing and quickly jumped back. "Yoru!" he called.

"Ran!" we character changed again and Ikuto chased me all around the roof. Eventually Ikuto caught me and pulled me under his grasp. I squeaked as he pinned me to the ground.

"Bwahahahaha! St-stop! I-pffft. I G-GIVE IN!" I squeezed between laughs and he stopped his attack.

"Hmph. Serves you right Amu!" he pulled me off the floor and I staggered back to my friends, who were all staring at us weirdly. Kukai was laughing and Utau just sighed. Rima stared at me in disbelief and Nagi remained normal, but was sweatdropping. Tadase looked furious and pulled me away from Ikuto. I obliged and enjoyed being in Tadase's arms. Ikuto and Tadase had another staring contest, until Utau tugged on Ikuto's arm.

"Come on Nii-san! We should go now!" she whined.

"Heh, nice seeing you Amu. Don't hurt her kiddy king." Ikuto said before walking away.

"Amu-chan, I love you." Tadase murmured softly to me and I froze.

"Amu-chan. I love you." the same phrase from my dream echoed in my head and I roughly pushed Tadase away. His eyes were surprised and my own honey eyes widened in terror.

"Amu-chan? What's wrong?" Tadase took a step towards me and I freaked.

"No..." I whispered. He took another step. "NO!" I screamed in terror as the same scene from my dream flashed by my eyes. Blood oozing out of Ami and my parents, who were lying lifelessly on the floor in front of me. "NO! Stay away!" I screamed before blacking out.