Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo chara!
CHAPTER 1
AMU'S P.O.V.
Looking around my bedroom one last time, I swim over to my bed. Reaching for the X-shaped ruby barrette in my hair, my hands shook nervously as to remove it from its place keeping my bangs out of my eyes. Placing the gem on my bed, I took a shaky breath and grabbed my knapsack, slinging it over my shoulder. In it, I had packed a hair brush, a dagger, some seaweed, a few handfuls of shrimp, and a small glass bottle containing a glowing, light purple concoction. Making my way over to my window, I swam out leaving the palace I once called my home.
My X-barrette.
As a princess of the royal family, each female member is to wear a jewel as to symbolize our lineage. Each gem is customized for each lady. I wear a ruby X. My first sister Ran wears a heart made from a pink crystal. My second sister Miki wears a sapphire spade. My third sister Su has a emerald shaped to be a clover. My fourth sister Diamond, Dia for short, had chosen to have a diamond made to look like diamond from a deck of cards, so to follow suit if you may. Finally, my fifth and youngest sister Ami wears a white flower made of pearls.
I fought the urge to turn back, knowing if I did, my resolve would shatter. My being the eldest daughter of King Tsumugu; ruler of the Pacific ocean, I bear the responsibility of marrying a prince in order to keep the peace throughout the world's waters. As such, last month my mother and father finally introduced me to my fiancee Prince Tadase of The eastern sea. I have many reasons to not marry him. Few are merely selfish, but a great many because of his...long-since deteriorating mental-stability, shall we say? By my leaving, seeing as each of us were engaged at a young age, as is tradition, Prince Tadase will never marry into the Hinamori lineage. Instead, the future King and Queen shall be Princess Ran and Prince Daichi of The Egyptian sea, a man I would trust the fate of my former kingdom with far more than I would Prince Tadase.
Long ago when I was a child, my mother would tell stories of strange beings living above the surface of the water. They were called 'land-swimmers'. Foolish as it sounds, I have always wondered what these beings are like. From their heads to their waists they appear just like us, only they lacked gills. Instead of tails, two appendages like those of a frog, long and lanky to carry their weight in the strange world just above the surface. Yes, it sounds ridicules. Nothing more than a child's tale, but I have always believed in them. My childhood friend Yoru, the son of a nobleman, had told me he had once ventured out into shallow waters and spotted them. That knowledge alone has driven me to escape.
Three weeks ago, I had begun to plan my escape after deciding I positively could not allow Hotori Tadase to take the throne. I had done research, talking to many who insisted land creatures existed as well. Granted a great many were merely lunatics, however the few I discussed with who still maintained a healthy state of mind proved to be of great assistance. I clutched the bottle of lavender-colored serum tightly in my hand as I reached a large boulder outside the coral gates of the city. If I drank this, I would become a land-swimmer. That was what the old women had told me. It may cause memory-loss, weakness in limbs, or migraines, but I was still determined. Nobody will ever find me above the water!
I uncapped the bottle and brought the liquid to my mouth. 'Here go's everything' It felt slimy as it slid down my throat. Suppressing a gag, I swallowed it all. Before I could even think, a rush of pain consumed my entire body.
My gills expanded as if they were going to explode, rendering me unable to breath. My tail felt like it was being torn in half. There was ringing in my ears, giving me a splitting headache. My spine felt like somebody had snapped it in half and stole whatever was felt from the lower back down. I couldn't breath, couldn't think. Couldn't remember, all I felt was the searing pain consuming me. It only continued getting worse as I struggled to breath until it all stopped.
My world has faded to black.
R&R