A/N: Hi you guys. I'm so encouraged and fired up by your reviews and favorites that I've come up with this fic. Read on.

Disclaimer: Had I owned B't X I wouldn't always put Karen on pedestal.

Karen's Shadow

"Karin? Karin! Are you all right? Karin!"

I hear your voice but it sounds far away. Somehow, seeing you this close with your face a few inches from my own, I can feel your utmost concern for me. THE Karen of the Shireishou is concerned for a nobody like me...

I was raised in a church. Almost everyday, I could see the man who was my inspiration. I took care of kids. I had General Aramis to admire and the other shireshou-tachi to adore.

The Area seemed like a family to me, the Emperor my father.

It was perfect.

However, I lived a life full of lies.

No. It was not because the Machine Empire turned out to be the world's evil.

It was because of you.

You and your memories turned me into a fraud.

I had gotten over my amnesia for quite some time. It was another shock that did it. It was when Leo used me as bait to capture Fou-sama.

Everything came rushing back. Raphael, fieldtrip, being saved by you - everything.

The impact of it all came tumbling down on me and I felt I was fighting a losing battle.

As Fou-sama dropped me somewhere near the church, I could only mumble a 'thank you' and 'goodbye' without even looking at his eyes.

I did not want to be your shadow. I did not want people to call me Karen's little sister. I did not want them to compare me to you and your numerous accomplishments. I did not want them to look at me and see you. I did not want him to look at me that way. It would be unbearable.

If I could just avoid the pain for a few more days, I would. There was only one solution...

All my life, I have wanted to have a family. I know I will learn to love you. However, today, he is my family. I love him.

Acknowledging that you are my sister means admitting that Fao-sama's heart belongs to you and not to me. Though it hurts much, I will still pretend that I don't remember you. That way, I won't be forced to sacrifice my feelings.

Let me be selfish for a little more time.

'Karin, are you ok?' you say as you help me stand after the small incident with the Ryuukan Troops.

I choose to put my attention on the kids who started swarming at me, checking if I am just fine. I smile at them. But at the corner of my eye, I see your face etched with pain, your eyes seem to be looking at me but you are lost in your own thoughts.

"I see you are fine. Take care of the children now...that's what Fou would say," you say as you start walking away from me to your B't that looks like X. I see you were the one who returned Fou-sama's bow.

"A-are you going to see Fou-sama?" I ask, getting my bearings. I stand and summon the courage to go near you.

"That's what I intend to."

How lucky of you to approach him whenever you want to when I cannot even talk to him without stuttering!

"Please tell him that the children-and I- are fine," I clasp my hands in a silent prayer that you will fulfill my wish.

You nod and continue walking away.

Can I hurt my own sister for the love of a man whose feelings are undecipherable even for me?

'"Karen!"

You turn and give me your precious smile. Oneechan, please forgive me. Kami-sama, forgive me!

'"Take care."

That is all I can say. And I have had to say that because I know I cannot afford to lose you both.

A/N: I'm taking the responsibility of putting more character in Karin(Kuramada seems to be into his bishounen, hehe).

This may sound crazy but my personal goal is to help B't X have 100+ fanfictions. I implore to your good hearts. Please do write one and you have me to review it and put it in my favorite list. Hehe. Do I sound like I'm forcing you? Lemme know. Hit the review button.