Dear readers,

this is my second time writing for Shugo Chara! In reality, it is my first attempt at writing a MULTI-CHAPTER fanfic for this wonderful anime/manga. (: trust me, I know it will suck since I, -ahem-, am a very bad writier. Horrible grammer, spelling, plot, and vocabulary wise. ^^ But, I'm improving... I think. XP

Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara! in any way! Much to my chagrin. TT~TT If I did, it'd become a Reverse Harem and Kuukai would be head over heels in love with me. (:

P.S. Sorry if Amu seems a little OOC. ___ I'm trying to get her to react the way she normally would, which isn't THAT hard. But I'm sure that when I tried to sound "educated", it ends up making her seem OOC. I apoologize for that, but bear with me. (: I might have done the same with other characters as well, for which, I do apologize for.

Now then, without further ado, read on! But beware, readers, for you have been warned! D

+Prologue+

Distinct water drops sounded from a distance. Starting out slow, they picked up speed like staccato sixteenth notes from a cluttered score. Faint, yet clear sounds of bells resonated, soon after the droplets ceased to exist.

Slowly breaking the water's surface, ripples travelled in ever direction, revealing my face covered by my pink tresses. Rubbing my eyes with renewed vigor, I opened my eyes to observe my surroundings. Stiffly, I rose from the darkness to escape the liquid prison. Before me appeared several mirrors, each beholding an image of myself. Almost like, a part of me. Two gradually faded, leaving five to fill in their place. They started towards me, surrounding me on all sides.

"What's this?" I questioned.

As if to answer me, each mirror proceeded to show a would-be self. My would-be selves.

This further confused me.

"I've only four eggs of the heart..."

The mirror in front showed an image of , it would appear to be, myself with dazzling beauty. Albeit, a little sad, it would seem. Nevertheless, the figure was charismatic - possessing a smile that would make any heart melt - which was accompanied by a laughter much like the tinkling of bells. Although, if one looked closely enough though, they would realize that it was a facade.

All of it was a mere facade...

While everyone laughs at her wonderful humour and antics, they can't seem to see the sadness within.

"What is this?"

Then, almost as suddenly as they had appeared, the mirrors shattered, the fragments disappeared. The dream itself receeded back into the farthest corners of my mind...

"What could all of his really mean?"

+the Joker's Despair+

+Chapter One: the Joker+

.:: Begin ::.

It all started with a dream on one cold, and eerily silent, autumn day. I awoke in bed, feeling strange. Different, in a good way if possible. Refusing to get out of bed, I tossed and turned to find an appropriate position, so sleep could finally render me useless. It was then that I realized, there was something hard underneath my very being. Almost smooth to the touch, the object in question, without a doubt, had a very odd shape. It took me a moment to reassemble my thoughts, mostly because I never was an early riser. When my thoughts finally came to a conclusion and my heart stopped. I could sense the adrenaline pumping through me, veins pulsating. Replacing the blood that was meant to circulate through my vessel.

"Oh my god!" I panicked. "Someone must have placed a skull in my bed last night!"

No wait, that can't be it.

Realizing that the only way I could actually find out what it was, which was by ways of the ancient, I reached under my abdomen and felt around until my hands finally came into contact with an unidentifiable object. My hands instinctively closed around it. Drawing in a deep breath, I pulled the unknown object up to my field of vision. While I carefully blinked a few times to clear my vision, I raised my free hand up to my eyes to wipe the sleep that lingered from my slumber.

It was then that I realized what the object I was holding truely was.

An egg.

One the size of an average egg of the heart. This egg, I knew, is the home of another guardian character. One that I must take responsibility for...

How will I ever explain it to the Guardians? Afterall, a fifth egg is a pretty big deal.

"OOOH! Amu-chi! Sugoi!" Yaya exclaimed, as her eyes started sparkling in admiration.

Under the gazes of the room's occupants, I started blushing.

"Really, it's not that big of a deal." I tried to convince them otherwise.

"Not at all, Hinamori-san. As expected, you really are amazing."

I truly believed, at that moment, that Tadase was out to embarass me; for I was blushing harder than ever, if possible.

To Amu's right, Rima spoke up for the first time since the beginning of the meeting.

"Amu, show us the egg."

Reluctantly, I started for my pouch, reaching for my fifth egg. Wtih much care, I gently placed the the egg at the center of the table. It was, much like my previous eggs, covered in a plaid pattern. With variations of white, black, and grey. Adorning the egg's middle, where the band of black lay, is a shape similar to a Jester's hat. How befitting for a Joker.

"I wonder what personality will this egg of mine possess, afterall, my previous eggs and guardian characters have been peculiar, if only the slightest bit."

Unconciously, I started biting on my lower lip in concentration. I was thinking really hard on what could my guardian chara possibly be like. Obviously, I had forgotten my dream already.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be wonderful, Amu-chan." Nagihiko assured me.

And with that, the talk about my egg was dismissed. The meeting moved on to more pressing matters like, "What will we have for snacks next week?" and the case of the mysterious "Cafeteria Meat." with the latter of the two being a real mind boggling wonder.

The day ended with the following two conclusions:

a) they'd have a mixture of cookies, crackers, and doughnuts for snacks

AND

b) a mystery concerning food is best left unsolved. Afterall, what you don't know can't hurt you.

All the while, during my trip home, I tried to enjoy myself. Under normal circumstances, Ran and the others would amuse me with their silly antics. But as I tried to pay attention to what they were saying today, I couldn't help but feel that something was amiss, or, would be. Something, ominous, I believed.

Thinking that it was nothing, I shook my head and brushed it off. Dismissing it as something I ate.

.:: End of Chapter ::.

And that's a wrap people! (: the first chapter is somewhat short, but there was a prologue so, I guess it's fine. So, honestly, what did you guys think? Reviews are appreciated. Constructive criticism is fine. NO FLAMES THANK YOU. I'm painfully aware of how much I suck. * sigh * Well then, until next time, thank you for reading! ^^

-Xxhikari-no-tenshixX