Author's Note: Here I am writing the third in my simultaneous stories in which none I have finished. :D so this story juggled in my head for a whole week before I decided to write it. I hope you like it. Review it so I know if I'll continue okay?

Title: A Tale of Timeless Love

Rated: T

Description: This story is set in a world which is a combination of The Tale of Genji, Shounen Onmyouji and Color Cloud Palace – mostly it's in the past where people in the Royal Palace still wore robes and where omyouji's wore hakamas. Also the Palace that is referred to in this story looks kinda like Yo's house in Shaman King except much much bigger. :D This fanfic contains all the guardians in Shugo Chara and features all the different pairings but it mostly focuses on Amuto. I hope you enjoy!

Summary: Ever since her parents died Amu Hinamori resolutely chose to raise her sister on her own. She worked as a mere servant at the Royal Palace of Seiyo at the age of 13 and the emperor, seeing her diligence and efficiency in only a year, decided to promote her to being the personal aide of the Princess of the country. What happens when Amu begins walking in the world of the distinguished nobles of the country of Seiyo? Will the hardened shell she had built around her begin to melt or will it grow strong enough to be unbreakable?

Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara or any of its characters. They are too awesome for my mediocrity. Anyway –

Ikuto: LosTruth doesn't own me… or Amu since she belongs to me.

Amu: Hey!

Amu: since when did I belong to you, you thieving cat?

Ikuto: ahh, so noisy. Fine, LosTruth doesn't own any of us.

Amu: you still didn't correct your previous statement!

Ikuto: there's no need to correct a fact Amu-chi.

Amu: mou – Fine! Suit yourself! (stomps away)

Ikuto: Are, she's mad. (chuckles) I better go. (looks up at author) Shouldn't you be getting on with the story now?

Lostruth: yeah yeah, go cuddle with Amu already.

Ikuto: if you say so… (smirks and walks towards the direction Amu went)

Postnote: This is the revised version. After reading through most of my previous chapters before I updated, I found my numerous grammatical errors disconcerting. So yeah, I edited them all out – or at least, I hoped I did. If I still miss some things, please do inform me. Thanks! :D

- OoO -

Chapter 1 Sakura Pond

It was spring and the Royal Palace of Seiyo was bustling as usual. There were servants in the official palace attire walking here and there, carrying food, delivering clean clothes, and shuffling through paper stacks of varying sizes. Despite all the servants moving continuously, the Palace – was all in all – peaceful. The chirps of the birds were a musical hum along the trees; they sounded as if they were singing in chorus. The sky above was as clear as crystalline water; there were hardly any clouds in sight at all. The breeze was a cool breath that matched the season – fresh and clean that you could almost hear the words spring whispered into your ear. A perfect beginning of spring – except…

In the Palace grounds there was one chestnut colored haired adult moving more frantically than all the other servants; he was just like a note out of tune in a perfect melody. His unruly hair was tied back and his movements were far from graceful – they were almost clumsy.

"Where did he go this time? His aide should have kept better watch on him! He shouldn't be allowed to wander wherever he pleases!" he muttered anxiously as his eyes skimmed over his surroundings. Just then, he had unintentionally tripped on the hem of his robe. His fell flat on his face and when he stood up, he had dew filled grass plastered to his face. He sighed in frustration, wiped away the clinging blades with his sleeve and stood up, continuing his search.

From the roof of one of the buildings, a young man with dark-blue hair grinned mischievously as he observed the clumsy servant below. He lied comfortably on his abdomen as he scanned the Palace Grounds passively below. He slowly stood up with a bored and uninterested expression. He was in white sleeping robes and was without any footwear.

He looked for a place where he could rest in peace. As he pondered, a gust of wind blew and ruffled his robes. The gust had also brought with it quite a few cherry blossoms and the boy had watched them with interest. He smiled; no doubt he had already chosen his destination.

None of the servants looked up as he moved lithely from building to building. His robe, which was only until his ankles, flowed behind him. He had decided to go to the Sakura Pond for now; after all, it was the first day of Spring. What place could be more fitting for a nice few hours of sleep?

When he was a few meters away from the pond he spotted the Sakura trees in full bloom. The whole pond was surrounded by Sakura trees in all its natural gloriousness and the effect was magnificent. The petals swirled and spiralled towards to large pond in the middle of it all. The Sakura trees were also reflected beautifully on the surface of the water – which was incidentally where the pond had gotten its name from. Sakura Pond – the pond of the most beautiful Sakura, even if just in a reflection. Others had called it the Pond of Admiration since anyone who came near it seemed to be inexplicably drawn in.

He gazed at the pond from afar for a while longer and suddenly a long stretch of pink abruptly moved in the pond. He felt his brow crease, Sakura blossoms didn't move like that nor where they ever concentrated in one place. He stealthily moved towards the pond and when he was only a few feet away, he realized that the mass of pink was actually the mane of a young girl.

When he looked closer the girl was treading in the pond feverishly. Her face was covered by her long unusually cerise hair. Her robes were drenched until her knees and so were her sleeves. Her hands were moving wildly under the water. She was searching for something, he realized. He also noted that she was wearing a Palace Official's robe which looked newly made. He continued to scrutinize her for a few minutes before he decided to help her.

- OoO -

"Hinamori Amu," a girl with long pink hair said as she handed her entrance permit to the Palace Guard. He nodded and said "We have been expecting you. You may pass."

Amu walked past the guards nimbly and entered the Palace Grounds. The vastness of the Palace of Seiyo was extreme when you were actually in it. Despite how many times Amu had been here, she could never cease to be amazed whenever she did come here. After a year of working here, it had almost become a home. Almost – but she could never call it a home if her sister wasn't there.

Since it was spring, she decided to go to the Sakura Pond she always liked. She walked there and was captivated by the sight of the Sakura trees in full bloom. Amu stared into the pond as she knelt beside it. She gazed at her reflection together with the cherry blossoms. It was as if her hair blended perfectly with the falling blossoms. She scooped a petal into her hand and gazed at it, remembering her little sister.

"Onee-chan…"

Amu turned her head away from the mirror to face her younger sister. She scrutinized her petite form peeking through one of the sliding doors of the inn room.

"Ami. What's the matter?" she asked and motioned for her to come inside.

The little blonde girl slowly opened the door and hesitantly stepped inside with her head bowed.

"Ami?"

"Onee-chan, where… are you going?" she asked and slowly raised her head. She saw the small bag neatly placed by Amu's foot and her eyes widened.

"Are you… leaving me?" she asked with tears beginning to well in her eyes.

Amu went and knelt in front of her. "I'm not leaving. I'll only be away temporarily, Ami. I would never leave you," Amu said as she wiped Ami's tears with her sleeve. Ami stared at the sleeve Amu used to wipe her tears.

"This robe," she spoke aloud, confusion marked in her voice.

The robe Amu was wearing was made from very fine and expensive material. Even the sash wrapped around her abdomen was made beautifully and was embellished with beads. In Amu's hand was an ivory pin with red Sakura petals ornamenting it. When Ami stared at her like that, she felt self-conscious, even she wasn't used to wearing such fine clothes.

Amu gave an apologetic smile. "The Palace gave this to me to wear." She explained knowing Ami couldn't understand.

"I hate the Palace! He always takes you away! Is it because you hate me? Is it because I can't give you pretty clothes too that you have to leave all the time?" She cried helplessly. Amu gave a resigned sigh. It was typical for Ami to mistake the Palace as a person. Amu had tried many a time to explain the concept of a monarchy to her sister, but all was lost when it came to the carefree blonde girl.

"Onee-chan will always be here for you, Ami. I'll be back occasionally to visit – but not every day." Amu explained calmly.

"Don't go. Why do you always have to leave? Always! You don't have to do it, Onee-chan. Just stay here with Ami and Ami will be happy!" she burst out, tears already streaming down her face steadily.

But I do have to do this, Ami. I do. Amu thought sadly. "I'm sorry, Ami." Amu didn't say any more. She held the pin tightly in her hand. She slowly pried Ami's hands from her robe and she stood up to leave. She picked up her bag and as her foster parents held back Ami, she stepped out towards the one place that had helped both of them live.

In her aloofness, a strong gust of wind had blown her unfixed hair which consequently led her to drop the pin in the pond. The pin that the Emperor had given her as a present; the pin which he had also said was much more expensive than the whole set of clothes that came with it. She stared at the pond blankly for a few seconds before the panic rose in her chest.

Without a second thought she had stepped into the pond fully clothed. What she didn't expect was that the pond was deeper than it had looked and was actually knee deep in her case. To make it worse, apparently when she had stepped in, the pin had moved from where she had dropped it. She searched for quite a while but she still hadn't found it; inevitably, she had cut the back of her hand on a sharp rock as she was searching.

When she felt the stinging pain, she immediately took out her hand and examined it. As she was inspecting her wound an unfamiliar voice addressed her.

"It's not allowed for anyone to touch the pond, much less to actually walk in it," a deep voice said reproachfully.

Amu looked up in surprise and turned to face the stranger. Her eyes met entrancing sapphire eyes. The young man had hair in the loveliest shade of midnight blue. He was still in sleeping robes despite the fact that it was already late into the morning. He saw her quizzical gaze and smiled.

Undeniably handsome.

That was Amu's first thought as she regarded the stranger – but it was because he was a stranger that Amu had automatically put up her usual façade. She stared at him passively before looking away and continuing to search.

"Do you want me to help? You're searching for something aren't you? What is it?" he asked coolly. He stood at the edge of the pond looking down at her with a bemused smile.

"It's none of your business and I have no need for your help," She said tersely. Before she knew it, he had already stepped into the pond with her despite her straight rejection of his assistance. She hid her surprise and continued to search for the pin, regardless of the fact that she was noticeably distracted by him. Amu wished he had just left her alone.

"I thought you mentioned that people aren't allowed to touch the pond, much less walk in it?" she asked pointedly with her serious voice. She didn't like criticizing him, but for once, she didn't have the patience to be dealing with someone like him.

"Seeing as how you already broke that rule, I might as well follow your example. After all, you shouldn't be the only one allowed the privilege." He replied in somewhat petulant voice.

"I see. If you want the privilege of being called first, you can have it. I have no need for such a troublesome title." She clenched and unclenched her fist trying to get some feeling back into it. Her hands were already trembling from the cold. The fact that she had a wound on one of her hands didn't make her feel any better.

"But seeing as how I'm already drenched, you should compensate me for the trouble." He pointed out confidently.

"I didn't ask for your help did I?" Amu replied curtly as she decided to ignore him, talking to him wasn't getting her any closer to finding the hair pin. She began to search once again and before she knew it, he was right by her side murmuring something in her ear. His hair was ticklish against her skin and she felt the urge to push him away.

"It's rude to ignore a person who willingly offers his help." He murmured in a low and smooth voice. Amu stood upright rapidly and glared at the blue haired boy. She looked at him then and realized how much taller he was than her, but she didn't let that daunt her.

"Then forgive my rudeness but as I said, I have no need for your aid." She turned away to begin searching again when she felt a tug at her wounded hand. When she glanced back she saw him inspecting her hand with a slight frown.

"It's quite deep, and you haven't bothered to disinfect it, have you?" he asked disapprovingly. Amu pulled her hand away hastily.

"It's none of your business!" she replied rather harshly. She glared at him and his expression showed indifference. Suddenly, he strode towards her and carried her wholly with one sweep of his arms.

"Wha –!" she cried out in surprise. He stepped out of the pond swiftly. Realizing what was happening at last, she struggled against his hold. "I demand you to put me down!"

"No one has ever successfully demanded me to do anything they want," He said firmly as he jumped up one of the buildings gracefully. He walked inaudibly and deftly as if he wasn't carrying anyone at all. "You're so light. Are even eating at all?" he commented out of the blue.

"I eat whenever I feel like it, thank you, but that's beside the point. I said, let me down! I still have to search for something there!" she said angrily. He glanced back at her, not the least disturbed by her glare.

"You can search for it as much as you want after we treat your wound properly. Or better yet, I'll be the one to search for it while you do whatever business you have in the Palace."

"How can I trust someone who I've never even met before?" Amu retorted meaningfully. The young man pondered for a bit but his stride didn't slow down in the least. Amu couldn't do anything but let him take her to wherever he chose to take her. It wasn't a good situation, but if she struggled anymore, she would just waste energy she could have used to escape when he did put her down.

He smiled. "Hmm. Good point. I'll find you later then and return the pin to you tonight. If I break my word you're free to order me to perform hara-kiri." He replied easily. That silenced her immediately, hara-kiri was no joking matter.

The silence ensued as he continued to walk without missing a beat. His slightly bony frame bumped into her shoulder and it hurt quite a bit. The arms carrying her were thin but she could feel the strong muscles underneath. He was warm and she suddenly realized how comfortable she felt it his arms.

Comprehending what was actually going through her mind Amu mentally scolded herself for thinking such absurd things. While she was doing this, he suddenly jumped down from the roof building into an open window. He paused as he scanned the room. "Perfect. Nobody's here."

The room was barren except for a table in the very center of the room with a lamp hanging above and a closet in the corner of the room. She stared out the window and found that she was in a completely different place from before.

"Where is this?" Amu asked as he set her down on the clean and dry tatami mats.

"It's a vacant servant quarter." He replied casually.

"Ah, I'm sodden. This will cause such a mess," She said exasperatedly as she saw the stains she made on the floor where she walked. The blue-haired boy glanced at her before nodding and going towards the closet. He pulled out a dry towel, a medicine box, and a set of servant clothes. The clothes Amu had also worn so long ago. It was then she remembered that he too, was wet and without warning he began to undress.

She turned away, extremely flustered. "What in the world are you doing?" she squeaked in embarrassment.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm changing into dry clothes. I can't get you an extra set of robes when I'm soaking wet." He spoke matter-of-factly. Amu was mildly surprised by his actions.

"How thoughtful of you," She said honestly. The first honest thing that ever left her lips since they had spoken for the first time.

He chuckled. "I suppose you can look at it that way too, but I'm not doing this simply to be genteel." He spoke cryptically and Amu could not decipher the meaning of his words. "You can turn around now, I'm finished changing."

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously as she took a peek at him. Servant clothes on him looked completely out of place. Without really meaning to, she let out a laugh. He raised his eyebrows in reply. Then he looked at his appearance and smiled, understanding what seemed so amusing to her.

"I see. You think my attire rather inappropriate. Of course, such mediocre clothes would never suit someone of my magnificence," He said assertively. This time it was Amu's turn to raise her eyebrow in reply.

"That's quite an ego you have there." She commented dryly.

"I'm flattered you think so." He replied cleverly as he took a seat by the table. He motioned for her to join him and she obliged him – not really knowing what else to do but follow this mysterious stranger. He handed her the dry towel and she accepted it gratefully.

"Anyway, give me your hand. We came here to treat your hand, not make idle chatter." He held out his hand and she hesitantly placed her wounded hand on top of it. He smirked at her hesitation. He pulled it nearer and opened the medicine kit on the table. He pulled out a ball of cotton and disinfectant.

She felt a slight sting when the cotton made contact with her wound. She winced unconsciously. When she glanced at him, she saw that he was staring at her too.

"What did you mean when you said you aren't helping me simply to seem genteel?" she steered the conversation back to the previous topic as he continued to dab her wound with disinfectant.

"I'm fond of cats," He said out of the blue.

"What –?" Amu began to ask, clearly befuddled by his reply.

"To me you look like a drenched kitten that I can't help but take care of." He continued nonchalantly. Amu blinked in disbelief. Had he really said what she thought he had? Had he not just told her that he pitied her so he helped her?

Amu felt the outrage building in her chest. She hastily pulled away her hand, surprising him.

"So you think I'm helpless? Is that it? Well I didn't ask for your help!" she said indignantly as she stood up. His eyes widened a bit then he laughed all of a sudden. This momentarily distracted her and the boy had taken his chance. He pulled her down towards him. Amu was now lying on the floor imprisoned in the blue-haired boy's arms on both her sides. He was hovering right above her with his arms as his support.

"Weren't you listening to me? I didn't help you because I pitied you. It was simply a natural instinct of mine to help cats." He leaned in so close that their faces were only an inch apart. Amu was frozen in that position. She felt his warm breath against her face. He leaned in closer and whispered into her ear.

"Because as I said… I am fond of cats."*

Amu felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she could hear her heart beating erratically. Her hands had gone numb all of a sudden. His hair was ticklish against her neck and he slowly stood; pulling her up with him. He sniggered at the shock in her eyes. That seemed to sober her up a bit. Her outer personality kicked in. After all, she didn't like being fooled around with. She was about the say something angry in reply but the boy silenced her by placing his finger over her lips.

"Wait here. I'll get you new and clean robes." He paced towards the window and before she could say anything, he disappeared and swiftly and as quietly as a cat.

"You seem like more of a cat than I do." Amu muttered under her breath as she went towards the window and gazed outside. He was already nowhere in sight. The Palace really was such an enormous place. Amu wondered how much time had passed already. Her appointment with the Emperor was not until this evening but she had wanted to explore the Palace a bit more before then. In the end, she got herself dragged to wherever this is by a stranger who she met just now.

Wonderful.

After staring at nothing in particular for about twenty minutes, the blue-haired boy returned with a triumphant smile. He dropped the bulging cloth that was slung over his shoulder on the table in front of Amu. He removed the covering cloth and inside it was a robe the complete replica of the one Amu was currently wearing.

"Where did you –" she began.

"It's a secret." He replied, cutting off her query. He pushed it towards her and she took it cautiously.

"Are you thinking that I might do something to you again?" he asked deliberately. Amu immediately looked away. Her grip tightened on the new set of robes.

"I'm going to change now, so please turn around," She said, avoiding his question. He smiled roguishly.

"There's nothing to see anyway. Why take the trouble of hiding it?" he asked curiously – not understanding at all how offensive his words were. Amu threw the sash at his face.

"Because I'm still a woman, you perverse degenerate!" she shouted back at him. He pulled away the sash revealing an uninterested expression, but with a wicked glint in his eyes.

"Would you mind lowering your voice? I don't want to be seen just yet. Also, you use such hurtful words. I'm deeply wounded you think me that way – the person who took all the trouble to bring you a change of clothes." He made a mock-hurt expression and Amu bit her lip. In a way what he was saying was true but before she could say anything in reply he lied down and faced the other way.

"Does this please you Your Holy Graciousness of all femininity?"

Amu huffed in reply and changed as quickly as she could. When she approached him to tell him she had to leave she found him sleeping soundly. She knelt beside him and stared down at his slumbering face. She noticed his long lashes and beautifully shaped lips.

She unconsciously reached out to touch his hair but when she realized what she was doing she immediately pulled back her hand. She stood up hastily and walked towards the door.

"Hey." His voice said from behind her and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She looked back cautiously and saw that he hadn't moved from his previous position. He was still facing away from her, leaning on one of his hands.

"I never got to ask you your name," he said quite drowsily.

"Amu. Hinamori Amu." She replied audibly.

"I see. Well then you're free to go as you please." He waved a hand as a sign that she could go. Almost like a noble would dismiss a servant – this somehow irritated her, she found.

"Tell me your name," Amu said as she placed her hand on the sliding door – ready to leave any moment. "It's impolite to leave an introduction half finished."

"You'll know soon enough." He replied mysteriously as always and this time Amu could almost guess the smile across his face at that moment. She sighed. It would have to do for now. He still had to return her pin as promised. She stepped out and closed the sliding door. The image of the blue-haired boy already burned to the back of her mind.

- OoO -

* - did you get what he was implying? :) I don't really either but it's something along the lines of 'you're interesting. That's why I helped you.'

Endnote: so that's the first chapter. I might have gone a little out of character here but their language had to match the timeline but well… anyway, PLEASE REVIEW. I'd really appreciate it. :D Arigatou! Hopefully I'll be able to come up with a better second chapter.