A/N: I'm so sorry for taking so long to write this next chapter! I'm not really going to blame it on anything but procrastination, but I promise that I'm going to do better! In fact, I'm going to make it my personal goal to write a chapter every week! Thanks so much to XxX-Miki-chan-XxX and bma925 for reviewing my story so early! As a reminder, this story deals heavily with a major (in my opinion) spoiler regarding the series. Please, please, please turn around now if you haven't reached Episode 25, "Nadeshiko! Goodbye Despite Spring!"

Disclaimer: I'm afraid that I don't own Shugo Chara! or any of the characters mentioned herein. In fact, that's probably a good thing. I can write, but I sure can't draw, animate, or do voice acting!

The next day arrived without much incident, with the rays of the sun hitting Nadeshiko's eyes in the early morning, waking her. She sat up peacefully, and stretched her arms far above her head. Her morning routine – a shower, dressing in the uniform of her school, and preparing her breakfast – was followed to the letter. When she returned to her room, she found everything in relative order with the exception of one thing. Temari, Nadeshiko's Guardian Chara, had not been as easily awoken, and was hiding herself from of the sun from her eyes using the pink-colored egg as a cocoon.

Nadeshiko stifled a giggle as she removed the lid of the egg, and looked down at the tiny figure that was curled up in a ball. When the light penetrated through the darkness, Temari looked up at her partner, as if looking for a reprieve from the day. She sighed, and floated up.

"It's not fair! Why do we have to go and do work? It's so early," the tiny girl whined. She crossed her arms, and scowled. Nadeshiko giggled, all the while checking over her appearance in the mirror. She was dressed in Seiyo Academy's traditional uniform for girls. There was a white shirt, with a red tie, plaid skirt, and a black jacket. But there was one addition. Nadeshiko was one of the four guardians of the school. It was a responsibility that she took seriously, and she wore her cape with pride. Her atypical, long purple hair was held together with a red ribbon, and two flowers adorned the ends.

"Come on, Temari," Nadeshiko suddenly said, interrupting the Chara's (still continuing) complaints about the early morning sunlight. "We'll be late if we don't leave now." She started towards the door, leaving Temari to follow her, and perch herself upon the girl's shoulder. The two walked the streets together towards the school…

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Having eventually reached Seiyo Academy, Nadeshiko met up with her three best friends. There was Yaya Yuiki, the Ace's Chair – a child-like girl who could just as easily be endearing as she could be bothersome. Yet, despite her outer character, she was undoubtedly sensitive, and, like a child, needed the Guardians just as Nadeshiko did. Then, there was Kukai Souma, the Jack's chair - of near-professional soccer talent and an impeccable moral character. A very outgoing person, and Nadeshiko's first friend at school. Last, but certainly not least, was Nadeshiko's best friend. Tadase Hotori, the King's Chair. Tadase was a shy boy; in fact, one could say that he kept to himself more than anyone else in the school, making him quite the opposite of the other Guardians. Still, though, Tadase and Nadeshiko were best friends, and as the King and Queen, often talked together.

"Kon'nichiwa, everyone," Nadeshiko said, with the greeting being extended to the now-complete group. She took a short bow, and the others returned it in jest. Nadeshiko was the formal one – no question. It was likely the years of dance training that prompted her to greet and speak so formally, even with the closest of friends.

As the group walked inside, Temari found her place with the other Guardian Characters. Yaya's, Pepe, represented her desire for attention, and to embody "cute." Kukai's, Daichi, represented his desire to become the best soccer player in the world. Tadase's, Kiseki, was the self-proclaimed leader of the group, and represented his desire to become more confident in order to rule the world. And Temari? Temari represented Nadeshiko's…

"Wait a moment," Tadase said. He raised his right hand, as a sign for the makeshift procession of the Guardians to stop. "Something's different." His voice shrunk down to near nothingness, as he turned his head around and around, looking for something out of the ordinary.

"Yes," Kukai began, in a voice more suitable for Darth Vader than a soccer star. "There's indeed a disturbance in the force." He started to look around as well, but still nothing was revealing itself to the group.

Nadeshiko, however, remained silent, and scanned for a moment.

"There."

She pointed toward a girl, with a cheerleader beside her. No, it would be better to say that the cheerleader was resting on the new girl's shoulder. It was a Guardian Chara. They both had pink hair, and one was carrying pom-poms while the other carried a school bag. She was the newest student at Seiyo Academy, and the first since the arrival of Yaya two years ago to bring with them a Guardian Chara.

"Well," said a smiling Kukai. "I'm not sure how we missed the pink-haired cheerleader, but it looks like we've got our Joker!"

Tadase nodded, taking a long look at the new girl, and then casting a look back to Nadeshiko.

They nodded together, and the group continued walking.

A/N: Well, there you go! I certainly hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please rate and review! Not only will that ensure that you get a new chapter soon, but it also helps me make it even better. Thanks again for your feedback, your time, and your two cents in advance!