Karin was drowning in conflict on her way home. The school day was practically over, and her Auntie shouldn't be home yet.

She very much wanted to go to the other dimension. I mean, if she didn't like it, Himeka could just bring her back, right? She is kind of a witch after all. And why wouldn't she like it? This is the world she's been fantasizing of since always. She probably wouldn't mind any problems that occurred there…they at least couldn't be as bad as they are here, right?

Right…?

She was asking herself too much. With each new question or conflict, the voice in her head would become even more unsure, hushing itself eventually to a whisper.

She shook her head in dismay; she'd never be able to decide like this. Just because someone needs her doesn't mean she can aspire to their expectations. They'd be disappointed, bored with her. They probably have the wrong girl.

Well, what was her life anyway?

That question appeared suddenly, after she tried to push all questions away. So, Karin thought. She thought of the good things in her life, and the bad things. The answer was so obvious, yet she had to reach for it within the depths of her mind, finding just the right way to explain it. She finally grabbed it, and clung to it tightly so as to not lose it.

Her life was a train. A train that everyone else had control of. And she couldn't do anything. She was just there, easily mistaken as a decoration. A doll. A puppet, maybe. She was just there, watching the days pass and seasons change, not changing anything herself to give her life meaning. And she knew her life had no meaning. She knows that she's in control of one thing, and that's stopping the train. It could come to a screeching halt, and no one would care. She'd die silently, and she might be pitied for a day or two, and then forgotten in the rush of the ever-changing world. That's how it was for her. She was just there, floating in a black void.

With that answer, she realized even more than before just how much of a chance this was for her. She was caged, shackled, and was offered the key to her freedom. Was she really going to turn that down?

Someone needed her. No—not even that. A whole world needed her, a girl who has no meaning in her life, who just walks on wearing the same expression and carrying the same dread every day.

Maybe she would have to work harder. Maybe it'll be tough. But she has to try.

XXXX

Karin was cooking rice for her dinner when Auntie came home.

She knew Auntie was home because the door slammed. Oh, and because the atmosphere became cold suddenly.

Auntie strode past the kitchen, into the dinning room just across, and took a seat. Karin tensed as she felt her Auntie's snake-like eyes fall on her, piercing her back uncomfortably.

Karin expected her to say something, wanted her to say something, just to lighten the tension. But Auntie continued her unwavering stare at Karin.

"Sooo…Karin," her Auntie finally drawled, a small smirk on her face, which was caked with too much make-up…as usual.

"Yes, Auntie?" Karin asked, not too timidly nor too forcefully. She'd been scolded for speaking both ways before.

"Do you know Sumire?" She asked, which was unexpected to Karin.

Sumire was one of Auntie's slut friends. Karin was pretty sure she was the one who smoked. Ah, yes, and her thick red curls would reek of the smoke afterwards. That

Sumire.

"Yes…" Karin responded obediently, still not understanding what this had to do with her.

"Well," Auntie started, sounding all too sweet, "I was talking to her today, and she said the most interesting thing! Do you want to know what she said, Karin?"

Karin flinched. "What, Auntie?" She managed.

"She said she saw you at a nearby café with some other girl," Auntie continued with her mock sweetness, "But that can't be right! You were in school!" That's where Auntie's eyes narrowed and her lips formed a distinct grimace, tone darkening, "Right?"

"It was an excused absence—"

"Y'know what? I don't want to hear you're lies. You're stupid filth. That's why you'll never succeed in school, or anywhere! I pay for you're tuition, and this is what you reward me with! You hand it back, you say 'no thank you'. You skip school and you focus solely on stupid scribbles on paper!" Auntie shouted, getting up from her seat, "You're an ungrateful brat who will never amount to anything! You're a waste of a life! A waste of space!"

Auntie was now cursing as she made her way over to Karin to deal a punishment. Karin had turned around just in time to dodge one of the blows.

Karin looked up at her Auntie, knowing she had crossed another line. Her Auntie's face was all red, and anger was written all over her features. Avoiding a punishment meant more punishment, and since Karin had started disobeying her Auntie, she continued down that path. She ran.

She ran all the way to her room, her fear willing her to go faster. She slammed the door once inside, and leaned against it with all her weight.

Her Auntie, of course, had followed and was now pounding on the door, screaming, "Karin! Open the damn door!"

Karin looked around her pitiful room to find anything to block the door with. To her dismay, nothing seemed big or heavy enough to do the trick. What Karin needed was a miracle.

…Or perhaps, a little magic.

She thought back to what Himeka had told her.

"Magic isn't logical. It's built off beliefs. It's something you have to believe in."

Karin closed her eyes and started to focus. Her beliefs all went to something, anything that would save her. Eventually, the pounding on the door had been drown out. She was floating in a tranquil sea of clouds, so it felt, rather than leaning against the hard, currently vibrating, wooden door.

Karin suddenly sensed another presence in the room. Her eyes fluttered open to reveal Himeka, standing in the middle of her room with a leather messenger bag.

"You called?" Himeka sang.

Karin sighed in relief, "Himeka-san! I'm so relieved!"

Himeka giggled and responded, "You can back away from the door now. I put a magical lock on it."

Karin hesitantly backed away, but felt better when the door still didn't cave with all the incessant pounding and twisting of the knob.

Himeka looked at Karin expectantly, as if waiting. Karin caught on, realizing instantly.

"I've made my decision." It was a confident statement, not hesitant or unsure, not meek or wobbly.

Himeka smiled, "And?"

Karin allowed herself a small smile, already thinking about the journey in front of her, "I'll go."

Himeka's smile widened as she clasped her hands in joy, "That's the spirit!" And with that, she reached into the messenger bag she'd brought and took out a creamy baby blue fabric.

"Snow, of course, is very cold, so you should put this on," Himeka offered.

Karin quickly changed into the ensemble; a long sleeved mini dress that was baby blue except for the part that scooped down from the collar to just under the bust, which was white, and trimmed with white scalloped lace. The sleeves were also trimmed with white scalloped lace. There was a black sash that wrapped around the dress at about the hips, with a black bow on the side. The skirt of the dress reached mid-thigh, and puffed out a bit. The whole thing came with a matching blue shawl trimmed with fur and also came with black thigh-high stockings. Needless to say, Karin loved it.

"Ready?" Himeka asked.

Karin knew she was more than ready, and the outfit pumped her up even more. "Absolutely."

"Okay," Himeka hummed while rummaging through her bag, "Lastly, put this on,"

It was the ring, Karin's ring. It was still shining in all its glory. Karin grabbed it and put it on. There was a giant burst of light before the ring dulled a bit, and the bauble turned pink.

"Now we're all set. Anything you need to do before we go?" Himeka asked.

Karin looked back at the door, which was still being hit by Auntie.

"The magic will wear off when we leave. Do you want to write a note or something?" Himeka offered.

"Sure," Karin said, and walked over to her school bag, taking out a piece of paper and a pencil. She then emptied the rest of her school bag, deciding to take it with her, and placed the note on her bed.

"You wrote that you're running away? Good choice," Himeka smiled, "Now are we ready?"

"Yes," Karin finalized.

"Alrighty~" Himeka sang as the room started to twist.

XXXX

There are probably as many meanings for happiness as there are hearts

But we have too much

So we lose sight of it

XXXX

I'm running out of lyrics DX

I'll figure something out…

Anyways…

Yay! Next time is the other dimension! Just to tell you though, Karin's not going to meet the prince (*cough cough Kazune cough cough*) immediately. Things are going to happen before she gets to the palace, and even then they won't like each other from the beginning. Basically, It'll take awhile before any romance happens (although there might be some slight KarinxJin and/or KarinxMichiru on the way), so don't hate me! Please?

School's back, summer's over, and so it might take longer to upload new chapters, especially since I'm starting high school (high school= more homework). I'll try my best, though, but I think I'll write more often, so it might actually get updated sooner than usual! MAYBE, though.

Thank you for all of the lovely reviews! I love reading them, they really encourage me!

Oh, and also, about Karin's outfit. I drew a picture of it (I love describing clothing, I actually hope to become a fashion designer!), and described what it looked like. I hope it's not too confusing. But if it is, I might do a poster of "Lost Butterfly" on Deviant Art, and Karin would be wearing that. If I ever get around to it, then I'll put a link in!

Thank you very much once again!