Chapter 7

Sadly, the rest of the day was not uneventful. Yaya convinced the group to bring her for ice cream and on the way they were met with another gaggle of X-eggs. With the help of the other guardians, Amu and Riley were able to purify all the X-eggs.

Afterwards, they finally got their ice creams. Well, most of them. Nagi and Rima got parfaits, sharing a special look. Noticing the time, Amu and Tadase said their goodbyes and left together. Rima, after getting a call from her mother, sighed and left, accepting Nagi's offer to walk her home. Riley gave him a huge grin and two thumbs up.

That left Yaya and Riley. Yaya was bouncing around on account of her sugar high, and Riley had a hard time wrangling her home. Sad thing was, though, that she was just so tired. Her rest the night before had not been ideal (she had slept on a park bench, after all) and she had character transformed twice in one day. So after finally arriving at Yaya's and politely refusing supper after introductions, Riley was on a spare cot in Yaya's room, ready to sleep.

"Yaya's glad you're here, Ri-tan," Yaya said sleepily.

Riley smiled ruefully. Though she was missing her mom, dad, and younger brother and sister, Hunter and Alli, Riley was glad to be there too. She voiced that feeling.

Yaya turned her head to look at Riley. "You have younger siblings, like Yaya?"

Riley nodded against her pillow, pushing her pink bangs out of her eyes. "They're twins. Hunter and Alli can be so annoying, but I love them."

"Yaya knows how you feel," she replied sagely, causing Riley to laugh. Yaya looked back up at her ceiling, hugging a stuffed animal to her chest. "Yaya thinks we'll be good friends.…"

Riley blinked back tears, clearing her throat. "I think so, too, Yaya." She was just scared of what would happen when she returned home.

On the other side of the room, the charas watched their bearers, smiling. Even Avery had a small smile, instead of a smirk.

Whatever happened, these days would be some of Riley's favorite memories.

Thankfully, the next couple of days went by quietly. Soon enough, it was Sunday and the guardians and Riley were discussing what they wanted to do on their day off.

They were all at the Royal Garden, since it was really the only place (besides Yaya's house) that Riley knew.

"Who's this," a cool voice asked.

Amu screeched, jumping back as her face turned red. Ikuto smirked and began playing with Amu's pink hair, ignoring Tadase's glare. "Hmm? You didn't answer me. Who's this?"

Teagyn and Avery flew over to Riley, perching on her shoulders as they watched the newcomer.

"Abel Riley," Amu began.

"Call me Riley," Riley put in.

"She's new around here- she's from, um…"

"America," Riley piped up, knowing at she could admit that. There were stars in her eyes as looked between Amu and Ikuto. Neither Tadase nor Ikuto were favorite characters (A/N: SORRY), but if forced to choose. Like, if she was held at gunpoint, or something? Definitely Amuto. Not that she didn't like Tadase. It was just their relationship seemed forced to her. Silently (inside her head), Riley did a little cheer for Tadase to find love.

Back in the real world (or rather, real Shugo Chara world), Amu's face was tomato red but she hadn't moved, letting Ikuto play with her hair. "I-Ikuto, y-you PERVERT!" she stuttered, still unmoving.

The pervert in question smirked. "And yet you haven't moved. Do you like my pervyness?" Only then did she Amu jerk out of his hold, still stuttering insults as he chuckled.

As this was going on, Yoru flew over to inspect Riley's guardian characters, getting first in Teagyn's face (who blushed), and then Avery's. Avery smiled. "Well, hellooo…" she purred at a now blushing Yoru.

"Hey!" Miki complained. Avery smirked at her.

"Stop causing trouble, Avery," Riley scolded. Avery just shrugged and went to play with Pepe, who she had declared her favorite, to the annoyance of her sister, Teagyn.

Teagyn in turn, went over to Miki to discuss whatever she was currently drawing. She whistled low as she looked Miki's drawing with kind eyes, piquing Riley's interest.

Kukai sighed, putting his feet up on the table. He had been filled in earlier in the week on the situation and had insisted on joining them for the outing so he could meet Riley. Now, he was just bored. "Yo, Ikuto. Where's your sister?"

Ikuto glared at him. "Why do you-"

"Present," Utau called, raising a hand in greeting.

"Who invited you two," Rima groaned.

Riley clapped a hand over her mouth, holding in her ever-present fan girl squeal. Hoshina Utau. So epic. Il and El immediately went off to do their own things (with Il, of course, bullying her sister).

Utau blinked, as though she had just realized Riley was there. "Who are you?"

Riley was about to reply when Avery flew in front of her face, looking scared. Her green eyes were wide. "Wha-"

"X-eggs. And a lot of them."

Explanation time! So, Avery likes Pepe best because she's a baby character, and what's more frightening than being a new mother (not that I know personally)? As a chara born from a fear of new things and wish to excel at them, its only natural she'd gravitate towards Pepe. And Miki was drawing Yoru ;D

This was originally two chapters… until I realized how ridiculously short they were. I don't know how I managed to do that and let myself get away with it…. Anyway, because I've ended up putting chapters together more than once, the total 20 chapters is now down to 18. Might change again. Which brings me to fillers. I don't really have any, because I have no idea how to make a chapter where absolutely nothing happens for the plot. And while I know some people don't like fillers, I was thinking about writing bonus chapters, just so everything doesn't happen so fast, that are completely optional- however, I don't know what to do for them. So please send in suggestions, if you want bonus chapters ^^

In addition, I want to apologize for the late-ish update! We were busy all last week in preparation of my step-sister's wedding (which was BEAUTIFUL, by the way) so I never got to the library. I'm sorry! But I have a new one-shot, "Nippon no Kekkonshiki" that I got inspired for because of it (although there isn't really any similarity between her wedding and Rima's).

Kk, time for reviews~ my first since chapter 3 TT^TT

Birdy1564: Thank you! TT^TT You've renewed at least some of my pride for this awful story :D