Shu-chan: Fanfic is getting longer! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!
Amu: (Sweatdrops) How comes when you're typing, you're so serious… yet when you're not, you're…
Ikuto: …an idiot? A brat? A…
Shu-chan: (Flames and dark aura) Come. Here. Now.
Ikuto: (Hugs Amu) No way.
Shu-chan: (Produces meat cleaver) Or shall I resort to force…? (Smiles)
Ikuto: (Jumps down) What do you want?
Shu-chan: Put this on, Ikuto-chan! (Hands box to Ikuto)
Ikuto: WHAT! (Shu-chan waves meat cleaver) … I hate you.
Shu-chan: I don't particularly like you either, Ikuto-chan. (Ikuto walks out of room, and puts on 'that thing'.)
Amu: What did you make him wear?
Shu-chan: (Whistling innocently) Who knows?… find out in Chapter 8!
Utau + Amu: ShugoChara16 does not own Shugo Chara! Tell us!!
Shu-chan: Or else I would make Ikuto wear 'that thing' all day. 'That thing' is… (whispers to Amu and Utau. Everyone in Shugo Chara, except Ikuto, eavesdrops.)
Amu + Utau: … Oh. My. God.
Shu-chan: Who wants a copy of the photo? (Picks up camera)
Everyone in Shugo Chara minus Ikuto: I do.
Shu-chan: I don't own the Alice in Wonderland, either. (You'll see…)
Chapter 7: Dreamer
'The egg!' Ari leapt after the trapped egg, with Kisa on her tail in case anything went wrong. The egg spun around, and flew straight up. Ari followed, Kira's encouragement echoing out of the Lock of Stars. Kisa looked up, watching her friend zoom after the escaping egg.
'Fight, Ari-chi, fight!'
'Butterfly Rod!' The pink butterfly stick appeared in Ari's hands and, spinning around, she threw it at the egg. It wrapped the egg up and literally trapped the egg. She shaped her fingers into a heart shape. 'Ultimate Heart! Lock on…' Pink light burst out of the Lock of Stars, which was turning into all different colours, and towards the trapped egg. 'Purify!!' The trapped egg was cleansed and it drifted off peacefully in the afternoon skies. Ari returned to her normal clothes, a black denim jacket over a stripy black and pink t-shirt, a black skirt trimmed in silver decorated with purple skulls, silver and black leggings and chunky black and red converses with silver laces. Her hair had mini plaits on either sides of her head, put in winged clips as usual. She had skull sweatbands on. Kira flew happily back to Teru and Beri, who were applauding her. Ari joined Kisa, Nadeshiko, Tadase and Kukai, and together they watched the egg as it soared away.
'It's so beautiful.' Murmured Ari, gazing at the speck that was the purified egg. Suddenly, there was a loud grumble. Ari turned around to see Kisa-chan rubbing her stomach.
'Hey! Let's get something to eat! I'm so hungry!' Ari checked her purse. There was enough money for her to treat Kisa and everyone.
'Sure! Let's go to a fast food place and eat. My treat!' Ari added to her friends, and together they all walked off.
'Umm… and this, and maybe ice cream later! Is that OK with everyone?' Asked Ari. Kukai leaned back in his chair.
'Yeah. That's fine. Maybe we could have this too?' Ari checked the price of the coke and nodded.
'Yeah. That's fine.' She counted out the amount of money they needed and passed them to Tadase. 'Goumen. I need to use the restroom. Could you please order, Tadase-kun?' Tadase smiled at Ari.
'Sure, Suzuyomi-san.' Ari went pink. Tadase was so princely…
'Hurry!' Squealed Beri as she, Kira and Teru sat down on the table with the other spirits, who were watching Chiisa breathing fire.
'OK!' Agreed Ari, as she walked off.
'Aah! That's better!' Ari stretched herself and walked out of the ladies'. At once, she caught sight of the unknown teenager. What was she doing here? Then, Ari saw what she was wearing, and her blood ran cold. The teenager was wearing a bunny costume! She had two fluffy white rabbit ears and a tail. In her paws she held a silver and blue pocket watch! She had on an orange and red waistcoat, a white shirt and a silky white skirt. On her feet were chunky white boots.
'Must go! So late!' Suddenly, Ari had an idea. If she followed that girl, she could sneak into Shadow's headquarters and find out their plans! She stepped out into the road. No one seemed to have noticed a teenager hopping through the crowds and, at last, to a large building construction hole! The bunny teen jumped into it and vanished. Ari peeped in and, strangely, the girl was nowhere to be seen! Ari prepared to jump down. Maybe there was a tunnel there, waiting for Ari. She jumped.
It was long and dark, the tunnel. Ari seemed to fall forever as she whizzed downwards. Surely this hole isn't this deep; I saw the bottom of it before…? Ari wondered vaguely as she began to see light again.
THWACK. Ari fell down onto a patch of grass. Grass? She was outside? The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, with a gigantic rippling MAP in the sky and the sun was shining. Next to it was… the moon? What the heck?! How could that be? Ari spun around. The trees had stars growing in it. The river was sparkling and was a deep purple shade, with flying fishes in it, embellished with little flapping fairy wings! The fishes were flapping around on the water surface, quacking merrily. Even the flowers were made of blue boiled sweets. Suddenly, out of the corner of Ari's eye, she spotted the demented rabbit girl heading along the loopy orange road. Ari turned and gave chase. The rabbit seemed to be running very quickly. Ari increased her speed. She ran and ran. Eventually, she stopped for breath. She looked up once more to see the sky… but it had vanished. Instead, she was looking at… the grass. She was upside down! Ari's feet were glued to the looping orange path and Ari could actually touch the candyfloss clouds! Ari took a deep breath and dashed forwards until she was on flat road once more. In front of her was… the Royal Gardens?! What was this? Ari dashed in.
Kukai and Nadeshiko were sitting around the table! Kukai was wearing a tall green hat, with a card with the number 60 on it tucked in the rim, a green waistcoat and a dark green top and trousers. Nadeshiko, who usually wore graceful silky tops was wearing a grey RAT suit, complete with huge round rat ears and a long tail. She was fast asleep. Kukai was drinking tea from an elaborate teacup and Nadeshiko woke up every few minutes to nibble some chocolate cake.
'Nadeshiko-chan! Kukai! I thought you were back at the café!' Exclaimed Ari with shock, horror and fright (mostly at Nadeshiko's rat costume and Kukai's huge hat). The pair looked at Ari, their faces bemused and surprised.
'A new guest! You must not know who I am!' Kukai laughed and took of his hat in a flourish, bowing. 'I am the Mad Hatter, but then again maybe I am not. This is my charming companion, the Dormouse.' Kukai seemed to be speaking oddly. Like in riddles. 'I saw some fruit today, walking in groups.' Nadeshiko woke up.
'I suppose those pears were out on a walk again.' She turned to Ari.
'Tell me, my dear, how do you make a cake?' Ari stared. Since when had Nadeshiko called Ari 'my dear'? And Nadeshiko KNEW how to make a cake. But whatever. These people weren't Nadeshiko or Kukai. Maybe they could help Ari find the rabbit teenager. She should play along with them until she could ask them.
'Well… you get flour-'
'From the garden? A rose? A sakura? Be more specific, my child.' Cut in Nadeshiko impatiently. Ari felt irritated.
'Not that kind of flower, I mean the powdery type you use for cooking!' She explained. Kukai frowned.
'Never mind. Do you require something?' Kukai asked. Ari tried not to lose her temper.
'I'm looking for a girl, about 14? Rabbit ears and tail?' Nadeshiko pointed to the entrance Ari had come in.
'Go that way. And take this with you.' She smiled, and Ari found a basket on her arm, full of apples.
'Hmm…' Ari walked unwillingly, but briskly, to the door as she felt the need to escape from these odd people.
'Good luck, Ari-chan.' Murmured Nadeshiko. Kukai nodded in agreement.
To Ari's surprise, instead of the loopy orange path, there was a long, field. Several butterflies flapped past. Ari could smell the freshly baked bread from its wings. She turned back to talk to Kukai and Nadeshiko. They were gone. Ari took a deep breath and continued her way through the field.
Ari sat down, slumped by a tree. There had been no sight of the rabbit and she was exhausted. She noticed a twinkly star hanging on a branch, and plucked it off. It shimmered brightly and she seemed to acknowledge that she had to eat it. She bit a little piece off and tasted it. It was sweet and fruity. Ravenous, Ari ate it all and rubbed her eyes. A little bird hopped up to her. Its furry tummy was a mirror. Ari caught sight of herself in the mirror and went still. She was a little kid! She scrambled about, panicking and wondering what to do. Suddenly, she heard a little rustle and froze. She couldn't predict what she would face in this odd world, so she felt even more terrified that before. Ari curled up, the basket of apples spilling out onto the sunny grass. Suddenly, a someone jumped out of the tree and in front of mini-Ari.
'Hey.'
'UWAAAAH!!' Screamed Ari and banged her head onto a low hanging branch. She rolled around and howled in pain. She stopped when she saw someone was watching her. Ikuto! He was wearing a striped black and grey shirt and black trousers. He even had charcoal black paws on his hands and feet. His tail and ears, which were midnight blue, swirled about playfully. He leapt towards Ari and smiled.
'Ikuto?!' Ari squeaked. Ikuto gave Ari a cat like grin and licked is lips slowly.
'I am the Cheshire cat.' A cat, huh? No surprise then… but whatever. She needed to get back to normal.
'Eto… do you think you can help…? I… uh… turned into a child by eating a star…' She pointed at the tree. Ikuto, or the Cheshire cat, smirked.
'I wonder how much cuter you are when you return to normal.' He pointed to an apple. 'Eat that.' Ari crawled across and picked one up. It was smooth, shiny and round. She bit it gingerly, chewed it and swallowed. To her surprise, it tasted of ice cream. I could get used to this. Thought Ari deliriously. Then, POOF! Ari was sprawled on the grass, back to her 12 year old body and glad to be able to walk again. Ikuto smirked even more. He blew down her neck and disappeared. Ari grabbed her neck and glared at the spot where he had been.
'Baka…' Suddenly, Ari felt a tingly in her hands and feet. She was fading away! Oh no! What was she going to do?!
Shing! Ari appeared again, and slumped to the floor, absolutely worn out. In front of her was a gigantic mushroom. One half of it was covered in white spots and was blue. The other half was black with silver stars on. Sitting on it was… Kisa! Ari stared. She was wearing a long shiny green dress with pointy red shoes and green tights. She even had long green antennas and dark green sleeves and matching gloves.
'Welcome, young traveller. I am the caterpillar of the mushroom. Feel free to pick a bit of my mushroom. One side grants a wish and one side does anything!' Ari thanked Kisa and picked out a slice of the black and silver mushroom., and one slice of the blue and white side. She bit into the blue and white one, and a breeze appeared behind her. It was Sky High Butterfly! Ari flew upwards, and spotted a large palace in the far distance. Quickly, she made her way towards it. This was becoming a warped version of a fairytale…
As she approached it, she saw… Tadase?! He was dressed in Kingly clothes, and had a large gold crown on with little red hearts on the bottom and some on his robes.
'Intruder!! Solider, see to this peasant!' REINA dashed out, kitted in silver and sent an huge ball of silver light towards Ari. It caught her and Reina and Tadase began to pull down the beam of light. Hurriedly, Ari reached into her pocket and drew out the other piece of mushroom. She ate it quickly, wishing with all her might for everything to return to normal. She began to disappear. Ari was only a few meters to the ground, where a huge sword was waiting. At last, Ari vanished.
'Wha-?!' Ari's eyes flew open. She was standing in the ladies' in the little café. Looking around, she washed her hands and dashed out. She could see Tadase, Kukai, Kisa, Nadeshiko, Kira, Teru and Beri with the other spirits sitting at the table, with the food all ready.
'Goumen… was I too long?' Ari asked, as she sat down next to Nadeshiko.
'Itadakimasu! Nope. You were only there for a few minutes.' Kisa answered, sipping coke through a straw. 'Why?' Ari grinned.
'I had this really weird dream…' Ari went on to explain everything (apart from Ikuto) to her friends. When she had finished, Kukai laughed.
'Suzuyomi… you are one HECK of a dreamer!!' Everyone laughed and carried on with their meal.
What was that dream all about?! It was so weird, but it was fun too… I'll stick to normal dreams though…
Shu-chan: Translations:
Eto… Like how we say 'eh…'.
Itadakimasu! Thank you for the meal. People say it before eating their meal.
Please review! Thanks!
