Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos nor any of its characters...

AmethystxX - Thanks for reviewing! =D Eh, a different writing style? XD I didn't even know. I just wrote as before... But, then again, it may be due to me listening to appropriate OSTs as of current while writing the fanfic so that it reflects the emotions of what I'm writing. Fluff will come! Soon... =]

konoha's biju king - Wah, explosive response ever! Please calm down~ Of course they'll be together, its their fanfic anyway. XD So no worries, soon to come... Soon to come... And please don't torture me. =.=

Flame - Thank you! I'll be twisting it even further, hehehe. Maths Test eh? I got a B-. Ok I guess. =.=

InfinityStream - I agree, amnesia rocks! Its just really... I don't want Char to be a very flat character, as in, sticking to that warm cute innocent personality all the time! So I decided to twist her personality for now, so that well, Ichika will love her for whoever she is! =D And no... =.= I am not going to make him search for her memories. Then there'd be like, a million chapters~

As I have said before, I'm searching for a supporting character for this story. Basically, the story revolves mainly around Charlotte and Ichika. But, I'm thinking of adding another character to be further exposed in the story... Houki, Cecilia, Rin or Laura! But, of course, I intend to have reviewers get a part in the formation of this fanfic, so I want you guys, yes, YOU, to tell me who you would want to get more parts in the story. Please place your choice in your reviews! Thank you!

PLEASE VOTE PEOPLE! XD VOTES ARE COMING INTO EFFECT!

CHARACTERS (OC):

Genevieve Dunois[ISPN800] - Charlotte's step sister (different mums but same dad)

Bridgette Leroy[ISPN001] - Best IS pilot under Dunois Corporation (acquaintance to Charlotte - not gonna reveal it now!)

Francois Bleu - Charlotte's birth mother

Ryuuzaki Arashi - Also known as Dr. Arashi, responsible for all experiments boosting the IS capabilities of Charlotte Dunois

Author's Rant:

p.s: PREVIOUS REVIEWERS' REPLIES UPDATED IN CHAPTER 9~ XD

VOTES... houki(1) laura(2) rin(0) cecilia(0)

"Ichika!" I heard her calling my name deep in the depths of my mind, the crisp and clear image of her innocent yet beautiful face brightening up the dark shadows of my thoughts.

That image of her shattered into many tiny little pieces as I looked at the 'Charlotte' in front of me. Ma...Maybe... Maybe I'm just dreaming? Obsessed with wanting her to wake up to the point that everything swirls into my wild imagination. I tilted my head to the side, observing her face closely, hand hanging in mid-air from her rough actions earlier. Then, I smiled.

This is definitely a dream. C'mon, look at the hateful expression on her face. That's not Char... I know that's not her. I close my eyes, sighing softly. Get it together brain, open your eyes to reali...

A tight slap reels me to the side. I open my eyes, frowning at the throbbing jolts of electricity on my cheek.

"Who are you?" her voice was hoarse, as if speaking was painful for her.

With eyes widened, she glared at me with full-on disgust. So... no,wait. I shook my head dimly. No, wait, that's not... that's not her. You're kidding right? That's not!

I placed a hand on my reddening cheek. It hurt.

This wasn't a dream.

This isn't supposed to happen... She's supposed to wake up. She's supposed to wake up now. Something snapped in my mind.

"Charlotte, wake up, wake up, WAKE UP!" I threw my hands on her shoulder, shaking her wildly while she gasped in pain and surprise.

"What are..."

"This isn't you! CHAR!"

"You bastar... Ahh! Sto..."

"Charlo..."

"I SAID STOP."

A long metal claw pushed me harshly towards the metal doors leading to the room. I cringed at the pain driving through my head, hands clasping desperately on the dull orange metal fingers clutching my neck. Perspiration wetted my forehead with each struggle. The same fiery glare stared deeply into my eyes. I nervously glanced at the metal arm that extended from her left shoulder.

"I've had enough of this bullshit. I'm leaving." Finally, letting go of her grip around my throat, she pulled back, ignoring the blood that tainted her plain long white dress. Like her once innocent self... tainted with hatred.

When she let go, I fell onto the cold tiled floor, hands hanging on my sides in defeat. This isn't... real. This can't be. What just...?

"Where are you going?"

She stopped on her tracks, luring her gaze at me, violet orbs flashing wildly... a murderous look. One that could kill...

"To hell."

"Oh," I verbalised, mind still whirling, head numb with questions.

I listened to her footsteps becoming softer and softer. Then, a loud thud.

Instinctually, my legs lifted me off the floor, running out of the room to find out what made that sound. Five figures stared at me, another lying limp on the floor. All of us stared for a moment at the motionless figure. I was the first to move.

"Char!" I ran quicker, approaching her in a rush as I pulled her paling self in my arms.

For a moment, it felt as if time froze. She fitted perfectly in my arms, her tiny and petite body leaning against mine. Her head cradled on my chest. Her face, serene and peaceful. For a moment, it felt as if time froze... and the little innocent Charlotte I knew was back again in my needy arms. Forever protected in these needy arms.

"What happened?" the silent wall I built around me crashed as my older sister and teacher sliced through, realising the shards of glass and blood on her legs.

"She fell on the floor... broke a vase... ran out," I mumbled, eyes never leaving the girl atop my chest.

Once they realised my listless face and tired expression, they asked me too carry her back in the room, obviously knowing that I didn't want to let her go from my arms. And I did so, brushing her strands of blonde hair off her angelic face... a habit I built up after this one week of waiting.

A habit bound to continue as I continue waiting once more.

Nurses and doctors came in, tending to her wounds, while I sat on the chair I had warmed for the past week, staring as they did their work, ignoring me. Just as quickly as they came in. they left. Hours past. The door opened again to reveal the same five figures, worriedly looking over me.

"Ichika, we're gonna get dinner... you..."

"No,"

"Ichika-san, its night already. You haven't eaten... Are you..."

"No,"

"Ichika, go ea..."

"I said NO."

They left the room, dejected, each fading footstep revealing how disappointed they were on me. At least, I thought they had all left... Apparently, one stayed.

"She would not be happy seeing you like this..."

"Leave, Laura,"

"We heard a lot of noise. Charlotte... she needs time."

"I know..."

"She needs you," a loud sigh escaped her lips, tired.

"Laura..." Finally, I looked up at the short girl standing beside me, her cheeks flaring as she noticed.

I stood up from the chair, my height ascending over her. With a faint smile, I placed a hand on her stiff shoulder.

"Thank you Laura... And sorry. I'm just tired... lately," I muttered apologetically.

"Well, Ichika," she tore through the awkward silence, pushing my hand away as she turned to face me straight in the eye, cheeks still rouge in colour, "You are my wife. So I trust you to take care of yourself. AND her. The bond between the two of you is strong."

At this, she stared downcast at the floor, voice faltering, "So you have to be there for her... Do it for us, and if not for us, for her. Care for her, as she does for you... And lo..."

"Lo?"

"Lo..."

"Lo...?" I leant forward a bit, leaning closer towards her.

The silver-haired girl lifted her head a bit, face just a few inches from mine. I realised the wetness in her eyes.

"Nothing!" she snapped, shooting out of the room in a frenzy.

A/N: Listened to 'Town, Flow of Time, People'... an OST of an anime Clannad while writing this... I recommend you do too.

I pad my eyes with the back of my palm. I wonder... why there's drips of water down my cheeks. I wonder when this much emotions overwhelmed me. Just like that time...

"I...chi...ka..." I whispered his name, only for my ears.

Numbing pain surged through my body. But I didn't weep or cry. This pain was normal. A person of my authority wouldn't cry over something this pointless. A soldier fights, and fears not of death nor pain.

My eyes strained to open, but as painful as it felt, I opened them, seeing bright light seep through one eye whereas the other remained hidden within my eyepatch.

"Ichika?" I called out for him, though by the looks of it, it was pretty obvious he wasn't there with me.

I want to see him, a voice screamed inside my head, I want to see Ichika.

I touched the back of my head, where the pain resided. It hurt a lot more than I thought. I sighed aloud. Looking to my left and right, I saw the China and England representatives lying asleep on the beds next to mine, eyes closed in perfect slumber. Unknowingly, my hand lifted towards the air, my thoughts still in a daze, seeking for his warmth, seeking for his embrace.

"Ichika..." his name continued to roll off my tongue, coaxing me to search for him.

I could feel my cheeks flush red as I shook these thoughts from my brain. What am I doing? Thinking of a... I stared at the ceiling hesitantly, grabbing the pillow on my left. Hugging it tightly in my arms, I breathed in the scent of the soft cushion surrounding my fingers. Imagining it to be his scent, I pulled it towards me even closer, closing my tired eyes.

"Ichika, where are you?"

Loud noises reverberated around the room from outside, the sound of things falling, someone running, and a voice... answering my question.

"Ichika, wait, where are you going...!"

Ichika! I opened my eyes alertly, jumping off my bed. Striding calmly towards the corridors, I awaited to see his taller figure in front of me, for me to touch and for me to embrace. I turned my head to the right, sensing his movement. Slowly, and stealthily, I walked towards the room he ran into, suddenly shy for no apparent reason. As I moved closer I could hear voices. No, a voice... His voice. I exhaled deeply, smiling wide.

"Ichi..."

I took a step into the room, seeing him lean towards the bed, blocked by his broad shoulders.

"I love you Charlotte Dunois..."

Every cell in my body froze in its spot. My blood ran cold. What did he just...

A single teardrop flowed down my cheek. I gasped, silently retreating, as the ground shook and collapsed beneath me. I turned my back to face him, away from his sight, behind the door. With two hands clasping my trembling lips, I stared at the white wall in front of me. Everything was in a swirl.

He said he loves her, a voice in my head uttered, What are you going to do?

I don't wanna do... anything. I don't... I just... I mean, she's my friend... And he's...

A silent whimper of protest accidentally escaped from the corner of my lips. I inhaled fast, afraid he could hear it. More tears coursed down my pale cheeks, my eyes widened in shock... No, surprise? I didn't know.

A sharp electrocuting pain jolted from my chest. I placed a palm over it... over my heart where the pain was from. Struggling to breathe, yet afraid to make him realise my presence, I walked slowly back to my room, feet dragging on the floor as I controlled every fibre of my being to calm down.

This isn't like you Laura... What is this... pain? You have got to stop... Convincing myself only made it worse as more whimpers escaped.

I didn't make it to my room.

My legs gave in to the weight, knees buckled as I collapsed in kneeling position on the floor. Both hands planted on the floor, I stared at them. These hands which so badly wanted to embrace you... to love you... And yet...

Droplets of tears flew to my fingers, seeping into the tiny holes between them onto the floor.

What are you going to do Laura? Are you really going to just give up on him?

That voice... again.

No! I protested in my mind, in my internal conversation. I won't just... give up like that.

But you heard him, did you not?

I did, but...

He...

No, don't say it!

Loves...

Shut up, shut up.

Charlotte...

NO, NO!

Dunois...

SHUT UP!

I gave in to the thickening feeling in my heart... A soldier fights, and fears not of death or pain. But, right now, I don't care anymore. It hurt so bad to realise that...

You love someone else.

I cried like a little baby. I cried like no before. I cried because it hurt more than death... more than anything. It hurt because I loved him so, so much. I loved him so very much...

"Uwahhhhhaaaah!" I buried my face into my cold palms, indulging in the darkness, in the hurt, in the pain, in the sorrow, in the despair.

In the loneliness...

Because I love you...

And you don't love me back...

Because you don't love me back.

The emotions were returning, like a tsunami wave, ready to eat me as its victim. I turned my heel to enter my room, towards the bed I didn't make it to the last time. Settling myself comfortably, I pulled the same pillow I did before and hugged it, once more, closely in my arms... and I wept.

"Laura..." I stood behind the door, eyes shifting away from the sight of the supposedly strong little girl cry.

I sighed, placing a hand on my throbbing forehead. Things were getting more complex than ever. Blocking out the sound of her soft crying, I leaned my entire body on the door, head facing towards the ceiling. What have you done, Ichika? I sighed once more. I can't always clean up after your mess. Lifting a hand to loosen the tight grip of the navy blue tie around my neck, I lifted my weight off the metal door. Its time to clean up his mess... again. My little brother's...

Really, that boy...

I realised my heels made a soft clicking noise against the floor as I walked. When did the academy turn this quiet? I lifted a hand to flick away the strand of hair on my cheek. My fingers accidentally slipped to my lips, the moist stickiness of my lipstick staining the digits slightly. An unclear image of a man and woman appeared in my mind.

Love, huh? My line of vision captured the sight of a tall teenage boy with deep blue hair similar to mine, leaning against the bed of the ward. I could see a flash of blonde hair, and his hands grasping onto her pale ones comfortingly.

Love...

I wondered if I would ever find it again ever since that incident.

Love is painful.

And, see? A good example of it was my younger brother mourning silently in that room. But, I had to say, I envied my brother for having the courage to love. If he was able to find love again ever since that incident, I wondered if I could too...

Nah... No hope.

Not for me.

"Chifuyu, stay here with Ichika. Take care of him, okay?"

"Yes, Mother."

"My sweet little girl, and my dear son... I'll always love you..."

I cringed at the sudden flashback. Not now, not now. I need to speak to Ichika now. There's no times for nostalgia. Steadily approaching the door, I lifted a hand to knock.

"Chifuyu... no, Orimura-sensei..." he greeted me warmly, a slight smile on his lips..

Trying to fake a smile... really, you...

"Ichika, Dunois is going in a month." I went straight to the point.

"I know."

"She's going to leave you."

"I know."

"You love her, do you not?"

At that particular moment, I stared as his cheeks flared up a shade of pink. Hesitating to reply, he breathed in and out several times.

"I do," after a moment of silence, he finally replied.

"And what are you going to do?" I sliced in with another question.

Seeing the obvious discomfort in his face, I closed my eyes, pretending not to see.

"I don't know..." he responded, sighing lethargically, "She... she doesn't even remember me."

I stared at him coldly.

"What?" I asked, a little too harsh for a boy affected as of then, but I needed to know so I pushed that away for now.

I listened intently as he filled me in with the details of her awakening. I observed as he sighed at certain parts of his informing and how he paused as if hard to continue at some points.

"What do I do, Chifuyu-nee?"

I realised his informality, but too distracted to bother, I thought hard of his question. What to do...

"Why is she so distant, suddenly?"

Known for her warm and friendly personality, even I found it difficult to see her as a hateful and grim person. Unless...

That time, when I went to France. When I saw her before she entered the academy.

When I saw those flaring violet eyes for the first time...

"I'm leaving... Bridgette." I had said, crying tears of pain due to having to separate.

"Do not talk to me."

"Bridg..." I replied in surprise at her harsh response.

"You... who do not deserve to represent France as I do... Just because you are the president's daughter. DID YOU NOT KNOW HOW MUCH I PERSEVERED JUST TO GET THIS POSITION WHICH YOU STOLE FROM ME?"

I want to see you again. I want to see you and apologise. I need to leave this place...

And see you.

I will love you guys A LOT if you guys review. So please do~ Love you guys! Thanks for reading!