My list of excuses are down below. I don't want to keep you up here for too long, so, enjoy!

I don't own Shugo Chara!

Ikuto yawned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he got out of his fluffy bed.

"Did you not sleep or something?" Kukai asked, bouncing up and down on his toes. "It begins today, you know."

Ikuto shrugged noncommittally, ignoring Kukai, who was uneasily shifting from side to side.

"Are you okay? I mean, we-"

"I'm fine," Ikuto said, cutting him off. It had come out a lot rougher than he had meant for it to. Kukai rolled his eyes jokingly and clapped Ikuto on the back before sauntering out of the room to find Utau.

Ikuto lumbered around in the room for a while before making his way into the bathroom. He stripped himself quickly, enjoying the cold air meeting his skin before stepping into the shower. The water was lukewarm; it was the most comfortable for him. After he had finally managed to wake up, he had something small to eat and wore his armor.

By the time Ikuto had finished, the soldiers were already lining up outside in the courtyard. Kukai met him at the Grand Doors, his mousy brown hair ruffled by the wind. He had obviously been doing something suspicious.

Ikuto arched a thin eyebrow but said nothing. Kukai sent him a small smile before they headed into the crowd.

Of course, being the Crown Prince had it's perks.

The soldiers immediately parted, bowing respectively as he passed. Kukai followed behind him, looking at the ground awkwardly. Once he reached the front, the soldiers assumed their position again and began to stretch as instructed. Ikuto's father was already there, talking to a man with graying hair and a long scar across his right eye.

"Ah. You're here," he said, nodding once as he looked up.

"What would you like me to do?"

"I have nothing specific, but you can prepare yourself however you'd like. Although I'd like to believe you are both physically and mentally prepared."

"I am."

"Good." _ turned back to the strategist and began motioning at the air with his hands. Ikuto sighed and turned to Kukai.

"You ready, man?"

"Y-yeah." Kukai tried to smile but failed miserably; his lips were wobbling and his face looked like it had been punched.

"Honestly." Kukai sighed.

"No. I'm scared." Ikuto smiled slightly, his eyes crinkling,

"It's gonna be okay. Beside, if we fight in pairs it'll be easier. Just stick near me."

Kukai let a small grin grace his wide features and he let out a shaky sigh.

"Thanks. I don't know what I would do without you." Ikuto opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a horn.

"READY!" The soldiers slammed their feet to the ground and straightened their backs.

"Today! We will go to war. We will show those fiery brats who we are! No one messes with the Water Country!"

A deafening cry rose from the soldiers and they stamped their feet in agreement.

"MARCH!"

The people began to walk stiffly, their hips jutting out and arms raised. Ikuto could feel the excitement in the air, but he could feel the underlying fear.

Ikuto walked languidly; he would win whoever he fought.

He glanced at the sun and exhaled slowly-it was going to be a long day.

Amu's gaze flitted around the room nervously. She was already clad in her heavy burgundy armor and was waiting for Rima and Nagihiko.

She was, needless to say, afraid.

Amu had heard that the Ice Prince was, as the title said, an Ice Prince. He was cold and showed no sign of remorse as he killed. She shuddered faintly at the thought; she would never want to come across him.

As she shuffled from side to side, Rima came out, looking oddly gorgeous in her rust colored armor. Her long mustard colored hair was tied, nestled against the nape of her neck. Soon after, Nagihiko followed, clearing his throat awkwardly. He, too, was looking dashing in his armor and like Rima, had his hair neatly pushed out of his face with a hair tie.

"Well?" Rima asked, her hip jutting out slightly.

"You guys look really good. Like really." Rima raised an eyebrow but smiled gently. "Meanwhile, here I am in my clunky stupid armor that makes me look a lot wider than I actually am." Rima snorted but patted her on the shoulder (or what seemed to be her shoulder) gently.

"It's okay. You look fine."

"Easy for you to say," Amu muttered but quickly spun on her heel, in case Rima had heard. "Let's go. Father will be waiting for us."

Indeed, she was right.

When they got out, it was a sight to see. They had been told by the maids to leave to the balcony, where the King would be waiting and they thought nothing much of it. Only that when they stepped out into the salmon colored balcony, they nearly balked at the numbers standing before them.

Below them were thousands of soldiers, standing straight, as stiff as a board. They all had crimson red armor so it was hard to tell who they were. They all stood even straighter when they caught sight of her and the King seemed to notice because he turned around slightly.

"Ah. You're here. Let's begin." And so he began, his deep voice rattling on about the war that was about to take place.

Amu restrained from hugging herself, the wind violently whipping around her. Thankfully, she had pulled on some warm, wool clothing under the armor. Rima and Nagihiko seemed to inch together closer, effectively keeping a portion of themselves warm. When the King wrapped up his speech, the crowd roared, stamping their feet, chanting his name.

"GO!" he shouted, wings sprouting out of his back instantaneously. He flew above the throngs of people and they all turned mechanically, marching after him. Their own wings were out, in case they had to fly.

Amu launched herself into the air and glided down effortlessly, catching up to her Father. When she reached the front, she slowed down, walking behind him with a few commanders. She felt a gust of wind as the other two followed suit and she marched on.

Amu blew into her hands as the frosty wind nipped at her skin. They were getting closer to the battle ground, she could already feel the other army's presence. She tensed slightly when she saw the formidable army approaching them. They seemed to be unaffected by the relentless wind and continued on. Soon, they stopped and her own Father stopped.

Amu scoped the army and found the Ice Prince quickly. His hair was the deepest of blues, her favorite color, midnight blue. His piercing eyes were so dark they were nearly violet and he smiled crookedly when they locked eyes.

Amu kept herself from tumbling backwards.

This? He was the Ice Prince?

She had been expecting someone different. Someone... else.

Amu quickly looked him over. He had a lean figure but it was obviously well built, she could tell from his visible forearms, and his legs were rather long, albeit skinny. As a matter of fact, he seemed to be quite tall, probably a whole head taller than her. When she met his eyes again, she saw him visibly look her up and down and she fought off a blush that threatened to color her cheeks.

What was she doing?

He was the enemy!

She tore her gaze away from him and chose to look at the hated Ice King instead. There he was, in his mighty glory, floating above the ground. He was clad in a similar style as the Prince and she could see the clear resemblance between them. The hair, the eyes, and the build. However, there was a long scar that ran from his chin to his neck that Amu could see.

Amu's blood ran cold when his cold gaze slowly traveled to her. His eyes were cold and unseeing and he glared at her, freezing her to the spot. His eyes held nothing but absolute contempt, and they felt like a deep vortex, threatening to suck her into a void of nothingness. She wanted to run, far, far away. Amu held herself firm, clutching her hands to keep them from shaking. She had trained for this day.

This was it.

"GO!"

Hello, hello! I'm sorry for the long pause. And I'm sorry to say that I might either discontinue or not add for a long time. I need to focus on my other story and school really has me bedraggled. I don't know, still hesitant on whether to delete or not. Besides, fantasy fics aren't really read in this fandom so... I don't know. But, as always, here's the new chapter!

Nekoz Rule: I love you? ;D Don't worry, I have a whole list of berries ready for you! And wow, if only you knew how this story was going (assuming I don't continue it) to go (:

16craftytigers: Thank you! Really, reviews like this is the only thing keeping me from deleting.

magicalbelievers: Thank you! (:

lilly200kol: Thank you, and still thinking about it... But I'll keep your plea (I sound sadistic now) in mind!(:

Seraphic and Lunatic: I'll see, and I'll try! Do you have any suggestions?(:

snowiewolf: Thanks!

M.W.T: Well, I'm very honored that you considered this story good as many wouldn't have. And a little scared, especially because of my pending decision.. xD

Storm Skyress: Yes, still deciding and you're entirely right. My reviewers are the only ones that are actually keeping me from deleting this for now!

animeLuv'Chuu: Thanks for reviewing, and we'll see (: