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We apologize if this chapter is really short, everyone. The next chapter will be much longer, we promise. Anyway, enjoy everyone! :)

Chapter Ten

An Unexpected, Unwanted Guest

Guardian was talking with some of the guests a little bit on one side of the dance floor, occasionally watching her friends dance. She smiled as Yami danced with Kurogane; Bekah-chan danced with Kyoya; and Fallin danced with Fai. Plus it warmed her heart to see Fai enjoying himself this evening.

Then something caught her eye from across the dance floor beyond the dancers. She turned to look at what it was before her chocolate eyes widened fearfully. He was wearing a black suit, as black as night, with a white button up, and a black cravat with a small pearl pin. His black hair was neatly combed and his black blue eyes flashed at Guardian with a sickening sense of humor that frightened her terribly.

Lucas.

What is he doing here? I told him to stay away from me and he'll have Kurogane to answer to if he dares to do anything, Guardian thought as Lucas strutted over to her, arrogance apparent in his stride, a smirk upon his face. The light alchemist groaned, but decided to try to be polite anyway even though she knew she wouldn't be able to keep the venom out of her voice.

"Hello, Guardian," Lucas said when he approached her with a small bow. He reached out for her hand and kissed it. Guardian quickly drew her hand back and wiped it on the skirt of her dress in disgust. Lucas disregarded her reaction with a smirk and continued, "You look lovely tonight."

"What are you doing here?" Guardian asked him, her resentment apparent in her voice and her chocolate eyes were flashing in anger.

"Why…I wanted to spend the evening with you, of course, my Belle," he replied, pretending to be hurt. Guardian stiffened at the pet name he gave her, her brown eyes narrowing at him. "All I wanted to ask is for one dance with you and that's all."

"I know your type, Lucas, and I'm not going to be fooled by someone as arrogant and pompous as you," Guardian snapped before she walked off towards the back of the room away from him. But Lucas only smirked and followed Guardian. Once he reached her, Lucas cut her off and said, "I'm not like that anymore, Guardian. Plus I need to show you something in that room." He pointed to the door next to him leading to one of the main practice rooms. "It is about the case of who has Sakura's feather."

Guardian was skeptical, but she knew that if she needed to, Guardian would just leave Lucas and find one of the Hosts, Syaoran, Fai, or Kurogane. Plus she knew that this might be a trap and to stay on her toes around Lucas. Plus if her hypothesis was correct, this would be her chance to confirm it. "All right. What's in there?"

Lucas smiled and said, "I'll show you. Come with me."

They entered the room and Guardian heard Lucas close the door behind them. She made a mental note of where the doors were just in case she needed to escape and looked around the room. It was completely empty except for a CD/Tape player plugged into one wall and a few instruments piled in one corner.

"Well, what is it you wanted to show me, Lucas?" Lucas said nothing, simply pulled her to him so that their noses were touching. Her eyes went wide at their current position and she was starting to get really scared. "You know, Guardian, I think you're really pretty," Lucas whispered to her, leaning in for a kiss. Guardian struggled in his grasp, turning her head away as he got closer. She wasn't about to give her first kiss to this conceited jerk.

"Get off me!" Guardian shoved him off of her, stunning Lucas and making him back away a few paces. She fled to the door, but Lucas just pulled the little Light Alchemist back, holding onto one of her arms. "Now, now. You won't get away that easily," he purred in her ear. Guardian narrowed her eyes and felt for her pendant, eyes widening at the realization that she had left it in the Ranger room earlier when they were getting dressed. How would she get help from the others now? Then she made a quick decision to save herself from Lucas.

She sucked in a deep breath and screamed at the top of her lungs, but it was lost over the beats of the music outside the door. Lucas clapped a hand over her mouth and Guardian struggled against him, trying to get away and back to her friends. "You're not getting away this time, little Light Pipsqueak," he snarled. Guardian's eyes widened and that gave Lucas just enough time to flip her around and pin her against the wall, wrapping one hand around her neck.

xXx

Out on the dance floor, Fai and Fallin were dancing when Fai stopped suddenly and stood still. "Fai?" Fallin asked quietly, placing a hand on his arm. The magician stood like that for a few moments before his blue eyes widened. Then Fai grabbed Fallin's hand and they ran to the back of the room, dodging people left and right. Fai stood at the door of the practice room, listening quietly. Then he took the handle and flung it open, revealing Lucas pinning Guardian against the wall with one hand around her throat. He was choking her.

Fai snarled and flew over to Lucas, knocking him aside and wrapping Guardian in his arms. The little alchemist coughed as the air rushed back into her lungs and panted. She held onto Fai and the mage could feel her tremble in his arms. Fallin whipped her gun out from under her dress and aimed it at Lucas.

"Heh. We know you have the feather, now hand it over, Lucas. Or should I say…Envy," she said staring into the eyes rimmed with red.

Cliffhanger! :) What will happen next? Is Lucas really Envy? And what does he want with Guardian? Tune in for the next chapter! ^^