Hello and Goodbye everyone! This is the last chapter! Since this may be the last time I will be seeing some of you I've decided to make this chapter longer than usual.
So here is the time when I thank all of my lovely reviewers. Why? Because you deserve it!
SunRaysREdible- My first reviewer who I was very proud of when we met and I still am!
Ru Tsuna- Your eager and bright review really brightened up my day ^^
lilac79889- When I was on the edge of quitting you brought me back up again
hollie the hedgehog- My loyal fan and best friend
NightFlowerLuv- Your review was short and simple but it got to the point which is what I liked
Yoruko Rhapsodos- For taking part in an important dcision
Evidence Of Rain- Interesting and creative ideas, unfortunately I did not get to use your ideas but it shows you're a great writer!
Whether you guys gave up on this story a long time ago or you just had a mini fangirl moment because I mentioned you doesn't matter, all that matters is that you reviewed and I am grateful for it ^^
Yukiko's eyes slowly flickered open. She surveyed her room through half lidded eyes before she closed them again out of sheer sleepiness.
"Five more minutes..." She mumbled.
She snuggled back into her blanket. It was getting cold and today was the last day of term before the winter holidays. She contemplated getting out another layer from now on to warm herself but she just told herself 'Nah. I'll do it later' and of course she'd never follow this through, just like everything else.
However, today sleeping in was not an option so at this point two small chibi-like people picked up her blanket using a large amount of effort and pulling it off to rest on her feet.
At this point, her arms shot up to reach around herself and she began to try and warm up again. Her eyes switched open similar to the light that her Shugo Chara Sakura, who loved dancing, acting and singing, pirouetted over to and switched on with no fuss.
Yukiko shut her eyes tight and tried to fall back to sleep but her two Shugo Charas pulled her eyes open so she had no choice but to adjust to the light and wake up.
"Alright, alright I'm up." Yukiko sighed. "Geez you two really know how to wreck a good dream..."
"What was the dream about?" Sakura asked.
Yukiko paused to think and look up. She tilted her eyes slightly and squinted her eyes. After a few seconds she opened her eyes and let out a little laugh.
"Actually... I don't know..."
Her Shugo Charas laughed but Yukiko immediately sat up while wearing a serious face.
"Hang on a minute. Where's Misa?" She asked, searching about for her third missing Shugo Chara.
Sakura pointed below to the floor. Yukiko peered over to see the spotted cat bed that she was using as a bed for the cat but since cats never go in their designated sleep area, it was now a bed for the Shugo Charas.
And there Misa slept, muttering some anime and game references under her breath like a true Otaku. Like Yukiko, she was snuggled up underneath the patch of blanket that Yukiko had cut out for them.
"Remind you of someone?" Aneko sneered to Sakura.
"She was up all night gaming." Sakura smiled, then she turned to Yukiko. "You two?"
"Nah. I was reading..."
Then Yukiko stopped and leaned over to pick up something from her bedside table. She picked it up and studied the plain cover.
"Knowing you: Manga." Aneko purred.
"No it was probably a walkthrough or something." Sakura snickered.
"Actually... It's this." Yukiko showed them the book.
"The Heart's egg?" The two asked.
"Yeah. I need to return that to that guy today. Amu says he's The Chairman." Yukiko explained.
The three contemplated this for a second and then got back on task.
"Anyway. Let's get ready." Aneko meowed.
Yukiko nodded and Sakura flew down to shake Misa and gradually wake her up. Misa rolled over and opened her eyes slightly.
"Five more minutes..."
"Got everything?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah. But I'm bound to have forgotten something right? I'll just get one of you guys to fly back and grab what I've forgotten..."
Misa whacked her around the back of the head. "That's not what Shugo Charas are for!"
"Kidding!" Yukiko laughed as she rubbed her head.
"Okay now hurry up or you'll be late." Aneko warned.
"Huh? What are you saying? I won't be late..."
However, when she got to school...
"You're late." Ryu said bluntly.
"Huh? Wha- Why? How?" Yukiko stuttered.
"You're the last one here." Suki giggled.
"That doesn't mean she's late." Said a voice.
Everyone turned around to see Arashi, the King's chair. He walked in with his head low and eyes closed. As he walked he explained himself:
"Forgive me. It appears I'm the last one here, therefore I am late." Arashi explained.
Suki and Ryu turned to each other and shrugged their shoulders in unison.
"Suppose so. I forget to count Shi-kun since he never contributes..." Suki blushed.
"Wait Shi-kun? Is that what you call him now?" Ryu asked.
"Yeah because he's known for his death glares!" Suki grinned. (Note: Shi means "death" in Japanese)
Ryu and Suki laughed together and, at the end of the table, Amu giggled slightly. But she controlled herself quickly and scolded the Ace for her miscalculation.
"Anyway Suki you shouldn't be forgetting anyone. Let alone the King's chair." Amu told them.
"Wow Amu. Acting Cool 'n' Spicy for the kiddies, nice send off!" Ran gave her a thumbs-up.
Arashi sat down and folded his arms, still keeping his eyes closed as he leaned back casually on his chair.
"Whatever. Let's just do a Roll-call and make sure everyone's here." Arashi muttered.
"Mmm." Amu nodded. "King's chair!"
"Present." He muttered.
"Queen's chair." Amu called.
Yukiko hung her head low, realising the Queen was a traitor. A fake. They'd never see her again. She always was very silent and distant so it wasn't much of a big deal right? Wrong. They were down a member so now they had to work as hard as possible. They would have to-
"Here." Called a voice.
Yukiko suddenly looked up and at the source of the voice. "Wait what?"
She saw a person clothed fully in black and only their blue eyes were showing.
"Who are you?" Yukiko asked.
"Don't you remember Yukiko?" Amu asked.
-Flashback-
But then the beam stopped in its tracks as a new figure jumped forth to deflect it. The figure was fully clothed in black and was deflecting the attack by pushing their hands forward. Then with a final push the attack blew right back at Sayashi, knocking her to the floor.
"Who are you?" Suki asked.
"Now is not the time. There's an opening and we only have one chance." The voice was muffled yet slightly deep, indicating a voice belonging to that of a male.
-End of Flashback-
"Oh know I remember!" Yukiko gasped. "But... If you're the Queen's chair then why are you a boy?"
"I am the real Queen's chair but due to some family issues I could not stand up to my post. Sayashi then took my place as the Queen, it was probably her who caused the problems within my family. I'm Kunie Ishi, at first glance I'm a boy but..."
Then Kunie stood up and removed her hood to reveal a small petite mouth, red markings upon her face, pretty short red hair and a slight cutesy blush about her face.
"That's just a disguise I wear to protect the honour of my family. I'm really a girl." She explained.
The Guardians were astounded, especially Amu who shared the shock of her fellow Shugo Charas except for Miki, who closed her eyes and nodded in understanding.
"So..." Amu continued. "Jack's chair."
"Here and su-"
"Don't." Said Miki.
"Ace's chair."
"Here!"
"And finally Joker's chair..."
Amu felt very sentimental when she said that. It wasn't so long ago that she was the Joker, the one to purify eggs, the trump card, the main character. Now she had to pass on that title to Yukiko. The new Joker. With all of her training she was finally ready to take on those responsibilities. But... Where was she?
"Err... Yukiko?"
Arashi opened one eye and pointed over to the fountain. Amu looked over to where he was pointing and saw the new Joker.
"Ah! The magnificent world can be seen with a stroke of a brush. Let's have a toast with our boots, Hetaaliii-"
"YUKIKO!" Everyone shouted.
Her Character Change with Misa disappeared with a pop and she wobbled over unsteadily on the edge of the fountain. She tried to maintain her balance but-
SPLASH!
She fell in.
The team of Guardians ran up to her aid. They peered in to check if she was okay and they saw Yukiko sit up and rub the back of her head sheepishly.
"That... Was... Awesome!" She yelled.
They all laughed and Arashi helped her up by scooping her into a princess hold. She blushed, which was slightly unusual for her but even more unusual: Arashi SMILED. He carried her out of there to dry her up and the three remaining Guardians proceeded to return to their paperwork. Amu smiled at them all proudly, knowing she'd achieved a job well done and that she could leave the 5 in peace.
"You alright?" Asked Arashi.
"I'm fine, stop worrying." Yukiko smiled.
"I have to if it's you." He told her.
Yukiko blushed and turned away. Realising what he had just said, Arashi stepped back and tilted his head upwards.
"I-I mean I have to be concerned about all the Guardians, no matter how annoying."
His mind flashed to Suki with her stupid nickname as he said this. Yukiko realised who he was talking about and she let out a small giggle.
"Sorry..." Arashi apologised. "That was out of character for me wasn't it?"
Yukiko shook her head. "Not at all. Sure you're usually the cool and distant one but that doesn't mean you have to be bound to that personality. Everyone is unique, nothing is out of character."
The two smiled at each other as the profound words echoed through Arashi's head. There's no way he'd be forgetting that anytime soon...
Later...
Amu walked home, the sky was dark implying rain would be falling soon. But Amu was almost home, she just needed to pass through the park...
Her mind recalled the time she found Ikuto playing the violin. His music was so sad but clear enough in Amu's head to be to her taste. Usually when she found herself thinking about Ikuto, he'd pop up...
She peered into the tree, looked to her sides and turned around to see if he was behind her but... No joy.
"Looking for someone?"
The voice made Amu jump as she turned around to see him right in front of her for a change. No matter how much you prepared yourself for that guy, he'd always manage to surprise you.
"So you were right in front of me. A little out of character don't you think?" Amu asked.
He stood up tall and put on a crafty cat-like smirk.
"Everyone is unique, nothing is out of character." He quoted.
"That's profound. Where'd you learn that one?" She asked with her hands on her hips.
"Why from spying on your kiddies of course." He replied.
"I bet you love spying on kids, don't you?"
"Nope just you."
As he said this he grabbed Amu and held her tight. She blew a stray strand of hair out of her face to reveal her frown underneath. The thunder rolled and lightning flashed signalling the start of a storm. Ikuto grabbed her hand.
"Shall we run?" He asked.
At this point Amu was tempted to switch personalities, pull away from him and say 'not with you' out of sheer cool and spiciness. However she refrained from doing this and she pulled him along instead.
Knock knock knock...
"Come in."
Yukiko entered, carrying a book with her as she came in. She shyly placed the book upon the Chairman's desk. He turned around, shuffling a deck of cards as he did. His face lit up as he saw the book that had been returned to him.
"Ah the Heart's Egg." He smiled.
"Yes sir." Yukiko whispered.
"A good read?" He asked curiously.
"Yes sir."
"Stop with all this sir business. Call me Tsukasa."
"Yes s- Tsukasa-san."
He laughed slightly and warmed Yukiko up enough for her to laugh too. He looked down at the cards and then back up at Yukiko.
"Shall I give it a try then?" He asked.
Yukiko nodded and gave him an eager smile. He smiled back softly and shuffled the cards slowly. His eyes were closed yet focused and Yukiko watched the cards intently. Then he opened his eyes as he drew a card and placed it upon the book on the desk in front of him.
"Perfect." He smiled.
Yukiko nodded in agreement as the two stared at the card in front of them:
The Joker
And that's the end of Here Come the Guardians. *Sniff sniff* I feel so sentimental...
BUT!
Oh yes there's a but. If I can get five more reviews then I will add on an extra chapter which will incorporate an idea I had for this chapter but was too long to use. I'm always thinking about you guys.
I hope to see some of you in the near future. Perhaps I'll write more Shugo Chara fanfiction? It was my first ever anime after all.
So for one last time (try not to cry) Sayonara minna-san!
~Neko