Note: Vampieran is to be a vampire. Like an American is to be a person from America. (Simple enough, huh?)

I do not own Shugo Chara or ANY of its characters.

Chapter 3

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Recap

"What?" she snapped, impatiently. Ikuto had to know what she was. He found himself obsessively inquisitive. Lifting her chin slightly, Ikuto leaned slowly in her face. Instead of stopping, he moved to the side of her head to whisper in her ear. At least, that's what she thought. However, Ikuto wanted to see something. Tilting her chin further, several pink strands of hair fell backward, unveiling the side of her neck where she had bitten. Taking a good look at it, Ikuto squinted his eyes. You could still see it, but it had faded some. She had been bitten. It was the same girl. So what was she?

Unable to waste anymore time, Ikuto whispered in her ear. "…I'll see you soon, Amu-chan." Gently, his tongue swept spit onto her ear. Gain, Amu screeched and fell backward in surprise. Smirking, Ikuto waved and, unbelievably, leaped up to the same branch up fifty or forty feet. With ease and skill, he went gliding from branch and to branch and was gone in seconds.

Watching him go, Ran, Miki and Su glanced at one another. "This isn't good…" whispered Ran. "This isn't good at all…"

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Ikuto's glossy voice spoke out to the people with self-assurance. It was neither thundering nor soft. He simply spoke and they simply listened. However, many disagreed with his believes, Ikuto was unafraid to speak what be thought. People were unsure of what Ikuto wanted. He was a strange one, Ikuto was. But they were also interested in what he would say. Could he answer the questions they'd throw at him? Was his plan practical?

"Here me out, Vampire citizens!" Ikuto raised his clenched fist in the air to calm the rousing crowds. Watching the young teen, Ikuto, in the center standing on a small wooden tower, the vampires listened. The enormous cavern was dimly-lit and had a ceiling that could not even be seen for it was so dark up there. However, from the sound of the echoes, it probably was one hundred feet or so.

"To be Vampieran is not something you can be proud of and glorify. It is an imprisonment curse – a living death. How often do you take the time to think of what you are? Do you ever think of the pain you cause when rob a person of blood? No! We take lives to please our hunger. We think of ourselves and ourselves alone! We are greedy! What rights have we to be so selfish? What right!"

A woman called out from the crowd. "It's instinct! You'll be trampled if you stand in the way of it!"

Ikuto countered. "…Trampled" he repeated. "What do we know of being trample? We are Vampires - never shifted aside. In wars, humans die for what they believe is right - for what they love. Humans die for it! And what is it we do? We kill for what we believe in! And why? Because what we believe in is killing to please ourselves! We say we must drink human blood! Well there is no 'must!' There is 'instinct!' 'Must' and 'instinct' are NOT one and the same!"

Pulling his arm down and placing it at his side, he began to pace. His voice was now more passionate rather then yelling. "I have been to the vampire council before to speak of this matter. They tell me that an instinct is an overcooked habit." He left a brief silence for the people to take it in. After a moment, he turned to walk the opposite way. Eyes still focused on his people, he started again. "…Unable to be made rare again…"

Going to the edge, he positioned one hand onto his tight hips. The other he motioned in gestures as if to clear up his points. "Listen, my fellow Vampires. We can break the instinct of blood-sucking. It will be difficult…but we all can. With time, patience…faith and determination…we can."

Another man shouted. "We need blood to survive! You can't break an instinct of eating!"

Ikuto straightened up and went on. "Correct." Once again, he started to walk. "But I am not trying to get you all to break the habit of fueling on blood. I am attempting us to break the habit of stealing human blood."

An angry man aroused with a shout. "What would we eat then?!"

"You need facts, don't you all?" he asked. "Let us look back then. We Vampires came from another universe" he stated. "What is it we fed on?" Everyone listened. "The blood of wildlife – animals. But the tragic day came… We were raptured from our world and somehow ended up here, on earth. Ever since the 1,300s we've existed. Though more then once we came close to discovery, most people in the world think of us as myths and legends. We found animals to kill and drink from. But after an…accident…were discovered the addicting taste of human blood. In just a few short months, our population had undergone a massive landslide. Human blood was pouring into the throats of every vampire about twenty times a day. It is how fast-food works. It's addicting – apart of our everyday life…but it is not bodily filling. We knew what to drink and what not to drink. Human blood was the tastiest but wasn't good for our minds. Emotionally, it tortures us. It says to have more. We think we are satisfied when really are not. Yes, it is true that animal blood is not as enjoyable. There is no zesty thrill in drinking it. But it filled us before we discovered human blood."

"During the time where we drank human blood consistently, the time was known as 'The Age of Satisfactory.' It was before the days when we had laws. We drank endlessly without control, intoxicating ourselves. It wasn't until we realized what was really going on that it was a catastrophe. We had taken the lives of thousands. As for us Vampires, over 3,000 died from overdosings of blood. We edged discovery everyday due to all the killings. Even the younger vampires were going out of control. In fact, up to now more people have been blood-suck seduced and died then they have in World War I and World War II put together. W had to build ourselves back together. That is when we made laws of age, when to drink blood and how much. But what are laws without those who break them? Everyday this occurs."

"So do you understand? Laws are being broken. But this isn't the central dilemma. I'll tell you what is. More humans are born now then they were during 'The Age of Satisfactory.' Sixty years ago the laws have allowed more blood-drinking. But this has prevented a bigger problem. Promising blood we don't have is like being in debt. We are facing 'A Great Depression.' And why? Because the world's state had worsened. More people are dying then being born. Murder, rapping and war. We have less and less to drink from. These last thirty years t has gotten worse. I'm not saying that the human population is dead though. There are many. But a lot less then there used to be. Besides, we cannot risk facing discovery again."

The same man who shouted what do we eat, shouted it again. "Then what is it you suppose we do?!"

Ikuto stopped and made direct eye contact with the man. In a clear, solemn voice, he replied icily. "…Change…"

The crowds released uproars of gasps. Change? How could they change? At once, everyone began screaming. "How! How could we?! It isn't possible! We need our human blood! It isn't even possible to transfer ourselves from human blood to animal blood! Not even your faith and time could change it!"

Silencing them all, Ikuto's arm shot up and he shouted. "There is a way! I have it here! The answer is Shugo Charas! They are your would-be-self!" Staring, the crowds watched as Ikuto's Chara came out. Identical to his looks, Yoru came up and landed on Ikuto's shoulder. Clenching his fist and shaking it in the air, Ikuto's voice remained strong. "Yes, you are right! Patience, time, determination and faith could not break our habit alone! But I know what can! I have experienced it!" Everyone knew of this. Truly, they believed he was an odd vampire. "Every vampire usually has one human they love! Over half the time, they end up killing them to get their blood! Don't you want to love without even thinking of blood? You can. Look at me. I can watch any human and not be moved in my decision to not drink. I have willed myself to be disinterested! I know longer have fault with humans – I swore to never drink their blood! It took all my heart, soul and mind's concentration but I did it! I won the battle against instinct! You can too but you have to try! If you succeeded you could truly be able to SEE the beauty in things - not TASTE it!"

Summing up, he said. "We would drink animal blood and not go through any 'Great Depression.' Humans would be free of us and we free of them. Be as I am – do as I do. My Shugo Chara was create d from my will to be free of a being a Vampire. With him I did it."

Softening his tone, he ended his speech. "If you can find the will, the Shugo Chara can find the way. Mine did. …Thank-you…"

Turning, ascending down the stairs and making his way for one of the tunnels, Ikuto left the crowds that were left awestruck at his remarkable speech.

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The next morning.

With anger boiling in his face, Tadase sprung up from his chair. Staring at Amu's four Charas sitting in the center of the table, he gasped. "Ikuto?! Amu met Ikuto?! How? When? Where? What did he say?"

Nagahiko motioned him to sit. Calmly, he asked. "Ran – Miki – Su - Dia… where did Amu come across Ikuto?"

"The woods" Su replied quietly. "Amu heard music – a violin. When she went to investigate, she must have met Ikuto. When we came we found then 'talking.' Well…he was flirting actually…"

Tadase glared at no one in particular. He was angry. "Why would Ikuto be out in the open?"

Rima shyly spoke up. "Six years ago…you remember how depressed he was? He said he that he…uh…became a vampire against his own will. He said it was a curse and he…well…he wanted to…commit suicide. But... a year passed and he seemed like he was getting better. He said he would stop Vampires and what they do - including himself."

"I agree with Tadase" stated Kukai. "I don't like it. What could Ikuto want?"

Looking at the four fairies, Tadase asked. "How did Ikuto seem to you?"

There was a brief silence and, after exchanging glances and nods, Ran spoke. "…Mature... for a vampire, I mean. As for flirting, he kept playing with Amu. But…well…he didn't try to attack her… But we could see he was curious about her. I think he sensed human blood and vampire blood in her. Seven years ago, the accident happened - Amu became a half-breed. Personally, we think he was curious about what she was. But not tempted."

"How do you know?" Tadase asked.

Dia replied. "After Amu went home, he followed Ikuto to the secret Vampire civilization inside the Tokyo Mountains. He was making a huge speech about how vampires shouldn't drink human blood – how they should learn to gain control as he did. He said… 'If you can find the will, the Shugo Chara can find the way. Mine did.' Everyone, including us was moved. And Tadase, Ikuto HAD a Shugo Chara. The four of us saw it!"

All of them gasped. "What?" Tadase said. "How did he learn about Shugo Charas? Our school is the only one who knows about them! Besides, what would he do with a Shugo Chara?"

Energetically, Yaya suggested. "Probably to be his 'would-be-self,' Tadase."

Tadase sighed. "His would be self? Vampires don't have would be selves. They have instincts…instincts to act as parasites and kill humans. They are demons who can't change – pure evil."

"Aren't you judging him too much?" asked Ran. "Everyone deserves a change to prove them self. That's what Shugo Charas are all about. We give kids the chance to illustrate who they think were born to be – who they can't normally be due to insecurity."

Tadase glanced at her with despite. He hated Ikuto – everyone in the room knew it. However, he never spoke of why he did. "Are you siding with Ikuto now?" he asked, unkindly.

The four Charas stared. Dia spoke up with courage. "Wouldn't we know better what Shugo Charas are meant to do more than anyone?"

Tadase felt his blood boiling but he tried to stay calm. "I don't doubt you. All I'm saying is we know what Vampires are. Ikuto hates being a vampire and said he was going to change himself. According to the past Kings and Queens of the Garden, Ikuto left the school after that and we didn't hear from him until…my incident with him when I was two…" Everyone bowed their heads a bit and waited for him to go on. "…A few years later…Nearly six now…his mother attacked Amu. When she came to our school, we got to know her and discovered she was a half-breed. What I'm trying to say is that we haven't seen Ikuto in years. We don't know what he is or how he acts. He's a Vampire who can't be trusted and can't change."

Curious, Nadoshiko asked. "And your point is?"

Tadase slammed his fist onto the table, causing the elegant teas cups to shake. "Ikuto may want to be non-Vampire but he can't change that! Yes, Shugo Charas are born from the deepest desire of hearts and we know Ikuto's - he doesn't want to be a Vampire. But a Shugo Chara can't change instinct! Instincts are instincts! He doesn't deserve a chance!"

Meekly, Rima raised her hand and asked. "A chance for what?"

"Whatever it is he wants! I don't know what it is but he wants it! Ikuto is back and out in the open. It's obvious he wants something from us…but he won't get it. I won't give Ikuto ANYTHING!"

Unknown to them, Ikuto shaded eyes from the sunglasses gazed down at them. With a blow, a strand of his blue hair was momentarily out of his face. Glaring, he turned to leave.

He had stuff to do…a certain pink-haired girl to visit.

Yes, I know I spelled that Nadiskiko cross-dresser character's name wrong. I couldn't remember it. Sorry. Thanks for reading though! Please review.