Mmhmm, new chapter, that's right. I appreciate all the views so far, thank you to everyone that decided to click on this fanfiction and give it a read! Please tell me what you think, because I have very special plans for it ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara... or Ikuto *sigh*

~Crimrose

Chapter IV

The Beginning

"Jeez, chill out, spaz," said the little floating person in front of me, scratching her head in irritation from my screaming. She wasn't see-through or anything. She certainly looked real. But I had to be hallucinating. This little thing was like a fairy or something, for kids and purely make-believe!

"This can't be real," I gasped, grasping at my already messed up ponytail. I probably looked like I belonged with my mother, but I didn't care. I was too freaked out and panicked to even consider my appearance before the Guardians, who were all staring at me like I was the weird one.

Then, the little floating brat bitch-slapped me. It didn't hurt in the slightest, since her hand was about the size of my pinkie finger, but I did feel it. She was real. Tangible.

"Now do you think you're hallucinating?" She quipped haughtily, putting her hands on her hips, tipping her head back, and then laughing like an evil overlord. I couldn't believe this. The Guardians weren't lying to me. I wouldn't have ever believed their story if living proof of my own wishes personified was floating right in front of me. But at least the part about eggs in our heart and… 'Shugo Chara', or whatever, was true. My eyes were watering from the shock and disbelief. There was actually a little personification of my wishes right in front of me.

"Hisayuki-san," Tadase-kun suddenly said, snapping my attention to the Guardians that were all wearing deadly serious expressions. "Now you understand why we want you among the Guardians. It's highly irregular for someone to have two hearts' eggs, let alone three. You are meant for great things."

Even though I really wished I wasn't, I was trembling. Everything I could see was swimming in my vision, my fear and confusion affecting me physically now. I hadn't even believed in these things just seconds ago, now I'm being told that I'm special, even amongst the Guardians? I had always already been different enough, and now I'm caught up in some fantastical mess?

My eyes widened upon further speculation of the Guardians. I could see them. Their Shugo Chara that they spoke of. It was like mine being born was some kind of trigger that gave me that sight, and now their previously invisible forms were solid and real. Tadase-kun's character was a little king with a crown and pink hair styled like his, blue eyes looking down on me like I was scum or something. The one floating next to Yaya-san was a little baby in a pink onesie, her baby blue eyes and orange hair having the same appearance as her master's, childish and excitable. Sitting (or lounging, now that I thought about it) on Kukai-kun's shoulder seemed to be the miniature version of a stereotypical jock, decked out in sports gear and green hair spiked up. And not surprisingly, gracefully floating next to Nadeshiko-san was a very pale and graceful character, her violet hair tied up like hers and wearing a pink, flowery kimono.

Everything was true. I suddenly felt very faint and unsteady, my head swimming with all the newfound information. Was I having an identity crisis right now? What was I going to do?

"We have to move quickly," Tadase-kun suddenly said, a grim expression contorting his usually light and cheerful features. "He'll be coming after her after a new egg has hatched."

"Are we going to fight?" Kukai-kun asked, gripping his hand into a fist like the very thought pleased him.

"If it's unavoidable," Tadase-kun sighed, clearly not one for violence. I was trying to make sense of what they were talking about, but nothing was coming to mind. What were they going to fight? Who's going to come after me?

"We've already wasted so much time," Nadeshiko-san murmured, nervously biting her thumb. "He's surely already close by now."

"Yaya can take him!" Said the former, puffing out her cheeks like a defensive blow fish. "He's just a little cat-boy!"

… 'Little cat boy'? Did I even want to know what they were talking about? They all seemed very on edge, readying themselves into positions like warriors on a battlefield. What was going on? Did more people than the Guardians know about the Shugo Chara? I was suddenly reminded of the cult Tadase-kun spoke of, the one that used to take solace in the old school building, and shivered involuntarily. They believed in 'guardian angels' that followed you around and granted your wishes. I wondered how people would react if they knew that those people, supposedly crazy and criminals, were right all along.

"Whoa, you guys sure look defensive," a deep, masculine voice observed from somewhere above. All the Guardians stiffened then bolted out from the gazebo, their expressions alert and somewhat territorial. Their gazes each travelled to the top of the gazebo, wearing identical glares- except Kukai-kun, who was wearing something like a hungry smirk- and Tadase-kun stepped forward and pointed a threatening finger at a figure that was standing suavely on the roof.

What the- how had they gotten up there?! Not to mention that the roof was domed, and they should've been falling off by now. But the figure stood still, completely at ease and smooth, clad in something that resembled an all-black uniform with blue lining and silver crosses dangling from the shirt's collar and sleeves. Huh. For some reason, that very style and position reminded me of-

My gaze, wide-eyed and concerned, travelled up to the gazebo so I could see what all the fuss was about, carefully ignoring the little character in front of me. When the powerful, bright sunlight stopped glaring in my eyes, I finally got a good look at who was up there, and for the second time that day, my jaw unhinged from my head.

His sparkling midnight blue gaze met mine, a haughty smirk on his face that was apparently ever-present. That smirk slowly fell into a dropped mouth, showing straight white teeth and a pink tongue. I knew who that was. It was-

"Ikuto?!" I managed to choke out finally, and the Guardians' heads whipped back to look at me in utter shock.

"Snow?!" He demanded back, nearly losing his balance. Except something wasn't right. There were these… things coming out from the top of his head, coming to a strange triangular point, almost like… cat ears?! And a tail was swishing back and forth nervously from his backside, proving that it wasn't fake or anything. This was insane. What was happening right now?! Ikuto looked like a cat-boy or something!
He quickly regained his composure, smoothing down his dark hair nonchalantly. He grinned down at me, though the last thing it spelled was 'pleasant'. "So we meet again. I knew we would soon. And what do we have here- is that a new little Shugo Chara with you, along with two other eggs?"

THIS WAS INSANE.

Ikuto knew about them, as well! No wonder that he was asking if I could see something above his shoulder! But wait. That meant that he had a character, too?! Almost as if to answer my unspoken question, a little guy dressed in all black with a large cross down his middle popped out from under his hair, with the same coloured hair but golden eyes with cat pupils. Which I supposed was accurate, since he too was carrying dark cat ears on his head that matched the lazily swishing tail.

"Stay there, Hisayuki-san!" Tadase-kun demanded, jolting me out of my open-mouthed trance. "I don't know how you two know each other, but Ikuto Tsukiyomi is no good. And he's after your eggs!"

"WHAT." I snapped my head from Tadase-kun to Lilith, who was nonchalantly twirling a strand of lush scarlet hair around a finger. Then back up to Ikuto, who was bending his knees like a predator getting ready to pounce. Back to the Guardians again, who were all readying themselves and saying one thing in synchronization: "Chara Change!"

The fuck was that? I watched in a mix of awe and horror as Tadase-kun suddenly popped a crown on his head and a sceptre , Kukai-kun got a golden star clip in his hair and skateboard under him, Yaya-san obtained a baby rattle and bib, and Nadeshiko-san dashed two flower petals from her hair and held a naginata. I was about ready to burst into tears. I was past the point of non-believing and denial, finally realizing that a fight was about to break out between a group of four and one guy who didn't seem evil at all. Why were they fighting? It couldn't have been about my eggs and I, could it? Almost automatically, my eyes rested on the ground, where the other two eggs had rested after their little floating show. They seemed so innocent, so alive despite their dormant form. All of this was really happening. And even though I was only good with my fists, was I just supposed to sit there like a good little girl and watch someone possibly get hurt because of me?

I was right; these people knew nothing about me at all.

"I know what you're thinking," Lilith purred, floating up to my face to rest on my shoulder. I flinched and tried to brush her away, but she dodged easily. Her small weight was nothing at all to my seemingly giant shoulder, though it just made everything more real. I gulped down the lump that formed in my throat. "You want courage. You want the power to fight and protect these people."

I cast her a cold look, and saw that strands of my hair, falling out of its ponytail uncontrollably, brushed over her entire frame. I flicked it away, leaving my eyes locked with those pure golden ones, almost looking into my soul and burning it like flames. Even though it was crazy and unbelievable, this was really happening. I really had Shugo Chara, and she was questioning me on whether I wanted to protect people I had just met.

"Of course I do," I said fiercely, avoiding her probing gaze. Just because I accepted it to be real didn't mean I was any less freaked out. "After all, everybody means something to somebody. Nobody really deserves to get hurt."

"That's what I'm talking about!" She suddenly flew off my shoulder at lightning speed, a crimson little blur in the otherwise still and tense scene. Neither of the parties, Ikuto or the Guardians, had made their move, seeming to say things to each other with their mind. Tadase-kun actually looked a bit ticked off, a shock to me, while Yaya-san and Kukai-kun looked almost excited. Nadeshiko-san's expression was grim yet neutral, calm and assessing even in a situation like this. What on earth would they have to fight over? They all knew each other? From the way Ikuto and Tadase-kun were looking at each other, there was clearly some old history there, old wounds coming to the surface form just being in the same place.

Was that how I would look at my mother when we finally met again…?

Lilith was suddenly right in my face again, grinning like a little devil. I hadn't noticed before from her long hair and scarf, but tiny little bat wings were flapping on her back, a very small wind touching my face like a gentle snowflake. She held something up to me, though from her shaking arms, it seemed like it took a lot of effort. It caught the sunlight and sent four prisms in the four prime directions, which seemed to catch everyone's attention.

I tentatively reached my hand towards the Humpty Lock to take the weight away from Lilith.

"Hisayuki-san!" Tadase-kun exclaimed, whirling around to face me with a worried yet anticipating expression.

Ikuto's was the exact opposite. If anything, he glared at me in a cold and unfamiliar way that made my heart feel like it was being torn from my chest. "What is she doing with the Lock?!" He demanded, baring pointed kitty fangs at me. Eep.

I didn't understand their reactions. But I finally did when the lock was dropped into my hand, its weight somewhat heavy and firm. I stared into its four glittering crystals, each winking at me in the natural light. And then it began to shine like an exploding firework of white and yellow, swallowing me in an eerie and bright light.

A shriek automatically escaped from my mouth. Again with bright lights! This thing should come with a seizure warning! It began to make that whining sound again, the sound of a baby's first cry, and maybe a person's sadness, as I was completely enveloped in some sort of… warmth, like bathing in sunlight. I got that weird feeling that you get underwater, like it's hard to move your body through its density and wade through.

When I opened my eyes that were previously squeezed shut, I realized that it was because I was underwater. Or something like that anyway. It was too warm to be like a lake, though it was everywhere I looked. How was that possible? I was just in the Royal Garden a second ago! Had I fallen into the stream or something, and it was deeper than I thought?! No, that couldn't be. Tadase-kun had mentioned the Lock was magic, and this scene had only appeared after I had taken hold of it. Was this what he meant?

I began to struggle futilely, freaked out by my surroundings and wondering why my throat wasn't exploding from being unable to breathe. Then I realized it was because I was breathing, frantic and panicked breaths, but breathing nonetheless. I thrashed about, wanting to get out of this insane box of madness when Lilith suddenly appeared before me. She was glowing, the only definable feature about her the mischievous grin.

She slowly held out her tiny hand to me. I tried backing away, but my legs just flailed aimlessly in space. "It's okay," she said, smiling for real since the first time she had been born. "You can trust me and take my hand, Snow. I am you, after all."

"What's happening?" I demanded, miraculously speaking in a place like this and dodging the subject. "Where are we?"

"You don't have to worry about that," she giggled, showy pointy little fangs. "Just take my hand and you'll have the strength you desire."

I hugged my arms around myself, narrowing my eyes. "That sounds suspicious."

"I was born from your wish," she tried again, her tone slowly collapsing from peaceful to irritated. "'I want to find myself'. I am the missing element from yourself, the piece you require to complete your own puzzle."

Damn. I did think something like I wanted to find myself before all this happened, didn't I?

"Don't look like you regret it!" She snapped right in my ear, making me jerk away. "You won't regret anything if you just embrace who you want to be. That's why we're here."

"There's nothing scientific or believable about this," I growled, a worry line creasing between my two brows. "Why should I trust you?"

"Because this isn't science," she murmured, her smile confident and somewhat motherly. "It's magic."

I slowly began to drop my arms from my chest, my hands trembling slightly. Somehow I knew that the clock was ticking. I remembered that people were fighting, wherever they went to, and what if I never got back? Something had to be done.

"What if…" I said, my voice barely a whisper. "What if I don't take your hand?"

Her smile disappeared, replaced by a look of pure conviction and determination. "Then I'll take yours!" She yelled, and she rushed down and took hold of the ring finger on my left hand. The finger of promise.

Aaaaand light began exploding again, and it had the same feeling as when I went outside in the wintertime as a kid and got unexpectedly pelted in the face with a snowball. Everything rushed at me at once, and my eyes shut again. Light danced under my lids, glimmers of what was happening outside reflected upon my body. I felt something slide against my skin, my chest, my neck, my legs. My hair was swooped up by a strong, irresistible force, and stayed that way. It felt like my body was unconsciously doing a dance, my legs flinging about along with my arms. My body was a ragdoll being tossed about in a tempest. When everything finally began slowing down, I felt my feet touch the ground and could've collapsed to it in relief. But I didn't.

Because an indescribable feeling of power and courage was coursing through me, and I had never felt so sure or certain about anything in my life. Whatever was happening right now felt right. And so did the words that unconsciously formed on my lips as I gripped something attached to the random new belt on my hips: "Character Transformation: Femme Fatale."

My eyes opened as a loud choir of "WHAT"s was unleashed, each one sounding different than the last. I realized those were the voices of the Guardians and Ikuto, and I could feel their stares tingling at every inch of my bare skin. Wait… bare skin? WHAT WAS GOING ON?

I looked down, and what do you know- my jaw was still attached enough for it to drop again. I was dressed identically to Lilith, a long black scarf covering my neck and chin, cascading down to my feet covered in shiny ballet flats with ribbons criss-crossing up my legs. Uncomfortable shorts were sticking to my thighs, and I realized that was because they were leather. Ew, what?! And why was there a spike-covered belt holding them up, with a… was that a whip? WAS THAT A FLIPPING WHIP. A snake-like whip was attached to a belt loop, coiling around my leg slightly like a tight rope. Oh my god, my entire stomach was showing with that stupid, near-bra thing Lilith wore with the flame pattern, the fine lines of my waist and thin stomach sticking out like a sore thumb. Yet my scars weren't visible, for whatever reason. Maybe it had something to do with the strange power coursing through me, but come on this thing was basically a bikini top! Thankfully some major cleavage was covered by the scarf, though my back wasn't so lucky thanks to the high ponytail my hair had somehow been neatly tied into.

"What the bunk is this?!" I demanded, spinning around to… I dunno, check if it was some sort of trick! I had suddenly changed clothes into something I would never wear, even if my life depended on it, and I felt so exhilarated. Maybe I really was on drugs. That whole water-thing was pretty trippy.

"You just…" Tadase-kun murmured, his eyes finding mine and slashing into me with awe. "…Character Transformed."

"I what?" I demanded, my face flushing in embarrassment. I felt sorely tempted to go and duck into a very tempting bush that was practically beckoning me into the corner, but something stopped me. It was like a different force was moving my body, my arms and legs attached to invisible puppet strings.

Don't flip out, a familiar, dark voice whispered into my mind. It was Lilith! Did she somehow go inside of me?! Yes, I am inside of you. Back inside your heart to help you fight, that is.

"Well, git out!" I screeched aloud, making everyone but Ikuto flinch in surprise. "What tha hell is even goin' on? Why am I dressed like some sorta stripper?"

I take offense to that. Even though the voice was in my head, I could've sworn I heard her huff. But everyone is off-guard now. We have to strike the enemy while we can!

Since we were talking about striking enemies, I decided it was best to… I don't know, think what I wanted to say and hope she understood somehow. But nobody's an enemy, I thought. I just wanted them to stop fighting, that's all!

Oh? She responded, seeming to have heard me loud and clear. Even that punk-ass cat who wants to take your eggs?

I was suddenly reminded of the current situation, snapping my head up to find Ikuto leaping of the gazebo with impossibly strong legs. He landed very close to me with hardly a thud, a cat landing on its paw pads silently and stealthily. A twisted grin covered his face as he approached, each step slow and deliberate, enjoying what he was watching unfold. "Looks like a stray little chick just laid some unwanted eggs."

"Izzat supposed ta be funny?!" I demanded, only just now realizing that the accent had come out.

"Kind of, but since no one's laughing, I guess I can say I lost that one." His grin turned into something like playfulness as he bent his knees down again, very much like a jungle cat stalking its prey through the untamed vegetation. "But this is a battle I won't be losing."

"Well at least he's not over-confident," I muttered sarcastically under my breath, but the strange dark ears on his head twitched, seeming to have heard me. He smiled like it was actually funny, and I stared at his added appendages in wonder, pondering how it would feel to touch them…

It was a damned shame that I was a cat-crazy person. This was like the epitome of my life right now.

Get your mind out of the gutter! Lilith telepathically hissed to me, and I started. "I wasn't-"

My being unable to finish was due to my arm moving on its own, the puppet strings pulling me again without my resistance. My body felt strangely relaxed in this used state, easily being controlled by something that wasn't really there. It reached for the whip and slashed it off of my belt and leg, and it cracked like that of a beast master's. My eyes narrowed into a ferocious glare at the cat poseur in front of me, and- I could barely even believe my eyes- I watched as he raised his eyebrows and smiled challengingly.

He clearly wasn't expecting my controlled arm to lash the whip sideways at him, and it actually seemed to stretch and grow in length, its scaly surface wrapping around his torso tightly. His eyes were widened in shock, and I almost giggled at his expression. Sure, he may have been the enemy in this situation and all, but I still took pride in watching the expressionless enigma's face drop because of me.

What is this? I wondered, not really asking Lilith but getting a response anyway.

My power as a Shugo Chara, she responded, and I detected a hit of pride in her unheard voice. Increased speed and agility, along with the Serpentine. A whip that has the power to expand at will and tighten, like the tail of a snake. Or a dragon, in this case, since that's kind of what my character is modeled after.

Huh? Why a dragon? I thought, my brows physically furrowing in confusion.

Her voice was silent for a long time as I held back my laughter, watching Ikuto struggle against the tightening whip. Because they are strong, she responded, unusually serious. And because of… something else. But I suppose you'll find that out later. You have to find the missing pieces to your puzzle alone, after all. She sounded like a fortune cookie. I heard that. Damn.

Suddenly Ikuto was smirking again, his broad shoulders shaking with unheard laugher. "What?!" I demanded, pulling the whip a bit. He barely even winced, seeming too distracted with his own private joke.

"Just this," he began, gesturing down to the whip with a light jerk of his cat-eared head, "feels incredibly naughty."

OH MY GOD. "Shut up, pervert!"I screamed as I threw the whip out of my hands like it burned me, earning a furious yell from Lilith inside of me. Ikuto slithered out of its grasp like he himself was the serpent, and leapt into the air with such grace I felt jealous. But then he landed near my eggs, reaching out a long and slender arm to snatch them.

The Guardians were running up behind him to put up a fight, but I was faster, thanks to Lilith. I almost felt like I had become the wind as I zoomed in front of him and pulled his arm away, earning a shocked and somewhat amused look. My gaze hardened as I stared into his two pools of endless blue eyes, seeming to almost get dragged in and drowned. A spark ignited somewhere deep inside of them as my grip tightened on his arm, and I was able to control my blush. The heck was that…?

"Fine," he said suddenly, making everyone come to an abrupt stop. "I give in for today, since I don't think there's a need to Transform. However…"

He trailed off as he wrenched his arm out of my grasp, surprising me into a gasp. He was right behind me, his towering presence casting a shadow on the cobblestone hidden from the sun because of us. His arms were suddenly wrapped around my bare stomach, and I had to stop an involuntary scream from exploding out of me. My face felt as red as Lilith's hair as his breath tickled my ear.

"I will be coming for your eggs," he whispered, and I didn't even look at his head beside mine, feeling that we would be too close. Besides, I could hear the grin in his voice. 'Coming for your eggs'. God that sounds dirty.

I realized with a shocked squawk what I had just been thinking about and jumped away, my hand free from its puppet strings and turning into a fist. He dodged easily as I swung at him with a chuckle, and in a flash of blue and black, he had disappeared from the scene.

The blush still wasn't draining from my face. I thought he might be nice! He had rescued me from some thugs, from the heartless words of that bobblehead blonde, and, and… he did tell me not to just make assumptions about someone. Was all of that fake? Leading me on so he could steal the eggs he somehow knew would be born from me? But… that didn't feel right. Even if that mysterious, apparently cat-like boy was the enemy of the Guardians, something felt wrong. Like there were deep scars there, covered by layers and layers of lies and deceit and sorrow. I knew the feeling all too well, so I was familiar with the signs. Something was wrong with this whole situation. Why would he come after my eggs in the first place? Why was he the Guardians' enemy when he didn't seem like mine?

As I slowly felt my own school uniform slip into place and Lilith creepily emerged from my chest like it was melting, I turned to the Guardians and said, "I think you people owe me an explanation."

}{

I knew from experience that almost everything has a dark side to it. Seemingly happy families that are really just putting on masks, people who seem bright and cheerful that have deep-seated issues, couples that always fight while appearing fine on the outside. Darkness, sorrow, hatred… all of those negative emotions were everywhere in life. They were inevitable to feel. And if you never feel them, then you haven't truly lived.

Even so, I didn't expect there to be a dark side to the whole Shugo Chara thing.

Entranced, I sat at the ornately carved wooden table in the gazebo in the Royal Garden for a while after school- having went to classes earlier and pretended everything was normal- as Tadase explained the whole deal to me. While people like us, who have strong, pure wishes in their heart that give birth to the Shugo Chara, people that have a problem or issue buried deep will taint their egg with their internal darkness, thus creating something aptly dubbed an 'X Egg', because of the large white X that apparently appears on the smooth black surface of the magical dairy product. A hidden job of the Guardians was to protect the student body from having their eggs turned into such, something that practically flew in one of my ears and out the other.

So the Guardians were obviously just not any regular student council. The Headmaster apparently was aware of the whole deal, as well, which is why Tadase-kun, Kukai-kun, Yaya-san, and Nadeshiko-san were chosen to be Guardians in the first place because of their born and powerful Shugo Chara. They told me the X Eggs could be purified, but none of them have been able to accomplish doing so. They couldn't even Character Transform, the weird rush of adrenaline and power I felt earlier after I touched the Humpty Lock. That was apparently when you and your Shugo Chara kind of combined together to make like a mega-force type thing, your powers and strength shooting up to one hundred and twenty percent. Only people with really strong wishes, dreams, and bonds with their Shugo Chara can accomplish that.

Which made it all the more confusing as to why Lilith and I did it right after she was born. I didn't trust what was happening at all, and yet we still Transformed.

After Tadase-kun finished that whole explanation, each of the Guardians was looking at me somewhat expectantly. Before we had started the discussion, Nadeshiko-san had brought out tea and chocolate cookies, so I picked one up and chewed thoughtfully to avoid speaking. When I had gulped it all down, I leaned back in my chair, away from Lilith chatting with the other Shugo Chara of the Guardians, and crossed one long, pale leg over the other. "That doesn't explain why Ikuto came out of nowhere and tried to take my other two eggs." Which were now safely tucked away in my school bag. I didn't want to risk nearly having them snatched again.

Tadase-kun's expression darkened beyond recognition. "That's where the real problem lies. See, there's this legend about a magical egg going around, one that has immeasurable powers and can grant any wish. We call it the Embryo."

I started to laugh.

Kukai-kun raised one curved eyebrow. "Something funny, Hisayuki?"

I didn't think that they'd get the hilarity of calling a magical egg an embryo. It sounded completely ridiculous. So I pinched my lips together to bite back a smile and waved at Tadase-kun to continue.

He tried to smile, though it came out looking forced. "Naturally, people that know of the Shugo Chara and whatnot are desperately searching for this egg for their own gain. We are as well, because… well, let's just say I have something I want to achieve. But among the people searching for it is a company called Easter."

The laughter burst out of me all over again. They had to be kidding. What was the irony of a company called Easter looking for a magical egg called the Embryo? I was dying here, my arms wrapping around myself to clutch at my aching sides.

While Kukai-kun just rolled his eyes at me, Nadeshiko-san politely giggled along. "You have to admit, Souma-kun, it is rather funny." I flashed a friendly grin at her, and she smiled right back, though there was a slight colour to her cheeks.

"Anyway," Tadase-kun continued, his mouth twitching slightly. "Ikuto Tsukiyomi is working for Easter in trying to take the Embryo for whatever purpose they may have. He's always up to no good, and takes any new eggs he think may potentially turn out to be the Embryo, which is why he came for yours."

"If you don't know what their purpose is, how can you be so sure that it's not good?" I demanded, surprisingly defensive when Tadase-kun said Ikuto was up to no good. There was a piece missing from this puzzle as well, and I could sense that Tadase-kun was hiding it from me. I narrowed my eyes slightly at him, trying to read his expression, but being unable to.

"Because they purposely draw out X Eggs," he murmured softly and despondently. The air became very tense and quiet, and I noticed that Yaya-san had a sort of pout on her face, clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere. I could understand why that may have been bad. Those were a person's hopes and dreams personified, and this 'Easter' was pulling them out and tainting them on purpose.

"What kind of company is Easter?" I asked, coughing to hide up a snicker that threatened to bubble up when I said the name.

"Hard to say," Yaya-san responded this time, her mouth covered in chocolate that was falling into her lap. "They are supporters of a lot of entertainment groups and figures that are pretty famous, so they've built up a pretty fair reputation. Getting on their bad side isn't what you'd call a 'bright idea'."

"I can tell," I grumbled.

"But with you, Hisayuki-san," Tadase-kun cut in suddenly, his countenance brightening, the sun peeking out from behind dark clouds and shedding the world in warm light. "I believe that we may have a chance against Easter and Ikuto Tsukiyomi. You have three eggs, and the Humpty Lock chose you, as well. You can even Character Transform."

"Yeah!" Kukai-kun exclaimed, pumping a tanned fist in the air profusely. "With Hisayuki on our side, the mysterious and aloof-"

"Aloof?" I repeated incredulously.

He grinned and continued. "The mysterious and aloof transfer student on our side, Easter doesn't stand a chance."

Before they all burst out into some kind of musical cheer I could definitely feel coming, I uncrossed my legs and pushed myself away from the table, standing tall and straight. "I don't recall ever saying I would help you."

"Huh?!" Yaya-san demanded, her small mouth dropping into a pink 'O'. "Why not?!"

"Because this is all crazy, and I just came here to accomplish my own goals," I said simply, avoiding their hurt gazes and trying to remain calm. "The last thing that I would ever want to do is get involved in something like this. It sounds reckless, and I don't even know what you want to do with this 'Embryo'. And as it appears you don't want to tell me, how on earth could I trust you with anything?"

"You're already involved," Lilith chirped from the table, and I looked down to glare at her. She was licking chocolate off her fingers and sitting beside Yaya-san's Shugo Chara, who was apparently named Pepe. "You were since the moment the Humpty Lock reacted to you, Snow. None of this is coincidence; it's fate."

My mouth twitched in irritation, a dirty look crossing my face. It kind of ticked me off that a little person I just met was telling me off, even if she was born from me. "I don't need to rack up any enemies after just moving here," I added, my eyes becoming slightly hooded with confusion. Everything was happening so fast, and my life had changed in an instant. They expected me to just join them in their fight with no qualms? I had problems of my own.

"I know it's a lot to ask," Tadase-kun murmured, a sad look crossing his eyes. "But you're the only one we can turn to. We have never encountered a person with as much potential as you, and who knows what could happen if Easter gets their hands on the Embryo first."

I tried to ignore him by making a show of pulling my phone out of my blazer pocket and checking the time. "I'm going to be late for work," I grumbled, hoisting my bag off the ground carefully so as not to jostle the eggs. "And this isn't my problem. I'm just a person who has Shugo Chara now, nothing more. I honestly believe there's nothing I could do to help you."

"That isn't what we're asking," Nadeshiko-san suddenly piped up, making me pause as I descended the steps to escape the Royal Garden that was suddenly becoming suffocating with all the cheery colours and prisms. "We're not asking if you can do it. We're asking if you want to."

"What I want doesn't matter," I said, my voice just above a whisper. "Right now, I'm trying to focus on what I need."

All was silent as I opened and closed the glass doors to the Royal Garden, Lilith following behind me somewhat begrudgingly. The sky had been dyed the colours of powerful flames, the golden sun casting downward with the late time. A fall wind blew as I walked away, blowing my skirt around me and making my hair come loose of its ponytail. I yanked it out altogether and could distinctly smell my coconut shampoo as it blew in my face. Bloodied leaves dusted across the ground with scuttling and scraping noises, abandoning their vulnerable and naked trees to the rapidly approaching winter.

It's not my problem, I repeated to myself, though I bit my lip in something that felt a little like heartbreak. It felt like I left a piece of myself behind in that Royal Garden, with the people that had become very familiar with me all too quickly. I did want friends, but not this. I wanted to live a normal life, something that seemed like such a luxury after all I've scrambled out of to get here. I couldn't even have that much?

I was fully aware of how selfish and cruel I was being. They were begging me for help, and I refused to give it. I felt heartless and broken, the complete contrary of the extraordinary experience I dealt with earlier. I paused in my walk, gazing up at the sky through the screen of skeletal branches above me, my eyebrows knitting together in sorrow.

I don't know what to do.

I mess everything up.

No one really needs me.

Pessimistic words as such flowed through my head, and I shook it vigorously, trying to keep a positive outlook. Though… there was really nothing I had to be positive about anymore. What was I going to do now? I had to deal with an annoying little person following me around all the time, and two other eggs that had yet to hatch. And I had to do it alone.

"Snow," Lilith murmured quietly, startling me. I was probably never going to get used to turning around and seeing how small she was, and how she could fly completely nonchalantly. The Guardians had no idea how they did it either, but Lilith brushed off the question by saying 'it's magic'. Right. Magic.

"What?" I asked, staring at her emotionlessly.

Completely catching me off-guard, she floated right up to my ear and screamed, "DON'T BE SO PESSIMISTIC!" I nearly tottered backwards from surprise and the ringing that was now resounding in my ears, but she didn't seem to care. She just crossed her arms in a pissed off kind of way and let out a huff. "You aren't being honest, with me or yourself. You really want to help them, don't you? You… really want something to believe in."

I smiled melancholically. "I guess so. But I don't belong there. Even though you're by my side now, that just makes things worse." I began picking up my walk again, bowing my head slightly so no one could see the shattered expression on my face. "I'm even more different now than I ever was before."

I wasn't good enough or strong enough to be a Guardian. But now I had Lilith following me around on top of my odd looks and behaviour. I was becoming more and more of a misfit, belonging to neither world.

It was ironic how much truth was in those words without even knowing it.

Even so, as I walked further and further away from the Royal Garden, it seemed like my heart was crying out to it. I'm sorry, it seemed to wail mournfully. I'm sorry for being me.

Well, the ending was kind of a downer, huh. But don't worry; next chapter I'm going to try and lighten things up a bit! But it's like four thirty in the morning so I'm not feeling very psyched about writing right now. Meh, it'll pass.

But now, a special treat! A quick Q & A with some of the characters so far, since there may be some questions that you have. To start off with, I'll be speaking to my cute, widdle Snow Hisayuki!

Snow: I am neither of those things.

Crimrose: Hush up. Alright, so Snow. You seem like a relatively nice and polite person, and yet it seems that you have a record of violence. Why is that.

Snow: *Gives very cold and humourless smile* Because people are annoying.

-Insert awkward cricket chirping in the silence here-

Crimrose: Oh... kay, then. Maybe not so nice and polite. Though that's what I'm trying to make you come off as... I'll have to work harder. Next is possibly my favourite Shugo Chara character... Ikuto (obviously)!

Ikuto: What, I don't want to answer your dumb questions.

Crimrose: Well, too bad. Ahem. So, in the original Shugo Chara anime, you were very forward and, well, perverted towards the main character, Amu. While Snow is replacing her as the main character in this fanfic, you seem slightly less, y'know, erotic around her. Why is that?

Ikuto: *Shrugs* I don't really know. It's kind of awkward to since she's well-endowed and all, so I feel... like I should hold myself back more...

Snow: EXCUSE ME. WE JUST MET.

Ikuto: *Smirks in her direction* But trust me. Now that I know she's got some Shugo Chara, and that she's with Seiyo Academy... let's just say she's going to need a lot of protection.

Snow: Oh my fu- WHAT?!

Crimrose: Moving on before those two get out of hand, like what's going to happen progressively, so don't worry ;) I am now going to question a character who has only made small appearances, but seems kind of important to the story as an OC... *drumroll* LEE!

Lee: Huh? You wanted to ask me something? But people think I'm creepy.

Crimrose: Who's damn fault is that. Anyway. So, Lee, in the chapters you've been in, you seem to express a certain... "interest" in Snow. Tell me, do you have any ulterior motives?

Lee: *Innocent and confused look* I'm afraid I don't understand.

Crimrose: Okay, that's a bit too subtle for you... I'll just come right out with it then. Are you a paedophile, Lee?

Lee: WHAT?! NO!

Crimrose: You sound awfully defensive.

Lee: I'M NOT, YOU'RE JUST ASKING AN OUTRAGEOUS QUESTION!

Crimrose: ... Are you SURE you're not a paedophile?

Lee: I AM POSITIVE. I HAVE A REASON FOR COMMUNICATING WITH HER LIKE THAT, YOU FILTHY PERSON.

Crimrose: *Grins in slight victory* Oh? And what would that be?

Lee: ... Um.

Crimrose: That's what I thought. Anyway, I hope you readers enjoyed this chapter and Q&A! Please leave a review or Lee will abduct Snow.

Lee: I AM NOT A PAEDOPHILE!