Well. This chapter was late, but it's long. Sorry if the lengthy chapters are a bit overwhelming; I always get told to tone them down, but there's so much I want to establish ლ(ಠ益ಠლ It frustrates me, as well, don't even think it doesn't.

And as a response to that Guest Reviewer...

Crimrose: *awkwardly munches pretzel* Riiiiiight. I don't mean to be sarcastic or offend anyone in anyway by saying this, but honestly, Guardian Characters was one of those things that you think is completely amazing when you start it (which was grade six for me, versus my current tenth grader self), then look back on it and wonder what the actual f*** you were thinking. To be blunt, I just didn't like the direction it was going in, and lezzbe honest: Aileen was downright depressing sometimes. Not to say that Snow is not; I'm fully aware she can be. But trust me, she gets better, whereas Aileen would've just become more derogatory towards all heroines. Honestly, people would've started using an 'Aileen' instead of a Mary Sue. I apologize if this was not the answer you were hoping for! I really am sorry, and if some people really liked it, I can post it again; I just won't be updating, and it was kind of left on a cliffhanger.

And that is my rant. Thank y'all, and please enjoy the chapter!

Chapter VI

Bonding

Normally, one would think that the weekend is a huge break and relief from working and school and whatnot. After obtaining Shugo Chara, I found this actually laughable, because the last thing I had with them around me constantly was a break.

Since it was finally the weekend, and I had weekends off from working, I thought it'd be a good idea to use some extra money I ended up saving up from my trip here to go shopping for some personal furniture, like throw pillows, blankets, towels and the like. I ended up walking to a plaza a fair distance away from my apartment that contained multiple fast food joints, an EB Games, and a Winners. And I'll be damned if I didn't get lost on the way. My new character, Vivian, actually had to fly up in the sky, survey the area, then point me in the right directions.

When I got there, I was expecting to shop quietly, trying to decide what kind of colours I wanted in my apartment. That is not what happened at all. Lilith and Vivian- quite literally- flew through the doors and out of my sight. Thinking that it would be too much of a pain to look for them, I decided to shop by myself until they got bored and came back, which wouldn't take very long considering that the pair of them were hard to keep entertained. And they did come back… just swinging at each other and tossing pillows across the store, freaking innocent people out by hiding under the covers of sample beds then moving unexpectedly, and taking things out of shopping carts and making off with them. I was about ready to curl into a small ball and cry. It was like having two small, evil toddlers going everywhere with me, and they were out to ruin my life.

I thought my new character could be someone like who I really wanted to be, calm, cool, collected. And while Vivian was cool, she was haughtily so, and she considered herself to be like some sort of Victorian princess, and I was her servant instead of her master. Between her and Lilith, I was about ready to throw myself off my balcony when I got home. My tolerance level for bullshit had always been low, simply because that was the type of person I was, so the current situation was just plain ridiculous.

Since I just wanted to shop in peace, what ended up happening was me tying them together with a hair elastic and shoving them in my purse with the other egg, only allowing their heads to poke out. Vivian looked pissed, her black eyebrows drawn down so much that her eyelids seemed to disappear, and the eyes you could see were burning. Lilith was yelling words that should be censored from the ears of young children at me, saying that I should make everything red. I didn't disagree, since it was one of my favourite colours, but it got to the point where I just wanted to spite her.

Why are they like this? I thought idly to myself while examining a white, iron basket filled with throw pillows. I saw some that were a nice aqua colour with ornate swirling designs in a milk chocolate brown, and decided those were the main colours I'd use. They both ended up grumbling at me that they were plain, and I just rolled my eyes.

"How's the other egg doing?" I whispered to them while pawing through some extra blankets.

I think Lilith tried to shrug, but considering that her arms were restrained, she failed miserably. "Not even a crack," she said, not having to whisper since no one else could hear her. "Maybe it'll hatch soon, though. Who can say for sure?"

I sure hoped that this new Shugo Chara wouldn't be anything like the other two, otherwise I really would have to consider flinging myself off the balcony.

Interrupting my thoughts of pesticides to get rid of them was Vivian suddenly calling, "Yo, Yeti."

I turned an incredulous glare down to her head poking out of my purse. "You did not."

She ignored me completely, which made Lilith shake with silent laughter. "You're being watched."

Almost as soon as she said that, I felt a chill run down my spine, like someone had pulled back my shirt and tossed ice cream at my back. I desperately tried not to look anywhere but the bin in front of me, and made my voice go even lower. "Do you have any idea who it could be? Do they have Shugo Chara? Is that why they're watching me? What if they want the Embryo? Or what if they want you guys, like Ikuto?" I sucked in a small gasp. "What if it is Ikuto? What am I gonna do? I don't have any personal issues with him, besides the fact that he's kind of a perv, but he's officially my enemy now since he works for Easter and I'm a Guardian. Why are they enemies, anyway? Did Tadase-kun neglect to tell me, or did he and I forgot-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Lilith screamed suddenly, making me flinch. "You think way too much. And we don't know. We haven't really been around too many Shugo Chara since we were just born, so we don't know how they feel, aura-wise."

"Right," I grumbled. I found a pale blue blanket that went with my colour scheme, so I clutched my hand around it while thinking of what to do, my heart pounding in my ears. I could leave, but then if they were really serious about watching me, they'd follow. The best way to deal with a problem would be to face it head-on, something I had been neglecting to do for a long time. I needed to change, even if it started out with something small like this. So I steeled my shoulders and whirled around, seeing a flash of something the colour of platinum flit behind a shelf housing bedside lamps. Hair. A quick survey of the surrounding area proved that other shoppers were fairly scattered around, so I took a deep breath and called, "Who's there?"

The shelf rattled and the products on it shook, like the person in hiding had jolted in surprise from me noticing they were there. I could hear their quick, almost panicked breathing even from a distance, and the gears were clearly turning in their head. I dug my heels into the tiled floor, determined on standing my ground for once. I needed to be strong. Then I heard something like a sigh, and suddenly ironic laughter was ringing in my ears.

My eyebrows drew down in confusion and, well, horror. I watched warily as the watcher stepped out from behind the shelf, clearly thinking that hiding any longer was useless. I really had no suspicions on how they'd look, but when I actually saw them, I was taken by a lot of surprise.

It was like a doll come to life was standing in front of me. It was a girl, definitely a teenager, with light skin, big violet eyes, and long platinum blonde hair tied into high twin tails. She was shorter than me by a few inches, though I was still slightly intimidated by the glare that was on her face and directed at me. She was dressed very stylishly, with designer jeans, tall black high heels, a turquoise off-shoulder sweater and brown sequined scarf.

Why on God's green earth would a girl like her be stalking me in Winners?

"Looks like you caught me," she said, her voice high-pitched and smooth. A smirk twisted her otherwise gentle features as she regarded me, though there was a menacing gleam in her eye. I definitely felt like I didn't look my best in the presence of someone like her, just wearing black leggings, a long-sleeved purple plaid romper, and purple flats. Not to mention that my hair was in two long braids that fell to my hips. I probably looked like some sort of hick.

I was only able to mutter incoherent phrases, too shocked with the situation to say anything intelligent. She sniffed somewhat haughtily and said, "I know you're shocked, meeting someone like me." You were tailing me through a home décor store. "But I have to ask that you keep it down. I don't want too many people bothering me while I'm out on business."

My Shugo Chara were staring at her like she was a three-dimensional puzzle they couldn't put together. I, on the other hand, could only blink at her and then squint. What was she talking about? Did she have some sort of misconception that people would care if she was in a department store? I didn't get it.

"Sorry," I began, stealthily sliding my purse behind my back slightly in case she had business with my Shugo Chara. "But… do I know you?"

Her jaw went slack and eyes wide. "Wh- what do you mean by that?" She demanded, crossing her arms. "There shouldn't be anyone who hasn't heard of Utau Hoshina."

I quirked an eyebrow. "Well, I haven't. Care to share why you were stalking me?"

Something I said must've really set her off, because her face was gradually becoming red with rage and humiliation. "I am not stalking you," she spat incredulously. "And quit playing dumb. You must've heard my name somewhere." When I just looked at her almost pityingly, she huffed a breath out of her nose like a bull getting ready to charge. "Then you're highly uneducated. I'm just here to scope out the enemy."

The way she said 'enemy' made my defenses fly up. The chances that she wanted me for the Shugo Chara were increasing by the second, as was the heat of her glare. Before I could even say anything, she marched right up to me to stare into my eyes, and it felt like she was sizing me up. I kept my expression carefully neutral as her gaze skimmed me from head to toe, lingering with distaste on my white hair, purple and blue eyes, and height.

"What in the world does he see in someone like you?" She hissed, looking genuinely mad now. I had no idea who she was talking about, and nor did I care. Whoever she was, she was clearly up to no good and I didn't feel like standing around and getting insulted any more today.

I tossed the blanket in my hand in the shopping cart beside me and smiled emotionlessly at her. "Are you done? Because I have more pressing matters to deal with than some chick mouthing off to me like she's queen of the damn world." And with that, I whirled on my heel, grabbed the handle of the cart, and began pushing to the section where they displayed wall décor.

I didn't really enjoy being a bitch like that; it was just that I had no idea of what else to do, and she might've been after Lilith and Vivian. I clutched the handle of the shopping cart and ground my teeth together. I couldn't really trust anyone anymore. Not that I really did to begin with, but now I couldn't begin to even give anyone a chance.

Shopping had taken a short amount of time, surprisingly. I tried to get my mind off of that confrontation, and it didn't feel like that Hoshina girl was watching me anymore. I was able to pay for my items in peace, and once I carried my heavy bags from the store, I let Lilith and Vivian out of my elastic bind. They were clearly unhappy with me, and I didn't want them chirping in my ear the whole way home, so I said we'd stop at a café or something and they could have bites of any sweets I got. This seemed to appease them for a time, and we ended up making a short travel to a nearby Starbucks. Giving them coffee or anything sweet was probably a horrible idea, so I just got a couple pretzels and refused to give them a sip of my vanilla Frappuccino.

While they munched and bickered over who was taking bigger pieces, I chose to ignore them and sat at a lone table near the window. I crossed one leg over the other as I sat down and started sipping at my drink distractedly. It had been a week since I moved here, and I still haven't gotten anywhere near communicating with my mother. I needed to fix that. After all, that was part of the big reason I came here. I wanted to make amends with her, even if she did hate me for… whatever it was I did. It wasn't right of her to abandon me and not tell me anything, leaving me in the dark for thirteen years.

Besides, even though what she did left me with permanent scars… I already forgave her long ago. There had to be a reason why she did that. And I couldn't spend my entire life not finding out what it was. So here I was, in a big city with no one else, and struggling to adjust and find the right time to call her.

I dug my cell phone out of my purse and unlocked it. Before I had even left home, I looked up the number of the place she was staying and saved it into a note. With a deep breath, I flipped to it and stared at the title of said note, biting my lower lip.

Vesania Asylum.

Just the thought of where she was shot chills down my spine. Apparently nearly killing your only daughter and flipping out on the whole neighbourhood and people who tried to help you was reason enough to be thrown in a nuthouse. People there were not all crazy like she had come, insanity eating away at her mind for god knows how long. I didn't understand why she would do that, and why she hadn't even protested or contacted me since she was shipped here. But one thing that I did know was just staring at the number on my phone made icy dread pool in my stomach like condensation dripping off icicles. I couldn't do it. Not right now, when I was still adjusting. I had to get used to the idea that I may hear her voice soon, so familiar yet unfamiliar that it was a song you heard once but forgot the name of and couldn't find it again.

I shoved the phone back in my purse, grabbing Lilith and Vivian's attention, then laid my arms on the table. I buried my face in them, feeling their stares tingle at the top of my head, while I carefully counted my breaths to calm down the panicked and almost frightened beat of my heart.

It was almost a blissful calm, my Shugo Chara understanding that I needed a moment to myself, when I heard a deep voice behind me ask, "Are you having an episode?"

I nearly collapsed sideways out of my chair. With a start, I whipped my head up and glared at Ikuto's face, his cheeks turned red from the cool air outside I couldn't feel. He looked honestly concerned, but there was amusement buried deep beneath that expressionless façade.

"I am not having an episode," I snapped, blushing in his very presence, for God knows what reason. I anxiously looked for something else to focus on and came up empty. "And don't even joke about that. They aren't fun."

Now he just seemed surprised. "You mean you've had one before?"

"I don't see how it's any of your business," I snapped, grabbing my Frappuccino and slurping obnoxiously loudly.

He pulled a chair from the table behind me and plopped it right in front of me, making a high-pitched scraping sound tear across the floor. He slid in the seat with the grace of a cat and smirked deviously. "If it's about you, I'd like to make it my business."

That made another blush crop up. Sheesh, why couldn't he leave me alone? We barely knew each other, and yet he felt compelled for some strange reason to shamelessly flirt with me… which I obviously didn't mind as much as I let on since I wasn't making any move to run away. I mean, come on. He was hot, godly so, and it did seem like he had more depth to him than he let on. Classic story of teen angst. Plus he played the violin. I didn't know why I found that so compelling, but I'll be damned if that didn't make me kind of bubble up on the inside. I was ashamed of myself.

"Can you please leave me alone? I'm kind of busy here," I muttered, setting my drink down in frustration and gesturing to my Shugo Chara, who had both edged closer to me as soon as he strolled on in. His was noticeably absent, but I didn't mention anything. Since he was an "enemy" now, it would probably be better not to let on that I was interested and curious to what he did. I had always liked mysteries. Now a mysterious person appeared in front of me- who claimed to be a cat- so I was all over this.

He completely ignored me, though, and scooped my drink into a hand. Before I could say anything, his lips went over the straw just where mine had, and I couldn't believe how red my face must've looked. I usually didn't mind sharing my drinks or anything like that, but with him it was just… He made a face at it and shivered slightly, setting down in front of me again. "How can you drink something like that when it's so cold?" He asked, glaring at his surroundings. I guessed he was the kind of guy who hated anything cold, and preferred to snuggle up with the girls he charmed…

I made a face right back. "I don't know. I'm immune to cold, but sensitive to heat."

He looked amused. "Just like a snow woman."

"Okay, what are you trying to accomplish with your horrible jokes?"

"That was an observation, smarty pants," he said with an eye roll, and to be quite frank, I really didn't want to listen to him anymore. I was thinking about something kind of important.

"Did you need something?" I demanded, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms. "I was on a bit of an excursion when you bumped your way in here."

He had the grace to shrug. "I saw you through the window and you looked like you were about to faint or something. I was curious if I had to drag you out of here or not."

"Why would you care?" I snapped, getting defensive from the way he was paying attention to me. I wasn't used to it, and I didn't want to be if he was just going to get in the Guardian's way from… whatever they were trying to achieve. "We're enemies now. What does it concern you if I jump off a bridge? Just one less thing to worry about, right?"

He actually looked horrified. "What kind of person do you take me for? I'm not a heartless murderer, Snow. Well, to be fair, I'm not a murderer. Not so sure about the latter."

"Then you can join the club," I grumbled, tearing my eyes away from his deep, inquisitive gaze and staring out the window. I was going to wait everything out, with the Guardians, with my mother. What I was doing with my life right now strangely left something to be desired. It really did feel like there was just empty space where my heart should've been, a hollow in my chest that couldn't be filled. I was well tuned enough with myself to know that I was secretly looking for something to fill the void, hence my sudden decision to make amends with my mother and help strange teenagers search for a magical egg to grant their wish.

"You're making a grumpy face," Ikuto 'observed' again, cocking his head to the side.

I rolled my eyes. "Like you're one to talk. It's like you're permanently grumpy. I'm like a preppy cheerleader compared to you."

"I can't really argue with that," he admitted with a low chuckle that seemed to reverberate throughout my entire body. Christ Almighty I don't know what that is. "Though I seem to be getting a lot more expressive lately according to… someone."

He was trying to pique my curiosity, and he knew it had worked when my eyes snapped to meet his again, and there was a smile in them that wasn't present on his face. That 'someone' he mentioned must be very familiar with him to notice when his countenance changed. I wished I could be that way with… someone.

"I have to go," I said suddenly, grabbing the handles of my plastic Winners bags and tugging them off the ground. My Shugo Chara nonchalantly floated over to rest on my shoulder, their weight next to nothing, though they still looked alert around him. "I have to bring this stuff home."

"You live alone, right?" He asked, a very odd question in light of our recent conversation.

I raised an eyebrow challengingly. "What's it to you?"

He shrugged, his expression seeming to snap to the 'Off' switch again as his face slowly fell into one of boredom and disinterest. "Just curious. You bought an awful lot of things just to be living and shopping for someone else. Plus you were new in town and alone when we first met. If you were living with someone, they should have the courtesy to pick you up since you seem to be severely lacking in both the common sense and direction department."

I opened my mouth to argue, realized that I couldn't because he was right, then shut it again with a snap of my teeth. "You really pay a lot of attention," I muttered, scooping my drink off the table. I almost took another sip when I remembered that it would be an indirect kiss. The concept was immature, sure, but it made me think of actually get close enough to him that our lips were actually touching...

Upon realizing what I had been thinking about, I dropped a bag and slapped myself in the face. The look on his face became startled and somewhat appalled as I picked the bag up again, my left cheek stinging were I had slapped it.

"I hope that's not normal for you," he said quietly, his eyebrows slashing down in legitimate- and somewhat insulting- concern.

"Of course it's not," I hissed, blushing furiously and turning away. "Don't follow me, please. I need to be alone right now."

As I walked out of the small café, with my sensitive hearing, I could hear him mumble while staring at my discarded drink, "Don't we all."

}{

"She has to find out sooner or later."

Everything was so fuzzy and out of focus. The sounds were leaking into my ears almost like trying to listen to a conversation through static, almost completely unintelligible. I couldn't see anything, and it took me a while to realize that was because my eyes were closed. I had been sleeping, and as I slowly awakened more and more, the numbness of unconsciousness fading from my body, I could feel things around me- my duvet, the pillow under my head, another pillow in my arms which I was squeezing like a child's teddy bear, my hair tickling the side of my face as it cascaded down the side of my bed that wasn't against the wall. Was I dreaming? Or had something woken me up?

Almost as if to answer my question, the noises I had been hearing earlier- voices, apparently- continued their conversation. Considering how small and high-pitched they were, I knew it was Lilith and Vivian speaking, trying to converse in hushed tones but failing miserably. "And she will," Vivian's voice said, apparently continuing from where the first voice (Lilith) had left off. "But we can't be the ones to tell her."

Knowing what she was like, I imagined Lilith making an exaggerated gesture. "But she's coming closer and closer every day! I mean, we were only born recently. Do you know what that means? Deep down inside, it's gradually awakening, and it could come out any day now."

"I know," Vivian sighed, as my brows furrowed in confusion. What were they talking about? I picked apart the pieces of their conversation I heard so far to try and define what it was about. The 'it could come out any day now' sounded like something being born; maybe they were referring to my other egg? It was hard to think straight when I had been rudely awoken and my brain was still dumb from sleep.

"Even if we did tell her," my newest character continued in a growl. "Do you really think she'd believe us? She's been a hard-core believer in all things science for most of her life. She even had trouble believing in us until we appeared right in front of her."

I still couldn't understand. All I really wanted was for them to stop talking so I could drift off to the comfort of sleep again.

But those thoughts were chased away when Lilith sounded seriously furious. I had never heard such heat and rage in her voice before, and I knew that her anger would always be a rare thing. "So you want us to wait until it actually happens and completely takes her over? We can't do that, Vivian. Think about how much pain and suffering she'd be in. The girl we know could never come back to us again. She just started a new life here, and it could be gone before she can even blink if we let that thing keep gaining power inside of her!"

"Lower your voice," Vivian hissed. "You'll wake her." You already have, pricks.

"Good! Let her know what we're talking about. Let her know what danger she's in."

"She'll know eventually. There's still plenty of time until that day comes. Besides, I think there'd have to be a catalyst for its awakening. And just remember that we're not the only ones who know about it. He's right beside her, even if she doesn't realize it. He's watching over her as we speak." Vivian finished what she was saying with a deep, heavy breath, and there was a slight thump in what seemed like the distance as she most likely took a seat.

Lilith must have been shaking her head, because her voice travelled left then right, left then right. "I don't like it. Who says we can trust him?"

"Lilith, be reasonable." It was surprising me that Vivian was being very calm and collected in this situation, considering how rebellious she acted today. But the conversation between them was gradually making less and less sense as my eyes became heavier and heavier, my body unconsciously snuggling further into my blankets and sheets that smelled of sweet, fresh fabric softener.

"I know we can trust him." Vivian's voice was getting further and further away, as if I was listening to its echo from one end of a dark tunnel while she was at the other. "He's always been protecting her. He loves her, Lilith, even if you don't see it. They are family, after all."

"Not that she knows that," the former grumbled, and there was another soft thump as she laid down. "Fine. I won't say anything for now. But just keep in mind that when the other egg hatches, we'll be even closer to the day when she loses control completely. And all that will be left- in all of our futures- is ruin."

"I know that," Vivian murmured softly, her voice so calm and soothing, it was a lullaby. I let myself gratefully slip back into unconsciousness, so comfortable and warm and secure it was like nothing was wrong with the world.

Then I had a nightmare of standing over the Guardians, my Shugo Chara, and my adopted family, their bodies piled under me, and my hands dripping in their blood.

"Ack!" I awoke with a start so abrupt that I flailed about, looking to hurt the source of danger that didn't exist. My hair was left in straggles on my face, and I desperately swiped it away like it was some sort of white beast clawing at me to take me away. Vivian and Lilith were both wide awake now when they hadn't been earlier, their eyes wide and hair mussed, like they too had tossed and turned all night.

"What's the matter?" Vivian demanded, her little voice hoarse, eyes disconnected.

It took me a moment to respond. I had to calm my pounding heart, which was burning its way up my throat, and try to even out my breathing. "Nothing," I managed to finally choke out, sweat beading on my forehead. "Just- just a nightmare. It was nothing." But that was a lie. Why on earth would I dream up something morbid like that? There must've really been something wrong with me. I shook my head viciously to chase the dream away, and forced a smile on my face as everything gradually came into focus now that I was fully awake. "Morning," I greeted them.

They exchanged a look I couldn't quite define. Then the pair of them muttered "Morning" back in synch. I stared at them for a moment, feeling like there was something I should remember about them, then shrugged to myself and tore the curtains to my window open.

It looked so nice outside, with the sun only peeking out behind clouds, meaning it wouldn't be too hot. I could see the wind rustling trees in the distance, casting scarlet leaves in a tumbling dance to the ground. People milled about here and there, and I suddenly realized that I was already becoming accustomed to the view from my balcony. This really was a lovely city, even if some of its residents were kinda sketchy, and a bunch of powerful Shugo Chara holders gathered here.

And there was something else that disturbed me- something that took away from my gorgeous view of the city, hulking around in the distance like a menacing shadow. A rectangular, dark, and ominous tall building stood in the distance, boasting a sign that simply read the word 'Easter' in bold, sleek, silver lettering. I narrowed my eyes at it. It couldn't possibly be the same Easter the Guardians were fighting… could it? I mean, it seemed like an awfully important thing to get a building like that, and no way would a group of highschoolers go against a big corporation.

Satisfied with my own resolution, I began busying myself with getting ready, Lilith and Vivian dragging themselves behind me the whole time. The Guardians staged a meeting at one of their houses every Sunday before school, so they could prepare documents and announcements and such before the week began. I was informed on Friday that today the meeting would be at Tadase-kun's house, and Yaya-san gave me really obvious directions that looked like they had been written for a child. I scowled at them at the time, but now I knew I'd probably need them. The view I had just been admiring was a large one indeed, and God knew how I was supposed to get anywhere with my sense of direction- or lack thereof.

I was towel drying my hair, smelling strongly of sweet pumpkin pie in honour of autumn, and getting myself breakfast when Lilith asked an odd question.

"Snow?" She began. I turned from frying my bacon to look at her inquisitively. "Have you been feeling… strange at all?"

I snorted. "What, you mean besides giving birth to three eggs that magical little characters popped out of?" When she kept her serious face on, I relented the teasing. "I feel perfectly fine. Why do you ask?"

She opened her small, pink mouth like she wanted to say something, but Vivian's eyes that cut like shards of violet glass shut her up. She pressed her lips together, then suddenly transformed into the Lilith I was gradually getting used to, with the wild crimson hair and wicked grin. "Just wondering," she said with a snicker. "Things have been changing for you rapidly, is all. Plus you've got homework, your job, and your own house to clean now. It's a pretty big change."

I turned the stove off and mulled that over for a moment, tossing the subject around in my head like rolling a mint in my mouth. "I haven't really noticed," I murmured slowly with a slight shrug. "I've been doing stuff like this most of my life. Back in New Orleans, I helped Mary run the bakery when I got home earlier than Theresa and Nate. Plus I helped take care of the younger kids at the orphanage." I tapped my skull for a moment with a slight grin as I took in the sight of two thumb-sized girls casually sitting on the island, Vivian clutching her stuffed rabbit like a shield, Lilith sitting cross-legged despite the very short shorts. "I'm used to this stuff."

Taking the bacon out of the pan, I let it sit for a moment in a paper towel to drain the grease. While I waited, I toasted rye bread, sliced tomatoes and chopped lettuce, Lilith and Vivian watching in silence the entire time.

"It is kind of strange though," I continued, taking another break to scan my eyes over my whole apartment. "To be here without any other people with me. And I don't mean to be discriminate against you guys; it's just that you're still kind of foreign life forms to me." My eyes took in the small steps leading to the snug little living area, with new throw blankets and pillows arranged neatly on my couch and loveseat. "It's just weird to think that I'm not sharing this with anyone; I'm always going to be by myself here- except for you guys. It's nice, but at the same time, it's lonely, you know?"

"We know," the said in unison again, glaring at each other slightly.

I laughed and sat down at the island, hungrily tearing through my sandwich, just a mouse with a broken leg in my grasp while I was a ravenous eagle or something. Once finished, I chugged down a glass of milk, then checked the time. It was just a little past noon, and we were meeting at Tadase-kun's house at one. I figured it was better to leave now in case the trek took a while- or if I got lost.

I threw on a red scarf and my boots, casting a glance at Lilith. "Will you be cold?" I asked her.

Making a show out of her answer, she hugged herself and shivered. "Of course I will be. I'm so tiny the wind blows straight through me- or it can blow us away at times."

The thought was hilarious, and I burst into laughter, Vivian chortling along with me even though she could easily be stolen by forces of nature as well. With a scowl, Lilith stuffed herself between my scarf and neck to stay warm, and Vivian followed suit. It felt so strange to feel two very small beings breathing against me, to hear tiny hearts pounding in their chests. They were very much real and alive, and that fact really began to sink in when their bodies gradually began to heat up my neck with their natural heat, small as it was.

Smiling to myself, I shut off the lights, grabbed my purse, and locked the apartment door as I stepped out. A familiar face was following the same pattern as I was, and I smiled in greeting at him. "Good afternoon, Lee," I said cheerfully, my mood increasing bit by bit from the rut I was in when I awoke.

He smiled back at me, flashing straight, white teeth that any model would kill for. He was awfully attractive for an adult, I had to give him that. "Afternoon, Snow. Where are you headed today?"

I shrugged as we both started towards the elevator, finding it incredibly weird that he couldn't notice the small people snuggled up against my neck bickering at each other. "Some kids from my school and I are talking about club activities at one of their houses'."

"You've made friends at school?" He asked in confirmation. I thought for a moment, then nodded hesitantly. He flashed me another dazzling smile, his black hair falling into his eyes even though most of it was in a ponytail again. "That's good. Someone like you deserves them."

I quirked an eyebrow. "Someone like me?"

"You know," he began with a bit of an exaggerated eye roll. "Nice and polite. I notice you come home after school, go out, then come back later in the night. You're working, aren't you."

It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yeah. Got to pay the rent somehow."

"I've never seen a person so dedicated to hard work before."

We were in the elevator, that precise and crisp citrus scent lingering again. I pressed the button that would take us to the lobby, grinning to myself and saying, "Flattery will get you nowhere."

"I'm not trying to get anywhere," he said completely nonchalantly, like an adult like him being nice to me for no reason was an everyday thing. "I'm being serious. Someone still in school, working a job, and taking care of an apartment on their own? That's pretty impressive."

I flushed while nervously wringing out my hands. Lilith and Vivian were giving me a scrutinizing glare from where they clung to my scarf, and I ignored them. "I'm already an adult," I said simply with an impish grin. "I would've had to take care of myself eventually, anyway. I just got started earlier than most."

As soon as I said that, I began feeling immense regret. Not because I was embarrassed about saying it, not because it sounded like I was fishing for sympathy or anything. But because Lee suddenly got this look on his face that took my breath away and made empathy well up in my chest, a balloon with water pouring rapidly into it. His eyebrows slashed down and his jade eyes sparkled, filled to the brim with emotion and pain. His mouth turned down, altogether making him looked so devastated and guilty that I knew I couldn't even begin to understand what he was thinking about- nor did I want to.

"Is something wrong?" I asked softly, moving to- I don't know, touch his black sleeve in comfort or something. But I wasn't able to, since he glared down at my hand like I had just smeared it in wet paint or something, and I flinched and dropped it to my side. Had I done something wrong? Maybe I was being too familiar with him. I was an idiot. The atmosphere in the cramped space was suffocating and uncomfortable, and I couldn't wait for the ride to be over.

Thankfully, the ding of the elevator coming to its stop saved us from any more awkward silence. I practically scrambled out of it and was about to head for the exit, but then I felt a hand grab my elbow gently, like I was made out of glass and could break any second. I looked back incredulously to find that Lee had just stepped out after me and seemed to be looking at me in almost a pleading way.

"I… I just- nothing's wrong," he said finally, shaking his head adamantly. He dropped his hand and stared down at it like I really had rubbed something off on it, then clenched it into a fist. "I…"

He began purposely heading in the direction of the other exit, leaving me standing there, mouth agape in a dumbfounded way. "I'm so sorry," he called before he was out of sight, and my eyes widened just as his form ducked out of the other door.

What was he apologizing for? I barely knew the guy. Maybe it was because of his rude conduct just a minute or so ago? I had no clue, and I got this strange, wriggling feeling inside of my chest that told me I didn't want to know, either. Whatever was on his mind was none of my business, nor should it ever be. I shook my head adamantly, almost missing the suspicious glance my Shugo Chara shared, like they did know why a complete stranger was behaving like that towards me.

I exited the building quickly, not wanting to be late, when a voice came out of nowhere and scared me out of my skin: "What took you so long?"

My knees had given out from surprise, leaving me quivering on the ground as someone giggled above me and asked if I was alright. I glanced up frantically to find Nadeshiko-san standing above me, holding out a hand to help me up.

"Don't scare me like that," I hissed, standing on my own and brushing wet gravel from my knees. Her hand dropped slack to her side, just as Lee's had after he grabbed my arm, and an unwanted pang resounded in my chest.

"Sorry," she continued to giggle, her dark hair falling into her eyes slightly. She had it done slightly differently today, half-up and half-down, almost like mine. "But your reaction was well worth it." She must've just noticed the somewhat melancholic look on my face, because she sobered and her eyebrows drew down in worry. "Is something wrong? I really didn't mean to scare you that much."

"I know you didn't," I assuaged, smiling nervously. "Just… I was thinking about some things. Anyway, what brings you here?"

"Well," she began, placing her hands on her hips with a satisfied grin and nodding. "The other Guardians and I thought it might be a good idea for me to escort you to Hotori-kun's house today, since you're still relatively new to the city and…" She trailed off, sharing a glance with her Shugo Chara- Temari, I think?- and sparing my feelings.

Though there was no need to. I got the picture. I made a sour face and avoided her gaze. "And because my sense of direction is nonexistent. I get it."

She smiled at me in comfort. "Now, now, it's nothing to be ashamed of. No one has a perfect sense of direction. Plus, this will give us time to get to know one another! Doesn't that sound nice?"

I tried to smile, but it came out looking like a weak grimace. Completely unaffected, she simply laughed cheerily at my expression and began walking away. It made me uncomfortable to be walking next to a girl like her, her steps fluid and graceful while my walk was more of a stomp made to kill ants. I looked like a peasant next to her, if we were being honest, and I felt even more out of place when I saw the cream-coloured fall coat clinging to her slender frame like a second skin.

Heaving a sigh that ended up looking like a puff of steam in the apparently cold air, I pulled my crimson scarf further over my mouth and stared straight ahead.

"Hey," Nadeshiko-san said suddenly, shifting her gaze back to me and wearing a grin identical to Temari's.

In return, I raised an eyebrow. "Hiya."

"I have a question for you."

My eyes narrowed slightly as my eyelashes began to stick together from the cold. "Shoot."

"There's really no roundabout way to go about this, since you seem like you're the dense type," she began with a slight, girlish sigh, earning a surprised glare from me.

"Hey," I chirped, but she ignored me, and looked at me over her shoulder with a serious expression.

"Do you like Hotori-kun?"

"Uh…" Why do I feel like she means that in a way I don't want to think about? "I guess? He seems like a nice guy…"
Her amber eyes darted heavenward. "I knew that was too indirect for you." I scowled at her. "What I meant was, do you love him?"

I tripped over my own feet and fell to the ground.

The flow of human traffic behind me began sputtering and cussing as I held them up, navigating their way around me in a storming kind of way. Nadeshiko-san waited patiently for me to gather my bearings, which meant slowly forcing myself of the ground and looking at her incredulously.

"Why on God's green earth would you think that?" I demanded, glaring at her wildly. My Shugo Chara were none too pleased with my little tumble, their disgruntled forms hanging on for dear life at the low cut of my sweater.

Nadeshiko-san smiled like a wise woman, her eyes twinkling. "Well, just the way you act around him. You seem brighter around him, and you pay attention whenever he speaks, when it seems like you just ignore the rest of us." She rolled her eyes and snidely added, "Like we're purposely trying to annoy you."

"Oh," I murmured slowly, flushing in embarrassment. I had hurt their feelings by being the way I am. I avoided her gaze and said, "I'm sorry if I ever hurt your feelings." When she flashed a reassuring smile back at me, I switched gears to the matter at hand. "But no, I do not like him like that. I barely know the guy! I mean, sure, he is really cute, and just being around him makes me feel a lot better than I usually do, but-" I cut myself off when I saw Nadeshiko-san and all the Shugo Chara present grinning from ear-to-ear. "Oh, come on! It's not like I really know how to behave around guys in the first place."

She muttered something under her breath that sounded like "well you seem to be doing just fine". I ignored her and placed my hands on the curves of my hips as we kept walking. "Not like someone like me would stand a chance with him anyway."

I swore she made the very un-ladylike gesture of rolling her eyes at the comment. "Please. But if you insist, I won't push you for details." She stopped walking for a second, waited for me to catch up, then fell into step beside me with a friendly grin. "Just know that I'll support your decision. We are, after all, surrounded by fairly attractive guys."

"You can say that again."

"We are, after all, surrounded by-"

"Please stop, it's already too much."

As she giggled, I still felt tempted to correct her by saying that I wasn't really planning to like anyone around us, but then she saved me the trouble when her countenance darkened beyond recognition and her laughter ceased. "Except for if you're interested in Ikuto Tsukiyomi-san. Then I don't think I'll be able to cheer you on."

Almost losing my footing again, my face flushed inexplicably and I groped for words. "Wh-why would I ever want to start liking him?" I demanded, my breathing coming out more quickly and my steps increasing in speed along with it.

She cast me a wry look. "You knew each other before you even met us Guardians." It wasn't a question.

I could only blink as the red drained from my face. "Well, yeah. But it was pure coincidence." Hesitating for a moment, I carefully added, "We're not even friends or anything…"

Letting my gaze travel to hers for a moment, I saw that she had a very pensive look on her gentle face, her full mouth set in a grim line. Her eyes flicked to mine, and only then did I notice with astonishment that we were around the same height. "Are you sure it was only a coincidence?"

"What do you mean?" I asked through narrowed eyes. Though I had already considered the possibility I knew she was about to voice, it was still kind of a shock to hear out loud, since I didn't really believe it given the circumstances.

"I mean, what if he sensed your eggs before they were even born and purposely got closer to you?"

"Somehow I doubt he even thought of that," I said, a heavy sigh ripping straight from my throat. "But then again, what do I know about him? Not a whole lot, to be honest. Can I be frank with you?" I asked suddenly, and even though we weren't really friends, I still wanted her to know what I really thought.

One of her dark, plucked eyebrows rose. "Please do."

"Honestly, I don't really think Ikuto is really all that malevolent. I mean yeah, he works for Easter, and they're the whole rival vying to get the Embryo against you guys… us… but he's only one person in the entire company. I'm not sticking up for him or anything, because I have no clue what he's done, but what if he thinks differently from the rest? What if he doesn't want to hunt for the Embryo?"

She was giving me an odd, curious look. "Why are you so adamant about defending him like that?"

Since I didn't know myself, I could only shrug.

She heaved a graceful sigh. "Your compassion will be your undoing," she warned, and I nodded mutely, sincerely hoping I wasn't wrong.

Sensing that I had nothing else to say, Nadeshiko-san dropped the subject, but she still looked thoughtful about it. I rolled my eyes. Was there some unwritten rule that all teenagers had to fall for someone no matter what? Because if there was, I was breaking it, and I had been for a while. Nor did I plan to develop feelings for anyone soon… I think.

"We're here," Nadeshiko-san suddenly said, startling me out of my teen (adult?) angst. We had gradually navigated away from the more modernized area of the city and were in of a more residential neighbourhood with large, manor-styled houses, all beautiful on their own, but the mountainous juggernaut of a house in front of us took the cake.

I had never seen anything like Tadase-kun's- or Tadase-sama's, from its obvious sign of wealth- house before, so large and extravagant it seemed more like an oriental-styled mansion than just a house. It was enclosed in a large gate that covered the perimeter of the lot in a square shape, all in monochromatic colours of black, white, and gray. The house itself was a main building with multiple open hallways leading to smaller ones in a maze, complete with dark, rounded shingles on the pagoda-peaked roof. For some unfathomable reason, I could hear water trickling from within the gate, and was so intimidated I felt tempted to turn tail and run.

"Well" was all I managed to choke out.

Nadeshiko-san grinned at me, clearly amused and pleased at my reaction. "Marvelous, isn't it?"

"That's… one word to use." Another one I'd use was terrifying. While the structure itself was totally refined, impressive, and altogether very unique, it seemed like the kind of place where a Japanese slash flick would take place. The fact that one of my movie escapades with Mao was The Grudge wasn't really helping any.

She smiled at me in that kind, comforting way again, and strolled up to the gate like this could've been her own house. There was a high-tech system that involved cameras, speakers, multi-coloured buttons, and a buzzer that I didn't even try to understand, but Nadeshiko-san walked up and pressed one easily without even having to think about it. After a few frantic heartbeats of mine, a crackly, mechanical voice spoke from one of the speakers: "Come in".

"Do we have to?" I whispered to my only human companion, earning me an exaggerated roll of her eyes.

"Lighten up," she sang cheerily as she pushed the heavy wooden gate open, and I got the distinct impression that I was entering a mighty fortress.

Now that we were inside of the premises, I know what the tinkling water was all about. A small coruscating pond flowed throughout the area, a small wooden bridge built over it that began a path to the main house. Rock gardens swirled like mandalas on the ground, bordered by flourishing plants bursting with colour that looked very exotic. As I stood dumbfounded in the entrance, Nadeshiko-san nonchalantly walked- or maybe danced was a better word, for her grace- across the wooden arched bridge, and I managed to drag my feet after her, looking dazed and lost. Lilith and Vivian squeezed out from my scarf to dart around and inspect everything with a child's curiosity, and they looked fairly impressed. When I flicked my eyes to them to make sure they weren't disturbing any shit in this small paradise, they both grinned, raised their eyebrows, and gave me a suggestive thumbs-up.

I flipped them the bird while a blush covered my face as I got what they were implying. "Good choice." Pricks.

Since the manners around this place were indefinitely more refined, I followed Nadeshiko-san's example and kicked off my shoes before climbing onto the maze-like porch and following her down multiple hallways I didn't even bother to remember. Since she was able to navigate her way around easily, I theorized that she came around here quite often. It was clear- even to me- that this fact perturbed me, because my footfalls that were already creaking on the ancient wooden floors became heavier and louder. Although the reason why was incomprehensible to me.

Vivian and Lilith floated into space beside me, smug expressions on their faces. I narrowed my eyes into slits. "What?"

"Nothing," the small black-haired girl sang, making snickers erupt from her crimson-headed sister. That just made me all the more suspicious, but I figured I didn't even want to know.

Nadeshiko-san finally stopped in front of a sliding door within the main home, the walls covered with papery scenes depicting a serene day at a creek, with long cattails swaying in a painted breeze and cranes delicately making their way throughout water that was made into wavy patterns. Various types of flowers were placed on tables all throughout the hall, much like the floor of my apartment, and made the scents of lilies and jasmine flow throughout the hall. Before I even had time to react, she was sliding the door open and saying, "Good day, everyone."

The Guardians all chorused back their greetings, Kukai-kun's painfully informal, Yaya-san's cheery and childish, and Tadase-kun's polite and caring. I found myself blushing as I regarded him sitting on his knees on the floor, at his gentle features and thin form. I had to avert my gaze before I was caught staring, but everyone but the guy in question noticed and was smirking at me. Goddammit.

"Welcome to the first out-of-school Guardians meeting, Hisayuki-san," Tadase-kun greeted as I was forced to sit beside him since Nadeshiko-san took the only other available spot around the kotatsu by Yaya-san. I considered her a traitor.

"Thanks," I mumbled, and we were about to get started from the way Tadase-kun awkwardly shuffled paperwork, but then the closed door suddenly slid open again, and a very solid and intimidating man with light hair and a stern face stood in the entryway. He wore a crisp suit like he was readying to go out somewhere, and I knew from the striking resemblance (the eye colour, angle of the nose, soft cheekbones) that this man had to be Tadase-kun's father.

"I'm going out for a while," he said flatly, straightening his tie. He took in the group surrounding his son, nodded in greeting, then completely froze when he met my gaze. I didn't even know that guy, but I could sense that it was a rare occurrence for something to take him by surprise- and yet my presence did.

"Gabriel…?" He murmured softly, distantly, his head cocking to the side slightly and making his gelled hair come slightly askew.

I could only stare at him with a slightly slack jaw. Where hadn't my father been?

Considering the possibility that I may have to get to know this man from hanging around his son a lot, and the Guardians regarding me curiously, I smiled politely and responded simply, "No, sir, I'm Gabriel Hisayuki's daughter, Snow. Pleased to meet you."

His expression fell slightly, like he honestly expected me to be my father turned woman, then brightened again. "A pleasure. I'm Tadase's father, Yui Hotori." He gestured to his son with a jerk of his head, and he seemed to flush in embarrassment. "I don't know if your father ever told you about me, but we were good friends in University. Both studied law for a bit. How is he doing, anyway? I haven't seen him since he moved out to New Orleans with Audrey."

Audrey Hisayuki (formerly Fallon) was my mother's name, and she was apparently one of the kindest people you'd ever come across back in the day. I thought it was fully justified that I found that hard to believe.

But in response to Yui-san's question, as far as I was concerned… "He's dead, sir."

I almost felt bad for saying what I believed to be true from the stricken expression on his face. He must've really known and been close with my father, since it seemed like that one sentence tore a chunk out of his formal pretense and left a defenseless and lost man standing shell-shocked in the doorway of his son's room, who was looking between him and I worriedly.

"I'm… so sorry," he finally managed to breathe, his voice rough. "When…?"

"When I was five." I paused for a moment to see that there weren't any working gears in his brain at the moment. "Thirteen years ago. And it's perfectly alright; I know he was a great man, and I'm sure he'd have wanted to see you again, but there were… extenuating circumstances." Not that I knew what they were. I just felt awful for saying something like my father's supposed death point-blank when this man clearly cared about him a lot. I wish he'd told me about Yui-san; or maybe he did and I just didn't remember.

"Give your mother my condolences," he said finally, bowing his head slightly to me, smiling briefly at his son, then exiting the room.

I'd love to if she hadn't gone batshit crazy after he disappeared. But I left it at that and focused on the paperwork in front of me. All of the Guardians were sensing that I probably didn't want to talk about it, and they didn't push me for information like I knew they wanted to. I found the gesture very sweet, and even though I still didn't feel like I deserved it, I was happy to be amongst them.

"Ahem," Tadase-kun cleared his throat, pushing his feelings for his father and his questions for me aside with visible effort. "Anyway, let's call this meeting to order."

For the first few minutes, the meeting consisted of a weekly review of the events that had happened in the school that were worth mentioning, upcoming events like the sports festival at the end of next week, and any suggestions that had been submitted to them (us?) that needed to be looked over. Even though I was fairly new at this, and this was my first official meeting, I listened attentively and took as many mental notes as I was able.

And then they got to the part where the addressed me as a new member.

I shifted nervously as their gazes automatically travelled to me. Not knowing what else to say, a forced an awkward smile on my face that came out more like a grimace and hunched my shoulders forward, like a complete coward.

Tadase-kun smiled in assurance at me, and all of the Guardians somehow ended up smirking, along with the Shugo Charas. Instead of having to meet their suggestive glances, I turned my eyes to the table in front of me, letting Tadase-kun's voice register in my mind in a concrete, absolute way.

"You have a very special position, Hisayuki-san," he began, his red-brown eyes gleaming seriously.

"Especially after that little show on Friday," Kukai-kun cut in, waggling his eyebrows at me. I waved him away dismissively.

"This position has never been filled before," Tadase-kun continued, casting a dry look at the spirited redhead, who only grinned in return. "Since no one else has been powerful enough to resonate with the Humpty Lock. But now you're here, and you have three Shugo Chara and the Humpty Lock, so the Joker chair of the Guardians can be filled."

"The Joker has a very important job," Yaya-san piped in, her high voice still completely cheerful despite the serious conversation occurring. "One that none of us can do. Your job is to purify X-eggs, just like you did with Weiss Yota-san."

I was desperately trying to keep my emotions in check now, for I barely had any idea how I purified that X-egg the first time. I remembered that it involved my whip (ugh) and my feelings, but how the process actually worked was unbeknownst to me. I guessed I was still having trouble with the whole "magic exists and doesn't involve science" thing.

"Before you go getting all flustered," Nadeshiko-san said suddenly, seeing the look of panic on my face. "Don't fret. We'll do our best to train and help you however we can. We're all in this together."

A warm smile spread across my face. This sense of companionship was so foreign and wonderful to me, finally seeing the light of day after an eternity of night. I had never felt so accepted- welcomed, even- before, and for the first time I felt like I actually belonged. The Guardians allowed me a private moment of thought as I pondered over this, thinking about how depressing I had actually become. I had been so used to pain and loneliness that anything bright and kind was like a completely new concept to me. I resolved to try and become less of a downer and more of a person these nice people could rely on.

But Nadeshiko-san's words, "we're all in this together", reminded me of something I had yet to affirm. I wiped the grin off my face and asked, "Why do you guys want the Embryo, anyway? Do you have some kind of wish?"

They all exchanged a glance, and everyone eventually ended up staring down Tadase-kun. He flushed in embarrassment and fidgeted slightly. "Well…"

Kukai-kun looked heavenward, and suddenly got this look of an epiphany on his face. He edged closer to Tadase-kun and I slightly and whispered something to him that sounded faintly like "prints". Just as I was wondering what the hell they were talking about, Tadase-kun stopped talking and got what would be considered a dark look on his face if it was anyone else, and Kiseki looked strangely… excited? The other girls just rolled their eyes, and Yaya-san started to giggle.

"Prince?" Tadase-kun repeated, and that made even less sense than my first idea. I just scowled at him next to me, then he suddenly burst away from the kotatsu and stood up laughing maniacally, a small golden crown appearing on his head from nowhere. "Don't call me something as insulting as a 'Prince'! I am the KING!"

He took one glance at me, snorted, then said, "Peasant."

What the fuck? He was acting like a completely different, haughty person! Not to mention he called me a friggin' peasant. I stood up as quickly as he had, fists clenched at my sides, and was only just held back by Kukai-kun clamping his warm hands down on my arms and holding me in place.

"Sorry, Hisayuki," he muttered, his expression amused. "He can't really control what he says when he's Character Changed… plus, it's my fault for triggering it." Though he didn't look the least bit repentant.

Yaya-san was still giggling like the little girl I was beginning to believe she was. "Hey, Tadase," she sang. "Why do you want to get the Embryo?"

The douchebag King flipped back his long, light bangs with a snort. A smirk twisted on his face and his voice dripped with superiority as he said, "Only to take over the world, of course!"

Speechless for a moment, my steeled arms fell slack in Kukai-kun's grasp, making him let go, turn around, and start busting a gut at my reaction. Tadase-kun wanted to… take over the world? My mouth began moving mechanically, weird, strangled noises coming out, as the King began to laugh like a true man that was going to try and achieve world domination.

"ARE YOU INSANE?" I demanded, and now everyone was laughing their asses off. "Why are you supporting this?! You guys really are crazy!"

"It's something to do," Kukai-kun shrugged, much to my dismay.

"Plus it's fun, don't you think?" Yaya-san added cheerfully, grinning broadly and poking one of her girly cheek dimples with her forefinger as if to say teehee.

They actually believed they could do it. They really thought taking over the world like some crazy-ass tyrant was possible. I was shaking my head adamantly, completely bewildered by these people. I turned on my heel and began heading for the door, saying, "I'm out."

But then somebody's hand was gripping mine tightly, and I looked down in horror to see Nadeshiko-san smiling up at me like a clown that had just committed homicide. "No turning back now."

From there, everything seemed to go downhill very quickly. I had to be forcefully wrestled and pinned to the ground so I couldn't try and run by Nadeshiko-san and Kukai-kun, Tadase-kun was still laughing like a complete psychopath, Yaya-san was almost suffocating from giggling so much, and my Charas were too busy fighting with the others and each other to even try to help me (not that they would, anyway). Everyone was screaming obscurities at each other, and the wooden floor was digging into my face painfully since Kukai-kun was holding it there. From the way it was burning, I knew the spaces between panels would leave an imprint.

Eventually things settled down, starting with Tadase-kun's Character Change coming undone. From there he was the peacemaker and mercifully requested that Nadeshiko-san and Kukai-kun get the hell off of me (only in a more respectful way). I remained on the floor in a deathly silence as they tore apart the Charas and smacked Yaya-san lightly to make her stop laughing, and they were all breathing heavily by the end of the whole escapade.

"Hisayuki-san," Tadase-kun panted lightly. "You can get up now."

I didn't want to be a part of a freak show. But I had already agreed to help, and I never went back on my word. Besides, they couldn't… really be serious. I mean, the whole idea of world conquest was way over any adult's head, let alone a teenager's. So I took a deep breath and pushed myself off the floor, making my Charas start spewing more laughter at the imprint on my face.

"Ahem," I coughed awkwardly as I used two fingers to mash their faces on the table. "Regarding what just happened. So that was Tadase-kun's Character Change." I took a deep breath so I didn't begin flipping out like I normally would have when someone seemed to have schizophrenia. "I can see that." Considering Kiseki was just like that on a regular basis. "But how was it triggered?" I looked pointedly at Kukai-kun.

He shrugged. "If someone says something that their Chara doesn't like or approve of, or their master is making them angry, they'll automatically take over and try to change the situation, such is their nature. In Tadase's case, when you call him the 'P' word, Kiseki doesn't like that and proclaims that 'he's the king'."

"And don't you forget it, Peasant," the latter snorted, this smug little smirk on his face.

I wasn't particularly fond of being called a peasant. "Well, do you guys know why Easter wants to get the Embryo? Why they're your… our enemies?"

The mood in the room darkened so much that it was a heavy fog flowing in through the windows and making everyone's faces fall. Tadase-kun's was the most notable, his expression torn between something like pain and contempt. The look didn't suit his normally light and cheerful disposition, and the sudden change disturbed me more than it should have.

"Nothing good," he said with a shake of his head. "We were told about the Embryo by the headmaster. And once we started looking for it, there they were, already skulking around and using dirty means to find it."

"What… dirty means?" I was almost afraid to ask. The image of Ikuto suddenly popped into my head, when I left him looking awfully forlorn at Starbucks yesterday. I tried to shake it off, but it remained even after Tadase-kun continued.

"Deliberately turning someone's egg into an X." His russet eyes seemed to glint dangerously as he said the next thing. "Destroying X-eggs."

"What happens when someone's egg is destroyed?" Lilith gave me a look like she had explained it before, and she must have, but I wanted to hear it from someone who may have watched it happen.

"To put it simply," Vivian suddenly chimed in, her voice low and cryptic. Everyone turned to look down at her. "They begin living as if they are already dead."

"That's exactly right," Nadeshiko-san continued, her mouth formed into a deep frown. "They lose what their eggs are composed of: their dreams. They have no ambitions, no hope, no future. It happens all the time as people get older, but doing it deliberately is like pure evil." She shook her head, inky hair flying like lashes of night. "If there were no dreams or ambitions, we wouldn't have the society we do today. You never know; destroying one person's egg may just mean destroying a vital part of humankind's future. Like, what if they were to invent something important? Change the world in some small way? It is never worth the risk, and the holder goes through a lot of pain. Like getting their heart ripped right out of their chest."

Depressing as it was, I could probably sympathize with the broken-egged people, in terms of living as if you were already dead. There was a horrible hollow feeling in your chest, like there was a gaping hole that someone could actually put their hand through without any trouble. Doing that to someone intentionally was horrible, inhuman even. But… did Easter really do that? I didn't think the Guardians were lying or anything; it was just hard for me to imagine people doing that on purpose.

This only fired me up to try and do my new job as "Joker". The Guardians were telling me to save people in a way only I could right now. It didn't matter if the job was hard. It didn't matter if I thought I wasn't capable of doing it correctly. What mattered was that I at least tried to prevent people from suffering the same kind of emptiness I did when I was young. I was beginning to understand I had a new responsibility as the new Humpty Lock owner to use it in the way it was meant to be used. I had to save people from losing themselves before they even found them.

Lilith and Vivian were smiling up at me as if they approved of my internally-made decision, which was most likely the case considering they liked to eavesdrop on my thoughts in total disregard of my right to privacy.

"So you see it's a necessity to get the Embryo before they do," Tadase-kun murmured with a tone of finality. "Who knows why they even want it. But I can assure you that it's nothing good."

I nodded in understanding, and he flashed his regular charming smile at me. Though there was one thing that kept consistently bothering me. I couldn't just ignore the other side of things. Why were the people working for Easter doing this voluntarily? Was there a goal they all hoped to achieve together? Or… maybe they each had their separate goals. This was a mega-corporation, after all; there had to be something to this whole mystery, something the Guardians were overlooking because they were too busy doing their own duties.

While I was overthinking again and trying to work out this Rubrics' cube in my head, Yaya-san had adeptly snuck behind me, and suddenly I was yanked into a tight backwards hug, her thin arms wrapped like vises around my neck. My eyes widened in complete befuddlement. I barely knew her- what was she doing being like this? But then I overlooked her personality (or what I've seen of it, anyway) and figured that it was just Yaya-san's way.

"Don't worry, don't worry!" She cheered in my ear, and I couldn't figure out why she repeated it. "We're all Guardians now, and we'll never be alone. We can find the Embryo together for sure, and we can make Tadase's dream come true!"

"Unreasonable as it may be," Nadeshiko-san added with a roll of her eyes.

"Besides," Kukai-kun added, leaning back so his long, athletic legs stretched out all over the floor. "Even though we just met, we're already buddies, aren't we, Hisayuki?"

I grinned at them, even flashing teeth. "Yeah," I agreed. "We're already buddies."

"Yay!" Yaya-san began strangling me, intentionally or not unknown to me. As I choked to death, she squealed in my ear, "Can I call you Snow-chi?"

"You may not," I hacked.

"I'm gonna anyway! Because we're all friends now!"

Even though Yaya-san said that, and even though I was surrounded by warm, smiling faces that welcomed me into their circle even though I was a stranger, I got the strangest feeling of presentiment. It was the same feeling I got when I walked into that dark, seemingly empty house when I was five and knew something was awry. I had no idea what it could mean. But it sent chills down my spine despite Yaya-san's warm arms around me and my resistance to cold, and my Charas grins faded.

We all knew something was about to begin. But I felt like I was the only one who didn't know what.

Crimrose: Well. That kind of left on a depressing note.

Snow: Are you SURE I'm not a Mary Sue or whatever? Because it's beginning to look like it, and I find that offensive.

Crimrose: *Shrug* I dunno. You are what you are. And that's the direction most of my characters seem to drift towards, no? I mean, look at Aileen and Valerie. They were miserable.

*SPONTANEOUS VALERIE*: 'Scuse me, I find myself pretty happy-go-lucky, thank you very much. I made a snowman for no good reason and named it the Baron of Frost.

Crimrose: Please leave.

Ikuto: Who is THAT? I've never seen her.

Valerie: *Carefully scans him up and down* Heh. I'm whoever you want me to be.

Snow: You did not.

Crimrose: My cat is snoring, and I don't know whether or not to be worried.

Ikuto: You guys are a riot. Really, I'm having a blast here.

Crimrose: No, it's just REALLY LOUD, and I don't-

Snow: OH-KAY I think that's enough banter for one day. Please leave a review, and we'll try to get the next chapter up more quickly. Promise! ＼(＾▽＾*)

Crimrose: SERIOUSLY DO I NEED TO CALL A VET OR IS THIS NORMAL I'M SO CONCERNED