Disclaimer: None of the main characters in this fan fiction are owned by me with an exception to a few and are owned by the author/mangaka, Hiro Fujiwara. No money is being profited by this story. No copyright infringement.

Author's Note:

Hey, guys! An early upload since this week has been very dull and writing was all I could look back to for some fun. I find it very exciting yet nerve-wracking when I write this story, to be honest. Since, I have no idea what I'm going to write next. In other words, I have no planning whatsoever. So, I'm pretty much finding out things just as soon as you are (Is that a bad thing LOL). Anyway, thanks for the reviews and I hope you enjoy!

-Hazel :)

Thursday, December 3rd, Second Period; Cultures and Etiquette Class.

Cultures is what we really call it (no one spends their time saying the entire thing), is the most exhausting, time-consuming, and frustrating classes there is in this academy.

You know, how there's always that one class that is simply useless? Exactly. This is that one class. And, when I told this to Sakura, she was stunned out of her skin...saying something next to, 'Misaki? Did you bump into a wall? Since you never talk about classes like that...'

Well, fine. Maybe I don't say classes are useless 24/7...or at all, to be exact. But, this one class...this one class...just is. Useless, that is.

And, why, you ask? Why do I have the hardest of times in this class and not any of the others? Well, let's take today as an example. Everything's fine and great until...I was forced to...

Okay. Deep breath.

You can write this, Misaki. It is your diary, after all.

I was forced to dance.

Yeah. And, not just alone. No. I was accompanied by Professor White, who was specially called in to dance with each and every one of us girls as Lady Fleur (our professor for this class asks us to call her that instead of 'professor'. I don't understand) had requested us-wearing another one of her bright pink, long, puffy, dresses from the Victorian era- to learn proper etiquette since she wants us to be and I quote, 'beautiful, suitable, and absolutely wonderful young girls' who while protecting this Area-being part of the Guardian group-would need to be ladies'. And, no, you're not mistaken. She actually said that. As if it made total sense for a group of guardians-in-training to ever need dancing-with-a-heavy-book-on-their-head-with-another-professor in their professional careers.

Ugh.

I know. I don't sound like my usual self. I'm just far too frustrated. I need to calm down. But, I've never liked dancing. Or any of this 'lady' stuff. I'm just not the kind who fondles over such things. I'd never need them, anyway.

Thursday, December 3rd, Grand Library.

Ah, so...now it makes more sense. Areas 5 and 6 revolted in the 70's since there were Guardians that had failed to protect them from a band of deadly assassins that were on the loose, whereas Areas 7 and 8 were simply revolting since Areas 5 and 6 formed an alliance with them, signing the Treaty of Trade and Relations. As for the Guardians, over here in the mainland-

"Never knew Pres talked to herself..." I heard a familiar, raspy voice that spoke amusingly with a set of giggles.

The sudden voice gave me momentary scare as I looked up from the letters written across the thick book on my lap to a smiling Helen, standing before me. I was caught off-guard for a second and then went on to say, "Err...what..."

"Mumbling" she replied, mater-of-factly. "You were mumbling"

I raised my eyebrows as she ruffled through her bushy, fire red hair. "Mumbling?" I repeated.

"Yep" was her indifferent reply as she pulled out the swivel chair next to me and stared off into space at the tall shelf enriched with rows and rows and rows of books of all kinds. Then, she muttered energetically to herself, "Oooh, I've read that book"

"Really? What about?" I asked, knowing that I hadn't noticed a thing. About my mumbling, that is.

She glanced back at me with her round, grey eyes and then waved her hand back and forth casually, "Oh, nothing much. Something about Area 5 and 6 revolting...?" She paused to see if she was right and then went on, "Dunno. It was fairly loud, though"

I rubbed my forehead in embarrassment and slowly said, "How loud, exactly...?"

"Very" she answered. "Not to worry, though. Madame Chambers couldn't really hear you; she was too busy lashing out on two freshmen"

I chuckled quietly. I'd consider myself lucky...once, Sakura got kicked straight out, with an exasperated Chambers who barked, her face burning red and her jet black hair swirled tightly into a bun, "I shall not accept such infuriating behaviour! This is a LIBRARY! SILENCE IS NEEDED AT ALL TIMES! OUT! OUT! OUT!"

Sakura was near to tears by then but for Chambers it didn't matter nevertheless, as she literally chased Sakura out of the entrance, while I tried my best to give her a comforting look.

Yeah. After then, I think it should be natural to try to not get on Madame's bad side.

"Oh well" Helen sighed, snapping me out of my thoughts. "What about the meeting, Pres?"

Oh right. The student council meeting. Darn it. I had forgotten about that. I had promised Shizuko and Sakura a girls-fun-night in the Dorms...they wanted to watch all the romantic, emotional movies there were so we could bawl our eyes out until 3 in the morning, and talk about how attractive the lead guy was. Correction; Sakura wanted that. Shizuko wanted nothing to do with it but was dragged into it, eventually, same as I was.

I sighed tiredly...What to do? "Errm..." I said slowly, and then the conversation we had had earlier about...Fun echoed in my head. "...Is it okay to cancel it?"

Helen was shaken by my decision and glanced up at me, stunned, but then began nodding her head, "Err...sure..." she paused, studying my face. "But, Pres, The Christmas Festival is not too far away...what about the arrangements?"

I shook my head, "I'll take care of that. We'll just postpone it for..." I thought it over for a second. "Next Tuesday?"

Helen nodded her head lightly, still slightly confused, I could see, "I'll tell the others"

And, then, she had to leave. And, I had to finish my History essay.

Friday, December 4th, Girls-Fun-Night, Dorms.

How does one have fun, exactly?

I know. I know. I don't know how to have fun, okay! I just don't. I should, being an eighteen year old girl...but I don't know. At all. What I knew about fun before the times when Dad abandoned us and I had to lead the family-is now only a vague, foggy memory.

I pushed the windowed-door open, sighing as I noticed Sakura and Shizuko sitting, cross-legged on my bunker bed, facing the TV-trolley before them. "Hey" I said.

They smiled at me as I sat next to them.

And, before we knew it the film was rolling; starting with soft, piano music playing in the background while light drops of rain fell from the sky onto an empty pave road.

I watched as Sakura pulled out a tissue from the thousands of Kleenex boxes on her lap and blew her nose, muttering to me, "It's just so beautiful"

I could die of laughter. But, I didn't. Instead, I could only managed a broad grin at her as I felt instantly glad I came to this Girls-fun-night or whatever.

If this was meaningful for her; I'd do it any day. Fun, that is.

Saturday, December 5th, Breakfast in the Cafeteria.

10 reasons why Fun wasn't that bad:

1) Sakura was happy and that's all that matters, right? Except she was bawling her eyes out during the whole entire movie, but I guess that means she enjoyed...?

2) Shizuko was happy. And, now that one is very rare. Even though, she was hiding it, I could see the gladness on her face.

3) It's freezing cold outside, and having to walk all the way to Prefects Tower for the student council meeting would be way too difficult without becoming snowflakes on the way. I'm glad I cancelled it for next Tuesday.

4) Err...did I mention it was freezing cold?

5) The cold.

6) IT WAS SO COLD.

7) I got more time to do my History essay.

8) Officially out of ideas now.

9) Why am I still continuing this list...? Guess '10 reasons' sounds better than 5, right?

10) Oh well.

Monday, December 6th, Guarding.

When I managed to wake up and drag my feet up the stairwells from The Dormitory Towers to the Main Towers for my classes, especially Guarding, I was tired. No. Scratch that. Tired could not even begin to describe the utter agony in my back that was making me walk like an old man or the headache that made my vision blur out from time to time and then return back to normal, striking a pain of worry within me. Maybe sleeping at four in the morning wasn't the greatest of ideas.

As I trudged tiredly up the marble stairs with the little amount of energy left within me, I noticed all of the girls from my Guardian group, huddled up together around the bulletin board right outside the classroom, speaking in hushed whispers.

I had no idea what was going on.

At all.

I made my way closer to the group, managing to listen to Alisa from beside me murmur to her friend, "Form...it says"

"For what?" her friend asked, whispering as well. I watched them from the corner of my eye as Alisa shook her head, "Dunno" she gestured towards the bulletin board. "But, it says Covert Mission or something"

Covert Mission?

Err...what...

Then, came another murmur from across the crowd, though loud enough for everyone to hear, "We're going on a mission...?"

I heard another say, "Where's Professor Black?"

"Man, this class is so random"

"I know..."

What was going on? And, why hadn't I been reported of this Covert Mission or whatever? Even though, I never understood why I had been president, I still thought I, at least, needed to know this kind of stuff in advance.

"What? Mission?"

"Yeah"

"Why? What...? I don't understand"

The hushed whispers continued as a loud voice resounded, "Silence!"

Everyone's backs turned immediately only to see a Professor Black, dressed in her long black robes and her hair, unlike usual, tied up into a wavy ponytail, her grey eyes narrowed. "I'll explain it all to you"

We had all taken our regular seats, lowering down our excitement when we had finally entered the classroom. Professor Black rubbed her chin up and down, watching us carefully.

"The form you saw" she said. "Is the application to your midterm assessment."

Err...what...

Immediate whispers rose from the group, Black hushed and then slowly explained, "You're going to prove how worthy you are as a Guardian"

Worthy...as a guardian?

But, all of our midterm assessments, finals even, were never anything like this. They were ten-pages-long-stapled-together but never anything like...a mission, as I had been told.

Haley, in the front row, blurted out without raising her hand, "How?"

Black was a bit irritated by the lack of manners (she's obsessed with manners) yet still managed to say, "You'll see. For now, just study. And, fill out the form. It'd be given to you tomorrow and needs to be turned back in by Friday as next Monday you take this assessment." She paused and then warned, in a more serious tone than usual. "Remember to know that your Decision Day is near when you're taking the test. Maybe that'll give you a clue on how difficult things are and..." her words broke off as she cleared her throat. "Just study, okay?!"

"Yes, Professor" everyone mumbled together.

Monday, December 6th, Later, Second Interval.

Shizuko, Sakura and I decided to meet up at West Tower where usually assemblies would be held. But, people could hang out there anyway.

They seemed like they were having a usual Monday; slow and uneventful. Whereas, uneventful couldn't even begin to describe what had been going on today for me. We sat on the Windsor chairs laid back in the front of the hall, where usually the freshmen would sit, nervously and excitedly as the Headmistress welcomed them to the Academy.

I remember that day-I sat at the back, without any friends, any direction, or any sense of why I was where I was.

All Career groups have 20 people each who'd have separate classes than one and another. This because the careers that were decided for you have different focuses. And, qualities. But of these 20 people, only 4 would be selected to follow their careers on Decision Day, the words rung in my head as I gawked at the stage before us where a podium stood, but unlike last time, of course, no Headmistress.

I waited impatiently under the light that came from the high windows above us, as Shizuko and Sakura began talking about everyday things while I felt myself almost burst out of all the words on the tip of my tongue. I was waiting for the right time to say it. And, how to say it in the first place.

"Sakura, you of all people shouldn't be complaining. I mean Caretakers have it much better. Whereas Misaki and I are the ones completely in for it" I heard Shizuko say as I twiddled my hair.

"Not really. Us Caretakers have to learn how to take care of the elderly; respect, patience and blah blah. It's so complicated" Sakura whined while she patted her skirt, I was expecting Shizuko to argue back, but instead heard a, "Hey, Misaki...you alright, there?"

My head snapped up from the ground that my eyes had suddenly become so obsessed with, "What..." I was caught off guard but said, "Oh yeah...uh I'm fine"

"You don't look fine" she said glancing over at me.

I thought about my words for a second and said, "We have this weird Midterm exam" But, then I paused. It was a Covert Mission, that had been told to me. Then...should I really be telling others outside my career group about it? But, Sakura and Shizuko...they're my best friends. I've known them since ever.

I felt the thoughts echo vigorously in my mind as I shook my head, forcing a smile, "10 pages, as usual"

The conversation continued as it struck me like never before; I had lied.

And, to my very best friends.

Tuesday, December 7th, Dorms.

When I received my form in Guardian class in the morning, I decided to open it the very second after Sakura and Shizuko headed out for lunch. I knew that this assessment was to be secret. It was no wonder it was on the bulletin board outside our classroom; since that corridor was forbidden to anyone beyond Guardians.

I felt guilty. I didn't want to act like this. Where I was lying, where I was pretending, where I was hiding...did all Guardians have to go through this? Why? Wasn't our job to only protect? Then why the lies?

A long sigh escaped my lips as I pulled out the armchair in front of my study desk. I stared at the jar of pencils at the corner, the pile of textbooks stacked one after another, the silver study lamp...and the red-framed photo of Sakura, Shizuko and I, huddled up next to each other, from last year's Christmas Festival.

I sighed and then began reading the form in my hands.

I will attend the Midterm Assessment event that shall take place in Area 2. I understand that if I do not attend, my grade would be an automatic F and the chances of my success at The Decision Day ceremony, would also diminish.

Signature:

Tuesday, December 7th, Still Dorms.

An automatic F? Chances of success at The Decision Day ceremony?

And, most importantly, 'event that'll place in Area 2'?!

What? We're taking the assessment in another community?

I don't understand a thing. What on earth is going on?!

Wednesday, December 8th, Lunch.

"Professor, why wasn't I informed of any of this earlier?"

Black eyed me from across the round table and then cleared her throat. "I understand why you're upset. But, your rank as President won't change anything"

My eyebrows furrowed, "That's not what I meant"

She sighed tiredly, soothing the white table mat, staring at the candlestick on the centre of the table before a tiny grin appeared on her face, "You sure?"

"Yes" I said, leaning back on the leather of my chair. "I'm just confused"

She shook her head, still grinning, "I can't tell you anything" And, then she shot up from her chair across me, carrying her plate along with her.

Oh well. There goes my only chance of getting to the bottom of things. Things particularly related to a certain Midterm assessment, that is

Wednesday, December 8th, Second Floor Library.

"Very attractive" I heard Sakura squeal as I felt myself grin while I attempted to pay attention to the notes I had scribbled down for P&E (Protection and Enforcement) class as murmurs of consent echoed from the girls.

"Oooh, what 'bout Timothy Martin?" was Allie's response, just as enthusiastic. I found myself rolling my eyes, but still somehow listening to the conversation.

"That bloke whose the son of that CEO?!" Lizzie whispered.

"Uh huh" Allie replied.

"Oh yeah, definitely smoking" Lizzie agreed casually.

I glanced up only to see a Shizuko giving me an exhausted look, head resting on one hand. I smiled at her. Only Shizuko and I realized how girly this conversation was, and how ever so non-girly we were.

"I know, right? I wish I could just run through that soft, honey-coloured hair of his" Sakura said, with a pair of misty, love-struck eyes.

"Pity he got engaged" Allie noted matter-of-factly from her seat and Sakura gasped "What?!"

"Yep" she confirmed.

I heard all of them sigh-except Shizuko, of course, who was finding quite the pleasure gawking at the book shelf across us, in between the non-restricted and restricted sections.

"Not fair! He was meant to be mine!" Lizzie proclaimed, banging the table with a fist.

"C'mon, guys. It's not the end of the world" Allie said, giving me the bit of hope that not everything was about blokes for my friends. "There's still that guy from the Igarashi group"

Oh well. Dreams die.

"Wait, he's not single?!" Lizzie said, clearly very surprised but nevertheless sounding relieved as she pumped her fist into the air.

Allie chuckled, "Nope"

Sakura joined in, just as excited as usual, "Oh, I would do anything for those eyes"

"I know, right?" Lizzie said, shaking Sakura's shoulder.

And, then, what I least wanted happened.

"What about you, Misaki?" now this came from Sakura herself whose cheeks were burning red from all the boy-talk they were having.

I grinned, "Well, I think you guys are lucky Madame Chambers' assistant is here and not her" I paused and then watched them smile and then roll their eyes. "And...I don't know who you're talking about"

Allie gasped, "You don't know who the son of the Igarashi foundation is?!"

Lizzie giggled while ruffling through her curly, auburn hair, flickering a meaningful smirk at Allie "Well, she has a lot to learn, doesn't she?"

"What?" I said, obviously clueless of their subliminal conversation.

"Nothing" they all replied in unison.

Thursday, December 9th, P&E, Early.

This morning, for once, was pleasant. I didn't wake up with a pounding head. Or binders for classes that seemed to be missing. Nope. It, was, generally beautiful, with a cracking sunshine that pierced through the windows in the Dorms and my uniform, for once, was there, tidy and neat, delivered in time from the Laundry.

But, to the contrary to the perfect dawn of my day, we had P&E a.k.a. the class that took the most time and energy, not to mention the dreadful amount of will power. And, to simply add more fuel to the fire, only Guardians had it.

You know how there're some classes, like Languages for example, that we have together with the other Career Groups? Nope. This especially challenging and sweat-demanding class was only for us.

"200 sit ups! Now!" was all that needed to be heard to set off numerous groans and sighs, while our backs went up and down against the net wall in the Gym.

A while later, I had finished, breathing heavily, as I approached Professor Whittlesea, who seemed to be collecting a few laser guns(That completely baffled my mind, at first) from the cabinets that stood at the corner of the court. He seemed to be quite busy with them, and he hadn't what we called tolerance for many things, so I was careful with my words, "Professor" I began, gasping for air. "I finished"

He didn't glance at me from the cabinets, as he pulled out even more laser guns and laid them on the floor. "Good. Now distribute these to your classmates" he said firmly, gesturing to the ground where he had placed out several laser guns before me.

I crouched down and grabbed two in each hand as quickly as possible and then waited for some of the girls to finish as well in order for me to give them what I had been asked to give.

The first to finish was Haley whose fiery red hair was now darker, as she sweated and breathed heavily, her legs wobbling above the rubber floor while she walked up to me and asked, "Whoa. What're those for?"

I shrugged, "Dunno. Just that they're laser guns of some sort"

"Laser?!" she exclaimed, clearly very excited. "Nice"

I giggled, "Careful there, don't go blowing off someone's head"

She grinned, "Hmm...I'll try not to"

A while passed and all the girls had been provided their laser guns (or so I thought). Everyone, lined up one after the other, waited eagerly for instructions as we held the black guns in our hands, no one daring to do anything.

But, then, not much could be said, after archery-type targets that stood on poles on the other side of the court, were placed according to the spot where each of us stood, by Professor Whittlesea.

"As guardians, you should know you are to protect. But, more than that, your duties rely heavily on strategies, defence, and attack." He positioned the last pole in front of Ellen who stood on the far end and continued. "Aim for the bull's-eye. I'm sure you all know how to shoot from last year's lesson on laser guns, no?"

Some groans could be heard from the crowd. I, particularly, knew I practically sucked with guns of any sort. And, P&E, of course, being Protection and Enforcement, obviously demanded the usage of such weaponry.

Besides, laser guns?

Normal revolvers-snipers even-I could handle without much concern, knowing the results wouldn't be perfect but still alright. But, as for laser guns...do you have any idea how hard it is to work with them?

Ugh.

Perhaps it may sound like I'm over exaggerating, but to any other Guardian who shares this class with me, I am most definitely not.

Thursday, December 9th, Later, First Interval.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

I've never been good with laser guns. I knew it from the very beginning.

I did it. I actually hit the eye. But, this eye, to clear any misunderstandings, is not the bull's-eye that my laser beam needed to meet. Wrong. I mean an actual eye.

Anyway, to add more lightening to the storm, the eye I happened to hit wasn't just a normal eye. Wrong again. It was Professor Whittlesea's eye. Yeah.

And, how, you ask, might that have happened?

Well, first off, it all started with Professor Whittlesea reminding us how to use a laser gun in the first place, then proceeding on with suggestions and tips on how to position your gun in order for it to hit a better target, and then lastly saying, "These sort of skills would be needed in your upcoming Midterm assessment"

I felt chills run down persistently from the hairs of my neck to my very spine. It was clear to me that this midterm wasn't going to be like the others. No. For the first time, there was an actual chance that I was going to fail. The thought made me shudder. No. I had worked far too hard to maintain my grades at the top; I just couldn't let myself fail. Even if laser and I didn't get along so well.

Perhaps it was the pressure, or the distraction, or maybe just laser deciding to mess with me once again-but as I squinted my eyes to have a better aim and pulled the trigger cautiously and nervously, my hands trembling as they held the gun, something happened. My aiming skills were obviously proven to be incredible when the wrath of my laser beam was not felt by the bull's-eye, but indeed, Professor Whittlesea right as he turned around from the cabinets where he seemed to be putting away some of the leftover laser guns.

I haven't felt so embarrassed and so sorry ever before.

Luckily, Professor Whittlesea immediately headed to the infirmary where they decided his eyes were alright, and that the advance technology of the laser guns was the key to the minimal amount of damage inflicted on his eyes.

And me? Well, I didn't know how to feel. A sense of relief that Whittlesea was alright and that the president herself wasn't going to be assigned any detention or a sense of worry that I'd need to know how to use a laser gun in my Midterm assessment.

Friday, December 10th, Second Interval.

Two days. That's all. Until the Midterm Assessment.

We turned in our forms this Guarding class but other than that, the midterms became a lost phantom that had escaped our classroom. It was as if everyone had suddenly forgotten all about it. But, I knew deep in there, everyone was just as tempted to know the answers to their questions about the Assessment-no Mission- as I was. Professor Black didn't mention it the whole class and simply said quietly, "Turn in your forms"

That was the only time anything Midterm-related popped up.

I felt the uneasiness rise within me, as it roamed anxiously about my stomach. I needed to know. What was this Assessment? No. What was this mission? And, why did we have to do it, anyway and not our usual 10-page exam? What was it going to be about? What were we going to be tested on? Things we learnt in class? Of course. But, how are we going to be tested on those with an assessment such as this?

I guess the most horrifying part was that I couldn't study at all for this test. I wasn't in control. They could've slapped something completely beyond my knowledge on my face and I would've just melted down, knowing I had failed. This time I couldn't study, I couldn't complain, nor could I possibly know about anything.

I had a bad feeling about this. I could just feel it.