A/N: For those who have already read a good deal of this Chara Magic, I highly suggest you reread as I've recently gone back through and made changes that will help with the story line and progression.

Ikuto has never left, Amu has never changed to Amulet Fortune and Ikuto has never become Seven Seas Treasure. The 'Embryo' has not been discovered to really be a Heart's Egg that's been forced out by Easter's leader's desires, and so on.

Shugo Chara and its characters belong to Peach-Pit.

Hoshino Utau finished singing her latest song and walked backstage. She looked up expectantly at Tsukiyomi Ikuto, who had been listening in as he had promised the obsessed girl. On Ikuto's shoulder, Yoru looked quite happy when she ended the song, and of course, Il (Iru) and El (Eru) had loved the song, showing Utau in their different ways.

"That was great," Il complemented, flying up and giving a large smile. El flew up beside her and just nodded her head with an approving grunt. However, Utau being Utau swatted away the two Charas and gave Ikuto a pleading look, wishing for praise. Instead of giving his little sister what she wanted, Ikuto kept quiet and turned his back to her as he began walking down the steps.

"You should be getting to bed. You don't want to wake up tomorrow with it being the last month of school," Ikuto stated calmly.

-break-

Not too long ago, Tsukasa had figured a way that the Charas could transform into a human and the Charas had joined their masters in school as actual students. All the Charas were practically excelling in their classes, having sat through so many with nothing to do when they could not transform. Now in high school they had divided into their separate cliques. Hotori Tadase was the king of the school, Kiseki his right hand man, and Yoru his left. Daichi was the new main athlete, although his older brother figure Souma Kukai was often around helping out. Ikuto, having a rather free schedule as a musician he would often come and laze around the school. Utau was undoubtedly the school's queen. Her right hand was El, and her left Il. Yamamoto Lulu de Morcert was considered her best friend, and was often considered her shadow. Nana was the shadow's shadow. Their apprentice and little puppet was Hiiragi Rikka and Hotaru. Fujisaki Nagihiko was the school's supermodel, unrivaled with his feminine beauty and sensitivity. He would often be accompanied by Temari, who taught him dance, and Rhythm, who was in charge of his physical conditioning. Sanjo Kairi was the base keeping the school together as president, but at the same time he was the biggest nerd. Musashi was leader of kendo club, but with his ties to Kairi he couldn't claim his rightful position on the school's social ladder. The baby dolls were Yuiki Yaya and Pepe. Kusukusu was the biggest class clown, and managed to maintain her social position despite her ties to Mashiro Rima. Ah, Rima, and unfortunate soul. Back in middle school she had been good friends with everyone, but after something happened in her life she became angry with them all, even her own Chara. She cut off her ties to everyone but Kusukusu and began collecting blackmail against everyone she came across, turning herself into the school's reject.

They all shared homeroom and gym at the very least. It was the forces of the Universe binding them together for some fateful event that was bound to occur soon, too soon. Their homeroom teacher was Sanjo Yukari of all people.

-break-

Hinamori Amu stepped out of the airport, looking around for a bus that would take her to as close as she could get to an actual bus stop. As she squinted to get a better view she saw that someone held a sign with her name on it. Well, more specifically her last name. She squeezed her way past all the people to the driver, curiosity helping her weave through the people. Her small backpack carried four eggs.

"Excuse me, may I ask what you're waiting for?" Amu asked the man, stepping back when he nearly jumped in surprise. He looked her over after casting a quick glance over the crowd.

"Are you Hinamori-sama?"

Amu pointed to herself. "My name is Hinamori Amu."

The man appeared confused by her name. "Are you related by any chance to a man by the name of Hinamori Tsumugu?"

Amu recalled her father, but he had retired from traveling the world in pursuit of being close to home and taking pictures of his lovely family and esteemed Ami. Before she could answer the man's question when he seemed to have spotted what he was looking for. "Hinamori-sama is a famous photographer. He's married to the editor of Housewives' Knowledge, and has a lovely daughter named Ami."

Tsumugu had finally made his way towards them. He noticed the strange head of pink hair. "Hello there, who might you be?"

Amu fought the tears pricking the corners of her eyes. She smiled, the strange feeling of conversing with a complete stranger taking her over. "I'm Hinamori Amu, sir."

He beamed. "Oh, you're a Hinamori? And you're name is rather close to Ami, too! How coincidental! You should come with me, you can meet Midori and Ami!"

Amu felt her stomach churn. Her father didn't remember her, one of the few people that was supposed to always keep her close. She didn't know if she'd be able to stomach the rest of her family forgetting her, but it was too late. She had never realized how strong his grip was until he managed to drag her to the vehicle and past the door the driver held open. Inside her checkered backpack her Charas shifted.

-break-

"Midori! Ami! I'm home!" Tsumugu sang as loudly as he could, bringing a smile to the two females in the house. Amu's smile was faint at the ever present cheery disposition of her father. Doubt consumed her once more, but she couldn't leave seeing as Tsumugu had already closed the door behind her. "I've brought us a guest. Her name is Hinamori Amu!"

Midori looked at Amu, a kind smile twinkling in her eyes as she ran over and ensnared Amu in a hug. "Nice to meet you, Amu! My little darling there is Ami."

Ami gleefully joined in the hug. Amu was shell-shocked at her family's blatant ignorance of her position in their family. She wanted nothing more than to escape to the carnival that often comforted her. She sat through dinner and the joyous chatter that tugged at her heartstrings.

"So Amu, have you found a place to stay?" Midori asked blindly.

It hit Amu like ton of bricks that she in fact didn't. She had blindly thought she would be able to return to her old home. The wad of cash in her pocket felt blaringly small now. She and the Charas would have to start up work in order to rent a small apartment. It would be mean they would have to spend even more time in their human forms. "Actually, I haven't found a place in my budget range yet."

Tsumugu seemed appalled by this. He clasped her hands firmly in his own and brought her very close. "I know an apartment place that's decent for its price. Midori and I used to live there when we were just starting off in this town."

Amu nodded. "Thanks. If you could mark a map for me I would be very grateful."

Tsumugu nodded and quickly located a map and pen, circling the apartment complex he was talking about. "If you need any help don't hesitate to come to us. We'd be more than happy to help a family member!"

-break-

Amu collapsed in the bed at the apartment they had rented. Her Charas laid sprawled across the other bed.

"Amu-chan, I'll go find work tomorrow so we can make enough money to keep the place," Dia offered. It had been a long time since they had last been here. The wad of bills was all they had brought with them, but it was thankfully enough to put a down payment on the apartment. She nodded at Dia.

Ran perked up. "Miki can sell some of her paintings if we can get her supplies. I'm sure Su can get a part time as a cook, and I can attend a bunch of contests!"

Amu nodded again, too tired to really argue. "I'll see if I can get a part time at the nearby convenience store. For now, I'm going to take a shower. Help yourselves to unpack what we do have, and no TV. We don't want to rack up the electric bills. I'm sure we can do fine though. It'll take a while to get used to being in the city again.

The Charas cheered and set to work. Ran took the checkered backpack and took out the human clothing they had purchased for them in their human forms. Su was doing some tidying to make the place more homely and reduce the abandoned aura the place had. Through the walls they could make out one of the popular songs playing around everywhere, Black Diamond by Hoshino Utau. The Charas began humming along as they worked. Miki was taking inventory of what they'd need and categorizing them by importance and expenses. When Amu got out of the shower she changed into pajamas and fell asleep quickly. They all needed to go to bed so they could get to school early tomorrow.

-break-

Ikuto and Kukai passed the soccer ball to each other, which quickly turned into a competition of who could make the most creative pass. Utau and Lulu played with Rikka's hair, twirling it into braids and anything they could think of since Tadase was in a rather animate discussion with Tsukasa. The elder man glanced at his clock before bringing an abrupt stop to the conversation. "You guys better get ready for school. You guys wouldn't want to be late after waking up so early."

"The only reason they are up so early is so that they want to bother the new students," Sanjo explained, barging in on the old observatory. "I don't want them incapable of going about their normal lives, understand?"

Ikuto remained silent, Kukai frowned, and the girls remained impassive to avoid wrinkles. They all agreed to the samurai's terms. "Fine."

(1,666 words)