Author's Note: Well, this is my first fan fic (on , I've written a lot more, just had writers block on all of 'em lolz) I know this probably isn't the best or anything, but I don't know, I'm self conscious about my work as I am my art. I'm afraid of criticism, feel free to flame or whatever on anything I need to improve on . . ((or not, I like it better that way ^_^)) One more thing though, I want to dedicate this story to MyVampireEyes she's the maker of "Running Up That Hill" ((I ABSOULUTELY LOVE THAT FIC!! I got that on my phone ^_^ )) and "30 Minutes" ((Also such an awesome fic!)) and Ayame and Mishathe author of "Ultimate Crisis!" and the sequel to Ultimate Crisis! ((Your the reason I got a smart phone, I can read ur fics whenever I want to now! ^_^)) These two pplz are the reason I'm writing this. Please enjoy :D (I should hand people ice cream or something saying that...)

I do NOT own Shugo Chara! (sadly)

ON WITH THE STORY!

Chapter 1

"Get up you useless excuse of a stepdaughter!" I heard screaming from downstairs. What a nice alarm… I sighed and sat up, rubbing my eyes. Well, this was my usual wake up call. After my parents divorced and split up, my mom took my little sister, Ami, with her. My dad married a new woman who I could care less about. Sometime after, my dad died from an illness that I didn't really understand. I got over it after time though, from my friends at school that supported me through it. I walked to the bathroom and did the usual, took a shower, brushed my teeth and got ready for school. I went down the stairs and found my step mom in the kitchen making breakfast. "I'm up, I'm up…" I replied still a bit sleepy. "Why the hell were you late in waking up today?! What were you doing last night, huh?!" she screeched at me. "Well, I'm sorry for being tired in the morning like a human being." I said.
"Are you back talking me?!"
"No, just answering you."

And another second later, she slaps me. I'll say this: that remark was worth it. That was something horrible I just did. Well, to her it was, but I'd never admit that. I held my cheek after it had gotten flush from the hit. "I'm going to school…" I said and walked out the door without eating. "Rima! Good morning." I said whilst smiling at her.

"Hey Amu. Good morning." She still looked as small as ever even though we made it to eighth grade. "Why is your cheek red Amu?" Rima asked me. I acted like I didn't know. "It is? That's weird…" I said while holding my cheek. She looked uncertain of my answer. "All right then…" She said letting go of the subject. We just talked about things like school, and what we were doing during our weekend break until we got to school. "OK everyone, take your seats!" Our teacher, Nikaidou-sensei screamed over everyone else. Surprisingly he stayed our teacher through elementary to junior high. I sat near the window and kept quiet. I still had my Cool N' Spicy character to keep, the only people who knew about my real character on the inside were the Guardians, Tadase, Yaya, Rima, Kukai, Kairi, and Nagihiko who I found out was also Nadeshiko in 6th grade near the end of the year. It was kind of a shock, but I got used to it in time.

After school finished, me and Rima walked home and I dropped her off. Her parents were over protective of her because she'd nearly been kidnapped in the past. I didn't mind it though, we said our goodbyes and I made my way home. As I was walking, I looked at my watch and noticed it was getting late. Oh no, I'm going to get in so much trouble for this! I thought to myself, and started on my way again, but this time running.

I finally made it home and opened the door with the key that was given to me in, like, 6th grade or something. I stepped in trying not to be noticed but failed. "Where were you?!" Jeez, can this woman stop screaming? "I can hear you know" I muttered to myself. "I was just walking home and lost track of the time. Sorry." I apologized. Of course I didn't mean it, I just tried to make her shut up. "Well, sorry isn't enough! When I tell you to get here I mean it! I'm not here to get your dumb ass excuses!" She screamed at me. "Man, I really wish she'd stop that, it's really getting annoying." Oops… I said that too loud… way to keep my thoughts to myself…

"What was that?!" she screamed, her face purple with anger. Well, there was no hiding it now. "Your screaming. It's annoying." I retorted. That got to her. She stormed towards me and punched me under my ribs, that place that when you punched you couldn't breathe. My knees gave out and I fell down clutching my chest, trying to breathe. For someone that screams a lot, she could throw a punch, I'd give her that. She pulled at my hair to make me stand up again and slapped me. "It's probably your fault he died! You're a mistake! If you won't teach yourself manners, I will!" She said and pushed me to the wall and I slid down.

After that slap, I could breathe again. She tried grabbing me by the collar but I moved out of her way. She got the best of me and followed my moves and picked me up by the shoulders kneed me in the ribs and I felt something crack. "S-stop..." I tell her, whimpering from the hits. "If you wanted me to stop, then you'd know never to do that!" She yelled. I fought back the tears stinging in my eyes. I wouldn't cry in front of her, making her satisfied from my pain. She finally stopped after hearing the knocking on the door.

I tried getting up, but I couldn't so instead I dragged myself to the kitchen where the person at the door couldn't see me. This has kind of been something normal, but she's never gone this far before. Probably because I "talked back" to her. And blaming me for dad's death? Sheesh... this lady needed a tampon. I heard the conversation going on at the door.

"Is everything alright? I heard banging." asked our neighbor. I'd have to thank him some day for coming.

"Oh yes, everything is just fine! It's just that we were having some trouble and I tripped down the stairs. I'm fine though." She answered back. What a liar...

"Hm, alright then. Take care... hope everything turns out alright." he said while walking away and my step mom closing the door behind him.

She walked away with her hand to her face saying, "Go to your room, and don't show your face to me or anyone else for the rest of the day." and walked away to her room closing it and locking it behind her.

"Well, how the hell do I stand up?" I muttered. Oh well, I could get through this by dragging myself up the stairs. I tried that but a shocking pain in my chest stopped me from that idea. So, I used my back and legs. That worked, so I kept on going, and finally, I made it to my room and got something to wrap around my chest in my drawers that I had for emergencies. Ha, lucky me. After doing that, I laid down and closed my eyes, hoping that sleep would take me from this pain.

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WELL?! Was it beautiful? Semi booty full? Or just damn stupid? ((HINT: PICK THE FIRST ONE)) Ok, before I go on with the story, I must admit!! that I most likely am a sadist. I love seeing my fav characters hurt. T.T sorry Amu. I accept whatever ya'll give me, reviews, flames, love notes, publishing contracts, etc... lolz hehe, I had to