Yume: Yeah… You're probably all done with me right now.

Yuki: I'm your brother and I'm done with you.

Yume: I'm myself and I'm done with me.

Yuki: Whatever. Save the chit-chat for later. Let's just start the story before anyone gets anymore homicidal.

Yume: Sorry for the delay (though you should already expect this from me). Thanks to PearlMay13TigerSweets, FreezingSapphire, and the ever-faithful Airi-chan for reviewing! Now, let's get this story started!

Light streamed into the otherwise dark room from a partially-covered window. It was about 7 AM on a Saturday morning and the Fujisaki household was still covered in quiet bliss. A sleeping figure could be seen lying comfortably in the living room, still wearing clothes from the day before. The stream of light shined on his eyes, waking him up.

Nagihiko slowly opened his eyes and entered the blurry world. He rubbed sleep out of his eyes and yawned, stretching his limbs. When he finally entered the world of consciousness, he noticed he was in his living room, wearing his wrinkled school uniform. "I must've fallen asleep," he murmured sleepily, still not fully awake. He sat up carefully, not wanting to feel a rush in his head from moving too fast. "What time is it…" he trailed off as he looked to the loveseat next to him and found it empty.

"I didn't imagine she came home, did I?" he asked himself.

"No, you're not that insane just yet," a feminine voice floated from the kitchen.

Nagihiko smiled softy before getting up from his seat on the couch and shuffling over to the kitchen. He kept his eyes closed as he carefully maneuvered through his home. He yawned again as he reached his sister, who was seated by the marble counter.

"Good morning, Nade-nee-san," Nagihiko greeted before plopping onto a seat next to her and putting his head down.

"Good morning, sleepy-head," she answered with a laugh. "It's good you woke up. I made some breakfast."

Nagihiko lifted his head slightly and saw the large pile of pancakes. At the exact same moment, his stomach grumbled loudly, ruining the calm atmosphere.

Nadeshiko couldn't help herself and began laughing. Nagihiko smiled sheepishly before grabbing two pancakes and eating them in a less-than-dignified manner. Nadeshiko laughed even more.

"Little brother, you're a bit disgusting," she commented on his table manners.

"I'll have you know I'm just very hungry," he argued with his mouth half-full.

Nadeshiko rolled her eyes and took a pancake for herself as well, drenching it in blueberry syrup before digging in. The two ate in comfortable silence, both dreading the inevitable talk about Nadeshiko's tour.

Nadeshiko, finishing first, got up and brought her plate to the sink. Nagihiko followed shortly afterwards. They worked together to wash the dishes, Nadeshiko washing their plates and Nagihiko drying them then putting them away in the cupboards.

After the quiet breakfast, the two retreated back to the living room where Nadeshiko sat daintily on the loveseat and Nagihiko sprawled himself out on the couch. He stared at his sister with an eyebrow raised.

"Alright, what's up with you?" he casually asked.

Nadeshiko turned her head to face him, before adopting a look on her face that matched his exactly. They were often thought to be twins; the only differences between them were their genders and height. "Do you want to elaborate on your question?" Nadeshiko retorted, her posture remaining stiff.

He sighed and sat up. "Why do you seem so…" Nagihiko struggled to find the right word.

"Stoic?" Nadeshiko offered.

He nodded. She sighed before allowed her shoulders to drop slightly. "Remember when you asked me… about my tour," Nadeshiko said softly.

He nodded again, staring at his sister with large, curious eyes. "Yeah, you weren't supposed to be back till next year."

Nadeshiko laughed quietly to herself. "Funny how things works out," she mumbled bitterly. "They cut my tour short."

Nagihiko's wide eyes widened even more. "Cut your tour? But why?!"

"They said I wasn't good enough. It was all fine at first, but then, I screwed up in one of the shows I had," Nadeshiko replied in frustration.

He gaped at her. How could she mess up? She practiced harder than anyone in the business, had more natural grace than any ballerina could wish to acquire, and was more determined than anyone. There was no way Nadeshiko just screwed up.

"I don't know what happened. I had that routine down perfectly, but when I stepped to the side, I-I slipped." She looked down and covered her face in shame.

The air quickly filled with a tense silence, as Nagihiko bit his lip and tried to figure out how to comfort his ailing sister. He rose from the couch and shuffled awkwardly to her, sitting on the armrest and placing a hand on her back. She stifled a sob and continued.

"The critics were merciless after that. Mother told me my tour was cancelled. Father told me I was a disappointment. My coach… He told me that I was a failure and would have thought that his best student could do better. He didn't even look at me." She couldn't go on; she was sobbing too hard.

Nagihiko's eyes filled with concern for his sister. He knew her feelings toward her dance instructor. While they started off as a mentor and student, Nadeshiko developed feelings for him. He may have been 7 years her senior but he was her closest friend and she had hoped that he felt the same for her. Hearing that from him must have killed her.

"Nade-nee-san, you're not a failure. It was just an accide-"

She turned to him quickly, her eyes blazing with emotion. "And what do you know about failure?! You're the heir, the favorite," she responded mockingly.

He winced at her words. He knew that as the first-born male in the family, he was basically put on a pedestal, while his sister had to work herself half-dead just to get an ounce of approval.

"Perfect Prince Nagi!" she sneered as she got up and paced in front of him. She began to spew out heated insults and Nagihiko just sat there. He let his hair fall in front of him, acting as a curtain and shielding his hurt look from her. His shoulders shook as his sister berated him. He knew that she didn't mean what she was saying, that she was just frustrated, but it still hurt to hear it.

After her rant, Nadeshiko was breathing heavily and Nagihiko was still looking away. The haze of rage lifted and she realize what she had said. 'Oh god… What did I do…' she thought.

She cautiously got closer to him, worried that he might hate her now. "Nagi," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I-I was just angry. But not at you! No, I was mad at myself and just took it out on you. I'm such a horrible person."

She lifted her hand pathetically, wanting to grasp his shoulder but never managed to find the strength to do so. Tears were streaming down her face, staining her black jeans. She gripped her shirt tightly, not knowing what to do and just allowing herself to cry out all her pent-up frustration.

After a few long minutes, Nagihiko finally moved from his spot and hugged her tightly. Her arms automatically came up and grabbed him, holding tightly as if he was her lifeline. Her agonizing sobs filled the room as he rocked them back and forth comfortingly. She shook like a leaf in the wind as she cried and Nagihiko just held her tighter. She knew she was staining his uniform with her tears, but she could feel the back of her shirt dampening with his own.

After a while, the tears stopped falling and the sobs quieted into small gasps of air and a few hiccups. But the two never let go. They were separated for far too long. Right now was a time to be together.

Yume: And that concludes chapter 9!

Yuki: I wonder where you got the inspiration to make them friends. God knows I hate you.

Yume: I wish Nagi was my brother…

Yuki: But you're stuck with me! We hope you enjoyed the chapter. All reviews are appreciated, even flames!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara nor will I ever. I make no money from writing these stories. I own nothing but the plot and a few OCs. Peace out! ^^