-{A New Beginning and Old Candy Corn}-

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Itazuki Haruka Fukiyoka, Zuki for short, landed the Gummi ship with emense care on the surface of the much exalted Halloween Town. She had been dreaming of this day for years and couldn't believe that she was actually there. She opened the door of the ship and ran down the ramp and into the misty woods in which she'd landed. Her twin brother Haru trailed out after he and her younger sister Kisa after him. The three of them took a deep first breath in this new, spooky environment. "It's just simply amazing isn't it?" Zuki asked a mental question aloud. "Yes, purely breath taking." Her older brother agreed. "Yepperz." Kisa chimed in as if on que.

Zuki walked away from the ship and her siblings, deeper into the woods. She sensed the presence of something, she just couldn't tell what. She knew it was watching her very carefully though. She decided to temporarily show disreguard to it and just see how tings played out.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Hikaru Kokoro Hitashi lightly perched himself, silently, on a vranch far above the forest floor. He had heard a stange and new noise no more than fifteen minutes earlier. He had chosen to begin an investigation. He was hoping, without so much as a heavy breath, from branch to branch when he spied a something. Or a someone.

Hikaru saw, what looked to be, a human girl blissfully strolling through the fog flooded woods. She was as pale as he was with the brightest red hair he'd ever seen. And that's including his "mother" Sally. He didn't know who she was, where she was from, or even if she came to this world in peace. Let's take this investigation further, he thought to himself.

And just like that, Hikaru sprang from the tree branch that he was on. He landed directly in front of this girl. She was even prettier up close and there was no doubt now that she was definitely human like himself. Back to the mission dummy. "Who are you and what have you come to my home for?" He tried to sound scary like his father, but the girl just kept on smiling.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki looked at this guy in amazement. She was worried that the three of them were going to be the only humans in this world. She was happy to be wrong, she means, coz, hey, this guy was uber-sexy. Black hair with blue tips that nearly reached his shoulders. His face was highlighted by a beautiful set of honey brown eyes. He was a good few inches taller than herself so she just barely had to look up to him, not enough fo it to count though.

Just when she thought this guy couldn't get any dreamier, he spoke in the most demanding voice. She knew that he was probably just trying to be intimidating coz this was his home world and stuff, but there's no need to be so pushy. Geez. She giggled on accident before she spoke. "Well, I'm from Twilight Town and I came here to hopefully have an adventure, not to destroy your home. Trust me I may look bad, but I definitely ain't evil." Insert smart ass tone of voice here.

She continued to walk and also continue the conversation. She had to think of something to say. When in doubt, introduce yourself. "My name's Zuki, what's yours?" She spoke very nonchalantly as if this guy hadn't just leapt from a tree.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

"Well, I'm Hikaru." He said without thinking of anything else to say. Fail. What else could he say to a human newcomer? Ah, that's it. *LIght bulb went off* "Well, would you like me to show you around town?" He paused for a moment. "I must warn you though, that our town isn't for the weak of heart."

He hoped that she would say yes. He would love to spend more time getting to know this girl, Zuki. Maybe she's the one that would really shake things up around here. He smiled at her gently now as he quickened his pace so that he was walking beside her.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki liked the fact that this guy seemed nearly eager for her to answer his question. He was flirting, she could tell. And she liked it. She already liked this guy alot. He seemed like a guy that would try just about anything and do it to the best of his ability. He hailed from Halloween Town, so he was probably a grade "A" scarer. She means, hell, he probably got tutored by the Pumpkin King himself. *Insert jealous face here, inwardlay of course* She would love to take a stroll around town with Hikaru. Hikaru, she liked that name, it fit him.

She decided that, hell yeah, she definitely wanted to go walk around town with Hikaru. She took his hand in her own and started to quicken her pace. "I'd love to take a tour around town. So, let's go." She said excitedly.

"Wait right there, little miss." She heard Haru's voice from behind them, bringing her back down to the world they were on and out of dreamland. She stopped dead in her tracks, which in turn made Hikaru run into her and knock them both to the ground. He had her pinned down...awkward much. Hell yeah, it was. Haru walked over to where they were on the ground and looked down at Hikaru and herself. "Just what do you think you're doing with my sister?" Haru asked very unamused sounding. Oh shit, Hikaru was indeed on top of me, which didn't look good on his part.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Hikaru was shocked when, before he could blink, he was suddenly on the ground. Well, not really. He was on top of Zuki whom was on the ground underneath himself. He saw an angry looking someone, probably her brother, glaring down at the two of them. First thing's first, recollect your stance. He hopped up from the ground quickly, well more like jumped and glided back down to the ground, making sure not to step on Zuki. He helped her up and then faced her brother.

"Well, firstly, ummm that wasn't what it looked like. Zuki stopped, I ran into her, and we kinda fell." He paused feeling confident in his explanation. "And, second, I was going to give your sister?----a tour around town. Since, she's new here and all." He hoped her brother would buy it, becoz it was the whole truth after all. He forgot one key point that usually earned brownie points with just about anyone. Introductions. "I'm Hikaru, by the way, and I've lived here for at least five years." He held out his hand, in offer of a handshake, to her brother.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki stood behind Hikaru hoping that her brother wouldn't be too, too hard on Hikaru. She gave him that classic "he's telling the truth" look. For Goddess sake, he was so over-protective sometimes. It got so annoying.

She saw her brother's eyes take on a different light. One that usually meant he was going to let whatever happened go. Meaning Hikaru was off the hook. She watched as Haru took Hikaru's hand and shook it. "I'm Zuki's older brother, Haru." He had to add on the fact that he was older. Pcsh, by like five minutes, which barely counted for anything. "You're only older by like five minutes Haru! It barely even counts." She stood up for her place on the sibling chain of age. Haru probably thought she was being a little immature, but that's only becoz he was trying to be all, big brothery. "I'd be quiet, Zuki, I am letting this slide after all, but only becoz you seem to care about this guy."

"Well then, we're off to town." Zuki said quickly grabbing Hikaru's hand again. "Just wait a minute, Zuki. If this guy so much as touches you and you don't want him to, I'll hurt him severely." Haru paused, giving her time to inwardly sigh. "And who will guide Kisa and myself around?" He asked looking directly at Hikaru.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Hikaru was elated to know that he and Zuki were off the hook. and that her brother was actually going to let him take Zuki on a tour of the town...without him. Although, he wasn't very found of the accusation and punishment for said accusation. The accusation on the table was that he was a rapist or molestor or something. Haru trualy seemed to think that he was going to defile Zuki and then he was going to beat him up. Heh, not gonna happen. *Smiles widely* Zuki seemed to be a little more agitated when it came to the ages of her and her brother.

One problem though. He was going to have to find a guide for Haru and their sister Kisa. He wondered if Sally would mind doing it. Probably not, Sally was the nicest person he knew in Halloween Town, by hat he meant that she had the kindest disposition. She didn't really like to scare people, but to help them instead. "Well, I could ask my adoptive mother if she wouldn't mind showing you and Kisa around town. Sally is really nice." Hikaru offered to Haru. He wasn't lying, so he wasn't nervous. "You can gather up your sister and we'll go ask er right now." And in no more than about five minutes, Kisa had shown up behind her older, and taller brother, Haru. "Onward then. To Guillotine Square we go." He said not letting go of Zuki's hand, but leading he way.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki was being led, along with Haru and Kisa, to the very heart of Halloween Town. Guillotine Square was the name for the center of town. She was in love with this place and seemed to be falling for Hikaru. She couldn't let her brother find ot though, he'd flip his lip. He already thinks that Hikaru's going to molest her or something. Which even though she barely knew him, she knew somewhere deep inside her that Hikaru was a really good guy. She didn't know what else to say about that situation.

Something caught her attention. Well, tow things actually. Hikaru said his adoptive mother, Sally, probably wouldn't mind showing Haru and Kisa around town. Is it really Sally the Ragdoll? And the other things that caught her attention, didn't register until they were actually in town, Hikaru was still holding her hand. *Insert eeeep here* Oh shut up, you little fangirl, she yelled mentally at herself. Fangirl-atude was never a good thing, so therefore she hated herself when she did it.

She was amazed by just the town square as Hikaru led the three of them to a house that was built high above the ground. They climbed the, probably, hundreds of stairs and stopped for a breather at the top. Hikaru pulled on the spider doorbell and it screamed as it went back up. The door opened soon after and, behind it, revealed a tall skeletal man.....Jack Skellington. "Hi, son, what can I do for you?--and your other friends?" Jack asked him. Jack was his adoptive father? *mentally, jaw drops in astonishment* Then from behind her she heard Haru mutter to himself. "I am most certainly not his friend." I looked back at him with an angry look decorating my face. "Behave yourself." I whispered.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Hikaru led the four of them into his home. "Hey, dad, do you think that mom would mind showing Haru and Kisa around town?" He asked Jack pointing at Haru and Kisa. He hoped that his mom would go along with it, becoz he'd like to get to know Zuki better...without Haru around. "No, I don't think she'll mind. Let me call her out." Jack paused taking in a deep breath. "Honey, can you come out here for a moment, Hikaru has something he wants to ask you." Jack yelled.

Sally walked through the doorway furthest to the left in the room. "What is it sweetie?" She asked in a soft voice. "Well, it would seem that we have some newcomers to our world. They wouldlike to know if they could have the honor of being taken on a tour of the town by you?" Hikaru smiled widely. That sort of "please-mom-I'll-love-you-forever" look. "Ahhh, newcomers? I'd be delighted to show the two of you around. Just let me put the baby down for his nap and then we can go." Sally excused herself from the room. "Cool, well, Haru, Kisa. You guys can wait outside on the porch for my mom, she'll be out shortly." Hikaru instructed the two of them, leaving him to continue holding Zuki's hand...without the big brotherly glances from Haru.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki just stood there in pure shock and amazement as the Pumpkin King and Sally stood in front of her. She means, they were her childhood idols. So therefore, she was staring in astonishment. She watched as Sally went back towards the kitchen and to the baby's room to lay her down for a nap. Hikaru, herself, and the others were waiting for Sally to return so that she could whisk Haru and Kisa away into the dark wonderland called Halloween Town.

She and Hikaru watched as her brother and sister walked out of the house to go stand out on the proch. "So can we go on our tour now?" She asked with curiousity saturating her voice. Sally walked back out and towards the front door. "I'll be back in, say, two hours or so, honey." She farewelled to Jack. "Okay dear, see you later." Jack waved goodbye. "So...?" She turned to Hikaru hoping they could leave now.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Hikaru could tell that Zuki was eager to go on their tour. He hoped that she didn't find him creepy or anything. Then he thought, if she found him creepy...why in the world would she still be holding his hand? He was trying to think about where to take Zuki first. Think. Hikaru, think. Where does mom hate the most? Aha! The graveyard. Sounded good to him, no parental figures, and, to his knowledge, no one other than the Tree with the Hanging Men would be all the way out there at this time of the day. The graveyard was sounding better and better by the moment.

The graveyard was where he would always escape to at this time of the day, to smoke. Blunt or not, didn't matter to him. He'd stop by the Three Witches' Shoppe in town and then lead her out into the older, scarier parts of the graveyard. "How does the graveyard sound to you? I mean as our first destination?" Hikaru asked with his hopes high.

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki thought about his proposition for a moment. The graveyard? Sounded great to her. She hoped no one would be creeping around, so maybe they'd be able to get to know each other better. She also hoped that Hikaru wouldn't mind the fact that she smoked, on a daily basis. She hoped that it wasn't a turn off of his, becoz if it was she was screwed. And not in the fun way. Zuki wondered how active the ghosts would be in the graveyard if they were already just waltzing around town. She also wondered in there would be those three little touble-makers, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, sneaking around the graveyard too. Oh well, she thought, those little kids don't stand a chance against Hikaru and herself. "Sure, the graveyard sounds great."

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Hikaru was happy to hear that Zuki wouldn't mind going to the graveyard as their first, well...second, stop. First stop was the Three Witches' Shoppe. An essential stop, for his Deadly Nightshade and Witch Hazel needs. Yeah, Deadly Nightshade really wasn't all that deadly. He'd always found that amusing. He led Zuki out of the house, down the many stairs, and into Guillotine Square. "We actually need to make one stop before we go to the graveyard. I wanted to pick up some stuff from the Three Witches' Shoppe." Hikaru said to Zuki as he led her through the normal Halloween Time chaos of the center of town.

One of those annoying little shruken heads screamed as he opened the door to the shop. More annoying than normal bells? Oh yeah. Becoz these 'bells' could make fun of you or talk back. He walked up to the witch who referred to herself as Thorn. "What can I get for you today, Hikaru?" She asked with a friendly smile on her face. "The usual, Thorn, just some rice paper, Deadly Nightshade, and some Witch Hazel." Hikaru responded. He knew the cost, it was always the same. It'd be around one hundred and twenty Munny. He watched paitently as she bagged up his usual order. "That'll be one hundred and twenty Munny." She informed him. He already had his Munny out and was waiting. "Smart alleck." She joked as she gave him his bag. "And, if you don't mind me asking, who is this lovely girl you have with you?" She wondered aloud. "Her name is Zuki, she just traveled here with her brother and sister." He explained to her. "Love to stay and chat, but I've got a tour to give." "I understand. Have fun." He heard Thorn farewell as he opened the door for Zuki. "Okay now we can head to the gaveyard." Hikaru told Zuki as they walked through the town.

(Bare with me on the refferal to the Hex Girls from Scooby-Doo. The witches needed names and there happened to be three. So, yeah.)

[Amber Lyn Annihilation]

Zuki was definitely curious about what he could possibly be doing with those herbs. A spell? That definitely wouldn't seem out of place in Halloween Town. He'd probably tell her when they got to the graveyard. She couldn't believe that she hadn't realized it sooner, but they had gotten there just in time for the holiday preperations, jsut before Halloween. The hustle and bustle of the town amazed her as they walked back through Guillotine Square. They walked to the other side of the square and he effortlessly flew over the rot iron gate. She urged herself to try what she'd been practicing for months, since around March, just so that she was ready for this trip around to the worlds. She forced herself to fly over the rot iron gate. She couldn't believe that she'd actually done it, so when she landed she spazed a little bit. "Oh, yeah! Take that physics!" She yelled in the distance pointing in a random direction.

They walked through the graveyard until they came up to another iron gate. There was a sign next to it and, in a scraggly font, it said Olde Cemetery. Should be even better. They walked across a rickety, old bridge and past an ancient-looking crypt. Zuki was getting cold chills just walking past all this stuff. She hoped nothing jumped out at her. They finally stopped when they reached this huge, mozaic-era-looking, tree. This thing was the biggest tree she'd ever seen. She leaned up against the tree trunk before she spoke. "So, what are your supplies for exactly?" She'd been curious since he bought them. Paper, Deadly Nightshade, and Witch Hazel? Weird combination of herbs if you asked her.