A/N: Hello, hello, world! I return to you with the newest chapter of this odd little AU today! It's fresh off the press! Not literally, of course, but you get the point...right? I hope so. Now, this chapter is of average length-ish, perhaps. But, yes, there isn't any important things I need to get off my chest before we dive into the chapter so...thank you all who have been reading/reviewing/favoriting/following and so forth. It really makes me smile that you awesome people are enjoying my story!

thewittywhy: This may sound weird but I'm glad it's depressing! I was aiming for that so it's good to hear I succeed! Nice to see your review, buddy!

Poksie: Thank you! I hope you stick aroumd for the rest of the story!

Guest: Glad you love it!

Now, onto the story!

He admittedly watched her from a near distance through his stained window, his pair of mirthful blue eyes twinkled alongside an unusual sadness. His gaze unceremoniously lingered on her hunched over form, he stared at her somewhat owlishly. Concern creased his forehead as she remained still, the slightly cool breeze disarrayed her periwinkle-shaded hair; ruffling it like feathers. He sighed with newly butted eyebrows, lumbering across his home's grounds he soon propped open his front door and slowly inched toward his standing wife. He softly planted a worn hand onto her delicate shoulder, his face set in a frown.

She needn't flinch, it was almost as if she were expecting his small visit at that moment. With her voice soft as honey she slowly spoke without turning her head in the slightest, "River," she greeted, solemnly.

River dipped his gaze, her tone striking against his heart like a hammer to a nail. "Moon, m'dear, what's the matter?" He whispered, gingerly approaching the subject.

Moon was quiet, the wind billowed its sad howl all around them, engulfing the two in nature itself. After a moment she murmured almost inaudibly, "I dreamt about Star." River's facade softened significantly, he grasped her small hand and squeezed it reassuringly. A silence pulsed by, securing their unspoken conversation and understanding. River peered at the Butterfly Palace in the distance, its crumbling walls fell as if the castle itself was nothing more than a simple house of paper-thin cards.

"Today marks ten years, River. Since her birth." Moon mumbled through tight lips. River glanced at her and gently rubbed his thumb over her hand, his features converted in a type of longing.

"I know." He simply said.

"It's...I'll always miss her..." Her lips were set in a grim line, her eyes rather glazed.

River wrapped his muscled arms around her waist and hugged her tightly, a warm sensation spread through Moon's chest at the terse action, her heart fluttered at his touch.

"I know. I miss her, too." Together, the two gazed at the rising sun in the distance as it embraced the sky with its hopeful light.

In Earth.

"...to youuuuu!" The joyous chorus ceased its singing while Star eagerly peered all around her rather small family. A grin stretched across her face as she inhaled and exhaled, blowing the ten candles out; extinguishing them all. Clapping ensured as cake was passed around, Star happily ate into it whilst Marco sat beside her, sparing her a bright smile.

"What did you wish for?" He asked, innocent curiosity sprinkling his tone like salt over steak. Star playfully pushed him, settling her plate down on the table, she rolled her eyes skyward at his general direction.

"I can't tell you, silly. Or else it won't come true!" She was momentarily quite joyful, despite the events that had unfolded throughout the previous weeks. Her expression sunk as the vivid memory flashed through her mind like lighting springing in the night sky.

Mrs. Dollem, Charlie's fumming mother, scornfully scowled down at her with darkly rimmed eyes. She was yelling at her, though Star wasn't listening, her ears were pounding with her quick heartbeat. Her gaze was lost to her mind, the image of an uncounsious and bloody Charlie haunted her like a ghost.

She faintly saw Sensei attempting to calm the anxiously angered mother who refused to listen.

A hand slithered into hers as Star startled and turned to stare at a concerned Marco, "It's okay." He whispered despite his evident fear. He gave her a small smile that Star didn't return, her eyes fueled by terror.

"I hurt someone, Marco. I hurt someone." She quietly mumbled, not quite audible. Marco flung an arm over her shoulders, simply hugging her in silence.

"Star? Star? Are you okay?" She gazed into his warm dark orbs and smiled weakly, giving an incline of her head while brushing off his worry. "I'm fine, Marco. Just...remembering some stuff. It's nothing." She quickly added, once seeing his expression. He bit into his lower and studied her features before sighing and grasping her hand into his.

"Come on, I want to show you something." Star perked up considerably as he commenced to guide her up their carpeted staircase and toward her occupying room. Though, they bluntly stopped their trek once their respective ears strained to hear rather odd ripping sounds echoing through the opposite side of them. The two paused, befuddled, as Marco slowly pushed the door open, a quick flash of blue vanishing as soon as they stepped inside.

On Star's bedside resided a small yet neatly wrapped box, despite Marco telling her not to touch it Star quickly plodded toward it. She took the box into her hands and carefully undid the wrapping, seizing the lid and curiously tossing it aside. Inside, a beautifully made necklace lay there, taking form of a blue butterfly; it glinted off of the sun streaming through the window in the room.

A name carved into the jewelry's surface caught her attention though it seemingly was engraved in a foreign language. She stared down at it, odd emotions swirled in her heart like a hurricane.

Marco stood beside her, peering over her shoulder to stare at the necklace in her hand, "Who...who gave you that?" Star went silent as she fingered her gift, her brows knitted in thought.

"I don't know."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Next chapter coming soon!