Hello everyone. I'm very, very sorry I haven't updated in near forever it seems. No, Light hasn't been abandoned. I'll try to get to it as soon as possible. School's just been killing me, and.. I don't know. Laziness, I suppose?

This is just a quick one-shot I came up with. I'm toying with imagery. Practice, if I must say.
Anyway, please enjoy and visit my livejournal- .. R&R? I would greatly appreciate it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara!

b e t t e r t h a n h o t c o c o a
an early christmas present

Hinamori Amu sat on her bed, the cozy black and pink color coordinated sheets and pillows accommodating her small figure. Pink hair curled slightly down her back, her bright, yellow eyes twinkling with excitement. Her soft, pink lips held a small smile as she stared out her balcony window, watching snow fall, painting the neighborhood and outside scenery a beautiful ivory white. She rested her head on her knees, her arms hugging her knees to her.

She sat in a complete but comfortable silence. Her parents were out, her father saying he wanted to take a picture of the park in the snow. Her little sister, Ami, of course, went with them, wanting to be a model in all of her precious father's pictures. Ran, Dia, Miki, and Suu went out to play with the other Shugo Charas, leaving her alone. Usually, the silence would bring her loneliness, but today was different.

It was only a matter of time before her crush, Hotori Tadase would ring the doorbell and their day together in this winter wonderland would begin.

It had taken five years for this certain blond-haired prince to notice her in "that" way, them now being seventeen and going on their first date. Yes, she had waited that long to be with him, and whoever said good things come to those who wait, they were absolutely right.

Even though she was almost an adult, Amu couldn't help but feel nervous. This technically was her very first date, and she had no experience whatsoever. What was she to do?

She spent countless hours the night before preparing her outfit- a high waisted black, satin mini skirt over a black and gray turtleneck. Black and gray tights covered her legs. She finished off with an ashy colored pair of leg warmers, covering her black converse chucks. Of course, she had a light gray trench coat because of the weather as well as a white scarf, mittens, and a hat.

Amu was trendy. And, very, very prepared.

But you see, while she waited, an extremely cold cat was waiting outside, wondering if he should jump on that fated balcony, and tap on the seventeen year old girl's balcony window. He didn't like showing emotions and liked to think he was strong against anything, but he couldn't escape the cold biting his cheeks, turning them a faint pink. His teeth threatened to chatter and his blue locks were getting damp from the melting snow.

Oh, forget it.

Tap, tap, tap.

Amu blinked, taking in the sight of a much older man right outside her balcony, blocking her view of the falling snow.

Usually, she would get angry at him, but today was different.

His nose was running, his teeth were chattering, he looked like he was shaking, and his cheeks were tinged a light pink. Was this really Tsukiyomi Ikuto?

She burst out laughing.

Ikuto frowned outside, wiping his nose with his sleeve. Amu grinned back at him, and looked at the time. Completely forgetting about her date with Tadase, Amu got off her bed and walked over, opening the balcony door.

The handsome but extremely irritated boy walked in and quickly shut the door behind him.

"That took you long enough, Amu."

"Sorry, sorry. Here."

Giggling, Amu brought him over to her warm bed, brushing some snow off his hair. He gratefully accepted a dusty pink towel and dried his hair, face, and brushed off snow from his clothes.

Amu sat on the ground, staring up at Ikuto, an amused smile seemingly permanent set on her lips. He ignored it and instead glanced at her clothes, noticing the extra exquisite pick.

"What are you all dressed up for?"

Tadase and the date back in her mind, Amu's eyes widened in terror.

"Oh, no!" She covered her face with her hands, annoyed with herself. She couldn't kick Ikuto back into the freezing cold, but she wanted to be with Tadase, too. Plus, in case he came upstairs, Amu would rather die than have Tadase see another much older man in her room, much less on her bed.

Ikuto immediately knew that it was another man. Coming up with an idea, Ikuto smirked.

"Amu." Seeing her attention back on him made his smirk grow. In a blink of an eye, Ikuto had Amu pinned underneath him on her bed. Realizing the suggestive position they were in, Amu blushed many shades of red, her voice lost. She couldn't help it; she was getting lost in his intense stare, his blue eyes shining with mischief.

And suddenly, it wasn't fun and games anymore.

Sensing that he was in control, Ikuto's lips drew closer and closer towards Amu's. She didn't turn away. Instead, her eyelids came down slowly and her breath came in slow, shallow sighs.

Ding-dong

Amu blinked, her trance broken. Ikuto sighed and got off her, knowing that she was-

His thoughts were interrupted when Amu pulled him back and crashed her lips against his. Quickly responding, Ikuto's hands found their place on either side of her waist, drawing her closer and closer, the kiss getting deeper and more intense.

His tongue made its way though Amu's parted lips, Amu's tongue playfully responding. Amu moaned, and Ikuto pushed Amu back down on her bed, never breaking the kiss.

But, all good things come to an end at one point, and Amu needed air. She reluctantly drew away, breathing heavily. A blush spread across her cheeks, her pouty lips full and reddened.

Ikuto smiled --smiled-- at the only girl he really cared for. Once again, he leaned down, but instead of capturing her lips like any man, he allowed the tips of their noses to touch, and rested his forehead against hers.

The simple gesture said everything, and Amu lifted her arms, resting them on Ikuto's broad back.

Her tone was as soft and gentle as the snow fell outside. And even though Ikuto was long cured from the coldness outside, the words that tumbled out of her mouth made his heart burst, warming him up from the inside.

"I love you too, Ikuto."

Poor, poor Tadase stood alone outside the Hinamori house, ringing the doorbell every so often, hoping that the bubbly girl would appear at the door.