Hey! I needed to get some feelings down in writing, and what better way to do that than to write an Amuto story? So here it is, based on a western style Christmas and a lot of Romance, Drama, Fluff and Sympathy. I'm really proud of this first chapter, and I'm finding it very easy to write, so I'll almost definitely update soon. Have a good Christmas everyone! SayoChan x

Summary: Amu feels awful but she doesn't know why, Christmas doesn't feel right and it's really getting to her. No one understands and she doesn't want to ruin Christmas for anyone else so she keeps quiet, but a certain kitty cat can read her like a book, and of course comes to the rescue. AMUTO

Spoiler Warning: None atall =]

Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara

The Perfect Christmas

Chapter 1

As I stared blankly at the computer screen in front of me, my eyes blurred the image and my mind sent me into yet another pointless day dream. I was considering how tomorrow morning may end up, perhaps I would sleepily stumble down the stairs, like I do every year, open the door and smile as my eyes adjusted to the light and took in the pile of presents before me. Or perhaps, I would continue to feel completely empty, and of course, I'd still have no idea why.

I glanced up as my mother entered the room and shivered as the cold air pinched my pale cheeks. I fell back onto the floor and sighed, staring at the ceiling.

"Amu-chan I need you to get off the floor." said my Mama in a tired voice. I nodded and reluctantly got up, slumping down on the couch. Our computer was placed on a low desk downstairs which was pretty inconvenient as anyone that wanted to use it was forced to sit on the hard floor. That person being me, of course, seeing as my father didn't like it when I used his. He was always scared that I might mess something up or break it, even though I was much better at using it than he was. My spoilt younger sister Ami wouldn't let me use hers as, well, I don't know. She just got angry when I asked, so I stopped asking.

I flinched as the sound of the vacuum cleaner pierced my ears. I was too drained of energy to actually move, so I huddled my knees closer to me and clenched my fists around the thin blanket covering me. I wished my laptop wasn't broken.

My mother continued vacuuming in the hallway, and just as I was returning to my seat in front of the computer, she spoke loudly so that she could be heard over the vacuum cleaner. This caused me to jump.

"I'm not done yet." she said coldly. My lips parted, that surprised me. Maybe I wasn't the only one feeling like utter crap? I nodded and smiled weakly, sitting down on the couch once more. I rested my arms on my knees, and rested my head on my arms.

Staring at the Christmas tree that stood by the window made me realise how bad I actually felt. Our tree was fibre-optic and last year, I remember my eyes sparkling as I looked at it in amazement. For some reason, it seemed prettier then than it does now.

I shut my eyes tight, trying to ignore the fact that it was already Christmas Eve.

Why did I feel so awful? I had absolutely no reason to be upset! Nothing had happened that would make me feel this way, no one had been mean to me or anything like that, and it was Christmas Eve? Every child was supposed to be happy and excited on Christmas Eve, so why wasn't I? I felt so empty. Something was definitely wrong. I just wish I knew what it was.

Maybe these feelings were caused by lack of sleep? After all, I hadn't slept properly in over a week. I had taken to staying up until ridiculous hours in the morning and then waking at about two in the afternoon. That was definitely not healthy, but still, I had a doubt that it was tiredness causing my unhappiness. Something just felt out of place. Maybe this was growing up? Somehow, that thought just upset me more. I was fifteen, but I certainly wasn't ready to become an adult just yet. Most people still considered me as a child. My parents treated me like I was nine; this annoyed me to some degree, but at the same time, it made things feel kind of, normal. I didn't like change, so I wasn't particularly looking forward to growing up. Of course it had its up sides, but I liked feeling like there wasn't much to worry about. When I did have a problem, I would think, 'It doesn't matter, I'm just a child, I'm sure this is nothing compared to what adults have to face!' and this made me feel a little better.

However the older I grew, the less that thought comforted me, but I'm Hinamori Amu. Surely, if I do my best, I can face anything! My stubborn, cool character was attempting to worm its way into my mind, however, this bugged me more. I was really trying to be myself, but somehow I always end up being "cool and spicy". That wasn't what was getting to me now though, I was used to that, and I'm confident that someday I will be my true self, I'm just a teenager finding my way. That's normal. So what was wrong??

I was snapped back to reality when the vacuum cleaner hissed violently. I clasped my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes shut as Mama tried to figure out what had been sucked up that the vacuum was rejecting. She turned the machine off, but before she could carry on, my younger sister came storming down the stairs.

"MAMA!!! I'M MISSING MY FAVOURITE SHOW THANKS TO THAT STUPID VACUUM CLEANER!!" screamed Ami as she narrowed her eyes and sulked. Ami was maturing, but in the process, she had become extremely spoilt. Being the youngest, Ami got more attention, which caused her to seem like the favourite sometimes. Maybe that's why she was so spoilt now. Hopefully, she would grow out of it, but for now, we had to put up with her. Mama and Papa had realised Ami's change in character a little too late, and were now desperately trying to get her to behave. Today, it appeared that it was Mama's turn, as Papa was working late, again. I felt sorry for my mother, she had to get the whole house tidy, wrap presents, take care of Ami and I and do other various jobs all by herself. Mama looked totally worn out, like she couldn't take any more. For a moment, I almost thought she looked as if she was going to cry, but perhaps this was my imagination, as when I took a second glance, the cold, almost emotionless expression was painted over her features once more.

I sighed as my mother began shouting at Ami, telling her how ungrateful she was being. Mama was right, but she didn't have to sound so cruel. Ami however didn't seem to pick up on this, or the fact that our mother was struggling with everything today, and continued to scream about her stupid television programme. Ami began crying loudly, screaming that it was unfair as she stomped up the stairs. Mama sighed and muttered bitterly, continuing her vacuuming. I hated the way Ami treated our parents lately, but I didn't want to say much. My parents didn't need her turning on me as well, they had enough on their plate, so I remained the "cool big sister" but every now and again I try and talk some sense in to her. She listens, she really does, but she seems to forget my words after a few hours. I don't know why I try…

These thoughts were upsetting me more, and I was soon pulled out of them when my mother spoke.

"You can go back on the computer now Amu-chan." she said quietly, she didn't even look at me. I wondered if she had noticed that I too was feeling down. Maybe she did, but if so, she didn't show it. I reluctantly removed myself from the comfy couch and sat back down by the computer. I ran my fingers through my hair as a sound caught my attention.

"KusuBlondieKusu2 wants to start a conversation with you!"

It was my IM. I decided to talk to her, seeing as she was probably my best friend, other than Tadase right now. I didn't feel like talking with Tadase, as he clearly had feelings for me still, even though we broke up months ago. We were still best friends, but we had definitely drifted apart.

IchigoBaby46: Hey Rima

KusuBlondieKusu2: Hi Amu! You okay?

IchigoBaby46: I guess, feel a bit down though… you?

KusuBlondieKusu2: Oh, why? =( I'm good, excited for xmas!

IchigoBaby46: I'm just tired. I'll feel better in the morning :D

So I lied. I didn't feel like trying to explain to Rima my problem, when I could barely explain it to myself.

KusuBlondieKusu2: Aww cheer up =] Christmas! Christmas! Yay!

IchigoBaby46: Lol, I g2g, cya soon. Have a good one! ^^

KusuBlondieKusu2: K, byee! You too x

IchigoBaby46 has signed off.

I turned off the computer and slowly made my way upstairs, turning on my iPod and turning up the volume in an attempt to drown out Ami's sobs. It really didn't feel like Christmas Eve. I lay down on my bed and mouthed the words to the sound blasting into my ears, lifting my mood slightly.

Tap Tap Tap

My eyelashes fluttered open and my honey eyed gaze landed on the window to my balcony. Oh great, just what I needed. Kitty boy was here…

I sighed, turned off my iPod and set it down on the small table by my bed. I walked slowly over to the glass door and unlocked it. Ikuto slid it open and stepped inside, closing it behind him, shielding us from the harsh breeze. I glanced up at him and was surprised to find a look of concern plastered over his handsome face. I was confused.

"What's wrong?" he said coolly. I was shocked, how could he possibly know? I never did understand how he read me so easily, the way no one else could.

I opened my mouth to protest but I felt too miserable to argue so I gave in and sat down on my bed. Looking at the floor, I fiddled with my thumbs, but almost by accident, I began speaking. Once I started, I couldn't stop. My emotions spilled out of my mouth and Ikuto listened to every word. He watched me intensely as I blurted out every last detail I could think of. I didn't know why I was telling him, but he seemed to be the only one that really cared enough to listen to me, so I let it go and carried on.

Once I had finally finished venting my feelings to the older teen, I breathed a heavy sigh and looked up at him. I looked away quickly, not wanting to become lost in his deep blue eyes like I always did. Somehow, he really must have understood, or at least, he was good at acting like he did. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close to him, usually, I would have struggled to escape his tight grip, but this time, a hug didn't seem that bad…

He was so warm, his arms tightly holding me as if he'd never let go, and he didn't speak a word. We sat in a comfortable silence as I pressed my cheek against his chest. My eyes were now threatening to overflow with tears which I tried hard to fight. It was no use, I gripped his shirt as my eyes squeezed shut, tears escaping in the process. Sobbing as quietly as I could, I felt Ikuto's hold become tighter, yet he still didn't say anything. I was a little confused, but right now, it didn't matter, I needed someone. Lucky for me, he did exactly as I wanted. He listened, he held me. He didn't question me and make me feel more confused and upset like I knew the others would.

After a few minutes, my eyes stopped producing tears and I got myself together. I half hoped that he hadn't noticed I was crying, but that was ridiculous; there was no way he couldn't have noticed as my sobs became increasingly louder the more I thought about it. The main things making me cry were the way my friendship had changed with Tadase, the way I missed Nadeshiko, the way I hated my family life and Christmas just didn't feel right. Maybe I was too busy looking for one reason that was upsetting me because I blindly missed, that everything was upsetting me.

The silence returned, and to my surprise, Ikuto didn't speak. He simply picked me up bridal style, pulled back my bed sheet and laid me down. I looked up at him, my eyes gleaming as I felt tears well up again, but he smiled. This cheered me up a little. He lay beside me and pulled the covers over us, the warmth causing me to let out a sigh of relief. Wrapping his arms around my waist once more, he whispered in my ear.

"Get some sleep Amu, you'll feel better tomorrow."

I was a little surprised. Was he going to stay there all night? To be honest, I didn't care, he was totally welcome. My door was locked and no one would bother me, so why not? I felt safe with him next to me, like some of my worries had been lifted. I totally forgot it was Christmas Eve and snuggled into his chest. The world could wait, right now, it was time to sleep, and that's exactly what we did. I fell asleep in his arms and he smiled, drifting off next to me.

Will update soon, please review! Thanks!

SayoChan x