I want her.

And I mean in more than that way.

I want to be her shadow. Her second self. Her protector. To be the one who makes sure she is never hurt, standing between her and danger just like that time. When I am with her I want to be better, stronger, brighter. When she is there, I don't feel so dark.

I want to hold her hand in mine. To spend every day with her and every night next to her.

What I want is to spend our lives together.

I wish I were younger or she were older. That idiot Tadase can confess so easily, and no one thinks he's wrong. People think they're cute together. But me? If I were to say anything, I'd be the worst kind of villain—so I can never do more than joke…and she—she wouldn't believe me even if I were serious.

Still, she deserves the chance to be with someone her own age. To try to find her own path. So I will settle for glimpses of her happiness.

Utau doesn't understand why I wait and watch. Naïve girl thinks I should do something more. She asks me why I don't make a move before Amu falls completely for the pretend king. She dismisses the fact that Amu has already fallen for him and all his insercurities.

But I ignore Utau. Because I understand something she doesn't. Amu is still growing up, still finding who she wants to be. One day the difference between us won't seem so great. One day she will outgrow her pretend boyfriend. And when that day comes I will be waiting.

Amu…grow up faster.


Wow...this short. Guess flash fiction doesn't get much flashier than this.

Anyways, Ikuto popped into my head last night and started talking. Made me get up after I was all ready for bed and write this down. Yeah, I'm into Shugo Chara now too. There might, emphasis on the might be another chapter in the makings. Amu was doing some talking, but I was at work so I couldn't write and I don't remember all that she was talking at me.

Anyways, R&R. Pretty please with whipped cream and cherry on top.