(A/N: I do not own Shugo Chara. I'm continuing this but at the moment I'm not really sure where I'm going to take this story. Please review!)

Chapter 1

Hinamori Amu walked down the long pathway that led to the high school. Her bright pink hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her bright golden-yellow eyes gleamed with happiness. Today was her first day of her first year at high school. She and her most of her friends from elementary and middle school were all attending the same high school. Amu smiled wider. Amu stopped and looked up at the large building.

"Wow, it's big," she said to herself out loud.

"Amu-chan!" a voice called. She turned to see Rima smiling and running towards her. Amu met her half way.

"Rima!" Amu cried bright. They gave each other a hug. Rima was short and looked young for a fourteen year old. She still had long flowing blonde hair and big eyes sparkling, the same color as Amu's.

The two walked and talked towards the high school. "Did you talk to Yaya recently?"

"Huh? No, why? Did she and Kairi have a fight?" Yaya and Kairi, two other friends of theirs, had decided to go out a few weeks ago, even though it was obvious they had feelings for each other before then.

Rima shook her head. "Yaya's really happy, even though she feels a little too 'grown up' because she has a boyfriend." Amu rolled her eyes. That was Yaya for you.

"So… what happened?"

"She called me in hysterics because we were leaving her again and, I quote, 'it's just like elementary school again.'"

"Oh, that's all."

"Yep." They looked at each other for a moment, before bursting out laughing.

"Amu-chan!" Amu turned to see Kukai running full speed towards her and Rima and putting his arms around each of their necks. "Ha! You've made it to high school!"

"It's nice to see you too, Kukai," said Amu.

"You're choking me," Rima said bluntly. Kukai let go and looked them over.

"Cool, those uniforms fit nicely! Do you guys know your classes?" he said. They shook their heads in unison. He smiled widely. "Great! I can take you over to the lists! Let's go!" Kukai took one arm of each girl and starting running towards the class lists, dragging them along with him.

Kukai had big green eyes and orange hair. His ears had piercings in them and he had grown taller since the last time they had seen him.

"Hey, Kukai. Did you talk to Utau lately? How is she? How's her college?" said Amu, and then added shyly, "I haven't really spoken with her too recently.

Kukai turned to look at her, and briefly, Amu could see sadness in his eyes, but he smiled, hiding the sadness inside himself. "No, not really, but I'm calling her tonight, to see how she's doing."

"You miss her, don't you?" Rima said.

Kukai's face fell a little. Utau had gone to college in England, and Kukai and her had been going out for about three years or so, and they were still, somehow, managing to keep their relationship steady. He looked away and then suddenly changed the subject. "I'm in class two-D. Tell me what class you guys are in, okay? See you later!"

Rima and Amu waited behind the crowd to see what class they would be in.

"So," said Rima darkly. "Why didn't you ask me… about Nagihiko?"

Amu turned nervously to her. "Oh, I-I was going to, I mean, um, it's just Utau is in college, and, uh, so, how are you and Nagihiko?" said Amu.

Rima smiled. "Everything's fine."

"You're scary when you do that, you know."

"I know… what do you mean, I'm scary?"

Amu laughed nervously.

When they checked the lists, they were delighted to find themselves in the same class, one-C. Sadly, Nagihiko was in one-A and Tadase was in one-B.

"Amu-chan." Amu and Rima turned, after they had looked at the lists, to see Tadase behind them, smiling. "Did you have a nice break?"

"Y-yes!" Amu said. Her heart skipped a beat. Tadase had been the prince of her dreams since elementary school, and she had had a big crush on him ever since. Tadase was tall and blonde. His eyes were a brilliant shade of red-orange, and his smile was to die for. Tadase had asked Amu to be his girlfriend before repeatedly, but she would always turn him down because of a complication…

"Am I invisible?" Rima said coldly. Tadase turned red and laughed nervously.

"N-no, um, how was your break, Rima-chan?"

Rima looked away, swiftly. "I don't feel like telling you."

Amu and Tadase looked at each other and shrugged.

"Um, Amu-chan—and Rima-chan, which classes are you two in? I'm in one-B," Tadase said anxiously.

Amu frowned a little. "Oh, uh, we're both in… one… C."

Tadase frowned too. "Oh… I see…"

"I see, too, now it's time to go, Amu-chan," said Rima pulling on her sleeve towards class.

Class started swiftly and quickly. There were introductions, rules explained, things like that, but there was one thing on Amu's mind. The complication. If there wasn't that specific complication, Amu would be in a relationship with Tadase, which she thought would be great… if it wasn't for the complication. She knew Tadase liked her, he had confessed his feelings for her and told her that he liked her every day he could.

Amu turned to Rima and then her eyes widened and she turned pale. Almost every boy in the room was looking at her with love in their eyes. They looked like they were about to pounce on her and hug her, and wouldn't let anything in their way. Just like middle and elementary school, thought Amu as she smiled with a sigh. Rima seemed liked she hadn't noticed that anything had changed.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door and the door slid open. There in the doorway was Nagihiko. He had grown, like the other boys, and had his long blue hair cut short. He smiled at the teacher and then his eyes moved towards Rima and the other boys who were gawking at her. He kept on smiling as he moved towards Rima's desk and then stood beside her. He then smiled even wider as he took Rima's chin and held it out leaning in towards her until their noses were only inches apart. Then he leaned in further and kissed Rima gently on the lips. The whole class, including the teacher gasped loudly. Rima's eyes were wide, but she didn't push him away. He then let go of her and headed back towards the door. Before he left, he turned briefly.

"I would like it if you boys didn't try to hit on my girlfriend," he said with an innocent smile. Silence struck the room as Rima turned red as she watched Nagihiko leave. When the door slid closed, the outbursts started.

"Is he really your boyfriend?" one boy asked.

"You're not really dating are you?" another boy asked.

"What would he do if someone hits on you?"

Rima closed her eyes and answered casually. "Yes, he's my boyfriend. We are dating. He will probably rip out your intestines and make you eat them if you try to hit on me." Everyone grew silent.

"Now, now, everyone, let's settle down," the teacher said. "Let's continue…"

Amu looked at Rima and saw, just briefly, the corner of her mouth trying to hide a smile. Amu smiled widely at her friend. She loved seeing Rima happy.

The classes went by fairly quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for lunch.

They went to the cafeteria and met up with Nagihiko, Tadase, and Kukai.

"Here, guys, come sit with me and my friends from soccer," said Kukai with a smile. They walked over towards his table where there sat a few kids.

"Hey," one girl said with a smile.

"Kukai, who are the cuties? Don't tell me they're both your girlfriend?" one boy said, raising a brow at Amu and Rima. Amu turned red and Rima scowled. Kukai rubbed his temples as Tadase and Nagihiko's eyes narrowed.

"No, um, this is Amu-chan and Rima-chan. Uh, neither one of them is my girlfriend—"

"Good, so I can get the chance right? Which one to start…?" the boy said.

Nagihiko stepped protectively in front of Rima and smiled. "No, this is my girlfriend. Touch her and die."

The boy smirked. "Fine, dude, relax. Hey blondie, the pink chic yours?" Tadase and Amu turned red and shook their heads. The boy smiled widely. "Good, hey guys the pink one's all mine!"

"Shut up!" yelled Kukai. "I'm not going to let you talk about my friends like that!"

"Kukai…" The boy looked at him.

"No, come on, guys. We're eating lunch somewhere else, okay?" Kukai turned towards an empty table on the other side of the room. The others followed. When they got there, they all sat down and Kukai sighed loudly. "Sorry guys, that guy's been itching for a girlfriend since his first year in high school. Anyway, it's like old times, again right? I mean, we're all together, mostly! All that's missing is Yaya!" Kukai smiled widely.

"Yeah," Amu agreed.

Amu walked quietly back to her house. The leaves on trees were bristling in the autumn wind and there were birds fluttering from tree to tree. Amu sighed. It had been a since she had thought about him. That one complication. She still remembered every detail of his face clearly. His deep blue eyes, his shaggy dark blue hair. The way he would always be there for her… She hadn't seen him for three years. She hadn't talked with him for two. She remembered his request for her. Wait for me. She was starting to regret it. She had done what he had asked, because of some foolish reason… that she herself wasn't even sure about. Was it love? But, she hadn't seen him for three years! Isn't that a lot to ask from a girl? Amu paused. Did he still remember her? Maybe… he hadn't seen her for a reason! He hadn't even called after a year of him being with the orchestra. What an idiot she was! Amu rolled her eyes and continued walking in frustration. What if he already had a girlfriend? The next time, she decided, Tadase asked her to be his girlfriend, she would say yes! She stopped. For some reason… that idea didn't feel right.

Amu went to sit on a park bench. And ran her fingers through her hair. Had he changed much from when she had last saw him? Was he taller? Did he cut his hair? Amu shook her head. I shouldn't even be thinking of him! she thought. She heard a person sit on the other side of the bench, but she ignored them. Amu stood and then smiled widely.

"I'm not going to torture myself anymore!" she said with a large smile. Suddenly her face fell a little. Why wasn't she feeling as happy as she should've?

Suddenly she felt two large arms go under her own arms and rap around herself and a pointed chin rest on her shoulder. The stranger pulled her in closer.

"Amu, why are you torturing yourself?" Amu's eyes were wide as she heard the familiar voice that had deepened a bit over the years. She turned her head abruptly to see the familiar deep blue eyes and dark blue hair. She felt as if she were choking. He let her go and she fully turned around to look at him. "Hey!"

"I-Iku… Iku…" Amu bit her lip to keep from crying out. Then something hit her. "Y-you-!"

He grabbed her close in a bear hug and whispered in her ear. "Hello, Amu."

Amu stepped back from him. "I-Ikuto!" she finally managed. He smiled gleefully at her.

"Did you miss me?" he questioned, trying to act innocent.

Amu tried to hold back surprising tears. "Y-you—" Amu felt her knees turn to jelly and it took all that she had not to fall towards the ground. "H-how-?"

"I'm taking a small break," he responded. Then his face turned serious. "I know I couldn't take off earlier…"

"Earlier?" Amu blurted out, rage spilling out. "I haven't seen you in three years!"

His smile dropped a little, but then he laughed softly. "Amu… I know I haven't seen you in," he hesitated, "a while, but I'm here now."

Amu studied him, tears stinging her eyes, threatening to spill out over her face. "You can't expect me to forgive that easily."

His smile completely faded and he dropped his head. "You missed me?" A small smile crept onto his face, but he still seemed somehow ashamed.

Amu's face burned red. Did she… miss him? "N-no—why would I miss you? That would mean I cared about you-!"

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her once more, this time Amu didn't struggle.

"Why would I miss you?" she demanded through small sobs. "You were only gone for three years! You only didn't talk to me for two years! You-you-!" Ikuto was holding onto her tightly and Amu surprised herself by holding him back. "You only left me waiting for you… not seeing you… or hearing your voice… or… or…"

Ikuto pulled her back and wiped away a few tears. "You… waited?"

Amu looked at him. "Isn't that what you asked?"

They stared at each other in silence, before Ikuto leaned down and kissed her on the lips. "Yes."

"Ikuto… You came back," Amu whispered.

They strolled through the park together, hand in hand, Ikuto talking about his search for his father, Amu talking about her life for the past three years.

"So, the little king asked you to be his girlfriend? And yet, you said no?" Ikuto asked.

"I promised you that I'd wait… unless you'd rather I said yes," Amu said harshly, blushing a little. Ikuto smirked.

"I love you."

Amu looked at him. "I… I love you too." The words flowed swiftly out of her mouth, like they were waiting to be spoken. Suddenly her phone buzzed, an incoming call. Amu dropped his hand to pick up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Amu-chan." Amu froze, it was Tadase. And Ikuto was standing right next to her.

"Yes?"

"I love you." Amu blushed and her eyes darted to Ikuto who was looking at her questioningly. Could he hear Tadase?

"I have to—"

"Will you be my girlfriend? Will you go out with me this Saturday night?" Amu's eyes widened.

"N-no. No, I can't. No. I'm sorry, Tadase-kun, but no."

"Why not?" Amu's blush deepened. She realized this was the first time Tadase had actually asked for the reason of why Amu kept declining.

"I'm… I'm in love with someone else."

"Huh? Who?"

"I-Ikuto."

"But he left you, Amu-chan. He left you and hasn't spoken to you."

"Tadase-kun, you don't understand…"

"I understand that I love you and that I want to be with you. How can you still love him when he left you like that? I'm here. I would never leave you like that. I love you."

"Tadase—" Ikuto snatched the phone from my hands and spoke for me.

"Tadase, it's Ikuto. I'm back. Don't make Amu go through any more trouble," he said calmly before closing the cell phone.