Shi-chan13: Konichi wa!! So I finally finished the 2nd chapter and I have good news!! (Well, it's only good if you like the story.) To fit all the things I need to and have lots of details-so you know what's going on- chapter 2 would have to be super long so I decided to do a 3rd & 4th chapter. Also I want to thank YukiismySunshine for her wonderful advice. I hope this chapter will do it justice. That's about it. Enjoy the chapter!

Miki: *clears throat*

Shi-chan13:???

Miki: Disclaimer; Shi-chan13 does not own Shugo Chara! no matter how much she wishes she did. Now, enjoy the story!

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Three Years Later

I was packing away my school things, getting ready to go home after a long day of school, when Tadase came up to me. "Amu-chan, can I talk to you before you go home?"

I sighed inwardly. I already knew what he was going to say. "Sure, Tadase."

We waited until the other students and the sensei left the classroom. Tadase gently clasped my hands in his. I tensed, fighting the urge to slap him. I had to tell him straight out if he was ever going to stop this. "Amu-chan," Tadase began. "I've liked you for a long time now, and I know you've already answered me before, but I always thought you were never really happy with you're answer so I'm asking again. Will you go out with me?"

Damn you, Tadase! I cursed him. You don't have the right to doubt my answer! I tried to sound as nice as I could before answering, but I was tired of having to reject him. I plastered on a sad smile, but my eyes were cold. "I'm sorry Tadase. I can't."

"It's because of Ikuto, right?"

I merely nodded, but it was enough to set him off.

Tadase grabbed my shoulders and shook hard. "Amu-chan, forget about him! It's been three years already! If Ikuto was coming back he would have already. You're clinging to an empty hope!"

I finally snapped. Shaking off his hands I slapped him. Hard. "Whether or not it's an empty hope, it's not for you to decide who I chose to place my trust in. Sure, it was a promise with an alley cat, but a promise is still a promise." I glared at him. "Next time, which there won't be, don't doubt my answer." I grabbed my bag and left Tadase gaping at me as I walked out the classroom and towards home.

I got home at a quarter to four. I had been hoping my mom or Ami were home. Even though slapping Tadase had been nice and satisfying I still felt like I needed some cheering up. Mom and Ami could always get a smile out of me.

"Hello, I'm home!" I called, coming into the house. No one answered. "Mom? Ami?" I looked down to see a note stuck to my shoe. It must have been wedged between the door frame and the door and fallen down when I came into the house. I gently peeled off the paper and read it;

Dear Amu,

Your father is bird watching and won't be home until late.

I've taken Ami to the dentist.

Love,

Mom

"Looks like I'll be missing that pick-me-up then." I sighed. My family was almost never home when I needed them. I tossed my bag on the floor by the stairs and went into the kitchen. Opening the freezer I took out a tub of chocolate ice cream. I grabbed a spoon from the silverware drawer and went towards the couch. My three charas jumped out of their carrying case that hung on my hip.

"Noooooo!" Ran cried, waving her pom-poms in the air. "Amu-chan will get fat eating all that ice cream!"

I looked at her with an angry face and she shut up instantly. That was always enough to make Ran be quiet. Miki appeared next to Ran, sticking her paint brush in Ran's face.

"Let her be." she commanded. "If she wants gain an extra 30 pounds that's fine by me. It's her decision."

"Thanks, Miki." I said, sarcasm coating my words.

"Any time."

The tension between Miki, Ran and I kept building until I felt something swish by my ear and Sue whizzed around to float in front of me. "Leave Amu be. Can't you see she's unhappy? Plus chocolate is good for you when you're down."

I smiled at Sue. The little chara was always making treats for others and constantly defending me from my other two charas. "It's alright, Sue." I said placing her in my hand. "I shouldn't be eating this anyway. It will make me fat. What I do need is a nice bath, though. Will you go get one started for me?"

"Sure!" Sue flew off. Slowly I got up from the couch and put the ice cream away. The doorbell rang as I went back towards the couch.

"Sue!" I called. "Don't turn on the water just yet! We've got a visitor." I didn't want Sue to turn on the water and forget about it, letting it overfill. She was not known for her memory. I walked slowly to open the door. I contemplated not opening it and making it seem like I wasn't home but whoever was at the door would have heard me yell up to Sue.

The doorbell rang again, twice in a row this time. "Alright!" I yelled, losing my patience. I didn't have a lot to start out with today. "Honestly, people have no patience." I conveniently and quite quickly forgot I had just lost my patience. I opened the door to see Utau.

"Amu, may I come in?" A determined gleam was in Utau's eyes and I knew that even if I said no she would have come in anyway.

"Sure, you're always welcome here. You're my friend after all." I hesitated before adding, "Any news from Ikuto?" Utau looked away from me as we sat down on the couch. "That's why I'm here." she said. "I heard from Kukai that Tadase asked you out."

I tried to change the subject; I didn't want to talk about Tadase's confession and my rejection. "How are you and Kukai? You've been dating for about 3 months now." I gulped as Utau glared at me.

"Don't change that subject, Amu. Did he ask you out?"

"Yes."

"Are you dating him?"

I leaned away from Utau, appalled by her question. "Of course not!" I cried. "Are you suggesting I forgot about the promise Ikuto made me; that he would come back for me, no matter what!"

"Amu, it's been three years." she replied, her voice ever so gentle. "People change. What if Ikuto isn't coming back?"

I couldn't believe it; I wouldn't! "How dare you even think that? You're his sister, for goodness sake! Ikuto would never break his promise to me. He loves me and I love him!" I was infuriated now; my eyes wild at Utau's speculation; my hands balled up in fists.

Utau smiled at me. "It's good that you have such confidence in Ikuto otherwise I would not be giving you this. It's a letter from him." I blinked as she pulled out a slightly discolored envelope from pants pocket and placed it in my hand. "You tested me?" I questioned her.

"It was the only way to see if you still loved Ikuto. I told you before when I allowed you to be with him, I would make sure you severed all ties with him if you didn't love him. I just wanted to make sure, but I can see now there was no reason. You really do love him." The regret was visible in Utau's eyes. Trying to change to lighter subjects she added, "About what you asked earlier, Kukai and I are doing fine. Thank you."

"Oh, it's okay for you to change the subject, but not me?" I grumbled as I stared down at the letter in my hand. Utau sighed and got off the couch.

"Well, I have a date with Kukai tonight so I really need to get ready. Bye Amu."

She was already out the door when I looked up. I ran out to the street to see her about half-way down. "Utau!" I called after her. She heard me and turned around. "Um...thank you!" She smiled and nodded at me before continuing to walk.

After dinner that night I was lying on my bed. I still hadn't read Ikuto's letter yet. I wanted so desperately to, but I also dreaded the contents. "Oh well," I sighed. "Might as well get this over with." Reluctantly I pulled the letter off my nightstand and opened it, carefully peeling off the top of the envelope. Whether I didn't want to rip the letter or if I was just stalling, I didn't know. My eyes stung with fresh tears as I recognized Ikuto's writing;

Dear Amu,

I'm sorry for not contacting you earlier, there were complications. I know three years is a long time and that I'm most likely asking too much; you would have every right to move on, but I hope you can still love me. I still love you. If you're willing to give this stray cat another chance please meet me where our new beginning started. I'll be waiting for you at eight-thirty, Wednesday night.

Love

Ikuto

"Our new beginning." I mulled over the words. "Ugh, why when we are so close to being near each other again, his words have to come in riddles?"

Still, the note is definitely from Ikuto, I told myself. But what the hell does 'our new beginning mean!' Since its Tuesday, I only have until tomorrow night to figure out.

I sighed and rolled over onto my side. I couldn't stay mad at Ikuto. It would be too painful for both of us if the day we met after three years we got in a fight. I started drifting off to sleep, turning a word over and over in my head. Ikuto.

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Shi-chan13: Mwuahahahahaha!! Cliffhanger!! Although I liked the story, the ending sucked. I should have made it more emotional considering Amu's hearing from Ikuto for the first time in three years, but I got too lazy. Yeah, I know, if I want to be a good writer I can't be lazy, but I promise the ending for the next chapter is sooooo much better.

Tadase: you still haven't told me what my surprise is and it better be pretty good since I got rejected and slapped by Amu.

Shi-chan13: oh, you getting rejected was the surprise. The original draft for this chapter only had you getting rejected, but I wanted to have you slapped so I added it in there.

Tadase: ...Meany

Shi-chan13: Well bye everyone!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Oh the preview I have on my profile for chapter 2 in wrong. Really that should be chapter 3. just letting you know in. (I'm gonna change it anyway so it really doesn't matter.) Bye!!