Wow thanks everyone for the nice reviews and story favorites/follows! I'M SO HAPPY! You are all truely kind. :D

Here's another chapter! xD

I do not own Shugo Chara or any of the characters!

Amu's P.O.V.

"Alright, Amu~koi," I glare at Ikuto but he just smirks, "Time to become a couple."

I blush gently as I take a sip of my coffee and look around the cafe to see if anyone's watching us. I glance back at Ikuto for a moment, then look down at the table in embarrassment.

"Aw, come on. If you want to make Kukai believe that you've moved on, you have to at least act like you're in love with me."

I blush and place my cup down on the table, "I-I don't want him to think I've moved on, but I want him to be jealous..."

There's a short pause but it's soon ended by Ikuto replying, making me wonder if there actually was a pause, "Yeah, that too."

I continue to stare at the table, too nervous to look into Ikuto's eyes. This is obviously not going to make Kukai think we're going out. It's more likely to make him think that Ikuto is forcing me to go out with him, but that's not the case. And I don't want him to think that...

I'm torn from my thoughts as Ikuto's hand brushes by mine, attempting to hold my hand. I feel warmth spread from my fingertips and I quickly pull my hand away before he can grab it, ungracefully hitting my cup of coffee and spilling it all over the table.

I gasp and stand up before the coffee can spill onto my clothes and Ikuto grabs as many napkins as possible. I blush furiously and look away, clutching the hem of my skirt tightly. After Ikuto somehow sops up the mess with the napkins, we both sit back down.

I feel Ikuto staring at me, but I refuse to look at him. He sighs then resorts to grabbing my chin gently across the table and turning my head so I'm forced to look his way. I look at him, shocked by the contact, then blush again and avert my gaze from his.

"Why won't you look at me? And why did you pull your hand away before?" he asks.

"I-It's just... embarrassing in front of so many people..."

Ikuto glances at the other tables then looks back at me, "No one's watching us."

"S-Still..."

Ikuto sighs and lets go of my chin. He stands up and walks around the table to me, "Let's go somewhere private, then." He holds his hand out for me to grab it.

I blush and slowly grab his hand as he helps me up. He continues to hold my hand as he pays and we leave the small cafe. We walk down the street, hand in hand, while I blush like an idiot. I glance at him as we walk, "Um, w-where are we going?"

"My place," he answers and smirks. I blush furiously and he chuckles. He leans down to whisper in my ear, "Don't worry, it's only pretend."

"W-We don't have to pretend right now! K-Kukai's not even here..." I look away.

"Sure we do. We don't want to wing it when we're around Kukai. We need to get the hang of being in love before he sees us together again."

I gulp and allow him to steer me down the street. Something warm in the bottom of my stomach makes me squirm as we walk.

Ikuto's P.O.V.

I close my door behind me and look across the room at the pink-haired beauty. I sigh when I realize she's not looking at me. I don't understand... She asked me to do this for her and yet she acts like she hates it. Is being around me really that bad?

I stare at her and begin to walk toward her. She sences my movement and flinches slightly, turning her head from me even farther. Once I'm close enough, I gently grab her hands and pin her against the wall. Amu gasps in what sounds like fear and I move my head next to hers so my face is shielded by my blue hair. I feel Amu tense up and freeze at my closeness.

Is she really that repulsed by me? She wasn't acting like that when we were in the same bed...

"I-Ikut-to-" She stutters in panick but I quickly cut her off.

"Amu," She tenses again and I dip my head lower so it's almost resting on her shoulder, "We should stop this..."

"W-What-"

"I'm sorry, I went too far." I let go of her hands and turn around, a little ashamed of myself.

"I-Ikuto, w-wait a m-minute!"

I take a deep breath and glance back at her, her gaze even more panicked than before, "Amu?"

"D-Don't be sorry, I-Ikuto..." Amu holds her hands together nervously and stares at the ground, a small blush covering her beautiful facial features. "Y-You're good at this, and I'm j-just really nervous." Amu shuts her eyes, the blush a bit brighter now. "I-I don't want to stop!" She says rather quickly, blushing even more.

Although I know we're only doing this for Kukai, I can't help feeling like she actually meant that as if she liked doing this... I shake my head at the thought and chuckle, causing Amu to open her eyes again and look at me, shock in her eyes. "Of course, Princess."

Amu's face turns bright red and she get's all flustered, "S-Stupid b-baka! D-Don't call me P-princess!"

I grin and reach out my hand, brushing some hair out of her pretty face, earning a gasp from her as she stares at me. I stare down at her and smile, my hand running through her hair to the back of her hair. As soon as she realizes what I'm doing, a larger blush spreads across her face. I chuckle and drop my hand, "That was perfect."

"W-What? P-Perfect?" Amu stares at me with a confused expression, the blush still gracing her cheecks.

"Yep, perfect for us being in love."

"Eh!?" Amu stares at me, her eyes wide, her cheecks red, and her expression is shocked.

xxx

Amu's P.O.V.

Bzzt, bzzt, bzzt...

I look up from the book I was reading and look over at the bedside table where my phone was receiving a message. I put in my bookmark and reach over to grab my phone, checking who it's from.

It's just some number... Wait, no, It's Kukai's number! I deleted his contact, but he must still have my number! I stare at the screen, unsure if I should read the message or not. I take a deep breath and hit 'Read.'

"Hello, Amu! You're probably still mad and everything, but I wanted to invite you to my house for a BBQ we're having. Please text back asap if you're planning on attending... I miss you...

-Kukai"

I stare at the message, a little surprised that he'd be inviting me to something like that after everything that's happened between us... I gaze across the room with a determined look. This is my chance to make Kukai jelous! Judging by how this is a BBQ, there are probably going to be a bunch other people, so I should just bring Ikuto. Yes, it's perfect!

I click the 'Reply' button and quickly text back.

"Oh, okay that sounds kind of fun... What day and time?"

Only what seemed like seconds after sending the message, my phone buzzes again, indicating a reply.

"Okay great! It's tomorrow from 12pm to 4pm. Feel free to bring a friend if you want :)"

I smile slightly while reading his message. Poor thing has no idea that the friend I'm bringing is going to be a boy.

Will my plan work? I mean, Ikuto and I have been practicing, and this will be the first time acting around Kukai! I hope everything works out right...

xxx

I stare at the door, slightly panicked. Oh, who am I kidding? Really panicked. Ikuto glances over at me, his signature smirk gracing his soft lips. He slowly reaches down and twines his fingers through mine, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "Ready?" He asks me.

Thinking that the tingling feeling in my hand Ikuto grabbed was just nerves, I try to forget about my butterflies, but the task seems rather difficult. I paint a smile on my face as best as I can and nod. Taking this as a cue, Ikuto reaches his hand up to knock on the door. However, before his hand can touch the painted-white wood, the door opens, revealing an excited Kukai. Instantly his eyes lock with mine and I blush deeply, looking away as fast as possible. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his gaze turn to Ikuto and the excitement vanish from his person.

"O-Oh, hi Ikuto-san." He gave him a smile, but I could tell it was fake. "I'm glad you two could make it..." Kukai's eyes wander down to the small space between Ikuto and I, pausing at our entwined hands. He stares for a moment, catches himself, then smiles at me. "Come on in!" He steps aside from the door, creating an entrance for us.

Kukai leads us to his backyard where the BBQ is taking place. Ikuto and I, being the fashionable people we are, decided to show up a bit late, so a handful of other guests are already here. I take this chance to scan the yard, searching for a certain blonde beauty... No luck.

"Would you like something to eat?" Kukai asked us, glancing at me every few seconds.

"S-Sure.." I stutter, not being able to get anything else out. I am way too nervous...

"For now, we'll just have some lemonade." Ikuto says, glancing over at the fold out table filled with food and drinks. Kukai hesitates, then nodds and goes to get us our beverages.

"T-Thanks for taking the lead..." I mumble to Ikuto and in turn he just smirks.

Kukai returns shortly with two glasses of lemonade and since my left hand is occupied by my purse, I let go of Ikuto's hand to grab the drink. My hand accidently brushes against Kukai's and I blush, taking my drink and turning away from him. I hear the breath pass through Kukai's parted lips, anticipating that he would say something, but he doesn't. Instead, Ikuto nods a thank you and wraps an arm around me, leading me away. I can't tell where he's leading me, though, because I'm too busy looking at the ground with a flushed face. I don't look up until I notice a bench shaded by a medium sized tree in the yard. Ikuto sits and I do so as well. I'm still in my own little embarrassed world until I hear a chuckle from beside me.

I look over at the amused boy. "What is it?" I ask with a slightly annoyed tone, hoping he wasn't teasing me about my shyness in front of Kukai.

Ikuto pointed to the space between us on the bench. "Lovers don't sit this far away from each other, Amu~koi."

My face turns a brighter shade of red and I look away with an angry face. "D-D-Don't make fun of me!"

"I'm not," Ikuto states with a grin, "I'm just trying to play the part." After a short pause, Ikuto extends his arm to me and I stare at it, my face yet to return to it's natural color. "Come here," he motions. I blink at him, my cheeks staying a rosy pink. After weighing my options and shooting some lightning fast glances at Kukai(because he just happened to be looking at me every time I glanced at him, so I had to make it quick enough so he wouldn't notice), I slide across the bench and press my body against Ikuto's. I blush as our bodies make contanct and he pulls me closer, holding my body so that my head was resting on his chest. After a moment, I noticed Ikuto's heartbeat.

B-Bump... B-Bump... B-B-Bump.. Bump... B-Bump...

Why was it so unsteady? Surely this wasn't the rate of a normal heartbeat... Could there be something wrong with Ikuto? Making myself worried, I decide to ask Ikuto about it, "Ikuto?" he glances down at me as he takes a sip of his lemonade. "Um.. Your heartbeat.. It's-"

"Sorry," he says quickly, loosening his grip on me and positioning my body so my head was now resting on his shoulder instead of his chest. I couldn't hear the heartbeat anymore...

I sip my lemonade, taking a moment to admire Kukai's large backyard. Although I've seen it before, it's still nice to look at it again. After a while, I glance up at Ikuto again, "So.. what now?"

"We act like a couple."

"I know that!" I say instantly, a little flustered, "I mean, how do we act like a couple? We're just stitting here..."

"It's fine. I think Kukai's caught on finally." Ikuto says then mumbles something under his breath that I can't hear. I want to ask him about it, but decide not to. Instead, I follow Ikuto's gaze across the yard to my ex-boyfriend who, surprisingly, was staring back at Ikuto intently. After a moment, Ikuto smirks and pulls me a bit closer, causing Kukai to finally look away. I blink, confused, then stare up at Ikuto.

"Why are we just sitting here?"

"From here, we can see everything."

"What?"

"Watch."

I look around the yard, trying to identify whatever Ikuto was talking about when he said they can see everything from here. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, I look back at Ikuto. "Nothing's-"

"Look!" He points and I look in that direction, gasping in surprise.

There she is.

As soon as Kukai notices the tall blonde girl walk into the backyard, he hurries over to her, grabbing her by the arm and leading her back inside the house. I stare at the door to the house, feeling pathetic tears come to my eyes. How could he invite her? Especially after inviting me?

Or maybe he invited her before me...?

Ikuto soon notices my watery eyes and smiles sadly at me, attempting to cheer me up a bit as he whipes my eyes with his hand. "It's okay, Amu~koi."

I pull myself from Ikuto's grasp and stand up, staring down at him with a glare. "No, it's not okay, Ikuto! And if you call me Amu~koi one more fucking time, I will kick your goddamn ass!" I bark and storm away, not paying attention to Ikuto's apologetic calls.

I stomp all the way to the house and hide behind it so neither Ikuto or anyone else at the BBQ could see me. I lean against the outside wall, cursing at myself and starting to sob until I slide down and land on my ass.

What was I thinking, coming to one of Kukai's stupid BBQs? I just fucking left him because of that whore girl of his! And when I saw him at the park I assumed he ended it with the girl, but of course he didn't! He's the same douche he was before!

A-And why did I yell at Ikuto?! It's not his fault at all! He.. he was just trying to help... All he has done is help. Yet, I fucking take my anger out on him!

You know what you need, Amu? Anger sex.

I blink with confusion and frustration. Did I really just think that? What was that, my concience mocking me!?

You were angry at Kukai before, and slept with Ikuto. That made you feel better, didn't it? Well why don't you sleep with Ikuto again? It's gotta take the edge off.

I-If I had sex with Ikuto again... No, goddammit! I can't do that to him! I can't...

But it hurts so bad, doesn't it Amu?

I stand up and wipe my tears away, turning around and taking a deep breath.

Ikuto's P.O.V.

I sit on the bench, head in my hands as I curse myself. I'm such a fucking prick. I know how sensitive Amu gets with Kukai. Why'd I have to push it just because I'm lucky enough to be her boyfriend? Well, act like her boyfriend.

I hate this.. I hate seeing Amu upset... I hate making Amu angry.. I hate seeing her heart broken... I hate myself.

I try my best to contain my anger and not go destroy the whole yard, because I know I could if I tried. After a couple more minutes of repeating in my head that I'm a douche, I hear footsteps in front of me and look up to see a puffy-faced but still flawlessly beautiful Amu. She stares at me with a sad expression and then looks at the ground. "I-I-I'm s-sorry Ikuto.. I t-took my anger out on y-you when I sh-shouldn't have..."

"No," I look up at her with a sincerely apologetic expression on my face. "It's my fault, I-"

"I-It's not your fault." She interrupts me and inches closer, sitting down next to me again but still looking down, this time in to her lap. "Y-You're actually nice to me, u-unlike K-K-Kukai and..." She starts to blush, "I-I actually like it when... when you c-call me A-Amu~koi..."

"Amu.." I stare at her and see a tear roll down her cheek. I quickly wipe it away but keep my hand on her face, gently caressing it. Unlike the other things Amu and I did together in the last few days, this was not an act. I mean, I never really was acting, but I know she was.

Before I can even process what's going on, our lips touch, beginning a gentle kiss. Amu opens her mouth first, and I sneak my tongue inside as we keep kissing over and over again, softly with much passion. Amu's hands tangle into my hair and I hold her neck tenderly, the kiss making my insides flip and explode with warmth.

Although every sense of mine at the moment is dedicated to Amu, I hear the faint sound of a door closing from a distance and open my eyes to peek across the yard as we continue to kiss. Sure enough, Kukai's standing at the back door to his house, staring at us with wide eyes.

~Chapter End~

Oh Amu you little devil, toying with Ikuto's feelings like that... Honestly xD

Well sorry for the late update you guys :/ School's been a little tough lately, but I'm trying my hardest. I'm glad you guys can put up with my late updates and still follow my stories :D People reading my stories is a huge honor, so thank you all for sticking by my amature writing.

So how'd you guys like this chapter? Tell me in the reviews, thank you! :D

~AmuletFortune98