hector: Hey! Chapter 7! Enjoy!

Ikuto: But I want to talk!

hector: So talk! No one is stopping you! Stop yelling! GOD!

All: ...

hector: -clears throat- Ehem...

Ikuto: Anyway, so Amu... are you curious about this chapter?

Amu: -cool 'n' spicy- N-not really.

Ikuto: -smirks- Sure, whatever.

hector: Ah, love. I wish I had a boyfriend... -daydreams- Oh, and this chapter might be short.

Ikuto: Anyway... heather-chan doesn't own us or Shugo Chara, enjoy!


Chapter 7

Forced Feelings

Chapter 6 Flashback:

I closed the door and pushed Ikuto away from me, I looked up to him angrily. "What? Would you rather tell them that we are living together?" Ikuto asked me, his face looking wary as he waited for me to yell again, but I kept my face composed as I stared directly into his eyes. "Do you work for Easter?"

End of Flashback

(Amu's POV)

"Do you work for Easter?" Those five words, very short, very simply, very effective. Ikuto froze, his expression became hard, and he looked somewhat angry. He smirked, his expression still hard, the smirk not meeting his eyes. "And if I am?" His words made me flinch, he didn't care. "So... in other words... you are." I said quietly, looking down at the floor. I heard him step towards me, and I flinched, not daring to look up and see his expression.

"Yeah, I work for Easter, my step-dad is the owner." He replied simply, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. I looked up, only to bump noses with him, and I blushed. "Why are you telling me this...?" I asked quietly, and his eyes softened a bit.

"I told you... I care about you... I don't want to lie to you." He replied softly, leaning until our noses and foreheads touched. I blushed an even deeper shade of red, and he smirked, now it touched his eyes. "Are you mad?" He whispered, and I opened my mouth to speak, but he pressed his lips against mine. I pulled away slightly, "Ikuto sto-" He pushed his lips against my eagerly, forcing me back against the hallway wall.

He held my face in his hands, not letting me even begin to move away. My eyes were wide, just as always like when he kissed me, and my hands became like liquid as they fell to my sides. My breathing became faster and started coming out in a jagged rhythm. I felt Ikuto's hand slowly slide up my stomach, toward my chest. I flinched, and somehow managed to raise one arm to stop him.

"Stop... you don't seem serious about anything..." I turned my head away, and kept my grip tight on his wrist. "Oh really? You still think I'm not serious when I say that I care about you?" He murmured, not trying to loosen my grip.

"You never said that before..." I whispered, turning my head to look at him, his eyes were a little wide, and I realized I had caught his slip up. "You've only said something about how our 'fate' is supposed to be together... or whatever is was you said. You never said you actually liked me Ikuto..." I whispered, looking at his face to take in his reaction.

He still had wide eyes, but he looked wary are the same time. "Well, do you want me to say it now? I'll say it a million times if you wish." He murmured, and it was time for my eyes to widen. He smiled and grabbed my hand that was around his wrist, and he held it tightly. "I care for you Amu, I like you. I think you're the only girl that has ever bothered me and drove me crazy with your cuteness at the same time."

I blushed and stared at his face, it was very calm, and he sounded honest. My heart started beating very fast, and I pulled one hand away from him and placed it over my heart, I could feel it's constant thudding. Ikuto pouted, and then he sighed. "What? Are you too shocked for words?" He teased, smirking, yet his eyes showed the pain that I couldn't say anything to him.

I nodded, and his eyes widened again, but then he smirked a little more whole heartedly. "Alright fine fine, I won't bother you anymore, you've had a tough day." He patted my head, and ruffled my hair all the while, beginning to walk upstairs. "By the way, I like your clip." He turned and winked at me, making me turn a deeper shade of pink.

Next day

"Oh my god! I'm late!" I ran down the stairs, and slipped on my shoes. I saw Ikuto coming down as well, he was walking at his own pace, and I stared at him incredulously. He raised an eyebrow, and smirked at my expression. "Aren't you worried about being late?" I asked him, not even stopping as I grabbed my bag. "Not really, I never go to class anyways." He replied with a shrug, and he bumped into me since I stopped. "You'll get in trouble if you don't go!"

He raised an eyebrow and smirked widely, showing his teeth. "Since when do you care what I do Amu?" I blushed and turned, continuing to walk now. "Like I would!" I walked away, but he kept pace with me easily, walking right beside me. I heard many of the adults around say things like 'Oh! They are so cute! They look like a couple! Maybe they are!' Et cetera. I sighed and continued to walk quickly to the school.

When I arrived at school, I realized I wasn't late after all, and I sighed with relief, placing a hand over my heart. "Thank goodness..." I said to myself as I walked through the gate, and I quickly made my way over to Nagehiko. I tugged on his sleeve, and he turned to look at me. He smiled and I noticed that he wasn't mad at me for yesterday.

"Hi Amu-chan, are you well today?" He greeted me, and I smiled back, nodding. I noticed for the first time in a while how tall Nagehiko had gotten, he was now a few inches taller than me, but he wasn't as tall as Ikuto thankfully. I noticed that as always, many of the guys around school were staring at me, but I had gotten somewhat used to it, so I can ignore them now.

I noticed Ikuto walking off towards a small group of guys, and I glanced over without thinking. I noticed him walk up to one guy in particular, he was about as tall as Ikuto, his eyes were green and his hair black, it came down around his face, short in the back. It reminded me of Ikuto's in a way, only messier. Ikuto turned his head towards me, and he winked. I blushed and turned away, and then looked at them from the corner of my eye.

His friend was looking at me, his head tilted to the side, and a large grin plastered on his face. He waved at me and Ikuto laughed, and I raised an eyebrow. I noticed him starting to walk towards me, and I turned away instantly, beginning to walk away when I was grabbed by the shoulder. "Ah, so you're Ikuto's little sister huh? He was right you are cute."

I looked back at the person who had said this, his hand still on my shoulder, and he looked down at me. My face turned a little pink at his words, and I noticed Nagehiko look at me worriedly. "Your name is Amu-chan right? I'm Negiku Yuu." He smiled even wider, and he hooked his arm around my neck, pulling me to his side.

"What are you doing?! I don't even know you!" I shouted at him, and he laughed. "All is well, don't worry I'm not a bad person Amu-chan." He tried to console me, but I finally managed to pull away from him, I backed away and hit someone's chest. I turned and looked back to see Ikuto, and his arms wrapped around me protectively.

"No picking on her Yuu. She's mine." He growled, and I sighed. Not again... Yuu made a face at him. "You said you didn't like her, that she was annoying." He pouted, and I looked up at Ikuto, my eyebrows raised up high in confusion. He smirked at me and rubbed his cheek on the top of my head.

"Don't worry Amu, I won't let Yuu take you away." I sighed, looking down again, avoiding everyone's curious gaze. "Then who'll save me from you?" I asked him smugly, and I heard Yuu laugh. "Oh man Ikuto! She got you good!" He said in between laughs, and I got Ikuto to loosen his grip, and I walked away from him.

Homeroom

I sat in my seat tiredly, my cheek resting on the palm of my hand as I waited for the teacher to come. My desk mate was never here, not for the whole year so far, it had been two months since school started, yet they were never here. Our class was strange, it was a mixture of 9th graders and 11th graders (I bet you already know!) I noticed when Yuu walked in, and sat right behind me. He waved and smiled at me, and I waved sheepishly at him in return.

He kept talking to me, asking me questions, and all the while staring at me with interest. Then he suddenly leaned up to whisper into my ear. "Ne, Amu-chan, do you know who your desk mate is?" He whispered to me, and I turned my head to see his face. I shook my head, and his smile widened. He leaned forth once more to reach my ear. "I know who, it is none other than-" He was cut off as a loud scraping of the chair next to me happened. I jumped and turned my head to the right, only to see Ikuto sit down.

"You. Have. Got. To be kidding me!" I whimpered, placing my forehead on my desk, and I sighed, turning my head to the left to see out the window. I felt a gentle pat on my shoulder, and I lifted my head to see Yuu looking at me sympathetically. I smiled weakly at him, he really was a nice guy, and I heard Ikuto sigh with disgust. I turned to look at him and stuck my tongue out childishly.

"What? Are you jealous because your friend is nicer than you?" I whispered, since the teacher had come in the room now, and Ikuto glared at me. "No, I am not jealous." He said with an unusual icy tone, and I smiled widely, showing my teeth to him. "You're jealous! You are upset because I'm being nice to Yuu!" I whispered eagerly, and Ikuto turned his head away. When he turned it back he smirked at me. "I'll have to come to class more often, I rather like where my seat is..." He trailed off, leaning an inch closer to me, his upper arm resting on my shoulder.

I pushed him off and stared out the window, not paying any attention to what the teacher was saying now, she never said anything important anyways. I glanced down at my very straight hair, since Miki had helped me with it. It hung down to the very middle of my back when this straight, and my bangs feathered over my forehead lightly. I sighed and noticed someone pacing outside, back and forth.

I glanced at the teacher, and when she turned around I leaned over and looked out the window, and I gasped quietly. Tadase-kun! What's he doing out there? I bit my lip, and then looked to Ran, Miki, and Suu. "Can you guys make some distraction in the hallway?" I whispered very quietly to them, and they nodded, floating off towards the hallway. Ikuto stared after them, and turned back to me with a questioning look. I put on my oblivious look, and smiled slightly at him, mirroring his question.

I heard a very loud 'thud' and the teacher jumped. She sighed and held up her pointer finger to us, and went into the hall to investigate. I smirked and stood up, going the few short steps to the window, and looked down at the pacing Tadase. I felt Ikuto stand behind me, and I felt goosebumps rise on my arms. "What's kiddy king doing?" He mumbled, and I shrugged, not paying too much attention to his insult.

School is over!

I walked out of the large building, stretching my arms tiredly. I had found out that Yuu is in almost all of my classes, and in every one he talked to me excitedly, making many other guys glare at him with jealousy, including Ikuto. I felt a large hand ruffle my hair, and I growled, looking to see Ikuto. "Yo." He said simply, and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Hinamori-san!" I jumped, and looked straight ahead to see Tadase standing there, he looked angry, yet somehow calm. "Hinamori-san, I won't except that you are in love with that thieving cat until I get proof." He said surely, and caused everyone nearby to look at us. I glanced at Ikuto, but his expression was hard, and he glanced at me, not going to tell me anything. He shrugged, and I swallowed, afterwards taking a deep breath.

"I... love Tsukiyomi Ikuto." I said, my voice struggling not to shake. I turned and faced Ikuto, his face slightly shocked as I leaned up and pressed my lips against his, causing everyone to gasp. I pulled away and looked at Tadase sheepishly, and I looked directly into his dark maroon eyes, they were filled with shock, hurt, and anger. I began walking, and brushed past him. "Sorry, Tadase-kun." I whispered before continuing to walk.


hector: All done! WOOT!

Ikuto: Niiiice.

Amu: What the hell?!

hector: Eh, it was bound to happen. R&R please! Bye everyone! :D By the way, if there are errors, I'll fix them! Just wait!