Title: Matchmaking Process
Rating:
T
Pairing: IkutoxAmu, NagihikoxRima (side pairing), KukaixUtau (side pairing)
Summary: Tsukiyomi Ikuto and Hinamori Amu have hated each other ever since they first laid eyes on one another. Unfortunately, things go haywire when their parents meet. Matchmaking parents are the worse, no? Or do they see beyond the appearances and hatred? Amuto

Author Notes: Well, we don't really know much about Ikuto's mother, but I'm almost completely sure she wouldn't act like this XD. I don't consider the characters OC but the story AU, so I had to adjust the characters to the story. Other Shugo Chara characters show up throughout the story.
Warnings:
Rated T for language and, possible situations. Mostly for language, because eraged people speak very harshly and I feel like making a story with swearing words.
Disclaimer:
Don't own SC nor it's sexy characters.

Step 7: Get rid of competition

(Amu's POV)

I check the clock and notice that it says it's 7 am. Still too early for me. How's the general situation? I still love him. Inner situation? Butterflies and basketball match going on in the stomach and boxing training in the heart. Outer situation? Depressed, and looking pretty lame for my reputation. Status? Overall screwed. This can't be good...

This is an average morning, yet it feels completely different. I really feel confused. It's not really about my feelings, since, well, I've already confessed it all to myself and there is definitely no turning back now. The confusing part is focused on what I'm going to do now. You suggest I confess to him? Are you NUTS!? There is no way I'm going to do that. Especially if it's Ikuto we're talking about!

As I keep pondering what to do for the rest of my pathetic life, my cell phone suddenly rings. Apparently it's Nagihiko-kun.

"Yes, Nagihiko-kun?"

"Amu-chan...are you feeling better?"

"Never better. Call me in another 30 years and you'll see how much better I got."

"Are you sure? Really sure?"

Oh for the love of...how can best friends tell right away that there's something wrong with us? "...just a little bit confused. There were too many emotions going around at the same time. It was...overwhelming."

"I see... Do you want to meet me now or something?"

"In the café? Er, Nagihiko-kun...wouldn't Ikuto be nearby?"

"I guess we can always meet somewhere else, no?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"How about that little coffee shop at the mall? It's usually calm around this hour."

"Sounds great. Meet you there."

"I'll be waiting, Amu-chan. See ya."

"Bye."

It's really when I turn off the call that I acknowledge what the 'meeting' with my best friend is all about. I'm going to talk about my...urgh, feelings! That is so lame!

Feeling defeated and pretty much disappointed with myself, I get off bed and choose what to wear for today. Since it's not so chilly outside as I thought it would be, I pick a pair of jeans, a thin blue sweatshirt and the dress that Ikuto gave me for my birthday. Would I have wore it if I hadn't fallen in love with him? More importantly, am I going to keep questioning myself these things for the rest of my life?

-- (30 minutes later; location: coffee shop) --

As soon as I approached the coffee shop, I instantly spot a purple hair in the background (mm...shiny hair...). "Nagihiko-kun!"

"Ha, Amu-chan! I've been waiting for you. How's the whole confusion going?"

"Just terrible! I've been questioning myself stupid questions, over and over again, in my head."

"Amu-chan, don't worry. Everything will be okay. You'll see."

"No, things will definitely not be okay."

"Amu-chan..."

"Do you see? If I had kept my feeling in check, none of this would have happened. It's all your fault!"

"Wha...? My fault!?"

"Yes, your fault. If you had warned me about the possibly of falling in love, we could have prevented this!"

We stayed in silence for a while, thinking about what to talk about next. I feel guilty because I'm blaming my best friend for something that isn't really his fault, it's mine.

"I'm sorry I blamed you. I just feel completely out of control about all of this. And you know I like to be in charge of what happens in my life."

"Yes, I know... But, what are you going to do with Ikuto?"

What, all of the sudden I'm his babysitter or something? "Do? I'm not going to do anything. I love him, he hates me, and things will be kept that way."

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"..." Argh, in a way, he's right. Even if I keep my distance from Ikuto, I might turn into a stalker, and, to my dismay, a Ikuto fangirl's exterminator. "...No."

"Thought so. Why don't you buy him a present? Something to gain his trust and friendship."

"Oh, great. I'm in love with the guy, but I'll befriend him. Maybe in a few months, I'll be introducing him to other girls for him to date!"

"Amu-chan..." He pretty much gives me his 'you can't resist me' stare and I automatically give up.

"Okay, we'll go buy the darn present. Nothing else to do right now, anyway."

"So...where to?"

By thinking of Ikuto, I think about him playing the violin. Music sound good right about now. "The music store. Maybe a CD."

"The music store sound great. Let's go."

-- (Location: mall, music store) --

A music store sure is big and...filled with many things. It might take a while...or maybe it's not as hard as it looks...

"Does he have any favourite musician?"

Favourite musician? I take back what I said before! "Don't really know. Utau didn't mention anything to me."

"Then just pick a compilation. This way he can listen to whatever he likes."

"Good idea!" In the middle of this entire selection, I chose a nice CD with a moon on the cover (for obvious reasons, duh!). There are also golden letters printed onto it, but I can't really understand what is written. Why do musicians love to name their CDs with foreign languages?

"Found one you like?"

"Yeah, this one." I hand over the CD to Nagihiko-kun and notice that he studies it carefully.

"Huh, are you sure you want to give him this CD?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Well, the CD...never mind. It's a very good choice!"

Nagihiko-kun's acting suspicious again! But I really don't have time for this. I'm so nervous, I could practically leave this store without paying, run like hell to the café and give Ikuto the cd. To see his face as he looks at it, the 'thank you' he'll give me as he smiles at me, and also him noticing that I'm wearing the dress he gave me. Only heaven! I do NOT think like this! Who the hell switched my brain while I wasn't looking?

"Amu-chan?"

Wha...? Nagihiko-kun must have called my name a good amount of times, because he looks at me with a worried face. "Oh, sorry. I spaced out!"

"The CD is already wrapped and I have already paid."

"You didn't have to. I can do it myse..." Crap! With so much urgency to meet with Nagihiko-kun, I forgot my wallet at home. "Sigh, what is happening to me?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing strange when you fall in love. I used to forget many things when Rima and me started to go out together."

Used to? How about 'I forget everything when Rima looks only at me'? "How...nice. Well, I should go give this to prince not-so-charming, no?"

He laughs lightly and the weight in my chest also lightens. "Yes, you should. Do you want me to go with you?"

"Nah. I can deal with him alone, just fine."

-- (Location: Neko's Latté) --

Is destiny playing tricks on me or something? Well, guess what? Ikuto's not here, he didn't come to work today. The second-in-charge opened the café after Ikuto had told him that he had some business to attend to. Business my ass! Where the hell went the bastard that I fell in love with?

"Amu-chan!" I look at the corner and spot two blondies having a late breakfast. Huh, so Utau and Tadase-kun knew each other, too.

"Utau! Tadase-kun! How are you guys doing?"

Utau gently smiles at me, probably feeling content with her romantic life. Argh, how can some feel better than others in this matter? "Hello, Amu. Oh, the dress looks good on you!"

I blush, my heart speeding up, thinking about the person who had given it to me. "Amu-chan, it really looks good on you! Sit down, I'll order a coffee for you."

It was a bit awkward. I, for the first time in my life, was having trouble if voicing my thoughts and the question, that I'm certain that either one of these two, knew the answer to.

Utau probably noticed my troubled face. "What is it, Amu?"

"W-well, I was wondering where Ikuto might be. He usually works around this time, no?"

"Ikuto's on a date." Tadase stated with a very straightforward expression on his face. But since this is Tadase, the expression made me feel like I was in the middle of a horror movie.

"Exactly what he said. It's a high school friend that was working on the store where we bought that dress. I never thought he would really go through with it..."

"Oh, is that so..." I looked down at my coffee and took a deep breath. Don't break now, Amu. Be strong.

Utau and Tadase's faces seem to mentally gasp and their mouths are hung loose (am I really that obvious?). Utau's the first one to speak. "You're in love with him!"

"Woo hoo! Let's throw in some fireworks because apparently you two are the first ones to find out just by looking at me."

Tadase looks at me with an expression torn between happiness and worry. "Not really time to celebrate."

"Sigh, yes, I know. Ikuto's on a date and all that shit..."

"Call Rima!" States Utau with a smirk on her face, pretty similar to the one that Ikuto usually shows me.

"Why? What does she have to do with this?"

"Tell her you need help with plan BGD urgently!"

What the hell? BGD? "She has mission codes now?"

"Utau-chan, what does that even stand for?"

"'Bitch Going Down'. Now do it!"

Sheesh, she's just like Rima. Always to the point and with a frightening expression on her face.

I dial Rima's number and hope to whoever up there in the heaven still likes, that Nagihiko-kun is not in the same division as her. It connects. "Rima, it's Amu."

"You finally decided to call me, huh? After what happened yesterday, I was at least hoping for a message."

"Sorry about that."

"Anyway, what did you want from me?"

"Help with Ikuto. Utau told me he's on a date, and that you could help me with plan...BGD or something. Does it ring a bell?"

"Oh yeah. Meet me in my house in 30 minutes. Don't forget to ask where his date is, okay? See ya soon!"

"Y-yes. Goodbye."

Okay...that was a bit awkward. She didn't ask for details or who the girl was. Now that I think about it, who is she? "Utau, who is the girl that he went on a date with?"

She thought for a moment and it almost made me wonder if Ikuto really went on a date with a girl. Even Utau doesn't seem to remember who she is. "Asakura Himeka, I think. She said that they were friends in high school, but I bet she was just one of the many girls that had a thing for Ikuto. A girl that he wouldn't pay attention to. There were many, actually. Little whores going around school..."

"Utau-chan, don't be like that. Each girl has their own personality, you know?" Tadase-kun actually looked offended with Utau's statement. He sure likes girls, huh? Tell me again why I thought he was gay in the first place?

"Listen to the woman's expert. He sure knows what he's talking about!"

Utau only rolled her eyes at both of us and looked at me. "They are meeting at the local gardens. The ones that opened this spring. Rima should know well where they are located."

"I know. Now all that I have to do is ruin that idiot's date. Heh, we're being forced into each other, yet he still goes off, and goes on a date with another! That asshole!"

Utau seemed pleased more than ever with my sudden love for her brother. "That's right, you definitely have to ruin this date!"

I stand up, more confident than ever. "Yes!"

"And make Ikuto regret not noticing before what he has been missing!"

"YEAH!"

And Tadase thought it was wise for him to help out Utau's speech. "And then confess to him!"

Ye...wait, what? "No."

"No?"

"Didn't you say that you hated the whole cliché in boy proposing first?" Aww, he remembers!

"Yes, but I am NOT going to confess to him. It's too soon! And I'm definitely not ready at all."

"You are just scared because you're inexperienced in the matters of the heart."

"Excuse me, but who are you really to talk about the romance department?" And he did that face right away. The one who makes me want to cuddle him. Urgh, I bet he does that on purpose...

Utau tried once more. "He's right, you know!"

"You too have no right to talk about this. You've just subscribed yourself to romance a few days ago!"

Tadase-kun looks horrified back at me. Did I say something wrong? "Amu-chan, please no. I already spent the entire morning listening to her talk about Kukai-kun!"

Utau blushes slightly and hits Tadase-kun in his arm. "Tadase! I was only asking for advise. And no, we are NOT going out. We're just...heading there."

Okay, I don't need another complicated romance (urgh, this is so lame...). "I think I'll be going. Bye guys!"

-- (Location: Rima's house) --

As soon as I arrived at Rima's house, I noticed that Yaya is also here. "Yaya!"

"Amu-chi, you're finally here!"

"Huh, did Rima call you here?"

"Yes. So, revenge, huh?"

Revenge? More like teach a certain girl to not touch my man! "Something like that. Where is Rima anyway?"

As soon as I ask for her presence, she shows up, carrying a sport's bag. She carries it in such a way, that I think it's safe to say that it is pretty heavy.

"Very well, ladies. I hope you are ready to make the girl, huh...what's her name?"

"Utau told me her name is Asakura Himeka. High school friend of Ikuto."

"Okay, to make the girl Asakura Himeka suffer for touching another's guy!"

Rima explained us the plans she's plotting. I have to admit that I winced at least six times and Yaya covered her ears every now and then. I actually had to spoil Rima's fun a couple of times, for most of her ideas were a bit too extreme. Even so, I still have doubts. Thankfully, Yaya voiced them. "Are you sure this will work?"

"My plans never go wrong!"

"That's not what I meant! What I mean is, what if Ikuto finds out about what we're plotting, and inevitably hates Amu-chi for life?"

Yaya is a very caring friend, but I'm already accepting my fate from whichever result comes out of this. "Wouldn't change much. At least I wouldn't have to see him ever again, and my life would go back to normal. That includes you, stupid stomach!"

"But even so, Amu-chi. I definitely don't want you to suffer. I've seen heartbreaks before, and let me tell you that the effects that it makes you have, are all bad. Well, the craving for cake is not bad, but too much cake ca...

"Focus!" Both Rima and me shout silently (is that even possible?) at the poor girl. Revenge is everything right now. And by being hurt as much as I already am, it leaves me no choice but to make Ikuto feel as miserable as me. Urgh...what has happened to me?

"Okay, you big meanies. But if Ikuto finds out I was a part of this and kicks me out of the café permanently, Yaya won't be pleased." Talking in third person and threatening us? Only Yaya could pick two things completely different, and put them together perfectly. No wonder Rima asked her to come with us...

"Our essential materials are in here." As I look at the sport's bag, I notice all kind of different things. I have a strange feeling that most of them are illegal, too. "So I prepared all of this. Kinky, don't you think!?"

I better be the one to choose what to use, or I might fear for Yaya's still present innocence when she's around Rima. "Rima, I love you and everything, but you are definitely going to rot in hell for this!"

She smirks at me, and I know that Rima has entered the danger zone. I pity Ikuto, right now. A lot! "Not before I sent them both down there first!"

-- (Location: local park, on top of trees) --

I'm not really the kind of person who hates heights, but this is pathetic! Rima's hiding places are the worse. And having Yaya cling to me for dear life isn't a good sign either.

Rima set the whole bridge for her plans to make the girl fall in the water. I kept my fingers crossed. About what? Well, partially, for her beauty. If she's beautiful, then it might be bad for my health and sabotage plans. The other part of me wanted desperately the plan to work.

Both of them could be seen in the background. She really is pretty. Light brown hair that reached her shoulders, blues eyes looking at Ikuto filled with...lust? THAT BITCH! SHE HAS NO IDEA WHO'S SHE MESSING WITH!

They looked so happy together. Too happy. Actually, everything in her screams 'fake'. Fake innocence, fake interest, fake personality, fake breasts (yes, I'm doing the entire search!), fake smile... Fake, Fake, FAKE!

She finally felt, but unfortunately, Ikuto grabbed her by the waist. "Oh, Ikuto-kun! You saved me!" It's never too much to emphasize that everything in her is FAKE!

"Of course, my princess." And he encourages her. Where is your sixth sense, Ikuto!? Where is your brain!?

"Oh, my hero!" Urgh, I'm seriously going to die with all the cliché in this place! The plan didn't work. But we aren't going to give up so soon.

After a while, or plans began to sound a bit too desperate. Rima is starting to get extremely pissed off with her plans, and I'm starting to get also pissed, but at her. Her plans aren't working at all. When Ikuto and Himeka were chatting on the bench, Rima tried to scare the girl away, by putting a beehives (filled with angry bees, by the way) near them. Well, let's just say that Yaya went home wet, slightly stung and tired from all the running she did when the bees got interested in her instead of the couple (obviously the running ended on the lake, where the bees gave up the chasing). Well, I did warn her about the honey filled snack she was eating... On the other hand, Himeka, afraid of the sound of bees nearby, jumped to Ikuto's lap and hugged him tightly. I broke some innocent and defenceless branches in anger.

Even without having Yaya with us, we still tried making Himeka go away. Very silently and skillfully, I put some bread near her feet, without them noticing me, and waited for the ducks that were nearby to go grab a bite. Rima was sure that the ducks would peck her feet. In the end, they only ate the bread without touching her feet and they even let her pet them.

We finally reached a café and decided to rest in a corner, having Ikuto and Himeka a few feet away, but still visible to us.

Rima order coffees for us both, yet my eyes wouldn't leave Ikuto alone. I'm starting to hate that girl more and more. "This is reaching very disturbing levels!"

"What is? Our stalker's technics?"

"No, just the fact that our target is practically raping Ikuto with words and stares!" Utau was right: she is a little whore. "Argh, I think that she's trying to do it physically, too."

"What are you talking about?" Rima looks at the same place as me, below the table. Her face showing a very hateful expression.

"I'm referring to that leg going north so fast, that even my own eyes are having trouble in offering it well placed daggers."

"Call the waiter and tell him about the little show she's putting in front of everyone!"

"No, he would probably tell them that the whole scene was bottering us, and Ikuto would recognize us immediately."

"Then do something so that the waiter trips near them and that the drinks fall onto her."

"I'll try." I pick up a medium size rock and throw it gently to the waitor's feet. Unfortunately, he trips in it in such way that he falls in Ikuto's table, the tray landing on Himeka, dirtying her dress (oh, I'm so sorry for you, Himeka). People all around stand up and move in such a way that Ikuto immediately recognizes me. Shit, he knows I was the one who made the waiter trip!

In a way to save Rima from Ikuto's possible upcoming rage, I whisper to her. "Rima, leave!"

"But, Amu..."

"No buts. I'll deal with him. After all, it's my fault!"

"If you say so. I'll call you later." She leaves, and I approach their table. I'm left alone with Ikuto's burning eyes onto my figure.

He's fuming over me, but Himeka seems even more unpleased.

"Is this all this girl's fault?" Neither Ikuto nor me respond to her, just keep staring at each other. Ikuto with a harsh glare and me with a blank look. "Urgh, I'm leaving Ikuto. If you care enough for me, call me one of these days!"

It's at that moment that Ikuto notices that Himeka left. He approaches me, and takes my hand in a rough and powerful grip. Ikuto drags me out of the café probably towards my house. We keep walking silently, neither Ikuto nor me speaking. He's probably too mad to even address me, and I just don't know what to say. I probably did go too far. But I'm just...too possessive and too jealous.

Ikuto suddenly stops in the middle of the street and looks back at me, his expression still very harsh. "I hope you're happy!" He says it in a sarcastic way, but in my mind, it counts as a question. And no, I'm not pleased with myself right now, either. "I know you want to have the upper hand in this 'game' as you call it. But ruining a date that could sent us both free from this matchmaking idiocy that our mothers planned, is completely absurd! What were you thinking!?"

I was thinking that I loved you and that I wanted to show you how much I could possibly make you happy. "..."

"Are you trying to tell me that you won't say a word, is that it?"

So be it. I'll be honest, and let everything come out of me. "I'm sorry."

"Huh? Was that an apologize by any chance?"

I continue my speech. If I let him interrupt, I won't be brave enough to finish it. "I'm sorry for all the times I tricked you. I'm sorry for calling you names, and for teasing you and making you mad. I'm sorry for ruining your life with my presence. I'm sorry for just ruining your door to freedom. I'm sorry!" ...I'm sorry for falling in love with you.

I keep my eyes downcast, and I know that his stare softens just a bit. "Hey! Are you...okay?"

"Peachy perfect, never better. I'm just having a blast."

"Oh, really? This doesn't sound like you at all!"

What, did you turned into a shrink over night? "Since when are you such an expert in me? Do you even know me at all?"

"I know that you are an obnoxious person, who always sees flaws in everything I do or say!"

"Have you ever thought that you might be the problem?" And on this moment, I, who was always very proud of being capable of ever rarely shed any tear, started to cry. Why are guys so...stupid!?

"What the!? Oi...stop crying, will you?"

"Why should I? BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO UNCOOL NEXT TO YOU, IS IT!?"

"Wha...what is wrong with you? Argh, little girls are so troublesome..."

That's it! No matter how much I love him, no matter how much he teases me, this time his words won't linger here without some sort of a comeback. I kick him hard in his family jewels and throw the cd right at his face, the cd's corner hitting (and hurting, I bet) his forehead. "I never want to see you ever again! ROT IN HELL, YOU BASTARD!"

I start running away from this chaotic place as fast as possible. Stop crying, stop crying, stop crying. You can't cry anymore. This is not a fairytale. There is no happy ending. He doesn't deserve it... He doesn't deserve me!

- End chapter 7 -

Urgh, when was the last time I actually sticked with just one POV? Probably never did in this story...

The cd IS important, and so are the letters written onto it. It's what will be bringing them together (somewhat). On the final chapter (that oh so happens to be the next one) the POV will be in Ikuto's and Amu's. Although I'm going to do Ikuto's, his feelings won't be revealed, because I don't like to make mushy thoughts in guys minds. That's too gay for my taste (no offence to all the writers that do it; I'm just the kind of person who writes extremely mushy and cliche stuff so it would look wrong with him).

The part about Yaya talking in third person is something that is common in anime and manga. When someone does it (mostly girls), it means they are acting naive and pure. Yaya's like that, so I used it on her.

Wow, 104 reviews. I'm so happy. Like I promised, in the next chapter I'll list all my dear reviewer's names. Till then, enjoy this chapter.