Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara!

Chapter 10

Will You…?

"Ahem." Tadase and Kukai cleared their throats, waking up the two young royals.

Amu blushed, making a move to scoot away from Ikuto, but he would have none of that.

Ikuto kept an arm around her, pulling her close to him. "She was very tired, I apologize for falling asleep, as well."

Tadase nodded. "Well, now that you two have worried both families, shall we return?"

Ikuto and Amu nodded, returning to their horses that had faithfully been waiting for them all night. As they rode back to the kingdom of Seiyo, Tadase talked with Ikuto.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anybody about the state you were in." The young blonde said.

Kukai overheard and nodded. "I won't either."

Ikuto and Amu nodded, thankful for their friends and their understanding.

When they reached Seiyo's palace, they put their horses in the stables before heading to the throne room where her mother and father were pacing back and forth worriedly. When they heard the doors open and saw their daughter, they ran to her, both crying.

"Amu-chan! We're so sorry!" Her mother cried, hugging her daughter.

Amu hugged her mother back. "No, mother I'm sorry."

Tsumugu placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We'll give you more freedom. You're free to go into town as you please." He frowned. "I can't change my mind on the marriage, though…"

Amu shook her head. "No, it's alright. We…" She looked back at Ikuto and then back at her parents, smiling a little. "We worked it out."

Her parents smiled, relieved to here that. "Good."

The king looked at Ikuto with a grateful expression. "Thank you for finding my daughter."

Ikuto nodded, bowing slightly. "I must return to my own kingdom, I hear my parents were concerned about me, as well."

Amu frowned at him. "You're leaving? Already?"

Ikuto nodded. He suddenly had an idea. "Unless…you'd like to come with me?"

Amu looked to her parents for their permission.

They both nodded, smiling.

"But first you must change. What on earth happened to your dress and hair?" Her mother asked, just now full realizing Amu's appearance.

Amu looked at her torn dress. "Oh, I, uh, rode into the forest and my dress got caught on branches and leaves messed up my hair." She looked at Ikuto. "Could you wait for me, please?"

Ikuto smiled softly. "Of course."

Amu smiled and ran to her room while Ikuto walked back to the stables.

Amu changed into a black and red dress, lightly touching the necklace he had given her that she had worn even last night, along with the bracelet he had given her. She changed her shoes to red ballet flats. She brushed her hair and placed her tiara on her head that she hadn't worn the previous night. She checked her appearance in the mirror and nodded before hurrying to the stables, where Ikuto was waiting for her.

He stopped talking to Tadase, staring at her.

Amu blushed when she noticed him staring. "Is this…ok?"

Ikuto walked up to her and held her hand, kissing the top of it. "You look beautiful. As always."

Amu blushed more. "Ikuto…"

Ikuto led her to her horse. "We'll talk more when we reach Easter."

Amu nodded.

After the hour-long horseback ride of silence, they reached the stables of Easter's palace. Once the horses were in their stables, Ikuto offered his arm to Amu, which she accepted, and he led her into the palace. Once they reached the throne room, Ikuto bowed slightly and Amu curtsied in front of his parents.

"We were so worried about you two." Souko said, with a relieved expression her face.

"May we ask where you two were? And why you ran away, princess Amu?" Aruto asked, but out of curiosity and not anger.

Amu looked at her feet. "I had an argument with my parents…I was being selfish." She smiled up at them. "But it's all ok now. Prince Ikuto found me and brought me back."

Aruto smiled at his son. "Very good." He smiled at Amu. "Now then, why the sudden visit, princess Amu? Is everything alright?"

Amu nodded. "I, uh…"

"I invited her here. I wanted to show her more of the palace." Ikuto said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Aruto nodded. "Alright. There are no meetings today, so that's no problem."

"Have fun, you two." Souko smiled.

Ikuto and Amu nodded before Ikuto led her out of the throne room. He began to give her a tour of the castle, ending with the gardens.

Ikuto began to lead her through the hedge maze, holding her hand. Finally, they reached the center, where a large water fountain was located in the middle of the maze.

That was where Ikuto got down on one knee in front of her.

Her eyes widened. "I-Ikuto…?"

He held her hands in his, kissing the tops of her hands. "Amu…I know you don't want this. And I know I have no right to tell you that I love you after only you for a couple of weeks…" He looked up at her. "…however, that is the case. I love you, Amu. I want to know if you love me, too."

Amu was silent for a moment, staring at her hands in his hands. Did she? Did she truly love him? "You…are very blunt sometimes…but you are honest. You tease me…but you held me close as we danced. All my life, I've wanted another person's love." Tears began to fill her eyes. "To think that I would find it in you, somebody I haven't known for a long time…" A tear fell down her cheek. "…when did I find myself falling hopelessly in love with you?"

Ikuto kissed her palms before looking back up at her. "Amu, I don't ask you this out of duty or obligation, but from the heart." His eyes were filled with honesty and sincerity. "Will you marry me?"

Amu felt another tear fall down her cheek. A smile slowly made it's way onto her face as she nodded. "Yes…" She suddenly tackled him to the ground. "Yes!"

Ikuto held her as she cried happy tears, kissing her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, and finally, her lips. He pulled back after a short while and wiped away her tears. He chuckled when he realized what position they were in, with he laying on the stone path and her on top of him. "Well, well, Amu's a bit adventurous, eh?"

Amu blushed, making a move to sit up, but she was stopped when he pulled her back down on top of him. "I-Ikuto!"

Ikuto kissed her nose. "I like…no…I love having you in my arms."

Amu blushed more. "Th-This is inappropriate, even as your fiancé…"

Ikuto smirked. "Inappropriate? My, my, Amu, where are your thoughts at-Ow! Why'd you hit me?" He rubbed the spot on his head that she had hit.

Amu sat up, but was still sitting on him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hmph. There you go, teasing me again."

Ikuto chuckled. "My bad, my bad." He sat up, pulling her into his lap, causing her to blush again. "Let's stay here a bit longer. I just want to block out the world and be with you right now."

Amu smiled a little at him. "Alright."

Ikuto kissed her forehead. "I'll give you your ring later, it's in my room. I didn't want to take you there and make you feel uncomfortable."

Amu nodded. "Thank you for thinking of me."

They stayed there for a while, content to be in each other's arms, talking about random things until they decided to head back, hand-in-hand, prepared to face the future, their future-together.

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