DISCLAIMER: I don't own Shugo Chara.

Side-note: there is a flashback in this chapter.

Day Ten

I'm in her hospital room with Ami today. Today's different, though; she's still smiling, but I know her mother will be here any minute. Her father was in here before, but he had to pick up his wife from their home in order to prepare for this day. I'm not afraid, but I'm actually kind of nervous about this. I have a feeling this will be like the day when she introduced me to her family (this time formally) but ten times worse.

"Mama! I'm home!" Amu's mother peeked her head around the corner and smiled. I was outside waiting for some kind of cue to enter the room, but Amu wasn't giving any signal. I just stayed out.

"Ah, Amu! Welcome home! How was school today?" Her mother was holding some sort of bowl, stirring its contents until it was thick enough to cook. Amu looked outside and smiled.

"It…it was interesting." I smirked and looked through the little pane next to their door. Her mother had a confused look on her face and Amu continued. "Probably one of my better days, Mama." Her mother smiled and ran out from the kitchen.

"Oh? What happened today?" A little ding from the kitchen was heard and she ran back inside. Amu sat down on the couch and looked at me from the inside. She shook her head; don't come in, got it.

"Well, there's this boy, and…" her mother rushed out from the kitchen. Big news for this household.

"Eh!? Did he ask you out!?" Amu nodded; ah, yes, if that's what you'd like to call it. "Oh, I'm so happy, Amu! Do you like him back?" She nodded again; yes, she can't deny it anymore. Her mother calls for her father. "Honey! Ami! Come out to the living area, quick!" Soon, her whole family flocked inside the little room and wondering what is going on.

"Yes? Is something the matter?" her father asked. Her mother shook her head and smiled.

"No, not at all! Amu, she has a boyfriend now!" Her father almost had a heart attack. Yes, I remember him being that worried about her.

"WHAT?!" Her father sat down next to her and started screaming. "Is he nice? Does he treat you well? Please say he is handsome!" Amu started to laugh and looked at me.

"Well, actually, you can meet him if you want," the whole family nodded, "you have to sit down, though," they all sat down. I knew her parents, especially her mother, was not fond of me, and Ami—well, she thought I was cute. "Come in!" She looked at me and nodded; it was safe? I shrugged and took the first step into her home. All of their eyes were on me and I knew her mother was the most surprised (maybe her father, too). "Everyone, this is Ikuto Tsukiyomi." Amu stood from the couch and I smiled.

Her mother's eyes were widened, her father's eyes were glued to me, and Ami was smiling. "Kitty!" Ah, she remembered. I made my way around the couch and tried to sit down, but her mother pointed to a chair across from Amu. Aw, I have to be away from her even more! Her father first spoke. "I-Ikuto, was it?" I nodded. "How old are you, exactly?"

"21," I replied. Boy, his whole body almost died right there. "I'll be 22 in the next few months," I look at Amu and smirk. She didn't even know when my birthday was; I never tell anyone. Her mother cleared her throat and I looked over at her. She didn't like me, I know.

"Why are you back?" She mumbled to me. Back…? Did she know I left?

"I came back for her," I looked back at Amu and smiled. She blushed and looked at her mother.

"Mama, do you like him?" She didn't reply. Instead, she rose from the chair next to me and walked back to the kitchen. That was the last I heard from her that day. I looked at her father and Amu said: "Papa?" He was still recovering from my age.

"I'll treat her well," I whispered; Amu looked at me and smiled.

"You already have! I don't know why they're acting like this, so I'm sorry," she bowed her head in apology and I reached out for her. She did the same and our hands connected. Ami ran over to me and looked me right in the eyes before shouting:

"I like you!" I smiled and rubbed her head with my free hand. I knew she liked me. Before I knew it, her father left the room and it was only the three of us, sitting on the couch just watching the news talk about some silly argument the politicians were having.

I blink and realize that Ami is looking at me in a strange way. She must've been talking to me before I dazed off. "Are you okay?" I nod and look back at Amu. Funny, it was only two years ago, too. I rest my hand on top of hers and let my head fall onto her legs. I am tired of waiting for her to wake up, but I know she will. I just need to give it time.

Soon after, her parents came in. "Ami, could you wait outside?" She refused.

"No! I want to stay here with Amu and Ikuto!" Her mother sighed and sat down in the farthest chair away from me; her father sat next to me. I didn't look over at her mother when she sat down; my eyes were fixated on Amu.

"I hear you want to keep her alive?" I nod. Again, she isn't brain dead. "And I suppose you figure that we'll pay for the expenses for the hospital if she were to stay alive?" Her voice is cracking up; she's crying now. I shake my head and look over at her.

"No, I'd pay for her to be kept alive. My father has enough riches…" she cut me off.

"Your father abandoned you!" Where did that come from? Amu must've mentioned it to her once or something, because I never said a thing.

"He has enough money to keep her in here for years," I finish. That probably wasn't the greatest answer to have, because now she's getting frustrated.

"Are you saying we are poor?" I am not insinuating it, no. I let her continue. "Why are you so stubborn, Ikuto? Haven't you done enough to her?" I look down at Amu once more and frown. I am not to blame for this. I know this.

"What have I done that has hurt her?" She rises from her chair and points straight at Amu.

"Do you not see this, Ikuto?" I look over at Ami and see her afraid of this argument. I'll make sure it doesn't get violent. "It should be you! You have humiliated her in public, you have caused distress on her childhood while growing up, and you leave her behind one day so she can move on! How damaged is her heart from you, Ikuto?" I don't think it's been damaged, but maybe it has. If that's true, I'm sorry Amu.

"I have not hurt her enough to cause her pain, I know this," I look back at Amu and smile, "because every time I'm around, she always seems to smile," I look at her mother and rise from my chair now, "you are stubborn enough to hate me so that I may never see happiness in my life! I have found it and it is with Amu when this comes about! She has never spoken good things about you, nor has she ever been truly happy with you! Stop blaming me for her smiles!" Then, I feel it. She slaps me. Ami cries and runs around the bed to me.

"Stop! Please stop!" Her mother stands there with a horrified look on her face and mumbles an apology. I know she doesn't mean this, but what's done is done. I understand her anger towards me, but her claims were a bit ridiculous! Her father stands up and walks over to his wife. She shakes her head and walks away from the bed to the door.

"You have four days," she says to me, "to say your goodbyes. After that, if Amu does not improve or wake up," she looks at me with her saddened eyes, "then she'll move on into the next life." What? Her parents leave the room and Ami starts to cry. I know this hurts her just as much as it hurts me and I look down at Amu. No, she can't die.

I sit on the side of the bed—Ami follows suit and holds onto my left arm while crying—and I look down at Amu. No, she must live, right? Ami and I sit there, looking at the girl on the bed while the monitors continuously maintain a steady beat and I start to cry. I can't see her not in my life. And I know I cannot say my goodbyes yet.

There's got to be a better way for you, Amu. It's only for you, and I know he'll understand. Trust me, just hang on.

AND THERE IT IS! Very anti-climatic, I think. My mind played tricks on me and didn't make it awesome like I wanted it to be .__.

BUT! Wait for the 15th chapter. Oh man, that's when I get to have fun with this story! 8) Remember when I said this story will be 30-35 chapters long? Oh, it will be. I'm going to guess that the 35th chapter..she DIES! AHAHAHAHA! (...Read the genre, thanks)

Time to reply to reviews! 8) I only had to reply to about four since I last replied to reviews! Well, that's not good 8/

REVIEWS!

Himeka Tsukiyomi: I'm pretty sure you're my number one reader! Haha. Thank you for the lovely reviews (and yes, I saw my mistakes last chapter. I curse myself for not proofreading!).

: Always have to blame Saaya! Haha. She's ultimately the one that ran over Amu! Mwahaha! (No, she didn't.) Thank you for the lovely review! 8)

TheQueenofMe: 8O I didn't know I had such an effect on anyone when I write! Thank you so much for the review! I promise to update as soon as I can!

AnimeGirl: AMEN! I think that's what's drawing people away from this story: Ikuto isn't the pervert on a regular basis. Oh well! I like my story! It's pretty unique, right? Thank you for the review! 8)

What will happen next? WHO KNOWS!
When will I update next? WHO KNOWS!
When will I reply to reviews next? The 15th chapter xD

Look out for these upcoming chapters. WARNING: next chapter = Amu. Because this gives time for Ikuto to..well, you figure it out.

Review my lovely readers! I reply to EVERY review that comes my way, as well as messages! SO DO IT! (I'm not forcing you 8D)

Until next time!

TLS