Haleigh: Hm...Tadase is plotting....

Amu: Why do I get in the middle of all this?!

Haleigh: Because you're one of the main characters!

Amu: True...

Ikuto: Tadase better back off though...-_- or I'm going all ninja cat on him!

Haleigh and Amu: *sweatdrops*

Haleigh: Anyways...I don't own Shugo Chara blah blah blah....

Amu's POV

I came out of the bathroom after I got dressed and Ikuto was on the bed in deep thought. He just had that distant look on his face. He was laying on the bed with his arms behind his head--his usual thinking position.

I walked over and laid down next to him. I put my arm over his stomach and he sighed.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" I asked him quietly.

"About why Tadase is doing this. He was never this way before. All I know is that I will never let him hurt you," he said as he turned to look at me with concerned eyes.

"I know, and I couldn't have anyone better than you," I said as I snuggled close to him. I never want to let him go.

"I love you. You just don't know how much. I could never express my feelings for you through words, but maybe I can through something else. But it'll have to be tomorrow," he said as he smiled at me.

"Ok..." I said as I yawned.

"You should get some sleep," he said as he put the cover over me. "I'm going to my house to change ok?"

"Kay..." I said. Then I was out.

Ikuto's POV

It was warm outside as I chara-changed with Yoru to jump from house to house. I got to my house in no time and when I walked in, my mom was on the couch.

"Ikuto?" she asked.

"Yeah?"

"I need to talk to you for a minute," she said.

I walked over to the couch and sat down. She looked at me a little sadly and said, "We're going to America. We might not be back for a long time," she said as she looked at me sympathetically.

I was speechless. This can not be happening. Not now. Not ever.

"No. I'm not going with you. I can't..." I said as I stared at the ground.

"You can't stay here alone, Ikuto," she said sternly.

"Yes I can. I'm 17, Mom. I'm going to be 18 in December. I'm old enough to be responsible for myself. I can't leave her! She needs me...and I need her," I told her as I looked away.

She's not doing this to me. She can't make me leave....

"We're doing it to go find your father, Ikuto," she said gently.

I turned to look at her. I shook my head slowly.

"I can't leave her. Not even for Dad!" I said harshly.

"You are getting on that plane. I'm sorry, but if we're going to find him, we're finding him as a family. Even Utau is going," she said trying to persuade me.

"So you mean no matter what I do or say is going to convince you to let me stay? Well it's the same for me, Mom. You can't force me on the plane," I said. I'm really starting to get irritated...

"Ikuto! Just stop it and listen to me! You are getting on that plane with me and your sister! End of story," she said loudly.

"When do we leave then?" I said in a pained voice. It seems I have to give in....

"Friday night," she said as I got up and went to my room.

I walked up the stairs quietly. I got my stuff and sat down for a minute.

I can't believe this is happening. At one of the worst times?! This has to be planned. Tadase must have something to do with it. Mom wouldn't just spring that on us so sudden...

"Ikuto-nya, why are we leaving?" Yoru asked me.

"To find my Dad," I told him as I scratched his head. "Let's go."

I chara-changed with him again and went back to Amu's house. I quietly changed quickly when I got into her room and shut her glass door. I laid down next to her gently and pulled her close to me. She was warm, and I could smell her hair. I didn't want to go to sleep because I didn't want to lose any time with her. I wanted to cherish every moment with her before I left.

I was alone with her, only her and that's all that matters. I didn't care for anything else right now. Knowing that I wouldn't have her with me every night anymore just kills me inside. I let a tear trickle down my face. I wasn't trying to be tough, I didn't have the strength right now.

Then, I did let myself fall asleep, but only to escape the painful reality.

Monday morning 7:02...

I slowly opened my eyes to see a beautiful sleeping face in front of me. Her mouth was slightly open a tad, enough where I could feel her warm breath. I could lie here all day and stay like this, but unfortunately, it's Monday and we have school. That stupid, lying, manipulative Tadase is going to be there, and believe me, he is going to get it...but maybe we should wake up so we're not late. Maybe we can get there early so I can...well ya know...hurt Tadase.

"Amu?" I said softly as I kissed her forehead.

"Mmm..." she groaned sleepily as she opened her eyes. She smiled as soon as she saw me and I smiled back, but I felt a painful sting inside when I realized she wouldn't be in front of me like this after Friday....I think she noticed when I flinched at the sting.

"What's wrong?" she asked as she got closer to me.

"I'll tell you on the way to school, ok? I said as I pushed a lock of hair behind her ear as we sat up. I gave her a quick peck on the lips, and of course, she blushed.

"I'm gonna go get ready, and while I am, go get your uniform at your house," she said as she went out the door and closed it.

I just looked around her room, rememebering the times spent with her in here. I honestly don't know how I can live without her...but I know I have to ask Mom if it was Tadase that brought it up.

Regrettably, I slowly opened the glass door and went to my house to ask my mom, when I got there, she was in the kitchen.

"Mom!" I yelled as I ran toward the kitchen. I wouldn't let a minute pass without knowing.

"Ikuto? What's wrong?" she said as she looked over from the table. She was reading a magazine.

"Yesterday, did Tadase give you the idea of going to America?" I said quickly. I was really on edge, I need to know ASAP.

"Well, he did give me the idea. He was such a sweetie about it..."she said smiling an innocent smile.

"There is nothing sweet about that dirty, lying, cheater...." I said with anger. I was not about to let him get away with this...

"Ikuto! Don't talk about him that way!" she said sweetly.

She has no clue...how could she be so...so...gullible?!

"Mom, you have no clue what he has done here! He set you up so we wouldn't be here then he would try to get Amu! He hates me! And the feeling is mutual now, even Amu hates him. He's also dangerous, I can't just leave Amu here alone, Mom!" I said with as much feeling as I could. I had to convince her...

"I'm sorry, Ikuto, but Tadase would never do anything like that...." she said as she started reading her magazine again.

I guess Tadase really fooled my mom...I hate this!

I just went upstairs and got dressed quickly. I silently ran back to Amu's house and Yoru was still asleep in Amu's room, so no chara-change this time.

When I got back Amu was just walking in her room. I need to tell her now, I can't hold it in any longer...

"Amu...I-I need to tell you something..." I said trying not to choke on the pain of telling her this.

She just stared at me, awaiting the news.

"I-I'm leaving for America on Friday. Tadase set up my mother and convinced her to take the whole family there to look for my father. I have tried to get her to let me stay, but she won't budge..." I said trying to hide my pain.

Fear, sadness, broken-hearted, anger, and pain were the emotions that were in her eyes. I had to comfort her, so I just walked to her and embraced her in my arms. I never wanted to let go. She started crying into my shoulder and I felt so bad for her. We both wanted to stay together, but stupid Tadase messed that up, didn't he?

"Amu, I'm so sorry. You know I don't want this! You are my everything do you understand that?" she nodded her head yes as she continued to cry.

"I love you," she said as her tears began to subside. She pulled away and gave me a small smile.

"I love you, too. And I want to spend the rest of this week with you. Every second of it," I said as she started for the door. I went out the balcony so her parents wouldn't see me.

As soon as she shut the door she ran to my car and got in with me. She sighed when she got in, and whispered, "I'll miss you."

Amu's POV

Inside feels like an unsturdy wall, and that wall is going to fall down Friday. I won't be able to stand without support, and that support would be Ikuto. I'm very close to breaking down right now.

I might as well just die Friday when he leaves, I'm sure it would be much easier to go through. I hate Tadase. No ifs, ands, or buts. I hate his guts.

"When I see Tadase today, will you help me hurt him?" I asked innocently.

"Why, of course. I would love to," he said laughing. I couldn't help but laugh, too.

When we got to school, we hopped out and marched straight to Tadase. He is gonna get it....

Ikuto picked him up by his shirt and just punched him in the face. Right in the nose, too. (I am soooo enjoying this -Haleigh) Then he kneed him in the stomach and threw him to the ground.

"Don't you ever do that again. You will not control my life. And you will not take Amu away from me. Understand?" Ikuto said bitterly.

"You don't scare me. I will have Amu. She's mine," he snarled back while wiping the blood off of his nose.

"No I'm not! You're sick! Just give up, because I'll never love you. No matter what you try to do to seperate me and Ikuto, I'll always love him," I said to him. Who does he think he is?!

"You'll change your mind. I know you will," he said as he got up. Ok....time for me to punch him...so I just got my fist and blacked his eye. Man...who knew I could punch so hard?

I just smirked, not like Ikuto, and laughed. Ikuto and I walked away happier. Revenge is sweet.

"That felt so good...." I said as we walked to class. It was science, and we were always partners, so we could talk at the table.

Lunch 12:00

As we walked toward the cafeteria, I was holding his hand. It was warm, just like the rest of him. I was trying to memorize the feeling of it, because this would all be gone Friday. I'll be alone, with no one to comfort me.

We got to the cafeteria and got our food. I got a ham and cheese sandwich and Ikuto got a pizza. We sat down by our friends and started to break the news to them.

"Guys, we have sad news..." I started. It hurt more to talk about it than to think about.

Rima, Yaya, Nagihiko, and Kukai just stared at us, awaiting the painful outcome.

"I'm going to America for who knows how long. My mom is forcing me to go with her and Utau to look for my father. I hate it, but she won't let me stay," Ikuto said sadly. I wanted him to stay, too.

"What?! No fair Ikuto-tan!" Yaya said in her baby-like voice.

"Wow, dude...that bites! I'm gonna miss you man," Kukai said. I could tell he was sad, even if he doesn't want to show it.

"I'm sorry, Amu. I know this is really gurting you," Rima whispered to me. She gave me a comforting hug.

"Thanks, Rima," I said softly.

"Ikuto, I'm going to miss you, but I wish you the best in finding your father," Nagihiko said. He is always being the optomist.

"Thank you, guys. Im going to miss you all so much," Ikuto said looking down.

I can already tell that this is going to be a loooong week....

Haleigh: Ok, yeah I'm over a week late, but it's Christmas time. Sue me....

Ikuto: Yeah, yeah, yeah...we'll let you slide with that one, but do the readers?

Haleigh: I hope so...*gulp* guys it's Christmas and I was busy! Gimme a break!

Amu: And be happy she updated Christmas day!

Haleigh: It's my present to my wondeful readers! I love you guys! Please review!

P.s. THIS CHAPTER HURT SOOO BAD TO WRITE!!! :'(