Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara.

-Hello again everyone! I'd like to say tank you all so much for the Reviews. :D

-This chapter is a bit more on Rimahiko in the middle and a bit of Amuto in the beginning and end part. : ))

-I hope you guys like this chapter. Please do Review and tell me what you think about it :D

-Thank you again everyone!!!! Now, On with the Story!!! : ))

Sudden Confessions, Mai's Plans & Tara's Warnings

Ikuto and Amu were now inseparable. They were always together and Ikuto never left her side, the people in the palace have been noticing a huge change between both Ikuto and Utau. They've been the topic of most of the maids and even the other workers. Ikuto would always follow Amu around and would play the violin for her whenever she wished to hear it. Utau on the other hand made it a habit to visit the town, and of course, the Soumas.

Among all the people that have been noticing these changes, Mai and Ryo were filled with jealousy. Ryo didn't know anything about Kukai and he didn't get why Utau always wanted to go to the town. Mai hated Amu, she wanted so much to get rid of Amu but couldn't because she knew Ikuto would defend her.

"I don't get it!!!! Why won't he talk to me?!?" Mai shrieked. She was with Ryo and Tara in their room. Tara just sighed an ignored her sister again and began reading a book.

"Oh come on Mai, at least you know why he's avoiding you. It's just because of that pink-headed girl he found." Said Ryo as he rolled his eyes "I don't even know why Utau keeps going back there to that useless town. It's been three days already."

It really has been three days. Three days since Kukai had confessed to her and she gladly returned his feelings. Utau hasn't ever spoke to the incident about anyone, not even Ikuto. Ryo's been suspicious and he wanted to find out what was going on, but Utau wouldn't even get near him now.

"Something's wrong with him, and I'm going to find out what." Declared Mai as she stormed out the room.

Tara looked up from her book and saw that Ryo had left not long after Mai did. She sighed and whispered to herself "I better keep an eye on them. Who knows what they're going to do if I don't…"

Meanwhile with Utau

Utau went to go see Ikuto, who she highly suspected was with Amu…again. Of course, she was right about that, anyone who had eyes could easily see that the two would never split. She saw them fooling around again and Ikuto was teasing Amu to no end.

"Looks like things haven't changed even after what happened between you two." Stated Utau with a light laugh.

"Utau, what are you doing here?" asked Amu.

"Am I not wanted?" asked Utau teasingly.

"W-what? N-no, of course you are, but I was just…" Amu was stuttering again and she didn't know what to say.

"I was only kidding Amu, no worries." Smiled Utau.

"So, what brings you here today?" asked Ikuto suspiciously. "Don't tell me you're planning to head to the town again are you? You've been doing that for three consecutive days now. Why's that I wonder…." He asked.

"I do enjoy going there you know, but sadly today I can't. We only have a few more days before the ball and we can't go anywhere apparently for today." She told her brother "And one more thing…"

"Which is?" asked Ikuto, he had a bad feeling about this.

"Mother and father want us to go with some kind of meeting with them today….so, Amu has to stay here." Stated Utau.

Ikuto sighed "Can't we just skip? We always do, don't we?" he asked.

"Not like they're going to let you skip anyway." Stated Utau "If we could skip, I wouldn't even be telling you this."

"Fine." Grumbled Ikuto, he seriously didn't want to leave Amu for something that he felt wasn't that important to begin with. "When do we leave?" he asked.

"We leave in at least two hours from now. At least there's a good news." Said Utau.

"Which is?" asked Ikuto, he couldn't find anything good about this.

"We don't have to meet any noble prince or princesses." Said Utau and she sighed in relief.

"Yeah right. As if the other leaders aren't as bad as they are. Sometimes, they're eve worse. All they do is nag you about discipline and stuff, and when did we ever listen to them?" asked Ikuto with a smirk. He was always the rebellious kind of prince, he never listened to orders, only sometimes.

"You're right about that, as far as I know, you never listened to anything they said." Said Utau with a laugh.

"Didn't they get angry at Ikuto?" asked Amu confused.

"Sure they did. Not that they could do anything about it though, I'm the only boy that can succeed to the throne after my dad, unless Utau suddenly gets married to some prince which I highly doubt would happen." Said Ikuto with a shrug "So they have to deal with me weather they like it or not."

"Not that we like going to things like this. We never listen anyway so it's nothing important to us." Stated Utau. "We would rather stay at home and do nothing."

"We're forced to go though, so it doesn't give us much of a choice." Continued Ikuto.

"But what about what you guys want?" asked Amu "Don't they give you a chance to decide that?"

"Are you kidding me? They couldn't let us decode something even if we begged them." Sighed Utau "That's why we have such limited freedom around here. We only follow and nothing more, that's what they clearly want us to do anyway."

"…." Amu stayed silent and she didn't know what to say, she always thought the royals were strict, but she never knew that the other kingdom leaders had much more of a say to their future than themselves.

"Amu…" called Ikuto.

Amu's head jerked up and looked at him. "Don't worry about it okay? We'll be back in no time, Tadase will be staying here today and so would Kairi and Yoru. You wont be alone."

"Plus, Tsukasa-san is here too. I doubt he'll leave you alone if he finds out we're not here." Smiled Utau.

"Thank you" smiled Amu, that did bother her at first, but when she hear what they were going through, she wanted to help, but at the same time she didn't know how.

"You don't need to worry yourself over us." Assured Utau as she smiled "We've been going and throwing balls of our own ever since and we had to go through the same process, we're used to this already so don't worry."

"Not like we ever bothered to listen, so don't worry about the both of us." Stated Ikuto and then he smirked "And don't worry Amu, Utau said I wont be meeting anyone else today, so no need to be jealous okay?"

Amu's face suddenly turned bright red, the thought never really occurred to her up until Ikuto mentioned it. "W-what makes you think that I'll be jealous you pervert?!?" she told him putting up another stubborn part of her again.

Ikuto chuckled and Utau couldn't helped but laugh. She then started to wish Kukai was there. Ikuto broke her from her thoughts when he asked "What about Souma?"

"Huh?" asked Utau confused as she looked at Amu and Ikuto. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't know if you noticed, but you said "Kukai" just a while ago." Stated Ikuto plainly.

Utau suddenly blushed and slightly panicked "Did I say that out loud?" she thought to herself.

"Utau? What's wrong?" asked Amu "Did something happen between you and Kukai?"

"N-no, of course not." Now, Utau was the one who was being stubborn "Nothing's happened between me and him."

"Really now?" asked Ikuto suspiciously "Then can I ask…why are you…why is your face suddenly red then?"

"It is not." Stated Utau, but she could feel that it was true, she was indeed blushing.

"Yes it is, I'm not blind you know Utau." Stated Ikuto plainly "Are you going to tell me? Or are you just going to let e go ahead and guess?"

Utau thought about that for a second and then she sighed "I'd rather tell him than have him guess. Who knows what he's going to say…" she thought.

"Well?" Ikuto asked again.

" It's not anything you didn't already anticipate. It just happened." Started Utau, but she didn't dare make eye contact with Ikuto nor Amu.

"What happened?" asked Amu, still confused.

"He confessed didn't he?" asked Ikuto bluntly, he knew this was going to happen.

"…" Utau didn't speak and she stayed silent.

"I'll take that as a big yes." Said Ikuto with a smirk, and then he asked "So? What did you do about it?"

"Eh? Ha?" Amu was turning from Utau to Ikuto and she was trying to put things together when… "Ehhh???? Really? You and Kukai?"

"Amu, not so loud." Spoke Ikuto as he hugged her from behind "You know, people aregoing to hear you that way."

"Gomen." Replied Amu as she blushed.

"No problem." Smiled Ikuto and then he again looked at Utau "So, what did you do?" he asked her again.

"I did what I thought was the right thing. I told him the truth. I figured, I would take your advice in following my own path." Stated Utau silently.

Ikuto smiled he was happy for his sister and Kukai even "So, you two are in…better terms now?" he asked.

"Yes, at first I actually thought he was talking about some other girl. I told him that I was happy for him and all that, but in reality I guess it didn't take him long to see through that charade." Said Utau.

"That's not so surprising isn't it? It is Kukai we're talking about." Smiled Amu "He's always been able to see through any of us."

"He seemed be like the big brother in your group isn't he?" asked Ikuto.

"That's right." Replied Amu with a nod "He was like our big brother."

"He deserves that title, he sure acts as though he's everyone's big brother." Said Utau with a smile.

"Hm, so what are you going to do now Utau? Have you thought about it?" asked Ikuto.

"What do you mean Ikuto?" asked Amu confused.

"No offense to Kukai, but he's not really the richest person around, and even if we don't care either way, other people will." Stated Ikuto.

"I really don't mind if he isn't rich." Stated Utau "If other people do, then they're the ones that have problems."

"Hm, but isn't that the same for us though?" asked Amu sadly.

Ikuto stared at her and spoke "Don't worry about it Amu, no one's going to hurt you for that."

"If they do, they'd answer to Ikuto and me." Said Utau with a smile. "Don't worry, we will work things out."

"I sure hope so…" mumbled Amu as she soon relaxed under Ikuto's embrace…

Meanwhile, In The Mansion

Rima heard someone shriek inside the mansion, and knew immediately that it was Saaya. Nagihiko was with Rima, and they were both cleaning the gardens. Rima sighed as she heard the screech from the inside.

"I'm telling you that girl has huge issues." Stated Rima.

"Well, she always seems to be the magnet of trouble isn't she?" stated Nagihiko with a nervous laugh.

"Magnet of trouble or the main cause of trouble?" asked Rima with a sigh. "She's being to excited about the upcoming ball."

"I know. It's as though she feels like she's the guest of honor isn't she?" asked Nagihiko.

"I wonder how Amu is doing, better I hope." Said Rima.

"I'm sure Amu-chan is doing better. Ikuto-kun and Utau-chan are there with her." Assured Nagihiko.

"True, is it just me, or do you think those two are bound to get together?" asked Rima.

"You mean Amu-chan and Ikuto-kun?" asked Nagihiko.

"That and Utau and Kukai, it's kind of turning into something don't you think so?" asked Rima again.

"Well it sure looks that way." Stated Nagihiko.

"Hm, he better take care of her. In Ikuto's case he better make sure Amu's safe or he's so dead." Said Rima seriously.

"I think he knows that enough Rima-chan." Said Nagihiko. "He's going to be one lucky guy once Amu-chan figures things out."

"Well, at least he knows that he has a chance with her. Tadase's already given up on her from the looks of it." Said Rima

"Ah, Hotori-kun seemed to notice it too." Said Nagihiko with a smile.

"Who wouldn't. It's kind of obvious on how you look at it isn't it?" stated Rima and then she smiled sadly "It's nice though, that if Amu realizes her feelings, she's sure that Ikuto will return them."

This ended up shocking Nagihiko and he asked "Are you worried?"

"About what?" asked Rima.

"That the person you like won't return your feelings? You sounded like it." Said Nagihiko. He was also curious as to who this person was.

"Not really, well…kind of. I don't know. I've always had this thinking that I didn't need anyone to like me that way, but I can't help but feel kind of…jealous maybe? Amu and Utau both have someone to run to when they're down. Someone they treat as more than a friend." Said Rima honestly.

"…" Nagihiko didn't speak at the moment because he didn't really know what to say.

"Sorry….I didn't mean to blab like that. You must think I'm talking crazy here." Said Rima apologetically.

"No…it's alright. I would never think of something like that about you Rima-chan." Said Nagihiko with a smile.

"…" Rima remained silent for a while and then she asked Nagihiko another question "Hey Nagi…" she started.

"Hm? Something wrong?" asked Nagihiko.

"I was wondering, what about you?" asked Rima "Are you the same as Ikuto and Kukai too?" she asked him.

"Same as Souma-kun and Ikuto-kun how exactly?" asked Nagihiko "In what way am I the same with them?"

"What I mean is, if you've ever felt the same way that they have, for someone special." Asked Rima.

"Well, I guess you can say I have and still am, but…what brought this up all of a sudden Rima-chan? This isn't like you." Said Nagihiko. He knew better than for Rima to suddenly talk about stuff like this.

"It's nothing, it was just a thought." Lied Rima, she knew she was lying but there was no way she was admitting that to him.

"Rima-chan, you know I know you better than that. You're hiding something." Said Nagihiko "Is there something bothering you?" he asked worriedly.

"…." Rima stayed silent for a moment and didn't say anything.

"Rima-chan?" asked Nagihiko again "You know, if something really is wrong, you can tell me right?"

"I know." Muttered Rima "I just don't think you'd like me telling you about this one."

"And why not?" asked Nagihiko "I'd like to help you, but to do that I need to know what's bothering you."

"I get it already, but I just think this is something you can't help me with." Said Rima and then she had a quick thought pass by her own head "Because it has something big to do with you."

"If you insist, then I won't force you to tell e if you really don't want to." Stated Nagihiko with a smile "But whenever you feel like talking about it, just tell me and I'd be right here okay?" he assured her.

"Thanks…" muttered Rima, Nagihiko failed to notice the small blush that was tinted on her cheek because she suddenly turned away.

"And Rima-chan?" Nagihiko suddenly added.

"What is it?" asked Rima as she still didn't dare face him because of fear that he might see her expression.

"You mentioned that you had someone special in mind right? That he wouldn't return your feelings?" asked Nagihiko.

"What of it?" asked Rima.

"Well, if that's what's bothering you, then I don't think you have to worry that much about it for now." Stated Nagihiko.

"Why not? For all I know, he might even hate me." Stated Rima.

"I doubt that. I think that whoever this person is, he's very lucky. Just as lucky as Amu-chan and Ikuto-kun." He told her.

"Why would you say something like that?" asked Rima.

"Because, he got your attention didn't he. That makes him a very lucky guy Rima-chan, lucky indeed." Nagihiko gave her another smile and then he stopped talking.

"…" Rima was too shocked with what Nagihiko had just said to say anything. She was never expecting something like that to come from him at all.

"I feel like he doesn't like me Nagi." State Rima so suddenly.

"Hm?" asked Nagihiko when he heard her speak "And why is that? What's not to like?"

"I' not really approachable am I?" she asked.

"Well, maybe in the beginning you're not, but once people get to know you, that's when they start to see another side of you. It's the same for all of us." Said Nagihiko "We can't tell of someone's true colors unless we know about them fully."

"I know." Replied Rima simply "I just wish that sometimes I could be as open as Dia and the others then maybe I wouldn't be so "cold" to other people."

"You aren't cold towards anyone Rima-chan." Stated Nagihiko "People who are just to immature to try and get to know you misjudge you. It's something you shouldn't worry yourself over because it will end up being their own loss and not yours."

"What do you think about my attitude Nagi?" she suddenly asked.

"Hm, that's rather simple. I think you're a caring person who does much for others than for herself. And I also think you have a very nice personality, that's why the people who know you can easily open up to you. You tend to close all your problems from others but don't mind hearing their problems being put into your shoulders. I think you're an amazing person Rima-chan." Answered Nagihiko with a smile.

"Thank you." Smiled Rima "I think you're like that too Nagi, but you're just more open than I am."

"I guess so. But we're all different. As Souma-kun once told us, being different it what makes things so much fun for everyone. You are you and I am me, and I wouldn't want it any other way." He told her.

"I see." Replied Rima.

"Can I ask you Rima-chan, who is this person you were referring to a while ago. That is, if you don't mind answering me." Said Nagihiko. "I wont force it out of you."

"…" Rima suddenly stayed silent and thought "It's you, don't you get it yet?!?"

She suddenly noticed Nagihiko come to a complete stop. It was as if he suddenly froze in his place. Nagihiko suddenly spoke "Excuse me?" he asked "Can you repeat that Rima-chan?"

"Repeat what?" asked Rima confused. "I didn't say anythi-.." She suddenly thought back and realization struck "Oh no…no, no, no it couldn't be…"

Nagihiko simply replied "What you said earlier. I don't really know if I heard it right."

"I said that out loud?!?" Rima thought to herself. She was hitting herself mentally and she was getting annoyed.

"Rim-chan?" Nagihiko called.

"What did I say?" Rima asked him, but she didn't make any eye contact with Nagihiko.

"What?" asked Nagihiko.

"What did you hear me say?" asked Rima again.

"Well….when I asked you that question, you said something along the lines of 'It's you…'" stated Nagihiko "But as I said, I could have heard wrong…"

"No, you didn't." admitted Rima, she figured that he was bound to find out anyway.

"Then you were serious then?" asked Nagihiko.

"Yeah." Replied Rima.

Soon Nagihiko chuckled slightly and Rima was shocked. She got a bit annoyed and asked "And what's so funny?"

"Nothing. I apologize." Replied Nagihiko "But this just proves what I said."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Rima.

"I told you that you didn't have to worry about that person not liking you back remember?" reminded Nagihiko with a kind smile.

"Yeah…but…wait…does that mean…" she finally turned to face him and he was just smiling at her.

Nagihiko came closer to her and he smiled "I always have like you Rima-chan. Well…maybe not during the first few months when you still loathed me" he admitted with a light chuckle.

Rima just blushed and replied "I did not loath you. I was just jealous of you being so close to Amu at the time, but not anymore though."

"I know that, and that's what made me like you. You're attitude towards others, yourself and how you are. I don't hate any of that." Said Nagihiko with a smile.

"Thank you Nagi." Rima then smiled, she only smiled on rare occasions when they were alone so this meant that she was truly happy.

Nagihiko held her hand on his own and smiled back "You should smile more. It makes you look even prettier that way."

Rima suddenly blushed and Nagihiko chuckled "You're cute when you blush too Rima-chan." He told her and Rima huffed.

"Stop teasing me." She told him with a pout.

"Alright, as you wish." Replied Nagihiko. He then came closer to her and gave her a light peck on the cheek.

"N-Nagi!" stuttered Rima right after.

"Hm? Something wrong?" he asked with a smile.

"Please! What do you mean something wrong? Why did you kiss me?!?" she asked him.

"Did you not want me to?" Nagihiko asked innocently.

"I…." Rima didn't know what to say, but she did know that she didn't really hate what Nagihiko did, she didn't mind it either, she was just too shocked about his sudden actions.

"Hm?" asked Nagihiko.

"I-it's nothing, l-let's go back inside okay? They might be looking for us." Said Rima "Come on Nagi."

"Alright, if you want to go back inside then." Nagihiko never let go of Rima's hand even when they got inside the mansion. He didn't mind that she reacted that way, he knew Rima enough to know she isn't the one to openly express herself all of a sudden. He had to give her time.

Nagihiko already knew that she felt the same way he did for her, and that alone was enough to make him happy, and he never regrets any of it. Even if they take things slowly, he wouldn't mind, at least now they both knew how they felt for each other.

Back At The Palace

Ikuto and Utau had left a few hours ago and Amu was patiently waiting for their return in her room. She didn't say it out loud, but the longer she stayed in the palace, the more she'd miss Ikuto whenever he was gone.

Amu had spent most of her time with Tadase and Kairi. They kept her company and when they had to do something Tara would be there and they'd have their own little chat. Amu found Tara easier to talk to than Mai and she was very grateful. She remembered that Tara told her to be careful now that Ikuto and her have gotten so close.

"My sister doesn't like it, and knowing her, she's going to do something to keep you away from him." Warned Tara.

"Why does she hate me so much?" Amu had asked.

"Well, she thinks you're taking Ikuto-kun away from her and the same goes with Ryo and Utau-chan." Said Tara "I'd be better if you didn't get involved with them."

"Why are you telling me this Tara? If they find out, they'll hate you for it." Said Amu sadly "I wouldn't want that."

"It's alright with me. They're already crossing the line here, and I know what I'm doing. I'm more worried about what she'd do to you, so please be careful." Said Tara. "My sister would go to great lengths to get you out of here and I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Thank you for warning me." Amu gave her a smile and the two of them continued to talk and even got to know each other. Amu did truly feel grateful.

It was a few minutes later after all those thoughts that Amu heard footsteps behind her. When she turned around, she saw Ikuto standing right there. "Ikuto!" Amu exclaimed and she suddenly went over to him and gave him a hug.

"I never would have thought you'd miss me that much Amu." Teased Ikuto, but he did hug her back no less.

"Oh be quiet and stop ruining the moment." Grumbled Amu.

Ikuto simply chucked and then he whispered into her ear "Don't worry, I missed you too Amu. Very much."

"Hm." Replied Amu as she rested in his warm embrace.

"So, what have you been up to?" asked Ikuto as he continued to hold her.

"Nothing much, but Ikuto, Tara told me something today." Said Amu.

"Oh? You ad her had a talk today? About what?" asked Ikuto confused.

"She told me to be careful now. She says Mai is really starting to hate me because I'm always around you." Said Amu sadly "She wouldn't hurt anyone would she?" she asked him.

"No, I won't let her." Said Ikuto as he tightened his embrace "You'll be fine Amu. It was rather nice of Tara to have told you these things."

"She seems to be a really nice person." Admitted Amu "She's so different from her two other siblings Ikuto."

"Yeah, she is isn't she?" agreed Ikuto "She's the only one Utau and I are comfortable with talking to."

"I'm worried. What if something happens." Asked Amu.

"Don't worry about it too much. I'm sure whatever it is, we'll make it through." Stated Ikuto but there was a part of him that was worried as well. And he had every right to be worried, because what they didn't know was Tara's advice was genuine. Mai was truly planning something, anything to get rid of Amu and she'll do anything to destroy and take away the people who get in her way….

Authors Note: That's it I'm done. Thank you all so much for the Reviews. Please Review and tell me what you think of this chapter. :D