Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Shugo Chara!

Again, this is rated 'high T' for fluff! Enjoy!

Chapter 12

Honeymoon

Their honeymoon was to be spent at a simple cottage in the forest in the kingdom of Easter, some miles away from the palace. Once the driver left with the carriage, and they were completely alone, Ikuto scooped Amu up in his arms bridal-style, making her blush as he opened the door to the cottage, carrying her inside. She wrapped her arms around him, staying as close to him as she could. "…we're married."

Ikuto chuckled softly. "I know." He kissed her forehead.

"We're alone here…"

Ikuto smirked playfully. "I know." He gently set her on her feet before tilting her chin up for her to look at him. "If something isn't ok, I want you to let me know immediately-I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me."

Amu smiled softly at him. "What did I do to deserve you?"

Ikuto smiled softly back at her. "That's my line…" he kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "…my princess."

Amu closed her eyes for a moment. "Ikuto…" She opened her eyes to see him still very close to her. "I love you." She whispered.

Ikuto smiled and kissed her softly then. "And I love you, Amu." His lips lingered near hers as he spoke.

Amu shyly kissed him, placing her hands lightly on his chest.

When they pulled apart a moment later, Ikuto brought their luggage inside before holding Amu's hand and leading her to the bedroom.

Amu blushed, knowing what he was thinking.

However, Ikuto surprised her-instead of leading her straight to the bed, he let go of her hand to light a candle and then close the curtains, as it was starting to get dark out. Sensing her unease, Ikuto said with his back to her, "I won't force you into anything. It will be the first time for both of us. I don't want to ruin it by being forceful."

Amu was silent for a moment before walking up to him and wrapping her arms around him from behind him, catching him off guard.

Ikuto glanced over his shoulder. "Amu?"

Amu hid her face against his back. "…I'm your wife. I love you. I want this."

Ikuto's surprised expression grew gentle. "Amu…" he turned around in her arms and kissed the top of her head as he wrapped his arms around her.

Amu looked up at him, smiling shyly. "Make me yours-completely."

Ikuto kissed her softly. "…you don't have to tell me twice."

And so, they kissed-they kissed and kissed and kissed-tumbling to the bed in a tangle of limbs and sheets, before finally becoming one-expressing their love for one another in ways that words could not.

Early the next morning, just before the sunrise, Amu woke up to find Ikuto facing her, a calm expression on his face as he slept. She smiled softly at him, brushing his bangs away from his closed eyes. She kissed his forehead softly before starting to get out of bed…only to be pulled back into bed by his arm wrapping around her waist. "Ah!"

Ikuto opened his eyes and looked at her sleepily. "Where are you going?"

Amu stifled a laugh at his behavior. "Bathroom."

Ikuto kissed her collarbone. "…are you feeling ok? I know that first time wasn't easy for you…"

Amu smiled softly at him. "I'm fine, really. Help change the sheets while I'm in the bathroom, ok? Please?"

Ikuto nodded, waking up more. "Okay. Hurry back."

Once Amu finished in the bathroom, she returned to the bedroom to find that Ikuto had changed the sheets and put the old sheets in a hamper in a corner of the bedroom. Ikuto faced her when he heard her enter the room and stared. "Wow…"

Amu blushed deeply, running to the bed and diving under the covers. "Don't look!"

Ikuto blinked. "Why not? I've already seen you…"

Amu hid under the covers. "I-It's still embarrassing!"

Ikuto looked at her, amused, as he chuckled softly. He sat next to her on the bed. "Amu. We're the only ones here. You're my wife. It shouldn't have to be a huge deal to be naked around one another."

Amu poked her head out from under the covers, pouting. "I know…it…it will just take some getting used to."

Ikuto got under the covers with her and pulled her close to him. "…you're my wife."

Amu smiled softly at his chest. "And you're my husband."

Ikuto kissed the top of her head. "The sun will rise soon. We have until tomorrow morning before the carriage will return to take us home. Is there anything you want to do?"

Amu looked thoughtful. "…I…want to go the river. Isn't there a waterfall near here somewhere?"

Ikuto smiled. "Yes, there is. That sounds like a good idea."

After breakfast, the two walked through the forest until they reached the waterfall that flowed into the river.

Amu lifted the skirt of her day dress and stepped into the shallow end of the water, smiling. "It's not too cold."

Ikuto watched her fondly. He watched as a slight breeze moved through her pink hair, messing it up a little. He watched as she smiled happily at him before looking back at the water. He stood then, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. They stood like that for a while, listening to the sound of the running water.

Amu turned around and looked up at him. "Ikuto? Do…Do you…" She looked at her feet. "…do you really have to go in a week? To meet with the generals of your-I mean-our kingdom? So soon after our marriage? I'll be lonely…"

Ikuto frowned sadly. "Amu…"

Yes, two nights before their wedding, Aruto gave Ikuto the news that Ikuto would be sent away for a week to meet with the kingdom's generals and their allies to discuss strategy for the war that would no doubt be beginning soon.

Amu felt tears filling her eyes. She wiped them away, trying not to tear up more at the thought. "S-Sorry…this is our honeymoon, I should be happy, not crying…"

Ikuto tilted her chin up, staring deep into her eyes. "I promise to come back for you. Always."

Amu threw her arms around him, not caring if her dress got wet when she stopped holding up the skirt. "Ikuto!"

Ikuto held her close to him. "Please don't cry, Amu…I want to see your smile. Your smile always gives me strength."

Amu finally calmed down enough to smile softly at him. "Then I will do my best to smile for you."

The rest of their honeymoon was spent at the waterfall and in bed, simply continuing to love one another, with both their words and their actions.

On their way back to the palace from their honeymoon, Amu slept soundly with her head against Ikuto's shoulder.

Ikuto kissed the top of her head, holding her hand, the same hand with her wedding ring on her left ring finger. "I'll protect you Amu…no matter what."

-

LONG TIME NO WRITE/UPDATE! Finally getting my energy back to write, this story specifically. Review please!