Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Shugo Chara! I am not rich… And Ikuto isn't with Amu…lol

Chapter Eleven: The Choices We Make

Tadase turned to Amu again. "So why did you do it?" he asked, softer this time. There was a hurt look in his eyes.

Amu swallowed and replied, "Because I couldn't just let him die."

"But you told the Embryo that you didn't know what you would do without him. He works for Easter, Hinamori-san."

"Not by choice! And that's no reason not to save him!" Amu felt anger rise in her. How dare he suggest that she not help him!

Tadase's face showed a little anger, too. "You could have saved him without using the Embryo!"

At this point, Nagihiko, Yaya, and Rima were rendered speechless. They had never seen the two argue like this before.

"Did you not see his Guardian Character shatter? Yoru was gone!" Amu felt tears come to her eyes. She quickly hid her face in her hands. Miki, Ran, and Su all found a spot to hang onto her.

"She's right," Rima spoke up. "I saw it, too." She shuddered. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose Kusukusu like that.

Yaya nodded and stared at the table thinking the same things as Rima.

Tadase's anger dissolved and he said in a strangely defeated tone, "You love him."

Amu let her hands slide away from her face in surprise. "What?"

Tadase took one look at her face and felt guilty for making her cry like that. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I shouldn't have brought it up. What you wished for is your business. Can you forgive me, Hinamori-san?"

Amu nodded, still shocked by his former statement.

Yaya couldn't stand the tension anymore and cried, "Now that that's over, can we have our tea now?"

Nagihiko agreed. He wanted the mood to lift as well. He didn't like seeing Amu upset.

Rima actually got up and fixed the tea herself. She was upset with Tadase for making Amu cry like that, for taking things so far. But if Amu can forgive him…

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Ikuto was patrolling the perimeter of the Royal Garden looking for anything out of place. He watched as Rima made the tea. She turned around to get something and Ikuto glared as he watched a familiar goon from Easter put something in the tea. The cat boy snuck into the Garden. He suddenly had a plan.

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"Amu-chii! Please smile?" Yaya was begging.

Amu gave a very weak smile. She just couldn't bring herself to feel happy. She kept seeing horrible things play out in her mind.

"Amu-chan~desu! We can save him this time!" Su pointed out in her motherly voice.

"Yeah! You can't give up like this, Amu-chan!" Miki agreed.

"Fight, fight, Amu-chan!" Ran started chanting.

"But what if I fail? What if I can't save him?" Amu murmured, desperation clear in her voice.

Rima walked up then, teapot in hand. "You aren't alone, Amu."

Yaya spoke up then. "You have us to help!"

Tadase moved around the table and stood by Amu. "We will make sure you succeed. We believe in you, Amu."

Amu looked up at her would- be prince and nodded. "You're right. I can't fail. I have to save him!"

"That's the Amu-chan we know!" Ran cried.

Rima smiled as she handed Amu the teapot. Her expression quickly turned blank as she said, "I'm tired. You can pour the tea."

Amu scowled. "Hey!" But she smiled despite herself. She picked up the teapot and was about to pour some tea into Rima's cup when she felt familiar arms around her waist.

"Did you miss me already, Amu?" Ikuto murmured.

"I-Ikuto!? What are you doing here?!" Amu cried, a little shocked. He had come out of nowhere.

Ikuto smirked. He had been waiting for this opportunity. He whispered something in Amu's ear and then nibbled on it.

Amu dropped the teapot in her shock. "Y-you pervert!" she yelped. "Let go of me!"

Ikuto actually let her go. He'd taken care of what he had come for and had the added bonus of teasing Tadase. He looked over at the blond haired "prince". Tadase wasn't glaring, but was glancing at him in concern, brows furrowed.

"Aww, does Kiddy King realize he's lost?" taunted the cat boy a little perturbed.

Tadase glared. "I won't let you win!" The "prince" then chara changed and went after Ikuto. Ikuto dodged and chara changed as well. The two started fighting and ended up outside of the Royal Garden.

Amu breathed a sigh of relief. That was close, she thought.

"Watch where you step, Amu. There's still glass on the floor," Rima warned.

Amu looked down and realized she was right. She took a step back and a thought struck her. One of the only things that had stayed the same was the teapot breaking. It bothered her for some reason she couldn't place. She frowned. She would have to talk to the rest of the Guardians when she was sure Ikuto wasn't around. But how to be sure of that? A sudden idea dawned on her. She walked back to the table, avoiding the glass, and called Miki, Ran, and Su over.

"What is it, Amu-chan?" Ran questioned enthusiastically.

"I have an idea to keep Ikuto busy, but it requires Yoru and you guys cooperating."

"How come, Amu-chi~desu?" Su wondered.

"So I can discuss something with the Guardians without worrying about Ikuto remembering. I can tell you guys at home."

The three agreed, somewhat reluctantly as they really wanted to know what Amu was thinking. But they listened eagerly to their master's plan. Once she had finished explaining, the three were a little amazed. It was brilliant.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoy! ; )