I do not own Shugo Chara…

Chap 9

Amu was shocked. Ikuto was kissing her! Not just a kiss on the corner of her mouth, but a real kiss.

Thousands of images flashed through her mind. Ikuto, trying to take her eggs that first day; Ikuto as Black Lynx who had always protected her; never wanting to fight her; Ikuto as the complex young man whom she had found in her bed, sick and needing help; Ikuto as Death Rebel then Seven Seas Treasure and finally whom she had seen in the airport when she realized that she loved him and not Tadase. All of those were parts of him and she loved every single one.

I really do love you. she thought.

Ikuto finally released her and smiled, "Let me walk you home. I haven't seen your family yet."

Amu, slightly blushing, nodded her head and offered him a shy smile, "You're right. Ami hasn't seen you for awhile, same with my Kaa-san. They both adore you." her eyes sparkled, "Oh! And you get to meet my new little brother Shin!" Amu exclaimed and grabbed his hand. "Come on!" she led a smiling Ikuto all the way home.

"I'm home!" Amu cried out, throwing the door open. "And I brought an old friend."

Her mother poked out her head from the kitchen, "Welcome back Amu-chan, and—" when she saw Ikuto standing next to her daughter, she nearly dropped the plate that she had been putting away, "Ikuto-kun! What a pleasant surprise!" she came around the corner, balancing a two year old boy on her hip. She offered Ikuto her hand and the young man shook it firmly.

"It's nice to see you again, Hinamori-san."

"My! what a young man you've become!" her eyes sparkled mischievously. She winked, "Come to take away my Amu-chan have you?"

Amu's face burned, "K-Kaa-san!" she wailed.

Ikuto played along, "Possibly." His eyes glinted at the girl. She couldn't meet his eyes without the risk of deepening her blush.

Ikuto grinned, "I just walked her home. I might stop by another time. Good evening." He bowed and left.

Amu was blush hadn't lightened. "I-I'm going to sleep! 'night!" with that she dashed up to her sanctuary. She reached the bathroom, turned on her radio to a classical station and soaked in the tub for a long time.

When her bath was done, Amu pulled on her pajamas and began brushing her hair as she stood on her balcony overlooking the ocean. She couldn't help but feel like a princess. That's right. She thought with a giggle, I'm not afraid to show my girly side anymore. She laughed Thank you Ran, Miki, Su, and Dia. Amu placed a hand on her heart. A gentle warmth radiated from her fingertips to her entire body. "Also thanks to you four, I'm not afraid to admit to myself that I love Ikuto and always have." She murmured. "Good night Ikuto, wherever you are." After that, Amu lay down and slept with a smile on her face.

A tall shadow leaned against one of the pillars and smiled.

Amu. Ikuto thought.

Suddenly, a movement caught his eye. The young violinist narrowed his dark blue eyes. Another shadow had appeared, slightly shorter than his own silhouette. Soundlessly, the intruder crept around the girl's room. Alarm and a sense of protectiveness overcame him. Every single muscle in his wiry body was tense as the short shadow crept closer towards the sleeping girl's bed. It bent over her; Ikuto could see the twisted, ill-intentioned grin on the intruder's face. The shadow spoke, "I'm so lucky that Amu leaves her window open at night. I can stare at her to my heart's content!" a hand reached out to touch her. Ikuto was there in a flash. His hand shot out and caught the offensive limb in a vice-like grip, nearly crushing the bone. His blue eyes were daggers. "Don't you dare touch her." Ikuto's voice was cold and venomous.

"W-who are you?"

Ikuto smirked, "I guess you could say a jealous, overprotective boyfriend, Seiji. There is no way I'm going to let you touch her like that." Ikuto pinned the oppressor to the ground, "Leave now. And don't you ever touch Amu again."

"H-how do you know my name?" Seiji stammered.

A feline smile, curled across Ikuto's face, "I have my ways. Now, get out of here!"

Seiji was immediately released and scampered out the window.

Ikuto sighed and stood, amazed at how Amu had slept through the whole ordeal. He shook his head fondly, "Amu…." He murmured, gently brushing stray pink strands off of her face and bent to whisper into her ear, "I won't let anyone touch you, but me." He bent to kiss her forehead and smiled, "it won't be too much longer, Amu. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to grow up, but," a grin teased at his lips once again, "something tells me that the wait won't be long at all."

She moaned and turned her sleeping face towards him and mumbled in her sleep, "Ikuto….." then went back to that peaceful smile.

He rested his hand on her head and quietly said, "Good night, Amu. Sleep well. I know I will." With that he silently left as he had come.

Done! Thanks to xxAngelicHonestyxx for being my first reviewer! It made me feel happy
I'm going to attempt to get up at least half of the chapters up for this one, which means at least to chapter 10 ;)