I do not own Shugo Chara….

Chap 10

A couple weeks later…..

Amu lay sprawled on the almost vacant beach and sighed heavily.

"I'm so bored…." She whined to herself, heaving another depressing sigh as she rolled onto her side. Everyone was out of town. Everyone. But, the nice thing was that they all at least were able to see Ikuto more than once since his return.

Amu sighed and closed her eyes ticking off what everyone was doing right now in her head. Utau was doing a filming job and of course, Kukai had gone with her. Those two were inseparable. Amu smiled and continued her list. Tadase had gone somewhere with Nagi, Kairi and their respective families. Rima was with her parents and even Rin had gone somewhere with Yaya's family. Amu giggled, Tsubasa-kun was so big now…

Amu curled up into a little ball on the sand, enjoying the sun's warmth on her eyelids briefly. Unbidden, those five faces popped into her head. Ran, Miki, Su, Dia, and Yoru. She heard their little voices in her mind as she reminisced back to when she had her powers. Cleansing 'X' and '?' eggs; finding out the Embryo was more of a place, rather than a thing; helping Hikaru-kun find his Heart's Egg….it had been normal at the time, now it was a fond memory. A tear fell from her eyes as she remembered all of the fun times she had back then. The most fun thing was being able to get to know Utau and Ikuto and everyone else. And,she thought, and…. The image of the young man filled her mind, down to the tiniest blue strand of hair over his eyes, falling in love with him. She thought as another tear fell.

A teasing voice suddenly said, "Oi! Oi! Hinamori Amu crying? That's something you don't see every day."

Amu sat straight up and nearly bonked heads with Ikuto who had peering over her.

She gasped, "I-Ikuto!" she exclaimed, breathless as he leaned over her, their foreheads nearly touching. That charming mischievous smirk crossed his face, "I haven't seen you in one of those before…" he said, tone low and sultry.

Amu, realizing he meant her two piece swimsuit, flushed and threw a towel around her exposed midriff. "PERVERT!" she yelled, about to slap him when he caught her arm.

"Me? The pervert? I don't think so….." he grinned again and pulled her up and against him, wrapping his arms around her. Amu blushed prettily.

After a few moments of silence, Amu heard Ikuto's voice in her ear, "I haven't been seeing you around, Amu." He was borderline whining, "Are you avoiding me?" his voice was teasing and gentle. Like always. Amu could scarcely breath, being so close to him. She felt his chest rise and fall; she was again aware of his arms around her.

Why must he do this to me? She wondered as she looked up at him, blushing when blue met amber.

"Well?" he grinned. Amu's flush deepened.

"N-not r-really. I just-" she fumbled for words, he's so close!

"Liar." Ikuto accused, straight into her ear, "I know you too well, Little Girl." His grin was daring.

Suddenly, Amu remembered the day when he had first attempted to open her lock. He hadn't even been as close as he was now, although…He called her 'Little Girl' then too. Again, the pink rose to her cheeks. Ikuto breathed onto her neck; she heard his soft chuckle. Amu finally tore her eyes away from his. Ikuto grinned and brought her chin back up. He softly said, "I still do you know."

"Do what?"

"Love you. It really hasn't changed much." His eyes twinkled with mischief and a second emotion that Amu hadn't seen before. Sincerity.

Her flush only progressed worse. It crept along her neck, reaching the tips of her ears. Her back was to him. When had she turned around? Ikuto brought the girl fairly close and rested his chin on her shoulder with a pathetic sigh, "You still don't believe me?"

Amu couldn't say a word. So…close! She thought, heart racing.

A smile she couldn't see, "I can hear that you know." He squeezed her gently, "What do I have to make you believe me, Amu?" his voice was so honest…..so sad….. Amu's breath caught in her lungs.

I know he loves me. Amu thought, I can clearly see it in his eyes every time he looks at me. This…longing…..desire. He seems to be afraid that if he lets go of me, that I'll be gone to him forever. That's why he never wants to let me go. He's afraid of what could happen.

"Amu?" Ikuto query was gentle.

The girl's heart leaped within her, "I know." She quietly said and turned around in his arms. , Don't worry Ikuto. I won't disappear. She raised a hand to his cheek, caressing it gently with her fingertips, "I know you love me, Ikuto. I believe you." her smile was gentle and sweet as her fingers simply rested on his face.

Ikuto couldn't hide the shock in his eyes.

"Surprised?" her tone was still gentle, teasing.

Ikuto grinned and kissed her fingertips, "Yes, and happy."

Amu had a sweetly confused look in her eyes, "About what?"

Ikuto close his eyes and whispered under his breath, "Baka. Don't look like that. It weakens my resolve almost to nothing."

"Nani?"

Ikuto opened his eyes and stared into her own, "Nothing." His fingers gently wove themselves into her hair as his palm rested on her cheek. His lips were centimeters above hers. Amu could feel the gentle puffs of air when he murmured, "Happy that you share my feelings." The hand wrapped around her waist tightened slightly. Amu didn't mind it. Somehow, in Ikuto's hold, she felt secure. It had always been that way, ever since he held her that first time.

Ikuto smiled, "Just say it Amu. No one can hear you," his voice dropped, "but me."

A brilliant smile lit her face as she quietly answered, "I love you Ikuto. I really do. I finally understood, not too terribly long ago, that it wasn't Tadase-kun who held the key to my heart." She giggled at the pun, "It was you and only you."

"Amu…." He began, "I love you." he pulled her towards him, sealing their confessions with a kiss. His arm moved to her back, just as Amu reached to hug his neck.

A/N: I think this chapter is especially sweet Amu already knows how Ikuto feels about her, he just wanted her to hear it again ^_^