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I do not own Shugo Chara…

Chap 15

Amu had changed out of her pajamas and now lay sprawled out on her bed. She sighed and curled up into a ball, closing her eyes. She smiled, "Maa! That Ikuto!" she laughed, covering her eyes with the back of her hand, "I know he's joking, but still when he gets that close to me, and says stupid things like that, my heart pounds and my breath—and common sense— leave. I don't know how else to react!" she sighed again.

"And he loves every single second of it, ne? Amu-chan?" came a little voice.

Amu's eyes flew open, "Miki?" she gasped, her eyes darted around.

"I'm inside of you, remember Amu-chan?"

"All of us are!" Ran's energetic voice trumpeted.

"But we still love you Amu-chan!" came Dia's voice.

"I wish I could hug you guys….." the seventeen year old whispered.

"Why don't you hug Ikuto-san instead-desu?" Su innocently suggested.

"Su!" Ran and Miki chorused reproachfully. Amu blushed and hugged her pillow.

"I can't." she said quietly, closing her eyes once again.

"Why not?" Dia asked gently. Amu could almost see the yellow chara float down and pat her old partner's head with a small hand.

Amu curled up even more, "He's so far ahead of me already. He knows who he wants to be. I don't. I'm still so confused about everything." Giant tears rolled down her cheeks, "But I just don't know!"

Ikuto stood on the other side of the door. He heard her muffled comments. Every. Single. One of them. He sighed and opened the door, quietly creeping into the room. He used the cat-like grace he still possessed to muffle his movements. It was just as he had thought.

Amu went on, not even noticing Ikuto's presence in her room, "I don't know why you guys disappeared two years ago! I was still unsure of what I wanted to do. I still am now!

"Who said anything about us disappearing?" Miki said. Amu sensed a tiny shadow over her eyes. They snapped open and sure enough, there were four little figures floating in front of her. She blinked her eyes.

"Amu-chan!" Ran said.

"Amu-chan!" Miki echoed.

"Amu-chan!" Su repeated.

"Amu-chan!" Dia beamed.

She stared at them and gasped, covering he mouth, "Ran! Miki! Su! Dia! You're really all here!"

"Yup!" Miki said.

"We couldn't leave you by yourself!" Ran chimed in.

Amu embraced them, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Ikuto smiled.

Dia saw him and cocked her head to the side.

Ikuto put a finger to his lips, motioning her to not say a word. He winked and tiptoed to the bed. Dia smiled.

"We still love you Amu-chan!" Dia said kindly.

"I still can't believe it!" she exclaimed.

Ikuto had reached his destination. Gently, he lay down on her bed, behind her.

"Ikuto! Ikuto!" Amu called, not noticing the shift in weight, until she felt his arms wind themselves around her waist securely. "Yes?" he said into her ear.

She started, obviously surprised that the man had come in and even lay down on her bed without her knowing. She was too excited to give it much thought.

She released her hold on her Shugo Chara and lay on her back. Ikuto still held her, "Look! Look!" The four figures circled above them.

Ikuto smiled and pulled her closer, "Yes, I am."

Amu didn't notice.

"Are you really Ikuto?" Ran inquired suspiciously.

"You don't look anything like him." Miki went on.

"I wonder if Ikuto-san can still see us-desu?" Su wondered, waving a hand above his eyes.

"Yes, I still can." He replied, chuckling from his position on the bed. Amu laughed and hugged his neck, obliviously.

There was a collective gasp from the four.

"Ikuto-kun got so tall-desu…." Su observed in awe, going the length of his lanky body from the tip of his shoes, to the top of his head, "Even from this angle-desu."

Ikuto chuckled; Amu wondered why the rumble was so close…..

Miki snickered and said into Amu's ear, "Are you letting him hug you now?"

Suddenly, Amu realized how they were lying down. Her eyes widened. She was facing Ikuto and he had his hands around her waist, while she had hers around his neck. Their chests nearly touched. She blushed, but for some reason couldn't tear her gaze away from his serious blue eyes. Ikuto looked deep into her own. He pulled her closer to his body and exhaled slowly, eyes closed. "You're the only woman who makes me act this way Amu. Prepare for your punishment."

Amu and the Chara's eyes widened.

Ikuto's eyes snapped open and his lips met hers. His arms clutched her small waist. Amu's hands tightened around his neck, and before she knew it, she was kissing him back. One of his hands had moved from her waist to her back, pressing her even closer to him.

When they finally broke off, both were breathless.

Amu's cheeks once again burned at the thought of how she had just kissed Ikuto.

Ikuto chuckled and answered Miki's question, "Yes, she is."

Silence.

Ran broke it with an exultant, "HYU! HYU!"

Amu's eyes flashed to the pink chara, "R-ran!"

"You are aren't you? and…" he smirked devilishly, "you just kissed me too. I'm quite impressed at how well you do. You're a natural." His eyes glinted.

"Not you too!" Amu closed her eyes, "You started it!"

"And you improved it. You didn't even resist me." He smirked yet again.

Amu's breath was arrested.

Ikuto chuckled again and let her breath then said to the charas, "I guess Amu still needs you huh?"

Amu burned, "IKUTO!"

"That's right-desu!" Su cheerily replied.

"Agreed!" Ran and Miki chorused.

"That's our Amu-chan!" the four sang.

"Guys!" Amu wailed.

They all laughed, Amu couldn't help buy join in not matter what, "Come here you four troublemakers." She laughed and opened her arms.

Ikuto feigned shock, "I don't count?"

Amu rolled her eyes, "You're already holding me."
"Wai!" all four charas exclaimed happily, rushing into the space between Ikuto and Amu.

She laughed and snuggled them, not caring if she was snuggling close to Ikuto. She was too happy.

Ikuto didn't object of course and pulled her closer, the four charas sandwiched between them.

A/N: ^_^ I LOVE THE WAY THIS WAS REWRITTEN!
I like it so much better!
5 more to go!
I hope you guys won't hate me….I'm kinda leaving you hanging. I didn't expect to get to chap 15. Please don't hate me for leaving you to anticipate the last 5 chapters in May!