I do not own Shugo Chara...

Chap 18

A few hours later, Amu awoke. She had heard something. She opened her eyes and was stunned. First of all, she had become aware of how she had fallen asleep and more importantly, who was holding her. His arm was around her shoulders, and his other was around her waist, holding her snuggly against his side. Her cheeks flamed. The next minute she was stunned a second time.

"I can feel the heat radiating off of your face." Ikuto's quiet voice was suddenly heard. His arm tightened around her waist. Amu was about to say something when one of Ikuto's graceful fingers silenced her. He opened one of his blue eyes slowly and looked directly at Amu. "Shh…don't say a word and don't move. I was followed."

Amu's eyes widened with curiosity and fear as they watched in silence the silhouette stalking about their camp.

She gasped beneath Ikuto's fingers.

Ikuto's body heat moved closer, he rubbed her back comfortingly.

The intruder poked his head into the empty sleeping bags, his lips curled back in a sneer and he stalked away.

Ikuto removed his finger from her lips, a little hesitantly he admitted.

As soon as she was freed the questions came out in a torrent, "Ikuto! What's going on? Who was that guy?"

Ikuto replied, "Some random guy who has a grudge against my Tou-san."

"What did he do?" Amu's eyes were huge.

The young man sighed, "My Tou-san not only made many friends, but he also made plenty of enemies."

"Why?" she asked immediately.

"I don't know." He sighed once again and rose to his feet, "We'd better get going."

Amu grabbed his sleeve, "Wait." She quietly said.

Ikuto half-turned and looked down into her eyes, "What?" his heart pounded.

Amu's fist tightened on his sleeve "If he has a grudge against your Otou-san, then why is he after you?" her amber eyes were frightened.

Gentleness welled up in Ikuto as he knelt in the sand. He gathered the trembling girl into his arms and murmured into the fragrant strands, "Don't worry." His fingers ran themselves through her hair, "I won't let him get me or you." he pressed soft kisses to her forehead, trying to calm her down.

"B-but why would he want me?" Amu naturally asked.

Ikuto momentarily ceased his kisses. He looked into her eyes and smiled devilishly, "Mmm…..I don't know." He moved his arms around her waist as he once again nearly pulled her into his lap. He whispered directly into her ear "Maybe because you're small, you're cute and, if it's who I think it is, you're mine."

With every comment, Amu's cheeks turned a different, progressively darker shade of pink and burned bright red at the last one.

"Y-you're just saying that." She said unthinkingly.

"Am I?" Ikuto's tone was scandalous.

That annoying, soft, rather intimate tone made Amu's heart race like always. Just like the times he had said her name or teased her in that tone, or simply smiled at her heart-stoppingly.

What is it about this Perverted Kitty- eared Cosplay Boy that makes my heart race like this? She thought.

Ikuto smiled and placed a soft kiss on the side of Amu's mouth, "What are you thinking about?" he asked, not even the least bit embarrassed.

"N-nothing." She stammered, whipping her head away from him. Some of her silky strands had touched his face. Ikuto suppressed his delighted shiver. He forced down his urge to kiss her incessantly and just settled for a chuckle and the whispered comment, "I'm over here Amu." He gently turned her head towards him. His touch was so light that the girl didn't even feel it. Before she knew it, Amu felt Ikuto's warm somewhat intoxicating breath on her neck and she was the one suppressing her shiver of pleasure.

So close….. she dazedly thought as she sensed Ikuto's head lower closer and closer. His hair tickled the back of her neck. He exhaled as if holding back something. Amu couldn't stop the shudder now. What is he…

A harsh voice broke through the magic of the moment, "HA! I found Aruto's punk brat! And it looks like even punks can have feelings too!"