Started on April 1, 2010.
Finally updated Crossing Paths (: Check out the latest chapter if you haven't, Crossing Paths fans. After this is Save Me. Then I'll probably just finish up With You. There should be two chapters left for that fanfiction…
Thank you to these reviewers:
Holy Angel Heart, oxCuteKataraox, ShugoCharaLuvr, HarunaNiwa073, LittleMonsterLuvsYou, Amuto_TamaHaru(:, RoundAndRoundxKuruKurux966, PassionateHimitsu, Dark Midnight Dream, HappyBunny855, xheyxhaleyx, 28mymusic
Thanks so much for reviewing! (: I really appreciate. I can't even express in words how happy I am when someone reviews. It makes my day. :D
I think this'll take me a while to write…I've completely lost motivation and forgot what to type next -.- But I really really really want to finish this because Twilight is getting old and I absolutely don't want to put it on hiatus or just leave it incomplete.
Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara! in any way. All rights belong to Peach-pit and Satelight.
X-x-Flashback of Chapter 7-x-X
"Amu-chan, wanna shop with us tomorrow? We're going out of town. Hey, why don't you get your business done tomorrow and you can then go with us to the Halloween Party!"
"Sure, I'll go. And no, I still have to do something that day, Ran."
"Oh, ok. Well, at least you'll come with us to shop! Miki, Su, and Dia are coming with us and that's it."
"Ok."
"I'll stop by your house half an hour after school lets out. That way, you can go home and change."
"Sounds good."
X-x-End of Flashback-x-X
X-x-X
Unplanned Date
Amu's POV
"Amu-chan!" Ran honked her car at me. "Hop in!"
"Coming!" I called from my balcony.
It's around 3 o'clock. Today, Ran and her sisters were going shopping with me. Actually, it was more like I'm tagging along and giving them suggestions if necessary. I decided to be a bit dressy than usual today. I threw on a white tube top that hugged my curves and a plaid miniskirt. It wasn't too short like those sluts at school wear but it didn't reach my knees. It was the perfect length, reaching halfway down my thigh. I threw on some black flats. I grabbed a black stylish jacket. I let my hair down today, no hair stuff in it whatsoever. Plain and simple. Yup, I'm ready to go.
I jumped in the car after I received compliments from my friends. Ran started the car and sped away.
After half an hour or so, we reached our destination: the mall. Yeah, we had to travel pretty far to find this mall. And it wasn't even that big! But it's the best we got.
We found this shop inside that was solely for costumes. We split up, finding costumes, while I just looked around. I found Ran holding two costumes up, debating about which to choose.
"Need some help?" I offered.
She turned around and gave me a grin. "Hey. And yup. I can't decide between these two. Should I get this one," She held up a cheerleader outfit (A/N: It's what Ran usually wears in the manga/anime.), "or this one?" The other was more of a sporty one. It consisted of a midriff top and short shorts. The colors were pink and white.
"Both would look cute on you."
She blushed. "W-Which do you think D-Daichi will like better?"
Ah, I get it now. I gave her an understanding smile. "If you want to go for the sexy look, go for the sporty one. But I think I would get the cheerleading one. Think of it this way: Daichi will probably wear a costume that has something to do with sports. You could be his sexy cheerleader," I reasoned, giving her a wink. She blushed even further. "You two might even win "Best Couple" of the night."
"Thanks, Amu-chan. Do you think this'll look a bit…I don't know, childish?" she asked uncertainly. I understood immediately. She wanted to look her best for Daichi.
"All right, then." I scanned around the rack and found what I was looking for. I pulled it out and held it up. "How about this? It's still a cheerleader outfit but sexier than the one you have right now." Instead of the short dress Ran originally picked out as her costume, this cheerleader outfit had a pink short miniskirt and a midriff top. "Just make sure not to bend down too much, ok? Your underwear will be in plain sight, then."
Ran hugged me. "Thanks so much, Amu-chan!"
"Mmhm."
After an hour, all five of us met at the changing rooms. Each of us (except for me) showed each other our costume. Ran had the cheerleading outfit; Su had a maid costume, the green dress reaching her knee; Dia would be a singer, complete with a fake ear set microphone; Miki held…nothing in her hands.
"Miki-chan, desu, where is your costume?"
"I'm wearing it. My costume is me." I couldn't help but giggle at Miki's stubbornness.
"Don't be stupid, Miki," Ran scolded. "You're going to wear a costume, whether you like it or not."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. Don't you want to impress Yoru?"
At that, Miki's cheeks flared. "W-What does he have to do with anything??"
Dia commented, "Everybody knows you like Yoru, Miki."
"Yeah!" Ran agreed. "Why don't you just be a cat?" She pulled out a cat costume. The pack contained dark blue short shorts, a matching blue tube top, gloves that reached the elbow, dark blue ears and tail.
"Why is it so skimpy?" Miki complained.
"Miki, we're in high school. We're past the kiddy costumes. Even Su was bold and picked out a dress that didn't reach her feet!" Su blushed at that. "Or would you rather have that?" Ran pointed at another similar costume but it had less clothing. It was just a bra and underwear.
"…ugh, fine! Just give me the stupid costume!"
"Mission accomplished!" Ran high-fived Dia and I laughed.
They paid for their costumes and we decided to go to a restaurant to eat dinner.
"Do you mind going ahead of me? I have to do something first."
"Sure, Amu-chan," Dia said. "Meet us at the Moonlight Diner. It's actually the street across from us. Do you mind walking?"
"No, I don't mind. I'll catch you later!" I walked off, waving.
I went into a teen store and picked out some clothes because I was in desperate need of some. After half an hour or so, I was satisfied with what I picked out. It wasn't much—just three pieces of clothing—but I was in a hurry. I'll shop another time.
I hurried and paid for my things. I left the mall, putting on jacket and wrapped it tightly around myself. Boy, was it cold. It was around six and night had begun to fall since it was nearing winter.
I noticed four teens I didn't know to my right, ten yards away. They were smoking or drinking. I made eye contact with one of them for a split second. I cursed under my breath; I shouldn't have done that. I scurried away to my left, avoiding them at all costs. I don't want to involve myself with those guys.
I walked some more and looked up. I stopped, my blood running cold. How the heck did they get in front of me? I looked to my right and saw two teens sauntering towards me, their walk unsteady. Great, they're all drunk. So there are two on my left and two on my right. I can always run straight ahead.
As if he could read my thoughts, one of the two on my right dashed to the front, the same time I did. Damn, how can they think straight in this state?!
"Oh, no. You're not going anymore." He walked forward as I walked backward. I could smell the alcohol in his breath. The man in front of me must've been my age: 18. He had black hair and brown eyes. He wore a white T-shirt and baggy jeans.
My back hit the wall.
Shit. I was in deep trouble now. I looked around. This was the back of the building, where people rarely come here. Just my luck.
I was trembling from fear. They must've noticed too, as all four of the teens neared me.
"She's shaking in fear. Just looking at her makes me horny," the one on my left said, and touched my left thigh. I flinched away from his touch.
The one on my right had already started to rip my jacket off of me. The cold air just added the shivers I was already having.
"No, stop. Stop it!" I screamed but my mouth was quickly covered.
The teen in front of me started attacking my neck. I squirmed away from his touch but two guys pinned each of my wrists in an iron grip. Shouldn't drunken people be weak?? I kicked and ended up kicking the crotch of the guy in front of me. He backed away from me, doubling over in pain. Ha, serves him right! Score one for me!
The fourth teen had crouched down to pin my legs to wall. Damn him!
"You fucking bitch!" the teen in front of me screamed. Surprisingly, he got right back up and slapped my cheek, hard. Man, I could feel the sting. He attacked my chest with his mouth and I shrieked into the mouth. I tried to move any part of my body. Either they're just really strong or I'm really weak. I think the latter.
Someone, please help me!!
I could already feel the tears coming up but I swallowed it back down. No way will I show them any more weaknesses.
As if on cue, headlights were seen in the distance. My eyes widened. The car was going at top speed towards us and stopped a few yards in front of me. A person stepped out of the car and the next second, the guy who was groping my chest fell to the ground with a grunt.
It was Ikuto.
"Amu, get in the car," he ordered, his tone dangerously low. I looked into his eyes and I held back a gasp. They were red.
I wasted no time in getting in the car. A second later, Ikuto appeared in the driver's seat and revved the engine. I glanced out the window and saw that all four teens were on the ground, unconscious.
It took us a minute to arrive at the Moonlight Diner since it was across the street from the mall. Not one word or glance was exchanged. He parked the car and leaned his head back. Neither of us moved.
"Thank you…Ikuto," I whispered quietly, afraid he couldn't hear me.
But of course, he did. "You are such an idiot."
I sighed. "No need to remind me."
"What were you doing back there, alone?" He faced me and I noticed his eye color was back to normal: amethyst.
"I was doing some last-minute shopping. I was supposed to meet up with my friends."
"Are you ok?" he asked gently.
I was taken aback by his soft tone. "Y-Yes."
He must've noted the goose bumps I had because he took of his jacket and handed it to me. "This might help. Sorry if it's cold."
"Thanks." I shrugged into it and instantly felt the cold feeling it had. But it was oddly warm as well. The sleeves reached past my hands and I could the scent smelled good… Great, I'm a scent pervert now.
"It's partly your fault that you were attacked. If you didn't wear those revealing clothing, I'm sure you would've had a better chance of losing their attention."
Blood rose all the way up to my hairline. "I-I just wanted to dress up a bit today. How should I know something like this would happen…"
"Are you sure you're all right?"
My eyebrows knitted together. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, a normal person would be shocked. Who wouldn't be, after almost being raped?" His jaw clenched. He must've been remembering what had happened. The anger was evident in his eyes. For some reason, I was pleased to see him getting angry when I was hurt.
"I guess you could say I'm used to hiding my feelings." I grimly smiled.
"What, your "Cool & Spicy" image?" he mocked.
I scoffed. "I don't even know why students call it that at every school I'm at. But yes, actually. I guess it just comes naturally. It can sometimes benefit me…" I trailed off. "Sometimes, hiding your real emotions can lessen your problems." I was talking about how I act around my mother and everyone else. "But I guess I was a bit scared back there." It was silent between us for a bit.
"You shouldn't keep you friends waiting. They're worried since you're taking so long."
"Shoot! I forgot." We got out of the car at the same time and saw my group of friends coming out of the diner.
"Amu-chan!" Ran sprinted towards me but skidded to a stop when she saw who was next to me. Her jaw dropped.
"Hey, Ran." I ran up to her and hugged her. "Sorry for being late. I had some trouble along the way but Ikuto helped me."
"Oh. Hey, Ikuto."
"Hey." He smiled at my friends.
"Um, Amu-chan, we kind of ate already…" Miki confessed, ashamed of herself.
"We're sorry, desu!"
"I guess hunger got the best of us," Dia sheepishly admitted.
"That's ok. I'm not that hungry."
"Actually, you're going to eat dinner with me." Ikuto stepped closer to me and I was in shock, along with all my other friends. Since when did we agree to this?! "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not, desu!"
"Well, we'll be going on our way now, Amu-chan. Have a nice dinner with Tsukiyomi-san!" Miki called out, dragging a speechless Ran away. The other two sisters followed suit.
"…since when did I say I would eat dinner with you?"
"It's a command, Amu. Come on." He motioned for me to follow.
This night was just getting crazier and weirder.
X-x-X
I couldn't help but think of this as a date.
He opened the door for me like a gentleman. The inside was amazing. It was called the Moonlight Diner because at each table, there were candles. Also, the ceiling was painted with stars that glowed. Only the front had lights that were powered by electricity. The waitress grabbed two menus for us. When she saw Ikuto, you could practically see the sparkles in her side.
"Hey, I'm Hina, your waitress for the night. This way, please." She led us to a table in the back. Everything was so beautiful here.
"What would you like to drink?" she asked pointedly to Ikuto. Her back was literally facing me.
"Coke. Amu?"
"Same here."
"All right, I'll be right back." She walked away, purposely shaking her hips. What a slut.
But the whole time she was talking, he didn't once look at her. I shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze.
"What?"
"I must say that you look beautiful tonight. Delicious too, like a ripe strawberry." He licked his lips, teasing me.
I knew my face resembled a strawberry now. "I-I thought you weren't going to talk to me anymore…"
"Like I said, I have given up."
I was going to question him further but the waitress came back. She gently placed the glass of Coke besides Ikuto's hand and roughly dropped mine on the table next to my arm. Some of the Coke splattered on my hand. Bitch.
"Have you decided what you wanted to order?" She gave Ikuto a warm smile. Ugh. Totally unnecessary.
"Amu can order first."
"Uh…" I didn't even look at the menu. I quickly opened up the menu and ordered the first thing I saw. "I'll have some tempura*."
"And how about you?" she asked Ikuto.
"A bowl of udon* and some sushi*."
I raised my eyebrow.
"Ok, that'll be ready in about ten minutes." She took our menus away and smiled.
Ikuto finally glanced up at her for the first time since we sat down. "Thank you."
She became dazed. She walked away, her steps uneven.
"Poor girl," I muttered.
"Why's that?"
"Didn't you see what you did?"
He furrowed his eyebrows. "No."
I sighed. "You have this effect on people. They're shocked by your looks since it's so handsome. She's probably hyperventilating right now."
"Do I have that effect on you?" He smirked at me.
I blushed. I quietly said, "You make me go red in the face very often." Then I said louder, "But I thought you didn't eat. At least, I never see Rima eat or your siblings for that matter."
"Staring at me during lunch?" he teased. I flushed a bright red. "I'm never really hungry. Actually, I prefer not to eat." I opened my mouth to question about that but he cut me off. "Oh, and the food I ordered is yours as well."
"What?! How do you expect me to eat that much??"
"I bet you're starving."
"No, I'm not." Then my stomach growled, shutting me right up. Thanks a lot, stomach, thanks a lot.
He laughed, causing the shade of red on my face to darken.
"You're cute when you blush like that."
"Pervert," I mumbled under my breath as more blood rushed up to my face. He laughed.
"Hey, do you mind if I ask a few questions?"
"I'll try my best to answer them."
"Why do your eyes change color? I've noticed three colors so far: black, purple, and red."
"It guess it changes when my mood changes. It becomes red when I'm extremely pissed."
"Like just now?"
He nodded, clenching his hand that was on the table. "You don't know how much I wanted to kill those bastards for doing that to you…"
I looked down, secretly pleased that he would go that far for me. "Thanks, Ikuto. But really, I'm all right. And I don't want you become a murderer," I lightly joked.
"I think I deserve a reward or something for saving you." He smirked.
I sipped my Coke. "That's fine. What do you want?"
"Can it be anything?"
I nodded. His smirk widened. I just realized that I agreed that it could be anything. Oh, snap.
"That means you'll strip in front of me and pole dance?"
"No, you freaking pervert!!" I threw my napkin at him, even though it wouldn't do any damage. He laughed, catching the napkin and handing it back to me.
"I was kidding. But I wouldn't mind the stripping part."
"No," I flatly refused.
"I'll think of one soon."
I sighed. "Fine."
Just then, our server came back with our food. Everything looked yummy.
"If you need anything at all, just ask for me. I'm usually at the front or roaming around this room." She winked and strutted away, her high heels clacking against the ground.
I took a bit of my tempura. It was delicious. I swallowed and asked my next question. "Why were you at the mall?"
"Because I was."
My eyes narrowed. "I doubt you just thought randomly today, 'Oh, I think going to the mall will be a wonderful idea!'"
He laughed. "You're sharper than I thought. But I'm afraid I can't answer that question fully. Another one."
I frowned. "Fine. Ok, this question isn't about you really. Why does Utau hate me so much? She gives me a lot of glares during school."
"Oh. That. It's not your fault. She's just jealous."
"Jealous? Why would she be jealous of me?"
"Eat, Amu."
I rolled my eyes but did as I was told.
"I can't tell you what exactly but I can tell you this: it's something she once had but can never have again."
"That doesn't say much."
"My answers are limited for your own safety."
"It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."
"I know that. But I can't. To anyone, really."
"Fine. Next one: Why were you so cold the first day I met you?"
"Oh." He chuckled darkly. "I would love to answer you but this question will have a very limited answer."
I pouted. "Oh, come on. It can't be that bad. It's not like I'm going to run away because I was scared of your answer," I sarcastically said, taking a bite of my shrimp.
He bit his lip and stayed silent.
My eyes widened. No way. Did I guess right?
"How about this: it was because of you that I was hostile."
I frowned. "That just made me more confused."
"I know." He smirked.
I sighed, tossing a sushi into my waiting mouth.
"I think it's my turn to answer some questions."
"Go ahead." I drank some more of my soda.
"Why were you at the mall today?"
"Oh. That's easy. I was merely helping my friends pick out their Halloween costumes."
"What was your first impression of me when you first came here to Yakushima?'
I gulped down the last of my tempura. "Handsome. Mysterious. Cold."
"Were you ever scared of me, even if it was for a split second?"
I thought about it while munching on my sushi. I swallowed it down with some Coke as Ikuto waited patiently. "No, I don't think so. Well, I never was really scared of you. I never felt the I'm-scared-you're-going-to-kill-me type of fear. But I was always surprised or confused when you sent me glares. I thought I did something bad." I laughed. I grabbed hold of the bowl of udon but then blushed. "Um, do you mind if I eat it?"
"No, go ahead. I bought it for you." For some reason, the way he said 'for you', I felt all warm and tingly inside. "But be careful. All those calories can add up and make you fat." And of course, he just had to ruin the moment.
"I am not fat!" I fumed.
He laughed. "Amu, chill, I was just kidding."
I turned beet red. I quietly ate some of the udon.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
I nodded. I was so stuffed! "Thanks for the dinner, Ikuto."
"No problem."
The waitress came, as if she was watching us this whole time. Ugh, that would've been creepy.
"Would you like the check?" she sweetly asked.
"Yes, please." He fished out his wallet and took the check from her. I noticed a post-it was stuck to it. It read "Call me sexy!" and then her number underneath it. Ikuto just placed some bills on the table (it was a lot of money) and stood up, leaving the post-it on the check. I was secretly content with that.
We left the diner and headed to his car. He opened the car door for me and I slipped inside. Next second later, and literally, he was opening the door and sitting down.
"How do you do that?" I asked incredulously.
"That's a secret for me to know and for you to never find out."
I frowned but I didn't say anything.
He pulled out of the parking lot as I stared out the window. All of a sudden, everything blurred and I was leaning against my chair. I checked how fast we were going and I began to panic.
"Holy crap!" I screamed. He jumped in surprise. I never thought I would surprise him like that.
"What is it?" he demanded, alert.
"You're going a hundred and ten miles an hour!"
He did a facepalm. "You're frightened of the speed? That's funny since you're not even really afraid of being raped or getting hit by a car."
"Ikuto, I'm serious. Slow down!"
"We're not going to crash, Amu," he assured. "Besides, I have never gotten a single ticket." He gave me his Cheshire grin, his eyes boring into mine when it should be looking at the road.
"Pay attention to the road! And Ikuto, my dad's a cop. It's natural for me to obey the laws."
He sighed but lowered it to ninety miles an hour. "Better?"
"Nope."
He growled but listened nonetheless. It was at seventy miles an hour.
"That's good enough, I guess," I happily said.
"I hate driving slow," he mumbled.
"Do you always drive fast?"
"Yeah. I don't see why you're so afraid."
"A normal person would."
"Sucks, 'cause I'm not normal." He smirked at me. "Ok, enough about my driving. Time for my questions."
I groaned. "Fine."
"Do you believe in myths?"
"Specify, please."
"How about the supernatural?"
"Um, it depends, I guess. Like for ghosts, kind of. Demons, not really."
"What about vampires?"
"Kind of," I warily answered. Is he trying to test me or something?
"I see. Next one: what were you thinking about before I rescued you?"
"I was trying to fight them off and I thought I would have the advantage since they're disoriented and drunk. But when I was pinned against the wall, I couldn't move. I tried to fight them but it didn't work. I think I should attend some self-defense classes…" I trailed off, lightly touching my right wrist. Those bastards grabbed onto my wrists so hard that it made bruise marks on my wrists. Damn them.
Ikuto's left hand came into view and he hesitantly reached for my wrist. I didn't move and waited patiently. When he touched my wrist, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
But I felt the electricity traveling through us.
He flinched away and I frowned.
"Sorry."
"Don't be. I actually…like your touch," I softly confessed, my cheeks glowing pink.
His hand returned slowly and he gently wrapped his left hand around my right wrist.
"Does it hurt?"
"It did but not too much anymore," I softly spoke. He stroked the marks lightly and continued driving.
Five minutes later, we reached our house and his hand was still touching my wrist.
"How did you where I lived?"
"It's a small town." He smirked at me.
"Oh, ok then," I said suspiciously.
I didn't get out of the car though. I didn't want this night to end.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" I blurted out.
"Most likely yes."
"Well, see you later, Ikuto." I smiled at him and opened the door to step out.
He clutched onto my right arm a little too tightly, bringing me close to him. He shifted closer and pulled me in so that we were hugging. He closed the car door that I had just opened.
"God, I really shouldn't be doing this but I can't resist any longer," he murmured against my ear, and exhaled, causing shivers to run down my back.
"I-Ikuto?" I slowly said, questioning his motives. What brought this on? But I'm not complaining I really like this, to be honest.
He lowered his head to my neck and my breathing hitched.
"You should get some cover-up to conceal these hickeys. Those bastards…" All the while, our voices were hushed and quiet for some reason. He moved his head back up to my ear.
"U-Um, I don't have cover-up," I said, embarrassed.
"Don't worry, I'll get Rima to give you some. You'll find some on your desk tomorrow morning."
"Um, you don't have—"
"I want to." He hugged me tighter. "And I don't want people getting ideas or bombarding you with a million questions."
"True. Ok, thanks, Ikuto. But how are you going to put it on my desk?"
"I'll find a way."
Then he bit my earlobe. He bit it. Oh. My. Fucking. God.
I screamed for a short second and held my ear, backing away from him, my back against the door.
"Ikuto, you're such a pervert!"
He laughed and leaned in. He whispered into my ear that he had just bitten, "I'll see you tomorrow..." He kissed underneath my ear and then my cheek. My heart thumped a million miles an hour. "Amu," he seductively finished. He opened the car door for me and I nearly fell out, head first.
I got out of the car in a daze and he left.
The rest of the night was a daze for me.
I remembered Tsumugu's shocked face when he saw mine. Luckily, he didn't notice the hickeys or paid no attention to it. I remember taking a bath and slipping into my pajamas. Then I had fallen on my bed, my thoughts a mess.
Tsukiyomi Ikuto, the hottest guy of the school and could be of the whole world, kissed me, Hinamori Amu, on the cheek. And twice!
I was in shock. I wonder how I'm going to face him tomorrow. Should I play it cool?
I shook my head furiously. I'm thinking way too much about this! Well, I should at least have a decent outfit for tomorrow…argh, just go to sleep, Amu!
I missed Ikuto already and I wish he can hold me forever.
X-x-X
Finished on April 4, 2010.
Tempura – a popular Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried
Udon – a type of thick wheat-flour noodle; usually served as noodle soup in a mildly flavored broth
Sushi – cooked vinegar rice, which is commonly topped with other ingredients such as fish or other seafood, put into rolls
(Taken from Wikipedia)
Finished in record time *O* I am so proud of myself. xD But unfortunately, spring break has ended ): Well, almost. Today's the last day. So updates will return to its normal snail pace -___- But I have testing next week for 3 weeks so just maybe teachers will be more lenient with homework because the testing is only an hour each day. For three weeks (Oh lord…). So I hope I have some time to update. But I'm also writing my own book!! I hope it can be published one day (:
Hope you enjoyed this chapter (: It's longer than most of it. And sorry if there were some inaccurate information. I completely forgot the backgrounds of the characters here DX
Oh and I've created a formspring account. The link is on my profile under Accounts but the username is just Natsuya801923. If you have any questions regarding my fanfictions or whatever, post the question there and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I think you can ask me privately there too or it just won't show up on my profile. I'm not sure; I'm still not used to it yet.
I think I'll update Save Me next. I already have a page written down.
And if you guys have time, check out my one-shots. I need some constructive criticism on those.
Please review (:
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