Courting

-chidori amane-

Author's Notes: This is just a dribble so I don't know if you guys will like it. Furthermore, I'm just following my err New Year's Resolution: write a literary piece at least three times a week. I know, that's like: IMPOSSIBLE. () I don't have beta so bear with my errors. And English is like my third language.

Chidori: I love you all!!! –gives warm hugs to reviewers-

Ikuto: I love you too! –winks-

Chidori: -blushes- Eh?

Amu: -fumes in jealousy- I knew it. You really don't love me. –sobs-

Ikuto: -blinks confusedly- Huh? Oh, I was just kidding!! –comforts Amu-

Chidori: -looks away and mumbles 'Damn it! I thought he's serious'- Anyways, thanks for all my lovely and handsome (if there's any) reviewers!!! Your reviews encouraged me to write at an earlier date. –coughs- Actually, this is my only free time to write.

Ran: Chidori-chan is fully loaded this week and for the next two weeks.

Miki: I think she has a lot of papers to submit, projects to finish (but has to begin first), and exams since it's like her midterm week.

Ran, Miki, Suu, and Yoru: Good luck, Chidori-chan! Desu!

Chidori: -sniffs- Thank you guys.

Kairi: If you want, I'll lend you a hand.

Chidori: Where did you come from?

Kairi: Womb of my mother, duh! –pushes eye glasses up-

Chidori: … Whatever. Tadase-chan, please do the thing for me!!!

Tadase: With pleasure. –coughs coughs- Chidori-sama doesn't own Shugo Chara or any of the characters because if she does –shudders in fear- she'll make me gay. X.x

Chidori: Thanks. Where's Amu and Ikuto? –goes to bedroom- -cricket cricket- NOT MY BED, DAMN IT!!!!

Tokyo University

12:05 pm

Amu fumed while walking towards the rooftop with her friends in tow. Geez. It's their entire fault. If they only woke me up, none of this would have happened!! Gah! The whole school is in chaos!! The female population will surely kill me!

"Amu-chan," Tadase began nervously. "We're really sorry. We're meant to call your phone but we remembered it's battery empty."

"That's because someone forgot to charge it," she retorted, looking pointedly at Yaya.

The accused girl hid behind Rima and mumbled weakly, "Anou. The cake for dessert last night was really tempting and my mind kind of drifted to somewhere and-"

She stopped babbling when Amu ignored her completely. Yaya looked at Rima with puppy eyes and begged for help. The blonde woman just sighed and said, "None of us intended for this event to happen. Besides, he just pecked you on the cheek. No malice there."

Amu turned around with a sad look in her eyes. You guys don't get it. I didn't see him for how many years and he just popped out of nowhere and kissed me in public? At least some signs could have told me that something like that would happen so that somehow I've prepared myself. Not in this case that I felt like he's been fooling me like the old times. "You're probably right…"

"Oh yeah! You have a date with Ikuto after class, right Amu-chi?" Yaya piped in excitedly.

Amu stiffened and a sour look appeared on her face. "Thanks Yaya-chan for reminding me. Really, thanks," she said sarcastically.

"But in any case, I've researched about Ikuto when the whole university was in commotion," Kairi said as he typed on his laptop. "His age is 23, single, and Vice Chief Executive Officer of Easter."

The group gasped in astonishment. "Really? Easter is still active?"

"Undoubtedly, yes. But the CEO goes by the name of Aruto Tsuki-"

"Ikuto's father!" Amu shouted in recognition of the name. "He's Ikuto's father, the famous violinist who's gone missing mysteriously. He's a-alive?"

"Apparently, yes," Kairi answered. "According to this website, Tsukiyomi-san lived in Okinawa for the time he's missing. There, he had worked hard and managed to earn lots of money to buy the Easter Company three years ago. And now, it has changed location and is actually based in the city."

The group fell on silence and pondered this new information. "So this Aruto guy isn't bad?" Yaya asked hesitantly.

"I don't think so," Tadase voiced. "Aruto-san is a very kind and charming man. He's never the type to hurt a child's feeling. Besides, there's no recent increase of X eggs in the area."

"I see," Kairi mumbled. "Their business deals primarily with hotels and restaurant, recording, and modeling. Utau-san is currently in States to record her first album."

"Then how come Kukai-kun didn't tell us anything?" Amu said between gritted teeth. They paused for a moment and thought the same thing.

Rima dialed a number and put the phone on loudspeaker.

"Hello, Kukai here! What's up? I'm kind of busy right-"

"KUKAI!!!" the group hollered.

On the other side of the world, Kukai nearly had an ear bleed if he didn't put away the phone immediately.

"Why didn't you tell us that Utau's father is alive?!!"

"Why didn't you inform us that Easter is back to business?!!"

"Why the hell did you not tell anything?!!"

They kept on firing him question and Kukai just put the phone away from him in a safe distance. When they seemed to calm down, he tentatively asked if it's alright fro him to speak now.

"Yeah."

"Sure."

"Go ahead."

-Sweat drops-

"Well, I did try to tell you guys but Utau-chan stopped me. She said it's better if we don't know," Kukai said while scratching the back of his head.

"What the hell! Just because your girl friend says so, you'll follow her?" Amu asked.

"Like, yeah. She's my gf after all," Kukai answered with a smirk.

The group sighed in frustration. "But why does Utau-san don't want us to find out sooner?" Tadase inquired curiously. It's really weird. Unless Utau-san still loves Ikuto that way and don't want Amu and Ikuto to-

"She said it's for the better. I somehow get her, and somehow not. It's really hard to explain. Ah I've got to go now. Utau's recording is almost finished,"

"Ok, please tell her good luck on her job," Tadase said before cutting off the connection.

"Geez, I am more confused than ever!" Amu said exasperatedly. For the better?

3:47 pm

"Amu-san, why did Tsukiyomi-san kiss you on the cheek?"

"Are you two seeing each other?!! I am so jealous!"

"What is your relationship with Ikuto-san?!?"

Damn it! They're so annoying! This is your entire fault Ikuto, you stupid cat! Amu sighed on her seat as she's being surrounded by a mob of her female classmates. "Ikuto and I," she began using her most detached tone. The onlookers quieted down immediately, anticipating for her answer. "Ikuto and I are long lost friends." Well, that's not exactly a lie nor exactly the truth; but I guess that will do.

"Oh, you two haven't seen each other for a while?"

Amu rested her chin on her backhand and started flipping on the pages of her sketch album. "Yeah, more or less five years," she answered absentmindedly.

"Do you love him?"

"Have you ever had crush on him?"

Fortunately, the bell rang that signaled the end of the day. She sighed when everyone in the room was out of sight. When will this ordeal be over? Oh, I forgot Ran, Miki, and Suu. I haven't seen them since this morning when we got separated.

Amu met up with the others in the parking lot and saw her three Charas. "Ran, Miki, Suu! Where have you been?"

"We looked for the embryo! But all we found is a boiled egg," Ran answered.

"You can tell me the rest of the story in the house," Amu said, not feeling in the mood.

"But Amu-chan, your date with Iku-"

-SCREECH-

Just then, a navy blue sports car stopped in front of the group. (Chidori: Wow, that's so coincidental. \ Ikuto: You typed it to happen.)

And Ikuto in his full glory, wearing a black hoodie with white undershirt and black cargo pants and combat punk boots, stepped out of the car. People, especially the ladies, in the parking area turned their attention to this appealing man who started walking to the group. The girls then began to squeal like banshees and this made Amu and her friends to twitch irritatingly.

"Hey Amu," Ikuto greeted smoothly and swiftly pecking Amu's cheek before she could react. The crowd of fan girls immediately got sent to infirmary due to blood loss.

Amu blushed so she turned her face away, and muttered dryly, "Yo Ikuto."

Ikuto just smirked and snaked his arms around her waist, which earned him a loud protest from the pink-haired. "Ready for our date?" he asked, nibbling her ear.

Amu instantly tensed and blushed more while trying to act cool and unaffected, which she failed tragically. "W-what date? I don't remember a-agreeing to you."

Ikuto smirked deviously and cupped her flushed face with one hand. She's so cute when blushing. I really miss this part. "You don't remember? We talked about it this morning and we even sealed it with a kiss on the lips. Do you want a repeat performance so that you remember?" This time, the group gasped since Amu, who was blushing tenfold now, didn't mention her 'kissing scene' on the lips with Ikuto. Damn it Ikuto! You sly cat!

"Wha-what? You didn't tell you kissed him on the lips!" Kairi spurt out, a bit of jealousy in his voice.

"You win Ikuto. Let's go," Amu said then walked to Ikuto's car. Grr. I didn't kiss him on the lips! HE kissed me on the lips!

The sly cat chuckled to his achievement and turned his attention to Amu's friends and his rivals-slash-enemies in the past. "Oh, you guys are still here."

"What do you want from Amu-chan?" Tadase asked him with a frown in his princely face.

The man in question just raised his eyebrow. "Amu-chan? Last time I checked, you call her Hinamori-san."

"Well, that was until I confessed my feelings to her and she became my girl friend," Tadase said with a smirk. Ikuto, on the other hand, stilled for a moment and his face actually paled. Amu and Tadase together? Wait, he said 'became'. Past tense. Phew.

Ikuto harrumphed. "Well, that's all in the past now so if I were you, I'd move on."

"Damn it! It's not about me!" Tadase yelled. (Chidori: O.o He's mad \ Tadase: Ikuto is stupid when jealous –snickers- \ Ikuto: -looms over Tadase- What did you say Kiddy King?) "If you hurt Amu-chan, we'll make you miserable for your entire hellish life. Even if Amu won't ask for it."

"Amu-chan is like a fragile vase, so beautiful and tempting to look and touch, but needs utmost care so that it won't break into pieces. We protect her as much as she protects us," Kairi said earnestly.

"Do you love her?" Ikuto asked Kairi who nodded whole-heartedly.

"She too became my girl friend after a year when she and Tadase broke up," he supplied. "That's why she's very important to me and to us."

Nagehiko, being quite for a while, decided to speak up. "Ikuto-san you don't mean any harm to her, right?"

"So you will treat her nice, Ikuto-san?" Rima asked quietly but edgy.

He chuckled before answering. "You don't need to ask." And with that, he leaved them behind and walked towards Amu who was patiently waiting outside his locked car while looking down at the ground. Amu has very nice friends, but the guys became her boy friends. And they're all still friends too.

"Amu," he called and she looked up to find him staring at her longingly. She immediately blushed and tried to look away; but he already had her in a warm embrace, not tight, but enough to feel his presence. I love you, Amu.

Somewhere

5:18 pm

Ikuto's POV

"Where do you plan on taking me?" Amu asks after a moment silence. She has been awfully quiet since the ride. Maybe she's thinking what happened a moment ago.

"Oh, somewhere secluded, where you and I will be alone, and do some stuff," I answer coyly. The blush on her face is really cute and so addicting that's why I can't help myself from teasing her.

"YOU PERVERT!!!" she screams at me. Even how many times she yells that, I can't get enough of it. Every time we met five years ago, she never failed to throw that at my face.

I chuckle. "Well, I'm serious. I've asked a friend to set up something in a private place."

"You won't do anything, will you?" she asks hesitantly. Oh, am I scaring her? I think I've gone a little overboard.

"Only if you ask me too," I reply with a smirk. Her big golden eyes stare at me and I feel like melting under her gaze. Oh Amu, what are you doing to me? And I'm still driving so stop distracting me, woman!

"Stupid. I will never ask so don't dream about it," she flings at me heatedly. The 'Cool and Spicy' is back, I guess. And she, once again, crosses her arms under her chest. Big chest. Look at the miracle of puberty! I used to tease her about her breasts which were unnoticeable before; but now, they're so plump! And her ass is so firm yet soft too. She's really sexy.

5:47 pm

We finally make it to our destination and during the not-so-long ride, she falls asleep. Should I wake her up? She really looks serene and angelic when her eyes are close; but she looks like a goddess with her eyes alit.

My eyes traveled to her soft pink lips, a pair of very kissable lips. Delicious and sweet. So addicting. Should I kiss her? But if she wakes up, she'll probably think I'm trying to rape her. As if I need to force her.

Her hair is still naturally pink and it's longer than before, making her more beautiful when she looses it. Now that I notice, her hair is in low ponytail. Should I loose it? Maybe I should. So I carefully ease the yellow ribbon down her hair. And voila, a goddess in sleeping form has appeared in front of me. I don't know how I managed to live without you; but I'm glad I'm alive to be with you now.

"Amu," I whisper to her hear and she moans. "Amu," I repeat again and she still doesn't wake up. Smirking to myself I whisper something to Amu that will really lit her to life.

"Tadase is gay and he's actually in love with me."

"WHAT?!?"

I've always known that will work; but this is my first time to try it. "Nothing, we're here."

I help her step out of the car and she gasps in surprise. Who wouldn't be? Even I am surprised, but I don't gasp. That is so not manly. The view is spectacular. My friend is really genius! And we're just in time for the sunset.

"This is wonderful! So beautiful," she breathes.

"I know," I say but I'm not really looking at the view now; rather, I'm staring at her. She's far more enchanting than the sunset or anything in this world. Then she averts her eyes at me. I suddenly want to kiss her so I look at her open mouth, so inviting indeed! Then I notice her eyes trailing down and stopping on my lips. I find myself unconsciously leaning down but more surprisingly and fortunately, she's leaning too. And our lips finally meet.

Do I hear explosion? Or it's just my heart beating soundly in my ribcage vibrating to my eardrum? Whatever, 'cause, finally, a real kiss from Amu!

6:09 pm

After the sunset, we walk towards a picnic blanket on the ground. There are also food and drinks. So we are practically having a picnic under starlit sky. How cliché.

"You prepared all of this?" I hear her ask.

"Yes, but I've got some help," I answer her honestly. I notice her staring at the food and get curious if she doesn't find it to her liking anymore.

"From the things I've heard from Kairi-kun, I didn't expect you'd prepare common food like pastries, sushi, tempura, and milk," she says.

I feel like I've been rejected. So maybe I really should have booked us in a fancy Italian restaurant. "You don't like them?" I ask hesitantly, somewhat afraid she'd say so. But in her case, she'd probably say she likes it and digs in just to make me feel better.

"Are you for real? I haven't eaten stuff like this for a while! And I wanted to drink milk!" she exclaims. So she likes the food? And to prove my theory she gulps down a bottle of milk. "You know, with college life and cleansing X eggs, I don't have much time to do this kind of thing even drinking milk. I've become addicted to coffee because it helps me stay up at night. But milk is really delicious and refreshing! Thank you, Ikuto!" I can see through her, somehow. And she's not lying. This makes my heart flutterier and I can't help but smile in satisfaction.

"I'm glad," I say then we sit there comfortably while nibbling some food. Of course, I have to ask her to feed me as a token of her gratitude and she reluctantly agrees after some…threatening.

6:37 pm

"Do you want to take a walk at the shore?" I ask her.

She nods while smiling. So I finally break her façade, huh? Right now, the Amu whom I'm walking alongside with is the Amu whom I witnessed in the abandoned carnival. The real Amu.

We remove our shoes since it's easier this way to walk on the cold sand. There's a moment of contented silence between us until an idea pops into my mind. "Run," I order her.

"Huh?"

"If I catch you, I'll punish you. So you better run, now," I say seductively, specially the 'punish' word.

"Eh?"

Since she's not running, I loom over her, ready to 'punish' her; but she runs away. Damn luck! Oh well, this is more fun. So I run after her. Wow. She's fast because of her long creamy legs. Oh, if I catch her, I will really 'punish' her! Hehe

"Damn it Ikuto! You pervert!"

"Run Amu!"

After a moment of running, we're both laughing. She still gains more feet away from me. "You can't catch me, cat boy!"

"Oh you'll see Amu. I will!"

"Yeah right!"

Fueled with more determination, I finally tackled her on the ground. "What were you saying, Amu-chan?"

"Huh? Ah, you're fast?" Her face is pink and I'm not sure if it's because of our provocative position or from running.

"Wrong," and I close the gap between our lips. And this is 'punishing Amu' means. Oh sweet victory. Too bad we've ran for a short while and still out of breath that's why we both abruptly pull away for air. I stand up and offer my hand to her which she gladly accepts.

"Let's go. It's already late and you still have class tomorrow," I remind her.

"Oh yeah! Damn! And I've got some home works too!" she yells frantically.

"Do you want some help?" I ask since I feel obligated for taking her time for studying.

"No need. Kairi-kun will help me and he's really smart," she answers casually. And her casualness towards the boy makes me a bit jealous. A bit.

"Ah. I heard Tadase and that Kairi boy had been your boy friends," I bring up the topic as normal as possible.

"Yeah," she admits. "They're really good boy friends. Tadase-kun is very kind and soft-hearted. Kairi-kun is very caring and helpful. But no matter how good couple we make, me with Tadase-kun or me with Kairi-kun, we're just not meant for each other."

"Good," I mumble to myself. So I don't have any competition at all.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Ah, nothing," I reply with a tint of red on my face and she just shrugs.

7:02 pm

"So where do you live now?" I start a normal conversation with her.

She's looking out the window, and tiredly answers me. "I still live with my parents but I've got a house not far from the university."

"I see, so when are you going to visit your home?"

"Probably at the end of semester. Same goes for my friends. We can't afford to go back and forth at weekends since it's a hassle."

"Ok, could you point in the GPS where you live?" I ask since we've entered the city road again.

"Here," she says as she points a house in a high-class subdivision. Amu's family can afford this kind of apartment?

7:28 pm

"We're here," I say and she fumbles with her seat belt. I smirk then help her. I get out of the car and open the door for her.

"Thanks. I really had a good time," she says and I don't doubt that.

"No problem. I too had a really great time," I reply. An awkward moment falls between us. "Amu," I call her name and start leaning down to capture her lips. Just a centimeter more and-

"Amu-chan! You're late!" Tadase shouts and behind him are Kairi and the others. What are they doing here?

"Sorry guys!" Amu apologizes.

"Wait. What are you all doing here?" I ask somewhat fiercely and kind of pissed since they cut off our kissing scene.

"We live here with Amu," a girl with brown hair answers. They live with Amu? Tadase and Kairi, and MY precious Amu are living in one roof?

"Oh you don't know Ikuto-san? We all rent this house and stay here," a guy with long violet hair said.

Damn! All the whole time I'm with Amu and thinking I've got no competition at all and now I find that Amu is living with other guys who became her boy friends too. What the f***?!?

Something needs to be done!

"Amu, you're going to live with me. Pack your things now," I say in a voice that leaves no question.

To be continued…

Chidori: Haha… Chapter 2 is done!!! Wee!!! I'm so happy!!! I made it for entire three hours!!! No draft at all!!!

Ikuto: Woot!!! I've so many scenes with Amu!!!

Amu: You made me a whore. –sobs-

Chidori: -gasps- I didn't!!! Having two boy friends at different times doesn't make one a whore!! What made you think so?

Amu: Well, I don't know. It seems like it.

Ikuto: Amu-koi, you're not a whore. Since I'm the only man for you. –smirks sexily-

Amu: -blushes- R-really?

Ikuto: Yep! –closes the gap between them-

Chidori: … I'm still here you know.

Suu: Chidori-chan! We've finished cleaning your bed sheets!!!

Chidori: Thanks guys!

Yoru: Anou, Chi-chan, I want to be in your fanfic too!! –pouts cutely-

Chidori: -mumbles 'Must resist'- Ah eh but you're gone!!! Sorry Yoru-kun!!

Yoru: -sobs-

Miki: Don't worry Yoru-kun, you'll still be in my heart even if you're out of the story.

Yoru: -blushes and leans to Miki- Thank you, Miki-chan!

Miki: -leans to Yoru- Don't mention it.

Chidori, Ran & Suu: …

Utau: Please review.

Kukai: 'cause if you do, more 'nice' stuff will happen on the next chapter.

Ikuto: -pants- especially to me and Amu-koi!

Chidori: Yeah! I need probably more or less 23 reviews. Btw, before I forget, thanks for the communities that added my story in their archives. Thank you!!! It's an honor.