vampgirl8: Hi, guys! It's been so long, I'm sorry!
Ikuto: She was procrastinating.
vampgirl8: I was not! I was doing some...umm...Shugo Chara...inner pervertedness...soul searching. Yeah, that's it!
Ikuto: Right...so, is this chapter any good?
vampgirl8: I think it is, and props go out to Mit-chan007 and Fynney and the Jets for giving me the idea! And Fynney, I'm sorry the dialogues are so long, and I promise to try and make them shorter, but the ones in this chapter may be a bit long because I am excited! And thank you to sounchy, for your long comment and wonderful support! -tears- I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Ikuto: -backs away- She's got that creepy gleam in her eye again. That can only mean one thing...
vampgirl8: You all get to go to the closet!
Ikuto: I knew it.
Fynney and the Jets/sounchy: What?! I don't want to go to the closet!
vampgirl8: Too bad! -shoves all but mit-chan into closet-
mit-chan: What about me?
vampgirl8: I was hoping you could stay with me here and invite Ni-chan over, so we can gang up on Ikuto.
mit-chan: Yay!
Ikuto: Crap.
Ni-chan: -pops from nowhere- Yay! I brought Momiji with me!
vampgirl8: More fun!
Momiji/Ikuto: I think we should run now.
vampgirl8/mit-chan/Ni-chan: Let's get them!
Momiji/Ikuto: RUN! -darts away-
vampgirl8/mit-chan/Ni-chan: Wait for us! -chases after them-
Miki: Here we go again. Once again, sorry if you find the dialogue to be too long, but this chapter, she was excited while writing it. Too excited.
Yoru: Hee, yep.
Miki: So, vampgirl8 does not own Shugo Chara in any way, please read and review!
Chapter 8:Iku-chan
Ikuto gave an exasperated sigh as he walked down pathway to the fountain in the park's center, recalling yesterday's events after they'd been so conveniently 'caught' by the other Guardians.
Oh, Amu had been mortified. Every inch of creamy skin visible on her had been as pink as the uniform she'd been wearing…God, the uniform.
He purred low in his throat at the thought of it. She'd looked positively delectable in that outfit. Good enough to eat. She'd almost had him there, in all honesty. Until that brilliant plan with Yoru came to mind, that is.
Ikuto rubbed his chin in thought as the entire thing came to mind. She'd been clever, quite clever indeed. The handcuffs had been a wonderful idea.
His perverted tendencies must be rubbing off on her.
Ikuto smirked to himself. Perverted indeed. The chocolate and whipped cream tasted amazing with her natural flavor of sweet strawberries and milk had added to the sensations she'd produced in him.
He'd barely been able to contain himself. He knew that there were boundaries he wouldn't cross with her just yet-even if they were thin and only just before the grey area that was clothing removal-but that little outfit had nearly been his undoing. A bit longer, and he would have gone WAY further than the lines permitted.
The thing was, though, part of him didn't care. It wished the Guardians hadn't come along…
The Guardians.
His mind turned back to the little party-poopers. The Kiddy King had been furious with him. The look on his face had been priceless, though. So red and angry…Ikuto chuckled to himself. The baby looking one-Yaya?-had been squealing in delight at Amu about how 'cute' her little uniform was.
If Ikuto could describe it in one word, it most definitely wouldn't be 'cute'.
Then the other one, the sports fanatic, had been whistling with a grin on his face, blatantly checking Amu out. Ikuto growled, that little bastard-he had the oddest feeling that his name was Kukai-had better not try anything with his Amu. The Queen's Chair, who's name he actually remembered for certain was Rima, had merely stood off to the side, a small grin on her aristocratic features.
The purple haired Nagehiko, on the other hand, was a completely different story. From what Ikuto'd gleaned of his original comment, he'd known Ikuto and Amu would be in the Royal Gardens at the time. So why had he shown up at that time, when things would just be getting interesting?
Because he'd wanted to embarrass them, that's why. Ikuto'd seen the hidden sparkle in his eyes and smile, and while he was Amu's best friend, he had a mischievous streak to him.
Ikuto could ignore that fact for the moment. He had to admit, the kid was good. Bringing them all around when they'd be least expecting it, just getting into the heat of things, was a good plan. He'd probably had a hidden motive to it as well that would benefit Amu in some way, such as making it public to Kiddy King and the others that Amu was his girl. He was her friend, after all.
He owed the guy for that small help, and for stopping him from crossing those aforementioned 'boundaries'. Even if a part of him was reluctant to admit it.
Ikuto reached the fountain, and sat on the rim of the cool white stone marble. The park wasn't very crowded at the moment, and he was grateful for that. When it was full it gave the impression of being claustrophobic, even if you were outdoors.
As Ikuto scanned the area for the flash of pink hair that signaled his Kitten's arrival, he couldn't help but wonder what she had in store for him. It was Thursday, and she had three days left if you didn't count today before time ran out. Not to mention that she'd invited him here today, not the other way around, so she must be planning something.
"Ikuto!"
The shout came from his left, and he swiveled his head in that direction. Amu was approaching him in what appeared to be black jeans and a black tank top with a red sweater that hung off her shoulders, revealing the tank's straps. She had her usual X clips in her hair, her nails painted in red and black stripes. She wore checkered converses on her feet, a red bangle on her right arm. She wore no makeup, nor was she doing anything in particular to catch his attention, like she'd been with the uniform.
Ikuto's mind came dangerously close to easing, maybe she didn't have anything planned after all?
That quickly remedied itself, however, when he caught the quick glint in her golden orbs as she glanced at Yoru, where he was conversing with Miki while her other Charas looked on. Oh yes, she was planning something. He may not know what, but it was there all the same.
"Let's go, Ikuto-kun," she smiled, taking his hand in her much smaller one and commencing to drag him from his spot.
He let her lead him through the streets, joining in with small talk for the trip, all the while watching the areas around him for anything that might have to do with the little 'plan' she may have.
Needless to say, he was vaguely surprised when she stopped in front of a pet store. What would she be wanting here?
"I've been wanting a kitten for a while now, and my parents finally said it was alright. I want you to help me pick one out, please?" She stared up at him with those golden eyes, and he was powerless to refuse. So he nodded, a careful smirk in place. It was enough to show his consent, but still show he was watching her for any suspicious movements.
She gave a small laugh, reminding him of bells and wind chimes, before opening the door that made a tinkling sound upon their entrance. There was someone manning the counter, and a overly helpful attendant wandering the isles.
The attendant ogled Ikuto for a second-a fact that didn't go unnoticed by Amu, who glared at her, which didn't go unnoticed by Ikuto, who grinned-before coming over and asking them, mainly Ikuto, if they were in need of assistance. He spotted the double meaning in her words as Amu did, and her previous glare intensified.
"No," she snapped, "we're fine."
The woman frowned, before giving a murmured apology and wandering off, looking all the world like a cat that didn't get the cream.
Speaking of cats…
Ikuto's gaze drifted back to his pink haired Kitten, who had dragged him over to the caged nekos. If there was one thing he could say about her, she certainly was possessive, wasn't she? A leer possessed his features as he watched her coo over one of the furry creatures. He could certainly grow to enjoy this little aspect of her quite thoroughly.
"I want this one!" Amu finally decided, pointing to the kitten lucky enough to attract her attention. It had dark blue fur, and dark, almost black eyes. It sat straight, leisurely licking itself and giving them a piteous gaze that could attract any animal lover in a five mile radius.
The attendant came back then, and pulled the kitten from it's cage and handing it to Amu. She scurried away quickly after that, obviously afraid Amu might snap at her again if she stayed too long.
Amu cuddled close with the kitten, and it purred in delight, rubbing it's face against her neck and licking her jaw. She giggled, stroking along it's back and tail. Amu made her way to the isle with cat food and such, obviously intending to get supplies for the small feline. Ikuto followed, of course.
He watched as she chose a black collar, a small bell hanging from the material, and a leash to match. She also picked out an assortment of food, toys, a litter box, and some treats. She was most definitely going to spoil the thing.
They commenced to approaching the pay counter, where they were informed the cat was in fact male, and Ikuto was laden down with bags containing her purchases.
The two left the store, with his Kitten in high spirits and smiling fondly at the furry ball curled against her chest.
"I'm going to name him Iku-chan," she suddenly said, about halfway from her home.
Ikuto paused on the sidewalk to look at the girl. "What?"
She grinned up at him. "I'm going to name him Iku-chan," she repeated.
He raised one eyebrow as they continued walking. "Why?"
Her spotted her rolling eyes from his peripheral vision. "Because he reminds me of you, obviously."
He chuckled low in his chest. "How exactly?"
"Well…" she put the cat on her shoulder so she could tick reasons off on her fingers. "He has the same color fur as you, his eyes are the same color, he purrs when he's happy, he's warm, he's cute, and he enjoys licking and cuddling with me."
Ikuto widened his eyes slightly as he turned his face her direction. "That's quite a list."
She gave him a slightly crooked smile. "Yes, well, he's quite the kitten. Aren't you, Iku-chan?" she asked the cat, picking him up to hold in front of her face.
The cat leaned forward and licked the tip of her nose, a loud purr emanating from it's small body.
Amu giggled. "I'll take that as a yes."
They stopped when they reached Amu's house. Her parents weren't home, and Ikuto's suspicions rose once more.
That is, until Amu pushed him out the front door after he'd set the bags down at the foot of the stairs.
"What, you're not going to invite me in?" He leered at her.
Amu gave him an impressive smirk. "Not today."
Then, she leaned forward and placed a small, chaste kiss on his lips, oddly sweet in it's innocence, before entering the house and closing the door.
Ikuto frowned, his brow furrowing. Maybe she really had just wanted to get a kitten, after all. Perhaps she hadn't been planning anything.
Shrugging, Ikuto walked down the street, heading back to his apartment. He'd find out sooner or later.
Two days later on Saturday, Ikuto was a walking jumble of frustration and nerves.
Amu hadn't even once remotely tried anything like she had Wednesday with the café uniform. He found himself waiting, just waiting, for her to make her next move.
She never did.
And to make it worse, that damn kitten, Iku-chan, wasn't helping at all. The thing was everywhere. After school it would be in the Royal Gardens, waiting for Amu. When he went to her balcony at night, the fur ball followed her out. He hadn't gotten anything more than those chaste kisses since the arrival of the creature, because it was always snuggling up to Amu or interrupted them during the kisses by crying out loudly. Then Amu'd pick it up and cuddle it.
Ikuto swore that every time she had her back turned to him, the flea bag would smirk at him over her shoulder.
It was hard to believe, but Ikuto, the Tsukiyomi Ikuto, was jealous.
Of a kitten, no less.
As of right now he and the Guardians sat at the table in the Royal Gardens, the meeting they'd been called to attend ending any moment. And that damn cat was still sitting on Amu's lap, positively soaking up the attention she was giving it as she stroked it's ears. As she nodded at the rest of the group, who were making some decision or another, and looked the other way, the cat turned to Ikuto and smirked at him.
Oh, that was it. That Iku-chan had just crossed one of his lines. One that had a big ole' sign stating in bold print, 'Don't piss off Ikuto if you want to live'.
That cat was going down. If Amu could be possessive, just wait until she saw him in action.
He waited until the other Guardians had started leaving, the meeting adjourned, to make his move. He lagged behind with Amu, who was packing up her things in a bag and glowing with affection for the kitten in her lap. Without sparing a glance at the Kiddy King, who had left in a huff every day since the little café uniform incident, Ikuto nonchalantly knocked her bat over on 'accident'.
"Sorry, Amu-chan," he whispered huskily in her ear, before he bent over her lap to reach the things on the floor by her. He pressed gently against the kitten, a sort of warning, he supposed, careful not to do it any harm, before pulling himself back into his seat and setting the items on the table.
The cat glared at him.
"I-i-it's okay, Ikuto-kun," she stuttered cutely, her cheeks already taking on a flaming red. She turned to Nagehiko and Yaya, who were still there and about to leave. "You guys go ahead, I'll pick my things up and call you later."
They nodded, and quickly left, but Ikuto noticed Nagehiko glance back, a mischievous glint in his eyes once more. He'd caught on to Ikuto's little act, obviously. There were times when he believed the boy to be a little too perceptive.
Amu picked up that damn cat from her lap and set it on the ground, then left her seat to get more of the things there.
Ikuto helped her, and once she got all the things in her bag she made to grab the cat again so she could leave with Ikuto, but he had other ideas.
He pulled her back into his chest, slipping the strap of her bag from her shoulder to fall to the ground.
"I-Ikuto-kun," she started, "w-what are you doing?"
He loved it when she stuttered. It was just too adorable. Spinning her around to face him, he grabbed the backs of her legs, lifting her to set her carefully down on the table. Stepping between her legs, he placed his hands palms down on either side of her body, leaning in so their faces were inches apart.
"This is what I'm doing, Amu-chan," he murmured, leaning down to kiss the hollow at the base of her throat. Her breathing hitched at his touch, and he smiled against her skin.
"W-w-what is this?"
He licked her skin, feeling her shiver against him, as her hands clutched at his shoulders frantically.
"Why, Amu, this is seduction, obviously."
She gulped audibly, and Ikuto moved his assault to a side on her throat further to the right. He nibbled and suckled her pale skin, which tasted oddly sweet, just like her kisses, creamy milk and strawberries.
He pulled back with a satisfied smirk to see a small red mark that would easily bruise overnight now marking her neck. He then caressed the top of her ear with his lips.
"I want to ask you a question now Amu," he breathed.
Amu was apparently unable to speak at the moment, partially do to the fact that she was hyperventilating, and so decided to nod instead.
Currently Ikuto's mind decided to leave him, knocking him out of his senses and leaving him unable to filter out exactly what it was he was saying, and forget momentarily that he'd made that deal with her. "Why are you replacing me with a kitten?"
He moved to press feather light kisses to her jaw line as she managed to gasp out, "I wasn't!"
He chuckled as he paused, his lips a hair's breadth from hers. "But you were, Amu. And I can't help but wondering exactly why it is you'd want to do that." He placed a soft kiss to her lips, watching as her eyes drooped half-closed. "After all, it's me who has feelings for you. I love-"
It was the way her eyes opened suddenly with the glint from before that brought him back to his senses mid-sentence. Suddenly it all clicked into place. The way she'd gotten the kitten and named it after him; how she brought it with her everywhere she went; the way she showered it with affection; why he'd only been getting chaste kisses lately; how she'd been shamelessly possessive of him at the store; why she'd been paying more attention to that damn cat than him.
The entire thing had been a carefully laid out plan by her, and she'd counted on this very reaction from him. She'd wanted him jealous, hoping it would blind him enough that he'd forget all about their deal.
Oh, she was good. She was very, very good.
And the worst part was, it had worked. He had been blinded, and if she hadn't had that sudden reaction with her eyes, she would have won just now.
But that tiny slip up had made him aware of everything, and now he was going to work it to his advantage.
In the nanosecond it had taken him to process all this, he continued as though he was still under her little spell.
"I love," he repeated, lightly pressing his lips to hers once more.
"Yes?" Amu breathed, her hands clutching his tightly, having at some point moved them from their position on his shoulders.
"Yoru."
Amu had enough time to utter a startled gasp at the familiarity of the situation before Ikuto's lips crashed into hers. There was no hesitation from him as his tongue swept out to push her lips apart and his way in. He prodded her tongue with his, egging her on to join in. With a resigned moan, she did so.
Her tongue pushed it's way into his mouth, and she checked every corner of it, filling him with her delicious flavor. He felt the purr start up early in her chest, reverberating through her body and triggering his. Her arms moved to wrap themselves around his neck, bringing her closer.
As the war continued between their mouths, his hands moved to stroke up her sides, then wrapping around her to stroke down her back. To his delight, this brought out a moan from her, and she shivered.
He placed his right hand on her stomach, slipping it beneath her shirt to feel her smooth, creamy skin. He felt the muscles contract under his touch. She began to suck at his tongue frantically, and, he believed it was an unconscious act on her part, she hitched one of her legs around his hip. Ikuto felt the purr from him escalate to a new level.
Her fingers threaded in his hair, and she tugged at it. He complied to her silent request, pulling away from the kiss so she could nip at his ear.
"How did you know?" she asked, her lips brushing the shell of his ear. He shivered, and felt her smile.
"You gave yourself away, Amu," he whispered bringing his hands from their current positions to run them down her legs, making her breathing hitch once more.
She pulled back to look in his eyes, golden butterscotch into black night. "I will win this challenge."
Ikuto smirked at her. "You'll try."
She smiled. "You'll see. I will."
He kept his smirk in place, but inside he was doing anything but. Because with that last remark, that same wicked glint had entered her eyes, and Ikuto began to doubt his chances for the first time. She had one day. Yet that might have been eternity, because if she followed that glint once again, she might actually be able to do it. After all, she'd almost had him today. And she hadn't even been desperate at the time, now that her time was running short, she would be getting more desperate and tactful in her attempts.
She might just be able to win this after all.
Their lips collided once again, and as the war started up with a new fervor, Ikuto slid his hands up her thighs, over her hips, across her stomach, and started moving further north…
"Meow!"
Damn, he'd forgotten about that cat.
Ikuto pulled back with a yelp when the damn fur ball jumped on top of his head, it's claws partially out and poking his scalp, like the thing was giving him a warning.
Amu removed her leg from his hip, much to his disappointment, and hopped off the table to stand at his side.
"Iku-chan!" she reprimanded, pulling the cat off Ikuto's head and shaking a finger at it. "Don't do that! Bad kitty!"
The cat mewled pathetically, giving her a watery-eyed look that was similar to the famous 'wounded puppy dog' look.
To Ikuto's chagrin, Amu melted under the look, and pulled the bundle of purring fur to her chest, stroking it affectionately. "Oh, I can't stay angry with you!" She glanced up at Ikuto, a small smile gracing her lips. "Sorry about that Ikuto-kun," she whispered.
A lascivious grin took over his expression. "Don't worry, Amu-chan," the way he said her name made her blush, "I assure you that I already received more than enough of your," he ran a finger across his lips, "affections." He then leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "For now."
When she pulled back she was red as a strawberry, which made his grin wider. She quickly scooped up her bag and turned away with a muttered, "See you later!" before bolting down the stairs.
As he watched, the cat looked over Amu's shoulder at him, sending him what he swore was a squinty eyed glare before rubbing it's face in the side of her neck.
Ikuto grimaced. He and that cat had much more in common than he'd like to admit.
As Ikuto started down the stairs himself, he licked his lips. They still tasted of strawberries and cream.
And it was at that moment that Ikuto realized how often he'd used that word as a comparison for Amu.
She was going to give him a strawberry fetish.
Yoru watched as Ikuto sat Amu on the table, an amused smile playing with his whiskered face. He'd known what Amu was up to the entire time, Miki had told him after swearing him to secrecy. Iku-chan, or 'that damn cat', as Ikuto called it when Amu wasn't around, really was a pet that Amu had been wanting to get for a while, she'd just figured out a way to use it to her advantage.
Yoru thought it was very clever of her.
He looked at the cat, who was sitting on the ground, it's kitten eyes glaring daggers at Ikuto. He watched as it drudged off to one of the poles that held up the tent-like roof over the table on the dais, a unique intelligence in it's dark eyes.
"It's a smart cat, isn't it?"
Yoru jumped, startled, at the voice that sounded behind him. He spun around to find his Miki behind him, her drawing pad out and pencil moving carefully across the page. She glanced up at him with an amused look.
"Ne, it is," he replied, floating over to see what she was drawing. It was the scene they were looking on, Amu on the table and Ikuto caging her in with his arms as they kissed. It was good.
He watched her draw for a few minutes, lost in his thoughts. Ever since she'd kissed his cheek, she'd been oddly reserved, keeping her eyes down and blushing furiously. He'd tried to get her to talk about it, to see if it meant what he thought it meant, but she'd studiously avoided the topic.
He believed she was just embarrassed.
But he was getting tired of waiting for her to decide when she was ready to talk about it, and of her avoiding it all like the plague. So in that moment, Yoru decided to do something.
"Nya, Miki?" he asked, sending her a glance.
"Yeah, Yoru?" She looked up from her drawing at him, quickly looking back down as the blush formed once again.
Suddenly, he smirked at her, a side of him that he hadn't known existed emerging to play. He leaned in so they were centimeters away from each other, whispering, "Miki, do you like me?"
Miki looked up, and upon seeing his expression, promptly widened her eyes. She visibly gulped, as she opened her mouth, stuttering, "I-I, uh, u-umm…"
One of Yoru's arms snaked around her shoulder, while the other paw moved to trace her drawing on the paper.
Ikuto must have been rubbing off on him.
"Hee, I know how I feel about you," he said, whispering quietly close to her ear.
Her face was totally and completely red, and she started to shift nervously. Her tongue darted out to lick her suddenly dry lips. "H-how would that be?"
Yoru spun her around to face him, the smirk growing more pronounced. "I love you."
Then, Yoru leaned in, and kissed his Miki for the first time, hidden amongst the potted plants of the Royal Garden, not caring if the other Charas saw.
When they pulled apart, Miki was wide eyed, her mouth hanging slightly open. "Yoru…" she whispered, "I love you, too."
They moved in to kiss once more, but a sudden yelp from Ikuto had them pulling apart to see what was going on.
"Iku-chan?" Miki questioned disbelievingly, looking at the kitten resting on Ikuto's head with it's claws slightly prodding the skin.
As Amu and Ikuto took care of their kitten problem, all of the Charas moved to watch the entertainment. When Amu walked off with the kitten glaring back over her shoulder, Miki, Ran, Suu, and Dia followed after, and Yoru couldn't help being mad at that damn cat for stopping him from kissing Miki again.
And it was at that moment that Yoru, too, realized something.
Ikuto was definitely rubbing off on him, in more way than one. But when he saw Miki look back at him one last time while she was being questioned by the other three Charas-about their little kiss, no doubt, which he suspected they had in fact seen-he couldn't help thinking that might not be so bad.
In fact, it might just be a very, very, good thing.
End Chapter Eight!
vampgirl8: So, mit-chan, Ni-chan, what did you think?
mit-chan: I'm so jealous of Amu!
vampgirl8: We all are. What about you, Ni-chan? -looks around- Ni-chan? Where'd she go?
mit-chan: Oh, she's in the closet with Ikuto and Momiji entertaining all those obssessed fangirls you've got in there.
vampgirl8: Oh. -glances at each other- You thinking what I'm thinking?
mit-chan: Let's go! -rushes into the closet- Ikuto! Momiji!
vampgirl8: So, I hope you guys liked this chapter, and for the next chapter, I'm going to take some advice and say that for the little contest thing, I want you to send in suggestions for what should happen now with Yoru and Miki, and your prompt for Amu's plan is basically I want your wildest fantasies! Everything you've ever wanted to do to Ikuto, all your secretive desires about him, send them in!
Miki: That sounds kind of kinky.
vampgirl8: It isn't...well it might be...it just depends on what they send in!
Miki: Whatever you say.
vampgirl8: Shouldn't you be off kissing Yoru somewhere? After all, you did have that little kiss in this chapter...
Miki: -blushes- Uh, umm...
vampgirl8: Ha! I got you! Now then... -turns to closet- Hey you guys! Save some of that smexy anime dude hotness for me! -runs inside and shuts door behind her- IKUTO! MOMIJI!
Miki: Umm...yeah... -mutters- please read and review...thanks for reading, by the way...
From inside the closet: IKUTO!! MOMIJI!!
They say that day that the wild fangirl screams and Ikuto and Momiji's shreiks of terror at such blatant fangirlism that emanated from that closet could be heard all across the fandom universe. And all the girls in that closet were dubbed the luckiest things in fandom universe, but to this day neither Ikuto nor Momiji dares to speak of what exactly occurred in that closet, vampgirl8's Closet of Doom...