vampgirl8: Hey guys! Sorry it took so long with this chapter, but I was in a bit of a creative slump. But now I'm back on track baby! And to prove it, I'm also releasing a one-shot for Shugo Chara along with this! Yes!
Ikuto: Wow, so even perverts like you lose your inspiration sometimes?
vampgirl8: Ikuto, don't make me use the tazer gun on you.
Ikuto: -backs away slowly-
vampgirl8: That's what I thought. Now then, I didn't really use any of the suggestions from reviews(sorry, they were all either M rated or I couldn't think up a good way to do it), this is based on a personal fantasy of mine...
Ikuto: Soo...this chapter is one of your fantasies...?
vampgirl8: That's right.
Ikuto: Head for the hills! -runs-
vamgpirl8: WHAT! My ideas aren't that bad! My fantasies CAN be T rated if I want them to be!
Amu: No one believes you on that.
vampgirl8:...Okay, so the fantasy this is based on IS a bit M rated and was just toned down for the story...that doesn't make any difference!
Amu: Whatever you have to tell yourself.
vampgirl8: -pouts- Suu! Say the thing for me to cheer me up!
Suu: Okay, desu! vampgirl8 does not own Shugo Chara! Please review, desu!
vampgirl: PS-thanks to Fynney for giving me my one hundredth review! I honestly didn't expect to get that many ever! I'm so happy! Dedicated to SUNCAT for her support!
Chapter 9: A Matter of Minutes
Amu licked her lips, letting her breath out in a soft sigh. How was she going to get Ikuto to say it? He was too smart for his own good!
She groaned and rolled over on the bed, banging her head repeatedly against the pillow. What was there left for her to try? She'd done jealousy, done seduction! What was left? Nothing she could think of. She'd been trying so hard…
Her eyes grew wide as epiphany struck the pink-haired girl. She'd been trying so hard. Maybe that was it! Maybe she was trying too hard! Quickly, a plan formulated in the girl's mind.
Oh. This would be good.
Amu quickly rushed around the house, tidying up things in need of the treatment. She'd already set her plan into action, having called Ikuto and invited him over to have dinner and watch a movie with her. He'd gladly accepted.
Taking a calming breath, Amu glanced at the clock. Her parents were gone, and wouldn't be back for a week. Ami had some competition thing she wanted to go to. It was times like these that Amu was thankful she had Ami for a sister.
Rushing into the kitchen, she took the lasagna from the oven and set it on top of the stove. Quickly cutting it into squares, she then put the meaty, saucy, cheesy, noodly substance on a serving platter in the center of the dinner table. Dishes of mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls soon found themselves placed on the wooden surface as well. She set places at either end for them both, glasses of sparkling cider bubbling enthusiastically.
Amu put her hands on her hips to survey her handiwork. It looked pretty good. The food smelled delicious, anyway.
Amu took a quick glance in the mirror hanging over the sink to check her appearance. She wasn't wearing anything dressy, just tight black jeans slung low on her hips, and a dark pink tank top with a single one inch strap over her left shoulder over a long-sleeved black mesh shirt. Her hair had it's usual X clips, and she didn't really wear any make-up other than a bit of eyeliner. Still, she thought she looked presentable.
Scratch that. She thought she looked good.
The doorbell rang and Amu hurriedly made her way towards it after checking the time. Seven on the dot-at least he was punctual.
Amu opened the door and there was Ikuto in all his sexy cat-hood glory, trademark smirk already on his handsome face. He wore a long sleeved black button up shirt and black jeans. He looked amazing-greek gods would look away in shame.
"Amu," he purred in that way of his that made her knees shake and her heart melt.
It really was too bad she had to trick such a gorgeous creature.
Amu smiled and moved aside for him to come in. "Hi, Ikuto."
She closed the door and he leaned down to gently kiss her, but she pulled away before he could turn it into one of their full-fledged sessions. She grinned at the pout on his face, but was determined to get to the kitchen for dinner.
They seated themselves at the table and scooped out their portions before digging in. Ikuto went a bit wide eyed as he took the first bite. "Delicious."
Amu blushed ever-so-slightly. "Thanks. It's my specialty."
He looked at her for a few seconds then abruptly stood, grabbing his plate and glass. He started walking around the table, and she watched him warily. With Ikuto, you just didn't know. He could be coming over here to smear food on her face then lick it off. She blushed.
Actually, that might not be so bad.
Her worries were in vain, however, as he merely took the seat next to her. "You were too far away," he offered as explanation. The following grin alerted her that his motives weren't nearly as innocent as he made them appear, as she soon learned when less than two minutes later she felt an intruding hand resting on her thigh.
She jumped in her seat at the sudden touch, blush flaming across her cheeks she swore miners could use them as lamps in caves. She glanced over at him, but he appeared not to be paying attention, just continuing to eat that blasted lasagna.
Which was quite interesting to tell the truth. Amu found herself transfixed with the way he ate. Pale musician's fingers deftly cutting a chunk of the warm food, slowly lifting it to pass between soft pale pink lips, drawing the fork out just as slowly to set it down and chew with a few moves of well-chiseled jaw. Then he lifts his glass and sips some of the cider, setting it down before letting his pale sexy tongue come out to lick the few remaining drops from his lips.
Amu couldn't help but wonder if he knew he was doing it.
That was followed up with the idea of whether or not it was even possible to unconsciously seduce someone just by eating.
Another glance at Ikuto proved that yes, yes it was possible.
The hand on her thigh decided to remind her of it's presence, as it gave a firm but gentle squeeze then continued to draw swirling designs through the material. Amu shivered and looked back at Ikuto to see him smiling into his food, and knew he'd caught her staring. She looked down and tried to get back to her meal, but that damn hand was relentless. It kept drawing those swirls on her thigh, then it would swoop up her leg-dangerously close to areas currently unexplored-then it would go back to drawing designs.
Amu bit her lip to keep the noise she knew she was going to make from protruding her throat. Just as she reached the point of insanity where she wouldn't be able to hold back anymore, the hand retreated with a startled yelp from the perverted neko.
He pulled back his hand to show three long scratches that wouldn't bleed, but definitely hurt like hell, and shifted in his seat to glare under the table.
Amu looked underneath as well to see Iku-chan, looking up at them innocently. Amu melted under the cute angel's watery eyes, and cooed at him to sit with her, patting her lap. Iku-chan gladly accepted, climbing up to curl on her and purring. She smiled fondly down at the kitten and stroked his fur idly for a moment before going back to eating.
She missed the cocky grin the kitten flashed Ikuto, and his responding glare.
The rest of the meal passed without incident under Iku-chan's careful supervision. Of course, Amu wasn't aware that this consisted of the adorable kitten patting-more likely clawing-Ikuto's hand anytime it came remotely near any area on Amu's person.
Amu placed the dishes in the sink before taking out two prepared ice cream sundaes of vanilla ice cream, slightly warm fudge, and cherries on top. She handed one to Ikuto and they grabbed spoons for themselves, taking small bites as she led them to the living room. Ikuto seated himself on the couch as she made her way to the DVD player and television, looking through the stacks of movies for something to watch. Amu picked one of her favorites-AVP, Aliens vs Predator.
She put it in and sat next to him before turning off the light and starting the movie.
"Hmm."
The curious noise from her boyfriend made Amu look up at him. "What?"
He shrugged. "I just never saw you as the kind of person to watch these movies."
She smiled warmly up at him. "I love 'em." She then let herself be pulled into the crook of Ikuto's arm and lightly ate at her cold sundae.
Ikuto kissed the top of her head gently. "Me, too."
Those soft words made her chest swell for a second, but they both quickly settled in to watch the movie, a comfortable silence settling as the it played.
The Charas were seated on the other cushion beside them, and from the corner of her eye Amu saw Miki holding onto Yoru during the suspenseful moments. She smiled softly and mentally congratulated the blue haired chibi for her fortune. On the back of the couch Iku-chan could be seen curled up, watching as the kitten allowed Ikuto this small pleasure of holding Amu, but keeping check that he did nothing else.
After that movie was over, they watched another one at Amu's insistence. This time it was a chick-flick, much to Ikuto's chagrin. Amu found this amusing, but ignored his grumbling. When it came to her favorite scene, she suddenly found Ikuto had moved his lips to the shell of her ear and whispered along with the leading male.
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner," he purred. Amu shivered as his lips brushed skin, a wonderful tingling warmth shooting up her spine.
Ikuto, of course, must have taken this as a good sign, since he was now running his lips softly across her ear, her jaw, her neck, and all she could do was sit there and close her eyes, tilting her head a bit to give him better access. Ikuto obliged easily, tongue ghosting out to run over her sensitive flesh.
She all but forgot about the movie.
Ikuto ever so slowly was making his way to her lips, and Amu had turned her body to the side so she faced him and could meet him half way. But just before they could, a small furry form lodged itself between them just as their lips were about to meet, replacing the other's lips with blue fur.
They sat back to look at the kitten, which was giving Amu a look of 'I want love too!'. Sighing softly, she picked up the ball of blue fluff and cuddled it affectionately.
"You just want some love too, don't you Iku-chan?" she asked the kitty, who responded with a warm lick of rasping tongue on her cheek before nuzzling into her neck. She made the appropriate 'awww' sound as she stroked it's back. Ikuto watched with narrowed eyes.
"Amu," he spoke up, "where's your bathroom?"
She furrowed her brows. "Upstairs, first on the left."
He nodded and stood, but then unexpectedly grabbed the kitten from her to hold it to his chest, muffling the poor neko's cries of outrage. "I'll take Iku-chan with me, I'm sure we could really…bond if we tried." He smiled down at the blue ball he was currently smothering. "Right, Iku-chan?"
The kitten merely continued with it's struggle, but Ikuto apparently took it as confirmation because he strolled off up the stairs.
Amu stared after them, shaking her head slowly. She'd never understand her little nekos. Her cat boys were one of a kind, that was for sure.
Reclining back on the couch, Amu glanced at the time. According to it, it was now eleven fifty. So she technically had ten minutes left.
She smirked to herself. Oh, how the mighty will have fallen in those ten minutes.
She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw what she had up her sleeve.
It took three minutes for Ikuto to come back down, and after turning on the lights and glancing at the turned off television Amu had shut down moments before with the movie over he sat down next to her.
"Where's Iku-chan?" she questioned him, head cocked to the side.
Ikuto shrugged. "He fell asleep up there, so I decided it was best to leave him be."
"Hmm." Am narrowed her eyes, not able to hold back her suspicious tone.
Ikuto leered at her when he saw, then dove right in with no precautions.
His lips crashed into hers, and she fell back into the couch cushions with a surprised yelp-forcing the Charas to evacuate or be crushed. Ikuto hovered over her, all his weight held up by the elbows he had rested on either side of her petite form, but he was still close enough that she was sure it would be impossible to find the smallest bit of space between them.
"Ikuto…" she breathed, locking eyes with him. Then neither needed to speak, because both could see the emotions running through the other. Amu knew he saw her love, her affection, and now her desire. Just as she could see his desire and affection as well, but his love outshone them. Even if he hadn't said it yet, it was there for all who bothered to look to see.
Then he swooped down again, pressing his lips gently to hers. This kiss was different from the others. It wasn't nearly as urgent as the others had been, as demanding on them that they meld together as swiftly as possible to make up for years of absence.
But it was still just as needy. That was apparent in the way they moved together, anticipating the other's actions. How she already had her lips parted and ready when his slipped out to join in, and how both tangled their hands in the other's hair to softly stroke the soft locks of blue and pink. The way the lingering flavor of long-forgotten ice cream made heightened the experience and mixed with natural flavors forever memorized by each.
Yes, this kiss was needy. Not in the desperate, uncomfortable sense of the word, but in the loving, caring way both needed this contact, needed the other's warmth before they could ever become truly at peace. And finally, it was how this time around the kiss was slow and sweet, giving them the chance to really absorb in the other's presence.
Amu's legs tangled with his as she suddenly had the most unnatural urge to cry, which she quickly repressed. Her tongue glided over his, a sensual mix of touch and taste. Her nails raked gently over his scalp through his silky blue hair, and she sighed softly against his lips before breathing in his scent, adding that sense to the fray. Then it started all over again, a cycle she never wanted to be broken.
But of course it did, and when both pulled away, panting, his sweet breath mingling in her nostrils, she met his eyes and she felt herself melt at the look of such adoration, such love.
"I love you, Ikuto," she whispered, and a small tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "I really do."
Ikuto looked down at her, expression softer than she'd ever seen it before. "I love you, Amu."
Eyes widening, Amu leaned up and brushed his lips with hers again, eyes fluttering closed. Then, as both realized what he'd just spoken, they froze and pulled apart wide-eyed, snapping their heads to look at the clock.
Twelve oh two.
Ikuto smirked. "I win, then. I held out long enough."
Amu let him have his moment, but then none too gently shoved him up and over so their heads were resting on the opposite side of the couch, with Amu on top. "Actually Ikuto-kun, I believe I've won."
Ikuto furrowed his brows in confusion, then it morphed into something both cautious and curious. "What do you mean?"
She grinned deviously. "That clock is five minutes fast."
His eyes widened in realization as she watched. "Then that means…"
She nodded at his unfinished question. That's right. That meant it hadn't been twelve oh two when he confessed.
It had been eleven fifty seven. Three minutes too soon for him to win.
"Damn," he whispered under his breath, but Amu still heard it.
"Yep, damn." She chuckled. "You know what this means, right? I win. So I can make you do anything I want."
Ikuto groaned. "Just tell me what it is so I can get it over with."
Amu's answering smile was malicious. "Nope, I won't tell you just yet. You'll have to wait for that."
He gave her a squinty eyed glare. "Do you get some sadistic pleasure from this?"
"Maybe," she teased, something she'd never be able to do normally, but seeing as how she was still in a state of victory induced euphoria, she was taking a leap. She pecked his lips swiftly and rolled off him to stand by the couch with her hands on her hips. "Now, it's getting late and the next week may be a holiday, but I'd still like to wake up in the morning hours tomorrow."
"Alright then," he said, following her to the front door where his shoes were put on and he started to shut it behind him; but just before it was fully closed, he finished his earlier sentence, "Amu-koi."
She blushed. Damn him, he knew just how to push her buttons…in all the right ways.
Looking around, she noticed her Charas weren't around-probably upstairs in their eggs already, and Yoru had left with Ikuto. Yawning, Amu decided that sleep really was a good idea and went upstairs to her room to do just that. The sight she met, however, instantly banished those thoughts from her mind.
On her bed was Iku-chan, his back and front legs tied together and a small gag of wrapped in cloth catnip stuffed in his mouth. Amu rushed over and untied the little kitten, taking the gag as it mewled pathetically, rubbing up to Amu for comfort. As she held the 'poor baby' to her bosom, she didn't see the glint in it's eyes that all but promised revenge on Ikuto for this, because she was too busy screaming.
"IKUTO!" Amu could swear that somewhere in the night, Ikuto was chuckling.
Miki curled up to Yoru on the couch cushions as a predator was stabbed from behind by an alien, squeezing her eyes shut. Yoru rubbed her back in an affectionate manner, whispering to her when it was okay to look.
She was glad when the movie finally ended, and the other went in. Now she was able to lean on him more comfortably, and in doing so a cute blush crossed her cheeks. Yoru's arm snaked around her shoulders, and Miki saw Ran take notice of this. She made kissy face at her and Miki scowled back. Ran snickered and looked away.
By the time the movie was over, Amu and Ikuto had started being lovey dovey. The Charas watched in amusement as Iku-chan interrupted yet again, finding it to be highly funny.
Ikuto took the kitten upstairs with him and when he came back, he and Amu started kissing and such. Squealing frantically, the Charas rushed to get out of the way when the two toppled towards them. Miki flew behind the couch, Yoru close behind. Ran and Suu had flown off somewhere else, but all were laughing.
Miki started to fly back to her fellow Charas, but Yoru caught her hand.
"Miki, come here, nya," he said, tugging her hand to make her follow. He led her up the stairs to Amu's room, where together they opened the balcony door.
"Hee, wait here!" He flew off into the darkness, Miki watching after him.
Shrugging, she sat on the ledge of the balcony to wait for her neko to come back. Pale moonlight filtered through the few clouds floating haphazardly in the sky, the stars shining especially bright tonight. She reclined back on her hands, a small smile resting on her lips. The sight was beautiful-it made her want to draw.
"Miki?"
The somewhat hesitant voice of Yoru drew her attention to the cat Chara floating near her. He was standing on the ledge near her, his tail wound around him again and ears flat to his head. His paws played with his tail, and there was a small paper bag-just big enough for a Chara to comfortably carry-hanging on one wrist. He was nibbling his lip and his eyes refused to meet hers as a light blush dusted his cheeks.
Miki stood up, thinking all the while that he looked terribly cute like that, and came to stop in front of him. "Yes, Yoru?"
He still refused to look at her as he thrust the bag out to her. She took it, curiosity taking over, and looked inside while Yoru mumbled about 'I just thought maybe..', and 'I mean, you said…'. Miki's eyes widened, a huge grin covering her face as she observed the art supplies in the bag that he'd managed to shrink just to her size. Crayons and pencils cut down and carved to fit her hand, colored pencils too, and some of those mini markers that while they were about three fourths her height, were thin and fit her fingers comfortably. This was wonderful. Just what she needed. And he'd had to carve it all himself to make it perfect.
To stop Yoru's incessant rambling, Miki did what seemed like the most natural thing in the world at that moment.
Leaning forward, it was Miki who initialized the kiss.
Yoru immediately broke off as she'd thought he would, and wrapped his pawed hands around her. When both drew back, their faces were red enough to do Amu justice.
"I love it Yoru, thank you," Miki whispered to him, her face set in a smile.
He nodded his head a bit too quickly. "Y-you're we-welcome Miki."
She smiled, and then they saw Ikuto making his way out the front door, mumbling under his breath about coming close to winning. Apparently Amu had won the bet.
"I have to go," Yoru spoke, gently releasing Miki. "Good night."
"Night," she breathed, and then he flew off. She began to make her way back in, but glanced back last minute to see Yoru. She clutched the bag closer and flew in, where she was ambushed by the other two.
"You kissed Yoru, desu!" Suu exclaimed, doing a pirouette in the air. Miki blushed profusely.
"Go, go, Miki-chan! Fight for his heart!" Ran was waving her pom-poms in the air and cheering. Miki's blush grew.
"You two were listening!"
"Of course!" they both said, with the added 'desu' from Suu.
Suddenly embarrassed, she booked it to her egg, studiously ignoring the tied up kitten on the bed. Once inside, she could hear the giggles of the Charas but blocked them out, instead opting for sleep. Closing her eyes, she didn't see the backs of her eyelids. No, she saw what had met her eyes when she glanced back at Yoru before he left. He'd been at just the right angle it appeared as though he'd been floating in front of the moon. Miki smiled.
She knew exactly what the first thing she'd be drawing with her new art supplies would be.
End Chapter Nine!
vampgirl8: Can anyone guess the chick-flick they watched? So, what did you think, Ikuto?
Ikuto: I LOST!
vampgirl8: Yes, yes you did.
Ikuto: I FREAKIN' LOST!
vampgirl8:...Ikuto, are you alright?
Ikuto: I FREAKIN' LOST! I LOST!
vampgirl8:...yeah, I think we've lost him.
Amu: I was wondering when it would happen.
vampgir8: Yep. So Miki, what you think of your new art supplies?
Miki: -blushes- I love them. Thanks Yoru.
Yoru: N-no problem, nya. -blushes, rubbing back of head-
Miru Fans: Ooooh! So kawaii!
vampgirl8: -wipes tear from eye- So beautiful.
Amu: You guys have serious issues.
vampgirl8: And you're pointing this out now why?
Amu: -shakes head- How did I end up here with all of you? How?
vampgirl8: You're one of us Amu.
Entire Cast: One of us! One of us!
Amu: -runs-
vampgirl8: Okay, now I need suggestions for what you think Amu should make Ikuto do! And now, you see the purple go button?
Picture Ikuto on the purple go button.
But he's running away!
Quick! Catch Ikuto! Press the pretty purple go button to be transported to a world full of Ikuto Smexiness! Press the button, press the button!