(A/N: I do not own Shugo Chara. Please review!)

Chapter 7

"You're going to have to tell me," Ikuto said.

"Nope, never."

"Amu. Tell."

Amu laughed and shook her head. They were sitting on a bench in the park, Amu wrapped in Ikuto's strong arms.

"Who told you?"

"I will never tell." Ikuto sighed.

"Tell me? Please?"

"Beg all you want, Tsukiyomi. I'm not telling you who told me."

Ikuto thought for a moment. "Wait a minute… Was it Kukai?"

Amu smiled. "I can't tell you." It was Kukai, he knew it.

"Ikuto… I'm sorry. I guess I… overreacted."

"Yeah, you did."

"Ikuto!"

"What?" Ikuto asked innocently. Amu rolled her eyes. "Since you know the big 'secret' and all, what about I take you over to my place sometime? Amu-koi."

"U-um, o-okay!" she stuttered. "When?"

"We could go…" He was leaving in a few days. "Tonight."

Amu blushed. "How about tomorrow?"

Ikuto sighed. "Fine, Amu-koi."

They stood up and started walking hand in hand. How… how was he going to tell her? It was Tuesday… he would be leaving… on Monday. He was running out of time.

Ikuto cleared his throat. "Are you hungry, Amu-koi?"

"No."

"Let's go get something to eat."

"I said I'm not—IKUTO!" Ikuto had swiftly picked her up bridal style and started walking casually.

"What's wrong, Amu?"

"Why are you carrying me?"

"Because."

"Why?" Because I want to be as close to you as possible before I have to leave. I want to savor these moments with you, Amu, Ikuto thought to himself.

He continued carrying her against her protests and they finally reached a small restaurant. He then put her down as they entered.

"Have you come here before?"

"Yeah, when I was younger. But I haven't been here in a long time."

They were led by a waitress to a nearby booth and they sat down. After the waitress introduced herself, she left, leaving Amu and Ikuto alone in the booth.

"Amu… you're so far away. Scooch closer," Ikuto whined.

"No. I'm perfectly fine where I am."

"Amu…" he made his voice sound as irresistible as he could, watching Amu's reaction. He saw her stiffen then blush. How he loved teased his girlfriend.

The waitress soon came back and asked them what drinks they wanted.

"Um… just water, please," Amu said with a small smile.

"Same," Ikuto answered.

Amu and Ikuto stared at each other.

"Ikuto…" Amu started.

"Amu, I love you. I want you to know that…" he said, then adding in a very soft voice, barely audible, "no matter what happens."

Amu blushed and looked at him. "I… I love you too, Ikuto… but…" 'But?' Ikuto thought.

"But?" Ikuto repeated, his eyes widening.

Amu laughed. "It's not like that, Ikuto. I really do love you… it's just… Is that even possible? For us to love each other? We only met each other… what? A few weeks ago? Anyway, the point is, we haven't known each for a long time. Is it possible for our love to be true?"

Ikuto rolled his eyes. "Amu. It's love. You can't exactly stop it when it happens. Amu, you love me, right?"

"Yes…"

"And I love you. So, that concludes that our love is indeed possible. I don't want you thinking that our love can't be possible… all right?" Ikuto stood up and sat next to Amu on her side of the booth.

"Ikuto, what are you doing?" Amu demanded.

Ikuto just smirked as he put his arm around her, pulling her close to him. She didn't struggle against it.

"Ikuto…," she softly warned. He put a finger to her lips and then he leaned in to replace the finger with his lips.

A second after he broke the kiss, the waitress came back with their drinks. After placing them on the table, she smiled at them and asked if they were ready to order. Ikuto answered that they needed more time.

"What are you going to get?" Amu asked, skimming over the menu.

"Hmm… I'm not sure…"

You have to tell her, Ikuto! Ikuto thought to himself as he glanced at Amu from the corner of his eye. It's better now than right before you leave.

But…

Now!

I can't…

Ikuto! You HAVE to!

Ikuto gritted his teeth. What should he do? He could either… Or he could… But then… On the other hand… This was so aggravating!

And he was Ikuto, he never felt aggravated! Or at least, not usually.

"Ikuto… is something wrong?" Ikuto looked up to see Amu staring at him intently, trying to see through the damn sunglasses that he still had to keep on, trying to look deep into his eyes.

"No… Amu, nothing's wrong…" He looked to see the waitress heading back towards them. "Did you decide what to order?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. I did."

The waitress stopped at their table and smiled at them. "Ready to order? Or do you need more time?"

"No, no, we're ready to order, thank you," Amu said with a smile. She told the waitress her order and the waitress jotted it down on her notepad.

"And for you Sir?" she asked.

"I'll… have the same as she's having." He hadn't been completely paying attention and had no idea what Amu ordered. Hopefully it had something to do with fish…

"Okay, thank you, I'll take your menus…" The waitress took the menus and walked away from the booth.

"Ikuto… you really look troubled. Ikuto, you can tell me anything…," Amu said, looking at him intently. She then hesitated and dropped her head. "You're not hiding something from me… right…?"

Ikuto's jaw tightened. "No… no I'm not."

Amu smiled widely and then cuddled up against him. "Good… I don't want there to be secrets between us…"

Ikuto grimaced. Why… why him?

"But… Ikuto, I want you to know that you can tell me anything," Amu said softly.

Ikuto kissed her forehead.

They sat like that for a moment more, Amu cuddled up next to him, his arm wrapped around her. But Ikuto broke their position and pulled Amu off of him, and leaned down so that their faces were leveled.

"Ikuto…?" she was surprised a bit, he could tell. His movements were somewhat sudden.

"Amu, I'm leaving."