Thank you guys for all the reviews! I never expectedy story to do so well! I hope you'll like this chapter too :)

Disclaimer: Sophie doesn't own "Shugo Chara." Only the plot of this story. Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Can I come in or do I have to stay outside too?" Ikuto asked jokingly.

Amu was still trying to absorb what happened. Ikuto. He was pretty much the hottest guy she's ever seen. "S-sure, you can c-come in." Amu murmured. She inwardly kicked herself, she was probably embarrassing herself in front of him now. "Stop stammering Amu!" She told herself.

"What?" Ikuto asked, staring at her intently.

Amu blushed a deep red color and looked away. "Nothing!" She said a little too quickly.

Ikuto chuckled and the two went inside Amu's house. Amu sat on the far end of her couch while Ikuto sat on the other end. He could tell she was still a bit afraid.

"What were you doing in the shadows?" asked Amu.

Ikuto explained how he had seen her and followed her trail. He left out the parts where he really started to care for her. He tweaked the story a bit and said that he emerged from the forest just as he saw Tadase harassing her. Just if she thought he was stalking her. Amu started to warm up to him. Soon, they were talking and laughing like they were old friends. They came to the subject of what happened just a few minutes ago. Ikuto listened to the story of what happened between Amu and Tadase.

Tadase had been very happy with Amu, but he started to feel like she didn't take risks and was no fun anymore. So on one night when Amu was working late, Tadase cheated on her. In her own house! Amu came back to find Tadase sleeping in her bed. She didn't see the smaller figure beside him, so she plopped down right on the little lump. Amu leapt up and saw a girl scrambling beneath the covers trying to hide herself. Tadase told her it wasn't what he intended to do and he wouldn't do it anymore. Sure, he didn't do it anymore with the same girl. He cheated on Amu with several other girls, but Amu was working too hard and naïve to know it.

Tadase broke up with Amu and ran away without an explanation. He made no attempts to talk to her or see her, until tonight.

As Ikuto listened to the story, he was quiet and quite interested. This sniveling wuss was a big asshole. He manipulated women easily, but when it came to other men, he was a coward. Cheating on a girl as beautiful as Amu? Preposterous.

"I'm so glad you came to the rescue when you did. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't. Thank you. I really mean it." Amu said with a smile.

"Ah, don't sweat it. It was nothing." Ikuto shrugged.

A flash of skin on Ikuto's arm caught Amu's eyes. A scar?

"What happened to your arm, Ikuto?" Amu asked concerned.

"Oh, uh um. Never mind about that, just a scar." Ikuto looked away.

Amu was even more interested now. The scar just added to this man's physical appearance. She stared at him: his toned arms, dark hair, sharp jawline, and the scar. Ikuto suddenly turned his head and their eyes met instantly. Amu could feel herself starting to blush, but it was hard to pull away from his stare.

Ikuto looked down at her wrist and gently held it in his big, slender hands. "Why did you start cutting yourself?"

Amu looked away, embarrassed. "I just felt like I wasn't worth it after he broke up with me. He made me feel beautiful and loved. After he left, I didn't like the way I looked anymore. I started to cut because the pain helped me stop thinking about Tadase."

"Don't hurt yourself anymore. Please. He's not worth it, your life is worth more than him. He was stupid to hurt someone as special as you." Ikuto said softly.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better about myself." Amu said.

"Well is it working?" Ikuto asked with a smirk.

Amu giggled and softly punched his arm. "Yeah, a little. I'll try not to."

"No, not try. You have to," Ikuto insisted. "Give me the blade."

Amu hesitated, but then she stood up and got her blade. She handed it to Ikuto and watched as he went outside from the back door. "Where are you going?" Amu asked. She followed him outside and watched as he chucked the blade as far as he could into the forest.

Ikuto came back to where Amu was standing. "Now will you promise me not to cut anymore?"

Amu stoos there and sighed, it was hard, but she knew she had to stop. "I promise. Thank you for everything Ikuto." Amu smiled and hugged him tightly, surprising Ikuto. He hugged her back feeling the warmth of her tiny body and her soft hair on his neck. They stood like that for a while, savoring the moment. "Now will you tell me about your scar? Was it a girl?"

Ikuto stiffened. He pulled away hastily, "I-I have to go. I'll see you later?" He backed away and started to walk off into the night.

"Wait! Do you have anywhere to stay?" Amu asked.

"I'll be fine. I have a house, not a home, but it's a building with a bed. I'll be on my way now."

Amu found it hard to let him just go off. "Ikuto! Meet me tomorrow at the tree?" She secretly hoped he would say yes. She really wanted to see him again.

"Will do," Iktuo said smiling. "Good night Amu."

"Good night... Ikuto."

Amu stood in front of her back door. Watching as he walked into the shadows and disappeared from sight. It was actually really late and Amu was getting tired. She went to bed feeling more content than she ever had in a while.

Ikuto thought about Amu the way back. When he saw her go inside, he went back into the forest to the tree at the clearing. He was rich and he had a great big mansion, but it felt nothing like a home to him. Usually, he just sleeps wherever he wants and wanders around. The only times he's ever gone back is when he needs his essentials. He leapt up on the nearest branch and climbed up towards the top to his favorite sleeping spot. Ikuto instantly fell asleep dreaming of a certain pink-headed girl.

Thank you all for reading! :) I hope you guys enjoy my story. I'll try to update everyday, but I could get busy and forget to. Bear with me you guys.