Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara.

-I want to thank everyone for the reviews. Thank you all so much!!!! I'm sorry if I updated a bit late today, it's a good thing it's a holiday here :D

-About this chapter, it's basically about Ikuto and Amu and the only pairing here is Amuto for now. I'll add the others again soon. : ))

-Ah, what else…? Oh yeah, Amu's decision weather she leaves or stays is here too.

-Well that's about all of it. Please Review and tell me what you all think. Thanks again you guys, you're all the best!!! :D

-On with the Story!!!

Thinking About "I Love You's"

The two of them stood there for quite some time with no one making a sound. Ikuto looked at Amu confused as to why she suddenly wanted to leave. She started to avoid eye contact and was currently staring at the ground. He looked at her and he sighed.

"Amu, please just tell me why you want to leave." He told her.

"…" Amu stayed silent. She didn't really know how she'd explain to him about her sudden decision for now.

"Are you not comfortable here anymore?" asked Ikuto "Do you really think we can't help you? Is there something you need?"

"No…" replied Amu silently, she started to finally face him "I am so grateful for all the things that you've done for me. I owe all of you for your kindness and hospitality towards me…"

"Then why? What's wrong?" asked Ikuto.

"That's just it Ikuto, there isn't anything wrong with you or your family. It's just me!" she told him.

"But you did nothing wrong Amu." Stated Ikuto.

"I already owe you all so much, I can't bear staying here anymore." She told him. "I'm okay to go now. I can go back!"

"….Amu…" Ikuto stared at her, suddenly tears started to flow down her honey eyes. He knew something more was going on, and she wasn't telling him everything.

"Please just let me go…" Amu told him pleadingly.

Ikuto went closer to Amu and he smiled. Amu's eyes widened, it was one of the few times that Ikuto would smile. "Ikuto?" she asked quietly.

"Stop." Ikuto didn't let her continue, he cupped her face in his hands and he spoke "Amu, alright. I get it. If you want to leave…then go, but I want you to do me a favor."

"W-what?" asked Amu, her heart was beating twice as fast as Ikuto's face was inches from her own.

"Leave when you really want to, and if you do, can you leave after the ball?" asked Ikuto.

"Why after?" asked Amu.

"Because. Your friends are invited, and it'd be nice if you can go too." Replied Ikuto.

"…" Amu started to consider what Ikuto said.

"Listen Amu, no one here wants you to leave. If you really want to, then do so, but don't lie about your reasons." Stated Ikuto "If you feel bad for owing us, know that we wanted to do this, it was our choice."

"But…" Amu was about to protest when Ikuto cut her off again…

"I want you to think about what I said, consider waiting till the ball" stated Ikuto "Just remember, no one wants you to leave…so please think about it. I won't stop you if you really want to, but if you ever change your mind…"

Amu stared at him and she spoke again. "Okay…I…I'll think about it."

Ikuto smiled once more and replied "Thank you…"

Ikuto started to let her go and walk away towards the door. Amu called out to him again, before he left. "Ikuto…"

"Yeah?" he asked, mostly back to normal now.

"Why…what makes you so sure that…that no one wants me to leave." Said Amu.

"Because I sure don't want you to…" stated Ikuto "And that's a lot coming from me." And with that, he walked away completely out of the room.

Amu stared at the door and then she sighed. She was shocked, mostly because Ikuto knew that something else was bothering her, and that there was another reason why she wanted out. She too knew herself that she wanted to go for another reason…

Her time alone yesterday made her think about a lot of things. And as she thought back to those things now, she remembered her talk with Tsukasa…what he said didn't make much sense to her at first, but now that Amu thought back to it…Tsukasa made more sense than what she was willing to admit…

Flashback: Yesterday…

Amu walked around the palace alone today. She had no one with her since all of them were out for the day. She was passing by the halls when suddenly she hear a cheery voice from behind her speak.

"Amu-chan, what a surprise to see you here today." Amu turned around to find that the voice belonged to no other than Tsukasa.

"Ah! Tsukasa-san." Exclaimed Amu with a smile "Nice to see you today."

"And it's a pleasure to see you too." Said Tsukasa returning the smile, Tsukasa then asked "What are you doing here alone?"

"Oh, um…Utau's not here and Ikuto and Yoru are gone too." Stated Amu.

"Ah, and Tadase and Kairi-kun are gone for the day as well…you have no one with you then?" asked Tsukasa.

"No." replied Amu sadly. She missed everyone, and she definitely started to miss Ikuto while he was away…she was just too stubborn to admit it to herself…

"Then how would you like to have some tea with me today?" offered Tsukasa.

"Is that alright? I'd like the company, but aren't you busy Tsukasa-san?" asked Amu "I don't want to disturb you."

"Oh no, it's quite alright. I'd like to have you come with me too. We didn't get to talk much since you got here." Said Tsukasa "And I'd like to hear about how you've been."

"Okay." Replied Amu with a smile.

Amu and Tsukasa went to the gardens and Tsukasa made them tea. They sat down on one of the tables and Tsukasa started the conversation.

"So Amu-chan, how has it been these past few years?" he asked her with a smile.

"It's all been the same Tsukasa-san." Stated Amu.

"Really? Have you been doing alright?" asked Tsukasa. He knew what happened to her so he's curious.

"What do you mean?" asked Amu shocked, she didn't know that Tsukasa knew.

"Amu-chan…" started Tsukasa "I hope you don't mind, but Utau-chan has told me about your…situation…"

"Oh…" replied Amu. "I'm sorry…"

"You don't need to apologize to me." Said Tsukasa as he shook his head "I am a close friend of your father, and I would do anything I can to be able to help you and the others."

"Thank you…but I don't want you to get involved…" said Amu sadly.

"But no one wants to ever see you in such a torn state Amu-chan. It's better to ask for help now, before it's too late." Advised Tsukasa "That goes for all the others too."

"People could get hurt. Ikuto and Utau have done much for me already." Said Amu "I don't know what would have happened to me if Ikuto wasn't there when I fainted."

Now that she thought about it, she owed most of it to Ikuto, if he didn't take her here, wher would she be now?

"Ah yes. Utau-chan mentioned that to me once." Said Tsukasa with a smile "How Ikuto-kun had…saved you."

"He has done a lot for me. He's always been there for me too, almost all the time." Said Amu "I couldn't ask them to do more than that."

"Yes, Ikuto-kun has been in your room a lot. It's not like him." Replied Tsukasa.

"I'm sorry…" stated Amu.

"Amu-chan, please. There is nothing for you to apologize for. You have done nothing wrong, and therefore you have nothing to apologize for." Said Tsukasa.

"But it's been a while since I've been here. I've been much of a burden." Said Amu "Mai and her family don't want me here either…"

"Amu-chan, what Mai thinks is of her own opinion, and so far, no on tends to agree with her." Said Tsuakasa "Are you thinking of leaving?"

"Wha? How did you…?" Amu was shocked, it was as if Tsukasa had taken the words right out of her mouth.

"I can see it in you that you're struggling on something and this was the first thing that I could think of…" said Tsukasa. "Am I right?" he asked knowingly.

"It's not like I don't like it here…but, I also want to see all my friends and I miss them too…" said Amu.

"Is that all?" asked Tsukasa. He knew that she was keeping something.

"Huh?" asked Amu "What makes you think there's more."

"Just a wild guess…" stated Tsukasa with a smile.

"…" Amu stayed silent for a while and then she replied "There is another thing…but I don't know what to do about it…"

"You can always tell me about it…." Stated Tsukasa with a kind smile "I would be more than happy to be able to help you."

"Well…Tsukasa-san…about Ikuto…" she started.

"Ikuto-kun?" asked Tsukasa shocked "This is a bit of a surprise."

"I…I'm just curious…is he really…Mai's fiancée?" asked Amu, a bit of blush ran through her cheeks…
Tsukasa suddenly smiled at that. He was not expecting something like this to come up, but now that it did, he was willing to find out as much as he could.

He smiled at Amu and spoke "No, Amu-chan, she isn't. She was making that up if she told you that."

"Oh…so Ikuto and her…" Tsukasa cut of whatever Amu was about to say and then he continued.

"No, they are not to be wed. Ikuto-kun doesn't even seem to like her that way…" said Tsukasa and then he sweat dropped and thought… "I don't think that Ikuto-kun likes her in any way at all."

For some reason, upon hearing this, Amu couldn't help but smile. "I see..." she spoke silently.

Tsukasa noticed her sudden smile and asked "Amu-chan, if I may ask, why are you so curious about Ikuto-kun's relationship with Mai-chan?"

"Huh? Oh…I was…I was just wondering if ever that was true…Ikuto really doesn't seem to like her." Amu mumbled the last part, but still, Tsukasa heard it clearly.

"I see…but could it be…that you're curious because…you too have…feelings?" asked Tsukasa with a smile.

"Feelings? For Ikuto?" asked Amu shocked, and she was blushing like mad.

|I never did mention they were for Ikuto-kun." Replied Tsukasa with a light shrug.

"Eh?!?" Amu looked at Tsukasa shocked.

"So, does that mean that you do have feelings for him?" he asked her.

"I…" Amu thought about it for a moment, and she knew. She knew how she missed him when he was away, how she wanted and didn't mind it if he was in her room, and how much she didn't like hearing that Mai and him were together in any way

.

"Do you Amu-chan?" Tsukasa asked again.

"I…." Amu hesitated for a moment and she soon replied "I don't know…but…if I did, could I? Could I…do that?"

Tsukasa smiled and spoke and replied "And why not? There isn't anything wrong for having feelings with someone…"

"But, that would be wrong…" stated Amu "He's a prince, and I've owed him so much…besides, he told me he liked someone else already…"

"And here I thought you'd be annoyed with how he treats you…" stated Tsukasa with a laugh. "The way he treats you is quite different than the way he does to others…"

"I am annoyed, at times I really am, but…" Amu sighed "Most of the time, I want him around, I don't know what to do anymore. He can be a complete pervert and he isn't really the quite kind of guy…but he can see through me a lot and he knows how to cheer me up, even if it means annoying me until I start yelling at him…"

"You enjoy his company then?" clarified Tsukasa.

"Sometimes, I hate it. I hate the fact that he can just see through me and he treats me like I'm some little kid…" said Amu.

"But?" asked Tsukasa knowingly.
"I do want him around. I want to help him the same way he's helped me…" said Amu silently.

"Help him? How?" asked Tsukasa shocked.

"He's always making things difficult. Sometimes he totally opens up and then the next he just closes everyone away from him like he doesn't want to get them involved with his personal problems." Said Amu a bit frustrated "I just wish…he'd just go and open up more…"

"Ah, but that just isn't like Ikuto-kun you see. Ever since he was a child, he would rarely open up to anyone. The way that Utau-chan and him were raised, they were told to be independent, for it was the kingdom and it's people that relied on them." Explained Tsukasa.

"But then, didn't they get to play a lot when they were kids? Kukai said they had a meadow, Utau too him there so…" Amu was cut off by Tsukasa again.

"Their life was much more complicated than one of normal kids. Even Tadase got to go out of the house more than them, even if he was a noble." Said Tsukasa.
"Then, what did they do if they never went outside?" asked Amu.

"Study, meet other royals and getting exposed to public and the kingdom itself." Said Tsukasa "Aruto and Souko were against it at first, but the other leaders urged them that this was the proper and only way to raise future sons and daughters of noble blood." Tsukasa sighed "They couldn't do anything so they complied. As time went on, Ikuto-kun rarely got to play his violin and he was forced to even give it up if he didn't comply. And Utau-chan stopped singing, even though she wanted too, no one would listen and let her sing."

"That's so sad." Said Amu.

"In time, they stopped complaining. They did everything they were told. The leaders were happy, but in return Utau-chan and Ikuto-kun got used to locking themselves in rooms after meetings and such, trust was a hard issue for them." Said Tsukasa.

"I see…but Ikuto doest mind talking about it though, not most of the time anyway." Said Amu.

"You're one of the few people he chooses to open up to Amu-chan, that's why his actions towards you shocked me at first." Said Tsukasa with a smile.

"…" Amu stayed silent for a while and she thought about all the things Tsukasa's been telling her. She thought about Ikuto and how he was around her. She knew he could be a pervert but he was also so unpredictable too…

"Amu-chan…" started Tsukasa.

"Yes?" asked Amu as she stopped her thoughts for the moment.

"Just one last hint of advice. Never be afraid to love someone, no matter who they may be, or where they may stand. You never know, that person could just love you back. Sometimes, it's someone's love for another that they have the strength to keep on going…" Tsukasa gave Amu a reassuring smile that everything was going to be alright.

Amu returned the smile and replied "Thanks Tsukasa-san. For everything."

"It was my pleasure Amu-chan. Don't be afraid to tell me anything, and if ever you need any help, I'm right here." Said Tsukasa.

"Thank you, really." Stated Amu.

Amu stood up and she thanked Tsukasa once more for the tea and for the good advice. Tsukasa gave her another warm smile before he saw her off. As Amu was walking away, Tsukasa called her attention one more time.

"Amu-chan." He called.

"Yes?" asked Amu confused.

"Remember what I told you. If you love someone, think things through and tell them, before it's all too late…" he told her. "Think about it okay?"

"I will, thank you again." And with that, Amu waved and started to walk back into her own room…her head filled with, hurt and confused thoughts, for the one she loved…Ikuto.

End of Flashback

Amu thought back to all the things that Tsukasa had just told her yesterday. She knew that he had a big point, and it actually dawned to her that she needed to be honest to herself.

"I know he's right…" mumbled Amu to herself "I don't know what to do anymore. I'm confused. I don't want to leave, I want to stay…but…what am I supposed to tell Ikuto then? How am I going to tell him…that…I love him?" and that thought was the one thing on her mind…that was the reason she wanted to leave, because she knew that sooner or later she could no longer stop her feelings for the certain prince from growing.

The Next Morning

Utau walked around the palace with a list in her hands, she sighed as she looked at the list and thought. "Why am I even going through this again? Oh that's right, because if I don't, father and mother are going to kill me…" she sighed as she continued to read through the list.

Utau soon heard footsteps approaching her. She put the list down and her head up, she saw Ikuto walking around the gardens alone while looking up at the sky. Utau looked at her brother before approaching him.

"Ikuto." She called.

Ikuto turned around and saw Utau "Hm, what are you doing here?" he asked her.

"Nothing, I just so happened to pass by that's all. And I saw you here, alone. So? Why are you here alone?" asked Utau confused.

"Were you expecting anyone else?" asked Ikuto.

"Amu maybe, or even Yoru perhaps." Said Utau with a shrug. "Not even Yoru's here."

"He happens to be busy." Said Ikuto with a sigh.

"What happened to you?" asked Utau "You seem so down now, did you get into a fight with Amu?" she guessed.

"It's not that." Replied Ikuto then he sighed.

"But it has something to do with Amu doesn't it?" asked Utau knowingly "Nothing else would get you so down."

"Yeah, it has something to do with her. She wants to leave actually." Said Ikuto.

"What?!?" asked Utau shocked "When did she decide this? And why?"

"She told me about it last night after I came back and went to her room." Stated Ikuto "She said we've done enough for her, and now she wants to go."

"That's ridiculous." Stated Utau, she sighed before she asked "Well?"

"Hm?" asked Ikuto.

"What did you tell her? Will you let her go?" asked Utau again.

"Personally, no, I don't want her to leave." Said Ikuto "But, if that's what she wants…then I have no right to stop her don't I?"

Utau stopped and smiled "You know Ikuto, you've changed so much since he got here. I can't even imagine you saying things like this before…"

"Yeah." Ikuto chuckled "What has she done to me Utau?" he asked.

"Ask yourself that." Replied Utau with a slight laugh. She soon asked again "Can you take it though? If she decides to leave?"

"I don't know that. I already gave her a choice." Stated Ikuto.

"What kind of choice?" asked Utau confused.

"That if she did want to leave…I wanted her to at least stay until the ball." Replied Ikuto.

"That's a good idea but how did she take it?" asked Utau "Did she agree?"

"I don't know yet. She told me that she'd think about it. Honestly, she can be so stubborn at times, she just wont say yes." Said Ikuto with a sigh.

"Yes, but if she wasn't as stubborn as she is, she wouldn't have had the power to change you." Said Utau with a smile "You really have changed, and you have to admit, Amu's worked wonders on you."

"Yeah…." Agreed Ikuto

"So, did you realize it yet?" asked Utau with a smirk. She's been spending so much time with Ikuto she's caught on to his smirk.

"Realize how I feel?" he asked, and surprisingly he wasn't trying to act blunt about it.

"Yes exactly. Did you?" asked Utau.

"It's so new and difficult. To love someone like Amu, but it just seems worth it to me. That stubborn girl…" he told her.

Utau couldn't help but laugh and she spoke "My, wasn't that shocking coming from you."

"Knock it off. You're in the same state as I am, so why don't we keep this to ourselves." Said Ikuto.

Utau calmed down and smiled slightly "Hm, you know me too well don't you?"

"You're my sister." Said Ikuto "Of course I know you."

"Hm, but you're right, we're the same, but mine's harder." Stated Utau.

"Why? What's so wrong with Kukai?" asked Ikuto with a grin.

"It's not Kukai himself. But do you think that they'd let me marry someone who's not from royal lineage?" asked Utau knowingly.

"Hm, maybe not, but it's your choice still isn't it?" asked Ikuto.

"I know, but I would disobey mother and father…" she mumbled sadly.

Ikuto went and ruffed her hair, then he smiled "Utau. You have your own life, sometimes I'd be better if you followed your own decisions rather than trying to obey someone else and ruin your life." He told her.

Utau smiled and replied "You should take your own advice Ikuto." she told him.

"Right…" muttered Ikuto.

"Look, enough already, go to Amu and tell her how you feel before it's too late. You never know, she might change her mind." Said encouraged him.

"I'll see what I can do." Replied Ikuto and then he asked "By the way, what's with the list?"

"Oh this? It's the list of princes that are attending the upcoming ball, and yes I happen to have to read it." Said Utau.

"Fathers orders?" asked Ikuto.

"Kind of, him and the rest of the kingdom leaders. Honestly, they can be such a pain some times." Said Utau with a sigh.

"Just do what they say Utau." Said Ikuto "I do more than that and trust me, my job is twice as bad."

"I know." Said Utau. "Well It'd be best if I get going. I don't want to get caught here. They're going to lecture me about slacking again…"

"Alright, I'll see you later." Said Ikuto.

"See you around Ikuto." Utau started to turn around and she waved one last time before turning completely and leaving…

Meanwhile With Amu

Amu walked in the palace halls and then she stopped at a room when she heard a sound of a violin coming from inside. She was initially looking for Ikuto, she wanted to talk to him about something. Now, she knew she's found the right room..

"Well, this saves me the trouble of looking for the place…" stated Amu silently.

She soon found that the door just so happened to be open. She opened the door slightly and she saw Ikuto with his eyes closed while he was peacefully playing his violin. Amu smiled at the sighed, but then Ikuto suddenly stopped playing.
"Why does he always stop when I'm around?" she asked herself and sighed.

"Alright, who's there, just come out already." Stated Ikuto from inside the room.

Amu gulped, she forgot that he had sensitive ears and could hear almost anything. She sighed and lightly patted the door before speaking "Ikuto? Um…it's Amu….Can I come in?"

"Amu?" asked Ikuto as he got up and placed his violin back into it's case.

Amu went inside and she smiled lightly. "Hey Ikuto." She greeted.

"Hey yourself." Replied Ikuto "What are you doing here?"

"I was just…" before Amu could finish, she saw him smirk and she thought "Oh no…I know that face. It's the I'm-about-to-do-something-perverted face. Either that or he's just about to tease me to no end again…"

"What's the matter Amu? Did you miss me? Couldn't wait till I went to visit you?" he said with that plastered smirk on his face.

"What?!? No! You wish you pervert!" retorted Amu as she turned around to avoid his gaze.

"Aw come on now Amu, don't be mean." Said Ikuto with a pout.

Amu looked at him and thought "Aw he looks really….NO, NO, NO!!! Stop thinking like that!" she soon replied "Cut that out Ikuto. You look ridiculous."

"Aw that hurt Amu." Said Ikuto.

"…." Amu was silent for a while but then Ikuto started laughing. "Again??!!??"

"You are so much fun." He told her with a chuckle. As soon as Ikuto was done laughing he asked Amu "So, what are you really doing here?"

"I…" Amu stopped for a while and then she continued "I wanted to tell you…I've made my choice…"

"Which is?" asked Ikuto, but he was hoping she planned to stay.

"I'll stay…" continued Amu.

"Really?" asked Ikuto.

"Y-yes, but only until the ball, I don't know if I'll still stay after." Said Amu. "S-so don't think I'll be here after okay? I haven't thought about that yet."

Ikuto smiled slightly and spoke "That's fine. I respect your choice, and I'm glad you took my advice too."

"It was nothing…" started Amu. She looked at Ikuto and she was caught in the gaze of his deep sapphire eyes.

Ikuto went closer to Amu and he caressed her face with one of his hands. Amu's face was turning red and she spoke "Ne Ikuto, I...I have something I want to tell you…"

"Hm?" asked Ikuto.

"Do you remember when Mai told me that you were her fiancée?" asked Amu.

Ikuto felt a bit uncomfortable about the topic but he just went with it. "Yeah, what about it?"

"It…it really bothered me…when I heard her say that." Said Amu.

Ikuto's eyes widened in shock. "Really now?"

"I don't know….but it did. I kept it to myself at the time. I really thought she was serious. Mean, you are a prince and all that, she is a candidate for your future wife isn't she?" asked Amu.

"True, but you know…I don't think it would work with Mai. There's…there's already this girl that I'm interested in…" said Ikuto.

Amu's heart ached and she felt pained "Yeah I know, you told me about it the other day when we split up because the others were here."

"Hm, does that bother you?" he asked with a smirk.

Instead of countering his teasing like she usually did she stayed silent, this surprised Ikuto again. Amu suddenly asked "Can I know who she is?"

"Hn, sure thing. I'll tell you." Stated Ikuto "But, this has to be our little secret."

"Okay." Replied Amu. She didn't want to know, but what else can she do now. She might as well find out who the girl is…

"That girl is really special to me now. I haven't known her that long….I've known Mai longer actually. She could be blunt, she's stubborn and she can be completely oblivious you'd want to drill things into her head…" explained Ikuto with a laugh.

"But?" asked Amu, she seemed to be in more pain now.

"But she's so different, in a good way. She's caring and beautiful." Replied Ikuto "And I really love her."

"T-that's great." Amu's voice was cracking by now, she didn't know how much longer she could bear hearing this.

"That girl….is….you…" whispered Ikuto.

Amu was too piled up in her own thoughts to have heard, so when she snapped out of her thoughts, she asked again "Oh, I'm sorry Ikuto I didn't hear wh-…" before she could finish, Ikuto once again cupped her face into his hands and then she was directly looking at him.

"Ikuto, w-what a-are you…" she didn't have time to finish because the next thing she knew she felt Ikuto's lips touching her own. He was kissing her. A soft kiss and her head started spinning, but then she started to close her eyes and she didn't even pull away. That's when her heart started to take over and deep down she finally realized her love for the prince…

Author Note: Ahhhhh…….I hope you guys liked this chapter, sorry if it was a bit late though… Please Review and tell me what you think about it. Thanks again everyone!!! :D =))