Author's Note: So begins another chapter. It's technically Friday, so I decided to post this while I can since I'm going to be laptop less all weekend at A-Kon. Yay~! Also, thanks to those who have submitted their chapters so far, I'm enjoying each one of them. ^-^

Rating: T

Dedication: 13Lulu's for your review of point of mistake. FYI I'm actually following the book on several parts and that was one of them, but thank you for the info. I'll keep that in mind for future stories. ^-^

Summary: Like most popular boys, Ikuto has many girls that chase him on a daily basis besides his sister, so there's only one way, in Ikuto's mind, to stop them. Have a fake girlfriend of course!

Chapter 28: Squirm and I'll Hold You Tight

Amu and Tadase were both currently sitting on their knees, their faces a deep crimson. Tadase, noticing his forward words, looks down first.

"Oh…I'm sorry, I…"

"Oh, it's okay…"

Amu waves off his apology, not really thinking it was necessary.

"I know my timing is a little off…you don't have feelings for me, right?"

"No, it's not that. I was just surprised, so…I've always liked you. Even after that incident…so I'm really happy."

Hotaru was inwardly cheering Amu on, a huge smile on her face.

'Go Amu-chan!'

"Really?"

"Um…yeah."

Tadase reaches over, his hand grasping Amu's gently.

"Thank you…I'm really happy. Thank you for listening."

Hotaru was currently sitting on her bed, her mind wandering back to the event that just took place. Amu had been somewhat in a daze as they left. She was not suitable for talking. Hotaru was clad in a tank top and pajama pants, the design one of a cute cartoon cat, the saying "I have claws." plastered everywhere.

"Wow…Tadase-kun…"

"Can I be in love with you?"

Hotaru turns her head, her mind not having registered that Ikuto had gotten back already. He had been acting strange earlier.

(Flashback)

Having just come back from Amu's, Hotaru turns to Ikuto.

"I'm going to make us something to eat real quick, do you mind going upstairs for a bit? I'll be up there soon."

Ikuto opens his mouth to protest, but she shoves a hand into his face.

"You're sick, so go lay down."

"Hn."

Hotaru can only smile as she watches Ikuto head upstairs, seeming to sulk a bit. She had been quick in putting together two bowls of soup. She had reached upstairs only to find Ikuto unconscious on the ground. Her eyes widen.

"Ikuto!"

(End Flashback)

It had been about a few minutes since then. He had gone to the bathroom right afterwards, now just coming back. She was relieved to find him looking well. Reaching over slowly, she places a hand on his cheek.

"Are you alright? Why were you passed out on the floor?"

"The violin…"

His voice was whispered, but she managed to pick up his words.

"The violin? What's wrong with the violin?"

"Oh, nothing."

Hotaru frowns, feeling like he was keeping a secret from her, but decides not to press on it. She reaches over to her desk and holds out the bowl of soup, a slight blush to her face.

"Here. Eat this."

Ikuto takes it quietly, taking a small sip of it before beginning to eat fully. Hotaru had finished hers while he was in the bathroom, her mind having been preoccupied.

"So, Tadase and Amu?"

Hotaru's eyes widen, realizing he was bringing up the subject from earlier. A small blush takes to her face.

"Yes, so it would seem. I'm pretty sure Amu-chan is happy about this. She's had a crush on Tadase for awhile."

"Ah."

Hotaru places her head on her knees, her arms hugging her legs close.

"I can't believe we eavesdropped like that."

"It's not like it could be helped. We were right there."

Hotaru pouts, realizing that what he was saying was true.

"So…"

Hotaru returns her attention to Ikuto, the bowl in his hands empty. His eyes side glance at her.

"Kairi confessed to you?"

Hotaru's face turns a deep red, hiding her face in her legs.

"Can we not talk about that? That's so embarrassing…I had no idea!"

Ikuto only chuckles as he places the bowl on her desk next to her empty one. Easily sliding under the covers, he begins to wrap his arms around her. Hotaru raises her head, her cheeks turning dark.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?"

"Going to sleep…"

Hotaru frowns, realizing she still hasn't found a solution to Ikuto being here. She stands up, Ikuto watching her closely.

"Stay here…I'll go sleep in a guest room."

Hotaru walks off to another room down the vast hallway, her mind now remembering how immense her house is. She sighs as she opens a door, the room a bit extravagant. Her room was only simple due to her request, her parent's room and the guests' rooms were…well, not so much. Hotaru eyes the canopy bed with a bit of distaste before walking over and slipping under the covers. The room was slightly smaller than her own, but it didn't bother her.

The only thing that did was the fact that this room didn't have a balcony like hers. It was the one reason why she had requested it once she got old enough. She sighs as she fades off into unconsciousness.

'What is….why is the bed moving?'

Hotaru's tired eyes blink open, her mind taking quick note that it was still night time. It's when she spots dark-blue hair that her eyes widen, her body tensing up.

"Aaaaaggghhhh! W-What are you doing here?"

"This bed is so much warmer."

"Not the point! Do you know what would happen if someone caught us like this?"

"You're making me want to stay more."

Hotaru stops, realizing that there was a bit of truth to his words.

"I'm sick."

Hotaru flinches, his words striking a chord. She knew he was right.

"You kept me warm last night. Do it again."

"Last night I had no choice! I couldn't risk the servants seeing you! Ah!"

Hotaru begins squirming in Ikuto's grasp, goosebumps running up her arms.

"Hey! Your feet are cold!"

"See? I'm going to freeze to death."

Hotaru stops after awhile, only when coming to terms with the fact that the more she squirmed the tighter his hold got.

'He won't let go…Not that I mind…but my heart is beating so fast.'

"Aah, you're so warm. I won't do anything weird. I'll leave as soon as I warm up."

Hotaru sighs, realizing that she didn't truly mind him holding her like this.

"It's fine."

"Kids have a higher body temperature. You're like a human heating pad."

Hotaru frowns.

"Kid? I'm only 2 years younger than you. I become a sophomore in the spring."

"Oh yeah? But you're still younger."

"You didn't know what grade I was in and you asked me to pretend to be your girlfriend. Some nerve…"

"I'm seventeen. I'm going to be a senior in the spring."

Hotaru's eyebrows lower at this.

"I already knew that, but…"

'There are actually a lot of things that I don't know about Ikuto…'

"Um, that violin…"

"Huh?"

Hotaru turns her head to Ikuto's, his face closer to her own.

"Is it something important?"

"Oh not really. Just a keepsake of my father."

Hotaru's eyes widen, surprised at his blatant answer.

"What? That's really important!"

"Not really. I don't even remember his face. My step-father is annoying but at least he's a stranger."

Ikuto turns onto his back, his arms releasing Hotaru. She props herself onto her elbow, her emerald eyes watching him attentively.

"Blood relations are just a burden to me…because of what my real father did, I'm tied down to Easter."

Hotaru's heart clenches a bit, now feeling guilty about having been angry with him about Easter.

'He says it's not important and yet here he is with it…What does his father mean to him?'

"And the key? Is that also a keepsake?"

"Yeah."

Hotaru giggles a bit, laying her head back down on the pillow as she does so.

"You're like a rebellious child."

She notices Ikuto raise an eyebrow at her as he props himself up.

"You point out the fact that I'm younger and yet you're like a kid yourself."

Ikuto only watches her for a few seconds before wrapping his arms around her waist, his head resting on her chest. Hotaru's face becomes a deep red at the contact.

"Whoa! What are you doing?"

"I'm attaching myself to you because I'm a kid. Spoil me."

Hotaru's eyebrows lower in embarrassment, his head nuzzling her chest.

"You're not cute at all! Let go!"

"I'm against violence."

Hotaru sighs.

'So am I…'

"So, Kairi is in love with you?"

Hotaru blushes once more.

'Not this again!'

"That's none of your business!"

Hotaru calms down somewhat, her stomach getting an empty feeling as the question leaves her mouth.

"Don't you have someone you like too?"

"I do."

Hotaru feels her heart drop, her arms wrapping themselves around Ikuto.

"Oh…"

Ikuto's grip tightens on her.

"A young girl…."

Hotaru stops breathing.

"…with a cute smile…and a beautiful voice."

Hotaru looks away, her cheeks red.

"Doesn't really narrow it down. What's her name?"

"I don't know…"

Hotaru's attention returns to him, flashes of when they first met rushing in her mind.

'Is he…is he talking about that time?'

"O-oh…she's one lucky girl then."

Ikuto's head glances up at Hotaru's, his eyes quickly noticing her teary eyes. He moves up, his head now leveled with hers.

"Something wrong?"

Hotaru shakes her head. Ikuto lightly places his hands on either side of her face, making her look him in the eye.

"You're a lucky girl too."

Hotaru blinks her eyes a bit, a frown on her lips despite the tears in her eyes.

"How so?"

"Because I'm falling for you too."

Hotaru can feel her heartbeat quicken before she sighs, quickly sitting up.

"Not funny. You know it's not nice to lie to people."

"Sheesh. You don't believe me?"

"How can I with the way you act?"

Hotaru shakes her head before getting out of bed and walking over to Ikuto's side. She smiles softly, her hand held out to him.

"C'mon, if you're going to insist on sleeping in the same bed, might as well sleep in mine."

Ikuto only smirks before slipping his hand into Hotaru's.

Author's Note: I know...I know...A short chapter, but it was necessary. Besides, I like this cute little exchange. I'll have the next one out next week...hopefully what with being jury summoned and all. *sighs*

On a side note, as you've noticed, I didn't title this chapter. Why? Because I for some reason cannot seem to think of one that'll stick. So, this is where I turn to you guys. I was kind of hoping if you could throw a few suggestions out there. Whoever's I pick will obviously become the chapter title and recognition in the next chapter as well. ^-^ Submit before next Friday.