Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Shugo Chara! Just a big fan...

Chapter 5: Shopping With Ikuto

I had a strange feeling bubbling inside of me, and I had absolutely no idea what it was. I guess the only way to describe it is the way I felt when I first saw Tadase, but kept that 'cool and spicy' look plastered on my face. But the thing is… I don't think I like Ikuto… but maybe I have more than just a 'liking' per say. Maybe I LOVE him! But, then again… haha it's Ikuto… how can I love kitty boy Ikuto. How can I love a man (or should I say boy… no man… no guy). How can I love a guy who treats me like I'm nothing but a tease toy… nothing but a little girl…. Nothing but a pushover…

"EARTH TO AMU!" Ikuto snapped his fingers in front of me as I had stopped dead in my tracks to lost in my own thoughts to continue.

"Huh? Oh what?" I asked back oblivious to the previous actions.

"You just stopped walking?"

"Oh, well… I was thinking of an escape plan."

"No, you were thinking about me."

"No I wasn't!!" I yelled furiously blushing.

"Wow… watch it. I was just kidding, but now that you are blushing… maybe I WAS right!"

"You were NOT!"

"Amu, Amu, Amu… I told you that you are contradictory… but you just don't seem to believe me…"

"One, I am not contradictory. Two, I wasn't thinking about you. Three, why are you going shopping with me anyways?"

"One, yes you are contradictory. Two, you were thinking about me. Three, I feel like it."

"Ugh…." Seriously! I want to know why he's coming shopping with me. ME! OF ALL PEOPLE! ME!

We started walking again. Deep inside, I wished that he would just swish me off of my feet and dart through the air again. Amu! What are you thinking! Have you LOST it?

"Wait! Where's our charas?" I asked panicked.

"Who knows? Yoru's probably off somewhere with them out with his cat friends." Ikuto boredly answered.

"Are you sure they'll be ok?"

"They'll be fine… don't worry about them."

Ugh… now I don't even have the support of my charas to snap me back into reality. I really think I'm falling for Ikuto… but… but I just don't know. Hmm… now I'm gone from 'cool and spicy' to 'shy and confused'. I'm not supposed to be like this. Ikuto, can't you just give me a minute to think straight?

"Amu, seriously… are you like have psycological (sp?) episodes or something?" Ikuto stopped in front of me, "you keep stopping."

"I'm fine!" I exclaimed, regaining my composture and then stepping in front of him to continue my walk.

He caught up to me and asked, "are you sure you're okay?"

This time, he really did seem concerned. Is this Ikuto's real character, or just another way to tease me. If he thinks I'm going to fall for it… he's wrong!

I just repeated the fact that I was fine and kept striding forward.

Ikuto P.O.V.:

Jeez… I was just asking if she was ok. Nothing to get so angry about. I truly was worried. Whatever… time to tease her again! …. Or not?

Amu P.O.V.:

We finally got to the mall…well I guess we just walked slow… and I sat down on a bench, thinking of which stores to go to first.

Ikuto sat next to me and handed me something…. It was an ice cream cone. I noticed that he had one too. Ummm…. Yay! I love ice-cream! But wait! What should I say, do? Ahhh!!!

"Um… what's this for?" I asked.

"For eating?" He gave the most obvious answer.

"No, I mean, why? Um.. why did-"he cut me off.

"I'm not that bad of a guy you know… I do have my manners and I know how to treat someone while on a date."

"Well, thanks!"

What! What did he just say! NO NO NO!!! I am not on a date with him…. I'd want our date to be more… subtle… WAIT! I am not thinking what I think I just thought…??? Wait… I'm confused, but this is NOT a DATE!

"Amu, chill, I'm just kidding." Ikuto said.

My face must have seemed like it was saddened… well partially I was sad since he said this, but then he said, "Unless you WANT this to be a date."

"Umm… NO THANK YOU!" I rejected as I didn't want to go out with him… Why in the world do I feel bad rejecting Ikuto? I really think I'm starting to see another side of him… or another side of me. A side of me that LIKES Ikuto.

"Amu I'm losing you. I really think I should take you to a therapist." He teased.

"Ugh!" I grunted as I finished my ice cream.

I got up and started walking towards a jewlery store as Ikuto followed me. I sincerely think he tried to hold my hand three times.

Apparently, I was right, because on the fourth try, he caught my hand and wouldn't let go.

"Ikuto?" I asked.

"Yes? And no, I'm not letting go." He smirked as he started walking matching my pace. Two minutes later, he brought his arm around my waist, (still holding my hand btw -_-… if that's possible) and I blushed like a tomato.

"Umm?" Was all I could say.

"Look, my little strawberry is the color of a strawberry." Ikuto smirked in my face.

I turned the other way, but strangely enjoyed what he was doing. He was kind of 'whoo-ing' me over, but what if he did this to all the girls he met? Nah! I don't think he's that bad… I mean it's Iktuo! He can be a pain in the ass sometimes… but I don't think I've ever genuinly been mad at him. I don't think I ever can get mad at that face! He's such a.. I don't even know what the word is. I just hope he doesn't think of this as teasing. I really don't. But if I like Ikuto…. Do I like Tadase? Have I ever liked Tadase? Do I even LIKE Iktuo? These are the questions that haunt my mind! BUT! My mind will have to wait until I get home from the mall, because right now, I'm enjoying some quality time with Iktuo. Good thing Mama and Papa aren't home!!

End Chapter 5

-I'm not sure if I will update tomorrow, but if I do, it'll be late at night… past 11 at least because I have plans.

PLEASE R&R! I need YOUR ideas! YOUR opinions! And YOUR encouragement to keep me going!