Amu: 18

Ikuto: 23

Saaya: 18

Kukai: 21

Tadase: 20

Utau: 19

Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara Peach Pit does.

.::. Straight In His Direction .::.

It's been three days since I have ever set foot in Dark Strawberry, the only reason was because of Ikuto. When I went to the pizza place with Saaya to meet her 'new' boyfriend, things just got really awkward between Ikuto and myself. Not only had I told him that 'Yoru' was my brother but it seems like Kukai didn't particularly like him. Then again, with what had happened, why would he? Kukai's my bodyguard, so of course he's find him threatening to my safety.

Yet, somehow, it felt violently personal.

I sat in my office with Saaya, designing new clothes for this season. We pretty much had folders after folders, categorized in seasons to fabrics of colours, and chosen gender. We had our mind set on our task, on what we were planning on drawing. Except, I couldn't get them right.

"Ugh! This is hopeless," I cried after yet scrunching up another drawing paper and throwing it behind me. I felt a headache cloud my mind as I pressed my palm to my head. Why is this so frustrating? Am I being attacked with a fashion block? Isn't that, like, a curse?

I could feel Saaya's gaze on me as she dropped her pencil on her desk. "Sweetheart? Do you need some pain killers?"

I shook my head and groaned out a no, before attempting to look in her eyes. "I'm just experiencing some difficulty at the moment, that's all."

"Oh," was her reply. "Would you like me to see your draft?"

I debated this. "I would be distracting you from your work."

Saaya rolled her eyes, flipped her hair and got up from her chair. "If there is anyone who could pick up her pace, it'll be me. So don't worry too much. Let's see how you're doing." She walked around to my side and picked up the pages of draft drawings that I would be properly sketching and finalizing with. Saaya nodded each time she looked through them, making a choice of faces. "These are interesting, dear. I can't find any problem with your progress."

I sighed. So, what could it be if it's not a fashion block? Stress? "Maybe it's just my lack of energy or something."

"Well," Saaya said calmly. "We can't slack off today now, can we? Jay-Jay will be here tomorrow morning to pick these up and finalize them with the other members of the company. If we don't have these due at least by tomorrow morning, we're going to be delayed! There's no time for that, not when Winter's Walk-a-way is coming up soon."

The Winter's Walk-a-way is like a catwalk of our companies latest fashions. We have this four times throughout the whole year, dedicated to our four seasons. Saaya and I got to be in it last time and we had so much fun, even managing to become friends with some of the top models. However, this year Jay-Jay happened to tell us that if we managed to do an awesome job, we will not only get to wear our clothes on the runway, but also host it and the after party that same night! To us, it was like our careers were exactly on our fingertips. The feeling felt so amazing, that when we heard this we couldn't stop shutting up about it. Kukai had to buy a pair of headphones and download some loud music to block out our noses. Unfortunately, it didn't help his issue.

I wouldn't say we're stressing, however out of the two of us, Saaya really wanted this. She wanted to be recognized as a celebrity and not just an apprentice. To her, this was it! So being her best friend, of course I'd support her. Not only that, I really wanted to share the same dream of hers too.

So to hear her seem very perplexed about my headache, made me feel so terrible. "I'm sorry, Saaya. I'll work harder for the both of us." She pouted her lips to stop a smile, but only failed as she went down to hug me. "I promise," I whispered once she let go. "We will be hosting our runway with our designers clothes, okay? You can count on me."

"That's the spirit darling! I'm proud to hear you say that." We made a girly noise, more like 'naw' and hugged again, this time with me standing up. After releasing the hug, she pulled away and smiled. "Why don't we take a small break? Go get a latté and a cookie while I find a season on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's only eleven right now, so we have the whole day ahead of us."

A grin crossed my face. "That sounds good! Would you like one while I'm there?"

"No thanks. I had my fair share of coffee this morning. Besides, I feel like some strawberries and cream today." I nodded, turned and walked to grab my bag off the hang rack. Before I went to say goodbye, her voice raised out. "Hello there sunshine! Aren't you forgetting about your hair or are you planning on looking like a guy?"

Confused, I went to touch my hair. Once I felt the short spikes, my mouth opened and my eyes widened. "Oh, thank you for reminding me!" I scurried next door to get my extensions and clipped them in tightly, adding a green bow on top of my head to match my blouse. While I was doing this, my head was spinning.

What's the point in all of this? Am I just going to forever pretend to be like this until I get Ikuto, or stop? He isn't interested in a girl. He's interested in guys. So, why am I dressing up like this for? Will I have to get my gender changed if this doesn't work? Should I get a sex change? Oh, my gosh! They'll swap my bush with a snake! Really Amu? Saaya would so toy with you if you do that. Better be safe and save that into the 'never again think about this' section of your brain, you wannabe blond, pink bimbo!

Checking myself one more time in the mirror, I signalled an okay sign, and left the room, praying to God Ikuto wasn't there.

And answered my prayers He had.

Kukai had parked his car just as I had came out, so of course asking where I was going and who was taking me, he offered me a rid there in exchange for him coming. I regretted agreeing at first, afraid of Ikuto's reaction, however knowing that he wasn't here left me catching my breath back in again.

Kairi sat on the register today. Once he saw me, a smile graced his face. "Hello Ms. Hinamori and Ms. Hinamori's friend."

"Kukai," I pointed out. This made Kukai look down at me.

"Yeah?"

I laughed and shook my head, returning back to Kairi who was looking between us. "Sorry, he gets really dopey without his latté."

"No I do not! I'm merely responding to you calling my name." I rolled my eyes, and looked knowingly at Kairi.

"You see what I mean?" I asked, patting Kukai gently. "Poor little guy is losing his mind."

Kukai looked like I told him his mom was really his dad. "What are you talking about? Are you messing with me?" He practically shouted.

"Uh," Kairi mumbled, looking at me with shocked eyes. "Two latté's coming right up!"

"Oh!" I suddenly spoke out. "Also, can I also get three chocolate chip cookies please?"

Kairi nodded, smiling. "Of course." He pressed a few keys before he said, "that'll be fifteen twenty thanks."

Nodding, I reached into my bag to get my purse, when Kairi said a thank you and continued pressing keys. I looked up from my bag confused, until I saw the change given to Kukai's awaiting hand. He saw me look at him and in return gave me his man killing smiler he use to persuade girls with.

Oh. I can see why.

"K-Kukai," I stuttered as Kairi went to get what's ordered. My eyes stared into his emerald ones and it felt like time had stopped but my heart was still beating inside my chest. I parted my lips to speak until his own lips parted.

"A guy should always pay. End of discussion."

My eyes frowned a bit at his statement. "You didn't have to."

I could see the slow changes in his face as it transformed into a steady smile, his lip curving to one side of his mouth. My heart felt like it could grow wings right about now because my breathing was becoming difficult. Oh no, I know this feeling.

Kukai's hand suddenly draped over my shoulders as his head slowly bent down to stare in my eyes at level height. He stayed like that for a few seconds before he pressed his forehead to mine, a cheeky smile now dancing across his face. "Don't be silly," he said childishly. "I wanted to."

"B-but—"

"Your order," Kairi's voice suddenly appeared which made both or our heads turn to look at him. His eyes blinked twice before a shy smile traced his face. I think he whispered a sorry as Kukai grabbed the items.

"Thank you!" I called as we both turned to walk out the exit. The moment we stepped outside and away from the people who could see us, Kukai let out a laugh. I turned to face him, eyebrow twitching to be lift as I asked, "What's so funny?"

However, Kukai shook his head. "Nothing you need to worry your little head for."

I groaned out. "Kukai—"

"Anyways, grab your latté before I spill it." Not wasting another seconds, I grabbed my steaming cup of latté out of his hands, muttering a thank you and gingerly sipping on it; the hot water and milk with strong essence of coffee and sugar gliding gracefully down my throat. I almost sighed in ecstasy. Kukai chuckled. "Like it that much hey?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I really needed one."

"Well," he started before sipping on his own. "You're welcome."

I rolled my eyes at him. "You know, it's supposed to be the other way around really. You saying thank you to me."

We stopped by a wall when Kukai pressed his back upon it, his eyes watching me as he did so. "And why do I need to thank you?" His husky voice whispered which sent chills down my spine. Even with the sun out, it still felt a bit chilly.

"I was originally supposed to buy it."

"But in the end, I did."

My eyes frowned at him as I aggressively sipped my latté. "Droopy-soaked crackwad," I muttered.

Kukai smirked. "Septic-limbed princess."

"Pink-snouted panty-hole."

He raised his head. "Fat-fisted corn-handler."

I gasped. "I am not fat!"

His smirk only widened. "That's not what those chubby ass cheeks says to me."

I could have blushed, but I knew defeat was effortless. So instead, I smirked back. "You're checking my ass out, you gummy-pervert womanizer?"

Kukai winked, getting off the wall. "Every day Ms. Fashion-tongued pork-trencher."

So what if I like pork? I pouted inside. That just crossed the line! "Well aren't you just the everyday heart-packing glissing trot."

"Glissing trot?" He looked as if I called him the sexiest man alive. "That's so sweet of you to say attention seeker."

He only said two words. Two fricken words! Yet, those two words spiked anger within me, and as far as I knew, my words from then on had venom dripping out of them. "You're such... a... an up the hill angel humper!"

"Ah well, that only comes with one opinion, doesn't it wannabe-opposite woman-whore?"

I grit my teeth together. "Argh! You are nothing more than a ring of apolia conquered by the ancient doogywoods!" Seriously, by now I was losing it. I tipped the rest of the latté in my mouth, swallowing it before chucking it in a nearby rubbish bin. And all I could hear, all that my mind could understand, was Kukai's laughter.

"Doogywoods? What are you, seven?" By now Kukai stood right in front of my, the cookies and his latté sitting on a pole wide enough to fit all, right next to us. His eyes were smothered in a comfortable but teasing faze, lips tilting up to show a few teeth with that dashing killer smile that I regret ever complimenting back in the store. "I don't think you're seven," he mumbled.

I stepped forward, almost closing the distance between us as I mumbled back. "Go gridoculate yourself, homer rubbing ninny, you!"

"Is gridoculate even a word?" He asked with amusement."

"Like I know. It just fits with your personality."

"Yet," he whispered more to himself than to me. "She doesn't understand what it means."

I hadn't even notice his hand that securely wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his body. Heat emerged to me, giving me chills or goosebumps on my spine. Thinking it had something to do with the closeness, Kukai's hold tightened. "You know," he mumbled huskily, so huskily it sounded almost tranquillest and flirty. "You are such a crusty zit. I really hope the goose people get you and your fine chubby ass cheeks."

I glared hard as him as my hand came down on his chest. The people, the cars, the buildings all flew out the window as my mind began to think of something really mean to say. How dare he come up with these words just to spike me. And did that so effortlessly! "W-well." Great start you twit, great start. "You are a big pile of...of raw fish from a hundred year old used casket from the cemetery in Burskaville."

Kukai's face softened, his head moving even closer to me. "It's Burkeville," he mumbled.

I opened my mouth to retort back, however they were covered with warm, soft lips. The lips of my bodyguard. Startled, all I could do was freeze within his arms, my head going blank as my eyes stared at his drowsy eyes until those emerald orbs closed, a comfortable sigh escaping through our entwined lips.

And these lips that seemed to have so much experienced with woman, were in sync with mine as my body slowly gave in to his divine taste. My eyes closed against my will as our lips entangled with each other, lust pouring between us. I pulled slightly back to have our lips hovering over each other, air coming back in my lungs once more, until they both got sucked in to the passion that just emerged from its cradle.

I was glad his arms went around me, because I was sure as hell positive that I was about to fall from being so dizzy. Our lips got even faster with each other that one of Kukai's hands left my waist to secure my head. The kiss got rougher, deeper and sure as hell hotter. His tongue darted out and traced my lower lip, begging for entrance. I sighed in content and parted my lips willingly when something, no—someone's gaze pulled me out of my trance.

Opening my eyes just as I pulled away, I caught the sight of the person standing with an unbelievable distressed yet still and firmed expression. They stood with a bag in one hand and another black case in the other. I was pretty sure it was an instrument of some sort. However, that wasn't the reason why I pulled away. Not only were their eyes like daggers that could solemnly cut a person in half, but they were so sharp, so define, so dark I was pretty sure anyone within a mile radius could tell the difference in the atmosphere.

My heart started to thrum thickly in my chest, like a bird going crazy trying to flutter its way out of an iron cage, before it dropped in defeat. And that's what it did. The weight of my heart like stone beat too hard against my chest, that eventually it dropped to the pit of my stomach. I felt sick and utterly dirty when I stared painfully into those pair of sapphire eyes.

"Iku...I...I." I couldn't even speak his name! What was wrong with me? Was what I was feeling...guilt?

I laughed at that hypothesis. Why would I feel guilty of kissing someone that was not Ikuto? I never had even kissed him before in my life! Well, I was close but that doesn't count. What was he so damn important that had me stop in my tracks and switch the 'horny' to 'turn off' button on me? I don't understand how that's even possible. My feelings towards him felt so small compared to his lust for my guy side. And even now while he watched us, I wondered why he looked so hurt. What had I done to make him looked so pained?

As I asked myself this, the answer became clear. It wasn't just what I or Kukai had done. It's what we both did together. To Ikuto, I'm the sister of Yoru and Kukai, the boyfriend. We tried and apparently made that perfectly clear to Ikuto last night when he assumed we were dating. Of course, the hurt on his face was not for me, it was because of me.

"Huh," was all Ikuto mumbled out, before turning on his heal and walking straight inside the café as if he never even saw us.

"Shit," Kukai said rather calmly as he looked down at me. I returned the stare and sighed depressingly.

"Kukai? I have a feeling this is going to get real interesting." And that I'm pretty sure I drank the latté a little bit too quickly.

There was only one thing that ran inside my head that time as we both decided just to head home:

Kukai and I got somehow busted for cheating on ourselves.

A/N: Hi guys! Sorry I ran out on you like that! Unfortunately, I had wisdoms taken out straight after exams, and even after when it healed, I absolutely had no idea on what to write. It just all of a sudden vanished. However, I'm glad I finished this chapter because now I can move on to the next. Was this a surprise? And speaking of surprises, I want to thank each and every one of you for reviewing such wonderful comments and wishing me a happy birthday. Also, to those who added me and this story to their favourites. Thank you guys so much! It really meant a lot to me.

Read and Review for the next chapter? I'm thinking of pushing my limits a tad bit higher so, I'll update when I have around 80-90 reviews in total for this story. Think we can do it?

Question: Which team are you on: Amuto or Kukamu? (Ikuto or Kukai)