Sorry I haven't updated in a long time. Please forgive me. But I have been so busy with school. Plus I got sick. And had to do school shopping. And project. The list goes on and on. Just a reminder, italics = thoughts. So in order to make it up to you all, here is chapter 10.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara!, 'cuz if I did, I would have Tadase removed from it. And I don't own the ***** eyes either. Those belong to James Patterson. You'll see what I mean later on.

~o~n~ ~w~i~t~h~ ~t~h~e~ ~s~t~o~r~y~

Amu, Nagihiko, Lisa, and Suzuki were at the public library. Due to Kazune's and Kiri's intereferecne, and a large sum of money from an unknown person, the partners were able to work in groups of four. Amu's group had decided to do a presentation that consisted of a Power Point presentation and an enormous poster board. Amu and Suzuki were in charge of the Power Point while Nagihiko and Lisa worked on the poster board. But while Nagihiko and Lisa were going at a quick pace, Amu and Suzuki had tons of work to do.

"Toin-san, what are your top three favorite colors?" Suzuki asked Amu for the tenth time. She inwardly groaned and wished that the next hour and a half would be over soon. She wanted to get away from her partner so badly. Almost enough to commit suicide right there. But then Ikuto would bring her back to life and yell at her. Not very pleasant way to spend the day.

- Ikuto -

Ikuto was slouching in the living room doing, well, nothing.

"Ikuto! Get up from the couch!" Utau yelled at him for the fourth time. She had had enough of seeing Ikuto glare at the wall, if his eyes had laser beams, the walls would have a big hole. And if thoughts could kill, Amu's partner would already be buried six feet underground.

"Do you really, absolutely want to go with Amu on that date. She might not appreciate an evening of you glaring and sulking." She asked him. She hoped Amu's name would kick him back into this world and into his senses.

"I do, but I just don't like her being with that guy." He responded quietly, a little too quietly. He got up and called a restaurant to confirm his reservation.

"Where are you taking her?" Utau asked him curiously.

"To a place called Diamond Heart. It's supposed to be a really good place for couples." He replied. He smiled thinking that the name fit his Amu perfectly. To him, her heart was a bright shining diamond. Utau saw him go back into la-la land and had to bring him back to Earth. She went up to him and gave him an incredulous look.

"Um….. You do realize that Amu has no semi-formal clothing, right? 'Cuz if you don't, you are in big trouble." Ikuto looked down at Utau, noticing his big mistake. He hit himself on the forehead and gave her Bambi eyes. Utau winced, knowing she couldn't say no even if she wanted to.

"Utau, please take Amu shopping when she gets back. And I beg you, don't tell her where I'm….." Ikuto didn't get to finish his sentence since he heard the door open. Afraid that it was Amu, he didn't say anything else.

"I don't think I could have survived another minute with that guy." Amu complained for the fortieth time. She and Nagihiko were just arriving from the public library, or like Amu called it, the hell place.

"Don't worry Amu-chan, this was the last time we had to meet for the project. Luckily you were able to finish it." Nagihiko reassured her. He had calmly been listening to all her complains. And he didn't blame her. Suzuki was deep into Amu. All the questions he had asked Amu had been personal. And the less Ikuto knew, the longer Suzuki would live.

Ikuto and Utau walked into the hallway just in time to see them take off their wigs and contacts. Utau walked up to Amu and placed her hand on top of the wig.

"Amu, put yours back on. I want you to accompany me on a shopping trip. " Utau told her before Amu put the wig away. Amu quickly relaxed. Both she and Nagihiko had tensed up when they had heard someone walk down the hall.

"Where and why are we going Utau?" Amu inquired. All the girls loved to shop, but they usually went out on Sunday, not Saturday.

"Well, I am going to be singing at a semi-formal party tomorrow and I need a new dress. And I won't be able to buy one tomorrow." Utau replied. So far so good. She thought. So while she got her wig and contacts on, Amu repositioned hers.

"Bye Ikuto, Nagi!" They both called out as they left.

- 5 stores and 2 hours l8er -

"Oh! Try this one on also." Utau told Amu handing her yet another dress.

" 'Haine'! We've been to five boutiques already and I'm the only one who has tried on clothes." Amu complained. She already had four dresses.

"Well, so far I have found nothing in my taste, but more than plenty in yours. Oh look! I bet you would look stunning in this one 'Rina'!" Utau held up a knee length dress. It was long sleeved but was a boat neck. The whole dress was a cobalt blue with a pink belt at the hips. "Come on! Try it on!" Amu sighed at Utau's enthusiasm.

"Okay." Was all Amu said. She wearily walked to the dressing room. Something is going on with her. She's only looking at clothes that are for me. Amu thought. But she had to admit though, the dress looked gorgeous on her. The dress wasn't skin tight, but it wasn't ballroom puffy either. Simple, yet elegant.

"Come on out 'Rina'! I want to see how it looks." Utau called. Amu slowly walked out and twirled slightly. Utau was star struck. The dress looked like if it was made especially for Amu. "You look great. And you know what? We should get you a necklace to go with it." She started to drag Amu after she had changed back into her street clothes. But she couldn't get Amu to move.

"I already have a necklace to go with it. My lock." Utau looked at Amu and silently agreed. The date was about Amu and Ikuto. The lock and the key were their very own special symbols. Each one was the key to unlock the lock on the others heart.

"Well then, let's go back home." She replied. When they were paying she heard Amu mutter something about her not trying on anything.

- Half an hour later -

"Hey Ikuto! We're leaving for the theater!" Kukai yelled from the first floor hallway. Ikuto was upstairs getting ready for his date with Amu. "Oh! And Utau's car just arrived, right on time. Have fun lovebird!" Kukai ran out the house before Ikuto could fatally wound him for his words. Ikuto heard Utau trying to convince Amu to put on the dress to show to everyone.

Perfect. He thought, loosening his tie.

So what do you all think. So the ***** eyes turned out to be Bambi eyes. James Patterson has them in his awesome series Maximum Ride. It is said nobody can resist them. And I think it is true. So all is ready for the big date. I do not know when I will update again. Please bare with me. Please rate and review.

TheAlix400