Title: Matchmaking Process
Rating: T
Pairing: IkutoxAmu, NagihikoxRima (side pairing), KukaixUtau (side pairing)
Summary: Tsukiyomi Ikuto and Hinamori Amu have hated each other ever since they first laid eyes on one another. Unfortunately, things go haywire when their parents meet. Matchmaking parents are the worse, no? Or do they see beyond the appearances and hatred? Amuto

Author Notes: Well, we don't really know much about Ikuto's mother, but I'm almost completely sure she wouldn't act like this XD. I don't consider the characters OC but the story AU, so I had to adjust the characters to the story. Other Shugo Chara characters show up throughout the story.
Warnings: Rated T for language and, possible situations. Mostly for language, because eraged people speak very harshly and I feel like making a story with swearing words.
Disclaimer: Don't own SC nor it's sexy characters.

Step 8: Plan the future

(Amu's POV)

Apparently I'm doomed to spend my entire life sulking in my bed. After arriving home yesterday, right after 'exploding' in front of Ikuto, I found myself running up the stairs into my room. I didn't have dinner (worrying my mother like hell), cried most of the night (since I hadn't cried in ages), and only called Rima around 1 am. Thankfully, she's always ready to listen to me.

"So, how did the confrontation go?"

"Terrible. I even kicked him."

"In the nuts?"

"Pretty much around that area..."

"That's my girl."

That's right, we spent almost the entire night talking about Ikuto, namely offending him. After the conversation was done, I realized one tiny little detain: in my haste to get away from Ikuto, I accidently left the CD with him. Shit! It sucks, really, really, really sucks! Why? Well, he might get confused with my gift (I put his name on the CD, so there won't be any mistake about it's owner), and we all know that confused boys need answers. To get answers, we need to meet, and meeting him is the last thing I need.

Suddenly, I hear knocking on my door. "Who is it?"

"It's mama, Amu-chan. Can I come in?"

Mom seems so polite in asking permission to enter my room...good actress, wouldn't say? I have to let her in. After all, I cherish my door. "Sigh, come in, mom!"

As she enters, she looks around my room. Her eyes look at every corner, every object and finally land on me. "Want to talk about what's troubling you, sweety?"

"...love sucks!"

"Amu-chan...are you...in love?"

She says those words so carefully, that I almost, almost believe she's worried. I bet she's just anxious to hear my answer (answer that includes Ikuto's name on it). "Yes mom, I'm in love. And yes, it's with Ikuto."

"I KNEW IT!" Figures... And right after, she jumps around like her feet are on fire and all I feel capable of doing is glare at her. Hard.

"Mom, or you either talk with me seriously or you leave my room. INSTANTLY!" She did calm down, even thought I can still see that damn glint in her eyes.

"So tell me, sweety. What's been troubling you?"

"Well, you see..." And I told her everything. All the emotions that I was feeling, the date that Ikuto had with that girl (mom looked way too scary when I told her that part), and my little outburst, and yes, I included the little punishment I made Ikuto go through last night.

"I see...you seem to have this much trouble in acting according with your true feelings..."

The pain in my heart hurts less as I lay down, my head in my mother's lap, just like I used to do when I was a child. "Pretty much. Urgh, why mom, why did you force me into knowing Ikuto better?"

Mom smiled, as she combed my hair gently with her hand. "I thought it would do good for you."

"It didn't do any good. I'm hurting, you know?"

"But it was worth it, no?"

I look at her eyes and know that she isn't joking. "How so, mom? I only got hurt in the end, and made Ikuto hate me even more!" She looks at me with the proud look of a mother and I almost even think that she glows.

"But you know him better now, wouldn't you say? And you made new friends, did new things, and felt new feelings. And even though it hurts a lot today, someday you'll cherish this feelings the most. They'll be precious someday. I promise."

"Mama..." And on this moment, I roll a bit, hugging my mother and crying. Why can't Ikuto be mine?

-- (Location: Neko's Latté) --

(Ikuto's POV)

I keep wondering more and more the reason for Amu's reaction yesterday. It just won't leave me alone. It kept nagging me all night, and I just couldn't sleep (or maybe it was the aching pain that still lingered between my legs). I thought that Amu would be happy to get rid of the forced matchmaking. I really thought we...could start anew without being forced into one another, anymore. Apparently, I was deadly wrong, and don't know why...

"Hey, Ikuto. Are you still in there or something?" I look to my left side, and notice that Kukai must have been calling me for quite a while. "Answer, please!"

Kairi, who had been busy with some documents (work, I bet), spoke up. "He's still thinking about yesterday."

"Huh, what happened yesterday?"

"Amu kicked him in his, er... private parts." I narrow my eyes at Kairi. Amu? since when does he address her by her first name?

"She did!?" Right away Kukai starts to laugh like there is no tomorrow. Keep that up Kukai, and definitely there won't be a tomorrow for you.

"Can we change the subject, you guys? Being kicked in the crotch is not a topic I want to talk about!"

"Well, we can always talk about..." And by the fact that I know what Kukai wants to suggest, I immediately interrupt him.

"We are NOT going to talk about you and my sister!"

"Why not?"

"Utau slapped him yesterday." Does Kairi read minds or something?

"How do you know all of this? Have you been spying on me?"

"No. I just stopped by your house yesterday to deliver some important documents, and I heard the slap and you cursing loudly."

"Oh..." And yes, I do know how to sulk. It's feels really good after being hated by a sample of the female population, yesterday.

"Sheesh, you sure are boring when you're depressed!"

"I'm not depressed!"

"Whatever you say, man." Kukai sure knows how to tick me off when he thinks he knows me so well.

"...okay, maybe I am a little. But that is because Amu got mad at me for unknown reasons. I'm the one who should be mad!"

"Mad for kicking you?"

"Well, that too. She even threw this CD at me." I take the CD out of my jacket's inner pocket and lay it on the table.

"Maybe she wanted to give it to you. It's wrapped neatly and has your name on it, too."

Now that he mentions it...in all my anger, I never noticed. Did she plan to give it to me last night? Was that the reason for her to be so mad? "Huh... Should I open it?"

"If it is a present, and has your name on it...hell yeah!" To satisfy Kukai's curiosity, and, well mine, I obliged.

My eyes widen and my mouth is hung loose. This is... I'm surprised that she knew so well that I liked this musicians, every single on of them. But the most surprising, the name of the CD is... Urgh, I'm an asshole!

"I really suck at this." I state with a big need right now to hit my head in the marble floor. Hard!

"Suck at what?" States Kairi with a curious stare, for the first time since we gathered to talk about my misfortune.

I ignore his question anyway. "I thought that with the date I had with Himeka-chan, I would be fixing the matchmaking situation and preventing myself from getting hurt, but in the process, I hurt Amu instead. I'm such an idiot."

"What do you mean by..." I stand up, and completely ignore Kukai and Kairi. I need to settle this. For good!

"I have to see her. Immediately!"

-- (Moments later; Location: Hinamori House) --

(Amu's POV)

Oh, you've returned? As you can see, I'm still sulking in my little corner called bed. Mom went downstairs to prepare something for me to eat. Right after she left, I checked my cell phone to see if he tried calling me or not. He didn't, but there were five unread messages in my cell.

I choose the first one and noticed it was from Rima. "Amu...look, I know we bashed Ikuto all night long but, I want you to know that even after everything that has happened, I will still trust your final decision. And I also want to point out that he really isn't such a bad guy after all. Now don't even dare tell him I said this!" Even if Rima is a tough person to deal with, I still love her very much. One of the best friends I could ever ask for.

"Amu-chan, Rima told me everything. Well, nothing to worry, after all this is you we are talking about! But you gave him the CD, right? Even so, if you ever need help in hitting Ikuto again, give me a call. I'll hit him first!" Nagihiko-kun always knew what to say to me when I needed someone to talk to or just a hug. I couldn't possibly live a balanced life without having him as a friend.

"Amu-chi, are you okay? Rima-tan called me and told me what happened. Ikuto-kun is an idiot! Let him be with miss ugly-face, and everything will go back to normal. If you need help to be distracted, call me and we'll go to that chocolate store and empty the entire shelves. I'll help and everything!" Yaya...dear sweet Yaya. Even though she can't really be very helpful in serious matters, she's a great friend and always ready to make someone smile.

"Amu-chan, are you feeling better? Utau-chan called me last night about your encounter with Ikuto. Apparently she also gave him a piece of his mind! Either way, don't lose hope. I'm sure he'll chance his mind about you. He has to!" Tadase-kun became a great friend thanks to Ikuto. If I never had met Ikuto and hadn't been forced to know him, I would have never met Tadase-kun along the way.

"Look, Amu. Forget all about my brother. He's an idiot. You deserve so much better than that thick head. You did so much for me, including encouraging Kukai in your birthday party into impressing me. I seriously wanted for Ikuto and you to work. But since it's not going your way, find a better man. Forget about the asshole who broke your heart!" Utau became also one of my supporters. She's so honest in her actions and words, so much like me that I feel that talking to her is like talking to me. Talking with someone who really understands me.

Mom and dad were right in that aspect...about me meeting new people and expanding my circle of friends. Although not having either Kukai's number or even Kairi's, I'm pretty sure they would at least sent a message, even to just say hello. I should really be thankful for being around such great people. I have such a difficult personality to deal with. I'm stubborn, it's hard for me to admit defeat (even when I know I'm wrong), and am sarcastic and deadly honest in front of people. Even so, I have many friends that support me and love me. Now, if only the one I truly love would do the same...

I hear my phone ring and look to see who sent me a message. It's Ikuto. "Open the balcony door!" What the hell is he plotting?

"What do you mean 'open the balcony door'?"

"-rolls eyes- Exactly what I wrote! Do I need me to draw you a picture or something?"

Urgh, even when I love him, I still think he's a pain in the ass! Probably that will never chance.

I open said door, and out from my balcony comes in Ikuto. "Hey, how the hell did you end up in my balcony?"

"I climbed! It's not that hard you know." I stare back at him with my face as neutral as possible. I really think that this would be the wrong place for me to put my emotions on the loose. He too seems to do the same. His eyes are expressionless, and he keeps his hands inside his pockets, making him look as casual as possible.

"How nice... Ever hear of a front door?"

"Front door? A big wooden rectangle thingy that lets people walk through? Yeah, I think I did." He smirks just slightly, and it gives me the impression that something seems a little off.

"Very funny. Now get out!"

"I can't. We need to talk."

"I don't want to talk!"

"Then you'll listen. I want to talk about this CD." Ikuto removes his hands from the pockets where they were kept and removes the CD from (what I presume) one of the inner pockets of his jacket.

Right now, staring at the CD unwrapped and Ikuto's once more expressionless eyes, makes me slightly nervous. Something is definitely different. The mood has changed completely from all the other confrontation between us. "W-what about the CD?"

"You gave me romantic music."

"...Oh." Crap! Crap, crap, CRAP! Can't you do anything right, Amu? You gave him romantic music? Why don't you just tell him right here and now that you love him, cause you can't get any more obvious than this!

"Don't tell me you didn't know that 'Ti amo' means 'I love you'?" My heart suddenly speeds up. I didn't tell him my feelings, but the CD has them written neatly in golden letters. I don't know Italian, okay? And by hearing Ikuto speak those words, even if only for translating purposes, it makes me blush.

"I-it's not really my fault. I picked it randomly and Nagihiko-kun told me it was a nice selection." Oh shit, this is definitely something I should have not said. Even so, after mentioning it out loud, I finally understand: Nagihiko-kun knew what the CD said. He freakin' KNEW!

"So he said that, huh? And you guys are best friends, so he knows you well..."

"Yeah, so it doesn't matter anymore. Is that all you came here to do, to tell me what 'Ti amo' means?"

After those words left my lips, Ikuto looked at me a bit...nervous? What the...? "N-no. I came here for something else."

"And that thing is..."

"I came here..." He stops for a second and his eyes take a more serious and determined expression. "I came here to get my wish granted."

I shiver under his manly stare (goddammit, it looks so hot on him...). "W-what is your wish, Ikuto?"

As soon as I asked my question, he hugged me tight to his chest and we both felt into my bed, him being on top. I really don't understand what he's playing at. Does he know I love him and now he feels like playing football with my heart? I sure as hell don't want it to be kicked, even if it's Ikuto we are talking about.

He whispers sweetly at my ear. "Stay with me."

"Huh?"

"I want you to stay with me."

"Wha...what are you talking about?"

"I'm really sorry!"

"For what? What is wrong, Ikuto?"

He buries his head in my hair and I feel as I could die right now, in this instant. "I wanted to makes us both free from our parent's gasp. I wanted to know the real you at my own pace. Even if I had to go out with someone else to be rid of the control that my mother had in me. But, in the end I hurt you. I didn't mean it. I-I wasn't careful enough, and suddenly, I fell in love with you."

"Ikuto..." I guess that something like this isn't always a one way street. Miracles do happen. "I guess we are both sinner, then." Pause. "...I love you too."

"Amu..."

Just like in some sort of corny love story, we both kissed. It was wow, just...wow. Are first kisses always like this? The butterflies in my stomach are flying more wildly than ever and my heart feels like it's ready to come out from my chest. We stop for a moment to catch our breath and stare at each other (good idea, or we'll get distracted by something else). He dives once more, and this time with tongue and everything and I fluster like hell. Is it getting hotter in here or is it just me?

"Amu-chan, I brought you some...oh!"

Argh, mom! Very bad timing. "Mom, couldn't you have...knocked or something?"

"I'm sorry, sweety. I only came here to cheer you up, but it seems Ikuto-kun is doing well enough!" And as on cue, Ikuto starts to nibble on my neck.

This is so embarrassing! And I'm certain that mom can see Ikuto's hands going under my skirt and inside my blouse. "Could you please leave, Midori-san? We were about to...er, get busy."

"Oh...ok."

"I-Ikuto!"

"Use protection, kids. We'll talk in the morning."

"MOM!" After that I just had to punish Ikuto for embarrassing me in front of my mother. If you must know, he's pretty ticklish...among other things that I won't tell you.

-- (12 years later; location: Tsukiyomi House) --

"Hey, who told you that you could take a slice of that cake?"

"Mom did."

"But your mother doesn't live here. She cannot decide who gets to eat the cake!"

"Pfft, you are just saying that, because you hate me, you idiot!"

"What did you say!?" And splash, there goes the orange juice down the poor boy's face. Running after one another and away from the garden where we all were, soon followed, and all I could think of was sighing. I really have given up hope in separating them both when either one declares war to the other.

"Amu-san, why does Hikaru-onii-chan and Tamako-chan hate each other?" I look to the side and spot a little bundle of joy, soon followed by...another bundle of joy, both equal in physical appearances (for the exception of gender).

"I don't really know, Izumi-kun." The youngest of the two 8-year-old smiles at me, with a sparkle in his eyes that remind me so much of Nagihiko-kun. "Why won't you go play with Hitomi-chan somewhere else?"

"Okay. Onee-chan, let's go!" As the little boy with brownish hair and the little girl with lavender hair leave farther into the opposite corner of the garden, I am left alone once more. Rima and Nagihiko-kun sure know how to be great parents. Even though Hikaru-kun's...personality needs to be worked a little. I guess that all kids are difficult at the age of ten. Then again, I have never had trouble with Ami when she was ten and neither have it now with my own daughter.

I'm suddenly hugged from behind by a pair of strong arms. "I'm surprised they had twins right after Hikaru..."

"Well, they always did it like rabbits." Ikuto laughs lightly, keeping it in check, so that we don't have the youngsters interested in the content of this topic. "And, apparently procreate like them, too."

"Urgh, Nagihiko is a lucky bastard!"

Yeah, he surely i...wait a frickin' moment! "Are you saying you would prefer being married to Rima instead of me?"

"No, of course not!" And he kisses me passionately to prove his point. "I'm just saying that I wouldn't mind having just as much fun at night as they do."

"Urgh, you haven't changed one bit, pervert!"

"Maybe not...but I'm your pervert!"

"I really hope so. I can get pretty possessive when it comes to you. And you know very well that I know how to punish you!" I smirk evilly at him and he gulps. Ah...sweet power of the wife.

"That's...nice to know." I smile sweetly at him and look back at the young twins, having fun playing with the fishes in the lake. Soon after, both Hikaru-kun and our daughter, Tamako-chan, join them. The fun keeps itself there, but suddenly Hikaru-kun pushes Tamako-chan down the lake, making her fume instantly. Payback from the orange juice, I bet.

Looking at the scene, it brings back memories of the time when me and Ikuto had been set by our parents. "Ikuto, don't they seem to hate each other just as much as we did once?"

"Amu, don't!"

"What? I didn't say anything!"

"But you thought about it! You are not going to play matchmaker with our little girl!"

"I wasn't planning to."

He looks suspiciously at me, but soon believes my words. "Good..." He brakes contact with me and turns to the children. "Me and Nagihiko are going to buy some ice cream."

I hear a unanimous 'YEAH' as Ikuto leaves, along with Nagihiko-kun. While looking at the children, Rima approaches me.

"Don't worry about Ikuto, Amu." Oh, so she was hearing the conversation, heh?

"I know. After all, our kids are still young. I still have plenty of time to convince Ikuto to get into this."

"Yeah. We'll try suggesting it again in 6 years."

I look at Rima with a smirk that matches her own. "Age 16 again?"

"You know it!"

We both look once more at our children. It's amazing what happens in life. Ikuto had to actually fight against our parents about the marriage part. In the end, he only managed to postpone the date for one year. After that, we soon got married. One year later, Tamako-chan was born, and now it seems that story repeats itself.

"Mom, Hikaru threw me into the stupid LAKE!" I smile proudly, perhaps with the same pride that my mother once showed me twelve years ago.

The doubts are never here, never present. I've already spent eleven years with Ikuto. We fight sometimes, and love each other the rest of time. This really is the best that I could have obtained. A loving husband, an adorable daughter, and my friends living nearby. All thanks to a stupid matchmaking that I never asked for.

-- End chapter 8 & end of Matchmaking Process --

Finished, it's finished!! There will be no sequel but there will be other stories on this pairing. This chapter actually was harder to write, for many reasons. But the number one is the worst. One word: HEAT! It's freakin' HOT!! I had to take breaks between writing to fan myself.

I wrote the entire chapter while listening to the new ED of Itazura na Kiss. The song is so beautiful (and it had SEAMO singing, too. I love SEAMO!!)

I've already thought also about my next story (the one summarized in my profile), and it will be very short. So far, I think it will be only 4 chapters or something, but the leigth of each chapter might be the same of Matchmaking Process.

And now, the reviewers that I almost feel like glomping... -glomps them all anyway- ...are:

candyland798, SimplyGorgious, Mayu-chan0o, KawaiiDarkAngel33, SunamiHV, DarkxGash, JennyKim319, Cookie-chan91, SailorCat244, Luvedbydarkness, Eevee-san, RandomChibiDemon-chan, beautifly92, Barefooted Cinderella Girl, FunnyLaugh, chiiara.o88, Yume Suzuhara, Karura Hime, sounchy, xXxLovexXxNatsuMikanxXx, RevengeIsSweeterThanYou, chaparrita, JennyKim319, Maymay080, mit-chan007, Azilda, miyuki-chan332, willowchara, Psychedelic-dreams, babo123, MagicAnimeGirl, Sakura Moon, Lustre Purgez, Retasuika, Ain soph auir, Faery of Night, WiND G0dd3ss xD, Nefarious Seraph 13, SailorCat244, HelenaLaVince, Kirara-Owner-of-The-Death-Note, bluebells, Natsuya801923, Clear Hope, blindbandit, vampgirl8, Did-Ya-Think, Itachi's Nail Polish, Ayame Maaka, MewCuxie12, lionetspirit, hotshot101, Aoi Faith, kanna96, Aoi Hana9, owly-chan (hope I haven't forgotten anyone...sorry if I did.)

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Thank you guys for all the support and see you in the next story (probably start uploading it next week).