Artemis: Yes, people: it's finished! My wonderful two-shot of Kukai and Utau is finished!

Kukai: Great job Artemis! Now Utau and I can finally have that ramen challenge!

Artemis: You only care about that challenge don't you?

Kukai: Of course not! I care about a lot of things! About my baseball team, about my football matches, about my new sneakers, about-

Artemis: About Utau?

Kukai: Of course I care abo- Hé, that's private Artemis! *blushes*

Utau: *rolls her eyes* Nothing will be private after this chapter Kukai, so get used to it.

Artemis: Well said Utau. And I want to say a few things before we start this chapter:

- I'm very sorry, but this whole chapter is written in Utau's P.O.V. While writing this, I never found a good place to fit Kukai's P.O.V. in, so I'm sorry for the people who looked forward to that.

- I time skipped the ramen contest. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to describe how they eat :P. Use your imagination readers :)

- If I made any grammar or spelling mistakes, feel free to say, I won't be mad.

That was it! Now people, please sit down and read about the story of Kukai and Utau. Enjoy it!

Utau: Artemis doesn't own Shugo Chara or the characters. If she would...I don't want to think about the things she would have done to me and Kukai -_-'

An Unknown Yet Familiar Voice

Utau's P.O.V.

"You're ready for this?"

"Please Kukai, we have been here almost a thousands times already. There is nothing new about it."

"Of course there is! Every visit means a new challenge. A new game with an unexpected ending, with new tricks that can be played by the players, a new..."

"Kukai, can we just go in? We have been standing here now for 5 minutes because you asked me if I'm ready for this."

He pumped his fist in the air and yelled: "Yes! Let the game begin!"

I sighed. Does he even know the difference between our challenges and the sport games he plays? He and I walked to the door of the Ramen shop, and I opened it. The atmosphere inside the place, which was first filled with chattering and people eating, immediately felt silent. All the heads turned to the open door, and a few people even stood up so they could have a better look.

I gave them all a blank look. I saw a few jaws drop, eyes widened, but it was nothing new for me. I was used to see people react on me. Their first reaction was always silence, not being able to say a word because of the shock. Next, unfortunately, came...

"O my god, it's Hoshina Utau!"

"She is really it! Hoshina Utau!"

"What is she doing here on her own?"

"Is she planning to eat here? In this normal, commonly ramen shop?!"

"You don't think she would, would she?"

The whispering.

The scariest thing about whispers, is that you don't know where they come from. You can't see who started them, who created them, where they began or where they were supposed to end. You could only close your eyes, listen to them, and protect your heart. Because, whispers are like snakes: silent, mysterious, but, deadly.

They came from everywhere: the floor, the corners, the sealing. It sounded like snakes talking to each other: soft, quick and dangerous. I saw the mouths of people move, but I couldn't hear their voices clearly. When I was younger, those voices always made me want to run away: away from those snakes, away from the harm that the voices could do to me. As I grew older, I become stronger and I could withstand the voices. But, that I can withstand them, doesn't mean that I lost my fear from them. I only don't show it; I hide it under my 'I-don't-care' attitude and blazing eyes.

"Come on Utau, the ramen will get cold!"

Kukai's voice pulled me back to reality. I felt his hand pull me along the sitting people. They started at me, not only at me but also at Kukai; their faces filled with curiosity, interest and, a few with, lust. I suppressed the reaction to vomit and turned my attention back to Kukai. He didn't seem to notice all the people or the whispering or the looks he received. He kept his eyes focused on the bar, looking at the two empty bar seats before us. Deep down I felt a feeling of pride coming up for his act: he didn't care about all those people, he could only think about our challenge. Sure, that makes him a guy obsessed with challenges, but if it helps me, than thank you Kukai.

We sat down and he turned his face, giving me a challenging look.

"Want to go back? Because I'm not in the mood of giving up easily."

Those words pushed the nervous feelings in me away, and I could feel the passion pumping through my veins again. I watched him with a look that could set a three on fire because of the passion in it.

"I think you should be the one to leave. Because when I'm done with you, you will never want to eat a bowl of ramen again, Souma Kukai", I said, emphasizing his name.

His smile matched his eyes as I could see his determination bowling up inside him.

"Show me what you got, Hoshina Utau."

I smirked. I will. But not only him. I would show it to everyone. To all those sneaky, whispering idiots behind me. I would show them that I was a whole lot more than 'the famous, beautiful and sweet' Hoshina Utau. And, at the same time, I had the chance to beat my biggest rival in front of all of them. Two for the price of one.

I turned to the man behind the bar. I saw the sweat run down his forehead when I said:

"Two bowls of ramen. Salt, extra large, with special topping."

He watched me confused as he stood there, looking in his mind for a answer for this situation. Irritation was building up inside me. Did that guy think I am making a joke?

"Haven't you heard me? I ordered a meal! Now go to the kitchen and make it, otherwise you are going to lose some customers within a few minutes."

That made him realize I wasn't joking. "Y-yes miss. Two extra-large bowls of ramen coming up!" He quickly turned around and threw stuff around in his hast to get to the kitchen. I heard snickering. I turned my face and looked at the boy sitting next to me.

"What's so funny?" I asked with one brow raised.

"Nothing. Just that bossy attitude of yours, it's really funny to see how people react on it. I like it."

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

"Only if you want to see it as one." He flashed a smile to me, but his face gave nothing away of the meaning of his thoughts. I slightly frowned.

This guy is really hard to figure out: first he is all serious about our challenge, and now he is teasing me and giving me strange compliments. *sigh* What to do with a guy like you?

"There you go miss. Salty ramen with our special topping and in extra-large portions."

Our focus immediately turned to the bar, where the man set down two hot bowls filled with ramen. At the same time, we picked up our sticks, took them apart, and raised them to eye level. I heard people gasped and the whispering started again, but not louder, less silently.

"Is she going to eat that whole bowl?!"

"She took the extra-large one!"

"No way, she can't be thinking of finishing that bowl of ramen all by herself!"

I ignored them. They didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was me and Kukai, and how badly that guy was going to lose.

"One..."

"Two..."

"THREE!" we yelled in union, and we began to eat.

- Time skip -

"Done!" I yelled.

"Already?! Good one Utua!" Kukai smiled and pointed his thumb up to me.

We had eaten our third bowl ramen. We had both eaten like madmen, like we didn't had any food in years. Somewhere in my mind something told me that eating so much wasn't good for my line. But I didn't care about my line, nor did I care about the people behind me anymore. I didn't even cared about their whispers telling each other that I was eating so much. Don't they see that I am beating Kukai? They should better talk about that!

"Ready for a new bowl?"

Kukai's jaw dropped. I couldn't help but to laugh: he looked so dumb, staring at me with an open mouth.

"You want another one?!"

I smirked. "Is someone here thinking about giving up?"

"No way! But I thought you couldn't stand any more, so I thought it was better for us to stop now."

"Think more about yourself and less about me", I snorted. "I can handle all this food perfectly."

"Hey, I can't help to think about you. Every girl has her limits, and I don't want that yours are going to be crossed because one of our competitions."

I fell silent. Kukai looked at me with serious eyes, and for the first time since our challenge, he didn't smile at me.

Is he meaning this?

Why wouldn't he mean it? It is nice of him to show that he cares about you, isn't it?

I blushed slightly and made sure Kukai didn't see it.

Yeah, but it is kinda strange to hear that from such a carefree and cheerful guy as Kukai.

That he always acts happy doesn't mean that he doesn't care about things. You were just like him.

What do you mean?

You first also acted like the only thing you cared about was granting Ikuto's wish. The only thing you cared about was your brother, and nothing or nobody else mattered. But you changed!

Into, what? A girl that doesn't care about her brother?

Into a girl who cares more about others! You care about how other people think of you, how your fans think about you, how your friends think about you. You changed into a kind and caring person Utua!

Yeah, well...Even if I changed, it doesn't changed anything for me at all! Ikuto still doesn't love me and there isn't any other guy who does.

Are you blind or something?! Look next to you honey!

I shifted my eyes to Kukai, who was now finishing his own bowl. He was clearly enjoying the food.

Kukai is in love with me?! The only thing he loves is sport and ramen! What in the world makes you think that he loves me?

Because he always likes to challenge you, and he doesn't do that with every girl. Because he is always happy to see you. And because he just told you that he couldn't help but to think of you!

Sounds good in your opinion, but to me it only shows that he likes me because of our challenges we have, and to me that isn't-

Did I also mention that he is constantly looking at you when you aren't paying attention?

I gulped and stared from the corner of my eyes to my companion. Kukai had finished his food and was now playing with his chopsticks. I couldn't help but to think that he looked very cute, seeing him play like a little boy. After I realized what I just thought, I fell my face heaten up and I quickly looked back to my empty bowl.

Why can't he watch you? I just watched him too!

Because he...because I...just because it's improper!

You only look at him. What is wrong with that?

Well! There is...there is...*sigh* there is nothing wrong with that.

If there is nothing wrong with it, than do it again. He isn't paying attention at you anyway. Check out his clothes, how do they look?

After I made sure that Kukai was indeed not paying attention to me, I dared to look at him again.

He wore jeans and a dark jacket. He had put his jacket off when we came in, so that I had a good look on his shirt. It had a dark green color. His sneakers were white, with red and yellow stripes on it. The clothes fitted him very good and the color of his shirt matched well with his eyes. Under his shirt, I could see his well build mussels, gained by all that sporting.

He looks...good.

Now, was that so hard to admit? By the way, you aren't looking bad either.

I looked to myself. Because of the nice weather, I decided this morning I would wear my light blue jeans and my white top on it. The sleeves were wide and came until my elbows. Around my waist, I wore a light brown colored belt. My shoes were on of my favorites: light brown open heels (the same color as my belt was), with bands across my feet in the same color as my heels. I didn't tied my hair up, so it was hanging loose on my back and reached down till my waist.

I guess I do look good..

Of course you do, no doubt about it!

You don't have to be so confident., You are just a voice inside my head telling me all kind of things about Kukai in a way too excited tone. You aren't even real.

Does it matter if I'm real, or does it matter if the things that I tell you about Kukai and about your feelings are real?

Uhm...

I always have been real Utau. I have always been inside of you, telling you things about the outside world and about the people who live in there. But you ignored me. You pushed me away without even listening what I was saying.

I-I ignored you?

Because you always were so full of Ikuto and only caring about him, my voice didn't reach you. You were stuck up in your world that only existed out of Ikuto. Of the need of you to help him, to make sure he was always going to be with you and to make him fall in love with you just like you did. But slowly, because of other people outside your world that reached your heart and were able to pull you out of your world, you were able to hear me.

I have never heard you before this afternoon.

You didn't literally hear me. Even with the effort people put into you and that of yours, you still weren't able to escape your made-up world for good. Those people, your friends, they couldn't do that for you. The last part, the last piece remanding of your world, is something you have to leave by yourself.

And what is that 'last remanding piece of my world'?

You have to give your love for Ikuto up.

WHAT?!? NEVER!!! I WILL NEVER GIVE HIM UP!

You don't have to give it up, you have to change it. From an dangerous and burning obsession, to a kind and warm sister love.

NO! I can't do that! I don't want to change! I want Ikuto to love me just like I love him!

"Utau?"

Why do you want to bind Ikuto to you with a love that isn't real? It is not for him, and neither it is for you.

It is real! I love him with all my heart! And he loves me too, I'm sure! I don't want that love to change!

"Utau?"

I don't want that love to go! I don't want it to change, I want that it stays just the way it is now: save and strong. If that love leaves...if I leave that protection, that love behind, then I...then I will be...alone.

"Utau!"

My head shut up and I saw Kukai looking at me with worried eyes.

"Sheesh, where are you today? I have been calling your name twice and you didn't notice!"

"Uhm,sorry Kukai, I was just...thinking" I stammered.

"About what?"

Whether I love you or not. "About...that baseball! That baseball that hit me. I was wondering how could have thrown it." I quickly made that up, but it wasn't a really a lie: I was curious who had thrown that ball.

I saw Kukai sweatdrop and he looked almost...nervous. Strange, I have never seen him nervous.

"Are you ok Kukai?" I said wondering about his strange behavior.

"Yeah I'm fine, it just...that baseball, uhm..."

"What's with it?"

He said nothing and avoided eye contact with me. I grabbed his chin and pulled it to me, so that we were looking face to face.

I glared. "Tell me Kukai. What do you know about that baseball?"

He gulped and said than: "I know who throw it."

"What! Why didn't you tell me that before?! Who did it, I will find him and teach him some manners about hitting people on the head!"

"I can't tell you! It's a friend of mine, and you can't betray your friend!" He said, looking more confident that he seemed.

"Even if it is the president's son, I don't care. I want to know his name. Tell me, now."

I leaned forward so that our foreheads almost touched each other. I was so close to his face, I could see every detail of it. I caught myself looking in his eyes again. They are really nice. So different from Ikuto's. Kukai's eyes have more colors and they shine brighter. That of Ikuto never shine so much when I'm with him...Wait, focus Utau! You have to know the truth and that guy is going to say it!

"Kukai. His name." I said threatening. "Otherwise we will never have another challenge."

He shifted his eyes down for a brief moment, and locked his eyes with mine again.

"It was me. I hit that baseball that flew into the park and hit you on your head."

"...It was YOU?!" I screamed. All the people in the shop turned their heads to look at us, but I ignored the looks. Anger was boiling up inside me like lava out of a volcano. How dared he keep that a secret from me!

"I'm sorry Utau!" he pleaded. "I didn't mean it. I was just playing a game with a couple of kids, and one of them threw the ball, but I hit it too hard. It was accidentally that it hit you, I didn't mean it, I didn't even know you where in the park that day!"

I didn't listen to his excuses. My thoughts were running wild trough my head, like fishes who were trying not to get caught by a shark. All were screaming; some with angry, others with pleading voices.

Kukai did it!? It was him who threw that baseball!

He didn't meant it! It was a accident, he said it himself!

That is a lame excuse! I bet he knew you were in the park today! Ikuto must have told him, so that he could hit you on purpose. That way you would fall in love with Kukai and forget about Ikuto! It was all set up!

No...No! That can't be real! Ikuto would never do such a thing!

Yeah sure. He must had enough of your obsessive behavior, so he send Kukai to you in the hope you would lose your interest in him. Kukai probably doesn't love you anyway!

I let go of Kukai's head and clutched my own. All these thoughts...they were too loud. Too confusing. Every single one of them wanted to be believed, but there wasn't any that sounded like the real truth. I had to get away from them. I had to find out which one of them was right and which one was a lie. I have to find the truth, the real truth about this all. But where?

I closed my eyes and tried to think clearly. "Utau? Are you ok? Do you want to go outside?" Kukai asked worried and he grabbed my hand. With that, it hit me. The park! That's it! There all of this started...I'm sure I will find the answer there!

I turned around and ran out of the shop. I heard Kukai yell something, but I ignored it. I kept running until I was in the park again. I tried to find the bench where I was sitting on before, but I couldn't find it anywhere. All those benches looked the same. I clutched my fist. Damn, where is that bench? I got to find it and find the answers to my questions!

I walked around the corner, and there it was. That bench was the one where I had been sitting on this afternoon, and where Kukai found me. No doubt about it. I ran towards it, and begin to search for the baseball. We left it here when we went to the ramen shop. It's got to be here somewhere! I looked everywhere. In the bushes, behind the bench, under the bins, in the bins (I know, gross, but I was desperate). I had to find that baseball! I don't know why it was suddenly so important to me, but that baseball was the reason why I met Kukai this afternoon and why I began to hear that freaky voice.

But it didn't matter: I searched everywhere, but that stupid ball was nowhere in sight. I sat down on that same bench again and hold my head in my hands. What was I doing?! Did I really think that a baseball could tell me the truth? That that thing could tell me if I was suppose to love Ikuto or Kukai? What was I thinking?! With every minute, I began to feel more dumber. I didn't even listen to what Kukai told me! I just ran away because I wanted to find that stupid baseball!

Tears were forming. It wasn't because I was sad, but because I felt like a horrible person. I wanted Ikuto to love me, and because of it I chased him everywhere, tried to control his thought and pushed the girl away he liked, because I wanted him to be mine. And what did I got in return? A brother who avoids me, ignores me and rejects me every time I speak about my love for him.

More tears came. When I realized that I couldn't get my brother, and I was wishing for guy who would love just the way I am, it came true. A baseball hit my head, and the guy who threw it, found me and appeared to be Kukai. He and I are friends, we have fun with each other, I don't know any other guy that I want to held a challenge with than with Kukai. And when I start thinking that I might even like Kukai more than my brother, I freak out and run away from him, searching for a stupid baseball because I thought it would solve my problems.

But it didn't! I still didn't know if Kukai loved me or not, or that Ikuto was the person that I was suppose to love. But I already thought about that! I decided that I had to let Ikuto go! That he could fall in love with Amu, and that I was going to let him. I decided I wasn't going to fight him, to plead him to stay and to get with me. I decided that I would give Ikuto up. Then...why did I freak out when I began to think that Kukai liked me? That thought should make me happy! Why didn't it?

I remembered something that that freaky voice told me:

You have to give your love for Ikuto up.

WHAT?!? NEVER!!! I WILL NEVER GIVE HIM UP!

You don't have to give it up, you have to change it. From a dangerous and burning obsession, to a kind and warm sister love.

I first freaked out when I heard this, but now...it sounds good. I would not go on with this kind of relationship that I forced on Ikuto. This relationship is indeed a dangerous and burning obsession. It was dangerous of the force that I put into it, and burning because how longer I continued it, how more painful it became for me and Ikuto. I didn't want that. I wanted, I promised myself then, that Ikuto would love me like a normal brother loves his sister: kind, safe and strong.

I sighed deeply. Tears were still on my face, but I felt like something huge was lifted from my shoulders. It was a strange feeling...but at the same time, it felt good. There were no chains of me anymore that bound me to Ikuto, or that bound Ikuto to me. I broke them into pieces. I let my brother, and with that, my love for him, go. And by doing that, I was finally (I could barely believe myself for begin happy with this thought), free.

I wiped the tears from my face and breathed in the fresh air.

Everything happy and all, but you still have another problem to deal with.

And that is?

Kukai. Do you love him or not?

I frowned slightly and looked up to the sky, just like I did this afternoon when I was asking if there was ever going to be somebody who would fall in love with me. Maybe, I thought, the sky will give me an answer this time.

I wouldn't count on that honey.

Freaky voice!

Did the sky gave you a answer on your question if Ikuto loved you or not?

Well...

Exactly. It didn't. You should believe more in yourself Utau. You found the answer on your first question all alone, so you will find the answer to your next question also on your own.

But no- wait! Can't you help me? You were the one who told me all those thing about Kukai and Ikuto today, so you must know the answer of this question!

I wasn't the one who told you all those things Utua. You did it yourself.

I did...I did what?!

All those things that 'I, the freaky voice' told you today, you knew those all along. But as I said, you lived too much in your own world to realize those thing. But you left that world today, all on your own. So you should be able to answer the last question yourself.

After that, it stayed silent. The freaky voice meant it; I had to find the answer to my question myself. But it suddenly didn't seemed as such a problem. It seemed easy. The question was: Did I love Kukai?

I thought about all the things that I liked about him. His hair, his clothes (he has a good taste as a guy), his cheerful and happy attitude, his energy, his body (thanks to all that sporting, he was very nice build), his challenges with me, his bright smile, his scent, his green emerald eyes, his way of caring for others, his devotion that he puts into his games, sport and ramen, his way of teasing me, his-

"WOW!" my eyes widened. I knew that I thought Kukai was a nice guy, but summing up all those things, I never thought I liked him that much! But that really meant that I-

"Utau!" I turned my head and saw Kukai running to me.

That I am in love with him! I can't believe it! I'm in love with a guy that is not Ikuto!

"Utau? Are you ok? I'm so sorry. Really, it was by accident. I had no idea that you were here today and I absolutely didn't hit you on purpose. Can you please forgive me?" He watched me with pleading eyes.

I couldn't say something. I was first so sure about my love for Kukai, but now he was standing for me, I could not bring the strength up to even responded.

Say something.

...

Come on girl, say something! You know that you love that guy, now say it!

But how do I know that he loves me too?

I already told you about-

I know I know, but I have to know for sure. I have to find a way to know if he loves me too or not.

Think of something than. You are smart enough.

I stared into Kukai's eyes. The eyes that I came to love so much. I wanted to look in those eyes, stand up and tell that guy that I was crazy for him. But, not that bluntly. It had to be smooth and safe, so that I wouldn't seem like a total freak when it appears he doesn't love me. A plan, a plan, I need a plan!

Suddenly, a evil thought entered my mind, and it took me everything not to laugh out loud.

This was a perfect idea...

I snorted and turned my face away from him, putting on a mad look. "Well I don't know Kukai."

"Please Utau! I will never do it again, I promise!" I quickly flashed a smile; the face he was making was so cute. I turned my face to his and looked at him questionably.

"Ok, I will forgive you..."

"Yes! Thank you so mu-"

"...If I can punish you for it."

His jaw dropped. "You don't mean that."

"I'm dead serious. You hit me on the head and gave me pain, so it's more than fair that I can do the same to you."

He wanted to say something, but I interrupted him. "That is the only way I'm going to forgive you. No excuses. I can hit you and we are even, or you refuse and I will stay mad at you." I gave him my 'I'm-not-joking' look.

He sighed. "Fine. But please, don't be to harsh ok? I still have a football match to play tomorrow."

I grinned and stood up. "Close your eyes", I commanded. "I don't want you to see it come. I couldn't defend myself, so you can't also."

He obeyed (probably because he was scared that I would only hit him harder if he wouldn't listen). I took a deep breath.

This is it.

I heard the soft laugh of my freaky voice. Good luck Utua, and remember to never ignore your heart again.

I leaned forward, and before I let my doubts take the overhand, I pulled my arms around his neck and kissed him. It lasted 5, maybe 10 seconds, but for me it felt like hours. I let go and prepared myself for his reaction.

There was none.

He didn't move. He didn't yell. He only opened his eyes, but for the rest he looked the same. There wasn't much difference. His expression only changed: from one of somebody who prepares for the hit, to one of total shock.

"Well, that was it. See you later Souma Kukai." I said smiling and started walking away. Maybe he didn't react on my action, but I didn't regret it. I was happy that I told (more showed) him my feelings. Sure, it would be nice if he would return them, but I will leave it for now...

"Utau!" I turned around and looked at the boy that I had just showed my feelings.

"What?"

He smiled; that smile could make my heart jump.

"If that is your punishment for hitting you, than I think I'm going to hit you again."

My eyes widened and my heart missed a few beats. Luckily, I found my voice quick. "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, wouldn't I?" he said in a threatening voice, with a playful smile on his face.

I got the idea what was going to happen and I backed away. "You are not thinking of-" I couldn't finish.

"Come back here Hoshina Utua! Than I will punish you!" he yelled and ran towards me on full speed. I yelled and ran away, not being able to hold back my laugh.

"You are never going to get me Kukai!" I yelled laughing.

But, I lied about that.

Because he already got me.

Kukai: Aww, that was nice Arty!

Artemis: I don't like the ending that much: it is too rushed. *pouts*

Kukai: It's fine! What do you say Utau?

Utau: *blushes* I-i-it wasn't that bad.

Kukai: You see, even Utau is positive about it.

Artemis: Well...ok, the story wasn't a complete disaster. I mean, this is my first Kutau story, and my second two-shot, so you wouldn't expect it is without mistakes.

Utau: It is fine Artemis. Stop worrying about it and let the readers decide.

Artemis: You are right. Despite my worries about the ending, I hope you all liked the story, and I wanted to thank the people who reviewed this story and added it to their favorites. The next two-shot will be my biggest challenge until now: An Amuto two-shot!

Ikuto: Woohoo! Finally! It's about time.

Amu: Nooo! Please don't do it Art-chan!

Artemis: Of course I will do it! But you will have to wait, because next week I will have exams and I have to show my parents that apart from writing, I still study (which I do, I only didn't have that much homework last week; that's why I had time for my story. Get it?;)) But be patient, because it will come!

Ikuto: People, please be nice and review this story. How more reviews she gets, the faster she will start writing the story about Amu and me!

Amu: So don't re-

Ikuto: Everyone, Read & Review!

Artemis: And I love you all! Bye! *waves*