This is my first story, so I hope you like it! (:

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Ikuto's POV

Walking through the old amusement park by my neighborhood brought back many memories. Memories of her. She stole my heart, taking it with her as she strolled out of town to pursue whatever she felt was more important than her friends here in Japan. I miss her, but I still don't know why she left us: myself, Utau, Kukai, Nagihiko, Tadase, Rima, and Yaya. It's been four years, and we still haven't heard from Hinamori Amu or her family. The 14-year-old, bubbly, pink-haired, golden-eyed beauty would now be eighteen years old. I'm twenty-one years old. It's hard to believe that it has been that long. I brushed my navy blue hair out of my dark, blue-amethyst eyes, thinking about Amu.

Amu's POV

It has been four long years, and I am finally back. I've already walked by my old middle school and the high school I attended for part of my freshmen year. I'm so glad to be back. My bubble-gum pink hair falls below my chest. I haven't grown in height at all, to my dismay, standing only at 5'1". Deciding to look nice for my first day back in Japan, I chose a pair of denim skinny jeans and a hooded, gold, loose-fitting, v-neck shirt. It was almost like a tunic. To top it off, I wore my golden 2-inch pumps. I was proud that I had been able to learn to walk in them.

I had already contacted Utau and Rima, telling them that I was moving back. They were the only ones I had told, and I decided to keep it that way. Little did I know that the apartment that I would be living in was right across the street from the house Utau, Rima, Ikuto, Nagihiko, and Kukai shared. I was so happy.

Utau, Rima, and I had already planned out the "big reveal". Utau and Rima were going to gather everyone at their house, including Tadase, his girlfriend Saaya, Yaya, and her boyfriend Kairi. She was going to tell them that it was for a nice dinner, since everyone had gone their separate ways.

Tadase was now living with Saaya, while he was working for the local grocery store. They were both 18. Yaya and Kairi were still 17 years old, so legally they wouldn't be able to live together alone. Utau and Kukai both followed their dreams, while staying a couple. Utau is an up-and-coming singer and Kukai is going to Seiyo International College on a soccer scholarship. Rima is laying it low with Nagihiko, staying as a couple as well. Nagihiko works as a technician at the high school and a part-time DJ at a club. Utau and Kukai were 19 years old. Rima and Nagihiko were both 18 years old.

Sadly, I hadn't heard much about Ikuto. All I knew is that he was doing well as a violinist and the president of a talent-scouting company called Easter.

I was lost in my train of thought until a buzzing noise decided to bring me back. I yanked my cell phone out of my pocket and looked at the caller ID. It was Utau.

"Hello?"

"AMU! Are you here yet? Where are you?"

I listened to her for a minute, waiting for her to stop.

"Utau. I'm here. Calm down," I giggled.

"Thank you, JESUS. Where are you? Rima and I will come and pick you up. Everybody is out of the house until tonight for the dinner."

"I'm about a block away from the old high school," I said, unsure of the street.

"Okay. Go back to the high school and wait for us by the gate, okay?"

"Alright. I can't wait to see you!"

"Me either! LOVE YOU! See you in like five minutes!"

After that she hung up. I headed back toward the high school, pulling the hood up on my shirt. After all, I was the only pinkette in this whole town. It had always been that way.

It didn't take long for me to reach the high school. I looked up at the old, metal sign mounted above the gate at the main entrance. I sighed. It was amazing how time flew by.

I waited for about five minutes when a sleek, black Chevy Tahoe screeched up to the curb beside the gate. A tall, bleach-blonde and a short, caramel-blonde jumped out of the car and ran at me. A wide grin was plastered across my face as I ran towards them. When all three of us met, we enveloped each other in a bone-crushing hug.

We stood there for a while, just hugging each other. When we finally pulled away, there were tears in all of our eyes. I was surprised, seeing as Rima was a tough girl and Utau was just as tough.

"Amu! I'm so glad you're back. So many things have changed!" Utau exclaimed, wiping the tears carefully from her eyes as to not mess up her make-up.

A wide grin spread across my face, my cheeks flushed.

"I know, I know. I had to go, though," I explained.

Rima glared at me, her eyes still glistening from the tears.

"Just why did you leave? I don't seem to remember you mentioning that," she said accusingly, making me want to shrink away.

"It's a really long story," I said, not wanting to talk about it.

"We have time," Utau stated bluntly, crossing her arms over her chest.

I sighed, knowing that no matter what, I was going to have to spill sooner or later. I sat down on the ground against the gate, while Utau and Rima sat across from me. I hugged my knees, propping my chin on my knees.

"About two weeks before we left, my 7 year-old little sister Ami had a doctor's appointment. She had been having frequent headaches and her grades had been dropping. We told the doctor and he ordered a CAT scan of her brain. About three days later, we got the results. She had a malignant brain tumor, which meant cancer. They ordered us to leave for Tokyo because they had more experience with brain cancer in younger kids. I didn't tell any of you because it was already too much," I looked at them apologetically.

"We left about a week later. I kept it a secret until the last minute. Anyway, we have been living in Tokyo for the past three years, waiting for results of Ami's chemo," tears gathered in my eyes as I continued, "she lost her battle about three weeks ago. Her dying wish was that I come back here and make things right, that I live here. So, here I am."

Utau and Rima sat there with wide eyes. They never knew that was the reason that she had left.

Rima crawled over to Amu and wrapped her arms around her. Utau crawled to her other side and did the same. They consoled her with silence. She looked at them and smiled sadly.

"I'm glad she's happier. There's no more pain in her life. Everything will be okay."

Utau and Rima were shocked to hear these words coming from her mouth, but they composed themselves.

"We should get going," I said, standing, "Don't want to be late for my party."

I masked my sad expression with a smile. They stood as well and returned the smile. We all hopped into the Tahoe, Utau driving while Rima and I were in the back. The ride was very loud with us reminiscing about the past three years. I shied away from talking about my past and just listened to their enthusiastic talk. We got on the subject of the party.

"So, we are going to get to the house," Utau started, never taking her eyes off the road, "next, we will start setting up for the party, then we will hide you at around 5PM, which is when everyone will start to show up."

"Sounds like a plan!" I said enthusiastically. I was so excited for the event that was going to take place tonight.

We got to her house in about ten minutes since we had left the high school. Once we reached the door of the massive house, Utau took out a silver key and unlocked the door swiftly.

The house was exactly what I expected it to be. It was large of course, with five people living there. It was very clean, with the occasional piece of clothing or empty pizza box scattered on the floor. It already felt like home. The room that we opened up to was a spacious room; the living room. It was decorated with a large, flat-screen on one wall. I guessed it was for Kukai to watch his weekly games. The furniture was different colors, yet it matched: a red couch, a tan loveseat, and a big black chair. In front of the couch was a large, black coffee table. Shaggy, tan carpet covered the floor. The walls were a deep shade of red with one white wall; the wall with the TV mounted on it.

"I love it," I breathed, taking it all in.

Utau smiled and took a look around.

"Sorry it's so messy. We got three men living with us. But thanks," she laughed.

She gave me a tour of the house and where I would be hiding. She decided I would hide in her and Kukai's room. By the time she was done showing me around, it was around 4:45 PM. She heard the door open and slam shut.

"QUICK! Go hide!" she whispered harshly.

I ran to their room, hiding in the closet. My heart was rushing, but I don't know why. I breathed deeply, slowing my heart rate. I listened for the voice to see if I would recognize it.

"It looks so nice in here!"

Amu smiled, recognizing the childish voice to being Yaya's. That means Kairi was here as well. He was always quiet though.

"Yes it does! This is going to be an amazing dinner. I've missed everyone so much."

Tadase. The boy I used to have a crush on. I remember his blonde hair and ruby eyes perfectly. I wonder if he has changed at all.

"It does look quite nice in here," I heard a lower female voice say. Saaya, Tadase's long-time girlfriend. She was quite the girl, very crazy.

That means four down, four to go. I was getting more and more nervous by the second.

Over the next 20 minutes, everyone showed up. Everyone, except that one blue-haired boy that I had been dying to see. Ikuto. Of course Ikuto would be late. It was Ikuto of course. After about another 10 minutes, Ikuto showed up and the party had started. I heard Utau excuse herself and heard her running up the stairs. The closet door slammed open and she smiled excitedly.

"You ready?"

"I've been dying up here. Heck yeah I'm ready," I said, getting up and stretching my sore limbs. I had never been good at sitting still for a long time.

She made sure no one was in the hallway, and then we both snuck out of the room. We quietly made our way to the steps. She told me to wait at the top until she said to come down.

Once she had made her way down the stairs, she began a "speech".

"So, everyone. This is the first time we've gotten together. And I bet you all are wondering why. Well, first of all, we needed to do this. We are all friends and we need to see each other. And second of all, Rima and I have a little…gift for you all. Come on down!"

I took that as my cue and made my way down the stairs. I heard gasps before I had made it all the way down the stairs. I was immediately tackled with hugs from everyone except that one man standing against the wall, looking surprised.

Once everyone had calmed down, they sat me down and questioned me. I answered every single one honestly: where were you, why did you leave, why didn't you call, etc. I felt bad, seeing that they had obviously missed me very much. Ikuto still stood against the wall. He hadn't said one word.

"So, Ikuto," Utau began. "Are you going to say anything or are you just going to stand there like an idiot?"

He shook his head and pushed himself off the wall.

"I have nothing to say to her. She left us without saying anything to anyone. I'm leaving."

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~So I hope you all like the story! I have more chapters written and will post them soon. Thanks for reading! And I do not own Shugo Chara, but I do own the story plot!~