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The Art of Seduction

Chapter 2: Meet Your Match

"Now as for the Guardian positions – " The man at the podium was suddenly silenced. The back door of the hall swung open, revealing a lone girl standing right at its center.

The moment she stepped in, all eyes were on her. The auditorium which had once echoed with the boring pleasantries and introductions from Seiyo's professors, deans and the acting director as well as the hushed voices of excited incoming freshman, now fell completely still.

Amu had finally made it to the Freshman Orientation. Granted, she was twenty minutes late, but she was finally there.

The large hall seemed even more intimidating than she had imagined, especially with so many people giving their attention to her - their completely undivided attention to just her.

She could feel her previously reddened face from all the running, suddenly lose all its color. Her expression dropped, wondering desperately how it was that she would get out of such an awkward situation. Somehow, trouble always managed to find her, no matter where she went. The silence was unbearable. She felt as though she could just burst from all those piercing stares. Even if she couldn't see them clearly, she could feel the immense amount of tension from it all.

Amu just had to do something before it drove her completely insane with nervousness. So, she did the only thing she could in the situation.

Her disguise was immediately slipped back in place. Her shoulder length hair, though slightly disheveled from sprinting like an Olympic runner, glimmered as beautifully as ever. Its healthy coat of rosy pink was captivating, as was her honey colored eyes. The somewhat bored expression on her face only amplified her very distinct features, giving her just the attitude that challenged people to stare at her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, lips kept tightly together almost drawing her face into a grimace.

"Yo." She said, finally breaking the silence. Her tone was curt yet nonchalant, as if she didn't even care whether or not the audience was listening. As if she would have said whatever she wanted despite what anyone else thought.

The single syllable sent a wave of whispers to travel the length of the crowd of seated students. All heads had turned to the very back of the auditorium from the moment she had stepped in, barely giving any time of day to those on stage making announcements. Even now, she commanded their attention hardly understanding why she was cursed to do so.

The whispers escalated into distinguishable words that only made Amu's expression fall even more. 'Cool,' 'Amazing,' 'Spicy,' 'Hot,' and 'Beautiful' were among some of the words she had picked up. Yet rather than feeling elated by the compliments, a deep sinking feeling entered the pit of her stomach.

All of her hopes to start off new, to leave that fake 'Cool and Spicy' character behind had failed miserably. That label was to haunt her forever and she guaranteed herself another four years of it just because she was late on her first day of school.

Her eyebrows furrowed together. She was completely disgusted by what was happening and wishing only to get this over with so that she could perhaps salvage the little hope of being just like any other student, she spat another word.

"Continue."

The speaker on the stage was completely stupefied. His mouth gaped at this student's apparent total lack of disrespect. When he had finally caught on that she was already casually walking away, as if she didn't even require a response from him, his expression became stern.

"Your name?" His voice was cold and harsh. Amu just knew that a lecture was waiting for her and she couldn't stand the thought of it being in front of everyone. Attention just wasn't something she liked.

"Amu Hinamori." She sighed, placing her hands into the pockets of her blazer. She strolled over, looking for a seat.

"Well Hinamori-san, students at Seiyo Academy should respect their elders." The professor narrowed his eyes at the girl, hoping to make an example of her to the other students. It just wouldn't do to have an entire school run wild with students like this one. "Please take a seat before the University decides to withdraw your scholarship."

"I was just planning to." Amu said without any particular tone in her voice.

And finally, as if the crowd could not contain themselves any longer, burst out with squealing fans and admirers.

"What an attitude!"

"So cool!"

"Cool and Spicy!"

Amu groaned, trying her very best to simply find a seat so that she could crawl into a ball and ignore the fools who knew nothing about her. More than ever, she missed Ran, Miki and Suu.

"Sit next to me!"

"No, me!"

She resisted making a scowl and simply smiled at them, hoping to just blend in with a crowd. It was going to be a long day. A long four years actually, and Amu had no idea how she would begin to deal with it without her favorite sisters around.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged professor was still standing on the stage, trying desperately to catch the attention of the students. The creases on his forehead seemed to increase and he could feel his hair turn white, just at the thought of that girl. That Amu Hinamori.

Anger boiled up inside of him. Never in his years of teaching had anyone been so offensive. Well, maybe just one he recalled mildly, but that had been with the Director's son. This girl, he could handle her just fine.

Tapping a finger against the microphone, he cleared his throat. The students below were chattering away in excitement, hoping to befriend her! He resisted screaming into the microphone and instead smoothed out his thinning back hair, smiling smugly at the thought of what he was about to do.

"Amu Hinamori." And finally for the first time in those five minutes, the speaker had somehow regained the attention of the freshmen.

She turned around to face him, hair slapping at her face in the motion of it. Sighs of admiration swept through the crowd, but she ignored them and wore a slight frown. Adding fuel to the fire she had inadvertently began as higher pitched squeals rang through the auditorium.

His stern expression only grew harder, more severe. He narrowed his already narrowed eyes until they were barely large enough for him to look through. "Pack your things. You are hereby expelled from this school."

She stood completely rigid, never managing to find an appropriate seat, though now she didn't need one. Her eyes widened with shock and shouts of opposition rose in the air.

"No. WHY?"

"She didn't do anything!"

"Is this a military school or an academy?!"

Her whole world was shattered. She had made a life altering decision and somehow managed to mess it up on the very first day.

Her eyes lost its usually glow, her shoulders were tense and Amu lost herself to her thoughts. What was she going to tell her family? Everyone was so excited. Her friends had moved to Japan just for her! How could she tell them that it had all been for nothing?

"Hinamori-san?"

She spun around at the deep voice, very much surprised that she was seated. He was watching her with a concerned expression through beautifully crisp emerald eyes. His orange brown hair though unkempt, was very much suited for his handsome features.

"Are you alright?" His tone was soothing and gave Amu a warm feeling at her chest. He wasn't at all like any of the others.

"Yes," she looked up at him and gave a weak smile. "And you are?"

"Kukai Soma, Jack's chair for the sophomores." he said with a friendly wink that made her blush. She looked away, gaze directed downward as she suddenly noticed that her hand was locked within his.

Jumping up, she turned another shade of red and almost, just almost managed to catch everyone's attention again.

If not for his other hand at her shoulder pushing her back down against the seat.

"Be quiet Amu!" He said a bit urgently, hand still holding hers. "And after I had gone through the trouble of grabbing you away from the middle of the room! Things are finally starting to get settled, so just stay still for a little while. Okay?"

After pulling his hands away, he offered her a light pat. "Us Guardians will take care of things, no problem!"

Before Amu could even ask about the Guardians, or what had possessed the brunet to call her by her first name, someone from her left side spoke.

"I still can't believe that Ikuto Tsukiyomi is actually standing up for someone. He never even comes to these orientations." His voice was soft but kind and suited well with his silky purple hair and warm hazelnut colored eyes. If he had grown out his hair, Amu was certain that it would be the most beautiful hair anyone would ever see. She could only stare at him, speechless.

"Maybe Yoru convinced him?" Kukai spoke, his eyes focused on the stage.

"Unlikely." He sighed. "Tsukiyomi isn't the type to listen to anyone."

Amu shuffled in place, wondering why that name sounded so familiar. She couldn't understand why it was making her so antsy either. Something about that name gave her the shivers.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the male beside her who was quick to notice the girl's discomfort. "Don't worry. Sensei doesn't have the power to expel you."

She looked at him, worry clearly written all over her face. "A-Are you sure?"

He chuckled lightly, before placing two hands on her shoulder and turned her to face him.

"I'm positive."

Amu gave a huge sigh of relief. "Thanks…um…"

"I'm Nagihiko Fujisaki, King's chair of the sophomores." His smile was infectious and Amu found that her lips were curving up almost immediately in response.

"It's nice to meet you." The rosette's smile grew wider. It really was nice to meet people who didn't put her up on an imaginary pedestal, especially such kind people who were making it their business to help her, even if they had never met before.

"Likewise." He slipped his hands away from her shoulders. Amu, slow to realize that those hands had been resting upon her all that time, looked awkwardly away as a small blush found its way on her cheeks.

She scanned the length of the large hall, noting that she must have been dragged some distance as she was now at the front. The Guardians seemed like important people if they really could do anything about the situation. Having spent her academic years in the United States trudging through elementary, junior high school and high school where the school staff generally had absolute say, she was surprised to see that at Seiyo, students also took part in the administration.

She really was impressed by this school, even if it was giving her a hard time.

Finding that the chaotic crowd of people no longer was of interest, Amu turned around and for the first time since she sat down, got a good look at the stage.

Her mouth gaped slightly at the scene. Without her contacts, the figures on stage did look significantly clearer from a closer distance. Hurriedly, she rummaged through her bag, hands going frantic as she pulled out her glasses. It just couldn't be.

"Oh my God. It's that pervert."

She couldn't help but stare, a little breathless. Seated at the back of a stage was that same pervert she had met that afternoon. Except now that she had her glasses on, he looked very much unlike that blue monster that she had mistaken him for.

No wonder he acted like such an ass. He was drop dead gorgeous and he knew it.

He leaned back casually against his seat, beside his fellow Guardians. His arms were crossed and he seemed as calm as ever, even with the evil professor from hell half screaming at him.

She hadn't noticed before how his defined jaw framed his handsome face, or how his hair swept carelessly over his beautiful eyes. Or how his shirt beneath his blazer revealed just the mildest curves and arches of his, most likely, well toned body. Or how his lips curved up into the most mischievous smirk that made his expression dance with amusement.

"Amu, are you alright?" Nagihiko tapped her arm, trying to get her attention. "I hope you don't mind that I call you Amu."

The pink haired girl pulled her gaze away from the stage so quickly, her glasses almost fell off.

"And w-why wouldn't I be alright?" She asked a bit defensively.

The brunet to her right stifled his laughter. "Y-you…hahaha…look…like…a…cat caught in headlights!" He exploded with laughter, hand clutching his stomach.

"Kukai!" She yipped with her face once again a rosy hue.

"So I take it that it's okay for me to call you Amu too?" His laughter abated and now he wore a dazzling smile, followed by his signature wink.

She looked away, pulse rising just the slightest, before responding. "Y-yes, that's fine."

"Wonderful. I think we're going to be good friends Amu." Nagihiko smile brightly, immediately easing away Amu's embarrassment.

The girl let out a huge breath of relief. Now that her new friends were properly distracted, she wouldn't have to explain herself.

"So what's with the staring Amu? Got the hots for Tsukiyomi?" Kukai asked casually, slinging an arm over her shoulder.

She turned livid. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" She screeched loud enough to draw attention on herself. "I would NEVER fall for a pervert like that, thank you very much. He's such a jerk!"

Nagihiko seemed startled while Kukai simply sent Ikuto a smug grin, who upon catching Kukai's expression, approached the microphone with a set of slightly darkened eyes.

"Now, now Amu. Don't be so cold."

"Wh-who said you could call me Amu?!" She clenched her fists, forgetting that she was in front of an audience. A very large one at that. A jerk was still a jerk, no matter how good looking he was.

Not that she was admitting that he was anything special.

He simply smirked. "What, that's the thanks I get for giving you directions?"

Amu's cheeks reddened as she screamed back. "Yeah, it only took me about 20 minutes to drag the information out of you. And hmm, great directions these are when you somehow miraculously got here before me!" Really, she half suspected him of making her take the longest path here.

Ikuto combed a hand through his hair, easily eliciting a series of contented sighs from the females in the crowd. "I can't help it if I have long legs."

"Tch." She crossed her arms. "If you were coming here, you could have at least brought me with you."

"I didn't know you were so desperate for my company."

Amu grinded her teeth, fists still clenched in frustration. Being so distracted by the sexy – cross that- the image of such an annoyingly smug pervert, she had not noticed the crowd screaming "Cool and Spicy" or "What a hotty" among other things. Neither had she noticed the fuming man who was being entirely ignored.

"I don't want your company, you ass." She seethed between her teeth.

For a moment, Ikuto almost seemed taken back by her words. She did not just say that to him. A female refusing his company? There must be something wrong with this girl.

There just must be. No girl in their right mind would turn him down, or even scream at the sight of him when they first meet him. Well, scream in fear at least.

His eyebrows were drawn together in a tight 'v'. His darkened eyes revealed none of his thoughts and his usual smirk was dropping at an alarming rate, turning into a frown.

No, this Amu wasn't normal. He had known it the first time he met her. It was his curiosity about her that convinced him to pay a visit, even though he hadn't planned to. It wasn't exactly that he had even gone to this orientation thing specifically for her, but rather it was something he was supposed to do anyway. And at the very least, he knew that it would be interesting.

And she had confirmed his suspicions – that she was someone he had to watch out for. Upon walking into the room, people were left in awe at the sight of her sleek pink hair, innocent rosy cheeks and enchanting golden eyes. She had immediately commanded the attention of everyone and left them impressed by uttering a simple word. Her splendor naturally drew people in, whether or not she knew it herself.

Put simply, Amu Hinamori was beautiful. She made heads turn. She could mesmerize anyone with a simple stare – her eyes were just that incredible. Heck, she had done it to Ikuto. The Ikuto Tsukiyomi, natural born player. The Sex God.

He cursed inwardly. Amu Hinamori was competition. He had finally met his match.

So why was it that he was helping her?

"It's a shame Amu." He spoke carefully, eyes gazing straight into hers. "And to think I was making a case that as a freshman, you should be excused for your mistakes."

Her jaw dropped at his words, eyes widening almost as much as when she had first seen him through her glasses. Even with them on, Ikuto was able to pick her out of the crowd. He had seen the way she looked at him, mouth gaping as she was probably in shock that she'd see him there.

He smirked. As much as he hated to admit it, it was exactly that expression of hers that made him want to show up.

"A-are you s-serious?!" She squeaked with her hands folded in front of her and her cheeks threatening to light the room in a red glow. "You would help…me?"

Ikuto nodded, all the while smirking as he relished the sight of her embarrassment. Sure, he could make any girl nervous, embarrassed, to the point that they'd faint even. But Amu's flustered state somehow seemed so much more enjoyable, especially when she was staring up with such adorable pleading eyes.

He inwardly winced. What was happening to him? Had this girl managed to turn the tables against him?

She looked up, eyes moist with happiness and smiled so widely, it threatened to split her face in half.

Ikuto responded with a grin of his own, surprised by the curve of his lips.

So what if he was actually helping someone? It didn't seem like such a bad thing at this moment.

He cursed under his breath. This girl was good. No wonder she became instantly as popular as he was. Did he really want her to stick around? He could sit around without doing anything and let her get kicked out. Then he'd have the entire school at the palm of his hands again, instead of having to take it back from this girl. Isn't that what he wanted?

Well...

Reluctantly, he pulled his gaze away from her golden orbs turning towards the fuming professor.

"Takashi sensei. If you recall in article 3B of your contract stating the rules of your assignment, you'll see that it clearly states that all matters of a student's attendance will fall under the Administration's attention and must be personally signed off by the Director himself." Ikuto faced the Director and saw him tighten his lips into a thin line, before giving him a nod.

He hadn't noticed Amu staring at him, entirely startled and impressed by his actions. That same conceited pervert from that afternoon was helping her? She just couldn't believe her ears and was only further shocked to see that he wasn't just talk. He was good. He knew exactly what he was doing.

"Well what do you know. He actually has a heart."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Kukai mumbled hesitantly. Amu spun around, turning her attention to her friends.

"Amu, you know Tsukiyomi-san?" Nagihiko asked politely.

She brought a hand to her head, scratching it awkwardly. "Well, not exactly. I met him this morning and he gave me directions here."

Nagihiko's eyes widened. "He…gave…directions?"

"What's the big deal?"

"Oh no no no. I can't believe he's moved on to freshmen. The nerve of him!" Nagihiko was tapping his foot impatiently against the ground.

Amu couldn't understand his panic.

"Ikuto Tsukiyomi doesn't do anything without expecting something in return." Kukai said darkly. "You'd better be careful."

"Oh, I know." The pink haired girl said carelessly, just remembering Ikuto's – no – Tsukiyomi's attempt to scare her off. It wasn't a big deal though. She had stood her ground and made it clear that she would refused his help if he was planning to make good on his perverted statement.

Kukai looked horrified. "You know?!"

"Yeah, and he's not so bad I guess. A little on the perverted side. But he gave me the directions anyway, even after I told him I wasn't gonna do anything I didn't want to."

His emerald eyes widened. His expression was a mixture of horror, but at the same time, a growing respect. "You refused Tsukiyomi? You're really one of a kind Amu." Gradually, his countenance softened, eyes twinkling their incredible emerald as he watched Amu smile warmly at his words.

"I wouldn't be so sure about him not being so bad." Nagihiko interrupted their silent staring contest, causing Amu to blush.

"Yeah. Considering he just did you a MAJOR favor." Kukai sighed, concern leaking through his words.

"What? Why?" She asked, urgency just building as a feeling of foreboding overcame her.

"If it's Tsukiyomi…"

"What? What is it Nagihiko?"

"Boy am I glad I was born a guy." Kukai muttered under his breath.

"What is it guys? He can't be so bad right?" Amu shifted uncomfortably. He just couldn't be if he had managed to keep her in school. Her thoughts flashed back to their earlier conversation. Despite his rough exterior, he had helped her in the end after all. "I think you guys are exaggerating. He's a perfectly nice person underneath it all."

Nagihiko shook his head in pity. "My poor poor Amu. Ikuto Tsukiyomi is…"

"Quite a character Amu nya." A new voice joined in, abruptly stopping Nagihiko from revealing any more. He had the messiest hair, the same dark blue as Ikuto's and his eyes were luminescent, reflecting the light of the room with a bright yellow. And his arm currently hooked over Amu's shoulders, pulling her to his side.

"More like every father's nightmare, Yoru." Kukai barked as he pulled Amu back from the smiling senior Jack.

"Amu, just stay away from Tsukiyomi. It's a well known fact that he'll steal your virginity if you're within a 5 feet radius of him." Nagihiko warned.

"What?!" Amu jumped, causing Kukai to grip her arms a little tightly to stop her movements.

"Nah, that's not true." Yoru smiled. "It's 20 feet and he'll do it with just his voice."

"WHAT?!" The rosette was fast becoming as pink as her hair. "Y-you m-mean I j-just let a p-pervert help me? And…"

"He'll probably be expecting some return favors." Nagihiko spoke grimly, watching Amu lose all the color in her face.

"F-f-f-favors?!"

"Relax Amu-chan. I was just kidding. Ikuto's not like that." Yoru soothed, brushing Kukai's hands off from her shoulders.

So dazed as she was, Amu could not even demand that Yoru use her last name. She was completely shocked, had stopped breathing some time ago and she stared down at the floor in horror. Her eyes wanted to dart towards that tall, lean figure on the stage, but she refused to let them, certain that her expression would only twist even more if possible.

Nagihiko walked to her side and wrapped an arm around her to support her from tipping over while Yoru and Kukai continued to bicker.

"What are you talking about Yoru? He is exactly like that. He's a damn danger to the school." Kukai glared at the still smiling man who had, at some time ago hopped off the stage to speak to Amu. Yoru always had particularly good hearing.

"You're just jealous nya."

"And you're his best friend who will say anything to help him!"

"He's misunderstood."

"He's a playboy!"

"Guys, I think Amu passed out." It was true. Right within the kind Nagihiko's arms was an unconscious Amu. Even though her eyes were closed, her heated rosy cheeks were still no where near their normal shade.

"Aww…she's so cute." Yoru teased, attempting to poke her nose. Kukai swiped it away. "I can see why you like her."

"I don't like her!" Kukai glared at him. "I'm just trying to protect her from the school's Sex Maniac."

"You mean Sex God."

He visibly shuddered, not at all comfortable talking about it.

"And I can see why she's the next target." Without another word, Yoru made his way out the door to follow the professor, Ikuto and the director. He had seen them leave some time ago to settle the matters of Amu's stay.

If Ikuto was personally entangling himself in all that administrative work he hated to do when he usually pushed it all onto Yoru, then this girl must be of some interest. And if Yoru had any hope of getting Ikuto to cover his own work for the rest of the year, then he'd better make sure that Amu stayed around.

This chapter felt so unfocused! I hope the transitions were alright. I kept jumping around from one person's point of view to another…

Now as for the rating. How many of you would like this to go to an M? If enough of you do, I'll most likely increase the rating. If not, I'll keep this at a T and possible include M rated chapters separately.