^_^ Ah, the long awaited second arc! Sorry it's being uploaded so late, I just finished up a Final Fantasy VII fanfiction not too long ago, I started work (0_0 OFFICE work, at that) for the summer, anddddddd college begins in exactly 30 days. ^_^ Well, not really, I just leave for college then.

I actually found it a bit difficult to put this together. 0_0

And it's even harder because I've barely started the third arc. I have about 5 pages written out, but I haven't had much time to write...

^_^ So now you get a piece of the next part of the story! I hope you enjoy!

-Gossip Arc—

"Isn't that girl Amu Hinamori?"

"I hear she's dating Ikuto Tsukiyomi!"

"No way, that's not right at ALL! Takumi Fuse gave her a love letter yesterday during Nikaidou's theater class! I saw it with my own eyes!"

"T-Then it must be… A THREESOME!"

Amu sighed heavily as she walked down the halls with Nadeshiko, Rima and Yaya, all four girls obviously listening in to the words being spread by the nearby students. "I really hate gossip…"

"Can't say I blame you too much... All of these rumors and these false logics all because of a silly misunderstanding." Rima replied. "I'd really hate to be in your shoes right about now, Amu."

A bead of sweat rolled down Amu's forehead and then her eyes narrowed. "Thanks for your wonderful words of encouragement, Rima."

"Thinking of all of this and taking it into consideration, this all isn't much different from a regular high school. Drama, gossip… 'Who's dating who?' or 'Who's sleeping with who?' and all that. It's so childish, so… trivial." Nadeshiko was getting so worked up by her own words that Amu had to bring her flaring temper down.

"I'm sure it's going to be a thing of the past. It'll blow over soon. I'll give it a week." Amu replied.

"Given how fast news travels here, it's definitely going to stick." Yaya piped up. "Everyone loves a little gossip, true or made up, and no matter what the age is." Amu got a bit down-heartened.

"Let's… change the subject." Rima stated, brushing a curly strand of hair behind her ear, managing to smile. "Is anyone going to perform at the Fall Breakthrough?"

"I was thinking about it." Amu began.

Nadeshiko stopped walking, and the three girls turned around to face her again. "…Well…" She gave them a half-smile. "Yesterday after dinner ended, Himeko… asked me to perform with her group."

"What? And you said yes?" Amu exclaimed. Nadeshiko's smile faded. "But Nadeshiko… Why?"

"Maybe we're wrong about her. I want to be sure."

"Er, while we're confessing here…" Yaya piped up. "…She asked me too. I could use some of the vocal training for later, so I agreed…"

"Even YOU'RE in on this, Yaya?" Amu sighed. "Man… So much for me choosing to compete in the Fall Breakthrough… maybe next time."

"I'm sorry, Amu…"

"Sorry, Amu-chi…"

"Don't worry. It isn't going to bother me that much. I'll get over it." She walked ahead. "I wasn't really… looking to perform anyways."

"You know, you could come watch us practice. Nagihiko said that he'd come and help me out, and Kukai is going to watch. And I'm sure that they've invited Tadase to come and watch." Nadeshiko called.

Amu froze and then looked to her. "…Okay. But only for a bit."

Himeko, Eri and Nagihiko were setting up in the theater room. Well, in actuality, it was mainly Eri and Nagihiko were setting up, as Himeko called dibs on being the group's 'supervisor'. It was mainly to avoid the work, obviously. Nagihiko could feel his hatred for her beginning to boil over like a kettle on a stove.

"That microphone isn't straightened right, Nagihiko, fix it again!" He huffed as he fixed up the sixth microphone for the umpteenth time that day. Hell, he was only here to help out Nadeshiko, not be worked to death by a pest. Where was a can of bug spray when you needed it…?

"I only came to help my sister to prepare for this practice session, NOT act like your personal slave!" Nagihiko growled. "I could easily chuck this mike at you and save us both a great deal of grief." {A/N: 0.0 Nagi, you're a bit TOO OOC here... *Smirks* But it is pretty sexy.}

"Seiyo University of the Arts student handbook, rules and violations, section C, paragraph 3, subsection A: 'students who attack other students, physically and/or, if caught verbally will be subjected to suspension from all student activities, including events and contests that they have entered into, until stated otherwise by the Dean of Students or the Assistant Dean at the least.'" Eri stated. Nagihiko was stunned—she had it all, down to the period. "…I have good memory, stop with the look!"

Then the door opened, and in came Nadeshiko and Yaya… followed by Amu and Rima. Right behind them was Kukai, and with him, Tadase.

"Who invited all of these people here?" Himeko growled. "I very clearly and distinctly said 'members of my group ONLY' are allowed here!"

"Oh, relax; we're just here to do some supporting." Amu replied.

"…The others can stay. I want YOU out of my presence." Himeko sneered.

"I'm not going ANYWHERE." Amu exclaimed. "And there's no way you can try to force me to leave."

"You really want to die, huh?" Then the door opened again, and in came a young woman with long blonde pigtails that reached her knees, a fierce expression on her face. Her eyes were stern, yet nearly emotionless. She was followed by Ikuto, who glanced over at Amu the instant she looked to him with a stunned expression.

"I'm ready to work." The girl stated suddenly, her sharp tone as serious as the expression on her face.

"Yo, Utau, I was wondering when you'd get here!" Kukai beamed, grinning widely. Nadeshiko got a bit down-heartened by the event, especially when the girl, now dubbed Utau, had slightly—ever so slightly—smiled back at him.

"Um, who's the girl?" Amu whispered to Rima.

"You haven't heard of her? She's Utau Hoshina, an intermediate student. She's got countless industries looking to sign her because of her looks, and even more because of her singing voice. She's considered to be a legend here by the Newcomers, and she's only a year older than we are."

Amu looked to Utau again. The girl was among the most beautiful she had ever seen, maybe even more so than Nadeshiko. In fact… Utau even looked familiar, but from where, she had no idea. Then Utau had turned to face Amu, fierce expression darkening even more than she thought possible.

"You."

"A-Ah, yes?" Utau pointed an index finger at her, causing Amu to flinch.

"YOU'RE the cause of all these rumors about Ikuto!"

"Whoa, whoa, I-I didn't-!"

"I am NOT letting you get away with this!"

"Utau." Ikuto grabbed the girl by her arm, pulling her away.

"Ikuto~!" Utau flailed a bit, face red.

"No causing trouble. You need to practice, and Amu needs a break from all of these rumors. You can't point fingers at her anyways." He forced her into a seat, and Utau pouted, arms folded across her chest. Then Ikuto walked over to Amu. "Excuse her; she's a very moody person."

"I-I'm not complaining… She's just being a good girlfriend."

Ikuto froze. "…My WHAT? Er, no, that would be plain weird." Amu was confused by his words. Ikuto leaned in so that only she would be able to hear him. "Utau's my little sister, not my girlfriend. Hoshina is just her stage name."

"…WHAT? Y-You two look nothing alike!" Amu half-yelled back at him.

"We barely act alike too in most cases, but it doesn't matter much right now, does it? Bottom line, Utau and I aren't dating, got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. Keep it to yourself."

Himeko mentally snapped, looking to Ikuto. "She's not someone you should be associating yourself with!"

"I think that's up to me to decide. This all started with a note, and Amu isn't to blame. So, hush and do what you came here to do." Himeko scoffed.

"Group members, assemble to the stage!"

"Who died and made her group leader?" Yaya whispered to Nadeshiko, who only decided to uphold Himeko's command.

Utau got up from her seat, looking to Ikuto with bright eyes. "…Will you… listen to my song, Ikuto?" Ikuto nodded and an even brighter, gentle smile spread past the girl's fierce features.

For the past twenty minutes, the members were practicing various songs for fun, as if they were in a karaoke room for the entire day—even Kukai and Tadase had opted in to the pre-rehearsals.

Ikuto took a seat next to Amu. "You sure have been staring over at Tadase a lot since they started playing around." Amu jumped, face red. "You like him?"

"N-No way, I don't! A-And even if I did happen to like Tadase like that, why is it your business anyways?" Ikuto just stared at her, and Amu gulped. She despised how intense his gaze was.

"YO!" Himeko's voice blared into the microphone, causing Amu to jump and Ikuto to glare back up at the stage where the girl stood. "I doubt that the girl with low potential has enough of it to run with the ones with skills of God."

"What?" Amu exclaimed.

"Ladies and Cross-dresser, the time has come to execute your skills!" Himeko called. "You all know the piece well enough by now."

Nagihiko twitched. "I have some of the most intense parts and I had the least amount of overall time…"

"No complaints! Yaya, music! Everyone else here, your positions, get to your assigned ones, NOW!" The six scrambled to their positions after Yaya put the CD into the radio, remote in hand. "It's time we gave off what Seiyo University is made of."

"We're all ready." Eri called.

Amu looked to Nadeshiko, then Yaya and Nagihiko on the far right of the stage. They all appeared apologetic when they caught her gaze. Yaya sighed before pressing the button on the remote that commenced the jazz instrumental opening of the song.

[Gossip: insertnamehere ver.] {A/N: This would be the first song. ^_^ It's on YouTube, and it's SO AWESOME! I just HAD to use it for this fanfiction. 0.0 I own nothing! Credits that are not mine! This is copyright of... Vocaloid makers, and the fandubbers!}

Eri kicked off the lyrics to the song—the soft yet powerful tone in her voice made Amu question whether or not she had been lying about her singing abilities. Then there was Eri's lack of focus—she had been looking at nothing in particular while singing her parts of the song, not even down into the stands.

Himeko jumped in for the next line of the song. Amu was stunned by her range. Himeko's speaking voice wasn't the most mature, similar to her own, but it was much more so when she opened her mouth to sing. Then Himeko and Eri combined vocals for the end of the sequence.

Next up was Nadeshiko. Amu very well knew how sweet and lovely her voice could be… it even held a bit of seductiveness to the average man. And no, Ikuto was not going to be included in the category… the perv…

Next was Yaya, who had actually grown more into her childish voice than she would have ever imagined. Her voice was still less mature than Nadeshiko, but nonetheless a bit 'sexy'. She started the next note, followed by Nadeshiko, and the two combined vocals. Then the two sang in unison with Utau.

The chorus began, and Eri, Nagihiko, Himeko and Utau sang in unison. Then Utau took a solo part—Amu was almost instantly shocked by her Enka-like voice, it was pure perfection. Then Eri and Himeko opted out and let Nadeshiko and Yaya sing in their places with Utau and Nagihiko. Then Nagihiko let out the powerful, one worded solo that nearly made Amu jump out of her skin.

Then there was an instrumental break.

Ikuto looked to Amu. "Your friend Nagihiko has talent. I doubt just anyone could do a note like that."

"He and Nadeshiko have always been good at that kind of thing…"

"Singing?"

"Arts." Amu's eyes saddened and Ikuto looked back at the performance.

Nagihiko started off with an equally powerful solo. Utau followed with her own solo, and then the two combined their vocals at the end.

Then Himeko leaned in a bit towards her microphone, pulling it out before starting her solo, her eyes locked on Ikuto. Her voice got extremely, almost ridiculously seductive, and Ikuto rolled his eyes. Just as she finished, Utau jerked the girl back as harshly as possible. Eri then went on with her solo, starting her vocal combination with Himeko before Utau jumped in as well.

It came down to Nadeshiko, Eri, Yaya and Utau for the start of the next chorus, Nadeshiko taking the next solo. Then Utau and Eri opted out and let Himeko and Nagihiko in, Yaya taking the next one-worded solo.

Another instrumental break.

Kukai got up, cheering and hollering, causing Nadeshiko to giggle. Amu only smiled at the two.

Himeko had a minor solo at the start of the bridge, eyes still locked on Amu and Ikuto—menacingly. Eri had her own solo next. Then Nadeshiko, who smiled at Kukai slightly before combining vocals with Yaya and Utau.

Then Nagihiko, quite powerfully, belted out the final verse of the bridge that made everyone in the audience cheer.

By the end, all six were singing in unison. The duet went to Eri and Nagihiko before all six continued. The second went to Utau and Himeko, followed by Nadeshiko and Yaya before the four belted the ending word in unison.

"OH. MY. GOD." Eri breathed out. "THAT. WAS. AWESOME!"

"No it wasn't!" Eri paused at Himeko's remark. "Eri, you went flat during the chorus at the end! Yaya, your voice cracked during your first solo, and Nagihiko-"

"You know what, Himeko; don't even waste your breath on complaining, because I'm not hearing it from you!" Nagihiko exclaimed. "In fact, I wasn't planning on staying anyways! I quit!" Nagihiko leapt off the stage and Kukai and Tadase went racing up to him, all three laughing, chatting and smiling.

"Fine then, quit! You're not welcome here anyways!"

"Stop it, that's my brother you're talking to!" Nadeshiko exclaimed.

"Even so, this is all just a test! I'm putting up with him for the sake of this group, and he's not even meeting me halfway!"

"He isn't supposed to be meeting you half-way at a time like this." Utau began. "In the entertainment industry, we have to do more than compete against one another. When the time comes around, which is generally does if you're looking to be an idol, you have to know how to build on one another's strengths and be able to assist when another is weak. And the way you are now, none of you are ready; you all have talent, but you're nothing but amateurs." Then Utau left the stage, and Ikuto stood up to follow her. Amu watched with wide eyes as they left.

"AMU-CHI~" Yaya ran over and glomped the pinkette. "Did Yaya sing awesome? Did it sound sexy enough?"

Amu giggled. "Your voice is really cute, Yaya."

"Just CUTE?" Yaya pouted. "Yaya wants a voice like Nade-chi or Utau…!" Amu ruffled the girl's pigtails a bit before glancing over at her group of friends. Tadase looked to her, smiled, and then casually waved. Amu, in turn, went redder than a cherry.

"Yo, Hinamori!" Kukai called. Amu looked to him. "We're going to the gardens out back! Coming?"

"There are gardens?" Amu asked Yaya.

"Yeah! Kukai found them by accident on his first day here, and when we got into the school this semester, he showed us! You should be happy—Kukai only takes his best and most awesome friends there; it's like our own little meeting ground!"

"Meeting ground…" Amu nodded to Kukai, smiling. "Yeah!"

"I'll make some snacks to bring along with us." Nadeshiko beamed.

"Great! We'll meet back here in two hours!" Kukai replied.

"Right!"

"Amu, could you bring me that whisk?"

"…What's a whisk?" Nagihiko sighed, grabbed the whisk from next to him and then went and handed it to his sister.

"Thank you, Nagi." He simply nodded.

"Hey, this isn't like you, Nagihiko; where are the smiles?" Amu piped up. "Are you still mad about what happened between you and Himeko?"

"Kind of… She just… She REALLY irritates me. She thinks she's so perfect at everything, and she's NOT!" He slammed a hand on the table, causing both girls to flinch. "…Sorry, I-I've been a little unlike myself."

"Not really. You've always had a bit of a temper." Nadeshiko held out a spoonful of the cookie dough mixture to him. Nagihiko delightfully took the spoon and downed the mixture, licking his lips a bit. "But everyone has their limitations, so it's pretty good that you left the group…"

"So, Nadeshiko, why are you going to stay working with Himeko? Even you reacted when she kept picking fights…" Amu began. "I don't really understand."

"I want to believe that her cruel personality is just a façade." She put the tray of cookies into the oven. "Nagihiko, please check the tart crust." Nagihiko put on one of the oven mitts and slightly pulled out the tart crust, examining it briefly.

"About five more minutes…" Then he closed the oven again. "Nadeshiko, I hope you know what you're doing, that girl isn't exactly easy to read."

"I know." She went to the pot of tea brewing on the store. "I'm not an idiot."

Amu could only listen as the two conversed back and forth, almost as if she weren't even in the room. It had always been like this whenever they were all in the kitchen together, so she didn't mind the lack of attention.

Nagihiko soon pulled the tart crust from the oven and put some vanilla filling into the core before decorating it with various fruits, occasionally eating some of them and even offering some to Amu, who graciously accepted the grapes and strawberries.

"I bet Kukai's going to love your cookies, Nadeshiko." Amu joked as the girl was setting the cookie tin off to cool. Nadeshiko lightly blushed, brushing a violet strand behind her ear.

"The cookies are for everybody, Amu, not just him." The very image of Kukai enjoying the morsels brought a smile to her face… until Nadeshiko thought of Utau. How she had smiled at his very greeting to her…

"There. The tart's done." Nagihiko took a bite out of a strawberry that was left in the plastic bag, looking accomplished. "Now we wait for the cookies to cool off and we can go meet with the others."

Nadeshiko looked up, feigning a smile. "That's great…" Then she looked back to the oven and sighed. {A/N: More KuNade? :3}

Ten minutes later, they were all back at the theater room, as planned. Then Kukai led the group outside of the school and further out into the fields. Amu was perplexed when Kukai came to a group of trees… but so were the others.

"Uh… Why are we in front of a bunch of trees?" Rima exclaimed.

"Oh, we're not in front of trees. Look there, beyond those trees up ahead!" Kukai pointed forward. The group looked in the direction and noticed a fairly large silver door completely covered in vines.

To Amu and Nagihiko, the sight reminded them of a sealed door in an RPG, for they were both fair gamers. In fact, they were even half expecting Kukai to change into a green tunic and hat, draw a sword and start cutting down the vines with ease.

"Wait, it gets better!" Yaya beamed. Kukai went up to the door, shifted through some of the vines and reached for the silver doorknob.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… our Royal Garden." He opened the door, almost in a host-like matter.

White, glass-like walls surrounded a round table made for five along with vast steps that led up to them. Flowers of all assortment and color gave a sense of light to the pure white.

"Wow…" Amu glanced up towards the ceiling, smiling. "It's HUGE!"

"Is she always like this?" Tadase whispered to Nagihiko.

"Let's just say… Amu doesn't get out that much, or least not until now."

Nadeshiko set the pastries on the table, dusting off her frilly purple skirt before taking a seat in one of the chairs, looking to the sunlight brimming through the open window. The sight put a genuine smile on her face for the first time all day.

"Ooh, are those tarts?" Rima called, taking a piece. Nadeshiko snapped out of her thoughts almost instantly.

"O-Oh, help yourselves. There's plenty of tea and cookies, but the tart is pretty limited."

"Don't mind if I do!" Kukai replied, taking of the cookies from the plate and biting into it. "…WHOA."

"I-Is something wrong?" Nadeshiko got a bit panicked. Kukai smiled, giving the girl a thumbs-up.

"Best cookies I've EVER eaten! You really would make a great wife to someone someday, Fujisaki!"

"No way, let Yaya try!" Yaya grabbed a cookie and ate it. Instantly, Yaya swooned and then took Nadeshiko by both of her hands, beaming. "Nade-chi, you're so perfect in every way! Be Yaya's wife!"

Nadeshiko sweat-dropped, giggling. "I'll pass on that, but I'll gladly make you more sweets whenever you want some."

"YAY!" The group giggled and then the guys burst into laughter.

Even after the last of the sweets had been long since eaten, the seven sat in the Royal Garden talking and laughing.

"Oh, did you hear about who's gonna emcee at the Fall Breakthrough? It's just a rumor though." Kukai began. "They say that Ikuto Tsukiyomi is going to under request from the Dean himself."

Yaya sighed. "Well, at least there's gonna be an audience…"

"What do you mean?" Rima asked.

"The Dean is Ikuto's father. I kinda think Ikuto's only doing all of this in order to one day surpass him at his own game." Tadase's tone was almost malicious as he sipped his tea. Amu was appalled. "After all, he's guaranteed to get into the business-"

"Ikuto isn't like that!" Amu exclaimed. "He isn't trying to be famous!"

"Did he tell you that?" Tadase asked. Amu nodded. "He must have been trying to quell your concerns at the time."

"H-He wasn't!"

"But how do you know?"

"Tadase, STOP it." Rima growled, now up on her feet. "Not everyone here may see Ikuto the way that you do."

"Not everyone knows him the way that I do either." Tadase stood up. "I'll be taking my leave now. See you at dinner. Thank you for the pastries, Miss Fujisaki."

Amu's eyes saddened, and Kukai whistled a bit once the boy had gone.

"There's the infamous evil prince attitude in the works now. It goes on for some time until he decides to either spoil himself or ease up."

"He'll be fine." Nagihiko stated, getting up from his spot on the steps. "I'm gonna head off too, I have some things to take care of."

"Oh, I'll come with you." Rima replied. "I have a routine to prepare for."

"How about we all meet up here again sometimes, even if we just need some time to think?" Kukai began. "You know where to find it. Feel free to use this place; just be sure to keep it a secret."

"So it's like a secret base just for us." Nadeshiko smiled. "It seems so magical."

"Yaya thinks this year could go really, really well after all." The six looked up to the sunlight brimming through the window.

Amu slowly closed her eyes, taking in the moment. "It will… It really will."

"So, why am I the emcee this year? I was actually looking forward to participating in the competition this time…" Ikuto and Aruto faced one another as the younger sat before his father's desk. His arms were folded across his chest, and he seemed almost… disoriented. "I thought you wanted me to have less attention after that whole contest incident last semester."

"Ikuto, you turned down every single opportunity you've received while you were here to work in symphonies across the world. If you're not going to work with them, then I want you to at least work with me in keeping Seiyo under wraps."

"But isn't that why you have an Assistant Dean? What does HE do?"

"You know that Tsukasa—constantly spending all of his time in the school observatory, always wanting to stargaze…"

Ikuto did know. He knew quite well. Tsukasa Amakawa was a family friend… and he was also Tadase's uncle. In fact, he and Tadase were once friends until Tadase allowed his selfish, princely behavior to get the better of him.

Ikuto, putting it lightly, hated it.

"…Fine. I'll pull some strings."

"Don't blow it, Ikuto."

Dinner came and went quickly, and as usual, Amu stayed behind to work. However, this gay was different—Ikuto came into the kitchen. She immediately went into the back and hid behind the cooler. She was the only person working this shift, as the cooks were having their own meals.

"Anyone here?" Ikuto called. Amu covered her mouth, even trying not to breathe if it meant him not finding her.

If IKUTO of all people caught her working in the kitchen, then she'd have to deal with even more gossip, and him having something over her. There. She finally admitted that subconsciously to herself. She noticed Ikuto look around the kitchen once more, shrug and then turn to walk away. She sighed of relief, and as soon as she took a step, she tripped over the mop and broom, causing the pans hanging on the wall to rattle when she fell. Ikuto whirled around and noticed her.

"…Oh no…" She whispered. He walked over to her.

"Are you okay?" For once, he didn't seem to be teasing her. It actually took her a bit by surprise. "What are you doing in here?"

"I-I should be asking YOU that."

"I didn't get to eat dinner, so I'm sneaking a late meal." Then he sighed. "But since you saw me, I guess that I'm gonna have to hold you hostage~" Amu tried to escape, only for Ikuto to grab her by the arm and then pin her to the floor. Amu was wide-eyed. Their eyes were locked on one another. "Now…"

"W-What?"

"What's the real reason for you being in here all alone?" Amu could faintly catch the scent of the boy's shampoo—smelled like Axe, and she secretly loved the scent though most people didn't. It made her blush.

"W-Work…"

"Hm? You work?" Amu nodded a bit. Ikuto got off of her. "Oh… I get it now… You're broke."

"Completely. This was the only way I could pay for tuition. Your father is a really sweet man… he could have easily just told me to leave the University…"

"Yeah, he usually would have done that. I wonder what changed his mind." Ikuto leaned up against the wall. "Maybe he sees your potential as well as I can."

"I'm here on a complete accident!" Amu exclaimed. Then Ikuto leaned over her, causing her to jump.

"I was on that panel. It wasn't an accident. It's fate. Believe at least that."

"I can't and I won't!"

"How about this then… As soon as you finish your dinner tomorrow, come with me to the piano room on the fourth floor."

"I have work."

"Not if I'm involved. I can take care of it."

"But-"

"See ya~" Then he was gone. Amu waited until he was gone before she heaved a sigh, sliding to the floor.

-The Next Day-

Amu sat in the Royal Garden, alone, right on the steps, fiddling with the ripped area in her jeans. In a few hours, she was expecting Ikuto to search for her or either drag her with him to the piano room.

"Oh, Hinamori, didn't expect you to be here!" Kukai called. He smiled, but put on a serious expression when he noticed how distressed she looked. "Come here to think too, huh?" She nodded a bit. He took a seat next to her. "Do you wanna talk about it? I'm willing to listen." {A/N: A reference to the show. Kukai being the big brother of the group. ^_^}

"I've been doing a lot of thinking about what Tadase said about Ikuto…" Kukai nodded a bit, mostly to himself. "My perspective on them both is so different from what they make of one another…"

Kukai stared up at the ceiling. "Did you know that they were childhood friends?" Amu glanced over at him. "That was what Ikuto told me when Tadase first arrived here. Apparently, Tadase kept having compulsive mood swings, and Ikuto just got sick of it."

"What? No way."

"If your problem is about Ikuto, I think that it's best that you go at him head-on!" Amu REALLY wished he had phrased that he had phrased that differently. "He's an awesome guy, I'm sure he'd take anything you throw at him!"

Now she could feel sweat rolling down the side of her face. "T-Thanks a lot, Kukai, I'll do that…" She got up. "By the way… What were YOU here thinking about?"

Kukai chuckled. "U-Um…"

"Yeah?"

"J-Just, you know, typical guy stuff—Oh, look at that, my phone is vibrating in-in my back pocket, better answer that VERY far away! Good luck with Ikuto!" Then he dashed off. Amu was a bit dumbfounded before giggling.

Takumi walked past Ikuto in the halls during passing period, slipping him an envelope. Ikuto reached out a hand as he passed it, slipping the note into his pocket and then entered his currently empty classroom. He scanned the envelope's contents for himself. Inside first was a hand-written note—a memento of Takumi, written in pure and utter English, of which Ikuto knew quite well.

'I heard from a reliable source that you are finally making a move. Be sure to play your hand correctly, or else you're going to fall out rather quickly. Though, I must admit, you've chosen your victim quite subtly this time… her aura is breathtaking… If you are looking to follow through with your plans, I have revised your composition to the utmost perfection. It should serve you well should you use it correctly...' Ikuto glanced at the now folded composition in his right hand. 'I wish you the best, Black Cat.'

Ikuto sighed at the composition's title.

"Fallen Angel."

And so ends the second arc! ^_^

0.0 Not much to say... Read and review!

Oh! And Takumi knows English! Whoo!