The Ultimate Chase

A Work of Fiction by My Endless Love

Summary: AU. She was smart, beautiful and sought after. He was straight forward, handsome, and notorious for his reputation as owner of a multimillion corporation. That's where she comes in – as his new personal assistant. Amuto.

Author's Note: To be honest, I had massive writer's block with this chapter :x I didn't know how to continue it half way, so I kind of just left it hanging. After reading other people's fanfics the inspiration came. Just goes to show how reading other people's works can improve your own :) !

Song of the Moment: Wish Ur My Love - 티맥스 feat. J (Boys Before Flowers)

Beta'd and Dedicated to Emma.

Just because I love you.

Chapter 4: Revelation

He sighed, as he closed the door behind him and placed his suit jacket upon the cloak hanger. Switching on the lights, he strode into the living and seated himself into the arms of his beloved chair. Tadase leaned back, closing his eyes. It had been a long day, and on days like this he truly wished to come home to the wafting aroma of home cooked meals, soft singing or perhaps some form of noise.

Not complete silence.

Silence reminded him far too much of loneliness, and the prospect of being unable to share the happiness life brought with someone else. Silence is like the darkness within the crevice of our hearts – a place of secluded memories that one would rather forget.

Tadase couldn't remember the last time he had come home to a welcome, a greeting, or the warmth of a smile. He should have become used to the quiet. But today he felt the deep yearning for interaction, for someone to confide in, a person to just be there.

A flash of pink hair appeared in his mind, jolting his eyes open. Why was it that ever since their argument the week before, he just couldn't get her out of his thoughts? The image of her plagued him so closely throughout the day, appearing as soon as he lay to rest.

Any moment of peace he had was interrupted by that face. The face that seemed so determined to prove him wrong – the face that seemed to be hiding something about her relationship with Tsukiyomi Ikuto. Yes, there was something not quite right by how quickly she had jumped to defend the Tsukiyomi.

He could feel his fists visibly clench as he remembered the last few words he had said to her. The prospect of Amu possessing any feelings for him.

Tadase didn't know why he felt such discomfort at his best friend for perhaps seeing the man. After all, she had been right that he did not control her life or decisions. Maybe, he was just concerned as a friend that she might get hurt? But, it still didn't sit well with him – nor his heart.

Heart?

What did his heart have to do with any of this? He had made it clear to her all those years ago that he only saw her as his sister. . . as his best friend. Was he. . . regretting it now?

Tadase knew that with his rejection all those years ago, he was afraid that she would come to hate him – to despise him. To never be able to look at him the same way. But, she was Hinamori Amu and came through in the end, becoming the remarkable woman she was today.

He always had admired her for that. To be able to put her emotions aside and rekindle the relationship they shared together. I admit that she has become very beautiful. . . but, I have never seen her glow as radiantly as she did. . . until she began talking about him.

There it was again, the queasy sickening feeling. Tsukiyomi Ikuto. . . why did it feel like he was taking away everything that was important in Tadase's life? As his thoughts drifted once more back to Amu, he realised something. There was something about her now, that was different. . . but what?

Now, one question remained.

What did he truly feel about her?

She gazed outside her bedroom window, at the breath taking sight of the falling snow. So delicate, so fragile. . . and melted with a single touch. The glistening reflection of the moon's rays provided a luminous, magical glow. Amu always had liked snow – and it was times like these when she was able to truly see the beauty it withheld.

She sighed, as she turned to stare at her reflection in the mirror on her bedside table. Hair straightened, light make-up, and contact lenses. Adorned on her neck was a heart shaped necklace, only unlockable with a matching key that lay within her desk drawer. Amu remembered clearly the reason why she had chosen to purchase it.

If she were to ever find the person whom she truly loved, she would give him the piece – as a symbol of giving him the privilege of unlocking the key to her heart. Amu fondled the necklace enchained to her neck, it's golden surface reflecting the moon's light.

Gold.

It reminded her of Tadase once more, and how this silence between them was suffocating. This had been the longest period of time where they had not uttered a single word to one another. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, they always made time for each other.

Amu knew that she hadn't been wrong on her perspective of Ikuto – and that she shouldn't succumb to apologising. Even if it was to him of all people. Tadase was usually more calm, more collected about his thoughts.

She always knew him to be the type who would recognise his faults and take full responsibility. But, how had this time been any different from all the others?

Amu smiled slightly. Actually, the root of their argument really was because of a certain blue eyed casanova. She had never rebelled against him because of another person, no less a man. Perhaps, that was the reason why he had not spoken to her?

Her thoughts drifted to Ikuto, an occurrence that was happening far too often as of late. She was still confused as ever about what he was to her, and her life. At times, he would be a conceited asshole who irked her to no end – not to mention the fact that he was the cause of her previous misery.

He would make obscenely, out of the question demands and enjoy her irritation to the fullest. And yet, whenever she was upset. . . he was just there for her.

Ikuto, as much as she hated to admit it – knew how to calm her nerves, numb her senses and blissfully eradicate her worries. This was a dangerous predicament to be in – after all, their relationship was meant to be entirely professional.

This small part of her. . . as foolish as it seemed however, wanted it to be something more, something to transpire. After all, wasn't that why she was dressed as she was today? A red spaghetti strap accompanied with a leather jacket, skinny jeans and her favorite pair of stilettos.

Now that she thought about it . . . how had Amu managed to get into this kind of predicament? "A date with Tsukiyomi Ikuto . . . oh joy," Amu mused, reflecting on what had happened in the past week.

Flashback

"Tsukiyomi. . . you seem awfully distracted today. And you know, you can at least look at me when I'm speaking to you," Amu muttered, walking around the room for the twentieth time.

She was doing the duties of tidying his office, although she really didn't know why. Such a trivial job should've been left for the cleaners – not an assistant. He had muttered something along the lines of "incompetence, loss of important information and lower class".

He looked up at her from his desk, glancing for a second before once again returning to his work. "I don't know. . . maybe it's just not my day today."

"Probably. Usually you're so focused and have absolutely no sense of humor. Tsk tsk, the ladies don't like boring guys, Tsukiyomi" she teased, flashing him a cheeky smile.

She heard the immediate scoff, but saw that he was smirking. "Whether I'm boring or not, doesn't mean the ladies won't stop coming. I mean. . . I already have trouble with them from just the short walk from the lobby to here. Hm, Hinamori. . . I just thought of something" he drawled, finally looking at her with undivided attention.

Amu laughed, imagining the stares and swoons that would erupt by the appearance of their boss. "And what might this thought be, Tsukiyomi?"

"I think. . . we should just stick to first name. Not like we haven't called each other it before, and it's strange to keep switching between them," Ikuto stated bluntly.

Amu turned away, hiding the slight blush that rose to her cheeks. Damn it, he always makes it so hard for me to stop thinking about what keeps happening between us. . .

"Hm, I guess you have a point. Well, I'm fine with whatever. Just as long as your 'ladies' don't maul me to death for calling their precious boss by first name."

There it was again, the trademark smirk. It had only been a month of them knowing one another, and yet she could already sense when he was smirking. "Just don't sue me for legal charges. But well since we've reached this level of. . . familiarity, I want to take you somewhere that you might like. Saturday night?"

Amu's heart stopped then and there. Familiarity? Take me somewhere? More like he's going to try and take me to his bed. Pfft. . . but. . . that means he's asking me out on a. . . date?

"Maybe. But my, does every employer take their employees on dates?" she questioned incredulously, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I never said it was. . . a date. But, think of it this way Amu. How many times have I saved you whilst you worked here? Is that only worth a maybe?" he retorted, not backing down to her stare challenge.

Oh, now that was what Amu classified as a cheap shot.She was wondering when he would use that against her, and he had decided the right moment perfectly. If she turned him down now, she wouldn't be doing her conscience nor her mind any justice.

Amu could just imagine the colossal mental lecture she would receive. "I. . . I. . . okay, I'm really thankful for those times so. . . this is a one time thing! Saturday night, and you better not be late Ikuto" she responded, looking away.

"I thought so."

End Flashback

She hated how he always had his ways with words, and a comeback was always immediately fired back. Hm, maybe it's a businessman thing. After all, how are you suppose to make deals in order for a multimillion dollar corporation to flourish?

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted, as the resounding ring of her doorbell echoed within the walls of her apartment. She quickly got off her bed, and strode towards the door – doing a double take at the wall mirror. Now is not the time to be paranoid, Amu.

Amu waited another few seconds to pass by, before the overwhelming curiosity drove her to open it.

Her hand immediately flew to cover her mouth, using all the power she had to not release a squeal. He was wearing a light blue semi-formal top, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The first three buttons or so were unbuttoned, revealing the toned chest that lay beneath.

I wonder what it must be like to run your hands over it. . . cause hot damn, that is a rank A chest.

"You look nice, Amu. Red suits you," he murmured, his eyes running over her figure and that smirk of his plastered across his face.

She rolled her eyes, letting out a loud cough to cover up the fact that she had basically thought of mentally molesting him. "So, where is this oh so special place that you planned on taking me to?" Amu questioned, as she grabbed her purse and closed the door behind her.

"You'll see when you get there," he responded, as he took her hand in his and led her to his car.

"Where are you leading me? Are we there yet?" she questioned, pouting childishly.

Ikuto chuckled, as he continued to lead her whilst his hands were placed over her eyes. "You'll see Amu. Haven't you grown accustomed to waiting for things? Patience is a virtue," he lectured.

She muttered quietly, "No. . . patience is not a virtue. . . it's a waste of time."

He pretended not to hear her snide remark, and announced, "Okay we're here. Let me just flick the switch."

Switch?

As his hands left her eyes, the darkness that surrounded her immediately dissipated, leaving behind a scene that took her breath away. The lights were slowly illuminating, column by column until they reached the far back – driving away the once fearsome shadows. What was left in the centre was a large pond, thickly coated with a layer of ice.

She could see water lilies frozen beneath the surface, still in radiant bloom whilst goldfish with different shades of orange were quickly darting away due to the sudden lighting. The lilies must've only bloomed a day or two ago. . . this means. . . did he plan this from that long ago?

Amu could only stare in shock, an audible reaction unable to make it's way to her throat. "So, what do you think?" Ikuto questioned, prodding her out of her daze.

"I. . . I never knew that the Tsukiyomi Ikuto could be a romantic."

He arched an eyebrow, replying "Well, you severely underestimated me, Miss. Hinamori Amu."

"I'm kidding. What you did was just. . . amazing Ikuto. I really expected you to take me somewhere like a restaurant or something. . . thank you," she murmured, smiling at him radiantly.

Before he could utter a reply however, she'd kissed him on the cheek – dangerously close to his lips. Ikuto's eyes widened, as he glanced at her. . . and catching a very nice glimpse of her cleavage.

Oh god, if I didn't know any better I would say that she's trying to seduce me.

Ikuto had realised the reason why he was so damn distracted from work lately. It was because of her – unsurprisingly.

He chastised himself for being so oblivious – the occasional teasing, the flirting, the random brushes of skin, and the embraces. The way their eyes connected. . . his thoughts of her. The sexual tension between them was unbearable, and he wondered why he hadn't noticed it sooner. You could practically see the tension radiating in waves between them.

Ikuto's inner thoughts weren't helping either. His playboy "sixth sense" urged him constantly to take her – after all, what was there to lose? She was just a player within the game, nothing more. She was just another woman, and God knows how many women he had been with.

The need to touch her, he reluctantly admitted was a constant thorn in his side, and seeing her for the larger portion of his day wasn't helping. Why was he holding back? She was pretty much in the palm of his hand. . . it'd be all too easy.

If she was anyone but Hinamori Amu. . . he wouldn't have waited so long. Several times he had contemplated whether or not to pin her against his office wall, but thought better of it. He knew she would plead him, look at him with those eyes, murmur his name so hurtfully. . . and he'd crumble. Pitifully.

He wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. My my, when did Tsukiyomi Ikuto ever hesitate when it came to women? You've become soft. . .

As much as he hated to admit it, his mind was right. He'd let her become close to him – far too close, and she was unwinding his code of conduct. Ikuto hadn't even seen any women for the past week, and it may be his downfall today.

After all, if she had planned on seducing him today, he didn't think he could resist her. His resistance was waning as the days had passed, and she definitely wasn't helping. In fact, was she encouraging him?

Pfft. . . coming from the woman who utterly loathed me from our first meeting, to wanting me? Impossible. For now, I'll just enjoy her smile. . . who knew she'd be happy over something so trivial?

Yes, she truly was interesting.

"Ikuto, earth to Ikuto!"

His daze was rudely interrupted by an offending hand that belonged to said girl.

"I'm here, no need to push that hand in my face," he muttered.

Amu however, continued to wave her hand in his face out of pure amusement. "You know, what you're doing now is really childish and immature. Coming from the woman who dared to lecture the Tsukiyomi Ikuto on her first day of work."

She immediately glared at him, her eyes reduced to slits. "I was just having fun, jeez. Uptight smart ass. . . " she murmured the last part quietly, and quickly began to make her way over to the pond.

"Not so fast," he interjected, holding onto her wrist. "What did you just say? I couldn't hear it."

"Nothing."

Oh, she was going to regret saying nothing to Tsukiyomi Ikuto.

"Oh really?" he questioned, raising his eyebrow once more. She simply began to walk away, until he grabbed her wrist once more and she fell against his chest.

"W-what are you doing Ikuto?" Amu exclaimed in surprise.

He then began his merciless assault on her. . . the dreaded tickle attack. "I-Ikuto, stop it!" she screamed, tears of laughter making it's way to her eyes.

Her hands attempted to push him away, only for him to pull her closer – much to her dismay. Although she had to admit being pulled up flush against the chest of a God incarnate wasn't exactly the worst feeling in the world. In fact, she found that she was enjoying it. . . a little too much.

Eventually he let go. . . only when threatened that she'd make sure he never ever thought of reproducing again. He shuddered. The advantage women had over men from that mere fact was beyond cruel. After all, a man was not a man without his manhood.

It was his sense of pride, dignity and honor and of course, what differentiated him from a woman. Without it. . . didn't it make him exactly like a woman in a sense?

His moment of hesitation cost him though, as she tackled him into the snow. Her eyes gleamed brightly, as she smiled at him – a smile of sheer triumph. "I win this round, Ikuto. See what arrogance does to people?"

Amu had yet to realise however, that she was practically straddling his hips – and Ikuto was all too aware of it. His eyes travelled over her body, and rested on the definite curve of her waist. Actually. . . I like this view.

The moment of her "victory" was short lived, as he quickly flipped her over, reversing their positions. Her blush immediately intensified, the dawning realisation of their position registering in her mind. "I-Ikuto! I'll sue you for sexual harassment! Don't make me scream and label you as a pedofile for life."

"Go ahead, sue me. You're by far over the legal age, and it's not sexual harassment if it's. . . both ways" he paused, leaning in close to her ear.

"And besides. . . scream all you like, no one will hear you. . . although I doubt it'll be screams of discomfort," Ikuto murmured quietly, raising the hairs on her neck painfully.

Her breathing was becoming louder and more detached, as she refused to look at his face. Oh, just kill me now.

She could just imagine what her face looked like then and there – flushed and brighter than a stop sign. Her heart was painfully retching inside her rib cage, attempting to make a dash for freedom. If the pounding was excruciating for her to hear, what must it be like to him?

He can probably hear it from a mile away.

Much to her disappointment and chagrin, he got off her, lending her a hand.

"Hm, we should have some fun while we can – before it get's too late."

To say she had a great time was a major understatement – it had been simply amazing.

There were times when it was just silence between them, but it wasn't the "awkward" quiet. It was the kind of silence between two people where words were not needed. A silence that truly showed the comfort they shared by just having the other's presence near.

She felt like she saw him in a new light, and wondered if this was the same man who threatened her in his office over a month ago. Were "good-for-nothing players" this kind? This gentle?

Amu knew that she had sadly placed him underneath the typical stereotype without delving deeper. It was a reflex reaction after all, and no one could deny that he wasn't a total lady killer. She shivered, rubbing her hands over her arms unconsciously. They'd been skating for several hours she guessed. . . it was a wonder that she only felt the cold now.

Amu felt his eyes shift towards her, as she forced herself not to shiver once more. When had she become so acute to his stares? Since you've been ogling at him for this entire time.

"It's starting to get pretty late. . . do you want me to take you home?" he questioned, slight concern evident in his voice.

She blushed, forcing her voice to stay calm. "It's fine, I want to stay here a little longer."

Only because you want to stay with him and ogle some more.

Amu vowed to herself she would brutally murder the voice in her head one day. "I'll get a spare jacket from my car then. . . your nose is turning red."

He pinched it playfully, before skating off the ice. Once he was out of view, she quickly covered her nose with her gloved hands. "It wasn't that red. . . right? How embarrassing."

Ah, now you're noticing how he looks at you too. How cute.

Oh, her mindless thoughts were so asking her to place a death wish right on their doorstep. Suddenly, the lights flickered off, as she fought to regain dominance of her body. Her thoughts had practically taken over her mind, whilst her physical body ran on auto-pilot.

Her skates were rapidly gaining speed – a speed that she had absolutely no control over. The painful skidding of friction against the ice was deafening, as she fought for balance.

However, her body immediately froze when she realised. . . that this was no longer ice territory she was on. Instead, branches met her head on collision, clawing at her clothes wherever possible. Twigs of innumerable sizes stabbed mercilessly at her legs, as she felt a sharp cut somewhere along her calves.

She hissed, closing her eyes at the excruciating pain. Halting to a stop, Amu collapsed to the floor – cold, and clutching to her leg like a lifeline. The shiny white specks clouding her vision were slowly winning the battle to stay awake, as she felt herself slipping out of consciousness.

"Amu! Amu, wake up!"

I. . . just what is that voice?

Amu felt a warmth envelope her so firmly, as she sighed content. It was a remarkable difference from before, when she was practically freezing to death. A strangely familiar scent invaded her senses, as she breathed in large gulps of air. This scent. . . who does it belong to?

Her eyes firmly closed, as she drifted off into a pleasant dream, immersed within the heat and irresistible fragrance. Just before she was completely lost in the realms of the phycological mind however, she heard a voice murmur painfully. . .

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you this time."

Author's Note: Kinda disappointed with how the chapter turned out :/ Probably cause of the writer's block at countless points . . . and I do sincerely apologise for the lack of updates for so long. School has become a major tiring factor in my life, and lately it's been exams, exams and exams! I do promise to finish this story though, since it has always been an enjoyment to write.

I hope you guys enjoyed the update, even though it's been so long :)

- My Endless Love

Beta's Note: Don't listen to her, it turned out great! And btw, I thought it was brilliant! If you would be kind enough to spare a few moments and tell us what you thought :D