Okay people next chapter, this chapter begins with a flashback. There will quite a few flashbacks in this story; if anything is in italic then you'll know its part of the flashback.

-X-

A young pink haired girl sat in her bedroom with her knees huddled into her chest, it had been two days now and still she hadn't left her room.

Suddenly her mobile rang... glancing at it she stared at it with a blank expression until it finally cut off. Picking it up she glanced at the missed call.

'Ikuto – 7.34pm'

Her face remained unchanged, suddenly the mobile began ringing again – Ikuto once more.

Her eyes narrowed, she didn't want to talk to him!

Forcing the battery out of the mobile she then threw both separate pieces onto the duvet a few feet away from her.

"Amu?"

The voice came from the other side of the bedroom door, looking up Amu stared at it.

What was there to say?

A moment passed and Amu suspected the person had left when suddenly the door opened and her mother stood in. Glancing at her, Amu's mum sent her a smile before closing the door behind her and coming to sit on the end of the bed.

For a few minutes there was silence and when her mother realised Amu wasn't going to speak she spoke first.

"Are you okay?"

Amu shrugged.

Sighing her mother asked, "What's wrong, whatever it is you can tell me. Just don't suffer by yourself."

Glancing up to meet her mother's eyes Amu narrowed her eyes and frowned, "I'm stupid."

Her mother (1) seemed surprised then asked, "You aren't dear, why... did you have an argument with one of your friends or something?"

Amu's lips curved into a weak smile and she began laughing, her mother stared at her with a worried expression as her nineteen year old daughter laughed however soon tears formed in her eyes.

As Amu's mother went to comfort her Amu cut off, "Don't."

Halting her laughter she stared at her mother and said, "You want to know what I did, why I'm so stupid?"

As her mother stared at her Amu swallowed, a tear streaked down her face and then said two words that changed everything for the rest of their life.

"I'm pregnant."

-X-

That night had been one of the longest in Amu's life, she says 'one of the longest' as the few months before that there had been several nights to remember. (2)

Amu couldn't help remembering it as she walked down the street besides Ikuto, it was weird, three years ago they had been doing the same thing yet the atmosphere was the total opposite.

Finally after minutes of awkward silence Ikuto spoke, "You're the one who left without saying anything."

Amu glanced to the side to see his face however Ikuto was looking straight ahead as he spoke, "No letter, no explanation, nothing."

Amu frowned, "You can't say anything, you did the same."

Ikuto stopped walking causing Amu to do so aswell, they were currently on the corner of a street.

Turning to her he met her eyes, "I came back for you though."

As Amu opened her mouth to reply Ikuto cut her off.

"And yes you may have returned aswell, but after what? Three years..."

Amu narrowed her eyes aswell, "Ikuto I don't want to argue with you."

"Then what?" Ikuto asked his voice slightly icy, "Did you expect to come back after three years, introduce a child and expect everything to be fine?"

"Of course not." Amu replied angrily, "And don't bring Amulet into this."

"Why not?" Ikuto asked, "She might be my daughter after all."

Amu let out a frustrated sigh.

Ikuto smirked slightly, funny how just when Amu had been hoping for him to smirk she now wishes he wasn't.

"Look, you wanted to talk to me Amu now what do you want exactly?"

Amu sighed, "I guess I already got what I wanted." looking to the side she continued, "I just wanted to talk and see how things were, I kinda guessed things wouldn't be easy."

When Ikuto remained silent Amu looked up towards him, "Can you please just promise that you'll stay around."

"For whose sake, Amulet's?"

Amu smiled and shook her head slightly, "No, mine."

Ikuto stared at her for a moment before leaning backwards against a wall, "In that case I'll stick around."

Amu's smile widened and then Ikuto continued.

"But... tell me, do you plan to find out who the father is?"

Amu paused for a moment before replying, "I was going to wait but… if you want me to I will."

"I don't need you to."

"Huh?" Amu asked confused.

Ikuto bent down and for once in many years Amu saw the same twinkle in his eye that she had longed for, "Because... I already know who the father is."

Amu's eyes widened and her lips parted, "B-but how?"

Ikuto remained silent.

"How!?" Amu asked, an octave higher, "Were you at that party? Do you know what happened to me at the night?"

Ikuto shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not."

"Will you tell me?" Amu asked even though she already knew the answer.

"No." Ikuto said, unlike when he usually teased Amu though his eyes weren't clouded with mischievous. Instead they were serious.

"W-why?" Amu choked.

"Because," Ikuto replied, "I want to see if what you say is true, I want to see if you came back to make up with us or if whether it's just for the sake of finding Amulet's father. Once I've seen all I need to then I'll tell you."

Amu frowned, "I could always get a DNA test, I'm sure Tadase would agree to giving me some DNA."

Ikuto met her eyes, "You know as well as I do that you won't do that, when I do eventually tell you you'll then know I've forgiven you."

Amu remained silent and not knowing what to say managed a nod.

At Amu's expression he ruffled her hair and then added, "You really are still a kid."

At this Amu froze and clenching her teeth yelled, "I'm a twenty-one year old mother, how on earth can I be a kid!"

Nearby passer bys sent curious glances, one father hushed his two sons along and one woman was watching with curiosity – making no attempt to hide the fact she was watching the display.

Happy with the reaction he had received Ikuto turned around and began walking away, seeing his back Amu was about to call after him but then stopped and realised something, "Where is your violin?"

Ikuto paused in his stride and turning around he glanced at her before replying, "Where do you think?"

As Amu frowned Ikuto turned back around and continuing on yelled back, "If you want it, you can go fetch it."

Amu lowered her head and glanced to the side as she thought of that place; she hadn't been or thought of that area since... well since the time Ikuto had taken her there.

"I've no use for it anymore."

Amu's head shot open as Ikuto's voice quickly said those last few words but by the time she looked up he had already disappeared around a corner.

As Amu stood staring after him she couldn't help but notice the sudden chill in the air.

-X-

Late that night...

Picking up the phone Tadase rang the number, paused mid halfway but then continued and waited for an answer.

After a few rings a voice answered, "Hello?"

Tadase managed to speak, "H-Hi Amu."

"Tadase?" Amu asked surprised, "What's with the late call?"

Tadase glanced at his clock and realised it was very late indeed, 11.30 to be precise.

"Sorry did I wake you, I was just hoping to catch you awake." he replied, stammering a bit.

"No, no, not at all." Amu replied through the phone, "I.. I was just doing a bit of reading in bed."

Tadase had a feeling Amu was lying so he wouldn't feel bad but decided to let her believe she'd fooled him.

"So what do you need?" Amu asked.

Tadase leaned in the chair he was sitting on and said, "Well I just thought we could meet up sometime this week maybe, I know it's a bit soon and all but there are a few things that need to be talked about."

There was a pause before Amu replied, "S-sure."

"Kay then where should we meet?"

"You can come to mine." Amu replied, "Amulet would be happy to see you."

"Oh, okay then." Tadase replied, "What day and time?"

"Um... Thursday at ten?"

"Right."

"See you then."

"Bye."

With that Amu hung up, letting out a sigh of relief Tadase relaxed.

-X-

At the same time…

Ikuto sighed as he sat on the single bed, had he been right to tell Amu he knew who the father was.

It was obvious who it was, he had indeed been at the party – will he had sneaked in – but even if he hadn't he would have known because of the events that had happened before.

Sighing he sat up and glanced downwards, even so... it was still a shock to think of Amulet as—

"Ikuto!"

Ikuto frowned and glancing at the door of the room he saw Utau stood there, "What?!" he snapped, "I told you that I'm only staying here till this all blows over, we agreed you wouldn't barge in my room."

Ikuto was for now staying in the same apartment as Utau.

Utau frowned, "But I made you dinner."

Ikuto lay back, "Put in the microwave, I'll eat it later."

"Don't you want to eat it together?" Utau asked with a hint of sadness.

"No."

Utau remained motionless for a moment before she turned around, however before leaving she turned her head and murmurred, "You weren't the only one affected by what happened Ikuto, we all were."

Closing the door behind her she left Ikuto by himself.

-X-

The week passed by too quickly for Amu, every day meant she was closer to leaving Japan. Thankfully not one day was wasted, each day she spent getting to learn about how her friends had gotten on whilst she had been away.

That of course didn't mean Amulet was ignored, Amu still watched over her. Also, knowing that the money her parents were sending her would only look after the rent and Amulet's necessities Amu realised she'd have to get a job for other luxuries.

It was Utau who got her a job...

Amu was currently walking with Utau in a large studio building called 'Easter,' however unlike many years before this company was no longer evil. Instead it was now a musical business. As Amu was here Amulet was at a nursery where Yaya worked and Amu could see it being useful.

"So..." Amu began as the two women walked along, "What exactly will I be working as?"

Utau's lips curved up slightly which gave Amu no comfort, "You'll see..."

Utau lead Amu through the winding corridors until they came into a large studio with a stage and blazing white lights set on it.

Several people ran to and fro and upon seeing it Amu asked, "Um... Utau, what is this?"

"A studio for recording TV shows." she replied.

At the horrified look on Amu's face Utau continued with a smile, "Don't worry, I'm not asking you to go on TV. I want you to help me."

"Help?"

Utau nodded, "You'll basically be running errands for people."

Amu frowned, "So I'll just fetch coffee for people."

Utau shook her head, "No, you're job is still important. It'll be your responsibility to also make sure I get to places on time, think of it as my unofficial manager."

Amu frowned a moment longer before sighing, "Ah well, I'll do it. Thanks for getting me the job."

Utau smiled, "No problem." She paused for a moment before continuing, "So how have things been going?"

Amu shrugged, "I haven't seen Ikuto since that time in the coffee shop."

Something seemed to flash across Utau's face but it quickly vanished before Amu could make it out.

"What about Tadase?"

Amu smiled, "I'm meeting him tomorrow."

"I see."

There was a moment of silence before Utau asked, "Amu, tell me, what do you plan to do with Ikuto?"

"Huh?" Amu asked confused.

Utau's eyes narrowed, "Amu those years ago I allowed Ikuto to choose you over me yet you left, that's the same as throwing my gesture in my face."

Amu's eyes widened, "I didn't mean it like that!"

Utau sighed, "I'm not angry at you Amu, just… annoyed."

Utau looked down as she continued, "Amu, do you plan to try and make up with Ikuto?"

Amu's face fell, "What's the point, he doesn't even like me any more."

Utau looked back up and met her eyes, "He loved you Amu, I thought you loved him."

Amu glanced away, avoiding Utau's eyes, "I did."

As Utau stared, Amu whispered, "I still do."

-X-

Okay people, I tried to not make Amu sound like a slut by saying she slept with both Tadase AND Ikuto. But remember, she may not have slept with Tadase. So there you go…

(1) I can't remember Amu's mother's name as it escapes my mind, sorry.

(2) And no I am not referring to when she had sex lolz.

-X-

Preview for Chapter 5: [Note: Previews may not be exactly the words in the next chapter as I may have shorted it down for the preview like I've done with the following…]

Walking forward Amu was suddenly stopped when a hand grabbed her wrist, turning around she found Tadase stood up and staring at her.

"T-Tadase?" Amu asked with a surprised look.

Tadase glanced to the side avoiding her eyes as he spoke, "Amu I know you love Ikuto."

Swallowing Amu asked his name again, "Tadase?"

Tadase turned his head to meet her gaze again, "I love you Amu. I always have and always will. Nothing can change that."