Room mates Chapter seven.

Leeloo-Chan: Just a quick thanks once again, I really was not sure whether to continue this story and it is all of your reviews that make me want to write more. My particular thanks go to some of my constant reviewers, you have all been fantastic and with your help I'm hoping to reach 50 reviews soon :P
Thanks in particular to
RandomDalmatian326
TinkToxiixix
linkinparkfan9799
MidnightRedMasquerade
D3uces
Nikki
3


Amu's POV.

I had to come clean and admit that as much as I loved Utau I sensed foul play, and not just because I was trapped in such a degrading position. I exited the dressing screen wearing one of my favourite long floral dresses and was greeted by the not so positive remarks of my friends.

"It's formal wear Amu what on earth are you thinking." Nagi wrinkled his nose at my dress as if it where some kind of crime but before he could assault me with yet more fashion advice Kukai tagged in
"You need to look sexy classy Amu, not I'm considering joining a convent." Kukai clapped a hand to his forehead in despair as he once again took in my choice of dress.

I suppose it would be more helpful if I explained what was currently going on in the bedlam that has assumed direct control of my life. It would seem that the engagement party we are all to attend is not just any party, in actual fact it is one of the most important parties because the heads of the Fujisake, Souma and Tsukiyomi families will all be attending.

And thanks to Utau's uncharacteristic lapse in memory none of the boys had enough time to rent out proper formal attire and find a suitable date, hence the reason I am in this mess.

See this is where I suspect foul play, despite the fact that Utau seemingly forgot the most important party of her year she somehow managed to invite Kukai as her date, set Rima up with Nagi and force Ikuto onto me in a matter of hours. This situation is most fortuitous because if the boy's don't bring dates then their parents use it as an excuse to set them up on marriage interviews, which is apparently why Ikuto so desperately needs me. Two years ago an interview went horribly wrong and ever since then he has been stuck with a stalker, and it is apparently my job to act as deterrence.

So here I am searching through anything and everything left in my wardrobe to find something at least semi decent so as not to embarrass Ikuto more than I most likely will, meanwhile Kukai and Nagi offer unhelpful criticism as Rima sniggers mercilessly.

Five dresses down and a few more blows to my self-esteem than comfortable and I was ready to crawl behind that screen and die, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse Utau entered the room practically beaming from ear to ear and demanded I take a break. As much as I hated her for putting me through this I couldn't feel anything but grateful for a well welcomed reprieve.

She threw the boys out of the room and grinned deviously collapsing down on my bed

"I have a treat for my favourite girlies, and a way to make the boys eat their words." The trademark Tsukiyomi smile spread across her face as my ears perked at the idea of restoring my tattered self-esteem. Before I could even ask how, Utau dashed out the door and returned holding three black bags.

"Don't be mad but I saw these and could not help myself." She shrugged at the bags in question and handed us each one still grinning like the Cheshire cat.

"If you don't like them I can always take them back, but I just know you are going to love them." She smiled warmly and unzipped her bag first hanging it on the dressing screen. It was remarkable, a slinky strapless deep purple dress that flared out a little above the knee to give it an almost floating quality. The cups had a beautiful silver beading and everything about it seemed to leak confidence.

I laughed and stared at Utau with envy she was going to be the most beautiful girl in the room that night, Kukai was a lucky man. Staring again at Utau's perfect dress I was distracted by a delighted squeal. I looked over to see Rima clinging tightly to red fabric.

"Amu you have to see this, it's perfect. Thank you so much Utau." Utau smirked smugly in response as Rima crossed the short distance from the bed and hung her dress next to Utau's. Immediately I noticed how perfect it was for her, a knee length crimson red strapless dress, designed with a tight bodice that flared out into a multi layered skirt with black under netting. It would fit Rima perfectly and the black detail along the skirt and bodice made it almost look like a rose.

There was no doubt in my mind now that both my friends would look perfect and it was more than clear that Utau knew how to dress to impress. The two girls glanced from me to the unzipped bag in my hands and I looked down at it apprehensively.

With the bag still zipped I made my way to the dressing screen and hung it there before tugging the zip down. My breath caught as I removed the offensive black bag from my beautiful dress, I felt a tear streak down my face and grinned like a fool. (Leeloo-Chan: Of course you don't get to see the heroine's dress until the grand unveiling, if Ikuto has to wait so do you. :P)

"Are you really sure this is okay Utau, it's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Utau gave me a gentle smile and squeezed my shoulder.

"Amu if you didn't wear it I would be offended, there is nothing I want more than to see my brother speechless and you happy in that dress." I thanked her probably more times than she would like and we zipped up the dresses to keep them a secret from the guy's.

More than content we sat on my bed the same as we had the night before and talked about everything and nothing; we laughed and screamed until Nagi had demanded that the noise levels were too much and then it was quietly agreed that tomorrow we would get ready together.

"Before I forget, I hope you don't mind but I wanted the guy's and girl's to ride separately on the way there. I hired two limo's one for us and one for the guy's so that they can wait for us at the entrance and we can really make an impact." She smiled and the evil glint had returned to her face, there was no denying her now.

We all agreed it would be more amusing to watch the boy's reactions together and I confessed that I felt a little like Cinderella going from rags to riches. Utau laughed deeply and told me that I had better get used to it. But managing to shrug her sly comments aside we spent the rest of the already late night watching romantic movies and getting excited for the party to come.


Amu's POV.

Today was the big day and my nerves were starting to get the best of me, I had so far been in this chair for an hour and a half with no idea what Utau and Rima where doing to me. The mirror had been covered with one of my old sweat shirts while Rima attacked my eyes and Utau twirled and tugged at my ridiculously unruly hair.

I suppose when Rima asked what I was going to be doing with my hair the right answer was not high pony… and now that I couldn't be trusted to do my own hair of course make up privileges where taken away too. I watched not so patiently as a dolled up Rima scrunched her face in concentration before announcing,

"My work here is done." She smiled at me confidently as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat
"Almost done here too, just need to get this one piece pinned back and… Wow."

Utau tapped my jaw with feather light fingertips and laughed
"Haven't you ever seen a limo Amu? First step was making you look like a princess, and a princess travels in style." She placed a pale arm around me and tugged my limp body into the awaiting vehicle
"I've never seen a limo quite like this, and dare I ask what step two is? I responded but Utau barely took notice. Seated in the pitch black stretch limo I couldn't help but wonder how my life had changed so drastically in such a short period of time, I glanced over at my travelling companions to see them sipping on glasses of champagne and sighed this was definitely a whole new world.

"Now then, I'm getting out first because I am dying to see my brothers face when he sees you Amu." Utau's chatter cut through my pensive thoughts and I grasped at the few words I heard
"Why is Ikuto's response so important to you? We are just friends and I'm only his pretend date because he couldn't find anyone better in such a short time." Rima sniggered as an irritated Utau sighed.

"Best behaviour Amu, you're his date tonight so remember to act like it or people will suspect..." Before she could give me the look good on my brothers arm and don't let me down speech I interjected, "Point made perfectly clear, I am Ikuto's date for the night and must act like a love struck teen. I hear you loud and clear Utau." I smiled to show her that I was only teasing but now that we were close I could feel the nerves creeping in.

I shifted my hands through the silky material of my dress in vain, what on earth was I thinking. I did not know a thing about being in their kind of society and I had barely spent time alone with Ikuto, just the two of us…unless you count that night on the sofa, but even that I spent mostly asleep.

I fidgeted in my seat like a small child; the more I thought about it the more I panicked. All the women here were beautiful. It only took one look at Rima and Utau to tell that they belonged at a place like this, but me? Not so much. The most formal invitation I had ever accepted was to a christening, how could that compare to something like this.

The inherent chattering of the limo had come to a standstill and the car began to slow, I must have looked extremely sick because both Utau and Rima loyally took to my side. Rima stroked soothing patterns on my back as she consoled me.

"You look beautiful Amu, Ikuto lucky to have you for the night and if he doesn't think so I'll skin him myself." Her small brown eyes stared up into mine warmly as she ignored the slight nudge to the ribs from Utau, who had clearly taken offence to the death threats aimed at her family.

I smiled sheepishly at the two of them as they continued to sing my praises and eventually that smile split into a laugh. They were right tonight was nothing to be concerned about, my friends would always be around and I would just have to do my best to be the best date Ikuto ever fake had.

The car slowed and I breathed in deep, what's the worst that can happen?


Utau's POV.

The car had come to a complete stand still and I watched my two new found friends with great interest, Rima was as closed off as usual but my faithful Amu was an open book. I could see the nerves dance across her skin and could only hope that some of those nerves where for my brother. As much as I loved Amu a part of me wished that she wasn't so clueless about her feelings but then again her naivety is definitely part of her charm, and that dam Ikuto is no different…acting stubborn. But I see everything! and tonight with the help of my newly enlisted friends it was time to open their eyes, just a little.

The door to our car opened and throwing one last gentle smile in Amu's direction I climbed out all confidence… that was until I saw Kukai. There he stood as handsome as ever I barely even noticed the two men stood next to him. He smiled and took my hand and at that moment I had to do everything to keep my emotions in check. There was a list of things to do tonight and falling further in love with Kukai Souma was not on there.

I needed a distraction and I was thankful that Rima was out next; I looked to Nagi and winked making him laugh. He seemed to take it as a sign that Rima was next because his eyes were glued to that door practically willing her out by sheer force. I looked to my brother and smiled, to anyone else he would look like the same cold stoic figure he usually did and yet I had already noticed the changes she had made in him.

Ikuto to me seemed warmer, less harsh and his eyes were dancing with anticipation. How he did not yet know he was madly in love with her was a mystery to me, but a very small part of me was glad. My brother deserved nothing less than to fall in love for the first time with a woman who quite obviously was nothing short of his soul mate, and to be quite frank she deserved the same.

From the corner of my eye I watched as Nagi's face broke into a rarely seen grin, and the cause would be none other than the petit blonde exiting the car looking as beautiful as I had left her. She clicked impatiently over to Nagi and reached up to take his tie in one fiercely pale hand.

"Aren't you going to tell me how beautiful I look," Rima released her hold on him and stared impatiently as the group of friends around her exploded into raucous laughter, only disturbed by Kukai's low pitched attempt at a wolf whistle.

The moment I had finally waited for was here, there Amu stood in front of us a perfectly beautiful vision and testament to both her natural beauty and our hard work.

Her bubble gum pink hair had been twisted into a knot at the back, but the right side of her parting had been left down in beautiful twisted curls. Her makeup was understated, a thin line of black eyeliner and mascara to accentuate her honey orbs and a pale silver eye shadow to compliment her dress. And by far the dress was the finale worth waiting for, a floor length off white dress that moulded to her body perfectly, with satin trim and spaghetti straps. The flared semi sleeves and ruffled train where what gave the dress it's over all grace and elegance and the off white colouring only complemented her alabaster skin tones perfectly.

Looking at her now, I gave myself a mental pat on the back. She hadn't moved an inch clearly unconscious and confused as to what everyone was staring at. But at least now I knew that even if tonight went horribly I had opened my brother's eyes just a little to his real feelings.

The moment she had removed one slender leg from the car Ikuto's breath had hitched I saw as his emotions changed from anticipation to awe, and then observed again as he unconsciously took five steps towards her before reigning himself back in. However what he did next surprised me more, as we watched on like frozen idiots Ikuto confidently strode to her side, azure eyes never wavering they drank in her face, her smile, her body, before finally delving into her eyes it was a moment so personal I almost had to look away.

He extended one hand to her like a true gentleman and whispered something in her ears resulting in the light blush currently lighting her cheekbones. She took his hand gracefully and he walked her to our small group where she was monopolised by everyone else informing her once again of just how beautiful she was.

I watched closely and noted that his eyes never strayed far from her but even more telling was that his right hand, the one he had reached for her with was now at his side ranging from taut too loose. The fact that he touch had such an effect on him made it clear that my poor brother was more in love than I had initially expected, and nothing made me happier.


Leeloo-Chan: Review me pretty please as it makes me want to write more? Also I know I am awful at describing outfits so some time tomorrow I am going to put pictures up on my profile of similar style dresses. Thanks for reading. ^^