Hi everyone! Thanks for all the lovely reviews. I know I made a couple of spelling errors on my last chapters, so sorry. I don't really get much chance to chance the chapters though… and I figured an update was more important!

Please enjoy, and review!


What does that stupid cat mean when he says he has three? He has three what? Jeez… why does he always have to be so cryptic all the time!

Amu sighed as she tapped a response.

You know I don't know what that means, Ikuto.


Ikuto ran a hand through his silky blue hair. It had been a long morning of rehearsals. He'd wanted to respond to Amu a lot sooner, but he was just never given the opportunity. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket when she'd text him whilst he was practising; it took all of his willpower and concentration to focus on his music, even though his fingers itched to dig his phone from his pocket and read the text from Amu.

"She's special?" Aruto's voice brought Ikuto back to the present.

Ikuto's blue eyes flicked up to meet with his father's. "Ne, why do you ask?"

Aruto chuckled lightly as he took a seat next to his eldest child. "Ikuto, if mobile phones were invented when your mother and I were dating, I'd probably exactly the same."

Ikuto's eyes narrowed slightly. He still wasn't open with all that many people. Sure with Amu, he could say anything, do anything; just being with her made him a bolder version of himself or at least a version of himself who cared a little less for the consequences of his actions… but with his father… well, he still wasn't so sure. He rolled his eyes, shoved his phone back in his pocket and looked away.

Aruto shook his head. "Seems it's not just my love of the violin you inherited, son. She'd be the reason, ne?"

Ikuto chanced a quick glance at his father. Where he thought he would see anger and disappointment, he saw mirth and understanding. He's not Hoshina. Ikuto realised with a silent chuckle. "You could say that."

He'd been so used to Hoshina's controlling ways and dominant nature, that he'd almost forgotten that this was the man his mother truly loved, and was his own father. He was never after the power; within the man that was Tsukiyomi Aruto, was that same alley cat nature that Ikuto understood perfectly. It was their genetics.

Aruto eyes his son carefully. He understood why, even after their reconciliation, that his oldest offspring would struggle to trust him with the matters he held within himself, locked away like some dark secret in his chest. Souko had told him the trials and tribulations Kazuomi had put his beloved young through. It seems that being around their stepfather had done Ikuto and Utau no good, even though he had hoped and prayed otherwise for the whole time he was absent from their lives. It seemed Ikuto had learned to lock everything away… Aruto feared it was because his boy simply cared too much and was worried his poor excuse for a stepfather would harm them.

And he hadn't been there.

It tore him apart, it truly did.

"Ikuto, you can talk to me you know. I won't hurt her."

Ikuto's eyes flashed with a flurry of emotions. I never even… I know he wouldn't… but what if she did get hurt…Amu…

"Ikuto, I'm not Hoshina Kazuomi."

Ikuto hung his head. I know. But if people don't know, then they can't use her to get to me, right?"

Aruto sighed. He felt for the boy. That very reason was why he and Souko kept their correspondence during his 'missing years' a secret from even the children they adored. "Very true. However, some might say that if no one knows that you love her, they might see her as… available."


I'd love to see your face Amu. You're cute when you're confused. Don't think about it too much. Dad already knows my decision. I need to be home.

Amu sighed. She couldn't help but wish that he was here, sure he would be winding her right up, but she truly missed it right now. She missed the way he'd just appear randomly on her balcony, the way he was just oh so comfortable with and around her and she missed watching him play the violin.

It was breath-taking, the few times she'd been privileged enough to see it. She could feel the rawness of the emotions that were in his heart when he played and he thought no-one cared enough to listen. The way he stood when he held his violin; he was proud, strong and vibrant. He could command an entire stadium of people with just a violin and his bow. She'd be very happy to bet that he'd improved even more without the pressures of working at Easter – being allowed to be carefree and play with an orchestra.

But he was leaving that behind, wasn't he? Amu just didn't understand why he'd give up his most beloved things and his way of life! Ikuto… you don't need to do this.


Ikuto felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Involuntarily, his eyes darted down to his pocket, before meeting the blue eyes of Aruto. A knowing smile worked its way onto Tsukiyomi Aruto's face. "You get that, and then come rejoin us. Seems we have a new piece to learn for this concert."

Ikuto nodded, already pulling the small device from his pocket.

Are you feeling homesick? Why not just come back for a holiday, and then go back to your father's?

Ikuto sighed. Not homesick, lovesick… but you don't need to know that… Silly strawberry, she just didn't get it. He didn't want to give it away too much – but he knew that when reunited with her, especially now she understood his feelings, he could never leave. Not wouldn't, but couldn't. Tsukiyomi Ikuto knew himself well enough that his feelings towards Hinamori Amu were magnetic – he could not pull away from her, no matter how hard he tried. Even now, and he had tried, he sincerely had, even now, he was still going in circles, at least in his mind.

I miss the people important to me back home. If that's the definition of homesick, then I suppose I am.


Amu's reply was instantaneous. She couldn't help it. But she regretted sending the one sentence text. She knew it said more than she wanted to. Iie… how embarrassing! I wish you could un-send a text message! I wish I could tell him not to read it! Amu's face was hot from sheer embarrassment.

I guess that makes me homesick too.

Seven words – that's all it was. Just seven words! Sheesh, Amu, you're such an idiot!


Ikuto chuckled. She probably got all caught up and sent that without truly meaning to. He'd let have this one.

I shall text you later. I have to rehearse. Apparently we have a new piece to learn. I won't be texting you until Wednesday now, after rehearsals, we shall be travelling to the where the concert will be held as we will need to practice in the hall to ensure the acoustics are right… I could bore you with the details, but you're probably already asleep, ne? Goodnight Amu x


Amu felt the heat rise from the tips of her toes to the tops of her head.

He sent me a kiss?!