I'm so sorry that this wasn't out sooner! My computer died and I had to write the whole chapter over, then I went to break so I apologize for the wait and I hope I haven't discouraged any of you from reading it. Also, I might be adding a character and would appreciate it if you would send comments for my story along with a profile of you. If you can that would be great. If you think that adding a character would ruin the story, please tell me. Thank you guys so much that you have read this story thus far. ------Lala

Chapter 8

Amu woke up near the middle of the day. Did I fall asleep up here? She asked herself. Then she realized that her hair was being stroked. Without opening her eyes she flipped over. There was a strange weight over her. A blanket? She was touched by the fact that Ikuto was so thoughtful. She felt a tear fall down her cheek.

"Don't cry, Amu. It's ok. I'm here for you" he said softly and sweetly. It sounded more like he was saying this to himself rather than her. She felt a hand wipe the tear off of her face. This only caused more tears to come. Everyone's sacrificed so much for me how come I'm always the one who has to be taken care of. I'm just a burden. She thought to herself. "Why?" She asked quietly.

Ikuto was suddenly jumpy "Oh, I' sorry. I didn't mean to---" Amu cut him off. "You didn't wake me up Ikuto." She heard Ikuto sigh. "Ikuto, Why are you always here for me? All I do is cause pain and trouble. Not to mention that I completely deserted you for 5 years then came back and ruined you're life." She said as she sat up. Ikuto was shocked "That's not true--" "Yes it is" she said below her breath. Low but not low enough for him to not hear it. "It's because I love you Amu" Even though she knew that Ikuto loved her, these words shocked her. She shook her head out of her trance, and then she was frustrated.

He wasn't giving her the answer she wanted. She wanted to hear him say that he didn't need her that way if Easter got her he wouldn't feel so much pain. That would be the second time. Although that's what she hoped for it would still crush her if he spoke those words. She tried to protest. "But I mean why do you love me? All I am is a burden. Utau hates me for stealing you away. I just take up space and I don't even hel--"

Her words were then cut off in a passionate kiss. All thoughts cleared from her mind. She could feel his anger though. It was practically radiating off of his body. He pulled away from her and looked her straight in the eyes. "Amu. I can't explain love. I'm not a professional. But what I do know is that ever since you showed up my life has a purpose. You're the only reason I still want to exist." He then had her in a crushing embrace. "I love you too" She whispered. They sat like that for awhile, no words were spoken. None needed to be. They both knew exactly what was in each others' hearts and what would always be there.

"I'm sorry" he said after a while "Hmm?" Amu said as she lifted her head from his chest. "I'm the reason Easter's chasing you." Amu sighed. "Ikuto. I'm the one who decided to steal it back. You didn't make me." Ikuto looked away from her "Yeah, but my wish--"

"To hell with that. You didn't know what would happen, neither did I." she smiled at him "C'mon, where's that stubborn Ikuto that I used to know?" she said, copying his words. He scowled and stuck his tongue out at her. "There he is" She said and then seized his mouth in a kiss.

He loved her so much. It was only she that could make him feel better. Sure, others had told him the same thing, but it was more sincere when it came from her. Now he could truly forgive himself. He felt her arms wrap around his neck and he routinely wrapped his around her waist. But suddenly he was filled with a desire. He pulled her in tighter when suddenly she stopped.

"Ikuto…?" she knew what he was doing, and he hated himself for losing control like that. One moment of pure bliss gone so quickly. He looked away from her. She pulled his head back up by his chin "I'm not mad Ikuto, just not now, ok?" she smiled and all hatred evaporated from him. He can't be mad at anything when she smiles. It's almost as if the entire world stops and everything is right.

He smiled back at her "I thought you liked the old me" She smirked "I don't miss you being such a pervert" "I also thought that I was the one who smirked too." He put on an over dramatic sad face and she nudged him in the ribs "It doesn't take a lot to notice who wears the pants now huh?"

Then suddenly he was hugging her "Promise me something, Amu" "What?" she muffled into his shirt. "Promise me you'll never change, you'll never pretend to be someone who you aren't." Then he looked down on her "Because I'll see right through it" he smirked and she looked back into his shirt "My acting skills weren't that bad" He laughed, he missed laughing. It's like his whole life had completely turned around from a waiting for a storm to end to dancing in the sun.