Chapter 8 Watch me shine!

She was in the middle of a dark room, with no windows or doors. There was nothing, all was quiet. 'Amu!' a voice behind her called. 'Hello?' no one answered. Looking around she saw a figure running towards her.

Long hair was flowing behind it. 'Nagihiko?' 'Amu, run!' his figure transformed into Tadase. Running up to him she grabbed his shirt only to have him vanish. 'What's happening?' she started to panic looking around desperately for the exit. 'There's no way out?'

Appearing before her was a shape of a tall boy. Who had a fairly familiar shape to him, but this figure was different from the rest. It didn't speak nor could she see his face. It had a mix of blue and black to it. 'What does this mean? A hand stretched out…and.

(Outside of Amu's dream.)

"Where is it?" ikuto often visited Amu when she slept, just to make sure she was dreaming/ having a nightmare about him. He would even whisper things in her ear to make it seem like it was really happening. Not tonight though. Tonight he was looking for the song she was going to sing for the talent show the tomorrow evening. Without it she couldn't sing (duh!)

He looked through her purse and found something far better… "nnn.."

"Hm?" he turned to where Amu lay and listened.

"no…leave…Iku.." 'chuckle' "good girl." He was about to leave when something grabbed his shirt. It was her hand, she had in a tight fist.

"Stupid girl." And he swiped it away. He looked at the object he stole, and felt yet again a sense of victory. Going to the window he jumped off the balcony and ran for home.

(in Amu's dream.)

Stay here, please. Don't leave me….Ikuto…

"GASP! Wha..what ? did I really dream about.." 'It must have been someone else. There's no way in hell I would want that guy to stay.'

BBBBBUUUUUUUZZZZZZZ! "WHAAA..OOFF!"

"Awreeen? goah booo ken heeee." (Translation: Again? You gotta be kidding me.) she looked at the alarm clock. It was 7:30 am.

"Oh, god! Thirty minutes till school starts!" she was in such a rush that she forgot to check if everything was packed up. Unfortunately for her she forgot her back-up.

(During lunch.)

Amu was under a cherry tree listening and singing along to her ipod, while dozing off.

It was her favorite song. Utau reminded her of it, when she said that it was Amu's turn to shine. A shadow appeared before her, blocking her sunlight. Something about it was uneasy, and she didn't have to open her eyes to know who it was.

"What do you want, asshole?"

"Now what did I ever do to deserve such a title?" fake hurt in his voice. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"What do you want, asshole?"

"Well, no changing it. Nothing in particular, I only wanted to wish you luck for tonight."

'Something's up.' She sat up and gave him a death glare. "Now what's that for? Well, see ya." With that he walked away. 'It'll be fine nothing bad is going to happen. It's gonna work out….I hope.'

Amu practiced as much and as hard as she could. During lunch she read and hum the melody to the song, and after class or even during she would read it once in a while. So far everything was running smoothly. "It'll all actually work out." She muttered to herself.

It surprised her that she actually was looking forward to it. In the beginning she wasn't confident enough to go for it, she was even embarrass and scared of the idea. Now that it's happening, everything seems to be getting a lot brighter, and she couldn't wait until she got onstage.

It was going to be first time in a long time that she would succeed in a social event. Having people see what she could do was all she needed. The lyrics didn't need to be perfect, nor did she have to wear a good outfit, or anything of the sort. 'So long as they notice that I'm not useless, and I do have something special. That's enough for me. Whatever Ikuto would try to pull off he won't succeed. 'This time he won't get to me.'

Amu stood near a tree, listening to a different song, called; Innocence. Her voice then echoed off the room's walls.

Waking up I see that everything is ok
The first time in my life and now it's so great
Slowing down I look around and I am so amazed
I think about the little things that make life great

In the hall Ikuto stopped near a door, and heard the most beautiful voice. It was filled with happiness, and grace. He peeked in and saw that it was none other than Amu. At that moment she looked and sounded so much like an angel that it would probably be a sin to stop her.

I wouldn't change a thing about it
This is the best feeling

He had to listen to her….angel voice. He wasn't the only one who noticed. Outside the rooms windows an audience was gathering to see Hinamori Amu sing. No one spoke, afraid that she'd hear them and stop.

This innocence is brilliant
I hope that it will stay
This moment is perfect
Please don't go away
I need you now
And I'll hold on to it
Don't you let it pass you by

Utau heard something and knew exactly what it was. "She's at my level. I'm so proud of her. it's ringing everywhere. I guess she's already on stage. Giggle"

I found a place so safe, not a single tear
The first time in my life and now it's so clear
Feel calm, I belong, I'm so happy here
It's so strong and now I let myself be sincere

'It's as if she's…happy.'

Students were thinking so many things at the same time.

'This is some else.'

'That's what I call talent.'

'Wow, it's so wonderful.'

For Ikuto there were only three words to describe it.

"Beautiful."

It's a state of bliss, you think you're dreaming
It's the happiness inside that you're feeling
It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

"Peaceful."

It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

"and so…"

This innocence is brilliant, It Makes you want to cry
This innocence is brilliance Please don't go away
Cause I need you now
And I'll hold on to it, Don't you let it pass you by

"…Innocent."

The song ended. He wanted hear more. Amu's singing gave him such a peaceful feeling, as if all the pain, sadness, and negative energy just drained right out. Same was for everyone else, including Nagihiko. Everything he had against himself vanished.

"It's as if she healed me." 'I think it's too late for me not to fall for her, Ikuto.'

When Ikuto came back out of his daze, he started to almost regret what he was going to do to her tonight. 'Almost'.

It was two hours before the first contestant to go on stage, there were five contestants, and Amu was the last. He had enough time to do this, so Ikuto decided to wait the last moment. 'That way she'll be in frenzy, and in a frantic state.

(With Amu, and Utau )

"Amu you got the dress right?" they were in the drama club's costume room looking on the rack.

"Yep, roger that. That doesn't mean it's still safe though."

"Yeah I know. Come with me."

(Kukai and Nigihiko.)

"You know there's a risk. He can make his move whenever he wants." Nagihiko stated a Kukai sat in the chair near where he stood. "We gotta keep a look out."

"I know that. Man, it's so painful to watch him do all that to Amu, and me barely able to do anything. Keeping Utau in the dark about this doesn't help much either."

"Do you want her to know?"

"…I want her…not to be left in the dark about things. I don't necessarily want her to know that her own brother is the reason that Amu has to watch every step of her way, but I can tell that even though she says that she doesn't mind I can see that that's not completely true. Utau has the right to know, and I think the perfect person to tell her is Ikuto himself. In a way, Amu isn't the one that's hiding it, Ikuto is."

"You're right. To be honest, I hate him, and not just for the reason you told me. Do you realize that he's in denial? Let me ask you something. Why does he torture her?"

Kukai looked him in confusion. "It's because he enjoys it. Denial?"

Nagihiko smiled at him but not in a happy way. "Yes, there's that reason and also I believe that there is the part where he doesn't want to believe that he feels for her. That reason is even worse, therefore I hate him."

Kukai looked like he was struck in the head and thought that the hit was a tap. "Huh?" he had no clue what Nagihiko was talking about. "What?"

Nagihiko turned to him with a friendly smile on his face. "Nothing, forget I said anything."

(Start of the fourth contestant's act.)

"I can't believe this!" Utau looked over the demolished dress with saddened and mad eyes. Amu was looking downcast, and hopeless. She was steered to the bathroom. Once the door was shut the plan went into action.

(Few minutes later)

"Oh my god! Utau, I can't find it!" Amu was rummaging through her purse with a paniced look on l her face.

"Can't find what?"

"The extra music you gave me." She turned to her friend who was looking at her wide eyed. Utau came up and brought out her own purse, then started to look in it.

"You're one hundred percent sure that you put it in your purse?"

"Yes I am. What do we do? The act will end in ten minutes!" turning her head to Amu's purse, Utau saw something that'll save the whole day. (She's goooooood.)

"Give me your i-pod."

(With Ikuto and Tadase)

Tadase came running up to Ikuto with a victorious look on his face. "The dress is taken care of. Also I double checked and there's no extra tape in her purse."

'It sure took you long enough.' Out loud Ikuto said, "Good job. Well I'm gonna sit down and watch the show. See ya."

(Everyone else.)

The announcer was on the stage complimenting the fourth contestant. Butterflies were growing in her stomach. She bit her lip and was thinking. Utau noticed this, "Amu, look at me. You're going to do this, because you have what it takes. Determination, guts, talent, and looks."

(This is the outfit she's wearing. The one with the .)

"We are all here to cheer you on, and back you up. Show them that you're a person is not to be underestimated. That's why the song I chose is perfect. It's telling people that you're there to do your stuff, and they will watch you. Now go out there, and what are you going to tell them?"

After what her best friend just told her, Amu's confidence went all the way up. "Watch me Shine." She said it with her head up and a smirk on her face. "You got it girl!" They both hugged, she high fived both Nagihiko and Kukai, then went to do her stuff. Meanwhile Nagihiko had something he had to make sure of, and went down into the audience.

Onstage, the announcer presented her to the audience, followed by a polite applaud. Once onstage the butterflies came back. She stood there frozen, there were murmurs growing through the crowd, and a certain someone was smirking, when suddenly something happened.

"You can do it Hinamori!"

She snapped out of it and looked towards the crowd. There was a girl with braids in her hair standing up, with a smile on her face.

"Yeah, come on girl! It's all you!"

"Show him what you got!"

"Give him a beating! Go for it!"

"Amu, Amu, Amu, Amu!"

She couldn't believe what she was seeing almost everyone in the whole was standing up. The music started to play, and then a person shouted something that triggered her voice.

"IT'S YOUR TIME!"

Ooh.. I'm not
You average type Of girl
I'm gonna show the world the strength in me
That sometimes they can't see
I'm not
You average type Of girl
I'm gonna show the world the strength in me
That sometimes they can't see

The crowd was whooping and screaming they're head's off already. (You can only imagine what Ikuto felt at that moment) She could see him in the crowd, and held his gaze while she said the lines;

So from my head to toe I'm taking full control
I'll make it on my own
This time
(Better watch me shine)

Ikuto was livid, and not to mention annoyed. Not really at her, but at Tadase for not double checking for anything else that might have held music. Making matters worse, this song was practically making him a laughing stock. 'I have to do something.'

He got up from the seat and was about to go towards the stage when something grabbed his elbow in a death grip. "I don't think so." He turned and saw Amu's knight in shining armor. Nagihiko with a look that could kill.

Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine

"What do you want? You know I have some errands I have to run." Ikuto's face had his infamous smirk planted on him. Sign of trouble.

Bet you don't think I can take it
But my mind and body are strong
Bet you don't think I can make it
It won't take long

"Can't you give her a break? I mean really, you've already gotten her humiliated time and time again. Stop for at least one day."

"Sorry, dude. Didn't I tell you before? You can't stop me."

Bet you don't think I can take it
But my mind and body are strong
Bet you don't think I can make it
It won't take long

"Ikuto. I'm begging you. Please give it a rest."

"Know what, I can't stand you. People like you are so annoying." At that he threw a punch towards his face. Before it hit though, Nagihiko dodged, and made an attempt to trip Ikuto with his leg. Like he dodged the punch, Ikuto dodge the leg. "Now this I'm gonna enjoy."

'At least I'm able to hold him off.'

Now watch me shine...

They were in the middle of the fight, bruises galore, and out of breath. "These pranks of your are going to back fire, and she's not the only one that's gonna get hurt!"

Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Now watch me shine...

Ikuto hated hearing that, hated to imagine anything would get out of hand for him. "That won't happen." 'I won't do anything that serious.' Ikuto may not be a decent guy when it comes to Amu, but he knew his limits.

"I know when to stop."

"You may know but be careful who you involve Tadase believes that rumor! Who knows what he'll do!" He turned and stopped looking at Ikuto. His face was full of confusion, and wariness.

"What are you talking about?" Nagihiko pointed towards the side of the stage where the stairs led up into the back room. He turned to look and saw Tadase coming down from it. A smirk was on his face, almost as evil as Ikuto's. he seemed to be looking up where the lighting was.

I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Watch me...
Watch me shine...
Watch me

The song ended, applause, a bow, an impact, and then a crash.

"AMU!"

Ikuto: What happened! Is she dead? NOOO Amu don't die, I swear I'll be good! Please come back!

girlz4freedom202: It's a story Ikuto.

Ikuto:…oh.

girlz4freedom202: I don't own Shugo Chara.