Amu let out a long sigh that she'd been holding back for a while. She was slowly slipping into despair. She didn't know what to do. She gazed up at the stars and lost herself in their wondrous beauty, as they glimmered in the vast sky. Suddenly she heard a noise break the silence and Amu's eyes widened in fear as a hand reached up from below her balcony, and rested on the railing.

"A GHOST?! ", Amu shouted internally. She was about to scream when Ikuto's head popped up, and he hauled himself onto the balcony. He sat on the railings edge as he looked up at Amu and grinned.

Amu was shocked to say the least, "Ikuto! How did you get up here?", she looked over the edge toward the ground.

"What do you mean? I climbed, idiot. Here", he held out his hand which carried a plastic bag. Amu hadn't noticed it until then due to the shock of his arrival. She peered into the bag and inspected the contents. In it was an array of sweets. Amu performed a lucky dip in which she picked a packet of biscuits. Ikuto returned his outstretched arm to his side as he began to choose one for himself.

"I thought you probably haven't had something to eat…I figured you like sweets", he took a bite of his own. Amu couldn't believe he was here, after what had happened. 'Why doesn't he stay away from me? Doesn't he know I'll only cause him trouble', she couldn't help herself from questioning his motives.

"Ikuto, you have to go. If my uncle catches you here…"Amu trailed off as she watched Ikuto hop off of the railing and take a step towards her. He held her face on one side with his hand, brushing his thumb gently up and down her cheek.

He looked her straight in the eyes and told her genuinely, "I care about you, Amu". The way he said her name and looked at her so truthfully had Amu in a trance-like state as she reached up to gently brush his face, where bruises had formed. Ikuto appeared to savour the feeling of her hand before her leaned in closer to her face. Amu couldn't help but blush as they both held one another's face in their hands. She felt drawn to him as she leant in further. They were mere inches apart now and she could feel his soft breath on her skin. Ikuto closed the gap between them as he kissed Amu gently, wrapping his hand from her face to her neck as he kissed her deeper. Amu was in heaven. They broke apart and both smiled at each other. After staring at each other happily, not realising the lapse of time, Ikuto shifted his eyes away as he cleared his throat, breaking the bubble of longing.

"Here, try this one", he lifted his non-caressing hand up and held cake to her mouth.

'Had he been holding that this whole time?' Amu took a bite, savouring the chocolate flavour. She licked her lips when she had finished, while looking at Ikuto, who was only staring at her lips.

"I want a taste too", he kissed her lips again, a lot quicker this time, but just as nice. He winked at her, and Amu laughed in response.

Her laughter ceased as she heard her Uncle's booming voice, "AMU! GET DOWN HERE NOW!" Amu jolted and began to push Ikuto toward the balcony's edge.

"Quick! You have to go, quickly!" she desperately sent him away.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow" he stated more like a question, as he began to leave. Amu turned toward her room and hurried downstairs to face her Uncle.


Ikuto closed his front door quietly; he began to stealthily sneak back to his room. He was just about to begin his climb up the stairs but he froze like a statue when he heard his mother's voice from behind him.

"Where on earth have you been?" his mother crossed her arms in front of her chest as she gave him a stern glare. Ikuto slowly turned around to face his mother. She narrowed her eyes as he avoided eye contact with her.

"Ikuto! What happened to you?" the concern for her for her son shone through as she rushed to his side and inspected the bruises on his face.

"I'm fine", he stated nonchalantly as he shrugged, trying to absolve her worry. His mother frowned as anger rushed through her, anger towards whoever it was that had hurt her son.

"You're not fine! You're going to sit down now and tell me what happened" she firmly stated, in which Ikuto couldn't object. The two of them sat at the breakfast table where Ikuto began to tell his mother Amu's story over a hot cup of tea. His mother was shocked, and anxious for Amu's safety. Once Ikuto had nothing left to tell, she told him to go to bed. Ikuto begrudgingly went to his room, falling asleep while thinking about Amu. Little did he know his mother did the same, but not before planning to do something about Amu's position first.

Ikuto had awakened the next day feeling an overwhelming sense of determination. Sharing his desire to help Amu had lessened the pressure that had rested on his shoulders, he felt uplifted. He had got ready quickly that morning, eager to see Amu once again. He had managed to resist the urge to fall asleep during his classes. He strolled down the halls with Kukai by his side, who was talking to him about the soccer game that was on T.V the night beforehand. Just as they turned the corner Kukai bumped into Amu, literally.

"Ahh! Sorry Amu, wasn't watchin' where I was going," he grinned at her.

She shrugged in return, barely making eye contact with him, "No big deal".

Ikuto furrowed his eyebrows, wondering why she was acting this way in front of Kukai. Kukai didn't seem to find it abnormal in the slightest. They all went to the cafeteria and met up with the others to eat lunch. Ikuto observed Amu throughout lunch; she didn't utter a word to anyone, and just flicked her hair when someone looked in her direction. When they were leaving Ikuto told Kukai he needed to speak with Amu, and that he'd catch up with him later. He walked Amu to a secluded area of the school on their way to her classroom, where they could talk in private.

"Are you okay? You're acting so differently in front of the others compared to when were together, why is that?" Ikuto questioned.

Amu's eyes stared at the floor as they began to water; she looked like she was trying to hold back tears.

"I-I just can't be myself around them. Everyone has all these expectations from me. They think I'm stoic and cool, when I'm actually just lonely… and troubled. I don't know what to do…" Amu's voice shook as she confided in Ikuto. Ikuto got the impression that she'd never shared this with anyone before.

"All you have to do is be yourself, you'll be fine. I love who you are, they will too" he smiled a great grin at her. She let the tears fall and rested her head on his shoulder as he rubbed her back gently.