Amu was amazed looking around Kurashiki, there were artists and musicians everywhere. It was just so beautiful.

"Stop gawking and stay close." Ikuto told her continuing his strong stride down the sidewalk.

Amu pouted, "You don't have to be in such a rush."

"Oh yes I do. I'm about to die and I want you there as a witness."

"What are you talking about?" Amu asked running into Ikuto's back as he stopped abruptly.

"We're here." He told her solemnly, ignoring her previous question. "This is surprisingly normal." He commented in regards to the cafe in front of them.

"Don't you think you're over reacting?"

"You think so?" Suddenly a case came flying towards his head. He barely managed to duck to avoid the collision. "How about now?"

"Ikuto!" Aruto yelled coming out of the cafe. He ran up to his son and put him in a headlock. "Where the hell have you been? Traveling around Japan. Are you insane?"

"That will teach you not to make me take a later flight to bring your car, now won't it." Ikuto countered struggling to breathe through his father's hold.

"Don't get smart with me you little punk."

Amu watched them in fascination. There was an outbreak of laughter. She turned towards the cafe to see three men standing in the doorway watching the event unfold.

"I had a feeling Ikuto was here."

"Where were you Ikuto? We thought you got lost somewhere."

"You lucky bastard."

"Alright, that's enough." Aruto said releasing his son, "Let's see the girl that can manipulate my son in this manner."

"Why don't you be a little nicer about it?" Ikuto commented gaining back his breath.

"You're wearing me down boy." Aruto threatened, taking hold of Ikuto's shirt.

"Uh.., hello?" Amu said, not sure what do in this situation. They all stopped to look at her, apparently her presence wasn't known. "I'm Hinamori, Amu. And, uh, I'm really sorry about everything that happened. It was one really big accident." She was met with silence and stares, which made her feel awkward.

"Really?" One of the men from the doorway commented. "You're Amu?" She nodded nervously. The men looked at one another and nodded to themselves in some sort of secret agreement.

"Not what I pictured."

"You pictured someone? I didn't think she existed."

"Shut your mouth." Ikuto warned them threateningly, causing them all to laugh again.

"I think we made him angry." One of them commented causing the others to laugh harder.

Ikuto made a step towards them and they all started screaming and running around the front of the cafe, Ikuto following after them. Amu just stared at them in shock.

Aruto looked Amu over and smiled at her. "I'm sorry. We're being rude."

"Oh no. Not at all." Amu assured him, still shaken for the whole event.

His smile widened. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Thank you for taking care of my kids. They always tell me how wonderful you are."

Amu blushed with embarrassment and quickly shook her head, "No! I really haven't done anything."

"What are you telling her?" Ikuto asked trying to monitor everyone at once.

"Nothing. I just wanted to know how she could get my son to labor the way she did." Aruto replied with a wink towards Amu.

"What did you come up with?" One of the men asked.

"It seems I may have to resort to a mini skirt."

"Do it and die." Ikuto told him tensely, trying to keep that mental picture out of his head.

Aruto nodded getting back to a serious note. "Men, as you know our next venture is set for Germany. While it is important to make our presence known there, we must first honor our sacred duty as men. A young lady is in need of our assistance and we can not just turn our backs on a lady in need. We must make a detour to Hakuto Beach to reunite her with her group. Are you with me men."

"Pazza! Pazza!"

"Well, Ikuto, don't just stand there, we need to get a move on if we want to get there before nightfall. Or do you want to keep her waiting?" Ikuto gave him a look Amu was sure read a desire to kill, making her smile at his expense.

Aruto was smiling at the agreement and then looked Amu over again. "My dear, are you in need of some clothing?"

"She's wearing Ikuto's shirt."

"Ikuto you dog!"

Ikuto came up behind the group of them, and they all scattered running away from Ikuto while shouting different insults and compliments alike. Amu wasn't sure how to take the scene, and wondered if it was a normal occurrence.

Aruto tapped her on the shoulder from behind, "Why don't you go get something from one of the stores nearby?" Aruto suggested handing her some money.

"No, that's alright. I couldn't possibly." Amu said trying to refuse.

"Oh, I see." Aruto replied sadly. "All the time I spent away from my children, I worried about them to no end. But that obviously wasn't enough. I was never there. Now, my only desire is to show my gratitude to the people that were there for them, but they are too good to accept it. How will I go on? How shall I repay this enormous debt I owe?"

"No. I didn't mean to not accept your gratitude or anything. I would never-"

"Good." Aruto said, suddenly perking up and putting the money in her hand. "Take your time. We'll be right here when you're done."

Amu was sent in one direction, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she had been played for a fool.

~Flip the Paige~

"Are we there yet?" Asked one of the passengers.

"Yes! For the love of God, we're here. Now please stop asking!" Ikuto said stopping the car on the broad walk by the beach at the request of Aruto.

"Yay! The ocean!" The other man in the car shouted in excitement. They filed out of the car to get a look. Aruto close behind.

Ikuto fell on the wheel exhausted. Amu had to shake his shoulder to make sure he was still alive.

"Do you see what I mean about being an 'adult'?"

"I think they seem fun." Amu responded with a smile.

"They always appear harmless at first." Ikuto agreed with a cynical tone.

Amu got out straightening her coverup. A dress coverup was the best she could do. She would feel bad getting anything more than that with Aruto's money. Ikuto followed close behind her.

When they reached the band one of them announced, "Let's go on the beach!"

"Yeah, I want to get in the water."

"Fine. But if you take off your clothes I'm going to kill you."

"Care to join us Ikuto." One asked in a playful tone.

"No thanks." Ikuto replied, "I've never cared for the beach."

"Someone's afraid of the water."

Ikuto shot him and look and they all went running towards the ocean.

"Amu," Aruto, who was still present, asked, "Would you like to join us?"

"That's alright. I just want to look at the view for a minute."

"Suit yourself." Aruto replied running to join his comrades.

Instead of standing behind the bars, she jumped up and sat on top of them and looked out at the ocean. The clouds were a blend of orange and pink hues while the remaining light from the day reflected off the water making it sparkle. It was breathtaking.

Ikuto came up beside and leaned against the bars, "Is this the vacation you were imagining?" As a triumphant look in the past.

Amu laughed, "At least it was an adventure. Something I'll always remember."

Ikuto nodded and jumped over to the other side of the bars.

Amu freaked out, "What are you doing?"

"I'm being adventurous."

"It won't be something you'll remember if you fall to your death." Amu pointed out trying to get him on the other side.

Ikuto smirked, "It would be an impressive death though."

Amu shook her head, "You're unbelievable."

Ikuto looked back at her, "Feeling better?"

Knowing what he meant she nodded with embarrassment. He swung his leg over so that he was in front of her.

"Would you be a little more careful?"

"Do you not want me to fall?" He asked, leaning closer to her.

Her face flushed as she blatantly admitted, "No."

Then, Ikuto took a kiss for her he hadn't before, on her lips.