AN: I am back after what seems like forever to me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the level of patience and understanding I received. Thank you for not giving up on me. Also thank you for all the reviews. Now without further ado I bring you chapter 9. I hope you enjoy =)

Chapter 9

I opened my eyes drowsy from the peaceful slumber. I laid still for a minute trying to find the strength to get up because I really didn't want to wake up from such a pleasant sleep. I hadn't slept that well in a LONG time and I had Ikuto to thank once again. My heart flipped in my chest when I thought of him and I turned over to an empty spot in my bed.

I jumped from underneath the covers and ran to the bathroom which was empty. I began to panic thinking he might be downstairs and that any minute my so called parents would come out and call the cops. I groaned and rubbed my head.

"This is too much excitement for someone who just woke up…."

I went to sit back on my bed to drowsy to even continue looking. I hoped he wasn't daring enough to go downstairs but I really didn't even want to look. Just as I tried to mentally prepare myself for the trouble that was to come I looked over and saw a note on the pillow he was sleeping on.

His name was neatly printed on it and I ran my finger across his name smiley to myself.

It read:

I decided to go home so I wouldn't cause any trouble in the morning, but I'm coming back to get you around 12 whether your ready or not ;)

-Ikuto

PS: You look cute when you sleep.

I could feel the blood rush to my face and was so glad that no one was there to see it. I hugged the note to my chest and once again groaned. It wasn't fair that he could make me feel this way. I liked it since it made me feel normal again…but maybe feeling this feeling wasn't as good as it seemed. The pain that could develop from the feelings…they just didn't seem worth it. I knew what pain felt like and I didn't want to feel it again…

Crossing my legs on my bed I held the note rereading the "you look cute when you sleep part" over and over to myself. Suddenly I remembered the rest of the note and the time limit that came with it. I had till 12 and I didn't even know what time it was. I jerked my head to the clock on my dresser and my breathing stopped.

It was 11:35 which meant I had less than 30 minutes. If only I had noticed sooner then the panic that developed would have never existed. I didn't want him to come to my door cause then he would have to meet my parents which was a big NO! yanked my dresser open looking for something to wear and decided to go to my closet instead. I had dragged clothes all over my room before I actually found an outfit.

It didn't take long for me to get ready but today it felt like an eternity and by the time I got done showering, doing my hair, and plastering on makeup it was 2 minutes till 12. I groaned as I threw on my shoes and yanked my door as I flung myself down the stairs trying not to fall.

I almost made it to the door when my mom stopped me.

"Where are you going?" my mother nonchalantly asked.

"Um out…with a friend. Why?" That was the biggest mistake, asking why. I mentally kicked myself as I prepared for what was coming next.

"Because I'm your mother and I wanted to know, but it doesn't matter anyway. We wont be home till later tonight." she said unconcerned.

Anger flared inside. "Then why did you ask?" I said bitterly turning to face her. She was putting on lipstick and not even looking at me.

"I don't know you seemed in such a hurry. Is it wrong for a mother to ask where her daughter is going?" she barely looked at me when she said it.

"You just said it didn't matter!" I shouted back.

"Look do whatever you want with your little friends. Me and your father are taking Ami to her friend's birthday party and we won't be back till later tonight."

The apathy that radiated from her voice -though I didn't want to admit it- hurt me.

Just then Ami came skipping in all dressed up for the birthday party, Daichi right behind her.

"Your just jealous cause you can't go." she mocked sticking her tongue out. All I could think was where is that umbrella.

"Shut up! No one cares about some stupid birthday party for a bunch of babies!" I shouted frustrated. Why was I so excluded from my own family?

"Amu, be nice to your sister!" Daichi shouted back. "That's no way to talk to her!"

"You're kidding right!" I was in disbelief! Why was she allowed to say whatever she wanted to me but whenever I said something back to her, I got reprimanded. I was about to continue when I heard a knock at the door. I gasped and remembered that Ikuto was coming.

My heart leaped as I tried to make it to the door but the brat beat me to it. Opening the door I saw his beautiful eyes look straight at me then down at Ami.

I smiled and squeezed past my sister just wanting to run away with Ikuto before they could even see him.

"Wait Amu! Who is this?" my mother asked suddenly concerned.

I sighed and turned to look at her. I tried to control the anger that welled up inside so I wouldn't make an embarrassing scene in front of Ikuto.

"This is Ikuto, my friend." I mumbled motioning to him.

He leaned against my door frame and smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Hinamori."

She nodded at him barely smiling just as Ami butted in. "Um…I'm Ami."

She looked star struck as though he was the cutest thing she had ever seen. Her face was flushed and she just kept smiling. It began to annoy me as I realized my bratty sister had a crush on him. It got even worse the way Ikuto reacted.

"Nice to meet you to." he replied smiling warmly and twisting a lock of her hair around his finger.

I frowned and grabbed his hand. "Well let's go!"

I gave one last glance to my mom who looked very upset by his presence, which made me happy. When we finally made it away from my house I sighed frustrated.

"Sorry about that…" I mumbled not wanting to look at him.

I heard him laugh softly. "Sorry for what?"

"For you having to meet my family." I could hear the bitterness in my voice still. I pulled my hand away when I realized I was still holding it and looked away.

He stopped and yanked me around to face him. He held my face in his hands and made me look at him.

"Stop avoiding me. It wasn't the worst experience I've had." he laughed stroking my cheek. "Your sister seems sweet though." he said teasing.

"She's like a demon seed…" I mumbled rolling my eyes. He laughed then pushed my cheeks together. I jerked away from him laughing my mood suddenly lighting. He always has this effect on me…and I liked it. He poked my forehead and I playfully smacked his hand away laughing.

"Stop." I halfheartedly told him.

"Aw look your smiling." he laughed as he continued to poke me. I grabbed his hands laughing and looked into his eyes. I started to blush when I realized how close his face was to mine. He started to move closer and I closed my eyes. This was it! My heart was beating so fast I could hear it in my ears.

Our lips almost met when my phone rang loudly. I jumped and let go of his hands wanting to destroy my phone at the moment. Sighing I reached into my pocket digging my phone while Ikuto looked at me smirking. I playfully pushed him away as I answered the phone.

"Hello." I laughed into the phone.

"Hey Amu…its Tadase."

My heart stopped. I was at a loss for words and I didn't know why I just hoped he wasn't asking me out.

"Well I was just wondering…if you weren't busy…"

Oh great…

"Would you like to go out to lunch with us? Everyone's coming and they wanted to know if you could go." he asked nervously.

"Yea right Tadase! You know you wanted her to go!" I heard Kukai yell in the background.

"Shut up man!" he replied. "Sorry Amu I mean I do want you to come but ya know…"

"Yea it's cool but im kinda busy so another time ok? Thanks for inviting me though. Tell everyone I said hi." I tried to sound as convincing as possible. I just wanted to get off the phone and back to Ikuto.

"Oh ok, no problem. See you at school then." he sounded a little disappointed which made me feel bad but I was busy….

"Yea see you at school. Bye."

After he said bye I hung up the phone sighing. Today was just a little too stressful. I looked over at Ikuto who was leaning against a pole looking bored. He looked over at me and smirked.

"Who was that, your boyfriend?"

"Yea right." I laughed.

We started walking again and even though I had no idea where we were going, I didn't care. I was still and little flushed from out near kissing incident and a little mad at Tadase for ruining it.

Sighing I finally decided to ask. "Will you play your violin for me today? Pretty please? With a type of cherry?" I asked crossing my arms.

He laughed and looked down at me. "Well one how many types of cherries are there?"

I laughed and looked up at him. "I don't know. Well there are Maraschino cherries."

"I don't like cherries." he mumbled.

"Then why would you ask?"

"I don't know." he laughed.

"Stop changing the subject." I told him rolling my eyes.

"Not yet. It's better at night."

"How?" I asked frustrated. I wanted him to play for me so bad.

"Its more magical." he replied making sparkle fingers. He looked down at me and smirked at my obviously disappointed face. I sighed and kept walking just happy to be with him. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as we walked to our unknown destination.

"Where are we going anyway?" I asked smiling.

"Here." he grabbed my hand and pulled me into an ice cream shop.

I laughed holding his hand tighter. I never wanted to let it go…

"Did you originally plan to come here?" I asked.

"No not really. I wanted to be spontaneous." he said laughing.

He looked at the cashier trying to decide. "Hm I'll have chocolate. What about you?" he asked pointing at me.

"Um vanilla?" I hadn't eaten ice cream in a long time and realized I had forgotten my favorite flavor. Hopefully vanilla was right.

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a 10 before the cashier could even ring it up. "Don't say anything." he said putting his finger up to my lips. I laughed and looked down as my face started to redden. The cashier handed out ice cream to us and we turned to leave, not before he got a comment in.

"You two make a cute couple."

"Um…" I didn't know what to say but Ikuto cut me off.

"Thanks. Isn't she the cutest." he said teasing. I laughed an looked down as we left the store.

"Us a couple?" I asked wanting it to be true.

"Yea well it would have been harder to deny it." he said shrugging.

"Its ok…I don't mind." I replied licking my ice cream.

He laughed and began to lick his ice cream.

"I thought you would have gotten strawberry." he teased.

"Wow how original." I teased back laughing.

We continued to walk and eat our ice cream. I was enjoying mine and discovered I had a long lost love for ice cream.

"Hmm…" I heard Ikuto say.

"What?" I asked looking up.

"I'm out of ice cream and I don't really like chocolate."

"Then why did you get it?" I asked laughing returning to mine.

"I don't know" he said shrugging before he leaned over and licked mine.

"Yours tastes better." he said smirking.

"Stop its mine." I complained not really upset. My face started to turn red as I realized we just indirectly kissed. I finished the rest of it and grabbed his hand as we continued to walk.

"Where to now?" I asked bursting with joy. Being with him always made me happy. Everything was going great until I heard her voice…

"Amu!" Yaya yelled. I gasped and yanked my hand away from his shocked. Turning around I tried to plaster on a smile and act like nothing was happening.

"Heeeey!" I waved.

I looked over at Tadase who looks at me shocked then to Ikuto. He began to glare when he saw Ikuto. I looked at Ikuto who was smirking with his hands in his jacket pockets.

"What's up cousin?" he asked bored.

My mouth fell open and I realized that I had just ran into a terrible situation because it didn't seem that they liked each other to much.

AN: So what did you think? I really hope you enjoyed it. I haven't written in such a long time I was worried that I may have lost my thundaah lol. Anyway, write me a review and give me your opinion. Until next time~

~MewRaven94