Wow, thanks for all your reviews. :D
It took me awhile to update this cause of some tests and other things.
But yea, and I kinda thought of how to follow Chap. 9,
so I ended up with this.
Hopin' you guys'll like it. :D
I do not own Shugo Chara!
The banging inside my stomach stopped. I wiped the fallen tears from my eyes as I bent down to face Ikuto with a little ounce of respect. The dried tears were all sticky and I can't afford to stretch my face. The sparkling diamond ring was indeed beautiful, too beautiful. I closed the box of the ring then looked straight in to his eyes, and then I smiled.
"You loved at my worst. You loved me at my best. You even refused to marry a more dignified, more beautiful person just because you loved me." I paused, gently tracing my cold fingertips across his porcelain face. "Ikuto…" I removed my fingertips from his face, staring at it. "I loved you back." I then stood up; still my eyes were affixed with my fingertips, caressing it carefully.
"I want to experience life on my own this time. I want to find myself, and love it more than anyone in this world could. I want to fly free, without anyone lending me wings, without anyone waiting for my landing. If I've succeeded all that, I'll surely come back with a smile on my face." I then gripped both my hands with tears inside them, letting it boil to death. I turned to face him, with sorrow and despair written all over my face. I tried to muster out my most sincere smile.
"The next time I see you, I swear, I'll never let you go." The grip of my hands were now loose. Soon, the boiled up tears were now evaporating, seeking for heaven. Not a single trace of black hole or a dagger was found inside my now empty system. I could've sworn I would've tumbled down or fainted, but there I stood straight in front of the man I truly adore.
He stood up then placed the box inside his pocket. I couldn't see his eyes though, his bangs were covering them. But a part of me was saying that he doesn't hate me. But then again I could be wrong. I don't know what was keeping me there in front of him, cemented on the harsh cold floor, but I have a hunch that this'll be the last time I'll be able to express what I feel in front of him. I could just leave in a matter of seconds, but no, I cannot do that. So I stood there, waiting for his response.
"There was nothing I wanted more than to make you mine." I felt warm longing arms wrapped perfectly around my head. The scent of his perfume lingered around my sense of smell, his heart was beating as the same pace as mine, his embrace was paralyzing me with every bit of affection. I couldn't hold back any longer. My arms automatically moved on its own, finding its way to Ikuto's waist. I embraced him as tight as I possibly can. As I looked up to see his god-like features, tears were being shed from his gorgeous eyes. It was the first, and maybe the last time I'll see him cry.
The tears that were formed from his eyes were cascading down his face, dripping slowly on my forehead. It went sliding down my face as it hit the floor. I realized that once I let go, everything will change in a flash of light. I would soon leave; he would soon leave as well. But I will surely keep the memories we've shared intact.
"Please hear me calling you.
I want you to know that it's true
I can't live without you."
After he had recited a part of the poem he once gave me, tears started to well up once again. It was our third month anniversary at Hong Kong when he suddenly orated his poem and gave me the original copy of it. His voice was still echoing inside my head, torturing every single part of it.
"I will always be there for you
no matter what you go through,
if you ever fall,
it'll be into my arms."
Every single word went piercing through my heart. The pain was bitter in the sweetest way. I remembered Ikuto trip when we were out to buy ice cream at the park. I laughed so hard on that day. "Can't you see that I truly am falling for you?" was what he said. Then instead of buying ice cream, we just sat there, at the corner of the street, in front of a café, laughing.
"So take my hand,
may I have this last dance?
Cause it's raining outside
And we don't live forever,
So take my hand."
Why have I just realized that the poem he gave me was like a movie summary of what we had during those 3 months? That day when he gave me his first gift, the necklace, was when we were both half-drunk. That was Kairi's party. When he pulled me outside Kairi's house, with a long box at hand, he told me has something for me. I laughed as loud as I possibly at that time then asked why; he then said we were supposed to give gifts during anniversaries. I laughed hard once again then said I have nothing to give him, then he just shoved me the long box inside my tank top. When he was about to go inside and leave me there, rain started to pour.
- 2 months ago – Amu's POV -
Cold harsh raindrops started to fall beneath me. As I watch the moon disappear, I heard someone running towards me. I turned around to find Ikuto dashing towards my direction with his coat over his head. I closed my eyes and tried to feel those raindrops splatter on my face. Rain started to pour harder.
"You idiot, why aren't you running for shelter?" Ikuto said as he flung his coat over my head. The raindrops pouring on my head had diminished. I grabbed his coat then threw it away. His coat went splashing down near the car.
"What the hell are you doing?!" He shouted. I faced him with the long box inside my tank top. His face was irritated and yet so serene.
"It's raining." I said, removing the long box from my shirt, handing it to him. He didn't take it though. Still I, as persistent as ever, handed it to him. But no, he was stubborn.
"FOR PETE'S SAKE, AMU, IT'S A GIFT! IT'S YOURS! NOT MINE, YOURS! TAKE IT!" He shouted once again. It never occurred to me that his shouts were significant. As long as I understand what he's saying, that's all that matters.
"No. I shouldn't." I said, with my calm voice, still handing him the long wet box.
"WHY?!" Again, he shouted.
"Cause I have nothing to give you. I'm not that stupid to take something without anything to give back." I whispered, but loud enough for him to hear. I saw the people inside Kairi's house staring at the window. I heaved a sigh. Ikuto then grabbed my hand then dashed towards the empty streets with me. He took the long box then opened it to reveal a gorgeous necklace. He gently placed it on my neck then locked it. Ikuto leaned towards my ear then whispered something.
"Dance with me." He said, as he pulled me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck then he wrapped his around my waist. We danced around the streets with our laughter trailing ever step we make. I rested my head on his chest as we continued frolicking around.
"You're my life." He whispered. It was indeed a good thing it was raining. But I really don't know if I was shedding tears or those were just mere raindrops. I closed my eyes, then responded.
"For me," I said, hugging him tighter, "my life would mean nothing without you." I tasted the water falling from my eyes. That was really a relief that it was raining, you couldn't identify if I was truly shedding tears or not. I just realized something very important about the water I tasted. It was salty.
- End of Flashback – Amu's POV still -
I wonder if he'll be able to realize that someday, or probably one day, I won't ever come back. Suddenly, I let go off him. I stepped one step backwards then stood there in front of him. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he knew all the possibilities that might happened days or probably years from now. I can still remember the time when we went to the demolished amusement park.
"Amu," he said, with his distance still a step away. I can never forget those eyes that can pierce through anything, that knows the truth, that unfolds lies, that has shone brighter than anything else in this world.
"Even if this all comes down to hell," he then grabbed my hand. I'll never forget his touch. I won't ever forget the way his hand was perfectly tangled with mine. I'll never forget every spark I felt whenever we touch. Surely, I won't.
"I'll always remember this scene with you." A tear was shed once again. I smiled. I placed my other hand on top of his then felt it with all the nerves I can muster out. I then wiped the tear then looked straight into his eyes. I won't forget you.
I let go off his hand. I took about three steps forward, two steps away from him. Still I remained smiling. "Goodbye." I said, as I walked away.
"Amu, wake up, you'll be late for school!" I felt someone shaking me. I opened my eyes to find Lulu, of course, with her apron. She set me down roughly as I stumble down the bed once again. It felt as though my butt was now numb from all the falling every morning. I got used to it though.
I crawled my way to the bath room then slammed the door hard. After a few minutes of brief routines, I came out with my uniform on. I had my bangs cut, a few days ago, it's a full bangs, and my hair was now short, shoulder length to be precise. I grew taller and regained my not-supper-skinny shape. The eyeliner was perfectly applied today. What a relief.
"I'll be home late. Nagihiko's buying me dinner." I said as I grabbed a piece of buttered toasted bread from the plate. Lulu's been a great friend. Since I moved here to France 2 years ago, she's been with me through my up's and down's. It was all thanks to Nagihiko for letting me meet her. Oh, and yeah, Nagihiko, he tagged along with me while I was leaving Japan. He said that since he has a house there, it would be a great help.
"Yeah, me too. I've got my part-time job and a presentation to report later. Be sure to lock the door!" She screeched right before I dash my way out of the house. I locked the door then walked my way to school.
I wasn't used to walking to school but I've gotta start a new life. Since I am now a senior high schooler, I could order anyone who goes to our school, in a lower level than I am of course. I've got high grades and quite popular if I do say so myself. Life's great here at France.
I grabbed my new and improved charged cell phone. Honestly, I haven't charged it in three weeks since I've got a ton of work piled up to do. I switched it on then the picture of Nagihiko, Lulu and I was now displayed. My cell phone now beeped, which means I have mail. I clicked open then it revealed a certain mail that has caught my eye.
Dearest love,
It's raining here today.
I could still picture us dancing.
Rainy days go well with a cup of tea. :)
From,
T. Ikuto
- - -
Dearest love,
I wonder how you're doing.
It's been 2 years now has it?
Come back soon.
From,
T. Ikuto
- - -
Dearest love,
I miss the lips that made me fly.
From,
T. Ikuto
Just as scheduled. Ikuto would always send me mails every week. Not a single reply was received by him. Yes, I truly am heartless. But what I'm doing is for his own good. Sooner or later he'll find someone better than me. And I'll truly be happy for him. Though I keep on saying those things over and over, a part of me was indeed dying.
The moment I set foot at our class room, Nagihiko was now jogging towards me. He was panting, hard. Something's wrong. I assumed. He would always walk towards me with a calm manner. He then grabbed my hand then pulled me outside the classroom. Something is really wrong.
"Amu," he whispered.
"What is it?" I placed my hand on his shoulder then whipped some sweat from his face using my other hand.
"Ikuto," he whispered once again.
"What about him?" I froze, letting my mind absorb his name being said for the first time in almost two years.
"he's dead."
Please review!
Oh, and p.s.,
More chapters are still to come.
So don't worry.
Cheers!