Chapter: 10

Amu was speechless. She stood motionless, eyes unblinking as she stared at the colorful sight just a few feet in front of her.

When she had got up that morning in hopes of being able to ignore Ikuto at all costs, mainly 'cause she wanted to distance herself to get rid of any feelings she still had for him, she didn't expect him to get back from the construction site and tell her he had something to show her when the sun went down.

Don't go thinking anything perverted, now.

Of course she was confused, surprised, and worried all at the same time. Confused, 'cause she didn't know what he'd want to show her, surprised because it was spontaneous, and worried since going somewhere or doing anything with him might just make her fall even more in love with him. That was the last thing Amu needed.

If she could treat him like a stranger, she wouldn't be heartbroken when he returned home. Plus, if she continued acting like he was important to her, he'd most likely get his memories back.

But, this... being here made all her worries wash away. Now she knew why he wanted to show her this when it was dark. The lights wouldn't be as beautiful in the sunlight.

Amu couldn't believe where she was. The carnival. The carnival that was going to be torn down in a short amount of time. To make things better, it was empty. Completely deserted.

A ghost of a smile graced the pinkette's features at the sight of all the colorful lights on display. From the carousel to the haunted house, it reminded her all too much of her first date with Ikuto.

"Wh-what's this for?" Amu asked once finding her voice, turning to look at the male standing beside her, hands casually shoved in his pockets.

Ikuto took a few steps forward and spun around on his heel to face her. Scratching the back of his head, he glanced at his surroundings. "Well... my two months being here is going to be over in a week or two and I found out about how this would be taken down, so I figured it would be a good way of thanking you for letting me stay at your place." He replied. Clearly he felt weird, acting like prince charming and all. "Not that I just randomly thought of this place, but because you told me about how your first date with Yoru's father was at an amusement park...so..."

"So you want me to replace the bad memories of the past with good memories of the present?" Amu guessed with a smile. He was a romantic in his own way. Perhaps now whenever she went to a carnival she wouldn't automatically be overcome with sadness, especially at the sight of the teacup ride. Maybe now she'd remember this night and have happy memories instead.

"Never mind, this is too cheesy." Ikuto stated, beginning to hurriedly walk away. "Let's go back."

Before he managed to sneak away, Amu clutched his arm and pulled him back to her. "Please can we stay?" She asked. It wasn't everyday that she got to behave like a ride-obsessed child. She'd definitely make the most of this opportunity.

He took one look at her and sighed. "Why not?"

It was amazing what those two words could do.

He first got dragged to the Drop of Doom – he made a mental note to never go on such a ride ever again – then to a water ride, the carousel, a spinny-twirly thing that made him feel like vomiting, and after that he lost track.

It was at this moment Ikuto remembered how he never liked amusement parks or carnivals, whatever you wanted to call them. He would rather lounge around at home with a good book or play his violin while sitting on the roof of his house. It was a mystery to him how he managed to constantly get sucked into attending these carnival gatherings.

He now found himself in a little compartment on the ferris wheel with Amu sitting across from him. Ikuto smirked at how she was still a little paranoid at her surroundings since he had practically dragged her through the haunted house just minutes earlier. The effects still hadn't worn off yet.

"You know those were fake ghosts, right?" Ikuto teased, continuing to smirk at her.

Amu blushed as she crossed her arms and pointed her chin in the air. "I was just pretending to be scared so you would be also." Came her stubborn reply.

"I don't think your plan worked..." He drifted off but she didn't seem to notice. The feeling of dejavu suddenly smacked into him before he could finish his sentence. He felt like he had once had this conversation before... but he couldn't remember entirely. It was all a blur to him.

Fuzzy images rushed through his head. Lounging under a tree when someone fell on him, one of a stormy night with a girl, another he was checking in at the front desk of a hospital where a moody old lady sat, then to an image of waking up next to the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, and the final one was of him clutching his throbbing head as he fell to the ground, watching that same girl disappear out of sight without looking back.

Ikuto cringed, clenching his teeth together and squeezing his eyes shut. Why was her face always blurred? If he could see what she looked like, maybe that would make some sense of the images. Perhaps he could remember something.

But... whenever he saw... He looked back at Amu, feeling like something was missing. When he looked at her, he was almost convinced that she was the one in all his hazy dreams and memories. "Amu..."

The way he said her name instantly alerted her that this was going to be a serious conversation.

"I know I've asked this before, but this will be the last time." Ikuto added before continuing. "Are you sure we've never met before? We didn't know each other at all in the past?"

Amu could only stare at him. She wanted him to remember, but at the same time she didn't. Maybe it would be better if things stayed the way they were. If he never remembered. This was what was best for everyone. She shook her head. "No, the first time I met you was when you came here to Seiyo just a few weeks ago."

His eyebrows slowly slanted downwards in confusion. "You just... look a lot like this girl I keep seeing in dreams..." He could barely see this dream girl's face, but he knew she had honey-colored eyes and pink hair. "...and I have a feeling that she was very important to me."

Amu unbuckled her seat belt once the ride had stopped, and hopped out. They both knew it was time to get back to the house, since Tadase most likely didn't want to be babysitting Yoru all night long.

As they walked down the dark streets, Amu spoke once again. "I think that if this girl was so important, she'd come and find you." She stated softly.

Ikuto remained silent for a moment, recalling the flashback of him watching the girl walk away. "But... I think she left me... I don't know why, but-"

"Perhaps it's because you were never important to her, no matter how special you found her to be." Amu replied. "She could've only been dating you for popularity, or- well, I don't know. Girls are messed up these days." She then shook her head and exhaled loudly. "Anyone better have a damn good reason for leaving you lying there in pain."

Of course she remembered that day perfectly. But she couldn't turn back around to help him. Those were Kazuomi's orders.

This caught Ikuto's attention. He slowed to a stop as the two of them turned down another road. "I... didn't mention the part of me lying on the ground..." he said slowly.

Her heart started racing. How could she be so stupid as to let that slip? "I-I meant to say ' leaving you there in pain' because obviously if your loved one left, you'd be hurt." Amu quickly recovered, not even noticing the expensive car that was parked beside her house.

Still suspicious of her, Ikuto slowly nodded, following her up the steps to her front door.

She turned around to look at him and smiled. "Thank you for tonight. I had fun." She figured they had gone on every ride in the park. Besides the teacups, though. She didn't want to risk him remembering anything more.

He smiled back. Well, smirk-smiled. There was a huge difference to Amu between a smirk and a smile. "I think I enjoyed it too. Except the whole incident with me nearly getting flung off of that swinging pirate ship."

They both laughed as Amu pushed open the door, expecting to see Yoru and Tadase, but froze as her laughter stopped once seeing there was a third person.

The pinkette's breath hitched in her throat, eyes widening in horror.

What was he doing here?

* Sheepishly * … hi guys... so uh... heh. I kind of decided to postpone the whole remembering thing. I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. I just felt like it would be too rushed, you know? 'Cause that's the climax/main part of this story! Him remembering everything!

So, yeah... a few more chapters and the memories will be back, this I promise you. Maybe... uuuh... 2 or 3 chapters after this one. Yes. That I think will be a whole lot better, because I want to give you guys the best story possible (Well, knowing me, I won't be able to accomplish that, but I try!) 'cause you deserve the best! Trust me, I think it'd be a whole lot better this way.

Once again, I'M SORRY!
I love youuuu. Oh, and have fun going back to school! I know I'm already stoked!