Meilin: So I've decided to update early because...well I don't really have a reason. But here it is! Anyone watch the superbowl btw? Just wondering :)
Ikuto: You watch football?
Meilin: No, not really. I just wanted to know if anyone watched it.
Amu: This conversation is pointless.
Meilin: Shut up Miss 'Cool and Spicy'. This is why youhave no friends! -sticks tongue out-
Amu: Oh no you didn't.
Meilin: Oh yes I did.

Ikuto: Aznpride16xx does not own Shugo Chara - Just the Plot

Behind A Smile – Chapter Ten: You never know…Until it's gone

If you could hold happiness in your hands, what sort of shape would it take?

It was late, the music was loud, lights were flashing and most of the guests were either drunk or passed out. The bride was dancing and snickering with her bridesmaids and the groom was having a drink with his best man, Kukai.

"Alright dude, I'm out. See you at the house and…uh, congrats." Kukai took the last sip from his glass and waddled over to his DD, Utau. She was his designated driver. No, he wasn't drunk but he was a bit too tipsy to be driving.

"Congrats." Ikuto heard what his best friend said but it sounded "off" – like there was some sarcasm or hesitation in it. "Nah," the man said to himself. "I must've had one too many to drink." Swirling the red liquid around in his crystal-like cup, Ikuto thought long and hard on nothing in particular. He felt as if something was missing but couldn't remember what it was.

"Baby, come dance with me!" Saaya sang. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to the dance floor. Ikuto wasn't really the type of guy who liked to dance. Amu knew that – Saaya…not so much.

The long night ended, most of the guests went home or rented a hotel room, similar to what Ikuto and Saaya did. The green eyed girl lied across the bed, only a blanket covering her body. Her eyes sparkled with lust and her heart was beating with heavy anticipation. Ikuto came into the room, tired. He crawled into bed, not noticing his wife, and fell asleep.

The girl was dumb founded, appalled, and disgraced even! How could he ignore her like that? She tried waking him up but failed miserably. His phone went off, ringing a certain ring tone that he would always answer. It was an emergency phone-line that he would never ignore. He bolted up from his slumber and answered the small device. Not even getting a chance to greet the person over the phone, Utau sadly muttered over the phone:

"Amu left, she's gone."

It took a few seconds for Ikuto's brain to register what his younger sister had told him only seconds ago.

"Ikuto, are you listening to me?"

"I'll be right over." Immediately he shut his phone and strapped it to the holster on his hip. Grabbing his jacket, he walked over to his keys then clutched them tightly in his fist. "Saaya, I'm going out. I'll let you know when I'll be back." With that he ran out, leaving his wife on the bed.

Saaya glared at nothing in particular while sulking by herself. She knew exactly why he left even if he didn't tell her. He didn't have to. Ikuto made this unique face whenever Amu was involved and Saaya caught onto that fact.

The door opened with a violent bang. "Utau!" Ikuto roared into the house. She knew what to do and right away she handed Ikuto a sealed envelope. He shot her a questioning look. "Open it," her eyes said. Ikuto uncovered the card and read it aloud.

He looked up. "What did she mean 'Kukai and Utau understood'," Ikuto asked quoting the letter. When they didn't answer him, he took a second glance at the card. His eyes widened in surprise. Now he knew.

Utau took the letter from her brother's hands and read it through. Being a girl and Amu's close friend, she found the secret message Amu left.

"You found it, didn't you Ikuto?" She asked. He nodded, his bangs covering his eyes in shame. He walked over to the wall, his head leaning against it. Hands gripping against the wall, Ikuto slammed his fists against the wall, breaking a picture frame in the process.

The picture of Ikuto and Amu as kids ripped right in half and Amu's half drifted to the ground slowly, facing down.

He cursed silently to himself. Slowly Utau approached him with the letter in her hand.

"Ikuto I-" Ikuto slapped her arm and yelled, "Get away," as the letter was knocked out of her hand. It fell to the ground, left unattended, cold, unnoticed, and forgotten – Just as Amu felt.

I wanted to congratulate you, but…
Let's just say I couldn't stick around.
Out of everyone, I know I'll miss you the most. It's
very immature of me to leave without saying goodbye, but
everything is falling apart. I can't stay.
You told me to come to you for help but it's
obviously something I can't do. Kukai and
Utau understand and I'm sorry for this. Good luck with everything.

Sayonara,
Amu Hinamori

The message was uncovered. "Where did she go?" Ikuto whispered. No one answered because no one knew. Then he yelled, "Where is she!"

Utau grabbed onto her own forearm and bit down on her lip. "I don't know."

No he was enraged. "How could you not know? You're her best friend, aren't you?" he pressed.

"I am!" She defended in tears. Then a vase was pushed off its stand and was shattered.

"That's enough, Ikuto!" Kukai stepped in protecting his lover. "Stop breaking things. We know you're mad. I get it. Amu is important to us too but that's no reason to get angry at Utau."

Ikuto was about to interrupt but Kukai stepped in again. "Don't you dare say that Utau is a bad friend. You, out of all of us, are the closest one to her. So don't go blaming other people. You're the main reason why she left in the first place!"

"Shut up!" Ikuto yelled back.

"Why are you so worked up about this anyway? It's not like Saaya was the one who left, right?" Kukai said playing with his nerves, pressing deeper, trying to make him realize something.

Why was he getting so angry? Amu was his closest friend that much was solidly true. And it wasn't like she hadn't left before. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't get to see her off this time.

"Tell me, Ikuto. If Saaya was the one who left, would you be as upset as you are now?"

Would he be? That was a good question. "No," he answered honestly. He wouldn't, but why? Saaya was his wife, not Amu. Ikuto had always held strong feelings for the pinkette but it felt so natural – so he didn't think twice about it.

"Why?" Utau asked.

The brother contemplated on it for a while. Amu's smile always warmed his heart, her voice was a pleasant and gentle sound to hear, and her sweet laugh was something that would never fade from his mind.

"I'm such an idiot." He chuckled at his pathetic self. "I think…I'm in love with Amu. What am I supposed to do, Utau? I want them – but I can't. I'm already married to Saaya. I can't do anything now. I made a huge mistake." He was right. He couldn't do anything now that Saaya was his wife. He was utterly confused.

"There's nothing you can do right now. Go to sleep and we'll figure this out in the morning."

Ikuto was silent. He had nothing to say. He went back, just as Utau suggested. Upon his arrival at the hotel, he saw his wife sleeping; it was nearly 5 AM, after all. His thoughts were confused, he was unsure of what to do, so he grabbed a blanket and a pillow and slept on the couch across the room. He sat there, not entirely sure what he should be thinking. He wondered: If he found out Amu loved him sooner, would he have married Saaya or would he have returned Amu's feelings? Ikuto lied down on the couch and stared at the dark ceiling until he was forced to sleep.

I guess what they say was true: You never know what's important…until it's gone.

End Chapter Ten - Upcoming: Chapter Eleven

Meilin: So how did you like this chapter? Sorry it was short but its filled with Lots of drama. But don't worry it gets better! :]
Ikuto: By better do you mean worse?
Meilin: Possibly... :D
Amu: Don't smile so innocently.
Meilin: I can if I want :P

Special Thanks to:

D3uces (Lol. No it doesn't make you sadistic at all. Besides, I was the one who wrote it...so that kinda makes me S. xP)
Br0k3n Ang3l (Thanks for reviewing! I hope yo continue to do so and I will update some more!)
Po tah toes (Thanks! I thought it was good too. :3 I know! What kind of person moves the wedding up that fast? xD YES SHE IS A HORRIBLE POOP! I know -.- She frustrates me and I made her like that...I'm a monster! :P Thank you so much! ou're making me blush ^.^)
Kuroneko99 (You are correct in the fact that their relationship seemed undeveloped, but you'll understnad why later. And I believe I meantion saying that Amu's cut was only slightly bleeding. So I don't think it wouldve stained her dress. As for her not screaming...Saaya was clutching at her throat so I'm prety sure it would be hard to scream in that condition. Thanks for reviewing! :3)
XxChopSueyxX (I know! I wrote it and I couldn't believe it myself. BUT KEEP READING AND YOU'LL LIKE IT AFTERWARDS! heehee)
XxNekoHentaixX (Sorry for the shortness but hopefully this update will make up for that.)
KakaSaku Chan (Yay COOKIES! I actually had some cookies today. Yum!)
Amuto FAN (Lol. My friend said the same thing about her plane crashing but then he was like "Maybe she should die"...he's a horrible person. haha.)
Clockwork Rose (Here you go another chapter! no need to beg ;])
ThePandaHat (Hah. I like the way you assume the marriage is going to go downhill. Just you wait and see :P)
Ninja-bunny08 (Ikuto is not with Amu...yet...or not...only time will tell. lol.)
Minato-kun Luver (Hmm...I wonder.)
ikutoandamuforever (Yep...maybe she should've laid on the floor and maybe someone would've found her. oh well. ^.^...Oh and this chapter was dedicated to YOU for being so awesome :3)
Littlewish123 (You wanted her to write "I love you" on the note...well she kinda did in a secrative kind way. ^.^)
xAmuIkuto (Thank goodness it's not cliche...I was hoping for realistic but also filled with some unrealistic drama.. haha. i dunno if that made sense.)

AH IT'S SO LATE! AND I HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW! D:
Until next time my lovely readers!