Chapter Fourteen

"Somehow I don't feel this is Easter's doing," Tadase admitted, closing his eyes as he drifted into consideration.

"Do -you- think it's them," I asked, my eyes glancing down to Ikuto who appeared to be asleep. He opened one eye to gaze up at my face, shaking his head before sitting up. He stared at the floor for a moment, deep in thought before adding in on the conversation.

"Not sure, but I seriously doubt it. This doesn't seem like something they are capable of, besides, what would be their motive?"

He moved his right leg so he could place his foot flat against the floor, resting his elbow off his knee as he leaned forward. More attentive now.

"Since we have no idea whom is behind these events, I think it's safe to say we all need to be extra careful when we are out alone. Until we figure out the culprit, all we can do is watch and wait."

As much as we all hated to admit the facts, Tadase had a point. The only thing we could do now was just to keep an eye on the situation and try to find any clues we can; until then it was a dangerous waiting game.

"Don't worry, Tadase-kun, Yaya will work extra hard to figure this out!" Yaya smiled and pointed in the air as she spoke, trying to break the tension. She was never good with these types of situations.

"Right!" I giggled, nodding with enthusiasm while un-zipping my jacket; it was starting to get a little stuffy in the room after all.

"A bit of an overkill, don't you think," Asuka flat-out stated with a dull tone, just glaring at me for no reason at all. I could only blink, absolutely lost to what she was talking about.

"Your outfit, it's an overkill. Who are you trying to impress with... that."

My mouth dropped open as I looked down to what I was wearing. What was wrong with my black and neon green plaited skirt, and spaghetti strap top? She sounded down right disgusted with me, and I had done nothing to this girl!

"I think it's cute," Ikuto admitted while reaching up to tug on my wrist, jerking me down into his lap so he could wrap his arms around my hips.

He rested his chin on top of my head, pulling me even closer into his body when Asuka snarled her lip and quickly looked away with a disappointed expression on her face.

I looked to Tadase then, wishing I hadn't, because he was staring at the two of us with a hurt expression in his eyes, making my stomach flip-flop just from the sight. Before I could say anything he looked away to smile at Hinari.

Okay, what was that all about?

Ikuto must have seen this as well, or maybe he felt my body stiffen up, either way he grabbed my hands so he could idly play with my fingers. Running his own fingertips up and down the outline of mine while lightly scrapping his nails along my palms, returning to my fingers to start all over again.

"I agree, it suits our Amu," Nagihiko chimed while tossing me another wink; causing Rima to reach over and pinch his arm out of no where. You could almost see the red cloud of anger radiating around her tiny form, her glare burning holes into the back of his head.

I slunk even further into Ikuto's lap when Nagi yelped from the pinch, this could not get any more embarrassing.

Tadase cleared his throat, trying to change the subject since the air was so thick with an uncomfortably awkward tension.

"Hinari and I would like to bring up another subject, her father has been generous enough to offer us a three-day weekend at their five-star hotel and day spa free of charge. Ikuto niisan, since you're here and it would be rude not to include you, Hinari said you're welcome to join us as well."

"I'll pass," his voice was distant, like his mind was miles away.

"Really?" I turned just enough to look at him as I spoke, this causing Ikuto to smirk playfully.

"I might reconsider, if you ask me nicely, Amu."

He leaned in as his words played against my cheek, those lips parting just enough to allow him the ability to run the tip of his tongue teasingly up my jawbone.

Oh man, okay on second thought, maybe he should stay here! A three-day weekend with Ikuto might be too, tempting...

"U-Uhmm..."

He chuckled to my stuttered attempt at a response, looking to Tadase by now.

"We'll be there."

Tadase fidgeted in his chair, this was clearly getting under his skin. I couldn't help but to wonder if Ikuto was doing all this just to get a rise out of the prince.

"Right, well, since it falls in perfectly during our Christmas break, we will all meet at the train station the day after Christmas around 1:30, we hope to see you all there."

The room suddenly burst with excited chatter and laughter, everyone talking about the unexpected vacation with enthusiasm.

I had no idea Hinari's dad owned a five-star hotel, just how rich were they?

Ikuto stood then, pulling me up with him.

"If you're done, I'll be stealing Amu now," and with that he tugged me out of the door before anyone in the room could protest.

I hope I'm keeping this interesting enough for everyone!