Rukia141: Stupid Amu and Ikuto!

Jennifer: What?

Rukia141: They weren't doing anything romantic! They were Bingo hosts for a retirement home!

Jennifer: Bingo hosts?

Rukia141: That's right! I stayed and played for a while, but I never won anything!

Scott: So Amu and Ikuto weren't doing anything fishy?

Rukia141: No!

Jennifer: Darn, I guess I lost my bet with Utau!

Utau: Ha! I told you Ikuto was too dense to make a move!

Yuki walks in.

Yuki: Make a move on who?

Rukia141: GAH!

Jennifer: Don't scare us like that!

Scott: Beast!

Yuki: -_-'

Utau: We were talking about Ikuto and Amu.

Yuki: What? But I saw them making out in front of the pizza parlor.

Rukia141: WHAT?!

Jennifer: Heh, heh, pay up.

Utau: Stupid Ikuto…

Scott: Wow…

Rukia141 faints.

Yuki: What the-?

Jennifer: There she goes again…

Part 3: Ikuto, Unsure of Himself

Chapter 25: It's Yuki Right?

The rain had stopped, but it was still dark out. Ikuto couldn't sleep, he had too much on his mind. Some of those things were confusion, uncertainty, and doubts. Sure he'll try to save Yuki at all costs. A few days ago, he would have taken anyone down in order to just save her. Now, now he wasn't as determined. He was tired, tired of Yuki's rejections. He was new at this, love or whatever you called it. He never had this feeling before and it frustrated him to no end. First thing in the morning he would have to go to Easter, as part of the plan. He had to save her, in order to set things straight with her. He had to know, though he had a hunch of what she was going to say. Tadase Hotori, with his dumb little formalities and manners, stole Yuki's heart. It was hard to comprehend. Yuki at first seemed sweet and innocent, considerate. He was wrong for misjudging her, she's strong willed and rebellious.

"This is troubling…" He said softly. Amu shifted positions as she rolled from on top of him. Ikuto placed a hand on her forehead. It wasn't as hot, but she still seemed to be a little sick. What bad luck, Amu won't like the idea of being sick. Ikuto was going to go to Easter and examine the locations of the building, after that he would report to Amu. They had planned to infiltrate the building the following day. They only had one chance to do this, if they failed, Yuki would be taken somewhere else discreet. Ikuto turned to his side and faced Amu.

She seemed peaceful. Ikuto hadn't witnessed Yuki's capture, but he heard Tadase talking to Kukai about it at the park. He was furious, who would be stupid enough to do that, oh right Easter. He wanted to go save her, but how, by barging in and demanding for her, yeah like that was going to work. Ikuto heard Amu give a whimper as her face showed discomfort.

"Yuki…" She said softly. Her best friend. Ikuto had noticed how Yuki and Amu got closer and closer as friends. They seemed inseparable, and he could hardly imagine how she must be feeling. As he watched Amu sleep, he slightly pulled the covers over their heads. He couldn't risk having her parents walk in to check on her, since she sneaked out of the house. It would be his fault entirely if they were caught, he should have left. Strangely, though, he couldn't refuse her offer of staying. She could've kicked him out, she could have refused for him to get involved with her rescue.

"Yeah 'cause you like her."

That wasn't true. However, Amu still didn't deny him anything. She trusted him, the girl who always saw him as the enemy, trusted him. Yes, he liked Yuki, but now his feelings seem mixed up. Was it Yuki's constant rejections that finally made him realize that his chances with her were futile? Age was a problem, sure, but that didn't stop him from liking her. When she started to talk about love at the carnival, he felt like an idiot. She didn't love him, she didn't want to have anything to do with him, but did he stop? Of course not, he wanted to see her, be with her, but she said so herself, loving someone and liking someone were two totally different things. He couldn't say that he loved her. At one time he was absolutely sure that he did, now it wasn't that at all. Something happened. He wasn't sure what. He saw Amu shift positions again, she threw an arm over his chest. He could almost foretell what her reaction would be when she woke up.

Her reaction, wasn't that the key? Amu's reaction? No, that sounds ridiculous, but it sounds right at the same time. Ikuto always thought of Amu as the rebellious one, but he was so wrong. He now saw how she was. Sweet, innocent, and considerate. Amu was hiding, hiding behind a wall of self doubt. These past few days, he saw her true nature. She was an innocent twelve year old girl. He made a weak attempt to get to know her. When he was resting on the floor, he was going to ask her what were her hobbies. Instead he asked who she liked, it surprised even him. He didn't know what made him ask that question, he sort of blurted it out. She was sweet. He watched her sleep. He was confused. The image of who he thought she was came crumbling down when he saw her cry. She cried, and that's when he noticed her for the very first time. He recalled many times when they encountered each other, the insults they threw. He waved away her remarks, but did Amu really let it go that easily.

He sighed as he realized or didn't take the opportunity to realize, how beautiful she really was. He reached out and took hold a strand of her hair. It was soft and her pale skin radiated with the moon's glow. Her hair was loose and it smelled pleasantly of strawberries. She was so close to him. She clung on to him, even in her sleep she was aware of his presence there. He lost to his urges and started to run his long fingers in her hair. Amu was kind, but he was too blind to notice. It was wrong though, he supposedly liked Yuki, yet here he was stroking Amu's hair, enjoying the feeling. It seemed wrong, so why wasn't he regretting it? He then brushed some hair out of her face, revealing the rest of her pretty face. Did Tadase too hold the key to her heart? He remembered a couple of times when Amu stared at Tadase with the same affection Yuki had. How about now? Did she have feelings about him now?

Sure it hurt. His feelings were hurt by Yuki countless of times. It hurt how even when she was unconscious she managed to murmur Tadase's name. He wondered however, how much it would hurt if it was Amu calling his name. He cursed at himself, it should be Yuki he should be thinking of, not Amu. Damn it all! He pushed Amu away a little bit. He silently slid out of bed and started to gather his own clothes. It would be best if he left, all of this thinking is enough to blow his whole head off. He would have to be careful with Yoru, if he woke him up, then there would certainly be a commotion. He heard Amu move around on the bed. He waited and then headed for the balcony doors.

"Ikuto?" Amu called in a small voice. He stopped, his hand on the handle.

"Yeah?"

"Are you leaving?" Amu asked as she slid deeper into the covers. Ikuto remained silent. Amu was clearly still fuzzy from the fever, she probably won't remember any of this in the morning. What if she got cold again, what if she got even worse? Was he really going leave Amu alone? He wasn't going to be able to sleep anyway. He cursed at himself again. Amu had fallen asleep again. Ikuto approached the bed once more and slid into bed. He stared at the ceiling cursing. He turned to Amu, who was breathing evenly. Somehow, Amu must've felt him there, because she snuggled somewhat closer to him. Ikuto started to run his fingers in her hair again.

"I'm not going anywhere…" He whispered. It's supposed to be Yuki in his mind, not Amu. Yuki, Yuki, Yuki! But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help but dream of a certain pink haired girl that night.

Rukia141 was at the computer.

Jennifer: Hey sis, working on the video?

Rukia141: Yeah, I want to get it done before I leave, and-HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE VIDEO?!

Jennifer runs out.

Rukia141: You were snooping at my files again weren't you?! I'm going to tell mom on you!

Amu and Ikuto walk in.

Rukia141: YOU!!!

Amu: Holy Jesus…

Ikuto: Now Rukia141.

Ruki141: DON'T RUKIA141 ME!!! WHY DIDN'T YOU GUYS TELL ME YOU HIT IT OFF!

Amu: What are you talking about?

Rukia141: ABOUT YOU TWO DATING!!! I SHOUD'VE KNOWN BEFORE HAND!!! YOU GUYS SLEEP IN THE SAME HOUSE!!! I DON'T FEEL SECURE WITH YOU TWO-

Ikuto: Whoa there, this is a rated T story, not rated M.

Amu: Yeah, so bring it down a bit.

Rukia141: You're right. Breath Rukia141, breath.

Amu: I think you should post your chapter and get some sleep, it's already 11:30pm.

Rukia141: Yeah, I get cranky if I stay up late.

Jennifer: No way! You're going to post the soundtrack on you tube as well?

Rukia141: JENNIFER!!!

Ikuto: Oh boy…