Geri: Heyo [: So as promised I will listen to your comments. This chapter will hopefully be all amuto fluff XD I'm like all hyped up on love because of my own school life right now [x Plus I've been reading various romance shoujo manga [x
Ikuto: This should be fun *smirks*
Amu: No...! But then again I want to see my baby...
Ikuto: *rubs her stomach* Me too! Hurry up woman! Tell us about our baby!
Geri: We're time skipping to the first month of school :o
Chapter 25: Let's Start with Forever
Ikuto's POV
It's been three months into the pregnancy and Amu's stomach bulge was hard not to notice and I was beginning to think that her not coming to school this semester was a good idea. I mean, all those horrible looks from the student body even if she was officially a gold rank student (check back to chapter 10), that wouldn't stop people from saying crap over the school blog. Due to my agreement, after much fighting, with Amu I had to attend school still, but lucky for me I only had to attend night classes.
"A few more hours, Amu." I said to myself, glancing at my watch.
I hurried off to the music room and spent the next two hours honing my skills. Aruto had come all week for two weeks since he heard I used his old music room. It started to feel natural for him to be there and I was beginning to wonder if I had forgiven him already.
"You're improving." He said suddenly making his entrance.
"Thanks." I murmured over the music.
"Don't be so tense when you play. Just relax and let the music flow out of you." Aruto instructed.
"I see you brought your violin today." I say, studying his violin case.
"I thought it was time that we did a duet."
"As long as you don't sound horrible, I think it's fine." I smirked in his direction.
"Well, your music is sounding off. So I wouldn't be talking." He shot back with an equal smirk.
Did I mention we acted a lot alike? His manner, his posture, and even his flirting skills were almost identical to mine! Aruto even complained that I had robbed him of his special artistry. My father was making the effort to spend more time with me, even if I was reluctant to comply at first.
"Why don't you take a break?"
"Huh?"
"Stop playing, Ikuto-kun. Snack for a minute."
"Sure." I rested my violin in its case and shuffled over to my father.
He sat at the piano bench and closed off the piano keys so that the food he brought wouldn't leave crumbs all over it. By his actions I could tell that he was motioning me to sit down and I hesitantly complied. The atmosphere seemed so calm and relaxing that it take me too long to finish off the two pieces of taiyaki he had prepared for me. My tongue was lavished by the sweet chocolate filling and Aruto chuckled. I shot an annoyed gaze in his direction and gulped down the last bite.
"So how is Amu-chan?"
"Good, I'll be seeing her after this."
"Like always."
"Well, yeah. I have to attend to her needs." I smirk.
"Pregnant women can be a hand full sometimes."
"Tell me about it!"
"Has she accepted you as hers yet?"
"What?"
"Are you two engaged yet. Really, Ikuto-kun. I thought you would comprehend this sort of thing."
"No...we aren't yet."
"Why haven't you asked her?"
"I think it's too early ask. I mean everyone is still coping with the loss of Takanari and Kanate."
"You love those two very much, don't you?"
"Yeah, I guess you can say that. I loved them as if they were my siblings."
"Then why'd you fuck Kanate?" Aruto asked astonished.
"Shut up. That is not your concern."
"I guess you're right. What's done is done."
"So what's the whole point of this?"
"Do you have a ring ready for her?"
"No, I haven't had time to pick one yet."
"I see. Well used this one. I saw it on my trip around the world." He handed me a small velvet box. "I was planning to give this to your mother but I think it would suit Amu-chan more."
Cautiously, I opened the box and examined it's contents. The ring that sat in fancy white silk was one of the simplest yet elaborate rings I have ever seen. It had a classic silver band and a white diamond the size of a peanut sat at the middle. Clustered around it in a S design on both sides were interchanging blue and pink diamonds the size of peas. Or maybe the size of a grain of rice; it was somewhere in that range.
"I can't take this from you."
"Consider it a payment."
"For what?"
"Missing out on all those years of teaching you how to properly pick up women." He laughed and slapped me on the back.
"Thank you." I said sincerely.
"Now go take her out tonight. Treat her like the princess she is."
"I do have all day." I winked to him and grabbed my violin. "Seriously though, thank you, Dad."
"You're welcome."
Amu's POV
"Strawberry-chan, wake up." Ikuto whispered in my ear.
"Mmmm..." I mumbled and turned on my side. "Five more minutes."
The bed shifted as Ikuto got on it, "No, princess. I'm treating you to a day out. Get up."
"A day out? As in a date?" That got me fully awake.
"I see that woke you up." Ikuto was wearing his usual school uniform and was kneeling in front of me on the bed with my legs in between his. "Do you miss me that much?"
"Shut up." I pouted and nudged him off the bed; he wouldn't budge.
"You're so cute when you act like a kid." He chuckled and ruffled my hair. "I made you breakfast and brought it up already. So please get ready?"
"Eh?" I looked around to find a nicely made breakfast sitting on my desk. "You made that for me?"
"Of course, Princess," He rubbed my stomach. "How's the baby?"
"No kicks yet, I'm afraid." That's all he was waiting for really.
His disappointment showed, "Oh."
"Thank you for breakfast though."
"Anything for you." Ikuto smiled and helped me out of bed.
Over the past few weeks Ikuto had become accustomed to me being pregnant. He was diligent with helping around the house and with whatever I needed. I could tell that he was going to become a fine father and it made me happy to think that I would be his little house wife. Ok, well he hasn't actually made anything official. I don't even know if we're together, but I'm sort of happy that I can spend time with the new him. The breakfast he made me consisted of four butter milk pancakes, two eggs, banana ketchup, and a hash brown.
"You know me too well." I giggled and began to prepare the pancakes.
"Well, I need to know what my girl's favorites are, don't I?"
"Your girl's?" I asked with curiousity.
"You are mine, aren't you?" He inquired, tilting his head to the side.
A smile spread across my lips, "I think I was since the first kiss."
He spun my chair around, forcing me to drop my fork on the floor. Ikuto moved his face close to mine, "Is that so?"
"Uh-Uhm..y-yes?" I stammered.
Ikuto pressed his lips against mine and smiled, "Good because I love you."
It still amazed me everytime he said that nowadays, "I love you too."
"Hurry up and eat!" He ordered producing another fork from the desk.
It surprised me that Ikuto was such a great cook. Why was I forced to cook for him when we lived together? After eating, I looked through my closet to see what I could change into. Having such a big belly had become a problem with all my petite clothing. Ikuto came back to the room and closed the door.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing. Hurry up and change."
"I can't change with you here watching me!"
"Amu, don't act like a virgin. I've seen all there is to see of you."
"S-shut up."
"Or have you forgotten? Maybe I should remind you?" He smirked and advanced towards me.
"W-what are you doing?"
"Nothing special." Ikuto finally backed me up against the door of my closet, his fingers ghosting over my neck and shoulders.
I blushed, "Could you back off?"
"Not in this lifetime." His finger tips tapped against my collar bone, spidering its way to my neck.
Heat was radiating from my body and I was beginning to think that I was being sucked into this seductive hole. "Stop.."
Ikuto stayed quiet and continued to touch me, but didn't remove my clothes. That was something I was very thankful for, but it didn't change how much heat I felt. After a minute of this torture, Ikuto kissed my forehead and all I could do was just take it. I didn't want to touch him because if I did there was no telling what would happen. His left hand fond mine and clasped it, the firm grip he had was strong and steady.
"Amu?" His eyes were staring directly into mine.
"Yes?" A light blush crossed my cheeks as I started to picture all the things that could happen.
He groaned and closed his eyes, "Nevermind. Just hurry up and change."
With that, he kissed my forehead and and walked out the door. What just happened here? I started to unbutton my pj flanel shirt and slipped it off my shoulders. I glanced at myself in the mirror and admired the size of my stomach. It may sound stupid, but I liked to reccord the growth in my mind each morning. What would my child look like? The images of small laughing children mocked my mind and I tried to shake them off.
"Amu, hurry up. I seriously want to take you today."
"I am, I am!"
After slipping off my pants, I picked out one of the dresses my mom bought me. It was made for pregnant women and it was a beautiful satin color. The top part hugged my chest and I felt embarrassed that it showed off my curves. The skirt part was loose and easily flowed over my belly.
"Amu, if you-"
I opened the door before he could finish, "See? I'm done!"
"All dressed up, I see?"
"Do I look bad?"
"Not at all." Ikuto smirked and kissed my cheek. "You look like a princess."
"Stop treating me like a kid." I pouted.
"How does calling you 'princess' count as treating you like a kid?"
"Nevermind." I sighed. "Can we go now?"
"Yes, where would you like to go?"
"Eh, I thought you were taking me somewhere?"
"Yes, I will. But first, I want to take you where ever you want!"
I smiled jubilantly, "Really? Uhm..."
"No place that comes to mind?"
"Wait here!"
I walked back swiftly to my room and opened up my loset. In the very back in a nice velvet box, I pulled out the camera my dad had bought me. I knew exactly where I wanted to go; I grabbed some extra pieces of picture paper. Ikuto was waiting patiently right where I had left him and smirked at seeing what I had gone to get.
"What's that for?"
"To take pictures to remember today!"
"Why today?"
"This is our first date...isn't it?" I admitted quietly.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
"Aha," Ikuto ruffled my hair. "You're so weird."
"Can we go now?"
"You don't need anything else?" A slight teasing tone in his voice.
"No, I'm good!"
"So, where do you want to go?"
"Why don't I drive?"
"Do you even have a permit?"
"Of course I do! I am turning 16 in a week!"
"That's right, your birthday is coming up."
"Don't tell me you forgot!"
"What...NO."
"I'm just kidding, Ikuto."
"Uh huh, sure." Ikuto actually half pouted and I almost laughed. "What's my birthday then?"
"December 1st." I replied with obvious confidence.
Ikuto cutely frowned in defeat, "Whatever. Burthdays aren't important. Can we go now?"
"Can I drive?"
"Do whatever you want."
"You're so cute atcing like a kid." I giggled.
"Shut up and ge in the car!" He growled opening the passenger seat for himself.
"Someone's in a bad mood."
Ikuto's POV
I didn't like being proved wrong or showed up. It annoyed me, but at the same time I was happy that she knew my birthday. What would I do for her birthday? What does she want? Should I take her out that day too? But where would I take her? Did I mention I hated being put into such complicated situations? Amu backed out of the drive way like an experienced driver and drove us straight to a back road.
"Amu, where are you taking us?"
"It's a surprise!"
"Not even a hint?
"You'll see when we get there!"
"Fine."
The scenery around me continued to change from a few small decaying homes to complete forestry. I opened up my window and tapped my fingers against the hood of the car. The late summer breeze felt perfect against my skin as it streamed its way into the car. That's when the car stopped.
"Eh, we're here?"
"No, we have to walk from here." Amu said in a relaxed tone.
I looked around and saw that the trees really condensed around this area and the car wouldn't fit through the tiny path. I helped Amu walk around the rocks and such that would cause her to fall as she led me down the trail.
"What is this place?"
"Uhm...my secret place?"
"Secret place..?"
"Yeah. I haven't come down here in forever. I wonder if my fort is still here..."
"Fort?"
"Don't you dare call me a kid!" She warned me.
"Never." I chuckled lightly.
"We're almost there!" Amu said going towards a thick patch of tall leaves.
"Would you be careful? You're going to trip and fall!" I groaned.
"I've gone down this trail a million times before!" She waved her hand dismissively.
The sky started to turn a shade darker, but I could barely see it between all the leaves.
"Amu, I think it's going to rain.."
"Nah, it won't!" How could she be so confident? "Plus, even if it does, the fort will shelter us!"
"Can't you tell me about this fort?"
"No, we're almost there!" She looked back at me and her eyes were filled with child like joy. "I can't wait to show you!"
"You've never shown anyone this place?"
"Not at all!" Amu replied. "I want to give this place to our child!"
"Eh?"
"I mean if it's still there. I want our child to enjoy this forest the way I have!"
"You're so weird."
"You keep saying that." She sighed.
"It's not a bad thing, though."
"Sure it's not." She pouted and started to walk faster.
I reached out and got a hold of her wrist, "Don't take it like that, Strawberry."
"Eh?" She looked back and I took that as a chance to kiss her.
There was a low rumble coming from the sky and I was beginning to think it really was about to rain. Amu backed away first and looked up at the sky. She held my hand and we silently went to our destination.
"It's over there." She said pointing over to a small cave on the other side of a small stream.
"Then, shall we go?" I asked, picking her up bridal style.
She held onto my neck for dear life, obviously surprised, "P-Put me down!"
"No way, you could slip and fall in the stream!"
"That's why I hop on the rocks!"
"I'll carry you anyway." I smirked.
"Hmph." She still didn't let go of my neck.
"Alright, Strawberry." I put her down gently. "We're here."
"Follow me!" She said enthusiastically and walked hurriedly in front of me.
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
When I caught up to her, she was already at work with trying to move a boulder aside. Skillfully, I helped her remove it and to my surprise there was a regular sized door behind it. Amu produced a key and slowly unlocked the door, how could this place be here? The sky outside started to thunder and my plans of a picnik dinner out in Tokyo were down the drain.
"When did you find make this place?"
"After my dad left, I was out looking for pictures to take." She smiled at the memory. "A rabbit led me here."
"A rabbit?"
"Yeah, I wonder if he's alright."
"Probably not."
"You're so mean!"
"I'm not. I'm just being realistic." I said nonchalantly.
"Well, go on in!" Amu said dismissively.
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm surprised it's still in tact."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see."
So I stepped inside and walked throw a small hallway that had walls of solid rock. My palm was set against it and all I could think of was the image of a little Amu finding this place and bravely exploring it.
"So why'd you bring me here?"
"No reason really." She pulled back a red velvet curtain that was at the end of the hall.
"Al-" I was stunned at the sight before me.
"Like it?" She asked with a triumphant smirk plastered on her face.
"Yeah." I said, my eyes still wandering the room.
I never though such a small cave would have such a large room. The curtain had covered the small entry way which was pretty small compared to the rest of the room. The walls were still made of cave rock, but the ceiling resembled the inside of a dome and was covered with crystals. Dull ones too, so if they did fall, they wouldn't hurt as much. There was a large futon in the corner where there was the least amount of crystals and on top of that was a pile of pillows and a blanket. There was a bookcase next to the entry full of manga with ratings that ranged from everyone to older teen. Also, there was a small table, rice cooker, a small opening that held a tiny pond, and even a place that acted as a window.
"What do you think?"
"This place is pretty awesome. Seems well kept actually."
"Thanks, I think sealing it up with the door and closing off the pond with rocks is the reason. No animals could get in." She said matter of factly, patting out a spot for her to lay on.
"This isn't a bad spot to hang out in." I reply evenly.
"I use to run away to this place when I was really mad." She laughed. "Or when I had to hide from a gang."
"Gang?" Then I remembered her profile. "Right, you were a yanki before."
"Yeah, I'm not that proud of it. Sort of forget everything about to be honest."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Yeah, I suppose. But I can't protect myself as well now that I've forgotten."
"That's true." I laid beside her and stroked her hair.
"Can we take a picture?" She asked softly.
I smirked and took the camera from her and sat up. "Sit here."
Amu settled herself between my legs and we posed for the picture. I hugged her closer with one arm and kissed her cheek as I snapped the button. Amu was laughing in the picture and it was definately one I planned on keeping.
"So why'd you want to take me out today?"
"No reason really."
"That's a lie." She giggled.
"I need a reason to want to take you out for a day?"
"That's not fair!"
"You went there."
"You're mean."
"You still love me though." I smirked.
"So?"
"I think it stopped raining."
"Shall we go then?" I could see the disappointment in her face.
"Yeah, I still want to treat you to lunch."
"Where are we going?"
"Someplace dry I'm hoping." Would it be dry right now or when we got there?
"I don't think anything would be that dry this quick."
"Well, Maybe."
"Well, we should take our time if you want the place you want to take me to to be dry."
"Then, I'll drive."
"I don't drive that fast!" Amu said almost offended.
"Sure...you almost ran us into a tree on the way here."
"Because you kept touching my hand!"
"And that was suppose to throw you off track?"
"Grr.."
I stood up and extended my hand to her, "Come on."
She pouted at first but it quickly turned into a sweet smile, "Fine."
A few hours of long routes later, we arrived in the main square of Tokyo. We have been around town for an hour now and have been enjoying the many sites. As usual, it was congested with people and I was beginning to think that maybe Amu would get lost. I reached out for her hand by instinct and accidentally grabbed another girl's hand.
"What the.." The girl turned to see me. "Oh, why hello there."
"Sorry, wrong person!"
Her grin fell and she turned on her heel, "Whatever."
I felt my shirt being pulled on and I turned around to see Amu huffing and puffing.
"I finally found you!"
"Eh?"
"You walk way too fast!"
"I'm sorry." I sighed and hugged her close to me.
"It's ok, baka."
"You should stay closer next time." I scolded.
"Meanie!" She frowned. "It's not my fault I can't walk that fast!"
"Being pregnant is not an excuse." I teased.
"Hmph."
I slung my arm around her shoulders and walked slow enough that I matched her pace. AMu, looking satisfied with the action started to chat idly about whatever was on her mind. I can't say what for sure because my own mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how to go through with the proposal. Would it still be there? No, probably not, the rain most likely ruined all of the work I did...But wasn't it worth trying to look?
"Wanna get out of here?"
"Sure, where are we going?" She asked as I led her through the crowd.
"A place that I hope isn't ruined." I said quietly.
We walked in silence and people gave us odd looks as we passed them. Amu, to my surprise due to her earlier complaints, kept great pace with me and we were at our destination within fifteen minutes. Amu gaped at the mess before us. Paper over the ground, the table I had set up was bare (someone probably stole all of its contents) and set on it's side. Everything about this scene was wrong and unattractive.
"What is this place?"
I digged through my pocket, "Well..uhm..you see..."
That's when I noticed the ring wasn't there.
"Ikuto, is there something wrong?"
"Dammit." I growled. "Seriously? AT a time like this?"
"Eh?"
"Come on!" I hissed and started to back track to every place we've been.
"Ikuto, what are you doing?"
"Nothing, just keep up!" I called over my shoulder.
Within the next hour we were already walking back down the trail to Amu's cave. At one point I was on my hands and knees looking through the stream and grass for that ring. How the hell did I lose it? We went inside the cave and I carefully looked at the ground. Amu went over to the book case and shifted through a few manga books. By the time she was reading Kimi ni Todoke book 8, I found the ring nestled under the banket.
"Haha, you little bastard! I found you!" I laughed triumphantly and immediately stood up. "Now I can finally..."
That's when I turned around and saw Amu looking curiously at the ring.
"What's that?"
"Oh..uhm..this? Well this." Dammit was why I mumbling all these random words?
So to answer her question I got down on one knee and held out the ring towards her.
"Hina-" She tackled me to the ground before I could finish saying her last name.
"YES!"
"Eh?"
"A million times yes!"
"But I didn't even.."
"So? I love you!"
"I..I love you too?"
"Why couldn't you ask me sooner, baka-neko."
"You're complaining?" I laughed.
"You took forever to ask!"
"And We'll start with forever." I smirked.
"Eh?"
I slipped the ring on her finger and gently hugged her close to me.
"It's so beautiful." She said mystified.
"Not as beautiful as you." I kissed her and let her giggle against my lips.
"You're really weird." She laughs.
"You are too."
Geri: Well, thats my last update because My mom is going into surgery and I have to be the mom of the house until January. Please forgive me D":
Ikuto: Happy birthday, though.
Amu: Poor geri :c
Geri I hope I can update soon! I made this chapter extra long for you guys...so I hope that sorta helps...I'm sorry for grammar mistakes! I'll edit the chapter back when I have time but I needed to post this because I owe you guys!
Review?