Chapter 38: Reunited

"Father?" Ikuto stood with wide eyes, the others silent in awe.

Amu looked at Aruto. He was a lot like Ikuto...tall, slender, his hair a deeper blue...she wondered...he looked almost like a future Ikuto. His eyes seemed worn and kind though...she hoped for the both of them they could figure their problems out.

"Ikuto." He said in a voice, that demanded the presence of everyone, soft yet edgy. "Utau." He turned to look at her as she held back tears. "I'm sorry you had to wait these many years. I left Easter when my father revealed to me our true heritage, presenting me the Key; so it seemed almost like betrayal to search for something like the Embryo so selfishly with Easter. Further more, I never did a thing to stop the Cracked Family from finding you...other then leaving your mother and you two in hopes to lead them elsewhere. I'm sorry."

Tsukasa looked at him, as if a sympathetic old friend would. Utau wanted to run and hug her father she wished she could remember more of, since he left at her young age, but Kukai held her back slightly at her shoulder as they all tried to deciefer the unreadable face of Ikuto, hidden slightly as his face was turned downwards.

Amu was about to walk closer when she saw Ikuto look up. "Why did you leave us then? If we were in trouble why didn't you fight for us?"

"My presence was what would have gotten you killed. Kage's father, I saw him my last days before I left. I knew it was then I had to leave." His hands gripped tightly to his violin strap on his arm. "I didn't run Ikuto... I left so I could take my battles with me on my own and leave you all unharmed. I didn't know that they would look for you, so when I gave Tsukasa the key for safe keeping...I knew he'd give it to you...I kept our heritage but I wouldn't let him tell you about it because I didn't want a target on you or any of your loved ones backs..."

Amu watched the two. Mr. Tsukiyomi was trying to be selfless...she could see where Ikuto had gotten his sense of self-dependence from. It was sad seeing him struggle to admit his fault...even when it was based in such deep love.

"I know I shouldn't have left your mother with Easter...or you two...but returning would have put a second target on your backs. I only returned in the hopes I could set things straight. I should go now-" Aruto was about to turn away.

"DONT!" Ikuto said as he lifted his head and looked at Aruto with intense eyes. Aruto stopped, stunned by his son's sudden outburst.

"I know why you did it. I get it now." Ikuto said calm, and straightforward. "I get how you wanted to stay away from us to protect us...I understand distancing yourself to make sure you didn't want to hurt the ones you loved..." Ikuto looked to Amu, who blushed understanding. Ikuto distanced himself from her the first moment he met her originally...when he was with Easter he'd been cold to her...she understood.

"...but you should have trusted us to help you. Even now, Utau and I are strong enough to defend you from them...Mother needed you...when she was ill..."

"I...I'm sorry..." Aruto seemed distraught at his words...as if they hit home.

"...but if there's one thing I've learned...I know...we can forgive you." Ikuto walked closer to his father and his key outstretched in his hand presenting it to him.

Aruto smiled at his son. "I couldn't be grateful enough, but that-" Aruto closed Ikuto's hand over the Dumpty Key. "-is yours. It would appear the Humpty Lock now belongs to someone who will need you more then she will need me." His eyes looked to Amu as she blushed and bowed her head slightly.

"Are you going to stay?" Ikuto asked suddenly.

"I will as long as I can. I don't want to burden your mother, but I hope she will accept my return the same way you have."

"Father!" Utau broke free from Kukai, who let his grasp loose, and hugged her father closely around his chest. Aruto smiled and took his arm around her.

"I will return now with Utau to your mother at her residence." Amuto nodded.

"Our residence." Utau added with a smile.

"I know you don't reside there anymore...but I do know that you have other responsibilities as King to worry about, among others. I hope you will visit." Amuto said smiling, almost a tease.

"If you're lucky." Ikuto said with a cheeky smile. Amu wondered how he could even keep up that rebellious appeal with his father.

Aruto nodded to them and walked off with Utau, as she was happy beside her long lost father.

"I think we should all head out now. Sooner or later we should reunite but for now, I think this has been enough excitement for today." Tsukasa said, as the others nodded and walked off.

"...on the contrary I don't think we have had enough excitment." Ikuto said walking beside Amu.

"Oh really? You're father just returned and you're thinking about that?!" Amu said rolling her eyes.

"I have less on my mind now...plus you did promise me that if I saved you..." Ikuto had a cheeky grin on his face.

Amu blushed. "You really don't give up."

"Really I'm just happy that you're back out of the hospital and safe." He wrapped his hands around her from the back and leaned his head against hers, in a backwards embrace as she looked surprised by his sudden change of heart. "I just wanted to console you after everything we've been through." He whispered in her ear changing the tone back to perversion.

Her face turned red in blush and annoyance. "You really don't give up!" She said angrily.

"Hey my Key does really fit with you're Lock..." He shrugged with a smile, as she blushed harder and walked ahead in an angry-embaressed fit, fists clenched and arms straight, as Ikuto jumped up ahead with Yoru to try to cool her down...still smiling from his dig.