I do not own Shugo Chara! or Mohabbatein in any way!

Speech Key:

"The" – Oral/Normal Speech

'The' – Thoughts

AN: Yeah, this is going to be a short one and the one after this will be the final chapter.

Enjoy the chapter and review if you can!

~Love Stories~

oOStepping DownOo

Ikuto wore his usual pair of white jogging pants and thin white long-sleeved shirt with a pair of simple slip-on shoes. He looked out at the lake, until he felt something take his hand.

Looking to his side, he found Amu standing there with a frown on her lips and unshed tears in her golden orbs.

Some~Love~Stories~Live~Forever

She wore a simple white sundress that feel to her knees with her lock glowing brightly at her neck. Her hair was left loose and her feet bare.

Some~Love~Stories~Live~Forever

They both walked around the lake, for what they knew was the last time.

-Katashi Assembly Hall-

The boys all chattered as they stood in uniform, waiting for their headmaster. Three students, in particular, were waiting to be expelled.

Just then, Hinamori Tsumugu walked out onto the raised platform and silence fell over the room.

Kukai, Tadase, and Nagihiko looked at each other nervously, waiting for their impending doom.

Ikuto walked out from behind a group of students and stood at the end of the gap left between the two groups of boys.

Tsumugu's gold gaze swept over the room before he began to speak. "For twenty-five years I've been proud that I ran this institution with tradition, honour and discipline, believing that I made my students stronger, smarter, and better men. Men that would always come out as winners in life. I've been proud of the fact that there was a Hinamori Tsumugu in each and every student that has passed through these halls."

Ikuto nodded, knowing that his part was coming up soon.

"But today, as I stand before you all, I do not feel very proud," Tsumugu admitted. "Because I do not like the Hinamori Tsumugu that stands before you. Because the Hinamori Tsumugu in front of you all, did not come out as a winner in life. He has lost." Gold eyes were glazed over with unshed tears.

Ikuto, Kukai, Tadase, and Nagihiko looked up at the older man at his words, not believing they heard right.

"He is a sad, stubborn, and lonely man," the bronze-haired man spoke, "who never understood the meaning of life. And when he looks back, he cannot help but feel as though all his students must be sad and lonely as well. Because he knows he never smiled at them when they were scared; he never patted their backs when they did well; he never held them in his arms when they were sad."

His voice faltered, as he held back sobs, that threatened to break out. "Because he always believed that showing any form of love and affection only lead to pain; and pain lead to weakness. And in doing so, he became so tough that he forgot how to love. And today he wants to go back to each of his students, hold them in his arms, and ask for forgiveness. And then tell them one simple thing: That life is full of giving and receiving love. Nothing else."

Tsumgu looked to the ceiling. "But he knows he cannot do that, because there is no way to go back. But there is one thing he can do. One thing that he in his twenty-five years has never done; something he should have done a long time ago. And that is change. He must change. The old generations will have to change their old traditions so that new generations can create new traditions."

He looked back to his students and his gold gaze swept over them once again. "And now, it is time for me to step down and give you someone that has shown me that respect is earned, not by fear, but by love. Tsukiyomi Ikuto-san, please come up."

All the students turned in unison to their music teacher, who stood there, tears falling down his cheeks. Nagihiko, Tadase, and Kukai grinned at each other before they began clapping for their new headmaster, which prompted everyone else to applaud.

The blue-haired man walked down the aisle and up the steps to the platform and stood before the elder man, who turned to face him.

Tsumugu clasped his hands as a tear fell down his cheek. "I request that you take my place and teach my students the essence of love and life. So that from now on, I can proudly say that there is a Tsukiyomi Ikuto in each student at Katashi. And maybe, just maybe, then, my daughter would be able to forgive me." He bowed his head, asking for forgiveness.

Ikuto clasped his hands around the elder man's and shook his head no, silently telling him that there was nothing to forgive. He backed away, tears continuing more rapidly down his face, and bowed before the now former headmaster, who stroked his hair.

Ikuto rose from his bow and Tsumugu pressed his lips to the younger man's forehead. Tanzanite eyes closed before opening to look into the now soft golden gaze. Tsumugu raised his arms and Ikuto walked into the older man's embrace.

Once again, everyone in the hall applauded the two men on the platform. Kukai, Tadase, and Nagihiko shared a glance and grinned, happy for their teacher.

AN: Damn it all to hell! I can't believe I was crying while writing this, but I have to admit, when watching the film, this does indeed have a powerful feeling to it.

Thanks for reading and stayed tuned for more!

Ciao,

TsukyioTenshi