Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara!

Totally forgot I typed up a lot of chapters for this story that I haven't uploaded yet. Sooo…Enjoy!

Chapter 8

A Gentle Tune

A week later, Amu sat on her window seat, wearing both the necklace and bracelet that Ikuto had given her. She lightly touched the pink bead between the two pearls, lost in thought, when there was a knock at her door.

"Princess? You have a visitor." Rima said in a knowing sing-song voice.

Amu stood immediately, then took a moment to breathe as she fixed her hair and placed her tiara in its spot on her head. She exited her room and looked at Rima's smirking face. "What's that look for?"

"You li-ike him." Rima said.

Amu fought back a blush. "Don't be silly. I'm just happy to be talking to somebody who sees me as a person and not an object."

"So he makes you happy?" Rima pried.

Amu rolled her eyes. "You're awfully nosy today."

Rima shrugged. "Nagihiko is off work today, I have to have something to tell him when he gets back."

It was Amu's turn to smirk. "You two sure seem to spend a lot of time with each other these days."

Rima turned her head away from Amu, hiding her own blush. "He's my friend, of course I like to be around him."

Amu nodded. "Uh-huh, sure."

They continued to bicker, but not meanly, until they reached the parlor where a certain navy-haired man was waiting for them…for her.

"Amu."

Amu stopped talking and laughing with Rima, remembering where she had been walking to and who might be there…and was there. She looked towards the owner of the voice to find him sitting in a chair with a black violin case on his lap.

"Ikuto."

Ikuto stood, placing his violin case on the chair before bowing slightly.

Amu curtsied in response.

"I'll leave you two alone." Rima said before curtsying and stepping out of the room.

Amu stood there awkwardly, not sure what to say. "So…that's your violin in there?" She kicked herself mentally for asking a question with an obvious answer.

Ikuto nodded, but kept his eyes focused on her. "Yes."

Amu then noticed something shiny attached to the handle of his case…a key. "What's that?"

Ikuto glanced back at his case before looking back at her. "It's called the Dumpty Key. It was given to me when I was a child."

Amu continued to stare at the key. "Dumpty Key…" She remembered the object inside her music box in her room. "I have something that looks almost like that…"

Ikuto nodded. "I'd assume you still have it."

Amu looked at him, confused. "You know about the Humpty Lock?"

Ikuto took his violin out of its case. "Yes. You received it on the day of your birth-the same day I received the Dumpty Key. There's a legend about those two artifacts, you know."

Amu looked interested. "Really?"

Ikuto nodded, holding his violin up to his chin. "Yes. But I'll tell you some other time." He began to play before Amu could question him again.

Amu was immediately drawn to him as he played his violin. She took two steps closer, but kept a good distance between them so that he had his space. She sat in the nearest chair, watching him in awe.

He closed his eyes as he played, smiling softly.

'A gentle tune…and yet…somehow…sad.' Amu realized, closing her own eyes as she listened intently to his song.

The song ended after a couple of minutes and she opened her eyes.

Ikuto opened his eyes when she did, his eyes immediately seeking hers. "What did you think?"

Amu smiled softly at him. "That was beautiful." She frowned. "But…why did it sound so sad?"

Ikuto looked shocked, not expecting her to have noticed. "That's…" He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I'd been going through a lot before I met you. I had grown used to playing those kinds of songs."

Amu stood, approaching him. She smiled a little. "I'd like to hear you play a happier tune when you're able to."

Ikuto nodded. "I'll work on that."

They stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, before somebody cleared their throat.

It was Tadase. "Prince Ikuto, remember our visit must be cut short today. We must return home as soon as possible."

Ikuto sighed. "Yes, yes." He looked at Amu, smiling a little at her. "Until we meet again."

Amu nodded. "Yes, until then."

And then they were gone.

Later that night, Amu was called to speak with her parents in the throne room. She stood before her parents…and received news she didn't want to hear.

"War is fast approaching us-the wedding is set to take place in a month. We understand that you are being rushed, but…" King Tsumugu was cut off by a frustrated princess Amu.

"No! I'm not going through with this!" She shouted. "You can't control me for the rest of my life! I still barely know this guy! I WON'T go through with this! You don't have my permission!" Amu then turned…and ran. She lifted her skirt as she ran to the stables before anybody could stop her. She mounted her horse, not riding side saddle, and left through the open barn doors, having her horse break into a gallop. She cried as she held onto the reigns, tears blurring her vision as they headed into the forest.

And with that, she disappeared into the night.

Oooooh….DRAMA! Review please!