Chapter 14: And It All Works Out

Amu's POV

After the initial elation of being able to kiss and hold Ikuto passed, I felt myself somber up as I looked at him wearily.

"We need to talk," we blurted out at the same time and, if it wasn't for the heavy tension, I would have laughed. But, instead I just sighed as I shifted out from his embrace and sat up properly on the couch.

Ikuto was reluctant to let me go, that much I could tell, but nonetheless he complied, he knew we needed this talk as much as I did.

"Before you start, Amu," he immediately began, "No matter what has happened between us, I love you," he whispered as he squeezed my hand gently, and my eyes filled up with tears, "I know we've been separated for a long time, and nothing's really the same anymore, but this," he said as he lifted my hand before placing it on his chest and I could feel the strumming of his heart underneath my fingertips, "Still belongs to you," he smirked as my face heated up into a blush, "As corny as it may sound."

I sighed, "We've…we've spent years apart. And like it or not, we're both different people," his face fell and I could feel his grip tighten on my hand, this was obviously not the reaction he wanted from me.

"But," I quickly continued, interrupting him as he opened his mouth to shoot a reply, "I would like to give this another go. What we had...it was once in a lifetime. And I don't want to give that up. So, though it may take a little getting used to, could we try again?" I asked shyly, not even wanting to know how red my face was.

Relief washed over his features at my speech and he broke out into one of his rare, heart melting grins.

"Of course Amu-koi," he purred and leaned into kiss me but I leaned away and bonked him on the head.

"You know I hate it when you call me that!" I yelled exasperatedly, "How many times must I-mpmh!" I protested as he slammed his lips against mine, preventing any further debate on the subject.

When he finally let me go, my lips were swollen and my face was red from blushing.

"Stop doing that," I grumbled as I turned away from him stubbornly.

He just came closer towards me and nuzzled his face on my neck.

Just then, someone cleared their throat from behind us.

I jumped and (out of pure reflex, I swear!) kicked Ikuto away from me, causing him to land on the floor with a loud 'thud'.

I turned and saw Rima and the rest smirking at me and I blushed to the roots of my hair, even Tadase stood there with a teasing glint in his eyes.

"We weren't doing anything!" I blurted out, then mentally slapped myself. That was convincing.

Kukai started laughing as he stared at my red face and soon everyone joined in and we were all laughing. Well, everyone except Ikuto that is, who was sulking in a corner over the fact that I had kicked him off the couch.

"So I take it you guys want to keep your memories?" I asked good-naturedly after the laughter subsided.

Kukai gave me a huge thumbs up as he slung his arm over Utau's shoulders and the said blonde blushed as she muttered stubbornly, "Well I guess since we have them back already..."

Nagi smiled and wrapped an arm around the shorter blonde's waist as she glared at the floor, her face completely red, "We want to keep them too."

Yaya leaned up and kissed Kairi on the cheek, causing him to blush, "Yaya and Kairi too!" she cheered.

I laughed in relief before Ikuto came around and hugged my waist, "Me too, Amu," he whispered huskily and I blushed even darker than Utau, Rima and Kairi combined.

He smirked at me and kissed me. Again. Without my permission. I was a little ticked off at that but the gentle coaxing of his lips tempered any raging anger.

I was just getting into the kiss when Kukai interrupted, "Get a room guys! I don't need to see the girl I basically consider my sister making out with one of my best friends," he said, disgust obvious on his features.

I pulled away from him, blushing profusely, and it was only then that I remembered that we were in a very public area in front of all our friends. Damn Ikuto and his ability to render me useless.

Ikuto didn't seem to care about this, however, as he continued to nuzzle me affectionately.

Too embarrassed and pissed off to care about hurting his feelings again, I kicked him harshly in the shin and he recoiled with a loud hiss of pain.

I looked at him indifferently before calmly steeping away from him and towards everyone else, "We should settle in for the night," I sighed.

"You're right," Nagihiko agreed.

As everyone was about to walk away, however, I called out, "Tadase, can I talk to you first?"

Ikuto's POV

I frowned as I heard Amu call out for Tadase. I wasn't jealous..okay maybe a little but I trusted her so it wasn't what worried me. It was her tone. She sounded so afraid and yet tired at the same time.

As if sensing my worry, Amu turned and gave me a tired smile, "Go to bed first, Ikuto," she ordered gently before whisking Tadase off somewhere.

I sighed but agreed and trudged to the room, lying down on the bed and staring up at the ceiling, questions flying through my head.

Who was it that forced Amu to take away our memories? And how did he/she manage to force Amu into doing this?

Amu was powerful. The most powerful. For someone to be able to force her to do something she didn't want to do…well…the thought itself scared me.

I didn't have anymore time to mull things over, however, as Amu walked into the room that time.

"Hey," she greeted as she trudged to lay beside me.

I hummed in reply and was about to begin another round of teasing when I realized how beat she looked.

"Hey," I said cautiously, "What's wrong?"

She seemed startled by the fact that I noticed and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. We've known each other since forever, how could I not notice when something was bugging her?

She sighed and closed her eyes, "Everything's just happening really fast, you know? I've waited millennials to get back together with you…but now that I'm with you again, I feel like you're going to disappear on me again," she muttered.

I was shocked at her confession and the honesty of it. I half expected her to lie to me again but she didn't. She was leaving something out, that much I could tell, but i decided to let that matter rest.

Brushing her cheek softly and causing her to open her eyes, I whispered gently, "I'm not leaving you again, Amu," I proclaimed, "Not if I can't do anything about it."

She smiled weakly and looked a little better but the unspoken question laid between us like a huge wall.

But what if you can't do anything about it?

I could practically hear her say it but I had no answers for that. So, instead and leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.

"I won't let anyone take you away again," she muttered as I pulled away.

I smirked when I realized she was okay again. Time to begin teasing.

"Amu-koi wants me all to herself," I teased suggestively.

She blushed so much at that, she practically lit up in the dim bedroom and I had to resist the urge to begin bursting out in laughter.

"Y-Yo-You," she spluttered indignantly and I smirked even more.

"Words, Amu," I taunted playfully.

"YOU COMPLETELY RUINED THE MOOD!" she screamed and used the pillow to whack me painfully in the ribs.

Damn, for a girl that was so tiny she could pack quite a punch.

"I love you too," I laughed as I tried to avoid her attacks.

She finally stopped her attacks at that as she glared at me with a red face. Then, she promptly raised her fists and knocked me hard on the head before turning away and lying on the bed.

"Goodnight," she said with finality and I chuckled while nursing the bump that was bound to form on my head.

When I laid down beside her, though, I gently snaked my arms around her waist and hugging her.

After awhile, she must've thought that I was asleep as I heard her reply with a clear and definite voice.

"I love you too."