Told you my updates were going to be more frequent :3

Chapter 21: Locked In Heaven

Ikuto's POV

When we reached, the Keepers were already standing and waiting for us. The Hall had been repaired perfectly. Every little thing, right down to the last insignificant crack on the wall, had been repaired to the most flawless perfection.

It was like Amu's fight with Akanoko had never happened.

I tried not to look at the spot where I had cradled Amu's dead body.

After all the greetings and exchange of terse politeness (Amu may have forgiven them but we still hadn't), the girls gathered in a circle in the center of the room. They took off their pendants and placed it in the center of their circle, using a spell to make it levitate there.

"What are they doing?" Kukai whispered as we stared at them as they joined hands and began reciting a spell.

"It's a summoning spell," Kairi responded as he watched them intently.

As they chanted, their pendants started to light up; Amu's became a bright pink, Utau's shone golden, Rima's glowed silver and Yaya's emitted a ghost blue light.

As the spell continued, I felt my own pendant start to grow uncomfortably warm and I took it out.

"What's happening?" Tadase asked, his own ruby red pendant dangling in front of him.

"When you touch the pendant, it teleports you here," Kairi explained, "It's the fastest way to gather all the Angels in a certain place. But it's only used in emergencies."

This was definitely an emergency.

As he said that, a vaguely familiar girl popped up beside us. She had long blonde hair that curled up slightly at the ends and sky blue eyes. She also wore a funny looking blue dress that had a poofy skirt and white frills.

"Lulu-chan?" Tadase exclaimed and the girl smirked at him.

"Long time no see, eh Tadase?" she grinned and they began chatting and catching up on lost time.

Soon, more people began popped up and within the span of half an hour, the entire hall was jammed packed.

The girls finally stopped chanting after about an hour and tried to call everyone's attention.

Due to the sheer number of people, the noise level was just too high and no one could hear our instructions over the yells of the crowd.

"Everyone! Please listen!" Utau yelled as she tried to get everyone to listen but her voice was lost in the crowd.

Finally, Amu had enough as she spread her wings and flew towards the top of the hall.

Then, I watched with awe as she summoned her staff and crashed it through the air, summoning a large and strong pulse of magic that immediately caught everyone's attention.

"Listen up!" she yelled as she stared everyone down with her piercing gaze.

"The reason we called this meeting today is because we have bad news," she paused for awhile, hesitant before continuing, "Akanoko has risen one again."

A murmur immediately spread through the crowd but Amu silenced them with a raise of her hand.

"We have a plan to defeat him," she said as she began explaining the details to everyone, "You will all be housed here until the solstice passed next week for your own safety…"

As she spoke, I watched in awe as she held the attention of the masses. She had thousands of eyes on her but she didn't even seem fazed, continuing in a calm and clear voice that resonated throughout the hall. She had them clinging to every word she said and no one dared to utter a sound as she spoke.

It was amazing to watch.

"Are there any questions?" Amu finally concluded as her eyes swept around the hall for any sign of confusion or uncertainty.

When no one raised their hands, she seemed satisfied and she flew back down and the noise started up again.

She sighed as she finally landed back down, she looked absolutely drained and I couldn't blame her.

I gently took her hand in mine, "Let's go get the shields up then get you to bed."

She smiled weakly back at me and together, the seven of us began summoning our powers, reciting the spell Amu had taught us.

It took all of our concentration and strength to put up the shield around heaven and by the time we were done, we were just about ready to collapse.

"We'll have to strengthen it everyday," Amu sighed, "This way, the shield will have enough power to hold up against Akanoko."

We all nodded in agreement.

Shields worked in a weird way. They store up magical energy pumped in by the caster and uses this energy to defend against the attacks. The more energy you store, the stronger the shield.

"We should get all the Angels up here to store energy too," Kairi suggested, "It'll make the shield stronger and this way we won't be as tired."

Amu nodded wearily, "I'll give out the instructions," she sighed and prepared to fly up to make the announcement, but I grabbed her before she could leave.

"You need rest," I chided, "This can spread through word of mouth, just tell a handful of people and get them to pass the message along."

Amu was apparently too tired to argue as she just nodded wearily and let me lead her back to the room she had in heaven while Utau and the rest began spreading the message.

Amu's POV

"Oh, this feels nice," I sighed in relief as I sank into the bed.

The days events had really begun to catch up on me. Who knew fighting your archenemy, dying, coming back to life and casting a protection spells could take so much out from you?

Ikuto crawled into the bed with me, wrapping his arms around my waist as I nuzzled into him.

"You're unusually affectionate today," he hummed, "Not that I'm complaining," he added with a smirk.

Blushed bright red at that and smacked him on the head.

"Baka," I whispered under my breath as I moved away from him.

"Oww, that hurt, Amu-chan," he pouted childishly and I rolled my eyes.

"Keep this up and I'm kicking you to the floor," I warned.

He shuddered at that and I smiled in triumph.

"Stingy," he whispered as he curled around me, "Amu-koi, doesn't love me," he whined.

Frustrated and emboldened by my emotions, I turned to him with a irritated huff before grabbing his collar and pulling him close, locking our lips in a passionate kiss.

I tangled my hands into his hand and pulled him closer as he pressed his hand against my back to push me closer to him.

When we finally broke apart, I grinned in success as I saw the glazed look in his eyes as they trailed my lips hungrily.

"Happy?" I demanded.

He grinned wolfishly, "Very. But I didn't know Amu-koi liked it so rough," he teased and I blushed in mortification.

"Y-Y-You!" I spluttered and he laughed.

"Words Amu-koi," he taunted and I screamed in frustration before thumping him on the head and moving far away from him (well as far away as I could get when we were sharing the same bloody bed).

He groaned in pain but still continued laughing.

"All right, all right, I'm sorry," he pacified as he moved closer to me, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, "I won't tease you anymore."

I huffed in annoyance before finally giving in as I cuddled up against him.

With my head leaning against his chest, I could hear the strumming of his heart as loud as mine. And, with the steady beat of his heart guiding me, I drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

The following week passed by in a nervous blur. Naturally, we spent all of our time in the fortress, training up and trying to prepare for the war as best as we could.

Due to everyone's contribution, the shield was stronger than I ever could've anticipated. I had no doubts about whether it could hold it's own during the battle. Now what worried me was how we were going to fight the battle.

"This is pointless!" I cried after my arrow went completely off target for the thirteenth time in a row.

Throwing the bow and arrow down in frustration, i threw my hands up in the air.

"The solstice is tomorrow! Tomorrow!" I screeched, "We have less than twenty-four hours to prepare for an attack and I can't even seem to concentrate!"

Ikuto sighed and placed down the sword he had been using to spar with Kukai.

"Can you guys give us a moment?" Ikuto asked the rest and they nodded, exiting the room with murmurs of 'I was going to get something to eat anyways' echoing around.

As the room vacated, tears pricked my eyes and Ikuto walked over and placed an arm around me soothingly.

"Relax Amu," he placated, "If you stress out it'll do you no good."

But I didn't listen as I angrily shoved him away.

"Don't tell me to 'relax'!" I screamed, ignoring the hurt look on his face as I pushed him away, "How am I suppose to relax?!" I demanded, "The fate of the world is at stake and you want me to - what? - take a vacation?" I yelled.

Ikuto just looked at me calmly, "Amu, I know you're stressed out but-"

"That's the problem!" I cut him off harshly, "You don't know how stressed out I am! Have you ever had the fate of the world on your shoulders?" I challenged, "No!" I snapped, "So don't you dare tell me you know how I feel because you don't!"

Neither of us said anything for awhile as I glared at him, breathing heavily, while he just stared calmly back.

Just when I thought he was going to turn around and walk away, he sighed and moved closer to me, placing his hands on my shoulder.

"You're right," Ikuto said bluntly, "I don't know what you're feeling," he admitted, "But you don't have to bear it all on your own anymore, you can share your problems with me, Amu. I can try to help you," he pleaded.

Guilt flushed through my system at his words and I looked away.

Why was I losing my temper at him? This wasn't his fault. He was trying to be as supportive and understanding as he could and here I was blowing my top off at him for no reason.

i sighed and tugged on my ponytail nervously.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, "I'm being really unreasonable here. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You're just trying to help me."

Ikuto just shook his head, "I understand that you're stressed. I won't hold it against you. Just…you know you can talk to me, right?" he asked uncertainly as he worried his lip.

I smiled warmly, "Yeah, I know. Thank you," I grinned as I tip toed and kissed him lovingly on the lips.

When we broke apart, I grinned at him and cocked my hip playfully.

"Now, let's see if your sparring skills are up to standard," I taunted as I summoned a sword to my side.

Ikuto smirked in reply and picked up his own sword.

"Just don't come crying and begging for mercy when I'm through!" he laughed.

"You wish!" I retorted as I lunged at him and he barely managed to side step my attack.

He chuckled before moving his own move, parrying his sword with mine easily.

We began dueling each other, falling into steps with each others moves and just generally having fun.

So what if the winter solstice was tomorrow? With Ikuto and my friends by my side, I knew I could accomplish anything.