A/N: I own nothing

A/N: I own nothing!!

Chapter 3

"Amu?" The girl started from her thoughts when she heard Nadeshiko's voice and looked around at her friends. They were all staring at her with concerned expressions.

"What?" She asked keeping her face masked in icy calm. She didn't want them to see how sad she felt.

"Are you alright? You've been so quiet today, and you've been avoiding us for days." Nadeshiko spoke softly watching her friend with gentle eyes.

"Did something happen with Ikuto?" Kukai asked with a frown. They all saw Amu flinch.

"I asked him if he was using me." She whispered reluctantly. The others exchanged worried looks.

"And?" Nadeshiko asked knowing the answer already.

"Tadase was right." Amu's voice was a whisper and it was filled with great sadness. Tadase didn't know what to say to her, he could see the pain so clearly in her eyes. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand, try to cheer her up, but he knew this wasn't the time for that.

"You shouldn't blame yourself Amu. Ikuto is very deceive." Kukai said patting Amu's shoulder gently. She shrugged it off ignoring the hurt look on the older boy's face.

"I have to go." Amu stood abruptly and walked out of the gardens her eyes blank. This was why she hadn't told them earlier, she was gloomy as it was and they were just making it worse by basically saying we told you so. She knew they were just trying to help but she'd rather sit this one out alone.

"We should have stayed out of it." Kukai shook his head after Amu was gone. The guardians had been thinking silently wondering what they could do for their friend.

"She would only have been hurt more later, it was best she found out the truth early on." Nadeshiko replied shaking her head as well.

"I shouldn't have gotten so mad, I shouldn't have shouted. I don't know what came over me. She probably hates me." Tadase whispered feeling very much ashamed. He'd never gotten so angry before, no he wasn't angry, he was jealous.

"Its no ones fault Tadase." Nadeshiko corrected quietly. Tadase shook his head.

"Its Ikuto's fault for playing with Amu's feelings." He said angrily feeling his jealous sprout suddenly.

"Where are you going?" Nadeshiko demanded as the boy left the group.

"I'm going to find Ikuto!" He called over his shoulder leaving the other guardians to squirm in their seats. They needed to stop him.

Amu laid out on her back under the shade by the soccer field. The world was remarkably quiet today. The birds were far away, the wind was sleeping and no children played near. It was like a ghost town to Amu.

It had been three days since that night with Ikuto. She had managed to avoid the guardians for that long, but they would have found out eventually. Amu's face saddened again as she thought about it.

"Why am I so stupid." She groaned covering her face with her hands. Amu felt the cool touch of her bracelet against her cheek. She still hadn't taken it off even after what Ikuto did to her. She didn't understand why she didn't just throw it away and be done with it. The three colors looked up at her like memories tattooed to her wrist. The black beads glimmered as a ray of sunlight caught them.

Amu climbed to her feet ready to go home and collapse in her bed. Her heart felt heavy as she walked. Why did she feel so broken? She knew Ikuto was just teasing her, but she had finally believed he had become a friend. He had always helped her, and had always been there. During those past three nights Ikuto had come tapping at her window, but she refused to open the curtains. Each time he came her heart screamed till she cried. She never saw him though during the day, and was glad. She didn't know how she would act if she came in contact with him again before she had time to recover. In ways she was still in shock.

Amu didn't answer her mother or father as they greeted her; she hiked up the stairs and as promised fell to her bed for comfort. Her charas were sleeping on the dresser and she was regretful for the quiet again. Ikuto. Why did he do it? Better yet, why was she so depressed. Yes, a person had every right to be depressed after finding out they had been being used, but not this depressed. It felt like her whole world had shattered and she would never smile again. She felt hollow, empty inside not a sliver of happiness lingered. Then like someone had blown a foghorn in her ear she sat straight up clutching her pillow to her chest. No, it can't be. Tears rose again as Amu finally understood her deep depression, all the heartache she had felt was clear to her. She didn't want it to be she knew that acknowledging it would only make it worse, but it was so obvious now.

"I-I love him."

"Ikuto!" The tall boy turned at the sound of his name. He frowned seeing the 'kiddy king' storming towards him. He really wasn't in any mood to deal with this kids game.

"What is it?" He asked bored when Tadase stopped a few feet away.

"How dare you play with Amu's emotions! I never should have let her near you, I should have warned her better." Ikuto frowned at the boy.

"What are you talking about?" He asked squinting his eyes.

"You were using Amu!" Tadase shouted furious for Ikuto's innocent act.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Ikuto answered. There's that word again, Using, what do they mean? I'm not using anyone. Ikuto's mind buzzed with unanswered questions. He was concerned with Amu's sudden actions. She had avoided him even when he was only feet away tapping on her window. In ways he was hurt by her rejection suddenly. Did they think he was using Amu?

"But maybe you can tell me why Amu's so sad lately." Tadase's face flushed with his anger.

"She's sad because of you!" Ikuto looked confused now.

"What have I done?"

"You know exactly what you did!" Ikuto titled his head.

"Tell me this. Is she still wearing the bracelet I gave her?" Tadase frowned, Ikuto got his answer from that. She must not hate me if she still has it on, I wonder if she's found out yet?

"But seriously tell me what I did?" Ikuto questioned grinning at Tadase's angry face.

"Don't play innocent. I have enough of you!" Tadase character changed and Ikuto smirked.

"If you want a fight, you'll get one Kiddy King." Ikuto growled with pleasure.

A/N: Ok I couldn't' sleep so I wrote this chapter early! lol….I'm pretty sure Tadase wouldn't be acting like this but I thought it would fit in with the story Please review and thanks for reading AMUTO forever lol