Chapter 5

"Amu. Amu. Amu, wake up." Amu's eyes opened to see a face smiling down at her. "Morning, Beautiful."

Amu screamed and turned on her light. Then she realized who it was. "I-I-Ikuto! W-what are you doing here?" Ikuto smiled and sat down on her bed. Amu checked her clock. It was almost four in the morning. "Idiot! Go away and let me sleep!" Amu pulled the covers over her head.

"Now, now, don't be like that," she heard Ikuto say. The covers were pulled from over her head.

Amu glared at him. "What do you want?"

"Let's go somewhere," Ikuto said with a smile.

Amu blinked. "Are you insane?"

"Possibly."

Amu shook her head. "If you didn't already realize, it's before dawn. Go away." Amu turned on her side and shut her eyes, hoping that he would leave. He didn't.

"Come on, Amu! Let's have some sibling time."

Amu rolled her eyes. "I do not believe your idea of sibling time is even legal. I'm trying to sleep."

"Amu. Just come with me."

Amu sighed and sat up. She rubbed her eyes. "Do you usually do this?"

"What?"

"Just leave the house this early in the morning?"

Ikuto shrugged. "Sometimes. When I want to clear my head."

Amu sighed again. "Fine."

"Hmm?"

"I'll go with you. But first, leave."

"Why?"

Amu rolled her eyes. "Moron, I need to change. I doubt the public wants to see me in my pajamas."

Ikuto looked at her pajama shirt, which was just a pink undershirt. He smirked. "You'd be surprised what the public wants to see."

Amu smacked his arm, her face red. "Get out pervert! Don't make me change my mind!"

Ikuto chuckled and stood up and left the room. Amu was still blushing. She then got out of bed and went to her closet. She grabbed a plain light red t-shirt and a jean mini skirt.

Ikuto was standing outside of her bedroom door. He was wearing a black t-shirt and dark jeans. "Ready?"

"No, but does it matter?"

"Nope," Ikuto said with a grin. He grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs and to his car. She got into the passenger's seat and he got in the driver's seat. He started the engine and pulled out of the driveway.

"Where exactly are we going?"

Ikuto smiled. "I don't know yet. We can go anywhere. Where do you want to go?"

"You don't know?" Amu laughed. "Wow. You sure know how to show a girl a good time."

"I'd like to think so. So, Princess, where do you want to go?"

Amu decided to ignore the nickname, although it tempted her cheeks to turn red. "I don't know…"

"Hey, are you hungry? We should get breakfast somewhere."

"What place would be open at four in the morning?" Amu asked.

"We could go to a gas station and get food there. Or go to a fast food place. Have some imagination, Amu."

"Shut up," Amu snapped. She started regretting instantly leaving her comfortable, warm bed. Amu rested her head on the window. "I don't care. Just get it over with."

"You're very grumpy in the morning," Ikuto noted.

Amu glared at him. "I told you to shut it."

Ikuto drove up to a gas station. "Now be a good little girl and don't break anything while I get us some food."

Amu glared at him as he left the car and waked inside the gas station. She groaned. She hated waking up early and she was still somewhat drowsy. She decided to turn on the radio. Viva La Vida came on by Coldplay. She smiled a little. Coldplay was one of her favorite bands.

She closed her eyes while listening to the song, and might've fallen asleep, if she didn't hear the door open and close.

"Don't fall asleep, Sweetheart," she heard Ikuto say.

Amu opened her eyes and groaned. "I hate you."

"I know," Ikuto said with a smile. "Hungry?" He gave her an egg and cheese sandwich and a bottle of iced coffee.

Amu took the food and drink. "Thanks…"

Ikuto nodded. "Amu? Open the compartment door in front of you. You'll find a few CDs. Hand me them, okay?"

"Fine…" Amu opened the compartment and handed Ikuto three CDs that were in there. She was too tired to look at the covers and read the names. She watched as Ikuto took a CD and put it in. Amu heard jazz music start up. "You like jazz?"

"Why? You don't like it?"

"No, no, I like it. I just didn't picture… you liking it."

Ikuto raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

Amu shrunk down in her seat. "I don't know," she murmured. "Just doesn't fit your persona."

Ikuto laughed which made Amu's face redden and her eyes narrow. "Just listen to the song, Amu. Nat King Cole is one of my favorites."

L is for the way you look at me.

O is for the only one I see.

V is very, very extraordinary.

E is even more than anyone that you adore can

Love is all that I can give to you.

Love is more than just a game for two.

Two in love can make it

Take my heart and please don't break it,

Love was made for me and you.

"Do you like this song, Amu?"

"Yeah, it's really pretty. I know this song, my mom used to play all the time at home," Amu said with a small smile. Amu watched as Ikuto bobbed his head to the beat. Amu held back a laugh. And then he started singing.

"L is for the way you look at me," Ikuto winked at her. "O is for the only one I see." Ikuto put up his index finger. Amu couldn't help by laugh at him. He was acting so out of character. "V is very, very extraordinary! E is even more than anyone that you adore can love is all that I can give to you!"

Amu smiled and joined in. They all sang the song together, her, Ikuto, and Nat King Cole. "Love is more than just a game for two! Two in love can make it, take my heart and please don't break it! Love was made for me and you! Love was made for me and you! Love was made me and you!" The song ended and Ikuto and Amu laughed.

Amu smiled. Usually she wouldn't do this around other people, besides her friends. Could it be she was actually getting comfortable around Ikuto?

"So did you decide where we were going to go?" asked Amu.

"Yeah. It's this place in the park near here." Ikuto looked at the radio clock. "And I think we'll make it in time." Ikuto drove a little while longer until they reached a park. Ikuto got out quickly and looked up at the sky. A few lights started coming into the sky, but the sun hadn't risen yet. Amu got out of the car and Ikuto ran over to her and grabbed her hand. "Let's go."

Ikuto started to run, dragging Amu behind him. "Ikuto, why are you running?"

"Trust me; you don't want to miss it."

"Ikuto, slow down!" Amu exclaimed. She felt like she was going to fall at any moment.

Ikuto didn't listen to her, until they reached an area of the park that was completely obscured by trees. "Through here." He pulled Amu through the trees, against Amu's complaints, until they reached a clearing where there was a hill. It was actually quite large, but not huge. Ikuto pulled her towards the hill.

"Ikuto. You expect me to climb that thing?" She was pretty tired. She had woken up really early and Ikuto just made her run through a park at her top speed. She didn't feel like climbing any hill. Ikuto rolled his eyes. That's when he did the unexpected. He let go of her hand and scooped her up, bridal style. He was bridal carrying her. "I-I-Iku-!"

"I know, I know, Princess. But I don't want you to miss this." He started running up the hill with her, making her shut her eyes tight and hold on as tight as she could. Then she felt him stop. He then placed her down on the grass. She opened her eyes to see him sit down next to her.

"Okay, thanks for the heart attack!" she snapped.

"You're welcome," he said with a smile. "Now look up."

Amu slowly looked up at the sky. Her mouth slightly opened. The sun was just rising and the sky was a painted with all sorts of different shades of pinks and orange and hints of red and purple. It was simply breath taking. "It's so beautiful!" Amu smiled as she looked up at the sky as the sun rose. She admitted to herself, it was sort of cliché, but it didn't make it any less beautiful. And she never expected someone like Ikuto to take her here to see the sunrise. She turned towards him and smiled. "Thank you!"

He was smiling back at her. "You know… you're really pretty when you smile like that."

Amu blushed and looked away. She then felt his hand gently hold her chin and move it towards him. He was very close to her now. He seemed to be thinking about something. Amu looked at him. She didn't know what was going to happen. She felt somewhat at peace at the moment. Like everything was turning out like it should.

Ikuto looked deep into her eyes. He wasn't smiling or smirking then. He slowly leaned in towards her. Amu looked into his eyes. They were such a magnificent shade of blue… Such pretty eyes… She felt herself lean in towards him, meeting him half way. That's when he placed his lips on top of hers. It was gentle and soft, nothing passionate but Amu felt her spirits fly. Amu closed her lips and all that she paid attention to was his lips against hers.

That's when she felt his hand move from her chin and to her hair where he ran his fingers through it. Amu placed her hand on his shoulder. Ikuto started to make the kiss more passionate and
Amu didn't deny it. His hand moved down her back and she placed her hand on his chest.

Suddenly everything started coming back to her. Where they were and more importantly, what they were doing. Amu's eyes widened and she pushed him away from her, realizing what she had just done.

"Idiot!" she exclaimed.

Ikuto looked simply baffled. "What? What's wrong?"

Amu felt unwanted tears in her eyes, but she had no idea why. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Kissing me?"

Ikuto moved closer to her. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Yes!" Amu cried out. She moved away from him. "Yes there is!"

"Sorry, I thought you liked it," Ikuto said coolly.

"Are you crazy?" Amu stood up. "Our parents are about to marry!"

"Yes, I understand that. What is your point?"

"We are about to become step-siblings and you're kissing me!" Ikuto didn't respond. "I'm sorry but I don't want to have a relationship with my stepbrother!"

Ikuto smirked. "Then why did you kiss back?"

Amu looked at him, her eyes wide and her whole body shaking. She bit her lip and looked away. "Just… take me back to the house."

Ikuto stood up and walked to her. "Amu…" He was about to caress her face with his hand but Amu hit his hand away.

"Don't touch me, Ikuto."

Ikuto took back his hand and looked away. He then turned around. "Let's go," he said softly. He didn't want her to see it. He didn't want her to see the pained expression on his face.

(A/N: I would end the chapter here, but since I'm sooo nice, I'll continue )

"I ruined everything," he said to himself. Ikuto was lying on a tree branch by an entrance to the park. It was later that same day, early afternoon.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and answered it, not even bothering to look at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Ikuto, it's me, Nagihiko."

"What do you want? I'm not in the mood, Nagihiko."

"And when are you in the mood?" Nagi laughed on the other line.

"Seriously, what do you want?"

"Hold on, are you okay? What happened?"

"I don't feel like talking about it right now. Why'd you call me?"

"Well, remember that blonde girl? Rima?"

"Yeah, she's…" Ikuto scowled. "She's Amu's friend, right?"

"Yeah! Well, Utau told me that she probably has a crush on me."

"So?"

"So? Come on, where's the Ikuto I know? Seriously, what happened to you? Did you get in a fight?"

"You could say that…"

"Ikuto, you're my friend and you know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Nagi, I just don't feel like it today, okay?"

"Ikuto, where are you?"

"The park… why?"

"I'm coming. Don't leave."

"Dammit, Nagi, I told you I don't feel like it today!"

"Ikuto, you hardly ever act like this, so something big must have happened."

"Don't bother coming, I'm leaving now."

"Fine, I won't come. Can you just tell me what's wrong? It's good to let it out to someone."

Ikuto sighed. He just wouldn't let it go. Ikuto did the easiest thing. He ended the call and turned off his cell phone. Ikuto got off the branch and got into his car. It was time he took a long drive around the city.

Amu heard a knock on her bedroom door. She had been 'reading' and she put down her book. She walked over to the door and opened it. It was Aruto.

"Hello, Amu-chan," he said with a smile.

"Um, hello," she said with a small smile. He had taken her by surprise. He wasn't the first person that she had expected to see there. Then she frowned as she realized… she had expected to see Ikuto there… smiling or smirking, like usual. But then again, Ikuto probably wouldn't have knocked.

"Well, you're mother thought that it would be a good idea for us to have a family picnic at the beach and I wanted to know what you thought of that before we made any more plans."

"Oh, uh, that sounds actually really fun." Then she paused. "When you say family, do you mean…?"

"Me, you, Midori, and Ikuto."

"Oh, yes, of course," Amu said. She frowned but then shook it off. She shouldn't let the morning's events with Ikuto get to her. He had probably forgotten about it anyway so it wasn't a big deal. "Sure, a picnic sounds fun."

Aruto smiled. "That's good, I'll tell Midori." Then he hesitated. "Amu-chan… do you know where Ikuto is?"

Amu froze. "No. He's… not here?"

"No. Actually I tried calling him, but it goes right to voicemail."

Amu shrugged. "Don't worry, Aruto-san, he's probably just with his friends."

"Oh, okay. Well, we are planning the picnic for dinner so that'll give him some time to come back anyways. Do you have his number?"

Amu tried holding back a blush. "No…"

"Well, I'll give it to you, all right?"

"Um, okay…" Aruto took out his phone and Amu took out hers. He read the number out loud and Amu punched it into her contacts list. "Thank you, Aruto-san."

Aruto nodded and turned around and walked down the staircase.

Amu sat on her bed, not even bothering to pick up her book again. She stared at her phone. Why didn't he answer his phone? Where is he? Why'd he leave? How long has he been gone? she thought as she stared at her contact list.

Without thinking she pressed the 'call' button and brought her phone up to her ear. It rang a few times before she heard the voice mail. "I'm not answering your call right now," she heard the Ikuto's voice say on the voice mail. "Leave a message. If I like you I'll call you back. Maybe." She couldn't help but smile at the voice mail. She could visually see him smirking as he said that message on his voicemail. Oh, Ikuto. Then she heard the familiar 'beep.'

"Um, hey Ikuto's it's me, Amu. Your dad gave me your number, but it's not what you think, I didn't ask for it! Anyway, uh, Mom was thinking of having a picnic on the beach for dinner. And it's like a 'family' picnic so I guess you should come back soon. Um, your dad's worried about you so call him. Bye…" Amu ended the call and flopped back on her bed. "That… was really embarrassing…"

It was almost five when she heard her phone ring. She checked caller ID. It was Ikuto.

"Ikuto? Where are you? We're about to leave for the beach!"

"My phone was off, Nagi was annoying me. I liked your message, it was nice. Oh, and I know you begged my dad for my number, don't deny it," Ikuto said on the other line. "Anyway, I'm already pulling up here. It's lucky I decided to come home at this time. I just got your message a couple of minutes ago."

"You're already here? Then why'd you call me?"

"Didn't you here my voicemail when you left me a message? I said, if I like you, I'll call you back. Now let's go to the beach."

(A/N: Okay, that's the end of chapter 5. Next chapter will most likely be updated soon!)