Tsumugu: Amu's father
Tsukasa: Amu's mother
Tadase: Let Amu go!
Ikuto: Um…No. Like I said, she's enjoyable.
Amu: No! Listen to him. Let me go.
Ikuto: He'll have to fight me.
Tadase: Fine, I will. White Decoration!
Tadase raised his staff and a blast of yellow, red and orange energy blasted out at Ikuto. Still holding onto Amu, Ikuto jumped out of the way. He thrash a large cat claw out of his hand and out at Tadase.
Tadase: Holy Crown!
A blast of yellow energy formed at the end of Tadase's staff in the shape of a crown being used as a shield to protect Tadase and deflected the cat claw.
Ikuto: Hmm…you've gotten really boring, Tadase. This is nothing.
He set Amu on the ground and called for Yoru.
Ikuto: My own Heart: Unlock.
A bluish purple portal appeared over Ikuto's body. A cat tail and a pair of cat ears popped on his body. A black leather suit appeared on his body along with a glove with metal claws on it on his right hand.
Ikuto: Character Transformation: Black Lynx.
Amu got up and went to Tadase.
Amu: Where are Ran, and the others?
Tadase: I never saw—oh, there they are.
Ran: Amu!
Amu: Let's go! My own Heart: Unlock!
She wore her hair in a side ponytail, including a pleated skirt, a pink top and leg warmers over her shoes, all with heart-shaped accessories. She has a ribbon tied around her neck and one around her skirt. The Humpty Lock shines with pink light.
Amu: Character Transformation: Amulet Heart!
Ran: Amu, you have to stand your guar. Okay?
Amu: Yes.
Ikuto: Slash Claw.
He slashed his metal claw device at Tadase; not Amu.
Tadase: Holy Crown!
The attack deflected the slash claw.
Tadase: Ikuto, do you find me boring because I keep defecting your attacks?
Tadase gave a smirk, though Ikuto looked no different. But, inside, he was quite annoyed that he wasn't doing anything.
Tadase: And I want my Dumpty Key back!
Ikuto: Hmm…no.
Tadase: Why do you do this! Why are you acting like this? You never did when we were little!
Amu: When you were little?
Ikuto: I grew up. It's about time you do too.
Tadase: Shut up! Give me my key back! And my dog!
Tadase's eyes slowly filled with tears; thinking of the memories he had with his dog and his friends, Ikuto and Utau.
Ikuto jumped in the air, releasing he should try to see Utau and Easter.
Tadase and Amu popped back into their normal clothes.
Amu: What did you mean when you were little?
Tadase: Well, Ikuto's father left the family when Ikuto and Utau were little. Leaving their mother in distress. By this happening, she was put in the hospital. Their family and mine were close friends, and Ikuto's mother asked if Ikuto and Utau could stay with us for the time being. Apparently, my mother got bad vibes from Ikuto, though I couldn't understand because it all happened when I was really young.
Amu: Really?
Tadase: Yes. Then, one night, I heard my dog, Betty, barking at the door. I went out and I saw Ikuto walking away with his violin—an adult violin actually. I ran over to him—calling his name—but he never listened, and I tripped on the stones, but he never came to help me. He just ran away. Then 2 years ago, when I arrived from school, I heard a violin playing the backyard. I ran outside and saw Ikuto standing over Betty, who was lying on the ground. Dead. And Ikuto held the Dumpty Key—which was the key y father gave me to hold onto like it was my life. And I never forgave him for what he did to Betty and that he stole from me.
Amu: I'm so sorry. I didn't know your past was like that.
She stared at her hands which were clasped on her lap. She felt nervous for what she was thinking of doing. But she decided to do it. She twisted her body around sideways and wrapped her arms around Tadase's neck and hugged him tight.
Amu: I really am sorry about that.
Tadase wrapped his hands around her waist and hugged her back. He said in a weary voice:
Tadase: It's okay. Thank you.
They got up and walked to the front of Tadase's house.
Tadase: Would you like me to walk you home?
Amu: I think I'll be fine.
Tadase: You sure?
Amu: Yes. Don't worry. I have my Chara's with me.
Tadase: Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.
Amu: Okay. Goodbye.
Tadase: Goodbye.
While Amu was walking down the street to her house, it was about 8: 12 P.M.
Ran: That was interesting what happened between Tadase and Ikuto.
Amu: I know. I can't believe they were once friends. And that they lived together.
Miki: You would have never guessed it, since the way that they act now.
Amu: Yeah. Do you guys think that Ikuto killed Betty?
Ran: Hmm…I don't know. It's something he would do,
Suu: But could he be so heartless? And careless?
Amu: I don't know. But I hope Tadase is better.
Miki: I hope his sadness doesn't affect Kiseki.
Ran & Suu: Miki…
Amu sighed, feeling sorry for Tadase, and a little for Ikuto. Since his father left the family and that his mother was put in the hospital. But she wondered if he really was careless enough to kill an animal. When she arrived home she was greeted differently than she normally was by her father. And normally by her mother.
Tsumugu: Amu were you out to see… a boy?
Amu: Of course not.
Ran: There's that attitude again.
Tsukasa: Papa, calm down.
Tsumugu: But Mama…
Tsukasa: You can go up to your room if you want, I'll take care of Papa.
Amu walked up to her room and jumped on her bed. After a few seconds, she heard a small wimper. She jumped up and saw Yoru.
Amu: You! Why are you here?
Yoru: Wow. That hurt.
Amu: What?
Yoru: N-Nothing.
Amu: So why are you here?
Yoru: Well, Ikuto is busy and I overheard that story that Tadase told you. And I wanted to tell you, for Ikuto, another side of the story.
To Be Continued…