Hey guys, it's Anya! Thanks a ton for the 30 reviews, it really means a lot! ^__^

Well, since the anticipation is high (from what I've read in your reviews I can tell) I'll leave you with this chapter. Enjoy!


Chapter Twenty-Two

Breathing seemed impossible for me. The kiss was so amazing that I didn't want to break it. Unfortunately, Ikuto pulled away. I got to catch my breath; however I didn't want the kiss to end. I wanted it to last forever. Though the fluttery feeling in my heart and the roaring butterflies in my stomach were still there, it was better when my lips were pressed against his, his silky, soft lips that seemed to mend perfectly together with mine.

He kissed my forehead, causing the butterflies to go in an uproar. He told me, "I love you too, Amu."

The act seemed so out-of-character for him, but wasn't that the point of love? Wasn't love supposed to bring out the cheeky, head-over-heels, lovey dovey parts of everyone? Even Ikuto had those parts to him, right?

I sat there watching him, my face was burning hot. What were we supposed to do know? In the few dramas I've watched, they always switch scenes after the major kiss. So what were we supposed to do now?

Ikuto stood up and looked towards the entrance of the alleyway. Even he seemed to find this a little awkward. I looked up at him with large, curious eyes. Were we a couple now? As happy as that would make me, nothing seemed to be official.

"Well, I should probably walk you home…" He informed me.

He put out his hand to help me up. I gladly took it, but once I was up he didn't let go. He began walking, my loose hand held in his. With a warm smile on my face, I squeezed it back. His hands were so warm and comforting. It made me feel safe and secure. The entire action of us holding hands not only warmed my hand, but my heart as well.

The sky was still light, seeing as how it was only about six in the evening. However, the mid-tint blue of the sky and the crisp summer air was so relaxing. People walking on the streets didn't even seem to notice Ikuto and me as we walked through the city. Thankfully we walked slowly; I wanted this moment to last for a long time.

I was sad that our kiss had ended, but holding hands was also nice. Everything in the world just seemed to melt away. The only thing that mattered to me was Ikuto. Kuukai, the student council, Ryuu-san, and even my father seemed so unimportant. I only wanted to be with Ikuto, that's all my heart wanted. Nothing else could make me as happy as this.

When we finally reached the gate to my house I was saddened. I didn't want Ikuto to leave me just yet. Ryuu-san was out of town for the next four days—she wouldn't tell me why—so I had the entire house to myself. My next statement would take a lot more guts than confessing my feelings to Ikuto.

"So I suppose I'll leave you here?" Ikuto asked; his grip on my hand was loosening.

I squeezed his hand tighter and blurted out, "Ryuu-san is supposed to be out of town for the next few days!" He raised an eyebrow at my comment. I asked, "Do you want to come inside?"

He smirked and asked me, "Did you realize that you just asked a grown man to come into your house?"

My face was burning red as I replied, "Yes…"

His smirk continued to grow as he said, "You never know what a grown man could do."

I was at a loss for words. I knew that Ikuto would never put me in any danger. If he truly loved me, then he wouldn't dare put me in harm's way. Although, my father loved me and he still… no! This was Ikuto! He is not my father!

"Please?" I begged him.

The smirk on his face was replaced with a smile as he replied, "Fine."

I opened the gate and led him into the house. As I unlocked the door with an unsteady hand, I hoped that he wouldn't notice my nervousness. I walked him into my house, dark and vacant. Normally I would immediately turn on a light, but for some reason my head just wasn't working right that night.

As the light turned on I jumped, was Ryuu-san still here? I turned to see it was Ikuto who had flipped the switch. He smirked at me, and that was all I needed to look away from him. Ever since my realization and confession, I found myself getting easily embarrassed by him.

"So will your father come back tonight?" He inquired.

As he said that, I remembered the last time Ikuto had been at my home. My father had been there, pounding on my bedroom door. After tackling him, Ikuto carried him on his back to the nearest park bench on our way to his house. It was a heroic act, and I was surprised that I had already forgotten about it. So much has happened since then.

I told him, "No. My father doesn't even live here; he lives in Tokyo. I have no idea why he came here to Kawasaki that night."

Ikuto raised an eyebrow, "You really don't like him, do you?"

My heart sunk; I hated talking about my father. "Not one bit."

Ikuto inquired as we walked over to the kitchen table, "Why's that?"

He sat down in a chair and pulled out on next to him. I sat down beside him while explaining, "Remember that day seven years ago when I met you?" He nodded his head in reply. I continued, "Well that day was when my little sister, Ami, was supposed to be born. That day both my mother and little sister died during the birth. Afterwards my father came home drunk one night and broke my arm and leg, and gave me a concussion." Ikuto seemed shocked at my story. I finished it with, "He was so weak. It was like the bond we had meant nothing to him."

"I see…" Ikuto's reply seemed so meaningful, despite only being two words. As if he now understood why I acted the way I did. Honestly, the story was pretty self-explanatory.

We sat in silence. I felt guilty for ruining the mood we had. We had both been so happy before, but now we were in complete silence. It seemed like Ikuto wanted to say something—I could tell from the look in his eyes—so I decided to stay silent.

He finally said, "My father left me about eleven years ago."

My mouth fell open. I told him, "I'm sorry."

He explained, "There was pressure on him from my mother's father. He wanted my father to take over his business. My father didn't want that kind of life, so he ran away, leaving me and my sister behind."

There was nothing but silence. I was utterly speechless yet again. What was I supposed to say to him? I mean…what was there to say? Our situations were so different, yet the same. Was I supposed to just say, "I know how you feel," despite the fact that the words didn't seem to satisfy it enough.

"Ikuto," I said his name and it felt so nice to finally say it with confidence. He looked into my eyes with a forlorn look. I told him, "I will never ever abandon you. I'll always be here for you."

Ikuto stared into my eyes. He promised, "I promise that I'll never break your bones or give you a concussion."

"Ikuto…" I grimaced at him.

He chortled, "Sorry, I meant that I'll never leave you."

I gave him a serious stare. I asked, "Promise?"

He smiled at me. He had such a killer smile when it was sincere. "I promise."

And we sealed the deal with a kiss.

Amu and Ikuto promised to stay together and never leave each other. Will this promise always remain? Figure out in Chapter 23, "Fukuoka." Until next time!

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