Cuxie: Welcome to~Welcome to~Welcome to my heart~!

Amu: Just what anime are you writing about here?

Cuxie: Just because this is an SC story doesn't mean I can't sing other anime songs! And who knows...this might be a crossover. ;)

Amu: WHAT?

Dejiko: Nyo?

Cuxie: I kid, I kid! Sorry, Dejiko-chan. Maybe one day...

Amu: Rolling with this very non-crossover-y story!

Cuxie: Heh. "Non-crossover-y"?

Amu: They know what I mean!

Amu's POV

What is wrong with me? I barely resisted the urge to bang my head against a wall.

We were at a diner. One of the lesser known places that Utau likes to frequent, since it's easier for her to maintain a low profile in less crowded areas like these. I toyed with the chain links on my wrist cuff, determined to keep myself out of the conversation. Which wasn't too difficult, since Utau was bent on monopolizing the entire conversation. I couldn't have gotten a word in if I tried.

"You know, you missed the release of my last album. I did a promotion and everything," she said to him with a slight pout.

Ikuto sighed. "I know."

Knowing Utau, she wasn't trying to make him feel guilty.

I, on the other hand, was making a hobby out of it. After two long years, I couldn't even begin to describe how excited I was to see Ikuto. How happy I was that he was safe at home, and how interested I was in knowing about everywhere he'd been and everything he'd seen. It was like I was so charged up that I just couldn't find the words to express how happy I was.

So I pretended I wasn't.

And, granted, it wasn't all pretending. When I first caught a glimpse of him in the airport, I was extremely embarrassed by how high my heart soared. But then I saw Utau throw herself at him and I was instantly furious. Why should he get to disappear for as long as he wants without consequence? Why should he get to leave behind everyone that cares about him and then be forgiven so quickly? I wasn't letting him off that easy.

Staring at my soggy, syrup-drenched pancakes, I tried to sort out every crazy thought and feeling raging on inside of me.

"Not hungry?"

I glanced up, barely catching his eyes before looking away. "Not particularly," I mumbled. He'd been trying to catch my eyes, probably looking for some kind of clue about what was wrong with me. He always could read me like a book. But honestly...I was afraid. I was afraid that if I looked him in the eyes I'd turn into Utau; completely unable to stay mad at him about anything. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to look away again. I was afraid that I'd tell him everything I'd been thinking about him since he left.

It suddenly seemed like too much effort to keep my emotions in check. Time to make my exit. I stood up and grabbed my purse. "I've got to get going."

Utau blinked. "Now?"

"I told you I've got stuff to do today."

"Yeah, but..." She glanced quickly at Ikuto, then sent me a look that meant we'd be having a serious discussion later. "You're going to the show, right?"

"Of course. See ya backstage." I turned to leave, then realized I hadn't addressed her brother at all. "Oh, and Ikuto?" I called over my shoulder.

There was a brief pause. "Yes?"

"Welcome back."

Ikuto's POV

Something's wrong with her.

As soon as she left, I was halfway out of my seat, getting ready to follow her. Then Utau pulled me back down. "Give her some space. She's thinking things through."

She's not the only one.

"Amu sure has...changed since I've been gone."

My sister looked thoughtful. "I suppose so. But I guess after two years you'd say that about all of us."

I instantly knew who the collective 'us' was, and was surprised that Utau considered herself one of them. Things really have changed since I've been gone. Taking a good look at my sister now, I'd still recognize her anywhere. But naturally with time she'd gotten a little bit taller, her face a bit sharper and more mature. It was liking seeing a before and after picture in a magazine. "So have there been any other big changes I should know about?"

Her cheeks flushed slightly. Then she jutted her chin out stubbornly, a gesture she and Amu shared whenever they decided to be petulant. "Well, I'm sure it won't surprise you, but since you left Kukai and I have been...seeing each other."

I rose an eyebrow. "'Seeing each other'?"

"Yes. So don't act shocked if you see him a bit more often than you used to."

"Is it safe to assume that 'a bit more often' doesn't include him sleeping over?"

She punched my arm, cheeks flaming. "Ikuto! Don't be ridiculous!" I laughed, glad to still be able to get a rise out of someone since Amu, apparently, had turned to stone. "But since you mentioned sleeping over...are you moving back into you're old room?" she asked, not bothering to hide the weight her questioned carried.

"For a while," I responded. Her face fell and she opened her mouth to protest. "Relax. I'm not leaving any time soon. What I meant is that I'd like to get an apartment. So I'll be moving into my old room until then."

"Oh," she sighed with obvious relief. "That's great! We can go house-hunting." Then something seemed to dawn on her. "But how will you pay rent? You don't have a job."

"I saved up some money while I was overseas." Being low-maintenance has it's advantageous. Beyond eating and sleeping, I didn't want for much, which meant I didn't spend much either. I was able to take up at the places of a few people I knew; friends of my father, friends of Tsukasa, and people who just liked my music and were willing to put me up for a night or two. I'd been homeless by choice, occassionally having to spend a night at an inn here and there.

"You earned enough to keep you stable? Just by playing the violin?"

I shrugged. "And a few odd jobs here and there. I'll probably need to find a job in the next few months, but nothing I have to worry about right away."

Utau smiled slightly. "Well, that's good. And least it means you've been taking care of yourself, I guess."

I returned the smile. "And I assume you've been doing the same."

"Of course." Her eyes sparkled excitedly. She looked happier than I'd seen her in a long time. "I can't wait for you to see me in concert." I couldn't wait either. I could tell by the proud look on her face that the past two years have been very good to her career. Suddenly, she was hugging me again. Calmer this time and closer to tears, she whispered, "I missed you so much, Ikuto..."

I put my arm around her shoulders. "I missed you too, sis."

Unknown POV

A sob caught in my throat as I watched them embracing.

I sat a few tables away from the love of my life. Wearing a hat that covered most of my short hair and a long coat, I was careful not to look directly at them so I wouldn't draw their attention. Tracking them here had been exhausting. It seemed nearly impossible to keep him in my sights for more than a second. As soon as I'd relocated him in the airport, he was being shuttled off in a big fancy car with the two pretty girls.

I'd followed them in a taxi, using money I couldn't afford to waste, and irritating the driver by merely point at the car by way of directions. (I didn't speak any Japanese, which was just as well, since I didn't know where I wanted him to take me anyway.)

When I arrived at the diner I had picked this little corner to observe them from, ordering nothing since I didn't know how to order in Japanese.

The pink-haired one had left, looking displeased about something. I had almost thought they would all leave and I'd have to chase them down again. But Ikuto stayed, speaking intimately with the long-haired girl.

Oh, Ikuto... I thought mournfully. What hope did I have of taking him away from that beautiful, statuesque, blonde goddess?

Then again, what hope did I have of surviving here if I didn't try? I just had to keep reminding myself that. I silently wished the blonde girl would leave too. Not only because it hurt and angered me to see her so close to him, but because I needed to speak with him soon. And I needed to do it alone. Certainly not in front of his girlfriend.

She's just an obstacle in my way, I thought bravely. If I can just get past her, I'll make Ikuto mine. She can't stop me. Nothing will stop me.

Cuxie: Muahahaha! I won't reveal the mystery so quickly!

Amu: So when are going to find out who this mystery person is?

Cuxie: When the timing is right. What kind of story do you think this is?

Amu: A very annoying one.

Cuxie: Those are fighting words! (draws saber) Have at ye! En garde!

Amu: Don't wave that thing at me!

Cuxie: Then ye best be shuttin' yer trap there, missie!

Amu: I'm ending this. Once she starts talking like a pirate, all bets are off. ~_~

Cuxie: R&R ya landlubbers! ^_-