Cuxie: Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! L-l-l-l-love shiiine! Yeah yeah yeah! YEAH!
Rima: Oh God, I can actually imagine you singing that.
Cuxie: Cute, ne? ;)
Rima: Riiight...
Cuxie: Sorry I haven't been updating frequently enough. And I'd been doing such a good job of keeping up with this story. Phoo...~3~
Rima: What are you gonna do about the pyscho chick?
Cuxie: Well, answering that question is kinda why I'm updating, silly. (Pinches Rima's cheek)
Rima: Shut-up and get on with it!
Cuxie: Gimme an 'R'! Gimme an 'O'! Gimme an...''L', 'L', 'I', 'N', 'G'! What's that spell?
Rima: I'm running out of patience...
Cuxie:...Yeah, we know what it spells. So lets do it! X3
Amu's POV
I was worried. About about Ella-san being lost. About Tadase-kun leaving...
About Ikuto being back. He and Utau had taken a town car home from the concert while the rest of us were given the limo since our group was larger. I stared into the darkness out the window, wondering when I would see them both again. They'd probably want to spend some time alone together for the next few days, which was understandable.
So why did it bother me so much?
I want to see him. I want to see him right now, and tell him I'm sorry that I've been such a jerk since he got back, and tell him I...I...
"Amu-chan? Amu-chan?" I felt Tadase squeeze my hand. "What's wrong? You're awfully quiet."
Like you don't already know. Peeved, I reached for my phone as an excuse to take my hand back. "Nothing. I'm just worried about Ella-san. Her stuff is still at my house. I think we should've looked for her."
Rima snorted. "So she could attack again? I think not."
"Yeah, Amu. I think it's best if you leave that girl alone," Kukai said. He was riding with us undoubtedly to give Utau and Ikuto the space they needed.
I sighed. Clearly I was alone in my worry for Ella-chan. But I couldn't help but wonder where she'd went. Did she have relatives to go to? Would she find her way back to my house so that she could get her things? Part of me knew that the only real reason I was so concerned about her was that I was trying to keep my mind of my own troubles. But was a little distraction too much to ask after the day I'd had?
I could feel Tadase looking at me. Too peeved off to go along with Rima's plan, I ignored him as best I could and he made no further attempts to talk to me.
I waved goodbye when they dropped me off, not that anyone really noticed. Rima had fallen asleep with her head on Nagi's shoulder, and Yaya and Kukai were debating the finer points of cup ramen verses miso. Tadase didn't look at me as I left, not that I could blame him, considering the fact that I'd slipped away when he tried to kiss me.
When did things suddenly get so complicated? I went inside and quickly slipped upstairs. The house was quiet. My room was quiet. My thoughts seemed ridiculously loud compared to the rest of the world. As soon as I got my pajamas on I hopped on top of the bed, then realized there was no way I'd be getting any sleep tonight. (Which was unfortunated because I had work at the cafe tomorrow.) My phone buzzed on my nightstand. I picked it up and went out on the balcony.
It was a text, from Tadase, of course. I love you. I sniffed, "Yeah, I bet." I could feel the threat of tears coming on again. Frustrated, I shouted out into the night, "AAAAAAAAAAAHH! I can't take it anymore!" The night responded with its usual silence.
A moment later, my phone trilled again. This time, it was Ikuto. You really shouldn't yell like that. People are trying to sleep. I stared at the phone. "Eh?" For one ridiculous second I thought that maybe he had heard me from all the way across town.
Then, thinking more sensibly, I texted him back: You can come out now.
"I wasn't hiding."
I jumped. To my right, Ikuto was sitting on the railing at the place where it met the wall, hidden in the shadows. He smirked at my reaction. "Sorry, did I scare you?"
Frowning at him, I looked away. "Aren't we a little old to still be playing these games?" For a moment, he said nothing. Then I heard his footsteps as he approached me. I didn't move and he came closer. I felt his hand touch my waist as he turned my body towards his. "Yeah...I guess you have grown up since I've been gone." His voice was low as he said it and I felt paralyzed. He cupped my cheek gently in his other hand, studying my face. For the first time since he'd been back I held his gaze and all my fears came true. I did want to forgive him. I wanted to hug him and beg him never to leave again. I wanted to..so badly. His eyes bore into mine. "You've changed, Amu."
I swallowed, and as much as I tried to fight it I felt a blush creep along my cheeks. "Is...Is that a bad thing?"
He didn't say anything. Instead he dropped his hands and took a step back. My skin felt warm where he'd touched me. "So what can't you take anymore?"
I was confused, then I realized he was referring to my yelling. "Oh...nothing."
"That was a pretty loud nothing."
I leaned against the railing of the balcony. For some reason, I didn't want him to know about Tadase leaving. It's funny how now that Ikuto's back Tadase is going away... Granted, he wouldn't be going overseas, but he'd still be farther away than I'd be comfortable with.
"What has the little king done now?"
"W-What makes you think its Tadase-kun?"
"You only ever look like that when you're heartbroken."
"Eh?" Suddenly his arms were around me. "EH?"
He whispered in my ear, "I wasn't here before to console you. I'm here now. If you need me."
"I-Ikuto..." No, Amu, don't do this... He left. He left for two years with only a few calls and texts in-between. He doesn't deserve this... But I felt so much better letting him hold me and pretending everything was okay. He doesn't deserve this... Maybe things can go back to the way they were before. Maybe they can be better, even. He doesn't... "Ikuto..." My voice was breaking.
"Do you need me Amu?"
I couldn't hold back anymore. I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried. Two years worth of tears came pouring out. I tried to speak, but the tears warped my voice into nothing but incoherent sobs. I had missed him so much. Until now, I hadn't felt how truly long the distance and time was. It's been two years since he's climbed my balcony. Two years since we've been able to talk face-to-face. Two years since I've been close enough to touch him. Two years since I've looked in his eyes and he's looked in mine. And I'd put this reunion off all day, being stubborn like a little kid. I cried and he held me tight to his chest, rubbing my back and whispering in my ear: "I'm here now Amu. I won't leave you again."
"D-Do you...promise?"
"I promise."
My chest felt tight and I suddenly felt so tired. The weight of so much emotion was weakening me. "...I missed you Ikuto. I-I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
"I was...m-mean today. I-I didn't...I didn't mean..."
"Shhh. Don't apologize. I deserved it. I'm sorry I hurt you, Amu."
"Ikuto..." As my eyes fell shut I thought I felt his lips press against my cheek.
Ikuto's POV
I picked Amu up and carried her into her room, tucking her into bed. Normally, I would've stayed with her. But ever since her mother caught me staying here I don't want to risk anything. Instead, I stayed for a few minutes, watching her sleep and trying not to hate myself for how much I'd hurt her. I hadn't known that she felt that strongly about my leaving...
But even if I had I still would've gone...Selfish.
"...Iku..to..." Her breathing was still erratic from crying, but she said my name clearly. I leaned down and kissed her forhead. "I'll be back Amu. I didn't forget my promise."
Knowing that if I stayed another minute longer I wouldn't be able to make myself leave, I turned out her lights and let myself out. I could still climb up and down her balcony just as easily as always. I jumped down and landed near the bushes. Looking down I noticed that my foot was on a piece of flowery fabric, half-concealed in the leaves. Did Amu drop a dress down here? It seemed unlikely, but what else could it be? I pulled the branches aside and was shocked to find the garment attached to...a person.
"...Ella?"
Cuxie: Ooooh, romance!
Amu: Ah~That's a little bit much, don't you think.
Cuxie: To be honest I don't think it's quite enough. Just to be clear, there's a tiny reference to SC Party! Ep.10 thrown in! ;)
Amu: I can't believe I broke down like that in front of Ikuto...And why is Ella-san in my bushes?
Cuxie: You fell asleep in his arms~sigh~so romantic...R&R for more heart-pounding fluffiness!
Amu: Did you even hear me?