A/N: HOLY HELL I'M BACK!

Well, after a looong break, I'm back, thanks to a good friend (this is you, Neko-chan) who begged me to update. And gave me some ideas.

I've got another shout out, to an anonymous reviewer under the name "wolfgirl." Thanks so much for your review, and yeah, I know a few people like that too. (Including myself. ;D)

Thank to everyone of my wonderful reviewers, for waiting so patiently (or not so patiently) for this new chapter. You guys are the reason I write.

Quick Side Note: Yes, this is coming to an end. It was originally longer, but I think that it's wrapping up nicely.

Read, Review, and, most importantly, ENJOY!

I think I fainted, after Ikuto told me that, because when I woke up, I saw white.

Not like a white light or anything, just white. And it smelled bad. So, yeah, hospital.

I look down to see Rima, instead of a blanket, covering me, and Kukai resting on a chair next to my bed.

I look around and whisper softly, "Ikuto?"

"I'm right here, Amu."

I look over to where his voice was. He was standing on my bedside. "Ikuto, why didn't you ever tell me?"

I could feel my eyes filling up with tears. Ikuto looked away. "Amu, I'm sorry. I just- I can't explain it."

"Ikuto-"

"Amu?"

I look down to see Rima looking up at me, her eyes wide. "Amu, Ikuto's gone. Please don't."

Her voice was cracking. She was about to cry.

"Rima, he's-"

Ikuto cut me off. "Amu, don't. She can't see me. She'll only get more upset if you say that you can."

"But-"

"Amu, stop." Ikuto's voice was firm, demanding. "You aren't supposed to see me, this isn't supposed to be happening. I'm sorry."

"I'm crazy," I sob.

Rima looked at me, worriedly. She sits up, and shakes Kukai.

"You aren't crazy. Everyone else is."

I don't say anything more. My whole body is shaking, and I'm sobbing. I sit up, and wipe my eyes, to no avail. Tears keep pouring down my face.

I feel someone grab my hand. I look over to see Ikuto, his face pulled with worry and hurt.

"Amu!" Kukai shouts. He grabs me into a hug, and I cling to him. He's petting my hair, and Rima's rubbing my back.

"I-Ikuto…" I sob.

"Sh, Amu, it's okay, yeah? You'll be fine, sh…"

I can't take in Kukai's soothing words. Ikuto's a ghost. He's dead. He'll never be able to really be with me. My only friend…

No, not my only friend, but definitely my best friend.

A nurse walks in. She has overly long hair and violet eyes. "Hinamori Amu?" she asks.

My sobs are down to sniffles, and I look over to her. "Yes?"

She rushes over, almost stepping into Ikuto. He flinches and avoids her.

"I'm Tsuikyomi Utau, I'm you're nurse."

My eyes widen, and I feel Kukai stiffen.

"You-" I look to Ikuto.

He sighs. "Go on, ask. It can't hurt; she'll be able to explain some things."

"Do you know Tsuikyomi Ikuto?"

The girl recoils. "He- he's my younger brother. He's been in and out of a coma for years. He's almost dead.."

Her voice cracks, and tears spill from her eyes. "D-do you know him?"

"We're friends of his. I- we- that is- has he been awake for around a month?" Kukai questions.

Utau nods. "He wasn't supposed to leave the hospital, it worsened his condition. He was getting worse, but he insisted that he had to-"

Her voice breaks off.

Ikuto sigh. "I'm sorry."

I wasn't sure who he was saying it to, but I nodded. "It's okay; you shouldn't have done that, though."

He looked at me, saddened. "I wanted to be with you. I love you, Amu."

My eyes widen. "I-"

"Hinamori, who are you talking to?"

Utau is looking from Ikuto- the space Ikuto is in- and back to me.

"I've known Ikuto for a while know. He comes to me in a ghost form, and he talks with me. I don't know why he came to me, but I can still see and feel him, even when no one else can."

Utau's eyes widen even more.

Kukai shakes his head. "Amu-"

"Hinamori, that's amazing! I can't believe it- I've read about people like you, who can see someone's spirit."

I smile weakly at her. Her eyes widen again. "Oh, no. Ikuto- can he hear us?"

I nod. "Ikuto is right here," I point to where he is on my bedside.

Utau nods. "Ikuto," she says, turning to him, "you need to return to your body. The more you stay out of it, the worse you're condition will get."

Ikuto frowns. "Tell her I don't want to go back, Amu."

"What? Why?"

"What'd he say?"

Ikuto glances at her. "I've been half dead for about three years now. I'm just ready to be dead."

"Don't say that!"

Utau frowns. "Oh. He wants to die, doesn't he?"

I nod. "Ikuto, this isn't like you, what's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm just waiting to die because it's going to happen. I'm just speeding up the process. Amu, I don't have a reason to live."

"What about your family, Ikuto? You told me about your mom once, you talked so lovingly about her-"

"And now she's married to an asshole that tried to kill me."

"His step-dad," I announce to Utau. "He tried to kill Ikuto?"

"What? No! He wouldn't do anything like that… At least, I don't think he would…"

"Well, he did," Ikuto spat. "Amu, he didn't like me- at all. I reminded him of my father, and he wanted me gone. He'll do anything to get his way-"

"Utau, he says that he didn't like Ikuto. That he wanted him gone, because he was so much like his father…"

Utau's eyes go downcast. "I see. Please, Ikuto, go back to your body. I'll tell Mama about this, she'll fix it, and you can come back."

"What's the point?" he snaps.

"Ikuto, please," I beg.

He looks at me. "Will you see me?"

"Yes."

"Do I have a reason to live, Amu? Will you always be with me?"

"Yes, Ikuto, of course."

Ikuto nods. "I love you, Amu."

"Thank you." I smile.

He grins, and leans down to kiss my temple. "Tell Utau that I'll go back, but she'd better have this all fixed, and make sure that that bastard doesn't come in my room- that goes for anyone he works with, too."

"Okay."

"I only want you four and my mom to be able to visit me."

"Okay."

"I'll see you soon."

"Best be."

Ikuto grins. "Later, Amu."

A/N: Thank you all for reading! Please review. ^^

Tell me what you thought, because I believe that this chapter wrote itself out quite nicely.

Flames are allowed, as constructive criticism. Feel free to tell my how much you loved it, or how much you hated it. Or, if you wish, how much you want to strangle me for taking so long to update. Harry Potter has been taking up all my time, as of late.

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Thanks, I love you all!

~Layla Smiles