Allen could tell Kanda was bored as he deflected Ikuto's attempts at attacking. Kanda's skill with his Mugen was apparent - he was untouchable.

However, Allen had to admit that Ikuto had tremendous stamina. He lunged and manoeuvred his way around Kanda, trying to land hits of his own yet also able to avoid most of the samurai's blows.

Link silently agreed that Ikuto had some potential as a fighter but continuously acted on emotion. Ikuto could hit Kanda successfully if he focused rather than let his anger and jealousy be in control.

Lavi turned from his teammates to look at the Guardians, who seemed concerned. Probably to them, Kanda was taking the spar seriously, but to Lavi's trained eye - it was clear Kanda was holding back.

Suddenly, they hear coughing and look up to see Christa and Yumi in their human forms. Christa was the one who fakes coughed to get their attention; she seemed furious, but no one could figure out why.

Yumi spoke for her sister, "Why are Kanda and Ikuto fighting?"

Lavi shrugs, "Ikuto challenged Kanda for a spar."

Christa raised an eyebrow, "Is Ikuto suicidal?"

"Kanda seems to be taking it easy on him, though. Ikuto doesn't seem to be bleeding that much."

Christa frowns at her sister, "You know this is what Amber was sensing. We should stop this."

"You referring to me?"

Christa smiles lopsidedly at Yumi, who relents quickly.

"No illusion tricks, Yumi."

The younger character pouts at her sister, but Christa remains firm. Yumi sighs and steps forward; in her loudest voice - she calls out to Ikuto.

Ikuto turns, thinking Amu is calling him, which serves as enough distraction for Kanda to lunge at Ikuto. With a giant swing, he punches his opponent harshly, knocking him out. The samurai stood before Ikuto, looking down at his unconscious form.

The Guardians were the first to run over to check if Ikuto was okay. Kanda sheaths his sword, seeing Amber's characters and the exorcist team approaching.

"Nice punch", compliments Christa.

Kanda doesn't answer, turning to Yumi, "Any reason you interrupted my warm-up?"

Lavi snorted while Christa smirked, amused. Yumi, on the other hand, smiled as she explained that Ikuto looked like he was having a hard time, and she called out to him to cheer him on.

Kanda knew she was lying, but he didn't press. He turns, hearing Ikuto groan in pain as Nagi and Kukai help him to stand up. "Hope you've had enough. I am not wasting my time with you again, Tsukiyomi."

Ikuto's eye twitched in irritation, but instead of insulting Kanda, he asked a question despite his nauseating giddiness. "What do you like about her?"

Almost immediately, the two groups turned to see what Kanda would say.

"I beat you up, and you ask me this?"

Typical.

"Just answer. I need to know that Amu is at least with someone who truly cares about her."

Kanda raises an eyebrow, "And you think I would care about your needs?"

Ikuto was now seriously considering ignoring his pain and taking a shot at punching Ikuto back, but Tadase was looking at him worriedly.

"Kanda loves Amber for non-shallow reasons. That's why she returns his feelings."

Everyone turns to Yumi, who was the one who spoke up, curious.

"How do you mean?" presses Link.

"I mean, Kanda didn't fall for Amber upon sight. He only teased her or flirted long after they knew each other. When Amber realised that Kanda was becoming more than a friend, she tried to keep her distance but couldn't because she understood that she liked having him around."

Allen saw the slightest quirk of the lips of Kanda's face, but when he blinked, it was back to his usual poker face expression.

Ikuto frowns at Yumi, "So what are you saying? The rest of us aren't like that. We care about Amu, and her looks don't matter."

Yumi smiles apologetically, "Amu is beautiful; that's why all the guys around her moved on her rather quickly. Tadase carried her princess-style on their first-day meeting. Kukai held her hand at every opportunity. Nagi took Amu on a date and even prayed for love at a shrine together on the day they met. Ikuto dug his hands in the pockets of her school skirt, and on their second meeting, he had her pinned to the ground. Afterwards, he appeared on her balcony while she was only in a towel."

The exorcist team looked murderous, the Guardians blushed in embarrassment, and Ikuto resisted the urge to argue. He had to admit that Yumi was right somewhat.

Lavi turns to Yumi curiously, "Is that why she wouldn't go for me? Because I blatantly showed interest in her the first time?"

Yumi nods, and Lavi sighs, understanding that he lost Amber long before Kanda is interested in the girl.

Damn, Amber, it will be so hard to get over you.

Upon returning to their room for the night, Kanda made Amber promise not to change into her pyjamas after her shower. When Amber asked why, she noticed a slight redness in his cheeks as he refused to explain.

Amber shrugs; she already knows about what happened between Kanda and Ikuto. She had Christa and Yumi use their human forms to discover the fuss and break up the fight. Ikuto's negative energy distracted Amber from her spellcasting as the Humpty Lock was able to detect dark moods; Ikuto, overcome with jealousy and frustration, was enough to give Amber a migraine.

The moment Kanda knocked out Ikuto, she felt better immediately. Amber made a mental note to make everyone get along or maybe keep Yumi around in human form to keep the peace.

After Amber finished her shower and came out in her towel later, Kanda could feel the heat rising in his belly at the sight of her. She looked exquisite in the lavender fluffy towel wrapped around her petite frame, her hair wrapped in a smaller white towel. The towel was knee-length, but it didn't matter. The towel, despite its thickness, was tightly wound around her; her growing buxom and curves were clear as day.

Amber blushed under his stare; Kanda hadn't showered yet, his hairband undone, and he had already taken off his shirt and was bare-chested, sitting in her bed as she transfixed him.

"I want to kiss you. May I?"

Amber blushed harder; she could feel Christa and Yumi arguing in her head. Christa encouraged her to sit in his lap and kiss the daylights out of him while Yumi said a peck would suffice because she was still only in a towel.

When Amber doesn't answer, Kanda apologises and stands, embarrassed, but Amber steps forward and hugs him. Kanda buries his face in her shoulder, her long arms wrapped around him. He quietly explains that he heard that Ikuto had seen her in a towel before, and he got jealous. Amber, hearing this - laughs into his abs. She tells him Ikuto didn't see much as she was only a brat then but admitted that Ikuto did bite her ear.

Kanda frowns and lifts his head to look at his girlfriend, who only smiles at him unconcerned.

However, Kanda would not let this go - he lifts Amber quickly, and she squeals in surprise. Kanda's arms wrapped around her lower half, her breasts pressing against his jaw before she moved away with his hands on her shoulders. Before Amber could ask him what he was planning - Kanda had his lips around the lobe of her ear, and the redhead blushed at the feeling. She moans, Kanda slowly kissing down her neck, then her shoulder, his arms around her possessively.

"You're not losing me to anybody, Yuu."

Kanda lifts his head, seeing the sweet, shy expression on her face.

"I know. Yet, I can't stop wanting to touch you. I need to kiss you, fuck."

Amber tilted in, her eyelids sliding shut over her bright, mesmerising eyes. It is permission as good as any.

He roved his open lips just over the surface of her face, nuzzling the tip of her nose before capturing her mouth with a throaty growl. Kanda's hips jerked forward - still carrying his girlfriend, and she pawed at the small of his back in response. They kissed and kissed and kissed, and they lost themselves in it.

I love you so damn much; nothing and no one is taking you away from me.