Shugo Chara
Hot or Not
ShellyCullen: OH! I was so distracted I forgot some of the requests I got. Sorry about that. Hehe. I actually had this chapter going through my head when I was still righting chapter four, for this story. It kept bugging me so I wrote it down on paper and here it is! And again, sorry for being so distracted.
Ikuto: Movies distract you. And that Watchmen wasn't very appropriate.
Amu: I couldn't even look at it! The blue guy was naked!
Ikuto: Not to mention what he was doing to that girl in bed…aren't you a little young for that?
Shelly: God, I'm not a pervert like YOU, Ikuto. Its not like I was close to the screen, grinning like a freak and thinking how to use that on Amu.
Amu: *Blushing. He was doing WHAT?!?!?!
Ikuto: :)
Shelly: You have no shame, Ikuto. This is an awkward chat moment………… So, uh yes. Anyway, this is NOT the LAST CHAPTER!!!! Just so you know…
And, hmm. Never been called a big sister before. But it sounds AWESOME! I wish I had a little sister though, it truly would make my day. ^-^
Chapter song: Can't Stop the Rain from Falling by Cascada.
Ages:
Ikuto = 17
Amu = 13
Nadeshiko = 14
Rima = 13
Yaya = 12
Tadase = 14
Nagihiko = 14
Chapter Nineteen:
Can't Stop the Rain from Falling
Amu's POV
Ikuto. Is. Gone.
I couldn't bring the words to form in my head. I was feeling horror, abandonment, sorrow, grief. This was an emotion I'd never come across. Something deeper than departure and sadness. It ached in my very bones, the core of me crumbling until I was nothing, but dust. Why is this happening?
Diamond was suddenly at my side, but I paid no attention to her. I was trying to keep tears from drowning me into a world I didn't want to be in. A place where Ikuto didn't exist.
I really do…love Ikuto.
"Amu-c-." Diamond began, but I was already out the door, running down the staircase as my eyes stung. I kept hitting the most obvious objects, each making me wince for a second. But none of that physical pain was even close to the emotion pain that was pressing down on me.
I grabbed my long, red coat and pulled it over me, then sticking my black high tops into place. Diamond still looked confused by my silent actions as I opened the door and turned to her.
"I'm going to find Ikuto." I said and ran out. Just before I left, I could have sworn a smile formed on her face.
;3
"Ikuto? IKUTO?" I called, running down the hard sidewalk. Clouds were forming over the midnight blue sky, a storm was brewing. I came to the park not to far off and searched for him, to no avail.
I checked the stores and streets, alleyways and such. He wasn't anywhere. He probably wasn't at the carnival either. It was the most obvious place I'd go first, and he knew it.
"Ikuto?" I called, just as a black figure turned a corner. IKUTO!
I smiled and ran past the corner, grabbing his shoulder. "Ikuto!" I called, relief hanging thick in my face. He turned and I gasped. It wasn't Ikuto.
"S-Sorry." I apologized, looking down. "I thought you were someone else." I sighed and the man walked away, suspicious. Where could Ikuto be though?
"A-Amu-chan?" A voice called and I whirled around. Tadase stood there, with a black umbrella above his head. I stared at it questionably, finally realizing it was pouring rain.
"You're soaking. Here, come under." I shook my head though, feeling a little guilt that I had chosen Ikuto over Tadase.
"T-Tadase-kun. Have you seen Ikuto?" My voice cracked at several parts and I bit my lip, trying to keep from breaking down. I need to find Ikuto! I reminded myself.
"No…but, I'll help you." Tadase reassured, smiling at me. My eyes widened.
"Tadase-kun…" I said, the tears brimming in the corner of my eyes. "I-I'm so sorry…I-I don't want to hurt you, and you have every right to hate me. I just…just…" I couldn't stop the water coming from my face. It mixed with the rain, giving my clothes a clinging feeling. It was holding me down, the unnecessary weight took its toll on gravity. I paid no attention to it, my face hidden in my hands.
"Amu-chan…" Tadase whispered softly as the rain disappeared from my head. I could hear the droplets hit the umbrellas surface, almost like a hailstorm.
"I don't hate you. I love you, and I will always love you. Because you're a great person and one of my best friends." He said as I looked up into his eyes. No sadness or anger was found in them. Just happiness.
"Tadase…I wish, truly I do. I wish you were the one, you're always too kind to me." I stated, wiping the tears away with my sleeve. "But I love Ikuto." I whispered shyly, while a small blushed formed. It was embarrassing to admit something like this to Tadase.
"I know. Come on, we have to find him now, right? Where have you already looked?" He asked and I took a minute to think, my cheeks freezing cold and my bangs were stuck to my forehead.
"Everywhere." I stated, looking down. "He…he wrote that I'd never see him again…that this was the last time." My throat was burning as these words passed my lips, choking out each word as if it were a knife being struck through me. Tadase sighed.
"Are you sure you've checked everywhere? Even the most obvious place could be a clue." My head shot up. The carnival.
"I know where he is."
:O
We made it passed the wall, to the dark carnival. No lights came from anywhere, no music or sound. It was a dead town. The only thing that was out of place was the giant bulldozer and crane sitting on the side. The carnival was going to be destroyed soon, the machines already in place.
"Ikuto?" I called into the air. The rain had lightened up, nothing more as a light drizzle. We walked around, passing the marry-go-round and roll coaster. Ikuto wasn't there.
Maybe Ikuto hadn't come here after all, maybe I was led to the wrong direction. But…I had been so sure. A feeling in my gut was telling me he was here, maybe even hiding in the shadows. I stopped.
I can make out part of a figure. Sitting alone in a small teacup. There's also something small around it, like a bright orb. Only, I recognize it to be Yoru. My heart starts to be faster, making sure I hadn't been mistaken.
It is a boy in the teacup, dark clothes lean. Dark, messy blue hair. Midnight eyes.
"Ikuto." The voice mutters. I turn and see Tadase standing next to me, his expression towards Ikuto is as if he murmured someone. I look back confused, when my worst fears are met.
A giant crane with bright white lights is moving toward Ikuto. Its blinding as I cover my eyes with my hand, struggling to see. My eyes still focus on him now, because it occurs to me that maybe this is what he meant in the letter. By 'never seeing him again' and still being able to see me smile. Maybe he meant that…in a totally different way.
"Amu-chan, watch out!" Tadase yells and pushes me aside. I fall to the ground, so fast and furious it takes me a moment to notice. Because my blood is pumping in seconds through my skull, and my heart aches so much I want to vomit from all the disgust.
Tadase is pushed into the tree behind him, by a blue, claw, cat paw. He struggles against the giant hold, his arms flailing to no success. I turn back to Ikuto, still sitting in the same position with his arm out. He's staring at Tadase…while Yoru stares at me.
The chara is…sad. Beyond all, his ears are back and a thick frown is on his face. He pleads to me with his eyes, hoping I'll understand. I did.
I stand up, just as the paw disappears. Now the crane is lowering, right by the teacup Ikuto is in. I feel nothing more…than fear. Fear for Ikuto, fear for Yoru, fear for everything. I can't stop the emotions from losing control…and I can't seem to understand why Ikuto's doing this. All I know, is that I have to save him.
"IKUTO!" I scream, breaking out of my trance and running toward him. Arms hold me back, away from him as I lash and scream and cry and kick. I can't save Ikuto…I can't even try.
"LET GO OF ME!!!" I yelled, knowing Tadase was trying to protect me. I didn't care, I needed to save Ikuto.
"Amu, you don't have your charas." Tadase states, as I continue to struggle in his grasp. The tears streaming down my face make it difficult to make out anything, but I still try.
The crane shoots down, picking the teacup on the right of Ikuto's. It picks it back up and crushes it in its grasp. My eyes widened…and I freeze, before continuing to escape. Ikuto just stares at me, his expression unreadable through my teardrops.
"IKUTO!!!" I scream again, my voice pleading for a response. My lungs are burning, my chest is heaving, and my tears are flowing faster. The adrenaline rushing through each nerve in my body. I break out from Tadase's grasp, only to be pulled back and fallen to the ground.
He holds my waist, keeping me there while I claw at the stone path. I can't get to Ikuto…its too late.
The crane begins to lower again. "NO!" I yell, my lips trembling and it feels colder than the rain. This isn't fair, this can't happen. NO! Why? WHY?!
"Ikuto! I choose YOU! Its you I WANT!!!" I yell, though I can't tell if he heard over the loud machine. I could barely hear my own voice over the roar. The crane picks up the teacup, and Ikuto is carried into the sky.
I want to shut my eyes and look away, but I can't. This has to be a dream or some twisted cruel and sick joke. There's no way Ikuto can die, he can't die. HE CAN'T!
"Ikuto!!!" My sobs, scratchy as I can't bear it. My shaking body still tries to make its way to him. Tadase manages to grab me, pulling me into a hug. But I don't want that. I shove and push and kick him away.
"LET GO OF ME! Let GO!!!" I shout, digging my fingers into Tadase's flesh. He still refuses to let go, and I fall onto the ground.
The crane is high above us and all I can make out is a black shadow in it. I pray Ikuto jumps out, or Yoru talks some sense into him. He only has a matter of seconds as my heart breaks with each one.
The crane begins to move and the teacup cracks.
"NOOOOO!!!!!!" I yell, screaming into the sky, the ground. ANYTHING! I'm so mad, so sad. I HATE THIS! I hate this world. How dare someone TAKE HIM AWAY?! HOW DARE THEY?!
My fists pound into the ground, until they hurt so much, I can feel bruises begin to form. I continue, regardless as I continue to shout and cry in my head. I can't seem to control anything, and I suddenly feel more alone and lost than ever.
Ikuto is dead…and that's all there is to it.
My body shakes, aches, and trembles. I wonder if this is the end, and I'll just simply parish away as well. I can't keep anything up anymore, and I never want to. Everything hurts, inside and out.
And I can remember a grave voice, my grandmother telling me something. When I was five. There comes a time when life stops giving you stuff and starts taking them away.
The truth of her words ring in my head and I refuse to listen to it. I refuse to believe Ikuto is dead. This can't be happening! This must be a dream. A bad dream I'll wake up from and then laugh at…like everyone else does.
Only…I know this isn't a dream.
I'm still on the ground my face against the cool cement. The tears are gone, but the aching isn't. I'm just laying there, trying to think of nothing. Hoping, praying that a miracle can happen.
"Amu."
I refuse to look up at the face. I can't deal with anyone right now, and everything sounds the same. I can't even decide whether the person is familiar or a total stranger.
"Amu." The voice whispers again. I begin to shut my eyes, balling my hands into fists. The voice is now incredibly familiar. But I still don't know the owner…or care for figuring it out.
A hand touches my cheek and I slap it away, glaring furiously at whoever it was. HOW DARE THEY?! HOW DARE-?!
But everything comes into perspective…including the person. Ikuto.
A small shred of me wants to believe this is real. And that he isn't a ghost, or I passed out, or I'm hallucinating. He smiles softly once I realize its him.
"You alright?" He asks, letting his fingers gently run through my damp hair. Even the touch sends an unexplained feeling to course through me. This will all disappear soon…won't it?
"Speak." He says, pleading to me with his eyes. My mouth opens, dry and sore.
"How…?" I asked, demanding to know what's happening. If Ikuto did escape, ghost or no ghost, I needed to understand. "I-I saw you…up in the teacup. You were squished!" I continue, more tears forming and my voice rushing in a weak and poor voice.
"No…what you saw was my sweater get crushed." He stated, and my eyes lingered to his chest. It was true. He wasn't wearing a sweater anymore, just a gray shirt.
"But…but…" I try to ask, almost scared with too much hope. What if I was dreaming…and only got my hopes up for nothing?
"Did you forget? I have Yoru." He added, looking at the chara a few feet away from us. I stared at the scene, amazed. Was he really…? He's…alive?
Happiness sudden takes course in all the holes that had ripped up inside me and I feel the need to cry again. But not in agony, in sweet relief. Ikuto really had made it…and I wanted to take back all I said before about hating the world.
"So…you did say you love me…" Ikuto began, a smirk threatening to break across his face. He was trying to lighten the mood, hoping for hugs and kisses. I gave him a hard fist on top of his head.
"OW! What was that for?" He winced, rubbing the now sensitive spot. I glared at him.
"Why did you do THAT?! Do you have any idea how much I was worried? How sad…" I was choking back tears. Ikuto looked guilty.
"I'm sorry, Amu." He soothed, taking me into his arms.
"It was a stupid idea. And actually, I wasn't trying to kill myself. Not at first, anyway." He said and I looked up.
"What do…you mean?" I asked. He sighed.
"I mean, I was just here as a 'goodbye' to you. I didn't plan to stick around when the bulldozers came. But when you appeared, and with Tadase." He shook his head. "I'm stupid, aren't I?" He asked. I smiled through all the watery tears.
"Yes, you are. But I'm happy your okay." I sighed as well, wrapping my arms around his neck and placing my face in his chest, breathing it that irresistible smell. A flashlight began to shine by the marry-go-round and a man's voice spoke.
"Is someone here? There shouldn't be." He stated, as Ikuto stood up, holding me bridal style.
"How about we go back to your friends place and discuss things. I'll let you have that food fight if you want." He whispered and I grinned, giggling.
How romantic.
ShellyCullen: NOT the last chapter! We still have to see the winner of the bet, right? I'm so sad this story is coming to an end! I'll miss it.
Alas, everything must come to a finish, right? And, OMG! This WILL be the first story I have completed! HOORAY! I'm proud of myself. And it will be done…before school starts for me! :D
Animegirl67213: REVIEW AND I WILL MAKE IKUTO AND AMU SHAPED COOKIES AND I WILL GIVE YORU CLONES. :)
Amu: ……… Random. And that's kind of weird, don't you agree Shelly?
Shelly: OOH! Yoru clones! I love Yoru. Give me one!
Amu: *Sweat drop. Uh, what about you, Ikuto?
Ikuto: I'll take an Amu cookie, Animegirl.
Amu: *Sigh. Am I the only sane person here?!
Ikuto, Shelly: Pretty much.
Shelly: I hope this chapter was worth crying over, or at least enough to make you feel incredibly sad. Please don't kill me if it sucks! And sorry it isn't as long as I anticipated.
Rima and Nagihiko: REVIEWS! ;3