Chapter 7: The "Cross"-path of the Rivals

Amu stared blankly at him. "...well how was I supposed to know? You always were such a pervert..."

Ikuto smiled. "Oh and I'm not now...does that mean you enjoy our bedtime fun?"

Amu's face started to get red. "Bedtime fun? WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM IKUTO?"

"A cute girl who needs to learn to stop falling off of beds." Ikuto teased.

"How can I take you seriously if you always tease me..." Amu complained looking cross. Maybe she had really messed up with Tadase...I mean now...Ikuto couldn't possibly be the answer.

"It's fun." Ikuto shrugged. "Plus it's been almost a year...I've been waiting you know."

"Waiting?" Amu asked.

"You don't get it do you?" Ikuto looked at her as he placed himself over her.

"Whaaa...wha...wha?" She felt his eyes get deeper and darker.

"I was waiting for you to grow up..." Ikuto kissed her again, this time closer to her mouth, but still on her cheek. "I'll be around now, don't forget me." He whispered into her ear, as it caused a shiver up her spine.

This time she didn't need to tell him to leave...he did. He character changed with Yoru and pounced out of the window the same way he'd probably came in.

Amu layed in shock and felt the rush of the midnight air put her to a sleepy daze. Now she had two boys looking out for her; Tadase and Ikuto...once again she was going no where with this. She felt her eyelids get heavy and sunk back into her sleep.

Amu woke in the morning earlier than she'd planned. It was a Saturday and she thought she'd get more sleep and sleep in, until she remembered what happened last night. She looked to her left and there remained no cat like boy. Maybe it was a dream? Maybe she was so worried about Tadase that she'd made it all up in her head...then again why would she dream about Ikuto...sure he'd said he loved her...but...?

She looked to the window and noticed it was closed again. See, it probably was a dream. She got up out of bed and went to see it, just to be sure. Thats when she noticed something different...a cross necklace holding the window panels closed. Ikuto had created a sort of lock for her window. She instinctively took off the necklace before anyone could notice it and stared at it.

...So Ikuto really was back? But how did he know ? Somehow everything was coming back together...

"Morning Amu-chan!" Yaya smiled as Amu and the rest of them met on the Saturday morning to make the invites.

Amu smiled back and noticed how different everyone looked in their own clothes.

"You look better today Amu-chan." Nagi smiled.

"I...I do?" Amu asked.

"Your glowing." Rima added, remaining pokerfaced.

Tadase looked at her strangely before returning the smile.

"Heh, heh. Who knows?" Amu shrugged and sat down.

"Here, are the designs!" Miki spoke up as she placed a piece of paper that mimicked the invite. A starry sky with the words "An Invitation to A Graduation to Remember."

"It's beautiful Miki!" Nagi congradulated.

"Thank you Nagi-chan!" Miki replied.

"Let's get started then!" Tadase went to grab a silver pen at the same time Amu reached for one.

"Opps! Sorry!" Amu smiled. But Tadase hadn't really minded, he had noticed the black cross charm Amu had wrapped around her wrist, higher up so only when she reached could it be seen under her long sleeved shirt.

"...Its okay!" Tadase finally answered, as Amu took her hand back and it disappeared just as soon under her shirt.

Amu went to work. Luckily Miki was happy to give pointers to them...if not too happy. Eventually she even forced Amu into a character change, and Amu had easily completed most of them, while the others finished off the rest, trying to invite most of everyone in their graduating class plus some.

"Done!" Yaya cheered.

"That was exhausting." Amu relaxed. Miki had really put her to work, as she gave her a small glare.

"At least they look romantic and wonderful." Nagi smiled.

"Romantic?" Amu asked.

"Stars in the sky, even in the day light. The observatory is kind of romantic. I'd kind of think you had romance on your mind Amu-chan." Nagi smiled.

Amu wondered...had she had romance on her mind when she suggested it? She just thought it was a good suggestion?

"We'll send them out in Monday morning in class, so everyone will be there! I think we deserve a day off tomorrow! Good day everyone!" Tadase smiled, releasing them as if he was a true King.

Amu had started to notice how everyone seemed more grown up. Tadase had grown since she'd first been introduced to him, and seemed less childish and more noble. Nagi was always wise beyond his years and gave good advice...but somehow seemed more...manly? Yaya was still young but she was acting less childish...sometimes...and I Rima was showing more warmth to everyone, and had even surpassed Yaya now a bit in height.

"Bye!" Everyone called off, as they all started to walk home.

Tadase lingered behind. He'd known that they hadn't been the only people at the meeting.

"So you did come back?" Tadase said out to an otherwise seemingly empty room.

"Isn't that what you wanted? You missed your big brother?" A dark shape jumped down from the top of the rafters of the greenhouse like room. Ikuto smiled.

"You know why I had called you..and you're not my big brother." Tadase bit his tongue trying to hold back his annoyance.

"I don't know. Amu-chan is really not so sure. I think she's still a child." Ikuto shrugged.

"She has grown up. She's become more than just Amu-chan! She's accepted all of her Guardians and grown ! We all have." Tadase yelled to Ikuto . He got on his nerves so easily.

"She did seem less bitter last night..." Ikuto chuckled, as his cat ears twitched.

"I dont want to hear about it..." Tadase tried to suppress his anger. He didn't really like to hear what Ikuto happened to do with Amu-chan.

"Still I'm not sure she's really not all for her Prince." Ikuto shrugged. Amu-chan still really had denied most of his advances. So what that it was in his nature to flirt and tease a little?

"I wouldn't be so sure..." Tadase turned away.

"Why? Did she buy a cat or something today?" Ikuto smiled coyly at his own tease.

"...no. She was wearing your necklace around her wrist." Tadase muttered.

Ikuto's eyes opened a bit. He'd left it there after she'd complained of her window having no lock. He'd thought it would bug her more than anything, and was surprised she hadn't chucked it out of her window when she saw it.

"Still little Prince, dont give up yet...Amu-chan is still fair game." Ikuto teased, smiling now that he knew Amu did care a bit for him.

"Prince?" Tadase repeated as his Prince character came over, as Ikuto slyly pounced up and away leaving Tadase to struggle with his world dominating ego.

A Cat in the bed, and A Prince helping fulfill her wish, but is love really as easy as this? With drama ahead, and a klutzy disaster, can a heart find its answers without breaking faster?

More drama and romance and playful Kitty flirting in the next few chapters, and of course the now angry Prince might just regret his decision to call back Ikuto into their lives. Hope readers are enjoying it!