Chapter 12: A Sweet Melody, A Broken Heart, and Shopping Therapy
Amu-chan left school early. The nurse said she looked sick and she felt it. Her stomach was curdling...Tadase understood that Ikuto was always the lonely one...but Amu wanted to help Ikuto as much as he was annoying...he was strong. But then...did Ikuto understood Tadase? How he wanted to be strong? He always felt like the little brother and weaker. And here she was, in between what she felt was a rivalry over her. She didn't want to start another fight between them...
"I still don't know what to do..." Amu wondered aloud. "Why can't I just use my heart and figure it out..."
"Oh Amu-chan..." Ran sympathized.
"Maybe your thinking too much..." Miki said.
"How can I not think?" Amu said, when suddenly she heard a soft melody. She recognized it and moved around to the open area of the park on her way home to see Ikuto a bit off, playing his violin.
"Why don't we go say hello?" Su said.
"Shh...let's just listen." Amu sat behind a tree and close her eyes, pushing her guardians down with her.
"Your music is as good as ever, -nya!" Yoru cheered.
Ikuto suddenly stopped. "It could be better..."
"Wha?" Yoru was confused. "Why don't you just go back to Europe and improve more Ikuto-chan- nya?"
"Because...there was always something that improved me here." Ikuto sat down and faced the open area of the field, puting his hands behind his head reclining.
"What? Nya?'"
"Amu-chan. Said I'd make her fall in love with me...guess theres somethings a cat can't do."
Amu's eyes widened. She sat quietly and listened.
"What do you mean?" Yoru was always a clueless cat, Ikuto gave a small laugh.
"I don't know. She was the one that saved me from being the Death Rebel...I guess I'd just have to stick around and make sure she doesn't get in trouble."
"You're too nice Ikuto..you've changed! Tadase doesn't stand a chance now!" Yoru said.
"Tadase is the one who invited me here remember...he think's I'm what she wants, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me."
Amu felt a small gasp escape her lips. Tadase was the one who told Ikuto to come back to Japan? And Ikuto was here to try to make her happy?
"...I guess I could go back to Europe eh?" Ikuto speculated, openly to Yoru.
"Love is confusing..." Yoru stuck his tongue out.
"...Get my freedom...become the Seven Seas Treasure kind of guy I really am." Ikuto continued.
"But then your not transforming with me-nya..."
"It doesn't matter...I couldn't anyway..."
"Why?"
"I don't have my treasure..."
"What's your treasure?"
"...Amu. So I'll always be a stray cat anyway." He got up to leave, and left the park.
Amu sat there quietly. She felt speechless...and now it was almost time for school to end so she'd better go home. She pushed herself up and walked home in silence...she didn't feel like talking to her Guardians at the moment.
"Amu-chan!"
Amu turned to see Rima in a limo pulling up beside her.
"The teacher said you wen't home sick...more like love sick...didn't you figure out your problems yet?"
"...No Rima-chan...it's really complicated I - "
"Well would some graduation party dress shopping help? I need a dress...and you probably do to so get in."
"Well I don't know if I..."
"Amu-chan." She didn't look impressed.
"Okay, okay..." Amu got into the limo and awkwardly sat in it. It was strange to be in a limo; seats on each side, and way out of her league.
"I know a little shop we can go to. You better get happy Amu-chan."
"I'll try." Amu gave a smile. "So how far is this shop?"
"Not far." Rima looked out the window.
Ten minutes later Amu noticed that they were downtown. "Where are we going Rima-chan?"
"Here Madam."
"Thank you." Rima opened the door and Amu-chan looked at the boutique. "Lolita's Dress Shop".
"Let's go." Rima dragged Amu to the door and Amu nearly had a heart attack twice: once when she saw all of the dresses, and a second when she prices.
"Uhm Rima-chan?" She said.
"Oh cut it out. I'm paying for it clearly...my mother gave me enough for two dresses...but I only need one so ... cheer up Amu-chan."
"Awh Rima-chan!"
"I can change my mind you know...now try these on."
An hour later, Amu was trying her last dress on.
"This better be it Amu-chan..." Rima had already chose a peach colored one, with yellow frill underneath, semi-reminiscent of her clown attire as her character.
"I don't know what do you think?" Amu stepped out in a semi-sparkly bright pink dress with black and pale pink layers underneath. It was strapless and had a black band around the waste and flared out at the bottom and went to her knees.
"You're getting it." Rima nodded.
"You sure its expensive?" Amu liked it a lot, it fit her with the black and pink...but was kind of pretty and edgy.
"Yea I'm getting it." Rima agreed.
A little while later they returned to Amu-chan's house.
"Thanks Rima-chan!" Amu waved getting out of the limo, with her bag.
"Just don't come to school sad tomorrow." Rima smiled a bit, and left.
Amu felt herself smile. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad...