Chapter 16: The Heart Always Knows

A spotlight came on and a boy in a black dress shirt and black pants with unmistakably blue hair was playing his violin centre stage. His eyes closed in peaceful concentration as the room stood in a daze. The music amused the people, questioning the new performer.

Girls chattered quietly at the appearance of the new male entertainment, but Amu just stood in awe wide eyed. Ikuto came back? But...why? How...

Suddenly a star spot light illuminated Amu.

Ikuto looked up at Amu and smirked a bit. She looked...cute. It always amused him to see her surprised...blushing...struck by his talent. But tonight it was more than that. Her dress a bright pink that sparkled under the light...with her Amu-edginess speaking from the black and the chain necklace. Her small heels made her look older...and her gold eyes sparkled back at him.

He finished his song and started to bow, but instead leapt air-lessly onto the ground in front of Amu-chan.

"Couldn't last without me?" He whispered into her ear.

She looked up at him. He noticed her eyes began to water.

*SMACK*

Ikuto's eyes widened as he felt a burn on his cheek.

"Dont ever leave me alone again." Amu warned him, before wrapping her hands around his neck and put her face into his chest, letting out a small sigh splashed with a few tears of relief, joy and surprise.

Ikuto took a moment in to realize what just happened. Tadase was right, Amu-chan did need him...he shouldn't have thought to leave.

Suddenly they realized everyone was staring. The band began to play and everyone turned back to their own friends, but whispers and nods still scattered the room.

"I'm sorry Amu-chan." He said quietly.

"Everyone's still looking..." Amu saw lingering eyes...a lot of girls too...

"Then let's go somewhere where nobody can see us." Ikuto said and took her hand and dragged her over to the side door.

She noticed he still managed to keep his sneaky flirty self back into the equation. They were suddenly outside under the real stars and a bright full moon. The summer was around the corner and the air was warm and friendly even in the night.

"I didn't know you heard my conversation with Koru Amu-chan." Ikuto said before she could say a word.

She felt guilty...she had eaves-dropped on them. "I...I didn't know. Ikuto for a while I was convinced that Tadase was right for me. He was kind of perfect...until I realized that...perfect wasn't so perfect. I don't know...but then Rima helped me figure it out...and when I thought you left..."

"Your bed was too empty without me?" Ikuto flirted with a wide smile.

"IKUTO!" Amu blushed. "...I always thought all your flirting was games...but then I realized that...I missed it..."

Ikuto's eyes widened and his face went neutral. "Amu-chan I knew Tadase was better for you because I couldn't be your prince...are you really sure you want a stray cat?" He looked down at her causing the space between them to lessen.

"Well your not a stray if you have a home...right?" Amu asked quietly.

"Amu..." He said and took her chin and lifted it. She looked into his eyes wide eyed, never had her heart beat so fast. Dia was right...it was finally working out. Suddenly his lips met hers and her heart fluttered. Really this was her first kiss...really this was more than she'd ever wanted ...and she'd finally had the mind to admit it.

Amu looked back up at Ikuto. "I'm sorry I couldn't grow up faster..."

Ikuto was surprised. "Amu-chan, you dont need to grow up just yet. Plus you got to still get through high-school." He teased. "I'm actually graduating this time."

"It can't be that bad can it?" She wondered why he thought of it as such a road block.

"It's different." He shrugged. "But don't worry I'll be around to catch you if you fall." He whispered into her ear.

"Creep." She smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Your creep." He smiled slyly. "Want to go back in? I'm not too worried about your class mates...I am older."

"Only 3 years..." Amu nudged as they went back in.

"AMU!" Yaya smiled and almost knocked her over with a hug.

"Glad you could make it back." Utau looked at her brother, with a smile, but slightly glaring eyes.

"I had some unfinished business in Japan." He looked down at Amu. She blushed a bit.

"Glad to see Amu-chan smiling again." Kukai gave her a nudge. She smiled back.

"Now we can work on your shopping skills." Amu teased.

"Nah, I'll stick to soccer...or basketball..." He shrugged laughing.

"Lets go enjoy now! This is the last night for you guys at the school!" Yaya broke up the moment.

"Mhm." Amu nodded before she noticed Rima sitting at a table. She left and ran over.

"Rima?" Amu asked.

"Amu-chan! I'm glad it all worked out. Since when did you like Ikuto?" She asked.

"It's...he, he...a long story." Amu said sheepishly. "How about you? What about your love problems?"

Rima's eyes caught Nagihiko who was actually helping Tadase with his fan-club who now recognized that Amu wasn't dating him anymore. "He doesn't have time for me...plus relationships only end in hardship and counciling."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Amu said, feeling bad for her. She texted Nagihiko. He looked over and started to walk over.

"What did you do Amu-chan?!" Rima looked mad.

"Just wanted to thank him for what you guys did." Amu shrugged innocently.

"How are you two?" Nagi said politely.

"I'm great...but Rima doesn't really have anyone to dance with...maybe you could step in Nagihiko-chan?"

Rima's eyes widened. Nagihiko smiled. "It'll be my pleasure, I love dancing."

"Wow Amu-chan you did that without even character changing!" Ran, Miki, Su and Dia suddenly appeared.

Amu even surprised herself.

"If you're done playing match-maker, do you mind spending some time with me? I did only come from Europe just for you?" A voice whispered in her ear.

She turned to see Ikuto behind her. "Only if I have to..." She pretended to not care.

"You're dancing with me...it's settled." He took her and they all started dancing on the dance floor.

Tadase was dancing with a star-struck girl who'd had the nerve to ask him, and Amu-chan passed him on the floor. She leaned over a bit as she passed and whispered;

"Thank you Tadase...Thank you!"

This is not the last chapter...I repeat...not the last chapter...plus Im tots doing a sequel...sorry all the Tadase x Amu fans, but they're still on good terms so ...but to all you Ikuto x Amu fans hope you enjoyed this chapter !