Me: Hey! So sorry for not updating and when I do update, it's a short chapter! So sorry but I've been kinda busy and I'm still getting used to my schedule. Well, I hope you can forgive me. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy~!

Temari: ArtsyNinja3 does not own anything except for her own characters and the plot.


*Recap*

"And why did I have to come back with you?" a boy piped up. Amu recognized the voice in an instant. Kukai?! What is he doing with her? Amu thought.

"Because you have nothing better to do," Utau stated calmly.

"No I don't! I mean I have to walk home and do some homework and...and..."

"I rest my case."

"Shut up and grab your bag so we can leave!"

"Say, Kukai, I've been meaning to ask something for a while now..." Utau started.

"Ask away," Kukai replied with ease.

"So...um...what does Amu mean to you?" Amu's breath hitched while Ikuto started leaning towards Kukai's side in order to be able to hear his answer. There was a long silence, as if Kukai was thinking about it in his head. "You know what? Forget it. You don't have to answer me," Utau said after the long pause.

"No, you deserve to know," Kukai said. "Amu is..."

*End of Recap*


Amu held her breath unconsciously while she waited for Kukai to finish his sentence.

"Amu is...my childhood friend. She's an important friend, but the most she'll ever be to me is a sister," Kukai said while he looked into Utau's eyes. Amu felt like her heart shattered to pieces. Why? I should be used to getting rejected. But why does it still hurt? Amu thought sadly.

"She's just a childhood friend," Utau repeated.

"Yes."

"Will that ever change?" Utau asked in a soft voice. She noticed Kukai tense.

"I don't think so," he chose his words carefully.

"I trust you Kukai. I just want to let you know that ok?" Utau said, as if warning Kukai not to lie to her. Kukai just nodded. Ikuto waited until the two teenagers were gone before getting out from his hiding spot.

"Well, that was intense," he mumbled to himself and stretched. Then, he remembered that Amu was also with him. He looked back at Amu, who didn't move an inch. Must have hit her pretty hard, hearing something like that, he thought to himself. He crouched down until he was at eye-level with her. "You ok?" he asked while Amu had her head down.

"I'm fine," she replied, but her voice was shaking. Ikuto lifted her chin up, only to see silent tears streaming down her pale cheeks. His eyes widened at the sight.

"You're...crying," he stated the obvious. Then, he realised how stupid he might have sounded. Amu tried the wipe the tears away, but they kept flowing. The poor girl looked so vulnerable. Ikuto didn't really know what to do. So he hugged her while Amu started to sob. Of course Amu was crying, he thought to himself. She just got an indirect rejection. Ikuto thought about all the times Kukai rejected her. Each and every rejection that broke her heart into pieces, followed by overflowing tears. Ikuto remembered how Amu would always eat lunch with Kukai, or at least greet him and chat with him until she had to go. He wondered if Amu would still do that when Kukai got a girlfriend. Would she still walk to school with him, eat lunch with him or any of the other things she did for the boy she loved? Or would she distance herself so she would not interfere with his relationship. She chased after him for more than ten years now. Ikuto thought about how loyal Amu was to Kukai. Even though they weren't dating, Amu never even thought of looking at another guy. Amu was a wonderful girl, it's just that Kukai never noticed.

Amu was still crying, as if she was crying out ten years of pain and rejection. He wanted to tell her that everything will be alright, but he couldn't. Ikuto thought about how amazing Amu was, being able to follow after a guy for more than ten years. He probably wouldn't even last after a year.

"I'm sorry. I'm such a cry-baby," Amu mumbled while she hiccupped.

"It's alright to cry," Ikuto replied.

"I'm tired. Tired of crying. Tired of hoping that Kukai will spare me a glance. But most of all, I'm tired of waiting," she said. The hope that she usually has in her eyes was gone. She looked lost. Her eyes were blank and full of hurt and sadness.

"Does it always hurt this much?" Ikuto asked softly with his arms still around the poor girl. Amu didn't answer, but only nodded. With that, Ikuto tightened his hold.

Next day

Amu felt embarrassed and grateful for Ikuto for what happened the day before. She ruined his shirt and he didn't really mind. Something the normal Ikuto wouldn't say. She went to find Ikuto and thanked him. Ikuto just shrugged it off and smirked.

"You know, if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, just come find me. I'll make sure you feel better," Ikuto said as he waggled his eyebrows.

"How about we act like yesterday never happened and I stay away from you? Yeah, I like that plan way better. Ciao!" Amu said and left Ikuto by himself. "Once a pervert, always a pervert," she muttered under her breath. She passed Kukai in the halls without even noticing.

"Amu!" Amu whipped her head only to see Kukai running towards her. She quickly started running away from him. Kukai had an evil glint in his eyes as he chased after Amu. "Amu Hinamori! Why are you running away from me?!"

"Why are you chasing me?!" Amu countered as she sped down the corridors. Finally, Kukai caught up with her and grabbed her wrist. She was stopped abruptly and fell to the ground, pulling Kukai along with her.

"That frickin' hurt!" Kukai said while rubbing his head. Amu just remained silent and got up. She dusted herself and grabbed her things. Amu was about to leave when Kukai suddenly grabbed her hand. "Aren't you going to help me up?"

Amu thought about it for a while before sticking out her tongue at the boy. "Nahh! See ya!"

"Wait!" Kukai didn't let go of her hand and made her bend forward until his lips were right beside her ear. "Meet me at the school garden after school," he whispered. Amu nodded and he let her go. I wonder what he wants to tell me, Amu thought as she made her way back to her classroom.


Me: Well that's chatper 8. Hope you liked it. Again, sorry it's short.