Room mates Chapter eight.
Leeloo-Chan: So I wanted a fluffy Amuto moment in this chapter but I also added a twist at the end. Review me and let me know what your favourite line or part was and tell me if you expected the twist :) I hope you enjoy the chapter. (Thank you FanFiction for finally letting me upload this chapter :P)
Amu's POV.
I could feel my face burning as I listened to compliment after compliment, I had never been more flattered in my life. Just as my embarrassment was about to hit an all-time peak my saviour arrived, Ikuto took my hand and linked it through his arm like a perfect gentleman.
"We should go inside, people are expecting us and we can't have your ego growing too much." He smirked and I grinned as I realised his sarcasm was exactly what I needed at that time, he was making it a habit of knowing me too well and yet I couldn't bring myself to complain.
As we entered the hall my grip involuntarily tightened on his arm, it was the most beautiful room I had ever seen. All gold's and creams adorned with sparkling chandeliers and countless beautiful women. I gazed upwards and blushed at the sight of his beryl blue eyes staring into mine, he smiled shyly and led me past innumerable flared dresses and tailored suits.
I felt as though I was a princess in a fairy tale at her very first ball, it would seem my allusion of feeling like Cinderella moving from rags to riches was more close than I could ever have imagined. Unable to contain my shock I peeked at Ikuto from under my long lashes and tugged against his sleeve,
"Ikuto are you sure it's okay I'm here? I know how important all of this is and I really don't want to mess anything up. This place is unbelievable." I giggled nervously in my throat as his face remained as confident and clear as ever.
"You are ten times more beautiful than anything else in this room, don't be so nervous. I honestly am happy you are with me right now, parties are better with friends." His face stared down assuredly into my eyes as if forcing me to believe him.
Outside I seemed calm and collected and yet inside I was screaming; I hated it when he made me feel like that, as if we were the only two people in the world. I had barely managed to get my emotions reigned in when he started leading me to the centre of the room.
"Ikuto I really can't dance at all, please I will embarrass you." He laughed deeply and I could almost feel its rumble by my side
"It's all in the leading Amu; all you have to do is trust me." He beamed down at me confidently and once again azure met with gold and I couldn't make myself tell him no even if I tried.
"I trust you." I barely whispered as he spun me round to face him, a small knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips as if he heard me and I blushed scarlet.
Moving slowly, amplifying every second between us he interlaced one of his hands with mine and placed my other on his shoulder. I watched apprehensively as his free hand wound around my waist possessively, inching me closer. With our faces mere centimetres apart his eyes danced across my face seemingly searching for any signs of my imminent break down.
The music began slow and steady, but as quickly as its rhythm had graced my ears it began to fade away. Here I was Amu Hinamori dancing with not one sign of my two left feet. I barely felt his subtle commands and simply followed his lead. I smiled contentedly up at him and he stared down in pure awe. We swayed and stepped in unison twirling faster and faster in perfect fluent harmony. I felt his laughter vibrate against my chest and warmth spread through my body, sparking at my fingertips and pooling in my lower abdomen.
Nothing was more perfect than this moment alone, there was nothing but myself and Ikuto, nothing but the sound of his heart and the movement of my feet. He made me feel beautiful, graceful and alive. I felt his eyes burning into me and focused upwards catching his stare; we gazed at each other as I felt the music and the rhythm of our feet come to a slow.
In an almost tragic fashion I felt the world return around me, listless couples began to fade in and out of my sight and I sighed wistfully secretly wishing that our dance would never have to end. Ikuto peered down at me when hearing my sigh and appeared to feel the same.
The music was reaching its conclusion and as the final note sounded Ikuto enclosed his arms around my waist, affectionately staring into my eyes before gently lowering my body towards the ground; his face fervidly advanced towards mine. My heart leapt to my throat, I could hear my pulse ringing in my ears and although the logical side of my brain was attempting to bring reason to an almost impossible situation, I was more horrified to find that my emotional side ached for him to kiss me.
A polite cough interrupted our moment and I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or dismayed. I heard Ikuto grumble something incoherent as he raised me back into the protection of his arms in one swift strong moment. As the blood returned to my now vertical self I bat my eyelashes open to come face to face with what seemed to be an older version of Ikuto.
He stood a fraction smaller than Ikuto with the same unkempt midnight hair, the only difference I could perceive came in the slight crinkle around his more greying eyes. The man under my scrutiny even had the same smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. Merging together the similarities between Ikuto and his older doppelganger I could only draw the conclusion that this man was Ikuto's father. As delicately as possible I detached myself from Ikuto's two armed hold and moved to stand by his side linking my arm with his once again, so as not to give the wrong impression.
"Ikuto, Utau mentioned that you were bringing a date but she failed to describe how beautiful she was. What on earth did you have to do to win this one over?" A brusque moment passed between the two men but the older of which never lost his broad grin, no matter how awkward the atmosphere became.
"Amu I would like you to meet my perverted father Aruto." His impassive tone almost made me fear I had become an accomplice to some kind of family feud, but within seconds Ikuto had matched Aruto's broad grin and both were laughing comfortably.
"Amu it is so lovely to meet you, it would seem you have charmed both of my usually picky children and seeing you now makes it easy to see why." His kind eyes warmly met mine and I couldn't help but return a smile. I offered him my hand and he laughed loudly taking my petit fingers into one large rough paw shaking vigorously
"It's a pleasure to meet you too Tsukiyomi-san." I managed to say in-between shakes causing the gruff man to laugh in return,
"Amu-Chan don't be so cold, anyone who has managed to charm Ikuto or Utau are practically family in my books. Call me Aruto or dad if you would like?" His pout quickly turned into a smirk as he casually nudged me in the ribs, it was more than clear that Ikuto got his teasing side from his father but in some respects is was so hard to believe that such an amiable man could have such a stoic son. I looked over at Ikuto who now had two fingers pressed harshly to his temple and a light blush accompanying his cheek bones, I squeezed his arm once in support and he smiled admiringly back at me.
"Where is Mum? Perhaps you should pay attention to her instead of Amu, your old enough to be her grandfather…old man." I flinched as I looked from the cold smirk on Ikuto's face to Aruto's now trembling pout.
"Amu-Chan, can you believe how rude Ikuto is to me his own flesh and blood? And all I wanted to do was show an interest in his life, but I guess I'm just a silly old man." He pouted further to emphasise his pain and widened his eyes like a small child, in that brief moment I was swept with concern.
"Oh Aruto-san how cruel of Ikuto to treat you in such a way, Ikuto you should apologise to your father immediately." I pointed a finger in his face and squared my shoulders bravely.
"Amu you can't be serious we have had this talk before you are far too naïve, he's faking." Ikuto smirked confidently and I faltered torn between Aruto and Ikuto's superficial feud.
Fortuitously Utau appeared by my side consumed with rage, the two men took a step back from me as she barged closer towards them.
"Father you ruined everything, why couldn't you just wait like the rest of us" The current party including myself gawked at Utau bemused.
"Neither of you deserve her right now, come on Amu you're coming with me." Before I could begin to question what was happening my arm was forcibly removed from a stunned Ikuto and I was being escorted by Utau towards the girl's rest room. I managed to glance back at Ikuto and send him a reassuring smile before we became lost in a sea of petticoats and ruffles.
I found myself leant against a counter as Utau rummaged in her bag slinging out bits and pieces of make-up, I couldn't help but re play the dance again and again in my mind I saw the way he looked at me and I remembered the way I felt. Blushing scarlet I tried to push my thoughts aside but no matter how hard I tried his face was there stitched into my mind.
I was relieved from my thoughts at the sight of Utau's pale hand waving back and forth across my vision.
"Hello Earth to Amu…Your thinking about my brother aren't you?" She exclaimed gleefully rubbing her hands together, my blush increased as I tried to refuse but there was no hope for me now.
"One second I've just text Rima so we can have a little catch up, that is if she can pry herself away from Nagi." Utau scrunched her face in fake disgust and smiled warmly at me, the bathroom door creaked open and in walked an excitable Rima.
"So let's get this started ladies, and I don't have time for your denial Amu so answer fast and true, got it?"
Utau clapped excitedly and Rima grinned, I knew that there was no way past this I would just have to tell them what they wanted to hear so I could finally get out of here and get a desperately needed drink.
"You almost kissed my brother! If only my stupid father hadn't interfered! Do you love him now? Oh please say yes?" Utau bounded around in front of me like a small child on a sugar high and I couldn't help but sigh.
"Utau slow down I don't love your brother…" I responded hoping that she would listen to reason.
"If you don't like him then why did you guy's almost kiss?" She pouted the Tsukiyomi renowned pout and I blushed. I couldn't like Ikuto, it was impossible. I thought over the events of the night carefully and did what I did best, I rationalised.
It was obvious that I was still a little insecure about Tadase and that from time to time I got a little lonely, it was also clear that my room mates where the only male friends I had and that out of those Ikuto was the only available one. I sighed in relief I didn't like Ikuto we both just got so caught up in the dance and the attention that it almost went too far.
I described my epiphany to the girls and Rima sniggered.
"You don't honestly believe that do you Amu?" Rima looked almost disappointed and I blushed shaking my head up and down. Rima looked to Utau and Utau shook her head dejectedly. I watched my two best friends closely desperately hoping that this "catch up" would soon be over so I could have that previously mentioned drink.
"Girls, tonight is supposed to be fun and I don't want to have a drink on my own so let's just put all this behind us and enjoy our night." I beamed back at them a little too pleasantly causing Rima and Utau to trade uncertain looks.
"We're in; let's get you having a good time." Utau announced loudly winking at me and glancing at Rima strangely.
"What a great idea Utau, let's have some fun Amu." Rima smiled sweetly before each took my hand and dragged me towards the bar.
I loved Utau and Rima and how supportive they were. We each sat perched on a bar stool watching the night slip by, the boys had been commandeered by their family for more than an hour now and Utau had me drinking more wine than I could recall.
I looked over to a flushed Rima staring adoringly in Nagi's direction, every so often Nagi would look back catching her stare and she would nearly topple from her seat. I observed quietly as Nagi excused himself from who I can only assume where his family and ventured in our direction.
"Oh Kami he's coming this way and I'm far too drunk to be alone with him. Help me; tell me what to do!" Rima screeched frantically flailing her arms around in a drunken slur. Utau and I both managed a smile but it was Utau that spoke first,
"well he's coming over to see you so that's a good sign why don't you just go home with him, talk and let us know how it goes in the morning." Utau patted Rima's head and nudged her off the chair into the now awaiting arms of Nagi.
"I think this one has had a little too much Nagi, you might have to take her home." Nagi nodded at Utau in agreement, and lifted an intoxicated Rima into his arms like a princess. He walked off with her in his arms as she fought and flailed and was soon out of sight safely on her way home to have a much needed talk.
I clinked my glass of wine with Utau clumsily and laughed
"Just us left then eh? It was nice what you just did for Rima" Utau smiled warmly in response wrapping a willowy arm loosely around my shoulder.
"Some people in denial just need a push...Oh God no what the hell is she doing here!" Utau shrieked ruining our tender moment, and as I followed her line of sight I saw a girl draping herself over Ikuto.
I was drunk and so my thoughts where not exactly clear or nice but the girl in question looked tacky, her overly curled red hair hung around her face and flowed down against the tight black scrap of fabric she had obviously decided could pass as a dress. It made me shiver with repulsion and something else… was that anger?
"Amu that's her, that's Saaya Ikuto's stalker, you have to do something." I glared in Saaya's direction
"That's the girl that makes Ikuto so miserable, her?" I spat at Utau practically seething by now remembering all the reasons I had been begged to go tonight as Ikuto's date and most of them revolved around her.
Before I knew it I was on my feet, I could not bear one more second of her flaunting herself or of Ikuto's clear discomfort. I looked back once at Utau and saw that same smug smile on her face, assuming it was just because this Saaya girl was in for the surprise of her life I smiled back and winked.
Drunk or not and fake or not I was still Ikuto's date and it was my job to ward of stalkers and act like a love struck teenager, this had been drilled into me since I agreed to the job and I was damned if I was going to let this girl slide.
Finding the opportune moment I stumbled my way to Ikuto and wrapped a possessive arm around his,
"Ikuto-koi your father stopped by before he left to tell me how fond he is of me don't you think that's wonderful?" I beamed up at him and tried to look as love struck as possible.
At first I worried that Ikuto had gone into anaphylactic shock, he simply stood there gawking at me with his mouth wide open but upon hearing Saaya grunt he leaped into our little role-play.
"Amu-Koi that's wonderful, Saaya this is Amu my girlfriend, isn't she beautiful I'm so glad we found each other. But Amu dear you're so red in the face what's wrong?" He tilted his head to the door before looking at me with sapphire eyes of pure concern. I almost buckled at his expression but understood that he wanted to wrap up quickly and escape. Saaya barely had a chance to get in a word edgewise as I continued.
"Your sister had me drink far too much wine to celebrate your parents accepting me and now I'm afraid I'm a little tipsy, won't you take me home?" I blushed at myself as my tone took on an unplanned lustful edge.
Ikuto also seemed overwhelmed as he stared down at me blushing, it was several moments before he looked away and back at Saaya
"Saaya it would seem I have to take Amu home, but it was nice catching up and I hope you are half as lucky as I am when you find your partner." His voice came out deep and gravelly only making me blush harder.
But our role-play had its desired effect Saaya flipped her hair irritably and stormed off in a sulk shouting threats left right and centre, Ikuto laughed taking me into his arms.
"You were brilliant Amu, thank you so much…maybe now she will give me my peace. But I do think I should take you home now, if you still want me too that is?" He winked slyly and laughed as my blush spread itself darker across my cheeks.
"I think I'd like that" I whispered and watched as he once again interlaced our fingers and led me towards the exit.
Utau's POV
It was official I was honestly a genius, I watched proudly as Ikuto and Amu left the hall hand in hand and pat myself on the back for a job well done. In the morning they could try and make up any excuse they wanted but the truth is they both loved each other; they just needed a little nudge.
I swayed merrily on my bar stool humming to myself as I sipped my wine, but my peace and quiet was ruined by the approach of none other than Kukai Souma the one person I had been trying to avoid all night, if you didn't count our one mandatory dance.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you where avoiding me Utau." He grinned at me un-phased as he took one of the empty seats next to me.
"I'm not avoiding you; I have just been far too busy playing match maker…"Sure it was a lie but he would never work it out.
"Yeah Amu and Ikuto eh? Who would have thought it and Nagi with that ball of rage Rima, all seems crazy to me but you know what they say. You don't choose who you fall in love with." My favourite lop sided grin stretched across his face and his emerald eyes crinkled. I hated it when he made me feel like this, truth be told I never wanted to leave his side I wanted to see that smile for the rest of my life.
"It's not happening Kukai no matter how you try to sweet talk me, we agreed it wouldn't happen again for our own sakes." I sighed knowing that if he just pushed a little harder I would cave but also knowing that I was so in love with him I wouldn't care.
"I'm not only interested in that, don't get me wrong its great and all but you have me lying to your brother and the truth is I'm just not sure if I can handle it anymore." An un-characteristic sadness took control of his face and I couldn't help myself anymore, I wrapped my arms around him tightly sighing heavily.
"It can never be more than what it was, you know where I work it would be unfair to even try and make this something else, and it would be selfish." I ran my fingers through his hair and pressed myself further into him hoping to lose myself.
"I'm sorry Utau I know you don't like talking about this anymore than I do, and I understand okay? Don't worry if that's how you feel then I respect it." His deep voice vibrated against my body as he spoke and I was nowhere near strong enough to look down at his face.
"Please be mine just for one night? Just one more night" I could feel my face burning and I pressed myself even closer out of sheer embarrassment, what I was asking for was cruel and selfish but Kukai being the generous and loving man he is would not only give it to me without hesitation, he would also not hold it against me.
"You are always mine, no matter where you are or how messed up this is…you are always mine." The silent tears I had been holding in all night finally spilled, he gazed up at me and brushed my tears away with a rough thumb.
It felt so much like deja vu every time we met played out in the exact same way. We were just two people madly in love that couldn't be together but instead of moving on we tortured each other by spending the few nights we ever could pretending we were a couple , hiding it from everyone we knew.
It was a bitterest sweet feeling and I both hated and loved it at the same time, without warning Kukai crashed his lips down onto mine and the sensation was masochistic. For as long as we lived I would never love another, in comparison to him.
Leeloo-Chan: Review me if you want me to smile, and remember to tell me your favourite bits. This was my longest chapter so far and I hope you enjoyed it :)