A/N: Well, here's the overdue continuation of Volley of the Unsaid that everyone was insisting on. Sorry that it's so late. I was inspired by going to a carnival myself. It was really beautuful at night. ^_^

I'm writing this at 2:24 in the morning so I'll check if there are any errors later so this is raw. Sorry for errors and such.

Disclaimer: in which the author has run out of witty comments...

And so. . .

~+.+.+. :It's nice out, isn't it, Do you want to go to the Amusement Park?: .+.+.+.~

Lights, many many lights, flashing on and off in numerous meaningless patterns. . .

Warm carnival lights.

All for the purpose to make people smile, laugh, and play.

Anyone.

Or, maybe. . .

Just her.

Volley of the Unsaid

by Meep Forever

BONUS ~Carnival Brilliance

I sigh as I trace lazily with my finger on my desktop. Continuing to stare out into space until a muffled yell from downstairs brings me back from my wandering.

"Amu-chan~! Dinner's ready, come down onegai!"

"Hai!!" I call, letting the daily ritual of getting up and heading downstairs for dinner commence as I get up from my seat and do so. Not before patting my empty red plaid egg case and picking up the (earlier) discarded object of my daze and slipping my simple designed white cellphone in my navy blue jacket pocket.

I say a reflex goodbye and pause at my closed door, my grip on the metal knob tightened slightly as I realized there was no reason to say such a thing anymore.

'Because they're gone now.' I remind myself; 'My shugo charas are gone, and in my heart now.'

I sigh for what seemed to be the millionth time that day and head downstairs as another call quickly follows from the dining room.

.+.+.+.Xthat's a strange way of askingX+.+.+.

"Heard from him?"

I let my sushi roll drop from my clumsy chopstick hold and blink repeatedly, swallowing the last bits of rice I had from the roll just before and made the only noise I could(at the moment);

"Heh?" It sounded like a hiccup.

"From nii-san." The blond continued at my dumbstruck response. He sat beside me calmly and waited for an update.

I blinked and put down my bento beside me and onto the white cement stairs leading up to the old Guardian meeting place. I felt my nerves completely shattered at the mention of Him and gulped loudly as I tried to find some words to reply with. Though my throat felt dry, and no words came out even though the jumbled mess in my mind was full of them.

I sucked in a deep breath to calm myself and tried to face the former King. I could only face his general direction as I got out; ". . .N-no. . ." I inwardly slapped myself at my stuttering and lack of response and scolded myself.

Of course I heard from Him. He just sent me his newest violin piece that I have saved on my cellphone.

I looked down as I straightened up and put my trembling hands on top of my red skirt and on my lap.

"How is he?" So he knew. I guess it was obvious.

"A-ah, sorry, it's just...well, I didn't exactly hear from him, just his music. . ." I babbled on about that and looked up at him nervously waving my hands at him in panic to make sure he didn't think I was trying to lie to him.

I sigh as he gives me a reassuring smile that would've made my heart flutter if it wasn't for the jumble it was in from Him.

Lately, those messed up responses are the only things I can say when it comes to Him. Tsukiyomi Ikuto, of course I mean when I refer to 'Him'. Ever since His departure and last encounter in the Airport, my emotions always seem to go haywire whenever I think of the young violinist.

It's all a swirl of feelings and unspoken words as my thoughts subconsciously go to the subject of Him and I'm not sure what to do about it.

Ever since He left, each day Tadase makes it a ritual to ask me about Him, since he somehow knows that He texts me each day since then(and hasn't missed a day).

It's not like I'm annoyed or anything like that, but I was a little surprised(alright, a LOT) when Tadase asked me how He was the day after the flight.

I mean it wasn't that strange for him to approach me since we were both members of the Guardians in Elementary school, but when he asked me so bluntly(and out of nowhere, too) about that I almost tripped down the stairs (if it wasn't for Tadase's save).

I noted how odd it was for Tadase to be so straight-to-the-point, and smiled as I recalled him calling Him 'nii-san' ever since the 'final-battle-with-Easter' incident.

I went back to nibbling on my lunch as he then got up, somehow satisfied with my answer, and went to chat with Kukai–who was also on a lunch break and on the field.

I pause as I notice Nagihiko there with Kukai and look away as he caught my eye. I'm not sure how to respond to his little confession at graduation and still wasn't ready to confront him after that, so it's been like this ever since the start of the year.

After I finish up, I stand right as the bell rings announcing that the next class was to start soon and I shuffle to the class along with everyone else.

.+.+.+. :It's a code:+.+.+.

Fingering my Lock as it dangles from my neck, I try to solve a math problem, I almost jump out of my roller chair as my cellphone suddenly rumbles on the desktop and picking it up, feel it vibrate. The movement ceases as I flip it open and see it telling me that I have a new text message on the screen.

Opening it with unrestrained excitement, I'm rewarded with a photo of a bright blue sky with a plane trail and feel myself growl and kick my desk in anger. Ignoring the small blossom of disappointment as I get up and flop onto my just-made bed.

"Why is He always like this. . .argg!!!" I yell out my frustration for a bit and rollover onto my pink pillow, staring out at nothing but the pale soft fabric for who knows how long until another vibration erupts from my right hand(has the cellphone) and blink in surprise, expecting it to be Him, but find it to be Rima asking for a shopping spree tomorrow right after school.

'He only texts once a day,' I remind myself, 'Just to give me an update on his life and how his search is doing.' I feel myself frowning as I sit up and reply an 'ok' for Rima.

"He used to send more." I mutter as I take out my red 'X' clips and wave out my longer-than-shoulder-length bubblegum pink hair then flopping back down again.

I recall yesterday's text and click it to play as I let my arm holding up the phone drop onto the bed, still holding onto the object.

I let my mind wander as I stare up at the pale pink ceiling and close my eyes to take in the full dimension of the music.

It lolls me to sleep before I realize until I'm snapping my eyes open with surprise and finding my room dark as the sun disappears behind horizon.

The haunting tune that I think is His best song yet has stopped and I open my snoozing cellphone while I get up and stride over to the lights, then send a reply of my own.

The picture is of my Humpty Lock that I took off for a moment to take the snapshot and I press 'send' and I turn off my almost-dead phone and place the charger in.

As I put the gold chained necklace holding the Lock on again;

'I hope He get's it.'

— is the only thought crossing my mind as I head downstairs.

This time; I don't bother to say goodbye.

.+.+.+.:Am I wrong?:.+.+.+.

I call out my home greeting as I walk into the house, taking off my school-required black shoes and slipping into my slippers.

I wave, my other arm holding two bags that contained clothing from a sale as my mom pokes her head out to welcome me home. It looks like she's making a special dinner tonight as I smile knowingly as she pushes me to the stairs saying 'not to come down until I call you.' and I only say that I always do but I don't push it.

My other two bags contain my gifts as I place the four bags onto the floor and flop onto my bed, sighing contentedly for once as I contact the soft, springy mattress.

I fluently take out my phone as I turn it on to find no new messages.

Pouting, I turn it off and head to my desk.

.+.+.+.Xikuto really doesn't change, does he. . .X.+.+.+.

As the red plaid once-used case sits idly on my desk I open it and sigh as I find it empty.

"I'm never gonna get used to that." I say as I put it aside and start finishing up my homework.

Dinner was my favorite meal as we celebrated with cake afterward. After we all calmed down, I decided to finish my work for school before I open my real presents and mom and dad agreed as little(or not so little anymore, 5 years old now) Ami disagreed furiously(we persuaded though and eventually we got her to calm down).

I smiled to myself as I glanced at the Humpty Lock that seemed to sparkle as brightly as my happiness.

This time, I'm not so surprised as I find my cellphone vibrating once again. Assuming it to be Rima or Yaya again I flip it open to find out the text to be from the one I was hoping for(and in vain, so I thought).

19-10tsuki

Ikuto. . .

I jump up, knocking over my chair and open the message.

My breath catches in my throat as I see it's contents.

I quickly grab my white jacket, my cellphone in my shaky grasp, as I open the door with such force that I heard it bang as I already reach the stairs, my vision blurred as unnoticed tears ran down my cheek , and I rushed down them with such speed I didn't realize I had.

I saw mom come out and in the back of my mind ask what's wrong over the thumping in my ears and I quickly said I'll be back later and left her behind as I wrenched open the front door and sprinted off, leaving behind a perplexed mother, father, and sister.

.+.+.+.:Wanna play?:.+.+.+.

Memories flash by as I run.

An unplanned encounter, followed by an unexpected escort home.

We stop. But not at the place I expect.

Dark. It's all dark.

I couldn't see a thing.

But then—

Lights.

Many many lights, flashing on and off in numerous meaningless patterns. . .

Warm carnival lights.

A Merry-Go-Round, a Haunted House, a Tea Cup ride. . .

I let my True Self go free, unrestrained by anything.

I laugh, as I force Him to ride in a itty-bitty tea cup.

He speaks, so sadly. I tell Him, it's a new beginning.

Then. . .

I turn a corner, familiar site greet me as I see my destination. And it shocks me, once again.

Lights, warm, bright, dazzling, amusement park lights that I thought I would never see again.

They're just like last time, with the unofficial date, and the bitter words of goodbye.

They haven't changed. They're still there, blinking for all the world to see.

For me to see.

I continue from my standstill, and enter the amusement park.

Even though it's not supposed to be her anymore. I accept it anyways.

For it doesn't matter once I see that familiar blue-clad figure.

I see Him turn, before I can even shout his name, an unfamiliar(though, I feel like I will see it again) warm smile and sparkling cerulean blue eyes catch my tearful gold.

"IKUTO!!!"

He nods, and meets me half-way, as we melt into an embrace.

He's taller, "Ikuto!" his hair's a little longer, too, "Ikuto!" his expression's unfamiliar, but warm, "Ikuto!" he's still him.

His smile widens into a grin(instead of a smirk).

"Looks like I've won the bet." He said it with no question.

I feel my cheeks burn as I recall his famous last words.

"I'll definitely make you fall in love with me."

"B-baka! Don't get ahead of yourself!" I puff my cheek and evert my gaze, too embarrassed to admit that he may be right.

Though my actions probably gave me away as I tightened the embrace.

"Ah." He seems to have forgotten something.

I glance up, and unfamiliar soft warm lips meet my own (if only for a moment).

"Happy Birthday, Amu."

.+.+.+.XOf course I do. . .

"Aishiteru."

As long as it's in. . .

These brilliant carnival lights. X.+.+.+.

~owari (Fin)

~.+.X.+.~

A/N: And that's that. Just if you didn't know, "onegai" is please, in Japanese as well as "Hai" being a yes in response. And "aishiteru" is "I love you." XD Be on the lookout for more Shugo Chara! fanfics in the future! I've been planning~XD

Be sure to leave a review!!

Thank you for reading,

Meep Forever