Surprise I'm back from the dead! I am as shocked as you if I'm being honest. Never thought I'd return to the hell that is fanfiction writing but I re-read Shugo Chara over the course of 4 days and I got sucked back in hardcore, so what did I do with those feelings? I decided to start another fic lol. This piece of work takes place directly after the last page in Encore (because I'm always a slut for fics that are as canon as possible). Amuto still courses strongly through my veins and into this fic. Anyways, I don't know if anyone even reads S.C fics anymore? But if you do, welcome [to hell]. Onwards!

...

"Nice catch!"

"We're back, Amu-chan!"

I looked up in awe, I couldn't believe my eyes. Ran, Miki, Suu, Dia, they were back, after all this time.

"Everyone…" I felt tears well up in my eyes. I had started to think they'd never come out of their eggs, but to suddenly appear at a time like this, I was so happy. Ikuto's arm was still around me after my fall, and I clutched it tightly, unable to contain my excitement. I watched as they tossed the bouquet in the air once more, noting some of the confused faces that surrounded us. I heard some people muttering about how it was able to stay in the air for so long and how it managed to get thrown farther, but I didn't care. None of that technical stuff mattered right now. My characters, my friends, they were with me again. They drifted down to my level to greet me. I felt Ikuto release his hold on me and I raised my hands up to bring the four of them closer.

"You guys," I choked, pulling them into my chest. "I'm so happy you've come back," I cried into their tiny heads.

"Amu-chan, you're gonna get our hair all wet," Miki complained.

I shook my head and laughed. "You guys are gonna get drenched for all I care," they all giggled in response and I hugged them tighter. I never wanted to let them go for fear of losing them again.

"Welcome back, guys," I heard Ikuto say from behind me. I turned to look at him, as did my characters, and all I could do was smile. He responded with one in turn, but then his attention appeared to be drawn elsewhere. I was going to see where he was headed when Tadase chimed in.

"Congratulations, Amu," he said, and Kiseki floated over to talk to my hostages. I hesitated, and then decided to let them go. I felt in my heart that they weren't going anywhere anytime soon.

"Thank you," I replied. I marvelled at them as they talked with Kiseki, who was eventually joined by Kusukusu, Temari, and Rhythm. They were all chatting excitedly and there were so many conversations happening I could barely make sense of it all. I clutched my chest as I beamed at them, thinking how much brighter the future now looked.

Shortly after their arrivals, Rima and Nagihiko showed up. In the midst of my characters reappearances, I almost forgot what I had just learned.

"Nagihiko," I started, shakily raising a finger towards him. "So you're actually… Nadeshiko?" I asked. I knew what I had heard but I still couldn't believe it.

"Yes," he started. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I was afraid you'd be angry with me," he confessed, his expression laced with worry.

I shook my head at him. "No, in fact, I'm actually really happy," I explained. He looked puzzled and I laughed. "It means Nadeshiko has been here with me this whole time, which is a good feeling," I walked up to him and gave him a hug, comforted to know that I had finally been reunited with my friend.

"Amu?" He sounded shocked. After a moment I released him and smiled.

"Thank you for telling me though," I said. He appeared surprised by my sudden expression of affection, but I was over the moon and nothing was going to get me down. Rima looked happy for me too, but there was a hint of jealousy on her face. I imagined it was probably because I was getting sentimental over Nadeshiko.

"Did you want a hug, too?" I teased her. She pouted and shook her head, but I ignored her request and hugged her anyway.

"You're gonna mess up my hair," she complained, trying to push me away.

I laughed and gently roughed up her hair, which she liked even less. Even Nagihiko let out a chuckle as he watched me torment her. Everything seemed so much lighter now,

A few minutes later the rest of the gang showed up and Yaya tackled me with tears streaming down her face.

"Amu-chan, I'm so happy your characters are back," she cried. I thanked her and gently patted her head in an attempt to comfort her.

Kukai clapped me on the shoulder and shot me a thumbs up followed by a "Congrats, Hinamori-san!". Kairi gave me a formal congratulation, which was fitting for him. I expressed my gratitude to them for all for their support.

We all chatted happily for a while, watching our characters play, reminiscing about the past few weeks, thinking about what the future held for the guardians. It seemed as if everything was finally on the mend. As I speculated what was to come, I noticed that neither Ikuto nor Utau were anywhere to be found, and I broke away from the conversation to peer around for them. My gaze searched through the crowds, with no sign of them anywhere. It was only when I turned my attention away from the large crowds and off to the side where a small group of people were gathered did I spot them. I saw Ikuto and Utau, their mom, and… someone else? I squinted, trying to get a better look at who was with them. He was fairly tall and had dark blue hair that almost touched his shoulders. I also noticed he was carrying a violin case on his back. That guy… He looks just like Ikuto, I thought. The three of them all had their unwavering attention on him and I wondered why that was, and then it hit me: that was Ikuto's father. I stared at them with my mouth gaping. Tsukiyomi Aruto was here? Why? My heart started beating faster as I considered what this could mean. Then I watched as the man who was the spitting image of Ikuto turned in my direction. We fixed on each other for a brief moment and then he gestured in my direction, leading the rest of them to glance my way. I looked at Utau, then Souka, and lastly Ikuto. He was wearing an expression of bewilderment, but behind it I saw happiness radiating. I smiled at him, everyone was being reunited with the people they loved. He grinned back at me, his eyes shining like a child's, and I felt overjoyed for all of them.

"Amu, what are you looking at?" I heard Tadase ask me. I reluctantly returned my attention back to the group.

"Tadase, do you know who that man is standing with Ikuto and Utau?" I asked. He looked back to where I was watching before and I turned with him. The four of them had returned to their conversation, but I saw Tadase's eyes widen after a moment.

"That is…" his words faded out. "Tsukiyomi Aruto," he added a second later. So I was right.

"I wonder what he's doing here," I replied. Tadase seemed just a shocked to see him as Ikuto and Utau were. He continued to watch them for a brief while

"I hardly remember him, but it's definitely Aruto," he explained and looked at me. "Did Ikuto mention he was coming?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I haven't heard anything from either of them," I explained.

"I'm not following, who is that guy exactly?" Kukai butted in.

"That's Ikuto and Utau's father," Tadase replied. I watched Kukai's eyes widen.

"Seriously?" He mused. " Utau has never really brought him up before, I didn't realize he was such an important guy," he said.

"Well, he disappeared nearly ten years ago without a word, so I guess you could say he's a bit important," Tadase replied.

"Huh?!" Kukai exclaimed. "Where the hell has he been for the last decade?"

Tadase shook his head. "He departed one day years ago because Easter tried to put him in a position of power, which he wouldn't have. So instead he left to play music all over the world, I'm shocked to see him here all of the sudden," he confessed.

"So he just bailed on them? That guy deserves a kick in the head," Kukai fumed, rolling up his sleeves like he was ready to fight him.

I rested my hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you should save the fighting for later, Kukai. Right now it looks like they are doing a bit of catching up," I pointed out. I wasn't a fan of him because of what he did either, but no one in the family ever spoke ill of him so it seemed best not to make an unnecessary scene.

"I guess," Kukai glowered, relaxing a bit.

We all stared at them for a bit before going back to our previous exchange, but I just couldn't get into it. Every couple of sentences I would fade out and my thoughts went back to Ikuto. I wondered what he was thinking right now…

I noticed Dia was watching me with concern, but I pretended not to notice.

The after party mingling went on for another two or three hours, and in that time I tried to find Ikuto among the crowd. I even had my characters search from the sky and the ground but they didn't have any luck either. The entire Tsukiyomi family seemed to have disappeared. I broke away from the rest of the group and went to talk to Sanjo and Nikaidou.

"Hey Sanjo-san, have you seen Ikuto anywhere?" I asked when the party had died down a bit.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Why do you want to know?"

I blushed slightly at her prying words. "It's nothing really ,I just wanted to ask him something," I answered, and that was true.

She shot me another skeptical look. "Ikuto and his family left about two hours ago, something came up so they had to take off earlier than expected," she explained.

I had suspected that might be the case. "I see," was all I said. "Thank you." I guess I'd have to talk to him another time.

"Amu-chan, are you so obsessed with that boy that you forgot to congratulate us?" Sanjo asked as I was about to walk away.

"Yukari, be nice," Nikaidou-sensei added a second later.

"What? What are you talking about?" I blushed. I saw Ran and Suu blushing with me while Miki was cackling at my expense, but I tried to shake it off. "C-congratulations to both of you!" I stuttered out and quickly walked away before she could say anything else.

Jeez, I just wanted to know where he went… But at least I got an answer

"So he went home, I guess that makes sense. I'm sure their family had a lot to talk about," I said allowed. Part of me was sad that he didn't say goodbye, but I knew it was a complicated situation.

"I'm sure you'll see him again in a few days, Amu-chan," Ran tried to cheer me up.

"I know, you're right," I replied, yet I couldn't help but worry about him.

I caught up with my friends for a little while longer before we all started to part ways. Eventually my family and I went home, too.

"Did you have fun, Amu-chan?" My mom asked me when we were driving home.

"Yeah it was nice, Sanjo-san looked pretty in her dress," I replied in distracted tone.

"Not as cute as Ami," my dad gushed over my little sister, which made her giggle.

"Hey, was Ikuto and his family there, too?" My mom added a moment later. "I thought I saw them, but I wasn't sure."

I was slightly startled by her question, but I did my best to remain composed. "Uh, yeah he and his sister were there as well as his mother," I paused. "And I think he father might have been there, too," I included.

"Oh how nice! I'm glad they could all make it," she commented.

"Eh? Who is Ikuto?" My dad suspiciously asked.

My mom waved her hand at him. "He's one of Amu's school friends."

"I see," he replied, but he still didn't look too pleased at the idea of me being friends with a boy. I shook my head, he'd die if he knew just how old he was. I wondered momentarily why my mom had asked about him, but I tried not to let it bother me much

We got home and all went to our respective rooms. I changed out of my wedding attire and took a bath to try and relax myself. The day had included a bit more excitement than I had anticipated. I collapsed on my bed with a sigh.

"Amu-chan looks exhausted~desu" Suu hovered by my pillow and was quickly joined by the rest of them.

"It was kind of a crazy day," I pointed out. "And I'm glad you guys were with me for most of it," I smiled at them. It was strange, I was so used to having them around before that I had already fallen back into a routine with them. It was weird to remember that just this morning they were still in their eggs.

"So are we," Dia spoke for them all. I smiled at her. Even though I had known her for the least amount of time, she seemed to know me on a different level than the others.

I turned onto my back and hugged my pillow. I wondered what Ikuto was doing right now. I thought about texting him or Utau but I didn't want to be a burden when a bombshell like this was just dropped on them. Part of me was actually considering going to their house tomorrow to see how he was doing. Although I was interested in understanding their current family situation, I was more preoccupied by something else. Ikuto had just returned to Japan today for the wedding, and even though we spent some time together I never learned when he would be leaving again. I gripped my pillow tighter. He wouldn't leave without saying goodbye, right?

"Is something wrong Amu-chan?" Ran interrupted my train of thought.

"Not really," I reassured. "I'm just wondering when Ikuto will be taking off again," I admitted.

"I'm sure he won't leave without seeing you first!" She replied and I hoped she was right.

"Especially since he is in love with you~" Suu tuned in.

"Suu!" I shouted, throwing my pillow in her direction. "Don't say something like that so casually!" She shrieked but narrowly dodged it. I sat up, fuming at her.

But then, she had a point. I blushed at the thought, but he had told me about his feelings for me several times now. I wrapped my arms around my legs. A long time ago he said the person he liked was me, but I didn't believe him then. And the next time was at the airport before he left on his journey, and earlier today he had mentioned it again. I grumbled, the thought of all those moments making my stomach twist up in knots. I knew he meant every word of it, and thinking about that made me so nervous. Partially because I was never sure how to respond to such a confession, even if I did… feel the same?

"Gah!" I furiously scratched at my head. This was so annoying. I didn't even know how I felt about him, I was always at a loss when it came to Ikuto. Up until recently it had always been teasing and jokes all the time, but now there was a serious note to a lot of the things he said and I had no clue what to make of them.

"She's flustered just thinking about him," Miki snickered.

"Agh, leave me alone," I grabbed another pillow to throw at her this time, but ended up roughly placing it on my face and groaning into it.

"Why is liking Ikuto-kun such a bad thing," I heard Dia ask from outside my pillow barrier.

I exhaled, trying to understand it myself. "I don't know…" I started. "The thought of liking him like that, it's scary," I explained.

"Amu-chan was never scared about liking Tadase-kun," I heard Ran respond. And she was right. I may have been nervous around him, but I never tried to push my feelings for him away for any reason.

"Ikuto is different, and that's what bothers me," I continued. "Everything feels so much more real with him. With Tadase it was just an elementary school crush revolving around fantasies and dreams, but with Ikuto it's like, this real life thing that could actually be something more serious? Which terrifies me and excites me all at once," I tried to explain in a way that made sense. "And on top of all that he's a high schooler while I'm barely going into middle school," I added, frustrated that life would set me up in this sort of way. "He's so much more grown up than me in every way. Even if he still calls himself a kid, and I just don't know if I can keep up with that," I pulled the pillow down to expose my eyes and gazed at the ceiling.

"If you chara-change with me you can keep up with anyone!" Ran said, attempting to cheer me up, and it kind of helped. I drew the pillow from my face down to my chest, still clutching it tightly.

"And if it's something you're really worried about, I'm sure you could talk to him about it," Dia proposed.

"Maybe... but I could never tell him about something like this," I said bleakly. "It would be way too embarrassing."

"You'd rather leave it a mystery?" She asked.

I thought about that for a second, but it was so much consider after such a long day. "I don't know what I want," I confessed, and that was causing me a lot of strife.

"Maybe you should sleep on it," Suu suggested.

It was hardly after 8 and seemed way too early to sleep, even if this never ending stream of thoughts would let me. I decided I would text Utau before trying to get some rest at the hopes of easing my mind.

To: Utau

Hey, will you guys be home tomorrow?

Amu

Even though there were a thousand things on my mind, more than anything I just wanted to make sure Ikuto wasn't headed off tonight, as unlikely as it may have been.

After a few minutes my phone buzzed. I flipped it open and was relieved to see Utau's text.

From: Utau

Yeah, we'll all be here. Why?

I felt the weight of that one concern disappear, and I hoped it was enough to grant me sleep. I wrote out a quick reply before retiring.

To: Utau

Just making sure. Would it be alright if I stopped by for a bit?

I shut my phone and set it aside. The rest could wait. Knowing that Ikuto would still be there tomorrow made it much easier for me to relax. I settled into bed, still doubtful sleep would come without difficulty.

"Can one of you turn off the light?" I asked, and I watched Suu sleepily drift over to switch it off. "Thank you," I said.

"Good night, Amu-chan," they all said. Something that I hadn't heard in awhile, and it warmed my heart.

"I'll see you all in the morning," I replied, trying to reassure myself they wouldn't disappear again. They muttered something along the lines of 'yes' which was all I needed.

I nuzzled into my pillow, and tried to relax as much as I could. Then I heard my phone buzz and even though I knew I should ignore and try to get to sleep, I reached out and flipped it open.

From: Utau

Making sure Ikuto wasn't going anywhere? Haha. No worries. We'll see you tomorrow.

I smiled at her words. She was a good friend, although I cringed at the thought of her showing that text to Ikuto. But I tried to shake it off, I had to get to sleep. The faster I went to sleep, the earlier I could wake up, and the earlier I could wake up, the sooner I could go to their house.

I couldn't keep myself from tossing around for a while, but eventually sleep did come, which brought tomorrow closer.

Aaaand that's a wrap! There's chapter one of my descent to hell (or the story, whatever you wanna call it). I haven't written in ages so sorry if I'm a bit rusty, I'm hoping the gears will start turning easier as the story persists. Anyways, thanks to all who read and the next chapter should be out in a week or so! I'm always better at putting at chapter early on lol its when we start getting to that middle point things get rough hehe.

Lucky words are: look, watch, back, again, and wonder

See you next time!