Meilin: Alright, I am extremely sorry that I haven't been around lately. I've had a lot of things on my mind…well I still do…but that's why I'm here on FF to write another story. Hopefully I can express some feelings across through this fic…because I obviously don't know how to express them in real life – sad isn't it?
Ikuto: As for "The Curse of the Twins" it will be on Hiatus for a while.
Amu: And if you go to her profile page you can check out some of the stats and be updated.
Meilin: Thanks for your help and support!

Ikuto: Aznpride16xx does not own Shugo Chara – Just the Plot

Behind a Smile – Chapter One: "Welcome Home"

Time moves forward no matter where you are.

Everything changes; nothing stays the same…nothing.

Don't expect your past to be the same as when you first left it behind.

Just the thought of being able to see his face was enough for her heart to skip a beat. After being away for almost eight years the pink haired child was excited to be home. Home, where she knew he would be.

Amu woke up in one of the best moods today. This was the first time she would be seeing Ikuto in eight years. They were childhood friends, no, they were best friends but she lost contact with him after four years while she was overseas. But that didn't stop her from thinking of him everyday.

As the plane was flying back to Japan, Amu couldn't seem to sit still. She was too thrilled to be going back home to see him. She was ready to tell him the feelings she'd been saving just for him.

"Ikuto," the fourteen year old girl said to the boy towering over her small figure.

"Hm?" He questioned.

"I-"

'Flight 121 is preparing for departure," the airport's intercom announced.

"I'll tell you when I get back, okay?" She said with a smile.

"I'll be waiting then," he replied before giving her one last goodbye hug,

Amu boarded onto the plane and watched through the tiny window as Ikuto waved to her.

'I'll definitely tell him when I get back," she thought.

"Definitely," the young adult said as she stepped off the plane.

Not even settling her things into her own home, Amu went straight to her best friend's house. With not much of a surprise, the door was opened by none other then his parents.

"Amu, honey! It's so good to see you back!" Souko, Ikuto's mother, exclaimed, squeezing her into a suffocating bear hug.

"My, Amu, how you've grown. You've developed into a fine young lady."

"Thank you, Aruto." She said, showing her gratitude towards the father. "Not that it isn't great to see you guys, but, um, is Ikuto home?" She asked a little embarrassed. She didn't want to be rude but she really wanted to see her best friend.

"He actually moved in with Kukai a few years ago." Souko explained. After a small chat about where Kukai, lived, Amu said her thanks and rushed off to Kukai's house. "Amu, wait!" Souko yelled after. Aruto placed a hand on his wife's shoulder and slowly shook his head.

"I think he should tell her," he said disappointed. Sad and worried looks watched the young girl as she dashed down the road.

You see, Aruto and Souko knew about Amu's crush for their son ever since she was six and he was eleven. The ages were a few years apart but it really didn't matter to them. They both thought Amu would be the perfect daughter-in-law and they hoped she would marry Ikuto one day. But she suddenly had to move away…and feelings didn't stay the same for both parties.

Amu texted Kukai saying that she was on her way over to his house from Ikuto's parent's house. Why didn't she think of going over there in the first place? Her old house was next door, after all. Soon a buzz came from Amu's pocket. She took her phone out and brought it to eye level. It said:

I'm going out with Utau in five minutes but I'll leave the front door unlocked for you. Ikuto should be home soon anyways. – Kukai.

She sent him a "thanks" and smiled. Utau was Ikuto's younger sister. She and Kukai have been dating while she was away.

Indeed, the two lovebirds left before she got there and there was a car parked in front of the garage. Thinking the car was Ikuto's, the pinkette slipped past the front door and silently walked upstairs to where Ikuto's room was supposed to be.

She was so caught up in her happy little world that she didn't hear the noises that were coming from his room. Once she got the door, she nervously but excitedly opened it, slowly, not to make a sound. She wanted her arrival to be a surprise!

Once the door was cracked open a few inches, the little rosette stood there, wide eyes, mouth slightly agape and body stiff as a board. There in the room she found who she was looking for but he was with an unfamiliar girl. He was kissing her – not a simple peck on the lips, but a deep passionate kiss.

Tears wallowed up in Amu's honey golden eyes. She stood there stunned. Her heart shattered into many pieces and those pieces stabbed her from the inside out. Why wouldn't her body respond? She didn't want to witness that, yet why didn't her feet walk away?

Once her best friend and the unnamed woman parted for air, the heartbroken wanderer was broken from her trance. Her tears flowed from her eyes and her body finally seemed to be complying with what her brain was telling her.

She ran from the doorway to the first floor, managing to trip and fall down the stairs in the process. Disregarding the pain from her sprained ankle, she still ran. She ran back into her house, slamming the front door, and leaned against it. As she slid down to the hardwood floor, she brought her legs close to her chest and buried her face into her knees, sobbing silently into them.

What a great way to spend a new life back at home…

End Chapter One – Upcoming: Chapter Two

Meilin: So yeah…as you can see this story will be partially depressing.
Amu: Who is that girl?
Ikuto: Aw is my little Amu jealous?
Amu: As if! Psh…
Meilin: Sure your not…Anyway, you know how people say "Give me 5 review or I won't update"? Yeah I tried that once but I didn't like doing it. It just sounded so demanding…So I'm not going to do that anymore. But any reviews are appreciated! Thanks for sticking with me! :]