I pulled at a loose spring, sighing in distress. Where was I? Huddled under a dusty old bed. That's right; under the bed like a monster preying on a small child.

After the night I'd discovered Kukai's true colors, he'd talked to Kairi about having me stay with him. Kairi was more than happy to oblige; he enthused about a new bookcase that he'd ordered and blah, blah, blah.

It's been about a week, and I hadn't been allowed to stray from the house unless Kukai was with me. I'd had just about enough when I couldn't even go into the back garden by myself.

"Kit", he'd pleaded when I'd first snuck under the bed, "Please try to understand. It's for your own safety. I'm your friend, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

After about two hours of coaxing, he'd finally given up and left the room.

Poking my head out, I looked around the room. It was an old guestroom that hadn't been used in about fifteen years. There were a bunch of stories revolving around this room. Just thinking about it made me shiver in delight.

I pulled myself out from under the bed, mourning my long pink locks, which had become dirty. I combed my fingers through my hair, wincing when I snagged a knot. At that moment, I noticed the window at the far right of the room. Grinning, I pulled the sheets off the old bed and began knotting them together.

Securing my hand made rope to a latch on the window, I took a deep breath and looked down. Being two stories up, it was kind of high. The room below me was the sitting room, where I knew Kukai and his father were talking. The old man, of course, had noticed that I was being held prisoner.

Clinging to the rope, I began my descent. It was only after I'd successfully gotten my feet to the ground and cleared the fence that I realized that it was dark out.

I roamed the streets, rubbing my bare arms to keep warm. The oil lamps seemed to make the night all the more threatening. I juggled my options in my head. I could go see my friend Yaya, but she lived at the edge of the village, right near the forest. It would be trouble if I ran into that guy, Ikuto, again. Then again, I could always go see Tadase. He was located more towards the center of the village, therefore much safer.

I shook my head in annoyance. Since when had I ever trembled before danger? I thrived in it! It was then and there that I decided that visiting Yaya was a must. Besides, at one point I'd had a crush on Tadase, but after a few conversations, I had no doubt in my mind that a visit would be awkward and strange.

I kept close to the building, keeping in the darkest parts of the night. As I closed in on the edge of the village, I began to shiver. I was extremely cold; I was in a simple, breezy nightgown.

Just as Yaya's pretty little cottage came into view, I heard voices.

"Damn that girl, when I find her-!"

"Stay calm, she would never put 'erself in danger. Serves ya right, prison guard."

"Hey!"

I clasped a hand over my mouth, trying not to panic. Kukai and his father were near. Kukai had, no doubt, used his heightened sense of smell to pick up on my trail. I knelt to the ground and grabbed a handful of dirt, rubbing it over my hands and bare arms, trying to blend into my surroundings.

Kukai grasped his hair in frustration. "She doesn't understand how dangerous it is out here during the night."

His old man laughed humorously. "Course she does, poor thing didn't have a choice, ya wouldn't let 'er outta yer sight, not fer a moment!"

Their voices began to fade. They were heading for Rima's place. I sighed in relief. Rima would, of course, understand why I couldn't come to her first. I always did, which is why Kukai would naturally head in her direction.

Rising to my feet, I decided to jog the rest of the way. The faster I got there, the faster I could find someplace to hide.

A hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me completely. I whirled around in alarm, greeted by the glowing blue eyes and nasty smirk that had haunted my dreams.

"You.", I whispered.

He cocked his head, his smirk turning into a grin. "Yes, me. Good to know you remembered."

I gave an experimental pull, testing his grip. It was solid.

Glaring up at him, I gave a silent prayer. Please let me seem as strong as I pretend to be. "What do you want?"

Shit, my voice had squeaked. This only made his grin widen.

"Nothing much. Just want to get to know you better, that's all. What do you say?"

He jerked me towards him, and I yelped as I landed on his smooth, solid chest. A smooth, solid chest that wasn't covered by clothing. My cheeks began to grow hot as I tried to pull away.

He clucked his tongue at me. "Aw, come on, don't be like that."

He leaned closer. "I have secrets I could tell you. Secrets about your friend, too."

I stopped struggling and blinked up at him in confusion. "He's already told me everything..."

Ikuto chuckled. "No, my pet, he hasn't."

I bit my tongue, relaxing myself. If I could just make it seem like I wouldn't run...

The boy ran a hand through his hair, almost as if in exasperation. "Come now, really? That's what all prey think. However...", He ran his tongue along the back of my ear, causing me to tremble. "When I catch sight of something I want, I'll catch it. I don't let my prey slip through my fingers."

His husky voice made me want to melt. I knew very well what he was, but when he spoke, it's like reality distanced itself from me.

Swallowing, I place my small hands on his chest, giving a helpless push. "Please let me go."

He hugged me closer, breathing in the scent of my hair. "And why would I want to do that?"

I couldn't help but take a little sniff of him myself, and was surprised to find how strong his scent was. He smelled of citrus, like oranges and lime. I almost lost myself to it. Snapping back to reality, I breathed through my mouth, keeping my nose in check.

"Let me go! I don't care what you wolves get yourselves into, don't tangle me into your business!"

My loud voice caused him to flinch. It also caused the front door of the cottage to open, and a little Yaya poked her head out. She reacted immediately.

"Hey! Get your hands off my Amu!"

She started running towards us. I sighed in relief when Ikuto released me.

His lips grazed my ear. "Until next time, my little pet."

He walked away just as Yaya reached me. "You jerk! Trying to get fresh, go back to the forest where you belong, you animal!"

I couldn't help but smile. It was a fact that Yaya knew nothing of his heritage; she didn't realize how much of an 'animal' he was.

I gave the petit girl a hug, keeping myself as calm as possible. "Thanks, Yaya, you're a lifesaver."

She struggled out of my grip and grabbed my hand. "Come! I'll make some tea! Yaya makes the most wonderful tea!"

She pulled me towards the cottage, and I went willingly. I could use a break after everything that had happened.