Chapter 2

No More Secrets

**Amu**

When I woke up with a killer headache, my leg was throbbing again. What happened? I thought as I looked around and saw I was outside. Ikuto…. My mind whispered. Right he found out. But that didn't explain why I was in the park, on the bench sleeping. What the hell happened? The question was in my mind like a poison that can't be cured. I started walking and then I realized I was in my uniform. As I was heading to school the question came to my mind again and again. Just like a damn broken record. Playing over and over again. What happened…what happened… what happened… happened… happened… happened... "Hello are you there Amu? God you're so retarded." Angell sneered.

"Now, now Angell there's no reason to be mean. She probably just has something on her mind." Her best friend, Andrea, scolded.

"Oh, whatever. Anyway she was wondering if she could treat you to breakfast while I go to school."

"No I said WE Angell, not me."

"You know what I already had breakfast today, but thanks for the offer" I said trying to stop their arguing before it got any worse.

SCHOOL

When I arrived at school Nagihiko and Tadase came up to me "Thank god you're ok!" Nagihiko said as he ran up to me. "When we heard what happened everyone was so worried."

"Why? What did you hear?" I asked afraid that Ikuto had told them.

"We heard on the news last night that you ran away" Tadase replied. Is that why I was on the park bench? Uh, Probably. "Come on. Let's go to the Meeting Place and you can explain what happened.

When we reached the Meeting Place Yaya came up and gave me a hug right away. A sudden pain went through my arm. I ignored it, until Yaya let go and I noticed she had a dark red spot on her shirt. Damn it my arm is bleeding! Well that's just great. Then the worst thing happened Kukai noticed the dark red spot on MY shirt sleeve. "Amu before you tell us what happened last night and why you ran away, why don't you tell us why your arm bleeding.

"Her arm's bleeding?" 4 voices chorused. Kukai just looked at them like they were crazy.

"Yeah… and Yaya you might want to go wash up your shirt before class." Yaya looked all around at her shirt, but Rima saw it first. "It's on your sleeve from when you hugged her."
"Anyway, I agree with Kukai you should tell us that first." Nagihiko interrupted.

"Well, the thing is I don't know how I got it, and it was true I couldn't remember anything after Ikuto left my bedroom. Kukai came up to me and whispered in my ear "Could it be related to the piece of glass I had to pull out of your leg yesterday?" I know my face flushed and that everyone was wondering what he said. I replied with an almost inaudible "Maybe" DING DING DING DING I ran toward the school building no one had a chance to even say 'What'

During classes the teachers acted like I didn't just ran away from home. I spent most of them trying to remember what happened the night before. During math class why my arm was bleeding and why I was on the park bench came to me.

It was after Ikuto had left Dad came up to my room to tell me to do the laundry. I told him I had homework to do unless he wanted me to fail 8th grade math and science. He grabbed my arm, and dragged me down to the kitchen where he took a knife. He asked me again to do the laundry I replied the same then he slashed my arm with the knife. I ran to the laundry room to do the laundry. After that I went to my room to do my homework. I walked to the balcony and jumped off. That's right I was getting away from my Dad and I hurt my ankle. I started running toward the park because it was the last place he would look for me. I was getting dizzy from running and not eating so that's when I curled up on the bench to sleep. Well I know where the story goes form there. So if I can't go home, where CAN I go?

AFTER SCHOOL

We met at the Meeting Place again because I told Rima I remembered what happened. "Ok before I start, Kukai my answer to your question is 'Yes'."

"Well then this can't be good." He replied, making everyone else look even more confused.

I sighed. "Fine, Kukai you can tell them about yesterday." I know I will seriously regret this.

"Ok." As Kukai told the story of what happened I thought about what I was going to say if someone asked why I never told anyone. Well tell them the same thing you told Ikuto. If it didn't work then why the hell would it work now? "Ok. Amu, it's your turn to tell stories." Kukai told me breaking through my inner argument. "Well my story starts 3 years ago when my Mom died. After she died my Dad was heartbroken for a while and he just didn't care what happened to me or Ami. After a couple months he started blaming me. He-He He would hit every once and a while. I ignored it at first because it wasn't hard. It would leave a red mark for a couple hours. But after a year it wasn't enough. He would leave bruises, but still nothing serious. Then last year he started hitting me with just items that would bruise. Then this year he started hitting me with whatever he could get his hands on, beer bottles, baseball bat, knife, you name it he would use it," I turned more toward Kukai, "that's how I got the piece of glass in my leg, and how I got the cut on my arm." I turned back toward everyone else, "I didn't tell because I thought it had gone on too long." After I finished there was a long silence. Nagihiko was the first to speak. "So, just to recap. You've been abused by your Dad and you never told anyone what was happening until after you run away from home, three years after it starts?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"And you now have nowhere to stay?" Tadase asked

"Again, yes" I replied

"So you ended up in an even bigger mess than you were already in." Rima said, stating the obvious. I nodded no longer trusting my voice.

"Do have anywhere you could stay?" Nagihiko asked me concerned.

"No, but I'll find somewhere." I replied trying not to worry anyone.

"Just be careful out there, it's not as easy as some people think." Rima told me, obviously referring to the time she was almost kidnapped.

"I will Rima. Ran, Miki, Su, and Dia will be with me. Well I better get going"

THE STREETS

I walked for hours; since I couldn't go home I was walking aimlessly. I checked my watch. It was close to 9 o'clock at night. That means you've been walking for 6 hours. Well, no duh! I walked a little farther, and found I'd just gone in a giant circle. I'm back in the park. Great. "Why the hell am I here again?" I asked no one. I lay down on the same bench I woke up on.

The dream was started out with me fighting X eggs. I was Amulet Heart; "Spiral Heat Special!" The attack did nothing to the X egg which had turned into my Dad. Suddenly I lost my character transformation, and was on the ground. My arm and leg throbbed. Old healed cuts opened back up. Suddenly my Dad was hit with something. He yelled out in pain and disappeared. I turned around hoping to see Tadase; instead it was Ikuto, as Black Lynx, who had saved me. He walked towards me. I stood frozen. When he stopped he was right in front of me. He put his hand under my chin and made me look him in the eyes. It felt like the world disappeared. We stood like that for a minute. Then he leaned down toward me, and I realized he was going to kiss me. His face was inches from mine, our lips almost touching…

I woke up with a mini-heart attack. WHY THE HELL WAS I DREAMING OF IKUTO KISSING ME? My mind screamed at me, and I wondered the same thing. I checked my watch 10:30. I started walking toward the women's shelter on the other side of town. The dream kept playing in my mind, particularly the part about Ikuto going to kiss me. Why was I dreaming of Ikuto kissing me? More importantly why was I dreaming of Ikuto at all? The only answer I could come up with was that I had a crush on Ikuto. Well that's just great not only are you friends with the enemy, but now you have a crush on him to. My life sucks. I agreed with the voice in my head again. Wow! Twice in one week we are defiantly getting along better now aren't we? I started ignoring the voice in my head again. By now I was nearing the alley by the bar. As I was passing through two men grabbed me. "Hey, cutie why don't you come with us for a minute?" The first guy slurred

"Yeah, we can show you a real good time." The second guy came up behind him. Clearly they'd had a few too many beers.

"No thanks I really have to get home." The last memory of my home flashed through my mind.

"We weren't asking." One of them growled. Suddenly I was pinned against a wall with my face against the brick. I felt something go around my wrists and legs immobilizing me. Rope? I was turned around so that I was facing the men. One of them was drinking a bottle of beer. The other was looking for something. "Hey David, can you come help me look for that box?" The first guy asked

"Ahhhh find it yourself James." David replied. Well that wasn't too bright of them now if I get out of here I can help identify them. Well duh! They're drunk of course they're not thinking straight. "Okay I found the box David." James said.

"Finally, now we can have a smoke before moving on to the little lady." Suddenly I was wishing I was back home getting a knife struck across my arm. I sat there and tried to get out. I couldn't even yell for help because they put something in my mouth. The rope was thick and tied tightly around my skin. They came back after a few minutes. "Do I know how to pick them or what?" James asked as he returned.

"Hard to tell through all those clothes." David replied. I heard him pull something out of his pocket. Then I saw the blade glinting in the moonlight. David stepped closer to me. I felt the cold metal across my skin. He put the blade near my chin and cut downward. Well there goes the only top I had. Your about to be raped and your worried about your CLOTHES! My shirt was ripped down the middle exposing my black lace bra that was two sizes too small. God if you love me please help me. I sent my silent prayer hoping it would be answered.

**Ikuto**

Amu was in trouble I just knew it. Why did I leave her alone last night? Even after I found out what was happening. I should have kept watching her like I always do. I was moving as fast as I could go. Just running aimlessly, thinking of Amu. I turned into an alley behind the local bar. I leaned up against the wall wondering where the hell she ran off to. "Hard to tell through all those clothes." A voice came from somewhere. I decided to follow it hoping it would get my mind off Amu. I saw two men. One was a tall, fit guy with shaggy brown hair. The other was also tall, but was heavier looking than the other, with red hair. Then I saw it, the knife the red-head was holding. I thought about character transforming with Yoru, but soon realized he didn't know where I was. Okay plan B then wait until you know what's happening before you go and get yourself in trouble. "She is fine alright, but there's still too much clothing on her." The blonde said. Then it hit me. They were rapists! I didn't hesitate any longer. I walked right out of my hiding spot, and acted like I was some guy on a walk that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The red-head noticed me first. "Hey you got a lot of nerve coming in here."

"How so?" I asked.

"We are right in the middle of something 'ere." The blonde replied

"And what might that be?"

"We were just about to give the little lady here some fun."

"Well, I'll just have to put a stop to your plans." I said lunging forward swiping the knife from the red-head. "Hey you give that back!" He shouted at me.

"Give me a good reason to give it back to you" I taunted. The blonde lunged for the knife. As he reached out for the knife I kicked him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain. The red-head came at me with a punch. I dodged out way the way and hit his shoulder. "You want the knife?" I asked. He nodded in response. "Well, go get it" I threw the knife on the roof of the bar. "Why you..." He came at me again. I moved easily out of the way, now that I didn't have the knife in my hand. The blonde was getting up off the ground now. Blonde now had an old, rusty crowbar, but a crowbar none-the-less. He had it raised in a striking position. I was getting really bored of this so I thought I would finish it quick. Blonde was charging at me. I dodged out of the way, and hit him in the back of the neck. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. The red-head picked up his crowbar and swung. He missed and was about to swing again. I hit him in the stomach like I'd done to his comrade a couple minutes ago. He also doubled over while I hit him in the head with the crowbar, rendering him unconscious. He fell down beside his friend. I looked back to the wall where the girl was. It was Amu! "Hey are you okay?"

"Yes I'm o—Ikuto?"

"Hello to you too." I started untying her hands and feet

"Why are you here Ikuto?"

"Saving your ass from getting raped." She groaned "Poor choice of words?"

"You think?" Amu stood up as I finished untying her feet. She started walking toward the edge of town. I walked passed her and blocked her way. "Where are you going?"

"To the women's shelter." She stepped to the side. I blocked her again.

"Oh no, you're not."

"Yes, I am" Step. Block.

"Nope, sorry that's not going to happen." I picked her up, got the cat ears and tail, and started moving towards my apartment.

"Ikuto! Put me down!"

"Nope, sorry" Then Yoru showed up.
"Umm. Ikuto what happened, nya?"

"I'll explain later" Yoru went off to do God knows what.

IKUTO'S PLACE

When we got back to my apartment Amu took a shower, and I was setting up the bed in the other bedroom. Utau used to stay with me, but she has a place of her own now. I was finishing up as Amu was getting out of the shower. I was walking out of her room when I bumped into her in the hall. "Ikuto, I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Where am I staying exactly?"

"Well I suppose you could stay with me." I tried to look as if I never thought past bringing her to my place.

"No way! Not going to happen!" She started to walk toward the door.

"Jeez, relax Amu. I set up the extra room for you."

"Oh, thanks. I think."

"If you look in the closet you should find some of Utau's old clothes."
"Why does Utau have clothes here?"

"She used to stay here before her tour and she left them behind." I told her with an 'I couldn't care less' tone. I walked out to the living room and turned on the news. …still have not found the missing girl. But police assure they are doing everything they can. Thank you Marsha for the update on the missing girl: Hina… I turned the TV off realizing they the only thing that would be on the news was a report on Amu. As I was walking toward the kitchen I heard Amu come out of her room. She was wearing one of Utau's Butterfly Labyrinth outfits. It was blue with a black bottom. It even still had the ribbons on it still. "Nice outfit."

"Gee, thanks."

"Hey, I was serious it looks good on you." I told her, and it was true she looked even better than Utau did in that. Amu whipped around so fast the ribbons flew out. She headed back to her room. She looks hot in that. The thought came unbidden to my mind. It took me a few seconds to process what I just said. "Ikuto are you going to explain to me why she's here?" Yoru asked me as he came in. "Don't bet on it." I replied still lost in thought. "Ikuto why do you like her?" Yoru's question shocked me. "I don't like her, but I'm not heartless."

"Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?" Myself. The thought came to me the second he finished the question. No! Wake up Ikuto. She would never like you. Then another thought accrued to me. Why am I thinking this? She means nothing to me. The instant I thought those words I realized that they weren't true.