Authors note:
WanderLust: Hey everyone thank you so much for your reviews and feel free to keep the coming, so finally the truth is out. Hope you enjoy and as usual I own Nothing at all, not even my soul!
Chapter Six: Procrastination.
Utau's point of view.
My patience was beginning to wear thin and I am more than sure that Rima feels the same, against her wishes Amu made a phone call to her parents asking their permission to stay with me over the next few days holiday. As luck would have it the school had given us Monday to Wednesday off because of a staff training day, which meant that Amu could not escape us for five days. Rima glanced at me and then to the happy couple, they were both asleep now curled into each other like it was the most natural thing in the world
I could not help but laugh at what an emotional roller-coaster ride this day alone had been, my laughs slowly grew to hysterics as I let off my steam shaking the couch. Rima joined in too and as we laughed in unison I could tell that we were both just so glad to see Amu smile for the first time in such a long time.
Amu's point of view.
I awoke to the sound of laughter, stretching out I felt a pair of arms in an iron grasp around my waist and tried to tug myself free blushing furiously, how inappropriate I thought to myself. It would seem that my struggles and blushing had made the two girls laugh even harder; I smiled at how natural we were all behaving it felt so good to be able to just laugh again. Utau scowled at her brother as he launched a pillow in her direction. I on the other hand had not even realized that he was awake.
I could feel his eyes on me now and I blushed harder, "Ikuto are you planning on keeping me here all day, I have things to do you know?" I smiled not meeting his eyes for fear of losing myself again. He eventually let go of me but not before dragging me in to yet another cuddle. I couldn't help but wonder what fate had in stock for me now that everything was so different. I didn't want to impose on the Tsukiyomi's anymore than I had too but if I was going to be here for five days I would need a shower.
It would seem that Rima and Utau had been busy while I and Ikuto slept; Ikuto carried me upstairs followed by Utau. I was dropped outside of the bathroom door, because heaven forbid I used my body to walk, and at my feet Utau dropped a large red leather bag containing clothes and toiletries. I found to my delight whilst digging through the enormous bag my strawberry shampoo and honey body wash.
I stood under the shower letting the hot water work its magic, it slowly spread over my muscles soothing and relaxing the tension from my body I could feel the knots in my back evaporate. I washed my hair surrounding my senses with my familiar products, at first it stung to have the water and honey body wash splash over my many cuts but after a while the shower brought me nothing but pure bliss. I left the shower wrapped up firmly in a towel and took off to Ikuto's room to change.
Ikuto's point of view.
"I'm sure she can shower on her own perverted cat boy," Utau's screams followed me from the living room as I climbed the stairs in two's to check on Amu. I hadn't realized before just how much being away from her made me anxious, she is just so clumsy and fragile. I had made it to the top of the stairs now to my shock the bathroom door was open and I was engulfed by the smell of strawberries, I knew if Amu saw me outside of the bathroom inhaling her she would call me a smell pervert, which although true isn't really something I am proud of. So before she could catch me I decided to make my way over to my bedroom to check up on her.
I laughed to myself quietly in some ways I still could not believe my luck, Amu was here, in my bedroom and I think that she loves me, of course I only have mumbled dream like statements to go off. But even if she doesn't love me, for now she isn't fighting me and in the end she would love me, after all I did promise her that before I left.
I approached my bedroom door now raising my hand ready to knock, when I heard tiny sobs. I pushed through my door into my room to find her there still wrapped in her towel looking into the full length mirror in my wardrobe, a bottle of makeup in hand. I smiled at her approaching her gently, she looked as if she could crack and break at any given moment.
Amu's point of view.
Ikuto came and knelt beside me; he placed his arms around me gently as to not disturb my wounds and held me. I was so ashamed, how could I have let my friends and Ikuto see me looking like this. It was no wonder they looked so uncomfortable I was hideous. As if reading my mind Ikuto gently removed the makeup bottle I clutched tightly in my hand shaking his head slightly,
"Amu you don't need to hide what you have been through, we all love you and you have nothing to be ashamed of! I promise you that no matter how you look I am here for you and that whoever did this to you… well." – Ikuto trailed off into a dark silence. I did try to tell him what I told Utau and Rima about falling but he was far too smart. He waved a hand to silence me and said,
"Look Amu you do not need to lie to me, I have seen the damage that a human being can cause to another human being and those cuts were not made by falling, but enough of this. Utau will have you talking about this all night so save your strength, let's get you ready." He smirked my favorite smirk and I just knew that just for now everything was alright.
I looked at myself in the full length mirror again, despite the fact that I had my own clothing Ikuto insisted on me wearing one of his shirts over my flared baggy jeans. I had to admit the freedom that the overly baggy shirt allowed me was incredible. Before I knew it I was once again in his arms,
"Nap time Amu-Koii, you need to keep your strength up." He carried me over to his bed and whilst supporting my weight with one arm he pulled back the cover with his other. Ikuto then slid me onto the bed gently so that I was facing the walls and climbed in behind me, ignoring my objections and abuse. He wound his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder; it was then that he shocked me more than he ever had.
I felt his breath against my ear and heard the sweetest sound; Ikuto was singing me to sleep, I blushed crimson as I heard the words wash over me lulling me deeper and deeper into sleep. I smiled wiggling myself further into his arms. This is what it feels like to be content.
Ikuto's point of view.
She had finally drifted off to sleep and as much as it pained me to leave her I needed to join my sister and Rima and find out who this low life creep was. As I expected the girls where both lounged out on the sofas, my sister had a pad of paper and a pen in hand and they seemed to be making some form of list. I went and sat by Utau eyeing the list suspiciously and she pushed it into my hands.
The paper listed the names of people that Amu came into contact with every day ruling out myself, Utau and Rima. Utau looked at me then,
"Can you think of anyone else, it can't be random because it has happened far too much she has old scars Ikuto!" I shook my head angrily and looked at the list. I told the girls that we would not know any definite answers until Amu woke up but it would not do any harm to perhaps speculate and shorten the number of suspects.
Utau immediately crossed Kukai off the list with a sort of sheepish grin spread across her lips, Rima laughed in response and I could not help but feel that I was missing out on some kind of inside joke. I looked at Utau and asked her how she was sure and she cryptically responded with, "I just see a lot of him that's all, he wouldn't have the time." I did not want to know any more about my sister's personal life and so chose to plead ignorance.
Amu's point of view.
I rolled over inhaling deeply, his room always smelt so amazing. I worked now on stretching my stiff and aching body from tip to toe; I could hear voices downstairs and just knew that tonight was going to be hard. I clung to the fabric harder now, trying to work out whether I should just make a run for it but I knew he would only follow. Sighing now I edged my way to the door uncertainly tonight was going to be the night I had to tell them the truth and I just knew it wasn't going to go down well. I honestly did not even know where to start, I mean I struggled believing in what Tadase was capable of… and that was when I panicked. I sat at the top of the stairs finding it hard to breathe, when I felt his arms snake round me.
"You should have shouted me when you woke up." Ikuto was frowning at me now, but I knew it was only a joke; I comforted him by letting him know I was just coming to find him. He seemed satisfied and smiled down at me,
"You know, I can tell you are nervous. Amu I want to know who did this to you more than anything, but if you are not ready to talk. I will wait for you, I am yours forever." His hand seemed to linger over my cheekbone sadly tracing the faint marks of my bruises. And I knew that tonight would have to be the night, but if I was willing to uncover my secrets then they would have to meet me half way.
I stood up slowly and made my way to the living room, two worried sets of eyes made their way to meet mine as I pushed Ikuto down on the sofa next to them. The sofa across from the coffee table would put enough space between us, and so I sat ready to open up the mental wounds that had only just begun to heal.
Firstly, I announced as clearly as I could to my three friends. I have conditions to telling you the truth; if you promise to agree and follow these conditions I will tell you all everything. Ikuto was about to say something, no doubt an objection and instead was met by my hand silencing him. The conditions that I am about to set are not to be broken, they are for me, I have spent far too long thinking that I cannot trust anyone and I want you to prove me wrong.
They all nodded in unison obviously understanding how important these conditions where to me. Firstly my parents and none of our other friends can ever find out.
"Well that's easy enough," Ikuto laughed out. But I was not quite done. I looked at the group losing confidence now but pressed on anyway. Secondly, I managed to stutter out the person responsible for this is not to be approached spoken too or harmed in any way shape or form!
I expected the cold looks but it was the up roar that followed that surprised me the much.
"You expect me to sit by and let the person that did that to you… just what get away with it, have you lose your mind?" – Ikuto glared down at me now. It was Utau's turn next to moan.
"Amu put yourself in our positions, we love you dearly how can you expect us to just forget what has happened."
I looked at them all now tears forming in my eyes, before I knew it I was shouting at them through my tears.
Do you not think I know what I have been through, do you not think that the thought of him still breathing somewhere makes me sick with fear, all I want, all I need is for it all to go away. The pain, the bruises, the fear all they do is remind me of him! My rant was slowly building its way up to a scream now and I could see the look of shock on everyone's face.
"I promise," Rima squeaked from the corner and came to my side to wrap her small arms tightly round my neck. I sobbed into her golden hair thanking her silently. Rima gently tugged away keeping one arm wrapped round me but allowing her to stare at the others, a fire lit in her eyes as she stared them down.
"Amu has asked us to do something for her, not because it's something we like or find easy but because it is something that she needs from us. And both of you will abide and apologize for your outbursts are there will be hell to pay!"
Ikuto and Utau looked from Rima to me, their faces slowly turning from shock to shame. Utau approached me first placing her head on my shoulder she whispered I promise and went to stand by Rima. I looked over to Ikuto now; he had his head in his hands shaking it from side to side every so often.
He looked up at me now, and it saddened me to see him so hurt and confused,
"If this is really, truly what you need I will never break my promise to you. No matter how hard I may want too. But the day this lays a finger on you, the promise is over and I will kill them."
I ran to him now, wrapping my arms round his neck I kissed him softly thanking him for his understanding. With Ikuto practically acting as my shadow it would be near enough impossible for Tadase to hurt me meaning that we could all just move on and keep the past in the past.
I took Ikuto's hands leading him over to the sofa and beckoning the others to join us, I guess now that they had all made their promises there was nothing left to stall it any longer. I looked at each and every one of them sadly and said,
"So this is how it began…"
