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okay, so here's the next chappie.

but before you read it i wanted to ask you guys to please check out my profile. i have an idea for a new story on there (it's just under my description thingy) and i really want to know what you guys think, and whether you think i should continue with it. so please check it out and pm me with your oppinions. thankies! :)


Amu's POV

I was wrapped up in a warm, loving embrace. I felt as though I were lying on a bed of clouds. For the first time in six years, I felt safe. My eyes fluttered open and I found myself lying in a dimly lit room, on a soft leather couch. I rolled over and was met with a pair of piercing sapphire eyes.

"Nice sleep?" I watched as a smirk crept onto his face. God, he hasn't changed one bit. I nodded and snuggled into his chest, breathing in his intoxicating scent.

"How long have I been asleep?" from what I remember, it was around noon when I fell asleep. But now the sky outside was a deep indigo, and millions of stars were strewn across it like diamonds.

"Hmmmm...about 8 hours. I'm actually surprised. I expected you to be out for much longer." I just stayed silent and snuggled deeper into his chest.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer, burying his face in my hair. Oh, how I've missed this...

Then, all of a sudden, the warmth had disappeared. I opened my eyes to find Ikuto stood in the doorway, smirking at me.

"Aww, was my little strawberry enjoying that?" I felt a deep blush invade my face.

"URASAI!" I slammed my face into a nearby cushion. I heard his footsteps approach me, and soon his hands had encircled my arms trying to prise the cushion away from me.

"Amu, I was kidding. Put the cushion down." I shook my head violently.

"Fine then, I guess I'll have to eat dinner all by my lonesome..." did he just say dinner? Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten in weeks. My head shot up, only to come face to face with his signature smirk.

"I had a feeling that would get you." I felt my cheeks reheat and was about to slam my head back into the cushion, until a certain cat-eared pervert snatched it away. Damn him.

"Would you stop abusing my cushion? What has it ever done to you?" I shot him my deadliest glare, which he returned with a highly amused one. We continued with our little staring contest, until my stomach interrupted with a huge growl. My cheeks turned red for the third time that night. Ikuto, however, just took my hand and led me into the kitchen, before sitting me down at the island and setting about making something to eat.

A few minutes later he set two bowls of ramen on the counter, on for him and one for me. I gulped mine down in less than a minute. I looked up to see Ikuto staring at me, mouth hanging open.

"Uh...Ikuto?"

He shut his mouth and stared at me.

"Do I have something on my face or something?"

"Amu...you do realise that you just ate a whole bowl of ramen in under a minute right?"

"Oh...ummmm...did I?"

"Amu, when was the last time you ate?"

"Huh? Why does that matter?!"

"Amu, tell me."

"....abouttwoweeksago..."

"What was that?"

"Ummmm...a-about....two weeks ago..." he didn't say anything for a moment and I braced myself for the explosion...but it never came. He slid his bowl in front of me.

"Eat it."

"What? No, Ikuto, that's yours. And anyway...I'm full now..." of course my stomach had to choose that exact moment to grumble really loudly. Damn it!

"Amu, eat it."

"Fine."

.x-X-x.

Once I had finished eating, Ikuto turned to look at me, looking deadly serious.

"Amu, I want to know exactly what happened to you." I'd been expecting this. But I didn't want to tell him right now.

"Umm, Ikuto...do you think you could wait just a few days?"

"Why?"

"Well I'd rather gather everyone together and tell you all at once. I don't really want to have to explain it all more than once....they're not exactly happy memories...."

I felt hot tears sting my eyes, waiting to get out. I lowered my head so that my bangs covered my eyes, but it seemed Ikuto had already noticed the tears welling up in my eyes. I felt his warm arms wrap around me, pulling me into a comforting embrace. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I let the tears cascade down my cheeks as I clung to him, reliving the terrors of the past six years. The last time I had cried like this was the day I watched my parents get shot. After that I learned to hold it in and ignore the pain, but not anymore. I sobbed my heart out in Ikuto's arms, as he rubbed circles on my back, whispering soothing words in my ears.

After about an hour, I finally calmed down. Ikuto took my hand and led me back to the living room. I was worried by the solemn look that was plastered across his face.

Ikuto's POV

I led her back into the living room. I knew I had to tell her, there was no point putting it off. I sat her down and tried to build up enough courage to tell her. How the hell am I supposed to tell her? She'll probably completely break down. Maybe it would be better if I didn't tell her....No! Snap out of it Ikuto! She needs to know.

"Amu, there's something I need to tell you...it's about...your parents..." a strange emotion flashed through her eyes at the mention of her parents, but it was so fast I couldn't tell what it was.

"you see, they...they went missing the same day as you did and, so far, no one's heard from them." Silence followed my words and I was scared to look up at her. No doubt tears would be gushing down her cheeks.

"They're dead." she sated bluntly. My head shot up and I stared at her, gobsmacked.

"A-Amu...how? And how do you know?"

"Because I was there." I was in complete shock. What the hell is she talking about?

"Tadase ordered 2 guards to shoot them, and the twisted bastard made me watch. He said it was my punishment for spitting in his face." Her voice held no emotion, though her eyes were filled with pain and grief.

Wait a minute...did she just say...

"Tadase? What's he got to with any of this?" she let out a harsh, bitter laugh.

"Did I not tell you? He was the one who was behind kidnapping me. Said he was going to make me his."

That sick twisted bastard! I can't believe he was the one who put her through all of this! And he made her watch her parents get murdered?! I swear if I ever get my hands on him I will tear him to piec-

"Hey, Ikuto?" Amu's angelic voice snapped me out of my reverie.

"Hmm?"

"I was just wondering...Ikuto, where's Ami?" I was slightly taken aback by the sudden plea.

"Umm, why?"

"What do you mean why? She's my sister. I-I need to see her..."

"She's in America, living with relatives."

"Do you have their number?"

"Yeah..."

"Give it to me."

"What? But Amu! She's happy now. You calling her out of the blue will turn her life upside down! She thinks you're dead for god's sake!"

"Ikuto, you don't understand!" tears started to spill over her cheeks once again. "Before they took me, I made her a promise. I told her that I'd be ok, and that I'd be back. I don't want her living her life thinking that I lied to her. I don't want her living her life hating me!"

"Amu...Ami doesn't hate you. In fact, if she hates anyone, it's herself. She blames herself for what happened to you. She thinks it's her fault because you were trying to protect her. She could never hate you..."

"Ikuto, please...just let me talk to her..." she was begging. I could tell this meant everything to her. I nodded slowly. A watery smile spread across her face as she launched herself across the room and threw her arms around me.

"A-arigato!"

"I have one condition though."

"What?"

"I'm going to talk to her. I'll get her to come to Japan. You can talk to her then."

"Alright. But don't tell her about me. I want to surprise her." I nodded in agreement.

"It's getting late. We should get some rest."

"Sure, but do you mind if I have a shower first?"

"Sure, there's an ensuite in the bedroom."

"Thanks."

Amu's POV

I walked into the bathroom and turned the water on. I stripped down and stepped into the warm water, letting it wash over my aching body. It's been ages since I got to have a nice, warm shower. Considering that damn flat had no warm water whatsoever. This feels so great.

30 minutes later

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. I walked into the bedroom to find something to wear. Shit.

"Ikuto!" a few seconds later he appeared in the doorway, his eyes filled with panic.

"What is it? What's happened?"

"I....uh....I-I've got nothing to wear..."

"What do you mean you've got nothing to wear?"

"Well, like I said, all my money went towards rent. I didn't have enough to go shopping, so the only clothes I had were the ones I was wearing and my work clothes."

He stared at me in obvious disbelief for a few minutes. But soon he got his composure back, and a sly smirk crept onto his face. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

"Well, you don't have to wear anything, you know. In fact, I think I'd prefer it if you didn't."

"PERVERT!!!!!!!!!!"

He chuckled as he walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a shirt. He tossed it to me.

"Here, you can wear this for now, and we'll go shopping tomorrow."

I pulled the shirt on and dug round in my bag for a pair of knickers.

Once I was dressed, I slipped into bed. Ikuto climbed in after me and I buried my face in his chest. I took a deep breath, breathing in his intoxicating scent. And with that I fell into a peaceful sleep.