I slowly tear my eyes open so the bright light of morning nearly blinds me. I feel well rested as I get up. Last night was the first night I managed to get a full nights rest in years. Smiling as I slip out of my room I think of all the ways I can help my friends be happy. I smile as I think of the two extra lunches I made last night. I walk towards my brothers room and I hear shouting coming from downstairs, "How could you do this to me! You Bastard!" I tip toe towards the stairs as I hear my father respond.
"You are such a hypocrite! Anyway how could I not, every moment with you is like living hell!"
"It was only once! Do you think I want to be with you? The only reason I am still with you is because of our children!" My mother screeches as my brother tip toes up besides me.
"You are a whore! I love my children, but not even they are worth being around you!" I feel tears fill my eyes and before I can help it I slip and my foot hits the floor hard making a noise that reverberates throughout the house. My parents look up at Tsubasa and I with shock on their faces. I feel Tsubasa stand up from beside me.
"You think we want to be in this house with you two arguing all the time! I like it better when you're gone." My eight-year-old brother yells with tears running down his face. He runs to his room and I am left standing on the staircase staring at my parents.
"Yaya I-." My dad starts breaking me out of my trance before he can continue I interrupt him.
"Could you guys at least not shout at each other when you're here. Tsubasa he's so little. If you guys aren't going to break up could you at least pretend?" I ask this and then I quickly turn on my heels and go to my room. By the time I go down stairs my parents are gone both having left a note saying they will be gone for a couple of days. This is typical of my parents, they come home for a few days and then when things get bad they leave for a few weeks. My brother is sitting at the kitchen table poking his cereal with a spoon. I can't stand it when he looks so sad.
"Hey Tsubasa how about I walk you to school today?" I ask gently as he turns towards me with a huge smile on his face.
"Really? Won't that make you late for school?"
"What's one tardee in compared to spending time with you."
"Let's go then." Tsubasa says as he gets his bag and grabs my hand and pulls me out the door. I grab my bag as we rush out the door.
"Did you know that the smallest dinosaur ever was the Compsognathus and it was as small as a chiken!" Tsubasa explained excitedly. This is how our walk has been going for the past ten minutes. Tsubasa had a thing for dinosaurs, he could tell you every dinosaur that ever existed and a few details about it. We were about to reach the school and as we got closer I could feel a serious air surround us.
"Why don't Mama and Papa love each other?" Tsubasa asked cautiously.
I give him a sad look as I respond, "Well they used to love each other, but sometimes people change as they get older."
"So you won't love me when you get older?" Tsubasa asked with a scared face.
"I will always love you, you are the cutest brother ever." I say as I ruffle his hair.
"So it's the other kind of love that changes, like the kind of love you and Cookie have?"
I feel my face heat up, "No! I-I um I love Kukai like a brother."
"You love him like you love me? I don't think he loves you that way."
"What do you mean?"
"Cookie loves you like he wants to marry you."
"What, Tsubasa! You shouldn't say things like that!" I say flustered.
"But he always gives you his sweets and he always spends extra time talking to you."
"You would give me sweets and Kukai talks to everyone.
"I would never give you my candy! It's to yummy for that." Just then we hear the bell to his school ring. Before Tsubasa runs to his school he says, "You make Cookie happy and he makes you happy too. Isn't that what love is about?"
I start walking towards my school and feel a smile form on my lips at Tsubasa's idea of love. I wish that it was that simple. I may make Kukai happy to some degree, but I know that while he has an older more mature celebrity like Utau as his girlfriend he could never look at me like that. Before I realize it I am in front of the school. I let out a sigh as I enter the school and head towards my classroom. Class goes by smoothly after I convince the teacher I merely had a late start this morning. It is lunchtime and I feel the butterflies form in my stomach at the thought of approaching my friends. Before I have time to feel to nervous Rima comes up to me and demands that I sit with her. She looks shocked when I immediately agree. We quickly get our food and we head outside where the group has been eating everyday since the first day of school. As we get closer I see a few figures already by the tree. I notice that a certain cat man and prince are already there and I know what I need to do. I put my stuff down gently on the ground and I walk straight up to Ikuto and hit him on the face. It wasn't hard enough to leave a bruise, but it certainly got his attention.
"Yaya! Why did you do that!" Ikuto asks as he looks down at me.
"Sorry it was for a friend, but maybe next time before you leave you will tell people why." Ikuto's look of anger turns into one of understanding as he glances at Tadase. I take this opportunity to asses the people around me. Tadase has an unreadable look on his face. Utau looks like she would kill me if it weren't for Kukai holding her back. Kukai has a look of understanding, as does Nagihiko. Rima is standing behind me with confusion clouding her eyes. Diachi and Rhythm have looks of understanding, as does Yoru. Kusukusu looks just as confused as Rima. This is when I notice that Utau's Guardian Character is know where to be found. I feel shock and I mentally slap myself. How could I miss such an important fact?
"Aww Yaya I didn't realize you missed me so much." Ikuto says as he teases me.
"You're a freak you giant." I say glad that the tension finally passed.
"So we're back to you being jealous of my height you shorty." Ikuto says as he towers over me.
I huff angrily as I respond, "Shouldn't it be illegal for you to be here? Old man."
I hear him laugh at my response. Before he can respond though I see something bright pink from across the field. I immediately recognize the cherry blossoms. They are my favorite flower. I grab Rima's hand and I drag her towards the beautiful flowers. They are leaning over the school fence towards us. I quickly try jumping up to reach the flowers. I start pouting when I realize I can't reach. I run back towards the perplexed people standing under the tree and I quickly grab Ikuto's hand and start dragging him. Before I can get three feet from the tree Ikuto promptly sits down.
"Old Man! Come on you're the only one tall enough to reach!" I say as I start desperately pulling at his arm.
"I don't see why I should help you." He said with a smirk on his face, "I am just an old man."
"Come on Ikuto don't be that way!" I say desperately.
"What will I get out of it?" He asks smugly.
"What do you want?" I ask as I here people laughing at me.
"Hmm what do I want? I know you have to make me dinner for the rest of the month."
"What is with you people and food?" I say grumpily.
"That does remind me Yaya. You owe Kukai and I something." Nagihiko says.
"It's in my bag." I say as I turn to them with an evil smile. Kukai and Nagihiko look at me with worry as they both begin to open there lunches. I see understanding form on their faces as they see what there lunch contains.
"Yaya what is this?" Nagihiko asks as he looks down at his lunch.
"Well Kukai reminded of how much he loved the three course meal of sweets I made him when we were kids, so I thought this would be a great idea for your lunches, Enjoy." I can't help but let a smug smile form on my lips as I say this.
"Come on Yaya!" Kukai pouts.
"Stop complaining. You know most people would enjoy candy for lunch." I say before I quickly turn my attention back to Ikuto, "Ok old man we have a deal."
"One more condition. I get to pick what you make." He says.
"You're no fun!" I say as I drag him towards the flowers. "Now pick some I'll make a flower crown for everyone!"
"I hope you realize I won't wear it." Ikuto says.
"But Ikuto you'll look so cute." Rima says. Rima and I burst out laughing. Ikuto glares at us before he gently picks a few of the cherry blossoms from the tree. I make my sweater into a basket and Ikuto puts all of the flowers in it. When there are enough flowers I run back to the group. Everyone has settled down and formed a relaxed circle. I quickly sit down in the empty spot beside Kukai. Rima sits down on my other side. I quickly look around and I realize that Amu is still not here.
"Hey guys where is Amu?" I ask innocently, but I see Ikuto stiffen a little.
"She got sent to the principle office. She'll probably be here in a few minutes." Rima says as she starts eating her food. I nod my head in understanding and I quickly start making the beautiful flowers into crowns. The group starts a relaxed conversation about what they are doing after highschool. As my fingers weave the crowns together I realize another reason Kukai and I couldn't be together, he is going to leave highschool soon. When I finish the first one I quickly place it on Rima's head. She turns towards me and gives me a huge smile. I turn back towards the flowers and I start my next crown. The next crown I put on Ikuto's head he glares at me, but doesn't complain. I make one for everyone including the guardian characters. Everyone looked so cute. Kukai accepted his graciously with a huge smile and even Utau had looked happy when I placed a crown on her head. Now I have one left in my hand.
"Why do you have an extra crown Yaya?" Tadase asks as he points at the crown in my hand.
"This one's for Amu." I respond. "I think I'm going to find her and give it to her." I say as I stand up, "I'll be right back." I run towards the school building and once I am in I head towards the Principles office. I peak in the room, but Amu is nowhere to be found. The principle sees me.
"Your Yaya Yuiki right? How can I help you?" He asks with a deep voice.
"Was Amu in here earlier? I am trying to find her."
"She left ten minutes ago."
"Do you know where she went?" I ask starting to get worried.
"When she left my office she turned towards the left so I would assume she headed to the courtyard."
"Ok thanks a lot!" I say as I run towards the courtyard. I run out the doors and I head down the pathway towards the courtyard. This area was where I spent a lot of my time last week when I was trying to avoid the guardians. It was a nice and quiet spot. Before I reach the courtyard I hear someone crying. I follow the sound of crying and I immediately see a very bright pink head of hair. I cautiously approach Amu before I gently sit down next to her. Amu's head immediately lifts from where it was placed on her knees.
"I made this for you." I say as I place the crown on her head. She touches the flowers on her head before she looks at me with confusion, tears still streaming down her face.
"W-why? I thought you h-hated me?" She says as sobs escape her mouth.
"I don't hate you I was just hurt." I say with a smile.
"Th-hank you. Yaya I-I feel re-eally bad about leaving you behind. E-everything just feel apart." She said as her tears started to slow down.
"It's fine." I say with a reassuring smile.
"E-very thing just sucks."
"I am sure that's not true."
"I c-can't even talk to Rin, Su or Miki about anything any more. I can t-tell they are worried I am just so scared of them disappearing. I am so confused."
"If you want to tell me you can, maybe I can help." She looks so confused and scared.
"That's just the thing nothing is wrong. My parents love me and my sister is adorable. I have great friends. My heart just hurts so much." She says slowly as I see tears begin to form in her eyes again. "I can't deal with the pain sometimes, I- I-," She starts sobbing mid sentence.
"It's fine Amu you don't have to tell me."
"I-I want to." She pulls her sleeve up and I see dozens of parallel lines going up her arm.
"Amu-," I start before she interrupts me.
"You don't have to say it. I-I know I am a freak." She says as she puts her head on her knees again.
"Can I tell you a secret Amu?" She looks up at me and she nods her head. "Back in the seventh grade I cut myself. I did it a lot. Then one day when I was doing it Tsubasa walked into the bathroom. My six-year-old brother walked up to me and he gave me a hug and he said, "Please stop Sister. I don't want to lose you." I haven't cut since. So next time you feel the pain think of that one person that couldn't live without you. Remember no matter what you can call me whenever."
Amu looks at me as she starts crying again. "T-thank you." I lean over and I hug Amu closely as the bell signaling the end of lunch rings. I look down at Amu who I can tell is in no condition to go back to class.
"How about we just go get some ice cream?" I ask and Amu begins to laugh as the tears stream down her face. "What's so funny?" I ask as I huff indignantly.
"Leave it to you to think about candy at a time like this." Amu says through her hysterics.
"Fine we'll just go to class." I say as I stand up.
"No let's get some ice cream." Amu says still laughing her tears stopping.
"Ok lets. How do we get out of here?"
"There is a hole in the back fence of the school we can leave through."
"Are you sure? What if we get caught?"
"No worries I have done this before just follow my lead." I nod my head and I follow Amu. We take the route that goes behind the outside of the school to avoid the principle.
"Wait Amu I forgot my school bag! It's out by the tree where we eat lunch!" I said.
"Ok we'll stop by there and get it." She said as we change direction.
"Hold on you two." We hear coming from behind us. We both slowly turn around and we see none other than Ikuto standing there with a smug smirk and my school bag.
"Old man you shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" I say to him trying to suppress my smile as I grab my bag from him. "Anyway old man what are you doing here?"
"Everyone was getting worried about you, so I said I would come and find you." It's then that I noticed the obvious tension between Amu and Ikuto.
"Hey Ikuto do you want to come with us we were just about to get ice cream?" I ask as I glance at Amu. She looks slightly happy. I know for a fact that right now the two of them could definitely use each other. I figure these two need all the happiness they can get.
"Sure." Ikuto says trying to seem cool and nonchalant even with his mask I can tell that he is excited.
"Ok then let's go." Amu says as she starts crawling so she won't be seen from the windows. We follow her and we are halfway towards the fence when Amu stops.
"Ikuto, what happened to us?" She whispers.
"What?" Ikuto said with confusion covering his face as he stops from his position directly behind Amu.
"Why did you stop calling me all those years ago?" Amu whispered as she starts to cry again.
"What are you talking about? I never stopped calling, you stopped answering the phone." Ikuto says in a louder voice.
"What I always answered the phone when you called?" Amu responds in confusion.
"Guys I don't think this is the right time." I whisper at them.
"No this is the right time Yaya. What you said earlier inspired me to be happy and take a chance." She said this and gave me a smile. Before we can do anything we hear a voice from inside the classroom.
"Who is talking? We are taking a test!" I feel my eyes widen as footsteps approach the window. I feel my heart start to beat faster as the footsteps get closer. We are all frozen in place. The window starts to open wider and wider until we see the top of a head pock out. Then we hear a chair scrap back inside the classroom.
"Souma what are you doing?" I feel my eyes widen even further.
"I was the one talking." Kukai says in a very serious voice.
"Souma? You know the consequences for talking during a test. Go to the principle's office. We hear Kukai gather his things and before I can do anything Ikuto is dragging me to the fence and off school property. We stand panting leaning against the fence.
"What's going on?" Amu asks slowly.
"Amu. Do you really think I will make you happy? Ikuto asks.
"I was so sad and confused when you stopped calling. I thought you had finally realized what a screw up I am." Amu says as she looks up at Ikuto.
"You're perfect." Ikuto says as he grabs Amu's hand. I smile as I watch them stare at each other.
"I am still a little confused thought. Why did Kukai do that?" Amu asks as she blushes and turns towards me.
Ikuto starts laughing, "You are really slow when it comes to love."
"What! Who does Kukai love?" Amu asks with confusion covering her face.
He looks over at me, "It's obviously-," I quickly interrupt him before he can finish.
"Do you guys hear that?" They both quiet down and we all listen to the footsteps. Before we can start running Kukai comes under the fence.
"Kukai I am so sorry we got you in trouble." Amu apologizes as she holds Ikuto's hand.
"It's fine that class was horrible!" Kukai says.
"Ok Kukai you should come with us! Old man is treating us to ice cream!" I say excitedly.
"I am?" Ikuto asks with a raised eyebrow. Even with his usual mask on I can see the happiness on his face.
"Yes you are. You got Kukai in trouble so you are treating." I say defiantly.
"Wasn't my fault." He says with determination.
"Ikuto you have no chance of winning this fight." Kukai says from beside me.
"But-." Ikuto starts
"Ya so ice cream is on Ikuto!" I yell as I drag them towards the ice cream store. When we get there it feels like I have finally gone home. It was like the old days when I had nothing to worry about.
"Yaya is that you?" I hear coming from behind me. I quickly turn around to face a man that I have not seen in years.
"Mr. Candyman!" I yell as I jump on him. I hear him laugh. When I finally stop hugging him and he sets me down and I face him.
"It's been years Yaya how's life been treating you?" He asks with a kind smile.
"It's been good. I'm in highschool now." I say proudly.
"Wow you sure did get old." I see him look over my shoulder, "And if it isn't Kukai. I haven't seen you around in a long time either."
"It's good to see you Mr. C." Kukai said
"Are you still playing soccer?" Mr. C asked.
"Yep we are about to have our first game." Kukai responds.
"Maybe I'll try to come." He looks at all of us and says, "Anyway you guys have anything you want it's on the house."
"Yay!" I grab Kukai's hand and I drag him towards the ice cream. "I want a chocolate fudge Sunday with chocolate chips." I say with excitement.
"Well I could have guessed that." Kukai said from next to me.
"I have really missed this place." I say as I press my face up against the glace. Ikuto and Amu come up behind us. Mr. C goes behind the counter and starts taking our orders.
"Why do they call you Mr. Candyman when you name tag says Kagawa?" Amu asks as she starts licking her ice cream.
"I think it was nine years ago when Kukai and Yaya first walked in here. They were on a school field trip. They were both lost and scared. Yaya was in hysterics all she noticed was the candy store. Ever since then she has called me Mr. Candyman." Mr. C finished.
"I was not scared." I say as I start devouring my ice cream, "I was trying to make scaredy cat Kukai feel better."
"Sure that's why you squeezed my hand so hard you almost broke it." Kukai says lazily as he licks his ice cream. I huff as we get a table and Mr. C starts helping a young couple that just walked throught the door.
"Omg!" Amu suddenly squeals, "Ikuto your right I am slow."
"Wow you just figured that out." Ikuto says.
"Your right it was for love!" Amu says excitedly.
I feel a blush creep onto my face as Kukai asks them what they are talking about. After I quickly change the subject our conversation continues until all of our ice cream is gone and we are all leaning back in our chairs with lazy smiles on our faces. That's when my watch begins to beep. I look down at the time and realize school has been out for twenty minutes. I quickly stand up.
"Hey guys I gotta go. Tsubasa will be getting home soon and he always gets really sad on these kind of days." I say quickly not realizing what I said.
"What kind of days?" Kukai asks suspiciously.
"Don't worry about it." I say quickly as I begin to race out the door.
"Don't forget about my dinner, shorty." I hear Ikuto yell. I give him a wave as I leave the store. I feel someone race out after me and I look to my side to see Kukai. He gives me a look.
"You didn't really expect me to let you leave with a crap excuse like that." He said as he looks down at me.
"I don't know what you are talking about." I say as I pick up my pace.
"You know exactly what I am talking about! I'm not an idiot I've noticed what you have been doing." Kukai said.
"What exactly have I been doing?" I ask, he grabs my hand and turns me around so I am facing him.
"You're trying to make everyone happy." He says as he stares into my eyes.
"What's so bad about that?" I ask with frustration as I pull my hand away from his grip.
"Because you're the unhappiest of us all." I stare at him in shock, "You keep helping everyone. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but you need let people help you to."
"But I-." before I can even finish my sentence Kukai interrupts me.
"Remember what I said before? You can't lie to me." He said with a small smile. "I'll wait until your ready to tell me. Then if you want to tell me you can. Maybe I can help." I stand there in shock as Kukai repeats the words I had said to Amu earlier today. Then I feel myself burst out laughing.
"What?" I hear Kukai ask flustered. He was probably expecting tears not laughing.
"S-sorry it's just the last thing you said is the exact thing I said to Amu earlier." I say as my laughter dies down. I look up at Kukai and his serious face is gone replaced by the smile I love so much. "I'll remember that Kukai. If I ever need help you'll be the first one I call."
"Good now we better get the cat's food ready." Kukai says as we start walking again.
"What? Why are you helping?"
"Because all I had for lunch today was candy and I need some real food."
"Hey candy is real food!" I say with a huff.
"To much of a good thing is not good." He said as we approached my house, "Anyway what happened to Amu earlier?"
"The same thing that happened to Nagihiko and Tadase. You know I should be a therapist."
"Nagihiko was right you really are the glue holding us together. I'm really happy your back."
"Kukai can I ask you a question?" I ask slowly.
"Shoot."
"Why did you tell the teacher it was you who was talking?"
"There is no way I could let little Yaya get in trouble."
"Yep, little Yaya." I repeat quietly as we enter the house.