My eyes widened. Did someone take them?! There was only person I knew would have been so persistent. Nikaidou.

"Hinamori- san, I'm not going to ask where you got my phone number, but can you tell me where you are right now?"

"I'm at the French restaurant in front of the station!"

"I'll be right there," with that said, the conversation was done. Maybe this will keep my mind off of Maya and that other woman. I walked out and rushed to the elegant diner. Hinamori was nowhere to be found. With a frown, I searched around and saw Ikuto holding Hinamori in his arms. My early hormone caused jealousy surging through me. As hard as I tried, it was impossible to rid myself of the emotion. I had to suck it up and deal. I need to stop everyone and everything from hurting me so much.

"Hinamori- san," I said, capturing their attention. Just looking at Ikuto tore me up inside, so I opted to ignoring him. "Do you still need my help, Hinamori- san?"

She was absolutely flustered as she nodded. Being in Ikuto's arms must make her either nervous, embarrassed, or… well, I don't want to think about it.

Ikuto did his character transformation and beckoned for me to do my character change, but I was a step ahead of him. An awkward silence settled between us as we soared through the air, even Hinamori who was usually clueless felt it.

Finally, we stopped under a bridge.

"Nikaidou!" Hinamori shouted. It was just as I suspected. He was behind this operation, but probably not that entire plan to find the embryo.

"If it isn't Hinamori- san and Misaki- san," he greeted with an evil smirk on his lips.

"You're a pawn of Easter!" Hinamori shouted. Easter? If I remembered correctly, wasn't that the brand that was on every wrapper and cup in the theatre? "You were the one who turned Yuki's and Yamada's heart's eggs into X Eggs!"

Nikaidou explained how he had to infiltrate Seiyo Academy to gather information on X Eggs from the students to make the embryo. Hinamori was furious and charged at him, but a rush of purple energy was emitted from him. He held out three X Eggs, the powerful aura was from them.

As Hinamori was pushed back, Ikuto caught her, which made the jealousy almost unbearable. "What are you planning, Nikaidou," Ikuto growled out.

"Did they tell you to follow me?" Nikaidou was unfazed by the teen's threatening tone. "You're just as much of a pawn of Easter as I am, if not more."

I looked over at him the same time Hinamori did. Then he really is working for the other side, but… is it really the other side if I wasn't on one? I didn't join the Guardians because I couldn't imagine myself fitting in with them; I refused Ikuto's invitation to go with him in fear of what might happen to me if I went to the wrong side. It was all so mindboggling.

"Hm, I don't have time to deal with this," Nikaidou stated before throwing a smoke bomb at us and left, but before he did he said, "But… seeing that look on your face, wouldn't it be better if you just join us? It's really not that bad being a pawn of Easter." The others didn't know who he was speaking to, but a strange feeling told me it was me. Maybe it was because of the way he said it, so similar to how he spoke to me when he was a teacher; maybe because I really was tempted to join a side.

Without looking back at the two other people who were still present, I too walked away. I wasn't going to make a rash decision that was going to put me in more trouble, but I needed to do something soon.

I pondered whether to go home tonight or not, but the thought of confirming what that woman said was true was going to kill me. On pure instincts, I made my way to the park. It was the only place I felt like myself and not someone who was always trying to please another person or blame myself for everything that happens.

"Why are you all alone in the park this late at night? It's dangerous you know." He was one of the two people I didn't want to see right now. How did he know where I was? "Are you ignoring me?"

I quickly walked off, but his long legs enabled him to easily walk with me in unison, which made me pull into a light job that turned into a full out sprint. When his patience ran out, he tackle me to t he ground, pinning me there. His body pressed hard against mine. "Stop running away from me." His voice made me almost forget why I was angry with him. "Why are you running from me?"

With a sniff, I looked away. I didn't need to deal with him. I needed to be strong- not let him bully me around. 'Don't be like that." My finger twitched, his voice was husky now. "Was it something I did?" Ignoring him was harder than I thought it would be. "Were you possibly jealous of when I was close to Hinamori?" A squeak escaped from me. Was I transparent? "You don't need to be." His head nuzzled mine.

"Stop it…" There wasn't much meaning to my words and he knew it. "Ikuto- san… stop- ah!" He nibbled at a particularly sensitive spot, making me moan. The way his teeth raked again my skin gave me such a pleasurable feeling. "Ikuto…"

"Oh? No more suffix to my name, Kura- chan?" he whispered. "I like that." His lips trailed down to my exposed collar. My breathing became pants as the atmosphere became stuffy. "Mine." He left a kiss on me. "Mine." Kiss. "Mine." Kiss. "All mine."

My eyes were drooped. The delightful feeling was shutting down my brain. "Ikuto, you won't leave me for her, will you?" I winced after I said that. I sounded like Hoshina Utau. "I mean…"

"I won't leave you for anyone."

I allowed a smile to form on my lips. This was enough for now.

After our compromise, Ikuto took me to a hotel when I told him of my dilemma. The receptionist asked if we wanted one room or two and before I could answer, he said, "One." My eyes bugged. Sure we have slept in the same room and shared a bed, but never alone in a hotel. I guess it might be better than being alone in his house, depending on whether his family was there or not. Hoshina would probably kill me if anything happened… Hoshina… Her family name is different than Ikuto's, now that I think about it. Divorced family?

Surprisingly, Ikuto didn't do anything that crossed the line that night. We went to first and second base and left it at that. Frankly, I enjoyed sharing a bed with him. He was warm and soft, but firm.

"Tsu- chan, are you okay?" The little girl looked up with tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. The boy in front of her held out his hand. "It's going to be okay, don't cry." She sniffed and took his hand. He helped her up from her fallen position with a smile. "Why don't I treat you to some ice cream?"

She nodded happily and the two of them walked over to a nearby ice cream stand in the park. This was their favourite place to be. It was peaceful, but not deserted. "Mint chocolate, right?" Once again, she nodded. The boy told the vendor and picked vanilla for himself.

They settled on a bench under a beautiful willow tree that shaded them from the sun. "Would you like to come over to my house today, Tsu- chan?"

A pout settled on the girl's lips. "I want to, but your sister doesn't like me!"

He smiled down at her. "She'll have to deal with it because I like you."

"I like you too!" She giggled childishly, not quite understanding what the boy had meant. "Let's go on the swings! I wanna flyyy!" There was no objection from the male. The girl ran to the swing set, while the boy walked calmly in his own pace. "Push me! Push me!" A chuckle left his lips at the sound of the girl's energetic self. "Yay! Fly! Fly!" In an attempt to spread her nonexistent wings, which were her arms, she flew off the seat and into the air. Thinking that she was going to die, she was surprised to feel that it wasn't the hard and bumpy gravel that she hit, but instead, it was a pair of warm arms. They wrapped themselves around her lithe body. She looked into dark sparkling eyes.

"What would you do without me?"

She giggled cutely again. "I'll never be without you!" She snuggled close to his body.

"Of course you won't be without me."

I slowly woke from my slumber. The dream was nice and mellow, but who were those people? It doesn't matter. I closed my eyes again and snuggled to the warmest spot on the bed, which so happened to have its arms around me. Just as I was about to fall back asleep, my eyes snapped open. Did beds have arms?! As if in response to my thoughts, the arms moved and tightened its grip on me. Is it going to eat me? I struggled for a moment, but the sound of Ikuto's velvet voice brought me back to reality. Monsters didn't exist. Ikuto was with me.

"Good morning," I muttered, cheeks flushing from embarrassment.

"Morning," he mumbled back and pecked my lips. "You better go to school. You shouldn't skip it so much."

School wasn't so important right now. It's not like we learn anything of significance in fifth year. I would much rather spend my entire day with him. "My things are at Maya's. I can't get them with her around." That was a pretty pathetic excuse, but I had to try.

"And why not?" he countered with a knowing smirk on his face.

Not being able to get my brain to work out a witty comment, I merely buried my head into his shirt and said, "Because."

"You're going to make me be late for my own school," he said, but didn't make a move to pry himself away from me.

His soft breathing slowly lulled me back to sleep.

"Kura- chan!" she cried out. "Listen! Listen!" Kura made her way to the little girl who began to sing in a sweet and innocent voice. "I want to be a singer when I grow up!"

Kura nodded and smiled encouragingly at the girl. "You'll be a very talented singer."

"I'm so glad you're here!" she said. "It's so quiet and lonely at home all the time. Sometimes, I wish he was my brother instead. Then, I wouldn't have to wait for his sister to leave before I can play with him."

"Why don't you become friends with her?" Kura inquired, curiosity lining her tone.

"No! She's mean!" the girl exclaimed. "She doesn't let me go near Ikuto! She's always trying to get me in trouble with their parents and they always believe her! It's so unfair!" She stomped her feet, emphasizing her displeasure.

"But you can still spend time with him outside," her companion stated.

"I guess…"

When I woke up again, it was already way pass the start of school and Ikuto had left a note on the nightstand, stating that he has gone for class. A part of me wished that he had woke me up before he left, but getting angry at him wasn't fair, so I left it as it is.

Since I had nothing to do now, I decided to go back to Maya's. To my fortune, her car was present and I could settle any misunderstandings between us. The moment I saw her though, I knew I was the only one mistaken.

She had an unusual stoic expression on her face that looked very awkward an unattractive on her. "Kurokura." The way she said my name made it sound more like a warning instead of a greeting. "What are you going here?" It was obvious what the woman said was true now. She didn't want me around anymore.

"I…" I trailed off, unsure on how to respond. "I'm sorry about Kanosuke, but he was hurting you and I!"

"Did I call the police?" Maya retorted. I was confused. "I needed him! How could you do this to me after all I've done for you?!" My eyes widened and I winced at her harsh tone. She looked frustrated as she tugged at her hair. "What am I going to do now?" Finally, insanity took her completely. She held out a knife that was beside a peeled apple on the table and pointed it at me. "If I let you stay around any longer. I'll go crazy!"

I quickly turned around and ran for it, but like everything else I do, that was a mistake. A bursting pain made me stop dead. Looking down, I saw something sharp sticking out of my chest. Blood didn't gush out, but it stained my shirt in an alarmingly fast rate. Some surged up my throat, making me choke. It must've hit something vital…

A whimper left my lips as I stumbled away with Maya trying to finish me off. Only inches away now. Almost there… But as luck had it, she pulled me away from my path to freedom. She yanked my hair harshly, ripping some up from the scalp and threw me back into the living room. I let out a pained gasp as I landed on my back, causing the knife to sink deeper into me. When had she gotten so strong?

I staggered to my feet just as Maya plunged toward me. She wouldn't let me leave without a fight. I had to do something. Being completely rash and impulsive, I pulled the knife out of me, closed my eyes, and held it in front of me. I knew the results the moment a gasp and gurgle reached my ears. Maya had run straight into it. She fell back, facing the ceiling, her eyes were open, but there was no life in it. Blood began to pool around her. It dyed her beautiful silk- like hair a dark crimson.

Shakily, I collapsed. Not until now did I realize that when I pulled the knife out, the streamed out of me. I didn't want to die, not like this. I had withstood so many foster families; this one isn't going to be the one that kills me. I won't die. I can't… But as hard as I tried to stay awake, I found that it was impossible. Darkness already clouded my vision as I drifted off into oblivion.

The sound of a consistent beep filled my ears. Its high pitch note was absolutely annoying. I slowly opened my eyes and stared at a white tiled ceiling. The stench of bleach, synthetics, and rubber made my nose wrinkle in disgust. Where was I? What happened? I tried to sit up, but felt a searing main where my torso was.

Memories of what happened the day before raced through my head. Maya was angry that I had Kanosuke arrested. She wanted to kill me, almost succeeded, but I had killed her before she did anything else. After all this time, I kept thinking that I was her protector, but now, her death was by my hands. Those dreams where Kanosuke killed her were all created by my imagination. Perhaps it was me who had the killing intent. Deep in my subconscious, I wanted to kill her. Rip her apart and feed her to the dogs…

At that thought, I sweat dropped. That wasn't what I thought at all. Maybe I'm looking too deep into it. It was an act of pure self defense… But I still killed her. Would I be arrested?

"Kurokura- san, I'm glad you're finally awake," someone said. I looked at him. He was a brunette with graying hair and faded blue eyes framed with a pair of glasses. "How are you feeling?"

"It hurts right here," I said, weakly gesturing to my wound.

He smiled kindly at me and nodded. "It's to be expected. The knife left a rather large hole in you."

"Will I have to go to jail?"

"No, your act was of pure self defense," he said.

"That's good… I don't want to be able to see him…" with that said, my eyes shut again.

"Kura- chan," a deep voice reached me. "Kura- chan."

"I don't want to be here, let's go," another said.

"Utau," came his warning intonation.

"Ikutooo!"

I frowned at the loudness of her voice. "Be quiet before you wake her."

XxXxXxXxXx

Sorry this came out a day later than scheduled...