Hi, guys! I was seriously thinking of dropping this story, but thanks to a reviewer, I'm up and writing again! Hehe...thanks really; reviews really help lots:) For this chapter, from the second part to the last part Utau is the narrator of the story! Without further ado, chapter 11!

"Fate is strong. It is potent. But, it doesn't mean we don't have the ability to change it," Utau murmured to herself, staring at the ceiling above; scrutinizing its components.

"What?" I retorted, raising my eyebrows. Iki stared at his sister.

Outside, the rain was drizzling down softly on the earth. As for us, we were safely secured inside Utau's cave. The opening of the den was pretty low, but inside, it was commodious and cozy; especially with the fire burning steadily on the logs Utau had accrued.

"It's an adage our mother used to reiterate day after day; night after night. Iki, you were only five when our mother passed away, so you might not recall such a thing. Nevertheless, I remember it. Clearly. Lucidly. It outshines every memory I have of our mother." Utau stared off into the distance.

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at Utau. "What does this have to do with your husband?"

Utau chuckled. "You never change, do you? Always straight to the point."

"Neither do you. Always beating around the bush. Increasing the tension unnecessarily," I rejoined, glowering at Utau.

"Nothing I do is unnecessary. It's merely that you're impatient and peevish," Utau countered, a wry smile clouding her face.

I glared at Utau. She stared right back. A minute passed. Two. Three. Four.

Iki coughed. He reminded, "I'm still here, you know."

Utau and I averted our eyes from each other. After a moment, Utau continued, "Iki, do you remember how I told you our father died in a carriage accident?"

Iki nodded his head slowly.

"It's not true. He died in a war," Utau disclosed casually, as if she was asking Iki what he wanted for dinner.

Iki's countenance darkened. "Is there a reason why you didn't tell me sooner?" Iki questioned, diverting his gaze to the ground.

"You were too young. For that matter, I was, too. But, I wanted to refrain you from knowing too much. I wanted you, at least, to have a better childhood."

Iki looked up. I glanced at Utau.

She ordered, "Listen carefully. Don't interrupt me until my story is finished. After I utter the final sentence, you two can decide what road you want to take."

I met my husband at a garage sale nine years ago. I'd gone with a couple of close friends, I remember. We were there to look around instead of our mothers who were either sick, busy, or "occupied with other duties". I was almost nine years old and was pretty content with my situation; others were worse off than me. Of course, at that time, I was ignorant of what was to happen.

My friend exclaimed, "Isn't that boy cute?"

Another joined, "He is! Utau! Utau! Look!" The girl next to me pointed her finger towards the man.

I momentarily glanced up from the grocery list I was perusing. "He's okay, I guess." I went back to checking the list.

One of the girls tapped me on the shoulder. She urged, "Utau! You're so unenthusiastic when it comes to men! He's the only son of the current president of this country, you know? You're the prettiest of us all! It's such a pity to watch you drown into the abyss of oblivion."

I fixed, "You mean, the only son of a pretentious conqueror who doesn't even treat us as human beings? He's cool and everything, but he's just not my type." I shrugged my shoulders.

My friends all sighed. Simultaneously, they announced, "Hardcore."

I simply rolled my shoulders and went back to the paper in my hand.

"Don't you have any manners, you vixen! The high official's son has personally come to take your taxes! Now, give us the money!" a soldier bombarded. I looked up. Said person was comfortably mounted on a horse; gazing down at an old woman in contempt. His underling had a spear pointed against the old woman's throat. The products on the woman's blanket were cankered. Pedestrians were gathered around to behold the commotion.

"Please! Have mercy! I promise I'll supply the government with the money as soon as I sell everything on here! Please!" the woman supplicated earnestly.

"Isn't that way too austere? To do such a thing to a widow..."

"Poor woman...what are they going to do to her?"

The people whispered amongst each other. However, not a single person was audacious enough to step up and aid the woman directly. My friends simply covered their faces with their hands; unwilling to behold the ongoing scenario. I fixated my eyes on the woman. Her hands were trembling non-stop. "Silence!" the sentinel roared. "The next person who defies the government will be severely punished along with this woman! Do you all understand?"

"That's just cowardly, isn't it? Utilizing your power to subjugate a woman with no kindred, money, and employment? No wonder this country's so messed up and diluted," I declared in a loud voice. My friends all turned their heads to stare at me. One hissed, "What are you doing, Utau? Apologize to him, right now!"

I ignored my friend's advice and stepped up into the clearing, next to the victim. The crowd allowed me to pass without any restraint. Many just stared at me in astoundment.

I glowered at the soldier. At first, the soldier looked dazed; astonished. Then, he began laughing uncontrollably. After a while, catching his breath, he jeered, "What's this kid saying? Guards, let's take her to the Headquarters! How should we punish her? Give her some kitty food?"

I remained silent.

The president's son jumped down from his horse. He was smiling. Approaching me, he cajoled, "What's your name, young lady?"

I smirked, "I don't feel obliged to tell you."

A sentinel lunged at me. "You-"

"It's alright! I'm fine." The president's son stopped the guard with his arm. He gently uplifted my chin with his middle finger. "We'll be seeing each other soon, young lady. Very soon."

With that sentence hanging in the air, the high official's son left with his guards.

That was the first, fateful showdown that occurred between my husband and I.

Even now, I regret what I did on that day at the marketplace. What if...I hadn't done anything? Would my life been any different?

I held my mother's dress tightly in my palms; stubbornly gritting my teeth. "I'll go. It was my fault! Mother doesn't deserve this! I want to go!" I cried, tears distorting my vision.

My mother gently pulled my grasp away from her dress. Her warmth penetrated my fingers like a piece of hot bread that permeates one's tongue on a wintry night. "Utau. Take...care...of...your brother, okkay? Promise me." My mother coughed on her right sleeve.

I shook my head.

"Utau!" I turned around. It was my father. The crease on his forehead had doubled its usual size. "Don't be ridiculous! Apologize to your mother and tell her you'll take good care of your brother," my father ordered.

I turned my head from right to left. "Father, I'll go. I can guarantee that's what the high official's son wants. I need to go. You know mother's condition will worsen if she does that. "

As if on cue, the door to our dwelling opened. "Excuse me; the high official's son is waiting in the carriage. Which one of you will be going with him to the Headquarters?" a guard questioned, entering the abode.

"Me!" I exclaimed. My voice was high-pitched; a shrill. My father grabbed my arms and tied them behind my back. I desperately struggled against his advances.

My mother raised her hand. "I'll be going." The soldier nodded in understanding. Then, my mother whispered in my ear, "Utau. Everything will be alright. Fate is strong. It is potent. But, it doesn't mean we don't have the ability to change it. Remember, I love you and Ikuto the most."

With that, my mother left the house with the government's men.

A week before, a letter was addressed to our house. It was a message from the government officials themselves, I'm sure:

Addressed to: The Tsukiyomi Family

Due to broaching the law of the country and offending the nation's second-most valued leader, one female member of the Tsukiyomi Family is hereby required to attend to the desires of the president and all the sects that he possesses under his ruling. The service will last until the government dismisses all charges against the Tsukiyomi Family. A fortnight after, a carriage will be arriving at your residence.

Yours,

Head of the Department of Law and Enforcement

My father closed the portmanteau; clasping its handle in his hands. I stared blankly into his eyes. He stared straight back. Phlegmatic. Austere. Unfeeling.

My little brother's minute fingernails were fastened tightly against my flesh. His hands were trembling. I questioned, "Father, you really don't feel anything? Guilt? Pity? At least a little bit of regret?"

Without hesitating, my father shook his head. "No. It was right of the officers to kill that woman. She stabbed the president's shoulder. It was an unlawful act," my father stated, heading towards the doorway.

I grabbed my father's arm and forced him to face me. Eye to eye. "They don't have any evidence! Mother might be innocent. No, she is free of guilt! Father, you know her best. You know she's not even capable of killing a pest!"

My father shook off my hand and turned towards the door. "Whoever did it, someone has to pay for the damage. I might as well take care of it."

I stomped my foot on the ground; incensed. Raising my arms up in the air, I shouted, "Mother was insane! Her mental stability was abnormal when we sent her out of the house! Shouldn't we be acquitted of any kind of culpability after all we've done for the government? My mother's life is worth more than-"

Father interrupted, "It's partly my fault for not knowing that woman's condition well enough. Now, let me go, Utau."

I blocked the exit with my body. "How can you possess such a calm demeanor? You're going to war! You don't even know how to handle a gun! Are you trying to commit suicide?"

My father shrugged. "Maybe."

I grabbed a hold of my father's shirt. "You...are you really our father?" I demanded.

My father pushed me out of the way. Opening the door, he replied, "According to the forms, yes." He went out of the house. That was the last time I ever saw my father.

I looked down at the ground. Fresh drops of water and blood covered the surface of the floor. I touched my arm. Blood. I swung my head to face Ikuto. His fingernails were tainted with red.

I walked towards Ikuto, bent down, and hugged him tightly. "You didn't have to cling onto me so desperately. I won't leave you like our mother and father. No matter what."

Addressed to: The Tsukiyomi Children

I am extremely upset to inform the children of Tsukiyomi Aruto: your father has passed away in a recent skirmish against the enemy army. To reimburse for the casualty, the president has specially offered you a stay in the Headquarters. Our most trusted soldier will accompany you to the Headquarters a day from today.

Yours,

Head of the Department of Law and Enforcement

I folded the letter in half and threw it inside the garbage dispenser. My little brother looked up at me eagerly. He inquired, "Is daddy coming back home soon?"

I gently caressed Ikuto's cheek with my fingers. He smiled and purred. I smiled back.

Even if my parents were dead, I still had one thing to live for.

I announced, "Ikuto, we're running away."

"Please! Take us in! We'll do anything!" I entreated, holding the doorknob firmly in my fingers.

The girl in front of me looked away. "Utau...we'll get in trouble if we host you... You've been officially marked as a renegade..." she trailed off, averting her eyes from mine.

"I promise we'll be careful!" I exclaimed, holding Ikuto in my arms. He had collapsed due to fatigue a day ago. "If I don't do anything, Ikuto...Ikuto might die!"

The girl sighed and slipped into the house. When she reappeared near the entrance, she thrust me a bottle of water and a piece of bread. "I'm sorry, Utau." She closed the door on my face.

I collapsed on the ground. The sun's rays shone against my head. My vision was hazy. Ikuto was barely breathing. Perspiration rolled down my temples. The drops tasted salty.

The entire world was against me.

"Excuse me, sir, we have a visitor," the attendant informed.

The man, without looking up, questioned, "Who is it?"

"It's me. The girl who derided 'Your Greatness' in public." He immediately swung his head up to behold me. I was probably extremely filthy; clothed in rags and plastered with dirt. My hair had almost turned dark brown.

The man gently settled his four fingers on his chin. His thumb was placed above his lower lip. "My, my, Utau. You've certainly altered your style, haven't you? It's rather...appalling, I must say."

I stared at the man. On his desk, a small sign read: Head of the Government. His physical features had changed from our last rendezvous. His voice was deeper. His body looked more stalwart and sturdy. Only his eyes remained the same. Blank, white eyes. Emotionless and uncaring.

I bowed down on my knees. "I sincerely regret the deed I committed on the marketplace an year ago. Please, help us."

The high official engraved his eyes upon my face and chuckled. He questioned, "Me? Aid you? Why should I? I don't feel obliged to."

I alleged, "I'll do anything for you! Just...please...save my brother." My head dropped to the floor.

Eventually, the high official's laughter ceased. He observed, "You really have become compliant...Utau. A surprising change...an unexpected one, too."

I remained silent.

The high official smirked. He warned rather teasingly, "Your life will become much more miserable than now if you agree to do everything I say. Your parents' endeavors will probably go down the drain." He snapped his fingers. "Like that."

"I don't care," I muttered.

The high official stood up from his chair. He traversed across the room; his footsteps slowly grew nearer. When he arrived in front of me, he sat on his knees, and held up my chin. "Then, marry me, Utau."

Mother, you were wrong. Fate cannot be altered. I will always be fettered with the chains of fate.

Boo! Long, boring, and a lot of information to consider! I hate these chapters, but they're needed. If you guys want more than merely fluff between Ikuto and Amu, of course. I couldn't fit everything I wanted to in this chapter, so I think I'll need to extend this story by one chapter. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish this story in time. This chapter was "not too exciting and romantic", but hey, I have something planned for the last chapter, so...look forward to that:) I can guarantee you Amuto fans are going to love it:) Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Review, please! Flames are welcomed:)