Remember in chapter 10 (the most recent chapter) when I said that I thought I would be able to update a lot and possibly finish the story that summer? Eight months later and…well, nothing. I am immensely sorry for that. There have been a multitude of factors for that, which were my surprisingly {somewhat} busy summer, my rapid completion of Game of Thrones, school being crazy stressful (though summer had nothing to do with that), and on top of all that, writer's block. Also, not to be one of those annoying authors, but I got one review on the last chapter, and that was disappointing. I don't write for reviews, but reviews do keep me going and make me feel as if my writing is worthwhile, so please, if you're reading, please drop a review so I can accelerate my updates! Regardless, not in a million years would I have imagined waiting until 2015 to update. Anyhow, enough with my ramblings; I've made you wait long enough anyway. Enjoy! Please refresh yourselves if necessary (which is probably the case). I will be referring back to lots of previous events, since lots of things are coming together.


**Call Me Crazy**

"I'm not leaving Kukai! No matter what happens; I promised Yaya! I have to save him!"

Exhaustion was a vast understatement for the aggregation of emotions Utau experienced, as she leaned against the wall of the asylum. A part of her wanted to stop and just give herself in. She had been at the asylum for one week; she had managed to evade, albeit coming quite close some times, the guards for one week and perpetually run and run farther than she knew was possible. The asylum was making her lose her mind; walls were becoming cages and her goals were being mixed up with her needs. Her knees sank to the ground, as the temptation to cry became more and more tangible.

I can't…stop… She thought to herself, leaning against the cool wall. She could imagine a mirror reflecting her image—her, likely, dirty image. She knew her hair was completely out of place and she must have reeked, given her lack of shower. She was so hungry, merely surviving on scraps she had managed to steal. But most of all, it was a bed she sought, a comfortable place, or not comfortable place, to merely relax and take a nap.

"Utau… it's been about a week," El whispered.

"I don't care," Utau whispered. She glanced around, noting the lack of guards. As she glanced out the window, she could see the darkness of the night. It must have been very early in the morning; there would only be minimal guards.

"I'm the advocate for being risky, but you can't do it," Il told her. "It's stupid anyway; why would you do all this for someone else?"

"Because love sucks," Utau replied bluntly.

"Il! You don't get it; you never will!" El sighed. "Utau loves Kukai and she wants to protect him. It's so romantic… But you can't do it!" Utau ignored her chara. "You can't get hurt! What about your brother? He must be worried sick!"

"Ikuto's fine," Utau grumbled. "He has Amu." She could distinctly recall how horrified he looked when he truly fathomed what Utau had planned. She knew that concern; it was how she felt when he searched aimlessly for their father without a word. "It's payback. He did the same to me when he searched for Father."

"But Utau…"

"What would Yaya say?" Utau rose to her feet, rather shakily. "If I just returned home now without Kukai…can't you imagine the disappointment on Yaya's face? I've made it this far; I can't back down now." She began walking.

"But where else are you going to look?" Il wondered. "You've checked everywhere!"

"Clearly not everywhere," Utau amended. "If I had checked everywhere, I would have him by now." Upon hearing footsteps, she hid behind a wall, watching as guards walked through the hallways.

"Are you certain Hoshina Utau is still here?" One asked. "It's been a few days since we spotted her; she may have left."

"On the chance she is here, we cannot afford to have her loose. We've already lost some of our inpatients from the havoc she and her friends wrecked. We need to contain this."

"This…disease. What is it?" One of the men stopped. "How is it possible that all of these teenagers can communicate with these hallucinations?"

"The way the mind works is unfathomable." The man shook his head, taking a key out of his pocket. "That boy in the basement chambers… He is so firm in the belief that his fairy creature is real. He refuses to-" The other man gasped, as he was suddenly knocked unconscious.

"Sir!" The other man exclaimed, before he was knocked out as well. Utau clutched her trident carefully. She knelt down and picked up the key the man dropped, maintaining her transformation with Il.

"The basement chambers…"

As she arrived down the stairs, her eyes adjusted to the lack of lighting in the basement. She squinted, trying to make her way around. Upon stepping down the stairs, her feet landed in something wet.

"Great, I can't see," Utau complained.

"Utau, I hear something!" El called. Utau could recognize it as a bellow. She immediately broke into a run, heading in the direction of the sound. As she opened the door, she could distinctly make out auburn-colored hair in the dim lighting.

"Kukai…" Utau whispered, her eyes widening. Nothing else in the world mattered to her suddenly, as her purple-eyes gazed at the teenager who was tied against the wall, his shirt torn apart like wrapping paper. A man and a woman stood beside him, wearing lab coats.

"His responses have been stagnant this past week," The woman analyzed, glancing at her papers. "His condition appears to be severe."

"I don't have a condition!" Kukai retorted, his teeth gritted. "I'm normal! How many freaking times do I need to repeat that?!"

"I will run the ECT again."

"No please!" Kukai begged, his eyes filled with an emotion Utau never saw before. He looked desperate and frightened, like a beaten dog. "Not again! Just…just believe me!" Utau could suddenly see he was crying. As the man pressed buttons on the machine, Kukai's body shook as he bellowed in pain. He was crying and yelling, like an infant.

"Stop!" Utau yelled. The researchers turned, facing the blonde. The shock ended, prompting Kukai to pant heavily. Utau's fists were clenched as she glared at the researchers. Kukai looked up at her, stunned.

"You…you're the intruder," The man whispered, his eyes widened.

"Utau Hoshina, the singer…" The woman exclaimed. "They say she is mad, that she-"

"Untie him right now," Utau snapped angrily. Kukai's eyes widened as he watched her. "Or I'll kill you." The researchers exchanged a quick glance, before rushing over to Kukai and rapidly untying him. He fell to the ground, moaning in pain. Utau studied them closely as she walked cautiously to Kukai's side, helping him to his feet. He stood up weakly, leaning onto her for support. The researchers gulped, walking backward slowly.

"Say nothing, and I'll spare you," Utau snapped. "I've knocked out tons of guards and researchers, and you're no different. They were petrified, as Utau half-carried, half-dragged Kukai upstairs.

"Daichi," Utau called. Kukai's chara floated up. "Character change him." He nodded, prompting a star to appear in Kukai's hair. He gained some vitality, prompting him to stand up and force a meek grin. Utau ran with him, exiting the asylum and running as far as she could.

"Utau, stop, stop…" Utau froze, as Kukai suddenly stopped running, his character change ending. They stopped in an alleyway, prompting Utau to lean against the wall. Kukai fell to his knees and immediately proceeded to throw up.

"I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner," Utau whispered. "I needed to not be caught and-"

"You're fucking amazing." Kukai rose to his feet after doing his business. "You…You've been in the asylum for a week and managed to not get caught and rescue me?! You're an idiot, but amazing."

"I promised Yaya," Utau replied. "I couldn't leave you. I swore to protect you, and I did just that."

"Yaya…oh god…" Kukai sighed, leaning against the wall beside her. "I bet she's worried about me. God, that sucks."

"Everyone was worried about you," Utau mumbled. "I'm sure of it, anyway."

"You too…" Kukai looked at her. "It's been a week… Oh god…" He let out a sigh. "Shit, what about Amu and Nagi? Are they safe?! And Ikuto, Tadase, and Rima—did they make it out alright?!"

"They're out," Utau explained. A grin appeared on Kukai's face. "They really did it…"

"If I hadn't been knocked out, I suppose everything would have been perfect. Leave it to me to screw it up." Kukai laughed.

"You didn't screw it up," Utau reassured him. "Someone was bound to get caught. I was honestly frightened Ikuto would when he showed up again." She closed her eyes and sighed. Truthfully, she did not know for absolute certain her brother was safe. All she knew was that she ran ahead and forced him to leave. However, she had searched a week; she would have known if he was still there.

"Where are we going to go?" Utau suddenly wondered, opening her eyes. Kukai looked at her, puzzled.

"Uh…home?"

"What flight is going to let us on? We're wanted, Kukai. Practically the world at this point is looking for us."

"Well, damn." Utau pondered a moment. She pulled out her cell phone from her pocket, futilely attempting to turn it on despite the fact it was long out of battery.

"My cell phone still has charge," Kukai pointed out.

"What?! How?!" Utau grabbed Kukai's phone from him, watching as it turned on slowly.

"Apparently it was off in my pocket the whole time," Kukai grinned sheepishly. As his phone booted up, Utau unlocked it and immediately proceeded into his contacts, searching for the letter I and pressing send.

"We need to find somewhere to take shelter," Utau muttered, waiting anxiously for the familiar beeps. She took Kukai's hand, and began walking.

**Call Me Crazy**

Ikuto was slowly losing his mind. It had been a week since he knew the whereabouts of his little sister, and suddenly he regretted the months he searched for their father. He hated the nothingness he heard from her. Every day, he half-expected her to come back home with Kukai holding her hand, smiling up at her brother and saying everything was okay. However, those were merely delusions; Ikuto feared for her life and knew she was likely abducted. Each day, he had the page listing the people abducted opened and continuously refreshed. Unfortunately, it provided no new information, given it had not been updated since Amu and Nagihiko were abducted.

When he heard his phone ring, he jumped in surprise. It was two in the morning; who would be calling? When he picked up his iPhone, he was shocked to see the caller ID. Kukai?! He unlocked his phone, and pressed it toward his ear eagerly.

"Ikuto, thank god you picked up. I wasn't sure you'd be awake, since it's so early." A smile formed on Ikuto's face. He would always recognize that voice.

"Utau, is that really you?!" Ikuto exclaimed.

"Yes, but we-"

"You…you're okay."

"I'm out of the asylum anyway. With Kukai." Ikuto was more than delighted. His little sister had really done it.

"It's been a week. I've been so worried and now I know you're okay. Utau, you…you're amazing. I can't believe you were able to do it."

"I told you I wouldn't give up. I love Kukai the same way you love Amu; the only difference was that you had two months to prepare. I had to act quickly and save him in a week. But he's here, more or less, in one piece."

"Hi Ikuto!" Ikuto could hear Kukai's voice call. Ikuto couldn't help but to laugh. His sister was okay. His baby sister had managed to survive for a week in the asylum on her own. He couldn't be more proud and more delighted.

"I've been so worried…"

"I'm sorry, Ikuto. But I need your help." It almost seemed humorous now. After doing everything on her own, what could Utau possibly need from him? However, he was her older brother; he would always be there for her, even if she was strong on her own.

"What is it?" Ikuto wondered, regaining his normal composure, more or less.

"We want to head home, but how? People know about us and are looking for us; how can we make it home on a flight?" Ikuto thought for a moment. She was right.

"I'll book them for you two," Ikuto suggested.

"Ikuto, aren't they looking for you too?" Utau wondered, surprised. "Using your name wouldn't work."

"They have my name, yes, but not to the extent they know you." Ikuto's eyes lit up. "Yukari. She has no affiliations with this. She and Yuu can get you two tickets."

"That could work!" Utau agreed. "I'll call her up now. Kukai, you have Yukari's number, right?"

"Uh, I know I have Kairi's number, but I'm not sure about Yukari's..." Ikuto could hear Kukai mumble.

"She's probably awake. I know Yaya's been staying over and coming over a lot, so if she's not up, Kairi is certainly."

"Alright. I'll call now."

"Utau, before you hang up…" Ikuto sighed. "You're out of the asylum, but be careful. They're still looking for you, and no doubt they'll send people looking for you two specifically. Don't get hurt please."

"I won't. I promise," Utau whispered. "I'll see you soon, Ikuto. I've missed you."

"Utau, I love you," Ikuto whispered. "Stay safe, little sis."

"I love you Ikuto. I'll see you soon, alright?" Ikuto smiled as she hung up. Delight was a vast understatement. He could hardly fathom the words; his little sister was okay and-

A sudden scream prompted him to turn around in surprise. He immediately stood up and opened the door to the hallway, fearing the worst. The scream sounded feminine, and the proximity of the voice confirmed that it was not Rima's voice. What he saw managed to worsen his mood.

**Call Me Crazy**

"It's your turn for treatment."

Nagihiko abruptly woke up, sweat pouring down his face. He panted heavily before clutching his blankets and sighing a breath of relief. He was safe; he wasn't at the asylum anymore. He glanced over at the clock beside him, reading the time. It was only a little past two. He slowly sat up in his bed, gazing at the dark walls around him. The comfortable bed he was resting on was pleasantly juxtaposed to the uncomfortable bed at the asylum. Upon feeling movement beside him, he turned rapidly, blonde hair in his face. He smiled softly.

"Didn't mean to wake you," He whispered benignly, unsure if she was actually awake. Her lack of reply confirmed his guess that she was still fast asleep. He leaned slightly toward her, kissing her head gently. "I don't ever want to be apart from you again," He murmured. He rose from his bed and exited his bedroom, his charas floating behind him. As he headed toward the bathroom, he saw light from Amu's room. Puzzled, he walked toward the bedroom, peering inside. Amu was sitting on the ground, putting something in her mouth. As he looked closer, he could see the white pills she held. His eyes widened.

"Shit…how could I have forgotten!?" Nagihiko muttered, in aghast. Vivian's words came back to him, haunting him horridly.

Just a pill a day. She had said to Amu, as they took her away to undergo ECT. Nagihiko bit his lip, infuriated at himself for forgetting.

"Amu-Chan, please stop," Nagihiko whispered, pushing the door opened. Amu turned to him, and suddenly started to scream, dropping the bag of pills. Nagihiko rushed over to her, attempting to grab them. To his dismay, she slapped his hand away.

"Don't you dare," She hissed, immediately popping a pill into her mouth.

"Amu-Chan, stop!" Nagihiko protested. "You…you can't!" He stared at the bag of pills in horror. There had initially dozens of pills in there, and now there were only four left. It was easy for Nagihiko to do the simple math and realize that even if Amu had a pill every day in the asylum—which he highly doubted—it was impossible for Amu to have exactly one a day. She had certainly taken multiple each day.

"Mine!" She screeched. "Mine!"

"Amu!" Nagihiko did not even need to turn around to face Ikuto. He immediately crouched beside her. "What's wrong?"

"Stay away from me!" She screeched, backing up rapidly. She clutched the bag of pills tightly, holding onto it as if it were a lifeline.

"Amu-Chan…listen to me," Nagihiko insisted. Tears ran down her face aggressively.

"Stay away! Stay away!" She screamed in hysteria.

"Amu-Chan, do you know who I am?!" Nagihiko demanded. Ikuto looked at Nagihiko, surprised. Amu looked at the purple-haired boy, her eyes studying him.

"Stay away…" She moaned.

"Please answer me," Nagihiko begged, desperation lining his words. "Do you know me? Yes or no?"

"Nagihiko, what are you-"

"No," Amu replied. Nagihiko's eyes widened in horror, the past six years crumbling behind him. Six years of friendship, six years of calling her his best friend, six years of building trust, six years of…

"Amu, what are those?" Ikuto wondered, gesturing toward the pills.

"Don't touch them!" Amu screamed, backing further away. "They're mine! Mine!" Nagihiko watched her hollowly, feeling tears cascade down his cheeks. He should have known. He should have stopped her. It was all his fault, his entire fault. He should have known…

"Nagihiko… what's going on?!" Ikuto demanded, his voice persistent. Nagihiko closed his eyes briefly. Ikuto would hate him now. That he knew. What he did was wrong, horrible, and atrocious. He hated himself immensely. It was all entirely his fault. "Nagihiko?!"

"Those are memory pills," Nagihiko muttered, looking at Ikuto. He knew his expression was tear-stricken. "This girl Vivian gave them to her, seeing her despair. They…they are intended to erase her memories. She was supposed to take one a day, but I-I don't think…"

"Amu…she…" Ikuto stared at her, his eyes widening. Amu was crying as well, frightened.

"You knew about them?" Nagihiko and Ikuto both turned, facing a familiar petite blonde in her nightgown. "You knew that there were memory pills, and you didn't-"

"I'm sorry," He whispered, glancing at the ground. "I…I had forgotten. I had been long separated from Amu in the asylum, and I didn't really think Amu would…I thought she…she may…"

"Don't blame yourself, Nagi," Rima whispered, pulling him into an embrace.

"But I should have known," He persisted.

"It's not your fault. You wouldn't have been able to stop her. She was already addicted…" Nagihiko turned back to Amu, watching her intense trepidation. She knew nothing. She had no idea who he was and thought he would harm her.

"Amu…please…what do you remember?" Ikuto whispered, his voice coated with geniality. Amu stared up at the midnight blue-haired teenager, an expression of utter fright present upon her face. She trembled, backing up further onto the wall.

"Amu." Rima stepped forward, her hazel eyes studying her carefully. "We're not going to hurt you. We-"

"Liar!" Amu screeched, wailing. "They said the same; they promised; they…"

"Who are they?" Ikuto wondered.

"The asylum workers," Nagihiko replied, his voice cautious.

"Or her family," Rima added carefully, exchanging a look with Ikuto.

"Amu…" Ikuto took a deep breath. Amu was trembling, tears rolling down her face uncontrollably. "Do you remember, a few years back, when I left to find my father?" He reached for her hand, prompting her to jerk backward. Ikuto sighed. "I told you that, no matter what, I would always be there for you. I wasn't lying. I'm still here for you… Please, trust me."

"Trust…" Amu stood up shakily.

"Ikuto's right," Rima whispered. "We're your friends. We'll be there for you."

"No! No!" Amu screamed, running past them.

"Amu!" Nagihiko gasped. Ikuto was immediately behind her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Amu cried out, struggling to get out of his grasp.

"I'm sorry…" Ikuto whispered. Rima walked forward, picking up the bag of pills.

"NO!" Amu screamed, successfully shoving Ikuto off of her. Ikuto gasped, as Amu grabbed the pills, popping another into her mouth.

"Do you even know what they're doing to you?!" Rima exclaimed.

"She's unstable," Nagihiko whispered. "We need to sedate her somehow…"

"I have something that may work." Nagihiko glanced over at Rima. "Kusu-Kusu." Kusu-Kusu floated up, rapidly transforming with Rima. Rima revealed a juggling pin and tossed it in the direction of Amu, knocking her out. "Sorry Amu…" Ikuto watched her longingly, his eyes full of melancholy.

"This is all my fault," Nagihiko whispered, his eyes darkening. "I should have known that these pills would be within the realm of possibility. I apologize immensely."

"Nagi, stop blaming yourself," Rima persisted. "This isn't you; it's the asylum."

"Rima's right," Ikuto agreed, his eyes remaining on Amu. "What they did to her… It's like Ami said." He clenched his fists. "She's broken. They broke her."

"I hope they didn't hurt Kukai like they did Amu or me…" Nagihiko murmured. Rima reached for his hand, and squeezed it gently.

"He's out." Nagihiko and Rima turned to Ikuto, stunned. His eyes remained on Amu. "Utau did it. She managed to rescue Kukai and escape the asylum with him. She called me just a few minutes before this happened. She is going to call Yukari so she can book a flight for them."

"She really did it…" Rima whispered, stunned.

"That's amazing news." Nagihiko smiled.

"We beat the odds, didn't we?" A small smile appeared on Rima's face. "Five of us went down to save Nagi and Amu, and now, Kukai and Utau are coming back. Everyone's out." Rima glanced over at Amu. "Though, some of us are in better condition than others."

"I never thought it would be possible," Nagihiko murmured.

"You two should get some rest," Ikuto muttered. "It's still early. I'll look after Amu."

"Ikuto, you need rest too," Nagihiko protested. "You've been up all this time worrying about your sister; you should relax." Ikuto looked at Amu concernedly. "I'll look after her."

"It's not like you've been particularly great on sleep, Nagi," Rima pointed out. Nagihiko glanced at the ground. "I know you've been having nightmares."

"It's not really a big deal," He murmured. "I can stay up."

"I'll take care of Amu. I'm the only one here who has been sleeping this past week." Rima looked at Nagihiko sternly. "Go get some sleep."

"Yes, your majesty," Nagihiko teased. Rima smiled at him. He leaned closer to her and kissed her gently.

"I love you," Rima whispered into his lips.

"Love you more," He murmured back.

"Idiot."

"You guys sound too much like Utau and Kukai." They separated, blushing a bit.

"You ought to get some rest too Ikuto," Rima insisted. Ikuto gave Amu a cursory glance, before standing up and going to his own bedroom. Nagihiko kissed Rima's cheek gingerly before heading to his room.

"Just you and me," Rima muttered, glancing at the unconscious pinkette. Her eyes remained fastened shut, and for a moment, she looked like the Amu that Rima knew well. Rima stood up briefly, grabbing the pills. She looked at them for a moment, letting out a sigh.

"What's it like, forgetting everything?" Rima wondered aloud, leaning against the wall. She watched the pills intently.

"Rima, you're not…"

"Of course not, Kusu-Kusu." Rima smiled. "I have a lot I wouldn't want to forget. The memories of the guardians… how could Amu want to forget that?" Rima shuddered. "It's just unnatural to forget like this. Sure, I know it sucked to be abducted and it must have been traumatic, but Nagi wouldn't use these pills and he was captured as well." Rima looked at Amu again. "When I was nine-years-old, I was kidnapped by these men. Even though it's been six years, I still remember every moment of it. I even still have nightmares." Rima thought back to the night when she was at Nagihiko's house, cuddling into his arms after being frightened after it. Now, it seemed stupid. Being held at the asylum was much more frightening; Rima could not even fathom it.

"Look, Amu… I know what it's like. If I had been offered these pills when I was nine, I probably would have taken them too. The idea of forgetting, it's reassuring, isn't it? I wished I could have forgotten my kidnapping and my parents' fighting…" Rima took a deep breath. "But now, I embraced it. Unfortunately, it happened, but now it defines me. I know to be careful whenever I walk through an empty alleyway. I know how to not screw up romance. Besides, I have so many memories I want to keep." Rima shook her head. "Why Amu?! Why would you want to forget everything—the guardians, your charas, Ikuto and Tadase, your sister…? You're never going to get it back. But I guess it's stupid to tell you now; you probably forgot your reasons for taking them."

"Then again, this whole conversation is stupid; you can't hear me, and even if you could, you have no idea who I am, so my words are futile." Rima could feel tears beckon to crawl down her cheeks, but she held back. She hugged her legs closer into her chest, letting out a sigh.

"Don't say that, Rima." Kusu-Kusu floated up in front of her. "Maybe her memories can be restored!"

"How?" Rima grumbled. "She's an empty shell Kusu-Kusu. Just a body of nothingness that used to be one of the best people I have ever met." Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Amu… I never really thanked you for everything you did for me. If I had never met you, I would probably still be a cold bitch, just spewing insults at people. I probably wouldn't have befriended any of you guys, even Nagi… You helped me realize who I was back in the sixth grade, and I never properly thanked you… But it's too late now."

**Call Me Crazy**

"Go fish." Yaya reached for a card monotonously, glancing at it with an exhausted expression. When she looked at it, her eyes darkened. The Jack of Spades. Of course it was the Jack. Even though Kairi and Nagihiko had both been Jacks as well, it was the first Jack she thought of. Normally, they went, at most, a day without seeing each other. Yaya always forced herself to see Kukai; he was the person Yaya looked up to most. And now he was gone…

"Yaya?" Tadase wondered, looking at his friend worriedly.

"It's never going to work." Yaya dropped the card in frustration. "Yaya doesn't want to be delusional. He's not leaving. He's trapped forever and ever and no one will ever save him. Utau's probably captured too. I was stupid for having hope!" Yaya started to cry. Tadase hugged his friend.

"Don't give up hope," Tadase soothed.

"But it's been a week!"

"Amu-Chan was captured for nearly two months and Nagi for a month; there is still time," Tadase reassured.

"But you guys had to fly down!" Yaya whined. "And Amu-Chi…she may as well not be saved." Tadase's eyes darkened. Yaya sighed. "I-I didn't mean that. I…"

"It's okay," Tadase murmured. "She's just lost right now. She'll find her way…" Yaya could make out the doubt in his voice. Hearing footsteps, Yaya glanced up, facing her, more or less, boyfriend. To her confusion, he had a smile plastered upon his face.

"Kairi-Kun?" Yaya inquired.

"I am surprised to see you conscious, given that it is three in the morning," Kairi observed.

"Well… neither of us could sleep," Yaya murmured.

"I have news you may want to hear." Yaya's ears perked up. Tadase watched curiously. "It appears that Utau-San has rescued Kukai."

"WHAT?!" Yaya exclaimed, a huge smile forming on her face. "YES!" Kairi smiled.

"Just today?" Tadase wondered, surprised. He appeared to be delighted.

"I did not hear many of the details," Kairi admitted. "Utau-San called my phone from Kukai's cell phone, and seemed eager to discuss plans with my sister. My speculation is that they are planning on utilizing Yukari's information in order to arrive back here."

"Yaya can finally see Kukai!" Yaya twirled around. "Is he okay?! They didn't make him weirdly depressed and odd, right?!"

"I could hear Kukai speaking in the background, so my presumption would be to assume that-"

"YAYA NEEDS TO TALK TO HIM! Yaya missed him soooo much!" Yaya grabbed Kairi by his shoulders, to his surprise. "Everything is about to be so great! Everyone is rescued!"

"The Luminous Corporation still possesses information regarding your identities," Kairi pointed out. "It would be wise to remain cautious and-"

"BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!" Yaya kissed Kairi suddenly, stupefying him. Tadase watched, quite amused. She pulled back, watching how red his cheeks were. His composure was completely wrecked, and he watched Yaya with utter bemusement and fluster. Yaya laughed. "Yaya's so happy right now…"

"Seeing your euphoria brings me utter delight," Kairi whispered timidly. Yaya smiled sweetly, before turning back to Tadase.

"See you guys later! Yaya has a brother she needs to talk to!" Yaya skipped upstairs, humming to herself happily. She walked down the hallway, and opened the door to Yukari and Yuu's room. Yukari was speaking on the phone and typing away on her laptop.

"Ah, Yaya, I suppose Kairi told you the news?" Yuu wondered, pushing his glasses up. Yaya nodded giddily.

"Can Yaya talk to him?" Yaya wondered, bouncing over to Yukari. Yukari looked up at the pigtailed girl, smiling at her.

"Yuu and I will come to pick you guys up at the flight," Yukari reiterated on the phone. "Remember, arrive at the airport at five in the morning, given that the flight leaves-" Yukari laughed suddenly. "I'm sorry, I'm just making sure you're alright. God, I've missed you Utau."

"Heyyyy Yukari!" Yaya urged, smirking.

"Is Kukai around?" Yukari wondered. "Yaya's heard the good news, and she wants to talk to him." Yaya could no longer contain her excitement. She grabbed the phone from Yukari.

"Utau-Chi, is that really you?!" Yaya chirped.

"Yes, it is," Utau told her. "Geez, it's early in the morning; you have so much energy…"

"Because Yaya is the happiest person in the entire world!" Yaya smiled. "Before you put Kukai on, Yaya just wants to thank you. You kept your promise, even though it was dangerous and scary, and that means a lot to Yaya!"

"Yaya, you know I would save him no matter what," Utau reassured her. "I love him; he may be a total idiot, but I would do anything for him."

"Wow Utau, so sweet," A voice teased. Yaya would recognize that voice from anywhere.

"KUKAI!" Yaya shouted.

"I'll put him on now," Utau told Yaya. Yaya grinned, though a feeling of nervousness struck her. It had been over a week. What if he was like Amu and not himself? Even Nagihiko seemed more distant and upset. What if he wasn't the Kukai Yaya looked up to? Yaya tried to feign away her nerves, and yet they persisted. She trusted Kukai more than anyone in the world; it would not be too formidable to speak with him, despite what may have happened, so Yaya tried to reassure herself.

"Yaya, is that really you?" A familiar voice called, his voice softened. A solemn smile formed on Yaya's face. She exited Yukari's room and leaned against the wall.

"Kukai! Y-You're okay…"

"A bit bruised up and disoriented, but more or less, I'm in one piece." Yaya couldn't help but to laugh. His voice vibrated in her ears, prompting tears to form.

"Yaya missed you so much!" Yaya exclaimed. "Yaya was so worried and scared and-"

"Hey, hey, don't worry!" Kukai's voice reassured via the line. "I'm okay now. Yukari booked us a flight back, and tomorrow I'll be back. I'm okay, Yaya, I promise!"

"You're a meanie! You made Yaya worry like crazy!"

"Sorry…"

"According to Kairi-Kun, Yaya was having too many candies to compensate for her worries."

"I don't know how it's possible for you to have more candies than usual, but Kairi's smart so I'll take his word for it." Yaya laughed.

"You're really okay?" Yaya wondered.

"100%. Well, okay, I guess that's not exactly true. I'll say…88%!" Kukai paused for a moment. "I mean, I'm in a bit of pain and I can't deny it was pretty frightening in there, but overall, I'm pretty damn good!"

"Yay!" Yaya smiled. "Yaya can't wait to see you! It's been too long…"

"I've missed you so much, Yaya." Kukai's voice grew serious. "You know, you were the reason I didn't completely fall apart."

"Uh, what? Utau-Chi deserves the credit for that!"

"Well, yeah, since she saved me. But I mean, I thought about you while I was captured. I thought about everything; remember when you stole Unkai's boxers?" Yaya burst out into laughter.

"That was so funny! Yaya put them on because she thought they were shorts! Yaya was only six at the time, so…"

"Things like that…man. That's how I really made it through." Kukai let out a sigh.

"Yaya's sorry you had to go through so much…"

"It wasn't bad, really."

"Yaya doesn't believe you, but whatever. Yaya, err, I'm just glad you're out, Kukai. You're my big brother, and honestly, I was so worried that they would mess with you the way they did with Amu-Chi. I didn't know what to think… If I lost you…"

"I'm not going anywhere, Yaya," Kukai promised. "Even if I'm being dangled over a volcano that's about to erupt, I swear to you, I'll always be there for you. I love you so much; don't forget that, kay?"

"I love you more Kukai! You better stay true to that!"

"The only language I speak is truth."

"Ooh, Kukai! Besides moping and eating a lot of candy, guess what happened?"

"What?!"

"Yaya's officially dating Kairi-Kun! We even, like, kissed!"

"…WAIT, WHAT?! YOU KISSED?! LIKE, ON THE LIPS?!"

"Yeah! And he is the one who kissed Yaya! And now we're boyfriend-girlfriend!"

"Oh my god, I'm so happy for you! Man, I've got to have a long talk with you two." Kukai sighed. "My battery is getting really low, so I have to go."

"Noooo!" Yaya whined.

"Hey, don't worry Yaya," Yaya could practically feel him grinning cheekily. "I'll be back in a blink of an eye. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"See ya Kukai!" As he hung up the phone, Yaya burst into tears.

"Yaya-Chan, are you alright?" Yaya looked up, glancing into the eyes of her new boyfriend. A huge smile was plastered upon her face.

"Kairi-Kun… everything is going to be okay," Yaya whispered, pulling him into a huge embrace.

"Of course." Unbeknownst to Yaya, doubt filled his words. Kairi stared at the wall opposite Yaya, his arms holding her tightly. He knew everything would be okay for him, at least. No one knew he had a chara and he was on the radar of no one. But he couldn't say the same for Yaya, or even Kukai, or Utau or Rima, or anyone. He knew her happiness was ephemeral, but he would not be the one to crush it for her.


Ahh yes! Finally I finished this chapter and I'm able to update! Yes, I took eight months to update, but at least I gave you a 6000+ word chapter! Although this may seem uneventful, I promise you, it provides huge establishment for later events. Again, I am so sorry about the delay. I would promise you that the next chapter is coming sooner, but again, I have no guarantees. What I will say though is that I probably won't have Writer's Block, so the act of writing it will not be difficult.

Before I finish, I wanted to say something. Remember back a few chapters ago in my author's notes, when I teased of a major announcement. Said announcement was going to be a sequel to this story. After further thinking it through and going back and forth a plethora of times, I have ultimately decided not to do that. Don't be disappointed though! All my ideas I had for said sequel are merely going to be extensions of this story. Although everything will change drastically (I'm not saying anymore!), a sequel feels unnecessary.

Also, I just want you all to know that, even though I'm immensely busy, I am not going to finish this story in a crappy way just to finish nor will I let this story sit as unfinished. I will admit, I do have many stories that are unfinished and probably will never be finished. I have an eight-chapter story I haven't updated in well over a year. That being said, I truly love this story, and even if I take eight month breaks in updating, that doesn't mean I'm not starting to write it or thinking of ideas. Again, thank you all so much for sticking through with me. I promise you, I will not give up on this story! All I ask of you is please leave a review and alert to me. Thank you all soooo much.