This chapter isn't my favorite, but it's more on the emotional side and to introduce more drama to the story. So basically it's a filler chapter, but with purpose! Thank you to all those who review and I am so glad you all enjoyed the last chapter.

Also, please vote who should be a vampire from Shugo Chara. The poll is on my profile!

The lyrics used for this chapter are Brave Shine (Fate/StayNight) by AmaLee

Crimson Hearts

Chapter 10

Burning Bridges

It was dark. It was cold. It was dark and cold, silent and eerie. She ran, but she didn't know what she was running from. The soles of her feet felt raw, and she knew they were bleeding. She couldn't stop now. Panting for breath, she ran for her life as she clutched her side where she was bleeding.

He had gotten her.

He was going to kill her.

She knew that for sure, even if it killed him too.

Amu sat up in her bed, gasping for air as she tried to calm her racing heart. Cold sweat trickled down her hot skin. Looking at the clock on her night stand Amu saw that it was only four in the morning. Her frantic heartbeat wouldn't calm down. This was the fifth nightmare this week. It always was the same dream with Amu running bleeding as someone chased her. Who? She didn't know. There was never a face to her tormenter.

Standing up Amu went to her window and opened it, letting the morning breeze come in. It soothed her, calming her down in the slightest. In the distance she could see the outline of a the faint sunrise, the night was finally coming to an end. It had been nearly two weeks since the arrival of Ikuto and her friends, along with the new student- Kyou.

Something about Kyou unnevered Amu. She didn't know what it was about the orange haired male, but he was the only person who put her on edge. More than the Night Class, which was really saying something. For nearly two weeks, Amu had been having nightmare some about dying and some about death of those she cared about. Long story short, Amu barely slept.

To pass the next three hours, Amu practiced her magic and continued looking for the ritual spell. Amu was surprised that Zero had wanted to go through with it. She was even more surprised about his confession and him making a move and kissing her. Amu shook her head slightly, now was not the time to be thinking about that.

Magic had become a little more easily for Amu, seeing that now she was able to move objects with a flick of her wrist. She still was learning to control fire, trying to safely summon a flame without burning the wall again. Yagari had checked up on Amu once, watching her practice magic. He even shared some stories about her mother, and for that Amu was grateful and grew closer with the older vampire hunter.

Her training was more now as well. Every day after curfew, Zero would teach and work Amu out. Sometimes they even went down the target rage where Zero taught Amu how to aim more efficiently. Amu had become a quick learner, but she was dreading having to go back to the Hunter Association when Zero had to turn in her status report. The Association President creeped Amu out.

Amu decided enough was enough and it was time to start her day. She quickly changed out of her night clothes and into her uniform, but stopped at the mirror. She was tired of the same hairstyle every single day. Her shoulder length hair had grown to her mid-back. With a wave of her hand, Amu's pink hair was tied up into a high side ponytail. A red ribbon tied at the base for added decoration. A satisfied smile slipped its way onto Amu's lips and then she was off to make early morning rounds before heading to class.

When time came for class to start, everyone was present. Unusually there was one missing. Usually it wouldn't surprise if she wasn't in class, but Yuki and Zero had shown up so the teacher knew something was up.

"Cross, Kiryu." The teacher called, gaining the attention of the two perfects. "Where is Amu at?"

Ikuto and Utau looked back at Zero with the rest of the class. In deed Amu was not there, which caused their eyebrows to furrow in confusion. Zero had a frown; he thought maybe she over slept again and was late. He knew of her sleeping troubled, but she always told him to leave them be when Zero brought them up.

"We have a visitor in the Night Class. Headmaster cross must have asked her to meet with them." Zero quickly came up with, it wasn't an actual lie. Kaien had informed Zero that Ichijo's grandfather was paying a visit.

The teacher grumbled something under his breath and going back to teaching. Yuki had casted Zero a questioning look, but Zero ignored her. He was wondering where the hell Amu was at and he wasn't the only one. Ikuto and Kukai, along with Utau, Nagihiko, Tadase and Rima knew Zero covered for Amu. Not even five minutes later did Zero grow irritated, pushing his chair back and leaving the classroom with the teacher yelling after him.

Ikuto knew it was a bad idea, but he had to know. He could send Yoru to follow the silver haired teen, but something told Ikuto that Yoru would be caught. Not even a minute later Ikuto was following Zero out the door, turning in the assignment the teacher had assigned at the beginning of class- followed by Kukai and Utau.

"I don't know what you three think you're doing but go back to class before I write you up." Zero grunted, not even bothering to look at them.

Utau scoffed, "You're being a hypocrite right now. How are you going to write us up when you're doing the same exact thing."

"It's obvious that you're going to find Amu. We want to see her too, because we are worried about her." Kukai pointed out, and Zero couldn't argue. He couldn't tell them no either.

"Kukai and Utau right?" Zero asked, momentarily glancing back at them, then at Ikuto. "Ikuto as well."

"Yes, you got our names correct. You earned a gold sticker." Ikuto muttered.

Zero easily ignored him, "Amu talked about you three quite often."

"What did she say?" Utau asked, perking up.

"She regretted the things she said to hurt you three and your friends." Zero admitted, knowing it gave them hope. "Amu wasn't in the best state when she arrived, but she had help."

"You're help right." Ikuto asked harshly.

"Yes, my help. I understood her pain." Zero said, turning a corner.

"How could you understand her pain?" Kukai asked, curious.

Zero ignored the urge to snap, but complied with, "I lost my family four years ago."

With that the other three dropped the topic, but Zero continued. "Amu needed to let go of her past, and she did that- but now that you three are here Amu has to find a new way to deal with that grief she thought she buried."

"Why are you telling us this Zero-san?" Utau asked, watching as Zero shrugged.

"A part of me hopes that Amu finds a way to accept you back into her life." Zero lied, a selfish part of him wanted Amu to stay just with him, but he knew these people made her happy deep down. "Make no mistake you three, Amu is trying to protect you."

Ikuto's eyes narrowed, "From what?"

Zero never answered. The silver haired male stopped in the hall way as a soft voice drifted through the halls. The soft tune of the piano playing, causing Kukai, Utau and Ikuto to listen as well.

"Now, it's only a dream, a single wish
But it's in these hands that take aim and miss
I fight it, but I can't wake up

I was given a vision of the end
But it's here in these hands that cannot mend
And the memory will haunt me for all eternity

How can I destroy my weakness? 'Cause I wanna be stronger
I need to keep them all safe, but I lack the power
If we learn to wield our flaws, then the future will be ours

Brave shine
If you need a hand to hold, then stay the night
On the darkest of my days you saved my life"

Nudging the door open to the music building, Zero made his way down the hall to the last room the voice was coming from. Utau followed quickly with Ikuto and Kukai. Zero looked at them, his lilac eyes serious as he motioned to be quiet. When the three nodded, Zero continued to move the door open. There on the piano with her back facing the door, was Amu. Her pink ponytail swaying as she moved her hands swiftly over the keys.

"Far beyond the razor-edge of your blade
There lies a prayer that will surpass -
A dream I know will last throughout time
Your brave shine

Never give into that ungodly night
What good is a star that has lost its light?
I watch as they fade one by one

We are on the same road, both you and I
Like two planets, we are bound to collide
And we can't see or break free beyond our destiny

I've fallen victim to my weakness, in my haste to be stronger
I somehow lost it all in my hopeless bid for power
Time will leave me, I don't mind - It can leave us both behind"

Amu's voice was soft as she sang, completely oblivious to the people behind her who looked at her in awe. Zero felt his heart swell hearing the saddening but loving lyrics. Ikuto watched the girl with sad eyes, somehow knowing that these lyrics came from her heart.

"Breaking dawn
As the constellations fall and turn to dust
We collide and burn until the breaking dawn
Far beyond the dream we carved together
The vow we've made, it's kept me strong
It's been here all along… here in my hands

How can I destroy my weakness?
'Cause it's always in my way
If we learn to wield our flaws, then the future will be ours
And we can relight the stars

Brave shine
If you need a hand to hold, then stay the night
On the darkest of my days you saved my life

Far beyond those endless nights of heartache
There lies a prayer that will surpass -
A dream I know will last throughout time
My brave shine"

Amu brought the song to an end, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She had come here with the need to let it all out, her heart song aching to be release. Finally she allowed it to come out. She needed it out. Tears were in her eyes, and softly Amu rubbed the water away- blinking so her vision was clear.

"That was beautiful." Utau whispered, causing Amu to yelp and hit her knee.

"Ouch." Amu groaned, bringing her knee up to her chest as she rubbed the red spot. "What are you four doing here?"

"You skipped class." Zero deadpanned, getting straight to the point.

Amu glanced up, and frowned. "Don't make that face Zero."

"What face?" Zero grunted, looking at her with hard eyes. Amu stared back at his stoic expression, but gave out a defeated sigh. She understood why Zero was acting like this, because of Utau, Kukai and Ikuto.

"Why were you in here Amu-chan?" Kukai asked, gaining the pinkette's attention.

Amu shrugged, "Sometimes I sneak in here, but now I need a new hiding spot."

"I didn't know you sang." Utau said with a smile.

"I don't." Amu replied rather coldly, but regretted it seeing the hurt look flash on Utau's face before disappearing. "Not usually Utau-chan."

Amu offered a small smile, which Utau gladly returned. Glancing at Zero, Amu quickly made up a lie, "Zero, Headmaster would like to see you. I was told to tell you that this morning."

Zero sighed, wondering why Amu was pushing him away now but nodded and left the music room. Amu looked at Utau, who was staring at her with longing.

"I thought about my words. My actions, and I'm sorry Utau. I was horrible to you and the others." Amu looked at Kukai and Ikuto. "You both as well."

Sensing that Amu wanted to speak with Ikuto alone, Utau grabbed Kukai by the arm, gave Amu a quick hug letting her know it was all okay and pulled Kukai out of the room. For a second, it was silent and awkward, but Ikuto advanced forward and pulled Amu into a hug.

"I'm glad you're okay Amu." Ikuto whispered into her hair.

Amu nodded, wrapping her arms around Ikuto. "I'm sorry for ending things the way I did Ikuto. I just- I couldn't."

Ikuto pulled away and nodded in understanding. "It hurt Amu, I won't lie to you. I just have one question I'd like for you to answer honestly. How do you feel now."

Amu glanced down, then moved back before pulling out of Ikuto's embrace. "When I was younger Ikuto, I loved you- really I did. With everything that happened with Easter and the charas, how could I not fall in love with you? But at that time I was a child still- I didn't know what love was. We would have never meet if it was never for the charas."

"Amu."

"Let me finish. I loved you Ikuto, and a part of me still does. Then you left for a few years and everything changed so fast. I lost my parents, my sister, and my charas. I lost myself, and right now I am still trying to figure out who I am. There is so much about me you no longer know Ikuto, and I am not the same girl you once loved."

"This is that guy Zero." Ikuto accused.

Amu's lips twitched, "We were never together Ikuto, please do remember that. The point is Ikuto, you or the other don't know me. I'm not Amu Hinamori anymore. Things have changed-"

"You have your secrets, we understand that." Ikuto said frustrated. "So does the Night Class, Yuki and your precious Zero. What we can't understand is why you don't trust us."

"These are not my secrets to share Ikuto." Amu admitted. "You would do best and stay away from me and leave it at that."

"Where you ever going to come back to Seiyo Amu?" Ikuto asked, staring at Amu's emotionless orbs.

Amu didn't flinch, "No, I wasn't. There is nothing left for me back in Seiyo."

"Not even me, Utau, Kukai or the others? How about your family's grave Amu!?"

"Like I said, there is nothing for me back in Seiyo." Amu hid her heart ache. She was breaking his heart all over again, and she felt terrible.

Ikuto turned to leave, "You're lying to me, but most of all you're lying to yourself Amu. I will figure out your secrets Amu, not because I hate you but because I love you enough to try. I may not understand you right now, but understand this. I am not leaving until I know the truth."

With that, Ikuto left Amu alone in the music room, closing the door after him. Amu placed her hand to where her heart is, and closed her eyes. It hurt, but it had to be done. If you would the leader then you hurt the whole pack. All Amu had to do was hurt Ikuto right where it hurt and to do that it was to lie. She loved him to a point, but she knew she harbored feelings to Zero- who had been there. She had a promise to Zero she intended to keep.

Amu let out a strangled cry, why she kept trying she had no idea. She wanted it all to stop. The tears and pain. She had to do this, to keep them safe. Amu sat there, staring at the wall. Then she heard the door open.

"I'm not in the mood to talk. Go away." Amu snapped.

"Aren't you a pathetic little bitch?"

Amu stood up, facing the new voice. Kyou, the new orange haired student. The depression left Amu rather quickly as she narrowed her eyes at him. The atmosphere in the room turned from sad too dangerous in a blink of an eye. Kyou had a smirk, one that sent shivers down Amu's spine.

"What the hell do you want?" Amu snapped, her honey orbs narrowing into a glare.

Kyou shrugged innocently, "Nothing really. You see, I've been waiting to meet you Amu Kiyomizu."

Amu's eyes widen in surprise, suddenly Kyou was flung back into the wall. Amu's hand was out stretched, she eyes glaring as she watched Kyou struggle. "Who the hell are you!?"

"I'm not here to kill you. Yet." Kyou coughed, his one glare intensified. "You are the last of Kiyomizu bloodline, but not everyone knows that."

"What do you mean everyone? Who are you!?"

"Kyou Aki, a witch hunter." Kyou struggled against Amu's invisible hold. "I'm not here to kill you Kiyomizu, I'm here to ensure your safety."

Amu raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"You see, your mother or sister were never supposed to be killed. Some hunters want to preserve your bloodline, for your knowledge while others only want to kill you." Kyou chuckled. "Once back up comes, you will be ours."

"Back up?" Amu asked, panicked.

"Don't worry your pretty little head. You are interesting, so I'm not turning you in yet. It's interesting to see a witch that's a vampire hunter, and who is helplessly in love with an ex-human who is also a hunter."

"You know the truth." Amu hissed.

"Can you put me down now. I'm not going to kill you and you don't have the guts to kill me." Kyou said bored.

Amu looked at him is disgust, dropping him abruptly before storming out of the room. Kyou though, quickly got up and grabbed Amu's forearm. "Make no mistake though, little witch. The moment you hurt a human with your magic, will be the moment I kill you."

"Good luck trying." Amu hissed, roughly shoving Kyou across the room with her magic and storming towards the Moon Dormitories.

In the end, Ichijo's grandfather, Ichjou- left the school grounds after his conversation with his grandson. Yuki had spoken to Ichijo briefly before running after Zero. Amu was too lazy to leave, and she found it rather fun annoying the hell out of Ruka.

"You are truly an insolent child." Ruka seethed.

"I bet you're a wench in the closet." Amu smirked, watching as Ruka trembled in anger.

Currently Amu decided to share the couch with Aidou, using his shoulder as a pillow as she closed her eyes. Aidou didn't seem to mind the pinkette as he read a book for once, as punishment from Kaname. Amu was relatively calm now, her mind was just done from today- the only reason she didn't tell Zero anything yet was because the silver haired vampire kept moving around, much to Amu's annoyance.

"You're quite tonight." Shiki muttered from the floor.

"Shiki right?" Amu hummed, opening her eyes. "The model?"

"Rima filled you in I see." Shiki muttered, waiting for the girl to freak out.

"Yeah." Amu said lazily, closing her eyes once again.

"You aren't going to scream out your love?" Aidou asked.

Amu shrugged, "Utau-chan is a famous singer. It's not a big deal to meet an idol."

Aidou scoffed, and being annoyed now, Amu sat up and glared at Ruka. Who glared right back. "What is a little girl like you even doing here right now?"

"I need to speak to Kaname Kuran." Amu muttered.

"He doesn't have time for a pathetic human girl like you." Ruka spat.

"Like he has time for you." Amu chuckled. "Please, he barely gives you the time of day. That's if it's your lucky day."

Ruka was about to say something but Kaname came out, "Amu come up into my room."

Amu smirked at Ruka, hopping up and going into Kaname's room. The pure blood vampire was surprised to say the least that Amu wanted to speak to him because last time he checked, the girl hated his very being. Yet they were family, distantly.

"What did you need to discuss?" Kaname asked, sitting down on his chair.

"Did you know there is a witch hunter here on campus?" Amu mused. "His name is Kyou Aki."

"I was not informed." Kaname said, genuinely surprised. "Did he approach you?"

"He did, and I confirmed accidently I was a witch when I threw him against the wall. I have a bit over a temper." Amu sighed. "He claims he's here to make sure others don't kill me."

"Others?"

Amu shrugged, "The ones that killed my parents. Basically Kyou is acting like Zero, but he hates me only. Oh, and he knows the secret of the Night Class. That I didn't tell him."

Kaname nodded, "Thank you for informing me Amu."

"Don't think I like you." Amu scoffed. "Goodnight Kuran."

"She said that?" Utau asked.

"She's hiding something Utau." Ikuto said.

Utau found Ikuto that night outside the girl's dorm. It was past curfew, but Utau wasn't about to leave her brother alone when he needed to talk. Ikuto looked like a mess. His blue eyes shinned with heartache, and Utau didn't want to believe Amu could be so cruel. It made her question if Amu meant her apology or if it was just another act.

"You don't have proof if Amu has a secret. Maybe she really has changed from the girl we thought we knew Ikuto. We have to accept that eventually." Utau whispered, but Ikuto stubbornly looked away.

"You can't say you don't feel it Utau. The dark presence in this place, don't tell me I'm the only one." Ikuto whispered.

Utau looked down in deep thought but nodded, "Kukai pointed that out earlier today. It's a dark presence, like evil mixed with death. It's cold."

Ikuto nodded, "Tell me Utau, how does it feel feeling this presence. Then Amu is trying to push us away. Put the pieces together."

Utau's amethyst eyes widen, "Amu's protecting us."

"Remember the night we came, Amu mentioned to stay away from the Night Class. Today she told me things have changed, and to stay away from her." Ikuto admitted, looking up at the full moon.

"Then the Night Class has a secret themselves, and I'm willing to bet that the Disciplinary Committee in this school protects that secret." Utau stated, putting puzzle pieces. "Amu got dragged into whatever mess she's in."

Ikuto grunted, "Then we'll help her get out."

"She won't tell us the truth, you know that." Utau reminded.

"Then we sure as hell need to figure it out ourselves." Ikuto hissed, but before the siblings could devise a plan, a whistle was being blown and Yuki was running towards them.

"Return to your dorms now or face the consequences!" Yuki yelled, causing the two to sweat drop.

This is about to be the longest author's note in history for me. Okay, I'm curious to how you all thought of Amu and Kyou's scene? How about Ikuto and Amu's scene? I'm sure some people might be hating Amu right now, but eventually everything will become even more of a mess! I'm evil sometimes.

I really want to know how you all thought about the song choice I picked for Amu. I thought it really suited her- but what did you all think on that song? Also, I'm curious as to what song choice you'd all pick for Amu and Zero. Any ideas?

Thank you all again for reading. Please leave me a review. Can 94 reviews?

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