-1Convictions

The metal was cold to Ikuto's touch and hard to keep a hold off. When he finally calmed down, he looked up at the railing that he just managed to grip. He wasn't falling but he wasn't saved either; he was stuck. Ikuto watched as the psycho holding the knife loomed over the cliff to take a proper look at him. They stared at each other for a few minutes then the psycho started laughing loudly and hysterically, waving the knife around.

Ikuto bit his lips, annoyed at the situation he was in. Then the psycho stopped his weird laughs and held the knife suspended directly above Ikuto's head.

"What the-" Ikuto said, knowing he was in trouble now.

The psycho waved at Ikuto then let go of the knife.

Ikuto closed his eyes waiting for the knife to fall and stab into his head. After all, there was nothing he could do. He waited and waited but all he could hear was the psycho screaming then there was silence. Ikuto opened his eyes and saw the psycho lying unconscious on the ground and Amu, standing on the cliff above him, her feet slipping through the gaps of the railings and pinning the falling knife to the cliff's walls. "How very helpful you were?" Amu taunted, "do you find the view there more exciting?"

"Shut up," Ikuto shouted, embarrassed and annoyed as well as feeling humiliated. How could he have gotten himself into such a situation and worse yet, Amu Hinamori helped him.

"Well I figured this is how you'd react," Amu muttered. She kicked the knife away from Ikuto's direction, letting it fall below. She then took her leg out of the railing and instead held out her hand towards Ikuto. "So… temporary partner."

Ikuto stared at Amu, not expecting her to help him more than she had already. To see her be superior to him this once made him feel more irritated. He looked away from Amu.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Amu said as soon as she saw Ikuto look away. She moved her hand away from Ikuto and stood up, staring down at him, "to take my hand would hurt your pride. I almost forgot, so sorry. Well, since you are you, Ikuto Tsukiyomi, I don't even need to worry about you. I'm carrying this psycho down the cliff to the police station. See you there and hurry up. I expect you to carry this psycho for part of the way. You need to work as well."

Ikuto watched as Amu dragged the psycho away from the cliff, disappearing from his sight. Unbelievable, she actually left when someone was hanging off the cliff. For a normal person, they would curse her forever for leaving them alone but for Ikuto, he could only smile at her actions. It was the first time that he smiled at anything to do with Amu Hinamori and it felt strange. Ikuto gripped the railing harder and lifted himself up, using his feet to kick off the wall and hoist him back over and up the railings. As soon as his feet touched the solid ground, he began running after Amu, still smiling. He felt rather happy and he didn't understand why because this happiness was something he'd never felt before in his entire life. He finally saw Amu from a distance and quickened his pace to follow her. He stretched his hands out in front of him to reach her, to reach someone who at last…

"Wait up," Ikuto said grabbing Amu's shoulder from behind.

"What?" Amu said turning to look at Ikuto. "It took you longer than what I thought for you to reach me. It's-"

"Disappointing," Ikuto finished for Amu. He grabbed the psycho from Amu and carried him, walking before her with a smile.

Amu tilted her head watching Ikuto from behind. Somehow she felt less hatred towards him, the way he was now and she had caught a glimpse of his smile before he turned away from her. Really, she wondered, why did they hate each other so much?

"We'll contact the headmaster once we've arrived," Ikuto said, "then everything should be over."

"Yeah," Amu replied, walking steadily besides Ikuto. "You know, its quite strange that its so peaceful between us this minute."

"Thank you," Ikuto whispered.

Amu stared at Ikuto who didn't look at her but before him as he continued to walk. "Your thanking me for leaving you alone on that cliff."

"You understand me…" Ikuto whispered again and he walked slightly before Amu, quickening his pace. "The first time… someone understood."

"I wonder," Amu whispered to herself. Then there was this sudden impulse within her that made her say these words that even she didn't understand. She caught up with Ikuto again, "shall we stop our little charade? Let's end our game."

"So, you feel the same," Ikuto slowly said, "after going through this case together, something occurred to the both of us in the most unexpected way. it's a weird change."

"Its not such a weird change but more like," Amu began, "I feel extremely exhausted for some reason. I want to do something more worthwhile. I think we've wasted enough of our time."

Ikuto smiled, "so, you'll start being an obedient student at school."

"I never said I will," Amu smiled back, "but I won't do unnecessary things anymore. What about you?"

"I'll promise to keep to myself as well."

Amu and Ikuto looked at each other and immediately they both knew. They were blinded by false hatred towards each other when there wasn't any basis for that hatred or rather, it was a very weak basis. Did they need to carry on fighting when clearly, not going against each other gave more positive results. It was an early conviction but staying out of each other's ways was a good start for the future.

It took longer than either Ikuto or Amu thought to explain what happened to the police and by the time everything really was over, it was late into the evening. The psycho was to be sent to a specialised hospital and the case was closed. Amu was currently waiting for Tsukassa who was talking to the police and she couldn't stop staring at Ikuto who had his eyes closed as he leaned against the wall. He seemed to be waiting for someone as well. It wasn't long though before Amu found out who he was waiting for. Arriving in a flashy red sports car, Utau immediately ran towards Ikuto and gave him a big hug, greeting him.

"You did really well," Utau praised, "I told you. having you work with Amu was a good idea."

"I don't know about that," Ikuto said, "I'm tired, drive me home."

Utau gave the car keys to Ikuto, "I want to use the bathroom. Wait for me." She turned to Amu, "can you take me there?"

Ikuto gave Amu a soft look before getting into the car. It was a look Amu never expected Ikuto would give her and she strangely didn't mind it. Amu silently led Utau to the toilets, thinking wrongly that was all Utau wanted from her. Before Amu could leave, Utau pulled her in and closed the door shut.

"What are you doing?" Amu asked, feeling tired from everything that's happened. "I'm not in the mood to fight or argue."

"Your attitudes softened," Utau commented as she checked to see that the bathroom's are empty but them. "What happened?"

"Go and ask him if you want to know."

"That won't do," Utau raised her voice, "your attitude towards Ikuto can't soften so easily. When you were working with him, did he do something admirable so that you'd change your opinion of him? That seriously won't do."

"what are you talking about?" Amu asked, eyeing Utau. "I had to save him so no, he didn't do anything admirable and what I think of him is none of your business. Now I'm leaving."

Amu opened the door but Utau kicked it shut again. "I'm not finished. We had a deal Amu Hinamori."

"About you helping me to become the school's president," Amu recalled, "I don't care anymore. My fight with Ikuto is pointless and most importantly I'm tired already. Me and Ikuto have a mutual decision to stay away from each other from now on. We have nothing more to do with each other."

"I don't think so," Utau said in a low voice. "You can't end it like this. How can you just decide to stay away from each other so suddenly? Ikuto as well, why?"

"It's not that strange when you think about it logically. There is no real reason for us to hate each other to the extent that we have. Right now, our conviction to keep to ourselves is the best…"

"I told you it can't end like this," Utau shouted, pressing her hands onto the door so Amu can't open it. "We had a deal and I am going to keep my end of it. When I promised to make you president, I'll make sure it happens."

"Just what are you?" Amu asked leering at Utau. "You seem to be close to Ikuto Tsukiyomi so why are you doing all this behind his back? What are you really after?"

"Once you return to school," Utau continued, "I'll hold a special assembly and announce for the election of the new school president. You will participate in the election." Utau opened the door and took a step out but Amu grabbed her arms and stopped her from leaving. "Let go," Utau demanded, "Ikuto will get suspicious if I don't go back."

Amu tightened her grip, "I'll warn you now. Even a Queen can die if they mess with a rebel and think of them as her puppet."

Utau freed herself from Amu's grip and simply smiled, "you and Ikuto may have agreed and made a conviction to stay away from each other but its futile. I don't know what you two are thinking or what happened during this case but it doesn't matter. Just know that that conviction is so weak, it'll easily be broken. A Queen's conviction will always be stronger than that of a rebels and of a person she wishes to bring down."

"What?" Amu gasped, shocked at what she was hearing. She had always felt that Utau was not as simple as she appeared; giving off a eerie darker feeling. It wasn't like she cared about Ikuto Tsukiyomi but Amu found herself being wrapped up in Utau's plans and that irritated her.

Utau turned and walked towards the exit, waving at Amu as she did, "remember a Queen's conviction is strong."

Amu watched as Utau disappeared out the building. She leaned against the wall. "I also want to know which conviction is stronger."

"What conviction?"

Amu turned to see Tsukassa walking towards her. "Have you finished talking to the police?"

"Yeah," Tsukassa sighed, "they ask so many questions. Where's Ikuto?"

"I don't know."

"Well, shall we go home?" Tsukassa asked.

Amu nodded, following Tsukassa out the police station. It seemed like a new game had already begun even before the first has truly ended.