Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara
-Thank you once again for all the reviews everyone. I hope you like this chapter : )
-I'm sorry for updating a little late, our exams were moved a week earlier and projects were crammed.
-This chapter has Rimahiko in it : ) I hope you guys like it.
-Please tell me what you guys think of this chapter : D Please Review afterwards : )
-On with the story!!!
Talking to Tsukasa & Rima Accused!
Amu and the others didn't know what was going on. Well, particularly Amu. Tsukasa stood there smiling at them and he didn't seem at all shocked that Amu didn't remember who he was at this point. Soon, Yoru came inside the room, and he didn't really bother knocking either. He saw the awkward silence and then he asked.
"What did I miss~nya?" he asked them
"Ah Yoru-kun, glad to see you're here. Ikuto-kun and the others have been looking for you." Said Tsukasa with a smile
"…." Yoru just stared at him and turned to look at Ikuto
Ikuto seemed to snap out of it in a matter of minutes and then he asked "Okay…what's going on here Tsukasa-san."
"Hm? I don't seem to see a problem with it." Replied Tsukasa.
"He's asking how you know about Amu and her….family line. We don't remember mentioning it to anyone in particular." Said Utau with a questioning look.
"Not to mention, you just said that our parents had no idea about it either, so what's going on?" asked Ikuto.
"Ah that." Tsukasa looked at Amu and spoke "It's not such a surprise that she doesn't remember me. It has been a long time has it not? But to make things clear I do know her, and her family if I might add."
"But how?" this time Amu was the one that asked. She doesn't remember Tsukasa but it was starting to ring a bell.
"I met you when you were still a little girl Amu-chan. Remember when you used to play with Tadase? I talked to your parents often during those times." Replied Tsukasa and then he continued "You've grown quite a lot now haven't you?"
"So, do you know about Ami too?" Amu asked quietly. She didn't remember him and she had her doubts if she should talk about Ami right now.
"Ah yes, your younger sister, how is she?" asked Tsukasa.
"She's good, she's staying with a close friend of mine now." Replied Amu with a smile.
"Yes, is it because of those rumors?" asked Tsukasa.
Ikuto looked at him in shock and so did Utau "You've heard of those rumors?" asked Utau.
"You should know how fast they spread through here Utau-chan. People sometimes believe everything they hear. It didn't take long to reach my knowledge." Said Tsukasa
"Yes they were because of the rumors. I wanted to take Ami some place she could be safe and call home." Said Amu silently.
"I never believed any of those rumors and neither did Tadase." Said Tsukasa "It's good to know the truth, you and your sister seem to be in good hands now."
"Her sister might be, I'm not so sure about her." Said Ikuto seriously.
"Excuse me?" asked Tsukasa "What do you mean by that?"
"Why do you think she's here? Don't you think it's odd that we're keeping this from others too? No one else knows about her being a Hinamori other than us." Said Ikuto.
"Yes, I have noticed I guess it did strike me a bit but I didn't se anything wrong with it." Said Tsukasa.
"You said that you've heard about the rumors right?" asked Tadase looking at Tsukasa.
"Yes I have." Replied Tsukasa as he gave Tadase a nod.
"Then you must have known that they, Amu and Ami-chan, have been with a stepfamily." Said Tadase.
"Yes, I have heard of that. They said that Tsugumu re-married after Midori had died." Said Tsukasa, he thought about it for a minute and asked "I never really got the chance to meet her, but I hear she's from the Yamabuki family, is that right?"
"Yes it is. She also has a daughter named Saaya, she's Amu's step sister." Said Utau with seriousness.
"You don't seem to like her." Said Tsukasa "Why is that I wonder."
"We don't like her and he mother, they're nothing but trouble." Said Utau
"Is that so?" Tsukasa then turned to Amu and asked "Is that true Amu-chan?"
Amu hesitated for a second but then she gave out a small nod. "They're not exactly the family I want. I was better off without them."
"Did they do something to you?" asked Tsukasa
"…" Amu stayed silent and she didn't want to talk about it. Not that she didn't trust Tsukasa now, it was just that, she felt uncomfortable.
Ikuto noticed her discomfort and spoke for her. "Why don't we do this some other time. She needs to rest."
Utau must have noticed this too. "That's right, we have to let her rest for now, or she might never get better." She continued
Tadase, Kairi and Yoru nodded and Tsukasa just complied. They all got up from their seats instead of Ikuto. He stayed and no one seemed to object. Utau came closer to Tsukasa and said "We'll explain this to you once we're out of the room."
Tsukasa nodded and turned to Ikuto and Amu. He smiled and spoke "They will be back here later Amu-chan. They just have some things that need taking care of."
"Okay, I'll wait." replied Amu.
All of them left the room and that left Ikuto and Amu alone. Ikuto looked at Amu and sighed. "If you didn't want to talk about it, you could have just said so."
"I know that, but he seemed really nice and I know he just wanted to help." Said Amu
"Tsukasa isn't going get mad if you don't tell him. He knows as much and he understands." Said Ikuto "You can't force yourself to talk about something if you don't want to."
"I'm sorry…" replied Amu, he stubborn character isn't coming out so it was obvious something was wrong.
"Amu, what's going on now? You aren't acting normal." Said Ikuto
"I'm fine, it's just that…it came back to me that I've been here for quite a while. I haven't been back." Said Amu
"Thinking of your friends again?" asked Ikuto
"Yes, I have no idea how they're doing." Said Amu sadly.
"They're fine. If they weren't Kairi would have said something by now." Said Ikuto
"Kairi? What's this got to do with him?" asked Amu.
"I sent Kairi to go visit them a few days ago and they seemed fine. And don't worry about anyone finding out. Kairi knows better than to dress formally when going to town, so no one would find out." Said Ikuto
"Why did you send Kairi there anyway, what for?" asked Amu confused.
"You were worried about your friends weren't you? I just told him to check on them." Said Ikuto. He knew he was lying, at least half of it he was keeping from her. She didn't need to know that he sent Kairi there for information, not now anyway.
"I see….thank you." Said Amu with a smile "At least I know that they're all okay."
"If you want to send them anything Kairi can always go back whenever he's free." Said Ikuto "Not to mention Utau pays visits o the village often now."
"That's nice." Said Amu
Ikuto and Amu continued to talk more. They were spending time together a whole lot since Amu's been there and he didn't regret I at all. Ikuto didn't mind Amu, unlike all those other girls that his parents ever tell him to meet. She was different to him, he found her to be very interesting. But he just didn't have it in him to admit it yet, to admit that Utau's assumption was true.
Meanwhile with Utau and the others…
Utau sat at the table in the garden with Tsukasa, Yoru, Kairi and Tadase with her. They decided that they wanted to have their talk in the gardens. Nikaidou had made tea for them but soon decided to leave them alone as he saw the atmosphere. He knew they needed some time alone and that's jus what he gave them.
"Alright Utau-chan, what is it that you wanted to talk about with me? I'm all ears." Said Tsukasa with a smile.
"It's about Amu, and her family apparently." Said Utau
"Is there something wrong with Amu-chan?" asked Tsukasa
"We've already told you, her step-family is a disaster fest. They don't care about her Tsukasa-san. That's why she's here in the first place." Said Utau
"Don't care about her?" asked Tsukasa "And how can you say that?"
"She was beaten to death. Ikuto found her and she fainted in front of him. You should have seen her a few days ago, she was a wreck." Said Utau
"Was she now? Is that why Ikuto-kun took her here?" asked Tsukasa and Utau nodded in reply.
"Amu-chan was a mess. She was wounded all over the place and you wouldn't believe what she's gone through." Said Tadase as he shook his head in disapproval.
"If she was wounded and such, why didn't you just take her back home?" asked Tsukasa "I'm sure her family is quite worried about her."
"No, you don't understand. Her family was the cause of all her pain. They do not care about her, she could be kidnapped by now and they couldn't care less!" exclaimed Utau "Her stepmother whipped her Tsukasa-san and this wasn't the first time either, and you want us to take her back?!?"
"From the information that I've gathered, the hitting happens often. As long as they can find an excuse to hurt her, they do it with no other consent." Said Kairi "From what her friends told me, they could care less on how badly she's been hurt."
"The Yamabuki family has been abusing her, tormenting her and her friends and they were the ones that made up that story of her being dead and selling her own sister for money!" said Utau.
"I see…." Said Tsukasa silently. He could hardly believe this himself and now he was hearing it from Utau and everyone else.
"Miki told me Amu gets hurt more than they do because the Yamabukis kind of enjoy hurting her more than anyone else~nya." Said Yoru
"They're nothing to Amu now. At least they shouldn't be. They've practically ruined her life." Said Utau.
"The only thing that seems to be stopping her from getting out of there is the fact that her friends are still there." Said Kairi.
"Why is it that you've kept this from Aruto and Souko then?" Tsukasa asked them.
"Please, you of all people should know. They were good friends with Tsugumu-san too. They believe that Amu's dead. Saaya and her mother told them that and they bought it." Said Utau.
"You can always object to it, I'm quite sure that they'd listen to you." Said Tsukasa
"We know that they would hear us out, but what about Amu's friends? They're still in that house and Amu could be free but what about them? We just don't want to risk it." Said Utau
"Playing it safe forever isn't going to work either, we just have to find a suitable strategy to turn them in." said Kairi.
"And how do we plan to do that?" asked Utau.
"That's exactly what we have to think about right now." Replied Kairi.
"I think that it would be best not to tell the king and queen for now. Can you please keep it a secret?" asked Tadase looking over at Tsukasa
"Well, this is going to be hard for me and I assume it is for all of you now. But alright, I will help you in any way that I can." Said Tsukasa with a smile "The Hinamoris were my friends as well. I wouldn't want their daughter to suffer as much."
"Thank you so much." Said Utau with a smile. She suddenly remembered something and decided to ask. "By the way, what was it that you wanted to talk about with my parents."
"Oh yes that, I wondered what was troubling them earlier." Said Tsukasa
"And what did they say?" asked Utau, she knew that this had something to do with her and Ikuto.
"Well they've been getting complaints with Ikuto-kun and you refusing to meet suitors and princesses. Apparently, to others, you have been neglecting your duties as royalty." Said Tsukasa with a sigh.
"I knew it." Muttered Utau "What is it with them and us? Can they just get a life?"
"Utau-chan, as much as that can be arranged, the other royals of other kingdoms and the nobles as well cannot just leave this be. You are part of the royal family and as much as I want you to have normal lives, others think otherwise." Said Tsukasa
"Oh, so now they have every right to control what we want to do with our lives, is that it? What are we puppets with strings on top?" asked Utau. She never liked being forced to do something, especially if it had anything to do with marriage and courtship.
"Utau-chan does have a point though, it gets tiring and a bit frustrating for them as well." Said Tadase in agreement. He's never experienced it before but he knew it wasn't a good feeling.
"I know, but at least now, they're allowing you a bit of freedom are they not?" asked Tsukasa
"Freedom with a price." Said Utau "Everything they allow us to do comes with some kind of price."
"Is there really no one that's caught your eye or Ikuto-kun's?" asked Tsukasa
Utau bit her lip, she looked away from Tsukasa and stayed silent. Tsukasa noticed the change of actions and asked "There is isn't there?"
"N-no….at least I…I don't think so." Said Utau.
"Your voice tells me otherwise Utau." Said Tsukasa knowingly.
"It's nothing, and even if there was, they would never approve. They would probably lock me up here all over again." Said Utau
"Oh? Then there is someone then?" asked Tsukasa
"I'm not sure…but I like it better with this person than any of the other selfish arrogant freaks I'm told to go with." Said Utau
"Hm, and what's the problem with that then? Why do you think your parents would lock you up?" asked Tsukasa
"Because…..he isn't royalty and they'd never allow it." Said Utau sadly. "I'm not saying I have feeling for him. I don't know okay, I'm not sure…but if I did…it would never happen…"
"So it's because of the law and the rules then right?" asked Tsukasa and Utau nodded.
"The rules are quite strict with them, since they're most likely the next heirs to the throne. They're expected to follow and not to disobey." Said Kairi.
"Yes, that's most likely the point of things. May I know who this person is?" asked Tsukasa "You don't need to tell me if you don't feel comfortable talking about it."
"No, I don't mind, but I figured you knew him already." Said Utau
"How so?" asked Tsukasa
"Tadase knows him, and they're good friends and everything. He said they used to play together along with Amu too." Said Utau "He has a younger brother and they both work and the village. He's one of Amu's closest friends."
"Mine and Amu-chan's?" asked Tadase confused.
"Yes…" replied Utau
"Hm, you say he works at the village and has a younger brother." Said Tsukasa
"They own a restaurant there and sell meat~nya." Said Yoru. He already knew who Utau was talking about.
Tsukasa thought for a second then his eyes seemed to widen a bit. "This is just a guess, but he's the only person I can think of that matches that kind of description. Could it be…Kukai Souma, and his younger brother….do you mean Daichi?"
"Eh? Souma-kun?" asked Tadase in shock
Utau simply nodded and Tsukasa spoke "I see, you must have met them when you first went to town."
"I did, and they were very nice to me." Said Utau "Kukai would listen to me and I'd talk to him whenever something was up, and he'd understand. Unlike those suitors who don't even care about me, at least he listens."
"And what about Ikuto-kun, does this situation apply to him as well?" asked Tsukasa
"Don't you think that Ikuto's case is kind of obvious?" Utau asked as she looked at Tsukasa.
"Obvious? In what way?" he asked her
"Well, he's showing it a lot already which isn't normally like him." Said Utau
"You mean…his actions when Amu-chan is around?" asked Tsukasa
"Bingo, we have a winner." Said Utau
"Ah, yes that is a change right there isn't it?" said Tsukasa
"It seems like you and your brother have found a much more exciting and lively life since you've met Amu-chan." Said Tsukasa
"That's why we want to take her home only when it's perfectly safe." Said Tsukasa
All of them continued to share opinions and stories on what's happened with Amu these past few days. They only hoped that when the time comes, Amu will finally be free, Amu and everyone will be free form the torture…
At the Mansion…
Rima was out in the gardens alone. Miki just finished up there and she decided to help with Ran and Su. After Amu's disappearance, Rima was the one who followed as Saaya's personal maid. She didn't like it, but she didn't want to complain. Things have been getting a bit tougher and just recently, the Yamabukis decided to look for Amu and to make sure that she was gone.
This was a sudden decision and they didn't know why, bu5t whatever the reason, they knew that as long as Amu was in the palace and they did their part, they were safe. Rima just came back from doing the chores Saaya wanted her to do and she went to the garden to get some fresh air.
"Ah, if only Amu was here…" she said silently. Her eyes were closed and she was enjoying the breeze of the fresh cool air.
"Rima-chan, there you are." Came a voice
Rima turned and saw Nagihiko heading towards her direction. She looked at him and she smiled "Ohaiyou Nagi."
"Ohaiyou Rima-chan, I've been wondering where you were. I guess I found you now." Said Nagihiko with a smile.
"Hai, I've wanted to be alone." Said Rima "I don't really enjoy being her personal slave." She preferred the term 'slave' than maid.
"Ah, I know how you feel. She's been that way to Amu-chan too." Said Nagihiko with a sigh.
"No, what I've been through isn't even half of what Amu has went through. I have no right to complain when you think about it. I had better experiences now than she ever did." Said Rima.
"I think, we've all experienced at least a bit better than her." Agreed Nagihiko "Has Saaya been asking for anything rash lately?"
"Not really, she did want me to bring her some tea and I left it in her room before I came here." Said Rima.
"Hm, you've been pretty busy with all these chores haven't you?" said Nagihiko.
"She's been working me off, I don't mind though, I'm used to it at least." Said Rima.
All of a sudden Saaya's shrieking was heard. "Mashiro Rima!!!!!!" she yelled.
"Oh boy, here comes trouble." Mumbled Rima.
"I don't like this…" said Nagihiko.
Saaya appeared in the garden and she looked angry, very angry. "Mashiro Rima, where is it?" she shrieked again.
"Where is what exactly Saaya-san?" asked Ram calmly. She didn't want to get angry now, and at least she was trying.
"Don't play dumb with me. I know you have it!" said Saaya
"Saaya-san, I assure you that Rima-chan really has no idea on what…" before Nagihiko could finish his claim, Saaya cut him off.
"You stay out of this Fujisaki! I wasn't asking you!" she told him sternly.
"I seriously don't know what your talking about." Said Rima.
"My necklace, where is it?!? I want you to hand it over right now!" said Saaya angrily.
"And why would you ask me about it? I don't touch anything that belongs to you." Said Rima, she was starting to get a bit annoyed with Saaya. "All I do is clean your room."
"That's exactly why you're the main suspect. No one else goes inside my room to clean it." Said Saaya pointing an accusing finger on Rima.
"Hold on, are you trying to tell me that you think I stole something from you?!?" said Rima. This woman was calling her a thief?!?
"You don't have to play games with me Mashiro. I know you had something to do with it." Accused Saaya.
"And your proof? Do you have one? Because if you do, then I'd like to see it." Said Rima seriously.
"How dare you question me, do you think I don't know where I put my stuff? Are you saying I lost it?" asked Saaya.
"The way I see it, that's much more reasonable than accusing someone of taking it." Replied Rima.
"Saaya-san, may I suggest that you search for it inside your room first. If you want, we can help you." Suggested Nagihiko.
"I am not letting a thief inside my room!" said Saaya.
"I told you I didn't have it! What is with you?" Rima was getting angry now. Now that Amu wasn't here she's going to blame all her carelessness on everyone else? The nerve of her!
"Don't you dare talk to me in that manner! How dare you." Said Saaya. "Have you forgotten which house you are in?"
"I don't need to respect people who make false accusations just because they feel like it." Said Rima.
"Agh how dare you. You filthy little scum!" Saaya had it, she couldn't take it anymore and she did the first thing that came to her…
SLAP!!
Rima had shut her eyes, knowing what was coming. Fortunately, she heard the sound of Saaya slapping someone, but it wasn't her. She opened her eyes as she felt no impact on her face. She saw Nagihiko there standing right in front of her, he was the one that got hit and protected her from the pain.
"Nagi…" she muttered.
"Out of the way Fujisaki!" said Saaya.
"No, stop this. Rima-chan didn't take anything, you may search her room all you want and find nothing from there." Said Nagihiko. He squinted a bit because of the pain but continued "That's enough Saaya-san, you may do as you wish only if you can prove it. But if you can't I'm afraid you'll have to deal with me before you get to Rima-chan."
Saaya was about to slap Nagihiko again, but she stopped. Nagihiko was waiting, but nothing came. "I had enough of this, but once I prove that you took it, your out of here." Grumbled Saaya.
As Saaya left, Nagihiko turned to face Rima and asked "Are you hurt?"
"Why are you asking me that?!?" she told him, a bit angrily. "I wasn't the one who got slapped, I wasn't the one that got hurt, just to let you know, that was you not me!"
"Rima-chan clam down…" stated Nagihiko.
"Why? Why did you cover for me like that?" asked Rima.
"Because, I could never let her hurt you. Her slap was no big deal to me." Said Nagihiko with a smile.
Rima was a bit shocked at his response, she blushed, but then she shrugged it off. "Does it hurt?" she asked again after some time of silence.
"It does sting a bit, but it's not that painful. I'm honestly fine." Said Nagihiko
"Let's go." Said Rima as she started walking.
"Where exactly? I thought you wanted to stay here and get some air." Reminded Nagihiko.
"Forget that, I got some air and I'm fine now. Let's get you to Su, she can help." Said Rima.
Nagihiko smiled, he knew she was acting tough again, and he just found it nice. At least now, they're getting along, maybe even better than expected? He didn't really know…
"Okay Rima-chan. Let's get going shall we?" he asked as he walked with her off to Su…
Rima got to Su and the others and found them in one of the rooms. Dia saw them and said that they've just finished doing chores for the day. Su came in with tea and they all soon noticed that Nagihiko was twitching a bit.
"Ne, what happened to Nagi?" asked Ran confused.
"Yeah, what did happen?" asked Miki curiosity all over her face.
"He got slapped, by you know who." Said Rima.
"Why? What reason did she make up this time?" asked Miki.
"She called me a thief, and said I took her jewelry or whatever it was. I don't really care." Said Rima with a shrug.
"Thief? You? Where did she get that idea?" asked Dia shocked.
"She said something about her necklace that had gone missing and that I was the only possible suspect since I cleaned her room." Said Rima.
"She's seriously gone crazy since Amu-chan left. She hasn't been able to blame anyone for anything, which must be driving her nuts by now." Said Ran.
"Which gives her right to what? Blame anyone else for any other useless excuse she can think of?" asked Rima.
"You know how she is, hopefully Amu-chan is doing better~desu." Said Su as she helped Nagihiko out.
"Oh let's hope so…." Said Rima with a sigh…
"I'm sure she's fine, this is Amu-chan were talking about." Said Miki with a smile. "She's a strong person."
Back with Amu and Ikuto
Meanwhile, Miki was right, Amu was well. She's spent the whole time with Ikuto since Utau and the others had left. As much as she hated the fact that he was being a complete pervert while they were alone, she'd rather have him here than being on her own.
"Ne Ikuto, why do you always tease me?" asked Amu.
"I already told you that didn't I? You're just so much fun." Said Ikuto with a smirk. "Besides, you're the one to talk perverted kid."
"I am not a perverted kid! The only pervert here is you!" retorted Amu. Then she remembered another thing she wanted to ask him. "Ne Ikuto…"
"Hm?" he asked.
"Do you really think I'm just a kid. I mean, do I seriously act like one?" asked Amu silently.
"…" Ikuto stayed silent and when he was just about to answer, Amu beat him to it.
"Because you know, if I do act like a kid…I guess that's the reason why I couldn't get Ran and the others to a safe place." Said Amu, she was trying not to break down by remembering her friends. "All I did was get them into trouble with me. Maybe it would have been better if they never knew me. That way, Yamabuki-sama wouldn't make their lives so miserable because of me."
"Amu!" said Ikuto seriously.
Amu was a bit shocked at his sudden change of voice but she looked at him anyway. "You know no one blames you for anything. It was never your fault. I'm pretty sure your friends know that. And why would they ever regret meeting you…" stated Ikuto
Amu smiled, she had to admit, when Ikuto was serious he was a pretty decent person to talk to. Suddenly, Ikuto's smirk came back and Amu knew it was not a good sign. "Um Ikuto…" she started nervously.
"You know Amu, you should thank the Yamabukis." Started Ikuto.
"W-why?" asked Amu as she backed away while Ikuto was getting closer.
"Because if it wasn't for them, we would never have so much alone time together." Said Ikuto with a smirk.
"…." Amu stayed silent and then thought "Will his perverted attitude never end?!? What is with that smirk anyway?!?"
"Ne Ikuto..." said Amu
"Yes?" he asked.
"Why are you such a pervert?" asked Amu.
"Is that supposed to be a rhetorical question?" he asked her teasingly.
"Agh forget it! Just get out!" she told him while burying her face in the nearest pillow.
"Ow Amu that hurts." Said Ikuto as he pouted playfully. "You know you like having me around."
"…" Amu stayed silent. Did she really like having him around so much that she couldn't say no?
"What's with the silence Amu, could it possibly be true?" asked Ikuto.
"No! Of course not!" said Amu.
Ikuto couldn't help but chuckle. He was so interested in her, he found her so different from other girls it's hard to possibly avoid her. Suddenly there was a knock on the door…
"Ikuto-kun, your father wants to talk to you. Utau-chan's already there." Said Nikaidou
"Hai, I'll be there." Replied Ikuto
"Looks like you have to go." Said Amu, there was a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Hn looks like it, another talk with y parents, great." Said Ikuto
"……..Well.. you better get going." Said Amu with a smile.
For some reason Ikuto could tell she wasn't smiling for real and something was wrong. He didn't want to say anything about it for now. "Alright, but will you be okay on your own?"
"I'm not a little girl anymore you know, I can take care of myself." Huffed Amu.
Ikuto chuckled and then replied "I know but I can be sure right? You can be clumsy you know."
"Just go Ikuto, they're waiting for you." Said Amu.
"Alright I'll go already." Ikuto gave her a wave and then left for the door.
She said she'd be okay alone but will she really? As Ikuto left, one last thought occurred to her… "I wonder what he needs to talk about with his family, Utau will be there so it must be important…I'll ask him about it when he gets back." And that's about when she decided to rest some more and sleep, besides, it's not like she had anything better to do now that she was alone….She'd just have to wait for Ikuto to come back, and deep down she did hope that he would and soon.
Authors Note: That's it! I hope you guys liked it. I'm sorry again for the late update. Please tell me what you guys think of this chapter. Pls. Read and Review! : )