-1Brief Kidnap

"Don't think about escaping. Its futile," Sanjo said not even looking at Amu. "I only want to use you to lure out Ikuto so don't give me any unnecessary problems."

"Let me go," Amu said, "there's no point to this. You saw from last time didn't you? He doesn't trust me."

"We won't know until we try. Your his woman, he will come and get you," Sanjo said with confidence. He grabbed onto Amu's face and leaned closer to her, hissing at her face, "You better hope he comes for you. If I have no use for you, you're as good as dead." He let go of her and turned towards the window at his side.

"What are you planning?" Amu asked, "What are you planning to do to Ikuto? Don't hurt him-"

Sanjo slapped Amu again, shutting her up. "You have no right to speak. Just know that you are part of his death."

Amu turned to look outside the window, where the streets flashed passed as the car drove. She felt her tears trickle down her burning cheeks. She was scared and was lost as to what to do. She could only pray that night Ikuto will never come to find her. She would rather die if it meant Ikuto was safe. If it weren't for Ikuto, her life might not be as it is now and maybe now, it was the time to return his kindness. Amu closed her eyes, not wanting to think of anything anymore. There was nothing she can do now but wait and see what Sanjo felt like doing.

She must've fell asleep for when she finally woke up, she was outside what looked like a park, somewhere she didn't know.

"Finally awake," Sanjo said grabbing at her hair. "Shall we talk before Ikuto arrives?"

"Y-you contacted him?"

"So, what do you know of Ikuto?" Sanjo asked, his grip on her hair increasing, so that Amu couldn't help but let out a soft cry from the pain. "Have some manners and answer me," Sanjo shouted, since Amu didn't reply. He bashed her head onto the ground, where her blood stained.

"I've always been suffering because of him in this underworld society. I was belittled by even the thugs that weren't anything at that time. I thought I would never get the opportunity to rise above him but three years ago, Ikuto disappeared from my world and then returns unpredictably," Sanjo began to say, "I want an explanation."

Amu gripped at Sanjo's arm, blood from her head running across one eye. "Please...let me go."

Sanjo slapped Amu again and let go of her hair. "Do you know where he's hiding it?"

Amu looked at Sanjo, though her head hurt like hell and she felt like shutting her eyes.

Sanjo asked again, "do you know where he's hiding the evidence of XM2?"

"I don't know what you're talking about..." Amu answered truthfully, her head spinning again. "What are-"

"You know don't you? Tell me where the evidence is?" Sanjo said slapping her again. "Give me XM2. Tell me where it is!"

"I really don't know what you're talking about..." Amu cried "I've never heard of XM2." Her cheek was beginning to feel numb and she could taste her own blood in her mouth which made her feel more scared.

"So you really don't know. That means Ikuto hasn't told you about XM2," Sanjo said.

One of Sanjo's men came rushing towards Sanjo and whispered into his ears. Sanjo nodded.

Amu forced herself to keep her eyes opened and watched as most of Sanjo's men began to walk away. What was happening now?

"Should we take her as well?" one of the thugs asked Sanjo.

"We need-"

"AMU," a voice shouted from nearby.

Amu glanced everywhere, trying to see who it was. Was it Ikuto? She couldn't tell because her head still hurt. It doesn't matter who it was, she wanted to be rescued from Sanjo, "I'm here," she shouted, coughing from her mouth full of blood.

"Officer, I here her voice over there," he shouted, "Amu, don't worry, I've come to get you."

Nikaidou, Amu thought, that voice definitely belonged to her form teacher, Nikaidou. She was going to be saved.

"Hurry," one of the thugs said, "he's got the police with him."

Sanjo glared at Amu, "consider yourself extremely lucky." He ran the opposite way, just escaping before Nikaidou came rushing towards her with the police. Amu couldn't hold back her tears and started crying, hugging onto Nikaidou who comforted her. She had never experienced something like this before and she truly felt how scary it was to not have anyone besides her.

"Amu, let's contact your parents," Nikaidou suggested.

"NO, YOU MUST'NT, PROMISE YOU WON'T," Amu cried out loudly, gripping onto Nikaidou's arm.

Nikaidou patted Amu's hand, "I'll talk to the police and settle things first but we really need to let your parent-"

"Please just do as I say and keep this a secret," Amu asked again, not looking at Nikaidou. "I have my own reasons."

Nikaidou nodded, "fine. I won't notify anyone however, would it be fair if you told me exactly what's going on? Do you not think I have at least that right to know Amu Hinamori? Will you tell me if I promise?"

"Yes," Amu simply answered. Her fear that she kept inside her all this time finally overflowing and taking over her common sense. She wanted someone she could trust and tell things to. Nikaidou was her teacher and he saved her just now, he should be trustworthy. Amu calmed herself down whilst the first aid crew attended her. She watched as Nikaidou tried explaining to the police, he waved at her with a smile, it seemed like everything was sorted.

"Amu, do you want to go home?" Nikaidou softly asked, helping her walk.

Amu shook her head. She couldn't possibly go home in this state. There was no way to explain things and she didn't want to. If day Ikuto found out that Amu knew about his illness then what would he do? She didn't have the courage to face him yet and she really couldn't think of a plausible explanation to being kidnapped by thugs. She also wanted to avoid letting night Ikuto see her like this. It was obvious he would go and find Sanjo to settle the score if he did, the last thing she wanted him to do. More importantly, she didn't want him or Lulu or anyone else to worry about her. She wished she could be stronger.

"Amu, shall I take you home?" Nikaidou asked again.

"Please take me to the church," Amu finally said. She didn't understand why, but she felt that was the place she should go to. "I'll tell you everything so please trust me and listen."

"I'll help you the best I can as your teacher," Nikaidou said, "don't worry."

"Tadase also lives in the church so if we see him please make up a random story or something like that," Amu said.

"You seem to trust him to go to his place," Nikaidou pointed out, "why not tell him the truth?"

"I've burdened him before with my misery so… I do feel he can cheer me up though," Amu replied.

Nikaidou nodded, turning to look away from Amu and letting out a smirk. "Perfect," he whispered, unnoticed by Amu.

Outside Ikuto's house Lulu hesitated whether to enter or not. She had decided when she left that she would not mention a thing to Ikuto but she was uneasy of his reaction to not seeing Amu with her. If it was his usual self, Ikuto would, "he would not care. But this Ikuto is…"

Before Lulu could come to a decision, the front door opened and Ikuto almost bumped into her, walking out the house.

"Lulu, where have you been? Does it take you that long to pick Amu up from her school, especially by car?" Ikuto immediately complained, he glance around, "where is Amu?"

Lulu stared at Ikuto. She clenched a fist. "I didn't see her."

"What?"

"I said I didn't see her. I couldn't pick her up. She left already," Lulu shouted.

Ikuto grabbed Lulu's shoulder, "did Amu say anything to you, leave a message or anything?"

"Why… why do you look so worried."

"She's not home, I know she's not at Nadeshiko and Yaya's place because she mentioned a few days ago they were going shopping or something," Ikuto muttered to himself, "where is she? This late, she couldn't have gotten hurt could she? Lulu, I'm going to look for her. Stay in the house in case she returns."

"Why are you bothering to look for her Ikuto?" Lulu couldn't help but ask. "She's a teenager now. She's old enough to know what to do. If she doesn't return home then it's fine."

"That's not what a parent should do or think," Ikuto said, walking away.

"STOP PLAYING FAMILY WITH HER!" Lulu shouted, "she's not related to you in any way. You don't need to care for her. You don't need to degrade yourself to be kind to her. She's nothing. That girl isn't worth it."

Ikuto turned to glare at Lulu, which made her stop her outburst. "Even if we're not related by blood, I can still care for her. She is my daughter and I'll decide whether its worth it. I'm leaving."

Lulu felt her heart tighten with unease and rage. She couldn't control her anger, "AMU HINAMORI IS NOT WORTH IT. She doesn't deserve the scarce kindness you have Ikuto. I understand, she must've forced herself upon you didn't she? Why else would you take her in?" Lulu took a breath before continuing, "Ever since your with her, you've lost everything that defines you. Where's the ruthless, confident and strong Ikuto I know? Where is he? I admired your strong mind, your brutal strength, your violent personality, why, why did she change you so much? Amu's nothing but a indecent parasite that damaged you-"

Ikuto slapped Lulu. His hands trembled and he looked as upset as she was.

"Your hurting me for someone who isn't even your kin," Lulu whispered, her hand over her cheeks. "I'm your real family."

Ikuto stepped back from Lulu, "I'm sorry."

Tears fell from Lulu's eyes and seeing them Ikuto felt even more guilty. He turned away from Lulu, "I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself when you started talking badly of Amu. She's not like that."

"Then what is she?" Lulu asked through her sobs. "She just sticks to you."

"I was the one who adopted her. From the start it was my decision because," Ikuto gave Lulu an apologetic look, "I owe her aunt Lulu. I'm sorry I'm not to your expectations. I don't know what you want me to be, but I am me. I'm sorry."

Lulu bit her lips watching Ikuto leave to find Amu. She dropped to the floor and began to really cry. She loved Ikuto so much. She thought of him as his own son and their relationship was never this bad. She wiped her tears. "Where did you go? Ikuto, you were strong and merciless. You were anything but this weak and soft." Lulu wiped her tears again. She clenched her fist, "AMU. It's you. Ikuto would never hit me before. He would never… this is your fault. This is your fault." She hit her fist on the ground, "you better stay kidnapped because if you come back, Amu Hinamori - I swear I'll get serious and make you suffer."

[Hello - please review! I do read every single review posted. I know I don't reply to any of them but I feel like if I do - I'd be over excited and be very tempted to give away the entire plot and that won't do. I've been slightly depressed that recently this story hasn't been getting as much reviews as it has in the past. Usually I get at least 10 reviews per chapter now it's gone down to 6 - I wonder if its because people are losing interest in the plot already. Am I progressing too slowly?]