Amu's POV
I ran into the living room, surprisingly making it without anyone but Castiel seeing me. I ran until I reached the door that lead to the back yard.
I ran to the space between the shed and fence. The entrance of the area was covered by bushes so it was a perfect hiding spot.
Once I was about in the middle of my hiding spot, I collapsed on my knees, not able to fight off the tears anymore.
"Amu-chan?!" My Charas called and I placed a hand over my mouth, not wanting to be heard or found.
Their calls eventually subsided and I removed my hand, letting a sob out.
"Found you." I looked up to see Akemi, looking at me with sad eyes. "Amu..."
"J-just go away..." I mumbled, trying to wipe away the tears that didn't want to stop. I shivered as the cold finally sunk in, but I refused to go back inside to get something warmer.
I'm such an idiot for believing him...I knew. I knew this wouldn't end well...Why did I ever try to love again?
In my sadness, I didn't hear Ikuto's voice until he was a few feet away from my spot.
"Akemi?" Ikuto asked. "Where's Amu?"
Akemi glanced at me and I looked at her, pleading through my eyes that she not rat me out.
"She's not out here. I think she's inside." Akemi said, winking at me. I nodded my thanks and she flew away with Ikuto.
I don't know how long I sat there, wondering what I'd ever done to deserve this, when I felt something warm land on my shoulders.
Turning my head slightly, I saw it was a familiar black leather jacket with a soft, warm interior fuzzy padding thing.
Castiel's jacket.
My thoughts were confirmed when I looked up and he was standing there, looking very not happy.
"Castiel...I want to be alone."
"You'll catch a cold if you stay out here."
"What does that matter?" I asked, pulling my legs to my chest and wrapping my arms around them. "It's not like anyone will give a shit."
"Well I give a shit Amu." Castiel huffed and crouched down in front of me. "What happened?"
I shook my head and Castiel sighed, standing up. I thought he was going to leave but instead he walked behind me and sat down on the ground, pulling me onto his lap, letting me rest my head on his shoulder.
The familiar scent of Castiel was comforting. Like a soft lullaby that could lull a crying baby to sleep. He smelled of leather and earth and a mix of spices I could never name. It was his perfect cologne. I remember I used to love falling asleep next to him when he visited my house and we watched moves sitting on the couch. It became a tradition for me to fall asleep next to him on the couch and wake up in my bed, curled up into his side.
Castiel was silent and I knew he was willing to stay like this until I was ready to explain things.
"It happened when I was heading upstairs to get your present." I finally said. I felt like if I said it normally, it'd only make it so much worse. So my voice was soft as I spoke. "I was talking with Kimi and Mark and I had just finished my last sentence when I walked out of the living room into the hallway. You know, where we'd left Ikuto and Belle. I turned away from the living room and looked down the hall..." I couldn't say it. The tears came back and I started to cry all over again.
"Shhh...It's okay Amu..." Castiel murmured comfortingly in my ear. I sniffed and took a breath to finish my sad little tale.
"When I turned to look down the hall, I-I'd kinda forgotten that we'd left Ikuto there with that girl. When I turned and looked down the hall...I...I saw Ikuto and Belle k-kiss-ing."
"He was kissing her?" Castiel's voice filled with pure rage. I rarely heard him get that mad...
"Castiel...please don't be mad..." I whispered. "She's really pretty and she's royalty. Ikuto probably couldn't help it..."
"So you're forgiving him?"
"No. It hurt to see that and all but...but I guess it shows how stupid I was to believe him...No one could ever love me..." I blinked away tears.
"Amu, stop being stupid. You are a beautiful person and if Ikuto prefers that girl over you, he's more stupid than I thought."
"Castiel...why does all the bad stuff always happen to me?" Castiel was silent for a moment before answering.
"I don't know Amu. But I know you don't deserve it at all." Castiel smiled at me. "Why don't we go inside? I'm sure everyone's waiting for you and you didn't open your presents."
"But..." I wanted to go in, but then I didn't. If i didn't go in, I might as well be ruining Christmas for everyone. "Promise to not leave me alone?"
"I wouldn't dream of it." Castiel said and stood, then he helped me up.
"I-I'm going to go clean up." I murmured when we reached the back door.
"I'll wait in the living room."
I nodded. "Okay."
Castiel checked to make sure the coast was clear and I ran upstairs to my room and into my bathroom.
I quickly wiped my face clean and redid my makeup and grabbed Castiel's present. As I left my room, I spared a glance towards my mirror and frowned a bit before putting on a smile.
You can do it Amu. You've faked happiness before. It's second nature now, right?
I knew it was true when I walked into the living room all smiles and no one noticed a thing.
"Amu, where were you?" My mom asked and I just shrugged.
"Sorry for going MIA. I had to find this," I help up Castiel's present. "I forgot where I left it. I'm going to go give it to him now."
Mom let me go and I found Castiel standing by my presents.
"That for me?" Castiel asked, motioning towards the present and I nodded. Handing it over, I prayed he liked it as I watched him open it.
When Castiel saw what it was, his eyes lit up. It was the guitar I'd seen at the mall the same day he found the jewelry box.
"This is sick!" Castiel swung the guitar around and immediately started to play. "It's perfect!"
"Glad you like it. I was worried you might not like it." I lifted the guitar from his hands and showed him it's back, tapping a specific spot. "I even got it engraved. 'Thanks for everything Castiel. Love Amu' is what it says. And also, "Property of Castiel, the best guitarist of the music industry."
"Amu...this is great." Castiel wrapped me into a one armed hug. But suddenly I was pushed behind Castiel as he let out a growl. I glanced past him to see Ikuto and Belle standing a few feet away. "Something you need?" His voice protective and hostile.
"To...to speak to miss Hinamori-" Belle started to say.
"Her name is Hart. Hinamori is a name only a select few can call her. You, even with your very high social status, aren't allowed to call her that." Castiel looked towards Ikuto, his gaze murderous. "I think it's better you and Belle stay away from Amu. You have no right to be near her after this shit you pulled."
"Onii-chan!" Ami called, running over to me. When I left her and my family, she'd been four.
I remember how that day she'd been crying so hard, begging me to not leave. I promised to send her presents and that one day I'd let her sing in a concert with me if I made it. I'd made my life as a singer and, from what I'd heard when I visited the house these past months, her singing had improved. I was already thinking of arranging for her to get signed up with Easter once she was around fifteen or sixteen. But she didn't know english very well, so she'd be bound to being an idol in only Japan.
But she couldn't see my Guardians anymore. She isn't as adorable and sweet as she was before I left. She's grown up...
"Ami!" I crouched down and smiled at her. "What is it?"
"I wanted to thank you for the present, Onii-chan!" She held up the doll I'd given her along with the box containing the fifteen mix and match outfits for the doll.
"You're welcome Ami." She threw her arms around me and I held her, unable to keep from praying that she stayed like this forever.
Innocent and pure, never tainted by the pain I was dying from.
She ran back to our parents and I turned to see Castiel still facing off with Ikuto.
"Ikuto." I said, clearing my throat as I stood at Castiel's side. "This house is as much yours as it is mine. But, as the owner, please let me know when you next invite this-" Bitch, "-friend of yours over." I took Castiel's arm. "Come on Castiel...We still need to open our presents."
I led Castiel away, knowing that if I looked at Ikuto, I'd burst into tears.
But I just wanted to ask one thing. Just one.
Why did you do this to me...?
"Bye! Drive home safe!" I called after my family as they headed for their car outside.
"Amu?" I turned around and came face to face with Marzia.
"Yes?" She walked towards the door and stopped when she was right next to me and leaned over.
"Castiel told me what happened. We can't fire Ikuto from being your bodyguard, but there's a way to get away if you want. Just call and say the word."
I closed my eyes.
I knew what she meant.
Ikuto couldn't go with us if I escaped back to America.
"Thank you." I said back and Marzia nodded.
"Good night." Marzia said and left without another word. She was the last of the guest so I shut the door and pressed my back against it, sighing as I slid down to the floor.
"You okay?" Castiel asked as he walked in from the kitchen, a christmas tree cookie in his mouth.
Pitifully, I raised my arms. "Carry me to the couch..."
"You're such a baby." But Castiel still stuck his cookie in his mouth and came over, picking me up bridal style and carried me to the couch. Gently he set me down then started to pat at his pockets.
"Have you seen my keys? I gotta get home-"
"No!" The words escaped me before I could stop. "Castiel, please don't leave me alone with him..."
"All you had to do was say so." Castiel said and plopped down next to me. "But what are you gonna do now?"
"Well...I guess I'll talk to Ikuto and end all of this. He can stay in the house and all but...God, I was so stupid to have believed him." I leaned against Castiel. "I think...something's wrong with me."
"Why?"
"Because you'd think I'd be so heart broken and crying and everything. I mean I was at first, but now...I'm just tired. The pain is just a dull ache and I'm just so tired..."
I started to drift off, but fought to stay awake.
But then Castiel started softly singing a familiar lullaby in my ear-one I hadn't heard in forever-and exhaustion won.
My eyes fell shut and I welcomed the comforting darkness.
Castiel's POV
Once Amu's breath was slow and calm, I knew she was fast asleep.
"God...why does she have to suffer so much?" I whispered as I brushed a hair behind her ear. When Amu was asleep, she always looked so peaceful and beautiful...
"Is she asleep?" My head snapped up towards the voice and I was met with Ikuto leaning in the door frame of the entrance to the hallway. I'd wondered where he'd been...
"Yes, so get the fuck away and let her at least have a peaceful sleep." I growled, protectively pulling Amu closer to me.
"Get away from her." Ikuto hissed and I raised an eyebrow.
"Why should I? You're the one who should be packing and getting out. I mean, seriously? You practically promised to never do this to her and that you loved her, but look at what you've done. I'd kill you, but that'd just hurt Amu too."
"It's not like I meant to kiss Belle!" Ikuto yelled in frustration and I checked Amu to make sure she was asleep.
"Is that so? Oh I get it, you just happened to put your lips on hers! It makes perfect sense! Do you know how much that hurt her?" I shook my head. "You know what? Never mind. You probably don't even care."
I carefully stood and picked Amu up bridal style.
"Excuse me, but I'm going to take her to her room." I brushed past Ikuto and took Amu to her room where her Charas were already asleep. I laid her on her bed and took off her boots then pulled the covers over her.
"I never meant for her to see that." Ikuto said when I went back out into the hall.
"So you planned to cheat on her?" I demanded. "No matter what you say, it won't make it better!" I glared at Ikuto, burning rage filling me. "She believed you and I was okay with her staying with you because I thought you'd be good for her. Do you know how much she's suffered? Amu can't function properly now! While you were with that whore of yours, Amu had to fake a smile. She was like a robot, answering automatically and not really ever paying attention.
"She didn't deserve this! If you didn't love her, why couldn't you just say so instead of leading her on and then kissing some other girl? Sure it would've stung for a while, but that's the thing! Just breaking up with her would stink, but what you did gives third degree burns!"
"Belle kissed me! I didn't kiss her! I was surprised because I broke up with her two years ago! I made it clear I didn't want to be with her, but she said she wanted to do one more thing and then she kissed me!"
"Bullshit!" I yelled. "You're no better than shit for this. YOU NEVER LOVED HER!"
At those words Ikuto's eyes turned murderous and an impossibly bright fire of anger and hatred ignited.
He lunged at me and punched me in the jaw. I wanted to punch him back, but I wouldn't hurt Amu by hurting the little shit.
Ikuto shoved me to the ground and in that moment I heard Amu's door open and a familiar scream as Ikuto got on me and punched my face.
"Ikuto no!" Amu screamed and tried to get him off me, but he shoved her away, murderous intent in his eyes. Amu cried out as she fell back, landing on her back.
"Amu!" I cried and shoved Ikuto off of me, racing to her.
I crouched down, making sure she was okay, then turned to glare at Ikuto who stood there, realizing what he'd done.
"Amu..." Ikuto said. "I-I didn't mean-"
"I'm fine with you leaving me." Amu said, her voice low and dark. "I'm fine with you having a girlfriend who's better than me. I am fine with you not wanting me anymore. I am fine with your so called truths having been lies." Amu was shaking slightly, and tears ran down her face.
"But don't you ever ever dare to hit Castiel! That is something I'll never forgive!" Amu got up and took my arm, leading me to her room and slammed the door shut. As soon as we were in there, Amu fell to her knees.
"Castiel...I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to get hurt, I'm so sorry for what he did..."
"Amu, it's not your fault." I whispered, kneeling down next to Amu. "I'm okay. I've suffered and lived through worse."
"But..." Amu trailed off, suddenly calm, and slumped forward against me.
"Amu?" I asked, panicked. "Amu?!"
"Sleeping...Pills..." Amu muttered, her voice low and slow.
"Sleeping pills?" Now I was worried as hell. I made Amu look at me before demanding, "How many did you take?"
"Took...two..." Relief flooded through me. Thank god...I'd thought...
"Let's get you to bed." I picked Amu up and carried her to her bed, just now noticing she'd changed into an over sized shirt for pajamas.
Carefully I laid her down and tucked her in. I turned to leave, but felt something catch the back of my shirt.
"Cas...stay..." Amu murmured and I turned to her.
"As you order." I said and walked to the other side of the bed, slipped off my jacket, dropping it on the floor and kicked off my shoes.
I got under the covers with Amu and she immediately curled up into my side, sighing softly in content and drifted into a deep sleep.
As I started to fall asleep, something occurred to me.
Amu said she took sleeping pills, and to get sleeping pills she'd need to have gone to the doctor. Not to sound stalker-ish, but I've known where Amu's been this whole time since she got in Japan, my orders had been to know her movements.
And Amu had never gone to a doctor or ever been given sleeping pills by anyone else.
Slowly I got out of her bed and looked around her room and medicine cabinet in her bathroom.
The only pills I'd found with any sign of having been opened recently were her vitamins which obviously weren't sleeping pills.
Pulling my cellphone from my pocket, I dialed the number of an old friend.
"Hello?" The voice was gruff, like he'd just woken up from sleeping.
"It's Castiel. I need you to look something up for me, no questions asked."
Oh dear me...what is Castiel planning doing and just who did he call? And why would Amu think her vitamin pills were sleeping pills? Did she even take those pills? Well, only I know why and I'm not telling! ;) Hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you all in the next chapter! Please remember to review and have a nice day! Bye-bye! Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!
