Zee: Heyy guys! I think I am getting better at this updating thing!
Ikuto: Hah, you wish Zeee, Amu does everything better.
Amu: Ikuto stop being a baka! MOUUU! Of course, I do it better than Zee. It's all coz Kodansha owns mee!
Zee: Yeah yeah, laugh it up, it won't be for long! *insert evil grin*
*Just a quick reminder that Shugo chara isn't owner by me, only the plot in this story. Also, this story contains extremely dark themes so read at your own discretion*
Recap: The house was large, but comfortable. Not overly layered with grandeur and ridiculous ornaments like Amu's house had been. The girls; Amu and Yaya wobbles sleepily to their room. Next to where Ikuto found his own spare guest room, for the night, with some borrowed pjs.
The last thing he could remember was feeling fatigue and relaxation flood over him.
The night went past with everyone in the house sleeping peacefully. Even Ikuto had managed to get a couple of hours of complete undisturbed dreamless sleep. The hours of dreamless sleep had been a luxury, but as with all luxuries, it simply did not last. It was long past midnight, and the early day had begun when Ikuto woke up in a panicked state, later than usual. His panicked state did not pass until he forced himself to ground himself. He could see the dark blue painted walls, he could see how the light from the streetlamps illuminated parts of the room, he could see the small fireplace near the bed, and he saw the queen sized bed with navy sheets that he was lying on. He reminded himself that he was here: he was in Yaya's parents' house. Slowly, the short pants had turned into slow deep breaths. Inhale and exhale. He laid back down; listen to the eerie silence in his room, letting the silence sooth him.
Knock knock. A knock sounded at his door; startled, he rose from his bed and got to the door. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he knew he was not expecting this. There was the pinklette, in all her morning glory, standing before him and yawning. "Ikuto- do you mind if I crash here? Yaya's snores make it impossible to sleep." The pinklette mumbled sleepily. Wordlessly, he moved to the side to let the pinklette into the room. She needed the sleep more than he did. Plus, the bed was big enough for both of them to sleep in without having to touch or be close to one another. Silently they both tucked themselves in bed, and feel asleep, unhindered. Neither of them woke up in a panicked state. They simply rose out of bed like groggy zombies, just like any other, sane human being. A category in which Yaya just didn't fit into. She was bustling, laughing and squealing, all in the morning. Both Amu and Ikuto cringed at the loud noise. They stared at each other before bursting into peels of laughter themselves. The household was infectious with their laughter. The household got around to their morning routine, changing into their clothes and sitting down at the dinner table to eat once again. The whole house was captured in conversation and the guests had a hard time saying goodbye. But when the time came, hugs came around, with personal packed lunches in hand. Soon Ikuto was loading of the girls into his car and driving them to school. Amu sat in the passenger seat. She turned her head looking at Ikuto and spoke without a concern. "Hey Ikuto do you have today off?"
Ikuto slightly surprised with the casual tone she had spoken to him with but found himself surprisingly happy. He smirked. "Awww Amu are you interested in me" Ikuto teased. It was not surprising to him that Amu choked and blushed and looked away pouting. "Nope not at all, you just happen to be the only teacher I can bare" Amu said in a defiant voice. The blush had slightly faded but she was still pouting. Keeping his eyes focused on the road in front of him, he let out a chuckle. "Sorry to disappoint Amu, but I have a couple of errands to take care off, so I took today off." Her pout was matched with large puppy eyes turned towards him. Her honey glazed eyes looked at him like how a puppy looked at their owner. The blush was still gracing her pale cheeks. This time, Yaya joined in on Ikuto's chuckle. It reminded the couple that they had Yaya in the car too. Realising that Amu had been caught, her blush became all the more vivid. "Amu-chi, you don't have to look so depressed! I will be with you the whole day" Yaya even winked to prove her point. Amu's cheeks were scorching hot. God that was embarrassing. Grinning Ikuto pulled up to an alley near the school to drop the girls off. He looked at Amu's blushing cheeks and whispered, "Gosh was it that hot in the car Amu?" She was taken aback by the whisper, she merely nodded and scuttled off in the vague direction of school.
Ikuto rest his head on the steering wheel. What was he doing? Yes, she was an adult, yes, he was an adult, but he could not do this. She was his student. With a new sour mood, he drove off to the hospital. He found his way to the room; the irony was that it was right next to Amu's. She could have found out about him, anyone of the girls could have. He just had to thank his lucky starts that they didn't. He didn't knock but strolled in, closing the door behind him. He saw Kukai siting by the bed holding her hand. She was still the same, she had lost a lot of baby fat though. Her cheeks pale and hollow, her eyes circled with dark circles, her hair dry and coarse. And then he saw it. On her arms, the numerous bruises. The dark purple bruised were spotted around her arms and torso. How did this happen? How could they start abusing their "money bag"? Rage burned through him as he met Kukai's eyes. They were tearful.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect her. I'm sorry she got hurt again" Kukai shook his head apologetically. He was mad at himself too, he wouldn't blame Ikuto if he lost it. After all, this wasn't the first time. All he heard was Ikuto sigh. He moved to the seat next to the bed and grabbed her other hand. She was going to be okay; he was going to make sure of it. Ikuto stared at the blond girl. She had been like him once- a Tsukiyomi. The name once held weight to it, the weight of power and money; now it was worthless. Trash- the old man had called it. It was merely lucky that Hoshina held absolutely no power either. Kukai stared at Ikuto before asking, "what are you going to do about them?" "I am going to ruin them. They mean nothing to me anymore. I have a friend that I am planning to ask for help- I am going to use Easter to crush them."
Kukai could see the anger and sadness on Ikuto's face. His jaw was tense and his lips in a thin, firm line. He knew that things were going to get ugly. "Does your friend know about your past?" Ikuto was silently grateful that age had not come up. "No, she doesn't. I am planning on telling her." "Ikuto, you know I am all for destroying them- but are you sure you want to get a third party involved. They could get the police involved." The two guys in their intense conversation hadn't notice the blond girl stirring. They hadn't even realised she was awake. "well hello to you too" her raw raspy voice grated out. Both men got into action. Ikuto got up to get a glass of water while Kukai pulled her into a sitting position. Once she had the glass of water in her hands, she gulped it down trying to quench her thirst. Finally feeling like she could speak again without sounding like a dying whale she said, "Ikuto- where do I come into all of this?" Ikuto wished that she didn't know him so well, but she did. Despite years of not seeing each other, they still understood one another. Too well. "I need you to apply at Easter" "Ikuto- that could get her killed! NO, I am not going to let her do this. I know them, you know them- they are not going to back down, they'll kill her before they would let her go." Kukai jumped and answered on her behalf.
"Kukai, sit down." Turning away from Kukai, she turned her attention to Ikuto- "We both know that Easter isn't going to hire me no matter how talented I am so what is your actual plan." Ikuto stared at his younger sister.
"I've been talking to the owner of Easter- they want something we have- the embryo. I can act as your manager while you work, I can be there and make sure they don't hurt you. And it's only for a while. I'm sure Amu will be able to help".
She looked at him silently, while processing what he said. They would have to work out the exacts but it should work. But the bigger problem was who was this "Amu". The only other time she had heard such affection in his voice was three years ago. And they all knew how that turned out. She finally spoke, "How old is Amu- Ikuto?"
He winced at her question. He knew that if anyone was going to ask him that question- it would have been her. He could understand her concern. Last time- three years ago- she had seen him destroy his own career by falling into a pretty trap.
"She is 18, why?" Ikuto mentioned casually. She narrowed her eyes at him; it didn't seem like he was lying but she knew he was hiding something. She could get the chance to push for an answer before the door was swung open, revealing a short, pink haired girl and an even shorter, blond-haired girl. The blond-haired girl was wearing a nurse uniform and the pink haired girl behind her. Her eyes were filled with panic when her eyes met Ikuto's. The nurse moved through the room arrogantly, her strides were long and charismatic. She walked past both males and straight to her. She looked at the girl's directly and bluntly asked. "Where did you get those bruised from?" she had her note pad in her hand and a blank expression on her face. "My parents" she responded immediately. She heard the sound of pen against paper and saw the nurse nod, "Do you have a safe space to go to after we discharge you or do you need me to call a shelter?" the nurse asked. "I'll be fine, thank you" she responded. The short nurse nodded and started walking toward the doors. "Come on Hinamori- san we'll get your stuff ready." Ikuto rushed ahead and said quickly, "Can I have a moment with Hinamori-san? I know her personally." The nurse didn't say anything until she saw Amu nod. "It's okay Rima, I know him". Rima nodded and headed out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Amu walked towards the patient's beds and gasped. "Utau?" she ran and gave her best friend a hug while being conscious of the wires and needles attached to the girl. "AMU?" the shocked blond girl returned the hug while everyone in the room stood there. Stunned in silence.
Why their lives were so intertwined was past Ikuto, all he knew was that he was happy to have her on his side.
Heyyy guys! Today's chapter is relatively short but I worked hard on it! I promise you!