Night Wander

Amu glance at the clock hanging on the wall and quickly changed the subject to relieve the tense silence, "it's almost time to go otherwise we're going to be late."

Amu tugged at Nadeshiko and Yaya, pulling them towards the door. "Let's go to school already - I want to be there earlier today."

"What's wrong with you Amu?"

"We haven't finished as-"

Amu pushed both Nadeshiko and Yaya out the house.

"AMU." Ikuto called before she shut the door closed, leaving for good.

Amu paused there, not sure of what to do. She was aware that Nadeshiko and Yaya was observing her.

"AMU," Ikuto called again, this time grabbing hold of the door and standing right in front of her.

"What?" is all Amu could say. She hoped he wouldn't swell on the question that Nadeshiko and Yaya asked him. She knew he wouldn't tell her where he'd been last night but the problem was how would she explain herself for leaving the room. She felt guilty for it.

Ikuto stood there, staring at Amu for a long time, his lips moved; obviously wanting to say something but didn't in the end. "Be careful," he uttered, closing the door gently.

Amu gave a relieved sigh and headed of to school with Nadeshiko and Yaya.

"Amu, we're sorry," Yaya said.

Amu looked at Yaya and Nadeshiko who both had an apologetic look.

Nadeshiko gave Amu a quick hug, "we knew we went too far back there. Me and Yaya were curious but after talking… we really shouldn't be interfering."

"It's ok," Amu stressed, "you two really didn't do anything bad. I was curious too."

"Really I understand Amu," Yaya continued, "my dad's a alcoholic too. It really is tough, but we won't tell anyone."

Amu smiled, glad deep down that Nadeshiko and Yaya full-heartedly believed Ikuto was just out drinking. How those two got to that conclusion was beyond Amu's knowledge but at least they wouldn't know the truth - which Amu obviously knew was otherwise.

"Ahh - guys we're late," Yaya suddenly shouted.

Without another word Nadeshiko took hold of Amu and Yaya's hand and began to dash towards the school, managing to slot through it's gate before it closed. The three had a pale face when they saw the principal in their class.

"Girls, I expect to see the three of you all in my office at lunch break, with a detailed explanation to why you are 2 minutes late to morning registration," the principal said.

"Yes," they replied sitting down.

The principal continued before he was disrupted, "as I was saying. Your homeroom teacher is on maternity leave so allow me to introduce to you your new teacher." He paused for effect, "let us welcome Mr, Yuu Nikaidou."

A young man with thin-rimmed glasses wearing a suit walked into the classroom. "Hello everyone, I hope we get along with each other well. Let's not waste time and start…"

The entire day seemed to pass Amu by. Her concentration completely on Ikuto, thinking only of him and the recent events around him in general. She had never been like this before in her life. It was like Ikuto was her life and the only thing in her life at the moment. Clearly, this turnout was rather bothersome to Amu who wanted very much to just enjoy school like any teenage girls. Did having such a young father really mean all these problems?

"Amu Hinomori is it?"

Amu turned away from the window, where she was staring at the fluffy white clouds. "Mr Nikaidou? Yes, I'm Amu Hinomori."

"You've not been paying much attention in class today. Was my teaching really that bad?"

Amu smiled at Nikaidou who had a really worried expression. "Don't worry. I'm sure you're a fine teacher. My mind was occupied."

"On a guy?" Nikaidou asked with a wry smile.

Amu nodded, "a family member. He's just been acting weird lately."

"Oh, he would be wouldn't he…"

"What did you say?" Amu asked, unable to hear Nikaidou since he whispered so softly.

He smiled, "I was saying, you should go home now. The bell's about to ring."

"Oh," Amu replied, not knowing what else to say. She packed her bag and was about to head out when Nikaidou called her back.

"One more thing," he said, "its painful to not know. Only knowing the truth will help you."

Amu didn't answer but turned her back to him and continued her way home. It was a advice that seemed very foreign to her, yet it sank in rather deeply.

Ikuto had arrived home later than usual, this night, though not to Amu's surprise. Neither of them said much to the other but the random out of place comments on food and work. Amu felt uncomfortable being around Ikuto, knowing fully that he was trying very hard to avoid the asking her whether she had actually left her room last night or whether Yaya and Nadeshiko was playing a prank on him this morning. Amu finally broke to Ikuto, well gave in was more the right way to put it; Amu was always the one to give in, "Ikuto."

"Yes," he answered looking at her a bit too intently.

"This morning, Nadeshiko and Yaya was joking," Amu said, slowly and carefully. "They thought it was funny to accuse you of leaving at night to drink. We thought you might give us a funny reaction like - cry."

Amu gulped waiting for Ikuto to respond. She gave a relieved smile along with Ikuto's laughter.

"That's the lamest prank ever Amu," Ikuto laughed holding his stomach, "pathetic."

Amu joined in with the giggle, "it really is isn't it?"

Ikuto tapped his watch and Amu stole herself away in her room again for the night. She rolled about in her bed, unable to sleep. Her eyes just wouldn't shut at all and her body wasn't comfortable however she slept or whatever position she was in. She found herself listening intently throughout the night though - straining to hear Ikuto in the house. After watching TV and taking a shower, Ikuto should now be asleep in his room. An image of his empty bedroom crept into Amu's mind. "It was empty yesterday night." Amu hit her head with her fists lightly. "I'm really a bad girl." She got up from bed and opened the door to her room. It was deathly silent like yesterday night. Why am I doing this? Amu kept asking herself as she walked over to Ikuto's room. Why have I become so paranoid lately… ever since… She opened the door and quickly pushed it open. "No way," Amu gasped. It was empty like the night before. The bed as if no one had ever slept on it and the window was opened again, its curtain fluttering against the wall as the wind blew in. Why am I doing this? After three years - why now? Why do I suddenly want to know more about Ikuto? Amu virtually screamed at herself in her mind as she quickly pulled on a coat and wore her shoes. What are you going to do anyway out - you don't know where… Amu reasoned in her thoughts, "but I want to, for some reason."

Amu locked the door to the house and ran out into the isolated but dimly lit streets of the night. It was cold and rather bone-chilling because of its eerie atmosphere. Amu didn't know where she was going but she ran anyway down the streets and entered any road her body instinctively took her to. She paused, leaning against the fence to the park after a few minutes of sprinting in the breezy dark.

"Its useless…" Amu finally whispered to herself. She had no idea where Ikuto could be but she knew for certain now that he wasn't at home at night. How long has it been this way? Since when did he go out late at night? The most important thing - for what? Amu sat idly on the swing, staring up at the dark blue sky. There was no stars tonight. She closed her eyes, resting there for the brief second before heading back home. It was then that a hand clasped around her face covering her mouth… Amu didn't even have time to scream.

[AUTHORS-P.S. Please support me and read my other stories: Don't DOUBT Him: .net/s/6427620/1/Dont_DOUBT_Him and Royal Revenge: .net/s/6475806/1/Royal_Revenge] THANKYOU FOR REVIEWING! IT STIMULATES ME TO WRITE!