Conviction

Amu didn't have time to react for as soon as she stepped into the house, two arms wrapped around her, holding her strongly, holding her close. "Amu, Amu, Amu," Ikuto called whilst keeping her in a tight embrace. "where have you been. Where did you go? Why? Amu…I'm sorry…you-"

Amu held onto Ikuto's back, resting her head against his broad shoulders. "Ikuto," she whispered, feeling as Tsukasa had said this is where she wants to and should be. She can feel it, his worry, his fear of loosing her, they were all reflected in his simple hug. Someone who cared for her to such an extent, how could she ever leave him and give up the warmness he gave her. "I'm sorry too Ikuto," Amu whispered, holding onto him tighter. "I went to live at a friends house from elementary, she lives quite far, we go to different high school now. I-"

Ikuto pulled away from Amu, grabbing her face, his hand interlocking with her silky pink hair. His earnest stare held her lost one. Time seemed to have stopped at this moment, Ikuto slowly pulled the confused Amu closer and closer. "Amu, promise you, never, ever again disappear from my sight like that again…" Ikuto whispered, "in return I promise I will never hurt you."

Amu's heart began to race with some pain. "I know, I promise," Amu promised, though she knew even if this Ikuto won't hurt her, night Ikuto will.

Ikuto continued to lean closer to Amu and she didn't pull away but stayed there, allowing him to hold her. Close, they were so close now that Amu can feel his warm breath upon her face. Amu felt her own face getting warm.

"…I don't want to loose my only family," Ikuto continued, "you're the daughter that I really care about, Amu." He rested his forehead on hers. They stayed like that for a few minutes then Ikuto pulled away and let go of her face. "How about we go out for dinner tonight?"

"Yes," Amu answered, smiling from the bottom of her heart for the first time since she first met Night Ikuto.

The two did nothing for the entire night but sat down and properly talked to each other, something they hadn't done in awhile. Amu found herself once more opening up to Ikuto and the atmosphere was not gauche as she had expected. There serious discussion about their argument previously seemed to die down pretty quickly for Ikuto was back to his normal self, talking about the most randomness things ever, making Amu laughed. They were like two kids who had just made up with each other, laughing, chatting and joking. By the time they realised, it was already morning again.

A sleepy Ikuto complained, "This is completely your fault. I have to go to work today."

Amu smiled feeling rather refreshed having spent the entire night with Ikuto rather than tired. At least now she knew the kind Ikuto from the past three years wasn't a fake. Even now, he still cared. She waved goodbye to Ikuto and headed for school As soon as she arrived, Yaya and Nadeshiko were already onto her. Amu had some level of trouble trying to calm her two friends down about her absence for the past three days, but managed in the end.

Now sitting silently, peacefully and staring out the window at the drifting clouds in the sky, Amu hoped she was right. After going back to Ikuto's side, she knew well that she wished to stay with him for as long as she could. He was right, they only had each other left as family and she treasured it as much as he did. It was relatively simple to keep this happiness and peace, all Amu had to do was avoid meting night Ikuto again and never mention anything to Ikuto. It'll work, everything will work out.

"Amu."

Amu turned to see her homeroom teacher, Nikaidou. "Amu, mind helping me take these books to my office; it's heavy."

Amu nodded, carrying the few books from the classroom into Nikaidou's office. She dumped them neatly in a pile onto his desk. As she was about to leave though, the wind blowing in from the opened window blew papers onto the floor. Amu picked it up and stared at the title of the paper. It read: D.I.D – dangers of dissociative Identity disorder.

Amu looking around to check she was completely alone. She went towards Nikaidou's desk and began to rummage through his papers. There were a lot of psychological books and articles here and there. She grabbed the rest of what seemed to be part of the paper to D.I.D. She checked once more to see that Nikaidou wasn't back yet. I Know I shouldn't be looking at others stuff but...isn't this Ikuto's illness. Amu took a deep breath and began to read its contents. She didn't get very far before her hands shook, "no way."

One particular paragraph struck her attention – people who have this illness may not know of the existence of their other personality who is usually the complete opposite to their normal and original personality. There are some which do. However even if they do, it doesn't change the most disturbing fact that they cannot control their other personality nor prevent their other developed personality to take over them. Many victims to this illness will not remember what their other part has done. The most dangerous affect of this illness is that the other personality could hurt and endanger the original...if there is no cause to stop the developed personality then there is also the chance that the original will soon be erased.

Amu didn't continue to read. She repeated saying the one sentence that shook her, "the most dangerous affect of this illness is that the other personality could hurt and endanger the original." Amu put down the paper altogether, closing her eyes to calm herself down. What should she do? Night Ikuto was definitely perilous; she's experienced his tyranny first hand. He didn't hesitate to hurt me at all, Amu thought, what if, what if he really does dominate the original and hurt the nice Ikuto? What should I do? I want to help Ikuto. I want to save him from the night Ikuto.

"Amu, you're still here," Nikaidou asked from behind.

"Err-" Amu began, "your papers fell off the desk I-"

Nikaidou smiled, "this is just some of my old papers from university that I happened to dig up. There's nothing special, though I have to say, the particular topic of D.I.D interested me for quite some time."

"You know a lot about it then?" Amu asked, trying to just sound purely curious.

"Yeah," Nikaidou said, "the most fascinating thing about it is... the idea that the other personality would do something to hurt the original. There have been a few cases I've studied where to hurt the original, the developed personality would first hurt the people closest to the original. Such as physically abusing the original's friends or even raping the originals sister. It's scary, honestly."

Amu gripped the side of her skirt. This sounded exactly like what night Ikuto was doing to her, so he was planning to hurt the original after all by first hurting Amu.

Seeing the tense expression on Amu's face, Nikaidou quickly put away his paper, "Sorry Amu, you asked and I got slightly over enthusiastic about the topic."

"Is there a way to prevent the fake from hurting the original?" Amu asked desperately. Nikaidou eyed her which Amu quickly made up an excuse, "I'm just curious."

Nikaidou smiled, and then rubbed his forehead, "my research into this subject isn't deep enough to give you a answer Amu. I only personally think, it is inevitable if the fake really did want to hurt the original. But I suppose if the fake was occupied into hurting someone else instead. Perhaps, this sounds crazy but, if the original had someone who was willing to sacrifice them to be constantly hurt by the fake but remain by the original's side. Crazy isn't it? But that way, the fake can't do a thing to the original."

Amu bit her lips, "I think I'll go now."

"Ok, see you," Nikaidou said.

With heavy thoughts surrounding her, Amu went outside and sat quietly on the steps in front of the school entrance. Yaya and Nadeshiko came to her, but she turned them away, wanting to be alone. She clutched her hands together. Night Ikuto was hurting Ikuto by hurting Amu. She knew that clearly now. His motives she didn't. Amu inhaled and exhaled deeply. She suddenly remembered what Tsukasa had told her last night. What did she want? What did her heart want? "I don't need to ask," Amu answered her, "I know I want to protect Ikuto."

She stood up, running off to rejoin Nadeshiko and Yaya, with a new conviction... she'll protect Ikuto from his other-self at all costs and with everything she had. If protecting Ikuto meant she'll have to be harmed by night Ikuto, then she'll take it – everything...

Above from a window, Nikaidou watched Amu carefully. He smiled slyly, muttering under his breath, "That's right Amu Hinamori. Give yourself to the other Ikuto and let him ruin you. Foolish girl, when you think you're protecting him, you are actually killing him." He took the D.I.D paper out the drawer, flicked on his lighter and set fire to them. "Everything written here is all fake Amu. Ikuto Tsukiyomi's situation isn't like this at all... night Ikuto is... well it's just a mere brilliant trap I've set up for him."

[AUTHOR P.S: CHECK OUT my NEW AMUTO fanfic: A Kiss from My Rebel: .net/s/6506367/1/A_Kiss_From_My_Rebel] PLEASE REVIEW TOO!