-1Few Normal Day

A extremely tired looking Lulu dragged herself out her room and with her messy hair and creased nightclothes sat at the dinning table to join Amu and Ikuto. She started chomping on her toast, yawning at the same time.

"If your tired then go to bed," Ikuto commented, his expression that of resentment.

"Oh my," Lulu said with a small smile, "how sweet of you dear to care for your aunt like this. I'm happy."

"Don't be," Ikuto said, taking a sip from his cup, "I just hate seeing your messy look. It makes me think of the landfill."

Lulu pouted, "well it can't be helped. I was on a long flight. If you truly respect your elders or if you really cared about me looking like garbage then you should've taken the day off work to be with me."

"I refuse," Ikuto simply stated, "being with you is too boring."

Lulu had a shocked expression, "oh and you didn't find your precious daughter boring."

"Of course, at least my daughter is presentable in mornings. She's pretty, smart, nice and has plenty more youth than you Aunt Lulu…" Ikuto said with a small smile.

"Watch it kid," Lulu said pointing her fork at Ikuto.

Amu couldn't resist herself to steal a glance at the two and laugh. They were somehow like two big children, bickering over nothing. From last night to this morning, Ikuto and Lulu had been throwing random comments at each other. Amu could tell it was their way of communicating or getting along, but at certain times, it almost felt like they were going to start a fight. Then again, Amu couldn't help but notice how much more Ikuto was talking since Aunt Lulu came. It wasn't like he never talked to her but Ikuto now said a lot of things that he usually wouldn't say. It was amusing in some ways.

"Amu, you're his daughter, control your dad a little won't you?" Lulu complained.

Amu smiled. She seemed to be getting along with Aunt Lulu which was a relief to her. "Ikuto, be nice."

Ikuto blinked at Amu then nodded and pretended to cough. He sat up straighter and looked seriously at Lulu, "what I'm trying to say is, Aunt Lulu, please be a good example before youngsters. Take care of your image a little. We are adults and we have a responsibility to look proper and mature at all times. Amu, I'll be off now otherwise I'd be late. Have a nice day at school."

"Yeah, be careful," Amu said, waving at Ikuto who left the house.

"What's with him being all adult-like and mature all of a sudden," lulu whispered, "Amu your going to school right. I'll give you a lift."

"Thank you," Amu softly said, accepting her offer. Surprisingly, they managed to hold some sorts of conversation with mostly Lulu complaining about this and that but at least it wasn't silence or awkwardness between them. Lulu stopped the car; well Ikuto's to be precise, slightly away from the school entrance to let Amu off. They waved goodbye and feeling somewhat refreshed Amu headed towards her school where Tadase, Nadeshiko and Yaya were already stood waiting. Nadeshiko and Yaya immediately threw themselves onto Amu, hugging her and demanding for an explanation for her absence. To the side, Tadase also looked nervous and worried.

"Calm down," Amu said, "I only missed one day of school. It's Tuesday today right?"

"Yes, but what happened?" Yaya asked, "Amu ever since your 16th birthday, you've been acting strangely. We're worried about you."

"A lot has happened since..." Amu began. She didn't really want to lie about anything to her friends but she also didn't want to say much about the truth either. She changed the subject momentarily to give her time to think, "Tadase how's that boy? I'm sorry I was in a rush the other day."

Tadase smiled, "Don't worry. Yoru is doing fine. But Amu, are you really alright?"

Amu somehow felt quite happy that Tadase was concerned enough about her to ask her. She smiled, "I'll explain as we walk to class. I've just recently met my aunt." Like before, Amu didn't mention anything to do with night Ikuto but instead used the arrival of Aunt Lulu to her advantage and made up a lie that having another person at home was slightly more demanding on housework, which wasn't entirely a lie. Lessons went by quickly as usual when Amu was having fun. She did notice that Tadase was hanging around her, Nadeshiko and Yaya a lot more today than usual. Amu knew that Tadase was just genuinely worried for her and she thought that side to him was really sweet.

The bell rang for the end of yet another school day. Nadeshiko and Yaya left earlier for the cinema which Amu decided not to go to, since she needed to return home and prepare dinner, now that a demanding Aunt Lulu was living with them. Because she was so slow getting out the classroom, she was unwillingly pulled by her teacher, Nikaidou to help him out with carrying stuff to his office again. Amu faintly recalled the last time she was there, she read a part of her Nikaidou's essay on psychological problems, the very thing that carved her conviction to meet and know night Ikuto.

"I'm sorry I asked you again Amu," Nikaidou apologised, "I would bother someone else but everyone's left."

"It's fine, honestly," Amu said politely, "shall I put these over there."

"Yep," Nikaidou replied, "so how have you been recently? You missed school yesterday."

"I was at home taking care of my father," Amu said, placing the papers on the desk, "he was sick so...I'm sorry I skipped school."

"Don't be," Nikaidou said. "If you really were home looking after your sick father then it's a very valid reason for you to miss school. You're a good girl Amu and I wouldn't believe it if I was told you skipped school to do something bad."

"Do you not trust me?" Amu asked, confused by Nikaidou's words, which on the surface sounded fine but the way he said it, seemed to suggest some hidden meaning.

Nikaidou motioned Amu towards the door, "it's going to get late if you don't go home soon. I do trust you Amu. I was only talking about the occasional cases of when students miss school on purpose to do something they shouldn't...such as..."

Amu was already outside Nikaidou's office but she heard the very faint whisper of his voice finishing that sentence which seemed to give her unease... "Such as firing a gun..." She found herself turning around to stare at the door, in which Nikaidou had shut after she stepped out the room. She clutched at her beating heart, not wanting to remember anything. Her hands were shaking; she realised the unpleasant fact that she had fired a gun wouldn't leave her for awhile. Amu took in deep breaths and made her way outside the school building, not thinking about anything anymore.

"Amu."

She looked towards the direction of the voice that called her name and was surprised to see Tadase. She ran towards him, "Tadase, why are you still here?"

Tadase hesitated a little, and then in a more quiet voice said, "I was waiting for you Amu. I wanted to walk home with you today. It's just today so..."

Amu felt herself blush from nervousness as he said that. She didn't really know how to react; it was the first time a guy was waiting for her after school and to add, it was Tadase.

"Is that not ok with you?" Tadase nervously asked.

Amu smiled, "no, I honestly don't mind."

Tadase smiled as well, taking Amu's school bag from her hands, "let's walk home then."

They both slowly walked home. It was nervousness between them at first but slowly, it turned into a really pleasant feeling.

Sitting at his desk, Nikaidou held his head in his hands. He was observing Amu before like he always was, but found himself getting bored as soon as Tadase appeared. He wasn't the least interested in Amu's personal love life. What he cared most for is how he can follow through with the plan and get at Ikuto Tsukiyomi. He hit the desk with his fists, recalling the short conversation he had between himself and Sanjo. Their entire plan was successful, even having a girl disguise herself as Amu to wound Ikuto. He was so close if only the real Amu hadn't interfered, which was something that he never calculated for to happen. He sighed, knowing extra measures and precautions are needed for future plans. "Nothing has changed. Amu is still my catalyst to get at night Ikuto."

…2 Days Later - Friday Morning…

"Amu I want another pancake," Ikuto said waving the empty plate at her.

Amu took the plate and filled it, then passed it back to him. She looked at the unusually quiet Lulu, who hadn't really touched her breakfast at all. "Aunt Lulu, do you not like pancakes?"

Lulu glanced up from her pate at Amu then Ikuto and put her fork down completely. She sighed and looked just at Ikuto, "I received a depressing phone call yesterday is all."

Still chewing on his food Ikuto asked, "what is it?"

Lulu sighed again, "I've decided to be away for the entire day today. I won't be coming back tonight but I'm expecting to see you two there tomorrow at the decided time. Any problems with this arrangement?"

"There really isn't any problems," Ikuto replied, "be careful and make sure to take your time."

Lulu gave a weak smile, "I understand Ikuto. You don't have to worry about me."

"I'm not worried at all," Ikuto clarified.

Lulu put on her coat and left the house without another word.

"Ikuto, aren't you-"

Ikuto stood up and cut Amu from whatever she was about to say. "Don't worry about her. She's probably dumped by one of her boyfriends. Get ready for school or we'll be late." He walked away from Amu, knowing she was concerned about Lulu's abnormal behaviour. It was just like Amu to care for someone else like this and it was at times like these that he felt it was his luck to have adopted her.

Amu got dressed and stepped out the door, leaving the dirty dishes in the sink. She eyed Ikuto, "are you sure Aunt Lulu…"

"Trust me," Ikuto assured, "she's my aunt. I know her better than you at least."

Amu smiled. Without Lulu's presence, both her and Ikuto seemed to feel more relaxed. Amu waved goodbye to Ikuto as she separated to go school. Like any other day, because of Nadeshiko and Yaya, she had always looked forward to attending school and now she had also had Tadase. Whenever she thought of him, it was always of a warm and happy feeling.

"Hurry up Amu," Yaya called.

Amu greeted Yaya and they both entered the school. As usual, the day went by so quickly that Amu felt she hadn't really been at school at all. She was slightly disappointed that Tadase didn't wait for her again to walk home with her. Nadeshiko and Yaya were both busy, so even if today she was slightly more free because Aunt Lulu wouldn't be back home, she found herself alone. Amu began to walk in the general direction towards the supermarket, thinking off restocking on groceries. The past few days had passed so normally that she had not anticipated for anything to change and she had entirely forgotten about the problems that she should be so concerned about. Amu was slightly shocked when someone from behind her grabbed her arm, pulling her to a corner.

She was surprised to see him, someone she didn't expect at all, "Kukai."

Kukai smiled, "I see you remembered my name."

Amu didn't answer. She wasn't close to Kukai and didn't know him well to judge what kind of a person he was, so she was very conscious of him. "Are you passing by?"

"Passing by?" Kukai repeated and laughed, "hell no. I've been waiting outside your school for ages for you to come out. I was going to call you across the road but you left so hurriedly I barely caught up."

"Is there something you want from me?" Amu asked, getting straight to the point.

Kukai grabbed hold of Amu's arm and pulled her into a run, "I'm here to pick you up."

"WAIT," Amu said loudly, trying to stop him from dragging him anywhere.

Kukai tightened his grip and kept his pace, "don't tell me you forgot."

"Forgot?"

"Your date with Ikuto," Kukai said.

Amu felt herself going blank. She had completely forgotten about night Ikuto and now, what was she to do? It was so sudden.

"We better hurry. Ikuto doesn't like to wait. He told me to specifically pick you up as well. You should be happy."

Amu didn't know what to say. She was just blank and lost for the moment. She was going to see him again.