-1Surrounded By Your Stars
Amu panted, running wildly back towards where her heart truly took her towards. It was one decision that would change her drastically but there wasn't so much time for her to think through things. If she didn't act now, then she would loose so much more. She was finally approaching the light that seemed to shine extra brightly as she ran out into the open from the dark woods. She breathed then shouted with resolve, "IN THE END I STILL CHOOSE YOU. IKUTO, I DECIDED THE ANSWER IS YOU." She looked everywhere and was feeling confused, not seeing night Ikuto anywhere. Amu began to panic. She ran out further where she saw Ikuto's jacket at the side of the loch. She picked it up and stared at the mass of water, it looked so deep. Fear flooded throughout her as she ran into the water, ignoring its bitter coldness that numbed her legs, which were already submerged deep. "Ikuto, Ikuto," she called out desperately, scared. He couldn't have, he couldn't have drowned...was all Amu told herself in her mind. She stumbled and almost fell; though it made not much difference as the further she walked out into the water, the more she was covered by its wintry temperature. She felt her eyes fill with tears again, not seeing Ikuto anywhere. Then, there was a loud splashing noise behind Amu and the next thing she knew, half her body was lifted out the water. She breathed hard and fast, leaning across Ikuto's shoulder, bewildered at his sudden reappearance.
"Is your decision right, I wonder," Ikuto whispered into Amu's ears, holding her cold body close against his own.
Amu stared at him. Somehow, his facial features were so clear, his damp hair and wet skin. They were cold to her touch but she was glad; she could still touch them. "What were you doing? Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't see you? " Amu questioned him, her voice raised unconsciously.
"I was swimming in the stars," Ikuto replied.
Amu blinked at him, not understanding what he had just said and not amused by his weak attempt to satisfy her with a proper answer to her questions.
Seeing Amu's crest-fallen expression, Ikuto smiled softly for the first time. Amu felt her own cheeks warming to his smile; the first time she has ever seen night Ikuto smile so warmly.
"This is my special place," Ikuto continued, "this is also my first present to my special girl. Look around, this is my gift to you."
Amu did as he told her and looked around the place. She gasped at its beauty which she neglected before when her mind was so occupied with Ikuto, The water they were stood in didn't look like water with its reflection of the brilliant night sky. It was like Ikuto had said. It looked as though they were standing amongst stars. Stars were everywhere, above them, beneath them and even around where gaps from the woods let out small streaks of light – they looked like stars too. Amu found herself drawn to the stunning scenery of stars. She smiled, in awe at where she was right now, unable to believe this was real. "It's beautiful..." she whispered.
"Amu," Ikuto said, "there are still a lot of things I don't know about you and there are still a lot of things you don't know about me."
Amu turned her gaze back to Ikuto who had a serious expression. "Ikuto, please give me time to know you then."
He reached up with one hand and stroked her face. "Fine. Maybe I was touched by what you did for me. Maybe I did fall for you when you relentlessly saved me. I don't know the feelings I hold towards you too well but yours, I think I know at least." Ikuto rested his head on Amu's shoulder, "for now its fine if you don't give me any answer anymore. I have my own."
"Ikuto," Amu whispered, her arms wrapping around Ikuto's shoulder. There was a strange feeling in her as she held him there, surrounded by his stars that mesmerised her and dazzled her. It was possibly her own selfishness which won over her logic. She chose to run to night Ikuto, because of her own selfish wish to know the real Ikuto, to be with the complete Ikuto. Was he this important to her? "He is..." Amu answered herself in a whisper that night Ikuto didn't hear. "My only family..."
Ikuto pulled away from Amu and picked her up properly from the cold water. He made his way back to dry ground and as he placed her onto the floor, he planted a small kiss on her forehead, "let's get along from now on..."
Amu clasped her hand over her forehead, her heart racing and her body warming up on its own. She must've shown on her face how embarrassed she was because night Ikuto turned away from her with a strange smile on his face. He had just kissed her on the forehead...calm down, she thought. It isn't such a big deal. Amu averted her gaze from Ikuto to the starry lake. It was dazzling, this one night.
The next morning came much slower than Amu had expected. She could only remember as she set out breakfast that night Ikuto walked her back home, said good night to her and left, presumably he went back to Kukai. The other thing she remembered was she couldn't sleep. As soon as she closed her eyes, the image of night Ikuto holding her in the star-filled lake came back to her. His face in particular was suddenly so clear, all his features and even her own body, which was now warm seemed to linger on his cold wet touch. She realised the abnormal feeling within her, but she didn't recognise it at all nor could she tell what kind of a feeling it was. She paced about in the kitchen, wondering whether she was over-involved with night Ikuto. She knew she decided in the end she couldn't give up on night Ikuto because he was part of day Ikuto, but the thought of her becoming night Ikuto's girlfriend is an uncomfortable one. She didn't comprehend the problem thoroughly at the time with just five minutes to choose but now as her head was clearer; she began to regret slightly that she didn't plan things out better.
"Good morning Amu."
Amu turned and greeted day Ikuto with smile as usual, "good morning father."
"My head hurts," Ikuto complained, "did I bump it whilst sleeping or something?"
Amu shrugged though she can guess it was probably because night Ikuto was submerged in cold water for, who knows how long. She poured Ikuto some juice before sitting down to eat herself.
"Aunt Lulu gave me a text this morning," Ikuto said, "she says she'll be there later than expected so we don't have to hurry."
"Where is aunt Lulu?" Amu asked out of curiosity.
"Fixing some issues with her boyfriend I was told," Ikuto replied, "Can I have seconds?"
Amu shook her head, taking his already empty plate from him. This was the usual Ikuto, demanding food and talking in a way that's straightforward. She preferred to be with this Ikuto much more.
"Would you mind if I went off to the florists? Can you pick me up there in half an hour?" Amu asked.
Ikuto looked at her with a smile, "she likes Madonna Lilies."
Amu nodded, already putting her coat on. She turned to wave at Ikuto before leaving the house. It was quite a nice thought that someone else understood what you were thinking. She almost ran to the florists and paid extra attention at the flowers Ikuto mentioned. This would be the first thing she gives to Ikuto's mother, she wished even in heaven, she'd like them.
"Can I have those flowers?" both Amu and another girl said at the same time, pointing at the Madonna Lilies.
Amu looked at the girl, though she was dressed more formally, she recognised her to be that girl who helped her back in the alleyway. "Hello," Amu said, "I don't think you remember me but thank you for before."
The girl smiled, her long golden hair dancing about her shoulders as she moved. This wasn't the first time Amu had thought this, but this girl was a real beauty. She smiled at Amu, "did you find the person you were looking for?"
"Yes I did, thank you for helping me," Amu said again, "I don't usually see you around here are you-"
"Its fine that we've exchanged a few words between us but anymore than a few and its too much," the girl said, her smile fading. She reached out and picked a handful of the flowers, "there is no need for us to get over familiar. One should never get themselves involved with things they shouldn't."
Amu wanted to say something but found no words would come out. Somehow, the last sentence was said by that girl with more force, it sounded almost like a warning to Amu. She watched the girl buy the flowers and leave. That girl didn't seem to be a bad person but the way she just acted, was rather cold. Amu turned to look at the Madonna Lilies, "these flowers must be popular."
Amu bought the flowers and went out to wait for Ikuto who arrived swiftly. She got into the car and they headed to the graveyard where Ikuto's mother was resting. Amu stared at the flowers that were now on her lap. This was the first time that she'd meet someone that was important to Ikuto. It had been three years but even now he wouldn't say much about himself.
Ikuto took a quick glance at Amu who was rather quiet. "Do you not want to go?"
"No, I do," Amu said clearly, "I'm just nervous because this is the first time father is introducing me to his family."
"What are you talking about? You've already met Aunt Lulu."
"But, this time, it's your mother," Amu said.
Ikuto patted Amu's head, "I'm sure my mother will like you."
Amu smiled, feeling more relaxed.
Alone, walking towards Souko's grave, Lulu clenched tighter onto the edge of her coat. It has been awhile since she last came here and she always felt depressed, since this was the very place that reminded her of all the misfortunes. She looked ahead, her focus fixated on the grave but stopped walking towards her. She stared, watching a suspicious looking man hover around her sister's grave. Lulu deliberately walked to a different row, all the whilst observing the man. "What is he doing?" she whispered. Then her heart began to race with anxiousness, "it couldn't be him…can it?" Lulu didn't want to miss her opportunity in finding him if it was him. She shouted, "ARUTO, is that you?" She saw the man take a quick glance at her then run off. Lulu sighed, "it isn't him." She ran towards Souko's grave and looked around to see if there was anything strange. A weird black object lying buried quite deeply in the grass caught her attention. She dug it out and knowing what it was, she crushed it, destroying it with her heels straight away. Lulu turned to face her sisters grave. "Souko, what are you doing up there? You're supposed to be looking after your son. They say when people die they turn into stars and guide the living, as Ikuto's mother, as his star, where are you guiding him? It seems that the other side still hasn't given up, I can't stand by and do nothing." Lulu traced her fingers over the words on the grave, "sister, please guide me to save Ikuto. I think of him as my own son too. However, I am more than shocked with what has happened to him for him to become what he is now. His personality, his kindness, everything about him now is wrong. The reason for all this is that girl, Amu Hinamori. I don't know what's happening but Ikuto needs to become himself again. Souko, we need to end this soon, help me get rid of that Amu Hinamori."
Lulu closed her eyes. From a distance she heard Ikuto's voice calling her name. She looked up to see Ikuto and Amu heading towards her. "Ikuto. Where is the Ikuto I know?" she whispered before they arrived.
"I thought you said you were going to be late," Ikuto questioned.
"Well, isn't it nice that I'm punctual for once?" Lulu asked with a smile. "Should you not introduce your daughter first."
Ikuto smiled, "mother. This is my daughter Amu Hinamori. I know you'll like her."
"Nice to meet you," Amu said, placing the flowers onto the grave. "Wait…"
"What is it?" Ikuto asked.
"Your mother looks like a girl I've just met at the florists," Amu softly said.
Ikuto smiled and gave Amu a light hug, "my mother is really pretty isn't she? I guess that girl must be pretty too. Do you not know there are a lot of people that look similar if they're pretty. Well there won't be anyone that'll look like you for sure."
Amu frowned and pinched Ikuto's arm, "your just basically saying I'm ugly."
Ikuto rubbed his arm and laughed, "see mother. This daughter of mine is really energetic and lovable isn't she?"
"She certainly is…" Lulu whispered under her breath. She watched Amu with an uneasy gaze. You must go Amu…
Watching Souko's grave from a distance, Nikaidou gritted his teeth. He was that close to setting up the mini voice recorder on the grave before that women showed up. He eyed that women carefully. "It seems like another obstacle has appeared and it took us this long to reach here. It took us exactly three years to find you Ikuto Tsukiyomi… did you forget about us?"