-1Seldom Used Park

Ikuto kept running despite not knowing where he was supposed to go. He would look through every shop window, run down every small narrow path he came to, but he wouldn't stop running. "Amu, Amu, Amu," Ikuto panted, his mind filled with nothing but Amu. Where could she be? Where could she go? Ikuto kept asking himself though at this moment, he wasn't calm enough to think logically. He kept running then his movements slowed down. Leaning himself against a wall, Ikuto grabbed his head and breathed heavily. It hurts...it hurts... There was a splitting pain in his head and his vision gradually blurred into complete darkness. "Don't, not now..." Ikuto whispered, falling over onto the ground. "Don't come out now...I want...to find Amu..." It was complete darkness. Lying still on the floor for a few seconds, Ikuto looked much like a corpse, with no breathing or movements. Then he opened his eyes and his gaze was sharp. He stood up from the ground and stared around him. "Why the hell do I always wake up in such random places?" He stretched and yawned. "I don't like these formal clothes either." He ripped part of his shirt and started to walk towards his destination. He took out his mobile and dialled a number. "What took you so long to answer?"

"I was doing some important information gathering," Kukai answered, "Where are you now?"

"You miss me or something?" Ikuto teased, "I'm not into guys. I've got a girl already."

"Sure you have. I'm sure you have more than one as well. Now where are you?"

Ikuto paused, "Utau. You're with Kukai?"

"Hurry over to the usual place. We have some exciting news for you and it involves your girl. Do you know she was kidnapped by Sanjo today?" she said.

"Amu, Amu Hinamori was?" Ikuto asked.

"Yes, we've heard from various sources. She was rescued by her teacher who witnessed the kidnap, but Ikuto," Utau said with a serious tone, "they still seem to be after XM2."

Ikuto inhaled, "guess I'll have to take matters into my own hands. Shame I couldn't play the hero."

"This isn't funny," Utau scolded.

"Are you mad?" Ikuto asked.

"She went off already Ikuto," Kukai said on the other end of the phone, "so I'm guessing I'll meet you over there."

Ikuto laughed and gripped his mobile tighter, "Sure. I hope to spill blood tonight." He closed his mobile and headed towards Kukai's place. "How dare they involve Amu? They'll learn to pay dearly."

Outside the church, Nikaidou carefully supported Amu off his car. "Can you manage?" he asked walking besides her to the main entrance. She nodded and he asked no more. Nikaidou could barely suppress his contentment with the way things were going. They were all according to his plan. Amu not only trusted him, but she was foolish enough to tell him everything. When he was driving them to the church, Amu was so emotional she started to tell him everything about her father and his illness and the people that kidnapped her. He of course, pretended to be astonished by everything she said and pretended it was hard to believe but he will believe her and give her his support. In reality, he already knew about Ikuto's split personality illness and Amu would never know that Sanjo was actually working together with him. Nikaidou may not have gotten much more useful information from Amu but her trust in him would surely be a useful tool in future. He opened the door for her and they went in. From afar they already spotted Tadase and Tsukassa who stood casually talking to each other.

"Amu," Tadase said happily seeing Amu. He ran over towards her but his smile disappeared and a worried expression came to his face. "What's happened? Amu, why are you hurt? Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you-"

"I'm fine Tadase," Amu said, gently grabbing Tadase's hands, "don't worry."

"But, you're hurt..."

"Amu, are you sure you're alright?" Tsukassa asked with concern too.

"I fine. I don't want to talk about what's happened, I'm sorry," Amu replied, "I don't want my father to worry so can I stay here until I heal up. I also don't want Nadeshiko or Yaya to worry so Tadase can you-"

Tadase nodded, "Tsukassa, can I take Amu to the room she used before?"

"Go ahead," Tsukassa said, "Amu, your welcome here for as long as you like."

Amu smiled, knowing coming to the church was the right decision. She knew she could rely on Tadase. She followed him to her room where she constantly repeated that she was fine to convince him.

Seeing Amu was taken care off, Nikaidou turned towards the door.

"Wait," Tsukassa called. "I need to thank you for taking care of Amu. Who are you?"

Nikaidou turned to face Tsukassa with a smile, "I'm her teacher from school. I'm Yuu Nikaidou."

"I haven't seen you around this neighbourhood, are you a new resident here?" Tsukassa questioned.

"Yes, you could say that," Nikaidou said, feeling uncomfortable being in this man's presence. "I have to go now."

"Wait up."

Nikaidou bit his lips lightly, not really wanting to converse with this guy anymore than he has. He put up a smile and turned, relieved to see the one who called him was Tadase instead.

"Mr Nikaidou, can you please tell me the truth to what happened to Amu?" Tadase asked.

"Did she not tell you?"

"She wouldn't talk about it," Tadase said, "I really want to know."

Nikaidou sighed, not knowing exactly how to answer. He couldn't just say he rescued her from a kidnap. It was already too much he had to get the police involved, he didn't want anymore trouble. "You should respect her. If she doesn't want to say then leave it be."

Tadase grabbed Nikaidou's arm, "I understand, but as her friend I- I insist I need to know."

Nikaidou sighed again, struggling to think then he decided to just make up a lie. "It's abuse."

"Abuse," Tadase repeated.

Nikaidou lowered his voice, "it seems like Amu Hinamori always gets physically abused by her father. Don't worry about it, I'm trying to do something about it."

"Why don't you call the police?" Tadase said loudly, "we can't let Amu continue being abused like this. If I knew earlier I would've-"

Nikaidou covered Tadase's mouth, already regretting why he came up with such a lie. "Listen, Amu has told me to not do anything. It's nothing too major, she's just occasionally hit so hopefully we can solve it between ourselves. This is Amu's wish so let's respect it. I need to go now. Don't do anything unnecessary."

Tadase watched Nikaidou leave. There was a sharp ache in his heart and he clutched it. He cried for Amu, remembering the fist time he met her, how depressed she was. He had never known how badly her father was treating her. He wiped his tears with a new conviction, "Amu, I-I'll protect you. I promise I will. I'll save you from that man."

In the seldom used park where Sanjo had taken Amu to, Ikuto stood waiting. He licked his hand which was covered in fresh blood. Standing beside him was Kukai and Utau, who fiddled with her long golden hair.

"You could've used a less flashy method to call me out here tonight," Sanjo shouted as he came walking towards Ikuto. "There wasn't a need for you to kidnap twenty of my men and beat them up to this state. Show some decency Ikuto. Why call me out here when you can come to me? I was expecting you to come to me."

"No thanks," Ikuto said, "I'm not a dog that goes to its master. Besides this is the place where you kidnapped Amu Hinamori to; this is where you slapped her and lightly tortured her to get info, I like it here."

"So you do care about that girl?" Sanjo mused, "I foresee her use in future if I want anything from you-"

Sanjo immediately shut up as Ikuto took a gun from his pocket and pointed it towards him. Sanjo's men reacted by pointing their weapons at Ikuto. "Put them away," Sanjo commanded, "this is merely a friendly gesture from our friend."

Ikuto fired the gun, aiming so that the bullet only scraped across Sanjo's face, leaving a thin line of red.

Sanjo held his hand out to stop any of his men from advancing, "I said to put them away."

"But-" one of Sanjo's men said.

Sano slapped him across the face. "do as I say. I simply hate using violence before that woman."

Sanjo's men obeyed and took a step back.

"I'm honoured for your concern over me," Utau said waving at Sanjo. She tied up her silky golden hair and took a nail file out, now polishing her nails.

"Are you satisfied now Ikuto Tsukiyomi?" Sanjo asked wiping the blood from his face.

Ikuto put away his gun, "more than satisfied. Should we get down to business?"

"You know I've been working with someone else lately don't you?" Sanjo said, "my partner is very interested in something you own. I'd hate to disappoint him so I'll kindly ask once more for you to hand it over."

"What makes you think I'll give it to you now if I didn't before when you ambushed me?"

"I almost got you that time," Sanjo hissed, "now hurry up and hand me the XM2."

Ikuto smirked, "XM2...how annoying."

"If its that annoying, then please hurry up and give it to us Ikuto Tsukiyomi."

Ikuto looked at the man that was slowly approaching Sanjo from behind, "who are you?"

"You don't recognise me?"

Ikuto gritted his teeth, "that voice. It's been awhile, Yuu Nikaidou."

[Thank You for your Reviews! - Please keep reviewing! :) I do like reading what people think the plot is going to be! It gives me an idea whether my ideas are original.]