Small Squall

Ikuto let go of Amu and turned away with an unhappy expression on his face to look at Kukai who had interrupted him unnecessarily. Amu put her hand over her lips, suddenly realising what she were about to do. She had nearly kissed Ikuto, her own father and the thought made her both guilty and uncomfortable. What was she doing? She was kidnapped and emotionally unstable but it didn't mean she had to lose all her common sense. She was glad Kukai shouted out in time.

Ikuto walked down the stone steps towards Kukai who put on an apologetic face. "So, what should I do to you to make up for your-"

"I'm terribly sorry," Kukai quickly said, bowing a few times, seeing Ikuto's angry face. "I-I didn't really mean to interrupt. I mean... I saw you guys and-"

Ikuto pinched Kukai's cheeks hardly, "what was with Ikuto stop? Did it have anything to do with you? Why did you ruin the moment? Read the atmosphere next time you idiot."

"Yes, Yes I will," Kukai said rubbing his sore cheeks. "Next time I'll just stand there and watch you two make out."

Ikuto ignored Kukai and turned back to Amu. He held his hand out towards her, "do you want to go home? I'll take you home."

Amu found herself blushing from embarrassment from the moment ago. She slowly walked towards Ikuto and took his hand; it wasn't as bad as she thought it was. Holding his hands as he walked besides her made her feel safe and calm.

Kukai, who just followed behind Ikuto and Amu, watched them closely. He found himself speculating and feeling uneasy again as he watched how they held hands and silently walked besides each other. He knew the true reason he called out to Ikuto, to stop him from kissing Amu wasn't because he didn't want to see a romantic love scene between the tow. It was because he wanted to be certain of something. He had always wanted to find out the truth but found he never really did anything but just think of it. This time, he decided he will do something. He needed to know, to clarify what he saw before they started.

"Aren't you going back to your house Amu?" Ikuto asked, staring at the church. "Is it really alright for you to-"

"Tsukassa, the owner here is really nice and considerate," Amu said, "you don't have to worry too much about me."

Ikuto smiled, "can I take you inside then?"

Amu smiled and nodded. She too, didn't want to part so soon with Ikuto.

"I'll wait outside here then," Kukai said, not wanting to get into trouble with Ikuto again, for ruining the moment.

Ikuto and Amu entered the church, the door closing shut behind them. They didn't walk very far inside before they saw Tsukassa standing there.

"Tsukassa," Amu greeted.

Tsukassa ran over towards them, "Amu. I saw your room was empty and I got worried. I'm glad you're alright. You should have said if you were meeting up with Ikuto." He turned and smiled at Ikuto, "It's been awhile since we last met. How have you been Ikuto?"

"Who are you?" Ikuto asked directly, "why do you know my name?"

There was a long pause of silence. Amu clenched onto Ikuto's hand tighter, not knowing how things would turn out. She knew that day Ikuto knew Tsukassa but this wasn't day Ikuto, this was night Ikuto. She kept very quiet, since she didn't know what to say in a situation like this.

"What did you just say Ikuto?" Tsukassa asked back.

"I said, how do you know my name?" Ikuto repeated, "This is the first time I've met you."

Tsukassa tried his best to hold in his shock. He took a glance at Amu who avoided his gaze. "I've heard about you from Amu and I assumed you are," Tsukassa slowly began, not knowing how to lie, "I...err, I guess my greeting was a little over friendly."

"It certainly was," Ikuto said. He turned away from him, "Amu, don't worry about anything. Make sure you have a good rest."

"Yes," Amu said.

"Then, I'll be off," Ikuto whispered, giving Amu a light kiss on the forehead before leaving.

Amu touched her forehead which seemed to be burning and blushed. This wasn't how she should feel but strangely, she couldn't control herself. She noticed the long silence that followed Ikuto's exit and it was uncomfortable, knowing Tsukassa was watching her.

"I'm going back to my room," Amu said walking away.

"Wait Amu," Tsukassa called out. "That was..."

"It's refreshing to take a walk in the night," Amu said, trying to switch to another topic.

"That was night Ikuto wasn't it?" Tsukassa asked.

Amu didn't answer.

"I simply have nothing to say," Tsukassa continued, "I don't know what to say. I didn't think I'd ever meet night Ikuto. But... what I'm more surprised about isn't night Ikuto but you."

Amu still didn't answer but she wouldn't go either. She knew whatever Tsukassa had to say would be right and even if she didn't like it, she knew she must listen.

"I know you are day Ikuto's adopted daughter. I also know you overheard our conversation way back when you first came to the church." Tsukassa took a breath, "You're aware of his illness aren't you? I'm not surprised that you keep it a secret from day Ikuto that you know his secret but, I am surprised you decided to get involved with night Ikuto. Amu, just what are you thinking?"

"I want to help my father," Amu whispered, "I wan t to find a way to cure his illness. I need to get close to both of them otherwise-"

"That's a foolish idea," Tsukassa shouted, turning to look at Amu's back. "This isn't any normal illness. You won't achieve anything through what you're doing."

"I know," Amu said, her voice shaky, "I know I'm not getting anywhere with this. I realised that, but do you know how I feel when I see night Ikuto doing reckless things. At least, at least when I'm besides him, I feel like I can protect him. I feel like I can do something."

"Stop," Tsukassa said clearly, "don't continue to get closer to night Ikuto. I understand your thoughts but in the end your thoughts are nothing more but-"

"I'm sorry Tsukassa," Amu said, "please don't interfere. This has nothing to do with you."

"I've tried warning you Amu. I won't interfere with this anymore," Tsukassa said, walking away from her and disappearing through another entrance.

Amu breathed heavily. She knew it, she knew what Tsukassa said was right but she wasn't entirely wrong either. She knew it was already too late to turn back. She had no other option but to continue and hope night Ikuto will disappear.

...Staring outside onto the brightly lit streets Utau tapped her feet and looked at the clock once more. "What's taking him so long? So annoying..."

"You're impatient as always."

"That's because it pains me to be in your presence," Utau said turning from the window to look at him and Nikaidou who just entered the room.

"I know you've been seeing Ikuto Tsukiyomi," he said, sitting at his desk, "I'm tired of warning you and telling you to stay away from him. When will you ever listen to me?"

"Whenever your little game ends; XM2, what are you going to do about it?" Utau questioned.

"I have no need to report to you," he said. He clicked his fingers and Nikaidou immediately left the room. "I don't care about what you do because you can't change anything. In the end you are still..."

"I know," Utau said. "I'll always remember who I am. I won't forget what you are to me either, or Ikuto."

...A few days have passed since and Amu has fully recovered. There was no trace of any bruises or cuts on her face. Nikaidou had phoned day Ikuto and aunt Lulu to say that there was a sudden school trip, which at first day Ikuto refused to believe but ended up still buying the story. Tadase had also kept it a secret from Yaya and Nadeshiko, but she never heard what sort of lie he told them. These past few nights, night Ikuto came and visited her. He was so caring towards her that it reminded her of day Ikuto and she missed him, though she was content in seeing night Ikuto. One or twice, Tsukassa would make an excuse and walk into the room but aside from that, he didn't o anything else. Tsukassa had kept his promise and didn't mention or say anymore to Amu about day or night Ikuto. He treated her like he always did, kind, like another father in a way, which made Amu feel slightly guilty for saying what she did to him. She finally got to see day Ikuto today and she felt nothing but excitement. A few days seemed so long. Amu sat on a bench inside the church, waiting for Ikuto to pick her up. She had to explain that she was visiting the kids in the church after she returned from her fake school trip.

"So you're going home today?" Tadase asked sitting besides Amu.

"Yeah," Amu smiled, "thank you so much for taking care of me. I don't know how to thank you."

Tadase blushed, "you don't have to thank me. I was really happy I was able to help you. I mean I would help you whenever you need my help."

"Thank you Tadase," Amu said.

Tadase smiled back. He looked at her smile and there was a small ache in his heart. The things Nikaidou had told him the other night came rushing back to him and the ache grew more painful. He knew Amu probably didn't wish to discuss her problems but he was worried about her. He also wanted to protect her. "Amu," Tadase said quietly, "are you really returning home?"

Amu stared at Tadase, puzzled by his question, "where else am I supposed to go? It's natural that I go home, I mean it wouldn't be called my home if-"

"Have you thought of leaving that home?" Tadase asked without thinking. He saw the confused expression on Amu's face and he quickly added, "I mean, I'm thinking about the future."

"Well, the future for me seems very far away," Amu replied, "at the minute. I'm happy as I am."

"You're strong," Tadase whispered, unheard by Amu. He really wanted to help Amu but he didn't want to hurt her feelings by bringing up anything she didn't want to be reminded of. He didn't understand why Amu's father would abuse her in the first place. Amu, to Tadase, she was the nicest girl, he's met.

"Father," Amu suddenly called out, startling Tadase.

Amu stood up and ran towards the young man who stood with a smile at the entrance of the church. That is Amu's father, Tadase thought. His body moved without him realising, and Tadase found himself running after Amu. That smile on her father's face, it was the first time he saw him, but he felt that smile was wrong. The smile looked sinister. Tadase grabbed Amu's arm from behind, pulling her back, away from her father and stepped in between them.

"Tadase," Amu said, confused with his conduct.

Tadase stared at Amu's father. He was young and a pretty face to some extent, but one thing caught his attention. He looked nothing like Amu. "You are Amu's father?"

"I may feel like answering when you show more manners," Ikuto said, staring at Tadase.

Tadase didn't say anything but continued to look at Ikuto, who he strangely already hated.

"Tadase, is something wrong?" Amu asked worried about him.

"Nothing," Tadase answered, his gaze never leaving Ikuto.

"Amu, let's go home," Ikuto said, ignoring Tadase, "I've already made lunch."

"Yeah," Amu said with a smile, walking over towards Ikuto, taking his hand. "See you tomorrow Tadase."

There was a strange anger in Tadase seeing Amu leave with her father. Why, he asked himself, why Amu had to pretend to be happy when she was probably really scared deep down of him, of that man that abuses her. Tadase caught up with the two and forcefully wrenched Ikuto's hand away from Amu's. "Stay away from Amu," he shouted.