Shaky Feelings
Ikuto glared at Tadase, "What did you just say midget? Who are you?"
Tadase couldn't stop himself from shaking. He was scared, staring back at this man's glare that seemed to penetrate through him like a laser. He gulped, "I said to stay away from-"
"Enough Tadase," Tsukassa shouted running towards them. He grabbed Tadase by the arm and pulled him away from Ikuto. "I'm terribly sorry for his conduct Ikuto."
"It must be tough for you so I'll let this slide," Ikuto said. "Amu, let's go."
Amu followed Ikuto out the church but turning once to look at Tadase who seemed to be talking with Tsukassa. She was worried about Tadase, seeing him act so weirdly for the first time, but at the minute she won't do anything. She'll wait until she next sees him at school and then she'll ask him. As soon as Amu got into the car though, she had no more time to think about Tadase since day Ikuto was already putting on a lecture about how concerned he was for the past few days. Amu couldn't stop herself from giggling at times hearing Ikuto complain about this and that. He was like an old man scolding his grandchild. It was funny but most importantly it made Amu happy. It was always in times like this that she felt she wasn't alone and someone was there who cared and treasured her. She was always happy besides Ikuto. No matter if he was day or night, as long as he was besides her, she would always have very strong emotions.
Wanting to stop Ikuto's ranting, Amu switched the topic, "oh yeah where's aunt Lulu?"
Ikuto became silent and his face displayed a reluctant look. Amu can sense already something was wrong, "did something happen between you two?"
"Nothing," Ikuto replied quietly.
"Father," Amu said more sternly, "did something happen between you and aunt Lulu whilst I was gone?"
"It really is nothing;" Ikuto said again, "we only had a very small argument."
"Argument," Amu repeated.
"Don't worry about it. It's always like that between us. Don't ask anymore."
Amu did as Ikuto asked and said no more but she really did wonder what kind of an argument they had. They were always arguing but this time it seemed more serious. It wasn't long before they arrived back home. Ikuto parked the car in the driveway and as they got out, they saw Lulu standing by the door. Amu greeted Lulu but Ikuto walked straight passed her.
"Ikuto," Lulu said very quietly but he simply ignored her.
Ikuto headed straight into the kitchen and was already setting up the table for dinner. Amu closed the door behind her, sensing the tension between Lulu and Ikuto. Lulu watched as Ikuto only set out two sets of dinner and Amu could glimpse the tears in Lulu's eyes before she ran into her room. Amu sat at her place and kept silent.
"I especially made this for you," Ikuto said, "so how was your school trip? Did anything interesting happen? I don't disagree with you participating in these things as long as you tell me before hand-"
"What happened?" Amu asked directly, "Why are you ignoring aunt Lulu? She seems really upset."
"The food will be cold if you don't eat it now," Ikuto said, taking a bite of his own food.
Amu stood up, "I won't eat until you tell me. I'm really worried about you two at the minute and I can't eat. Tell me what happened between you two."
Ikuto placed down his fork, "what's with you? Your finally back home and this is how you act. Don't forget you're my daughter and I'm your father. Don't start disrespecting me because you've found yourself a guard dog."
"What guard dog?" Amu questioned, "Are you talking about Tadase?"
"Oh, so that's the barking dogs name is it? Tadase, I'll remember it," Ikuto said.
Amu couldn't stand Ikuto's current attitude and she certainly can't stand him bad-mouthing about Tadase who has been nothing but kindness to her. "Don't say that about Tadase. Don't try and get away from the topic. I'm asking you-"
"So did that dog teach you to rebel like this," Ikuto raised his voice, "is this the way you speak to your own father of did I educate you to imitate a dog's behaviour-"
Amu picked up her cup and threw it at Ikuto from rage. It never hit Ikuto but from the way her hands trembled, she knew she already regretted throwing it. Ikuto looked at her now in a way that was almost like a glare and that frightened Amu. She had never seen day Ikuto have such an angry expression. There was a sudden tightening around her chest as the thought of night Ikuto came to her. Just an instant, it was fleeting but it was almost as if she was looking at night Ikuto. However, as soon as Amu thought this, Ikuto's expression became very soft and there were no traces that day Ikuto resembled anything of night Ikuto.
"I'm sorry," Ikuto whispered, turning away from Amu to pick up the broken glass. "I don't know what I'm doing? I'm just really am very tired Amu. From the moment you disappeared and didn't return home, there was this awful pain in me. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't control my emotions and actions. All I cared about was trying to find you. I listened to no one and I was just a mad man searching for his lost daughter. I think I must've made aunt Lulu worry about me. That's when I got into an argument with her." Ikuto paused, staring at the broken glass in his hands, "then I learned from your teacher you were fine but I was still worried. But it's fine since your back now. I didn't really get chance to work things out with aunt Lulu, so I'm not really ignoring her. I just don't know how to face her and I somehow just got agitated when you kept asking me. I'm sorry I called your friend a dog as well, I don't know what I was-"
"That's enough," Amu whispered into Ikuto's ears, holding him tightly from behind. "I was worried about you too when I saw you and aunt Lulu act like this. I ignored your feelings so I should say sorry too." Amu smiled, hugging Ikuto tighter, "you really do sound like an old man though. Thank you for being my father."
Ikuto smiled and patted Amu's head as she let go of him. He finished clearing the mess on the floor giving Amu a strange look again. "You know Amu, this is the first time I've seen you this angry."
"I'm sorry," Amu softly said, "I think it maybe-"
Ikuto grabbed onto Amu's shoulders and leaned close to her, which startled Amu. Ikuto said very slowly and clearly, "Since you don't like me and aunt Lulu ignoring each other. Help me. I seriously don't know how to face her."
Amu smiled walking off into the kitchen and taking a plate of food out, "well, I don't know the reason for your argument but as long as you take the first step, then everything should be fine." She handed the food to Ikuto, "I'll give you two some space so do your best."
Amu dragged Ikuto to Lulu's room and knocked loudly on the door. Lulu who was sitting inside the room, wiping her tears stared at the door, hearing Amu making such a racket outside. She was simply not in the mood to deal with her. She never realised how much Ikuto has changed and she had foolishly worsened their relationship. She hated the sound of Amu's voice. It was precisely that girl that caused her to be on bad terms with Ikuto and she swore to get rid of her by any means. Lulu opened the door at last and was surprised to see Ikuto besides Amu. She thought Ikuto would ignore her forever.
"Aunt Lulu, I'm going to the convenience store, so please eat dinner with father," Amu said pushing Ikuto into the room and walking off afterwards.
Lulu stared at the plate of food in Ikuto's hand, "are they for me? I thought you hated me so why are you-"
Ikuto shoved the plate into Lulu's hand, "can we talk things out? It's been a few days since we last talked so I think we've both calmed down."
"You've just calmed down because Amu is back," Lulu muttered.
"Aunt Lulu, I'll say this as many times as I need to make you understand. Amu is my daughter and she is important to me, you are as well. You two are the only family I have. Please understand that I won't give up my family."
"You really have changed so much," Lulu began, "you're like a complete different person. You feel so foreign to me."
"Aunt Lulu," Ikuto softly said, "I really don't understand what you are trying to say. I really don't. Forgive me if I am not the Ikuto you wish me to be, but I simply am me. I don't understand what's different. I'm telling you, I haven't changed."
Lulu wanted so much to say to Ikuto that he has changed but found she was unable to. She didn't wish to be on bad terms with him again, yet she will not accept such an Ikuto to exist. "Ikuto, please also remember, I have my own convictions. If you insist you have not changed then I'll acknowledge your thought but I will also have my own views. No matter what you say or what happens, I'm telling you Ikuto, you've changed and I'm going to change you back. I don't care if you understand or not."
"Aunt Lulu," Ikuto said, knowing that Lulu was a stubborn woman and when she decided on something she will definitely do it. He smiled giving up completely, "I'll keep it in mind that you think differently to me then. But, for now, let's hope our own beliefs won't hurt our relationship. Aunt Lulu, I was being rude before but will you forgive me and have dinner with me?"
"Did you not eat already with your daughter?" Lulu asked.
"I can always eat again for you," Ikuto smiled walking out Lulu's room.
Carrying the plate of food, Lulu smiled and followed Ikuto into the dining area. "I will change you back at all costs Ikuto. I don't want to loose you like I did with those two..." Lulu whispered to herself, unnoticed by Ikuto.
They spent a good half hour with each other, talking as they normally would. It was strange, since their problems weren't really resolved but at least they can face one another again with no awkwardness. Looking at Ikuto now, Lulu really regretted coming back late to him. If she hadn't left then he wouldn't have changed. It was better for Ikuto to not change, how else was he going to keep hold of XM2? Lulu stopped chewing on her food as she remembered about XM2. She gulped down the food in her mouth and asked, "Ikuto, what happened to-"
"Father, Aunt Lulu," Amu called from the entrance.
Ikuto got up from the table and went to help Amu carry the shopping into the kitchen. Lulu breathed heavily, calming herself down. "I'll ask him later."
...The night passed on quickly.
Amu gave a small yawn cooking breakfast. She was out late with night Ikuto again and peculiar thought occurred to her. She was recently spending a lot more time with night Ikuto than day Ikuto, but on a whole she was spending more time with Ikuto. Sometimes she wished it could be the other way around though. There was so much more to Ikuto that she didn't know about. She set out the breakfast and left a note for aunt Lulu and Ikuto to say she would be heading off to school earlier. She couldn't forget about Tadase's strange conduct at the church and today, she would question him about it. As Amu approached the school she saw Nikaidou standing outside the gates. He waved at her and se quickly ran towards him.
"Amu," Nikaidou said, pulling her to the side. He lowered his voice so no other students around could hear, "how has things been?"
"I'm fine," Amu answered.
"Those guys aren't bothering you are they, I mean the kidnappers," Nikaidou whispered.
"Don't worry. I don't think they will kidnap me again," Amu whispered back.
"Then how is your father doing?" Nikaidou asked, "Has his other personality been troubling you. I know you said you were forced to date that personality and that's the best option we have to try and help your father but, being out late all the time is no good for you. If you have trouble rejecting his other personality, I have a few good tips I can give. Just tell me when you want them."
"Thank you Mr Nikaidou," Amu said, "I'll tell you when I need them."
Nikaidou smiled, "then go off to class and enjoy yourself. I'll always be here to help you."
Amu nodded, giving him a smile before heading into the school. She was really thankful she told Nikaidou everything; he was really helpful as well as kind. As she stepped into the classroom, Amu immediately saw Nikaidou, Yaya and Tadase sitting together. She joined them swiftly.
"So the main girl finally turns up," Nikaidou said as Amu sat down.
"Amu, we were just talking about you," Yaya said with a sly smile on her face.
A embarrassed looking Tadase quickly said, "no, we weren't talking about anything Amu. So just ignore them."
"What are you saying Tadase?" Nikaidou questioned, "Didn't both me and Yaya say we'd give you support? You need to be true to your feelings and express them freely. Now tell Amu how you feel."
"What is it?" Amu asked confused. "Tadase..."
Tadase took hold of Amu's hands, "Amu, I-I've always really liked you. I'm always happy around you and I want to be the one to protect you...so...what I am trying to say is..."
"Just say it already," both Yaya and Nikaidou demanded.
Tadase looked away from Amu, blushing as he said, "Amu, please could you give me a chance and please can you be my girlfriend?"
Amu let out a surprised gasp. She looked away from Tadase as well, embarrassed but feeling rather happy. Did she have such feelings for Tadase but she didn't notice it herself? Why else did she feel embarrassed and happy? She kept holding onto his hands, they felt comfortable and she liked to keep holding them. Maybe she already had an answer. "Tadase I-"
"It's ok Amu, you can answer me later, I understand you need time to think," Tadase quickly said, his face going redder.
"No Tadase," Amu slowly said, "I-I have an answer..."