Fast Accord

Amu gently took her hand away from Musashi's and stepped away from him. Tadase who was now holding the tickets and pop corn began to head towards the room. "The movie's going to start soon," Tadase said as he walked, "Musashi is watching the same movie as us so why don't we watch it together?"

"No," Amu muttered but so quiet it was unheard.

Musashi followed Tadase, only turning once to glance at Amu, "I think you should go in. I'm not the person you should be afraid of."

Amu slowly entered the dark room after Tadase and Musashi and sat on a row near the back. It wasn't the best seat to watch a movie since it was so far away from the screen but then, even if they were in a good position, Amu would only be looking at Musashi. Tadase was sitting between them and was constantly making conversations between both Amu and Musashi, whilst passing around the pop corn. Amu would sometimes look at the big screen but not for long, she would revert her gaze back onto Musashi. She somehow felt that if she didn't look at him for even a second, he would do something terrible. She understood he wasn't Sanjo and it was him who helped her and night Ikuto before but still, he couldn't be trusted. Musashi seemed to have noticed Amu's stare and he too looked at her more than the screen.

"Excuse me for a bit," Tadase whispered, moving out of the row to head to the bathroom.

As soon as Tadase left, Musashi moved himself to sit directly next to Amu. He didn't wait to talk, "it's been awhile hasn't it? The last time we met was the time when my brother was about to kill Ikuto and you took me hostage."

"About that time," Amu said quickly, "thank you for helping us. Only, why did you-"

"Our main objective wasn't to kill anyone. Well, it may be my brother's wish to destroy Ikuto Tsukiyomi but before we get what we want, I simply cannot allow him to be reckless," Musashi answered. "I'll tell you this know now, me and my brother including our boss have no intentions of letting Ikuto get away with anything."

"Just what is it that you want with him?" Amu couldn't stop herself from shouting.

Several people around them turned towards Amu and Musashi now, whispering and complaining about the noise they were making. Musashi grabbed Amu's wrist and pulled her out of the room into the empty corridor.

"We can talk more freely here," Musashi said. "Before I answer your question, how about you answer mine? What is your relationship with Ikuto Tsukiyomi? First off I assumed you're his woman but now, seeing you with Tadase, are you just his sex partner or…"

"It has nothing to do with you," Amu said in a low voice, much like a warning to stop Musashi from questioning her further. "I won't tell someone who wants to harm Ikuto anything."

Musashi smirked, "so you won't tell me your relationship to him but I can hazard a guess."

"Tell me," Amu said before Musashi can say anymore, "why are you after Ikuto?"

Musashi leaned against the wall, "I won't tell you anything either. You're not involved in this so you don't need to know." He studied Amu for awhile before he started to walk away.

"Wait," Amu called out, following him, "please tell me."

"I'm a gangster," Musashi said, "you should be scared of me not following me for answers. Besides, I've been way too nice to you already…"

"Ikuto is important to me," Amu shouted, standing still behind Musashi. "I want to know everything about him and I want to protect him. I… that is my relationship with him. He is just someone I wish to protect."

"And you can protect him," Musashi whispered, turning around to stare at Amu. "You can change yourself to protect him and you can do it. I've seen it once already." He took a step towards Amu, "You know, it's a coincidence I met you here. Would you call this fate that both you and I know Tadase?"

"What do you want with Ikuto?" Amu asked again. Musashi was right, this was a one off chance that they meet and probably the only time and chance that Amu would get to talk to one of Ikuto's enemy without much danger. Clearly Musashi had no men with him and in a public place like the cinema's, she was safe. This was her golden opportunity to find out more about night Ikuto and she won't let it pass. "I think you're not such a bad person. You did help me back then so please tell me. It shouldn't matter if you tell me."

"You're right, it really doesn't matter if I let a little slip," Musashi began, "besides the deep feud between my brother and Ikuto, he is only targeted because he has XM2."

"XM2," Amu repeated, remembering Sanjo had asked her about it as well.

"The boss that hired me and my brother is after XM2," Musashi continued, "it is something with valuable information. As long as Ikuto has the XM2, he'll always be targeted. Ikuto Tsukiyomi doesn't need XM2, he won't be affected by it if he doesn't have it. Do you understand now? He is holding onto XM2 to threaten my boss; that's unreasonable. Now, if you want to protect him there is a way. If only you can-"

"You want me to steal the XM2 from Ikuto," Amu finished for Musashi, already catching onto his scheme. "I won't. XM2 must be important to Ikuto otherwise he wouldn't keep it. I won't do anything to betray him."

"But you're not betraying him," Musashi said over Amu. He took another step towards her and gently stroked her hair which made her flinch away. "What's more important, Ikuto's life or XM2? I'm not going to lie. Ikuto Tsukiyomi will end up dead if he doesn't hand over XM2. Is it really worth it? No matter how important XM2 is to him, is it worth his life?"

Amu felt herself shiver at the thought of Ikuto being dead. It was scary, more scary than her own death and she won't allow it. She won't allow a kind person like Ikuto to die. "I don't know," Amu slowly said.

"Trust me," Musashi continued, "you don't need to trust me but you have to use your logic here. You know what's the best for him."

Amu breathed in heavily, nodding. She knew, she knew he was right or maybe she was really convinced by him this moment. "Will you stop hurting Ikuto if I do it?"

"I can't promise you there will absolutely be no troubles for him," Musashi admitted, "my brother will need persuading and I can't always keep an eye on him or what my boss decides to do. However, whenever I know or can, I will stop anyone from harming Ikuto Tsukiyomi as long as we have a deal."

"Fine," Amu said. "I'll steal XM2 from Ikuto and I'll give it to you, but you mustn't hurt him. You have to leave him alone after you've got what you want as well."

Musashi smiled, "good luck then." He took a piece of paper and wrote a number on it, "this is my number. I'll be calling you at times to make sure our deal is still on. Also, don't tell anyone about XM2 or our deal."

"Why would I do that?" Amu asked, "I don't even know what it is."

"Don't worry," Musashi said, walking away again, "XM2 is something recognisable even to you I think. As long as you find it for me."

Amu clutched the piece of paper and watched as Musashi walked further and further away. Musashi stopped once and turned back to stare at Amu, knowing it was a complete success. It may have been partly due to luck that he met this girl today but more importantly, with this girl working for him now, whatever Ikuto says doesn't matter anymore. Despite Ikuto claiming to his brother that he doesn't have XM2 anymore, Musashi simply can't believe it until he's investigated further. As a side note from his observation he couldn't help but comment, "you're called Amu aren't you?"

"Yes."

"I'm quite good friends with Tadase," Musashi began, "he's not part of anything so don't worry or did I not need to bother? You don't seem to care about him at all… rather I think-"

"Its none of your business," Amu said clearly, "just keep your promise and stay away from Ikuto. I promised I'll get you what you want so keep your end of the deal."

Musashi waved at Amu, turning the corner. "As I thought," Musashi whispered to himself, "that girl is only occupied with Ikuto Tsukiyomi. You don't have a girlfriend, so what have you got yourself Tadase?"

Amu shoved the piece of paper back into her pocket and started to walk in the direction Musashi had just walked in to exit the cinema. She had so many thoughts now, it was making her slightly crazy. She wondered if she had done the right thing to make a deal with Musashi Sanjo. He did help her before but it didn't mean he was a good person. "He seemed truthful when he said everything…" Amu muttered to herself, "It wouldn't hurt to trust him a little would it… I mean…"

"AMU."

Amu sighed, still arguing in her head whether she was doing the right thing or not. Then suddenly a hand clasped onto her shoulder which surprised her so much she let out a small scream. When she turned to see Tadase, she calmed down. "Tadase, what are you doing?" Amu asked, "you scared me. Why are you here?"

Tadase put his hand over Amu's forehead, "why… Amu are you unwell? We're going on a date now."

Amu quickly took Tadase's hand away from her forehead, feeling slightly guilty that she had forgot all about him. "I-I'm fine Tadase. I was just coming out here for a walk."

"Do you not like the movie?" Tadase asked, his face a little saddened.

"No, its not like that," Amu quickly said, "I-I just feel slightly hungry." She took hold of Tadase's hand and began to pull him along with her in panic, not wanting to make him feel bad anymore, "shall we go and eat instead. I'm sorry Tadase, I'll watch this film with you again tomorrow if you'd like."

"Amu, are you sure you're alright?" Tadase asked again, looking worried.

"Tadase, I'm really sorry," Amu said, "I really am just hungry and I-I thought, well I didn't want to leave until we finished the film and I-"

Tadase giggled, holding onto Amu's hand tighter, "you should've just told me you were hungry from the start. I don't mind as long as you are happy."

"Thank you Tadase," Amu whispered.

Tadase smiled and started to walk besides Amu towards the exit. "we'll finish the movie tomorrow then. Oh, yeah, did you see my friend anywhere?"

"Musashi," Amu said, "he left already. How do you know him?"

"We both went to the same elementary school," Tadase answered, "where would you like to go to eat?"

"Anywhere is fine," Amu replied, already thinking of Ikuto again.

Tadase took Amu to a really nice restaurant and they spent the rest of their date there. Amu was aware of Tadase being there besides her. She noticed and watched most the time as he talked and smiled and she would occasionally nod and smile back to show she was listening but in reality, she had no idea what Tadase had been talking about. Her mind concentrated on nothing but Ikuto and the more she thought about him, the more she lost her surroundings. It was strange as the main person to appear in her mind was night Ikuto, possibly because he was the most likely one to have XM2. Just how was she going to get XM2? As these thoughts went on in Amu's mind, she had not noticed the night had already ended. Tadase walked her back to her house since it was later than usual and said his goodbyes with a smile.

"I guess, that wasn't really a fun date," Amu whispered seeing Tadase disappear round the corner of the street. She entered the front garden and unlocked the door gently, expecting day Ikuto to be waiting for her. When she entered the house though, it was pretty quiet.

Lulu slowly walked towards Amu, "your back. Be quiet, Ikuto is sleeping. He seems to be really tired from work."

Amu nodded, "well I'll be going to my room now. Good night aunt Lulu."

Lulu waved at her and stood staring into space wondering who was the young guy that walked home with Amu. She smiled, suddenly finding herself with something interesting as she too went to sleep for the night.

…The next morning came as fast as ever. Lulu, Amu and Ikuto had already finished eating breakfast and whilst Amu was washing up, Lulu and Ikuto were standing before the fridge arguing again.

"As I've been telling you, I cannot live without peach yogurt, go and buy me some now," Lulu ordered.

Ikuto sighed putting his coat on, "you are so annoying." He walked over to the sink where Amu was cleaning and grabbed her hand pulling her to the door, "Amu clean after we go shopping."

Amu closed the door behind her and obediently followed Ikuto for a quick trip to the small supermarket. She hadn't been out shopping with Ikuto for ages and somehow she was looking forward to it. Like always, Ikuto was giving Amu trouble by constantly throwing into the trolley unneeded snacks. It took Amu ages to convince him that they should be buying more healthy food instead. It was at these times that Ikuto seemed younger than his age, Amu felt they were closer like this.

Amu wanted to enjoy herself fully when shopping with Ikuto but there was an uneasy feeling in her and she couldn't stop looking behind all the time. It was that same feeling again, the feeling that someone was following her. She hated it and whenever she checked there was no one there, but she didn't know why that feeling won't go away.

"Amu which should I get," Ikuto asked, "a cheesecake or normal triple chocolate black forest cake."

Amu laughed, "knowing you father, you'd definitely go for the triple chocolate. You love chocolate."

Ikuto smiled taking the chocolate cake, "I expected no less from my daughter. You definitely know me well."

"You are my father," Amu pointed out.

"Hmm, Let me choose another dessert for a few days after," Ikuto said turning back to the fridge.

Whilst watching Ikuto seriously decide which type of dessert to buy, the thought of XM2 popped up into Amu's mind again. This was day Ikuto so Amu doubted whether he knew about XM2 at all but there was no way she can just directly ask night Ikuto either. Maybe its worth trying with day Ikuto first. He was her father and surely, if she asked he would be more likely to tell her. Then again, how can Amu ask straight off; there was no way she could explain how she knew; maybe she could make up a story. "Father," Amu began, "I've… I-"

Ikuto smiled, "just say it already."

"Well, I've recently been interested in code breaking," Amu continued, "there's this one code I can't seem to figure so would you help me?"

Ikuto tilted his head and stared at Amu, "I never knew you were interested in these kinds of stuff. I don't mind trying."

"Well, assuming the code AB3 meant It's sunny today or something random like an object-"

"That's totally random," Ikuto commented.

"The actual code is…" Amu slowly said, hoping she wouldn't mess up now that she had started, "is XM2."

"Let's go and pay first," Ikuto said walking off to the counter.

"Father," Amu called out, surprised this was his response. Was it even a actual response at all? "Father did you hear me?"

"How much is it?" Ikuto asked paying for their shopping.

Amu took a few bags herself and followed after Ikuto out the supermarket, who walked rather speedily, almost like a run. He turned into another street that was in the opposite direction to their house and Amu ran after him, "father that's the wrong way-"

Amu dropped her shopping bags onto the ground as Ikuto pushed her against the wall, holding her there. His grip on her shoulders tightened, which hurt Amu a bit but she didn't say anything.

Ikuto looked straight into Amu's eyes with a serious expression she had not seen before, "where did you hear that from? XM2 that is."

Amu felt anxious now, not accounting that Ikuto could be this serious or rather this anxious himself. "It's just a random code the club wants to solve-"

"Don't lie to me," Ikuto shouted. He took a few breaths to calm himself down before whispering, "it can't be can it?" He stared at her, his expression becoming fearful.

"I-it hurts…" Amu couldn't help but finally whisper, her shoulders felt pricked by his ten fingers that dug deep into her.

Ikuto raised his voice, no longer able to control himself; he was about to go wild, "AMU…have you…" He leaned in close to her, hissing with madness into her ear, "have you already met the other me?"