A Mess

"Ikuto is my adoptive father," Amu slowly began, "we've been living together for quite some time now. Ikuto… he's always been a kind and caring father to me."

"Kind and caring," Ikuto repeated with a sneer, "you must be delusional."

"You are," Amu said more loudly, "Ikuto, you're actually a really kind person but for some reason you have this illness which makes you the way you are now. It's not your fault but understand the violent and irritable you now is not the real you."

"Don't joke. Are you suggesting that I am not real?"

"Yes, you aren't the real Ikuto. The you now is a mere character that lives temporarily from the effects of a split personality illness," Amu explained, "you are only a split personality known as night Ikuto that comes out during the night, but the real Ikuto is day Ikuto, who is my father."

There was silence as neither Kukai or Ikuto said anything but stare at Amu who had a very serious expression upon her face now. She continued, "I didn't believe in such a thing before but I verified it for myself. I overheard the other you, the real Ikuto, day Ikuto's confession at the church about his split personality crisis. It shocked me that my father had such an illness but it explained everything, especially your strange behaviour and change in temperament. You remember the first time we met don't you night Ikuto? The way you acted towards me and the fact that you didn't recognise that I am your daughter… all that is the result of you being a split personality. Slowly I came to accept and understand this truth about you." Amu paused and inhaled deeply for a few seconds to calm herself a little. Somehow she felt slightly anxious telling night Ikuto everything. She didn't know what would happen after night Ikuto knew the whole truth but more importantly she realised that she could no longer lie to him. "I became scared when I learnt that this split personality illness could be dangerous. If you, the split personality of day Ikuto was violent and aggressive then there is the possibility that it will affect him, the injuries you get, the fights you involve yourself into, everything ends up transferring to day Ikuto because you share the same body. I was scared if I left you alone, the way you are, you would get hurt and I was terrified at the thought that my father would end up dead because you, his split personality did something dangerous. It was this realisation that I could not leave you alone. Then out of my own desire to protect my father's body whilst you were in control of it, I intentionally got close to you. That was and is my motive. I'm sorry," Amu said, "I'll apologise for everything I've done up until now, but please forgive me, I had my reasons."

"Have you finished?" Ikuto softly questioned, "is that everything you wished to say?"

Amu looked straight at Ikuto, "yes. Everything I have just said is the truth."

"You want us to believe all of that," Kukai said, his tone heavy, "you're telling me Ikuto is your father. He has a split personality and you are intentionally getting close to Ikuto only to keep an eye out for your father, who is also Ikuto." Kukai glanced at Ikuto, "this is messed up and you Ikuto, are you buying everything she says? Is this the real answer?"

"I'm speaking the truth," Amu repeated anxiously, "what will I gain from lying to you two? Nothing, I will gain nothing from lying so there isn't a reason for me to. Please believe me. I know I've lied before but this time I am honestly telling the truth. "

"Quit fooling with us, I've spent most my time with Ikuto and if he has such an illness I would have known so-"

Ikuto held up his hand before Kukai, signalling him to stop speaking. "Let me deal with this myself," Ikuto whispered, his voice shaky.

"Ikuto, are you really going to accept such an explanation? This is impossible, this is-"

"This has nothing to do with you. It only concerns me and her," Ikuto said sternly. "You've heard what you wanted to, so you can leave us alone."

A surge of uncontrollable rage surged through Kukai at that moment. He grabbed hold of Ikuto and without hesitation punched him in the stomach, making Ikuto kneel onto the floor. "IKUTO," Kukai shouted with rage now, "don't you understand? This doesn't concern me… whatever this girl says, whether you accept her story, her explanation… everything dose not concern me."

"Stop it," Amu shouted as well, running towards them, seeing Kukai grab tighter onto Ikuto.

"STAY AWAY," Kukai roared, baring his teeth at Amu and scaring her so much that she couldn't move at all. He turned back to glare at Ikuto, "Is this the way you treat me? I did all this because-"

"You only did this to satisfy your curiosity," Ikuto finished for Kukai, "I know. For a long time, since that time when you saved Amu from me and told me not to kill her when I misunderstood her, you already knew didn't you?"

Ikuto freed himself from Kukai's grab and swiftly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out some photo's, throwing them at Kukai, who had a shocked expression upon his face. Amu let out a gasp as well as her eyes fixed upon the images of the photo that now scattered onto the ground. They were pictures of her and Ikuto together, with both night and day Ikuto.

"From the angle these photo's are taken, it's obvious they were done whilst we were being spied on. I found them in your room Kukai," Ikuto said, "inside those photo's are the two different me. The me as I am now and then, the one that I don't even know existed, the gentle me, who is Amu's father. From these photo's, you should've known something was wrong or even now when you forced Amu to tell everything, you were only confirming your own thoughts. Am I wrong?"

"Yes, I noticed something was wrong about you Ikuto," Kukai slowly said, "way before the time when you wanted to kill Amu, I remembered I once saw you acting strangely and you were with Amu. You were like a completely different person. I thought I was wrong but then, when Amu started appearing before me, I began to wonder. I ended up following Amu the past few days to confirm everything."

"So you were the one who was following me all this time," Amu whispered, "I did feel like I was followed."

Kukai walked passed both Ikuto and Amu towards the door, "you might want to ask, if I took those photo's then why did I still question Amu's theory about you. My answer is simple, even if something like that can happen, I still can't believe it because I know you well Ikuto and it is impossible for that person to be you. Rather, that personality can never be you."

"I never denied her story though," Ikuto reminded Kukai, "I cannot deny her when I know what she said is the truth. The times when I wake to find myself in a unfamiliar place and dressed in a weird way, this split personality thing is the best explanation."

Kukai turned with a painful smile on his face, "I told you, Amu's father or the other Ikuto in that picture is not you. I can't prove it but that is what I believe. Though, nothing concerns me anymore."

"Kukai, I'm only going with what I think is the truth," Ikuto said.

Kukai let out a sigh, "and I've been telling you, what that girl says, I don't believe to be the truth. But, you chose that girl's words. Ikuto," Kukai whispered as he left, "I am disappointed in you and myself. I wasn't able to become a friend you can trust. Until I've earned that trust… I won't be by your side anymore."

Ikuto stood very still, unable to fathom what Kukai had just said but one thing he did know, something held him back from chasing after Kukai. He clenched a fist, his emotions unsettled as he stared at the photo's on the floor. He came back… Ikuto whispered in his mind, that man returned.

From behind, Amu gently clutched onto Ikuto's jacket. Ikuto didn't turn around to face her but he already knew what she looked like. He felt her shiver as her clutch tightened.

"Ikuto," Amu said almost inaudibly. She tried to hold back her tears. She had never meant for anything to turn out the way it did, she never expected Kukai to react in such a way. It dawned on her that she not only lied to Ikuto, hurt him but also caused his broken friendship with Kukai. She leaned her head on Ikuto's back, not knowing what more to say.

"It wasn't your fault that Kukai did what he did?" Ikuto slowly began, "true, it's what you said that provoked him because he can't accept it but, that isn't entirely your fault." Ikuto turned around to face Amu and gently took hold of her hands. "You did everything to protect me… no, to protect the other me that is inside this body."

Amu instinctively grasped onto Ikuto's hand tightly, "Ikuto I'm really-"

Ikuto put on a faint smile, with his other hand, he brushed back some of Amu's hair that covered her sad looking eyes. He held her chin up so that they were staring at each other, "It's alright. There is nothing in your truth that I cannot accept, because I truly loved you Amu. You were right in getting close to me. You succeeded because for you I really was willing to change. What about you? Amu, tell me, from the start to now, did you not have a change of heart? Did you not even for one second fall in love with me?"

"Ikuto is my beloved father, a father I wish to protect," Amu whispered though there was a huge weight on her heart as she said those words and her throat felt squeezed as if she didn't want to say them.

"I see," Ikuto muttered, his hand grasping firmly onto a lock of her hair. He looked away from her, letting go of her chin but his grip on her hair tightening. Then with one strong pull of her hair, he forced Amu down to the floor as she kneeled and let out a small scream from the sudden pain. Ikuto also fell to floor on his own knees as well and once again he forced his lips over hers, fiercely kissing her as he did before.

Amu was simply too shocked to push him away and shamelessly she was used to Ikuto doing these kinds of things to her. The feel of his lips touching hers, was a fiery sensation that drove her of any logical thoughts, stopping her from moving. Why, after everything she has told him and him understanding, why did he still kiss her like this? Amu felt his lips leave hers and there was a new sharp pain upon her lips and when she realised it, she pushed him away, blood trickling down her chin. She gasped, placing her hands over her mouth as she froze from his sinister smile. He bit her lips.

Ikuto was smiling but it was clear that his eyes showed anger, showed madness, no Ikuto was mad, mad to the point that he would draw blood.

"Leave Amu," Ikuto commanded, "you can see my anger. I'm trying really hard to restrain myself from hurting you. Leave and never appear before my eyes again. You disgust me."

"No way," Amu said shakily, "didn't you say you understood? Please don't tell me to go away."

"Leave," Ikuto repeated more sternly, his smile replaced with a soul-chilling glare.

"Wait, please just-"

"I'm sorry," Ikuto said , walking closer towards Amu, "there is no way that you won't appear before me again right? You will appear before the other me. What should I do? Tell me, what should I do to make sure I will never see you again, including the other me."
"Do you really hate me this much?" Amu whispered.

Ikuto raised his hand into the air. Amu faintly caught a glimpse of something shiny in Ikuto's raised hand as it came falling towards her. Then Amu's vision became that of a sparkling golden colour, followed by a sweet scent that filled the air.

"Stop this Ikuto."

Amu stared as the girl before her who tightly grasped onto Ikuto's hand that had a knife in it. Amu felt a strange pain in her heart. Ikuto wanted to seriously hurt her. It was painful to realise this. Amu looked and recognised the girl, the one who saved her once and then the one who was also very cold towards her.

She half turned to face Amu, "so this is the girl that is the root of your anger."

"Utau," Ikuto said in a strained voice, "this girl has done something I will never forgive her for. Look at me now, I am hopelessly filled with rage. You know nothing can satisfy me unless…"

"I will let you vent your frustration and anger," Utau whispered, "but you do not hurt her. If you hurt this girl, I know you will feel guilt and then that feeling will tie you to her forever. Hurting her is not the way to cut the ties between you two."

"You know," Ikuto said, giving the knife to Utau.

Utau gently touched Ikuto's face, "you can probably say, I am the same as Kukai. I checked this girl up because I didn't trust her, but I never knew it would be like this. Ikuto, I understand your feelings so, unlike Kukai who chose to not accept anything, please allow me to finish this for you."

The pain in Amu seemed to spread as she watched how Ikuto's expression softened. This girl name Utau, she had that power to calm Ikuto down, something Amu could not do. Amu clutched at her chest, a new kind of pain surrounding her.

"Do what you want Utau, this is already a mess," Ikuto finally said, "I'm tired of everything to do with her. If she will disappear from my sight forever, that would be fine."

"I'll do that for you then," Utau whispered, kissing Ikuto lightly on the cheeks. She turned, grabbing hold of Amu and forcefully, she dragged her away.

"No wait, Ikuto, please stop," Amu shouted though Utau was strong and it wasn't long before she was dragged out the house. Amu tried to free herself from Utau but to no avail.

"Stop struggling," Utau commanded, "I want to talk to you."

"You-" Amu said, looking at Utau, "I still want to talk to Ikuto."

"You've made him mad already," Utau reminded Amu, "when he gets like that, he will become very violent. You saw the knife in his hand just then. Let him calm down because there is simply no point in talking to him now. I've also said, I want to talk to you. Follow me."

Amu nodded and just followed Utau, knowing what she said was absolutely right. There was a few minutes silence between them before Amu began to question, "Who are you? What is your relationship to Ikuto? Are you his friend?"

"My name's Utau, I've known Ikuto for a long time and yes, I suppose you can say we are friends. However, my relationship with him is no where near as intriguing as yours aren't I right? Day Ikuto's daughter but night Ikuto's lover. So which one do you like being?"

Amu ignored Utau's question, "when can I go back and see Ikuto?"

"Insolent girl," Utau hissed, "I warned you more than once to stay away from Ikuto but you keep clinging yourself to him like a leech. I was going to let you off but since you insist in getting involved then I'll include you into my scheme."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'll tell you everything now. The real Ikuto and my plan to-"

Amu saw the shock in Utau's eyes and as she turned to look at her surroundings, she understood why. Amu stood closer to Utau as a group of men emerged, surrounding the both of them.

"We meet yet again," a familiar voice shouted.

Amu looked desperately amongst the circle of men that surrounded them now and her eyes finally settled upon Sanjo. "No," Amu said clenching her fists.

Sanjo held his mobile to his ears and laughed, "don't worry. I've just caught myself a hostage, this time, we can definitely force Ikuto to reveal to us XM2."

Without hesitation, Amu ran towards one of the men and pushed him over, making an opening in the circle. She then turned towards Utau, screaming, "run for it. Utau, run for it whilst you have the chance. You helped me out once so let me repay you."

Utau stared at Amu, not able to believe her eyes, "are you an idiot? And I never said you could call me by my name."

"Hurry and go," Amu managed to shout once more before the other men had taken hold of her.

Sanjo smirked, "you spirit to fight is admirable Amu Hinamori. Well, are we going to proceed with the plan?"

Amu who was held to the floor looked up in shock at Utau who didn't run but calmly answered, "Sanjo, you will head straight to where we planned to hold this girl hostage instead of going to confront Ikuto."

"Why is that?" Sanjo asked Utau, "We agreed-"

"Kukai has left Ikuto's side. Our plan will adjust to disregard Kukai," Utau said whilst snatching the mobile from Sanjo's hand, "you heard right? The plan to get XM2 starts now."

"What is this?" Amu muttered bewildered, "aren't you on Ikuto's side? Weren't you shocked to see-"

Utau glared at Amu, closing the mobile, "my acting was perfect wasn't it? If it wasn't good then I won't be able to fool Ikuto. You barely even know me, so don't go telling me what to do but as you can see, I am about to betray Ikuto."

"Why? Why must you do this?" Amu shouted again.

Utau turned to look away from Amu, as though she was disgusted to look at her, "I need to thank you, because if it wasn't for you, I would not have thought of this plan to emotionally weaken Ikuto before we confront him. The unexpected result of Kukai leaving Ikuto is also very much to our advantage. Why, you ask, why don't you ask yourself first. You did a lot of things that you didn't need to."

"Stop, stop this," Amu said shakily, understanding she didn't have the right to criticise Utau's actions. "Please stop, Ikuto trusts you. I don't know your relationship with Ikuto so well but I can tell from just then that he trusts you a lot. If you betray him… please just stop this. Besides taking me as a hostage has no meaning anymore… he no longer cares about me, so-"

"Whether you have your worth as a hostage, we shall see," Sanjo said with a smirk, tying Amu's hands together with a rope. "I'll head off with this girl then and you go do what you must."

"Don't act like the boss Sanjo," Utau hissed, leering at him, "I will do things my own way."

Sanjo nodded, "whatever. As long as the results are satisfactory."

Utau watched as Sanjo took Amu away with him. She clenched a fist, unable to hide her excitement. "Finally, I can end everything once I get XM2. This plan cannot fail."