Kazuomi Hoshina and XM2

The night scenery flickered past the car window like a mass of black blob merging into a scene of endless darkness. The odd street lights acting like guides for him towards his destination. The phone sounded and the driver in front immediately picked it up, holding it towards him, "Mr Hoshina, the phone."

He took the phone swiftly, "how is it going, Nikaidou?"

Nikaidou breathed heavily over the phone before speaking, "It's over. Everything went according to Miss Hoshina's plan. We have finally obtained XM2. I personally handled Ikuto Tsukiyomi and anyone relating to him. Rest assured that they are dead."

"Good," Kazuomi Hoshina mused, "I already knew if my girl did things properly, the results would be fine. Nikaidou, you haven't looked at the contents of XM2 have you?"

"Of course," Nikaidou answered sternly, "my job is to retrieve this item for you. There is not the need for me to understand or know about it. I won't pry into XM2. All I care about is money."

"I'll deposit the money into your account before the end of tomorrow," Kazuomi said, "now, where is Utau? Is she with you?"

"Yes," Nikaidou simply answered.

"You wish to speak to me, Kazuomi Hoshina."

Kazuomi shook his head, "you never change Utau, my daughter. Always cold towards me. You were not like that to your mother or aunt."

"We've long passed the stage for the both of us to discuss family issues," Utau spoke aggressively, "now we shall talk business. You've forced me to play dirty and make a irreversible move. I won't forgive you."

"I already knew you had something for Ikuto Tsukiyomi," Kazuomi began, "I'm not stupid. For the past few years, you've been by his side, shielding him from my grasp so what else am I supposed to do Utau, but to have you accomplish what I want. You chose this path yourself. You chose to go against me and I, I am the one who decides whether to forgive you for your actions. How does it feel to be a part of the murder of the one you care about?"

"I told you I won't forgive you," Utau said, "Ikuto may be dead but I'm fortunately alive. I survived to go against you once more but this time, it's for myself."

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING-" Kazuomi heard a frantic Nikaidou call out in the background. There was crashing noises and shouts coming from both Utau and Nikaidou. Kazuomi gripped onto the phone, "Nikaidou, are you there? Answer me. What has that stupid girl done?" There was silence. It was absolutely soundless and that triggered a wave of uneasiness to surge through Kazuomi. He threw the phone, hitting the back of the drivers seat. "Take me to there," he ordered the driver, his voice strained. "Utau, you foolish girl, there's a limit to how far you can go against a parent."

…..Tsukasa stared at the screen, watching as the numbers kept flashing and a different figure appeared. 47% he noted as he stared at his computer. With the amount of money gathered for the past three years, this was how much they had succeeded to obtain, but there was still a further 3% needed. They still needed time, just a little bit more time to turn things around.

"I'm sorry Amakawa. It was a selfish request on our behalf. Both me and Aruto owe you so much."

Tsukassa smiled at her softly. "I didn't do anything worthy for you to say you're in my debt. I wasn't really part of your plans even if I wanted to. Aruto never allowed me to get involved."

"Aruto is a kind man."

"One of the reasons to why you love him so much."

The woman had a really sweet smile upon her face at the mention of Aruto's name and she simply nodded to Tsukassa's remark. However. her smile slowly faded as she reached into her pocket and retrieved a photo, staring at the young boy in it. "Aruto was the only love of my life, but recently I've just realised there is another. When I think of him, my heart aches and I cry."

"You decided for what was to be the best and acted upon that decision," Tsukassa softly said, "I'm sure, if you go to him and explain to him, he would understand."

"I wish this would be over soon," the woman sighed, "no matter what the excuses are, I've failed to fulfil one of my most basic role."

Tsukassa wanted to comfort her but found no words. He just sat there, staring at her like he always has done, unable to do a thing at times like these. It was always Aruto who was the one who calmed her down.

"I wonder when Aruto will return," the woman suddenly said, walking towards the window and peering out of it. The scenery from the attic room in the church was spectacular. It overlooked a beautiful night sketch of the place. The woman placed her hand on the window, tracing her fingers to draw certain buildings. "I miss him. I miss my Aruto. Hurry back, my dear."

…..Kazuomi Hoshina got off the car, fixing his gaze on the warehouse and he took the time to stand besides the vehicle for a few seconds, observing the area before casually commanding his driver to leave and return after precisely one hour. His footsteps echoed back at him as he walked into the massive warehouse. Empty and completely silent as if no one but him was in there, it gave off an eerie feeling. "Nikaidou," he called out, not surprised that there wasn't a response. Without hesitation Kazuomi headed straight for the big room in the middle section of this place, knowing Nikaidou would be there, since that was the room they often used for meetings. He pushed the door that was already slightly opened and stepped in. Reached for the light switch with one hand he placed his other hand deeply into his pocket.

As soon as light flooded the room, Kazuomi pulled out his gun at the same time he felt the tip of a knife press into the skin of his neck. "Easy there," he warned, holding the gun far out as he stared into the room and at the unmistakable corpse of Ikuto Tsukiyomi who was covered in blood. A few feet away Nikaidou laid there, unconscious probably.

"You really did come after all," Utau said. "Drop the gun and kick it towards Nikaidou's body."

Kazuomi did as Utau asked swiftly. "You aren't going to kill your own father are you? Shall we talk?"

"Talk," Utau repeated, "will you seriously talk to me without killing me in the process. You hate traitors and I'm a traitor."

"You are also my daughter," Kazuomi reminded Utau. "I won't do anything. It doesn't matter to me anymore whether your punished or not. Most of my goals are already accomplished."

Utau lowered her knife and walked into the room, turned around and faced her father properly. "I'm sorry. If I didn't do something reckless then you would've never paid any attention to me."

Kazuomi laughed, "I knew that already too. Well nothing matters now but…"

"Father," Utau whispered. "You want XM2."

"Where is it? You must have it."

"I do have it," Utau slowly said, "the item you desire so much that you commit crimes for."

"Be careful of your words," Kazuomi raised his voice, "XM2 is a rumoured item that apparently exists which leads one to treasure."

"You insist on lying to me," Utau sighed, "give it up. I already know what XM2 really is but I want to hear it from your mouth. I want my own father to be honest with me. I went to all this trouble, kidnapping a girl, luring Ikuto here to kill him and even deal with your hired servant just so I could feel like I have a father. You've neglected me since mother died years ago and I did all this just to make you realise how lonely I am. Please be honest with me."

"Did you not truly have feelings for Ikuto Tsukiyomi? Love for a girl can make them do anything. You didn't do everything for me."

"My feelings for Ikuto," Utau laughed, "hell, that kind of puppy dog love isn't worth my entire life time. You're a cold hearted man as I've sadly come to realise."

"Enough nonsense, give me XM2," Kazuomi demanded, "or else don't blame me for hurting you."

Utau pointed the knife at her father again, "see. We really can't talk properly for more than a few minutes before we go against each other. If you can't talk about family issues then let's be more businesslike. Tell me through your mouth and words what XM2 is?"

"So after everything you just want to know what XM2 is? You knowing what it is was just a bluff."

"I won't deny my curiosity since so many people seem to be after it."

Kazuomi now leered at Utau, already impatient with her games. "You do know about the possible candidates to succeed Xerxes Corporation and the current situation of the company."

"Yes. Currently you are acting as CEO of the corporation but the previous owner set out rules that if anyone manages to retrieve Xerxes Manabue's treasure then-"

"That is precisely the truth behind XM2."

"I simply cannot believe that the treasure is real," Utau spoke, "to me that treasure talk is a mere cover up for what it really is."

Kazuomi started to laugh, taking a step towards Utau, "my blood does run through you after all. You are very smart. The real deal behind XM2 is that it is the important evidence that shows the culprit who killed the former boss of Xerxus Corporation. Now you understand why everyone is after it. If we know who the murderer is, we can get rid of them."

"Is that the truth?" Utau pressed.

"To all the possible candidates to succeed the corporation, the murderer is a threat. No one knows what else that murderer has done. Since he managed to kill the former boss in the boss's secret chamber, the culprit may have taken important documents. To add to this, the former boss also set out such rules about succession so-"

"This makes no sense whatsoever. How can the boss set out such regulations-"

"The boss was a clever man. He foresaw his death and clearly set everything up." Kazuomi took another step closer to Utau. "Please hand over XM2 so I can find the murderer and end everything."

Utau seemed to be in a daze now as she made sense of the new truth behind XM2. Although she recognised that this is the truth, she didn't understand why the Tsukiyomi's refused to hand it out. Surely, they could become the succeeding boss of the corporation once they present it to the world. It was so much better than go into hiding to protect such an item that only shows the murderer. Unless, Utau thought, someone in the Tsukiyomi family is the murderer. "I don't have it," Utau finally said. "When I arrived here, Ikuto was already dead and Nikaidou simply failed to retrieve the item. We both did a full body search on Ikuto but nothing was found. Then I decided to lure you here so I could get you to talk."

"I believe you," Kazuomi slowly said before shouting, "I believe you don't have it." He lunged forward towards her, grabbing Utau's hand and twisting it so that the blade of the knife was towards her. Utau who didn't react fast enough was cut deeply in the chin and loosing her balance from his sudden force, she was now on the floor. Kazuomi immediately made a grab at his gun and without hesitation he pointed it at Utau. "Go and join your mother, my daughter." He fired the gun but at the same moment a shadow flashed before Kazuomi's eyes and the shot hit the ground hard as Utau was carried away. Kazuomi stared, unable to believe his eyes at first then rage filled him.

"Ikuto Tsukiyomi," he thundered, glaring at the supposedly dead Ikuto that was now casually carrying Utau in his arms.

"You need to talk a bit faster Uncle," Ikuto smirked, "I was getting tired of lying there. But thanks to you, I finally know what it is I've been keeping safe for all this time."

"I see. This was Utau's plan all along. She never intended to kill you."

"Wrong, I might've died tonight. Something went wrong in her calculations and it was my strong luck that she came and saved me at the last minute," Ikuto said, a smile on his face, "when Nikaidou was about to pull the trigger on me, he was shot by my friend and then Utau forced him to lure you here. Obviously, before you arrived I took the liberty in taking care of Nikaidou's people."

Kazuomi breathed heavily, "you irritate me like your father does. Never mind. I'll just finish things off here myself." He pointed his gun towards them on-again.

"Ikuto, leave me," Utau whispered.

"That old man can't win against me," Ikuto whispered back, "don't worry. I can dodge it."

"Have fun dodging then," Kazuomi said, firing the gun but no shot was heard and no bullet came out. Instead the gun in Kazuomi's hand dropped to the floor, sliced in half and a card with a joker holding a violin imprinted on it was stuck to the ground before him. "This card is…"

"We meet again, brother," a voice echoed through the building. "Don't bully the young so much… If your bored I'll gladly talk to you…."

Ikuto and Kazuomi both felt themselves freeze up within from that voice. They recognised it, such a familiar but distant voice. Utau observed the shocked expression on Ikuto's face now, worried.

"A…Aruto," Kazuomi struggled to say, "Aruto Tsukiyomi, he's here."

"Come to me Kazuomi…." the voice taunted.

Kazuomi gritted his teeth and darted out the room without another thought, heading towards wherever that voice was coming from. Madness and excitement consumed Kazuomi Hoshina now as he anticipated his meeting with Aruto, the man he had been hunting for such a long time.

"Ikuto," Utau whispered, feeling him clench onto her tighter. "Aruto Tsukiyomi is the name of-"

"My father," Ikuto uttered, still bewildered at the sudden turn of events and the appearance of this man. He gently put Utau down.

"Are you going to meet him?" Utau asked.

Ikuto was silent. Utau could feel as she looked at him the intense struggle within Ikuto as he decided what to do next. She didn't know much about Ikuto's father but she knew he wasn't responsible. He was a father that caused immense pain to Ikuto and for that she loathed him even though she hadn't met him before. She understood fully the pain of having a parent that didn't love you. "We still have something to do. Let's finish that and leave this place before anything else happens. I never planned any of this out," Utau said, pulling Ikuto along with her.

Ikuto didn't move, stopping Utau in her tracks. "Can you help me finish what I originally wanted to Utau. Find her corpse in my place and bring it to me when we meet up at the place we decided on."

"Ikuto, I know what you want to do but-"

"You also have to wait for him to return. He placed his trust the most in you so don't disappoint him."

Utau nodded, "I can't stop you can I?"

Ikuto laughed, "when it comes to my father, I'll go crazy." He made his way to the door, "I don't know if there will be another chance for me to meet him after this, so I absolutely won't hesitate to meet him."

Utau watched as Ikuto left the room. "You haven't seen your father for three years Ikuto… can you remain that calm?"

There was sudden movement behind Utau and as she turned, she remained very still as Nikaidou ran towards her. She closed her eyes, not moving an inch.

"UTAU," she heard his voice shout and when she opened her eyes again she saw Nikaidou run out the room.

"What were you thinking? That Nikaidou guy would've attacked you if I hadn't arrived."

Utau smiled, "I knew you were here Kukai."

Kukai sighed, "I really can't keep up with you or Ikuto."

Utau studied Kukai, "weren't you going to fetch that girl. Where is she?"

Kukai gulped, "about that, when I arrived Amu was already gone."

"What do you mean?" Utau questioned, taking a handkerchief out and wiping some of the blood off Kukai's face, "did she escape herself? Is she alive?"

"I don't know if she is alive but her body was taken," Kukai answered, "she was taken by a woman."