I Love You

Aruto stared straight into Ikuto's eyes, locking his unnerving gaze. Three years, he had kept everything a secret from Ikuto for three years, made him run everywhere, be chased constantly by Kazuomi Hoshina and yet even in this very moment as he simply wished for an answer, Aruto felt compelled to keep it a secret. At least for two more days, that was all he needed, to convince that person and then he could come clean with Ikuto. As he said it, he could already feel, already sense the hatred and fury building within his own son, it was reflected in his stone-like gaze, "give me two more days." Aruto rummaged in his pocket, taking out a key, "I'll give this to you. It's a promise I will see you in two days' time with the truth. This is the last thing I'll ever ask of you, wait for me."

Ikuto didn't stir but kept his fierce gaze upon his father, "did you not think I waited for long enough?" He stepped towards Aruto, grabbing hold of his arm, his grip strong and tight, "I won't let you go."

Aruto smiled softly, his arm wrapping around Ikuto, pulling him into a light embrace. The shocked Ikuto couldn't respond or rather didn't know how to as he allowed Aruto to gently pat his head, as though he was a young kid again. "I'll be back. You know that don't you, because Ikuto, you are always my little boy."

Ikuto gripped the back of Aruto's shirt, a rush of emotions engulfing him as images from the past seem to flicker before his eyes.

It was on a summer day when he was 5. It had happened once, his parents and him being separated. At the time Ikuto never noticed he was separated from his parents, he was too occupied chasing after the cat and only when he had lost sight of the cat did he slowly realise his parents weren't by his side. Crying, all he did was stand still in that spot and cry as loud as he can until he felt as though his throat would rip. That feeling was awful, being lost and scared and hopeless, but then, all of a sudden a pair of arms wrapped around him. A very warm and gentle voice then whispered into his ears, "I'm back. You know that don't you Ikuto, I will always come back to you." It was almost the exact same words that he was hearing now. Words he believed strongly as a child but now, Ikuto couldn't believe they had the same effect. He believed those words.

Ikuto let go, pushing himself away from Aruto, "two days. You won't make me wait again after two days will you?"

"I only need time to convince one person of what I am going to do," Aruto said, "that person is important to both you and me. Understand I need that person's approval."

Ikuto opened the door, "two days."

Aruto smiled now, walking out the room feeling slightly refreshed. "I'll contact you," he said as he exited the house."

Hearing the front door close, Kukai stepped out of his room, staring at Ikuto who also had a small smile on his face. "So did everything go well?"

"I wouldn't say everything went well," Ikuto began, "he never told me anything, nothing at all that I wanted to know but I think he might have affected me in another way, which isn't too bad."

Kukai stared at Ikuto for a few minutes before shaking his head and sitting himself down onto the floor. "Utau's still sleeping. I think she had a tiring night. What are you going to do now?"

Ikuto leaned against the wall, his smile disappearing completely from his troubled face. "Tell me what to do."

Kukai gave Ikuto a dissatisfying look, "by that you mean you want me to decide for you whether you'll go and see her."

"It's confusing, nothing with her is ever clear," Ikuto muttered, "from the very start when I met her until now, she feels like an never-ending dream to me. Something I can approach but don't know what it is."

Kukai sighed, "I'll ask you one very simple question, the answer to that should tell you what you should do."

"Go for it."

"Do you still love Amu Hinamori?" Kukai asked.

…..Nadeshiko stood outside the café, pacing back and forth in front of the window, anxious. Her brother Nagehiko sat in the car watching as she did, wondering whether it was the right decision to tell her about Amu Hinamori. He didn't know the details but Amu Hinamori seemed like a twisted girl to him and he was worried that his little sister was so close to such a psycho girl. A young boy came rushing out the café and Nadeshiko ran over to him, grabbing him and already dragging him into the car as she spoke non-stop. Nagehiko watched as the two got into the car.

"Slow down here," Tadase said, "I don't understand what's going on. Why is Amu in the police station?"

Nagehiko started the car, "she was assisting a suspect's escape. I don't think we'll charge her of anything but still she helped-"

"You're making no sense," Tadase shouted, "why would Amu do such a thing?"

"Yeah," Nadeshiko said, "you said her father was kind of involved. That part is even more confusing."

"Well, I don't think it is her father," Nagehiko began, "more like her father's father is the suspect and she must've been helping her father to help her father escape if that makes any sense."

"Not at all," Nadeshiko said, "drive faster; I want to see her as soon as I can."

Tadase breathed heavily, his hand gripping at his trousers, worried and scared at the same time. Amu's father again, he thought, anger building in him, that man was dangerous, everything he did hurts Amu and now he got her caught up in such a mess. It was time, Tadase can't stay back anymore, he would talk to Amu about her father and no matter what, and he would protect her. He had already decided that long ago and he would propose to Amu as well. For the rest of her life, Tadase would take care of her and she will stay away from that father of hers forever. That was his final decision.

The car turned down the street and they were already in view of the police station. Nagehiko pulled up on the other side of the road, away from the station. "You two get out here, I'll come and fine-"

"What is it Tadase?" Nadeshiko shouted from shock as Tadase grabbed hold of her hand tightly all of a sudden.

"I, can…. Can we talk in the car for a bit about this," Tadase struggled to say, taking nervous glances from both Nagehiko and Nadeshiko. "Just talk to me," Tadase said all whilst hoping neither of them would look towards the front of the police station where Amu and her father stood. Tadase felt an incredible pain in his chest now, what he had just seen cannot be real. It wasn't real; Amu would not do something like this. He won't believe it.

…..Amu clasped her hand over her mouth, her eyes teary from happiness. She couldn't believe he was standing before her this moment, she had never expected him to come back for her. He held out his hands toward her in a gesture for her to approach him. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Amu whispered, "I know I won't ever let go if I take it now."

"Come to me Amu."

Without any second thoughts Amu grabbed hold of Ikuto's hand as he pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping so tightly around her, she felt she was safe, protected within his armour. She allowed a few tears to escape her eyes as she grasped tighter onto Ikuto herself, "you came back. You came to me."

"Yeah I came for you," Ikuto whispered into Amu's ears, pulling her away slightly so he could look at her face. He gently caressed her hair, "were you scared? Did the police do anything to you?"

"No," Amu answered, staring at Ikuto, "I didn't tell them anything and they didn't do anything to me. I'm fine. I'm more than fine… Ikuto I-"

Ikuto began to walk away from Amu, "let's talk after we leave the police station."

Seeing Ikuto walk away from her caused Amu to react; it was like a storming fear and instinctively she just knew she had to grab hold of him before she'd lose him again. Oblivious to her surrounding, taking no care of the world but just her and Ikuto, she allowed her feelings to spill out in these three words that she shouted as she grabbed hold of Ikuto, "I LOVE YOU." She stared at him waiting for his response as he just stared back at her. "Ikuto," she said again, more calmly than but as strongly as the first time, "I love you. I love you. I love-"

"You idiot," Ikuto whispered, pulling Amu towards him into a passionate kiss. Their lips interlocking along with their sighs, his hand caressing her silky hair; he pulled away for breath, "I know. I know I love you too Amu."

This time Amu was the one to initiate the kiss, leaning towards him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ikuto, take me home," Amu said, holding onto his hands. As they walked side by side, Amu felt for the first time true happiness and bliss. She didn't care about anything else as long as she can be with night Ikuto. She would not lie to herself either; she was deeply in love with night Ikuto, completely captured by him. They have finally managed to admit to their true feelings for each other as well but yet there was a strong feeling of insecurity. As Amu looks at Ikuto, she wasn't certain; she felt she needed something more, to prove to her that this was all real that they truly did both admit that they loved each other. This wasn't a dream was it, she wanted, no, she needed something to wake her up from her delusions and tell her where reality was. Amu looked away from Ikuto, restless but finally realising what it was she wanted.

Ikuto tightened his hold on Amu's hand as they walked back to Amu's home. Amu's confession seemed to play over and over again in his mind causing him to smile. There was no doubt, what she did for him this night and even before when she risked her life to save him, she did love him. All he wanted now was to experience love as she should, with Amu. Even the incident with his father couldn't depress him anymore. Amu was there to fill up his unhappiness; he finally understood why he loved her so much. She meant everything to him that is the present and future, his parents is the past.

Amu opened the door to the house and they both stepped inside. Before Ikuto closed the door though, Amu motioned for him to keep quiet, suddenly remembering that Lulu might be here. "Aunt Lulu," Amu called really loudly but there was no reply. "Aunt Lulu, I'm home," Amu called again but still there was no response. "She must be out," Amu said, turning to Ikuto.

Ikuto smiled, "goodnight Amu," he kissed her on the lips turning to leave but Amu slammed the door shut before he got there.

"Stay," Amu said, knowing she sounded selfish but she wanted it, she wanted him, "stay with me Ikuto."

Ikuto stepped up towards Amu, "do you know what you're saying?" He placed his arm around her waist, "are you tempting me. You know I'm-"

Amu gave Ikuto a quick kiss, "after everything that's happened, I'm more afraid to lose you than anything else."

"Even death…."

"Yes," Amu whispered, "you know…. I still feel very insecure. To me it feels like you'll disappear from me again at any moment. It's not real that you're here with me. I may sound selfish, I may seem crazy, I may look as though I don't know what I'm doing but trust me…. I know exactly what I want." Amu stepped away from Ikuto and started to take off her clothes.

"Stop," Ikuto commanded, "Amu you've been through a lot tonight. You should stop. I told you I love you and I won't-"

Amu's shirt fell to the floor. She took Ikuto's hand and placed it onto her bare skin, enticing him, "I want your love Ikuto. Will you give me your love?"

Ikuto smiled, "you've become too daring Amu, and I'll have to discipline you." His lips and tongue kissed down her soft neck, leaving a burning trail.