Dissatisfying Truth

Amu placed her mobile phone down, ending her brief conversation with Nadeshiko and Yaya. They had invited her out to the cinemas tonight, but she could only decline with half-hearted reasons, such as studying or extreme exhaustion. She felt rather guilty for her lack of explanations and time spent with her two best friends for the past days or even weeks. However with everything that has just happened to her, she couldn't help but use all her concentration on Ikuto; especially now that she's realised how the little time at night spent with her lover was so precious.

Arms wrapped around her and Amu immediately felt his warmth as he whispered into her ears softly, "why are you pulling such a long face? You'll look like a sulking grandma soon."

Amu couldn't help but laugh at Ikuto's comment; she turned around to face him. Night Ikuto, he was back since it was night time. Amu grabbed her phone and quickly stood next to Ikuto. She kissed him on the side of his lips and took a picture.

"Cheeky," Ikuto said as he watched her save the picture on her phone.

"I wanted a picture to commemorate our times together," Amu said, smiling.

Ikuto grabbed the phone from Amu, "you know, if you want to commemorate something, how about commemorating he times we have when we're being naughty?"

Amu blushed at Ikuto's comment, "t-that's rather hard to do…"

"I'll show you," Ikuto said pulling Amu close to him. He slid his hands under her dress, pulling it up so that it revealed her thighs and his hands on her private parts, then he bit her neck and took a picture, whilst Amu looked flustered.

"Stop it Ikuto," Amu complained, taking her mobile from Ikuto and putting it away. "That wasn't funny."

Ikuto continued to laugh which made Amu slightly annoyed. From impulse, she pulled his face closer to hers and simply stared at him, taking in every little detail, from his cheekbones to his mesmerising eyes. It worked, he stopped laughing and she got to be so close to him.

"What are you doing?" he asked her, lifting her chin up slightly so their lips locked in a brief deep kiss.

"I just wanted to admire my own boyfriend," Amu said with a smile, hiding her real feelings. It has already been three whole days since she had given herself to night Ikuto and every day, she would endure the temptation to being lovey-dovey even with day Ikuto. It was hard but she told herself she would endure it. She simply felt the need to look at him, to hold onto him now that he was night Ikuto, before he'd turn back to day Ikuto and she had to keep a distant. When did I become so greedy? Amu often wondered, but she wanted Ikuto so much. Her love for him only ever seemed to grow deeper to the point that she craved for his presence almost every moment.

Ikuto seemed to sense Amu's desire for him and he too had the longing to embrace her again since their first night together. He pulled away from Amu, stopping himself and trying to be a little more rational. "So, how has things been with school and everything?" Ikuto deliberately asked.

"I only went to school today, nothing much happened," Amu answered truthfully. Nothing happened, she thought, though today, she was hoping to see Tadase and have a proper talk with him, he wasn't there. She tried calling him but he hasn't replied either. Did something happen to Tadase, is he ill? Amu thought, a little concerned.

"Who are you thinking about?" Ikuto asked, startling Amu.

"N-nothing-"

Ikuto grabbed hold of Amu and forced a kiss on her, their bodies pressed together from his tight embrace.

"Ikuto," Amu struggled to breathe as he pulled away for breath.

"I've never told you have I," Ikuto began, unzipping Amu's dress and letting it fall to the floor, "I'm a very possessive person. I'll get pissed off even from you thinking about someone else other than me." He bit her ears gently, "you can't run from me, not tonight or any other night."

"Ikuto," Amu whispered tugging at his shirt. Hot, she was burning and she knew what both her body and heart wanted at this moment. "Take me."

Ikuto picked Amu up and placed her onto the bed, already his fingers were inside her, making her squeal embarrassingly from the pleasure of his touch. Amu stroked Ikuto's back and held onto his shoulders as he spread her legs wide. She grasped tighter onto Ikuto, gasping now as she felt him entering her again. It was surprisingly still painful for Amu though it wasn't her first time with Ikuto. The way he thrusts himself into her was so vigorous, so fast that she thought she was going to break apart like shattered glass. She let out a little scream from the pain and pleasure he was giving her. Ikuto grabbed Amu's face and planted another kiss on her lips. He didn't stop, he didn't let go her until they were one, their breathing synchronised, their bodies melted into each other. This was their love.

Ikuto stroked Amu's hair gently, letting her sleep soundly besides him. He knew after what he did to her, it was best that she had some rest. "You're an idiot Amu," Ikuto whispered, gently kissing her forehead, "you truly are for loving me so much." He smiled, "but I guess you're cute this way."

He got out of bed, taking extra precaution not to wake Amu. It was already 11:48pm and Ikuto couldn't stop noticing the time. As soon as midnight struck, he would be there at that place. He would finally meet his own father again and get the explanation he deserved. Ikuto put his clothes back on and before he left the room he turned once to look at the still sleeping Amu and whispered, "I love you Amu." He left the house swiftly after, making his way to the meeting place, Xerxus Corporation. Turning the corner he saw Kukai and Utau waiting in the car for him. He got in.

"Are you sure that is the place your father told you to meet?" Kukai questioned, starting the engine.

"I'm certain," Ikuto replied. He turned his attention to Utau, "how are you feeling Utau? Are you sure you want to come as well?"

"Towards my father, I hold no particular feelings," Utau said. "It's gotten to this stage already where there is no turning back. Ikuto's father's reappearance was the beginning to my father's downfall and I won't lie, I do mind but right now, I wish to be no part of this anymore."

"Utau," Ikuto said, "I've always wondered who you…"

"Who I was truly helping," Utau finished for Ikuto. She gave Ikuto a faint smile, "as Kazuomi Hoshina's daughter, I was aiming to get the XM2 so that I could destroy it to help him, but as your friend Ikuto, I was also after XM2 so that my father would stop pursuing you. I wanted to make sure I was in a position to stop my father from hurting you. That was where my allegiance lies for the past years."

Ikuto smiled back, wondering what this night would do to him. He could already sense, whatever was to happen, it would change him forever.

The car stopped outside the company and Ikuto got out alone.

"We'll wait here and keep an eye out for anything funny," Kukai said, switching the engine off.

"I'll also stay here," Utau said, "I stand by what I said before. I wish to have nothing more to do with this. Good luck Ikuto."

Ikuto waved his hands, turning to face the entrance of the building, where there was a small light flashing within those glass windows. He went straight towards the entrance and with only a gentle push, the doors opened and he entered. Without any wavering feelings, Ikuto walked straight towards his destination, with the guidance of the dimly lit lights on the walls, where Aruto was.

Incredible, Ikuto thought as he finally came face to face with his own father, never did I ever think I'd be able to see him again, and now he's standing right in front of me.

"Ikuto," Aruto said, "I will tell you everything tonight as I've promised."

"Start," Ikuto simply said, "or is it that you don't know where to begin because you owe me so much."

"It doesn't matter where I start," Aruto began, "you'll know everything for sure by the end of tonight. Ikuto, tell me, what is the thing you most want to know?"

"What I most want to know," Ikuto repeated with a haughty laugh, "is why you came back? You had the heart to abandon me straight after mother's death. Most ridiculous thing is, during these three years, you set me up with XM2, making Kazuomi Hoshina believes I have it and chase after me. Do you realise how my life had become a nightmare ever since Kazuomi set his eyes on me; constantly sending killers after me, I've completely lost the normal life anyone deserves." Ikuto paused a little before continuing, "As a father, you've done everything to ruin your own son's life so why have you returned? Did you come back to deliver the final blow?"

Aruto had a pained expression on his face, "even though I know the hardships you've been through, to think that you hold such an opinion on me still upsets me."

"Stop pretending," Ikuto said, "you should've known the outcome when you decided to set me up with XM2; ironically, it's something that even I do not know what it is. I sure managed to fool Kazuomi, just the way you wanted right?"

"Believe me, setting you up with XM2 wasn't intentional," Aruto started to explain, "It was meant to be set up so that a good friend of mine was supposed to have it. However, I don't know precisely what happened, but the end result was that you had XM2 instead. By the time I knew about it, everything was too late. You were claiming possession of XM2 and Kazuomi already fully believed you had it."

"XM2," Ikuto whispered, "it's evidence against Kazuomi Hoshina for killing the previous owner of the company, Xerxus Manabue II."

"Yes," Aruto admitted, "XM2 is a recorded video of Kazuomi murdering the previous company owner. I took the original copy and kept it with me all this time. I was hoping to just keep hold of it without anyone knowing at first but Kazuomi learned of the existence of it. I know Kazuomi Hoshina well, he would do anything to get rid of the evidence, even go as far as to kill me. I can't die Ikuto."

"So you decided it was better for me to die instead," Ikuto shouted in rage, "disappearing and then letting Kazuomi play chase and kill with me, all to protect you and that stupid evidence. You're truly despicable."

"I didn't have another choice," Aruto tried to explain, "besides, I believed in you Ikuto. I knew you could make it through and I know Kazuomi will be less intent into killing you than me. I may have appeared to have disappeared from your life but I was always watching out for you…"

"Lies," Ikuto cut in, "nothing you say will change the fact that you've pushed me into hell for the past three years. Nothing will change the fact that you're a vile person, a rotten father-"

"Don't say that about your father Ikuto."

Ikuto felt his heart beat become faster as he glanced around desperately with fear and confusion. That voice, that female voice was very familiar to him; one he used to hear so much but have lost for a very long time.

"Please don't blame your father…"

Ikuto continued to glance around him, still searching for that face. Was he dreaming or was he hallucinating? He shot Aruto a stern glare, who stepped away to reveal the women behind him.

"Impossible…" Ikuto gasped as his mind completely went blank, his emotions void from shock.

"Ikuto, my baby boy," Souko said, tears in her eyes as she looked at Ikuto.

"Impossible…" Ikuto almost chanted as he stared at Souko, his mother; a mother who he believed to have died long ago.

"Ikuto, please don't blame your father," Souko said, "I know for you to see me tonight is a shock to you but…"

Tears fell from Ikuto's eyes and he dropped to his knees, letting out a shriek of pain. It hurt, it was aching, and it was so painful that he felt he would go crazy. This new realisation of the truth, a dissatisfying truth that completely killed Ikuto from the inside was too much for him to handle. He didn't even need to hear Aruto or his mother's explanation anymore, he knew exactly what was going on and it scarred him with dismay.

Feeling the sadness in Ikuto, Souko, with tears in her eyes ran over towards her son and hugged him. "I'm sorry Ikuto… I'm sorry… I am… please forgive me… Ikuto, I love you my son I do."

"Ikuto," Aruto muttered, standing there watching, unable to act or move himself to comfort his own son from the heavy guilt.

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen," Souko sobbed, her hug on Ikuto tighter now, "I did this to satisfy myself, for a promise and to protect someone I love as equally as much as you and Aruto."

"Mother…" Ikuto whispered, not moving, not looking at her, "tell me… why?"

"I had no choice," Souko sobbed again, "I was the one who originally found the tape and as soon as Aruto knew about it, he was determined to hand it over to the police. I couldn't bring myself to do it because Kazuomi is my only brother. I didn't know because of my softness towards him, it would cost me my life and my family."

Ikuto gently wrapped his arm around Souko, "what did he do? What did Kazuomi do?"

Souko could only cry now and though she tried to speak, she was too overwhelmed with emotions to say anything properly.

Aruto took over, "Kazuomi sent someone to actually kill Souko. I realised that she would continue to be in danger if she was to the world still alive so, we fabricated her death to the public, even to you so that she could hide safely. It worked and as soon as I finished arranging for Souko's hiding, I was going to take the evidence to the police and put an end to Kazuomi. However, I was one step too late. Kazuomi had a hostage in his hands and I couldn't make the move."

"Then…" Ikuto prompted, "Then you decided to leave me without a word. You went to be with mother didn't you? In the process, Kazuomi was chasing after you for the evidence and you figured it would put both you and mother in danger so you got him to come after me instead."

"NO," Aruto shouted, "that wasn't the intention. I've said, I don't know how but I wasn't planning for it to turn out this way."

"Please believe your father," Souko said, "neither of us wanted to hurt you. Ikuto, you're the last person we wanted involved in this but we-"

"Let go," Ikuto said with an angry tone, "get your hands off me."

"Ikuto," Souko whispered, slightly frightened by Ikuto's sudden anger.

"I told you to let go," Ikuto shouted this time, pushing Souko away from him as he stood up. "Even if your reasons can be understood, I still can't…"

"Ikuto, I understand how shocked and how betrayed you feel," Aruto began, "if you want to blame someone then blame me. I was the one who went blind from protecting the woman I love. You will understand yourself someday when you have someone you love."

"It doesn't matter," Ikuto said emotionlessly, "I can't forgive either of you and that is something that won't change."

"Ikuto," Souko uttered as she grabbed onto Aruto for support, "this time around me and Aruto want to do things right. We'll end everything with Kazuomi so please at least let me-"

"IKUTO," a distant voice shouted.

All three of them looked towards the entrance as a frantic Utau came running towards them.

"The rooftop," Utau shouted as she ran towards Ikuto, "my father… he's there, he's at the rooftop and he's got a woman with him. He sent me text just seconds ago, he's planning something again."

"A woman," Ikuto queried taking the phone from Utau and he simply stared at the screen, "it's Lulu."

"Again," Souko gasped, "Aruto, he did it again. He took Lulu and made her a hostage. He knows we're back, he knows we're…"

"Calm down Souko," Aruto said, "I'll end this. I'll go up there alone and see what he wants with us. You and Ikuto escape and don't let him find you again." He reached into his pocket and passed a USB to Souko, "take this with you."

"I can't Aruto," Souko cried, "I'm not letting you go there alone. You've done enough for me and you can't give me the evidence. You need XM2 to bargain with him."

"Do as I say Souko," Aruto demanded. "Go and find Tsukassa, he'll be able to think of something."

"Please don't do this," Souko begged as Aruto headed towards the lift.

"NO," Ikuto said sternly, after a while, "Utau, take care of my mother. I'm coming with you."

Xxxxx

Amu slowly opened her eyes and she looked around her room. It was empty. She got up, wrapping the thin duvet around her naked body and walked around the house, "Ikuto… Ikuto where are you?" Amu gripped onto the cloth, realising night Ikuto had left whilst she was sleeping. Where he went, Amu wondered. She felt a sudden prick in her chest and an uneasy feeling began to take over her. What was this bad feeling, as if something terrible was about to happen. "Ikuto…" Amu gasped, running into her room to put her clothes back on. That's it, she finally remembered, tonight was the night that Ikuto's father would return. If Ikuto was to be reunited with his father, isn't that a good thing, Amu questioned, why, why do I have this terrible feeling inside me, why do I feel so anxious.

Amu ran out of the house, onto the cold desolate streets and she looked from left to right to straight ahead of her. "Oh god… I don't know… I don't know where Ikuto went…"

Amu clenched her hands together tightly, trying to calm herself down and stop her shaking. She was lost, not knowing how to proceed anymore. Her mind was blank from the nervousness and she couldn't think straight. She felt her tears prick her eyes; she understood this dreadful feeling inside her. It was a feeling that Ikuto would never return to her… the feeling that Ikuto would never return…

"Amu," a voice called out and Amu turned around to see the person she least expected to see.