The One to Awaken

"Ikuto," Amu cried out as soon as she entered the hospital room where Ikuto was still silently sleeping. She sat down on the chair besides his bed and watched him. She said nothing more, only relieved to see he was alive and after hearing the full story from Aruto, she was relieved everything was finally over. Everything would return to normal again, just like before and they could be together again.

"Ikuto," Amu whispered, gently stroking his sleeping face, "wake up. I'm waiting for you to return home. A lot has happened hasn't it Ikuto, since the day you adopted me, took me in to now that we have such deep feelings for each other," Amu stared at Ikuto. "I love you. I love you so much I don't know how to live anymore without you. You're my everything so please, wake up and say my name again." Amu held back the tears that were gathering in her eyes, she leaned her head next to Ikuto's and closed her eyes, resting in that silent room with just the two of them there.

Outside the room Aruto stood silently watching Amu. He left when Souko tugged at his shirt, motioning for him to leave. They walked hand in hand in the hospital garden. Souko kept humming all the whilst swinging her arms like a little kid. Unable to hold back, Aruto grabbed hold of Souko, pulling her close to him and kissed her on the lips. When they pulled away a dazzled Souko blushed.

"Dear Aruto," Souko gasped, her cheeks getting more and more red, "we're not young anymore, this is…"

"Embarrassing," Aruto laughed, "but you were so incredibly cute just then, it reminded me of old times and I just had to do it." Aruto hugged Souko from behind, "I've started picking up stuff in the company and everything seems to be going smoothly now. I just have to admit, I don't like being the CEO of such a big company, its too much effort and work."

"Don't you have Tsukassa and Lulu to help you out," Souko said, "the Sanjo family too and what is with your constant nagging at Lulu?"

"I need to keep an eye out for her," Aruto said, "even if she is living in her own apartment now, who's to say she won't bother our beloved son again?"

"Aruto," Souko said with a pout, "you're just jealous of Lulu and Ikuto's close friendship."

"That's not what I'm worried about," Aruto corrected, "if she goes around talking non-stop I'm afraid she'll hurt that girl and eventually Ikuto too."

Souko looked at her own husband. She recognised his serious expression and sighed. "You did tell Amu the whole truth didn't you?"

Aruto looked away from Souko, pondering as to how to answer her sceptical question.

"Let me guess," Souko continued, "you only told her what happened with Kazuomi and that our precious son got hurt. I'll assume you introduced yourself and me properly since she gave me quite a sweet greeting before she went into Ikuto's room." Souko paused, now looking at Aruto with a disapproving look, "you told her about the company and about Lulu… but you didn't mention anything about Ikuto's split personality crisis."

"She knows about it," Aruto began, defeated by Souko's insistence on the matter, "it would seem that she's day Ikuto's daughter and the lover of night Ikuto. As to how deep their relationship is…"

"She's a sweet girl for sure," Souko commented, "however I'm not too keen on the idea that she would be part of my family in any way."

A surprised Aruto stared at Souko, "I thought you were worried about her and you quite liked her."

"I do think she's a good girl," Souko said, "but what annoys me is the fact that she has no resolve and is indecisive on her actions."

"What do you mean by that?"

Souko sighed again, "you'll understand my views on her soon enough. More importantly, you didn't tell her that night Ikuto said goodbye."

"I couldn't bring myself to say it to her," Aruto justified, "she was already bearing a lot with everything I had told her. For now, it should remain a secret to Amu, the fact that 'that' Ikuto is now dead…"

Xxxxx

The school bell rang. Yaya and Nadeshiko hurried out the classroom, where they just managed to catch a sullen looking Tadase.

"Hey, Tadase, what's wrong?" Nadeshiko asked in a more cheery tone, trying to brighten the mood.

"Nothing," Tadase answered in a monatomic tone.

"Don't be like this," Yaya said, "you've been in a bad mood since the start of this week. I know you're worried about Amu but-"

"AMU," Tadase shouted. He paused, composing himself and lowered his voice, "she… she said she was taking the entire week off school."

"Yes," Yaya said rather quietly, "she spoke to us over the phone when we asked her what was going on. She was vague, but I think it was family issues. I know you must be worried about Amu but don't be so upset. Why don't we go and visit her?"

"I have plans," Tadase quickly said, "please leave me alone. I'll talk to Amu myself later. You two do as you please?"

"Did something happen between you and Amu?" Nadeshiko asked as Tadase began walking away.

"No, nothing," Tadase replied not even turning to look back at the two girls.

"Nadeshiko, what should we do? Recently Amu's been acting really strange. She's always absent from school. If this continues, the school might expel her. Then there's Tadase, he seems to be so grumpy and…"

"Whatever it is, it is Amu and Tadase's problems. Yaya I don't think you should visit Amu. Give them some space," Nadeshiko said, "I'll be going too now."

"Wait…" Yaya said but Nadeshiko was already off. She clutched at her heart, an uneasy feeling building inside her. "Everyone's changed… why?"

Tadase kept walking until he got to the back of the school, where no one went. He coughed three times and Nikaidou appeared from where he was hiding.

"Why did you want to meet me in school?" Tadase questioned, "you should know Yaya and Nadeshiko would hang around me."

Nikaidou shrugged, "I'm here to present you the first part of your revenge. Of course, if you still want to hurt Ikuto Tsukiyomi."

A smile crept onto Tadase's face, "certainly."

Xxxxx

"Kukai hold the flowers properly, you're hitting them against the wall," Utau complained, "here, give it to me."

Kukai kept a strong hold on the flowers, "ok, I get it; I'll hold them as if holding a baby."

"You better," Utau warned, "I spent ages picking them for Ikuto."

"He won't be able to see them," Kukai whispered.

Utau sighed, "I know, well at least they will look pretty in his room. I just wish he'd wake up soon. I mean, Amu hasn't moved from his bedside since she found out. I'm worried for her. At her age, she should be going to school and having fun but she's stuck in this hospital room 24 hours a day waiting…"

Kukai gently patted Utau's head, "Amu's a strong person like you are. She'll be fine."

Utau smiled. Before she could respond to Kukai though, the door to Ikuto's room opened and Aruto came rushing out. Seconds later, some nurses and doctors rushed in. Utau and Kukai hurried into the room as well.

"Ikuto's awake!"

Utau and Kukai stood at the end of the bed and smiled with joy, seeing Ikuto sat up. Aruto, Souko, Lulu and Amu were also in the room. The doctor exited the room after announcing Ikuto's recovery.

Aruto slowly walked towards Ikuto, "how are you feeling?"

There was silence for a few minutes as Ikuto took in his surroundings and gazed upon the faces with him in the room. Slowly he smiled. He stretched out his hand towards Amu which she gently took.

"Amu, why are you crying?" Ikuto asked, gently pulling her towards her and wiping her tears.

"I-I'm just overjoyed," Amu replied, "I thought you were…"

"Isn't there something else you should say to me right this moment?"

Amu wiped her tears and smiled, "welcome back."

"That's my good girl," Ikuto said, patting her head. He turned to face the others, "I don't remember exactly what's happened and why I'm in the hospital but… I do have this strange feeling as though I'm reborn."

"More like, you merely escaped death," Lulu commented.

"Aunt Lulu, you never change," Ikuto said. He turned towards Amu, "Amu I've never really introduced you but," he pointed towards Souko and Aruto, "that pretty girl over there is my cousin, Utau Hoshina and that old man is my father Aruto and, my mother, Souko."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Amu said, overjoyed to see that Ikuto is awake. She's noticed from Ikuto's reaction and the way he was looking at her that this was day Ikuto, but it didn't matter. As long as he was awake now, that was the most important thing.

Aruto and Souko greeted Amu as well, going along with day Ikuto; since he had no idea the three already knew each other.

"I'm surprised you decided to become someone's guardian," Souko said, "and that you'd introduce her to us."

"Ikuto, me and your mother want to apologise for-"

"I've already forgiven both you and mother," Ikuto said, "and I want everyone important to me to be together. A family should stay together. So if it's alright, father, mother, shall we start again?"

"Yes," both Souko and Aruto answered, "along with Amu right."

"Yes," Ikuto said, "she's your grand-daughter."

Amu gave a weak smile. Despite her joy that Ikuto was awake, she still felt a little disappointed and to an extent upset with the way Ikuto was introducing her to his parents. There was simply nothing she could do though.

"Ikuto," Kukai spoke up but couldn't find anything to say.

Ikuto looked at Kukai. "I'm sorry. Who are you?"

Amu let out a small gasp. Ikuto didn't know who Kukai was? That must be a joke. Kukai was there besides Ikuto through everything, he was Ikuto's only friend the whole time he was facing Kazuomi.

"I'm Kukai Souma," Kukai slowly said, his gaze never leaving Ikuto, "I'm…"

"Nice to meet you Kukai," Ikuto said, "are you a friend of Utau's?"

Utau was holding Kukai's hand tightly, "Ikuto, he is a very important friend of mine. I wanted you two to meet."

"I've heard a lot about you Ikuto," Kukai said with a meek smile on his face, "it's good to see that you're okay. I think I better leave you and your family alone. I mean, there must be lots for you to catch up on."

Kukai released Utau's hand, opening the door. Heavy, there seemed to be a massive heavy rock lodged in his chest, crushing his heart as he tried to bury his sadness. So everything is finally decided, Kukai thought, the one to awake was day Ikuto after all.

"I'll come with you Kukai," Utau said joining Kukai, "Ikuto, take care."

"Utau, Kukai, hope we can meet again sometime," Ikuto said as they left the room.

There was a sense of discomfort and sorrow as Amu watched Kukai leave. For some strange reason, she could relate to Kukai, she understood his feelings. It was as though you were suddenly abandoned or worse, the feeling that you have lost something precious forever. Amu went after Utau and Kukai, excusing herself from the room.

"Kukai, wait," Amu shouted, catching up to him.

"What is it?" Kukai asked, "You should be in the room looking after Ikuto."

"Kukai's right," Utau said, "you've waited for so long for him to wake up."

"I'm concerned," Amu slowly said, "about you Kukai. I've, we're friends. I can imagine how bad it must feel, that your best friend doesn't even know who you are. But you shouldn't be so upset, it's nothing really bad."

"Nothing really bad," Kukai repeated, "Ikuto seems to have forgotten all about me. He doesn't recognise me anymore. Our friendship is over."

"That's because this is day-"

"Amu, its fine," Kukai said, "just realise, there's nothing I can do…"

"Kukai, you should understand Ikuto's situation," Amu continued, "once he returns to being night Ikuto again; I know you would be one of the first people he wants to see."

Kukai clenched a fist, "don't say something that won't happen. You don't know anything. The other Ikuto…. The Ikuto I know is already…

"Kukai," Utau shouted, trying to stop Kukai from saying anything more but it was too late. The last word to Kukai's sentence hung there in the presence of the three as Amu tried to understand it.

"…is already dead…"

#SPOILER for the following chapter:

"I won't believe this. You're lying. That Ikuto can't be dead… if he is then…what about me?"

"You know Amu Hinamori, you're a nice girl, a kind girl but you are also very selfish. Don't hate me for saying this but you simply don't deserve my son's love."

"This isn't over. Amu it will never be over between us."

"I already know what you want to say. The only thing for me to decide here is whether I want to hear it from your lips."

"So have you decided yet? The stage for our revenge is set to begin."