Unexpected Company

Amu tossed and turned in her bed, Lulu's words haunting her and keeping her awake once again. It was the fourth night in a row now that Amu couldn't sleep. As soon as she closed her eyes, Lulu's words echoed through her mind and the fear of it being real would keep her from sleeping. She appeared fine during the day, making sure Ikuto didn't notice her lack of sleep, but how long she can keep it up without collapsing, was something Amu constantly wondered. She tried to drift to sleep again. Ikuto is falling in love and it's not with you, Amu seemed to hear Lulu say again in her mind. She breathed heavily, her chest squeezing tight at the thought, it can't be, even if he's been acting strange lately…if he loved another woman…then I… Amu jerked up, covering her mouth with her hand and rushed out to the bathroom. She quickly perched over the sink, clutching at her aching chest as she threw up. After a few minutes, her breathing slowed down and she felt better. Even so, she leaned herself against the wall and sat very still in the bathroom, not wanting to move. She closed her eyes and rested. What's wrong with me, Amu breathed, controlling her emotions, you know from the start this would be hard…you can't break every-time Ikuto gets further from you. That's right, I need to be stronger…I can deal with anything. Amu stood up, opening the taps to let the water out and wash the sink. "I'll find day Ikuto's trauma, I'll bring you back," Amu whispered.

There was a knock on the door, startling Amu as she opened it to see Ikuto yawning and eyeing her at the same time.

"Err," Amu began not knowing what to say.

"You're up really early aren't you?" Ikuto asked frowning, "its 6am on a weekend honey. Don't you want to sleep in?"

"I'm…" Amu started, trying to figure out what she wanted to say.

"You don't look too good," Ikuto said leaning closer to Amu and taking a better look, "are those black rings under your eyes? You didn't sleep?"

Amu stared at Ikuto without saying anything. Perhaps she was affected by Lulu's words a lot more than she had bargained for and now, she had a sudden impulse to act spoilt, "I want a cuddle."

Ikuto let out a long sigh, "you're in high school you know." He gave in though as Amu remained silent after the request. He gently pulled her in for a light hug. Holding Amu gently in his arms, he patted her head, "this is a one-off since you don't feel well." He watched as Amu closed her eyes and relaxed her head on his shoulders. When did she become so demanding, Ikuto wondered, I don't remember spoiling her too much but she does seem unwell…I really want to ask if its period pains… He shook his head, dismissing his last thought.

"What's wrong?" Amu questioned pulling away as she felt Ikuto move his head in an odd way.

Ikuto avoided eye contact with Amu for a few minutes and then thinking this was as good a chance as any, he slowly said, "Are you free this evening? Can we have dinner together?"

Amu blinked and tilted her head in response to Ikuto's bizarre question. "We have dinner together all the time…" She paused and eyed Ikuto, "is there something you want me to cook?"

Ikuto continued to avoid eye contact with Amu, letting out a few little laughs, making it more than obvious that Amu had caught on to him. "It's nothing in particular well," Ikuto said, "can you prepare dinner for three people tonight?"

"Do we have a guest?"

"Yes we do," Ikuto said, "just remember, not to put any nuts into the food tonight."

"I'll be careful," Amu promised, "who is it?"

A small smile appeared on Ikuto's face now, "you'll find out tonight." His smile only became sweeter as he seemed to be lost in thought. "Hey, how about I make you breakfast for a change."

Before Amu could say anything, Ikuto had already set off for the kitchen, his mood noticeably good as he hummed a little song. Amu shook her head, already in anticipation of the disaster in the kitchen. After washing her face and getting changed, she walked out to join Ikuto who sat with a triumphant smile on his face. Her gaze for the first time was not on Ikuto, but on the unknown black substance on the plate. She gulped, sitting in her seat and taking a fork to give the thing a poke. "Is this supposed to be a pancake?" Amu asked, only taking a wild guess as she saw the bottle of syrup on the middle of the table.

"Yep," Ikuto nodded, quite excited now, "if you know what this is, then that means my cooking skills must've improved. Wow, I never noticed I got better."

No it hasn't, Amu wanted to say, remembering the same unknown black mess on the plate Ikuto had served her for dinner on the first night he adopted her. She allowed him to indulge in his little fantasies though, bravely taking a bite.

"How is it?" Ikuto asked, taking a bite of his masterpiece. "Hmm, the flavour seems funny but its edible right?"

"It's an improvement," Amu said truthfully, an improvement over what she had the first time for sure. Taking another bite at the unknown thing before her, Amu probed, "so, who is this mystery guest? Someone I know."

The same sweet smile returned on Ikuto's face as soon as Amu mentioned that person, "well, I hope you'll get to know the guest a lot after tonight."

Amu felt her chest squeeze together again and the same sick feeling she had when she threw up came back. She drank some juice, to relieve herself of the building frustration. Why do I feel so uneasy, Amu wondered, forcing a smile on her face as she answered, "I'm sure we will get along."

A delighted Ikuto gave Amu a quick kiss on the forehead, leaving her the list of shopping she was supposed to do for dinner, before heading out and stressing he'll return with the guest. Amu sighed, "I shouldn't get so anxious. I need to pull myself together and stop thinking about what aunt Lulu said." Having calmed herself down once again, Amu left the house, seeing the long list of food she needed to buy. She had practically spent the entire day running between one place to another, trying to get all the things Ikuto wanted. She couldn't believe he had requested certain items specifically from certain shops. On a few occasions Amu simply gave up following the demands exactly written on the paper and just bought whatever suited her. "This is actually quite a lot of stuff," Amu pouted, carrying the heavy bags of shopping as she made her way to the bus stop. "What," Amu breathed heavily, shaking her head, her head suddenly spinning. Why do I feel so dizzy...my legs are…

"HEY," a male voice shouted, grabbing hold of Amu before she fell, "Amu Hinamori, are you ok?"

Amu waited for a few seconds until she felt less dizzy and was more in control of her body. She turned, surprised to see Sanjo. Remembering how he had pursued and hurt night Ikuto before, Amu immediately pushed him away from her.

"Relax," Kairi said, "we're not enemies anymore."

Amu remained silent.

"Maybe you'll feel slightly better around me," Musashi said more gently, smiling at Amu.

"Why are you two here?" Amu uttered. She kept her guard up, unable to trust either of the Sanjo brothers after everything they've done to her and night Ikuto. She would never forget how Sanjo had tried to kill Ikuto.

"Me and Kairi are just out shopping," Musashi said, patting his brother's shoulders. "Then we saw you, so we thought it would be only polite to come over and greet you."

Amu took a step back, still not saying anything.

Musashi continued, "You do realise that there's no reason for us to hurt you anymore right? We only went after Ikuto because he held the evidence to go against the one who killed the previous Boss. Originally the Sanjo family wanted to take advantage of the evidence and take more control of the company but, the way things have turned out now…"

"The Sanjo family is profiting under the Tsukiyomi's control so we have no reason to do anything," Kairi Sanjo finished for his brother. "There's no reason for you to act scared around us."

Seeing that Amu still didn't respond, Musashi grabbed the shopping bags from her hands, "these look heavy. We'll help you carry them home."

"Give them back," Amu said, "I don't need your help."

"We're sorry for the past," Musashi said sincerely, "it's not like Ikuto didn't do anything to us either. We're even."

Amu stared at Musashi. She considered his words, unable to forget how he had helped them by playing their hostage before. "Thank you for your help," Amu finally said, realising that the past was the past. Right now, the Sanjo family weren't doing anything to hurt them and they have made up with the Tsukiyomi family too. Plus, she really did need the help with all those heavy bags.

Musashi shoved a few bags into Kairi's hands, "you're helping too brother."

Kairi had no reaction, taking the bags and walking ahead of both Amu and Musashi as they escorted her home.

"So are you ok?" Musashi asked, "You almost collapsed back there."

"I'm fine, I was just a little dizzy," Amu replied, "and I haven't been sleeping well so, maybe I'm just tired."

"You alone?"

"Yes I'm alone," Amu whispered.

Kairi sneered, "That bastard's finally gotten bored of you?"

"Brother," Musashi said in a warning voice.

"What, the girl should know about Ikuto's past," Kairi said, turning to give Amu a weird look, "you're not such a bad girl. I just don't understand why you're with him."

"That's enough brother," Musashi said again.

"Wait, tell me more about Ikuto in the past," Amu said desperately, realising this may be her chance to learn about day Ikuto's trauma.

Kairi smirked, "what do you want to know?"

"Did something bad happen to him before?" Amu asked directly, not wanting to waste anymore time. She wanted to see him again.

Kairi had a quizzical look now, "what kind of a question is that?" He turned to look ahead of him instead of Amu now, "For a while before his mother's death, he was already involved with gangs. Ikuto became an infamous member when his father went missing. During those days in the past, he was just a raging monster, living every one of his days fighting."

"He did act that way," Musashi said, "he was just dark and violent, venting his anger and frustration out in his fights. He was the type of guy that wouldn't hesitate hurting someone."

To both Musashi and Kairi's surprise Amu started laughing. They stared as she had a smile on her face.

"That sounds so like him," Amu said in a dreamy way, "I remember that was what he was like when I first met him. He was really scary but also awkward at the same time. I knew he was involved with gangs…aren't you two a part of a gang too?"

"You can't really say we're part of a gang," Kairi said, eyeing Amu carefully. He initially wanted to upset her by telling her how awful Ikuto Tsukiyomi used to be, he never expected such a response from her; one of love and longing. "It's not like we're a part of the mafia or anything, we just gathered a load of people and ended up in fights. We're no longer a part of that world."

"I know," Amu said before Kairi could finish, "you entered that kind of world, chasing after Ikuto right? Now that everything's settled, you and Ikuto no longer need to be at that kind of place. Even so, those dark days are still a part of you, just like it is a part of Ikuto."

Kairi stared at Amu, shocked at what he was hearing her say. She's exactly right, he thought, letting a small smile appear on his face. So, she's not as dumb as she appears to be, maybe I'm starting to understand why Ikuto fell for you.

"You're rather perceptive sometimes when it comes to understanding Ikuto," Musashi commented.

Amu blushed, "I don't think I do though…"

"At the very least you accept everything about him," Musashi said with a smile, "love is a very powerful thing. Maybe that's why it moved Ikuto, it made him leave the dark to live in the light, right beside you."

Kairi hissed, "I'd much prefer it if he never left. You know how troublesome it was to try and find him when he suddenly stopped being involved with gangs. Who would've known that he'd be living a normal life like any other people?"

"That's right," Musashi recalled, "he was already with Amu though. He probably changed for her."

"As if that guy would…"

"Wait," Amu slowly aid, taking in everything the Sanjo brothers were saying, "When did Ikuto stop being a gangster? When did he change? What made him change?" If Lulu's speculations are right, Amu thought, then the time when night Ikuto changed must be when day Ikuto first appeared and if I know what happened at the time to make him change, then I'll know his trauma.

"You know nothing about Ikuto do you?" Kairi mocked, "Asking so many questions about the one person you should know best."

"Kairi," Musashi sighed, he turned to look at Amu, "about 3 and a half years ago was when Ikuto changed. We won't forget because, it happened during the month of his mother's birthday. Back then we all thought Souko was dead so, her birthday must've caused pain to Ikuto."

That's not it, Amu thought, her expression down from disappointment. I don't think his mother is day Ikuto's trauma. That means, I've hit a dead end. But 3 years ago, that was when…

"Why are you being so kind to her Musashi?" Kairi complained, "We're not enemies but we're not exactly friends either. Besides, if the girl wants to know more about that bastard, she should ask him herself."

"There's no reason to act the way you are either," Musashi pointed out.

"Well if you want to tell her things then you should also tell her how that guys a real cheat," Kairi continued, "he switches from one women to another practically every minute."

"Ikuto isn't like that," Amu raised her voice defending Ikuto. "I don't know what he did before he met me but right now, he is not that kind of guy."

"How can you be so certain?" Kairi questioned back, "I saw him with another woman only a few days ago. They were way too intimate as just friends. He's probably going to dump you soon."

"You're lying," Amu almost shouted, "Ikuto would never…"

"Kairi's telling the truth, I did see him holding hands with another woman," Musashi confirmed.

"You saw the wrong person…"

"He's been the target of our search for so long, you reckon we'd easily mistake him," Kairi said.

There was sweat on Amu's hands as her body began to shake and her insides were heating up from building misery. She looked away from the Sanjo brothers, knowing they had no reason to lie. There was so much evidence placed before her yet she still wished to deny that day Ikuto had found another woman.

A concerned Musashi reached out, initially wanting to touch Amu's shoulder but was shocked to find his hand smacked away by another girl.

"Stay away from Amu."

"Nadeshiko," an equally surprised Amu gasped.

"Who are you? What are you doing to Amu?" Nadeshiko questioned, standing between Amu and the two men.

"Wait, Nadeshiko, they are…" Amu began but was interrupted by Kairi who passed all the shopping back to her.

"We're leaving," Kairi said, pulling Musashi away.

Both Nadeshiko and Amu watched as the two men disappeared into the crowd of people in the streets.

Nadeshiko glanced at Amu, "I saw you walking with those two. I thought they looked suspicious and you look as though you're about to cry so I thought…"

"You're not mad at me," Amu said.

"If it's about what you've told me then," Nadeshiko struggled, "I'm still not completely comfortable with it but, I also don't want to lose you as my friend. I think if you give me time, I might slowly come to accept your feelings for that man. Right now though, I'll just remain by your side and watch."

Amu hugged Nadeshiko tightly, her emotions already overflown from her frail heart. She simply cried. Realising how unstable Amu was, Nadeshiko simply hugged her back, allowing Amu to pour her pent up feelings into her tears.

I should've been there for you, Nadeshiko thought, when you're living in so much confusion.

When Amu finally calmed down, Nadeshiko said softly, "let's go home, I'll help you." She took some of Amu's shopping. "Who were those two men?"

Amu began to explain who the Sanjo brothers were, "they were just unexpected company," she said, "they meant no harm." Even though Amu would burden Nadeshiko, Amu really needed someone to talk to and she couldn't help but tell Nadeshiko everything that has happened since their talk on the phone.

Nadeshiko took everything in a lot more easily than the first time and she was a lot more calm, knowing her priority was Amu's well-being. "I'm going to stay over tonight," Nadeshiko said, taking the eggs out the bag and helping Amu put it into the fridge.

"But Ikuto has a…"

"Guest," Nadeshiko finished for Amu, "but I'm worried about you."

Amu forced a smile, "I'm fine. I don't want to drag you into something you…"

"We're friends," Nadeshiko stated. "Just tell your father…Ikuto Tsukiyomi that I'm some unexpected company for you tonight, like those…Santo men?"

"Sanjo," Amu smiled for real this time, thankful that Nadeshiko was making an effort to understand her. She started cooking, knowing it was pointless to go against Nadeshiko's suggestion, since Nadeshiko was a stubborn person after all.

The hours passed by and it was about time Ikuto would return with his mysterious guest. Dinner was perfectly set now for four people and Amu had just managed to change her clothes. Nadeshiko decided to stay hidden inside Amu's room to observe the situation, despite Amu's protests that Nadeshiko should just show herself.

"Stop arguing, I want to make a good entrance," Nadeshiko said, "before I show myself, promise me to stay calm. Besides, you want to find out his trauma? I'll observe and help."

Amu had no more time to reason with Nadeshiko as she heard noise at the front door and Ikuto was already calling for her. Amu left Nadeshiko in the room and ran out to greet Ikuto. Her smile disappeared though and she couldn't say a word as she stood face to face with that woman. Amu immediately recognised her, the one who played the piano at the restaurant. No, please no, Amu chanted over and over in her mind, please don't say it…

"Amu," Ikuto began, "let me introduce you, this is Sion."

"Hello," Sion said in a very polite manner, smiling at Amu.

"Sion is…"

Don't, stop, Amu screamed in her mind, please don't do this to me…

"Sion is my girlfriend." Ikuto finished.

At that very moment, Amu felt her heart stop beating.