Hey guys, I'm really, really sorry about all the delays but I've been having trouble putting ideas on paper or even getting ideas at all.

Chapter 9: The Ugly Truth

Amu's POV

I swore loudly as I answered the phone, but not before placing up a muting spell to block out the prying ears.

When I was sure that they couldn't hear me, I picked up "What do you want now?" I hissed, but made sure to keep my expression neutral.

At the back of my mind I registered that Yaya was yelling at me but I ignored her as I concentrated on the conversation.

There was a sigh from the other end as Dia answered, "It's just a reminder Amu-chan, you have two weeks," she warned, "Moving in with them is not going to help matters."

"We're not moving in together!" I yelled, "We had to stay up late thanks to you and we're too tired to go back home, so we're just staying for the night!" I snapped harshly.

"Just remember your job Amu," Dia said coldly, "Emotional attachment will get you nowhere, you are going to part with them by-"

"I get it!" I cut her off, "Two weeks to wipe them of their memories and blah blah blah! Now leave me alone!" I yelled before hanging up.

I clamped my hands over my ears and crouched down, screaming in frustration as tears prickled the corner of my eyes.

I hate them. I hate them. I hate them. I can't believe I ever trusted them, I can't believe I was ever so stupid to think they were my friends. How could they have betrayed me like that? As soon as he came in, they just switched sides and completely abandoned me, they tossed away our friendship like it was nothing.

More tears ran down my face as I thought of everything that had happened and all the bullshit that is still going on. And it was all because of one person.

Akanoko. I hate him. I hate his name and everything about him. He started this mess. He made me give up my friends, my everything.

I clenched my fists angrily and shakily stood up and went to the bathroom, splashing some cold water on my face to calm myself down. Getting angry and depressed was not going to do anything.

When I decided that I was okay again, I lifted my head wearily, scanning my reflection for any signs to show that I might have been crying. What I saw scared me though. My eyes were bleary, my face was splotchy and my nose was a ripe red. Evidence of a frown lingered on my lips no matter how hard I tried to smile and my hair was a rats nest, sticking out in awkward places.

What was I doing? Here I was, standing in the toilet, crying pathetically like some damsel in distress instead of going out there and doing something.

I frowned even more, since when had I ever been this weak? I left him over six thousand years ago, I've been handling it well for six thousand years. And yet, right now at the sight of them I was reduced to a crumbling mess.

No. I refuse to become one of those people who whine and complain about their situation but do nothing to change it. I was going to do something about it and I was going to fix this even if it killed me.

Taking a deep breath I slapped my cheeks to calm myself down before stepping out of the bathroom and heading to out to my own room for the night.

I'll settle everything in the morning, we'll spend two weeks with them, if they're happy again, I'll give them back their memories, I won't stop them and I'll deal with whatever the Keepers throw at me, but I won't let my friends, the people I love more than anything else in this world, suffer anymore.

Steeling my resolve, I walked into my room, exhaustion washing all over me as soon as I saw my bed.

I crawled under the sheets; vaguely registering there was someone else there.

Said person sprang up from the covers and mumbled my name hazily, obviously still half asleep. And somehow, even though it was pitch black and his voice was barely above a whisper, I knew it was Ikuto.

"We'll talk in the morning Ikuto," I muttered, "Can we just go to sleep now?" I asked with a yawn.

He mumbled in agreement and laid back down before I cuddled with him and we fell asleep peacefully.

The next morning, however, wasn't as tranquil. When I woke up, I saw Ikuto's face right in front of me. He had a serene expression on his face and in my morning haze, I just smiled happily for awhile, completely oblivious to what was going on.

However, as soon as what was happening finally soaked into my sleep deprived brain, I screamed loudly and-out of pure reflex, I swear-kicked him off the bed.

His body landed on the floor with a loud thud just as his eyes flew open from the noise. He groaned in pain as I stared at him, horrified.

"What the hell was that for Amu?" he grumbled then blinked and realized where he was at and what had happened.

He smirked that infuriating smirk of his as he looked up at me, "What the problem, Amu?" he asked, purposely stressing on my name, "Embarrassed about the fact that we slept together?" he teased.

I felt blush rush to my face at his choice of words as I glared at him menacingly, "What the hell were you doing in my bed?" I yelled.

He smirked and said something about waiting for me to come back to talk to and how he accidentally fell asleep but I wasn't paying attention. Memories came rushing back to me from last night and all I could think about was how stupid I was to have practically invited him into my bed and then fall asleep cuddled up next to him.

When I looked back at him, however, his face was completely serious, causing me to sober up as I tensed, waiting for him to say whatever he wanted to.

"Amu…we really need to talk," he said, frowning deeply at me.

I sighed but nodded my head, reminding myself to keep to my promise. Shock was evident on his face at my agreement, which wasn't really surprising considering how hard I'd been working to avoid him since the second we met.

"Just…let me freshen up first, we can meet in the living room in about ten minutes to talk," I mumbled, clenching my fists to hide my nervousness.

After I washed up and made sure I was at least presentable, I went downstairs and was surprised to see Ikuto already waiting there.

Sighing for like the hundredth time that day, I walked up to him, "So," I said wearily, "What do you wanna know?" I asked as I leaned against the counter, silently thanking the fact that there was no one else around yet.

"Everything," he said bluntly.

I glared at him irritably, "I'm going to need something more specific than that," I said sardonically.

He glared right back at me but then broke eye contact and sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Have we met before?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes," I answered bluntly.

"Then why don't I remember?" he asked, frustration dancing obviously on his features.

Already, a conceivable lie was on the tip of my tongue, ready to be shot out. I was still unwilling to tell him the truth about what had happened between all of us. But then, I shook my head and bit my tongue to prevent the lie from spilling out.

No. I promised I would be honest about this.

"I…I took away your memories so that you wouldn't," I whispered.

"Why?" he asked, bewilderment clear written all over his face.

Taking in a calming breath, I answered, "I didn't have a choice. People that I love more than anything would've gotten hurt if I didn't do it," I said softly.

His expression softened at that before a smirk snapped on his face as he stepped forward and leaned down so that his face was inches from mine, causing me to blush profusely, "Am I one of those people, Amu?" he asked, letting my name roll off his tongue, which caused my blush to deepen even more.

Instead of giving him the satisfaction of teasing me more, I sighed, "We should get the others down too. We can discuss this properly and decide on what to do."

He turned serious and nodded in agreement and we split up to go and wake everyone else up and in no time at all everyone was gathered in the spacious living room tired and groggy.

"What in the name of heaven do you want from us so early Amu?" Rima snapped irritably as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

I sweat dropped, I forgot she wasn't a morning person.

Sighing and preparing for the worst, I spoke, "I've been lying to you guys."

At my sentence, I saw everyone snap awake as they looked at me in shock.

"Before you ask any questions, let me explain," I rushed on as I saw Utau's mouth open to question me.

"Please, understand that I had to this…or you guys would've gotten hurt. I never wanted to do it," I pleaded, "Years ago, we knew each other, we were the best of friends and we were always together…and you guys used to date each other too," I said with a rueful smile, "I won't say who used to go out with who but just know that all of you were very much in love…and I took it away. I had to wipe all of your memories so that we could go our separate ways."

I saw the confusion fill up their features as they looked at me.

Sighing, I looked at them wearily, "It would be easier to explain if you had your memories back," I said slowly but at their clueless expression I sighed again.

"Do you want them…your memories?"