Me: Hello and welcome to the 9th chapter of Secrets Uncovered. I'm sorry I didn't tell you what happened in the last chapter, but I had to finish it quickly and complete my assignment that was due in. Sorry again. I'm not worried that there are no voices in my head, as I'm focused on my assignment, but it sucks. Anyway please R&R.

Amu's POV

I awoke with a gasp, jolting out of the cradle of Ikuto's arms. Afraid my hyperventilating or frenzied shaking would wake him, I glanced at the clock on the bedside table and after concluding that I wouldn't get back to sleep – even if I was tired – and it was too early to be up, I eased myself out of the bed. I quietly tiptoed downstairs and curled up on the couch, turning on the plasma to start flipping through the many channels in search of something to watch.

I was distracted by the sound of my phone vibrating in the kitchen. I was scared silly as I got up and walked over to it. Who would want to talk to me at 4 in the morning?

I looked at the message from an 'unknown' sender.

Did you like our little gift to you?

I kicked the table in a split second of rage. Another text came through.

Temper, temper dear.

After a moment of consideration I replied to the message; they would still bother me even if I ignored the texts:

How did you know that? Who are you? What do you want with us?

The next came in almost immediately:

None of those questions really need an answer right now. Do they?

I was really freaking out now. My phone buzzed with another message:

We were serious.

Serious about what? They must mean the note, I thought worriedly as I searched through my bag. I took it out and read it again.

If you will not pay, they will.

Suddenly I was terrified. My stomach dropped and sweat broke out across my forehead. Had they meant Ikuto? I ran up to the bedroom as fast as I could, nearly tripping in my haste. I wrenched the door open and was shocked at what I saw.

My eyes locked on Ikuto and the little ball of fur in his hands. "Aww it's so cute," I said smiling at the little tabby kitten he was holding.

"Yeah," he stroked its back, "She was supposed to be a surprise, so happy early birthday surprise!" (A/N: I know it's not her real birthday, but go with me here; it's a fanfiction.)

"Does she have a name?" I asked, feeling like a little kid at Christmas time.

"That's for you to decide," he told me while scratching the kitten behind her ears.

"Hmm, how about-,"

"Nothing weird like Mittens or Whiskers please," he interrupted.

"She's my kitten, so I'll give her whatever name I want," I argued playfully. "You're lucky though, I want to call her Lylla."

"Lylla," he tested. "That's a pretty name for a kitten."

"Exactly. But does your father's island allow pets? I'm not leaving her here, not after this morning," I asked worried.

"What happened this morning?"

"Just these really weird messages…" I handed over my phone keeping my 'cool and spicy' façade from school. He looked at the messages and then replied to one of them with a serious face. I waited, biting my lip. There was a buzz shortly after and he started chuckling. "What? They better not be prank calling me or something."

"No. I was there when they revealed this technique to my stepfather. It's just a small machine that sends the same text messages to freak out someone who is considered a great threat." His chuckling stopped. "We should still be on our guard though," he warned me.

"How can you be sure that it's a machine?" My voice was stunned. He handed me the phone and I read the message he'd sent to them.

The sky is purple.

The reply was:

We told you not to ask questions.

I felt a little safer, but not completely.

"See, it's just a machine," he soothed.

"Yeah, but it doesn't mean we're free. We still have to protect our family before Easter can get to them," I said, worry leaking into my voice. "I'm going to call Rima in a few hours and tell her that we have an engagement holiday to arrange."

x-X-x

"I'm so glad you decided to have an engagement party! But wait, what's the real reason behind it?" Rima picked up on our secret quicker than I thought possible.

"What? Why would there be another reason Rima?" Ikuto halfheartedly tried to cover up the truth.

"I know what's on the note Ikuto. So it's best just to tell me the truth," she answered.

"Ok. Easter is targeting the people we love and we want to keep them safe. So we're throwing an engagement holiday at Ikuto's father's island hotel. Easter doesn't know about it," I explained in a rush.

"Makes sense; I wouldn't want you guys getting hurt either. Don't worry, I'm on it. The invites and everything else is covered," she assured us.

I was relieved she'd taken it so well. "Thanks, I knew I could trust you."

"Oh my god, she's so cute!" Rima gushed as she looked over my shoulder.

"Rima, meet Lylla, my early birthday present." I smiled as I picked Lylla up and cuddled her. Rima continued to coo over Lylla who loved the attention. I had a feeling that she'd get very spoilt very soon if she was always treated like this. I already loved her and was very much attached.

x-X-x

A week later…

"This is so awesome. Big sis is throwing an engagement party and taking us all on holiday!" my little sister screamed as she joyfully ran up and hugged me tightly. She was closely followed by Mama and Papa. After I received hugs from them they went to put their bags on the miniature ferry we were taking over to the island.

"Amu! C'mon Amu we have to go. I want to see the hotel and the beach and play with the dolphins and-" Ikuto cut Yaya off before she could get too carried away.

"Sorry, I don't think there are any dolphins there at this time of year."

"What?" Yaya said. She was grief-stricken, but only for a second. I heard her cooing and quickly came to the conclusion that she must've found Lylla.

"Yaya's right though Amu, we have to get going soon!" Rima called.

"Yeah I know. I'm just waiting for someone. As soon as one more person gets here then we can go, I promise!" I called back.

Shaquille was invited to as I didn't want any of my friends left at home with Easter on the hunt. But she was pretty late and if she didn't hurry up then we'd have to leave without her. I was just about to hop onto the boat when I heard someone run up behind me.

"Hey! Thanks for waiting. I'm sorry I took so long, I had to take care of a few things at work before I left," she panted.

"Oh that's okay. C'mon, we're just about to leave." I helped her with her things.

A few short minutes later we were off, and only five minutes after that Rima was being seasick over the side of the boat. Nagehiko was trying to comfort her but there wasn't much he could do. I couldn't blame her for feeling sick; I was feeling a little off myself. I walked over to Rima.

"Guess the boat wasn't such a good idea, huh?" I said, leaning over the edge just in case.

"Feeling-," Rima couldn't finish her sentence before she threw up again.

"I think she meant to ask if you were feeling sick too." Nagehiko's voice was concerned.

"Just a little queasy, not much to worry about, but better safe then sorry," I replied before looking out over the horizon.

"Amu!" I heard Mama scream. Please tell me they hadn't already found us.

I ran full pelt down to the deck to find Ami sneezing like mad – her caramel curls flying and bouncing with every sneeze - and covered in bright red splotches. I spied Lylla rubbing against her leg and picked her up. "I think she's allergic to cats."

"No I can't be. She's so cute," Ami whined.

"I'm sorry Ami dear, but you'll have to stay away from Lylla," Mama said.

I carried Lylla up to the top deck and sat next to Ikuto with a sigh.

"Aren't you going to let anyone else touch Lylla?" he mocked.

"No, but I can't let everyone touch her. Ami is allergic to cats, so they have to stay away from each other," I explained, stroking her and being rewarded with her purrs.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a little while, but then we heard a shrill scream that made us all jump, including Lylla. I kept a secure hold on her so she wouldn't do anything drastic. We lurched up out of our seats and hurried back down to the bottom deck.

Me: All done for now. I hope you enjoyed.
Amu: Wait, what? Who screamed?
Rima: Who cares about who it was, why did they scream?
Me: You'll find out in the next chapter, and the next chapter comes as quick as reviews, so if you want to find out then take the hint and please review. I'm not feeling very motivated at the moment because of all this math homework but I'll try my best. Love you all!!!