hey guys! i know i haven't updated in absolutely ages, and i know i promised i would, but i have my reasons. and if you want to know some of those reasons, i left a post on my profile. i'm really, realy, really sorry!

but, here's the next chappie! enjoy!

Amu's POV

Over the next few days, Ikuto barely left my side. He'd been excused from school to look after me. It was Saturday night and i was feeling better. I was dreading leaving in the morning. I knew I'd be punished severely when i got back. I think Ikuto noticed my change of mood because he came up and hugged me from behind.

"Since it's your last night here, why don't we watch a few movies?" i nodded, and he led me downstairs and told me to go pick out some movies. I did as he said, and when i turned round he was walking into the room with a bowl of popcorn in his hands. The sofa had been lined with cushion and blankets and there was food and drink set out on the coffee table. He placed the popcorn on the table and came over to me and took one of the DVD's and stuck it on. He then took my hand and pulled me over to the sofa.

The movie started and i snuggled up into the blanket. Ikuto sat next to me munching on the food in front of us. We watched a few of the movies that i picked out, before Ikuto decided to pick one. He browsed through the shelves before smirking deviously. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. What was he planning? He pulled a DVD off the shelf and put it on, refusing to let me see what it was. He came and sat next to me, the smirk still plastered across his face. I raised an eyebrow questioningly, but he just chuckled.

"You'll see." I turned back to the TV just in time to see the title flash onto the screen. My eyes widened in terror. It was Friday the 13th. He'd chosen a horror. I looked over at him, only to see him smirking at my expression. I shook my head frantically. There was no way i could watch this. Ever since that incident, i haven't been able to watch horror films. Not that I've had any inclination to.

"Don't worry, i'll protect you." He smirked again and turned back to the screen. I stared at him for a few minutes before imitating him. Within half an hour, i was on Ikuto's lap, my face buried in his chest, trying to block out the screams coming from the TV.

Ikuto's POV

I couldn't help but smirk. Within half an hour Amu was curled up on my lap with her face buried in my shirt. I didn't actually get why she was so scared, i mean, i actually found the film quite funny. I shrugged it off and kept watching.

A few minutes later, an ear-splitting scream blasted from the TV. I felt Amu stiffen, and then start to shake. I looked down to see that she had her eyes scrunched up, with her hands over her ears, trying to block out the sound, and her bottom lip was quivering. I was quite surprised by her actions. I'd never seen anyone act like that. I grabbed the remote and turned the film off. I wrapped my arms around her and tried to calm her down. She stopped shaking, but refused to open her eyes, or take her hands away from her ears. I sighed and rested my cheek on her head.

After a while, i felt her breathing even out. I looked down and she was fast asleep. I watched her for a few minutes, taking in everything about her. The way her strawberry locks fell across her gorgeous face, her perfect creamy skin and rosy lips that made her look like a porcelain doll. Her beautiful honey eyes that held all the feelings and emotions that she tried to lock away, and the beautiful blush that painted her face when she was around me. She had a slim waist and a decent chest. Long creamy legs that were shown off by my shirt, which was draped over her tiny body. There was one thing that i was curious about though. On her left hand, she wore a fingerless hot pink glove, which she hadn't taken off once in the past week. Whenever i tried to ask her about it she would close back up, and curl up into a ball. She would stay like that for hours after, with a blank look plastered across her face, her eyes filled with pain as she stared at her hand.

I let out a sigh and laid my cheek on her head, before drifting slowly off to sleep.

.x-X-x.

Normal POV

Flash.

The two sleeping teenagers were brought into the world of the conscious as a blinding flash penetrated their eyelids, a small giggle barely distinguishable. A pair of blue eyes shot open, and a low growl escaped his throat as he glared up at his parents. They stood, in front of the TV, his dad smirking deviously, as he held a camera in his hand.

"Delete it. now." Snarled Ikuto; His dad chuckled lightly.

"And why would i do that? You look so cute!" he replied, smirk plastered across his face.

Ikuto growled again, wanting nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his father's face. There was just one problem though. If he moved he would disturb the pink haired girl on his lap, who was currently drifting back off into dreamland.

"I really hate you, you know that?" he grumbled.

"yup." Replied Aruto, a teasing grin splashed across his face.

The teen sat grumbling profanities under his breath as his parents left him to get ready to go out, taking the camera with them. He let out a defeated sigh and looked down at the sleeping girl on his lap. He couldn't help but notice how vulnerable she looked when she slept. She was like a small child.

Ikuto's POV

I really didn't want to take her home that day. I wanted her to stay. I may have only known her a week, but I'd become attached to her.

I grabbed the remote and flicked on the TV. I didn't have to take her home till that afternoon, so i had some time to kill. I sat watching some random anime, waiting for Amu to wake up.

At around twelve, I felt her stir. I looked down, and watched as her eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked a few times and yawned cutely.

"I see you're finally awake." She looked up at me, a small blush on her cheeks, and nodded slowly. "Well it's about noon now, dad says you're welcome to stay for dinner, and i can take you home after that. Is that okay with you?" her eyes seemed to darken slightly at the mention of home, but i figured it must have been the lighting. She nodded and leaned back against me, resting her head on my chest. I let out a low chuckle.

"Comfy?" she nodded. I rolled my eyes at her. "You do know that was a rhetorical question right?" she just shrugged. I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her waist, earning a blush from her. I rested my cheek on her head and stroked her silky hair.

"So, what do you want to do?" i waited for some sort of reply, but after a few minutes of nothing i opened my mouth to speak again. She jumped up and stood in front of me. I cocked my head in confusion and she rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm, pulling me off the sofa. Damn! This girl is strong! She dragged me out of the living room and up to my bedroom. I smirked and pulled her back, so that she hit my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist and brought my lips to her ear.

"I didn't know you wanted me so bad, Amu-koi" i nibbled on her ear and watched as she turned cherry red. She started struggling and shook her head, blushing furiously. I let out a low laugh and released her.

"So what did you drag me up here for, if not to get me in bed?" she blushed again and slapped my arm. I smirked and watched as she went to my cupboard. She rummaged around for a minute before emerging with my white violin case. Damn it! I knew i shouldn't have told her i could play. She walked over and held it out to me, with a pleading look on her face. Sigh. There's no way i can say no to that.

I took the violin and readied myself. I waited for her to sit before playing Tsukiyo No Violinist. I closed my eyes and got lost in the music.

Amu's POV

My eyes widened as he started to play. Of all the songs he could have chosen, it had to be this one? This was her favourite song. She used to play it constantly. I thought about the times when i used to sit out on the grass, listening to her play, not a care in the world. The times when i was truly happy. Then my thoughts drifted to that day. The day she was murdered. I couldn't stop the tears from falling, as images of that night flashed through my mind.

Ikuto's POV

I finished playing and opened my eyes to see her reaction. My eyes widened as i caught sight of her heaving shoulders and tear streaked face. I put the violin on the bed and rushed over to her.

"Amu?! What's wrong?!" i wrapped my arms round her and she buried her face in my chest. I picked her up and sat on my bed, with her on my lap. I wrapped one arm round her waist, and stroked her hair with the other, trying to calm her down.

After about half an hour, she'd stopped crying, but let out a small hiccup every now and then. I pulled back slightly and brought my hands up to her face. I cupped both of her cheeks and wiped away any remaining tears with my thumb.

"I don't suppose you're going to tell me what that was about?" she avoided my gaze and shook her head, as if to say it was nothing.

"Don't give me that shit. Something obviously upset you." she just gave me a pleading look, telling me to leave it. I sighed and slid my arms back around her, resting my chin on her head.

.x-X-x.

We were sat in my car, on the way to Amu's. I didn't want her to go, and i could tell she didn't either. I glanced at her and noticed she'd fallen asleep. I sighed and took her hand in mine. I stroked it softly with my thumb.

"You have no idea what you're doing to me..."

I pulled up outside her house turned off the ignition. I sat for a few minutes watching her sleep, before getting out. I walked round to the passenger side and opened the door. Leaning down, i picked her up bridal style and carried her to the front door. I rang the doorbell and waited for an answer.

The door opened and a man in his late thirties stood staring at me. He had brown eyes and hair and seemed like an extremely cheerful person, though something was off. I couldn't quite tell what, but something about him felt strange...fake even.

"Hi, I'm Tsukiyomi Ikuto. I believe my dad called and told you of the situation."

"Yes, yes. I'm very sorry if she was of any inconvenience Tsukiyomi-kun. But thank you for taking care of her." he gave me a breezy grin.

"It was no trouble; in fact, my family loved having her around. Oh, um, she fell asleep in the car, and i didn't really want to wake her, so umm, i could take her up to her room if you want."

"Ah, that would be great, Tsukiyomi-kun. Her room is second to the left." He stepped back to let me in, and i carried her up the stairs.

I opened her door and the first thing i noticed was how bare it was. The walls were washed white, and the floor was bare floorboards. There was a bed against the far wall, a wardrobe and a desk. I shrugged it off, thinking she hadn't got a chance to decorate yet. There was one good thing about the room though. She had a huge balcony with screen doors leading onto it. I smirked. That could come in useful. I walked forwards and placed her down on the bed. I pulled the covers over her and bent down, planting a small kiss on her forehead. I gave her a small smile and left, closing the door, softly, behind me.

I said goodbye to her dad and left.

Amu's POV

My back slammed hard into the floor, jolting me awake. My eyes snapped open and i shrunk back, seeing the figure hovering over me, a look of rage on his face. My dad. I cowered back as he stepped towards me menacingly. His hand came down and struck my cheek with so much force that it sent me reeling to the side.

"You insolent little bitch!" he spat, his words dripping with venom. "How dare you let them take you in! You should have stayed out there and suffered! You don't deserve to be shown compassion or kindness." He sneered as he said the words 'compassion' and 'kindness'. His foot swung forwards, coming into contact with my stomach. I gave no reaction, and my face betrayed no emotion. But he didn't care. He was used to it. He reached down and grabbed my hair, pulling me up to stand. He then slammed me into the wall and punched me in the gut, letting me crumple to the floor. And so began my punishment