~Recap:

As we were walking into the school grounds, I drifted off to my thoughts of Ikuto. Had he found his father? Was he doing okay? Was he eating properly? Was Yoru protecting him? Did Ikuto have a place to sleep? Did he need my help? Did he miss me as I missed him?

"Amu?" Rima's voice was faint against my worries of Ikuto. She poked me. Nothing happened, but as she was about to pinch me. I was back.

"Hm…?" I questioned.

"You were thinking of Ikuto-san, weren't you? He's doing okay, Amu. He's a grown man, now. You would think you would be less worried about a perverted, stalker." I was about to interrupt when she continued. "Do you realize how crucial it was when you merely passed last year? May I remind you who studied with you while her parents were supposed to take her aboard for entire weekend?"

"Rima, this is why I told you not to have given that up. I told you I was fine."
"No, Amu. You would have failed and then I would have been stuck with that idiot." She said looking at Nagihiko with some of his basketball friends. Obviously, he noticed we were looking over. He caught us staring but before we could look away, he grinned and waved us over.

Rima blushed, very very interesting. I smiled at her reaction and began walking his way when Tadase-kun stopped my tracks. What now? I heart dropped. "Hey Amu Where are you going?"

"She's going with me to say hello to Nagihiko." Rima said and wrapped her arm around mine and pulled me out his way. "What's wrong with him? He's being way to possessive over something he has no way of having. That bastard needs to relax."

"Rima!" I exclaimed.

She didn't react. "As long as I'm here, he'll back up. Not to worry."

"Yeah, what she said." Nagihiko grinned. "So what's up?" Obviously directing this to Rima.

"If you don't want me to order a rape report on you, you'll likely want to make that evil little grin disappear off your face."

"Feisty this morning, aren't you?" he said looking directly at her. "Anyhow, what'd Tadase do now?" he looked at me.

"Nothing as usual…"

"Oh, he did something. He's just a coward when it comes to it."

"No, he's not. He's so…."

"Blunt about it." Nagihiko finished for me, his basketball friends left before we could notice. He sighed. "I only know one person who may help."~

His hands were automatically placed into his pockets, and he began walking away. He hadn't said a word to follow him but it was something that both Rima and I had a gut feeling about. Rima and Nagihiko stood their ground while walking, but unlike them I was nervous. Were we going the right way? Who was this person whom Nagihiko spoke of? Could they help? Ugh, why was this such a big deal. I knew I could handle Tadase-kun. He was a handful…but I was alright. I sighed deeply and shoved my hair out of my sight.

Suddenly someone poked my sides but because they caught me by surprise, a huge scream escaped my lungs. "Hey, hey Amu. Chill out, it's just me." Kukai laughed.

"Baka, baka, baka, baka." I said hitting him. Not only enjoying this but getting him back for scaring the crap out of me.

He grabbed my hands tightly, careful not to hurt me just tight enough to stop me. "Alright, I get it, Amu! That hurts you know."

"Well, you shouldn't have startled me!"

"Well, you shouldn't be somewhere else than reality!"

"Well, sorry if I'm worrying about someone's well being. But what would you know about that?!" I immediately covered my mouth. I had gone too far now… I had forgotten that Yaya had moved during summer vacation.

He dropped my hands and looked away. "Whatever you say, Amu…whatever you say…"

"Kukai-kun…" I looked at him and then looked at the ground. "I didn't mean it…I'm sorry…just you –"

"Oh, stop it Amu. He's too hard-headed and stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised if he won't help you with Tadase because of this little incident."

His head shot up. "Rima! We can't force him! And…I can handle Tadase-kun on my own…" I looked down.

"What happened?" Kukai-kun said.

"Nothing…"

"Ugh! Don't believe her, Kukai-sempai. The jerk is bothering her again. If he doesn't stop, my men will deal with him." God she was so confident…

"Specifically, Rima-chan. What has he done?"

She glared at him. "He's acting like any bastard who thinks of women as objects! So don't start with me, Kukai! You know the fucking—"

Nagihiko covered her mouth. "How about we leave these youngsters alone to talk, shall we, Rima-chan?" he said putting his gentleman act in process. He led her away and even though she protested, he had some grip on her. Amazing.

"I'll have a talk with him, Amu." He gently petted my head. I hated when he did that, it was just one more thing he did so I could forgive me…but what surprised me the most was he pushed me against me, hugging me…

"Woo!! You go man!" His buddies passing by said.

"That pink-haired chick doesn't look half bad, Kukai. Nice!"

I struggled to get out of his hold, but he wouldn't budge. "I think Amu wants to you to let go off her." I knew that was Tadase…I just knew. I finally got Kukai away from me.

"And?"

"Don't push me, Soma-sempai."

"I haven't even laid a finger on you." He smirked.

"Don't even play with me." In a blink of an eye, suddenly Tadase pushed Kukai.

Before this fight could go anywhere. I held Kukai away, not caring how I would look. "You've become a real jack ass lately, you want me actually lay a finger. Come here and do it!"

"He'll have to go through me first, Kukai-kun." I held him back tighter but it took me more than I expected to lead him away. "Come on, please…?" I looked up at him. He sighed.

"Fine! Just let go off me." Finally two seconds past, I let him go but he went right at Tadase.

~What next? Was Kukai much help? Will one of them get killed(hurt)?~