Amu struggled against the hands pushing against her but something pushed her head down roughly, causing her to bang her head on the floor loudly. She could feel more hands touching her body, roaming her freely as if they owned her. She tried to speak against the gag, hoping that maybe they'd let her go. Maybe they'd feel some pity for her. But when she felt something penetrate her, she knew it was nothing but a hopeless wish. She fell back onto the pavement, energy draining from her body.

It was painful at first. After all, they hadn't bothered to lubricate her. Later, her body picked up on what was going on and tried to help her. But it didn't really help when they started to penetrate her even further down. The pain rocketed up her spine and she screamed as she desperately tried to wriggle away but she felt someone smack her face until her screams were reduced to whimpers.

Amu didn't know how long it went on for. It seemed to go on for hours and hours. When the people seemed to be done, they literally got up and walked away. She lay for a little longer before she got up, clutching the shreds of her clothing to her body. Where could she go? Home?

Not after this.

She wasn't ready to face him.

Amu staggered around until she saw a lone bar in the distance. Should she go in? Or would she be taken again? Her mind in a thick haze, she limped closer and saw an alley. Maybe she could go through the backdoor and ask for help. Surely they would help then. Her mind began to slip in and out of consciousness but she fought it and made it to the alley. She could see the grimy door and a flickering light above it. Just a few more steps, she thought. The mossy floor was moist; a perfect cushion.

Amu's legs gave out beneath her as the remnants of her strength disappeared and her mind slipped back into the shadows. A weak cry came to her throat but even that wouldn't emerge. This was the end.

Ikuto sat on the stool, lazily drinking a glass of soda.

His friends were so annoying. They had somehow persuaded him to go to a bar that was somewhere in the shady part of the city. When they had said shady, they had meant it.

People were lurking in the shadows, their eyes glinting maliciously (or was it just his imagination?) in the light. The ceiling seemed to be falling apart since a couple of tiles were missing and another few were hanging quite precariously. And the worst of it all was the filthy muck that was on the walls. Ikuto thought he saw a couple of rats and even larger centipedes. It was absolutely disgusting.

Ikuto watched silently at the pulsing crowd in the center of the so-called "bar". Sweaty bodies rubbed against each other, desperate for friction. He took a small sip from his glass.

"Hello!" a bright, cheery voice said, breaking him from his thoughts. Ikuto turned to his right to see a pretty girl with her chocolate colored wavy hair in a ponytail.

"Hello."

"Why aren't you drinking anything?"

"I am."

"I know, I meant something alcoholic."

"Someone has to take their friends back home."

"Oh!" The girl giggled knowingly, inching closer to him by the second. Her hand rested on his lap, her long nails drumming on his thigh.

"Um."

"Is it fun here? My name is Megumi, by the way."

"It's okay. Look, I have to go somewhere."

"Huh? What about your friends?" A look of confusion crossed her face.

"I just realized I have to go see someone."

"Stay a little longer~" She pouted, her pink lips pursing.

"I'm sorry. I can't."

"Can I have your number?" Ikuto sighed.

"Okay." After scribbling down his number, he pried himself away from her and jogged outside, breathing in the fresh air. He would still have to wait for his friends, but where? He was definitely not going back inside to that hellhole. This was going to be the last time he went with them somewhere.

Ikuto walked into the alley nearby so he wouldn't get harassed by anyone who went in or came out. When he looked down, he nearly stumbled backward in surprise. A nearly naked body was sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily. Was this a prostitute? He noticed pale pink strands of hair falling over the female's shoulder. Could this be...

He leaned forward and a sharp gasp left his mouth.

The pale face was distorted into a frown and their mouth was opened slightly, harsh breaths of air coming out.

Amu.

Ikuto tore off his coat and gently placed it on top of her. What had happened? He didn't think she was the type to do this. Maybe she was a prostitute?

"O-ow. S-stop it, please...," she whimpered, tears beginning to trickle down her face.

No. Of course not. Rape...? It didn't matter right now. He wrapped her body up carefully and gently lifted her up, jogging to the car so as not to jostle her. What would he do now? The hospital? In his contemplation, he didn't notice her eyes fluttering open weakly.

Amu saw a head of navy blue hair in the thick fog in her mind. Ikuto? He would take her to the hospital. But it would all be revealed.

"N-not..." her voice cracked uselessly and wasn't even loud enough to be a whisper.

"N-not the hospital," she tried again. Luckily for her, he must have heard her because he turned around. He began to speak but her vision became blurry again, and she fell against the plush seat of the car.

Ikuto's mind swirled in a rush of thoughts. Where else could he go? To her home? But he didn't know where she lived.

Utau.

Ikuto whipped his phone out and quickly dialed Utau whilst starting the car.

"Hello?" her tired voice said on the other side.

"Utau? Listen, Amu's coming over."

"What? Why?" Ikuto took a left. He was speeding, but the roads were empty and he was in a rush.

"I think she was raped. I'm not sure."

"Oh my God! What? How?"

"I don't know, but she won't go to the hospital so I'm bringing her over. Can you set up a bath?"

"Of course! Are you almost here?"

"Be there in 5."

"Okay, it'll be ready by the time you get here." The phone clicked off on the other side.

He hurriedly drove, hoping she was going to be okay. When Ikuto got home, Utau was waiting for him by the door. As soon as she spotted the car, she ran over and helped him hoist her out. He ran to the bathroom and gently set her down on the tiled floor.

"Um... Utau..."

"I got this. You can just wait outside, okay?" Ikuto nodded and stepped outside, shutting the door close.

Utau gently shook Amu, and she awoke, her golden eyes filled with pain immediately.

"Amu, can you get up? You just need to get in the bath." Amu nodded weakly and Utau helped her up, letting her lean on her. When Amu got in, she looked away.

Utau glanced at her body and froze in shock. Amu's body was peppered with bruises and welts. Cuts layered her body, as if she had been lying in a field of glass. She was broken out of her trance when she heard the dripping of water into the tub. Utau could only watch as tears dripped from her chin into the warm bath.

"Amu. I need to see your face." She shook her head, her carnation pink hair swaying weakly. "Please. I want to help." Amu seemed to be contemplating before she slowly turned to Utau. Her face was caked with makeup. Utau needed to see what was underneath. Carefully, she began to clean. After a few layers, Utau could see a dark discoloration in her skin. By the time all the makeup was removed, Utau felt a wave of sadness. Even Amu's beautiful face was covered with dark blue bruises of all sizes. Her eyes was swollen and a cut was on her lip.

"Who did this?" Utau whispered, her own tears dropping.

"Y-you can't tell anyone," Amu said desperately, leaning on the edge of the bathtub.

"You have to tell me, or it'll never stop. What happened? Look at me."

Amu nervously looked at Utau, to see her violet eyes filled with agony, pain and anger. She wasn't being a fake. The emotions were real.

Maybe, Amu hoped, she could get out of this mess, once and for all.

Maybe.

So she opened her mouth and started from the beginning.

Wow, it has been forever.

School is coming to a close and so everything is becoming so much more hectic!

I think I know where the plot is going so I'm hoping I can update faster but I can't promise you anything. There are still a bunch of loopholes to fill so, ugh, but hopefully I can pull through.

I'm really sorry, I really am.

Don't kill me!

On a stranger note, I noticed that more people have been reading, but less have been reviewing. Weird, right?

Anyway, thanks to those who stayed with me!

-Acai berry