-14- Where's the Locket?
Amu's fingers slowly moved, her hand reaching to clasp around her neck. As though waking from a terrible nightmare, she bolted up, wide awake, gasping for air as she continued to clutch at her neck. Blood, wound….Ikuto…Amu began to recall, her face turning slightly pale again as she remembered what happened to her. "NO," she shouted, desperately clutching at the blanket to cover her naked body. She couldn't look around the room or think straight; both her mind and body still in great shock. Burying her face in her knees, Amu let out her tears and cried, her body trembling.
"Shut up," a voice clearly ordered.
Amu immediately froze up. This is…Ikuto's voice, she recognised.
"Look up," Ikuto commanded, "Look at me."
Amu was silent. She simply remained motionless to Ikuto's demands, her arms tightening the blanket over her body. The lingering sensation of his touch, his lips and breath pressed upon her skin seemed to send a whole new wave of emotions through her. Fear, sadness but mainly a slowly brewing anger. He violated me, Amu thought, forcing herself to accept the fact, Ikuto….you damn pirate….
"I told you to look at me," Ikuto ordered again, his hands reaching for Amu.
"DON'T TOUCH ME," Amu shouted slapping Ikuto's hands away from her as she glared at him with watery eyes.
Ikuto stepped away from Amu, holding her watery glare with his own gaze. "Seems like you've recovered," he commented. "You've got a lot of guts too, looking at me with those eyes."
"Monster, beast, rapist," Amu began to shout from a mix of frustration and anger, "get away from me." She grabbed the pillow besides her and threw it hard at Ikuto, who dodged it with ease.
"Stop freaking out," Ikuto commanded again, "if anyone in this room needs to be on their guard, it's me. You're the monster here, witch."
"How could you say something like that after what you've done to me?" Amu shouted angrily, her hands gripping so hard on the blanket that the fabric was about to be ripped by her fingers.
"What did I do to you?" Ikuto repeated with a confused look on his face.
That nerve to act innocent, Amu thought, before, I still wanted to believe you were a good person but now…I know you're just another despicable pirate….
Ikuto let out a long sigh, "I knew witches were bad, but to think they have no manners and are this stupid…"
"What are you doing?" Amu quickly shouted, seeing Ikuto pick up a knife from the table behind him, "DON'T COME NEAR ME." She shovelled backwards on the bed.
Holding the knife in his hands, Ikuto eyed Amu, "you should at least say thanks for me saving your life, damn witch."
"What…" Amu gasped seeing Ikuto cut his own hand with the knife. Blood dripped onto the wooden floorboards as Ikuto tilted his hand at an angle to let his blood out.
Placing the knife back onto the table, he then bought his hand to his mouth. Amu watched him, eyes wide as he licked the fresh wound. Slowly the blood dried up and the cut skin sealed up. It healed, Amu noted with surprise. How did he do that? Even the use of magic can't heal wounds so quickly… "Oh," Amu uttered, one of her fingers tracing over the smooth skin of her neck. "My wound is gone" She stared at Ikuto, recalling all the things he did to her. "Yesterday," Amu slowly said, a little hesitant, "When you forced yourself on me, you were healing my wound?"
A disgusted look crossed Ikuto's face. "Don't tell me, you thought I'd be interested in using your body to satisfy my lust." Ikuto turned his face to the side, snarling, "Honestly, if you weren't of value to me, I wouldn't even want to touch a filthy witch like you."
Amu clenched a fist; Ikuto's words stunningly painful to her. It appeared that Ikuto hated witches and what he was telling Amu may be the truth. Even so, she remained cautious of him, only allowing herself to half believe he didn't do anything to her. "You were the one who ordered that woman to kill me," Amu reminded, "and if you wanted to heal my wound, there's…." She took in a few deep breaths, "there wasn't a need for you to strip me naked."
Ikuto turned to face Amu properly again. "It's natural for me to kill all witches that are close to me. That includes witches who just pass me by on the streets. You can say, it was out of my habit to order for your death."
Amu remained silent. Out of habit, Amu repeated in her mind, which means he's killed a lot of witches…a murderer…
"I almost forgot I needed you alive," Ikuto continued, approaching Amu again.
"Stay away," Amu warned, attempting to move off the bed.
Ikuto held Amu against the wall, sitting on her legs and grabbed both her wrists before she could do anything. His movements were simply too fast. Biting her lips, Amu glared at Ikuto in frustration, unable to move from his strong hold.
"As for the need to strip you," Ikuto said with a smirk on his face, "how else would I look for the locket if I didn't remove your clothes?"
"Locket?" Amu repeated in confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't," Ikuto said, his smile disappearing. He was serious now, "listen, I wasted my time and powers to save you. I did it to get the locket. I NEED IT. Give it to me."
Amu looked at Ikuto. She could tell he was serious but she simply had no idea what he was going on about. "I don't possess any locket."
"Does the name Clover sound familiar then?" Ikuto pressed, "He was a prisoner of the Tower. That night when you were pretending to help Yoru, you were actually there to see him weren't you?"
"I've heard of no such name, nor do I know such a person," Amu stated clearly, "I only went into that Tower to help Yoru."
"A witch willing to help a stranger break into a prison, and a human too," Ikuto said questioningly, "It's unbelievable any witch would help a human out of pure goodwill."
"There's nothing more I can say if you don't believe me," Amu said quietly, "I helped Yoru on a whim. There was nothing else I wanted."
"Stop lying," Ikuto raised his voice, "I saw you wearing Clover's locket. It was definitely around your neck. So, where is it Amu? Give it to me."
Amu remained silent again. She could feel the growing intensity through his strengthening grip upon her and his expression was so serious, it frightened her. She looked away, breaking off their nerve-wracking eye contact. Ikuto was so certain she had the item he wanted; she was beginning to think again. Locket…I don't have any…WAIT, Amu thought, a little shocked herself at the sudden realisation. In the Tower, the old man…he gave me a locket…
Sensing a change in Amu, Ikuto slightly loosened his hold on her. Tenderly, he touched her face, slowly turning it towards him so that they were looking at each other again. This time, his voice was soft and gentle as he spoke, "Amu, look at me, look into my eyes. Please…"
Amu found herself somehow captured by Ikuto's whispering voice. His change in attitude should have been alerting to Amu, but his gentleness seemed to have enchanted her to do as he asked. She found herself staring into Ikuto's eyes and slowly she lost the will to think, lost within his deep azure eyes.
Convinced that he had Amu's mind, Ikuto asked again, "Do you own a locket? Have you seen one?"
"No, I don't own one," Amu answered, "I've seen one."
"Tell me about it," Ikuto urged, "tell me everything about it, Amu."
"I was given a locket," Amu continued to answer, "That person said, the locket is my everything, it is my life written upon it with all my possessions. Accept it. I took it."
"Where is it now?" Ikuto asked, a little impatient. Excitement building up within him; he was so close to obtaining the one thing he wanted – the seventh treasure.
"I wore it around my neck, I couldn't take it off," Amu answered.
"No, where is it now? It's not on your neck?" Ikuto questioned. If you are wearing it, it would be visible. Right now, there's nothing on your neck.
There was silence as Amu didn't answer and Ikuto stared at her. He was certain though that she was still under his mind control, meaning she won't lie to him. He tried once more, "where is the locket now?"
Silence.
"DAMN IT!" Ikuto shouted, breaking his gaze from Amu's and releasing her from both his mind control and grip. He walked away from the bed and slammed a fist onto the desk, considering his remaining options. There's no doubt Amu was the last person is possession of the locket, but her response….she clearly doesn't know what happened to it. Ikuto closed his eyes, now in deep thought, she didn't give it to anyone. Does that mean she's lost it without her knowing…?
A startled Amu blinked and looked at Ikuto who was a good distance away from her. What just happened? Amu wondered, whilst slowly reaching for her dress she only just spotted on the chair next to the bed. It felt like I was sleeping just then…anyway, I shouldn't waste any more time here. She grabbed her torn dress and quietly slipped into it. At least, it still covers the main parts…this is my chance to run away, Amu told herself, her eyes on Ikuto's back who hadn't noticed she was creeping towards the door. Her hands clasped onto the door handle. She didn't dare take a breath, opening a small gap to allow herself to slip through. The minute she was out of the room, Amu ran towards the deck. Please don't let me run into anyone, Amu prayed over and over in her mind until she was in open air again. A smile spread across her face as she saw the deck was empty.
Without stopping, Amu dashed towards the very front of the ship, her speed only quickening with each step she made. I need to get off the ship, Amu constantly repeated in her mind. Her hands slammed into the wooden ledge of the ship and she stopped, focussing ahead of her at the vast blue sea. "It's either pirates or the sea, and I choose sea," Amu muttered, jumping onto the ledge. "Can I fly?" Amu debated, "but I don't know how long I could last and I don't have much magic left." Amu took in a deep breath, "jump Amu."
Just as Amu was about to jump, a loud ear-scorching hum sounded, then a strong blast of wind blew across the front of the ship, knocking Amu off the ledge and onto the deck again. A huge shadow moved above Amu. "A…emerald bird," Amu gasped staring at the large bird that flew above the ship. The gusts of wind the creature was whipping around with it wings continued to blow across the ship and Amu found herself about to be swept away into the air.
A strong pair of arms wrapped around her, holding her down back onto the ship's deck. "Thanks," Amu uttered, turning to see Ikuto and she immediately froze from disappointment. I'm caught again, Amu cursed glaring at the emerald bird that landed onto the ship. "What the…" Amu gasped watching the bird slowly transform.
It's large body started to shrink, feathers vanishing, wings turning into arms, claws into hands and its head forming a human face. The large bird continued to change until it was no longer a bird; a human now stood before Amu and Ikuto.
The young male knelt before Ikuto, "I'm back from duty captain."
"I was waiting for you, Kairi Sanjo," Ikuto said, smiling at his subordinate, still holding onto Amu.
"Is Kairi back?" a distant voice asked.
Amu frowned, recognising the voice to belong to the woman who attacked her yesterday. Both Nadeshiko and Nagihiko stood behind Kairi.
Kairi continued, presenting a wrapped package before Ikuto, "this is the sword from the rumours." He took off the cloth to reveal a pale green, rusty sword.
"AHH," Amu screamed, startling the others.
Ikuto let go of Amu. She quickly clasped her hands over her ears to block the buzzing noise she was hearing, a sharp pain running through her head. She closed her eyes and when she opened them, she found herself no longer on Ikuto's ship. The pain and the ringing noises in her ears stopped. "What is this?" Amu breathed, taking in her new surroundings. Rain hit her skin like needles and she was drenched, cold and wet. It was dark, hazy and miserable around her. "A storm…" Amu said, staring at the black clouds above and she swayed on her feet as the ship tilted to the right from the raging waves underneath.
"Don't just stand there, help out," a voice shouted.
"Hurry up and take in the sails," another voice yelled.
Amu looked around her, seeing the ship full of men, trying to manoeuvre and steady the ship in the storm.
"Captain, Captain, what should we do?" another man yelled.
Amu followed the direction of the voice and her gaze landed upon a tall man. That person…Amu thought, taking a few steps closer to the man.
The captain turned, and Amu caught a good look at his face. She was uncertain at first but the more she looked at him, the clearer she was of who he was. He had the same navy hair, the same azure eyes but the more intricate features were different. He was older, more mature, giving off a more mysterious aura than Ikuto. This isn't Ikuto and this isn't Ikuto's ship or crew, Amu noted. How did I end up here?
"Aruto, perhaps we should try and turn back," a man standing next to the captain suggested.
"We can't give up now," the captain answered. "We're almost at the entrance."
"We're doomed, that massive wave is coming towards us," one of the crew members shouted frantically.
Amu looked at the massive wave racing towards them.
"Captain, please turn back," the crew began to demand.
"We need to continue ahead, trust me," the captain assured.
"Aruto, this is dangerous," the man next to Aruto spoke up.
The ship continued to move towards the massive wave. If they didn't turn back, the ship would definitely be swallowed by the sea. Amu couldn't just stand and watch. She ran towards the captain shouting, "Turn back. Hurry up and turn back the ship."
The captain stared at Amu with a blank expression.
"Aruto, please turn back the ship," the man besides the captain continued to urge.
"We will make it," Aruto shouted.
All the crew went silent from Aruto's words. Amu clenched her fists, not knowing what to feel towards this captain. What is he doing? Amu questioned, he's risking the life of everyone on this ship.
The rain continued to pour heavily, further weighing down the people on-board with excess desolation; the atmosphere tense and suffocating.
"We can do this everyone," the man next to Aruto suddenly shouted. He had a smile on his face as he turned to address the crew, "we need to entrust our lives to the captain. That is something we've decided when we joined the crew right? What have we got to lose?"
"NOTHING!" a strong unison cry echoed within the raging storm from all the men on the ship. "LET'S MOVE FORWARD."
"Thanks Tsukasa," Aruto said, smiling at the man besides him.
Amu watched as Captain Aruto and the man named Tsukasa began to bark orders. All the men started running around the ship, getting into their positions, ready to face the oncoming waves. The more she watched the crew and Aruto, the stronger she felt a new kind of emotion consuming her. The rain was cold upon her skin but she felt warm inside. "This feeling," Amu whispered, making her decision, "this burning warmth inside me, it's the desire to fight." Amu stood before Aruto, "let me help out."
Aruto stared at Amu.
"I don't know how I ended up here on your ship, but let me lend you my help, Aruto," Amu shouted clearly, her gaze stern with conviction.
"Kid," Aruto said, a small smile on his face, "it's not Aruto but Captain Aruto. Hold the helm steady kid."
Amu nodded, taking hold of the helm alongside Tsukasa. It was harder than she thought, the roaring waves beneath strongly affecting her grasp. Even with two people holding the helm, the ship was still constantly wavering from a steady course.
"Aruto, don't do that," Tsukasa shouted.
Amu looked towards Aruto who walked towards the edge of the ship. He unsheathed his sword; a bright emerald colour illuminated the dark greyness. It's shining so magnificently, Amu thought, her eyes fixated upon the blade, it's beautiful.
"We will make it to the seventh treasure…" Aruto muttered, holding his emerald sword towards the sea.
"Please stop Aruto," Tsukasa shouted desperately.
Sensing something was wrong, Amu left the helm to Tsukasa, running towards Aruto to stop whatever he was about to do.
"Captain Aruto," Amu shouted, her hands reaching out towards him.
"Don't stop me kid," Aruto said clearly, "We're almost there…the entrance to the seventh treasure."
"The entrance to the Seventh Treasure," Amu repeated before her body was pulled backwards, away from Aruto.