-17- The Siren's Melody

"Trap?" Ikuto repeated, "You're not making any sense."

Amu quickly picked up the map from the floor, showing it to Ikuto, "Can't you see what's wrong with this map? This is the same map you were marking in the afternoon. Look at it now."

Ikuto snatched the map from Amu's hand and looked at it. He couldn't quite believe what he was seeing at first but it was definitely happening: the map was redrawing itself. All of his marked co-ordinates had disappeared, the islands, towns and cities kept changing shape and position too. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Amu answered sternly and truthfully, "I did nothing. This isn't my doing, but right now we need to burn this map before it's too late."

Ikuto crushed the map in his hand, "If you think you could use petty magic tricks on a map to get-"

"Have you ever heard of Sirens?" Amu almost shouted over Ikuto. "You're a pirate so you must know the legend surrounding them."

Ikuto's eyes widened for a second, suddenly catching onto what Amu was saying. He looked at the map again. Of course I know the Siren's legend, Ikuto thought as he studied the shifting image on the map. The lands were rapidly shrinking and a mass blue colour simply dyed the entire paper. Almost nothing but the vast blue sea remained on this map.

"Sirens are creatures that lure sailors to death with their bewitched voices," Amu said unable to look away from the map in Ikuto's hand. "And the only sign showing any ship that they're about to enter the Sirens' territory," Amu paused, "are maps like this one. Maps that suddenly become enchanted and keep redrawing themselves."

"So we're going to encounter Sirens?" Ikuto said in a sarcastic way.

"It's death we're going to encounter if we don't start doing something," Amu found herself shouting. Why is Ikuto so calm? Why isn't he taking our situation seriously? "We can still change the course of this ship if we destroy the map. We can escape without having to enter the Sirens' territory." Amu began to reach for the map, "I memorised the map from this afternoon so I can get us back on track to where we were planning to go."

Ikuto held the map high above him, away from Amu's reach. "You've put a lot of thought into this haven't you?" Ikuto asked with a speculating smile on his face. "Going so far as to use magic to imitate the legend of the Sirens. You're aim all along was to destroy the map, then have me rely on your so called memory to sail to wherever you want me to go. Perhaps you'll direct me to an island full of witches and have me and my crew die there."

"You're wrong."

"Too bad Amu," Ikuto mocked, "I also memorised the map. You won't be telling me which way to go anytime soon."

"You're wrong, this has nothing to do with me," Amu said frustrated now. "It isn't my magic that caused the map to change."

"I know you didn't," Ikuto continued to mock, "according to the legend, the targeted ship's map are marked by the Sirens' magic. Of course it's not your doing."

"Why won't you believe me? I haven't used any magic on this map, it's not me," Amu tried to convince anxiously. Ikuto wasn't listening to her and they were running out of time fast. She remembered reading about the Sirens; their magic altered maps to reflect reality. In other words, as soon as the map has finished redrawing itself to show nothing but the sea, the Siren's magic spell would be complete. The map would bind the ship to Siren territory, leaving the crew at the mercy of those creatures. The only chance of escape, was to destroy the map before the Siren's spell could be completed. "Ikuto, you can question me later but let me destroy the map first," Amu demanded, noticing there was barely any land left on the map. In minutes the spell would be complete. Amu could feel it, the magic surrounding them was getting stronger.

"As a witch, you seem to know quite a lot about a legend common to us pirates and sailors," Ikuto commented. "No wonder you appear convincing. How long did it take you to learn about this legend and set this up?"

Amu gritted her teeth together, a sense of urgency overpowering her body. She wasted no more breath and lunged forwards, trying to snatch the map from Ikuto's hand but he was fast. Dodging her easily, he kept the map even further from her reach.

"You idiot," Amu shouted, "You still think I'm the one behind all this. By the time you realise the truth, it'll be too late. You'll regret not listening to me."

Ikuto looked down on Amu with a glare. He said nothing, only returning her strong gaze with his usual angry expression, allowing the silence to answer her.

He will never believe me, Amu thought, having gotten used to the nasty look Ikuto threw at her. Why do I even care? It's already decided, my death…really it doesn't matter whether I die by Ikuto's hands or Sirens…but… Tears began to flow from Amu's eyes, startling Ikuto for the moment.

His hand with the map lowered a little, unable to stop watching the tears that streaked Amu's face. Crying so suddenly, Ikuto thought, his mind rather blank. He didn't know how to take her tears when they weren't a sign of weakness.

"I don't want to accept it without a fight," Amu declared in a shaky voice. Her gaze was as stern as ever though. "I also wish I was strong. I wish in times like now, it's not tears but strength to save myself that I display. But I can't." Amu wiped away her tears, "I can't and I can never use this imperfect magic of mine to save myself. Not even to imitate a simple legend either. Forever, there is nothing big I can ever do with my magic. I am that weak Ikuto. I am this pathetic. Even though I'm a witch."

Ikuto's hand with the map lowered, allowing Amu to take it from him. What was with that speech? Ikuto wondered as he clenched his fists. Admitting your weak, declaring you still want to fight…those words…those feelings… He watched silently as Amu held the map above the flickering flame of the lantern. Momentarily, his thoughts were taken back to the distant past, where the same words had been spoken….

Pain and numbness tingled in Ikuto's shoulder as it hit onto the floor with a thud.

"Please stop," his godfather shouted, pulling away from the young Ikuto, his own father. "You're treating him too harshly. There's no need for this."

"This isn't harsh, this is reality," his father shouted. He grabbed hold of Ikuto's arm, jerking him back to his feet, "listen Ikuto, you're weak. You can't do anything and you know this is all true. You're weak and pathetic Ikuto."

"SHUT UP," Ikuto shouted back, pushing his father away, "I know…I know how weak I am. I couldn't save her. I couldn't even help her." Ikuto stared straight into his father's eyes, "Even so…even if I'm weak, it doesn't stop me from fighting. That's what she taught me."

"Since you understand, become stronger Ikuto…."

"I've become strong, much stronger than anyone," Ikuto whispered, focussing back on the present.

"It's not working," Amu panicked as she tried to burn the map, but the paper just wouldn't catch on fire. She then tried to rip the paper and cut it with a knife but the map remained intact. With trembling hands, she held the all-blue map and looked at it, "the spell…is already…"

"The Siren's spell was already completed when I let you take the map from me," Ikuto finished for Amu. He took the map from her again. "I never intended to let you destroy this in the first place."

"Are you crazy?" Amu couldn't help but raise her voice at him again.

"It didn't matter to me whether this little magic trick was you're doing or really the legends," Ikuto began, "if you're the one behind this then nothing changes, I'll still be heading to where I originally planned to go. If you're not behind this-"

"I'm not," Amu stated again.

"I'll happily sail into death or whatever else this is," Ikuto said with a cunning smile on his face. "I'd say I'm actually pretty lucky here. No one knows where these legendary Sirens are located. It's a matter of chance encounter and I got lucky."

"You're out of your mind."

Ikuto just laughed, excitement slowly consuming him.

"According to the legend, once we're set to sail into the Siren's nest, only death awaits," Amu reminded, "We need to stop the ship. We'll be in danger any further in and once we hear the Siren's melody, it's over."

"Didn't you hear me?" Ikuto questioned, "I've already decided we're going to sail to our deaths."

Amu pressed her lips together, frustrated that Ikuto was still not listening to her. She needed to do something. Arguing and convincing this hysterical being would only waste her time. "No sane person would want to sail to their own death," Amu shouted, taking swift action. She swiped the map from Ikuto and ran towards the deck.

"What are you doing?" she heard Ikuto shouting after her.

"Not everyone wants to die," Amu shouted back, not turning to look at Ikuto as she kept running. She banged hardly on the wooden walls as she passed along the corridor, "I'll wake the others, tell them the situation and have the sane people do something about this."

"You're wasting your time," Ikuto continued to shout behind her. "Don't do unnecessary things."

Amu ignored Ikuto, heading straight out onto the deck. Buzzssszzzzszsz… A painful droning noise suddenly filled Amu's ears and she clasped her hands over them, trying to block it out. "URGH," Amu winced from the throbbing in her head. This…this is just like… Amu breathed heavily, closing her eyes.

"Amu," Ikuto shouted running towards her. His eyes widened though as he focussed on the shining object near her chest. There was no mistake now Hung around her neck, that shape and the light it was emitting, "the locket I've been searching for," Ikuto gasped, reaching out to grab it. His fingers almost enclosed the object but a stinging sensation repelled his hand away and he tried to grab hold of Amu's arm instead. "NO," Ikuto gasped again.

Inhale, exhale, inhale. Amu waited for the pain and the ringing in her ears to subside. Then slowly she opened her eyes. The sun was shining brightly above her and it was warm and breezy. Amu took quick glances of her surroundings. It's happened again, Amu thought, I'm not on Ikuto's ship anymore and this ship is a lot smaller too. She took a few steps towards the edge of the ship, staring down at the calm sea water beneath. She then glanced up at the sails, noting that there were no flags hung on the mast. "This isn't a pirate ship either. But is this another hallucination?" Amu muttered to herself. She reached out to touch the coarse wood of the ship. "I can touch and feel things," Amu continued to mutter, "So this shouldn't be an illusion." She stood still, thinking for a few minutes before she smiled. With her nails, she scratched a word onto the wood of the ship. "If I end up back on Ikuto's ship and I see this scratched word, then it'll mean I'm hallucinating everything."

"Have you calmed down yet?"

Amu paused hearing the voice behind her. It wasn't Ikuto's but it was slightly familiar. Slowly, Amu turned around. She blinked a few times and shook her head. "T-tsukasa," Amu stammered. It was definitely the same Tsukasa who she met or saw on Aruto's ship from last time the same thing had happened. But, "What happened to you? You look…so young…"

Tsukasa smiled leaning closer to Amu and he whispered in a warning tone, "Don't be rude. I'm only in my early, very early twenties. Of course I'm young." Tsukasa gave Amu a hard slap on the shoulders.

"No…I mean, last time…you were…much…well…." Amu stammered again, not knowing how to say it, but she didn't want to continue anyway. Tsukasa was giving her the, do-not-call-me-old-again-look. So, I'm back on Aruto's ship, Amu wondered, forcing an awkward smile back at Tsukasa. But, this isn't the same ship as last time. It's a lot smaller and I don't see his crew…

"Honestly I'm shocked too," Tsukasa spoke, "but you seem to be the most shocked. I understand since they are beautiful creatures but in the end Leira is just a mermaid."

"Mermaid," Amu repeated and she peered behind Tsukasa who shifted away. She almost stopped breathing as she stared at the entrancing beauty before her. Swimming quite freely inside a large tank on the ship was a mermaid. Her glistening silver scales, long silky brunette hair and porcelain-white skin was exactly as the books has described. "She's beautiful," Amu whispered in awe, already forgetting the strange situation she was in. This was the first time she has ever seen a mermaid; the sacred beauties of the sea. They were known to be real but not many were blessed with the opportunity to see them.

"Mermaid's usually hide so deep within the ocean, not many sailors have come across them," Tsukasa said. "We're fortunate to have one on our ship. But it's not for long."

CLANG. CLING. CLANG. Amu and Tsukasa both turned their attention away from the mermaid at the clashing noise. Thud. A sword dropped onto the floor. Amu heard Tsukasa sighing besides her.

"Why don't you finish me off Aruto?"

"Stop acting spoilt," a mad Aruto shouted as he lowered his sword.

Amu stared at the young blonde arguing with Aruto. She was gorgeous, even more attractive than the mermaid. Who is she? Amu wondered, and she noticed Aruto also looked a lot younger than the last time they met. Did they use some kind of aging spell?

"How can you be so cruel?" the young woman shouted. "How can you push Leira to her death?"

"I'm not-"

"You're planning to sacrifice Leira to the Sirens in exchange for our own lives. That's cruel Aruto."

"Listen to me Souko," Aruto shouted back, "we don't have a choice. To get to the place we want to go to, there's no other option but to sail through the Siren's territory. The only way we may be able to survive is to offer a sacrifice to the Sirens."

"Pick a different route," Souko demanded.

"If taking a different route was possible I would've done that already," Aruto explained, "besides we agreed that we're sailing together on an adventure. We decided that if we ever did encounter Siren's we'd take them head on, survive and live the legend. Why are you being so difficult now?"

"I didn't know you were going to sacrifice someone to take our place," Souko complained, "besides the one you're planning to sacrifice is Leira. How can I let you?"

"We don't have a choice in this either," Aruto sighed, clearly tired from arguing with Souko, "Siren's won't take human sacrifices. If it's not something magical or mythical it won't work."

"CRUEL, MEANIE, HEARTLESS, COWARD," Souko yelled.

"ENOUGH ALREADY," Aruto shouted back at Souko. "I'm not the bad guy here. Leira herself volunteered."

"Even if Leira agrees to die for us," Souko began, "it doesn't justify we push her to do so. It's still wrong and cruel. I look down on you."

Aruto had a scary expression now. It wasn't just anger. "Souko," he spoke with a low tone of voice, "stop being a hypocrite. Sacrificing Leira is wrong but we should try to survive nonetheless." Aruto chuckled a little, "get real Souko. Death is always around us when we're at sea. There's no avoiding it. If you're so weak, you don't belong here."

"Hang on Aruto," Tsukasa said, taking a few steps towards the two. "There's no need to say things like that."

Aruto ignored Tsukasa. He continued to stare at Souko with his angry gaze, "don't make me regret asking you out to the sea."

Souko looked away from Aruto. Her body was shaking. "Then, perhaps you should take me home."

"Wait a minute Souko," Tsukasa said, lost as to what to say to the two. He looked at Amu and did hand gestures. Help-say-something, was what Amu interpreted Tsukasa's hand signs to mean.

"What am I supposed to say?" Amu mouthed back. I don't know either of them and their conversation is way too heated now for interruption.

Knock, knock. The mermaid, called Leira knocked on the glass of the tank. Souko walked over towards the mermaid.

"Don't fight."

That voice, Amu thought listening, is the mermaid's voice.

"Don't sacrifice yourself for us," Souko said softly, placing a hand onto the glass where the mermaid's hand rested on the other side.

"I already decided. Do not blame Aruto. Don't fight."

Souko gritted her teeth, "Aruto, please do something. We might be able to change our course. We don't have to do this."

"I've already said everything I wanted to say," Aruto said, "if you can't take this, you need to think about leaving this ship."

"Why?" Souko continued, "We're not going to achieve anything by being stubborn like this. Instead, we're going to lose a friend."

"No Souko."

Souko looked up at Leira inside the glass.

"You will achieve something. You can live. Continue adventure. And…the third treasure."

"Third treasure," a startled Souko, Tsukasa and Amu said in unison.

"Aruto, what is Leira talking about?" Tsukasa asked.

"Sirens," Leira voiced, "Sirens are key to third treasure. You need to survive."

"All along you were just aiming for the legendary treasure," Souko shouted banging a fist onto the glass. "How selfish can you get?"

"For the last time Souko," Aruto raised his voice, "I'm not the bad guy here. I'm only going through with this because Leira wants to die."

"Tsukasa, do you honestly believe him?" Souko asked, glaring at Aruto.

Tsukasa looked from Souko to Aruto then at Leira who nodded. "Souko, Leira did say she wished to die. I believe Aruto."

Souko turned to look at Amu, "what about you?"

"Me," Amu said awkwardly, meeting Souko's gaze.

"Can you agree with this?" Souko asked, "even if Leira wants to die, does it mean it's alright for us to agree and let her?"

Amu gulped, not really knowing how to answer Souko. Was it really wrong? She didn't have an answer herself. "I think…."

La…La, La, La, Na, La, Laa…

A sweet song suddenly echoed around them. It was voices so sweet, it soothed and relaxed their souls. It felt as if something was lifted from their heavy bodies allowing their senses to drown in this sweet, sweet melody playing in the air.

"What is this melody?" Amu whispered, feeling a little light-headed and weak. But she was so relaxed, she felt good.

Na, La, Na, La, La, Laa, La, Laa…

"DON'T LISTEN TO THE MELODY," Aruto shouted.

Did someone say something? Amu wondered, her ears seeking the sound of the melody even more. She was so focussed on the sweet melody she hadn't noticed how fast the ship was now moving.

CRACKLE. An ear-scorching lightening suddenly thundered in the sky above them, black clouds formed and darkened the entire area.

"Hey, get a grip," Tsukasa called out, shaking Amu.

Did someone say something, Amu wondered again, only able to hear the sweet, sweet melody. She saw how dark it was ahead of her but she couldn't sense anything. She wasn't thinking either. She was just listening to the melody.

"Souko, move away from Leira," Aruto commanded, but Souko seemed to be in a daze.

"Too late. Siren's melody. Souko affected. Be careful Aruto."

"Aruto," Tsukasa suddenly shouted, letting go of Amu, "We're going to crash…"

Amu stared at massive rocks ahead of them. Sharp, jagged like thorns and clustered, with the sea raging and smashing beneath. It was impossible to control or steer the ship away, and even harder to stop the ship from slamming into the rocks. It was as though the waves themselves intended to carry the ship towards its doom. I should do something, Amu thought but she couldn't move her relaxed body and she didn't want to. She just wanted to listen to the sweet melody.

"Aruto, I can't move the ship at all, we're just heading straight towards those rocks," Tsukasa called out.

"Tsukasa let me take over," Aruto ordered, "I'll do something. Look after them."

Tsukasa nodded turning back towards Amu. "Snap out of it please," Tsukasa cried. He raised his hand to slap her.

"Ouch." Amu felt a strong grip on her arm and turned. "Ikuto," Amu said.

"Why are you suddenly so relaxed?" Ikuto questioned, staring at her with a quizzical look on his face.

"Well this sweet…" Amu stopped. Gulping, she looked around her again and found herself back on Ikuto's ship. The relaxing sensation had left her and she was back to normal. Still night time, Amu thought, staring at the sky to make sure it wasn't the massive thunder cloud. There was no tank with a mermaid in it, nor was there any sign of Souko, Tsukasa or Aruto either. Again, Amu thought, it's happened again. What's going on? I was definitely with Aruto and that place.…

Ikuto kept a firm grip on Amu's arm. He studied her carefully, unable to forget what just happened seconds ago. Not only did he finally confirm Amu's possession of the locket, but he also witnessed the strangest occurrence. When he reached out to grab Amu's arm the first time, she disappeared. His hand grasped thin air. But in a blink, she reappeared before him and he grabbed her as if she had never disappeared to begin with. What's more bothering is, Ikuto thought, staring at her empty chest. That old man was telling the truth. Clover's words echoed through Ikuto's mind once again, "the locket will slowly but eventually fuse with its owner and when it does, it will give the holder memories." The strange thing that happened just then, could it be…the locket is already giving her directions to the seventh treasure?

"Pervert," Amu shouted about to slap Ikuto's face but was stopped by him. She flushed pink, "d-don't stare at my chest."

"There's nothing there to stare at," Ikuto commented.

Amu was about to protest but Nadeshiko's voice was so loud, it simply caught everyone's attention. Nadeshiko and Yoru were complaining about who woke them up in the middle of the night. The others just yawned and stared at Ikuto, waiting.

"Captain, please make whatever announcement you have to make, short and quick," Kairi said in a business-like manner. "Sleep is quite precious for the crew."

"It's not me who caused a racket," Ikuto said staring at Amu.

Everyone turned to stare at Amu, which made her feel uncomfortable. "What's with those looks?" Amu asked, "I only woke you up to…ARGH…how can I forget. Emergency. This is an emergency. We're in danger."

More stares and silence.

Amu held up the map in her hand, "We've been marked by Sirens. If we don't think of something fast, we'll end up dying."

Continued stares and silence.

"This ship is already heading into Siren territory as we speak. We're seriously running out of time," Amu said more desperately. "We need to do something before we hear the Siren's melody."

"Once the Siren's melody is heard, the ship will head towards oblivion," Nagihiko finished, "I've heard of that legend."

"It's not just a legend, it's happening to us now," Amu stressed. "Even though I didn't believe in it until I saw it for myself as well."

"How much longer do we have?" Kairi asked, looking at Ikuto.

"I'm not sure," Ikuto answered, "But as soon as we hear their melody, we should be close to the actual beings."

"Alright," Kairi said turning to face the crew, "prepare yourselves. Our target are the Sirens."

"In the middle of the night," Nadeshiko complained, "can we catch one in the morning instead?"

"Catch?" Amu repeated, puzzled by their conversation.

"Hurry up and get ready," Kairi ordered. "Captain, we'll move on orders."

"Of course," Ikuto smiled.

"Wait," Amu spoke up, "what's going on?"

"Brother was planning to catch a Siren if we ever enter the Siren's territory," Yoru explained. "Don't worry about it."

"Capture a Siren," Amu exclaimed. "What is he thinking? Why would he-"

"It's none of your concern," Ikuto stated, dragging Amu away. "You need to make yourself useful and do something as well. Move on my orders."

Amu didn't answer Ikuto. She watched as the others prepared themselves for the big catch. What are they thinking? What is he thinking? She felt her legs sway a little. The ship seemed to have picked up speed. Amu stared out into the vast ocean. This place feels oddly familiar… "This place is…" Amu inhaled. "This is where I was just a minute ago, but with Aruto and the others." Amu made a run towards Ikuto, "Stop. Stop and turn back. Hurry. You can't catch a Siren. It doesn't matter how strong you are, you won't succeed."

Ikuto grabbed Amu by the neck, "you better shut up before I really get mad. I have my reasons for doing things and as a part of my crew, you don't question me."

"Trust me, it really is impossible," Amu cried, "we'll die before we can set eyes on a Siren."

"You scared witch?" Nadeshiko asked in a teasing way. "Unfortunately for you, none of us here are cowards like you."

"That's not it," Amu cried, "it really is impossible. Just give up on the third treasure."

Everyone turned to stare at Amu. Ikuto brought her closer to him, "how did you know about the third treasure?"

"When I was with Aruto, the mermaid spoke of it. That the Sirens were the key to the third of the seven treasures of the sea," Amu explained, "please Ikuto, if that is what you're after, give up now."

La…La, La, La, Na, La, Laa…

No, Amu gasped, I'm too late…that's the Siren's melody….