A/N: Lol. Interesting comments out there! I thought I did a sucky job last time, but maybe you guys are just trying to make me continue writing. Lol. And so many new reviewers as well! Awesome!
Will do!
Thanks to-
lighttheway
miki
YamiNiwa
Kitty Obsessive Disorder
ShadowedBlossom
luvnstuff101
Black-Rabbit921
yokogirl2
-x-shugo chara fan-x-
redcherrylilly
xXMercdesXx
o0fuYuHAnAsHIrAZuKI0o (I loved your cookies. XDD)
oxCuteKataraox
LithiumTiger19
rebellious-and-ditzy-bookworm
Sabaku no Pearl
Kurotsuki Aka
Suzuka Harukaze
Asakura Angel
Taeniaea
centurylm
Aznprid3x3
shokora 'N Stwarberries
Flashback
"What was she doing?" asked Tadase.
"We were having a mutual discussion," replied Ikuto. "Hey Tadase?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you untie me from this tree?"
Amu's POV
"Here I stand in a winter desert
In complete solitaire
With no signs of life within my soul
I stand completely bare.
The city lights
So far away and bright
How I long to be so near
In company of life
What is this trail of tears
That pours like morbid rain
The child that grew up in fear
It has lived in vain."
I ended the poem with a sigh, as I stared off into the night. (A/N: Please do not take this poem for anything! I borrowed it from a friend, so don't use it!) I was in the forest, and could see the city even from here. Although it glittered with all its lights, I knew that hidden inside of the city lay a dark and cold civilization. I heard a faint rustle, but didn't turn around.
"So you miss your friends that much, Amu-chan?" It was Kisangi, of course.
"…Yeah."
"Well, Amu-chan. You can see them again soon. The game is about to begin. Don't forget about why you're here, Amu-chan. You chose this, so now you have to stay here forever, next to my side. But I'll let you play with your Ikuto for awhile. Make sure that you don't let him melt your heart." As quietly as he had come, he slipped away. I saw his running form as he headed toward the city.
"Let the games begin," I whispered as I slipped down the tree, and walked slowly towards Osaka, thinking about the past.
Utau's POV
The masquerade has finally ended. We had practically crawled ourselves to the hotel, we were that tired. However, the night had been one of surprise and celebration. Our hopes had come true, and we had found Amu. As I though of her, I shook my head. Amu was lying to us about something, but what? Amu had been very oblivious as a child, and who knew that better than us? But yesterday night, we could all see the changes in her. She was hot now, but that was expected. The changes were mental, and while she did her best to hide it, there lay a cold fire in her eyes. As I thought back to our embrace, her body was hard as steel. Her slim body was a perfect disguise for her strength. I rolled over in my bed, and tried to sleep.
The Next Day (Normal POV)
At noon, everyone met in the café in the lobby. Everyone, even Ikuto, was there. Kairi began the meeting with the dance.
"I think yesterday was a most productive night. We saw Amu, and even talked with her. But sadly, a certain cat cut down our time with her." Kairi coughed, and glanced up at Ikuto. He was smiling teasingly. Ikuto ignored him, and instead glanced at the lunch being given to the table next to them. The charas were with their owners, and Kiseki was holding his own shugo chara meeting, right in the middle of the table.
"Alright commoners! We have found our target and now we can concentrate on finding the embryo!" The other charas were not paying attention, as usual. Instead, they were focusing on their owners, trying to help make a decision of what to do about Amu. Kusu Kusu was practically dancing with excitement around Rima, laughing and giggling all the time. Kiseki blew up, as usual. "COMMONERS!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! LISTEN TO THE KING OF THE WORLD!" Of course, no one paid attention. "Hmph," said Kiseki, trying to pull himself together again.
Ikuto stood up and started to leave.
"Tsukiyomi-san, where are you going?" asked Nagihiko. He was suspicious of what was going on between Ikuto and Amu, but was reluctant to mention it in front of everyone.
"Out for a walk. You guys aren't going to do anything. Ja ne." Ikuto disappeared out of the café, and mixed in with the crowd. The others looked at each other and shrugged. Utau wanted to follow, but she was curious of how the Guardians planned on bringing Amu back home.
Kairi cleared his throat and started again.
"We found the Joker, and we should bring her back home. However, before that, I think we should find out more about this Kisangi person. We should try to find Amu's three charas again, and ask them questions. Obviously, they will remember us. Anyways, from the information that Tsukiyomi-san has given us, we can safely deduce that Amu is involved with the mafia. I have information of all the mafia groups in Osaka." Kairi brought out folders and stacks of paper, and stacked them on the table. It was a wonder the table didn't break under all its weight. The others, especially Yaya and Kukai, stared at the work in wonder and grief. They did NOT want to read this all day! "However," Kairi continued, "this information is merely a reference." The others sighed in relief.
"Hey Utau, why don't you call your brother and ask him to take us back to the apartment of Amu's three charas?" asked Kukai. Utau looked startled, and then smiled.
"Good idea Kukai." Utau quickly got out her phone, and dialed Ikuto's number.
"Hello?"
"Ikuto! Can you take us to the Amu's apartment?"
"Just come outside. I'm in the alley nearby, to your right."
Utau ended the call, and the group paid for their breakfast and left the café. They followed Utau's direction, and saw Ikuto in the alley, waiting.
"Yo. Okay, here are some ground rules. One, don't complain to me. Two, you have to follow exactly where I go. No shortcuts, because you'll probably end up going the wrong way. Yoru got information from his cat friends and only he and I know how to get there."
The others merely stared at him with their mouths slightly agape.
"What?"
"You don't usually talk a lot," commented Rima. Her face had remained composed the entire speech. Utau nearly swooned as Ikuto smiled.
"Then that'll be it." He walked out of the alley, and motioned for the others to follow him. With light hearts, they followed him.
Two Hours Later…
"Ikuto!! I'm tired! Can't we stop?" whined Yaya. No response. They had taken what felt like a million turns, and climbed over at least 20 walls.
"Onii-chan. Please stop. Everyone is getting extremely tired!" Tadase and Nagihiko were supporting Rima because about 15 minutes ago, she had resolutely fallen on the ground, and refused to walk any further. Utau was struggling, but putting on a brave front, while Kukai laughed and joked around as if the two hours were just a pleasant walk, not a rapid jog. Suddenly Ikuto stopped in front of a apartment building and gestured up.
"The three girls live in apartment C34. C'ya." Ikuto started walking in the opposite direction, and then jumped over a wall, with his car ears and tail in place. The charas flew up to the apartment, and the others took the stairs.
Once they arrived in front of the door, they stood awkwardly around the door. Impatient, Utau knocked on the door, loudly. The door opened, with Mimi peeking out suspiciously.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," said Tadase with his best puppy-dog face, "but can we come in for a few minutes? My friends and I are lost."
"Sorry, but you see…" she began.
"Mimi! Who is it?" Sumi appeared in the doorway behind Mimi. "Oh! Come in, come in! I met a few of you 3 to 4 days ago, right?"
"Sumi! Who is it?!" Ruma ducked underneath Mimi's arm and giggled uncontrollably. "Come in! Sumi, why don't you get these guys some refreshments! Mimi, don't be so mean! We know them!"
Mimi, looking disgruntled, opened the door wider and let the group inside the apartment. They all took a seat, on the sofa, or the floor. Sumi soon brought in fruits and cookies on plates, with glasses of water.
"Enjoy." Sumi went back into the kitchen to clean up, then came back into the living room.
"Thank you," chanted everyone. Yaya leaped towards the cookies, stuffing her face. Ruma laughed, and Sumi merely looked slightly agonized as cookie crumbs fell all over the once spotless floor. Kukai began the conversation.
"Yo Sumi! I know we asked you this a few days ago, but are you sure, you don't know a Hinamori Amu?"
"Of course. But it does sound similar to Ruma's name, huh?" Sumi fidgeted uncomfortably. Kairi pushed his glasses up his nose, and stared intently at Ruma.
"Ruma-san. Please do not lie to us anymore. We met Joker yesterday night, and Tsukiyomi-san said he saw her come into this apartment. You are all Amu's charas, aren't you?" Ruma, Miki, and Sumi looked at each other. As they were about to say something, the doorbell rang. Sumi jumped up to open it. And in the doorway, stood Amu.
A/N: Sorry for the delay guys! Do you guys want to input any story ideas? What should Amu do now? XDD Read and review!!