Chapter 11

You know you're scared when you can feel your heart straining to jump out of your chest while your ears block out all noises so all you can hear are the rapid beats against your ribcage as you start to get dizzy.

You know you hate someone when your teeth automatically clench at the sight of them and your eyes start burning with hatred.

Amu stood in the doorway of her house, experiencing all these effects. The sight before her made it nearly impossible to remain quiet. But, somehow, she did.

Yoru sat dangerously close to the man she hated so much. The only person she hated.

Kazuomi.

What business did he have in a small town like this? Why was he sitting next to Yoru? Did he know more than he should? Questions bounced endlessly through Amu's mind while she struggled to find the right words to say at a time like this.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" Ikuto asked, stopping next to Amu.

'Dad'? The pinkette repeated in her mind. Since when was Kazuomi his dad? She remembered Ikuto hating his step-dad for trying to take Aruto's place as his father. Just the sight of him would make Ikuto annoyed, not liking the fact that such a man even existed.

And yet, here they were acting like best buds. Amu didn't doubt this was a scheme Kazuomi came up with so Ikuto would follow his advice and take over the company, just like he wanted before the memory loss, back when Ikuto never listened.

Kazuomi took advantage of the loss of memory. It was a slate that was wiped clean. He just had to start over with his step-son and soon enough, he'd get his way.

Taking a quick glance at Amu, Kazuomi replied to the question. "I'm here to take you home." He stated before he stood up off the couch and folded his hands behind his back. "I managed to shorten your community service so you could get back on track with writing songs and being the famous violinist you are."

This took Ikuto off guard. His eyebrows slowly slanted downwards. "Why? I mean... there's only a few more weeks left and I'll be done. What's the rush?"

Amu noticed the look she received yet again from the older, balding man. "Trust me, son. It's time for you to return to Tokyo." Kazuomi stated, then turned to face the pinkette, his eyes boring holes into her skull.

"Oh, this is Hinamori Amu." Ikuto introduced, noticing his step-dad's gaze on the female. "She's the one I've been staying with."

Amu suddenly felt like she was in one of those dreams where you walk on stage in front of your entire school, then realize you forgot to put clothes on that day. All eyes were on her. Especially Kazuomi's.

"How nice." He commented through gritted teeth. "Might I have a word with you, Hinamori-san? I noticed something in your front yard that caught my attention. I figured it was dangerous, so I wanted to point it out to you."

She forgot how to breath for a split second. Her wide eyes snapped towards Tadase, who gave her a reassuring nod. If anything were to happen, he had her back. Amu looked back at the large man in front of her, hesitating for a moment, but nodded anyways. She then turned on her heel and stepped back into the cool outdoors.

The young girl shivered, though it wasn't due to the cold. Pulling her light sweater tighter around her, Amu stepped into the grass, walking away from the house so she could have the conversation she really dreaded.

The door seemed to slam shut and out walked Kazuomi, who slowed to a stop in front of her. She didn't dare make eye contact, but stared at the grass instead.

"This was all your plan, wasn't it?" He spat. "Once you found out Ikuto was coming here, you immediately offered to let him stay at your place, just so you could get close to him and start up something again. I won't have you screwing up his life just like you did before. He's finally getting somewhere, don't drag him down again."

Amu remained silent, letting him continue.

"And what is that thing in there, your child? He's.. what... four?" Kazuomi questioned. "And it wasn't even five years ago that you left. You sure move on fast. Already found another man and got pregnant. You really are a slut."

No matter how badly she wanted to, she couldn't say it was actually Ikuto who got her pregnant. That would just stir up more drama. And she was fine with being thought of as a slut. People could think whatever they want, they could say whatever they want, but that doesn't mean that those things are true. Don't let the rumors get to your head. Don't let them destroy you, just ignore them and you'll be fine.

"When I heard the news he was staying with you, I had to put an end to it. Don't get any ideas about trying to get him to remember you. He has a life. He's a somebody, unlike you."

Of course that's the reason he showed up suddenly. He always used to meddle in Ikuto's business, why would that be different now? Kazuomi had to know where his step-son was at all times, just so he could control his life. It made Amu sick.

Right when she thought Kazuomi's outburst was over, he started up again.

"Ikuto's been doing wonders for the business. Without him, Easter would be history." He took a step closer to her, quietening his voice so much it made Amu shrink back in fear. "Don't. Mess. That. up. Get back out of his life, before I take matters into my own hands to make sure you won't show up again." Once saying that, Kazuomi took a final look at Amu before scoffing loudly and charging back inside.

The girl slowly fell to the ground, sitting in silence. She felt tears brim her eyes as she covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her sobs. It hurt. It hurt that she couldn't defend herself or Ikuto, that she had to continue to lie to the person she loved, and that no matter what, Kazuomi would do anything in his power to get his way in the end.

It hurt that she could never be with Ikuto again. She was also terrified of what might happen if Kazuomi found out Yoru was Ikuto's son. He could easily use Yoru as a way of getting Amu to do whatever he said. He could threaten to hurt the small boy, or... Amu didn't want to think of what other things he was capable of doing.

Amu's head snapped towards the house after hearing the door open again. She closed her eyes and took calming breaths once seeing it was just Tadase. The blond crouched in front of her, not having to say a word and she felt better. He wrapped his arms around her petite form, letting her cling onto him and cry into his chest.

She always had to stay strong for Yoru. She could never break down in front of him or anyone else. But now, all the emotions she had bottled up in the past rose to the surface. The one that stood out the most was fear. She didn't want anything to happen to her son. And even though she hated Kazuomi, she had to wonder what it was that made him the way he was now.

Wiping her puffy eyes, Amu sniffled and stood up shakily. Tadase's warm hand held onto hers as he led her back inside, where Yoru was watching an anime. The other two males were nowhere to be found.

"They're packing Ikuto's suitcase." Tadase softly replied to Amu's unasked question.

She just nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment. Turning to the blond beside her, she smiled softly, reassuring him that she was okay now.

She loved Tadase. He was someone you could always rely on. He had also been her best friend since middle school. Without him, Amu didn't know where she'd be today.

Ikuto walked down the hallway with his suitcase. Kazuomi brushed past him, saying he'd be waiting in the car.

Yoru's eyes filled with tears once realizing what was happening. "Y-you're leaving us?" He hiccuped as Ikuto crouched down in front of him.

"Hey, I'll come back to visit soon." He guaranteed, brushing a tear from the boy's cheek before pulling him into a strong hug.

"I l-love you, uncle Ikuto." Yoru sniffled as they parted.

Ikuto smiled at him. "I love you too." He stood back up and shook Tadase's hand, both of them nodding as a way of saying 'farewell'. It was a rather typical thing for guys to act cool when saying goodbye.

But then there was Amu. When he saw her, he couldn't just shake her hand. He had to hug her. Staying with her made him realize just how hard some people had it in life. Single moms who overworked themselves just to put food on the table for their children was something Ikuto truly admired now.

He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent one last time. Like usual, it was strawberry.

In an instant, his head started aching as he seemed to be sucked into an alternate universe.

flashback

The clouds hovering up in the sky were heavy and dark. The rain came down in buckets, drowning out all other noises.

Ikuto glared through his wet hair at the girl beside him as they hurried back inside his dark apartment. She knew he hated water, yet forced him to run out onto his balcony with her anyways.

She simply grinned cheekily at him before going on her tiptoes so she could plant a small kiss on his lips. "I love you." She said honestly.

He smirked down at her, the smell of her strawberry shampoo filling his nostrils. "You better." He teased before capturing her lips. He pushed her against the wall, their breaths becoming heavier. His hands found the hem of her shirt and pulled it off as they moved into the bedroom.

End

Trying to shake off the sudden dizziness that took over, Ikuto cleared his throat awkwardly and ended the hug. The dream girl still had no face, but something told him it wouldn't be long until her identity was revealed.

"Well, I'll see you guys later." Ikuto said, stopping in the doorway and turning around to face the three. He would miss him. That he knew for sure.

With one last glance over his shoulder, Ikuto closed the door and walked towards the silver car parked at the side of the house. After throwing his luggage in the back seat, he climbed into the vehicle and went on his way back to Tokyo.

You know... I'm really not liking Kazuomi at the moment. Ha-ha, wonder why. Anyways, so I had someone ask me to get a formspring account.. thing. So, I did! Apparently it's just a website where you ask a bunch of questions. Http: / www . Form spring . me / jackthepumpkin7 That's the link! Just remove the spaces :) sooo yeah if you want, then ask me some questions! It can be about this story, other stories or just something random. See you guys later! God bless.