Meilin: …So…
Ikuto: …Yeah…
Amu…that's embarrassing…
Meilin: …you're embarrassing…
Amu: WHAT?
Ikuto: …
Meilin: …okay then…..
Ikuto: Aznpride16xx does not own Shugo Chara – Just the Plot
Behind A Smile – Chapter Five: On your Own
When family is gone...
When friends are lost...
Who else is there to turn to?
And when those people turn you away,
is there really anything to live for?
Maybe I shouldn't do this. The girl thought. Her hand was raised almost about to knock on the door. She dropped it back down to her side and sighed.
Turning around and sitting on the front step, Amu debated to herself. What am I even doing here? Should I just leave and never come back?
"I guess that's what I'll do," she said quietly to herself.
"You'll do what?"
Amu stood up quickly and whipped around only to see Souko walking out of the house.
"Souko, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I'll be leaving now." Before the girl could get away, the blonde woman grabbed her by the arm.
"Don't be silly. Would you like to stay and chat for a while? Tell me all the things you did while you were gone." Amu couldn't refuse such a kind smile as the one Souko just gave her.
"Sure. Thank you."
Both walked inside and sat down on the living room couches. Ikuto's mother brought out tea and small pastries. The two ladies snacked on the treats while they caught up on old times.
"So tell me, Amu. What are you doing now that you're back home?"
"Well, I'm looking for a place to stay right now."
"Aren't you living next to my son and Kukai?"
"...I was. But I...I wanted to get away," was her answer. She smiled to mask the pain. "It's nothing really. I just wanted to try something new."
Souko could see the hurt in her eyes. Even if she smiled, her eyes gave all truths away.
"Where are you going to stay?"
"I was wondering if I could stay here." She said averting her eyes away. Something like this was embarrassing for her.
Souko started, "Oh, Amu. Of course you c-" but was cut off by Aruto.
He said, "I'm sorry, Amu. We can't have you stay here. It's nothing personal but Ikuto is our son. It can't really be explained but we cannot allow you to stay here."
Why? "It won't be for free. I'll pay rent. I'll work!" She reasoned.
"I'm sorry, Amu. Even if it doesn't make sense to you, you cannot stay here."
"I understand. I'm not going to argue." She rose from her seat, her bangs covering her eyes as she looked down. "I will leave with what little dignity I have left." she mumbled low enough for only her to hear. "Thank you for having me." The pinkette briskly walked out. She tried to wipe away any and all tears that rushed down her cheeks.
"Aruto, why did you say those things?" His wife asked. She worried about Amu. She was like a daughter to her.
"Souko, don't you think if we had Amu stay with us, it would be like betraying Ikuto?"
"How would that be betraying him? Amu is lost and she needs our help!" The woman with the golden hair retorted.
"Souko," he said sternly. "We decided Ikuto needed to become a man. He was old enough to live on his own. We can't have Amu living here while Ikuto is not allowed to."
Ikuto wasn't forced out nor was he kicked out. It was just a pride thing that men have. Once you were old enough, it was time to grow up and be on your own.
Aruto was right but Souko was still worried. Nonetheless she couldn't do anything about it.
Amu mockingly smiled to herself and laughed with self pity. As if they would let me stay there. I can't believe I got my hopes up.
"What was I even thinking?" she said leaning her head back, looking up at the sky.
"I don't know. What were you thinking?"
She whipped her head around. "Oh, it's you. Jeez, why do people keep going that today?"
The brunette gave her one of his signature grins. "So...how did it go?" She stopped dead in her tracks while he kept walking. A few seconds later he noticed that the girl was no longer walking beside him. "Did it really go that badly?"
She nodded and looked off in a random direction. "Yeah. It was a waste of time. I should have known." She looked up to smile at him. "But it's not big deal. I'll just live in a hotel until I find a place to stay. I'm okay, really I am." Then she laughed nervously to ease the tension.
Kukai looked at her with a worried and sad expression. He walked over to her and placed a hand on her cheek. Using his thumb, he wiped away the tears streaming down her face. "If you're fine, then why are you crying?" He didn't need to ask because though already knew the answer. But he did anyway.
Amu didn't realize she was crying until he came up to her. Her fake smile faded into a frown and she wanted to sob uncontrollably.
"It's okay, just let it all out." She did exactly what he said as he pulled her into a protective hug.
"Why am I so pathetic, Kukai? Why did it turn out like this?" Every word she uttered weighed down her own heart and stabbed Kukai's own.
"You're not pathetic and don't you ever say that again, understand?" He said sternly. All the while he was patting her head and rubbing her back soothingly.
The pinkette softy pushed sway from the boy. "Sorry," she muttered. She dried her tears and took in a deep breath. "I better get going. The sun is going to set in a few hours."
Kukai looked at his watch - it was about three in the afternoon. "Want me to help you out?"
"No but thanks. This is just something that I need to do on my own. See you later." Then she walked off to find her new home.
After countless attempts to rent an apartment or live in a hotel, she would get the same answer. It was either "you're too young" or "you would never make payment on time" or just a flat out "no". The sun had already set and she was out of luck.
This time, she was really worried. There's no where for me to sleep tonight. I have no where to go. What am I supposed to do? Amu kept walking. She was lost in her thoughts until she saw someone throw out a perfectly good blanket.
"I guess this is the way it has to be." She sighed, not in disappointment but more thinking that this is the way her life would go from now on - jobless, homeless, hungry, and alone. Everything she had ever had was burned to a crisp. She had absolutely nothing except the clothes on her back and the twenty-three dollars and forty-two cents in her pocket.
Waiting until no one was around; the girl snatched the blanket and walked to the park she saw on the way. At the park was a small playground that looked somewhat abandoned. Crawling into one of the igloo play pens sitting to the left of the playground, Amu wrapped the blanket around her small figure and leaned against the plastic tent.
Meow. she heard a cat say.
She reached over to pet the cat and in return it hissed and clawed at her. It seemed as though the cat didn't need her either. Oh how she laughed at the irony.
End Chapter Five - Upcoming: Chapter Six
Meilin: I decided to update a little bit earlier than usual because I have a ton of homework coming up and I don't know if I'll be able to update next week…So that's why I chose today!
Ikuto: Wow, this gets more depressing with each chapter. Sorry this chapter wasn't as exciting. It just adds to the drama a little :)
Amu: Kukai is so nice to me.
Kukai: You better believe I am! –Hugs Amu-
Utau: Get your own man. –Glares and drags Kukai away-
Kukai: O.o Show Amu some love by leaving a review!
Amu: Please Review? :]
Special Thanks To:
ThePandaHat
Minato-kun Luver
Amuto FAN
AnimeManga
thexlittlexlisa
xXxWhiteAngelxXx
xGrellSutcliffx
Thanks to all of you I have an awesome time writing. All for you guys! Lotsa Love :]
Until Next Time My Children ^.^