Meilin: Minna! It's Christmas Eve! I am so ready for Christmas :D How about you?
Ikuto: Doesn't anyone want to send me presents?
Amu: Who would want to send you presents?
Ikuto/ Meilin: Uh, everyone...at least every fangirl. -smirk-
Amu: Ugh, whatever...
Ikuto: Aznpride16xx does not own Shugo Chara - Only the Plot
Behind A Smile – Chapter Six: Jealousy Is Ugly
Love is like a puzzle. When you're in love all the pieces fit, but when your heart is broken it takes a while to put the pieces back together…
Amu was woken up by the laughter of all the little children. Oh, that's right. I slept at the park last night. She then crawled out of the igloo-shaped dome causing the kids to scream and run away in terror. The pinkette was temporarily blinded as she stepped out into the light.
She aimlessly wandered around until she realized she was lost in a forest. But it really didn't matter. She had no home and no one was waiting for her. A few minutes later she came across a river, looking left and right, she stripped and waded in the water, washing off all the dirt that covered her hair and skin. Despite the cold weather that was quickly approaching, the water was a comfortable temperature. The water is warm. It feels nice – like all my troubles are being washed away. She sighed in content. If only time would stop right now. It was quiet and peaceful. No one was around to disturb her, no noise, no yelling, no pity, no fire, and no worries. That didn't change the fact that she was heartbroken and homeless, but at least the pain was numbed...for now.
An obnoxious ringing sound disturbed her peace and with that she lazily opened her eyes. The girl forgot that she had her cell phone in her pant-pocket. Her phone was ringing and Kukai was the cause of it.
"Hello?" She said quietly.
"Amu, thank goodness you're okay. I was so worried about you. I take it that you found a place to stay last night?"
She was slightly hesitant but, "Yeah, I found a place to stay last night but now I don't have anywhere to go." Technically, she didn't lie but she did owe him to at least tell him part of the truth. Kukai sighed in relief on the other line.
"Kukai, does Ikuto know about my house yet?"
"No, not yet. He didn't come home last night so I haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon."
"I see. Do you think I could stop by?" she asked.
"Of course, anytime you want."
She thanked him and hung up. Right after the phone call she resumed bathing. One last time, Amu dipped under the water. After doing so, she air-dried a bit and slipped her clothes back on.
Her house was only a few blocks away. Eight blocks to be exact. Finally, she came upon her house, all the rubble left exactly as it was before – untouched. The pinkette walked up to the house that was once hers and rummaged through all the remains.
The brunette next door saw her though his window and decided to help.
"Anything I can do to help?" He asked. She turned her head to face him and smiled. Then she nodded. "Are you looking for anything specific?"
"My bracelet," she answered. "The one I was wearing before," she said referring to the time her wristlet snagged onto the door frame. "And anything that survived, I guess."
After thoroughly searching through the burnt pieces of furniture and collecting whatever could possibly be sold, Kukai invited Amu out for lunch – his treat. Seeing as though her stomach spoke for her, Amu blushed and accepted. They both decided to go out for ramen, which was only a single block away from the park.
"Look, look! It's the igloo lady!" A child yelled pointing a finger at Amu. Kukai was definitely confused and Amu was cursing in her mind.
Crap! He's going to find out! She screamed to herself.
Two other children ran up to the twenty-two year old girl and gave her a big-toothy grin. "Excuse me, Missy?" the six year old child said tugging on the 'igloo lady's' pants. "Why were you in that igloo today?"
Nervously, Amy bent down to eye level and said, "I was, um...I was playing a game. Shh!" Horrible liar. Her conscience spoke. "Now you two go and play, okay?"
The kids went back to playing on the playground but not before saying, "By igloo lady!" and running off.
"Well, we better get to the ramen shop now-"
"Amu," Kukai said grabbing her from running away. "You slept out here last night, didn't you?" She hung her head low and nodded, "Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped you."
"I didn't want to be a burden on anyone and I definitely couldn't face Ikuto and Saaya. At least not yet."
"You're not a burden on me. I'm helping you because I want to. Also, you're going to have to face them one of these days, you know."
"I know that. I will when I'm ready. But right now is not the time."
Understanding that nothing else should be said, Kukai and Amu had lunch and made their way back home.
"Go ahead and shower. I'll wash your clothes and bring you a fresh shirt to wear," Kukai said opening the door for her like a gentleman. He led the rosette up to his bathroom, took her dirty clothes, and left her to herself. He brought her clothes downstairs and was going to wash them until his phone rang. He placed the garments on the chair in front of him and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Kukai, it's Utau. I got off work early. Do you want to go somewhere with me?"
"Sorry, Utau, not right now," he apologized. "There has been an accident and-"
"What accident?"
"Come over and I'll tell you."
Both hung up and Utau was there in less than ten minutes. Of course, she noticed Amu's house (or what was left of it anyway) on her way over. Utau ran her fingers through her long, luscious, blonde hair and sighed as her boyfriend explained the situation to her.
"Kukai, I'm finished!" Amu yelled down the stairs.
The brunette looked at Utau and handed her a shirt. "Will you take this to her?" he asked.
"Of course," she smiled. The pop star took the shirt from her partner and went up to see Amu.
"Amu, I brought you a new shirt to wear."
The door opened to reveal a girl wrapped in a towel. "Utau," she questioned. The blondie smiled but Amu could tell it wasn't a happy smile.
Quickly, Amu slipped into the guest room where Utau was waiting for her. They spoke, they laughed, they cried, and laughed some more.
"You really do love my brother, don't you?"
Amu smiled sweetly, "Yeah. I do." The air was deathly still.
"What do you plan on doing now?" Utau asked. She couldn't help but be curious.
Amu thought about ti for a few moments and made a decision. "There's no reason for me to stay here anymore. So I'll go back."
"Go back? Back where?" She said on high alert. Then it hit her. "You don't mean...you're going to move back over seas?"
Amu only nodded in response. "I think it would be best if I leave. I don't want to feel like I'm going to break down every time his name is mentioned."
Utau understood what she meant but didn't press any further. She left the younger girl to herself to let her catch up on her sleep.
Said girl stared up at the blank ceiling thinking about the words Utau had just said.
"Just be careful. Please think about your decision before you go through with it."
Should she really leave the country behind? Leave the place where she grew up? Leave her friends behind: Kukai, Utau...and most of all, Ikuto? Are they really worth leaving behind because of her jealousy towards Saaya?
Amu came to no conclusion for sleep overpowered her and the darkness engulfed her.
As the poor girl slept. Ikuto and Saaya returned to the house. Ikuto rushed into the house almost to the point of breaking the door down and frantically looked around for the brown headed roommate of his.
"Kukai?" He yelled into the house. "Kukai!" Then Ikuto began to panic. Finally, the owner of the house walked up from the basement and hushed him. When Ikuto spotted him he burst out with many questions. "Where's Amu? Is she okay? What happened to her house? Why didn't you call me and-"
"Ikuto, be quiet. Amu is fine. She had a rough night last night and she's sleeping in the guest room right now."
The panicking man let out a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was holding in. Kukai explained everything up to after he saved her, but left the part about his parents refusing to let her stay out. He never mentioned that she had no place to go either – it wasn't his place to say and he was almost entirely sure that she didn't want Ikuto to know.
"I'm going to see her," Ikuto said suddenly. He stood up and made his way to the stairs despite Kukai's protests.
"Ikuto, wait!" Saaya called clinging to his arm. "Kukai is right. Please, let Amu sleep." He also ignoredd her and went upstairs. Saaya huffed and sat down on the couch while Kukai resumed washing the clothes in the basement. He knew that once it came to Amu there was no changing Ikuto's mind.
Amu was peacefully sleeping in the guest room, her cheeks slightly pink from crying. Even so, to him she looked like the perfect little girl that he had known all his life.
"What happened, Amu? Your house, it's...and you only just for back home. I'm sorry I didn't do anything to help you." Sitting by her bedside, Ikuto gently patted her head and ran his fingers through her rosy hair.
Half conscious, the pinkette placed her hand on his and held it close. "I...Ikuto," she whispered in her sleep. A small genuine smile graced her face as she said his name. He, too, smiled along with her.
Unbeknownst to the man and sleeping girl, Saaya was there watching the whole scene unfold before her. Jealousy was obviously plastered on her face but no one was there to witness it. She quickly and quietly stormed out of the house and sat on the bench outside.
"That stupid girl. That fire was supposed to kill you. Next time you won't be so lucky."
Many things have happened in relationships: Love, happiness, heartbreak, and lots of crying...but jealousy – jealousy was always an ugly thing.
End Chapter Six - Upcoming: Chapter Seven
Meilin: Again, I am UBER EXCITED for Christmas tomorrow :3
Ikuto: Merry Christmas Everyone! Leave a review and I'll personally send you a gift of my own. -Smirks and wiggles eyebrows-
Amu: What are you going to give them? Something lame, I bet.
Meilin: -Gasp!-
Amu: What?
Meilin: Nothing Ikuto gives is ever lame! Fangirls Unite!
Ikuto: Prove Amu wrong by sending a review. Click that smexy button.
Special Thanks To:
iMightBeYourDad
XxNekoHentaixX
comedyqueen123
Amuto Lover
Amuto Lover
Amuto Lover (because you reviewed three times ;] )
Raegan Meinna
xGrellSutcliffx
Sherry
Lunnette
Minato-kun Luver
Amuto FAN
po tah toes
ThePandaHat
Until Next Time My Darlings! Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!