CHAPTER 12:

I got a text from Dad earlier this morning. It was a cryptic message of asking me to meet them in an abandoned warehouse not far from Charanari High. I was sure it wasn't a trap. Only our family knew how to understand how the encryption worked. Now, I was in my Lambo on the way to that place.

I was going 135 miles per hour. No kidding. I felt so desperate to see them that the speed limit in this area didn't matter at all. Good thing there were no cops at the moment.

As I pulled over a curb, my phone beeped.

I glanced at the sender. Huh, unknown number.

Regardless, I opened the message.

[Where the hell are you?! You should've told me you were going out of the campus. Tell me your location. I'm coming.]

I raised my amused brows. I had a feeling I knew who sent this message. Huh. What made him my guardian? He had no business as to where I was.

I deleted the text and shoved my phone in my back pocket. My HK-P8 rattled in the compartment as I pulled it down. I put it behind me, hitched under my jeans, its cold metal biting on my back. Better safe than sorry.

The warehouse looked like it was starting to deteriorate. It was as if just with a flick of my finger the thing would come down. I wondered why Dad would choose this place to meet. Maybe this was a trap after all.

I took in a deep breath. Nah.

I pulled the sliding metallic door open and was greeted by a tight embrace from a happy Ami.

"Onee-chan!" my sister squealed.

I smiled to myself. Ami had grown an inch.

"Hey there, kiddo," I broke away and ruffled her chestnut hair.

As usual, she frowned at me when I did that. This kid didn't change at all. Familiar voice cut through our mini-reunion.

"Amu," my father called.

I nodded his way, "Dad," I looked past him but saw no one, "where's Mom?"

My Dad shook his head. "She needed to take care of some things. Listen, sweetheart, I need you to take Ami with you. Things are going tough. We barely have enough time to arrange our flight overseas. We can't risk having your sister around. It's too dangerous,"

I nodded. There was no problem with that. Charanari Elementary was just next to the Ladies' Dormitory. There was just this tiny matter to deal with.

"I can do that, Dad. In one condition,"

My father's raged eyes hit me with a soul-shattering impact. "You need conditions to make your own sister safe?! Since when did you have the right to negotiate a direct order - much less for your own flesh and blood?!"

Ami cowered behind me, not totally oblivious as to what was going on. My poor sister shook for me but I was still unable to hide my slight tremor from my father's rage.

"I just don't understand what's happening! You've been keeping me in the dark for so long! I need to know what we're up against, Dad!"

He balled his fists and fumed with fury. "Your mother and I are doing this for your own good. The less you know, the safer you are,"

I stared at him incredulously. Did he actually say that? Did he seriously just say that in my face?! That was the dumbest excuse a parent could say. It was the oldest excuse in the book.

"Aren't you the one who told me that having as much intel as I could get was what made me invincible up to now? What happened to that, then, Dad? Why couldn't you just tell me who we're dealing with? And why are we running away? This isn't just like you," I slowly shook my head. "It's either you tell me and Ami and I would drive back to the school unscathed or you keep me in the dark and I'll force you to take me with you. Either way, I'll find out what's going on. What do you say, Dad?"

Ami's sharp gasp told me I'd gone too far. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed Dad like that. My inner weakling cringed but I had no other choice. The words were already out, there was no taking them back.

"Fine," my father sighed in defeat, "I'll give you your intel,"

He walked closer to us and gave both Ami and I the warmest hug a Dad could ever give. "Since when did you get so matured, sweetie?" he smiled and ruffled my hair the way I did Ami's.

I frowned.

Well, at least I have my intel now.

I was drying my hair with a towel when Ikuto barged into our room.

The quads were out for the moment and Ami was in the shower. Good thing I already had my shirt on. The bad news was I was only in my underwear.

Damn it. Now, of all times?!

"And here I thought I'd still have to undress you on my own," he shut the door and locked it.

My face heated up in embarrassment. "W-What the hell are you talking about?"

Ikuto had this predatory glint in his eyes. He walked towards the shower room leisurely, the noise from the shower evidently seeping from the door. He hoisted up a chair and put it against the knob, disabling Ami from coming out.

"What are you doing, Ikuto?" the tremble in my voice wasn't clear but my face was still red with shame. I tried to grab my gun from under the bed.

This is crazy.

With three swift steps he reached my place. I felt the edge of my bed biting on my bare thighs. Never in my life had I ever felt this intimidated by a man. My chest was rising and falling in a world record speed. Ikuto brushed my hand, making me drop the gun on the carpeted floor.

"There's no need for that, love. You're perfectly safe with me," he purred at my ear. He gazed at my eyes with static electricity, effortlessly luring me out in the open.

I hitched my breath. I had no idea I could ever feel this weak. My pulse was beating fast and my face was a thousand shades of red. Ikuto grabbed me by the waist, his cold fingers slightly grazing my skin. A gentle shiver crawled on my veins. He pulled me closer, so close his face was only inches from mine. I furrowed my brow and bit my lower lip.

Why the hell am I not flinching away from this bloody bastard?!

The sneaky cat smirked and I almost felt my knees go weak. The reaction I was having on him wasn't appropriate at all. He tugged on my chin to make me release the bruising lip.

"Don't do that, Amu. You're making it difficult for me to control myself," his warning sent shivers down my spine. Not only was he dirty talking me, but he was also in the process of laying me down on my bed.

I blushed furiously. "S-Stop saying stupid things, Ikuto,"

He gave me a seductive smile, making my knees go weak than they already were. I had totally no idea what was coming my way. When I looked back at this, I'd know I was only at the beginning of a sand storm of lust.

"You made me worry, you know that?" I swore I heard him growl just now, "You bad girl,"

Ikuto snatched my parted lips with his, completely taking me by surprise. Although, as much as I wanted to deny it, I knew deep inside that it was bound to happen. I raised my fists to fight my way from the blue-haired trouble but as soon as Ikuto wrapped me in his arms, I felt my stupid will slowly ebb away.

The boy was an exceptional kisser. No wonder tons of girls were swooning after him.

Without force enough to save myself, I remained ensnared by Ikuto's tantalizing lips. He guided me on the bed, pinning me down by his body warm body. It was intriguing as to how his hands were cold whilst his body was warm. But I didn't get to have enough time to think about that.

He straddled me as he reached something on top of my bedside table, still not breaking away from the strength-draining kiss. I felt my shirt hitch up as Ikuto raised my hands above my head and...tied them to the head board with my school necktie.

Ikuto broke away. "You shouldn't have went out so recklessly like that, Amu,"

My panicked eyes shot him with an accusing stare. But he only smirked and dipped down to kiss me again. His skillful tongue opened mine and deepened our heated interaction. At this point, I had no strength and will left enough to insinuate that I had no liking whatsoever to what was happening now.

"I had to go. My Dad called for me," I was surprised I was still able to talk back despite the situation now.

He silenced me with his predatory glare. The threat was clear. Fine, I'll keep my mouth shut.

The next thing I knew, his button down white polo shirt was ripped open and my shirt came away, leaving me only in my panties and bra. A renewed heat crept to my face as I fully realized what we were doing.

"Next time you need to go out, tell me. That way, I'd just have to do things to you to make you stay," he teased, making me blush harder.

He lowered himself on me, tickling my neck with his hair on the process. "I can't have you running off like that again," he, then, flicked his tongue on my earlobe and bit it playfully.

A soft gasp escaped my lips and earned another blush for him to tease me about.

Ikuto rose up and stared at me at arm's length, making a mini-tent around us with his open polo shirt. He smiled - genuinely.

"I hope we understand each other,"

A stupid moan managed to break free as Ikuto assaulted my neck with a series of butterfly kisses. He was perfectly skilled with these kinds of stuff that I found it completely hard to concentrate.

He was ravishing my throat, kissing and nipping anything his mouth could get on. He was driving me insane. The ringing in my ears told me I was about to go off. Never in my life had I been kissed like this by a boy. Never. Until now.

Ikuto pulled away and eyed my lacy royal blue bra. He hooked one finger on it and looked into my eyes. Slowly, he threatened to pull them down, but didn't. My eyes widened in relief and something I was unable to get a grip on...disappointment?

The temperature in the room suddenly rose up. My skin became all prickly and I was sweaty from head to toe. I noticed Ikuto's playful demeanor changed, too. He started to get serious, staring at me like I was the last person in the world.

Too late to protest, I allowed him to swoop down and kiss me again. He suddenly became more passionate, fierier. Rough but gentle at the same time. His left hand cupped my chest, fondling it with his skillful hands.

"You perfectly fit my hand," he commented.

I shot him a glare and squirmed under him. I was tied up half-naked on my bed with a person who may or may not be sent to kill me. How the hell did I end up in this mess again?

Rushed footsteps echoed from the hallway. Ikuto stopped what he was doing and sent a dagger-sharp stare at the door. As if on cue, the door knob rattled, making me jump.

"Suu! Door's locked," I heard Ran yell from outside.

The blue devil rose up and climbed down my bed. He leaned down on me as if to give me a kiss but I turned my head away. My cheeks burned again as I realized that this bastard was going to leave me here fully exposed for my roommates to see.

"Don't you dare leave me like this, you asshole!" I spat.

But the jerk only gave me a mischievous smirk and stole the kiss he wanted. He caressed my cheek with false tenderness and immediately jumped off my balcony right after.

I bit my lip with so much frustration I thought I actually drew blood. Bastard!

"Miki! You were the one who took the spare key from Amu-chan. Where did you put it?" Suu's reprimanding voice effectively made me panic even more.

My eyes frantically searched for something to cut the tie with. Anything sharp.

Anything.

Desperation hit hard me like a brick wall. I had to find something fast.

There!

I spotted a knife on top of the window sill just above my hands. Hanging on for dear life, I forced myself to reach the goddamn blade.

"Will you guys calm down?" Miki made a 'sheesh' sound and dragged something that sounded like the rug being lifted up from the floor.

A new wave of panic rushed to my veins as I heard the tell-tale clinking of the dorm key. Finally, I was able to reach the knife and drive it between my hands, cutting off the stupid necktie.

I just finished pulling down my shirt in time the door opened, welcoming the quads to our not-so-innocent room.

"Hey, Amu-chan," Ran greeted.

I was flushed and flustered, sweaty hair sticking to my forehead and neck. I smelled Ikuto's faint scent on me as I rose up from the bed. "H-Hey,"

"What's this chair doing here?" Dia removed the chair from the comfort room door and shot me a funny look. It was like she was accusing me of something.

Good thing Ami decided to finally come out of the bath.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Should've warned you about that mature content, huh? I'm sorry ^w^ Hohoho! Anyways, please do tell me what you think. Do you want Rimahiko back? Do you want some Kuutau? What about Tadashiko? Give me your demands, dear readers :) Let's give the other characters their love stories ^_^ Please review ^-^ Domo arigatou!

With all the love for writing,

Lace Ashdown