I paced the hospital waiting room. It was 5:12 a.m. and just a handful of nurses and doctors were working. It was Christmas Day…and Amu had yet to wake up. She'd been lying in the hospital for nearly a week now. Just remembering what the doctors had told me the day before made me want to punch the walls until I bled.
Flashback
"Why isn't she waking up?" I asked impatiently, knowing that Ami was standing right behind the window staring at us.
"We fear that she may have slipped into a coma due to blood loss. "
"Bullshit!" I shouted clenching my fists. "She was muttering to herself in a dream just a few days ago."
"We are very sorry, but this is what it is. She's gone into a coma."
End of flashback
I can't believe Ami can't have her sister awake for Christmas Day…and then I remembered I had to get presents for everyone. I walked back into Amu's room and stood right beside her bed. I had a present and a wish.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Amu, Merry Christmas. And please…if you can hear me…wake up so you can give Ami a good Christmas. Please."
Before I looked at her, I secretly prayed that she had woken up and was staring at me angrily for kissing her and was just about to jump out of bed and kill me. I opened my eyes. She was still asleep. I sighed and sat down. As I looked out the window I heard a commotion out in the hallway.
"What do you mean I can't see her!" shouted a girl.
"We're sorry you don't have the authorization to see her right now. And please keep your voice down, we have patients," hissed Amu's temporary doctor.
"No authorization my ass! I've known Amu longer than all you weaseled faced doctors and I am as sure as hell I am not taking any orders from you!" she shouted.
"Utau, I've known her for a long time too," said the other girl.
"Yes you have Yaya, and if this pussy faced doctor would shut his trap for a few minutes we could go see her right now."
I walked out into that hallway and stood right in the middle of Rima and Kukai.
"What's going on here?" I asked.
"Oh…hey Ikuto," said Kukai recovering from a recent laugh. "Turns out Ami called these two girls and they want to see Amu."
"But the doctor won't let them," finished Rima. "I kind of like them though."
"The blonde one is pretty interesting. She looks easy enough."
"Then go get her," I replied.
"Gladly."
He waltzed over to the scene and took the blonde girl's hand gingerly.
"What's your name princess?"
"Utau. Who the hell are you? Are you another pussy faced doctor?" she demanded.
Rima burst into a loud laugh.
"No, I'm a cop. Kukai Souma. And since I have authorization to see her, I'll let you go in with your friend."
"It's about time. Thanks a lot…um…Kairi whatever your face is," she said pushing past him.
"Thank you," replied Yaya.
Kukai walked back all gloomy and depressed.
"Oh I like them a lot now," smiled Rima.
"Glad you enjoyed the show," he mumbled bitterly.
Utau POV
I thankful for that brown haired player who let us into the room but my thankfulness towards him quickly vanished the minute I stepped into Amu's room. She was all wired up to different machines and was all bandaged up. I ran to her side with Yaya trailing behind me. I stood on one side of her bed and Yaya on the other.
"Oh dear God! Amu what happened to you," I whispered teary eyed.
I looked over at Yaya and saw that she was already crying. I settled down in one of the chairs.
I hadn't seen Amu in months after she had taken the job as a negotiator and we've rarely ever talked anymore and now…when I finally get a call it's to see her in a hospital…in a coma. I got back up and kneeled besides her bed. I clasped my hands together in a prayer.
"Dear lord, please have my almost sister get wake up this instant. Please, I'm begging you."
The sun came up and shined through the window.
"Where am I?" asked voice.
I looked up suddenly and saw Amu's eyes open. I looked over at Yaya, trying to make sure it wasn't just a prank or anything of the sort. But she too was bewildered. I got up slowly and walked to the hallway where everyone had gathered.
"Amu woke up!" I shouted and everyone ran inside the room.
Everyone pushed past me to see Amu. I was just about to go in as well when I noticed that one guy with the dark blue hair walk away. He had a small smirk pulling on his face.
"Hey you! Aren't you going in to see Amu?" I shouted.
He turned around. One word to describe him. Mysterious.
"Later, I have things to do."
Amu POV
Okay so today just gets worse and weirder that it should be. First things first, I wake up in a strange room with two people I can't recognize hovering over me. I have a huge headache to start off with. Next a whole bunch of people gather into the room crying and staring at me like I had been gone for years. And not only that but they're muttering at a thousand miles an hour.
When I finally could start recognizing people I started to figure out who was who. There was Nagi, Rima and Kukai. Standing next to them was Ami who was still crying. Holding onto her was…Utau? And Yaya?
"Um…excuse me?"
No one answered. Or more likely no one heard me.
"Hello?"
Same thing again. By now I was a bit agitated.
"HEY!" I screamed which didn't help my headache at all.
The room was suddenly quiet and all eyes were on me. I sighed in relief until they started to chatter excitedly again. I cursed under my breath.
An hour later
"Damn, it's about time I got out of that chatter house."
"Haha, Amu that's more like it," laughed Utau.
"Oh yeah!" I exclaimed. "Utau, Yaya, this is Rima she's my best friend at work. Rima, this is Utau and Yaya. I've known them since 6th grade."
"Well it's nice to meet you," said Rima.
"You too."
"Yaya so loves to meet new people!"
"Amu, bring everyone to our house. Ikuto and Kukai said we had to meet there this instant," exclaimed Ami running towards us.
"Who's Ikuto and Kukai?" asked Utau.
"Ikuto has dark blue hair and Kukai's the guy who flirted with you earlier," mentioned Rima with a quick smile.
Why are we meeting at my house?
Ikuto POV
"I swear that you have a crush on Amu and that's why you've gotten into the holiday spirit," groaned Kukai.
"For the last time, I do not have any particular feeling towards her and me doing this is because it's my fault she ended up in the hospital."
At least I think I don't have any sort of feelings…
"Whatever."
At the sound of the car engine I turned around and saw Nagi with all the equipment in the car.
"Hurry up guys!"
Amu POV
"I thought we were going to my house!" I stated.
"We are, just after we make a quick stop," smirked Utau.
She turned her car onto a very familiar street and I suddenly remembered where we were or where we were going. Utau's house. The car suddenly stopped and everyone in the car except for Utau jolted forward then back.
"Listen up, we have no idea what the guys are planning. So at the least we're going to get dressed up. Everyone upstairs now, Yaya show them to my room."
We were all shuffled out of the car and led to Utau's room.
5 minutes later
"There is no way I am wearing that!" exclaimed Rima and I in unison.
"Oh yes you guys are. Now shimmy your butts in there and pretty yourselves up so we can leave."
"Be reasonable Utau, we can't look as good as you and Yaya and Rima can. Ami looks pretty stunning as well," I stated.
And it was true. Utau had on a strapless black mini that had feathers at the bottom. Her hair was out of it's pigtails and was left open. Yaya had on a v-neck ocean blue dress that reached just below her knees. Rima had on an emerald green dress that had a bejewled belt in the middle. I don't understand why she was whining, she looked stunning. Ami, though the dress was a bit mature was wearing a strapless gray mini that reached just above her knee. It had a giant bow off to the side. Her hair was open and her bangs clipped back. I on the other hand was a complete disaster. My dress was supposed to be strapless but it wasn't. It was sort of like a sleeveless shirt made of a thin black lace. The entire dress was brown and had black embellishment along with a silky black belt to hold it together. Utau had added a sapphire necklace to match it. We all put on some pumps Utau had and filed back into the car.
This would be a complete disaster.
So Utau pressed on the gas pedal and we raced back to my house. It was a wonder how she even remembered where to go, but we still managed to get there. I stared in awe when she pulled up at my house. It was completely decorated…for Christmas? But wasn't Christmas a week away?
"Wait? Isn't Christmas a week away?" I asked.
Utau shot me a questioning look but it was Ami who answered.
"Today is Christmas. You'd been in a coma for a week."
"No way? Is that true Rima?"
When she only nodded her head glumly, I sank into my chair feeling a great deal of dread. I sighed and got out of the car and scanned the lawn. Lights were hanging off the edges of roof and there were moving deer and other equipment I didn't know we had. I walked up the steps of our house and rang the doorbell. The door opened…
Ikuto was standing there in a dress shirt and a navy blue tie, and he just smiled. Everyone else walked in without a second glance…but I stood at the doorway and stared at him. Why is it that he smiled like he was happy when he seemed so sad?
"You coming in?" he asked.
"Yeah."
The minute I walked in the smell of food had me wandering into the kitchen. In the kitchen Nagi had his hair tied back in a low ponytail and was cooking something that smelled out of this world.
"What are you cooking?" I asked.
"It's a surprise. Now shoo, I won't have women overrunning the kitchen as they always do."
"Yes, sir."
It was my own house yet it all seemed so foreign. The railing of the stairs was decorated with colorful leaves and wreaths. In the living room stood a beautifully decorated Christmas tree that had ornaments hanging off it elegantly. I looked at everyone. Utau and Kukai were talking to each other and I suspected that they could be flirting. Who knows, they could end up as a couple by the end of this week. Rima was no where in sight so I figured she had gone into the kitchen to keep Nagi company. Yaya, Ami, and surprisingly Ikuto were stationed in front of TV; each of them had a controller in their hands and were playing Halo 3 on the Xbox. I slightly smiled and took a seat on the couch, where their shouts became more vivid.
"That's not fair! How come you have such a fancy gun and I'm stuck with a retarded one?" whined Ami.
"That's because I'm more skilled than you, and no matter what weapon you have I'll still beat you," chuckled Ikuto.
"Look here!" exclaimed Yaya with complete triumph. "I turned invisible."
But Ikuto and Ami ignored her and began to battle each other.
"Give me a better gun!"
"No way!"
"Either give me a better one or you can get a crappy one!"
"Hell no."
"Amu!" exclaimed Ami turning around to face me. "Ikuto's cheating."
Ikuto also turned around and faced me.
"Nu-uh! She just sucks!"
My attempt to act serious went to waste because I burst out laughing. Ami and Ikuto exchanged glances with each other as if I was crazy.
"Then how about you strike a deal?" I suggested after I recovered from my giggles.
"A deal?" they said in unison.
"Mhm. Like…um…playing some other game and whoever wins gets their way on this game you're playing."
"That's a pretty good idea. You up for the challenge Ikuto?"
"This sounds stupid, why don't you just play?"
"Chicken."
"What game?" he said between gritted teeth.
Ami quickly got up and skillfully changed the wires from the Xbox and switched it with the one for the game cube. She connected two dance mats to the old machine and turned it on. Ikuto stared at the game cube like it was an alien.
"No way I am playing that crappy thing!"
"The game cube is not crappy!"
"Yes it is! Xbox is way better than any other device combined!"
"Or maybe you're just scared that I'll beat you."
"Game on…but I want teams."
"Sure. Yaya!"
"What?"
"You're on Ikuto's team. Amu's with me."
"No I am not," I said standing up.
"Please Amu."
"No."
"Pretty please Amu!"
"Fine."
The screen suddenly brought out the title of the game.
"Mario's Dance Revolution?" Ikuto said in disgust.
"Is there a problem with this game?"
"…No. No. Not. At. All."
The game started with Ami versus Ikuto. They chose that one Bowser's Castle game…level very hard.
They started off pretty good…that is until the beat got faster and more steps got involved.
3 Minutes later
"Yes I won!" exclaimed Ami jumping in the air.
Ami's score: D. Pretty good considering the level. Then I looked at Ikuto's score: F.
"Little girl, you just got lucky."
"No I didn't. I have talent and you do not."
"That's because you put a dinosaur game in!"
"La la la!" exclaimed Ami plugging her ears in. "You're turn Yaya."
Yaya and Ami played another round and Ami won with a golden A while Yaya ended up with a C. Ikuto took his turn on the mat again and I prayed Ami would keep winning so I didn't have to go play. Ami and Ikuto played. Ami's score: D…Ikuto's score: A.
"I have talent and you do not," said Ikuto mimicking Ami.
"Shut up…go Amu."
I took off my heels and stood on the mat. Nagi walked into the room and laughed.
"Love birds, dinner is ready," he said referring to Utau and Kukai. "Yaya, Ami, dinner is ready. You two on the mat, come after you're done. We're starting without you."
"Good luck Amu," encouraged Ami.
"Sure."
"This is determining round," smirked Ikuto smugly.
"Whatever."
We started the game and after an exhausting 3 minutes. The game ended. My score: A. Ikuto's score: B. For a moment I just stared at a screen and when I registered what had happened, a smile crept onto my face.
"Yes! I won!" I exclaimed jumping up and down.
As I jumped, my foot caught on the wire and I fell backwards. Though I fell quite hard, my landing spot wasn't the slick mat or the clear wood…it was soft…and breathing? I opened my eyes and found myself on top of Ikuto. My face began to turn red. Ikuto didn't notice however, instead he looked worried.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
I got off him and just as I was about to walk to the kitchen he pulled me back and towards him. My back was to him and his arms were wrapped around me. I struggled to get free of his grasp but it was no use.
"Christ you smell good."
I pulled away from him and stared him in the eye furiously.
"Thanks."
I then grabbed my shoes, put them on and walked to the kitchen with Ikuto trailing behind me. What the hell is his problem? Stupid pervert. Player. Ugh!
"Who won?" exclaimed Ami when we had taken a seat.
"I did."
"YES!"
We ate dinner with some small talk and once we were finished we retired to the living room after Nagi and Rima had shooed us out again. Utau and Kukai sat next to each other again and began to chatter about various things, though the conversation was mostly focused on food. Yaya and Ami were watching some new anime and Ikuto who was seated besides me had taken a slight interest in it. I on the other hand had a massive headache.
"I'm upstairs if anyone needs me," I announced.
I walked up stairs, turned into the corner and opened the door to my bedroom. It was a master bedroom with pale green sheets and numerous amounts of pillows. There was a white dresser, a bathroom and some lacey curtains. It was quite simple but my favorite part was the balcony. I took off my shoes and got in the middle of my bed where I laid there at first thinking…then slowly dozed off.
1 hour later
"Dessert is ready!" exclaimed Nagi.
"I'll eat your extras Utau," said Kukai.
"No you won't!"
"Such a petite girl like you can't handle so much food in one day."
"You want a bet?"
"Sure thing."
"Deal on."
The pair of them rushed into the kitchen and began to hoard down the sweets.
"Sweets!" exclaimed Yaya running into the kitchen.
Ami trailed her quietly until Ikuto grabbed her arm.
"Is your sister okay?" he asked.
"Now that I think about it she has been gone a long time. I'll go wake her up."
"No, I'll do it. Sweets aren't really my thing. Where's her room."
"Um…go upstairs, turn into the right corner and it's the one down at the end."
"Got it."
Ikuto POV
I turned around and walked up the stairs and followed Ami's instructions. I turned the corner and walked straight ahead. I closed my hand around the door knob and twisted it open. My first thought of the room was 'Wow'. It was sort of big. Pale green sheets spread out on the bed and lacey curtains hanging on the window. The walls were painted the same shade of green as the sheets but a slight degree lighter. And although it was dark out there was a certain light shining in the room. There was also a balcony.
I walked over towards the bed where Amu was sprawled out sleeping and sat on the corner of the bed. She looked so serene this time while she was asleep…it was almost relaxing just sitting there and watching her sleep. What is this feeling deep down inside of me? I shouldn't have any particular affection towards her…and I'm sure I don't but something about her drags me closer and closer towards her and leaves me wanting more. I played with the tips of her bubblegum pink hair. Should I wake her up?
I leaned down to her ear.
"Amu, wake up," I whispered.
She didn't wake up, instead she mumbled in her sleep.
"You look so sad? Why is that even though today is Christmas?"
I stared at her quietly and then decided to wake her up.
"Amu, wake up!"
She stirred from her sleep and looked at me strangely but gently. But that gentleness suddenly turned into great alarm and she scrambled off the bed.
"What are you doing in my room?"
"It's time for dessert, Ami told me to come and get you."
She eyed me suspiciously.
"How long have you been in here?"
"4-5 minutes approximately."
"Oh."
She walked around the bed and picked up her shoes that were right next to me and put them on. She then walked to the master bathroom and flicked on the light where she began to fix her hair. I followed her and watched her fix herself up.
"Pretty dress, is it yours?"
"No, this is Utau's dress."
"Oh."
Amu POV
There were days where Ikuto was plain rude. There were other days where he was a complete nag. And there were days where he was just weird…much like today. Commenting on my smell was weird. Stating my dress is pretty was also weird coming from the guy who had nothing to do with me. There was just one thing that confused me about him other than his perverted self. The sadness in his eyes. I was asking.
"Ikuto, why are you so sad on Christmas?"
Then I saw it. His eyes that had once been gleaming with playfulness turned stone cold then simply upsetting.
"It's nothing. Time for dessert…everyone is waiting."
He turned around and began to walk out of the room…but just as he did I ran up to him and grabbed his arm. I was kind of angry…?
"Tell me."
"It's nothing. Just forget about it."
"I can't! Why are you so evasive? I just want to know what's up with you and Christmas. Do you not like it? Or is it something else…because whenever I see you and no matter what mood you're in your eyes are always so sad."
"I said forget about it."
"…Issues…is it family?"
"It doesn't concern you!" he snapped.
Instead of backing off I ventured forward with fury.
"Your past doesn't concern me so I'm not allowed to know, but it's perfectly reasonable for you to know almost everything about me."
"I never said that!"
"You might as well as. I don't-
I was suddenly silenced when Ikuto's mouth crashed onto mine in a hard and emotionless kiss. When he pulled back I was infuriated and confused.
"What the hell was that for?" I shouted.
He only stared at me then lifted his hand…and I stupidly flinched thinking he was going to hit me. Instead he ruffled my head and walked out of my room. Sighing, I followed him downstairs and to the kitchen where we ate chocolate cake, Paris Brests and other delicious desserts.
"You two are such hogs," commented Rima when Utau and Kukai grabbed more cake some other smaller pastires.
"Rima please, we don't interrupt your professional business," offered Kukai.
"What part of this is professional?"
"Leave them be Rima," smiled Nagi.
"Whatever."
"Ooh this is good!" exclaimed Yaya holding up a Paris Brest. "What it is it?"
"A Paris Brest with espresso cream."
Before long dessert time was over and we were all crowded into the living room by Kukai, Nagi, and Ikuto.
"Okay, so this Christmas was a bit different because Amu was stuck in a coma," started Ikuto without meeting my gaze.
"But it was because of Amu that this party was put together," smiled Nagi.
"Basically what we're saying is that we bought presents from us to everyone of you. I'm going first!" exclaimed Kukai.
He walked over towards the tree and pulled out a small sack labeled Kukai.
He gave Rima a comic which she thanked for then quickly ran over to the couch and began to read. Nagi got two tickets to a floral dance down in Tokyo. Ikuto got a new construction belt with some brand new state of the art tools. He then handed Ami a gift card to Forever 21.
"I'm not really sure what teenage girls like…so I had to ask my cousin," he smiled apologetically.
"I love it!" exclaimed Ami giving him a big hug.
He gave Utau a sparkly silver barrette in the shape of a music note. Yaya got a cute duck shaped stuff animal. And last but not least, he gave me…a gun.
"A gun?" I questioned lifting the shiny black metal.
"Not just any gun but a .42 caliber pistol…yours got pretty demolished in your last negotiating case."
Smiling, I walked over towards him and just like Ami gave him a hug.
"It's perfect."
"My turn," said Nagi.
He too grabbed a sack labeled Nagi and began distributing gifts.
Rima got a pretty tennis bracelet made of diamonds. All of us girls gave a small hoot and the men chuckled…except for Rima and Nagi who were both red in the face. Utau got a cook book. Yaya got a bag full of candy. Ami got a cute pair of dangling earrings. Kukai got a new skateboard. And Ikuto got martini maker and a bottle of champagne and a 12 pack of beer. And he got me a fake flower hair piece in a navy blue color.
Ikuto then silently walked over and retrieved his bag.
Rima got a digital camera and a comic book. Utau got a pair of strappy heels. Yaya got a cute pink hoodie with her name on the back of it. He gave Ami a $100 gift card for any store she wanted to go to. He gave Nagi two ticket to Hawaii. And Kukai two tickets to a Pop concert down in D.C. He turned to face me and took out a small rectangular box and opened it revealing a small pendant. It was a small kitten made of sapphires holding a smaller strawberry made of rubies. The chain was made of silver diamonds.
He walked over towards.
"Pull up your hair," he said softly.
"I can't take this! Or anything else…I don't have presents for you."
"Pull up your hair," he repeated.
I did and he wrapped the cold chain around my neck sending small shivers up my spine. In the meantime everyone had their eyes on us.
By the time we were done it was 12 a.m. and everyone started to leave. Ami quickly said goodbye to everyone and headed upstairs to go to sleep. I on the other waited for everyone to leave and said my good byes. I hugged Rima and Utau and Yaya before they left. And finally Ikuto was left.
"Thank you for the necklace," I said touching it. "But I don't feel comfortable wearing it when you don't have a gift."
"Then give me a gift."
I walked up to him and held onto his shoulder pulling myself to reach his face a bit. He was really tall compared to me. I was only 5'5. I pressed my lips on his lips and we kissed passionately for a minute or two. When I finally pulled away he pulled me closer and nipped on my bottom lip with his teeth.
"Don't get any good ideas, this was just for Christmas."
"I'll try and heal my injured heart and soul then."
"Mhm. Goodnight Ikuto."
"Goodnight Amu," he said pecking me on the lips one more time.
"Merry Christmas," I mumbled after he left leaving him to turn around and smile.
A/N
I liked this chapter a lot…and it would have gone a lot faster if there wasn't such a big hassle. Yes…there was a big party and little cousins demanded time on the computer along with my sister. And then fan fiction refused to work with me. Sigh I hoped you liked it anyways.
Read~Review~Enjoy
Merry Christmas!
Neko-Meme