I put on a pair of jeans along with a ruffled yellow tank top. Over that, I wore that leather jacket and placed a black headband in my hair. As I rushed down the stairs, I looked at Ikuto's flowers once more.

"Ami, I'm leaving."

"Don't get all lovey dovey at work."

"I won't."

"Bet you still will," she mumbled.

Smiling, I closed the door behind. What should I get Ikuto?

I got into my car and backed out of the driveway. As I drove to work, I remembered what Ikuto was saying about the Kyou case. Why did he take them to France?

When I got into the office, no one was lingering around. Not even Suzuki, the receptionist, was around. I wandered throughout the building, when I remembered where we had gathered last time there had been an emergency.

I rushed down to the conference room, and just like I had suspected, everyone had gathered down there. It had apparently just started because Tsukasa approached the front.

"By now, I hope that everyone has at least heard of the Kyou case."

A couple people nodded their heads, while others murmured to nearby neighbors.

"It seems that he's taken all the children to France. What I'm doing in today's meeting, is to nominate a small group to go to France and see what Kyou is up to."

"Tsukasa, when is the group leaving?" asked Rima.

"Since the news came a bit too late, the group will leave next month."

Everyone began murmuring again.

"The group consists of Tsukiyomi Ikuto, Souma Kukai, Hitachiin Kain and Hinamori Amu."

"Who's Kain?" I mumbled to Nagi who was standing next to me.

"That guy," muttered Nagi in disgust as he pointed to a man walking towards Tsukasa with his eyes.

He looked pretty handsome actually. Tall and lean, along with masculinity in all the right places. His hair was dark brown with hints of darker green blended into it. His eyes were the same color…deep green with hints of brown. I hated to admit it…but he reminded me exactly of Renji.

"Tsukasa do you really think it's wise to send Amu to France with us?" asked Kain. "For god sakes, she just joined."

"I'm pretty sure she's proven herself numerous times."

"Chief, I'm not doing this to degrade anyone. I'm talking for the best of the hostages and for her well being."

"Kain, do you think Amu is really that weak?" asked Ikuto walking to the front.

I waved to Rima who walked towards Nagi and me with a dead angry face.

"What's wrong?"

"That…ugh…Kain's talking to Tsukasa about dropping you out of the group."

"Why?"

"I really don't know. He's fucked up like that."

Hurt pulsing through my veins, I stormed up to the front where a real storm was taking place.

"Kain get a grip! Who the hell do you think you are to drop out members of a group!" shouted Ikuto.

"You probably don't understand the well being of other people then! How many times has she been in a coma related state because she got carried away with a case?"

"CARRIED AWAY? As far as I'm concerned she's done what she's felt was ne-

"Ikuto," I whispered, laying a soothing hand on his shoulder.

"Amu, he-

"I know."

I turned my attention to Kain. He looked seriously angry and a bit of worry lurking around in his eyes.

"You don't want me on the team?"

"Not that I don't want you, it's just that I'm afraid that you'll get hurt worse. Maybe ever more badly than that coma you had on your last case."

"Don't underestimate me. I have no intention of falling weak or to my knees before the likes of you or Kyou. Remember that," I said before walking away.

"You go Amu," cheered Rima to herself.

Later

I was sitting at my computer trying to find more details about Kyou's past. As I worked, my door opened and Ikuto slipped in quietly. Absorbed in my work, I barely even noticed him until he came behind me and placed his hands lightly on my eyes.

"Hey Ikuto."

"How'd you know it's me?" he asked coming from around me.

"Obviously Kukai or Nagi won't come and cover my eye lids."

"Could've been Rima," he mumbled.

"Sorry hun, but Rima doesn't have man hands," I smirked. "Anyways, what do you want?"

"Tsukasa wants our group to go to the training room in the back."

"What for?"

"He didn't say."

Getting up, I followed Ikuto to the training room. I smiled.

"This brings back memories."

"Of what?"

"Don't you remember?" I accused. "My first day here, you made me sweat my butt off just so you could tell Tsukasa I wasn't ready."

"Oh that. In my defense…look how much you've…grown."

I planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Nice try."

"Look what we have here!" exclaimed Kukai coming from behind us, Rima and Nagi following him. "Two of our favorite people together in a relationship."

"Knock it off Souma," smirked Ikuto.

"Nagi! He didn't even deny it."

"I heard him," said Nagi, but he was smiling from ear to ear as well.

Rima brushed past them and stood in front of me, grasping my hands.

"Are you two…are you really?"

"Yeah…"

"I knew it! Ah!" she squealed in delight.

"All that's left now, is for Utau and Kukai to get together," I said.

Kukai stopped grinning and regret flashed in his eyes. I took a step forward, just too clear some ground.

"I didn't mean it like that," I began. "I-

"It's fine. You guys should get going; Tsukasa's going to get angry."

"Dude, you have to come to," said Ikuto.

"Nah…I need to catch some air or something. Tell the old man that I'll meet him up later," he sighed with a wave of his hand.

I stared at Ikuto for the longest time but he only kissed the top of my head like when I was little and we walked to training room.

"I should probably call Utau and ask her what happened."

"No," said Ikuto stopping my hand as I grabbed my cell phone. "Whatever happened is between the two of them. Let them handle it. If all goes well their relationship will be stronger."

"You'd better be right."

"I'm always right."

He was smirking now.

I lightly hit his shoulder and walked into training room. It had clearly been remodeled since the last time I had been in here. The floor was changed to the same bouncy material a dance floor has. In the corner of the room were a couple punching bags hanging from the ceiling. Tread millers lined up against the side of the wall, a couple weights and then there was an open area that led out back.

Tsukasa stood in the middle of the room – talking to Kain who was already changed into some sort of gym clothes.

"You're finally here," he smiled. "Well go get dressed and I'll tell you why I've called the four- Four? Where's Kukai?"

"He-

"He had some business to take care of. He'll be back later," interrupted Ikuto.

"Very well."

I followed Ikuto the back where there were two rooms. We both separated and went inside without a word to each other. The room was pretty drab. It was dark wood with pale green walls. There was a table and a chair…yeah that's pretty much it.

On the table were my clothes. It was a gray half-sleeve tee that had a white front. The sweats…well it wasn't really like the sweats I had at home. They came down like skinny jeans and had thick white lines running along the sides diagonally then crossed at the front.

I put my hair in a quick ponytail and rushed out of the room where Ikuto and everyone else were already waiting. Ikuto looked just like Kain…well almost. They both had on black basketball shorts but Kain had a green tee while Ikuto's was red.

"Well then. The three of you are here because of the trip to France. On some point I agreed with Kain."

He stopped and looked straight at me before resuming.

"When he said that some of you are a little to unskilled to be blunt, I had to agree."

"Some you of you? Tsukasa, there is no 'some of you', I'm the only one. We all know who the unskilled one is and-

"Amu, you are unskilled but only in the physical part of being a negotiator. Kain and Ikuto however…they're a bit rough on their negotiating."

"No I'm not!" shouted Kain and Ikuto in unison.

"Kain has a fiery temper and Ikuto at times can be hesitant. Now I have to get going. You guys get training."

After the door slammed shut, the three of us just stood there. Kain silently moved towards the tread miller and started running. I looked towards Ikuto and shrugged before moving towards the punching bags. Ikuto did the same as Kain.

I held in my fists in front of my chest and started to punch the bag. At first, since I hadn't done this exercise in a long time, my knuckles ached. But the longer I punched the pain eventually began to subdue.

45 minutes later

From the corner of my eyes I saw Kain stop his tread miller and take a gun out of his pocket. He walked outside and a gun shot erupted. I stopped punching and froze. Still running, Ikuto called out in a raspy breath.

"Don't worry…there's a target practice…outside," he panted.

I continued punching even after Ikuto headed off the tread miller to do the punching bags.

"Still punching?"

I didn't answer and kept my attention fixated on my fists and bag. Ikuto skillfully stepped in front of my and grabbed my fists in his hands. He brought my fists up to his face.

"What the hell Amu? You're knuckles are all pink and scratched!"

"I'm training. Hence the part where you have to work your butt off."

"That doesn't mean bruise yourself up as much as you can in one day! Is this because of what Tsukasa and Kain said today?"

"…"

Ikuto pulled me into his arms quickly.

"Don't prove to others how strong you are. Show them…gradually."

"I know but-

A gunshot erupted the conversation. When I turned my head I saw a flash of brown and green streaked hair fall to the floor. My heart twisted in pain and my mind went red.

"RENJI!" I screamed pulling myself out of Ikuto's grasp like a wild animal.

I ran outside – almost tripping over the tread miller's leg. I rushed outside and slid next to the figure. I picked up his hand…it was ice cold…just like last time.

"Hang on! Hang on Renji! Don't give up on me now! Don't die!" I shouted tears strolling down my eyes.

"I'm not fucking dying!" he shouted.

He shook the hair out of his face and instead of brown eyes I was met by deep green eyes.

"It's Kain. I don't know who this Renji is but he's not me."

"I don't know who he is either," said Ikuto in an irritated voice, standing in the doorway.

I turned my head down so it faced my lap and smiled; I smiled even as the tears continued to drop onto my lap.

"That's right. That's right…he isn't here anymore. How could I forget?"

"So who is he Amu?"

I got up wearily not even remembering my surroundings. There was one scene and one scene only that re-winded and replayed in my mind. The grave. Renji. Me. Death…

I rushed past Kain and just as I was about to go by Ikuto, he grabbed my by the arm roughly.

"Who the hell is Renji Amu?"

"IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!" I shouted as tears continued to roll down my face.

I pulled myself out of his grasp and ran out of the room.

"What's her problem?" asked Kain.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I'm going to find out real soon," said Ikuto behind gritted teeth as he stormed out of the room.

Ikuto POV

Anger and confusion raced through my body. I didn't know what was going on but whatever it was- actually whoever "he" was, was tearing Amu away from me. Her office was locked shut meaning she wasn't in there. There was only one place she could go-

Rima's office.

I stormed into her office without bothering a single knock. At first glance I knew Amu wasn't in here. But that didn't mean she didn't know anything.

"Don't you know ho-

"Who the fuck in Renji?"

"How the hell should I know? And what gives you the fucking nerve to just barge in here like it's your own house?"

"Where is she?" I asked completely ignoring her.

"Where is who?"

"AMU!"

"She went home."

The minute I turned around to leave, Rima flew across the room and grabbed onto my arm.

"Ikuto, she's really upset right now. She's not even close to being stable."

"Well I want some fucking answers. NOW!" I exclaimed leaving the office.

Amu POV

I had gotten home a few minutes ago and was currently curled up in the corner of my bed. In front of me was a small box labeled 'Precious'.

I brushed my finger over the rough exterior of the object. It was a necklace Renji always used to wear. It was a necklace with a very old coin give to him by his grandfather. The box was also filled with the photographs Nina and the rest of us had taken.

"Amu, can I come in?" asked Ami knocking on the door.

"Go away," I mumbled softly but loud enough for her to hear me.

I listened to her pause before her footsteps echoed down the stairs.

Ikuto POV

I pulled up in front of Amu's house and walked up the driveway as slow as I could. When Ami answered the door, I burst right into the house but didn't go any farther than the entrance.

"Ikuto…hey…um what do you want?" she asked in a drab voice which seemed to be unusual for Ami.

"I need to speak to Amu right now."

"Lover's spat?"

"Of the sort. Where the hell is she?"

"She can't come down right now."

"The hell she can't."

"Really Ikuto, she won't come down. She even refused to see me."

"I need her now!"

"What do you want?" asked Ami, her temper rising.

"Okay, you might know. Who the hell is Renji?"

"Renji- oh. Ikuto…I really can't…it's something Amu has to tell you herself."

"If you know why won't you tell me?" I shouted feeling a rather small twinge of pain shoot up my chest.

"I-

"You want to know?" asked Amu appearing at the stop of the stair case.

She was a mess. Her clothes were wrinkly and her eyes were puffy red. Evident tear stains were marked all over her face.

"Then I'll tell you," she said in a raspy breath.

A/N

Hi. Sorry for not updating at all last week. Gomen Gomen. Haha okay I never meant for Ikuto and Amu to get into a fight type thing. After rereading this chapter I realized that I accidentally made Kain and Renji have somewhat similar appearances. It was all a mistake I promise. But then this idea of Ikuto finding about Amu's family popped up and Tada!

So sorry about that. Thanks for the reviews I really love them. Do y'all want a sequel by the way?

Read~Enjoy~Review

Neko-Meme