"Amu, you're back!" exclaimed Rima charging towards me with an ecstatic smile on her face.
While her arms snaked around me, her brown eyes studied the figure standing close behind me. She took a step back and clasped her hands behind her. Her gaze directed at Ikuto, she opened her mouth to say something when Kukai's signature laugh echoed throughout the halls.
"Nagi, Hinamori's back!" he shouted running towards the slowly growing group.
Hearing the commotion, Suzuki looked up and dropped the binder that had been in her hands.
"Amu!" she shouted enveloping me in a hug.
Breathless from the lack of oxygen that seemed to reach my lungs, I turned my head and glanced at Ikuto who merely smirked at me and walked towards the direction of his office.
It took some time before I was able to get away from everyone. At some point as I was making my 'escape' Rima and Nagi had turned into my bodyguards. As I walked down the hallway, I shook my head. Honestly, it had never occurred to me that my return would have caused such an uprising; though there was a twinge of my heart that was warmed at the gesture.
Sighing, I raised my hand and knocked on the wooden door.
"Come in."
Releasing another intake of breath, I twisted the knob on the door and let myself in.
"Ah…good morning Chief."
A grin played on his lips.
"Have a seat."
Nodding my head, I took a seat on one of the sofas.
"So, you've come back."
"I couldn't possibly stay away."
He clasped his hands together, on the desk while I fiddled with mine on my lap.
"I see."
"I hope you aren't too displeased…I just-
"If you continue, that's only going to inflate his ego," announced Ikuto strolling in. "Isn't that right, old man?"
Tsukasa grinned.
"And why are you giving her such a hard time? Do you enjoy causing young women stress?"
"Not particularly. Well Amu, your knight in shining armor has saved you from an interrogation. You may go."
Cheeks tinted pink and unsure of what to do, I nodded my head and escaped from the office. Ikuto's laugh filled the hallway as I turned to enter my office. Leaning against the door, I allowed for my eyes to wash over the room. It had been too long and the feeling that washed over me was merely bittersweet.
I ignored the teasing memory of me sitting on the floor pointing a gun at Ikuto with sheer terror on my face. Instead, I began to recall the distantly faint memory of my first time walking through these doors. With the adrenaline pumping through my veins, I took a seat at my desk and spread my hands over the cool oak.
"You seem very happy."
Startled at the sudden interruption to my calming thoughts, I snapped my attention to the intruder at the door to see a pair of piercing gray eyes. I placed a hand to my chest and relieved a sharp intake of breath.
"Oh, it's just you Yosuke."
A hint of a smile shadowed his face as he crossed the doorway and leaned against the wall.
"Disappointed?"
"Not at all," I replied tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I was merely startled."
"Well, that's a relief. I'm glad to see your presence back in the office."
"Yeah I'm glad to be back too, though Ikuto is still warily cautious of my return. But I feel like it's necessary to be back – here."
"I see. Is the Chief permitting you to return negotiating?"
Shrugging, I idly traced the edge of the desk before looking up.
"I'm not entirely sure. But I'm almost certain he and Ikuto are discussing that right now."
Yosuke pushed himself away from the wall and approached my desk, placing his palms on the cool oak that I had brushed my hands over only moments before.
"Ikuto seems to be very worried over your well-being. I wonder why that is. Are you two, perhaps, involved in a relationship?"
Flustered, I grabbed the hem of my shirt and tugged on it lightly.
"We…are not in a relationship."
"Oh really?"
"Y-yes."
"You sound unsure."
"Why are you questioning me?"
"Because I'm curious about you."
I flushed lightly, I backed up a little to avoid his piercing gaze.
"I'm hardly interesting."
"On the contrary, I find you very fascinating."
There was a knock at the door and I immediately jumped away, my heart frantically pounding, - Yosuke remained where he was, indifferent of the sudden intruder. The 'intruder' allowed himself in and looked from Yosuke to me with playfully serious emerald eyes.
"Did I interrupt something?"
My face flushed brightly remembering the uncomforting feeling I had felt with Yosuke's close contact.
"N-no."
When Kukai quirked a brow, Yosuke relieved a sharp exhale and brushed past us coldly.
"Stop pestering her with your idiotic questions Souma."
As Yosuke left the room abruptly, Kukai stared at me with a wide eyed expression reading 'what the hell just happened?' I ran a hand through my hair and let out a small sigh – a reaction reminding me too much of Ikuto.
"Did you need something Kukai?" I asked once taking seat at my desk.
He pulled up a chair and sat down, staring at me with a serious expression once more.
"Don't get me wrong Amu, but why are you here?"
"It's my office," I began before realizing the intent to his question. "It was the compromise I made with Ikuto."
He rubbed the side of his jaw with his forefinger before resuming eye contact.
"Compromise," he repeated slowly. "Did you tell him about the threats?"
"No. He found a note directed to me on his doorstep the other night and we had a talk."
"I see. Do you have any possible ideas who this guy could be?"
I pushed away from the table and began pacing around the perimeter of the desk.
"I had a few ideas but they came up pointless."
"Like?"
"Well I had originally thought of TaeYang, but I ruled it out immediately. This 'game' is beginning to stretch out too long, and knowing him from the time we were in France, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that this isn't his style."
"Yeah, sitting around cooped up in a cell and writing notes doesn't really click when I think of him. Is there anyone else, Amu?I know you don't want to be pestered about this on your first day back, but we need to be able to snap this in place before it escalates to something more gruesome than any of us had in mind."
I nodded my head.
"Um…there's Ryu, the guy who tried to keep me, along with Karyn and Anju, hostage. And there's Hikaru Tenachi, the guy who fired the first gunshot. They're both serving time behind bars."
"I see," he began slowly. "And do you think it could be them?"
I stopped walking and took a moment to look at Kukai.
"I had analyzed these possibilities once before. It couldn't have been Hikaru Tenachi – I had been receiving these notes long before I knew who he was. As for Ryu, I can't say I know him well enough to determine how he would act, but based on what I saw – he's too brash…too reckless to think out a move.
He ran his fingers through his hair before momentarily pausing to rub the side of his jaw.
"You've given me three people to work with – one has a solid alibi and the other two are iffy. Okay," he said pushing himself up from the chair. "I'll run these through with Rima and Nagi and I'll get back to you when I got something good."
"Kukai, I don't want you to-
He turned around and flashed with a goofy grin.
"Since when do I follow the rules, Hinamori?"
The door shut, leaving me alone with my own thoughts. I walked back towards my desk and traced my palm over the cool oak. I had yet to mention it to Kukai but I had suspected another person. Exhaling deeply, I raked my hand through my hair. My mind reeled back to Taro, Karyn and Anju's brother. I couldn't bear to think of it when I remembered his soft demeanor and his gentle movements and words. On top of that he thanked me profusely for working on the case. Sighing, I pushed the thought of my head.
Absently, I took a seat on the chair and began opening the drawers. The necklace, I thought to myself. Maybe it was returned. I pulled the drawer open with crashed hopes. The broken necklace was not lying amongst the disarray of post-it notes and writing utensils. Just as I came to shut the drawer once more, a skillfully folded white note caught my attention.
Frowning, I picked it up and unfolded the elaborate folds.
Dear Amu,
I can almost hear your screams of terror. Oh yes, that would give me the greatest pleasure of all. And I simply cannot wait for the feel of your blood spilled all over my hands as you look up at me with horrified golden eyes. Yes, those fiercely stubborn golden eyes are simply mesmerizing my dear. I cannot wait until I can play around with you in person. I won't give much away but this game is coming to a close.
I subconsciously gripped the paper with greater power. My heart beat against my chest with violent thumps. My hands shook, but not with the heart-wrenching fear that had gripped me violently countless times before – no this was inexplicitly defined fury. I pushed myself away from the desk and stormed out of my office and down the hall where I flung door open.
Startled azure eyes made contact with mine; Ikuto slowly got up from his seat with a frown.
"Amu, what's wrong?"
Not able to speak, I thrust the paper out in his direction.
Maintaining his frown, he walked around his desk and grabbed the paper from my hands. From the corner of my eye, I watched his eyes slowly read the contents of the letter. I released a large sigh which in turn relinquished part of the anger. But before I knew it, the paper had fluttered to the ground and I was enveloped tightly. I gripped his arm and tried to push myself away, but my efforts were in vain. I stood there limply while he rested his chin on my head.
"Ikuto," I murmured.
"I don't know how to protect you," he began.
"I don't need it," I interrupted.
He scoffed lightly.
"I knew you'd say that, but the fact is the things I've done to become are stronger are fruitless. Wanting to join SWAT, part of it was to get stronger if something was to happen to you."
"Nothing will happen to me."
"You can't guarantee that. This guy, he says this game is about to be over – but when is that? Christ Amu, what if that's while I'm away on a mission?"
There was a beat of silence.
"Your reaction isn't what I was expecting."
He chuckled dryly.
"Here I am worried over your wellbeing and you talk about my reaction."
"I thought you'd be angry."
"I am, but I can't go parading around the office breathing fire and beating up people."
I looked up causing him to remove his chin from my head.
"Promise me not to be reckless," he began again.
This time I grinned.
"That's like asking the sun to stop shining."
"Amu-
"I'm a negotiator, aren't I?"
"Being a negotiator doesn't mean your invincible."
I pushed myself out of his grasp and stared at him with a triumphant smirk.
"I am the girl who took care of herself and her little sister while living on the streets and the girl who watched her friends die right in front of her. My parents are dead, I was practically raped in high school, and I've been hurt physically more than any negotiator in the past year and a half. If some stupid prick thinks that some lousy notes and two dead mice are going to make me tremble well then his plan is already foiled."
I was already out of his office when I remembered something. Biting my lip, I walked back in to see him still standing there but with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Did something else happen?"
Refusing to answer, I stepped close to him until our bodies were at least an inch or two apart. Tilting my head, I kissed his cheek and quickly stepped back with a sheepish smile.
"Um, thank you for worrying over me. I know I try to act tough all the time, but honestly, thank you."
With that I quickly dashed out of his office.
Normal POV
Making sure no one was lingering around in the hallway; he started walking with a twisted frown on his face. Sneaking in to her office to deliver the note had been exceedingly difficult this time, though he had done this several times before. Amu's arrival had caused an unexpected commotion in work area causing everyone to be hyped up and roaming the hallways to gossip with pure excitement.
Hearing a wave of conversation heading his way, he casually walked into the restroom and locked himself in one of the stalls.
He had been eager to the see the result of his latest masterpiece. He had been eager to see the terror painted across her porcelain face and horrified shadow in those golden eyes. That was not the scene he was greeted with when he decided to check on her.
Remembering the scene, he punched the stall door causing whoever had been washing their hands to quickly leave.
Anger washed through his body in large doses. He wanted to see her crippled with fear not in the arms of that negotiator. He should've left after that but he had remained there watching his prey walk out of the room – only a few feet away from him. He watched her walk back into the godforsaken room and plant a kiss on his cheek. It was truly disgusting the point where he staggered back and nearly vomited right there on the carpet.
He'd have to do something unexpected he figured after a moment of deep thought. She was too determined at this point, though that wouldn't be bad either. Her heightened determination would be crashed to its lowest point and this would cause her to surrender willingly.
Oh yes, he thought licking his lips. Even though he'd said that the game would begin soon, pushing the date forward wouldn't be such a bad idea. Plus his body was rippling with impatience.
Grinning to himself, he walked out of the stalls, and made his way out of the restrooms. He simply could not wait till she was limp on the ground and bathed in red.
7:56 p.m.
Ikuto's House
Amu POV
The four of us sat at the dinner table silently. Sasuke and Ami stared at me with impatient eyes but I frowned at them. Sasuke slammed his head on the table and groaned in frustration.
Releasing a large sigh, I pulled out my cellphone and check the time. 7:58 it read in dark print.
"Where the hell is he?" groaned Sasuke again staring at the food on the table with hungry eyes.
"He said he'd be home in a minute," I explained pulling out my phone again to see if I had received a message.
When another minute passed by, I pushed myself away from the table and sent the kids a small smile.
"I'll just call him and don't eat the food."
Sasuke slammed his head on the table again and cursed. Mayumi giggled at this and lightly kissed his cheek to cheer him up.
Sighing, I held the phone to my ear and listened to the dial tone while my heart beat anxiously. My cursed colorful imagination concurred all sorts of possibilities to Ikuto's unexplained delay, which only created more anxiety within me.
When I heard the small click, I breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Amu I'm so sorry," he started immediately.
"Are you okay? You didn't come home and we were worried."
"Yeah I'm fine. I was about to pull up in front of the house when I got a call from my SWAT chief, I have a mission to do."
"Right now?"
"Yeah, I'm on my way to the station to pick up the information and head out."
"I see."
"I know what you're thinking, so don't be angry over it. Oh and another thing, what happened in my office today-
I felt my cheeks heat up very quickly.
-I'll report it to Tsukasa and set up some extra precautions."
Oh, he's just talking about the note I thought with a sigh of relief.
"Okay, I-
"Ah shit, I'm here. Sorry Amu, can we continue this when I get back?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Please be careful."
"Of course. Bye Amu."
"Bye."
I pushed the phone back into the shallow depths of my pocket and returned to the table where I was met with three anxious grins.
"W-what?" I asked with a flustered frown as I took a seat at the table.
Ami grin grew wider.
"Your cheeks are pretty red."
"Are they?" I replied placing the palm of my hands on my cheeks and feeling the remnant tingles of warmth.
"Yep."
"Well who knows, eat your food. Ikuto won't be home till late; he was called out for a mission."
With a cheer, Sasuke began shoveling the food in his mouth till he was reprimanded gently by Mayumi.
"So," began Ami as casually as she could muster. "Did something lovey-dovey happen between you and Ikuto?"
Shoving the food in my mouth was a wrong idea, because I immediately started choking. Once recovering from my near death experience, I looked up with an overheated face.
"So was I right?"
My mind immediately reeled back to his office, and I turned a brighter shade of red if that was even humanely possible.
Ami slammed her fist on the table and jumped up in utter excitement.
"Tell us what happened!" chimed Sasuke and Mayumi at nearly identical moments.
I stared at three pairs of gleaming eyes and sighed. They wouldn't let this go.
Maintaining my composure, I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my head slightly to the side.
"I kissed his cheek. That's all."
Sasuke fell out of his chair but recovered quickly and ran up to me.
"Are you serious?!"
"Ugh! This is the time I wish I was in your office!"
Ami looked at Sasuke when he gave her a strange stare.
"So I could take a picture and use it as blackmail, obviously."
I put another piece of chicken in my mouth and managed to swallow it without choking this time.
"You guys are making a big deal out of nothing. It's just a kiss."
"With Ikuto," clarified Ami.
"We've kissed before."
"This is different though," said Sasuke.
Sighing, I finished my food quietly while they chatted amongst each other.
"Oh Amu this is wonderful!" exclaimed Mayumi. "At this rate, you and Ikuto can go out again."
"Yeah…" I mumbled lightly to myself as I got up to put my dishes away.
Later
10:45 P.m.
I glanced out the window and sighed. An action I'd been doing a lot lately. My first day back at work, and I felt like I'd been there a month already. Grabbing the pillow beside me, I brought to my chest and looked at the time displayed on my cellphone.
"He probably won't be back till morning," I mumbled to myself.
"Ah, I wish you'd said something like 'I wish he was here with me instead' or 'Ikuto I miss you'."
Placing a hand on my heart, I whirled around to see Ami standing there with an apologetic look on her face.
"Sorry Amu, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine," I replied readjusting my position on the couch so she could sit down. "So what's up kiddo?"
"Are you okay?" she asked after a beat of silence.
My brows knitted together, "Why would you ask that?"
"I've noticed for a while, your mind has been preoccupied. I feel like you're hiding things from us, and it's not just me, Sasuke has noticed It too. I don't expect you to confide in me seeing that I'm younger and I won't be able to relate to these things as well as you would expect me to, but if something is wrong, can you not keep us in the dark about it?"
My heart sunk – so I'd worried them.
I placed a hand on her head and smiled softly.
"Don't be silly, there's nothing wrong," I lied feeling the seedlings of guilt.
I couldn't bear to possibly drag her into this dilemma. Putting her and the others in danger was something that I vowed not to do.
My ringtone suddenly played aloud, snapping me out of my thoughts and startling me and Ami slightly.
"Hello?" I asked worried already when I heard the sirens blare in the background.
"Amu, its Yosuke."
"Yosuke, what's wrong? I hear sirens."
"Tsukasa sent me out on a case a few hours ago with a few other cops to arrest this guy. But the crazy bastard must've snapped – he's taken two young girls around the age of three up on the roof of the building and is threatening to push them down unless we supply his demand."
"Oh god," I gasped.
"Do you think you could come down here and act as a negotiator? Please Amu, I can't get a hold of Ikuto and others and I won't allow this bastard to murder those girls."
"Don't worry about it, I'm on my way."
"Okay, I'll tell you the details on the way there."
I hung up the phone and immediately got up – grabbing my things at an alarming rate.
"What's wrong?" asked Ami trailing behind me.
"A guy is threatening to push two very young girls off a building, I need to go calm him down and make sure those girls are safe."
"Do you need me to come with you?"
I paused slowly and looked at her with a small smile.
"Stay here and watch over the others."
"Fine."
"Oh!" I added just as I was leaving the house. "If Ikuto happens to call or comes home, tell him I've gone out to help Yosuke on a negotiation case."
"Will do. And Amu, please be careful," she said as I strapped my gun to the holster slung around my waist.
I smiled at her once more, and shut the door behind me.
Author's Note
LOOK WHO'S BACK! .
Hello my lovely lovelies!
Woah, I'm actually not dead as many of you pointed out -.- lol. Wow, so this is probably the longest I've gone without updating – it's pretty ridiculous honestly. So let's here why I was gone for like five months: well if I group it majorly, it's a combination of school, school, and health.
So I don't understand what atomic bomb hit my school, but teachers have been dishing out homework by the truck loads. Like seriously it's ridiculous. Thanksgiving break, the week I believed I was going to finish this story, turned to be a pain the butt. My teachers put tests ON THE DAY we came back which meant I had to focus on studying. In addition, I had uploaded a chapter of Amore Destinato and I wasn't feeling the vibes to type out a chapter for this.
Then I got the stomach flu which is always wonderful . Um…let's see oh then new terms started and I got new classes that weren't hard consisted of a lot of busy work. As it got to February there was this website competition. And honestly for a month and a half I was working on that, I got a total of 60-70 hours of sleep, which may seem a lot but it's not seeing how the healthy is 7-8 a day. So I lost that competition . Ugh my time = wasted.
Then I had multicultural practice because I was going to be a part of the rally and that was a really cool experience. I can't wait to do it again. [Insert me rambling on and on about loads of homework] SPRINGBREAK! YAY! That was my reaction at first, until teachers gave us more homework -.- So yeah, that's the basic gist of it.
I want to give my readers the warmest of virtual hugs. You guys are wonderful in reading my stories even though I failed you all and haven't updated in a millennium T^T
Drum roll please!
THANK YOU to my reviewers! You guys are truly wonderful and loyal. I don't know how I could continue without your dear words. I NEED to say thank you to:
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Note** If I didn't put your name, I'm terribly sorry; the reviews are mixed up due to the whole author note issue. If you didn't review and I put your name, lol, I guess that's okay :D
I shall write you all again VERY soon (I hope)
Neko-Meme