Roommates; Chapter Three.
Leeloo-Chan:Thanks for the reviews guys, I switched to speech marks in this chapter and prefer it even if it meant sacrificing my laziness so thanks for the push :P I hope you enjoy this chapter, there is nothing like a bit of violence… :P Reviews please so I know I'm going the right way and thanks again. ^^
My legs had become numb and shaky, my heart was in my throat and it was hurting more than I could have ever imagined. I sat there in the front seat jaw locked and eyes staring straight ahead. I couldn't speak no matter how hard I tried, my throat choked like there was something I couldn't swallow. When I said I was ready I was wrong, very very wrong. My friends tried to comfort me in their own ways, but even that didn't seem to be enough to take away how scared I was.
This was it for me, not only was I about to see the one man capable of obliterating my heart I was also removing anything that ever tied us together as people. After this we would be officially over and that thought made me feel sick and dizzy, all I could think of was how five years could just end… Just like that and it still confused me. We had been sat in the car down the street from his house for half an hour now and I was more than sure Rima was becoming less patient by the second. But no matter how much I wanted to appease my friend, I could not find the strength to take my first step into singledom.
Still Frozen I felt my door creek open and fresh air engulfed me, I saw a flash of blue as he leant down and un-buckled me, I knew it was him as soon as I saw the cobalt head of hair reach down towards me. Then before I could try to complain or scream and more gentle than I ever thought he was capable of, Ikuto's hands slipped under me pulling me close to his body and out of the car. He stood ramrod straight not looking at me.
"I can't promise you it's not going to hurt, but I can promise that we are all here for you and that I am here for you. Whatever you need to get through this I will make happen, so hold onto me tight and even if you have to pretend, pretend to be strong for me and don't let him win." He said and I smiled up at him newly reassured, knowing he was right and knowing that Ikuto was one of the greatest friends I could ask for. He lowered me to my feet gently still making sure to keep our arms entwined; I blushed but welcomed the ability to walk without taking on the humiliating appearance of a new born foal.
"Well now our Lion has found her courage lets destroy this twirp." Rima hollered snapping us out of our moment, but Nagi interjected her shouting,
"Rima perhaps it won't have to come to violence?" He sounded defeated as the words left his mouth knowing that there was no way Rima would ever consider pacifism. "I'll punch him for you, I hate cheaters!" Kukai chimed in and left Nagi fuming, wondering how he had ever come to be friends with such aggressive individuals.
Ikuto sighed loudly shaking his head, but my friends pointless bickering made me feel more normal and I just wanted it over now.
Still linked to Ikuto no matter how hard I tried to shake him, though secretly a part of me was grateful. I made my way to the door followed by my other friends, I felt my heart break as soon as he appeared in the doorway; he was as perfect as usual. I didn't know what was worse that the breakup didn't seem to have any effect on him or that I was happy he wasn't hurting. I tried to smile but it came out angry and forceful, with all the frustration I could feel my fingers digging deeper into Ikuto's arm but he didn't flinch or say anything he just stood there. After a while it seemed like no one was going to talk so Rima of course took the lead.
"Okay Blondie move aside it's time to get Amu's things." The petit blonde glowered with all her might at Tadase and he moved his eyes away from me to Rima and glared.
"I was hoping that myself and Amu could have a chance to talk alone. None of this concerns you Rima." Tadase scowled back petulantly at Rima provoking her and she of course bit back.
"You are going nowhere near Amu, you have done enough damage and you made it my concern when you cheated on my best friend." Tadase sighed as if expecting Rima's over protectiveness and looked to where I was practically burying my head into Ikuto's arm.
"Amu Chan, sweetie can we talk?" Tadase's innocent voice scraped over me like nails over fresh wounds but before I could answer Ikuto let out a growl turning his steely eyes to glare down at Tadase.
"Don't you dare even try Kid I don't need more of an excuse to crush you."He snarled his words in Tadase's direction and Tadase flinched.
Seeming to know what was best for him Tadase stepped to the side sulkily and allowed us into my old house; from there we split into teams on Rima's command. Rima and Nagi were going to work together on packing my things from the living room, Ikuto and I had the bedroom though I blushed at even thinking about having him there it was so embarrassing, and no matter how hard he complained Kukai got sent to do the kitchen and bathroom on his own.
"How am I even supposed to know if it is Amu's though?" Kukai whined particularly loudly, and a furious Rima retorted impatiently
"If it looks girly pack it you lumbering oaf."
Shyly I tugged Ikuto towards my bedroom, and then nervously laughed as he scrutinized every part of my room as if committing it to memory, when I asked he simply said it helps to know who you are living with and then continued to pack up boxes, as silent as always.
"You know I didn't see you as a lace girl." Ikuto's voice broke the awkward silence, I turned to face him confused and then shrieked
"Ikuto you dam pervert stay away from my underwear." He winked at me and smirked slyly.
"No girl ever means that Amu Koi." He whispered seductively in response.
Obviously he achieved his desired effect, my face lit up a bright red and I was practically hyperventilating.
"Calm down Amu I was just trying to ease the tension and make you feel better. I solemnly swear to stay away from your underwear, there all better?" He said with a smile. I laughed lightly to show him that all was forgiven and continued packing, in all honesty I was so glad that Tadase had decided to stay outside. I don't think I could have acted so calm if I'd known he was around, just thinking of him made my throat close off and my eyes well up. Distracting myself I let my gaze wander to Ikuto who was currently studying my manga collections thoroughly, and I figured now was as good a time as any.
"Listen, Ikuto… I um, I'm really sorry about snapping at you in the car." My words sounded flustered, I had never really been any good at this and for what felt like the longest moment he stared back at me almost shocked before he dropped his head.
"You should never say sorry for having to blow off steam, it's what I'm here for now and I'm not going anywhere were friends now right." I knew it was rhetorical and I knew I was holding my breath, I had to exhale soon but the smile that Ikuto had cast in my direction however fleeting had taken me by surprise. There was something so different about him today.
Feeling my heart hammering its way against my rib cage I turned to the task at hand and furiously tackled it trying to work through my hideous embarrassment, most of the time we were indifferent to each other and yet when we did speak he had this habit of pushing me over the edge it was terrifying and exhilarating and all I had to do was keep telling myself that this is what it was like to have male friends, over and over again.
The atmosphere in the room took an unexpected turn to fun and I saw an entirely new side of Ikuto as he tried on tiaras and tickled me with ribbons. He was really trying his best to make me feel better and I had to admit that it was working. Removing the tiara from his head and winking he lifted one of the largest of the boxes and heaved it over his shoulder.
"I'm going to take this to the car Amu, pack that last little bit up and it's all over Kay?" I nodded at him trying to prove that I wouldn't fall to pieces in the five minutes it would take him to come back.
Ikuto's POV.
Shifting the box more comfortably from my shoulder into my arms I made my way to the car slamming it with a little more aggression than I should. I was pissed off well that was clear but I was feeling so much that it was almost over whelming. Obviously I wanted to kill that weak looking kid that was a given, I was still struggling to understand why Amu would date a guy like that but there was more to it. Amu was making me act strange, I mean all that crap with the tiara Jesus if Utau was here she would probably think I had been brainwashed or replaced.
Thinking of Utau snapped me out of it; I grimaced at the idea of my sister seeing me like this she would jump to all sorts of conclusions. Truth is though Amu was so weak like a little kitten or something equally none ferocious. Obviously the years of looking after mom and Utau when dad was away are to blame, clearly I feel the need to protect the weak and Amu more than fit into the weak category, shit she was practically the definition.
Feeling more at ease after my new found revelation I made my way back inside, but when I went Into the living room Rima and Nagi where gone. Which reminded me when I got Nagi on his own I was going to ask him what the hell was going through his mind, crushing on that tiny angry ball of fire…He must have a death wish. The more hilarious part was that they thought they were being sneaky, sheesh how insulting I see and hear everything in that house.
Making my way to the bedroom I heard raised voices and felt an ominous chill race up my spine, I quickly slammed the door open and saw red. My words wouldn't work, my mouth ran dry and I wanted to kill him more than I had ever wanted anything in my life. That piece of scum had Amu by her wrists dragging her into him and there she was her eyes wide in fear staring at me like a doe caught in headlights, one lone tear streaked down her terrified face and I snapped.
My hands instinctively found their way to his throat lifting him from the floor.
"Let go of her now before I snap you in two." I squeezed his neck instinctively demonstrating I wasn't joking, slowly crushing his windpipe and as he released her wrist I took one had from his throat and reached out to her.
"Come here Amu, he will never touch you again."I whispered almost commanding her to me.
Still dazed and close to tears Amu stumbled her way to me and fell against my chest, all my anger subsided in that brief moment of contact. I held her close releasing Tadase completely and wrapping my arms around the fragile girl in my arms. I ran my hands up and down her arms soothingly as the commotion of the others made their presence apparent. Removing her from my arms I pushed her behind me to show a rather erratic Rima that she was fine, I was just about to turn with her when Tadase became stupidly brave.
"You wonder why I cheated, you're a whore Amu a no good whore. Sleeping around with this idiot let's face it you would open your legs for anyone, not that you're any good… But then I guess you two are perfect for each other." Tadase said spitefully.
The last thing I remember was a snarl erupting from my body, I was vaguely aware of the pinkette's stifled sobs in the background but that only seemed to encourage me more. I pounced on the unsuspecting man and everything went black with rage. I had barely gotten into the rhythm of things when I felt Kukai and Nagi on either side of me pulling me away, caught up in the moment I lashed out kicking and struggling but eventually I realised that there was no use fighting I spat on Tadase and muttered something about killing him before I let my two best friends carry me out of the building.
Once outside Kukai and Nagi pinned me to the tree in the front yard as a bloodied and bruised blonde came to the door and flipped me off, I snarled at the two holding me back and tried to break free to teach that insignificant piece of trash a lesson but to no avail. I was all hate and fury until my vision was filled with startled gold eyes and beautiful bubble gum pink.