A/N:

Rinrin: OKAY, YOU GUYS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO SHOOT/STAB/SUFFOCATE/KILL/MURDER US.

RK: We're VERY VERY SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE. We're really busy nowdays, so we're not really sure when we would update this story.

Rin: /insertdramaticmusichere; /sob.

RK: BUT ANYWAY, PLEASE ENJOY AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D /is abusing the ":D" smiley.

Rin: We're really sorry, since school has been stopping us from doing what we want to do. /SOBSOBSOBSOB.

RK: Please continue to support us, again. X_X. And the playlist is already done ^_^

Chapter Fourteen

Awakening One's Maturity

Amu

I paced back and forth, not knowing the reason why.. losing the ability to decipher my thoughts.

It has been exactly a week since that accident happened.

Nagihiko couldn't respond at that time.. and it took him a day to fully understand. I sighed, putting my hands inside my pocket.

Yeah, you can say that I'm practically over reacting right now. I'm losing myself. I think I'm pretty much not myself lately.

And after that incident happened, another one just had to come.

"Amu.." Tadase muttered.

"Hm?" I raised an eyebrow up.

"I'm sorry.. I just can't take it anymore. Rima.. Well.. Rima planned this."

"Planned what?" I asked, diverting my full attention to Tadase's worried face.

"Planned this. She plans to make you break up with Ikuto. She wants you both to break up. That's the reason why Kuukai, Nagihiko.. and even me.."

I shook my head.

So everything she said back then was a lie?

Even Kairi..

All of them..

I know he did something... but...

I shook my head again. My mind was too confused to answer my confusing question.

I blinked thrice, sighed deeply, and looked up.

I never knew that Rima's hatred for Ikuto would reach this level.

And I don't even know why I'm feeling numb right now.

And suddenly, everything that happened yesterday flushed through my mind.

"WHY?! WHY HIM? OF ALL THE BOYS IN THE FRIGGIN SCHOOL, WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE THIS SADISTIC FREAK?!" Rima interjected, her eyes filled with rage.

I shuddered.

"Why are you so mad at him? He never did anything to you, now, did he?"

"Maybe HE DIDN'T. But did you even know what his father.. his sadistic father.... what his sadistic father did to my father?"

I couldn't even absorb what she was saying. But suddenly, my mind came to realize the fact that..

He was the reason why Rima's father was still in the hospital right now.

Words wouldn't come out of my mouth.

I closed my eyes.

"I never knew." A voice answered, as if it was answering my silent question. "That my father did an unforgivable sin to your friend's father."

I felt happy. Sad. Confused. Numb.

"Me either." I answered with a sigh. We stood there for a few minutes, obviously not enjoying the silence, and feeling uneasy.

"She's right you know."

"Eh?"

"She's right. About me." He sighed. "You'll never know when my sadistic instincts would start to kick in."

My eyes widened.

"Don't tell me.."

"We need to stop this, Amu."

"But you've CHANGED! You're more friendly, and the traces of you being a sadist are long gone!" I interjected, fear and rage dominating my voice.

"But.."

"Didn't I say that I was willing to take the risk?" I smiled calmly and sighed. "I don't care what will happen, but you do know that it's my job to change you."

He looked at me with serene, sincere eyes. I sighed.

"Don't be afraid." I reassured him. "I'm willing to do it for your sake." I went near him slowly, leaning my head so that it could rest on his chest. "Please trust me."

"Agh. Why do you have to be this hard to stop." He muttered, grumbling words that made me smile. "But I promise you, I won't hurt you."

"I know."

Nagehiko

"Can't you just let them be?" I told Rima. "You do know that those two are inseparable. And it's not Ikuto's fault.."

"I can't, Nagehiko. I can't." Rima mumbled. "It's too dangerous, I can't imagine the risk."

I stood there, watching those two lovers who were about to be destroyed by the girl beside me.

I couldn't allow this.

Ikuto

I'm home.

I had the desire to say those words so badly for the past few years, but now, it seems useless.

I stepped inside my house, not bothering to knock anymore. I was expecting pure silence, like before..

"Ikuto-sama, please let me handle your bag." A servant suddenly announced. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Didn't I tell you all to go home? I don't need servants."

"Ikuto-sama." The servant consisted.

"I SAID GO HOME."

"He can't do that." An oddly familiar voice answered. I felt a wave of emotions pass through my body. "I ordered them to stay here."

"What the hell are you doing here.. you bastard.." I said, my fists clenched.

"This is my house. I have the authority." He walked over to where I was. Yes, it was him. I would recognize that demonic face anywhere.

Dad.

"Why did you come back?" It sounded more like a sentence than a question. He simply smiled his annoying smile.

"To see my son of course!" He proclaimed. I couldn't stand it.

"Where's mom?" I asked bitterly.

"She's upstairs, in bed for no reason. She's become more boring these days, heck, she even uses the excuse that she's already weak."

I couldn't stand it. He's crossed the line. My fists were about to move.

"Dont." A familiar voice said. Amu.

I breathed out deeply, trying to control my anger. I ignored him, and went upstairs to see mom.

I felt regret before opening the door, for some awkwardly weird reason.

I knocked, and a frail weak voice said "Come in."

I felt shivers run down my spine when I saw mom.

"Ah.. Ikuto." She smiled.

She was weak, frail. Her skin looked like paper to me. She was pale, had dark circles under her eyes, had bruises everywhere her body....

"Dont." That word.. that voice..

"Ikuto, Don't do it. Please."

I punched the wall, ignoring the blood that stained my fist. I bit my lip and went outside.

"I only want you do to one thing, Ikuto." Mom said. "It's my only wish in life."

I stared at her with confusion.

"I want you to love.... your father's company."

"Are you saying that you want me to love that bastard?"

"Don't call him that, now." Mom said gently.

I couldn't fathom how mom felt about dad. She loved him too much.

And she even said that..

"I'm not a masochistic person, Ikuto." She sighed. "I only enjoy your father hurting me since it's his form of showing his love towards me.."

I shook my head. I couldn't listen to this anymore.

There was only one way to end this, right?

A/N: (rin) I know, it doesn't really make sense. Or does it? :|

But please, review, so that we could know what you think of this chap :D