Across Worlds

Chapter 3: Admist The Fiery Snow

For most part I did make it to Amu's house by night fall, thank god for that. For the price of running so hard, my lungs were on fire and my legs were like jello. I had to sit outside her house for a whole ten minute for my body to rebound itself back to normal. I stood back up when my breathing evened out and I raised my head up to where Amu's room was alighted with lights and small voices. I leaped onto the ledge of her front yard and jumped again towards the balcony when I landed softly on the ground. My eyes scanned for Amu if she was in, but the room was empty except for a lump on the bed, which I could safely conclude it's Ikuto. I could see 5 eggs in a basket, but 4 of them were empty.

The door abruptly jingled and I took a step back in fright thinking it was Amu's charas or something when Yoru's head popped out. I sighed in relief as he floated into my hand, I pulled him close and snuggled him into my warmth. I loved holding Yoru, he always had that soft tuft of blue hair on top of his head and that cute expression on his face. He was loyal, but naughty at times and he was always concerned about Ikuto.

"Hey, Yoru." I breathed as he meowed softly into my cold cheek. "Yeah, I know I finally came to check up on you two." I smiled as I pulled him away. "How's he doing? I bet Amu got one hell of a treat when she saw, didn't she?" I laughed. Yoru scratched his head and gave me that cat-like grin of his.

"You have no idea! Nya!" He crooned swiping a paw over his cheek like a cat, "You should've seen her face, nya! She was spooked as if she saw a ghost or something. Plus that scream, it was a kodak moment." He said with a smile of his own. I slipped back and sat at the edge of the balcony railing and placed Yoru on my lap as I listened to him.

"Where is Amu and the others anyways?" I asked him softly stroking the top of his head and Yoru pointed towards the closed door in the room.

"Amu's taking a shower and Ran, Miki, and Su are playing with Ami downstairs. Nya." Yoru replied swiftly. "Ikuto's still sleeping..." I tilted my head at the statement.

"Still sleeping? How long has he been sleeping?" I asked rather curious, Yoru just looked at me with those large golden eyes of his as his lips quivered.

"He hasn't woken up in the last two days. It's been hectic since we dropped in... Having to dodge her mother and father day and night, it's like a game of hide and seek, nya." Yoru said in an exasperated tone as he scratched his head with a sarcastic face. "I'm worried, there's something really bad going on... And I think it's the violin, Nanami." He pointed out at the black case sitting near Amu's desk.

I looked up and saw the little black box that held Ikuto's most prized item: his father's violin. He wasn't able to find him in the end, even after searching for him for so long. It was always a sore subject when the topic was brought up on nights where I'm tending to his wounds and with him sulking mostly. Ikuto may look old when he's awake and in public, but he's actually a kid himself. So much that he sulks, whines, and complains just like a normal person.

I stroked his fur-like hair an stared at the violin for some time before running steps could be heard from behind the closed door. I saw the door begin to open and loud voices were being transferred across the hall in the house. Yoru flew out of my hand and I panicked as the cat chara slipped the door open and entered, I closed it and scrambled over the ledge. I dropped myself into her bushes at the bottom with a loud crash, I came out rubbing my bottom as I staggered out towards the road. I looked up at the lit room and sighed, I would have to come back to check up on him some other time then. What a waste of a day.

x x x

"NO DAD! Stay out!" Amu screamed at her doting father who was asking about Tadase from the other night. Amu shut the door behind her and slumped against it with a loud sigh, her narrowed eyes began to direct themselves at the lump on her bed as it moved. Amu heard a jingling noise near her door when she saw Yoru, who was panting from something. She arched her brow and walked over to the door and peered out at the dark night sky. Snow was already falling from the skies as she glanced at Yoru who just laughed hesitantly at her and flew towards the egg basket.

"Were you outside, Yoru?" She asked locking the door. Yoru froze and turned his small body at her, he stuck out his tongue and gave her a raspberry. Amu sighed rolling her light topaz eyes at him, both Ikuto and Yoru were the same. Stubborn and a bit of a naughty personality. Ikuto shuffled out from under the pink covers and looked around with his groggy azure eyes, he rubbed them and groaned a bit as he sluggishly dropped himself back into the sheets. "Mo... Get up Ikuto! You have to eat dinner or something." The rosette haired girl said standing up and poking at him.

Ikuto peered out from underneath and stared at her, Amu could feel aggravation start to boil over as he pulled the covers over his face. He mumbled something incoherent as Amu began to poke at him again with a livid face. The boy finally sat up and rubbed his head, he turned his look towards Amu who had her hands crossed her chest. She was still wearing her uniform still, that meant she hadn't gotten home too long ago.

"Where have you been?" He asked placing a hand under his chin to watch her place her bag down. Amu slipped into her chair and sighed, it's been exhausting taking care of Ikuto, well more like keeping him a secret. She's more surprised that she was able to seal him away from her parents for two days now. She swore they would've found out from all the times that he's caused all the ruckus in her room.

"None of your business." She retorted defiantly with her gaze out the window. Amu felt it, that stare that he was giving her, that same stare that he gave her that night that he said he liked her; the same night Tadase confessed. "G... Go eat the takoyaki I got for you!" She stammered with a wave of her hand.

Suu floated towards Ikuto with the bag in her hand, she smiled and with the help of Ran and Miki they got the box out. The smell escaped through the perforated edges and it made Yoru drool, that hadn't eaten since last night when she had brought riceballs for them. Ikuto sniffed at his food before eating it and Yoru mindlessly chomped into it and gave out a long delighted 'nyaaaa'.

Amu stared aimlessly at the eating Ikuto, it was moments like this that made him seem so innocent and... Lovable. He was such a nimble person, with his long legs and broad shoulders, he seemed more and more like a cat to her. A large domestic house cat. He also had such pale skin and dark long lashes that almost brushed his cheeks when he blinked. Amu suddenly shook her head, what was she thinking? Was she out of her mind?! The rosette haired girl could feel the heat crawling to her face as she turned around, not wanting Ikuto to see her face light up like fireworks on a mid summer's night.

"Ara... Why are you blushing Amu?" A voice purred next to her ear, her sensitive spot. Amu's hair on her neck stood on ends when she heard his velvet voice enter her ears and she shivered slightly at the coolness of it. She whirled around and flew to the other side of her room with a blazing red face.

"I... I'm not! Give me back my takoyaki if you're not going to eat it!" Amu screamed at him and Ikuto laughed. She was so cute when she was flustered. He went back to where he sat before and poked at the octopus balls in his hands, he looked up at her and smiled lightly. The girl was still being teased by her charas as she chased them around in her room in anger.

He didn't want this to end, but he knew that wasn't possible. If he got her any deeper into his situation, she was going to get hurt and that was the last thing that he wanted. He would hurt her himself, make her hate him if he had to, to make her stay away. That was the thing about Amu, she had this strange idea that she she had to save everyone near her. Even people like him, stray cats that didn't need anyone. It was that point about her that he really liked, that dazzling light that never seems to waver, that warm feeling she gives off when he's near her. It made him want to protect her with everything he's got and that's what he's going to do, but for now... He just wants to be with her.

x x x

"ACHOO!" The sneeze came flying out of my frigid blue lips as I shivered under a layer of thin snow. I continued to walk down the street, not really knowing where I'm heading. I pulled Kukai's jacket tighter around myself as I coughed out a warm breath to warm my hands. I couldn't feel my legs anymore, they've gone numb several hours ago and my cheeks were stinging from the coldness. I wanted to go home, but the words that Kukai spoke to me made me linger here in this world. I really wanted to see him, but I was so scared, I don't know what I would say.

I squeezed my eyes shut as tears formulated themselves in the corner of my eyes. No, there weren't tears of sadness... I was actually really hungry and the nauseating pain in my lower torso was killing me. I hadn't eaten since the bell rang for lunch back at home and I feel like I've been wandering these same streets for hours. the grumbling sensation erupted from my stomach again and I groaned leaning against the cold grey walls. I didn't want to admit it, but I was lost.

I slid myself to the ground and pulled my legs towards my chest, I didn't care that I was wearing a jean skirt or that my shoes were soaked from the snow, I just wanted some comfort. I was on the verge of crying and throwing a tantrum when I heard the familiar voice of Kukai call out my name. I thought I was dreaming or that I was delusional from the hunger that I didn't lift my head until I felt someone shake me awake.

"Oy, Nanami...! Nanami-chan! You can't sleep here. God, you're soaking wet in snow. Baka, you're running a fever!" Kukai's voice came flying at me like my mother's when she lectures me in my bad behavior. "Jesus, me and Yaya were looking all over for you. Come on get up." He gently pulled me up and the world seemed to whirl around me, I felt myself grin at him.

"Kukai..?" I mumbled, I rubbed my eyes and the auburn haired boy came into view, "Kukai... I'm hungry." Kukai nearly fainted at my choice of words. He smiled at me and laughed shaking his head.

"Come on Daichi, help me with Nanami-chan." Kukai instructed and the sports chara pulled the other side of my arm up, "You're going to be okay, Nanami-chan. Hang in there." Was the last thing I heard before I let myself slip off into a light sleep.

Something cold was placed on my forehead when I groaned and opened my eyes a little. There were voices, some frantic and some very calm, I heard a gruff voice that seemed very familiar and a sweet aroma that was wafting from the kitchen. I placed a hand over my head and touched the wet towel that was placed on me. I let my arm fall to my side and sigh, blankets were covering the entirety of my body as I slept on someone's couch. The voices were coming in more clearer this time around and I picked out Kukai's voice from the rest.

"Good job there, Kukai, bringing an conscious chick home. Cute too." One laughed and I heard Kukai whack his arm. There was a soft 'ow' then some more laughter before the gruff one from before intervened.

"What the hell are we going to do with her?" My blood froze from the sound of irritation that was laced into this man's voice. It couldn't be... No, but I was positive though. It belonged to the one and only, Kaidou Souma. I was back at the house where the boy I had fallen for resided in, I was in the Souma residence. This time I opened my eyes completely and sat up, I peeled off the towel and placed it on the coffee table next to me. Footsteps entered where I was and I looked up to see four guys staring at me, they've all changed so much since the last time I saw them.

Kukai came over first with a large grin on his lips, "You're up... Jesus, gave me a scare there for a moment when you fell asleep. Thought you were dead." He laughed, I could only smile sheepishly up at him. I pulled the covers off and stood up, I bowed and glanced at Kukai.

"Thanks, for everything, Kukai. I guess I should be going." I said softly, not wanting to intrude. My insides were jittery and I didn't want to stay too long because the fear that was pouring over inside myself made me uneasy. I stepped off towards the side of Kukai and headed towards the others as they continued to stare after me as if in a daze. It seemed like they really didn't recognize me, good, that way there wasn't too much goodbyes later on. Kukai turned and was about to say something when he thought better of it, he knew that Rento was coming home soon anyways.

I was too into my own thoughts to hear the front door open and close when his voice jolted me awake, "Guys, I'm home!" My breath got stuck in my throat and I felt like I forgot how to breath, everything seemed surreal to me and I wanted to escape so bad. My legs were quivering and my arms felt like jell-o, not even the wall can support my weight now. I staggered towards the front still, I didn't know what propelled me to do it, but my legs wouldn't stop.

"Guys! I said I'm ho-" I could almost feel the air around us freeze as he saw me standing there. His green eyes staring at me in awe and shock, his mouth opened in an 'o' shaped figure. Silence descended upon the two of us as he lowered his hand that was carrying stuff from the convenience store. I could hear his heart almost skip a beat, cause I knew that's how I felt like. I felt my nose sniffle a few times as the bag was dropped to the floor, he walked over ever so slowly, agonizingly slow almost with his hand reached out. I was like a ghost to him, he didn't believe that I was here standing before him like I hadn't disappeared from his life 5 years ago. "Na... Nanami."

By this time the others were already out in the front when they heard Rento utter my name out, they all whirled their heads towards me in shock and Kukai shook his head at their helplessness. "Nanami-chi? Whoa." Came Unkai's voice.

His voice, his sweet sound that whispered out my name at night when we slept in each other's arms. Memories were flooding my eyes as large droplets began to fall from my dark hazel eyes, I didn't know when the tears had started to blind my eyes as I wiped them away with the back of my hand. "Ye... Yeah, it's me. Long... Long time no see." I stammered out stupidly as the hiccups began to take over and I was breaking down faster than I had anticipated, "I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start crying..." I hiccuped trying to stop the waterworks that wouldn't stop, but I couldn't. I started sobbing as the tears rushed out. Kukai pushed Kaidou, Unkai, and Shuusui out of the room and left the two of us out front.

"No... What are you talking about." He said softly coming closer, I felt his touch, his gentle touch and I reached out taking his hand in mine. In the end, I just really wanted to see him. "You don't have to be sorry, Nami..." He pulled me into a hug and that was when I just let myself go, years of holding it in and years of teaching myself to be strong... That I forgot what it was like to cry for myself.

x x x

Rento placed the sleeping girl onto the mattress and pulled the covers over her small body, she shifted and subconsciously dug deeper into it. He smiled and stood up, he closed the door softly behind him when he was faced with his four brothers. He arched his brows at them. "Yes?" Unkai and Kaidou had that expression on his face that he knew that they wanted answers.

"She said she just came back to visit. I just happened to see her on my way to pick up Yaya, I let her borrow my jacket and told her she can come by to drop it off when she's home." Kukai started and Rento sighed. Unkai grinned mischievously at his youngest brother and began to walk towards him with a grin on his face. Kukai's own fell as he smacked a hand into his face, "And no, she's not my girlfriend, find something else to play with, Unkainii-san."

"But... But! She's cute and I'm sure she's going to grow into a fine young lady one day, Kukai-chan!" He teased making Kukai turn pink from the very idea that his brother has been looking at Yaya at all. "C'mon, you can't tell me that you haven't been thinking about it! She's got a cute face and bubbly attitude, and you two have been friends since... Who knows how long."

"Unkai!" Came Kaidou's serious tone, "This isn't the time." And Unkai sighed letting his little brother out of his grasp. He fell against the wall with a pout on his lips.

Shuusui shifted his glasses and glanced at Rento, "Mom's going to have a field day when she finds out that a girl's sleeping in your room, Rento." Rento didn't reply, just stayed silent and the others peered at each other in worry. They had all remembered how Rento had reacted to her leaving, it took months for him to get over, but all of them knew that deep down, he never did get over it.

Kukai looked at the second oldest and raised his brow, "What are you talking about, Shuusui... Mom and dad won't be coming home for a few days, they placed Kaidou in charge."

"Guys, please. Not right now." Rento's sharp voice had them all quiet, "I'm going to sleep on the couch tonight. Can we figure this out tomorrow?" He asked lightly looking up at Kaidou who rubbed his neck and bit into his cigarette with a sigh.

"Alright, we'll let the girl stay for tonight, only tonight and we'll make a talk it out tomorrow when she's awake." He decided and Rento smiled up at his brother, grateful that he was doing this for him. "You going to go out with your girlfriend, Kukai? If you are can you pick up a magazine for me?"

"She's not my girlfriend, god! How many times do I have to drill it into that thick skull of yours for you to understand onii-san!" Kukai fumed with his fists in the air as Unkai and Shuushui laughed.

The snow outside continued to fall, in a dripping pattern as Rento stared out. His eyes glued to the falling snowflakes that were descending down the sky in s a swirling motion. He shut his eyes and let his breath fog up the window, he was trying hard, with all the force he had in himself to not let himself break. He wanted to be like the frozen snow outside, he wanted not to feel anything anymore... But as hard as he was trying, something was still stirring inside himself. A fiery grief, a feeling he didn't understand.