Well than it has been sometime yes! I haven't updated in a few months and for all those who were waiting for an updatee you have my deepest apology. Life has been throwing curve balls at me between, work, procrastination, and lack of motivation I haven't been gettinf much writing done these days, but I'm back! I hope this story still has the spark you all loved. So please review, everyone counts.

The Amagi Obsession

Chapter 7: Misgiving

A loud clank hit the bottom of the vending machine.

Yukiko grabbed the hot coffee, and relished the heat that warmed her hands.

It had been a normal day for the Amagi heiress. Everything seemed to be going her way ever since the little spat she had with Naoto. Her friends didn't suspect her one bit and that was the way she wanted to keep it. On top of that she had something else to smile about; Yu would no longer have the resolve to chase down Chie.

Yukiko was sure of it.

Last night she had made the mistake of answering Chie's cell phone when he called and quickly regretted the decision, but not for long. She was able to manipulate the situation to her favor. Reading Yu's text's made an uneasy feeling stir in her stomach. As much as Yukiko hated putting him in pain, it was necessary. She had to secure her future, more importantly their future together.

Killing all hope of Chie coming back would do that. It put his mind at ease that Chie was safe, and that she had her own reasons for not returning. It only strengthens the lies she planted earlier about Chie cheating. Searching for answers wouldn't help the investigation team this time around.

She had been so careful; Yukiko could hardly see anything getting in her way now.

"Oh, senpai!" Yukiko was broken from thought when she turned around to face her kouhai Naoto Shirogane standing behind her. "I've been looking all over for you. Narukami-senpai has called an emergency meeting on the roof at lunch."

Yukiko must have been lost in thought that she didn't feel Naoto sneak up on her. "An emergency meeting for-?" Yukiko was rather curious herself.

Naoto rubbed her chin. "He didn't bother to divulge the information with me through his text, but it did seem rather urgent. Kanji-kun tells me he has shocking news about Chie-senpai's disappearance. He sounded excited to say the least." Naoto continued to ramble and Yukiko soon faded back into her own world.

Yukiko furrowed her eyebrows nervously. Turning her back on Naoto she bit her nail. "Why would Kanji sound so excited? There isn't any good news. More importantly Narukami-kun should be confiding in me at the moment. Not putting together another meeting. This is could become troublesome quickly."

"Anyhow, I have to return to class soon. I will see you at the meeting?"

Yukiko snapped back to Naoto and gave her a plastic smile. "Of course, I'm eager to hear what Narukami-kun has to tell us." Naoto returned the gesture and left Yukiko alone by the vending machine. The Amagi heiress took a sip of the hot coffee she bought and pondered what Yu could possibly be thinking?

Yukiko paced back to the classroom slowly with the sound of the first bell. Everything Naoto had told her was troublesome indeed. Having Yu's hope rekindled would be the worst possible scenario. That had to be avoided at all costs. Making her way back to the classroom the Amagi heiress took her seat at the front of the class. She casted a glance back Yu's seat.

He chatted in hushed whispers with Yosuke, a smile across his lips. Usually the sight of it would make Yukiko's heart swoon, but in this scenario she could only cringe. She could faintly hear the excitement in Yu's voice. Never more had she wanting to sit near the back, just to eavesdrop on her friends. Yukiko knew everything they were saying. Her worst nightmare was beginning to unfold. She cursed herself for answering that phone.

…

Lunch came quickly and with it, Yukiko's growing unease.

"Yukiko-san! You'll never believe what happened!" Yosuke patted her on the shoulder startling her. She jumped in her seat and looked back furiously. Yosuke raised his hands. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you."

Yukiko opened her mouth to speak, but Yu appeared cutting her off. "Yosuke, it can wait until we get to the roof. I want to tell everyone at once." Yu smiled to Yukiko, it was a smile she hadn't seen in a long time. It made her knee's weak and her heart ache.

Yosuke scratched the back of his head. "Right, right, my bad. Well I'm going to go grab Kanji and the others. I will meet you two up there."

Yukiko turned to Yu who would grab his bento from his bag. This uneasy feeling wouldn't leave her stomach. Yukiko grabbed her own bento her mother made and walked silently next to Yu. Yukiko had to do something. She stopped and tugged his arm. "Yu… you should stop chasing after Chie."

Yu was obviously caught off guard by Yukiko's comment. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared her down. "What? What do you mean?"

Yukiko had to use all her cunning to navigate the rocky path she had gone down. This was only a hurdle to overcome. "I mean, I love Chie to. She's my best friend, but… what if she didn't get kidnapped. What if she ran away from all of this, from Inaba, from you, from me? Don't you remember what I said?"

Yu's eyes grew cloudy with Yukiko's words. "I do."

Yukiko tried her best to suppress her smirk. "I know I wasn't seeing things that night, and I know what I'm saying sounds completely ludicrous, but don't you have any doubt?"

"Of course I do, but I- " Yu stopped himself. For the first time since that night at the inn Yukiko heard the disparity in his voice. He was clinging on barely to hope. "I still love her."

The words pierced Yukiko's heart, but she maintained her composure. "I… I know, but- she isn't worth it! You obviously didn't mean much to her if she would go to these lengths!" Yukiko herself was beginning to get upset. Yu's confession hit her hard. What would it take to convince him to give her up? "She's a cheater, she doesn't-"

Yu touched Yukiko's cheek and wiped the tears beginning to form at her eyes. "I know you mean well, and I know you're only looking out for me, but Yukiko. I have to see this through to the end. I have to know the truth. What really happened? I want to hear it with my own ears. Chie's out there and I won't stop until I hear it from her mouth."

Yu turned his back on her and treaded ahead leaving Yukiko staring aimlessly at his back. Yukiko gritted her teeth and began to follow Yu slowly. It was evident that her words wouldn't change the way he felt. She had to do something about Chie and fast. It was her last resort.

It wasn't long until everyone had gathered at the rooftop. Yosuke excitedly chatted with Kanji, while Naoto silently ate lunch; Rise squealed at the sight of Yu and went over to hug him. "Thank goodness you're here Senpai. I was tired of Yosuke-senpai keeping secrets from us."

Yosuke shrugged. "I was just doing what he asked."

Rise released Yu and still pouted. Their leader gave a reassuring smile, all secrets were about to be revealed. Yu took a seat next to Yosuke much to Yukiko's disdain. She scanned the team and met eyes with Naoto, but quickly looked away. She was the last person she wanted to sit next to. Yukiko settled in next to Kanji and began picking at the rice her mother had prepared.

Kanji tapped his foot impatiently. "Well Senpai, you gonna tell us why the hell you called us up here? Did you find anything out about Chie-senpai?"

Naoto also chimed in. "I'm curious as well."

Yu put his food down and stood up. Pulling out his cell phone he flipped to the call history and held it out for all of his friends to see. There was Chie's name and number in bright white letters.

"Chie-senpai…" Rise gasped in disbelief. The idol began hopping up and down in excitement. "She called you!? So is she okay?!"

Kanji was freaking out just as much as Rise. "I knew she'd be alright. She's tough as nails!"

Yu pulled his phone back and flipped to his texts. "Yeah that's not all either. She sent me a couple of texts to. Their a bit cryptic, but at least I know she's okay." Yu sounded a little bit relieved. "This defiantly means we have to step up our game."

The team's fire was lit once again. Yukiko wasn't surprised. Just a little clue could inspire this much hope in them. It was troubling, but it was still a dead end. Yukiko continued to eat her food and listened intently.

"Senpai, do you mind if I look at those texts?" Naoto asked curiously. The detective could hardly believe it herself. This bit of news was refreshing. Her search was becoming rather stale itself without anything to go on. A clue was exactly what she needed. She quickly scanned the texts. "Interesting…" Naoto tried to decipher what Chie meant when she said she was 'in a place where she could be happy away from you and his friends.'

Naoto knew for a fact that Chie had been friends with both Yosuke and Yukiko before Yu. She also knew that Chie would never say anything like this to any of her friends, most certainly not Yu. The message was short, but it seemed like it was meant to cut ties.

She also went on to read. 'We can't be together anymore. I'm sorry.' Naoto was positive that if anything was keeping the two from being together it couldn't have been this serious. In Naoto's mind, even if there was a rift in their romance, it couldn't have escalated to this point. So it came down to one thing. "Chie-senpai didn't send these texts. Her kidnapper must have tried to sever the trail. Narukami-senpai never gave up on Chie-san that's why? Still, why so recklessly?"

Naoto pondered while she returned Yu's phone to him. "Why did they still have her phone? There must be some motive. They still must be closer than we think" So many questions stirred into Naoto's mind, but she didn't want to divulge any of her theories yet. Knowing it wasn't Chie who sent the text would surely kill their hope. Naoto was sure of one thing though.

"This is good." She smiled. "If Chie-senpai's phone was on last night, there is still a chance it's on now. I can go to the police station and make a few calls. We may be to track the sim card."

Rise smiled wide. "No way!"

Kanji wrapped his arm around Naoto's neck. "That's genius Naoto!"

Yosuke looked to Naoto. "Do you think Dojima-san might be able to do that right now?"

Naoto nodded. "It's a possibility, but it won't pinpoint her position. Just give us a general idea of where she might be or was."

Yu smiled. "That's good enough for me." At that the bell rang ruining the team's good mood. Yu grabbed his bag and looked towards Yosuke. "I'm going to skip class, you in?"

"You know it partner." Yosuke slapped his back. The pair didn't waste any time rushing down the stairs towards the police station.

Kanji groaned. "Arghh... I'd go, but I can't skip anymore class."

"That's good Kanji, I'd hate for you to be calling me senpai next year." Rise giggled as they made their way back to their respective class.

…

Yukiko hurried as she made her way home. "I can't believe I was so stupid! How could I have forgotten that you can track phones! I should have skipped like the others. This is bad… Naoto-kun is smart. They will try and track the phone back to my house and know something is up. Tsk, I have to get rid of this phone then do something about Naoto."

Today was the day she cut Naoto off her trail. The Amagi heiress was getting more nervous with each passing minute. Ever since Naoto had teamed up with the police the morale within the Investigation Team had rose exponentially. Hope was starting to brim with Naoto on her game, and Yukiko knew that she was gunning for her. Ever since yesterday when she mentioned the Amagi Inn, she had a gnawing feeling in her heart that Naoto was coming to face her.

It didn't help either that she practically exploded on the young detective. Their other friends were too dense to pick up on the hostility that Yukiko's words carried towards Shirogane; they only imagined she could be upset about Chie.

That got them off her case, but she knew Naoto. She knew her kouhai all too well. The young detective followed every lead to the end. Until she was positive it was cold.

"Chie's belongings are still in my closet." Naoto was right; there was still evidence at the Amagi inn. Yukiko's grip tightening around her bag. She briskly walked home. Looking around to make sure she wasn't being tailed. As much as she wanted to run, she decided against it. Her paranoia level was rising with each passing second. What if Naoto was watching her?

It didn't take long for Yukiko to get home. She slipped off her shoes and put on her slides. Yukiko quickly made her way up to her room making sure to avoid all the maids, and more importantly her mother. She had tried to get rid of the evidence the previous day, but work kept her from doing so. She had been helping the maids all last night and by the time she was finished, the young girl was too exhausted and the thought slipped her mind.

Yu had made such a big deal about Chie answering her phone to the team. Yukiko hadn't seen him that happy in awhile. She was sure that her texts back to him would have discouraged any hope he had of seeing her again. Perhaps this was why she felt so uneasy; the situation was starting to get out of her control.

There would be no distractions today. She would dispose of the evidence in the river. The bag she could handle, but it was too late for her to get rid of the phone. Even if Naoto traced the texts back the Amagi Inn, the best Yukiko could hope for was to feign ignorance. Yukiko would have to remove the battery. She could still use it to her advantage.

Yukiko sighed as she arrived at her door and made her way to her room.

She dropped her belongings back on her bed and made her way towards the closet. The Amagi heiress shuffled around her balled up clothes, and loose belonging's until she came across it. Yukiko grimaced at the sight of Chie's backpack. The backpack was still somewhat damp from when tea spilled on it, from her and Chie's fight.

When Yukiko learned that the police were coming, out of desperation she hid it amongst her other belongings. She knew the cops were thorough with their searches, but wouldn't stoop low enough to go through a lady's clothing. Opening it she grabbed her best friend's phone, and gripped the bag. "I have to make this quick." A knock at the door caught her off guard.

"Yukiko?" One of the maids sounded. "Can you come downstairs please? A big group just came in and we could really use your help down in the kitchen."

"Just give me a few minutes." Yukiko barked at the door, rather annoyed by the interruption.

"But your mother said we need all hands right now-" the maid pressed.

"Alright, alright!" Yukiko groaned, stuffing Chie's phone into her back pocket. Her mother would just come upstairs anyway if she had refused. "Dammit."

…

Outside the Amagi inn, a young ace detective was just arriving. Naoto Shirogane eyed the Amagi Inn with curious eyes. "I know Yukiko-senpai was against me coming here yesterday…" She had a nagging string tugging at her heart. Naoto wasn't sure why, but she knew she had to investigate the inn. The police report she received from Dojima stated the police had found nothing of interest in the inn.

Maids, and patrons of the inn had reported seeing Chie on numerous occasions throughout the night and Yukiko was the last person who reported seeing Chie before she vanished.

Whatever was driving her Naoto was sure her heart would be put at ease if she investigated the inn personally. She would check back with Yu and the others later to see if anything came up regarding Chie's phone.

Naoto made her way to the door and knocked briskly. It was answered by none other than Yukiko's mother. "Ah Naoto-kun, are you here to see Yukiko? She didn't tell me she was expecting company today?"

"Oh no, I'm sorry for the intrusion ma'am, but I'm here regarding the ongoing investigation of Chie Satonaka. I know that the police came by a few days prior and gave their own sweep, but I was wondering if I could do so myself." Naoto replied politely. "It won't take long."

Yukiko's mother nodded and handed a pair of slides to Naoto. "Oh, of course dear."

Naoto changed her shoes quickly and gave her thanks. "Thank you again for letting me in on such short notice Amagi-san. I apologize again for the intrusion."

"Oh it's not a problem at all Naoto-kun. I know the police are doing everything they can to try and find Chie and you helping them is more than enough reason for me to let you in. I have to go now; before you arrived a rather large group came in. Do whatever you need to. You know your way around yes?" Yukiko's mother trailed off towards the kitchen leaving Naoto alone.

"I shall…" Naoto pondered where to start. "Perhaps senpai's room would be a good place to start? That is the most logical assumption since she saw Chie-senpai last?" As Naoto made her way past the kitchen she heard the boisterous guests having a good time. Naoto couldn't help, but smile. "Once this is all over perhaps I'll ask everyone to come together for a celebration."

It wasn't long before she found Yukiko's room. "This is it." Naoto knocked first and heard no response. "She must be in the kitchen helping the others. I suppose I will let myself in."

She slide the door open and looked around. Naoto was rather impressed. Yukiko's room was exactly the way she imagined it would be, simple yet elegant. Just like the Amagi heiress herself. It really had a traditional feel to it. "Now then, where should I begin first?"

Naoto decided on the drawers. She went threw everything, and found clothing, trinkets, books, etc. She did find several pictures of Yukiko and Chie. "I guess they really have been friends since childhood." Naoto check was thorough checked under Yukiko's bed as well, windows, and anything else she could think of. All that was left was Yukiko's closet.

Naoto wasn't surprised. The maids did clean everyday like Yukiko had told her yesterday. She opened up Yukiko's closet sure she would find no evidence. Nothing really stuck out to her until she saw a familiar bunch of buttons. "Wait… huh? Isn't that…. CHIE-SENPAI'S BACKPACK!?"

…

It wasn't long after Naoto's arrival that Yukiko had been able to slip away from the kitchen for a bit. Yukiko didn't have any time to waste on guests at the moment. It wouldn't be long until the maids noticed she was missing so she had to be quick about this. Chie's backpack had to go. It was the last piece of evidence linking her towards Chie's disappearance.

"Oh, my goodness! Those guests were so annoying. I can't believe they needed that much food. Still I was able to get away… now then let's be done with this. Huh?" Yukiko came to a halt at her room. "Why is my door open?"

Yukiko crossed the corner into her room and her heart sank. To her despair Naoto was standing in front of her closet with Chie's backpack in her hand. "NA-NAOTO-KUN?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! WHY ARE YOU IN MY ROOM!?"

Naoto looked up calmly at Yukiko, with cold calculating eyes. "Oh, there you are senpai. I was just coming to find you."

Yukiko clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her demeanor. Her worst nightmare had come into fruition. "No, its fine, she only has Chie's bag. There is nothing important in there. All I have to do is play dumb. I still have her phone. As long as Naoto doesn't find it everything will be fine." Yukiko suppressed her desire to choke Naoto out of impulse and began to speak with a plastic smile across her lips. "Naoto-kun I thought I already told you there was nothing here. The police found nothing and you're going to find nothing so why are you snooping?!"

Naoto maintained her bearing and held up Chie's backpack. "Well that's what I wanted to talk to you about senpai. I was investigating your room and I found Chie-san's backpack. How did this get here?"

"What!?" Yukiko responded instinctively. "How should I know Naoto? Chie probably left it on the day she went missing, like I said Chie was rather upset when she left."

"Yes, I know. I read that in the official report." Naoto pressed. "It's exactly what you told the police on the night she went missing, but let me ask you? Why was she so distressed senpai? What could've made her leave so quickly that she would forget her own personal belongings? Looking at his now, her bag seems as though it has been handled quite roughly. Please explain?"

Yukiko was beginning to get frustrated. Her kouhai wouldn't let up. She really was navigating a mine field and she was losing her cool. "You just won't quit, will you Naoto? Fine then, the only thing that could've upset her would've been our conversation."

"Elaborate."

Yukiko sighed and sat on her bed. "I was just concerned. We were discussing her relationship with Narukami-kun. I was confronting Chie about her situation with Yu. I suspected she may have been cheating on him. I was just trying to keep it a secret from everyone, except for Narukami-kun of course."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Really?" Yukiko tilted her head. "Last week you all discovered they had been secretly dating for months. What's so farfetched about that?"

"Still even if that's true you still should have told the police about it senpai. Even so I can see how that would upset someone enough for them to leave quickly. It is possible that she did leave her things here then." Naoto replied taking Yukiko's words.

Yukiko nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I was trying to tell you Naoto-kun."

Naoto eyes locked back onto Yukiko. "But that still doesn't explain how it wasn't found by the police or how it managed to get inside of your closet senpai? Why are you hiding evidence that could be useful in finding our friend? You are aware withholding evidence is a crime?"

Yukiko sat on her bed glaring at Naoto. As she opened her mouth to speak, Naoto's phone began to ring.

"Tch." Naoto looked at her phone. It was Dojima calling. She turned her back on Yukiko. "Yes, this is Shirogane. Yes… alright… okay… I understand…" The conversation was brief. She closed the phone and returned her attention to Yukiko. "I'm afraid we will have to continue our chat later senpai. I believe there is more to this story than you are letting on. I will be taking the bag with me."

With that Naoto took her leave.

Yukiko sat on her bed alone looking down at the ground. Her fingers dug into the sheets as she tried to suppress her rage. Naoto had gotten to close. She was defiantly the top suspect under her radar. She had to do something and fast, or everything would come crashing down on her.

Yukiko made up her mind.

Standing up she had a grim look on her face. There was no other choice. She was going to get rid of Naoto Shirogane.