I ran through the park, trees flashing by me, Shira flying at my shoulder.

"Why are you running?" Shira asked. "You're not going to be able to find him."

I didn't answer, too busy scanning the trees for any sign of movement. We had just gotten word that Ikuto had broken into Easter and stolen their latest project, his violin.

"He's an idiot." I told my 'would be self'. "Breaking in there was reckless and foolhardy, and what did he achieve? Who knows what they did to that violin... maybe he's just playing right into their hands."

By 'they' we both knew I meant Easter and it's cronies.

Shira threw me a look. "You would have done the same." she pointed out.

Thankfully I could ignore this because I had just caught a glimpse of a young man in black stumbling through the trees, struggling to keep a violin case off the ground. There couldn't be any mistaking who it was.

I slipped into the trees, quiet as could be. If I called to him Ikuto would most likely run away and end up hurting himself in the process. The best thing to do, was to surprise him.

I ghosted through the trees, quiet as a snake. Ikuto leaned against a tree to catch his breath. I was worried to hear the strong, never tiring Ikuto gasping and breathing raggedly.

"Ikuto..." Ikuto's Chara, a small black haired cat-like guy said with a worried frown.

"I'm fine, Yoru." Ikuto said, waving a hand and then biting back a cough. "Just give me a minute."

Shira mirrored my own thoughts, whispering in my ear "He doesn't look so good..."

I gave a brief nod. It was time to make my move. Easter's goons would be searching this park in a few minutes. We didn't have much time. Of course, I was supposed to be one of the searchers, but if the Director thought I was going to turn in Ikuto he was dreaming. They could all go to Hell as far as I was concerned.

Ikuto straightened and took up the violin case again. I stepped out from the trees, blocking his path. "Going somewhere?" I asked, allowing my voice to drop down to a lower tone, as I always did whenever I was around anyone other then Shira.

Ikuto stumbled back a few steps, then he tensed and said quietly "Yoru, Character Change."

"You seriously think you can handle that?" I asked, stepping farther into the light and pulling down the hood of my dark blue sweatshirt so he could see it was me. "You look about ready to drop to me."

Shira flew up next to me and waved to Yoru, who grinned and called "Nyah!" before waving back.

"Ryo?" Ikuto asked with a frown. He tightened his grip on the violin. "I'm not going back, and I'm not returning the violin. If you want to try to make me, I'll fight you."

I raised my hands in surrender. "Hey, who said anything about going back?"

"The Director didn't send you?"
"Maybe he did, he might have said something about 'capture that boy at all costs' but I wasn't really listening."

Ikuto scowled. "If you don't do it you'll be in serious trouble..."

I laughed. "You're telling me about trouble? Now that's rich. Don't go worrying about me, I can handle myself. But can you?"

"Are you going to help us, nyah?" Yoru asked. He sounded incredibly relieved.

Ikuto frowned, then he bit his lip, closed his eyes and dropped to his knees as pulsating waves of power came from the violin in his arms.

"Ikuto!" Yoru cried as I bent to catch him. I let him lean on my arm as I helped him back to his feet.

"Man, you're in worse shape then I thought. Maybe you should just leave the dratted thing." "No." Ikuto's voice was faint but hard with determination.

I sighed. "Fine, stubborn brat." ('Brat' was my nickname for him when I teased him. He usually called me 'Gramps' in retaliation, even though I was only a year older than him.) "I guess I'd better help you get out of here before we both get caught."

Ikuto could only manage a weak nod, which made me worry even more. He didn't even have the energy to insult me. I wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started off.

I couldn't go as fast as I could have if I hadn't been carrying Ikuto but we still made pretty good time. I didn't really know where I was going but I figured that anywhere farther away from Easter was good so I just keep walking.

We had reached a field, next to a swiftly flowing river and I was debating whether or not to walk to the bridge when Ikuto gave a groan and collapsed. He fell to the side, the grass giving him a nice cushion as he fell. The two Charas came flying over and I dropped to my knees beside him.

"Ikuto!" Yuro cried, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Ikuto!"

Shira looked on sadly while I checked Ikuto's pulse and breathing. "It's OK, he's just unconscious." I told the weeping Yoru. "I think he'll be alright, but he needs to rest."

"How can he do that?" Yoru sobbed. "Easter's after us, they're bound to catch us soon, and then they'll probably kill Ikuto! What do we do?"

"We need help." I said with a scowl. I really didn't want to do this, but with Ikuto in this condition and Easter after him... They were probably after me too by this point. After all, I hadn't reported in yet and I'd been expressly ordered to report every half hour or else. Well they could take their 'or else' and stick it you know where. I wouldn't, couldn't leave Ikuto in this condition. After all, we were friends. And friends stood by each other. "Shira..." I said reluctantly, looking at our surroundings. There was only one person I knew of who lived around here and might, just maybe be willing to help us out. "Find Amu. Bring her here, and quickly."

Shira nodded. "Come on Yoru." she said, tugging on his arm. "Let's go. The sooner we find her the sooner we can be back."

I watched as the two Charas flew off and took a seat on the ground. All I could do now was wait... and hope that Amu would be able to help... and hope she wasn't too late.

I jumped to my feet as Amu came running down the road, the two Charas in the lead with three others, Amu's three, flying just behind them.

"Ryo!" Amu said, then she saw Ikuto. She dropped down next to him and put her hand on his forehead. "He's burning up..." she whispered and I could tell she was really scared for Ikuto.

"He needs a place to rest." I said when she turned to look up at me. "Can you help?"

Her eyes widened but she nodded. "Yeah... I think..."

"Good." I said, cutting off any second thoughts she might be having. I didn't bother trying to flirt with her, that was all just an act anyway and I was much too worried about Ikuto, though I wasn't going to show it. "Here help me,"

Together we got him up between our shoulders, she took one arm and I the other. Amu led the way, pointing out which way to go whenever I became hesitant, which wasn't very often. I knew the way to her house just fine.

When we reached her house she left me with Ikuto and ran to check inside. She came back a few moments later and waved me in. "My parents are out on a shopping trip." she explained as she helped me get Ikuto up the stairs. "They shouldn't be back for awhile. Here, we can put him in my room."

She opened the door for me and I strode in and laid Ikuto on the lacy white bed covered with a pink comforter. Not exactly the most stylish of beds, but we couldn't really afford to be choosy. Actually the whole room was like that. Trendy and Pink. Cute, if you were a pre-teen girl who actually liked that stuff. Personally, I wanted to whip out my knives and go to town on the whole place, but that wouldn't really be the best thing to do at the moment. Maybe later.

The girl was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Ikuto. I glanced at him, timed the length of his breaths and gauged the ease of his breathing and came to the conclusion that he would be fine after a little sleep.

Amu moved the comforter so it covered Ikuto and tucked some lacy white pillows under his head. I had to cover my chuckle. Now that I was reasonably sure Ikuto was in no danger and was well on his way to a speedy recovery I found the thought of him sleeping on lace pillows under a pink blanket absolutely hilarious. He was never going to live this one down. And with him out of the way I could turn my mind to other matters, keeping up with my reputation for instance.

I walked up behind the girl till I was just barely touching her. Not enough for her to notice my presence quite yet, but enough to put me in the perfect position for leaning down and whispering in her ear. Which is exactly what I proceeded to do.

I leaned down, allowing my lips to just brush her ear as I whispered "Handsome, isn't he?"

She jumped and swung around to look at me. "Ye-wait-"

In a moment I slipped onto the bed next to her and cupped my fingers under her chin, bringing her face in uncomfortably close to mine. "What about me?" I murmured, my eyes staring deeply into hers. "Am I handsome?"

Her eyes stayed on mine for a moment that seemed to take forever. Then she blushed and looked away. "I know you're teasing me. Stop it already."

I smiled. "Of course I am. But we really are handsome aren't we?" I leaned back and yawned as she glared at me.

"Look, I've got homework to do." she snapped. "You just stay out of the way."

I shrugged and said "I wasn't in the way."

Amu scowled. "Whatever just stay away from me."

I watched her lazily as she went over to her desk and started her homework. Shira flew down next to me and I glanced at her. She pointed and I followed her finger to see Ikuto's violin case standing up in one corner. I nodded and gave her a smile for 'job well done'.

The rest of the day passed in a rather boring fashion. I dared not venture outside for fear of being spotted by Easter's goons, and I was also reluctant to leave Ikuto. So I was stuck with lazing around Amu's room, occasionally teasing her or making sarcastic comments about the decor but mostly just fidgeting restlessly and peering out the window every two seconds. Amu glanced at me every now and then, but she must have understood how nervous I was and she left me alone, concentrating on her homework.

Night fell, and Ikuto still hadn't woken. Amu's parents came back at some point and she left to be with them, leaving me practically alone.

I paced restlessly for a few minutes before dropping into a chair with a sigh. I hated inaction, but there wasn't like I could do much about it. All I could do was wait till the heat wore off. Easter would give up looking for us eventually, and then what? I didn't have anywhere to go, no place to hide out. And Ikuto was no better off then I was. We couldn't stay here for long, and then where would we go?

I shook my head to clear it. It didn't do me any good to think about it. I'd figure something out when the time came, I always did. In the meantime I should do something to get my mind from dwelling on it. I glanced at Amu's desk. Her homework was still lying open, only half done despite her efforts. Maybe it was time I paid her back a bit for letting us stay here.

I took out a pencil and got to work. First I went over the lesson, getting a feel for what she was supposed to do. Then I went back over the parts she had already done, marking her mistakes and adding notes on a separate piece of paper that showed her where she went wrong and how to fix it.

Then I started on the part she hadn't done yet. I read through the instructions and rewrote the steps in concise, easy to read notes. Then I went over the problems, adding a little note next to any trick question as a warning and breaking the harder problems down into simpler ones.

By the time I heard footsteps on the stairs, I was about done. I threw the comforter completely over Ikuto, tossed a few pillows over him as an after thought then jumped into the closet. I pulled the door mostly closed, leaving just a crack to peer though.

It was just Amu. She came in, yawned and fell into bed, apparently forgetting that she was not the only one in the room. I waited a beat. Amu's gasp and the sound of the comforter hitting the floor signaled her recollection.

I stepped out of the closet and nearly choked from trying not to laugh. Amu had gotten into bed, completely forgetting about Ikuto. Ikuto had chosen that moment to roll over, now laying with his arm draped over the girl, his head nearly touching hers.

I could tell Amu was debating whether to scream or hit him, neither of which would help Ikuto's recovery. I walked over and deftly untangled Amu from the sleeping boy's clutches. "Forget we were here?" I asked, as I gently flipped Ikuto towards the wall and tossed the blanket back over him. "Or maybe you did that on purpose?" I said with a raised eyebrow.

Amu gasped again in indignation and I leaned down, placing my head nearly as close as Ikuto's had been. "Either way," I breathed, my breath blowing against her cheek. "I must ask you to leave him alone, at least until he's recovered. For the time being, perhaps I would do instead..." I let my sentence trail off, watching her like a wolf watches a sheep.

A sharp pain to my side interrupted me and I was thrown halfway across the room, far away from Amu, from the force of the punch. I sat up to see Amu looking bewildered and Ikuto with his hand still extended, glaring daggers at me.

"Oh good." I said, getting to my feet and brushing myself off. "You're awake. Sure took you long enough."

"I-Ikuto..." Amu said.

Ikuto ignored her and gave me another glare. "Leave her alone."

"Oh, he's feeling protective." I commented. I walked casually back over to Amu and took her hand. "Don't worry, I didn't do anything... inappropriate. It was just a suggestion after all."

Ikuto glared at me then rolled his eyes and held a hand to his head. "Whatever, just stop will you."

I frowned. Normally that would have been enough to make Ikuto take another swing at me. And the fact that he didn't proved just how bad he was feeling.

"Are you alright Ikuto?" Amu asked, worried. I noticed she had pulled her hand away from me and was doing her best to ignore my presence. "You've been sleeping since you got here."

Ikuto shot me a look, then looked around at his surroundings, at the sickly pink stuff everywhere, the half-finished homework, and the violin in the corner. "Ryo, what-"

"You collapsed." I said bluntly. "This was the only place I could think of on short notice."

His eyes stared into mine. "Easter?"

I glanced at Amu, who seemed very interested in the conversation all of a sudden. I shrugged.

Ikuto nodded, understanding. We would talk later.

"Anyway," I went on, ignoring Amu's look. "You should get back to sleep. I doubt you're fully recovered yet."

Ikuto nodded again but Amu frowned. "No way is he sleeping in the bed, you get the floor."

"But I'm sick." he protested, laying down so his face was close to hers again. "If I sleep on the floor I'll catch a cold. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Two seconds later Ikuto was sitting on the floor with a second hand blanket draped over his head. "Here." Amu said, throwing him a pillow. "Don't catch cold."

"Thanks a lot." he grumbled.

I hid a grin behind my hand. "Nice try, Brat. I guess even sick brats can't get away with everything."

"Shut up." Ikuto told me, already half asleep.

Amu looked up at me. "What about you, Ryo? Where are you going to sleep? Do you need a blanket or anything?"
"Oh, I'll be fine." I assured her. "Unless, of course," I leaned in close. "You were offering to let me sleep with you?"

Ikuto casually swung his foot back, knocking my legs out from under me and sending me tumbling to the floor. "Knock it off already, Gramps." he growled. "Let me sleep."
"Fine." I said, getting up with far more dignity then I did going down. "I'll let you have that one because you're sick, don't expect to get away with it next time."

"Whatever."

I cupped my hands under Amu's chin. "Till morning then. Later."

I waved and walked out on the balcony. From there I jumped to the roof where I stretched out flat, letting the curve of the roof hide my body from any watchers. I sighed and allowed myself to relax and within a few moments I was asleep under the stars.