Thank You has an unplanned chapter 2, thanks to everyone's enthusiasm! This was going to be a one-shot, but I've gotten reviews and people putting this story on "story alert" or whatever, saying that you want more! And for that, I am grateful! I apologize to those of you waiting for updates on any of my junjou romantica stories! I swear, I'll write them!

I apologize, also, if Ikuto seems a little OOC in this chapter, because I think he does XD

Disclaimer: Sakuya Nanako does not own Shugo Chara… :(

Thank You, unplanned chapter 2!

Tsukiyomi Ikuto warily pushed open the front door of the little house rented out to his family by Easter, afraid of what he'd find. He lived with his father, when he was home, and Utau was on tour so often, it was like she had moved out. He desperately hoped his father would be out… Ikuto knew it would not be pretty upon facing him, as Ikuto had been gone for an entire week, and his father had no inkling of where he'd gone. It's not as if he'd care, really… Ikuto thought bitterly. I don't even exist to him anyway.

Ikuto was unlucky, that gray afternoon, as he shut the pale, wooden front door behind him and quietly took off his shoes. He raised his eyes to find his father's menacing form hovering above him, anger radiating from his being.

"Where were you?" He asked quietly. Ikuto would rather he'd have yelled, because then, he wouldn't be able to hear the rage trembling in the older man's voice.

"I-I was at a friend's house. I'm sorry…"

Ikuto stumbled back as the slapping sound resonated through the empty hallway. He rubbed his stinging cheek, eyes averted.

"You are the most insolent little brat I have ever seen." His father growled through clenched teeth. "You know you have an 8:00 curfew, you piece of crap, and you missed it by an entire week!"

"I know, I'm sorry." Ikuto mumbled, afraid of what this man would do next.

"Sorry doesn't cut it, scum." He had advanced on Ikuto, backing him against a corner of the entrance hallway. He now grabbed the collar of Ikuto's black shirt and thrust him to the floor, his head hitting the hard wood paneling.

Ikuto curled up, partially from the pain and partially to protect himself from whatever was coming next.

"Please, it won't happen again! Stop!" Ikuto pleaded.

"'It won't happen again!'" His father spat. "'It won't happen again!' That's what they always say! And guess what? It always happens again! If I punish you now, maybe you won't do it again!"

"I won't, I swear!" Ikuto yelled, curled up against the kicks aimed at him.

"If it happens again, you're going to wish you were never born!" Yes, the phrase was rather cliché, but having his father scream it at him made it all the more terrifying. And, the worst part was that his father was probably right. But, it's a bit late for that, isn't it. He thought, not meaning it as a question, but as a statement.

His father released the last of his rage on Ikuto with a few last kicks, and then spun around and stomped off down the hallway, turning left into the kitchen.

Yoru had watched this scene helplessly, hidden off to the side, and now he flew over to the pale and shaking Ikuto.

"Come on, nyah! Let's get out of here!" Yoru said into his ear. Ikuto could only nod. He slipped his shoes back on with great difficulty and ran from that house as fast as his legs would carry him, his cat ears flattened against his head.

By now, the sky was dark and the wind was colder than ever. Ikuto shivered and wrapped his arms around himself.

"We can't sleep out here nyah! You'll catch your death nyah!"

Ikuto just looked up at him, his eyes empty.

"Let's go to Amu's, Ikuto-kun!"

Ikuto shook his head. "We just came from there. I can't impose on her again. I'm not wanted there anyway." His voice was hollow.

"She cried when you left nyah." Yoru pointed out.

At this, Ikuto gave in and followed Yoru down the freezing, barren streets. Either he was convinced this was a good idea, or he had no will left to fight. Yoru desperately hoped it was the former.

They knocked on her door, Ikuto hanging his head. Amu pulled it open a few seconds later.

Her eyes widened in shock. "I-Ikuto-kun? What are you doing here?"

"Could I stay here again tonight?" Ikuto asked almost too softly to hear, looking at the ground.

"Um… yeah… come in…" Amu moved to the side to give him room to enter. He stepped into the warm light of her house, and she was shocked to see the cuts and bruises all over his face. "Iku…to… Wh-what happened?! You're hurt! Sit down!" She grabbed his cold hand to lead him to the couch, but he jerked violently away from her touch.

"N-no…" He backed away from her, hitting the wall. "It… It won't happen again…" He sank down, fingers dug into his hair. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry!"

Amu was alarmed now. She had never seen this strong, confident teen like this. He seemed so fragile, so broken… she crouched down to be on his level, her feathery pink hair swishing around her face.

"Ikuto-kun, it's okay." She assured him, pulling his shaking hands from him head and holding them gingerly in her own.

Tears fell freely down his cheeks as she stared into his eyes, trying to calm him down without words. Somehow, although she was scared for his well-being, she found this softer side of him rather attractive. She reached up with one hand and brushed away the tears, and he flinched away from her touch.

She leaned in closer to his face, touching his cut, chapped lips with her soft fingers. Finally, her own lips made contact with his.

His eyes widened in surprise, the tears continuing to fall. His tired eyes closed and he returned her kiss, pulling her closer to him.

His tears dried up with the pleasure of the kiss.

"You…" he whispered. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for that…"

Amu smiled softly, peering up at Ikuto's pale, tear-stained face. "Me too… I've been waiting for it, too…"

He pulled her soft, warm body to his cold one, now finding comfort in her touch.

They sat there against the wall, Amu in his lap, their fingers intertwined, until they fell asleep, the clock on the wall ticking away the hours.

As they drifted off, Amu could hear the faint whisper of Ikuto's breath in her ear. "Thank you…"

There is, folks, Chapter 2 of Thank You! I'll do a third chapter if you really want me to, but as of now, there are no real plans for it. Gomen… I hope you liked it. I had really wanted to write something like this. Please review, thanks so much for reading!