Okay, so I'm back! Um... Not really much to say. Did I do a disclaimer for this story? I don't know. Well, I don't own Shugo Chara, so... Yeah. :)

To Bear Love's Cross

Chapter 3

It was dark outside, the only light coming from an old street lamp that was cloudy from neglect. There wasn't a living soul out on this particular street. So nobody noticed the man with a mask standing over another in a back alley. Nobody could see the blood on the ground or the fat rivulets of water that dripped down the injured man's cheeks.

The man on the ground had long ago crawled into a ball, trying to protect his vital organs. The masked man placed his foot on the other's side. "You know what you did. Right, Akito Hijiri?" He applied more pressure on Akito's side.

Akito cried out in pain. "No, I don't know what you're talking about!"

The masked man made a noise in the back of his throat. "Really? You don't remember slapping that girl around and beating her almost to death? Or what about that little boy? You know, the one from eight days ago who had to go to the hospital because you lost your temper? Or did that not seem significant to you because there wasn't enough evidence to get you arrested? You know, jailtime isn't the only punishment that can be given." He stepped harder on Akito. "Like this."

Akito screamed, but no one heard him. Or if they did, they didn't move to help him. "Okay, okay, I shouldn't have done that! I admit it! But it won't happen again, i promise! I'll stop! I promise!"

The masked man laughed bitterly, coldly. "You promise? Am I supposed to take your word for it? Who do you think I am?" He leaned down until he was face-to-face with Akito. "You should recognize this mask. Even if the general public doesn't, any gangster should."

Akito looked closely at the mask, although he already knew exactly what it looked like from the rumors. It almost looked like a mixture of the two drama masks-one half with a smile, the other half with a frown. A red tear was painted on the left side as if it cried and on the direct opposite side was a diamond. The way it glowed white in the night had earned him the nickname "the Phantom."

The Phantom pulled a switchblade out of his back pocket. Akito's eyes widened. "N-no! I swear, I'll never do it again! Don't kill me! Oh, God, save me!"

The Phantom frowned behind the mask. "A mobster who believes in God? That's a new one." The Phantom brought the hilt of the knife down on Akito's head, knocking him unconscious.

The Phantom stared down at the limp man's body for a moment before looking at the starless sky. "God, huh?"

The door closed downstairs. "Amu!"

The pinkette hopped off her bed, already prepared to explain her absence from Church. "Okay, so here's what happened-"

Amu's mother hugged her tightly. "You scared me! When you never showed up I was worried that something bad had happened! Are you okay? You aren't hurt, are you?" She held her daughter at arm's distance and looked her up and down.

Amu laughed. "No, I'm fine, Mom. It's just that I was on my way to Church when I saw a boy on the side of the road. He was hurt so I decided that you would understand if I missed going to Mass with you. I can go again later today. That... That is okay, right? He was just really hurt, and he couldn't wait."

"Of course that's okay!" Midori said. "I'm sure God will understand why you chose to do what you did, and that's all that really matters. Oh, by the way, I brought a little someone home! He wanted to see if you were okay, and I just couldn't say no."

A blonde head bobbed around Amu's mother and pinkish-red eyes bored into her head. "Amu-chan, are you okay? Did anything happen to you?"

Amu waved her arms in front of her chest awkwardly. "No, no, everything's fine, Tadase-kun. I just saw a boy on the side of the path that needed my help."

Tadase smiled. "That's good. When I didn't see you with your family I got nervous. I prayed to God that you weren't hurt. And my prayers were answered."

I laughed quietly. "Really?"

Amu's mom tilted her head to the side for a moment. "Come to think of it, do you know this boy's name?"

For some reason unknown to me, a blush lit up my cheeks. I smothered it quickly before saying, "Yes, his name was Ikuto." No need to tell her it's Ikuto Tsukiyomi.

Midori smiled. "That name sounds familiar. Let's see... Where do I know that name from?"

"Oh, no, you're probably just imagining things-"

"I've got it! That's the name of Utau's older brother, right? So he could be Ikuto Hoshina."

Amu blinked and laughed a little. "You know, Utau does have a brother named Ikuto, doesn't she? Isn't that ironic. It probably isn't the same Ikuto though."

Tadase squirmed like he wanted to say something but didn't add anything to the conversation.

"Well, I should probably start getting dressed properly for Mass." Considering the first time I did it I ended up looking like I'd raided a clothing store and put on whatever had been closest to me. She'd put on baggy black pants and a pink polka dot dress that went down to her knees. She hadn't even noticed until after she'd gotten home. And somehow it had bothered her that Ikuto had seen her wearing that.

"Ah, Amu-chan-"

The pinkette turned to look at Tadase. Her mother had left after learning Ikuto's name. "Yes, Tadase-kun?"

Tadase squirmed nervously. "Well, I just wanted to know if maybe sometime this week we could-"

"AMU-CHAN!" Amu's father ran through the door all but pushing Tadase out of the way. He practically tackled her in a hug. "Amu-chan, my little sparrow, you scared me!"

Amu sweat-dropped. "Yeah, I'm sorry, Dad. I saw a boy on the side of the road-"

"A BOY?! I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS!" Amu flinched at the volume of her father's voice. I'm going to be deaf by the time I'm eighteen at this rate.

"Of course not, Dad." Amu sighed. Amu glanced at Tadase. "What was it that you were saying? Something about this week?"

Tadase shook his head frantically, blushing. "No! It's nothing, nothing. Don't worry about it. I have to go. See you later, Amu-chan!" Tadase ran out the door. Amu watched his retreating back.

"I wonder what that was about."

Ikuto was in his room, changing silently so as not to warn any of the others in the house of his presence. He glanced down at his bare arm which was covered by layer of bandages. His leg was in much the same condition. He sported a band-aid on his cheek. He shook his head and pulled on his shool uniform shirt.

He stared at himself in the mirror. Just staring. His reflection stared right back at him. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming toward his door. "Ikuto? Is that you?"

He was already out the window the moment the door opened. The woman that stood there stared at the open window and whispered, "Ikuto..."

Dear Lord!
Make me remember,
when the world seems cold and dreary
and I know not where to turn for comfort,
that there is always one spot bright and cheerful,
the Sanctuary.
When I am in desolation of spirit,
when all who are dear to me have passed away
like summer flowers
and none are left to love me and care for me,
whisper to my troubled soul
that there is one Friend who dies not,
one who's Love never changes
Jesus on the altar.
When sorrow thicken and crush me with their burden,
when I look in vain for comfort,
let me remember Your words:
"Come to Me,
all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will refresh you."

So... Yeah. Chapter 3! Rate, review, fave, follow... Please? :)