Morg: Heyo! So, we seem to be having some problems with this story.

Ikuto: That's because you brought that idiot into it.

Amu: Tadase isn't an idiot!

Morg: Yes he is. And THERE NEEDS BE TRUST HERE! Come on guys! Would I ever write real Tadamu?! NO!

Ikuto: No way in hell.

Amu: I wouldn't mind it.

Morg: Shut up, Amu. Tadase is a character that is needed to help Amu grow up a little more. If she doesn't meet him then her meeting with Ikuto won't happen the way I want it to. Yes, you'll have to suffer through a few short chapters of Tadase and Amu being friends and quite possibly hinting at more than that, but there is a reason for it! So trust me!

Ikuto: I see that I have no choice.

Amu: Eh, we don't have to. She doesn't own us.

Morg: True but this story is Amuto! AMUTO!

~Your Blood in Mine~

Shopping was always something that Amu did but never quite enjoyed. However, this time was different. This time she wasn't alone as she went into a few stores to find the things she needed to better blend into the time she was living in. The man she'd met the evening before had asked if she had anyone to go with her and when Amu said she did not, he'd asked if he could. She'd blushed at the offer but accepted nonetheless. In all her decades of life, Amu had never let another human close to her. It wasn't worth the pain, besides, she had Tree-san.

"I think that one looks very good on you."

The compliments were something else Amu was attempting to deal with. Sure, she knew that she was rather good looking, but having never had someone else to tell her so made her turn red rather quickly. Eventually she'd just given up on attempting to hide her blushes. "You think so?"

Smiling, Tadase nodded his head as he motioned for the owner of the shop to come forward. "She'll be taking this dress. Is it all right if she wears it out?"

Before Amu could protest, the shop owner agreed.

Tadase beamed at the older woman as he followed her over to the counter. "Excellent! Please have the other items sent to this hotel. They'll deliver them to Amu's room for her. Thank you for your help."

After that, Amu was whisked quickly from the shop to continue looking for whatever else her heart desired. In the past, the pinkette wouldn't bother with creating an entirely new wardrobe considering she wouldn't stay in one place too long anyhow. Now it didn't seem like she had much of a choice. Tadase seemed bent on making certain that she had more than enough.

"Amu-chan, would you like to eat lunch with me at my home this afternoon?"

Shocked at such an invitation, Amu agreed. "You live in the city? I thought since you were at the hotel last night that you were traveling like I am."

Smiling, Tadase shook his head. "No, I was visiting the hotel for a business meeting. I suppose I haven't asked you yet, but are you just traveling through?"

Allowing for Tadase to take her arm and lead her through the streets towards where she was certain his house sat, Amu smiled as their conversation continued. "I haven't decided yet. My small country home is a few days ride from here. I simply felt the need for a visit to the city for a few days."

"You should buy a house here in the city."

"What?"

"I mean, if you are visiting and you live a few days out then it makes sense for you to also have a house here for when you visit."

Amu had never thought of it that way. Whenever she traveled she would simply stay in hotels. Granted, she usually didn't stay in one place very long. Her want to see more was always countered by the urges she felt to go home, which prevented her from lingering in any one place for too long. Tadase suggestion, though, actually made sense. "I have never thought of that."

Smiling a huge smile once again, Tadase was pleased with himself as he led his companion up the front steps of his rather impressive house. "I think you would enjoy living in the city."

Amu agreed though she said nothing out loud. Having a second place that she could call home sounded rather appealing. If this worked out, she could have more than just one other house. Besides, her cottage was getting much too small to hold all of the items she'd accumulated over her many years. "Maybe tomorrow I could start looking and see if anything catches my eyes."

Tadase made an approving sound as he led her into his dining room where the table was already set for a meal. Though the servants hadn't been expecting Amu they had been expecting their master. Without much effort, another set of eatery was brought out for the guest.

Halfway through their meal, Amu decided to break the silence and speak once more to the man she'd met the night before. "So Tadase-kun, what do you do?"

Wiping his mouth with his napkin before he answered, Tadase shrugged like his lifestyle wasn't anything important. "My older brother, Kiseki, owns the company that our father started. We managed hotels, which is part of the reason I was at one last night for my meeting. I'm involved enough to make money to live off of while my brother holds all the real power."

Amu liked how modest Tadase seemed to be while talking about himself. He was definitely different than a lot of other men she'd spoken to over the years. Those men had taught her how to better defend herself, however, so she didn't dislike them either. "Am I staying at one of your hotels?"

Returning the smile he received, Tadase shook his head. "No, that hotel isn't ours yet but I've been working on the negotiations for us to obtain it. The owner is being difficult but it won't be long now."

"Then you should know a lot about housing as well? Would be able to help me tomorrow while I search for a home?"

Amu caught the small smirk that flashed across Tadase's face. It was almost as if he'd been hoping that she'd ask him for help.

"I would love to."

XXX

The house that Tadase managed to help her find was absolutely perfect for Amu. Granted, the man thought she needed something a little bigger with more servants and fancy things, but Amu was happy with the medium sized home she found. It would hold the new things she bought and wasn't so big that she was reminded that she would be living through eternity alone.

Tadase was even helpful enough to help her move her things into her house. The man was one she was quickly beginning to enjoy being around. He didn't even question her when she told him that she needed to go home for a week about six months after she met him.

Tree-san, on the other hand, was not as excited about this Tadase-kun as Amu was. I don't understand why you need to make friends with him, Amu-chan. He could find out about your secret.

There were risks, yes, but Amu was willing to face them if it meant getting to spend more time with Tadase. She couldn't quite describe why she liked the man so much. It was just that she did. "I know that, Tree-san, but Tadase-kun is my friend now so there is no going back. Besides, I like having someone human I can spend time with. I'm sure he'd understand if I explained things to him."

No! You must never tell another human about our bond! I let you tell your parents and your sister but that was in order to save your life and keep us bonded! You must not, Amu! Please!

Hearing the desperation in her tree's voice, Amu sighed. "All right, fine. I won't tell him. I won't give him up either, Tree-san. I enjoy being with Tadase so I will be."

Tree-san watched as Amu returned to her small cottage. Their bonding would take place the following day. Something Tree-san looked forward to more than usual. You can go spend time with him now, Amu-chan, but you will be with me for eternity.

XXX

Kukai could not explain it anymore. The fury he felt. The anger that coursed through him whenever Utau suddenly disappeared from their small home. He understood, yes, that she worked for the Angel of Death. She had promised him over and over again that her relationship with that man was nothing more than master and servant. Still, he was beyond pissed to know that she could be taken from him at any moment. This was something that he did not like.

It was during one of those times when she was gone, he never knew how long her disappearance would last. Sometimes it was no more than five minutes and other times it was several days. Kukai had grown tired of it, which is why he did what he did. Leaving their cave behind, the man shifted to his wolf form to move far away from it. Once he was in a clear spot, Kukai shifted back. "I know that you can hear me! I know that you will come! I want to speak with you!"

Smirking slightly, Ikuto allowed for himself to appear before the half man half wolf being. "How courageous of you to call for me. Not many will invite Death."

Grinning, Kukai kept his eyes firm as he took in the other male. "You are Ikuto? You are Utau's master?"

"Yes."

"She is mine. Release her from your service."

Frowning slightly, mostly because this idiot was trying to tell him what to do, Ikuto shook his head. "No, I don't think so. If I did that then I'd lose one of my best hunters. Besides that, she would die. Do you want that, pup?"

Kukai's smile vanished. "What do you mean she would die?"

"Utau's life is now bound to mine. If I release her, she will no longer have a reason to live."

"I am her reason to live."

"No matter how much she likes you that means nothing."

"What do you mean?"

"Utau has been protecting you from me from years. She's been reporting that you're simply too stupid to die. There seems to be no alternative source to your longevity so I've done nothing to end your life. She doesn't wish for me to do so and I won't."

Kukai seemed to have to slow down for a moment. This Angel, this Ikuto was telling him that his mate had been protecting him all the while. He had been so harsh with her every time she disappeared and came back and yet he hadn't stopped to think that she was going so that Ikuto wouldn't come to them. So that Ikuto would have no reason to kill him. "So you are allowing for me to keep her?"

Laughing, Ikuto couldn't believe how right Utau had been when she'd described this wolf as an idiot. "No, I'm allowing for her to keep you."

Kukai grimaced a bit but before he could respond, Ikuto was gone. Frustrated still, Kukai slowly shifted back and returned to their cave. Utau was there when he arrived.

"Where have you been? Don't tell me you tried to find me again."

Staring at her for a moment, Kukai crossed the space between them to pull her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

Surprised, Utau pushed back a little to look into her wolfish lover's eyes. "For what?"

"I met Ikuto."

"What!?"

"He told me that you've been protecting me. That since you want to keep me, he will not kill me for now. I had no idea, Utau."

Still stunned that this idiot met with Ikuto and came out of the situation alive, Utau's grasp tightened a little on Kukai's naked back. "You idiot! Don't you ever, and I mean ever, meet with him again without me there! Do you know what could have happened!?"

Wincing, Kukai nodded his head while he held her. Shock coursed through him as he realized that Utau was actually crying against his naked chest. "Utau, I promise you that I won't leave you."

"You idiot! I won't let go anywhere anyhow!"

Not being able to help himself, Kukai grinned as he held his lover.

.

Morg: So there's a reason for me going through every couple! Like I said above, have faith in me as an author!

Ikuto: I'd rather not.

Amu: She's doing just fine.

Morg: Oh yes, happy birthday PrincessOfDarkness3. I hope you enjoyed your day!

Ikuto: She probably would have enjoyed it more if you had updated on time.

Amu: Most likely.

Morg: Whatever, you two! I was at my grandma's! I'm certain she'll understand!