Yuki- Hey guys. This week I had SOL's so it was a little stressful. I managed to gather every brain cell that wasn't brutally killed in the war we call 'testing' and made this chapter.

Enjoy.

Summary:
Tsukiyomi Ikuto has been mailing letters to a pen pal he was assigned to in kindergarten. Even though he was only supposed to talk to his pal for a month, he grown attached until high school. What will happen when his pen pal has come to his class?

I don't own Shugo Chara! in any way.

Ikuto- 15 - Kukai- 15

Nagihiko- 15 - Kairi- 15

Tadase- 15 - Yaya- 13

Utau- 13 - Rima 15

Amu- 14

Recap:

He wanted to embrace her pain and suffering.

But... how was he going to do that?

~*Pen Pals*~

It's been a few hours since Ikuto arrived at the hotel. He's been sitting with Amu ever since. She still resents him. Even in the emotional state she was in, she wasn't giving in to Ikuto's constant apologies. She hasn't moved a muscle, and whenever Ikuto tried to comfort her, she would furiously slap his hands away.

He sighed. He didn't know what to do with this situation. Tsukasa already called the school and excused Amu and Ikuto for a few days. Amu had a few more days than him, for more time to heal.

Tsumugu was in the hospital. He was in critical condition. He has a collapsed lung. A ruptured spleen. Internal bleeding of unknown origin. And most serious, the contusions of his brain. He also has broken ribs. Abrasions on his legs which well require skin graphics; and on his face, which will require cosmetic surgery- but, as the doctors note, that's only if he's lucky.

In surgery, they had to remove his spleen, insert a new tube to drain his collapsed lung, and stanch whatever else might be causing the internal bleeding. There wasn't a lot they could do for his brain. The doctors just says "Wait and see."

Amu refuses to see him. It's not like she doesn't want to, but she just can't. Plain and simple. She doesn't want to see her father to suffer. Everyone was probably at the hospital, waiting for him to go to ICU. Ikuto even went, and he's never met him before.

Ikuto tried his best to get Amu out of that room, but it was no use. She wouldn't budge.

Ikuto was called to desperate measures. He marched to the room and burst through the door. Amu's small body flinched, but remained under the covers. Ikuto sighed as he walked over to the bed. "Amu, it's time to wake up." No response.

Amu never revealed herself after that first night, so he wasn't expecting her to be exactly elegant. He dragged the covers off of her, showing her body. She made a small squeak at the light making contact with her face. Ikuto examined her closely.

Her skin grew pale... almost even white. Her pink hair was all over the place, in a tangled mess.

As Amu finally looked up at Ikuto to reveal her eyes, his own eyes widened. They were still golden orbs. The same vivid color. Except they were glistening with tears.

Her expression was startled. "Yo- Ikuto..." she spoke. Her voice was cracked and hoarse. Then she broke down. The tears overflowed from her eyes, making their way to her cheeks, and down the nape of her neck. Ikuto quickly sat down next to her, and wrapped his arms around her, taking in all of her overwhelming emotions.

"I'm never going to see them again... Mama... Ami..." she whimpered. Ikuto sighed as he rocked her back and forth. "It's okay... I'll be here for you... always." he said in a whisper. Amu couldn't help but to cry even more. Ikuto pulled her into his lap. Her legs were draped over his and her hands were over her eyes. He layed his head on hers, occasionally kissing her hair. Her crying eventually ended with little gasps and hiccups.

Ikuto rubbed her back, soothing her. Amu wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer. "Ikuto..."

Amu finally brought herself to take a shower and get dressed. Ikuto brought some clothes over so she wouldn't have to borrow from Tsukasa.

Tsukasa was making Amu something to eat, knowing that she hasn't eaten a single morsel of food in days. Once Amu was dressed, and her hair was fixed, she silently thanked him for the food.

Ikuto thought long and hard about how Amu was going to cope. Maybe if she finally visited her dad in the hospital, she wouldn't feel as alone. Ikuto mentally decided as he put his hand on Amu's shoulder.

Amu looked up at him with a curious expression. Her golden eyes boring into his sapphire ones. Ikuto gulped a little before finally getting the courage to say these next six words.

"It's time to see your father."

~*Pen Pals*~

Yuki- This chapter was short -.-" I HATE short chapters :( they annoy me. I just couldn't think of anything else... sorry. but can you find it in your heart to forgive me?

R&R