A/N Kairi: Will you get off me!

Kayla: Nope…

Kukai: Alight girl, get off!

Chelsea: No!

Me: *Sweat drops* Okay…I'm going to go write this chapter in another room…

Kairi and Kukai: Don't leave us with them!

Me: I don't own Shugo Chara *Goes into another room*

Amu's Point of View

"Feel bad yet?" I asked once I finished explaining.

Kukai and Daichi's mouths were opened, "I-I don't believe it," Kukai said, "It can't be…"

"It is," I stated, "And…I need your help."

Kukai blinked, "Why?" he asked.

I looked around once, "Ikuto's stepdad has the police looking for Ikuto," I stated, "If Ikuto figures this out then he'll run back to Easter because he doesn't want anybody hurt."

I then stopped walking, "That's it…" I muttered, but Kukai heard me.

"What? What's it?" he asked.

"Ikuto teases me constantly," I stated, "And yet, he's always there to protect me. He teases me to try and get me to hate him…to be away from him…THAT BAKA!"

Kukai winced, "Actually, it's pretty smart," he said, "Not that I'm saying he should've done it."

I sighed, "So here's the thing I need to ask you," I said and we arrived at my house gate, "Do you think I should tell the others…minus Tadase-kun…"

Kukai thought for a minute then nodded, "The others should understand if you tell them like you told me," he said, "But…you probably shouldn't tell Tadase…at least, not yet."

I nodded, "You want to come in?" I asked, "I think Utau's here, but try and stay quiet because Ikuto's fever was still high before I left."

Kukai nodded and we entered my house, "Amu-chan!" mama said happily while trying to calm down a panting Ikuto, "Good, you're here. Ikuto-kun had another nightmare."

I dropped my book bag, removed my shoes, and hurried over to Ikuto, mama, and Utau. Kukai soon joined us, "Everything's okay Ikuto," Utau said calmly, "He's not here. He's not here."

I felt Ikuto's forehead, "Kukai, can you get a wet rag please?" I asked noticing that Ikuto was back to how he was last night.

Kukai nodded and hurried into the kitchen. I slowly ran my hand through Ikuto's hair like I did last time he had a nightmare. This allowed Utau, mama, and I to lay him back on the couch. Kukai came back with the rag and Utau placed it on his forehead and Ikuto fell back asleep, "Who's this Amu-chan?" mama asked me.

"Souma Kukai," Kukai said smiling, "A friend of Amu's"

"Oh, and are you also friends with Ikuto-kun," mama asked.

"In a way," Kukai said and turned to Utau, "Shouldn't you be working?"

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" Utau asked.

"What?" Kukai said glaring, "You're only a year older than me!"

Utau rolled her eyes and stood up, "I better go before Sanjo has my neck," she said, "You better not hurt him Hinamori."

"I won't," I stated.

"Good," Utau said then left.

I sighed, "Would you like some ramen Kukai-kun?" mama asked.

Kukai brightened up, "Yes please!" Kukai said following mama into the kitchen.

I sighed and looked at Ikuto sleeping, "Mama, what's Ikuto's temperature now?" I asked.

"Last I checked it was 38.8°C (102°F)," mama said from the kitchen.

I sighed again, "Were you able to give him his medicine?" I asked.

"Yes, it took about half an hour, but he got it," mama said.

I sweat dropped and looked at the sleeping cat, "How am I the kid again?" I muttered and stood up.

"Oh, Amu," mama said causing me to turn, "We need to talk about what we're going to do about Ikuto-kun."

I looked at Ikuto; I could never tell if he was really asleep or not. I nodded, "But can you wait until I tell my other friends?" I asked, "Then we can all figure out what to do."

"I suppose so," mama said, "How many more people do you need to tell?"

"Just three," I stated, "My friends Nagihiko, Rima, and Yaya."

"Well, try and do it by tomorrow because we need to figure out what we're going to do about the po-" I covered mama's mouth before she could finish the sentence.

"Ikuto's the master of fake sleeping," I whispered.

Mama slowly nodded her head and I removed my hands and turned to Ikuto, "Baka," I muttered then went upstairs to put my book bag away.

I threw my bag on the floor of my room and then sat on my bed, "Amu-chan," Su said, "Are you alright~ desu?"

"I'm…just a little confused is all," I said, "I like Tadase-kun, but I feel no guilt for not telling him about Ikuto."

"Mind if I help?" I heard Kukai's voice come.

"Kukai!" I yelled and jumped.

Kukai smiled and entered my room, "So you're confused about something?" he asked.

I nodded and he sat down beside me silently telling me to continue, "It's just," I started, "I've known for a while that I've liked Tadase-kun, but recently the feelings…I don't know…softened I guess."

"And when did this start?" Kukai asked.

I shrugged, "I guess right after Ran and I first character changed and Tadase-kun rejected me," I said.

"And…you met Ikuto after that right?" Kukai asked.

"Yeah…" I said.

Suddenly, mama came in, "Snacks?" she asked.

Kukai and I nodded and she set a tray of rice balls and tea on my table then left closing the door. Kukai grabbed a rice ball, "So…you're not sure if you feel the same way about Tadase as you did before?" Kukai asked before taking a bite of his rice ball.

"No, it's not that," I said, "Well, maybe…I don't know. My feelings seem to be the same…but…I don't know why I feel so confused though."

"Well, you fell for Tadase before you knew his real character right?" Kukai asked.

I just nodded playing with a rice ball in my hands, "Well, could it be that you just think you have the same feelings for Tadase?" Kukai asked.

"Eh?" I asked shocked.

Kukai smiled lightly, "You're head may be saying that you like Tadase when your heart is saying…someone else," he said.

"What?" I asked, "Who else could I possibly like other than Tadase-kun?"

Kukai smirked, "Why is it always Tadase-kun?" he asked, "You even called me by my last name until I told you to just call me Kukai, but…you've always just called Ikuto "Ikuto" no kun attached."

My heart stopped, "N-no I haven't!" I yelled.

"Yes you have," Ran said then covered her mouth.

I glared at my pink chara while my heart started to beat faster, "You're heart's racing," Kukai noted.

"What!" I yelled, "H-how'd you know that?"

"You're breathing is ridged," Kukai said smiling.

I blushed a light pink and looked away from Kukai, "T-this doesn't prove that I like Ikuto," I stated.

"You called him "Ikuto" again," Kukai stated.

I blushed a deep red, "That doesn't prove anything!" I yelled, "I call Ikuto "Ikuto" because…because…" why don't I add kun to Ikuto's name? Gah! I did it again!, "Ikuto-kun sounds weird!" I finally said.

Kukai chuckled, "It took you two minutes to come up with that?" he asked.

I blushed, "It still doesn't prove anything," I stated, "I just don't like to say Ikuto-kun."

"Mmhm," Kukai said smirking, "So, why are you this worried about him?"

"Eh?" I asked.

Kukai put his hands behind him and leaned on them, "When you were trying to convince me that Ikuto wasn't bad you were so serious; your Cool and Spicy character if you will," he said, "And even then you were growing angrier by the minute. By the end you looked ready to murder Ikuto's stepdad."

"Well, wouldn't you?" I asked glaring at him.

Kukai shook his head, "A normal person would feel pity and try and help the person, like your mom," he said, "But you…you seem to have a different motive."

I blinked, "Eh?" I asked.

Kukai looked at me, "Let's do a little test…" he said sitting up.

"Um okay…" I said confused.

Kukai smirked slightly, "Which do you like most: chocolate or vanilla?"

I looked at Kukai funny, "Chocolate," I stated.

"Hot weather or cold?"

"Uh…hot I guess," I said.

"Don't think," Kukai said, "Just say whatever comes out of your mouth first. Now let's try again. Chocolate or vanilla?"

"Chocolate," I stated.

"Hot or cold?"

"Cold," I stated.

"Vacation in the mountains or at the beach?"

"Beach," I said.

"Writing or drawing?"

"Drawing," I said making Miki grin.

"Running or dancing?"

"Running," I said starting to get bored now.

"Homemade or store bought?"

"Homemade," I said my boredom taking over making my eyes close.

"Tadase or Ikuto?"

"Ikuto," I said.

Kukai didn't ask any more questions. I looked at him and he was smirking, "What?" I asked.

I then looked at my charas and Daichi and their mouths were open, "What?" I asked again.

"What was the last question I asked Hinamori?" Kukai asked.

"Uh…" I was supposed to remember them?, "I don't remember."

"I asked whether you liked Tadase or Ikuto better," Kukai said making me going ridged, "And you said…"

"Ikuto!" my charas yelled in unison.

I went wide eyed, "Eh?" I yelled and fell off my bed making the cups full of tea shake slightly on the tray, "W-what!"

I felt like my face was over 537.7°C (1000°F), "I-I-I couldn't have…" I said.

Kukai looked down at me smiling, "Face it Hinamori," he said, "You fell for an older boy."

I felt my face heat up even more so I tried to cover it, "Not possible," I muttered, "All he does is tease me!"

"And didn't you say he was doing that to try and protect you?" Kukai asked, "And doesn't he even protect you in real life too?"

I felt my face cool down, "Y-yes…" I said and looked at my floor as if thinking it was going to change to a different color.

I took a deep breath and looked at Kukai smiling, "T-thanks Kukai," I said, "I owe you one love favor."

Kukai smiled, "Anytime," he said.

"-chan!" I heard Ami yell faintly.

I turned to my door just as Ami ran in, "Onee-chan! Kitty's trying to leave!" she yelled.

I went wide eyed and ran out of my room with Kukai and our charas not far behind. I leaned over the railing on the stairs and saw mama, papa, and Yoru trying to keep a struggling, weak Ikuto from leaving. I also saw the TV on the news who turned the TV on? I ran down the stairs, "Ikuto!" I yelled, "Stop!"

Ikuto turned to me, "I'm not letting you go back to him!" I yelled.

"He'll find me," Ikuto stated, "He'll hurt you."

I clinched my hands into fists, "I don't care!" I yelled making mama, papa, Yoru, and Ikuto's eyes to widen, "You almost died because to him Ikuto! You're forced to work for the company and are abused! If the police find you here they'll understand why you're staying here!"

"You have no proof Amu-"

I cut Ikuto off by lifting the sleeve of the shirt papa lent him, "No proof? Ikuto are you blind!" I yelled.

"Holy!" Kukai yelled in shock.

Even though mama had tended to the wounds they were still visible and they were anything but pretty. I glared at Ikuto, "And I'm sure you have more marks elsewhere!" I yelled, "This is wrong Ikuto! And I'm not letting it happen anymore. You leave and I will be on your trail faster than you can say "nya"!"

Ikuto blinked in shocked and then suddenly fell to his knees, but papa managed to grab him before he hit the floor. I looked at him in the face my face still hard, but full of worry, "And just to add to the list," I said, "You're sick beyond belief."

Ikuto blinked again in shock, "You are not leaving this house," I stated.

Ikuto just stared at me for a few seconds; seconds then turned to minutes. Finally, Ikuto slowly nodded. My hard face slowly turned into a smile and I hugged Ikuto tightly, but not too tightly for fear of his wounds reopening. Once I let Ikuto go papa helped Ikuto back to the couch. I turned to the TV and glared at it as if saying it was its fault Ikuto almost hurt himself, "The son of the director of the record company Easter has been missing for 24 hours," the anchorman said, "Hoshina Kazuomi is offering a ¥533330.26 ($7000 U.S. dollars) reward to anyone who can find him."

I growled lowly, but I think thanks to his cat hearing Ikuto heard it because his eyes glazed over to me. Mama took in a deep breath, "Okay, now that we've taken care of that," she said then turned to Kukai, "Are you staying for dinner Kukai-kun?"

"Hmm," Kukai said, "Whatcha having?"

I sweat dropped, but mama didn't seem to mind, "I'm making rice, green beans, and some of my mom's homemade chicken," mama said.

"Ooo," Kukai said, "Let me call my mom and ask."

Mama nodded then turned to Ikuto, "Do you think you'll be able to hold that down or would you like some soup Ikuto-kun?" she asked.

I looked at Ikuto and saw him…asleep? I sweat dropped, "I know you're not asleep," I stated; no one, even if they're a cat, can fall asleep that fast.

Ikuto opened one eye and glared at me, "When did you become the expert on my sleeping patterns?" he asked.

"You sleep in the oddest of places Ikuto," I stated, "You soon pick up on that sort of thing."

Ikuto sighed and crossed his arms, "I'll try the chicken," he stated.

"Good," mama said and went into the kitchen.

I looked at Ikuto. Good news: his character is starting to come back; bad news: his character is starting to come back… I sighed inwardly. Suddenly, Kukai came into the living room again, "Mom said it was fine just as long as I'm home before ten."

"Dinner should be done by then," mama said, "Oh! Papa, this is Amu-chan's friend Kukai-kun."

"Hey!" Kukai said to papa.

"You're not dating my little sparrow are you!" papa yelled making me, Kukai, mama, and Ikuto sweat drop.

"Uh, no sir," Kukai said, "Just friends."

Papa now had flowers around him, "Then it's very nice to meet you Kukai-kun," he said.

I sweat dropped again and Kukai just laughed nervously and the charas were laughing too. I looked at Ikuto and saw him staring at the TV which had Ikuto's stepdad talking on it. I glared at the back of Ikuto's head note to self: stay out here with Ikuto. I then took the remote and turned the TV off. This caused Ikuto to turn to me and I gave him a look that said "Just you try and leave". Ikuto rolled his eyes and I felt his forehead, "What are you doing?" he asked me.

"What does it look like?" I asked in my Cool and Spicy character, "I'm checking your fever; unless you want the thermometer in your mouth."

I removed me hand when I didn't feel any heat coming from it, "I think once you go to bed you'll be back to your full perverted self," I stated, "But that doesn't mean you're leaving."

Ikuto glared at me and I glared back. I could see the sparks flying between us…and they weren't the romantic kind. Our charas and Daichi sweat dropped and laughed nervously. Our staring contest ended when mama called my name, "Amu-chan," she said, "Are you still planning on telling your other friends about Ikuto-kun?"

"Tell who?" Ikuto asked crossing his arms.

"Not Tadase," I stated, "But the others. Kukai already knows and he's agreed to help and we're sure that Rima, Nagihiko, and Yaya will help too."

"I don't need help Amu," Ikuto said.

Kukai raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything so I ignored him for the time being and glared at Ikuto, "Ikuto, you're being hunted down by a man who almost killed you," I stated, "You're abused, forced into labor, and many other things that I probably don't know about. Now tell me this Ikuto: what part of that doesn't scream "help"?"

Ikuto glared at me, "I've been fine," he stated, "There's no need to get your little Guardian friends involved. And I'm sure you don't want you parents involved in all this."

I glared at him. I knew what he was trying to do; he was trying to get me to hate him and kick him out, but that's not going to happen, "What's he talking about Amu-chan?" mama asked, "Involved in what?"

"Uh…" Kukai said obviously getting the just of it.

"That's not going to work Ikuto," I stated, "I've figured out your little game and it's not going to work on me anymore."

Ikuto blinked in shock then glared, "You're putting them at risk Amu," he said.

I clinched my fists tighter, "Ikuto, stop it," I said, "If telling them is the only way you'll be happy then I'll tell them, but I'm not letting you leave at return to the abuse."

Ikuto stood up, "Amu, have you gone completely insane!" he yelled at me, "You're risking your family's safety just to keep me out of harm?"

"Yes!" I yelled, "Whether you like it or not Ikuto, you and I are friends and friends are part of my family. That's why mama's helped you; you're a part of this family!"

Ikuto was wide eyed and Kukai was blinking repeatedly as if confused on something. Ikuto and I just stared at each other his face one of shock and confusion and mine one of determination and care.

A/N Kairi and Kukai: Get out here whatsyourname! These girls are driving us insane!

Me: *Pokes head out* Uh no.

Kukai: Gah! Get them off of us!

Kairi: Please! We'll do anything!

Me: *Head perks up* Anything?

Kairi and Kukai: Yes!

Me: *Smirks* You're going to regret saying that…but…Kayla Chelsea, let them go or else.

Kayla and Chelsea: Or else what?

Me: You'll find out what Utau and Yaya are like when you mess with the boys they like.

Kayla and Chelsea: *Sweat drop and let go of Kairi and Kukai*

Kairi and Kukai: Yay!

Me: Don't be cheering…*Smirking* R&R for the next chapter.