I'm sooooo sorry you guys. I know I haven't updated in forever. Summer break and everything so I've been kinda busy, plus I had a writer's block. Can you forgive me? Well here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Shugo Chara, only the plot of this story. Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER TEN

Later that night, Amu heard a sound coming from the kitchen. She had stayed up late watching her favorite movies with a box of tissues and popcorn. She could vaguely remember leaving her kitchen window wide open. Amu sat up with a start when she heard a tiny noise coming from the kitchen. The bowl of popcorn flew out of her lap, making her floor look like the movie theater's floor after a class field trip. Could someone be in her house?

Slowly sliding out the bed, she listened to any noises from the kitchen. Amu tip-toed down the hall inching along the wall. Just as she got to the door leading to the kitchen, a loud crash made Amu jump and quickly flee back into her room and under her covers. She pulled out her phone and dialed Ikuto's number.

Ikuto was all nice and comfortable in his branch. The night was quiet except for the crickets chirping their little song. He could hear the leaves being rustled by the gentle breeze. As his eyelids were beginning to feel heavy, his head drooped down waiting for the sweet embrace of sleep.

RING RING

Ikuto flew up in a scramble and clung to the branch above him. The peaceful night was suddenly disturbed by the ringing of his phone. Scowling, he whipped out his phone thinking that it might be one of the maids who tended to his mansion. For a second, the bright light from the cellphone blinded him as he tried to read the caller ID.

"Amu?" Ikuto whispered.

Amu was still under her covers, curled up in a ball. "Pick up pick up pick up." She thought frantically.

"Amu?" Ikuto's voice came through the phone.

"Ikuto! I think there's someone in my house." Amu whispered hurriedly.

"What? Did you leave the door open or something?" Ikuto asked.

"My kitchen window. It doesn't have the screen on it since I never replaced it when it broke last summer." Amu inwardly kicked herself, cursing that she should have gotten it fixed and locked it.

"Alright alright, calm down. I'll be there in a minute." Ikuto replied.

"Please hurry! I'll leave the back door unlocked." Amu whispered. She hung up and snuck to her back door, unlocking it quietly. She then tip-toed back to her room and hid under her covers again. Maybe she should have called the cops? "Oh well, the person or whatever might have heard me." Haley thought to herself. "Better not take that chance."

Ikuto rushed down the tree and bounded through the forest back to Amu's back door. He tested the doorknob, it was open, he quietly slipped in and closed the door after him. Amu's room was right down the hall. Ikuto walked silently into her room and navigated around the popcorn mess. The movie was still playing in the back ground softly. He poked what he thought was Amu on the bed. A fist shot out and punched him in the stomach. Hard.

"Oof, shit." Ikuto groaned and fell the floor. Thankfully, she had missed the family jewels. "Damn she punches hard."

Amu peeked out from under her covers, looking at whoever she just punched. He was groaning and rocking himself back and forth. From the light of the TV screen, she saw dark navy hair and a scar on his left arm. Her eyes widened.

"Ikuto! I'm so so sorry, oh gosh." Amu scrambled from her bed and kneeled beside him.

"Jesus girl, that's a hell of a punch you've got. Ever consider taking up boxing?" He smirked while still in pain.

Amu managed a smile, "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I thought it was whoever was in the house."

"Well I know we said we'd see each other soon, but I didn't know it would be this soon." Ikuto said in between gasps of air.

"Oh stop it you tease, are you seriously okay?" Amu asked with a concerned look on her face.

Ikuto lied there on the ground catching his breath, " I'm fine," he smiled. "But it still hurts a bit. Never mind about that, do you know who's in your house?"

"No clue, I was too scared to look. I'm just afraid it might be Tadase." Amu replied.

"Well let's go check, shall we?" Ikuto said standing up and dusting himself off.

"A-alright." Amu just realized how short she was in comparison to him.

They started down the hall to the kitchen, as it was near Amu's bedroom. Ikuto picked up a broom on the way to use as a weapon if he needed it. He signaled to Amu that they would charge in on the count of three. When he got to three, the two yelled and charged into the kitchen finding no one there but a small navy colored kitten on the floor.

Amu and Ikuto stared at the kitten and started laughing. They laughed and laughed until tears were streaming down their cheeks and their stomachs were starting to hurt. All this trouble caused by a little tiny kitten. Amu went and closed the kitchen window, making sure it was securely locked before turning around to find Ikuto playing with the kitten. It really seemed to like him and it nuzzled Ikuto like he was no stranger. Amu walked over to put back the pan that it had knocked down.

"Awww, it's adorable." Amu beamed down at the kitten.

"Could we keep him?" Ikuto looked up like a little kid who asks his mom about keeping stray animals. "I mean, uh.." He cleared his throat. "If you want to." He looked back down at the kitten.

"Well of course," Amu said smiling at the two. "But we should name it."

"I think it's a him." Ikuto said.

"Oh well, him. What should we name him?"

"Yoru. This little fur ball's name is Yoru." Ikuto smiled.

"Perfect name." Amu clasped her hands together.

"Are you sure you don't want to keep Yoru with you Ikuto?" Amu asked as they stood on her front porch.

"No, I think you should keep him. I wouldn't be able to attend to him much in my house." Ikuto replied.

"Well alright, thanks again," she smiled at him. "Would you um.. Well. Uh..." Amu blushed profusely.

"Would I what?" Ikuto asked.

"Would you spend the night? Just tonight. I'm still a bit shaken up." She said shyly.

"If that's what you want, that is what you shall have princess." Ikuto smiled.

"I have a sleeping bag. You can sleep in my room. If you don't mind." Amu blushed an even deeper shade of red.

Ikuto saw this and took her hand leading her inside. "No worries, I'll protect you."

That night, the trio slept peacefully with Amu in her bed and Ikuto on the floor. Yoru was safely tucked in with Amu and Ikuto had one of the best night's sleep he had in years. Amu had a fur ball in her arms and a less fluffy, but equally cute fur ball on her floor.

I really hope you guys liked that. ^-^ Again, sorry for the really late update. I will hopefully try to update sooner.. Hopefully. Anyways, I am so thankful to all you readers. Thank you so much for your support.