Hello…. Sorry I'm late. I'm blaming school for this just so you know it's been hectic I could rant about it but I won't Anywho like I said this chapter is the beginning of Ikuto's story! So…. Yeah I got's nothing to say well here it is! Enjoy and please review!
Disclaimer: I LR137 do not own Shugo Chara! End. Of. Story….. LOL jk still got about 20 more chappies XD
"Bring you're bow like this here" He lifted the small boy's hands to the strings and softly pulled down guiding the young boy's hands while the small child watched in awe and excitement as her learned his father's craft.
The instrument hummed a soft sweet note and the boy smiled in great joy as he looked up at his father who seemed to hold the entire world in his eyes as he looked at the boy with pride. "You're a natural" the father cooed to the child as let the child run the bow back and forth on the strings of the instrument on his own while he watched. The two were in a lush and fragrant garden with a small bubbling creek close by. The child was infatuated with the sounds he was producing and tried to make his notes quicker. The bow slipped from its position and a high pitched squeal screeched from the instrument. The boy paused and looked at his father with alarm in his eyes, "I made it cry!"
The father smiled and replaced the boy's small hand to the correct position, "Only because you were going to fast for it. Try taking it slow and see what happens." The boy glanced at the instrument hesitant to pull the bow in fear it would cry again. He glanced at his father who was still smiling encouragement in his eyes and then looked at his instrument and took a deep breath as he closed his eyes and pulled the strings which made a soft loving sound. He opened his eyes in wonder and a smile rose on his lips and he pushed the bow up gently letting the violin hum another beautiful note. He lifted the bow and nearly dropped the instrument as he pulled it from his small chin, "It sang again!" he gazed excitedly at his father whom smiled and patted his small head, "because you treated it with gentleness." He kneeled down before the boy to meet his eyes, "How you sound comes greatly from how you feel when you play. Earlier when you were impatient it made the sound impatient"
"Oh"
He smiled, "Much like the instrument when you lead a people you must have the right heart for it or else it will cry, but if you lead in the right way with a strong heart the people will sing for you."
Suddenly the fragrant garden was slipping away and the father of the boy was also slipping away shrinking into the darkness that now surrounded the small child. The child ran after the diminishing image. As he ran he could feel his limbs stretch as he reached toward the image and managing to catch the garden but it was different darker from a night sky but also an eerie emptiness filled the air. Silence seemed to leak out of everything. He looked around his breath ragged; he fell to his knees trying to catch his breath looking around for something he had forgotten. There was something in the garden that was precious but he had forgotten what exactly it was. He let his head fall back on the arch between his shoulders and closed his eyes the bubbling sound of the creek next to his lulled him into a sense of tranquility.
He felt wet. He was cold. He opened his eyes and saw that he was resting on a damp stone wall that surrounded him his lower half was submerged in a small body of water and it was almost completely dark. Something murmured to him a voice familiar yet distant. He lifted his eyes toward the sky and a small window the shape of a circle above revealing a twilight sky. He braced himself against the wall and slowly lifted himself up and looked up but the window disappeared and all that was around him was darkness.
A distant tinkling sound was in the distance a strangely familiar tune that echoed through the darkness. He was drawn toward it and as the sound grew closer a light began to shimmer in the distance he ran toward the light the sound becoming clearer and the light brighter. He murmured a name as he reached toward the light as the name left his lips and he heard his own voice as the name rang out. A simple word but for some reason it made his heart leap up as if it wanted to escape his chest and he stumbled out of the darkness….
Ikuto blinked a couple of times, the rich scent of the pastries baking in the oven a few feet across from him assailed his nose. He yawned and stretched his front paws out in front of him and arched his back in a nice long stretch then hopped on all four paws following the sweeter scents to the front, especially the buttery chocolate scent of the Chocolate croissants that Suu made especially to his liking.
It hade already been a week since Amu started working at SuuPrize and since then a rat dog that a costumer brought in began picking fights with Ikuto, which Ikuto won with ease and great pleasure. Another time a small girl tried to take Ikuto home with her and almost succeeded. Ikuto had tried to spend the time waiting for Amu in front of the store but that hadn't been much better, Animal Control was always trying to pick him up but the catchers were dumb and easily tricked into running into something, and aside from them several pigeons took great pleasure in taunting Ikuto into chasing them.
"Rats with wings or rats that can bark… what's the lesser evil?" He swished his tail as he peeked around the corner to check if the rat dog's owner was in. Sniffing the air to double check he decided the coast was clear and trotted out and curled next to Amu's feet staring up at her as she helped a costumer. He purred, loving how cute she looked in her uniform that Suu made her wear. It was a pink dress and a white apron with lace, with her hair in a pink curly pony tail. He purred pleased with the view. She finished up with the costumer just as the shop bell tinkled again. It was then the scent hit him, the pungent smell of perfume and alfalfa, the rat dog and his owner were in.
"Uhg! I smell that damn cat in here. Isn't there certain health regulations against filthy animals in the place of business." It growled
"Welcome back Ms. Lulu." Suu chirped from the back, "And I see you've brought Nanaka with you again today," Suu said nervously remembering the last incident and carefully eyed Ikuto who just sat next to Amu ignoring the Pomeranian's jabs.
"Yes I've really come to appreciate you're bakery." Lulu said eloquently, "Even if you do house an animal such as a dirty cat."
Amu glared at her briefly but smiled widely as Lulu turned to face her, "Oh hello pink-haired-girl."
Amu clenched her teeth trying to hold on to the costumer pleasing smile, "My name is Amu. How may I help you?"
"The usual please only this time I want breve in my coffee." Lulu smirked knowing full well she was getting Amu's goat. Amu nodded the smile still planted on her face but let her face drop as soon as she turned around to make Lulu's coffee and get her favorite pastry as well as Nanaka's doggy treat that Suu made for the animals.
Ikuto shuddered when Amu picked up the doggie cookie, he remembered the day Suu fed him one of those things. Expecting a chocolate cookie he was met with a withered meat tasting thing but he choked it down so he wouldn't hurt Suu's feelings. He curled in the corner of the room and watched Amu work as she dutifully prepared the sweets and coffee for the costumer even though she wasn't happy about it. In a short time Ikuto learned Amu was a hard worker even when learning the violin she was diligent and was already playing a few songs that were a little higher than beginner level. Things had been going great but it was becoming trouble some that Ikuto could not come sooner in the day. Tsumugu was constantly bugging Ikuto to come earlier to tutor Amu instead of after sunset. That of course was impossible.
It would be for the better Ikuto reflected on last night when he was trying to get back in Amu's room through the balcony. Tsumugu waltzed in inquiring more about "Roku" it seemed Tusmugu didn't completely trust "Roku" after all. Ikuto had to hide in the tree branches until Tsumugu left.
Ikuto sweat dropped. If only there was a way for me to have at least some leniency from the curse.
The pungent perfume suddenly smelt stronger and Ikuto looked up to see the rat dog looking at him with critical eyes, "Well, well, well. The lazy damn cat isn't too feisty today is he?"
"Leave me Alone mutt." Ikuto mewed annoyed and he rested his head back on the sand colored tiled floor. The rat dog sat haughtily in front of Ikuto determined to annoy him.
"You know cat I know your secret!" The dog barked.
Amu glanced nervously at the two creatures wondering what the heck they were saying. She then blushed and admonished her self for wanting to speak with animals, but still giving a side glance at Ikuto who seemed to be ignoring the dog. Amu sighed in relief, I'm glad he seems to be in a sensible mood today.
Ikuto perked his ears and turned toward the dog, "what are you talking about?"
The dog made an annoying giggle, "You're a half cat, half man." Ikuto let down his guard and made a face that looked bored and laid his head back down, "Wow you barely just figured that out now…"
The dog made a whiney bark that sounded like it was hurt. Amu whipped around to see Ikuto hadn't seemed to move and the dog was backing away from him as if he was a ferocious predator. Amu lifted her brow as she observed the two, the dog trotted off nervously and pulled at her owner's skirt as if she wanted her to go to Ikuto.
"Master! He's a human! Master he just said so himself!" Nanaka squeaked nervously Ikuto flattened his ears and peeked around the corner, "She can't understand you why are you being so annoying."
Nanaka grunted in protest, "Freak! Don't talk to me!"
Ikuto's ears fully flattened and he scampered to the back, ignoring the dog's useless pleas to get her master attention for her to gossip about the weird man-cat.
Amu couldn't understand what happened. Ikuto had never back down to the annoying little purse dog before but today he completely retreated to the back with his ears completely pressed to his head, "Suu I'm taking a break." Amu said as she rushed to the back and slipped her apron off all in one motion. She hung it on a hook inside the kitchen and found Ikuto curled in a corner staring at the wall his ears still lowered.
"Ikuto…" Amu said approaching the pouting cat, "You okay?"
"No." Ikuto said sharply, "I'm not okay."
"What did that dog say to you to make…."
"It's not that she said anything…" He said sharply, "It's the simple fact what she said was true, I'm not a human, nor a cat…." He lowered his head, "I'm just a curse."
Amu bent toward him and flicked his nose, "I don't want to hear that from you!" She said stubbornly, "You're Ikuto and that's all that matters."
Ikuto rubbed his nose with his paw and lifted his head. His sapphire eyes met her golden orbs and he saw the determination as well as the admiration in her eyes. That look reminded him of someone but he didn't know who. A wave of nostalgia washed through him and he curled into a ball, "Truth is I don't even know who that is."
Amu frowned and sat next to him, "Well he's an annoying, sometimes perverted, cat that is incredibly sarcastic," Ikuto flattened his ears, "But also a really good listener, an amazing musician, and a great friend." Amu smiled, "Curse or no curse that's Ikuto."
Ikuto lifted his head and smirked and then laid down on her lap, "I'm sleepy."
Amu sighed and grabbed him by his neck fur, "No way! I gotta go back to work." Amu set him down next to his usual spot and walked toward the front. Ikuto watched her pleased he had found such a cute girl to tease that was also a good friend. Amu was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time, yet he still wished he could be with her as a human not a cat.
Amu couldn't get the lost and lonely look Ikuto had on his face out of her mind. She wondered if she could do anything to break his curse. She sighed knowing very well that she was completely useless in the matter. She sighed again and began to wash down the tables absent mindedly and was barely attentive as Lulu excused herself and paid Suu for the bill and she and Nanaka exited.
Suu noticed Amu's distant look as if she were trying to figure something out. Suu guessed it was what to do with Ikuto. There had been many close calls where Amu almost lost Ikuto and Amu seemed really attached to her kitty. Suu pondered over an idea and then decided as she lightly clasped her hands together.
"I got it!" She exclaimed excitedly, "You should give Ikuto-kun a collar, you should."
"What?" Amu said suddenly jolted out of her thoughts by Suu's comment.
"You should give Ikuto-kun a collar that way people knows he's yours and you won't have to worry so much about other taking him away, animal control especially." Suu smiled brightly at her idea.
Amu almost kicked herself about forgetting that crucial piece of information. Ikuto did need a collar, her dad pointed that out on several occasions and she had completely spaced it out until Suu brought it up just now. Amu decided it would be a good idea even if Ikuto didn't like the idea of being owned, it was better than him ending up in the pound.
Later that night after "Roku" went home and Ikuto was fast asleep on the mattress Amu slipped under her bed earlier in the week, Amu pulled out all her leftover craft stuff from when she and the girls had a jewelry making party and set to work the whole time wishing Ikuto could be free of his curse during the day. She worked late into the night and only had to attach the license she made from wood bead that said, "Ikuto" on the front and had the owner name and address on the back, but she was too tired and rested her head on the desk and fell asleep.
The light of dawn woke him up abruptly like it always did. The pain flowing through him like a flame as his entire frame condensed into its cat form. He panted and shook his head dismissing the last memories of the pain and lifted his head to Amu's bed. Amu had yet to see his transformation into a cat, plainly he didn't want her too see him in pain she would be even more determined to put herself in harm's way to help him.
He blinked the sleep from his eyes and noticed Amu wasn't in her bed. For a brief moment he panicked until he caught her scent and saw that she was awkwardly slumped over her desk. Her back gently lifted and fell as she slept and a quiet girly snore came out of her.
Ikuto smirked hopped on the desk intending to wake her but became curious as to why she was on the desk instead of her bed and noticed she had something clutched in her hand he leaned over to see what it was when the door swung open.
Tsumugu leaned in and glanced around noticing the empty bed and softly called, "Amu?"
Ikuto meowed to get his looked toward Ikuto and sighed when he saw Amu fast asleep on the desk. He walked in and toward the desk, gently placing his hand on her shoulder lightly shook her, "Amu-chan wake up."
Amu let out a soft moan as her dark eyelashes fluttered and her golden eyes opened. She yawned and lifted her head still groggy from sleep, "huh?"
"You fell asleep on the desk…" Tsumugu pointed out with a chuckle.
"Oh.." Amu said rubbing her head then let out a less than girly yawn and sat up. She realized where she was and stood up taking whatever was in her hand with her. She sleepily glanced at Ikuto and then her father, "What time is it?"
"About 6:45 am. Since you're up now why don't I make us some breakfast?" Tusmugu suggested. Amu nodded and stretched her arms and made her way to the armoire. Tsumugu glanced at the mattress on the floor then at Ikuto and cocked an eyebrow, "That yours?"
Ikuto swished his tail and smirked at Tsumugu and meowed a yes. Tsumugu shook his head and scratched Ikuto's ears, "She must really love you." Tsumugu laughed. But Tsumugu's light hearted comment struck a chord with Ikuto, "She must really love you" Ikuto flattened his ears, No, I doubt that
Ikuto followed Tsumugu out respecting Amu's space while she changed. Amu had to work today and Ikuto didn't necessarily like leaving Amu at her work. Too many interested male costumers come into see Amu reeking of pheromones. Ikuto wanted to stay by her side incase any of them became brave enough to attempt a pass at Amu. The thought of another guy in her life put him in a sour mood and he glared at the floor not even touching the breakfast that Tsumugu prepared for him. Aside from his protectiveness of Amu he was also curious as to what Amu had in her hand this morning and why she fell asleep on her desk rather than her bed.
"It doesn't have rabies or something does it?" A snide voice commented breaking Ikuto from his thoughts.
"I don't think so…" Tsumugu said suddenly lifting Ikuto of the ground giving him a close examination, "What's the matter Ikuto-kun?" Ikuto glanced at him then as Saaya who was wearing too much make up and in glittery clothing with several gaudy accessories.
Ikuto meowed "I'm fine" And Tsumugu let him next to his food bowl, "Not really hungry though" Ikuto pushed his bowl away and trotted off earning two curious glances from Saaya and Tsumugu, "That cat acts almost human sometimes."
Ikuto made his way down the hall into Amu's room. As he walked in Amu had just slipped something into her bag and offered Ikuto her arm, "Ready to go Ikuto?"
Ikuto nodded not really saying anything but his classic smirk communicated for him as he climbed on her shoulder. Amu smiled and walked out the door and into the living room, "Not really hungry Dad, I'll see you after work."
"Okay" Tsumugu said weakly watching Amu walked out the door with Ikuto perched in her shoulder, "I'm still surprised she actually got a job…" He glanced over to Saaya who caught the hint, "No way!"
He sighed as Saaya stormed upstairs to gossip on her cell phone and sweat dropped knowing it was going to be another hefty bill, Can't hurt to wish
Amu was feeling a little elated despite the crick in her neck from sleeping on a desk all night. Yesterday she had promised Suu she would help with the baking and Inventory and she also wanted to show Suu what she made for Ikuto. With the excitement boiling and flushing to her cheeks she rushed over to Suu's shop faster than usual.
Suu had an apartment in the back of SuuPrize that she had been living in and even had some of her store's storage in. A couple day into Amu's training Amu showed her were she kept the everything anf invited her in for tea. Today Amu was going to help her out with baking the first batch of pastries but also for breakfast. Amu quickly scaled the steps to the shop and rapped her knuckles on Suu's door.
Suu was only a few moments in opening the door and quickly ushered them in, "Thank you for coming so early Amu-chan!"
"No problem!" Amu smiled and let Ikuto leap off her shoulder unto the floor he trotted over to the couch and sat curled up ready to watch them work not really that upset he couldn't help out. Suu glanced at Ikuto then Amu, "Didn't you get him that, what I suggested?" She asked pointing to her neck.
Amu nodded and smiled and pulled a box out of her bag, "Yeah I wanted to give it to him with you since you were the one who suggested it." Amu smiled Suu nodded, "Shall we, then?"
Amu and Suu approached Ikuto who already stood up wondering what was going on. Amu opened the box and pulled out the black collar with the wood license attached.
"Before you protest," Amu began kneeling in front of Ikuto, "Suu and I decided it was best if you had some Identification incase we lost you." Amu felt a little silly about licensing Ikuto, but she was more terrified of Animal Control picking Ikuto up and taking him away. Ikuto looked at it and read his name on the collar, which looked more like a necklace. He gave Amu and Suu a quick glance then stretched his neck out saying he'd wear it and Amu slipped the Collar on and stepped back to look at it. It looked nice, but when she blinked suddenly human Ikuto was sitting in front of her pulling the collar away from his neck like it was itching him.
Amu gawked at him for a second wondering if she was seeing things then glanced at Suu who had a completely shocked look on her face, "H-h-h-h-h-h-heeee he's a-" And then she fainted.
Ikuto stared at Suu completely unaware of what happened and looked at Amu, "What's with her?" Amu shook her head and picked up the mirror that was hanging on the wall and placed in front of Ikuto. Ikuto stared at his image, it took a moment to sink in but when it did he gawked at the mirror wide eyed then rushed to the window to make sure it was still day light outside. He then turned back to the mirror and looked at Amu who was patiently staring at him with a little confusion in her eyes.
"What happened?" Ikuto asked excitement teeming from his voice Amu shrugged and put the mirror back on the wall. She check on Suu then began to fan her to make sure she was alright and Ikuto stood next to her hovering over her protectively glad he was human, that for some reason the curse was muted. He could feel it still lingering but he didn't care he was human…. human like Amu. He glanced at her worried, still confused face, and realized his cat senses were still lingering as he smelt Suu coming to consciousness.
Suu fluttered her eyes open and stared at the two young teens in front of her realizing one of them didn't belong she screeched and grabbed a nearby umbrella to defend herself, "What's going on?"
Amu touched her shoulder lightly, "Suu-san, this is the real Ikuto…. You see…"
"I was under a curse." Ikuto said bluntly Suu lowered the umbrella and glanced at Ikuto's and Amu's sincere faces and placed her hand on her cheek, "Goodness!" She looked at Amu, "Does that happen often, the change?"
Amu looked at Ikuto, "Usually he only changes during twilight both morning and evening." Amu said still staring at the human Ikuto in blue jeans and a black tee casually shrugging, "Today is weird."
"Very." Ikuto stated, "Haven't been a human during the day in a while."
Suu seemed to take it all in and then suddenly burst out, "Just like fairy tail!" She beamed at Amu. Amu and Ikuto looked at her blankly, surprised by her reaction.
"Oh this is so exciting!" Suu giggled then snapped her fingers, "I know! I need help in the store when Amu-chan's at school. Ikuto could come and help out at the shop!... That is unless he turns into a cat again… oh dear." Suu sulked in her realization
Amu sighed still wondering what had happened looking at Ikuto for an answer but Ikuto didn't seem to know himself. Ikuto then tugged at the collar, "itchy!" he complained and unclasped the collar and almost as instantly as he changed into a man, he was a cat again, "Great!" Amu sighed and walked back to Ikuto.
"Nice while it lasted" Ikuto grumbled and ripped off a piece of plastic that was still stuck to the ribbon Amu used for his collar with his teeth, that was the culprit that was itching him.
"Oh he can talk as a cat too?" Suu asked as she approached them and picked up the collar with a thoughtful face and lifted it up, "Amu-chan you don't think this is responsible do you?"
Amu looked at Ikuto then at the collar Ikuto shook his head, "The magic that was put on me was by a powerful sorcerer. I doubt a little charm like that could mute the spell it must have been a fluke…" he said sadly and pinned his ears back. Suu smiled and slipped the collar around Ikuto's neck, "No stronger power that true love, though" she chirped and just as she predicted Ikuto turned back into a man. Amu and Ikuto blushed, "M-m-maybe the charm is your name!" Amu suggested pointing toward his written name on the wood charm. Ikuto felt a little disappointed but smirked, "could be."
Suu was a sucker for fairy tails and love and she noticed these two defiantly had the workings of both and she wasn't about to stand by and let them slip past her love-love radar.
"I have another crazy idea!" Suu announced pointing at the pair, "You two should go on a date!"
…. I get the feeling I've been reading waaaay too much Shoujo manga. Hee hee but any way the current review standings are *drum Roll* 175! We're so close to the 200 goal! Yay thank you so much all my readers and reviewers you guys are awesome! I hope to update real soon XD thankyouthankyouthankyou sooooooo much! XD