First things First… I am so sorry about not updating in….well lets not put time placentcy on it shall we? But never the less I beg your forgiveness and I have to defend myself this semester got away from me. For all of my faithful readers who are just going to enter or have not as of yet entered the word of college education, I have fair warning Never. Slack, Off. It'll come around and bite you in the rear end. It's the time when being an overachiever is a good thing! Now that my peace is said I have to say this, I am very pleased with the response from Ren, it seems all of you, if not most of you, absolutely despise her! It gives me great satisfaction when A villain of my own creation comes out despised! ^^ It proves my legitimacy as a writer!

So In this chappy as you all know it's a reflection of Tsumugu's and Amu's relationship

So Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara although I want to own Ikuto (teehee)

It had been almost three days since Amu had run away with Ikuto. Tsumugu had been all over the town and searched everywhere for his missing daughter, He even went to her school only to find she hadn't been attending at all.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help Hinamori-san, Amu-chan hasn't even contacted us of her absence." Tsukasa said sympathetically, "Do you know why she ran away?"

Tsumugu sighed and shook his head, "I don't know."

"Perhaps there was some trouble at home?" Tsukasa implied more than asked.

Tsumugu lifted his eye brows, "Well she had been having some conflicts with Saaya-chan my stepdaughter."

"Yes, she's mentioned Saaya." Tsukasa said as he lifted off of his seat, "And how much her stepmother dotes on Saaya."

"You don't think she's jealous of Saaya and that's why she ran away, do you?" Tsumugu asked hopping up.

"You should know better than anyone, Hinamori-san, that Amu is not really the petty type." Tsukasa then sat down again, "Come to think of it have you ever heard anything about Amu's school life?"

Tsumugu blinked then thought about it, "Nothing really from the school but I ask her how her day was everyday, I think Amu would be honest with me if something was wrong."

"Not if she didn't want you to worry…" Tsukasa pulled out a file, "Since she entered the school she has had twenty tardy demerits, a weekly call into my office for misconduct (talking back to the teacher), Last grading cycle her grades dropped 20pts, and of course all of that was before the code blue two weeks ago."

"WHAT!" Tsumugu shouted which echoed throughout the halls of the school, "Why was I not informed?" He demanded.

"Because she asked me not to, begged me really." Tsukasa said casually and folded his hands together, "Of course At first I did call during a confrontation with another student, but it wasn't you who answered," Tsukasa then flipped to the very beginning, "It was a Mrs. Ren Hinamori, your wife I believe, and the response I received from her was, quote, 'Deal with the little brat yourself. It's your job as a school official so don't bother me over her she's not even my kid' unquote."

"Ren? Ren-san said that? But she was crushed when Amu ran off!" Tsumugu said indigently, "She loves Amu like her own daughter."

"Well I actually have the recording on file…." Tsukasa said opening the desk, "All calls are recorded and kept until the student graduates. Ah! here it is."

He stuck the tape into the tape recorder and sure enough it was Ren's voice saying exactly what Tsukasa had said, "After the phone call I spoke to Amu about her home life. She then broke down about how much stress it is for her to hide the fact that her stepmother treats her like trash from you so you wouldn't need to worry. She remembers, or should I say, can't forget the time you lost your first wife and doesn't want to see you like that again so she's bearing it. She's been a good student as far as all things go she's been trying hard but sometimes it get's too much for her and she retaliates. As her wish to at the very least keep her sane I've kept quiet about this and have been counseling her about this her career here at this school but now that one of my most promising students is missing I feel it's been quiet long enough."

"Amu…" Tsumugu sighed.

"What I want to know Hinamori-san, is now that you know this what are you going to do?" Tsukasa asked seriously.

"I need to find my daughter! The issue with Ren can wait until I know that Amu is safe." Tsumugu said as he got up, "Thank you for keeping my daughter sane, even though I don't appreciate the secrecy but still…"

"I understand," Tsukasa said getting up, "Also you should know that not every secret was bad."

Tsumugu creased his brow in confusion, "You should also know Amu is in the run for the literary achievement prize for her grade level."

Tsumugu smiled briefly then his face fell, "Thanks for everything Sensei. I'll be off."

Tsukasa nodded as Tsumugu left the door. He sighed again, Where could Amu be?

He walked along the road to his house he could feel his cell phone buzzing in his pocket. He looked at the screen it was Ren again, most likely calling to ask about his progress he then remembered what Tsukasa said. After staring at the phone with the "Call from "Ren"' screen for a few seconds he hit the silent button and kept walking. Finally he came into the commercial end of the street and as he was passing the pawn shop he heard a familiar "meow". He looked up and saw the cat with the particular midnight blue fur.

"It can't be…" Tsumugu said as he walked closer. He was suddenly hit by the delicious smell of fresh baked pastries. It was then he saw the sign, "Suuprize" and remembered Amu actually had a job here. He then glanced at the cat again, "Ikuto-kun?"

The cat immediately shot his head toward Tsumugu and his sapphire cat eyes seemed to grow wide. Tsumugu scooped him up and held him up and started to bawl, "I'd never thought I'd be so happy to see a feline!"

Ikuto sweat dropped and mewed dryly. Tsumugu then pulled Ikuto right to his face, "Is Amu around?"

Ikuto just pointed his nose to the store and flicked his tail. Tsumugu then looked toward the tall glass window and saw Amu waiting on a costumer inside. Tsumugu then put Ikuto down and ran inside. The bell on the door Jingled violently as Tsumugu rushed in and caught Amu by surprise by pulling her into a big tearful hug.

"Amu-chan you're okay!" Tsumugu sobbed into her shoulder.

"Dad?" Amu said surprised.

Suu who was at the register lifted her eyes as Ikuto walked inside behind Tsumugu and flicked his tail around as he beamed at the father and daughter reunion.

"Oh my!" Suu said, "Amu-chan, don't tell me you actually didn't have permission from you father?"

Tsumugu lifted his head and wiped his eyes and nose on his hankie that he pulled out of his jacket, "No my thought less daughter ran out on me!"

Amu rolled her eyes but then the guilt was starting to sink in, Amu and Suu led him to a vacant table and Suu brought him a coffee, "I'll handle the store while you two talk."

Amu sat quiet for a while trying to figure out what to say when Tsumugu spoke up, "I met with Tsukasa-sensei this morning to see if he had heard anything from you."

Amu lifted her head, "….Tsukasa-san? My Principle?"

"Yes," Tsumugu sighed putting the coffee on the table, "he told me everything."

Amu bit her lip anticipating the worst. Tsumugu sighed, "I'm so sorry Amu-chan, to let you suffer like that by yourself."

Amu released her lips and gasped a little. Tsumugu continued, "I married Ren-san with high hopes she could be a mother to you…. But I was wrong to try to replace your mom. She was a special lady." Tsumugu slammed his fist in his open palm, "I should have known! Amu-chan…"

"It's okay dad." Amu sighed letting herself finally breath, "You didn't know…"

"All that pressure must have made you want to run away and it finally just happened I guess, but Amu it's okay to come-"

"Non dad, that's not the reason I ran away." Amu said cutting him off a new firmer tone entering her voice, "I ran away because I was protecting Ikuto."

Tsumugu lifted his brows in surprise, "Ikuto-kun?"

"She was going to kill him!" Amu almost yelled, "Like she did Moe!"

"Your puppy? But I thought Moe ran away?" Tsumugu asked confused.

Amu shook her head, "No she called animal control and had Moe-chan put down she threatened Ikuto with the same. I couldn't let that happen to him." Amu clenched her apron with her fists, "So I left and I'm not going back until I find Ikuto's home."

Tsumugu looked at his daughter, a strong will and courage shone in her eyes and her independence was blossoming. It moved him to tears and he began bawling again. Amu patted his back, "Dad, please don't cry. You're disturbing the other costumers."

He sobbed, "I'm sorry Amu-chan but you're growing up too fast! I don't know what to do!"

"Just trust in me!" Amu smiled, "I know what I'm doing."

Tsumugu nodded, "No one trusts you more than I do, Amu."

I can think of one exception thought Suu as she watched and glided her eyes toward Ikuto who was also listening in.

"Amu-chan, could you take over for a minute, at the register?"

Amu glanced at Suu and nodded, "Okay!" She smiled at her Dad as she traded places with Suu.

"That's quite a young lady you've got there Tsumugu-san." Suu complimented as she sat down, "She's strong and has a good heart she does."

"I know." Tsumugu said proudly, "I just wish she trusted me more."

"She does, I'm sure." Suu stated glancing at Amu, "It's just that she's found something she wants to protect and she'll do anything to protect her precious kitty-kat." Suu chuckled.

Tsumugu looked at Amu and Ikuto sitting loyally by her and keeping tabs on all the customers, "They sure do love each other don't they. I've never seen such a close owner-pet relationship in my entire career as a Veterinarian."

Su nodded and slightly giggled at the secret she knew, "Say, Tsumugu-san. What if Ikuto-kun was, or were to become the perfect young gentleman for Amu?"

"As in, a human boy-friend?" Tsumugu said with a trembled then sighed after Suu nodded truly curious, "Well if Ikuto was a young man instead of a cat, I would approve. He'd certainly know how to treat my Amu, of course…., when she's twenty."

Suu giggled, "Oh I'm sure she could handle such a boy now."

Tsumugu grunted, "She's too young!"

"Well, young she may be young, but she attracts a lot of the young males that come to the shop." Suu said thoughtlessly then she noticed that Tsumugu was about to have a heart attack, "Of course Ikuto keeps them at Bay, he does. He doesn't want just any guy looking at his Amu."

Tsumugu sighed then gave a wink and thumbs up to Ikuto who picked up on their conversation and mewed in response. Tsumugu sweat dropped as Ikuto glanced up at Amu and moved his mouth in a peculiar way. Tsumugu thought he had eaten something sticky and Amu chuckled awkwardly in response but she whispered something back to Ikuto and his mouth moved in a funny way again and it was like that back and forth until the bell jingled which got both of their attention.

"It's odd though…"

"Come again," Suu said suddenly startled by his comment.

"The way Ikuto interacts with Amu," Tsumugu said still observing the Ikuto who was now right on the heels of a costumer sniffing him out, "Ikuto-kun is unusually intelligent for a cat."

Suu gulped briefly, "You noticed that?"

"Yeah he willingly follows her around and he responds to her speaking as if he can understand what she's saying." Tsumugu laughed, "If he wasn't so precious to her I'd take him to the clinic to observe him."

Suu laughed nervously, "Oh, I don't think that's such a good idea."

Tsumugu glanced at her, "Why do you say that?"

"Oh," Suu squeaked nervously, "Because I think the reason Ikuto seems to understand Amu so well is probably because he loves her so much he follows her actions to a "T" and such."

Tsumugu nodded, "You're probably right Himeko-san."

Amu then rejoined them after tending to the costumer, "Do you need anything else Dad?"

"No, no, Amu-chan thank you. I think I'll be going… I need to stop by the court house before I head home… Amu…" Tsumugu paused and glanced at Ikuto and Suu, "I know you're in good hands, just promise me you'll take care of yourself, and start going back to school okay?"

"I promise," Amu nodded and gave her Dad a final hug before he walked out the door.

Amu breathed and glanced down at Ikuto who was watching her with concern, "I'm okay Ikuto, it's just I'm so relieved he trusts me."

Ikuto nodded and smirked his trade mark smirk.

Unbeknownst to them something was lurking in the corner watching their every move with an evil malevolent smile waiting and watching for something neither of them were yet aware of.

(Evil laughter)

Luna- hey bady! Save it for next chapter!

Villain-….okay boss *walks out*

So I hoped you all liked the chapter! I'm super excited about the next one, for my own resons as well as getting the response from all of you. Next chappy is going to be a little short but in the next few chaps I'm going to introduce *dun dun nun naaaaaah* A secret name of a character! (You all are pretty smart and will probably guess who) But also some fun stuff with familiar characters! So Sit back and enjoy the rollercoaster!

Review Count: 251! Wowser! :D