The Troubles with Cat-Sitting
Hej:) This is a continuation from the previous chapter involving more Tadase and Ikuto moments as adorable brothers! I like to think that Tadase would take his role very seriously with Ikuto and all the cuteness that would come from their shenanigans;)
Please enjoy and come back for more stories! Tak!!
...
Amu Pov:
December 15th, Sunday (the same day!)
"Please enjoy everyone!" Tsukasa proudly exclaimed as he placed the steaming curry dishes onto the placemats. Amu, Tadase and the Charas closed their hands together in synchronization.
"Thank you for the food!"
As the table mates went about eating the delicious meal Tsukasa prepared, the blonde haired man blew the steam off of a spoon full of curry and offered it to Ikuto, who was patiently waiting in his high chair to be fed.
"Here you go, Ikuto. It's a little hot so let's eat slowly" Tsukasa said as he guided the spoon into the boy's mouth and waited for a response; luckily, Ikuto accepted the food with gratitude and eagerness, chewing slowly as Tsukasa scooped some more curry onto the silver utensil.
"This is so good, Chairman! I didn't know you could cook?" Tadase kindly stated as he took a bite of the pork whilst Tsukasa kept on feeding Ikuto. The school chairman offered a complimentary smile to the elementary students as a little blush formed across his face.
"Well, I've always wanted to cook more home style meals and I thought that my time caring for Ikuto would offer more opportunities in the kitchen. I'm glad you all are enjoying it!" Tsukasa embarrassedly said.
"More more!!!" Ikuto whined as he anxiously patted his hands against the high chair's plastic table set, his new sippy cup bouncing up and down from the sudden motion. He kicked his legs in frustration as Tsukasa went about scooping more curry and blowing the heat off of the brown liquid.
"Ok, Ikuto; calm down buddy, I just don't want you to burn your mouth" Tsukasa sighed as he offered the spoon once more to the eager teenager. However, Ikuto had overestimated how much curry he could fit in his mouth and the excess of the dish started to fall out onto the bib he was wearing. Tsukasa attempted to save the falling curry and rice by catching the remnants onto the spoon and refeeding it to the teen.
"Oh, you are definitely going to need a bath after this, messy boy!" Tsukasa chuckled as he grabbed a napkin and wiped Ikuto's face.
"How is everything going with Ikuto? Any new progress being made?" Amu asked curiously as she helped Ikuto to hold his sippy cup, which was a black, silicone material with white molding of X's and chibi cat-heads plastered all around. Ironically, the cup kinda reminded Amu of Yoru's guardian egg, making it a perfect match to Ikuto's personality, or former at that.
"Well, it's just the crawling, talking and object holding he's working on right now. I feel like I can't put him down anywhere without him disappearing on me seconds after! He's so fast!" Tsukasa exhaustedly mentioned as he took a bite from his meal thoughtfully.
"Ikuto is always on the go! You can't expect to find him sitting in one spot; he's kinda like an ally cat" Tadase giggled as he peered over to his brother-figure, who was drinking the milk from his sippy cup, holding it with two hands childishly as Amu helped to support the cup under her own hands to prevent any excess spillage.
"~He's so much trouble though! He cries a lot and whines about everything! Lately he doesn't want to sleep or take naps so he's been crankier than usual~" Yoru complained loudly as the cat Chara floated next to Amu and Tadase's characters as they all hovered above the group having finished their meals.
"He also has been fighting his diaper changes too. We tried toilet training awhile back but that hasn't been working out too well" Tsukasa sadly explained as he reminisced all the previous (and future) changes he has dealt with.
"That was a shocker for me! I didn't even notice the changing table in the room until you pointed it out to me, Amu" Tadase nervously said. Amu laughed out loud as she set aside the cup and wiped Ikuto's mouth with his bib, droplets of milk having ran down his chin as he attempted to push Amu's hands aside annoyingly.
"Yep! Ikuto has definitely changed; I'm glad though he's smiling more and having fun. I feel like with everything he's been through that he deserves to relax and worry less now". Amu thought to herself as she looked kindly at her blue haired friend absentmindedly.
The wall clock continued to click by the hour as the group happily chatted at the table over the home cooked meal. The snow fell from the sky with the sun shining down onto the streets; a sparkling sheen glowed over the pearly white snow on the ground.
...
"Kiseki, can you please get a clean diaper from the drawers in Ikuto's room?" Tadase asked his guardian character. After the group cleaned up the meal earlier, Tadase and Amu entertained Ikuto in the living room as Tsukasa was offered a chance to take a nap in his designated guest room upstairs (a chance that he didn't often receive as having been the only main caregiver to the teen).
However, Amu and Tadase quickly noticed a strange odor from Ikuto during their playing and quickly determined that he needed a new diaper immediately!
"~I'll show you where we keep the supplies, wannabe king~" Yoru laughed as he hurriedly flew up the stairs to the bedroom being chased by the king character in angrily.
"~Do you want us to distract Ikuto again, Amu?~" Miki asked her owner as Amu and Tadase laid Ikuto comfortably down on a spare blanket from the linen closet nearby.
"That would be great! Tadase will do the changing while you three distract Ikuto with this!" Amu stated as she produced a pink and blue baby rattle from the toy bin. She handed it over to her Charas as the three characters flew over Ikuto's blue head and started to happily shake the rattle, grabbing the boy's attention as Amu tried to help direct Tadase to undress Ikuto verbally.
"So, you have to undo the tabs of the diaper and raise his legs up; you'll want to use one hand and grab his ankles together, and the other hand to pull the diaper out from under him. Tsukasa said that's the easiest way to avoid accidentally being kicked" Amu shared as she diverted her attention away from the scene before her, a blush forming all over her face as Tadase fumbled with the diaper.
"Um, ok. I have the diaper; should I throw it away or put it aside? Also should I use the wipes or the powder when cleaning him?" Tadase nervously asked as he attempted to avoid looking at his brother-figure's (ahem-you know;() whilst trying his best to clean him.
"Just put it aside for now; we can always deal with the clean up later. I would use the wipes because the powder tends to makes a big mess" Amu commented as she awkwardly stared at the wall art before her, holding her arms close by her side as she felt a trickle of sweat bead down her face.
"Ok, let's clean you up Ikuto! OH WAIT, DON'T TOUCH THAT!!!!" Tadase shouted as Amu, without having seen what just happened heard a big PUFF of what she assumed to have been the baby powder blow across the room in a pinky haze.
COUGH COUGH COUGH!!!!!!!!!!
"~What happened???~" Ran nervously asked the group as the Charas attempted to find each other in the pink smoke while Amu and Tadase used their hands to blow the powder away from the room and out the open window.
"Ikuto got ahold of the baby powder!" Tadase said with defeat as he continued to cough loudly; the boy forgot he was still holding Ikuto's long legs in his grasp as he quickly noticed the antsy wiggling coming from the teenager below him. Just then, Kiseki and Yoru made their way with the clean diaper back from upstairs and maneuvered their track through the powdery smoke.
"~Ah, so Ikuto found the baby powder again huh?~" Yoru sighed as he handed the clean diaper for Tadase to put on Ikuto. Luckily, with the help of the nearby window the Charas and Amu were able to guide the billowing remains of the powder outside. The living room soon became powder free and much more clearer to see.
"Ok, the diaper is on! Are you ok, Ikuto?" Tadase asked as he looked down at the teenager; Ikuto was laughing loudly as he clapped his hands together in excitement over the baby powder fiasco, which had covered the entirety of his body in the pink substance. His face was pink and his once blue hair now a shade lighter than Amu's own pink locks!
"Oh boy! Now I see why Tsukasa is saying you are a lot of trouble, Ikuto!" Tadase giggled as he took some spare baby wipes and hurriedly cleaned Ikuto off as Amu went about wiping the powder off of his black, denim jeans and slid them back onto Ikuto. As the two kids sat the teenager upright, they brushed the remaining powder off of his clothes and wiped his hands and face.
"Fwanny Amu!!!!" Ikuto giggled as Amu helped Tadase place the boy into his baby swing, buckling him in to avoid any accidental escapes from happening! Tadase went about cleaning up the mess while Amu situated Ikuto comfortably in his swing.
"Oh Ikuto! You are too cute for me to get angry at!" Amu laughed as she placed a pacifier into the teen's mouth, a soothing suckling sound coming from the now happy Ikuto as Yoru and Kiseki floated to the top of the swing and worked in tandem to push the Ikuto back and forth; Tadase turned the TV on to a toddler show as Amu instructed the guardian characters to stay in the living room to look after Ikuto as she and Tadase made their way out of the room and towards the kitchen.
...
"Wow, that was tiresome! Ikuto is definitely a lot to handle; I'm surprised that Tsukasa has been able to keep up with all of his antics" Tadase nervously laughed as he rubbed the back of his head, having just sat down in one of the kitchen chairs as Amu went to to grab a cup of water for Tadase and herself.
"Believe me, that was nothing. Ikuto is definitely more trouble than what he just showed you, Tadase" Amu thought to herself as she sat next to her friend and quietly sipped her water.
"So, while Tsukasa is sleeping should we do anything in the meantime? The weather isn't too bad; do you want to go on a walk, Amu?" Tadase kindly suggested as the King Guardian peered over at Ikuto in the swing, making sure all was good with him and the Charas. The group was currently preoccupied with a children's program on the screen (something Amu recognized as a favorite show Ami often watched) and sat quietly, keen observation at play.
"Yeah, that sounds good! Should we bring Ikuto along?" Amu asked as she finished drinking her water and went to put the cup in the sink.
"Do you think the Charas can watch him alone for a bit? It doesn't have to be a long walk; just a quick one around the block to get some air?" Tadase suggested as he placed his finished dish in the sink next to Amu's.
Looking over towards the Charas and Ikuto, the pink-haired heroine noticed how calm everyone seemed to be while their attentions were on the TV.
"A quick walk should be ok, right?" Amu quietly decided as she went over to check on her blue haired cat-friend who was continuing to suck on his pacifier, eyes glued to the screen before him.
"Ikuto, Tadase and I are going for a quick walk: be a good boy and watch the tv; we'll be back shortly" Amu said as she offered a smile and brushed some of Ikuto's hair out of his face.
"Mmmmmmhhhh!!!" Ikuto mumbled through his pacifier as he smiled at Amu and reached out to grab her hair playfully. Amu giggled and took hold of Ikuto's hands as a distraction, giving him a gentle squeeze as she made sure to clearly instruct the Charas to watch Ikuto in hers and Tadase's absence.
"Ok, let's go!" Amu happily chanted as she and Tadase hurried to put their coats and hats on, quietly slipping into their shoes as the two kids made their way out of the house and into the winter wonderland awaiting them.
...
Tadase Pov:
"What should I say to her? I don't want to just come out and blurt I LIKE YOU, HINAMORI AMU!!!! It doesn't seem appropriate right now to tell her that, especially with Ikuto's condition" Tadase sadly thought, a huge sigh accidentally escaping his mouth as he and Amu walked the corner around the Tsukiyomi house leading to another section of the neighborhood.
Tadase's feelings for his fellow Guardian member and friend had been a prolonging issue since knowing the girl when she first transferred to Seiyo Academy. Through all the dilemmas Tadase had faced in his life, it seemed as though a declaration of love for Amu was the hardest he ever had to face!
In his head (and heart), Tadase knew that Amu's love was/and is still reserved for his big brother-figure: Tsukiyomi Ikuto.
He just didn't want to admit it to himself that he was facing a form of rejection, and inadvertently heartbreak too.
"Tadase, is something wrong? You seem a little out of it?" Amu asked with concern in her tone as she looked at Tadase fumbling with his hands. While it was still cold out, especially for being December and he was trying to keep his hands warm, Tadase had also been controlling his fidgeting the best he could by distracting his thoughts using his hands.
Clearly, it wasn't working knowing that Amu could tell his nervousness right away.
"I'm fine, thank you for asking Amu! I'm just thinking about Ikuto" Tadase lied (though not entirely). The two kids continued to walk down the crosswalk, hitting another corner of the neighborhood as they watched the snow gently fall down from the sky.
"He'll be ok, I promise. Tsukasa says there is progress happening everyday Ikuto is with us; I believe we'll get the old Ikuto back!" Amu determinedly stated, pumping her frigid hands into the air in assumed victory.
"I know: I just want you all to myself, and Ikuto just as he is" Tadase quietly mumbled. He knew his thoughts were selfish in nature, but it hurt to face the truth about Amu's love for Ikuto when he sat on the side, needing to remind himself everyday about how he had hurt Amu before.
...
"I love Amulet Heart!"
To this day, Tadase remembered how blind sighted he was about Amu; he told her that night he only loved APART of her personality, not the entirety of her.
Amu didn't share her heartbreak with him till much later, when Tadase recognized his love for ALL of Amu too late. He even admitted his mistake when he came to deliver the cookies he made for her on White Day: Tadase thought he fixed everything and that Amu would share the same lovey-dovey feelings for him as he did for her.
Ikuto was hiding in Amu's closet that day, hearing the private conversation between the two students in her bedroom. Unbeknownst to Tadase, Ikuto had been sleeping at Amu's house for days.
Tadase remembered how hurt he felt when Ikuto revealed himself days later in Amu's house: Tadase had previously fought with Ikuto (who was later revealed to have been under the control of Death Rebel, Easter's controlled persona of Ikuto's fears and insecurities) and stated to Amu, beforehand how Ikuto will always be a "black cat of misfortune".
Ikuto was cruel with his words that day and Tadase swore to hate him forever. It wouldn't be until the fight with Easter that the abuse Ikuto suffered would be revealed publicly.
Now, Tadase realized he didn't hate Ikuto; he hated that his "big-brother" won the heart of the girl he formerly rejected, but still continued to love.
Though he wouldn't admit this to anyone else, the more Tadase fought his mixed emotions for Amu and Ikuto, the more Tadase slowly to despise himself.
...
Amu Pov:
"It's starting to get cold. Do you want to head back now, Tadase?" Amu asked as she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to contain as much warmth in her body as possible. In mere seconds, Amu was convinced she was going to turn into an icicle with how freezing it was outside.
"Yes, let's do that. I'm also getting super cold. Maybe I can make us some hot chocolate when we get back!" Tadase happily said as he and Amu headed towards the direction of the Tsukiyomi house once more.
As the two kids went up to the front door, Amu suddenly froze in her tracks. Seeing her sudden apprehension, Tadase immediately became concerned and offered a hand onto Amu's shoulder.
"What's wrong, Amu?"
Then, as seconds ticked by on the clock...
BANG!!!! CRASH!!!!
Silence...
WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Amu and Tadase shared a worried look as they opened the door, unsure of what they were to expect.
Ikuto's screaming gave them all the information they needed to know. Whatever had happened in their absence was not good!
... ...
Duh duh daaaaaaa! Cliff hanger time!!!
Come back soon to see what happened to our favorite Shugo Chara characters:)