It was a dark night and the moon was high and glowing in the sky; a few dark clouds covering it as they rolled through the sky.
Ichigo padded along the pavement gloomily; she had been turned into a cat again and gotten lost in the suburbs of Tokyo. She was cold, frightened and hungry; she had no idea where she was because she couldn't recognize anything.
"Where am I? I wanna go home" Ichigo thought to herself nervously. The last time she transformed into a cat she was stalked by a giant ugly male cat who wanted to have her babies.
Suddenly she heard footsteps nearby; they were disorientated and heavy. She couldn't see the person as it was so dark which scared her more.
"Hey *Hic* look it's a stupid stray fleabag *Hic*" a drunken male voice said from behind her.
Ichigo looked up to see a heavy middle aged man who smelt heavily of beer. He was staggering and still holding a half empty bottle in one hand and a briefcase in the other.
"Get back in the trash where you belong" the man yelled crossly. He raised his leg slowly and kicked Ichigo hard in the ribs sending her flying into a trash can. The man then laughed and walked away laughing drunkenly.
Ichigo lay against the bin trembling for a few minutes her whole body shaking. Her ribs now ached badly and she was very sore. Slowly she got to her feet and began her journey to make her way home. Each step she took caused her great pain and she hated it; why was it she always ended up getting more bullshit in cat form?
a couple of hours later
Rain poured down heavily and the wind howled wildly. Ichigo was freezing, wet and hungry but kept going. Her body was reaching its limit and she was scared but she didn't want to give up. A few people had thrown bottles and beer cans at her; she had obtained a few bruises and some cuts upon her but she had fought on ignoring the pain. Now they stung badly from the water seeping into them and her exercise of running from people had made her limbs ache.
"I wanna go home" Ichigo mewed sadly. She just wanted to be in her warm bed; safe and dry from the storm.
"Hey kitty" a gentle voice said from behind her. Unlike the drunken businessman from before and somewhat familiar.
Ichigo turned and her eyes widened in shock. Behind her was Kisshu and he looked very sympathetic and worried. He knelt down to her level and held out his hand to her "Here kitty-kitty" he cooed softly.
Ichigo hesitated but eventually approached him slowly. She limped because she was still in pain from being kicked but she trusted Kisshu.
Slowly Kisshu picked up Ichigo and held her in his arms close to his chest "There now kitten. Your safe now" he said gently and began stroking her fur gently.
Ichigo nuzzled against his chest and began purring; he was so warm and soft. She loved his scent; so familiar and soothing. Slowly she felt herself falling asleep against his chest.
back at serenity
Kisshu teleported into his room and opened the door. He was soaked through but was pleased to have made a new friend. He had sensed Ichigo was in trouble but had not been able to find her; This made him worried but knew she was a strong person who looked out for herself.
"Ok kitty just gonna rest you here while I change" Kisshu said gently placing Ichigo on the bed.
"So soft" Ichigo thought to herself as she rested upon the soft bedding. She sniffed them gently breathing in Kisshu's scent.
Kisshu smiled "Ok be good kitty-Chan I'll be back soon" Kisshu said kindly and disappeared into his walk in closet.
Ichigo's inner monologue
"I can't believe Kisshu rescued me. I know he has a crush on me but he's never done something so noble before. I suppose I misunderstood him more than I thought"
a couple of minutes later
The closet door opened and Ichigo's eyes widened and her mouth dropped wide open; her face turned red and she yowled excitedly.
Kisshu stepped out of the closet wearing a pair of tight black shorts and a black tank top; his face and hair was slightly wet indicating he had washed his face and hair. His well toned figure flashed through his shirt.
Kisshu noticed her excited demeanour and chuckled "Looks like I have an admirer" he chuckled playfully.
Ichigo was speechless and couldn't find words to express herself; why hadn't she noticed how gorgeous Kisshu was before? Maybe it was because whenever they fought she had always had Masaya on her mind; or was too busy concentrating on saving earth to notice.
Kisshu sat on the edge of the bed slowly and sighed heavily; he looked thoughtful yet somewhat exhausted.
Feeling pity for him Ichigo licked his fingers gently as a sign of affection. She wanted to hug him so badly but in her cat form there was little she could do.
Kisshu smiled at her fondly and tickled her under the chin "Thanks for trying to cheer me up kitty-Chan" he said kindly.
He then picked her up gently and placed her on the space of his bed next to his left pillow. His grip on her was very gentle and steady; making sure she was not harmed in any way.
Once placed down again Ichigo looked at him wide eyed and confused. Why was he being so kind to her?
Kisshu yawned wearily "Ok Kitty-Chan I've had a busy day trying to find Blue Aqua and find my sweet strawberry mew; and since we've both had a long day we should rest now" he said gently and stroked her ears.
Eventually Ichigo began padding at her bed to make it comfy and then snuggled down to sleep; she was exhausted and hungry but was unable to eat as she was too sleepy.
Kisshu rested on his side his arm propped against the pillow; watching her quietly. She was such a cute kitten and reminded him a lot of Ichigo for some reason. He would have to give her a name of some kind; that sounded pretty.
"I think I will call you Ebonina; It means strong darkness" Kisshu said fondly. She certainly was a strong kitty after what she had endured today and her fur was black as coal.
Ichigo mewed in acceptance to this; It may have not been her REAL name but it would do for an alias.
Kisshu chuckled gently "Goodnight Ebonina. Sweet dreams" he said sleepily and settled down into his bed.
Ichigo gazed at him fondly; he may have been her enemy but he saved her life when she could have died from blood loss, blunt force trauma and pneumonia. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all.
She rested her weary head against the pillow and fell fast asleep; safe and sound from the terrors she had faced that night.
