A/N: Ba da da dummm. Sorry it took so long, but I've had lots of work, and- ...well, that's a load of crap. I was just being too lazy to get off my butt and write something. Deal with it.

Oh, and this chapter is filled with so much fluff it could be mistaken for a teddy bear.

Enjoy!

---

Chapter 4: Three Words, Three Days

Kish continued to glower at the note while Ichigo painfully sat upright on the mattress. "Read it," she requested, a shiver running up her spine. Why would they do that to her? Had they found out about the relationship? But then again, how were they sure who it was? "How do you know it's their writing?" she questioned.

He didn't look up from the note. "Some of it is really sloppy, which would be Tart's writing, and some of it is really clean and perfect, which would be Pie's writing."

"Okay, read it now."

He got up and plopped back down behind her, and cradled her body against him. She lied her head against his chest, and was content with hearing his heartbeat.

"Hello, dearest Ichigo and Kish. We're assuming Kish found this note, because Ichigo was currently lying nearly lifeless in an alley. That metal pole was conveniently sitting there, and we just couldn't help it. And, if you haven't figured this out yet, this is Pie and Tart talking to you. Time to get to the point. Kish, Deep Blue made it very clear to stay away from that filthy human"- he paused to scowl -"known as Ichigo. Now, we are here to make his wish become reality. Since Kish USED to be on our side, we're doing you a favor. You have 3 days to leave her, and don't think we won't know if you don't. And, if you do not obey our wishes... you'll have to face the consequences."

They both stared at the note in shock for what have been five minutes.

"Kish," she croaked while staring up at him, not realizing how dry her throat was. "You... we... they're going to kill us."

He glanced down, his face softening. "They won't. I won't let them do anything to you."

"Stop worrying about me. What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

"How can you be so sure?"

He heaved a sigh. "I'm not sure, to be honest. At least I know what they are like. I can probably guess what they're planning with a little thought."

"So, what are we going to do?" she questioned, a feeling of nervousness spreading over her. What were they going to do?

"Enjoy the next three days as much as possible."

Ichigo frowned, afraid to hear the words he just spoke. "So, you're really going to leave me after three days?"

Kish gawked down at her in disbelief. "Are you joking? Of course not. Now that I'm with you, you know I would never even think about it." He had her chin in his hand, staring into her eyes now. She stared straight back into his.

"Ichigo, I love you."

They were interrupted by a shout downstairs. "ICHIGO, ARE YOU HOME? DINNER TIME!"

"Well, I guess that's my cue to leave, for now." He swept her up off the bed as if she weighed less than a feather, put her down neatly on her feet, and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Bye bye, honey."

"W-wait," she stammered, still awestruck by the words he had spoken moments earlier - and the feeling of his lips on hers. "What am I going to tell them about all these scars?"

He laughed, patting her gently on the head. "You're a smart girl, koneko. Think of something." And, with that, he teleported out of the room before she ask anymore questions, leaving her standing there on her own.

"ICHIGO!" Her father's voice echoed up the stairs, momentarily snatching her from her own little world.

"Coming," she whispered. She wobbled down the stairs limply, and promptly plopped down into the dining room chair.

"What happened?" her parents asked in unison, glancing up and down at her battered body with concern.

"Huh? Oh, this." She dismissed it by waving her hand, which was a bad idea - her arm was still sore. "Nothing. Nothing at all. I just tripped and fell, that's it. Just a few scars." She hoped the slight rush of her words didn't give her away.

"I see," her father stated, eyeing her suspiciously. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Fine."

Ichigo gulped down her meal quickly, and bolted back upstairs. Her face fell when she opened the door and discovered the room was still vacant - she had secretly hoped that he had came back. She shut the door behind her with a sigh, and flopped down on the bed, causing more pain in her ribcage. At least now that she was alone, she had time to think.

'Why was I so shocked by what he said earlier?' she asked herself. 'He's said "I love you" before, and it never felt so strange until now.' She ran her hands through her red hair in deep thought. 'Maybe it's because I know he meant it this time. Or maybe it's because I'm vunerable from being attacked. Or maybe...' she paused in her mind, thinking of other scenarios. 'Or maybe it felt strange because I think I feel the same way about him.'

After a few minutes of pondering the ideas, she realized that they were all possible, even the last one. Exhausted from the day's activities, she drifted into sleep, dreaming of her possible new love life.