Ch. 4: Talk and Plans

All the way back home to the castle, there was nothing but silence. It was the worst back home walk the kids ever had. Sakura was still angry and she didn't say a word to any of them. Ryou checked on Ichigo a few times and he saw that she still looked guilty. It was her idea that they go to the graveyard even after her mother told her not to go. Feeling guilty and ashamed were the natural reactions for what happened. Mint checked on Ichigo as well. She kept looking back and she saw Ichigo's expression. Despite the fact that Ichigo did trick her and put them in danger, she couldn't help but feel pity towards the young cat girl.

"Mint!" Sakura finally calls, stopping her walk.

Ichigo and Ryou stop walking as well as Mint quickly stands in front of her queen. She curtsies and shyly asks, "Y-Yes, my queen?"

"Take Ryou home," she orders. "I need to teach my daughter a lesson." After hearing that, Ichigo crouches down in the grass and her ears are flat against her head. The castle is right in front of them, about a few hundred feet away so the walk home won't be long to Mint and Ryou.

Mint quickly goes to Ryou and says, "Let's go, Ryou." Then she turns to Ichigo. "Princess, good lucky." After that, Mint and Ryou walk away and Ichigo watches them go, both of them looking back at her one more time before walking away to the castle.

"Ichigo!" Sakura calls. Ichigo flinches at her name but turns around and slowly and sheepishly walks to her mother. Her eyes glued to the floor and soon she sees the bare feet of her mother and her golden bracelet. She stands there next to her for a minute before daring a look up. She sees that her mother is still angry but she lets out a sigh to calm herself down and now she looks disappointed. "Ichigo, you know I'm very disappointed in you, right?" She even told her.

"Yes," Ichigo answers, nodding and looking back down at the ground.

"You could've been killed! I told you not to go there and you went anyway! You even dragged Mint and Ryou into it. They're just children, like you."

Now Ichigo has tears gathering up at the corner of her eyes. Some sneaky tears escape her eyes and roll down her cheeks as Ichigo ties to explain with a whiny, pitchy voice, "I only wanted to be brave like you."

Sakura explains, "There's a difference between being brave and looking for trouble. Only when I need to be brave am I brave. And I…" She lets out a sign and now she looks like she's preparing herself to what she has to say next. Ichigo looked up at her when that happened. "I needed to be brave today."

Ichigo sniffs before asking, "You did? Why?"

"Because," Sakura kneels down to look at her daughter in the eye and she puts on a sweet and loving smile, "I thought I was going to lose you, Ichigo. You are my precious little kitten and if I lost you, I don't think I could continue to run the kingdom. We're all we have left, you know."

Ichigo tries to smile, now that the mood has lightened up, and reminds, "But you have Uncle Deep Blue too, mom. He's your brother."

"True," she agrees. "But my brother isn't the one sneaking off to dangerous places and getting into trouble." Hearing that, Ichigo looks back down at the ground in guilt again.

"I am sorry, mom. I won't disobey you again."

"Well you're still only a child. You want to explore and cause trouble because you're curious. Besides," Then Ichigo sees something at the corner of her eye. When she look, she sees her mom in her animal form, "what's life without a little adventure?"

Now knowing that she's no longer angry, Ichigo quickly transforms into her animal form and pounces on her mother. Both of them laugh as Sakura gets up and Ichigo pursues her as she runs.

XxX

Meanwhile while Mint is escorting Ryou to his room, their walk was silent as well. Mostly because they were ashamed about what happened and how deeply upset it made Sakura and Ichigo feel. But the other reason is because Ryou was thinking about today and Mint was having a bit of trouble trying to bring up conversation. She didn't even know if she should after what happened.

"Mint, thanks."

Surprisingly it was Ryou who spoke first.

Mint looks at him and she's a bit surprise that he spoke first. He's even looking at her right in the eye and she asks, "F-For what?"

"For getting Queen Sakura," he answers. "We wouldn't be alive if you didn't get her."

This time, Mint turns a bit red. He's flattering her. "Well you know, it is my job to inform the queen at all times, especially when her irresponsible daughter is involved."

"Even though you say such harsh things about her, I know you don't mean them," he says. "You really care about Ichigo, don't you?" Mint's blush deepens.

"Well Princess Ichigo is still a child. She still has so much to live for and her life can't end now, at least not with the way things are."

Ryou knows what she's talking about and nods in agreement. "Yes. Not until we get the answers for their disappearance. His especially." He looks back at her and places his hand on her head, causing them both to stop walking. "But still thank you for saving us. You're hair actually looks really nice when it's down. I bet it'll look better if the monkeys didn't mess with it." When Mint looks back at him with her cheeks highlighted red, they deepen and her eyes widen in the beauty of Ryou's smile. She couldn't control herself with her next move. She goes up to him and she hugs him, her arms wrapped around him. He's startled by this as Mint's arms tighten their grip on her.

"I'm just glad you're safe," she tells him, her voice muffled by his chest.

His startlement relaxes and he hugs her back to reassure her. "I'm not going to say 'thank you' again because I already said it twice."

She slightly giggles from that. "It would be irritating if you said it again. It's alright. I know you appreciate it." She closes her eyes to snuggle closer to him and he still holds her, slightly enjoying this hug.

Cough

Ryou and Mint end their hug and look up to see Zakuro leaning on the door frame of Ryou's opened room and she looks upset. "Excuse me for the interruption but I need a word with my son." Now that was cold and both Mint and Ryou are left in the arctic after hearing that.

Mint looks back at Ryou and asks, "I'll see you soon."

He answers, "Hopefully." Then he calms down to tell her, "Goodnight, Mint." Then he walks to his mother and Mint watches him go as he enters his room and Zakuro first nods at her and then goes into Ryou's room, closing the door behind her.

"Goodnight, Ryou."

While inside as soon as Zakuro turns to look at her son, Ryou quickly says, "Mother, let me explain." But she didn't give him the chance. Instantly she hugs him and got on her knees to do that so that her arms could circle around his neck. He did not expect this at all. "Mother?"

Zakuro's hold tightens and he says, "Thank the kings you're alright." That made Ryou a little surprise. She was worried about him and judging by her hold and the fact that she's hugging him, she was terrified of his safety. It made Ryou feel a little bit more guilty for allowing himself to be put into danger.

"Forgive me, mother."

XxX

Both Sakura and Ichigo are on the ground, laughing and sweating from running around in their animal forms. Now they're both in their human forms and Ichigo lays on top of her mother. Then Sakura lifts herself up a little bit and kisses the top of her daughter's head. "Oh my sweet, sweet girl," she calls her. "After your father left us for the next life, you have become my only joy and my reason to keep living."

Ichigo smiles from the compliment as she gets up a little so that both her and Sakura can sit up straight. "As you have become mine," she tells her, "We'll always be together, right?"

After hearing that, Sakura's face drops a little but she quickly regains her smile and says, "My dear Ichigo, let me tell you something not only have my parents told me but also your father. Look up." They both do and Ichigo sees the dark sky full of white, sparkly stars. "They told me that not only are they up there but also the great rulers of our past are up there. The rulers and our loved ones watch down at us. So if you ever feel alone and lost, just remember that they are watching over you, as will I when it is my time."

Ichigo stares up at the starry night a little longer in amazement as her mom is doing the same but she looks up at the sky with happiness. But while Sakura stares up a little longer, Ichigo looks back down on the ground and she looks like she's trying to think about something. "Mom."

Sakura looks back at her daughter in confusion. "What is it, honey?"

"Do you think…" Ichigo tries to say. Tears gather in her eyes again as she asks, "Do you think that Kisshu is up there watching me?"

Sakura's eyes widen when she hear this. She didn't expect to hear about him, but hearing this is also means that Ichigo is actually considering that he really is never coming back. Her face reveals sympathy as she answers, "I do. But let me tell you a secret." Ichigo looks up at her mother this time as she explains, "There is an easier way to master that blinding spell. The only way to let your light shine brighter than any sun or any star in our sky is to think of your light. Every time I shine my light, I think of those who I care about. I think of my parents, I see my friends, I see your father, and I see you. I think of it as a way that all of those who I think about are lending me their strength. Even though you don't think you are, you are. Use the memories you have of Kisshu and use them to help you. As long as you think of Kisshu in here," she taps the forehead, "and here," she taps the heart, "he will always be with you, even when you can't see him."

Listening to this, Ichigo nods in complete understanding but she can't help the tears exploding out of her eyes and rolling down her cheek like an endless waterfall. Soon, she covers her eyes with her hands and she starts sobbing. "Waaaaahhhh!"

"Oh, Ichigo." Sakura pulls her daughter into her arms and Ichigo continues to cry, now allowing the disappearance of her friend to finally settle in. He is never coming back.

XxX

"Kish. Ki-i-sh! Kish!"

A bone goes flying through the air and its target became the back of Kish's head.

"Ow!" he yells, coming back to earth. He first rubs the back of his head before turning around to face Tart and yell, "What the hell did you do that for?!"

His little brother answers, "You were off in dreamland, I had to bring you back down to earth! What were you thinking about anyway?"

"That little cat witch," Kish answers. He brings a hand to rub his cheek that got scratched and mumbles, "I'm gonna eat her whole for doing this to me." Then he turns to his older brother, Sardon and goes up to him, asking, "How is it? Is there gonna be a scar?"

Sardon grab his face and turns it to the side to get a better look. After an analysis, he lets go and says, "You'll be fine. Outcast or not, you're still an alien and our wounds heal faster than animal being wounds." It's true. The marks now on Kish's face are nothing more than really light brown marks that are a smaller version of the scratches Ichigo gave him.

"Good," he exclaims after hearing that news. "Because once I eat that cat, I want to forget her existence all together!"

"And to think we thought you had a little interest in that princess," Tart says. "Our mistake. Oh well. You're still gonna remember her because she is your first kiss." Sardon nods in agreement.

"Oh shut up!" Kish yells both angry and embarrassed. "Sorry that it was my mistake that I thought she was cute. Now I see that she's nothing more than annoying."

Tart nods at this. "I couldn't agree more. I hate animal beings."

"They think they're so great because so far, not one alien has ever become the ruler of their stupid Mew Mew Land. That sounds so cheesy anyway! Whoever made that name up was more stupid then food dangling in front of a starving dog!"

"Not to forget that those animal beings look like freaks with their fuzzy tails and their fuzzy ears or their 'beautiful' wings."

Then Kish starts off, "Which makes them…"

Both him and Tart said at the same time, "U-g-l-y!" Then they both start laughing like maniacs again and like always, Pai laughs as well but tries to hide his laughter behind his hand.

"I couldn't agree with you more."

When the three of them heard that, they stop laughing and they look up to see Deep Blue sitting on top the edge of a hole in the wall as if he's been there the whole time. He has one leg crossed over the other, his elbow leans on his leg, and his hand cups his cheek as he leans against it. He looks just as bored as always. As of now, the four of them are in a huge crack in the ground with several walking trails around the walls and boilers all around going off every few minutes. The place is a little misty but it's durable.

Deep Blue adds, "Those animal beings are nothing more than disgusting creatures. Every last one of them."

After seeing that it's him, all three outcasts let out a sigh of relief. "Oh jeeze, Deep Blue," Kisshu breathes out, placing a hand over his own heart. "Don't scare us like that. We thought your sister came back for a second round."

Deep Blue sits up straighter and asks, "Don't tell me that you three are afraid of my little sister?"

"Afraid?!" Tart asks. "Pfft! We're not afraid."

"'Terrified' is more of the word," Sardon corrects. Deep Blue raises a brow at that and Tart looks at his elder brother in disbelief.

Kish surprises him even more by saying, "For once, I agree with Sardon on this one. Sure she's not terrifying to look at, but facing her head on and you're done for."

"I see," Deep Blue says, listening to them.

"I can't believe you two!" Tart yells, facing them. He's got there attention as he boosts, "Sakura is not that tough! She's nothing more than some cat animal being that needs to know where her litter box is!"

"That explains the bruise you have," Kish goes up to him and points to his side, "here," he points to his opposite side shoulder, "here," and finally he points to his leg, "and here."

Tart reminds him, "A kitty has claws, Kish."

"You three are pathetic."

The three brothers look up as Deep Blue continues, "Even though it was my sister who finished you off, you three couldn't even dispose of my niece and her pack of friends."

"Well the next time we see them," Kish starts, "that little kitten isn't going to see the light of another day! I am going to devour her whole spit out her bones before you even notice she's killed."

"That won't be necessary, probably."

"Huh?"

Not only is Kish confused right now, but Sardon and Tart are confused as well.

Then Deep Blue looks to the side of him and says, "Here. You three will be needing your strength for what I have plan tomorrow." After that and as merely as if he just patted something to the side, he slaps a dead, animal body of a zebra off the edge so that it could land on the ground by the outcasts' feet. They were startled at first but realizing that it's food and meat, they dove right in and begin to devour it, thankful to the sweet, satisfying taste of the animal's blood and flesh as it rolls down their throat and into their starving stomachs. Deep Blue continues to just watch as the three bite, ripe, and chew the zebra until there is nothing but bones.

"Deep Blue," Sardon calls, done with his share. "What exactly do you mean by 'what you have planned for tomorrow'?"

Kish finishes his as well and asks with a partially full mouth, "And that there might not be a necessary to devour that cat princess?" Then he swallows.

Deep Blue answers, "Oh nothing more than the tragic death of my sister and my niece." After hearing that, Tart, who just finished his share, looks up at Deep Blue and the three of them look at Deep Blue in confusion. Then he pushes himself off the edge and comes gliding down to where the three of them are. Kish, Sardon, and Tart had to back away before Deep Blue landed on the bones and crushed them as if they were nothing.

Be Prepared

Deep Blue

I know that your powers of retention

He walks over to Tart

Are as wet as a warthog's backside

But thick as you are, pay attention

He grabs Tart's collar and hoists him up. Then he walks around him as he continues, all the while Tart tries to keep Deep Blue in eye view.

My words are a matter of pride

It's clear from your vacant expressions

The lights are not all on upstairs

Kish and Sardon stand together and watch as Deep Blue smirks and lifts Tart's face up while he has that evil look in his eyes.

But we're talking kings and successions

Kish giggles a bit, having a feeling of what's gonna happen next and Sardon looks at him from his giggles, but then Deep Blue is right in front of them, surprising them,

Even you can't be caught unawares

Kish and Sardon fall back in surprise and they're both on top of a burning boiler, which of course explodes as soon as they sat on it. They go flying through the air like a rocket. Normally, cyniclons can fly but that didn't even cross their minds at the moment as they fall back to the ground. Deep Blue continues.

So prepare for a chance of a lifetime

Be prepared for sensational news

A shining new era

Is tiptoeing nearer

Kish sits up after landing on the ground face first and he sees Deep Blue walking right pass him.

Kish

And where do we feature?

Deep Blue grabs his cheek and lifts him up by pinching his cheek.

Deep Blue

Just listen to teacher

He lets go and Kish is left to rub his cheek from that while Sardon stands up and Tart gathers closer to them. That hurt.

I know it sounds sordid

But you'll be rewarded

When at last I am given my dues!

He opens his palm and what appears to be a glowing jellyfish appears.

And injustice deliciously squared

He tosses it to the ground not far from him and then a giant monster appears and roars, kirema anima.

Be prepared!

Now the three of them are starting to get it.

Tart

(Yeah! Be prepared. We'll be prepared!)

Kish

(For what?)

Some people are slower than most.

Deep Blue

(For the death of the king)

Tart

(Is he sick?)

A lot of people are slower than most.

Deep Blue

(No, fool! We're going to kill him. And Ichigo, too)

Kish

(Great idea! Who needs a king?)

Both boys link arms and start twirling around as Sardon still only watches them.

Kish and Tart

(No king, no king! La la la la la!)

Deep Blue

(Idiots! There will be a king!)

They stop and now Tart is even more confused.

Tart

(But you said...)

Deep Blue

(I will be king! Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again!)

The three of them liked the sound of that.

Kish

(Yay, all right! Long live the king!)

They all opened their palms and dozens of jellyfishes, parasite aliens, appear.

Kish, Tart, and Sardon

Long live the king! Long live the King

They tossed them in the air and very soon, dozens and dozens of kirema animas started to appear. Soon, making them became enjoyable, especially to Kish. He loves making kirema animas. By their master's commands, they line up and start marching like army soldiers.

Kirema animas

It's great that we'll soon be connected

With a king who'll be all-time adored

Deep Blue looks pleased by this and he has the smirk on his face to prove it.

Deep Blue

Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected

To take certain duties on board

The future is littered with prizes

And though I'm the main addressee

The point that I must emphasize is

He opens his palm again and instead of another parasite alien appearing, a blue energy blast ball forms.

You won't get a sniff without me!

He throws it at the ground and almost like a volcanic eruption, the ground below them rumbles. It cracks and some parts of the ground rises, some higher than the others. Even some of the steam from beneath is unleash through those cracks. Deep Blue jumps up on one as it rises up higher and higher. The kirema animas (bold and italics) jump on a few as well but Deep Blue's piece of ground still rises higher than theirs.

So prepare for the coup of the century

Be prepared for the murkiest scam Oooooo, la-la-la!

Meticulous planning We'll have food!

Tenacity spanning Lots of food

Decades of denial We repeat

Is simply why I'll Endless meat

Be king undisputed

Respected, saluted

And seen for the wonder I am

Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared

Be prepared!

As the steam still continues to rise up from the cracks, Kish, Sardon, and Tart appear in it, partially using the released compressed air for extra effects purposes. It makes their hair and their clothes rise up and flap against their body and it made them feel a bit in powered. Also the lights of where the steam came from causes them to look really scary.

Kish, Tart, and Sardon

Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared –

Everyone one

Be prepared!

After that, Deep Blue laughs out into the sky again and his laughs expanded in volume with the help of the laughs of those of the kirema animas and the outcasts who created them. Tomorrow, they will set their plan into action. Tomorrow, Sakura and Ichigo will die.