LOVE CAN GROW AGAIN

NOTE: I DON'T OWN TOKYO MEW MEW!

Once Ryou lead Ichigo into a peaceful corner of the castle garden, she plopped herself down on a cushioned bench. Ryou sat quietly next to her. His face was calm and blank, but his eyes were filled with concern.

Ichigo covered her face with her hands. "Ryou, has he for-forgotten me..? What did I do to cause t-this..?" Ichigo wept into her hands.

Anger spurred inside Ryou toward the Prince. How could the Prince reject his sister..moreover his secret love?

Ryou pulled Ichigo's hands away from her face. He leaned in close, Ryou's face stern and his eyes narrowed. "No Ichigo. You aren't the one at fault. Don't ever blame yourself for someone's actions." He spoke strongly, tightening his hold on Ichigo's wrists.

"Do you understand?" She nodded quickly. Ryou automatically loosened his grip, adverting his gaze to Ichigo's shoulder.

He let his blonde hair veil his eyes from view, knowing the secrets they might reveal.

"He loves you, Ichigo. He has told me so on many occasions. He, undoubtedly, will give his life for you just knowing that his beloved is happy.." Ryou glanced at Ichigo, before continuing. His love is true for Ichigo, but...I shouldn't be doing this. It's wrong.

Ichigo's eyes glistened. She felt herself melt for Masaya all over again. His sweet smile, his soft spoken words, his unlimited concern, and his...that mysterious side to him.

Ryou continued much gently. "A-and you love him, don't you? You return his affections with longing to just bath in his presence, just to see him smile." Ryou's eyes had found Ichigo's and he stared with suppressed longing. These were not Masaya's words, but Ryou's words. It was his unmarked love letter to Ichigo.

"That..Coming from you..beautiful." Ichigo breathed, her brownish eyes gleaming. She'd never thought that Ryou, her teasing and arrogant brother, rude in all his glory, would ever voice such words. Words spoken with passion, collected in such detail and woven into a beautiful lament. Well...a beautiful lament coming from him.

Ryou smirked, his old self returning. "The silly fool...liking my impish sister."

"Ryou, I-I.." Before she could finish, the princess had wrapped her arms around Ryou into a warm hug. A blush rapidly spread through Ryou's cheeks as he felt his long-time love clinging to his body.

"Ichigo..." He whispered, draping his arms around her. All Ryou could do was sigh with content. Though his face showed traces of a smirk, Ryou was truly happy. He rested his head against her's, enjoying the rare moment.

Trembling, the teen cried in Ryou's embrace. "Thank you for being here.. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't shown up." She pulled out of the hug, as one would end a hug, and looked out over the garden.

"Uh..eh, anything for you, Ichigo." Ryou stuttered rather smugly.

Silence enclosed between them and a soft trickle of a hushed water fountain could be heard. Tiredly, the Princess leaned back into Ryou to rest her head against his shoulder. Ryou stared down at Ichigo. She's beautiful.. Why would that asshole be done away with her? Moonlight showered the Princess's pale face and bounced from her chestnut hair. Her hair had been gathered neatly into a dazzling updo that let loose ringlets around her face. A simple necklace, a red ribbon with a golden bell, was bound about her neck. Ryou knew the necklace was from Masaya, an early gift during Ichigo's courting days.

The peaceful silence was soon broken with Ichigo's hushed whisper. "He does love me, doesn't he.." She whispered, more a statement then a question.

Secrets and lies. They can kill if the information is just right. They'll eat away at a person's heart, shatter their dreams, and tear apart their pride and confidence.

Ryou grasped Ichigo's soft hand. I can't do this to her. I just can't! He started intently into the darkness. But, I promised.

Yes, Ryou had promised his best friend. Though Ichigo was the real daughter of the King, even she was not told everything. The castle is so full of secrets between the members, one couldn't possibly squeeze them all into a good-sized book. A promise was secretly sealed between Masaya and Ryou, once Ryou had found them two days earlier. If I was a prince, none of this would have ever happened.. Ryou squeezed his eyes tightly shut, pulling Ichigo into another hug. If my mother had never agreed to the King's proposal, if I had not introduced Prince Masaya to Ichigo, if I was prince...all of this would be just a fantasy.

"R-ryou..I can't breathe...not so tight.." Ichigo rasped in Ryou's arms.

"Oh, uh. Sorry." He loosened his arms from her shoulders and let them lay across his lap.

Ichigo did have every right to know, but the right would cost Ryou's life.

A/N: Otay guys, this will have to do. Let me know what you think about this week's chapter. REVIEW! And those KishxIchigo fans, HANG IN THERE GUYS! Thankyou for all my received reviews! -Huggles everyone-