Drgnlady: I promised another chapter and here it is… It probably is my shortest chapter but it felt right to end it where I did…

Ryou: I finally got kissed by Ichigo!!

Ichigo: Well…. Uhmmm yeah…. Ok….

Drgnlady: I told you, patience is a virtue! I also noticed I get more ideas when I'm listening to music that is fitting the mood I am trying to convey or the mood that I'm in… odd isn't? Last chp was listening to Faith Hill "This Kiss" hehehe *smile* Well on to the chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything, really…. I wish I did… It would be fun. If I did I would have fun playing Yo-Yo with Aoyama over a cliff, then cutting the rope….. Hehehe…


Chapter 8

Plan, what Plan?

"What!?" he shouted as I danced away from him as I transformed.

I sat in front of him smiling at his shocked expression.

"Are you going to stand there forever with your mouth hanging open or are you going to change me back, Nya?"

He didn't move as I playfully swiped at him with my paw.

"Hey! I'm talk --"

He cut me off as he swiftly kissed me as Alto.

"What took you so long?" I laughed as he held me.

"I didn't think you were talking about me… Wait -- you were talking about me, weren't you?"

"Yes, I meant you" I leaned into him. "I think I've always loved you, I just didn't realize it until recently."

"I've always known that I've loved you," he whispered against my hair as he pulled me closer to him.

"We better go before Keiichiro comes looking for us, you did tell him we would be back soon, didn't you?"

He didn't move and neither did I. It made me feel good that he was as unwilling to let go as I was. "We need to go.. We can hug later.." I took him by his hand and slowly headed for the door.

I went to let go of his hand as we walked outside, but he quickly snatched it back holding it captive. We walked in silence for a while, not needing words as we finally felt our shared love.

"I really don't want to go back so soon," he brought me to a halt and pulled me into his arms hugging me from behind. I smiled as I felt his breath on my neck as he gripped me tighter against him.

"I want to kiss you again, Ryou." I whispered.

"I want to too, Ichigo." He spun me around, crushing me to his chest as his lips found mine. His tongue flicked against mine as he deepened his kiss. But all to soon I felt the stirring of my change building within, struggling against the feeling I tried to repress it. I couldn't stop the flood that filled me as I took my cat form and sat on the ground.

"Ah, Ichigo, I never thought I would dislike the way you change forms before now." He sighed and changed into his own cat form.

His words echoed in my head, again… No… It can't be… He wouldn't… The tears came unbidden to my eyes… Not again… I can't go through it again… And then another's words came back to me mocking me with their cruelty. Breaking my heart along it's patched crevices. It is the same, it will always be the same…

"Ichigo, I can't take this any more! When will this Mew Mew stuff be over? I can't kiss you, because every time I do you sprout fur!" He exclaimed, his face crimson in rage.

"Aoyama-kun, you can't say that, nya!"

"I can't do it and that's that, goodbye Ichigo." And he walked away.

"Don't cry, Ichigo! " He said seeing my tears. "What did I say, love?"

"It's the same reason he left me… the same…" I stuttered through my sobs. "He left, and you will to, I know it… I can't take this, why did you say that to me?!"

Unable to face him I darted away, running from him, running from the pain that tore at my heart. The pain tore at my soul. I ducked behind a tree, curling myself into a ball as I wept.

"Ichigo! I never meant anything like that! If that bastard left the most wonderful woman because of something like that he's an idiot!"

I lay still in my hiding place, unwilling to leave my sanctuary. Of course he said that now, flush as he was with the beginning of new love… But what would happen when it had been a few weeks, months, or even years after and I still turned? Would he still be there? Could my heart take it, if or when he left?

"Ichigo, there you are!" He walked up to me and sat in front of me. "I would never leave you over anything, I love you too much. Please don't cry, you're ripping my heart out!" he padded closer and brushed my tears away with his paw. "Ichigo, I just wish you knew how long I've loved you." And with that he kissed me.


Playlist:

Yuuki Cross' theme - Vampire Knight

Hidden Truth - Vampire Knight

Heart Wrenching Sorrow - Vampire Knight