Disclaimer: nope I don't own it, I said no, NO!!!! U IGNORANT, BUBBLING POOL OF SLIME!!! I DON'T OWN IT!!! But thanks for asking
(Disclaimer created by Most Unlikely Angel, yay - what a jacko!!)
Chapter 8
"Lettuce, don't go by first perceptions, I implore. It's honestly not what it appears to be. You know me better than this," Pai said calmly– although his body was flooded with anxiety– hoping that his gentle tone would soothe Lettuce so she can analyze the situation thoroughly. But it was a failed attempt.
"I thought I knew you. And you…" she snapped as she glared at Momo and as though reflexively, walked up to her and slapped her so hard her hand imprinted onto her now reddening cheeks. To furious to even look at Pai, she stormed out slamming the door behind her.
"Do I have some kind of relationship jinx attached to me?" Momo cried.
"No, it's just that you're timing here was just awful and until everybody knows everybody, only then will things begin to die down and the drama cease at last." Who'd have thought the past would come and haunt us like this.
"So this 'Ichigo' girl has no clue who I am, does she?" Momo queried.
"This is why secrets should not be kept. Then again you weren't a secret, just a past filled with hurtful memories, no offense."
"I know what you mean, and none taken. Maybe if I meet her, and talk with her and Lettuce, maybe then I can get them to understand I'm no 'palace slut' as Lettuce called me, and that all I came for was to see Kishu and go on with my life knowing that we've moved on. Do you think they'd listen?" she asked optimistically.
"I think you should let Kish tell Ichigo about you before you do any kind of talking, and I'll do the same with Lettuce. They're very sensitive girls."
"I can tell. But Pai, why didn't you run after her?" Momo pondered aloud.
"If I'd run it'd seem as though I were guilty. I'll let her simmer down first before making any approach. It just breaks my heart to think that she'd think so low of me…" he sighed as he replayed the scene in his mind.
"It's okay Pai, and you're right, breathing space is important. Just don't wait too long. I think I'm going to take a shower now, try to wash away some of my curse if I might," she said and closed the door after Pai left. He eventually found himself wondering aimlessly around the palace until he felt it appropriate to visit Lettuce. But where was Lettuce? With his newfound purpose he went in search of his love in the one place he could think of…the library.
(Momo) I can't take this anymore. As much as my heart told me I'd be welcomed with open arms here, my mind told me to be cautious nonetheless. I should've listened to my mind. I'm sorry Kishu, my love, but I must make one last departure, for good, before I cause anymore damage to this once peaceful palace…
Kish and Ichigo finally reached his room, but before entering he stopped her and looked gravely at the door.
"Is something wrong Kish" Ichigo questioned quite bemused. He delayed his response as he was in deep contemplation, then he turned to answer her, his features now softer.
"Ichigo, I just want to make sure this is what you truly want to do now, because if you don't, I'll wait as long as it takes. This is a serious moment we're about to share and I don't want you doing anything you're unsure of. I couldn't live with myself knowing that. Despite my feelings for you now, I'll wait…I'll wait." Ichigo couldn't help but tear at his commitment to her; he genuinely cared for her, not just physically, but emotionally too.
"Koneko-chan. Are you sure?" he asked, drying her wet eyes. She held his hand at her face and replied "I'm sorry Kish, I want to…but I don't think I'm ready for this, not just yet."
"Then I'll wait as long as it takes then. Let's go inside and just relax on the bed then. I'll order your favorite!" he grinned. They preceded in and almost immediately Kish jumped onto the bed and lay, motioning for Ichigo to come lay by him. Suspicious at first she pondered whether he would pull a fast one on her, and then she reminded herself that when he gives her his word, he means it, so she did as told.
"Oh this feels good," she exhaled as her muscles instantaneously relaxed upon touching the feather-padded mattress. "Am I in heaven?" she exclaimed dreamily.
"Well, there is an angel on my bed."
"Oh Kish," she said, then hovered over him and planted a soft, sensual one on his lips. Then, he flipped her over onto her back reversing their position, never breaking their kiss and deepening it with each breath they drew. Abruptly, he ended it and lay by her side leaving her dazed and flustered.
"I didn't want to, but if I'd continue I would have done something I would have surely regretted," he explained.
"I know what you mean," she replied breathlessly. They both laughed it off till a maid came with a plate of cold strawberries and two bowls– one filled with melted chocolate and the other with whipped cream– on a silver platter. As fast as she entered, she left with a curtsey.
"You spoil me you know that?" Ichigo chuckled as she sat up to gorge on her ever lovable dessert.
"I live to serve," he replied as he dipped a strawberry into some chocolate and fed Ichigo. She did the same to him.
"Wait," he exclaimed before she fed him another. "You have a drop of chocolate on the side of your mouth here. Let me get that for you," and instead of taking a napkin and wiping it off, he used his tongue and traveled from the side of her mouth onto it. Reflexively, Ichigo's cat ears and tail popped up and Kish began stroking it, arousing her even more. Hearing her soft moans he knew he must stop before they got carried away, but the temptation was too strong. Her body began pressing against his, telling its tale of ecstasy and its wanting to be relieved of its sexual tension. He couldn't deny his koneko-chan this, yet he couldn't betray her trust either, so reluctantly he gently pushed her away from him and placed the fruit in her mouth to block his from entering again.
"I'm trying my best but I can't help it," he confessed dolefully.
"You get an 'A' for effort because I'm not helping either by giving in," she laughed softly. As she caressed his face he realized the ring on her finger. He hadn't noticed it before because she used her right hand most of the time, and as he saw it his eyes clouded with tears.
"You're wearing my ring?" he asked.
"I only took it off so it wouldn't get stolen. I meant it when I said 'yes' and if you'll still have me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you Kishu," Ichigo replied, swallowing hard as she fought back tears herself.
"Would I want anything less?" was his reply before he scooped her up in his arms, spun her around the room and held her, never wanting to let go.
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Meanwhile back on earth, Ryou ponders in his room about the conversation held earlier in café mew with Ichigo…
Mint: "LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT ROCK!!!"
Zakuro: "Where did you get this?"
Ryou: "From whom did you get this?"
Ichigo: "Would you believe me if I told you it came from…from Kish?"
Mint: "Ichigo are you mad!"
Keiichiro: "Guys, this is Ichigo's life, her decision…I wish you all the best."
Ryou: "He's right, we're terribly sorry and of all the people to ridicule you
are the ones you came to confide your decision with…congrats
Ichigo…"
Did you really mean it Ryou? You could've had her just as easily, even easier than that alien or Masaya self, yet you let her slip away like that…
He recalls the episode when he and Ichigo danced at the ballroom together
Huh, ain't life funny! I guess we weren't meant to be after all. Once you're happy Ichigo, I'm satisfied with your marriage to that bastard alien. But beware Kish, the day you ever hurt her, I'll kill you!
"Ryou, do you know where Keiichiro is? I need an ENORMOUS favor to ask of him!" Zakuro asked as she interrupted Ryou's train of intense thought.
"He stepped out a while ago to get some groceries for the pantry. He should be back soon. Anything I can help with?" he inquired with the least bit of enthusiasm sorry to say.
"Thanks but no thanks. You're just a few feet short of this task. You okay there?"
"I'm fine, just…thinking," he replied dryly.
"Okay then. See you later." and Zakuro quickly departed as she came, feeling the need that Ryou wanted to return to his solitude.
"I'm back Ryou," Keiichiro belled as he entered the café.
"Keiichiro, just the man I NEED to see!" Zakuro beamed as she embraced him.
"Nice to see you too Zakuro. Is something wrong?" Keiichiro asked with much suspicion in his eyes.
"Stay still for one second. Twirl 90 degrees to you left. Now to your right..." Zakuro instructed.
"Ok but what are you up to exactly?" asked a bewildered Keiichiro.
"…Tilt your head upwards…STOP!"
"Umm, these groceries are kinda heavy, you think you might give me a…"
"You're simply perfect!" she exclaimed.
"Zakuro, please…HELP!" Keiichiro pleaded before tumbling to the ground.
"Oh, I'm sorry, let me help you," she said as she came out of 'Zakuro world'.
Now she decides to help me (chuckles to himself)
"Now what is it you need my help with now? I'm far from perfect for anything except cooking and baking," he said bashfully as he arose from the floor.
"Hiko, my male model escort for a fashion show I have next six hours, just cancelled on me. 'He didn't get enough beauty sleep' for crying out loud!" she fumed.
"Well I'd love to help but modeling isn't on my resume. I'm not even big on fashion self."
"Don't worry about it, you're the perfect height, width, you're handsome…"
"Please you're making me blush," he intruded as his face became flushed.
"…my agent will instruct you on everything you need to do, don't worry. All I need you to do is tell me yes. I've never asked a favor of you until now, and I promise I'll do anything for you if you help me on this. I can't get a last minute replacement that isn't half way round the world by now. Please Keiichiro," she pleaded with eyes of innocence.
"Okay, but just this once."
"Oh thank you! Now hurry up, our plane for Beijing lands in thirty minutes. My limo's waiting on us," she said hustling Keiichiro with her out the door.
"But what about Ryou, I should tell him…"
"You can tell him in the limo. There's a phone there you can call him and let him know whatever it is now let's go there isn't much time left!" she squabbled.
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
(Lettuce) Shakespeare did say 'tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all', but I didn't think it would feel this awful or hurt this bad.
"Excuse me, but did you see where Lettuce went?" Pai asked one of the librarians.
"I saw her last going into the archives," he replied.
"Thanks," and he ran bursting open the door to find a gloomy Lettuce slouching pathetically on the floor with a damp handkerchief clutched in her pale hands. She looked up only once to see who entered, then bowed back her head and went about as she was. Pai knelt beside her and held her chin up to meet his face. Then, he did the aberrant…he kissed her, strongly, but not strong enough to break her free from her depressed trance. Usually it was she who made the first move, so this was a new experience, and boy did it feel good! All displeasure she felt was swept away as she slowly kissed him back, but then abruptly shoved him away bitterly as Momo came to mind.
"Don't think sweet kisses are going to make me forget what happened," she said angrily.
"It wasn't intended to. Look into my eyes Lettuce and tell me if I lie…I was not unfaithful and have never been." It didn't matter to her if what he said was true or false, he kept that woman's identity from her, that slut who's apparent mission was to wreak havoc in the palace, one relationship at a time. And the men, no matter how strong-willed they were, fell victim to the sweet nectar of this poisonous flower. Why was she here, and why hadn't Pai told her about this tramp!
"Lettuce, please, just listen to me this once if it's the last time you'll ever do such," Pai beseeched. Lettuce lifted her head up drearily, her eyes focusing on his, one last time.
"I carry your heart with me; I carry it in my heart.
I am never without it.
Anywhere I go you go, my dear;
And whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling.
I fear no fate, for you are my fate, my sweet.
I want no world for beautiful you are my world, my true.
And you are whatever a moon has always meant
And whatever a sun will always sing is you.
Here is the deepest secret nobody knows,
Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud,
And the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
Which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide
And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart.
I carry your heart; I carry it in my heart." Pai recited as tears stung in both his eyes and Lettuce's.
"By E.E Cummings," she cried as he embraced her. "Oh Pai I'm sorry for ever over-reacting to such a thing! I should know better than to let jealousy get between us and to never question your affection and loyalty for me," she said in between cries.
"Shh shhh darling, it's alright. That situation didn't leave much room for an open mind. Don't blame yourself, for I would've made the same assumption. Everything is alright," he assured, then tilted her chin and placed on kiss on her saline lips from the tears streaming down her face. It never tasted sweeter.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"You'll do fine Keiichiro, just do everything Kiba tells you to do and you'll be fine!" Zakuro declared before leaving Keiichiro to attend to dressing herself. Kiba was Zakuro's loud-mouthed big time agent who got her her first modeling contract. It was also his first real deal! Nevertheless he has been faithful to her, and she to him. He has never led her astray. Whatever Kiba says usually goes.
"Okay, we need to get you into fitting. You're about Hiko's height, but he's way more built than you. We need some adjustments here!" Kiba instructed to the designer and his tailors. "He's no Hiko but he'll have to do. Make it work people, make him GLAMOROUS!!!" Kiba bellowed.
What did I get myself into! (weakly smiling) he thought as he was engulfed by tailors and other personnel of importance.
"Zakuro, you're on after Naomi comes off. Remember, big finale! Do your best love," and Kiba gave her an air kiss before tending to Keiichiro.
"Okay, when you reach the end of the catwalk with her, I want you to place a big old smooch on her; passionate and sexy, no porno got it!" Kiba whispered to Keiichiro.
"Kiss her?! Zakuro's my friend I can't do that!" he protested immediately.
"Well as a friend, do it. This will be a major career boost for her!"
"Does she even know about this?" he queried nervously.
"Of course she does, now go you're on now!" he lied as he practically shoved Keiichiro onto the catwalk. He did everything as instructed: walked in unison with Zakuro, gave the audience and paparazzi the 'serious smile', took off his jacket flawlessly with perfect timing, looked straight ahead at all times…he was THE BOMB!!! Zakuro watched him from the corner of her eye and was vastly impressed with what she saw.
Keiichiro the model…never in my wildest dreams. He does look pretty hott in that outfit. I'm glad I chose him.
As they made their final stroll and reached the end of the catwalk, Keiichiro did as he was told…
"Of course she knows!"
"As a friend, do it. This will be a major career boost for her!"
And with that thought, he swept her into his embrace and kissed her, gently yet passionately…and sexy, just as Kiba said. The paparazzi had a field day.
"I can't believe it; the son of a bitch actually did it! Bravo Keiichiro! Bravo Zakuro!" Kiba yelled from back stage. Zakuro couldn't help herself, as much as she wanted to pull herself away and slap the daylight out of Keiichiro for doing such a thing, she was entranced by his kiss, so soft, so sweet, nothing she had ever felt before, nor he…
I think I need a walk. I need to get out of here, clear my head. Maybe I'll pass by her house, just to make sure she's okay.
As Ryou strolled along the pathway to Ichigo's, he remained in his contemplative state, just as he was in café mew. But unlike Ichigo, Ryou mastered the art of thinking and walking without bumping into people.
Tell her how you feel, or brush it off Ryou? Shit, shit, shit, shit!!! Get your act together man! You can't go in there barging on her happiness. Remember, that's the most important thing, HER happiness, NOT yours!
He knocked on the door, out of courtesy, but no one answered. Used the door bell, but to no avail. Trying to call her on her cell was just as useless; she had no service, but from inside her house?
Strange, maybe I'll open the door and…
As suspected, the door wasn't locked.
The door was open? Something must be up!
"Ichigo, are you home? Mr. and Mrs. Momomiya, is anyone here?" Ryou shouted as he progressed through the house. Empty. Just then, the phone rings.
Should I answer it? If someone took her and that's them with a ransom, pick up. For now, ring phone, ring.
(Ichigo cheerily over the Answering Machine)
"Hi, you've reached the Momomiyas. We're not home or unable to take your call right now so leave us a message with your name and contact number and we'll get back to you as soon as we can ok? Bye!" Beep.
"Hi honey, guess you're in the shower or something…" It was Sakura, Ichigo's mother, on the other line. "…Your aunt is doing much better now so we're on our way back home ok. Make sure the place is clean, don't worry about cooking for us, we ordered in before leaving. Just prepare something for yourself ok. See you in about three hours time, there's a lot of traffic in Kyoto now. Tootles!" Beep.
Damn it, I've got to find her before her parents come home! But where on earth can Ichigo be!? Is she even on earth? She wouldn't go with Kish to…nah…would she? It doesn't matter now, got to find her. Where the hell are you Ichigo?!
