Sorry everyone, I've been busy. Technically i should be in bed right now, but I want to do a little of writing for you. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I'm honestly not so certain about it myself. And for those concerned about me, thank you again for the sympathy over my grandmother. I am getting better, but for other reasons am so much worse now. I will be fine though, so lets just pray that for once I have read human nature correctly, all right?

Disclaimer: TMM is not mine. If it was it would be so much better than this.

Dinner was a sight to behold. Everywhere were men and women dressed in elegant evening gowns and bright cocktail dresses. Even though the dance was not for a few hours after dinner, it seemed everyone was eagerly awaiting it. My own gown of a crimson red barely seemed to be proper, with the low neck and back, single spaghetti strap over my left shoulder, and slit from the right thigh to the skin tight fabric grazing the floor.

The other mews seemed to fit in a lot more easily that I did, what with their own beautiful ensembles. Zakuro wore a strapless purple gown that clung to her curves and sparkled all the way to the floor. Young Pudding had on a bright yellow prom dress. A simple yet elegant green dress went from small poofy sleeves to just above Lettuce's knees. Mint seemed to fit in perfectly with the sea, what with her navy blue party dress. It was knee length in front but went to the ground in the back, and had a low neck line, with straps that tied at the edge of the shoulders. My dress may have fit in quite well with the others, but I was certain everyone could tell that this was not my normal attire.

The men in our group were both dashing in their white tuxedos, and to my surprise each wore a rose in their lapels, Keiichiro a light purple color, and Ryou... he wore a blood red rose. I don't think he meant to match my dress on purpose, but as soon as he joined our group in the main dining hall several women all around us began to whisper and some to point at him and myself. The gossiping was soon increased when it became apparent he wasn't going to leave my side by sitting next to me as we ate.

The Mews and Keiichiro talked lightly amongst themselves as Ryou and I spoke to each other. "You look beautiful," he whispered.

I could do nothing but blush, and lightly return that he was very handsome himself.

"People are staring," he tried.

I just nodded, and answered "they're staring at you. You've made half the room fall in love with you just by stepping in it."

Lightly, he shook his head. "It's not the women staring anymore. Its all of the random guys here, and their eyes aren't exactly meeting yours, you know."

Among the crowded room were very few men who weren't accompanied by a date. Several of them were indeed looking at our table, but it seemed to me they were more staring at Zakuro and Lettuce than at myself.

"You're dreaming," I told him, and his answer was cut off as the salads arrived. The waiters and waitresses were all a sight to behold themselves. All were dressed in formal tuxedos of the normal black, and carried the silver trays on one hand as the other sported a simple white towel. It looked so easy and graceful watching them seemingly dance between the tables as they whisked the food down in front of its consumer.

To top it off a stage in front of our table drew back its curtains and revealed a small orchestra, with maybe only a dozen musicians. They began to play light hearted tunes for their patronage's enjoyment while we ate our food, awaiting the three courses to follow.

There seemed to be only enough time to finish the plate before they were quickly replaced by a small bowl of soup, and shortly there after the main dish. Speech forgotten, Ryou and I remained silent through the duration.

Dinner was a task in itself to finish. With a very well portioned steak, full potato, and side of corn it was a small mountain of food. "Ryou," I whispered, uncertain as to whether or not it was proper to talk, "is every meal going to be this rich?"

He shook his head. "Nahh, just the formal ones. If you can't eat it all, don't bother. The cooks won't take offense."

"Are you sure? It's not rude?"

He grinned. "Look at the plates of half the women in this room. Most of them will eat maybe two bites of each thing, and throw in the towel. On nights when formal wear is intended its rare for the women to actually eat enough to sustain themselves. Most are too worried that they'll make their stomachs poof out in their dresses and look unattractive."

I felt my cheeks go pink. My plates had been all but licked clean. When he wasn't watching I looked down at my own belly, but was pleased to find it didn't look any bigger. Unfortunately Ryou had turned back to me before my eyes had lifted. His grin shouldn't have fit his face.

"Self conscious much?"

Thankfully the food once again saved me from having to respond. Unfortunately the food in question was the dessert course. It took a lot of self control to purposefully eat the dessert despite Ryou's smug smirk. Ignoring the flames in my face I took a large, purposeful bite of the pie and let him watch it disappear into my mouth. While I chewed I turned to him, and tried to give him a satisfied smile, but found his gaze continued on my lips before they slowly returned to mine. The stare remained until I was unable to hold it any more without gazing at his own mouth.

The rest of the meal was finished in silence. As soon as was acceptable I escaped to the ladies room to 'powder my nose.' The water couldn't be cold enough to calm my embarrassment. For two minutes I just stared into the mirror, waiting for my skin to return to their normal color.

As I left the room I found it to have been a waste of time. Ryou was waiting for me. It was half past six, and there was another hour and a half until the dance. How long would I be able to last before I cracked?

Ryou's POV

Ichigo took a long time coming out of the ladies room, and I was certain it was because of me. When she did come out I smiled gently, teasing aside. "Shall we go back to the room? We can freshen up before the dance tonight and relax for a bit."

She nodded, and allowed me to lead her back through the corridors to our room. Once inside she merely went to the bed and laid down. "That was still too much food for one meal." she commented.

"Maybe for you self conscious ladies. I don't really understand why you'd starve yourselves just for the sake of fashion anyway. You don't need to. I didn't see a single girl there who had to worry about their appearances." I sat down by her on the bed, knowing there was a soft look in my eyes.

She didn't answer, and instead I found her own eyes shut, her breathing a gentle rhythm. How the girl fell into these cat naps I might never know, but instead of awakening her I let my gaze trail, knowing it to be the wrong thing to do. Her chest seemed strained in the dress, and remembering the feel oh her breasts on my naked chest flooded my being. Groaning, I lay down on the bed beside her.

With a light touch my fingers trailed down her cheek, the tips striving to remember the feel of her skin. "You drive me wild, Ichigo." I whispered to her unconscious form. Her face cuddled to my hand as she continued to sleep.

"It's beautiful in here!" Ichigo exclaimed as we walked through the doors to the dining hall again. I'd woken her up just a little bit before it was time for the dance to start, so that she could freshen up in whatever ways she needed to. When she came out she had applied a small amount of makeup, her lips a shade darker than normal. It only enhanced her beauty though it seemed pointless to do the near impossible. As the way a gentleman should, I led her through the doors to the middle of the dance floor, where several other couples were waiting around the edges.

She released my arm when we stopped, and turned to me. With a gentle bow, I extended my hand. "May I have this dance?" I asked, sounding cliched.

Before her soft skin connected with mine again, she smiled to me, "With pleasure." Slowly we stepped up to each other, my hand wrapping itself around her waist, the other still connected to hers. Her body fit against mine as though it was meant to mold itself to my form. The music started, and we stepped off. After a couple of moments the other couples around us danced as well.

"Why did they wait?" Ichigo asked, confused.

"Customary," I replied, they do every time I take a cruise on this ship with passengers. I don't know how, but they always know who I am and allow me the first dance for the night. Usually I just dance with some random girl and leave the party after everyone else is occupied. I've never really cared for anyone before, and saw no reason to stay longer than necessary."

She stopped moving. "Before? What about now?"

Oops. Oh well, if she's going to find out soon anyway, may as well just spit it out. "I d-"

"Excuse me sir, but are you really the owner of this liner?" an aging man was staring at me with an incredulous look upon his face.

I kept my grip on Ichigo's waist, but released her hand. "Yes, I am. Is there a problem, sir?"

He smiled. "No problem at all. I was merely wondering how you can afford to maintain it. Its in wonderful condition, the service is extraordinary, and the tickets were very reasonable in price. There's no way I can see that you are not taking a loss in some way by running it the way you do. Why, with a few tweaks here and there you could be bringing in tons of revenue easily..."

There was a tug on my arm as the man droned on and on. Ichigo pulled herself from my grasp. "I'll get some punch," she whispered, and left me by myself to deal with the man who didn't know he was wasting his time.

For a few more minutes I allowed him to continue his speech, glancing at Ichigo every few seconds. She did indeed head to the punch bowl, and I watched as she poured two glasses. She downed one of them immediately and refilled it. When another guy approached her, I knew I needed to step in.

I turned to the man who was still blabbering away about how I should raise the prices. "Excuse me sir, but while I understand all of the changes you are suggesting, I assure you this cruise ship brings no loss to myself or the memories of my family. It is because everything is as they are that it is so successful. Now if you'll excuse me, my date is in need of help." without another word I turned and went to the punch table, where Ichigo was indeed growing flustered.

" ... not going to mind. I just wanted a single dance, that's all. Is that really such a bad thing?" The guy bugging her was a brown haired boy roughly my age wearing a formal suit minus the jacket. What little of my senses that I retained from my own cat genes picked up the alcohol on his breath before I even reached him. With a rough shove I pushed past him, pretending he wasn't there. Before Ichigo could say anything I pulled her lips to mine in a possessive kiss. She replied instantly despite shock and was slightly dazed when I pulled away.

"Was I gone long, babe? Did you get the drink you wanted?" her mind was in shock, and so was her body by the way she allowed her weight to be supported by my grip on her waist.

"Y-yes..." she breathed.

I turned her in my arms, cradling my lips against the base of her neck, my hands rubbing along her stomach and just under her breasts. Pretending to notice the guy who had been hitting on her, I looked up. "Can I help you?" Malice was laced into my words, and despite his slightly intoxicated state, he picked up on it easily.

"Uh, bathroom was that way, you said? Thank you miss!" he hurried away and didn't glance back.

By this time Ichigo had regained her senses, and stiffened slightly in my arms. I pulled my lips from her throat and stood, my grip now resting on the side of her hips, holding her to me. "What was all that for?" she asked, slightly flushing.

I shrugged. "It's the fastest way to get rid of guys like that. Show them you're possessive and they back down, most of the time."

She turned herself in my arms, and my hands now rested on the small of her back. "And you know this... how?"

"Instinct... maybe..." her mouth was leaning towards me, lips slightly open.

She smiled. "Instinct, huh... are you sure?" I couldn't see her eyes. Mine were too busy watching as we both leaned in closer to the other, the rest of the room forgotten. Our lips were almost one when the lights went out. It was only for a second, but immediately after the captains voice was heard over the intercom.

"All passengers are asked to return to their cabin's immediately. We have passed into a flash storm and for the safety of everyone on board we ask that you do not delay. Windows have already been shut in every room, and we also ask that you do not reopen them until told otherwise. This is merely precautionary, and for your safety, please do as requested. I repeat, this is precautionary, but everyone please return to your rooms. Thank you."

Confusion swept through the room, and to my dismay I did not see a single person move towards the exit other than the mew mews. Keiichiro and Zakuro were no where to be seen. Instead, some people just started to dance again.

Sighing, I pulled Ichigo to the door. Hopefully some would follow our example. If not, well, the captain would speak again in a moment.

It didn't take long to reach the room, and soon Ichigo was shut up in the bathroom changing out of her dress and into some pajamas.

I stayed in the room and went to the shut window. The glass was thick, and severely strong. It could hold up to bullets, so a simple storm should be no danger. Outside I could see the beginnings of a major thunderstorm, but didn't let it bother me. Instead I removed everything I was wearing besides my pants, waiting on the goddess inside.

Not exactly where I was hoping to end, but I didn't want this chapter to get any longer. I have started working on the next one at least, though, so yays for that! Thanks for all the support, I hope you shall continue to do so in the future!