17

"So...you have to go back tomorrow. At least I'll be able to see you, now."

Kisshu had stolen a small orb on a string from Pai's room that created an illusion of a human over the wearer. Ichigo had resolved to break up with Masaya as soon as she got the chance.

Ichigo put down her empty dinner plate and turned to where she could feel Kisshu's vibrations coming from. "Kish? What do you look like as a human?"

"I have blue eyes, messy, short brown hair, and my skin is a little tanner, but other than that, nothing much has changed. Oh, except for my ears: they're round."

She smiled. "Do you think anyone would recognize you?"

Kisshu laughed. "I don't even think Pai would recognize me."

"That's great! Oh, I almost forgot, I have something to do before I go. Pai owes me."

She stood up, feeling her way along one of the walls until she got to the door. On her way, she grabbed the two swords that Kisshu had taken from the weapons' store and then she headed out of the room. Over her shoulder, she called, "I'll be right back!"

She felt the air move as Kisshu nodded, and she disappeared down the hall. She meandered through the ship for awhile, until she found the room that she knew to be Pai's lab. She knocked on the door and walked inside.

Pai looked up from the code he was entering into the computer, and his expression took on an annoyed air. "What do you want?"

She held out the swords in one hand. "I was wondering...over the last two days, I've gotten used to fighting with these and I was wondering if you could switch my weapon for my Mew form...?"

She felt Pai tense, and she immediately reworded her question.

"I mean, it technically was your machine that made me blind, and I feel you owe me for that, but...I'm asking you as a friend, not an enemy looking for repayment."

Pai blinked. Ichigo, their greatest enemy...a friend? He sighed. "In order to regain my honor, I am bound to answer your request Mew Ichigo, however it may hinder my mission. I'll...have your pendant ready by morning."

She smiled gratefully and walked out of the room, setting the swords in front of Pai and leaving him to his troubled thoughts.

18

Kisshu spooned the cereal into his mouth and frowned, chewing softly. "You have to go today. Dang."

Ichigo sighed. "Yeah, and it'll take a while before my paranoid parents will let their blind daughter out on a date again. Ah well, that's life."

Kisshu laughed. "You're certainly optimistic, koneko-chan!"

"Yeah..."

He smirked. "I'm gonna miss having you around, though. I'm happy I got to spend time with you without you slapping me and running away, like usual."

She grinned, her off-white eyes glinting humorously. "I still have to do that; nobody can know we're dating until the war is over."

Kisshu pouted. "Aww, koneko-chan, you sure know how to ruin the moment!"

"Hey, c'mon, I'm only stating the obvious!"

"...I don't like the obvious. I like to surprise people, like this!"

He set down his plate and pounced on her, poking her in her sides and making his fingers to scurry over her stomach.

Ichigo began to laugh hysterically and she writhed about on the floor. "K-Kish, s-s-stop t-tickling me!"

He laughed evilly. "No way, koneko-chan. This is your just punishment for ruining my fun!"

She shrieked and rolled over, escaping his hands, and then she pounced on him, tickling him in his ribs. He snorted and then he collapsed on the floor, rolling about to attempt a futile escape and laughing loudly.

"Okay! Okay, koneko-chan, I give!"

She giggled and let up, and Kisshu sat up quickly, pulling her into an embrace.

"I'm really sorry that you're blind koneko-chan, but so, so happy that you have forgiven us. How can I thank you?"

Ichigo smiled. "You repaying me right now," she said, and snuggled closer to him.