Disclaimer: I still don't own it, what?? I said I don't!!!!!! are u deaf?!? U DENSE GAS BAG!!! READ MY WORDS… ME- NO –OWN- TOKYO-MEW-MEW, but in my fantasies, Kish is all mine, lol

(Disclaimer created for POJA by Most Unlikely Angel, lol)

Chapter 10

"Deifu! Reidou! I didn't expect you back so soon," quaked a terrified Ichigo.

"Well I can see that seeing that you never heard our message from this morning," Sakura said quite upset as she pointed to the answering machine, its red light still blinking signifying unread messages.

"But the car isn't even here so…"

"The car went to the mechanic before we left. We took a cab to Kyoto," Sakura explained.

"But it still it's no excuse for your not being home. And on top of it, the door wasn't locked! We thought you were kidnapped or something terrible happened to you!" Shintaro yelled, worried yet fumed.

"I just left for a while dad. I would've returned on time but something came up and…"

"And what Ichigo?! Someone could've come in and robbed us clean because of your negligence!" he continued without giving her much say.

"I know and I'm sorry dad but please hear me out!" she pleaded as tears began to stifle her.

"Ichigo I don't want to hear it. Go to your room now, you're grounded. And don't even think for one second you're going anywhere with your friends, especially that Masaya boy."

"But…mom…reidou?" she cried out to Sakura, but she simply shook her head in agreement with her husband.

"To your room Ichigo," she said softly. She hated to fight with her otome like this, but she had to admit it, as dictatorial as it seemed her husband made some good points that she couldn't disagree with. She was profoundly disappointed in Ichigo, she expected better.

"This is not fair! I have no say in my own defense? You don't know the whole story deifu!" she said heatedly.

"Look at the evidence around you 'Defense'. Plaintiff declared carelessness, irresponsibility, and now disrespect. The jury has come to its decision; we find the defendant guilty for all aforementioned crimes. Sentence: four months household chores, no recreation other than reading, no outings and NO TELEPHONE CALLS! The judge complies, sentencing in immediate effect. Case closed," said a defiant and cold Shintaro.

"I demand a retrial!" Ichigo bellowed as she stormed to her room.

"Did we have to be so harsh?" Sakura asked sympathetically.

"No Sakura, we must let her know we mean business. We gave her set instructions which she could not comply to. What if something happened to her because of her recklessness? I can't afford to lose her; I won't lose her like we almost did those years back."

Ichigo I do this because I care. If you only know how much I care otome…

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

"Damn it, can the press get anymore annoying?" asked a frustrated Zakuro.

"I don't know, you gotta tell me. I'm new to all of this," chuckled a confused Keiichiro.

"Ugh and the answer is 'of course they can!'" she screamed. "I need a chardonnay," she said as she ordered one from the mini bar in the limo. "You want anything?" she asked Keiichiro.

"Uh, water?" he asked a bit confused as to what he should take.

"Oh come on live a little, I know you have exquisite taste Keiichiro. You can have whatever you want: some bubbly, vodka, whiskey, red or white wine…"

"Vodka on the rocks would be nice. My head is beginning to throb with all this drama," he said as he gently massaged his temples.

"Very nicely done. Here you go," she said as he offered him the drink. He doused down half the vodka when he got it and let the alcohol tingle down his throat as he laid back his head and proceeded to go to sleep.

"Something wrong Keiichiro? I've never seen anyone douse vodka like that unless they had some kind of problem, so spill," she insisted.

"It's nothing. I'm just exhausted and frustrated, just like yo–"

"Try again. You can't fool me Keiichiro. Look, whatever it is I'll understand. I'm your friend. So, did Kiba tell you something or–" but he interrupted her as he let everything out.

"Did you feel anything, anything at all when I kissed you?" Taken aback with that unexpected question, she had to think…long and hard! She sipped her drink before answering him. Her pausing made him even more nervous.

I knew I shouldn't have asked her. You idiot!

"Uh, Keiichiro, might I ask why you'd think such a thing and why you'd want to know such," she inquired coolly.

"It's just a question, in case the press decides to say some…" but she ignored every word he said. He couldn't bamboozle her. She knew he felt something, because she felt something. She couldn't take it anymore, she wanted him, wanted his touch again on her.

What the hell is wrong with me! It's KEIICHIRO Zakuro, not Pai, not Hiko, Keiichiro! But still, I've never kissed Pai and Hiko couldn't even compare the warmth and compassion in Keiichiro's kiss. Oh what the hell, one last time!

"…so glad we've got things cleared up–"and she shut him up with a deep, long, hard kiss. It was too irresistible; he complied. Neither knew why, when and how this happened, this affection for each other that is. For friends, they kissed like lovers.

"Zakuro, are you sure…" he asked as he broke their kiss roughly.

"Oh just shut up and kiss me," she replied as she grabbed him towards her. She lay back on the seat and he on top of her as he trailed those warm kisses of his from her mouth to her neck.

They didn't make love, but it felt like it. The heat, the passion and ecstasy that filled the limo between the two was simply orgasmic.

"I never knew you could do all that with a kiss," she said breathlessly.

"I never knew I harboured feelings like that for you," Keiichiro replied as he wiped the beads of sweat from their faces. He just gazed tenderly in her eyes as he wiped her face, and then began to caress it.

"Zakuro…"

"Yes Keiichiro," she said affectionately.

"I hope this won't be the last time we get to do this. I mean, I'll like it if we can spend more time together…but as more than friends if you'll have me.

"Keiichiro, I haven't put much thought into it. I don't even know what took over me, why I kissed you just now."

"It's okay, I understand…" but she silenced him with her finger.

"Shhh, I wasn't finished. Normally I wouldn't rush into something like this. I'll say 'Hey, good fling' and move on. But when you kissed me on the catwalk, I felt something, something I didn't know I could feel. You showed me a love unfelt, and things like that you just don't let go. Of course I'll be your girlfriend Keiichiro!" He was flabbergasted and did the best thing he knew how to do then. He kissed her zealously, and his passion was undoubtedly returned.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

"I can't believe my father!" Ichigo yelled as she slammed her door shut. Her sudden outburst made Kish jump up from her bed which he was lying on.

"What's the matter koneko-chan?" he asked puzzled as he reached out to hug her.

"My father, that's what! He didn't even give me a chance to explain why I came home late. He grounded me for FOUR MONTHS! Bastard!" she spat as she began to tear.

"Grounded? But look, your feet can come off the ground," he said as he scooped her into his arms. She had to laugh at his ignorance of earth dialect.

"'Grounded' means that I'm not allowed to leave my room to do fun stuff with my friends or use the phone unless it's an emergency."

"Does it say you can't teleport out of your room to spend the day with the alien love of your life?" he asked with a glint of mischief in his golden orbs.

"No, but I'm not sure I can get away on that technicality. What are you up to?" she asked curious.

"You'll see," he said as he teleported them out of her room.

As they arrived to their final destination, Ichigo had to kiss her fiancé for his genius and empathy.

"Kishu, you are the most amazing alien I've ever known," she said languorously as she slowly broke their kiss.

"And you're the love of my life, my koneko-chan," he chuckled. He took them to the exotic Fairfax Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia. For the geographically inclined or if you haven't found a map yet, he took them to the Great Barrier Reef. The site was astounding; he had her speechless. He let her down so that she could walk along the waters edge; feel the warmth of the sparkling sand and the cool of the crystal clear waters.

"Oh Kish this is incredible!" she said as she breathed in the fresh sea breeze.

"Anything for you koneko-chan," He replied as he embraced her from behind and gaze upon the scenery himself.

"But why here? How did you even come about the Barrier Reef?"

"When I was looking for the tourmaline rock, at some point in time I ended up in 'Australia' is it? I didn't find the stone, but I made a mental note to take you here whenever you felt stressed. It helped me relax when I thought I never find this," he said as he reached into her pocket and place the ring where it belonged.

"Thank you," she said quietly as he tightened her grip in his hands. "Kish, how am I ever going to marry you if I can't get my father's approval?" she began as tears streamed down her cheeks onto their intertwined hands.

"What do you mean? You told him about us already?" he asked edgily.

"No, not yet, but after today I doubt he'll ever trust that whatever decision I make is for my good."

"What exactly happened today koneko-chan?" he inquired. As she depicted the events of the day, it filled Kish with such an overwhelming fury.

"How can he dictate what you did or did not do? Who the hell does he think he is?" he roared.

"The man who has to permit us before we can marry," she replied dryly.

"Well we'll elope, simple as that," he retorted.

"Elope?! Kish, we can't…can we? I mean, what about the coronation, isn't that suppose to take place at the wedding as well?" she asked confused and anxious.

"The coronation can occur after we elope. Once there is certification that you and I are husband and wife there is nothing stopping me from becoming king and you my queen."

"Kish I don't know. I mean, I want us to get married, but the proper way. I've never been married before and I want my first time to be special, one I'll treasure till the day I die," she said wistfully. Her sorrow was his pain. He couldn't deny her what she rightfully deserved. Besides, he loved her too much to refuse anything she desired, he spoilt her like that, and deep down inside he too wanted a proper wedding ceremony.

"Alright koneko-chan, we'll wed the right way."

"Oh thank you Kish! But, are you sure this is what you want as well?"

"Of course, once we get married that's all I'm concerned about. If we have to wait a billion years, I'll wait knowing that when it happens, it'll be you by my side till death do us part koneko-chan," he replied as he softly kissed her on her forehead.

"Did I ever tell you how amazing you are?"

"Do you know how amazing you are?" he retorted. Then he hugged her and just held her in his arms, never wanting to let go.

"Hummm, this feels nice," she said dreamily. As the sun began to set on the lovers, adorning the place with rays of orange and crimson, it occurred to her how long she spent in Queensland.

"Oh my gosh! Kish, how late is it?" she asked nervously as she pulled herself from his grip to scramble for a watch.

"Uhhh…it's…SHIT, we've got to get you back before you're in trouble!"

"Kish how late is it?" a panicky Ichigo shrieked.

"Doesn't matter how late, let's just get you back before it's too late!"

"Glad you read my mind," Ichigo said with a weak chuckle. As he teleported her back to her room her mother walked in, back first, with a peace treat: a tray of cold milk and freshly baked cookies. This gave Kish a chance to teleport outside and observe the scenery from his favourite spot: in the shade of the tree outside his koneko-chan's window.

"Reidou!" Ichigo shrieked as her mother startled her. Then, recalling the events that took place earlier and how her mother left her to be devoured by her father, Ichigo slumped onto her bed and immediately sulked.

Guess my lil outing wasn't enough to break the mood her mother just brought back with her.

"Otome," was all Sakura said as she sat beside Ichigo. "Listen dear, I'm sorry for not coming to your defense, but your father was right. I expected you to be much more responsible than you showed today. You really disappointed me," she said solemnly. Feeling sympathetic for her mother, Ichigo slowly realized the dilemma her mother faced– having to choose between spouse and child like that isn't easy, but a choice has to be made. She just wished this once her reidou was on her side.

"I understand, and I'm sorry. Even though I was out for a while, I still shouldn't have left the door vulnerable like that. I'm sorry reidou, I just wish dad would give me a chance to explain," she said as she burst into soft sobs.

"Oh koiichi (N.B koiichi: darling) I'm sorry for not giving you a chance. Worry not now, I'll tell your father what you told me and I'll see if I can reduce the length and severity of the punishment. I don't think you could last an hour without hearing Masaya-san's voice," she giggled heartedly.

"Mom, about Masaya…we decided to remain friends," Ichigo said guiltily.

"Yare (N.B yare: dear me!), what a shame! And he was such a nice boy too. Well, you can't have 'em all can you."

"No, you can't. He is a nice boy, and someday he'll make a special someone very happy."

"But might I ask why you let him go if he's so nice? I mean, he really cared about you," Sakura asked puzzled at her daughter's decision.

"Mom…reidou…there's something you and deifu need to know…someone you need to meet," she replied uneasily.

"Well what is it itoshigo (N.B itoshigo: beloved dear child)? You know you can tell us anything. Who do we need to meet?" her mother retorted more baffled than ever.

Is she really going to tell her mother now?

Am I really going to tell reidou now? Will she accept him? It's now or never Ichigo!

"Reidou, I'll like you to meet Prince Kishu…my fiancé," and on that notion Kish teleported into her room and stood by her side whilst Ichigo slowly modeled the ring before her mother's widely opened eyes.

I wonder what's gonna happen next, well you'll have to review to find out, won't ya!!!!