The next morning Kisshu and Ichiho awoke at the same time to find them-selves still wrapped in each other's arms. Both instantly remembered the mind connection, but found they could not hear each other anymore. It was both relieving and saddening at the same time. On one hand, it would have become annoying to have to listen to the other's thoughts all the time, but on the other, it meant they could not be constantly connected to each other.

After breakfast, all the residents of the ship held a meeting to discuss what they should do about Taruto. In the end it was decided that they should wait until arriving at the home planet to decide whether Taruto could go and live with Pudding permanently. However, Pai suggested they could talk through a communication device of his, which allowed the user to see and hear the recipient for up to hours at a time.

Taruto begrudgingly agreed, but only because he wanted to see his parents before disappearing off again. It seemed like everything had gone back to normal on board the ship, and Ichigo was glad. Today they would start her training, and she looked forward to this with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Taruto's POV: I've been really stupid. Teleporting off like that was a bad idea; at least now everyone knows how I feel about Pudding, and I guess I would have missed mom and dad if I'd have stayed on Earth. This way is much better, my parents will let me go back to Earth if I tell them there's a girl involved…

Ichigo's POV: I was glad we'd sorted out the problem with Taruto, it meant I could at last begin my training. Pai explained to me what we were going to try to achieve today: I had already mastered mind over matter, so we were going to run through some basic sword-handling rules.

The lessons were to be held in the control room, so I quickly got changed into my Cyniclon clothes, (I had worn my night-shirt to breakfast,) and hurried to meet everyone there.

Pai's POV: I was a little sceptical of how Ichigo would take to sword fighting. It was nothing like she'd ever attempted before in all her time as a mew, and I wasn't sure yet if she would have the patience to keep practising the moves. Today Kisshu was acting as the main teacher- being the most advanced with swords on the ship- so I got to relax and watch; it was a nice change!

As the morning progressed, I saw that Ichigo was having no trouble learning how to use her weapon, and I was surprised. Before, I had assumed that all her powers came from her mind, but now I wasn't so sure- it was as if she had been born to become a Cyniclon!

Taruto's POV: I had just finished my video-call to Pudding and had nothing else to do. Absent-mindedly, I wandered into the control room to see how Ichigo was doing and saw, to my surprise, that she was engaged in a ferocious battle with Kisshu. Even Pai couldn't defend Kisshu's attacks that long and he had learnt to use dragon swords long before our adoptive brother had!

After another five minutes of fast motion fighting even professionals would be proud of, Kisshu finally beat Ichigo, twirling so he was behind her and placing his dragon swords in a cross in front of her neck.

Ichigo had lost, but to keep the fight going for so long on her first day of learning to fight was impressive, especially as it didn't look as though Kisshu had held back on her! I caught Pai's eye and noticed that he too was surprised by Ichigo's ability- at least it wasn't just me going insane!

Kisshu's POV: Holy Haomiya! I had only taught Koneko-chan a couple of basic moves, and then I thought I would test her reflexes with a simple attack. I had expected her just to dodge away, but instead she had defended the blow and immediately returned the attack.

She wasn't copying my moves though; as the battle progressed, I noticed her using attacks she had probably never seen before in her life, let alone ones that I had taught her! In the end, I had to use an attack I had never used before to beat her, and though she had defended more complex ones like a master, when I used this one it was like she had never even picked up a sword before. She simply didn't know what to do.

Ichigo's POV: I was panting a little by the time we had finished. From the looks on the Cyniclons faces, I had either just started doing the can-can, or they were impressed; even Taruto had stayed to watch our battle! Then Pai applauded; I blushed- embarrassed at being the centre of attention. I looked awkwardly at Kisshu; he smiled but the smile did not reach his eyes; eyes which told a different story. Had I done something wrong?

They all broke up for lunch which Pai made in a flash, simply clicking his fingers to make the food in the cupboard organise itself into something edible. When his brothers and Ichigo had all eaten, he informed them that they would not continue training this afternoon due to an urgent need to research something. Taruto, having nothing to do, went with him to help with the research which, as usual, left Kisshu and Ichigo to clear up.

"One of these days, we'll be the first to leave the kitchen, and Pai and Taruto can clean up!" Ichigo exclaimed, "I could get tired of always washing these plates!"
Kisshu merely 'hmmed' his agreement and carried on drying plates.

Ichigo's POV: I didn't know what had gotten into Kisshu, he was his usual chirpy self while we were training, but when we had finished he changed. What had I done?

"Kisshu, what's up? You were fine earlier, but now you seem so... so depressed!" I said, exasperated.
"It's nothing Ichigo, I'm just worried about you." He said, "Not for any particular reason, its just- I may as well say it- you shouldn't have been that good at sword fighting, not yet."

Now I saw the reason behind his bad mood. He didn't want me to beat him at being the best swords-man on the ship!
"So you've been moody with me because you want to be the best?" I asked him sarcastically.

He looked shocked,
"No! I enjoyed having a challenge for once! What I mean is that it usually takes years of practise to master the art. You've been a Cyniclon for what, three days? And already you fight like a warrior! Something doesn't seem right here Koneko-chan, and I don't want you hurt if it isn't!"

I was touched.
"Kisshu, I didn't realise you cared about me so much! But I know what you're saying; today, when we were battling, I didn't have to think about what to do. No, that's not it- it's more like the thoughts were already there, like I had been able to use a sword for years!" I admitted.

I saw realisation dawn on Kisshu's face. He kissed me swiftly then teleported out without another word.

Kisshu's POV: I teleported into Pai's room, then had second thoughts and teleported out again, although I don't think he noticed me, thankfully! I landed in the control room and had to sit down; teleporting twice in a row that quickly had side effects. I knew what had happened to Ichigo and it scared and exhilarated me at the same time!

When our minds had merged the other night, some of my memories must have transferred to Ichigo's brain. We hadn't been connected for long, so it made sense that she wouldn't notice. And my training would be the memory I had thought of the most, therefore the easiest one to transfer- it fitted; the amount of times I had practised those attacks was scary!

It also explains why Ichigo didn't know the cross attack, I didn't use it much, and so it probably didn't transfer with all the others! I had to be sure though before I told Pai. I would try it again tonight, try connecting our minds, and see what Ichigo knew tomorrow.

That evening, after tea, Taruto begged the other Cyniclons to play a game with him. Kisshu had been feeling impatient all afternoon, but Ichigo and Pai saw no problem with it, so they played…

One hour, and six rounds of 'Where in the World?' (A Cyniclon game that involved guessing where in the universe different planets were- Ichigo was hopeless, but had teamed up with Pai to make it equal,) later, everyone decided to call it a night.

Back in their room Kisshu and Ichigo were getting ready for bed.
"What was wrong with you this evening?" Ichigo asked him, "You were very snappy!"

By now, Kisshu's mood swing had disappeared,
"I was just impatient to get you alone Koneko-chan…" he kinkily said.
Ichigo giggled, and replied in the same tone:
"As I have you Kisshu, but there's no need to get all hormonal about it!"

Kisshu merely smirked and clicked to clean his clothes and tidy them away. Ichigo did the same and the two grinned at each other.

Ichigo's POV: Kisshu looks so hot in just his night-wear! I feel stupid standing next to him sometimes, just knowing how beautiful he is! It's enough to make me feel self-conscious!

Ichigo admired her topless boyfriend, noticing the way his muscles rippled in the dim light and eyeing his toned chest and stomach with admiration.

Kisshu's POV: How did I get so lucky? Ichigo is really hot in a night-shirt! There was something about her in an oversized shirt that was attractive; it covered just enough that it wasn't awkward to be in the same room as her, but wasn't so baggy that she looked like a clown.

Kisshu was stood at the other side of the room to Ichigo, admiring her admiring him. They caught each other's eye and laughed. Then the heat in the room seemed to kick up, just like the night before.

Ichigo's POV: Without me even realising he had moved, Kisshu was suddenly behind me, breathing on my neck, his hands on my waist. With the ease of flicking a feather, he picked me up and carried me over to the bed, manoeuvring us so that I was laid underneath him. I squealed and tried to twist away from his grip, but he smirked at me and held on.

Kisshu's POV: I had to laugh at the irony of the situation; a week ago, if the two of us had been in this position, it would most likely have been because we were fighting. Now, we both wanted to be like this, and it had become a game to us! I had to try to forget what I was attempting to do tonight; if I succeeded in connecting our minds, Ichigo would be able to read my thoughts, and the experiment would fail. I concentrated on the giggling Cyniclon beneath me.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ichigo could not stop laughing. This was soon put a stop to, however, when Kisshu leant down and kissed her full on the mouth. Then she stopped trying to move away, and began to pull him closer instead.

Kisshu complied and allowed Ichigo's hands into his hair, moving his away from their restraining position on her wrists now he was sure that she was not going to squirm away. By now, Kisshu had forgotten all about testing their connection, and could only think about Ichigo.

Kisshu's POV: Her hair; her lips; her body beneath mine. The static between us was enough to power the ships engine and in that moment I was unstoppable, invincible…

Ichigo's POV: His lips; his chest; his body on top of mine. The room was hot enough to melt an iceberg, or was that just how it felt? My heart was beating double time, and my breathing had certainly picked up. I felt like I was floating on a cloud, trailing my hand in the cool, blue sky…

Kisshu and Ichigo's POV:
It's happened again, but I don't care... His body; his lips…
I don't care, I really couldn't give a crap... Her hair; her mouth…
I want to be with him forever, never leave me Kisshu!
If only we could stay like this forever, my world would be perfect.
How can one person feel this much love?
How can one person feel this much love? I don't believe it possible.
It's not. It is possible only because we feel it together.
This one love; together.
Together.
Always…

...

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