Note To Readers: Hi everyone! Thank you for each one of you reading this fanfiction! It makes me SO happy! I'm sorry about the long break again. I've just been swamped with college work. With all my failures I understand how Ichigo felt in the beginning. But this series also encourages me when there are hardships in life. For all you who have been waiting for an update I dedicate the chapter to you!
Chapter 13: Chocolate Cold
Winter came and went in the blink of an eye along with their long await Winter break spent in the company of their respected families well at least for most of them. Kashino being the exception of the group spent time at his Uncle's chocolatier assisting him at his shop in France. However, it didn't take long for the first breath of Spring to enchant the streets of Paris's once bare tree branches turning them into full ones with beautiful flowers. Even their sweet scent carried through the wind as Hanabusa sat in St. Marie's Paris campus's classroom sketching each detail of the apple blossom tree next to him in his sketchbook.
"How pretty!" a familiar voice echoed in the Sweet Rose Prince's ear feeling someone loom over his shoulder. But of course, it was Amano Ichigo admiring her classmate and friend's handiwork as she gazed at his detailed drawing. "Oui," Hanabusa answered with a hint of a smug smile. "In fact, they'll have even MORE beauty and appeal once I add a hint of color to them. Of course, they pale in comparison to the roses I grow at home." the narcissist complimented himself proudly. Ichigo only sweatdropped. Even while he was away. Though it seemed impossible Hanabusa seemed even MORE full of himself.
"So, what about you Ichigo-Chan? Did you enjoy New Year's Eve with your folks?" Hanabusa inquired with a smile. "A-Ah! Momma made Soba Noodles and Papa made some tasty New Year's cakes! There were so many too!" Ichigo sighed with delight. "It was so nice having a taste of home after being in Paris for so long..." the Sweets Princess admitted. "So! So! What did Hanabusa-Kun do for break!?" Ichigo questioned in return.
"Nothing to really talk about. For New Year's Eve, we sampled some of my new sweets I created and drank some rose tea. Afterward, I assisted her in her flower shop since her many popular arrangements were quite high in demand." Hanabusa told Ichigo as he fluffed his hair. "New sweets!? I wanna try them too!" the Sweets Princess exclaimed excitedly. "You're wholeheartedly welcome to...next time I prepare them..." the narcissist followed up afterward causing Ichigo to facefault.
"Anyways...I wonder what Andou-kun and Kashino have been up to...I haven't seen either of them today." Ichigo pointed out. "I had hoped we could go to Salon de Marie and try the new selection of sweets they just released while catching up from Winter Break." the Sweets Princess murmured. "Ah and Cafe-kun and the others were attending their annual New Years Eve celebration as well." Hanabusa mused. "Mmm without Vanilla I felt kinda lonely..." Ichigo admitted softly.
"I wouldn't fret too much. They're bound to turn up sooner or later." the Sweets Rose Prince assured the Sweets Princess. "Mmm, you're probably right!" Ichigo offered a smile in return as Hanabusa flashed one of his own. "In fact, here comes Kashino." he followed up. "Ohayo! Kashino!" Ichigo exclaimed as she waved at him smiling more excitedly. "...Mor...nin..." the Chocolate Sweets Prince muttered as he slowly made his way to his desk. As he sat down his face was pale and slightly flushed. Even his eyes didn't seem like the ones Ichigo and Hanabusa were used to.
"My My Someone needs to add some color to his complexion." Hanabusa slightly teased as he removed his compact from his pocket and opened it preparing to powder Kashino's face. "Touch me...and die..." the devil snarled fully prepared to carry out his threat. Ichigo squeaked jumping in her seat. "And the devil awakens..." she whispered under her breath too fearful to speak out loud. "Hehe...just kidding." the Rose Prince stuck out his tongue playfully as Ichigo began to look around yet again with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes.
"Um...Where's Andou-Kun?...I thought after Kashino had come in that Andou-kun wouldn't be that far behind..." Ichigo questioned. "...If you're looking for Andou he had to stay behind at his family's shop in Japan...I don't think he'll be joining us today..." Kashino answered simply. "Oh is that so?..." the Sweets Princess murmured disappointedly. "Well, then I suppose that just leaves the three of us," Hanabusa concluded.
"Yep! Ne Kashino?" Ichigo forced a smile. "...Kashino...?" the Sweets Prince tried again. "Huh...oh...ah..." the Chocolate Sweets Prince muttered. "Ah...now that you mention it...I wish I could remember if we had a cooking class today...WAHHH new semesters are SO confusing!" Ichigo cried. "...Ah..." Kashino muttered in response. Ok. NOW she was worried. Usually, SHE was the one to space out and HE'D scold her for doing so too! But his behavior was just not Kashino.
Hanabusa only chuckled. "Calm down. Ichigo-Chan. After all, there's no need to make such a fuss." "...There's not...?" Ichigo questioned. "Nope, the school emailed us our class schedule over break. All we have to do is check our email to solve this little dilemma." the Rose Prince mused and pulled it up on his phone. "See?" "OH! You're right!" the Sweets Princess squeaked in realization as her eyes widened in surprise. "Let's see..." Hanabusa scrolled down the page with his finger.
"Here we are...we have our first class with...hmm..." the narcissist's voice trailed out as he looked at the email rather perplexed. "...Hanabusa-kun...what's wrong?" Ichigo questioned. "EEP! It's not with the scary teacher again is it!?" she cried already shaking in her shoes. "No, it appears our first cooking class is with-" "MONSIEUR BLAIRE!?" Kashino exclaimed his eyes nearly popped from his sockets.
"I see!...Who is that again...?" Ichigo questioned before both Hanabusa and Kashino face faulted. "YOU'RE KIDDING! Monsieur Blaire is a 5-star gourmet chef AND Patissiere whom is the owner and head chef at a famous Fondue restaurant and a Chocolatier!" the Chocolate Sweet Prince cried out. Hanabusa chuckled slightly. "Kashino admired Monsieur Blaire perhaps even more than Monsieur Leon whom we encountered during the Cake Grand Prix. He also has a Chocolatier in France." the Rose Prince told Ichigo as her face lit up with excitement.
AMAZING! SOMEONE LIKE THAT IS GOING TO BE TEACHING OUR FIRST CLASS!?" the Sweets Princess beamed with utter excitement. "YATTA! Ichigo jumped for joy. "So! So! When does class start!?" she asked excitedly. "8:30 am." Hanabusa mused simply. "...THAT'S IN 5 MINUTES!" all three of them cried. "WH-WHAT ARE WE ALL STANDIN AROUND FOR GET MOVING!" Kashino yelled. "HAI!" Ichigo squeaked and made a dash to the changing room. Kashino paused as the other two went ahead as a wave of heat washed over him and quickly grabbed the wall next to him. After a moment the sadist shook his head and forced himself forwards towards the cooking room only to find his teammates already there.
The Chocolate Sweet's prince felt his head throb as a wave of squeals broke out in the kitchen as a male with hot pink hair with a hint of black wearing glasses and a chef's uniform slowly walked into the room. His eyes the same color as his hair with a slightly lighter tint. Piercings covered both sides of his ears. "My My...our star guest chef really knows how to make an impression," Hanabusa admitted impressed. "Mmm! He's almost just as cool as Henri sensei..." Ichigo giggled to herself. "Still, he can hardly compete with MY beauty..." the narcissist scoffed as he fixed his hair slightly. "E...Ehehe..." the Sweets Prince laughed nervously. "Shhh..." Kashino hushed both of them so he could hear Ichigo only puffing up her cheeks before their attention was directed towards their new teacher.
"Bonjour students of St. Marie. My name is Monsieur Blaire head chef and owner of Melt-Me-Not fondue restaurant and chocolatier. Currently, I have branches in Japan and America. However, I will soon be opening a new one here in Paris, France. As a result, i've requested with St. Marie to allow me to teach a class here at the St. Marie Paris campus in order to create not only a brand new menu to suit the Parisian taste but also experience the culture. Which, brings me to your assignment." Blaire mused before he picked up a stack of white paper and began to distribute them to the class.
"The recipe before you should be familiar to anyone who is native to France. Trifle is simply translated as Things With Layers." Blaire explained to the students. "That being said your task is simple. Produce a Trifle that could be served as a dessert in a restaurant. However...there are three requirements that MUST be met." the chef's voice emitted an ominous tone holding up one finger at a time. "One you are required to have fruit, two wine or liquor must be in your dish...and last but not least you must reflect French Cuisine. The time limit is 2 hours BEGIN!" Blaire exclaimed and pressed on the timer.
"A Trifle...a cold dessert made with sponge cake, fruit jelly, layered with custard cream." Hanabusa murmured as he showed the others the recipe. Ichigo closed her eyes. "So...we have to make a Trifle with fruit, liquor or wine and it must reflect the French style...that's what sensei said anyways..." the Sweets Princess murmured as she mulled everything over in her head. "In this case I suggest we all collaborate our individual talents." the Rose Prince mused. Kashino only nodded.
"For once I agree with Hanabusa. If it's a Trifle it has to be a Strawberry Chocolate Trifle..." the Chocolate Sweets Prince muttered as Ichigo only looked at her friend with concern. "Fruits jelly huh...ugh...that brings back bad memories..." the Sweets Princess pailed as she recalled her challenge against Lemon-Chan last year. "But you've grown a lot since then. Have confidence Ichigo-Chan." Hanabusa encouraged. "Mmm!" Ichigo nodded with a smile. "So, we can get wine to pair with the strawberries and chocolate but...what are we going to do about the French style theme?" the Sweets Princess questioned.
"We'll make a Chocolate French Cake in place of where the sponge cake would normally be" Kashino answered. "I see!" Ichigo beamed excitedly. She could hardly contain her own giddiness. "Then it's settled, Ichigo-Chan will make the fruits jelly, Kashino will prepare the chocolate cake and i'll work on the custard as the finale." Hanabusa winked playfully. Somehow without Andou there they would make this work.
"Alright! I'll go get the ingredients we need!" Ichigo exclaimed. "That's fine. Kashino why don't you retrieve the tools we need whilst I revise the recipe." Hanabusa suggested. "Fine." the Chocolate Sweets Prince muttered and made his way over towards the shelf before he paused seeing Ichigo struggling to get through the crowd amongst the panicked stricken students. "Good grief..." Kashino sighed heavily and began to collect what they needed.
"Tch..." the sadist hissed under his breath as the room began to blur his vision fading in and out with a sudden movement as Kashino reached upwards for the bowls and baking pans. No! He wasn't going to let this whatever it was get the better of him! Just like everything else in his life he had to power through it and moved towards the cooking station. Nearby Ichigo gasped for air nearly being done in by the herd emerging barely victorious from the large fridge nearby.
"Yokatta...with everyone pushing up against my mouth and nose...I thought i'd suffocate in there..." the Sweets Princess sighed relief huffing. "Come on move your hands not your mouth!" Kashino exclaimed. "Roger!" Ichigo exclaimed. Finally. At least Kashino seemed to be back to normal. What a relief. The Sweets Princess thought to herself as she sliced up the strawberries. Afterward added 200 grams of sugar to a pot on the stove following 1 liter of water bringing it to a simmer after placing the cut up strawberries within it. "Then leave it to simmer for 5 minutes!" Ichigo smiled and began to make the gelatin for the next step. Slowly she looked up at Kashino as he preheated the oven to 325 degrees.
The Chocolate Sweets Prince once he preheated the oven moved to the counter and began to cut up bitter dark chocolate with a sharpened knife. Hanabusa, however, had brought his cream, milk, and vanilla to a boil working on separating the eggs with haste and precision. Ichigo swiped the sweat from her brow as she removed the boiled fruit mixture and began to strain it through a sieve with a bowl situated under to catch it. Yet again the Sweets Princess stole a look upwards at the sadist.
{NO WAY!} Ichigo squeaked inwardly as she noticed Kashino was STILL working on dicing the baking chocolate. "Kashino," Hanabusa spoke up. "What's wrong? ! Hayaku! You should already be working on the cake!" the Rose Sweets Prince pointed out. "I-I know that!" the Chocolate Sweets Prince exclaimed irritated before he turned his head to cough feeling a spell of vertigo hit him all at once wobbling. Bitting into his lip Kashino grabbed the knife again before Ichigo quickly grabbed his hand.
"YAMETE! Yamete Kashino!" she cried worriedly as concern glistened in her eyes as the sadist turned his head towards Ichigo. "You need to stop before you hurt yourself!" she told Kashino before she looked towards Hanabusa. "Right!? Hanabusa-kun!?" the Sweets Princess exclaimed in a panicked voice. Before the Sweets, Rose Prince could even utter a word the blonde broke the silence.
"GET REAL! WITH AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS I'M NOT GOING TO JUST QUIT! I REFUSE TO LET ANYTHING SLOW ME DOW-" Kashino paused as the room around him began to spin out of control before his legs finally gave out. Slowly everything started to go black. "KASHINO!" Hanabusa and Ichigo cried at the same time as a wave of gasps escaped the student's mouths. Blaire turned his head towards the source of the disturbance and quickly caught his pupil before he could hit the floor.
"You over there," Blaire called to a female student nearby. "Please turn off the oven and the stovetop used by Group A." the instructor requested. "Hai! Sensei," she exclaimed and quickly did as requested. "Amano-san and Hanabusa-San." Blaire's voice gained the attention of the two drawing it away from their incapacitated classmate. Reaching out his hand the instructor placed it against the blonde's forehead. "Well, he's got one hell of a fever...you two..take him to the infirmary," Blaire told both of the A group members.
"But, what about our assignment?" Hanabusa questioned. "It can't be helped...you'll have to do a makeup assignment at a later date...but now's not the time to disscuss it..." "...Arrigato...Sensei..." Ichigo murmured before Hanabusa and she helped Kashino upwards and slowly made their way out of class. Quietly they waited to allow Kashino to rest in an empty bed before the nurse finally returned to the room. "Please wait outside." the nurse instructed Ichigo and Hanabusa before she called them back in shortly after.
"So? How is he?" Ichigo asked the nurse worriedly. "Don't worry he's fine. It's just a cold that got out of hand. If he gets some rest i'm certain he'll be fine in at least three to four days." the nurse offered a smile. "Is that so? Well, then we'll get him to apartment. Arrigato. Let's go Ichigo-Chan." Hanabusa offered a smile before they hailed a taxi and made their way back to the apartment all four of them usually stayed in. Even as they turned on the light's it seemed empty.
"Ichigo-Chan." "Hmm?" Ichigo questioned as she turned her head towards Hanabusa. "I'm going to get Kashino situated in his room to rest. Why don't you go ahead and get changed after all we won't have class for the rest of the day." the Sweets Rose Prince suggested. "Mmm i'll do that." the Sweets Princess nodded before she went to her room and sat on her bed letting out a couldn't help but worry about Kashino. But if he was sick why didn't he say anything!? Sometimes she didn't understand him at all. Wasn't there something SHE could do for him...?
Ichigo closed her eyes before a memory flashed in her head of when she was little. She was laying in bed staying home from school because she had come down with a terrible cold. Curled up in her bed she hugged her tiny stuffed panda crying. She called being really upset because she had to miss a field trip to pick strawberries that she had been looking forward too. "Ichigo..." came her grandmother's voice calling out to her with that gentle sweet voice of hers.
"Grandma..." Ichigo sniffed as Michiko gently sat down next to her beloved granddaughter. "I can't go on the field trip with everyone else...why? Why did I have to get sick...?" Ichigo wept. "Don't cry Ichigo...tears don't suit you..." "...But..." "Grandma has some special magic to make Ichigo better." "...Magic?..." the young girl questioned as she sniffed before her grandma picked up a bowl that smelled sweet. "That's right. It's my special Honey Rice Porridge. A recipe I made to chase the bad cold away! Shall we see if it works?" "Mmm!" Ichigo nodded and wiped her eyes before she took a spoonful. "Be careful now it's hot," Michiko warned before the young girl squeaked burning her tongue and blew on the rice porridge afterward and took a bite. Slowly a smile worked his way onto her face. "Oishe!" Ichigo exclaimed and began to take bite after bite. "That's much better! Ichigo is always best with a smile.
Ichigo smiled as she felt the memory of that day warm her up inside before her stomach interrupted the moment. Hanabusa only chuckled as he returned. "Shall we have breakfast together?" the Sweets Rose Prince offered. "Hai!" the Sweets Princess beamed before they sat at the table and eggs on toast with some coffee. "So, how is Kashino?" Ichigo questioned as she picked up her toast and munched on it. "Unfortunately his fever is still quite high. He'll most likely need medicine to assist in treating his symptoms. Other than that like the nurse said, he'll get better once he rests." Hanabusa told her.
"I see...Hey Hey! You know when I was sick my grandma made me this yummy porridge. I don't remember the recipe but It just might be in her recipe book. I was wondering if maybe it would help Kashino as well." Hanabusa only smiled. "That sounds like a fine idea to me. He'll need to eat something before he takes his medicine after all." the Sweets Rose Prince mused. "Still It was quite shocking that Kashino of all people would get sick..." Ichigo admitted. "Well, he IS human as hard as that is to believe sometimes. We all have our limits. Even Sweets Spirit's I'd imagine can also fall ill from time to time." Hanabusa told the Sweets Princess as he picked up his coffee and sipped it daintily.
"Oh right...eheheh..." Ichigo laughed nervously before they finished up their breakfast. "By the way. I'm going to out to the market to buy some ingredients in a bit. Do you need anything?" the Sweets Princess questioned. "No, at least not that I can think of. But, i'll be sure to let you know if I do." Hanabusa told her as he picked up the plates and cup washing them. "Kay!" Ichigo smiled in return and took a peek in the fridge. "Ugh...of all times to misplace my grandma's recipe book...baka baka baka!" the Sweets Princess pouted bopping herself lightly only the head before she closed the fridge door and began to search the living room.
"Why can't I be more responsible like Andou-kun...? Then maybe I could've made Kashino stay home...yeah right! Like that devil, stubborn sadist would ever listen to me...Kashino you jerk..." Ichigo muttered before her stomach growled again. "...So breakfast still wasn't enough to satisfy my poor stomach...I was really looking forward to trying that Strawberry Chocolate Trifle...first Kashino catching a cold...then Andou-kun not showing up for our first class together..." Ichigo sighed as she flopped onto the couch in the living room.
"I wonder what he's doing right now...?" Ichigo thought out loud before she took her phone out of her pocket. Though just be doing so she was only torturing herself. Suddenly a loud ring caused the Sweets Princess to jump tumbling off the couch and under the table bumping her head when she tried to stand up. "Ow Ow Ow..." Ichigo whined as tears brimmed in her eyes from the pain and rubbed her head. Reaching out she searched for the phone just a few inches away from her and grabbed it pressing the call answer button.
"Moshi Moshi...?" Ichigo questioned as she answered the phone in a tired tone of voice. Why did people always have to call at the worse possible time? She was having a crisis right now! "Ichigo-Chan?" came a familiar voice from the other end as the Sweets Princess's face lit up. "Andou-kun!" Ichigo cried out joyfully as blush crept up on her cheeks from the sheer joy of just hearing his voice. A soft chuckle only emerged from the other end. After their Christmas adventure, their plans were placed on hold since they both ended up leaving to go back home for Winter Break.
"That's right," Andou answered. "How are you? I hope Ichigo-Chan, Kashino, and Hanabusa aren't having too hard of a time with the start of the new semester." the Japanese Sweets Prince murmured. "Mmn. Hanabusa-kun and I are just fine...but Kashino..." Ichigo's voice trailed off. "...Did something happen?" Andou questioned. "I...I don't really know...but we had our first cooking lesson and Kashino fell unconscious as we were working..." the Sweets Princess answered. "K-Kashino did!? Is he alright!?" the Japanese Sweets Prince asked as panic rose in his voice.
"A-Ah...I think so...the nurse assured us it was just a cold that got out of control. But because of that Hanabusa-Kun and I left school and came back to the apartment to get some rest. You know how stubborn he can be though..." "He can be at times yes. I wonder...could something have happened...?" "Andou kun?" Ichigo questioned. "Never mind, Onegai...take care of Ma-kun since I can't be there. I know he'll be in good hands if you're with him." the Japanese Sweets Prince told her.
"Hai! Leave it to me Andou-kun!" "Hehehe Arrigato...Ichigo..." Andou murmured. "Hey! Hey! When do you think you'll be able to return to France?" Ichigo asked as she eased herself out from under the table and up off the floor. "Actually i'm at the Tokyo, Airport now." the Japanese Sweets Prince told her as he looked at the board with arriving and departing flights dragging his carry luggage on behind him. "I would've been there last night but due to certain circumstances, my flight was delayed," Andou explained softly.
"NO WAY!" Ichigo pouted. "So, I decided to stay and help out at my family's shop an extra day." Ichigo only giggled. "Lucky them." she forced out of her mouth though, in reality, she was still uneasy about Kaoruko's sudden involvement in Andou's family. Even more so in Yumetsuki. "Speaking of which how is Ichida-kun!?" the Sweets Princess questioned. "He's doing well, every day his skills seem to become even more impressive. Even Gramps says so." "Is that so? I'm glad. He always works really hard to impress Andou-kun." "Hehehe...I don't know about all that...but Ichida did claim Ichigo-Chan as his rival...which was rather amusing if not cute. I don't think i've ever seen him so fired up before..." Andou chuckled before Ichigo laughed nervously on the other end.
"I still don't want to be considered a rival by a grade schooler..." the Sweets Princess admitted. "He misses you...I miss you...Ichigo-Chan..." Andou murmured lovingly. "S-Sennosuke..." Ichigo murmured as her face only reddened more feeling her heart skip a beat. "I-I..." Ichigo began before Andou's attention turned towards the flight attendant at his gate as he walked into the line. "OH! It looks like my plane's being called!" "O-Oh then you'd better get a move on then! Don't wanna miss that flight a second time right!?" the Sweets Princess told Andou.
"Hai. But, before I forget I have a special remedy my grandpa brews up for me and my siblings when we're unwell. I'll text you the recipe once I get off the can't have Kashino out of commision for too long now can we?" "Mmm! That's right!" Ichigo's voice came from the other end. "Calling B Gate. Flight Now Boarding!" the speaker echoed nearby. "Well, I guess I should go now." "Uh, um...would it be ok if I met you at the airport...you know...when you land...?" Ichigo asked as she closed her eyes on the other end of the phone rather tightly. "Of course! Nothing would make me happier," he told answered with a smile.
"REALLY!? Then, when what time should I come get you!?" Ichigo asked the Japanese Sweets Prince. "Right now it's 6:30 in Tokyo...so by the time I arrive it should be 2:30 pm in the afternoon." Andou explained as he took his seat next to the window on the airplane. "Hai!" the Sweet Princess's voice came from the other end. "Then it's settled. I'll call you once I land." "Mmm! Have a safe trip! I'll be waiting Andou-kun!" Ichigo exclaimed before she hung up the phone. The Japanese Sweets Prince only smiled as blush made its way onto his face. "So will I...Ichigo..." Andou murmured softly as he began to text his Sweets Princess the recipe for his grandfather's remedy before a frown clouded his smile reminded of his precious childhood friend.
Ichigo smiled to herself before feeling her cellphone vibrate. "Eeep!" the Sweets Princess squeaked before she looked down at her screen. "Here's...Gramps's recipe...take good care of Kashino...Andou-kun...Arrigato..." Ichigo smiled sweetly and held her phone to her chest. Suddenly the clock tower lit up and out from it came the Sweet Spirit's one after another. "INCOMING!" Vanilla cried. "WATCH OUT!" Cafe followed. "IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT!" Chocolate's voice carried next. "WAHHHHH DESU!" Caramel squeaked. "EVERYONE!" Ichigo gasped expecting a crash landing. Lucky for them Hanabusa had come just in time with a pillow.
"Nice catch Hanabusa-kun!" Ichigo exclaimed giving the Sweets Rose Prince a thumbs up. "My pleasure." Hanabusa winked playfully. "Man! You surprised me! I thought my heart was gonna stop..." the Sweets Princess let out a sigh of relief. "Where were you any!? We could've really used your help in class today!" Ichigo pouted. "Gomen Ichigo, but cleaning up after the festival was no small task!" Vanilla exclaimed. "I imagine it wasn't." Hanabusa mused. "But we're back now and ready to assist," Cafe assured Satsuki adding a gracious bow.
"But of course! They're hopeless without US around. Minus Kashino." Chocolate exclaimed. "Um...actually..." Ichigo began. "EH!? K-Kashino's SICK!? H-HOW ON IN THE QUEEN'S NAME DID THAT HAPPEN!? What if...NOOOOO! KASHINO! HOLD ON DON'T DIE!" the ill-tempered spirit cried as she frantically flew through the halls and into Kashino's room. "My My...isn't that cute..." Hanabusa smiled. "Indeed. I think Chocolate's the one who can't do anything without Kashino-San." Cafe followed up with a nod. "WAHHHH! Don't talk like that! It only makes Caramel miss Andou more!" the crybaby spirit whined pitifully.
Vanilla only sighed. "Talk about an odd bunch of circumstances..." the Spartan mused. "Hehehe...gomen Vanilla. Ah! That reminds me! Vanilla do you remember where I put my grandma's recipe book? I can't seem to find it..." Ichigo told her partner. "Oh, Ichigo you silly head...you put it in your dresser drawer so you'd remember where you'd put it once he began packing." Vanilla reminded the Sweets Princess. "EH!? That's right!" Ichigo squeaked and hurried to her room looking inside the drawer. Sure enough, it was under one of her favorite strawberry shirts.
"Found it! Arrigato Vanilla!" the Sweets Princess smiled happily. "You're quite welcome! But why are you looking for it anyways?" the Spartan asked curiously. "Oh, that? Kashino came down with a cold right? Well, when I was little my grandma made me a delicious Rice Honey Porridge. It gave me comfort and helped me to feel better...so I thought it might also make him feel better as well!" Ichigo smiled sweetly. "But first I have to see if it's even in here..." the Sweets Princess murmured before she blew off the dust on the book. "A-A-ACHOO!" Caramel sneezed as she popped out from the corner of the room rolling on the bed.
"C-Caramel!" Vanilla exclaimed as her eyes widened before Ichigo walked over towards the crybaby spirit and carefully picked up resting Caramel in the palm of her hand. "G-Gomenasai...but I was lonely..." the sweet spirit sniffed. "There There..." Ichigo smiled as she gently patted her head before Caramel looked up at her with her big eyes. "Andou-kun will be back really soon Kay?" "...Really...?" "Really. Mmm you know Andou-kun just sent me a remedy his grandpa uses on him to get rid of Kashino's cold. But I have to pay a visit to the market in order to make it. Wanna come with me and Vanilla hmm?" the Sweets Princess offered a bright smile.
"MMM! MMM! Let's go desu!" Caramel beamed happily as she flew all around causing both Vanilla and Ichigo to laugh at her overexcitement before the Sweets Princess made her way towards the door grabbing her shopping back. "Are you going out now Ichigo-Chan?" Hanabusa asked as he noticed her on her way out the door. "Hai! I'll be back in a bit. So take care of thing while i'm gone kay!?" "Of course. Please be careful...oh and tell Andou hi for me." the Rose Sweets Prince smiled before Ichigo's face lit up three shades of red. "EEP! H-How did you...?" "Call it a patissier's intuition." Hanabusa teased with a smile. "W-Well! Then i'm off! See ya later!" Ichigo exclaimed with a smile and hurried out the door with Vanilla and Caramel following after her.
"...Satsuki...?" Cafe questioned as he looked at his partner. "...Even while he's away Andou is responsible for Ichigo-Chan's smile...i'm jealous..." Hanabusa murmured as he smiled to himself. "Satsuki..." the butler spirit frowned softly. "But...Kashino's the one that probably needs it the most right now...I don't know exactly what it is...but Ichigo-Chan has a way of making everyone around her smile..." "That very well may be true...i'm worried about Chocolate..." Cafe admitted. "...Indeed...I can't help but worry as well...our time apart was quite lengthy after all...perhaps Kashino's apprenticeship did not go over well during Winter Break..." "But we won't know that for certain unless we ask him." the Sweets Rose Spirit's partner pointed out.
"Well, with Ichigo-Chan's departure I suppose it falls to me to take care of a certain chocolate stubborn fool," Hanabusa concluded before he walked over the medicine cabinet and retrieved a cold pack and a thermometer. Quietly the Sweets Rose Prince made his way into Kashino's room and gasped as he caught sight of the Chocolate Sweets Prince attempting to remove himself from the bed.
"For the love of-" Hanabusa cursed under his breathe and hurried over. "Just what exactly do you think you're doing?" the narcissist questioned as he crossed his arms. "What does it look like!? I ain't stayin in fricken bed all day long! I have tempering I have to practice!" Kashino snapped at Hanabusa. "You need to stay in bed!" the Sweets Rose Prince argued with the blonde. "MAKE ME!" the Chocolate Sweets Rose Prince snarled before the narcissist placed his hands on Kashino's shoulder attempting to force the stuborn blonde to lay back down.
"Kashino..." Chocolate whimpered worriedly as she watched the two fight. "Look at you! You're face is bright red! If you keep pushing yourself you won't get any better! Besides, Ichigo-Chan has already left to bring you back medicine. Do you really wish to worry her any more than you already have?" Hanabusa reprimanded. "...Tch..." Kashino muttered hissing through his teeth before he reluctently laid back down. That was a low blow. The Rose Sweets Prince sighed in relief and opened the cold pack before placing it on his forehead.
"Damn it..." Kashino cursed before he threw himself into a coughing fit. "If only I hadn't caught this damn cold I could've showed Monsuier Blaire my skill as patissier and chocolatier! " the blonde muttered as he shook from chills."So, that IS what this is about..." Hanabusa muttered before Kashino narrowed his eyes turning away from the narcissist. "That's NONE of your business...now is it...?" the Chocolate Sweets Prince answered bitterly before his phone began to ring. "Kashino...your phone..." Hanabusa spoke up but Kashino didn't even bother to answer him letting the phone ring.
Andou slowly made his way out of the terminal with his phone to his ear. But the phone continued to ring until he got his voice mail. The Japanese Sweet Prince only let out a sigh. "Ma-kun..." he frowned worried and tried again but only received the same result. Gently Andou placed his phone back in his pocket before he continued onwards down the nearby escalator until he saw Ichigo waving up to him from down below. "ANDOU-KUN!" the Sweets Princess's voice came before his lavender eyes lit up with a smile.
"Pardon me! Excuse me!" The Japanese Sweets Prince exclaimed as he worked his way down to the ground nearly out of breath. Ichigo smiled brightly as she ran over to Andou. Both took a moment to catch their breath before Ichigo's smile only broadened. "WELCOME HOME! SENNOSUKE!" the Sweets Princess beamed as Andou smiled back sweetly. "I'm home...Ichigo-Chan..." he murmured before he hugged her causing Ichigo to squeak turning red before she held him back warmly. Vanilla and Caramel squealed with delight at the scene before them smiling back at one another as if sharing a secret amongst them.
PHEW! HERE ARE! PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW! And maybe i'll post another chapter ;D