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Kisshu had that devilish smile on his face as they stood in his dimension with extreme happiness from accomplishing his mission. It was then that he saw Ichigo crying like a small child. His smile disappeared as he kneeled down to embrace Ichigo.
"Don't touch me, you baka!" Ichigo yelled as she pushed him away.
"Ichigo…" he whispered, not knowing what to say. He simply sat there beside her, looking down pointlessly as she continued to weep and weep. After a few minutes, she stopped and looked up to see Kisshu, ready to listen if she wanted to talk or to wait for her if she continued crying.
"Kisshu…" she began, looking into those eyes full of concern and sorrow. "I…"
"You don't need to say anything if you don't want to, koneko-chan." He said in a tone Ichigo had never heard him use. It was passionate, yet calm and understanding. And when he said "koneko-chan", it didn't seem like he was mocking her for her powers, but calling her a friend instead.
"I have to say it, Kisshu. I mean, I know that sometimes you tried to destroy Earth and all…"
"I regret it all, koneko-chan. I wish I never had-"
"I know, I know. But you were always there, weren't you?" Kisshu looked at her with a surprised expression on his face.
"I mean…" Ichigo continued. "You've been a friend. I know that you wanted to destroy Earth and the Mews, but you were always asking Deep Blue to spare me. And you never wanted to hurt me, not that I know of. And you were never really that much of a bad guy, no offense! You just wanted to make things better for your people, and I understand how you feel. Gomen dasai because I always pushed you away."
"Koneko-chan," Kisshu chuckled. "I understand you pushing me away."
"But now I feel terrible. And I just wanted to clear things up now that…" There was a small moment of silence.
"You don't need to say anything if you don't want to, koneko-chan." Kisshu repeated, but was ignored.
"Now that we're not enemies anymore." Ichigo completed, and she got up. "Well, let's explore this dimension, shall we?" Kisshu smiled and took her hand. Ichigo looked down, pulled her hand away and used it to slap Kisshu's cheek lightly.
"Not so fast," she laughed. "Koneko-chan." Kisshu smiled. It's progress! He thought.
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