Well here it is, I kinda like this chapter, sorry I took so long to update I had serious writer's block and lost allll inspiration…and I mean alll…I had nooo ideas, sigh, pitiful I know but I mustered up some inspiration to finish this chapter, on with the story
I want to thank Angel in Hiding for giving me the idea in months for this chapter and AnimeWolf for my 100th review, it's really exciting, to get to 100, to know that soo many ppl loved the story.
Disclaimer: Put your hands in the air and step away from the accusation that I own Tokyo mew mew, lol. You have the right to remain silent…cuz ur wrong!!!! I don't own Tokyo mew mew, lol
Another week had passed without success and Ichigo only became weaker as the poison slowly and painfully made itself more prevalent, she suffered excruciating pain with every passing second. As she became weaker, Kish only became more frustrated and determined. Staring aimlessly at the screen of useless information, his mind eventually wandered to Pai and Tart; he assumed them to be dead, but now he was becoming desperate. He could think of nothing else, and if he didn't act quickly, he would lose his one and only love. The one who's love and affection he had worked so hard to attain.
Time was running out, as were Kish's options, so he called for Ryou.
"What is it?!?! Have you found a cure?!?!" Ryou asked eagerly
"No"
The disappointment in Ryou was evident, but Kish then added…..
"But I think I have an idea, it may be our last chance"
"What is it?"
"We have to find Pai and Tart!" Kish stated
"What? Are they even alive? And even if they are, what makes you think that they'll help the ones who killed their master?" Ryou replied
"As a matter of fact, I know that if they are alive, that they won't help a mew" Kish told Ryou, matter of factly
"Well, then what are we talking about?!?" Ryou replied, beginning to lose his patience
"I'll go alone" Kish stated
"No! not in your cond-''
"I'm fine!!! I'm good enough to go… I won't let her die!!" Kish cut him off
A pause followed as Ryou leaned against the doorframe, the stress of the situation beginning to take its toll physically on him and he weighed his options.
"Fine. But what makes you think that they'll even listen to you?" Ryou asked him
"Don't worry, I'll think of something" Kish stated blankly
"Don't give me that bull!!" a now angry Ryou replied harshly before he continued "if you don't go there with a plan then you'll get exactly what you put in….nothing!!" Ryou vented
"Shut up!! I know what's on the line, I know what I have to do. Ichigo is all I have left, she's everything!!! She's my life and I'll do anything it takes to save her. I've been trying my hardest and this is the only choice I have left!! So don't you dare say that I'm putting in nothing…..just trust me for once" Kish relied angrily
Silence enveloped the room for a moment, neither of the two daring to break eye contact.
"You need a plan" Ryou said calmly, breaking his stare on Kish
"Even if I made a plan, it won't help. Pai, Tart and I have never been in a situation like this, so I'm not sure how they'll react, I know that they won't be too happy about all this but I don't know what they'll do." Kish explained
Ryou insisted on at least planning when they would start to search and where they would search for Pai and Tart. However, Kish told him that he would handle it all and just to care for Ichigo in his absence. Ryou agreed and Kish mentally began his journey to find Pai and Tart, hoping that they would still be alive.
Kish went to bed early that night, he knew that he had a long couple of days ahead of him and he was prepared. Ichigo's life was on the line and as that as the case, he would always be prepared to set down his own life to save hers.
THE NEXT DAY
The mew team had gathered at the café to see Kish off and to wish him the greatest amount of luck that he would be able to find a cure for their beloved suffering friend and his beloved. Kish was still a bit unsure about leaving Ichigo in her present condition but he had no choice, it had to be done. However, he wanted to ensure that she would be well taken care of in his absence
"You will take good care of her, right?" Kish asked the mews
"Kish, she's our best friend and she has proven herself as a friend time and time again to each of us, it's our turn to show her that we value her friendship and treasure her as a person. We'll take very good care of her, we refuse to lose her" Lettuce replied bravely, it seemed that the recent situations had given her more confidence to defend those she held dear. Ichigo had given her that confidence, with her trust in them as a team all these years. And so it began, another trial in the delicate relationship between Kish and Ichigo.
Kish turned his back to the café and began his journey, one step at a time, he had no idea where to start or where his feet were taking him but he would follow his heart to find the cure.
He thought back, to all the places that they called their temporary homes while on their mission on earth and he tried to remember their locations, maybe Pai and Tart would go back to one of them if they were injured. And so he searched tirelessly. They had moved so many times that it took Kish almost 3 full days to find and fully search each location.
He grew quite angry, not at the fact that Pai and Tart were difficult to find but at himself. He had sworn to her that he would save her, he could feel her getting weaker with each passing day, he could feel it in his own heart as it dimmed. He felt like a failure, that he had tried so hard yet it was all coming up short. He wasn't good enough, he didn't deserve her.
At that moment, the ending of the 3rd day had come and he crouched to the floor, holding firmly his chest, at the place his heart resided, he took a few moments to pay attention to his heart beating, it was the closest that he could be to Ichigo. Every time he closed his eyes and listened to his heart beat, he could see her, those strawberry locks of hair, that smile…those lips that he only wished he could caress with his own at that moment…..he longed for her and the pain in his heart proved it. He wanted to feel her close to him, her body pressed to his.
His wounds began to hurt as well from his crouching position. As he rose from the ground, his eyes glowed with the light of an idea. The pain had given him an idea! He knew where they were, or where he hoped they would be. With his confidence regained he teleported to the next destination, quietly uttering a soft "arigato" to Ichigo's spirit for never leaving his side.
BACK AT THE CAFÉ
While Kish searched for Pai and Tart, The mew staff struggled with Ichigo and her declining condition, 3 days had passed and Ichigo only became worse, it was as if her spirit was no longer with her, fighting with her. It was as though Kish's departure caused this dramatic change.
However, a shock came at the end of the 3rd day, the mews were exhausted, as were Ryou and Keichiirou. They struggled to keep her health at a decent level. But at that moment, she immediately and drastically improved. All of the machines read that she was stabilizing, it amazed them. Her fighting spirit had returned… Perhaps the fight wasn't over yet.
WITH KISH
Kish arrived at his destination. He took a glance at the surroundings and all the unpleasant memories came rushing back, especially the most painful – Deep Blue slicing at Ichigo's helpless body, while her desperate cries for help filled the air. Kish recalled the battle with Deep Blue in which he almost lost Ichigo and his own life. Taking a deep breath, Kish ventured into a darkness that he had no desire to return to. Only his desire to save Ichigo fueled him.
He searched every room for any sign of his former comrades. The silence was deafening. A person could go crazy with enough exposure to such solitude, it annoyed and frustrated him greatly but he suppressed those emotions, thinking only of one. He stopped for a moment to think. He had his doubts that Pai and Tart were there and he began to think once more, until his concentration was broken by a faint cry. Kish moved carefully towards its source and in the next room, he discovered Tart on the ground, he had been greatly injured.
His wounds and bruises and gashes proved to be painful even for those who looked upon them. The wounds were poorly tended to and one sound see the tell tale signs of infection setting in. His breath was laboured and his eyes clasped shut in pain. Kish cringed a bit before slowly approaching Tart. However, he was cut short by a ranged attack. He fell backwards onto the ground. He grunted as he could feel the pain of his already existent wounds. He turned his head to look at the obvious conjurer or the attack.
Pai…
Kish looked at Pai carefully. Although he had successfully summoned a mildly strong attack, it seemed to have taken a great toll on his body. He clutched his arm, obviously in serious pain. His breathing was also laboured and it looked as though he struggled even to stand. Kish watched him closely to see what Pai would do next. Pai took a few more laboured breaths, not removing his icy glare from Kish and finally spoke….
"Get away from him!!"
"It's ok I was just-" Kish began
"Just what?!! Checking on us, making sure that we were living in hell!!!! Or dead?!?!!?" Pai continued cutting him off
"NO! Actually I was hoping that you were still alive, I need your help" Kish replied
"My help?!?! After all you did to us, you bastard!! You have the nerve to demand our aid after you sided with the enemy!!!"
Pai took a moment to breathe before he continued in a dark stoic tone
"An atrocity to our society…why the hell should I help a traitor like you, after you ruined everything that we slaved to achieve!"
"Please" Kish replied softly before he continued
"I know that I've done unforgivable things but you must understand that I did it for the one I love. I didn't want to turn my back on you, but I had no choice. I love her and now I must help her"
"And what about us?!? You preach that you never wanted to turn your back on us, yet you didn't even give enough of a damn to see if we were DEAD!!!"
"I was injured severely I couldn't get out of bed for several weeks" Kish tried to explain but his attempts were in vein
"Yet here you are now. I can see that your injuries still require you to rest, yet you are here, FOR HER!!!" Pai yelled
"Yes, I am, she has been poisoned by Deep Blue's blade and she is near death" Kish explained
Pai now leaned heavily against the nearest solid surface, his strength beginning to wane with the excess effort he was exerting. He took a few deep breaths before replying with a wicked smirk
"I know…. That was the intention when I made the poison for master Deep Blue"
….Shock….
Kish stared at him with wide eyes, shocked at this recent news. This would be harder than he expected, if Pai was the one who made the poison, it was not going to be an easy task to convince him to make a cure. But still, he had to try…..for her.
"Pai"
"No! you are no longer welcomed here Kish…Leave!"
"But-"
"LEAVE!!"
"I can't, I can't let her die and I can't leave you in this condition"
"We can take care of ourselves and as for Mew Ichigo, I could care less….Now leave!!!"
"No! I need the antidote…please!"
Pai remain silent for a moment, before reaching into a pocket, retrieving a small crystal.
"You mean this antidote Kish?" Pai spoke as he held up a small crystal,
Kish's eyes opened in hope for the first time. Pai threw the crystal to Kish, who easily caught the small gem
"You can have it Kish, however it puts you in an interesting predicament. Firstly, that's all the antidote there is and it's not nearly enough to save your precious maiden, secondly, all the ingredients are foreign to this planet, so I wish you the best of luck in finding substitutes"
With that, Pai turned to fully face Kish, standing as straight as he could and laughed cruelly at Kish's now downcast expression.
"I suggest that you take your leave now Kish, Mew Ichigo doesn't have much time left."
Tossing one last glare over to his former comrade, Kish made a silent promise to himself and to Ichigo that he'd find a way…no matter what, and then teleported out of the ship.
ICHIGO'S MIND
Colours swirled, unfocused and confusing, it was as though she was rocking on a boat of sorts and she had great difficulty finding her bearings. Slowly, Ichigo tried to bring herself up from what she assumed was a lying position. Try as she may, it seemed as though her body had no intention of following any of her commands. Eventually, she decided to rest, it was odd…although she wasn't moving it seemed as though the mental effort to try to move her body made her physically exhausted. She didn't understand it, so she relaxed and for the first time tried to rationalize where she could be.
She felt like she was losing her mind. She remembered last, hearing the final battle where Kish saved her, and after that, glimpses of Kish on some sort of search, but this she wasn't sure if it was her imagination or if it was really happening. It seemed that nothing made sense anymore, where was she? How did she get here? She couldn't move her head to inspect the area properly so she settled for just staring at what she assumed was up.
CAFÉ
It was interesting to say the least. Ryou stared at his computer screen for hours monitoring Ichigo's condition. The other mews, long sent home for some rest. Her condition remained relatively stable however, it seemed as though she was in deep thought, her mind was becoming quite active...as though she were dreaming. Ryou didn't understand it; the other nights, Ichigo had never dreamed…her mind was normally quiet. This sudden surge of activity was strange and Ryou silently hoped that this was merely a normal dream, although his gut held him in a state of suspicion, which kept him staring at the computer screen for the rest of the night.
SHIP
Ryou wasn't the only one keeping abreast of the situation. Pai stood regally in front of a screen. Due to the tracking capabilities of the poison, he knew exactly where Mew Ichigo was, what condition she was and unlike those he deemed as pathetic humans and their inferior technology, he could see directly into her 'dreams'. Looking on in cruel glee, Pai couldn't hold back the wicked smirk that crossed his lips. Things were going exactly to plan. While he didn't lie to Kish, he merely didn't tell him everything…Even if the fool managed to miraculously find some sort of antidote, by the time he found one, Mew Ichigo would have driven herself into insanity.
Pai turned from the screen, walking to the place where the battle that killed his master had taken place. He had made a vow to obey his master and to reclaim this planet, and those Mews were always in the way…this time, there would be no mercy…this time they will die…his masters' wishes will come to pass, and it all begins with Mew Ichigo.
Pai looked back to the screen "Yes little Mew, your death will be the beginning of the end"
Echoes of maniacal laughter could be heard resounding through the halls of the ship.
A/N: Well there it is!! My debut chapter after almost 2 years on hiatus!! I'm trying to get back into the swing of it, I have ideas now so hopefully there won't be as long a wait next time. I would like to say a big thanks to puddingxtart123 for her support and for giving me that kick that I needed to finally finish this chapter and post it!! It's not the longest chapter but i'm working on it!