Shadow Kissed Chapter 19- The Battle Of Ichigo City Part 3
This may or may not be the last chapter. I'm still not sure, I guess we'll see where I finish this one up at. There will be an epilogue so even if this is the last one I've still got one more update in this story. What's going on? Is Hana back from the dead? How long does Ichigo have to live and what will Kisshu give to protect her? Read on to find out!
Kisshu stared in mixed horror and disbelief at the child by Marthox's side. Her amber eyes stared somberly out at the group and she clung to Marthox's hand. He used his free hand to pat her head reassuringly.
"What is wrong Kisshu? Do you not like my surprise?" The white haired alien grinned devilishly. "Maybe we need to refresh your memory. This is Hana, she is seven years old. She is also your little sister."
Ichigo watched as Kish swallowed, his mouth opening in a wordless grimace. She reached out for him but he jerked forward. His hand stretched toward his sister, not spanning the space between them but showing his desperation.
"Hana died." He said slowly, his hand falling back to his side. Everyone was quiet as a loud laugh came from the rebel leader. He ruffled the girl's dark blue hair affectionately, turning his gaze back to Kisshu.
"This girl? No she did not die. She was wounded enough to look it, and the end of the sword was coated in a sedative to keep her still for a while. Then of course we came back for her body before you could burn it."
The Ikisatashi's paled as they remembered the ceremony. It was customary in Cyniclon culture to burn the bodies of those who had died in combat on a funeral pyre and Hana had been given the honor. They all agreed she deserved it for trying to fight off her attacker. The body would be wrapped in a cloth symbolizing something about them and was not allowed to be seen after it was wrapped. Karma had volunteered to wrap the body, something none of the others had wanted to do.
"Then who did we burn?" Pie asked softly, his voice full of pain and confusion. Marthox gave another laugh, shaking his head in humor.
"Karma allowed us to take the body, of course she thought she was dead, and she wrapped a body we brought her. It was the child of one of the rebels who had died of some disease. Then we brought Hana here and healed her, she lived with us and I adopted her as my little sister." He looked proud at his words and Kisshu hissed when Hana looked happily up at the rebel.
"She is not your sister." He growled, launching himself forward. His swords were aimed at Marthox's chest and his rage made him swift.
Hana raised her hand.
Kisshu's body came to a stop, seemingly frozen in space. The little girl raised her arm and Kish followed. He hovered motionless a few feet above the ground, his eyes the only things moving. She flung her hand down and her brother smashed to the ground, visibly crumpling in pain. Ichigo let out a cry and began to rush to his side but was stopped as Hana turned her eyes on the cat Mew.
Ichigo's pink eyes glazed over and it was obvious she was no longer seeing the scene in front of them. Her lips parted in a silent scream and her hands clawed at her face.
"No! No no no no no!" She screeched. Hana smiled coldly, watching as the Mew was tormented by whatever she saw.
"Stop it!" Kisshu managed to pick himself up, panting heavily from pain. "What are you doing to her?" Marthox smiled at his question and tapped Hana lightly on the shoulder. She turned to look at him, releasing Ichigo from her horrors. Ichigo slumped to the ground, still grasping at her head. The other Mews moved forward and helped her to her feet, supporting her with their bodies.
"We discovered that Hana has a very unique mind. Quite like Taruto's power over plants or Kisshu's ability with chimeras. She has a remarkable ability to reach into the minds of others. You all saw what happened to Kisshu, and what she did to Ichigo was something we had never even heard of before. She simply projected her thoughts into Ichigo's mind." He looked proudly down at the girl, patting her again.
Kisshu backed warily back towards his group, reaching Ichigo quickly. The pink haired girl's eyes were wide and still terrified.
"What did she show you?" He asked quietly, his lips pressed gently against her ear. He saw the tears well up in Ichigo's eyes.
"She was torturing you. She was using her mind to rip you apart." She answered softly, her horror evident in her voice. Kish brushed the hair gently out of her face and turned back to the enemy.
"Hana," He called to his sister. "I'm Kisshu, your brother. You must remember me. At your weapon ceremony when you were five we gave you a sword with your name on it. The day before you and I went to the park and we sat on the swings for hours. You must remember something." His voice softened, begging to his little sister.
"No. My only family is The Providers." She answered shortly. "I have never met you."
Kisshu stared at her in shock, not knowing what to do. A new pounding started in his head, separate from all the pain her already felt. Turning his face to the side, he caught sight of the ghosts. They were all there, all of the ghosts he had ever seen, their hands gesturing towards Hana. Their mouths gaped with words they couldn't say and their eyes warned his of a terrible danger. His own outline reached forward, his fingers almost connecting with Kish's skin. Kish pulled his arm back, watching as the spirit shook his head in disappointment. The outline withdrew back to the crowd of on looking essences and Kisshu turned back to the rebels.
"I will save you Hana and you will remember." He promised, cheers of agreement coming from behind him. Marthox scoffed, rolling his eyes in contempt.
"Can you not see Kisshu? With our weapon you cannot possibly defeat us." He crowed, his eyes taking on a sadistic gleam. "By the end of the day you will all be dead and I will rule the Cyniclons!"
His army cheered behind him, sounding loudly through the quiet city. Kisshu turned again to his troops and spoke soft but strong.
"I would not blame anyone who left now. It is okay to be afraid." He stopped looking at all the faces of his group. They shook their heads determinedly and waited for him to continue. "Then we shall fight. Pie you…"
Pie cut him off. "I may be hurt but I can still hold my own." He said, raising his fan. He hovered slightly in the air, wincing at the effort it took to do so. Kisshu nodded and turned to Ryou but the human spoke before he could say anything.
"I can fight as well." He pulled a pair of short swords from their sheaths strapped around his legs. Kisshu nodded again.
"I want one Mew by them both at all times. We're still badly outnumbered but hopefully Toge's group will…" He was cut off again, but this time it was a different voice.
"Kisshu!" Toge's voice rang out as he and his forces hurried down the street. They looked shocked as they took in the enemy troops. Toge started to say something to Kish but stopped when he caught sight of Hana.
"What the…" he trailed off, having no words to explain. Kish grunted grimly.
"It's a long story." The two groups merged together and Kish turned to face the larger gathering.
"We are still outnumbered but I have no doubt we'll be able to defeat them. Remember we are fighting for our lives and the lives of our people. You fight for your families and your friends. You fight for each other." He said, his eyes blazing with strength and passion.
"But what about Hana?" Ryou asked. Kisshu hesitated, glancing back to the child. It had been two years but she still looked the same. She was still that tiny little girl Kisshu had pushed on the swing and sang to sleep every night. She was still his sister.
"Leave her to me." He commanded.
The group moved quickly back towards the camp. There was no point in going quietly as the enemy already knew they were there.
"Stay as close together as possible. There are more of them so they will need more room to fight. Hopefully their large number will confuse them and work to our advantage." Kisshu instructed. He unsheathed his swords and swung them experimentally through the air. A black cat tail whisked across his cheek and he turned to find Ichigo standing next to him.
"Please be safe Kisshu. I can only do this if you promise me you will survive." Her pink eyes burned into his, trying to force something he knew he couldn't give.
"I can make no promises about my life but I can promise you that I will not let you die." He responded, his amber eyes containing just as much fire. She scowled but it softened, her lips meeting his. Something warm coursed through their veins, cementing them together. It started at their lips and quickly burned its way through their bodies. Kisshu knew that no one else would ever ignite a fire within him. He knew he had to save her.
"Kisshu, it's time." Tart appeared by his adoptive brother's side. The sun's rays had just begun peeking above the horizon, shining slightly behind the dark city skyline. In the soft light, Ichigo took one last long look at Kish's face, memorizing the lines of it. Her fingers brushed softly over his skin, remembering the feel of it.
"I love you." She whispered, her bell jingling lightly in the slight wind of dawn. His amber eyes glowed down at her, a light against the grime of his face.
"I love you too Ichigo. Always have, always will." His words soothed her, reminding her what she was going to fight for.
What she was going to die for.
Blah! I just can't seem to end this story. Every time I think I'm getting ready to finish it I just can't! Idk what's wrong with me. Oh whale…. So I'm going to estimate there will be at least two more chapters, but that's just a guess. I might get lucky and be able to finish it next chapter!
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