Yay an update! Sorry if this chapter is a little short, but I didn't want to give away too much with this.

Enjoy the read! Please read and review. 5+ reviews before the next update! (The next chapter should be the last chapter or second to last chapter...plus an epilogue.)

Thanks for all the support up to now! I can't believe my first fanfic is finally coming to an end!

Chapter 21: Forgetting About You

The harsh pellets of icy cold water beat against Ryou's back and slashed forcefully onto the ground of the shower stand.

"COLDER!" He hissed as he stared at his toes. "HARDER!"

He turned around, letting the pressure of the water dig into his face and chest as he reached for the cold water knob and turned it all the way to the right. It was stinging his skin, like sharp needles, but he continued standing there motionless as if not at all affected. Even with the icy water hitting him, he could not numb himself from his thoughts.

Ichigo, staring up at him with such imploring eyes.

Ichigo's voice when she pinned him down and sent a chill down his spine after teasing him with those arousing words.

The feeling of Ichigo's hand running through his hair and the taste of her sweet lips.

And finally, the image of Ichigo staring into Aoyama's eyes, saying the three words he would have given the world to hear from her: I love you.

Ryou groaned, ruffling his hair into a wet soggy mess. It was all Ichigo, always Ichigo and he was sick of it!

He dropped to the ground, cold icy water pressing into him still. How could he have almost thought he had a chance? He was nothing to her, absolutely nothing and even if he waited a lifetime, that wouldn't change.

He got up, eyes narrowing as determination flowed through him. He was done being pathetic. He was done with her.

Emotionless Ryou was back. After turning off the water, he stepped out of the shower and got dressed.

"Ryou!" Keiichiro's voice could be heard through his bedroom door over the sound of the howling wind outside.

"Come in." The blond replied blandly, now settled in front of his laptop. The entire headache of girl problems only began when he had too much time to spare after the alien attacks, so Ryou resolved to drown himself in work. Maybe then, he could revert back to the child genius who was always too busy to live a normal life. Never before did he have the time to consider the aspects of childish crushes, love, or friendship and he intended to keep it that way.

Keiichiro stepped in through the door, quietly closing it behind him as he looked at Ryou who was still facing the computer screen.

"Phone call."

Ryou turned around to raise an eyebrow at the speaker expectantly. As a moment of silence passed between the two, only the pounding of hail rapping at his window could be heard.

"It's Aoyama-kun." Keiichiro approached the blond, extending his arm to pass the phone to him with a half confused look on his face.

"Thank you, Keiichiro." He said as he took the phone into his hand. He covered the mouthpiece of the phone, waiting for the brunet to leave.

Keiichiro turned around with a sigh, but before he opened the door to go, he turned back around to face Ryou. "Your eyes. They're just like how they were that night of the fire." His voice was hushed as if he didn't trust himself to speak any louder, and his eyebrows were furrowed in concern.

The blond said nothing, only further narrowing his hardened icy blue eyes at the chef who was now retreating from his room.

"Yes Aoyama?" Ryou spoke as coldly as ever.

"Hey, thanks for everything lately." Masaya's voice was sincere, though his voice seemed a little uncertain. "I mean with the food and stuff you've been bringing to the hospital."

"Yeah whatever."

"So, uh, Ichigo told me you two weren't together?"

Ryou groaned at his words. Certainly, the dark-haired tree hugger hadn't been so bad lately and he even thought they found some sort of compromise with each other, but the blond was beginning to regret his own kindness towards the guy.

Masaya continued to speak. "Anyway, I was wondering if you've seen Ichigo."

The blond gave another groan. An injured Aoyama was no less annoying. But really, as matters over Ichigo no longer concerned him, he resumed an emotionless tone when he replied. "No, not since I left the hospital."

"Oh." Masaya sounded worried.

"What's up? Lost track of your girlfriend?" He spoke as coolly as ever.

"She's...not my girlfriend." His voice trembled slightly, though Masaya kept it in control. After a brief pause, he continued speaking. "I-I thought she'd be at the cafe at least. Her mom gave me a call, looking for her. Said she hadn't gotten home yet."

"What?" Ryou shot up from his seat, as he felt a knot at his throat. Then settling back down into his seat, he forced the knot down. She no longer concerned him.

"Hmm...she's probably at Miwa's or Moe's. Thanks anyway, Shirogane-san." Ryou continued to hold the phone beside his ear at the sound of the click and expected dial tone.

The sudden clasp of lightning outside stirred him from his daze. He stiffly turned his head toward the window. The skies were grey and ominous. The wind was howling, and within just a few minutes, there was a load roar of thunder. Ichigo had always been scared of thunder...

But what did he care? He was done with that girl.

Agitated at the unease he felt against his chest, Ryou walked out of his room, wincing ever so slightly at each rumble of thunder.

He shut his room door tight, before heading down to the cafe. But just as he turned towards the stair, he crashed into a concerned Keiichiro who was speeding through the hall. Ryou rubbed his temples, and looked up to see the brunet already rising to his feet, rushing his way downstairs.

"KEIICHIRO!" He screamed after him. It was unlike the kind chef to just walk away without an apology. Somewhat angry, but more so curious, the blond followed behind silently.

"Girls!" Ryou heard Keiichiro addressing the Mews from the stairs. "It seems as though a winter storm warning has just been issued." His words were met with gasps from the girls. Even the normally hyperactive Pudding remained silent in the situation. "Therefore, I advise all of you to STAY INDOORS. You'll be much safer at the cafe and in the worst case scenario, we can take cover in the basement."

"But..." Pudding just began to whimper slightly. "What about Ichigo-neesan." Ryou's stomach lurched at the thought, though he fought it off.

Keiichiro turned to the upset girl and spoke. "The cafe is definitely one of the safest places in Tokyo, but she should be fine as long as she's indoors. It'll be fine." He smiled reassuringly to the light orange haired girl whose eyes were beginning to blur with tears.

Lettuce turned to Pudding, also smiling though hers was a little more strained. "Don't worry Pudding, Ichigo's probably at home. Remember, she's been sick at home for the past two days so there's no way she'll be out in the storm."

Ryou remained by the stairs, staring down at his hands. Ichigo couldn't possibly be outside right? Like Aoyama said, she was most likely with Miwa or Moe right? She had to be. She just had to.

But...but what if she wasn't? He shook his head violently. It was none of his concern after all.

End of chapter 21! Sorry it's a crappy ending, but it'll get better soon, I promise! The next chapter should be the last one!

I had actually updated the chapter earlier, but then I found a plot hole in my story so I had to change it! (At least I didn't lose a humungous portion of my chapter this time...that was hell last time it happened. NOT fun at all)

Anyway, it's still fixable, since I'll just clarify it more in the next chapter. I'll immediately start writing the next chapter!