* ~ Chapter 8 = Awoken ~ *

By the time Ichigo came to everyone had gone home except for Ryou who lived above the cafe and Kisshu who wouldn't leave her side.

Her eyes slowly opened and she just stared blankly up at the ceiling waiting for her vision to focus. When it finally did all of her memories came back to her in a flood and she bolted upright.

"Kisshu!" she screamed.

Kish who had nodded off only half an hour ago, was woken with a start and literally fell off of the stool he was sat on. He quickly jumped back up to his feet and brought his arms around her.

"Ichigo, I'm here!" he told her and she grabbed at his shirt for something to hold on to, "I'm here, Ichigo. It's okay now."

"Kish, I was so scared!" she cried. Her voice was somewhat muffled by her pressing her tearstained face in to his shoulder.

He soothingly stroked her back and replied, "I know. I'm so sorry I couldn't get there sooner. I'm so sorry, Ichigo."

"He was going to kill me!" she sobbed, "He thought I'd done something to you! I told them that I...but they wouldn't listen...they wouldn't listen to Avabree either...Kish, I was so scared."

"Ssh, I know. I know," he said softly. It was almost difficult trying to keep his voice straight as seeing his Ichigo this way was heart breaking, "It's okay now, Ichigo, you're safe now."

It took time to calm down but when she finally pulled away from the embrace and wiped her eyes dry she studied Kish for a few moments. He was confused by this.

"Ichigo?" he asked.

"Ssh," she ordered him and continued to search his eyes. Another moment of silence passed and she said in quiet voice, "You look tired, Kisshu. Your beautiful eyes are slightly glazed."

He couldn't help but smile at that comment and placed a light kiss on her cheek, to which she still winced, "I've been searching for you since you left."

"Well that was silly," she smiled as best she could, what with her swollen lip and explained, "I told you I was going to the shops."

"Not that silly," he pointed out, "I saved your life, my dear Koneko-chan."

"Again," she nodded and kissed him on the cheek, "I owe you my life."

"I'd rather you keep your life, honey," he said, pushing bad memories and horrible thoughts to the back of his mind, "But can I have your heart instead."

"You already do, remember," she hugged him and snuggled as close as she possibly could, "Can we go home now, Kish?"

"Yes, Ichigo, lets go."


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