And now here's a chapter i've finished, and this one will have a lot of surprises in store for all of you. Enjoy!

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Chapter 34: Aishiteru

No One's POV

"Man, glad we finally got out of that mess," Issun huffed as he bounced on Kodak's head.

"I agree, with what's happened some sleep will do us all good, right Ishimaru?" Shinji asked.

"Ishimaru?" Shinji asked his friend.

Waka looked and saw what Shinji was looking at, he couldn't help but chuckle. Sitting against the wall was Ishimaru, and Amaterasu was sleeping soundly on his lap without a care in the world.

"Look at that, sleeping without a care in the world," Waka muttered.

"Man, he's lucky," Shinji said.

Shinji then felt something rubbing against his arm and looked to see a light brown cat rubbing against his side and purring affectionately.

"Seems like Uzume is taking a liking to you," Kodak grinned as Uzume planted herself on Shinji's lap.

"What is this, a love fest?" Issun asked.

"You're just jealous since you can't get a girl and most people mistake you for a bug," Ohoyama stated.

His answer was Issun going nuclear and him flying at Ohoyama and yelling, "I AM NOT A BUG!!!" and poking him with his sword. While the others laughed, Waka noticed Ishimaru and Amaterasu were gone; he slipped out of the commotion and went to find Ammy. He noticed a room was ajar and peeked in, he then saw Ishimaru sitting next to Amaterasu's bedside.

Ishimaru's POV

I snuck out of the room as Issun was beginning to beat up Ohoyama. Amaterasu was in my arms as I snuck her into her room, putting her in her bed. I smiled a bit; she looked so peaceful sleeping like that. I remembered how she nearly died twice and that made my heart ache, I failed to protect her…how I could ever be able to protect someone like Amaterasu if I can't even protect myself was something that was plaguing me.

I took a step to leave but felt someone's hand grab my arm. I looked and Amaterasu looked at me, "Don't go…" she said softly. I looked at her and turned to her, a smile on my face, "How's your wound?" I asked softly.

"It's okay, it hurts a little, but I'll be okay," she told me.

I looked at her and then saw she lowered her head slightly.

"Ishimaru…I heard what you said before, to Byakko…" she said.

I then remembered what I said and blushed, scratching my head a bit, "You heard that?" I asked nervously.

Amaterasu nodded, "I was…well, surprised that you cared for me, and I bet you were angry at Byakko for nearly killing me," Amaterasu said.

I sighed, she knew my every thought and action, but then she surprised me by hugging me, "Thank you Ishimaru," she said. I was surprised by this, but I returned the hug nonetheless.

"Um…Ishimaru?" Amaterasu asked.

I looked at her and noticed her face was turning a little red, "I…I was always worried about you ever since the day we met, that you wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of fighting, but, after seeing you fight and how you've been protecting me, along with the others, and how you kept fighting, it showed me that you don't fight for yourself, but for those who care about you," Amaterasu explained.

I blushed lightly from this and felt Amaterasu's hand on mine, realizing I had my hand on hers the whole time.

"Not only that…but I also…I also began to…well…" Amaterasu's face was becoming a little more red that usual.

'Wait a minute…is she trying to say that she--' I thought.

"I also began…to develop feelings for you, Ishimaru," Amaterasu said.

Those words caused my mind to go blank, Amaterasu…having feelings for me? It was unreal…but, thinking back to everything that's happened to us, I suddenly came to the realization:

…I had fallen in love with her…

…I knew it was strange, but that was the only possible explanation for why we were both feeling this way to each other.

"Ammy…all this time I've become accustomed to Nippon, at first I was hoping we could end this fast, but after Suzaku I realized I had to get stronger…to protect you, and no matter how much I tried I couldn't be able to save myself…and with what happened with Byakko…" I choked as tears fell from my face.

"I couldn't bear the sight of losing you…not like my brother…I kept telling myself to try and get stronger…but even if I use my all, I can never be strong to protect you…I'm just useless…" I whimpered softly as the tears flowed. I told myself never to cry, but right now I was confessing everything I felt up to now to Amaterasu.

Amaterasu's POV

I was shocked by what Ishimaru was saying, I never knew. All this time he's been trying to protect me, and here I was putting myself in danger. What happened with Byakko must've been so hard on his heart, now I was starting to feel guilty for it. I leaned towards him and hugged him, letting him cry on my shoulder.

"It's okay Ishimaru," I told him softly.

Ishimaru's POV

I cried, I cried like I never cried before. I was thankful Amaterasu was hugging me, I was thankful she was here with me.

"You're not useless to me Ishimaru," Amaterasu said softly in my ear.

I stopped crying and looked at her, "Really?" I asked with a sniff.

"Yes, true you were a little of a hassle at first, but after a while I kinda began to grow on you…to be honest, you're just like Saruta, in more ways than one. You personality, looks, and even your wolf form is so much like him that at first I tried not to be a burden since it brought back memories…but…after what you said at Himiko's grave…I…I realized that…that you're more important that he was…" Amaterasu said and placed a hand on my cheek.

"Ishimaru…I…I've always cared about you since the day we met, and I knew you cared about me, you're probably one of the few people whom I've cared for…but…after everything you said and did I realized that you really care about me…Ishimaru…I…" Amaterasu's face was becoming red and I knew what she was trying to tell me.

"There's no need for words…if you want to tell me, tell me," I said.

I got my answer a second later; it was somewhat expected, but still.

Amaterasu had wrapped her arms around me and then kissed me on the lips…it…it was amazing. My mind was blank while this was happening; almost most of my senses were out of it. The only senses that worked were touch, taste…and…well I guess that was it. Al I could feel was Amaterasu's lips on my own, the taste…well, it tasted kinda a bit like peaches. Really good peaches…

When we broke away Amaterasu rested her head on my chest and I held her in my arms.

"Wow…you really are a good kisser…" she said.

"Really? I never knew I was until now," I smirked.

I looked up slightly and froze, "Um, Ammy, don't look now, but I think we've been spotted," I said.

Amaterasu looked and from the door she saw Waka, Ohoyama, and Kodak with shocked looks. Waka and Ohoyama had their jaws dropped to the ground, Kodak had his eyes raised with surprise, and Issun and Shinji were out cold on the floor while Uzume just giggled cutely.

"Uh…how long?" I asked.

"The whole time," Ohoyama replied.

"And Shinji and Issun?" I asked again.

"They went K.O after you two kissed," Kodak replied.

Right on cue the two woke up, "Damn that was hot!" Shinji stated as he sat up.

"Man, I've seen a lot of things but this takes the cake, way to go reeling him in fur ball!" Issun said.

I looked at Amaterasu, who nodded and grinned, then looked at Issun.

"Um…why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.

I pulled out a small brush from my pocket (which was my Fortune Brush by the way) and drew a line from the ground up. Instantly a small pillar appeared and Issun was sent flying out of the room.

"Nice," Shinji grinned.

"Come on, let's let these two have some alone time," Waka said and the others left.

I grinned as they left and turned to Amaterasu, who looked at me from her position; we leaned towards each other and kissed again. She then put her wolf mask on and I did the same, soon she was nuzzling her head underneath my muzzle and licked my cheek…a lot.

"Okay down girl, now I know how Issun feels," I grinned.

Amaterasu yipped and nuzzled her face against mine, and then she lay down on the floor and I rested my head next to hers, our noses both touching each other.

"Aishiteru, Ishimaru," Amaterasu said.

"Aishiteru, Amaterasu," I replied.

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Now for some music, i think this song i found would best fit Deathscthye's theme. It's called "Declaration of a god" from Naruto Shippuden, but it's also called "Pain's Theme" from what i'm told. anyway, enjoy!

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*Meanwhile, Deathscythe was watching the entire thing with Amaterasu and Ishimaru from his throne.

Rashamaru let out a whistle, "Looks like the kid's finally admitted his feelings for her," he said.

"It appears that he's beginning to remember…" the brown cloaked man said.

Deathscythe plopped his foot on the ground and started to get up.

"I think it's time…we finally dropped this charade gentleman…" he replied.

Rashamaru was surprised, as was the brown cloaked man, as Deathscythe stepped towards the pool and pulled off a mask on his face.

"No way…you're…" the cloaked man said.

"So…it was you after all…" Rashamaru said as Deathscythe put the mask back on. Outside, the rain was pouring and thunder and lightning were the only things that could be heard. A bolt of lightning flashed, revealing a black wolf mask with blue markings on it on a face with black hair.

"It's finally time…time I met my brother after so long…" Deathscythe said.

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Yeah, you thought i was going to reveal Deathscythe's face didn't you? Don't worry, he'll be revealed soon, anyway, now that Ishimaru and AMaterasu have confessed their love for each other, dEathscythe decides to drop their "Charade". But what could the charade be? Stay tuned to find out. Oh and R&R plz!