Ichigo's eyes seemed to have finally open. She could finally see everything clearly. Slowly, a plan started to form in her head. As odd as it may sound, Kisshu seemed to actually like her. It was weird and it didn't make sense, but at the same time, it did. For some strange reason, Kisshu had been looking after her and had gone against his other alien friends to protect her. She needed to find out the reason why but based on his remarks and his actions for the past few days, it looked to her as if he wanted to protect her. She couldn't think of any reason why he would do that unless he liked her. Of course, Ichigo couldn't believe for a second that he had feelings for her or that his feelings were purely innocent. It was most likely that what he felt for her was lust or some sort of obsession. She was probably nothing more than an object to him and he could easily hurt her. It had to be the only explanation but Ichigo was still confused as to why he would go against everyone for her.

But if she was right and for whatever reason, if he was willing to take her side. She could exploit that. If she could show him that she cared for him too or at least pretend like she did, that could be the key to escape. She could finally set herself free. The only problem was if she had the strength in her to do so. She could never take advantage of someone's feelings like that and it felt wrong in so many ways. But he had kidnapped her and hurt her. The way he looked at her showered nothing but hatred. She could not forget what they did to her friends and to her parents. The amount of distress she went through. All she had to do was get him to their side. Once she manages to escape, she wouldn't have to pretend anymore. The battle in her mind was ongoing and she needed to clear her doubts and make a decision quickly. She would never get anywhere if she keeps doubting herself.

'I have to do this,' she told herself, 'They hurt me. They deserve this.'

It was those words in her head that won the battle and it was decided. She was going to do it. She had to.

"I don't understand you at all," Ichigo told him, looking at him in the eyes. She had to make herself vulnerable if she wanted to make him open up. She needed to know him better and get him to spill more information. But of course, she can't go overboard. Her sudden change in character will make suspicious if anything and it would destroy her plan entirely. But there was no time to think about that.

Kisshu doesn't visit her often which means that every time he visits her, it's precious and she needs to do anything she can to carry out her plan. Which for the record, was much easier said than done.

Kisshu didn't answer her. He had been bringing her food for the past few days and hadn't uttered a single word. It was hard to tell what he was thinking and his silence was driving Ichigo crazy.

"Please talk to me," Ichigo begged, "Please!"

Kisshu looked at her with a smile.

Ichigo felt like she was going mad. Or maybe she has turned deaf. Everything was too quiet and she desperately needed to hear someone's voice rather than her own. She was willing to do anything at that point. She would even kiss him if that's what it took to get him out of here.

"You tell me that you would get me out of here but you never don't," she said angrily, "You just take advantage of me! Am I some sort of toy?!"

Ichigo paused for a moment before continuing. She couldn't afford to make him angry or he might just leave. She needed to find a balance but it felt as if she was walking on a thin thread.

"What was with that kiss last time?" Ichigo sighed, "What's next? Will I have to sleep with you? What do I have to do to make you listen to me?"

"I AM LISTENING TO YOU," Kisshu's voice was loud and clear. But he didn't shout. Ichigo had almost forgotten the sound of his voice.

Ichigo got up to her knees and pulled him into a hug.

"You...You said you were lonely," she said quietly this time, "If you're lonely, you can stay with me."

Ichigo buried head in his neck, he smelled different. But his hair had the same soft texture and his skin was-

No.

She had to stop thinking like that. She needed to stay calm and think as clearly as she could. Ichigo slowly moved her had only touched his ear with her lips. It wasn't even for a second. But that reaction seemed to have had a large effect on Kisshu who squeezed her shoulder and pushed her onto the bed. His eyes met hers and Ichigo was suddenly pulled back into reality. Was she drunk? What was she thinking?

"What the hell are you doing?" he whispered.

Ichigo didn't say anything.

"What is wrong with you?"

Ichigo laughed, "What is wrong with me? You tell me."

Kisshu's piercing eyes didn't even blink. He stared at her, but even as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't tell what he was thinking. Last time, he showed so much emotion and she just knew what was in his mind. Like some door in him had opened and now there is nothing. It was just emptiness.

"I'm lonely," Ichigo just replied, "I've been isolated from everyone and you're the only person close to a friend I have in my life right now and it's torture being here like this, having nothing to do with no explanation and-"

She cut herself off, scared she might not be able to stop talking. The list was enormous. Did she really have to explain to him why she was upset.? Did he really not understand? Maybe it was because he wasn't human. Or maybe it was because he just didn't have the capability in him to understand.

"What do you want me to do? If I let you out, they're going to kill you."

"I've been stuck here for ages damn it! I don't care if they kill me!"

"How long do you think it's been?" Kisshu questioned her.

Ichigo stopped to think for a second. How long has she been there? Maybe three weeks, a month? Maybe even more. Days just keep passing by.

"You've been here for two days," Kisshu replied.

"What?"

"It hasn't even been two full days. The last time I talked to you was yesterday morning."

Ichigo laughed in her head. No. Absolutely not.

"Yes you have," Kisshu told her, immediately aware of what she was thinking.

"The fact that it only took you two days to become like this I mean..." Kisshu smirked, "I won't stop you."

Ichigo stared at him in disbelief. Yes maybe she did exaggerate it in her mind, but it wouldn't kill anyone to just put a damn clock in the room. All she could think about was how to escape. The thoughts were running wild in her head. It was torture. Even though he hasn't done anything so far to hurt her.

"I can't deal with staying here on my own, not having a clue what's going on. I feel useless."

"So you're bored, is that the issue here?" Kisshu moved his face closer to hers, their foreheads touched, "if you're bored or lonely, there's a lot of things we can do to pass the time."

"I could make you mine," he whispered in her ear.

Ichigo gulped. He was so close to her she could barely think straight. Moments passed by as she tried to think of what to say but she didn't know how to put it into words.

"What do you say?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Will you do it if I told you?"

"Will you let me go if I do it?"

Kisshu groaned and stood up, "That's all you think about isn't it?"

She made him angry. Clearly. She was pushing too hard. Ichigo mentally kicked herself for not realising how delicate the situation was. One word could change everything and she said one word too much.

"Can't you see I'm trying to protect you?! I did so many things for you, I saved your life!" he shouted, "But you don't see, you just..."

"No...No I do know, I get it," there was a hint of desperation in her voice, "I do. Just tell me what to do. I will do whatever you tell me to."

Ichigo held his hand and put her head on her shoulder. She couldn't meet his eyes. She didn't mean anything she said.

"You don't mean it."

This time, she pulled away from him, with tears in her eyes. She wasn't upset, she was frustrated.

"I want you to stay by my side," he finally said.

Ichigo's eyes shot up.

"I want you to be with me."

That was it? There has to be something more to it.

Ichigo pulled him back into a hug. She needed to do something to show him she meant it. He already suspects that she's lying.

"But you never stay with me," Ichigo said, "I barely ever see you."

Kisshu smiled.

"I'll come back tomorrow and explain everything to you."

"No! I don't want to be alone again," Ichigo begged.

Kisshu tried reassuring her but it was of no use.

"Ichigo."

At that, she became quiet, he hasn't called her by her name for a while. She hasn't heard anyone call her by her name in what feels like an eternity. It was strange and funny at the same time, her own name sounded foreign to her. She fears she might have even forgotten it.

"I promise I will be back."

"Promise?"

Kisshu nodded and gave her a kiss on her forehead before he teleported out of the room. Ichigo sighed in relief. There was something in her that told her that she was going to get answers tomorrow. There was something about him today that reassured her. That he won't go back on his word. And with that, she started laughing at the absurdity of the situation, her laughter echoing across the room.