Hey guys, sorry I couldn't update sooner but here's a chapter! So enjoy!

Chapter 56

"Hey, it's done, Aiko, Komatsu."Toriko said

"Itadakimasu!" Aiko said taking the meat off the grill immediately taking a bite. "Yum, it's so good!"

"I've never had food like this before its so delicious!"Komatsu said "Thank you Toriko-San!"

"Thank you Toriko-kun for taking me and Komatsu to eat with you in the upper levels of the restaurant."Aiko said smiling brightly at him.

Toriko held the tongs and glanced at Aiko, he felt happy that he could make Aiko smile and that she was enjoying it.

"It's true that first timers get refused to enter the restaurants that are above two hundred floors."Toriko said "there's some member only shops that you can get into by airships. I'll show you some of them someday."

"Really?"Komatsu said

"Yeah! It's a date!"Aiko exclaimed

'Date?!'Toriko thought he felt his cheeks slightly warm at the thought of taking Aiko out in a date, sure there were times that they went out together casually only as friends but he knows that he can't be stuck at the friend zone for long. He glanced at Aiko happily eating the food.

"But this place is a seven star restaurant." Komatsu said "Being able to eat top class cowpigcken is delightful."

"Yeah don't forget that we're in a private room that's really high up..."Aiko said looking at the private room that you could see the entire city and the night sky. 'A tad bit high for my taste...but the food is so worth it.' She thought

The waitress opened the door and served them the best cuts of meat for them to cook in the grill.

"It's so much is it okay?"Komatsu asked

"It's a thanks for my old mans present you prepared."Toriko said as he ate some meat.

"Your dad?"Komatsu said

"Well, I say old man I mean the IGO president."Toriko said

"So the wine was for someone that important?"Komatsu said "I'm glad he enjoyed it."

"Though he can't hold his liquor, he couldn't even finish one cup."Toriko said

"Yeah I'm like that too, I really can't hold my liquor so well."Aiko said "Come to think of it I don't remember what I did or said when I got drunk. Toriko-kun tell me did I do something that made you feel uncomfortable that day?"

"Huh?"Toriko said he thought back when Aiko called him her blue haired teddy bear,when she was close to him running her hand through his hair and he blushed. "N-No you just passed out."

"Okay, I would just feel so embarrassed if I said something or did something to you."Aiko said "It's like my mom said when someone gets drunk they tell the truth or just act plain foolish."

'So he brought it for someone that can't drink and let Ai-chan have some too...'Komatsu thought he let out a sigh.

"You're full already?"Toriko said "This place got something even for famous on the menu then the meat."

"What is it?"Komatsu said

"Vegetables."Toriko said

A few minutes later the waitress came back with a variety of vibrant colored vegetables that left Komatsu in awe. Komatsu tried all kinds of vegetables with the meat that could leave you speechless by it.

"Yum, baconleaf taste better grilled!"Aiko said holding the baconleaf in between her chopsticks. "Here Toriko-kun, try it."

Toriko opened his mouth letting Aiko feed him, he stopped chewing for a moment realizing that Aiko just fed him as if they were a couple and slightly blushed.

"Let's grill some onions.."Komatsu said placing the onions on the grill.

"Some squash would be great!"Toriko said adding the squash.

"How about some corn?"Aiko said adding it in the grill.

"And some matsutake mushroom!"Komatsu said

After a while the trio grilled up all of the vegetables and ate them all savoring the taste of each vegetable.

"Ah I'm full I never thought I'd get full from vegetables at this place."Komatsu said

"Vegetables are astounding, aren't they?"Toriko said

"Yeah they are, when I was little my mom and I explored together experiencing all of the vegetables that we encountered in our travels."Aiko said

"As a chef I need to explore the more taste of vegetables."Komatsu said

"How about the king of vegetables?"Toriko said taking a glass and drinking it.

"King of vegetables?"Komatsu said

"Yeah. The truth is, I accepted a request from my old man."Toriko said "Aiko is coming with me to track it down after we're done here."

"Where is it?"Komatsu asked

"Some tens of thousands meter above ground level." Toriko said "In a place above the clouds, a vegetable garden in the ether and its name Vegetable Sky."

"Lots of vegetables grow there, different sizes and shapes even some you haven't seen before its a vegetable heaven."Aiko said

"According to the old man, only a handful of people have ever reached it there."Toriko said "But anyone that goes there comes back a vegetable lover."

"Fresh and delicious vegetables..."Komatsu said

"Just the thought of it gets me excited."Aiko said

"And the finest of them all is the king of vegetables."Toriko said as he poured more alcohol in his glass to drink. "The Ozone herb, one bite of it is said to taste better than any vegetable picked on the ground. It's said to have a lush juiciness and fresh taste that make it seem like a blessing from heaven. Truly a pinnacle of vegetables."

"Hmm now that you say it, I don't think I've seen any shop that sells it."Aiko said

"You can't find it on the gourmet towers either."Toriko said

"It's the first time I'm hearing it too...I can't believe there's a vegetable they amazing."Komatsu said

"Wanna taste it?"Toriko said "The moment the vegetable becomes a main course?"

"I wanna taste it! The Ozone herb!"Komatsu exclaimed his eyes glittered with excitement.

"Okay! We head out tomorrow."Toriko said

"Okay, Toriko-San!"Komatsu said

"Awesome!"Aiko said

The next day Aiko,Komatsu and Toriko were being sent in a private jet, that the IGO provided for them.

"So you weren't lying when you got a request directly sent by the president."Komatsu said he was dressed in a orange jumpsuit. "I'm awestruck..."

"What? You didn't believe me?"Toriko said as he drank a full bottle of alcohol, he wore a white jumpsuit with a few intricate black designs.

"Hehe."Aiko said she wore a light purple jumpsuit with a few white intricate designs on it, her hair was loose with a few hair clips on it clipped to the left side of her head.

The jet made a few harsh movements.

"Kya!" Aiko said she jump and hold onto Toriko making him blush at the close contact, he felt her hands trying to wrap around him the plane still made a few turbulences. Toriko placed his hand on top of her head and ruffled her hair.

'Aiko...'Toriko thought he then thought back of his visit with the president.

Flashback

"Toriko, I've noticed that girl that you've brought here." Ichiryu said

"So? She's just a friend."Toriko said

"Play dumb all you want, I can tell just by looking at you and how you look at her." Ichiryu said

Toriko didn't say anything he just looked at Ichiryu, he didn't know that Ichiryu would notice how he acted around Aiko, he then started thinking if other people noticed too.

"There's something special about her that just catches your eye, right? I wouldn't be surprised if that problem child would like her too or anyone else for that matter. " Ichiryu said "Don't be afraid to tell her how you feel if you don't then someone else will and you'll lose your only chance..." Ichiryu looked up at the sky feeling a bit of nostalgia and a bit of sadness in his eyes. " Like me..."

"Old man."Toriko said

"I'll be looking forward for the Ozone Herb!"Ichiryu said

End of flashback

Toriko glanced down at Aiko she let go of him a few minutes ago and was looking out the window with Komatsu.

"Aiko..."Toriko whispered softly

"Huh? What is it Toriko-Kun?"Aiko said turning her head looking at him.

Toriko looked at her, his brown eyes gazed softly at her and just gave her a warm smile.

"Nothing."Toriko said "Here try some of this." He handed her some snacks.

'That look again, he always have that look towards Ai-chan.'Komatsu thought 'I wonder if there's a way that I can help him with Ai-Chan? Ah wait! Ai-chan's birthday is coming up soon! I wonder does Toriko-San know?'

All of a sudden the plane started to move rapidly than before.

"What the hell was that?!"Komatsu said

"I don't know!"Aiko exclaimed

Komatsu,Toriko and Aiko looked out the window to see a sea lion bird attacking the plane.

"Don't worry! we should be able to halt the sea lion bird with a capturing net."Toriko said

The plane launched the capturing net immobilizing the creature.

"Now shake it off!"Toriko yelled out. At that moment they successfully got away from the Sea lion bird.

After a few minutes it was peaceful and so far the plane was going smoothly.

"Toriko-Kun. "Aiko said getting his attention. "You looked like you had something on your mind before, what was it?"

Toriko looked at her, he wanted to tell her how he felt but everytime he would tell Aiko something always pops up and he never had the chance. So he just doesn't know how to tell her or if she feels the same. In the end he thought that this wasn't the time.

"No, it's nothing."Toriko said "Don't worry about it, Aiko." He ruffled her hair.

Aiko stopped him and grabbed his hand.

"I am worried about it. Please tell me Toriko-Kun..."Aiko said squeezing his hand.

"Tell us Toriko-San. Please."Komatsu said

"I was just thinking about all the journeys we'll be taking from now on. I'll do everything I can to protect both of you." Toriko said

"Eh?"Aiko said

"Is that what you really wanted to say?"Komatsu asked "Cause it looked like you wanted to say something else instead."

"What's the big deal? Fine, I'm not saving you anymore."Toriko said

"Find, then Ai-chan can save me."Komatsu said

"Only if the creature doesn't eat you first."Aiko said "If that happens I can't save you. Besides you know that Toriko-Kun would protect us, right Toriko-Kun?"

Toriko lightly squeezed Aiko's hand and smiled at her.

"I'll do anything to protect you..."Toriko said he noticed something by the window. "Look we're almost there."

Aiko and Komatsu looked out the window and couldn't believe what they were seeing it looked like a giant vine floating in the sky most of it was covered by the clouds but you could still see the green plant.

"The vine, Skyplant." Toriko said "It's nicknamed the invitation from heaven. The entrance to vegetable sky is tens of thousands of meters up into the sky from here."

"It looks so pretty."Aiko said

The plane landed on top of the giant leaf Toriko,Aiko and Komatsu got out of the plane.

"If we climb from here, we'll get to the Ozone Herb."Toriko said

"So let's climb already!"Aiko said

"Wait on our own?!"Komatsu said

"Yeah."Toriko said

"Ehhhhh?"Komatsu said looking at the giant plant.

After a few minutes Komatsu was huffing as he struggled tiredly to climb. He looked up and saw Aiko and Toriko climbing casually although he saw that Toriko was a bit closer to Aiko

"Please wait! You guys are climbing way too fast!"Komatsu said

"You're too slow!" Toriko said "Just stand up and walk."

"Yeah come on you slowpoke."Aiko said

"I can't the wind is too strong and I'm pretty sure this thing is swaying!"Komatsu said "How come we couldn't get there by plane?"

Then they heard loud screeching noises and saw lots of flying birds circling around.

False rubanda (Rubanda Modoki) (Bird beast) Capture level 2

"The ether is home to a lot of bird creatures."Toriko said

"So that's why you can't get there by plane."Aiko said

"To-Toriko-San...Ai-chan..."Komatsu said carefully crawling away from the giant birds. Then one of the birds landed in front of him and the baby bird flew up to Aiko's shoulder.

"Don't worry those are False Rubanda."Aiko said

"They look terrifying up but up close they're docile."Toriko said

"Way too scary..."Komatsu said

"But when they're baby birds like this one they're cute."Aiko said petting the baby bird as it flew away back to it's mom.

After a few hours of climbing the trio decided to rest so they sat at the top of the giant leaf that supported their weight.

"We sure have climbed a long way."Toriko said

"It's actually nice and cool up here."Komatsu said

"Yeah it is, it's refreshing."Aiko said

"The temperature on the ground was about 30 degrees but here the wind chill is 23 degrees." Toriko said "We're at an elevation of a thousand meters. It's about the sane height as the restaurant that we were in yesterday."

"Okay boys eat up, I made plenty."Aiko said "I made sure to add in a lot of different fillings in these rice balls." She set the the bento full of rice balls.

"All right!" Toriko exclaimed he took a few and started eating.

"Make sure that you eat up, the temperature will drop and it'll sap your stamina."Aiko said

'It looks like another grueling journey...'Komatsu thought eating the rice ball.

After they rest up they continued to climb up after a few hours the sun was starting to set and the small group continued to climb. Komatsu struggled to catch up with Toriko and Aiko. Once he reached to grab a vine he slipped at that moment Aiko grabbed him.

"I got you!"Aiko said

"Thanks Ai-chan..."Komatsu said letting out a sigh of relief.

"You gotta be more careful Komatsu." Aiko said as she grabbed a vine to help her climb up but it suddenly snapped. "Kya!"

"Aiko!"Toriko shouted he immediately reached out and grabbed her with one hand and pulled her up wrapping his arm around her tightly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm find Thank you, Toriko-Kun..."Aiko whispered

Toriko lightly smiled at her and he started to feel his cheeks a bit warm realizing that they're a bit too close. He quickly looked away.

'Is something wrong with Toriko-Kun?'Aiko thought

"Ai-chan! Toriko-San! A giant bird popped up!"Komatsu exclaimed

The two looked up to see a giant yellow lizard like bird.

Gegon (Bird beast ) Captured level 11

"A Gegon bird? "Aiko said

"Perfect this guy will be our dinner."Toriko said he let go of Aiko.

After that it was nightfall and the giant bird was being roasted in the fire.

"I give thanks to all the ingredients in this world..,itadakimasu!" Toriko said

"Itadakimasu."Aiko and Komatsu said

They started to eat the bird. After that the next day was vigorous climbing and walking still miles away from their goal. They decided to be careful since the more they climb the likely the chance they'll be dehydrated so they took it easy.

"How are you feeling Komatsu? Aiko?"Toriko asked

"It's nothing compared to Ice hell."Komatsu said holding what looked like a small portable oxygen mask." I even brought my lighter suit with me."

"I'm fine too." Aiko said

"That's good here have some chocolate."Toriko said giving a bar to Komatsu. "With thinner oxygen your digestive system will slow down too."

"So it's best to eat something that will give you the most energy in the smallest amount so chocolate is one of the options for this." Aiko said

"Yeah, here you better have some too Aiko."Toriko said handing her a chocolate bar.

"Thanks Toriko-Kun."Aiko said smiling at him and broke a piece off. "Have some too."

Toriko lightly smiled at Aiko. He knows that Aiko is always concerned for others then herself maybe that's one of the reasons that he just fell in love with her, he took the chocolate that Aiko held out for him.

"We still have a long way to go."Toriko said

"Right!"Aiko and Komatsu said

About two days passed they climb and dodged for any creatures attacks and through the weather they continued to climb and one night they rested while looking up in the sky gazing at the stars.

"It sure looks pretty.."Komatsu said "I've never seen so many stars this high up."

"Yeah it is.. I love looking up at the stars."Aiko said

"We're elevated about three thousand meters so there's nothing obstructing the view." Toriko said looking up at the sky.

"It's like the night sky is welcoming us."Komatsu said he then held his head. "It hurts..."

"It's altitude sickness."Aiko said touching his head releasing a gentle white glow from her hands.

"Ah...that feels good Ai-chan..."Komatsu said

"Was it a sharp pain?"Toriko asked

"No,not much..."Komatsu said

"Let's take it easy and rest for the day."Toriko said

"Okay." Komatsu said going inside the tent to sleep leaving Aiko and Toriko alone.

After a few minutes Toriko glanced at Aiko she watched the night sky. He realized that he was alone with Aiko and that there's no one around to interrupt them. 'What should I do? Should I just tell her? Wait what if she just rejects me like when she did with sani...gah I don't know what to do here!' He thought

"Toriko-Kun..."Aiko spoke snapping Toriko out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?"Toriko said

"Thank you for inviting me to go with you."Aiko said "I never thought I'd be here looking at the pretty stars at night. "

'What should I say?! Come on say something!'Toriko thought

"I really like looking at the stars, it's better to see it with someone."Aiko said yawning a bit.

"I...Aiko..."Toriko said

"Hm? What is it Toriko-Kun?" Aiko said she rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"It's...I..."Toriko said he looked away and got up looking at the sky. 'Damn it! Why am I freezing up like this! Just say it already! But what if she rejects me...'Toriko thought After about few minutes Toriko took a deep breath he felt his heart beating very fast.

"Aiko, I realized from all of our travels and spending time together that...I...I'm in love with you." Toriko said he waited a minute. He didn't hear anything, he didn't hear a sound from Aiko or anything at all he got worried and he turn to see Aiko asleep on the ground apparently Toriko took too long to say anything and Aiko fell asleep. He let out a depressive sigh.

'She fell asleep I guess she was more tired than I thought...I took too long to confess that she fell asleep.'Toriko thought he sat down and took out a blanket covering Aiko, he looked at her sleeping form. 'Just when will you know how I feel about you? Why is it so hard?'

The next day

"Are you sure about this Toriko-San?" Komatsu asked as Toriko had Komatsu on his back and tied a fabric around themselves.

"Leave the rest of the way to the two of us Komatsu."Aiko said

"She's right it's training time."Toriko said

"Training time?"Komatsu repeated

"You should rest as much as you can, the level of the beast around here aren't that high."Toriko said

"He's right so just leave it to us."Aiko said

"Toriko-San! Ai-chan! Look!"Komatsu said in a panic

They looked to see a air gorilla.

"So they are some strong beast around here."Toriko said

Then they saw the vine split and ate the gorilla. More wicked beanstalk kept eating more pacts of air gorillas. One of the wicked beanstalk went to attack the group in which they dodged it. The wicked beanstalk still went at them until Toriko used his flying fork to finish the beanstalk.

At that moment the Air gorilla attacked them in which they dodged it and multiple wicked beanstalk went at the small group.

"Leg knife!"Toriko exclaimed slicing the vines off as they ran off.

"We gotta get out of here and fast!"Aiko exclaimed

The felt the vine that they were standing moving and saw teeth forming in, Toriko and Aiko reacted by quickly moving to a different area but a few vines grabbed onto Aiko's and Toriko's feet throwing the off the ground into the air.

"Knife!"Toriko exclaimed chopping off the vine.

A second later Toriko realized that they were in the air and he cursed himself.

"Kya!"Aiko shouted

"Toriko-san!"Komatsu panicked although he was holding onto Toriko.

"Aiko!"Toriko exclaimed he pressed a button of his suit. "I've got a special giant flying squirrel suit!"

"Ai-chan!"Komatsu exclaimed he saw that Aiko also had the same feature in her suit.

"Heh I kinda forgot I had that in my suit too..."Aiko said

"Look there's something flying towards us!"Komatsu exclaimed

"Those are drill birds."Aiko said looking at the purple birds rapidly spinning at the small group.

Toriko and Aiko dodged them but a few tore threw the suits designs. Toriko manage to keep them away from attacking them using his flying fork and the group comically manage to grab onto the leaf before falling.

"We manage to safely get here."Aiko said

Suddenly a blast of cold air can be felt all around the small area and. Giant shadow covered the area as well. Soon it looked like storm clouds thundering.

"Aiko,Komatsu to get up it looks like we have to get past that thing" Toriko said looking up.

"What is it?"Komatsu said

"It looks like a monster cloud."Aiko said

"It looks like good training, you really are unforgiving old man."Toriko said "That's the sky's no entry zone."

'A storm cloud...it looks a bit scary...'Aiko thought 'But we gotta get past it!'

There you have it guys! Please leave a review and tell me what you think! If you have any suggestions or if you wanna see anything specific in my story feel free to PM me!