DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN TMM SO PLEASE DON'T SUE!

Recap Chapter 7: "I'm not going to fight you," said Kish plainly, standing up straight. "You are a fool if you don't! Now fight me, in a duel over Hotaru.."

Chapter 8: Do you love me now?

Nanashi roared, and ran in, cutting and slicing, and even going through rapid assaults of stabbing motions straight at Kish. Kish jumped back, and Nanashi halted for a breather. Kish stumbled as he landed, multiple cuts upon him.

"You're a fool Kish," he roared, heading straight for him. "FIGHT ME!" He swung at Kish's head, but he ducked, Nanashi kicked him in the gut and Kish wheeled back. "FIGHT ME!" He roared. Kish shook his head, while holding his gut. He slowly got up. "You're my friend, I'd never do such a thing to you! And besides, I love someone else." Nanashi's expression softened, but he heard Hotaru. "What? You love someone else? That can't be! You said you'd love me forever!"

Nanashi roared and attacked Kish once more.

(A/n: Eye roller aye?)

Ichigo looked to Hotaru who stood half giggling, half serious. "What did you do that for?? Kish could get killed!" all she heard was Hotaru sigh and mumble. "He loves someone else.. He never really liked me.. But now I think.. I know who I really love.."

"You lying LECH! I ought to cut off your tongue and throw you into hell!"

(A/n: I got part of that line from Love Hina, WHICH I DON'T OWN!)

Ichigo didn't know how much longer Kish was going to hold up. He was refusing to attack his friend, and was looking quite beat up and exhausted. He already had two large cuts along his torso, and he looked in danger of suffering infections and blood loss.

Ichigo couldn't stand staying back. Ichigo couldn't just stand there and watch him die because a friend believed that little imp (Hotaru) and then believed Kish broke his trust and friendship. She ran in, just as Nanashi was to strike and Ichigo stood before Kish arms outstretched. "NO! STOP! NO MORE!"

Nanashi stopped his movement; a psychotic look graced his delicate features. "Get out of the way girl, a liar and deceiver as well as a friendship destroyer does not deserve mercy or friends! A stealer of ones love deserves to die!" shouted Nanashi shaking with rage. Tears filled in Ichigo's eyes.

"How can you do this? You may have felt humiliated of this and angry that he broke your trust, but couldn't you try and see both sides of the story first? Try to forgive and work things out? Besides! I LOVE HIM!" Kish stared at Ichigo in shock, and Hotaru rushed to Nanashi. "You can stop now," she said in a quiet voice. She looked up at him and smiled. "I can't believe you can be so serious! I was kidding around with you." Nanashi moved away from Hotaru disgusted.

She looked down ashamed. And shifted her feet. "You know, I realise something today, that I was too stupid to realise years ago. I had always loved Kish, but deep down inside I knew I could never be with him, that we could never be.. And there was someone else. He was a shy little boy, who got adopted and soon lived in our town. He was really sweet and really quiet. And I was too stubborn to admit it, but I really loved him.. And do you know who that person was?" she asked quietly.

"Who?" asked Nanashi curiously. Hotaru made her way cautiously to him, and placed a hand on his smooth cheek. "You," Nanashi smiled, and they slowly moved in for a kiss. Ichigo stood blinking, unsure of what to make of the suddenly turned around situation. Ichigo made her way to a now fallen Kish, and picked him up, leaning his head against her chest.

Tears began to streak her face. "Kish." She found herself slowly bringing her face in, until her lips reached his. For someone who had just fought and seemed dying, his lips were warm. She found that he began to kiss her back. and she was.... Enjoying it??! They broke for air, and went back, this time Kish placed his hand on her butt

(A/N: I needed him to do something perverted! --'' though his grabbing her butt, reminds me of Miroku from Inuyasha. lol WHICH BLEONGS TO RUMIKO TAKAHASHI!)

He squeezed, and she placed her hand over it, reinforcing the hold to be tighter. They stopped again for air, and Ichigo saw that Kish hadn't a scratch on him. (A/N: Nanashi cured him)

He gave his usual playful smile. "That was nice, do you want to do it again?" he reinforced his question with a squeeze. Embarrassed, Ichigo bonked him on the head and pushed him down, standing up to dust herself. A large blush spread across her face. "Stupid lecherous jerk!" she whispered furiously to herself.

Kish chuckled as he rose. Nanashi ventured towards Kish. "I'm sorry... I guess, I should be more forgiving. If I knew you well, I would have known that you were a good person, who is trusting. And you also managed to get my love and me together. Would you take a stupid man's apology and thanks?" he held out his hand for Kish. Kish accepted and Nanashi pulled him up. "Sure, but only on account of three things?"

"What?"

"We never have a fight like this, we stay friends and you lead us to the crystal Life." Stated Kish smiling. Nanashi chuckled. "Sure, anything." He quietly led the two through the slowly brightening area. In the middle was a glass looking mini vase that held little drops of what looked like water... Though the magic was visible, as sparkles danced within, singing songs of purity.

"There it is, The Crystal Life!" exclaimed Hotaru.

"Thanks," said Kish. He walked over to a mystified Ichigo, and placed a hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him. "There it is, it's all yours."

Ichigo hesitated, 'What if they would need the antidote more? What if something came up and one of them died or something? I feel so selfish! But. Don't I have to save Masaya? Because.. He's the one I love... The one Iove?'

Ichigo nodded then turned to Kish and hugged him, and as quickly as she came to him, she went. "Goodbye, thank you all." She turned around and leaped towards the mini vase. As soon as Ichigo touched it, Light filled her being and the whole room. And soon she was gone. Kish touched his lips where Ichigo had tenderly kissed him, and he wondered. 'So, do you love me now?'....

YEAH! ICHIGO KISSED KISH, ICHIGO KISSED KISH!!! does little happy dance But I hate the fact that she's still thinking of Masaya :( But... maybe her thoughts upon Masaya will change...hhmmm.. read on to find out!!