AN: I know, It's been forever since I've updated. I just got a job, got into a band, so things have been rough. But now I'm back! Alright, I've decided to make everyone happy in this chapter. I've been getting some serious requests for Kisshu and Ichigo fluff, Masaya and Ichigo Fluff, and Ryou and Ichigo Fluff. So, I'll make almost everyone happy in this chapter; and a few more in the next. And I bet you can find out what happens by the title! R Enjoy!
Chapter Six: The Return Of The Emerald Prince"Nakagawa-san!" Ichigo yelled after her, "Wait a second!"
"There's no time!" Akiyo said, "Masaya-onii-kun could disappear any second! Let's go!"
Ichigo turned to look at Keiichiro, who nodded in approval. She smiled at him and ran after Akiyo, who had already ran out of the café doors. Her feet began to hurt after her harsh running, her heel beating against the ground carelessly; even with her shoes on. Akiyo was still far ahead, but not far enough to where she couldn't see her. She kept running blindly, following the young girl.
"Akiyo-san!" Ichigo called after her, as Akiyo stopped; her face confused, "What's wrong?"
Akiyo's eyes searched around the night sky; looking for a place to go, "Where is the entrance to the park?" she asked her.
"There!" Ichigo called, pointing to the wooden bridge that connected to the orchid of Sakura trees.
Akiyo nodded, and ran towards the bridge at full speed; Ichigo close behind.
Sooner or later, they finally reached it.
The Sakura trees were lit up by moonlight, they're pale pink and white petals turning silver with the silhouette of the orbiting white planet. The wind blew silently and brushed Ichigo's hair against her cheek, as both of their eyes searched for a sign of life from Masaya. So far, there was nothing; but they didn't give up hope. He was there; both of them could feel it.
"Ichigo-chan…" Akiyo said to her, "Do you see him? Masaya-onii-kun?"
Ichigo turned to Akiyo sadly, and watched her long golden hair flutter in the wind, "No."- She shook her head- "Nothing."
Akiyo put her head down and stepped to the familiar spot; where she and Aoyama were before all of it happened. Where they stood, looking at the sunset. Her hands slowly covered her eyes, and a teardrop fell from her trembling jaw, onto the ground.
Ichigo watched this, but found that there was nothing she could do. She walked a few steps in front of herself; walking away from Akiyo by a few trees, and leaned against a tree, listening to Akiyo's silent plea.
"Kami-sama… please send Aoyama-onii-san back to me. He's all I have left. Please, don't take him away from me," Akiyo cried, "He's all I have. If he leaves me, I'm damned in this world… Alone. Kami-sama, please… send him back home. Send him safely back into our arms… don't let him die here. Not now… not now…"
Ichigo closed her eyes, fighting back tears. It was hard to listen to Akiyo like that. Her tone was so cold, so wishful… as if she was praying for false hope. She let her head slowly sink down, listening to Akiyo's words. She began to shake her head in fear, hoping that what was happening was simply a dream. A dream… and nothing more. Then, it went silent. Ichigo opened her eyes and looked back to see Akiyo looking near Ichigo, her eyes widen in fear. Confused, Ichigo stepped forward and walked over to Akiyo, who was now blinded by tears.
"What is it, Akiyo?" Ichigo asked her horrendously, "What's wrong?"
Silence.
Ichigo noticed that Akiyo was staring behind her, and so Ichigo kept her eyes on her, and then turned slowly until her back was facing her…
Those eyes. Those deep… golden eyes.
Ichigo turned and saw them staring at her in the darkness, and suddenly the wind blew harder. A footstep was heard. Then another. Another. More. Soon enough, she was staring at him; face-to-face. She scowled, as his hand touched her jaw.
Kisshu.
"Don't touch me," Ichigo said to him with revulsion.
"But, Ichigo," he said to her kindly, his topaz eyes softening, "It's been so long…"
She looked at him, and closed her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her, in a tender embrace.
"I've missed you, Honey." He whispered in her ear, his lips moving against the side of her face tentatively.
She pulled away, and looked at him coldly, "What have you done to Aoyama-kun?" she asked him callously; glaring him daggers.
His face looked shocked, as if he were hurt, "You think that I would hurt, him?" he asked her sadly, "It really has been a while…"
She shook her head, "Tell me, Kisshu-hiten."
He sighed impatiently, floating up into the air as his flew behind his head; "You've gotten persistent, Ichigo."
She closed her eyes in anger, "If I have to ask one more time," she murmured in anger; under her breath.
"Open your eyes!" Kisshu said happily, "He's already here."
Ichigo opened her eyes and looked around; nothing, "I don't… see him…"
Kisshu sighed restoratively and looked at Ichigo, who had just turned to face him. He floated down to where she was; against the tree. He pressed against her lightly; gently. He smiled as he pulled his face closer to hers, and bent his lips back down to her ear.
"Do you trust me?" He whispered.
Ichigo started to blush, "Uhm… How can I? Your… You're my … my… my enemy." She stuttered out.
He smiled secretly; his toothy smile, "Then let me ask you another question," he said to her, getting closer, "Does an enemy normally make you blush?"
She stayed quiet for a while, and then avoided the question by asking one of her own, "What are you trying to say to me?" she asked again, trying her hardest not to stutter.
His hands slowly slipped to her arms and gently pulled her closer to him, as he began taking steps back, "Just follow me."
Ichigo stayed quiet, and closed her eyes, letting him lead her.
Where… is he taking me? And … He… he's so close…
Suddenly, they stopped; but Ichigo stayed silent and was too afraid to open her eyes.
Slowly, Kisshu slipped away from her, but then kissed her eyelids, "Open your eyes."
She did so, and she looked around and saw that she was only a few feet in front of the tree she was leaning against. She cocked her head to the side; confused. "What… was the point of that?"
Kisshu pushed himself off of the ground and floated back into the sky; a few feet ahead. He looked at her lovingly, and yet with pain.
"Look up."
She turned around to the tree was facing, and saw Masaya; laying lifelessly in one of the branches.
"Aoyama-kun!" She screamed, and took a step towards him, but then whirled around; facing Kisshu, "What did you do to him? Why did you do this?"
Kisshu chuckled, "The lucky bastard is still alive; just unconscious."
He flew over to the tree, and lifted Masaya up to his arms; the boy limp and unmoving. Kisshu went over to Ichigo and set him down on the ground, then stood on the ground next to them.
Shakily, Ichigo went to her knees; in tears next to him.
"Aoyama-kun… Your alive…" she whispered to the nothingness, and then traced her nails along side his jaw, "I was so afraid…"
Kisshu rolled his eyes.
"Why is he like this, Kisshu? What did you do to him?" Ichigo asked him angrily, "Why isn't he conscious?"
Kisshu smiled a toothy smile, squatting down next to Masaya, "You're asking the wrong person. Master's orders were clear to return the dark-haired one to him."
"But what does Aoyama-kun have to do with you?" Ichigo asked, "We saved him a year ago…"
Kisshu shook his head, "Your idiot boyfriend has a link to us. His soul is what we want."
"His soul?" Ichigo screamed, "What are you talking about?"
"You'll understand in time, sweetie." He said to her kindly, taking a step towards her, and over Masaya. He stood behind her, and pulled her back to his chest forcefully, "But for now… I have to go."
"Wait." Akiyo called shakily; her voice full on pain and confusion, "Wait for me…"
Kisshu turned around, to face her. His eyes widened for a second, but then softened at the sight of her, "W-who are you?" he asked her.
Akiyo smiled, "You've forgotten." She whispered, and then walked to him, looking him over; her hands touching his ears, "What has happened to you?"
He looked at her angrily, "I don't even know you! Stop speaking in riddles!"
"Stop acting, Kisshu," Akiyo said, looking at him with all seriousness, "You know who I am. It's me… Akiyo."
"Akiyo?" Kisshu said with a raised brow, and turned to Ichigo, "Is she always this damn confusing?" he mumbled to her.
Ichigo shook her head; and Kisshu faced Akiyo again.
"Listen girl, I don't know who you are," Kisshu began to explain, "And I don't know how you know me," He pushed her away from me, "But I'm Ichigo's, and I'm sure she doesn't want you touching her lover."
Ichigo eyes flew open, "WHAT?"
Akiyo resisted the fact that she was being rejected, and stepped forward, "But Kisshu-dono… you couldn't have forgotten me…" she said to herself in reassurance, "Stop acting, please…" Tears began to seep from her eyes, falling down her cheeks, "I still love you…"
Kisshu shook his head, and raised a hand; slapping her harshly against her face.
"Kisshu!" Ichigo yelled in anger, "Why did you do that!"
Kisshu kept his eyes locked onto Akiyo's coldly, "I have a perfect reason to. I cant fall for this fool," he said to Ichigo; but wouldn't leave her glance, "I don't want to hurt you, Ichigo."
"But I don't love you, you know that!" Ichigo yelled after him, "I love Masaya."
Kisshu shook his head, and turned his head to her, "Not for long. You'll be mine soon."
Ichigo looked at him confusedly, her eyes narrowed.
He turned his glance to Akiyo and looked at her kindly for a few seconds, and then turned to Ichigo, "I'm leaving… Master needs me back now, he doesn't feel I should stay any longer…"
"Master?" Ichigo said oddly, "Who is your Master?"
Kisshu shook his head, "I can't tell you," he said; love reflecting in his eyes. His next reply came to him, as he began to float off into the sky:
"You're my enemy."
Akiyo dropped to her knees after he went away; crying as she chanted…
"Why can't you be mine?"
AN: Okay, I have a few things to make clear. The last line was Akiyo talking, and not talking about how she wanted to make Kisshu hers, but talking about how she wished that she was his enemy instead of Ichigo's. If you go through and read it again, it'll probably make sense. Okay, another thing… I know this chapter was really confusing with all the "master" and "soul" and "Akiyo and Kisshu" moments, but all of it will come together in the next few chapters. Anyway, I'm sorry for updating so TERRIBLY late, and I'll try to get another chapter up sometime these next two weeks or so. Hope you liked it, R&R, and keep reading!
Next chapter: Diamond Tears