Ch. 9
"I wonder how Ichigo spent her day off." Pudding asked Lettuce.
Lettuce shrugged, "With Kish around, who knows?"
When they got to the door, everything inside was quiet. Lettuce used her key to open the door. When they entered, they found Kish and Ichigo asleep on the couch. Kish was holding Ichigo protectively like a child would to his blanket or stuffed bear and Ichigo had curled up next to him like a cat.
The TV in front of them was showing a silent blue screen like they had been watching a movie. On the floor there were pillows tossed about. They could see into the kitchen where the chairs were all out from under the table with a couple of them knocked over. Varies, and thankfully, unbreakable, things had been thrown about in seemingly one general direction. A few of the pictures on the walls had been moved and where no longer straight like something had hit the walls. Then, on the floor in front of the couch, were Kish's nightsticks with deep claw marks on them, similar marks to those on Kish's arm.
"What, in the name of all the gods, happened here?" Tart exclaimed.
Suddenly, Ichigo stirred awake followed by Kish. They took one look at each other, yelled, and jumped away.
Ichigo started first, "You pervert, what do you think you were doing? How dare you sleep with me!"
"Excuse me?" Kish shot back, "But as I recall, kitten, I was the one who got knocked out. You slept with me!"
"Uh, Ichigo," Lettuce began, Ichigo just know realizing their presence, "what happened here." And she motioned with her hand to the messed up rooms.
Ichigo looked around, her blush growing as she took in what Kish and her had done, "He started it!"
"What? How did I start it? You're the one who got all up in my face!"
"Ok, guys, what are you? eight?" Pudding put her hands on her hips.
Ichigo looked down. She felt ashamed. She knew the fight was getting out of control but, she never thought it was that bad til she looked around.
"Now, what happened?" Pudding demanded.
Neither Kish nor Ichigo spoke. They both knew very well what happened but couldn't get themselves to say it.
After a long quite period, Lettuce took a deep breathe and took charge, "Well, never mind that. Let's just get this place cleaned up." With that, everyone set off in different directions. Kish and Ichigo staying as far away from each other as they could. When everything was cleaned up, which took about half an hour, Ichigo started on dinner.
"Here, let me help you." Lettuce offered but Ichigo put up her hand, "No, not after you had to go behind and clean up the mess I made. I'll cook dinner tonight and clean up. It's the least I can do. Go and relax for awhile, you deserve it."
Lettuce sat down at the table where Pudding had seated herself, "So, you made the mess?" Lettuce asked.
Ichigo really didn't want to go into it but nodded. The boys had all retreated to their bedroom after the clean up.
"Why?" Pudding asked.
Ichigo shrugged.
This wasn't going to be easy, Lettuce thought, "Was it something Kish did or say?"
Ichigo nodded.
"Was it Kish you were throwing things at?" Pudding already knew the answer.
Ichigo nodded again. Her lips tightly sealed.
"But, it wasn't Kish being thrown into the wall was it?" Lettuce inquired.
Ichigo turned suddenly to look Lettuce in the eye. She was already beginning to figure things out. Lettuce had taken note of the fact that the walls where the pictures had been moved were opposite of where the things had been thrown.
Pudding was also starting to get the idea. Slowly it was all coming together.
"But," Kish tired to explain, "she was so cute when she blushed. I couldn't resist trying to steal a kiss, just for old times sake." He smiled.
"Yeah, well, you must have forgotten the scratches you came back to the ship with because of that." Tart reminded him.
"Yes, but they were worth it." Kish sighed.
"Kish," Pie began, keeping his voice even, "we just got through explaining to Tart that we need these women for our survival in exile. You shouldn't anger them."
"So, did she hit you with anything?" Tart asked.
"More than once." Kish motioned to the bruises on his arm, "I tired to calm her down by holding her against the wall but that just made it worse."
"But why did you fallsleep with her after you angered her?" Pie asked.
Kish looked him straight in the eye, "I'm telling you, I didn't. I got knocked out by something and landed on the couch. I didn't do anything."
"Well, then," Pie replied believing Kish, for he never lies when he looks you in the eyes, "there are two sides to this situation."
Back downstairs, despite Ichigo's unwillingness to talk, the girls were making progress. They figured out everything except for one thing, "Why was Kish sleeping with you on the couch?" Lettuce asked.
Ichigo, who was now setting the food on the table, made no response at all.
Lettuce knew then, "What Kish said was true, that he was knocked out by something you threw. And then YOU curled up next to him. It was you who went to him!"
Ichigo screamed suddenly and drew back from the stove, clutching her hand. Kish had teleported straight to her side the instant he heard her cry. Pie and Tart rushed down the stairs. Lettuce and Pudding had jumped up from their chairs.
Kish stood behind her and had wrapped his arms around her, pressing his chest agianst her back. Tears began forming in Ichigo's eyes. Kish then gently coaxed her to let go of her hand and reveal the black burn mark on her skin.
"Oh, Ichigo," Kish's voice was low and soothing, "your delicate skin."
At the sound of Kish's voice, shivers ran up and down Ichigo's spin. She still fought to hold the tears back.
"I'll get the first aid kit." Lettuce declared but Pie placed an hand on her shoulder to stop her. She looked at him questionably then followed his gaze back to Kish and Ichigo.
Kish had gently cupped the burnt hand in his. Something was happening. Ichigo could feel the pain slowly creeping away. Kish's hand felt so soft and so warm. She felt herself press herback into Kish seeking the comfort of his arms around her and his body against hers. Her pain was slipping away faster now and then, it was gone. When Kish release her hand and released his hold on her, backing away from her slowly, the black burn mark had disappeared and her skin restored. She looked at her hand it absolute dumbstruck amazement.
"You can heal?" Pudding whispered aloud, herself still in an unbelieving state.
Tart smiled, "Oh course. Usually only small things really but yeah, we all can heal."
"Normally the power is only used on ourselves," Pie went on, "but sometimes, we can transfer our healing abilities to others. Though the healer has to be very powerful and want it very badly."
Kish shot a death glare at Pie.
Ichigo took it all in and turned around to Kish who was still glaring at Pie who was, of course, unphased.
When Kish did met his eyes with Ichigo's, she stammered, "I - I, don't know what to say, Kish. Thank you."
Kish just leisurely smiled and shrugged it off, "Let's eat. I'm starving!"
Ichigo took one more second to take a good look at Kish and felt like she was seeing him for the first time,then sat down at her place and he sat down beside her.
