Ch. 10

Kish offered to help with the dishes after dinner and after what he had done for her, she couldn't refuse. The other four disappeared somewhere. Kish and Ichigo were working hard to get it done because both were tired out from the day they had.

Thinking back on it, Kish couldn't help but ask, "Why did you sleep with me, kitten?"

Ichigo didn't meet him in the eyes, "I don't know. I guess when I let my cat instincts take over they seem to want to find the warmest place to nap."

"Even if it's me?" Kish smirked.

"Well, I mean, it's not like you're some evil demon or anything."

"You...don't think I'm evil?"

"No." Ichigo looked him in the eyes. They were beautiful eyes. Because of his human apearance the yellow had been almost taken out completely but some still remained and mixed with a lush green.

She suddenly realized they were beginning to lean closer together. Their faces were only inches apart when Ichigo's mind snapped back on and she pulled back blushing very red.

After a minute, Kish added, "If only you had thought that back then. Then, I might have had a chance with you."

Ichigo's blush deepened. Her heart was fluttering away further and further every time she got close to Kish. She couldn't understand it. Why was she having these feelings towards him. What were these feelings? There's no way she could be falling for...

Ichigo shook away the rest of that thought. No! she screamed at herself. Not again.

"You have an impressive library section." Pie acknowledged.

"Thank you," Lettuce beamed, "I love books. All kinds of books."

It was evident of her love of books by the entire wall of bookcases filled with books in her room.

"Even though they're written by humans, they may prove most interesting." Pie thought aloud as he flipped through the pages of a physics book.

"If you like facts and stuff that's a great book. Or, if you like stories, I have many wonderful novels. My favorite kind of novel is a romance story."

"Really? Why is that so?" Pie asked more curious than ever.

Lettuce blushed deeply. No one had asked her that before, "Well, I guess its because I enjoy reading about people falling in love and what they went through to make it work. I like to dream of what I might have some day."

"Love?" Pie asked, "Surely a female of your beauty could easily find a male worthy of what you desire."

Lettuce's face went blood red. She began to fill light headed as her heart flew away from her.

"I apologize if I embarrassed you, Lettuce." Pie said with concern.

Lettuce shook her head, "No, I'm sorry. I over reacted. It's just the first time anyone has ever thought I was..."

"Beautiful?" Pie finished for her.

Lettuce looked down and nodded.

"Well then all the males of your planet must be blind for I can tell after being with you for just three seconds that you are in fact, beautiful." Pie said with complete honestly.

Lettuce lost all ability to speak at that point and found the need to sit in the chair at her computer desk.

Pie looked towards the girl affectionately. Seeing her blush stirred within him the desire to tell for hours how attractive she really was. It also bought forth the need to prove to her what he meant. Suddenly he realized that he was probably in the same position as Kish was just earlier today. He cursed Kish in his mind. For that moment, he envied Kish's inability to control his desires. It was only the thought of angering Ichigo that held him back. That and a memory of a certain night in the park.

Lettuce looked up to Pie who seemed to be lost in thought. Was it possible for him to still have some feelings for me? Her heart leaped at the idea.

Pie suddenly came around again, "So, what's your favorite novel?"

Lettuce smiled brightly again, blush still clinging to her cheeks, as she pulled from the shelf a small book. Pie took it and fingered through the pages. He would read it for her and see if he could discover what she liked about it so much.

With a smile, he kneeled down before her while she still in her chair. He gently reached out for her hand and pressed the back of it to his lips. She let out a small gasp. Her blush returning full force. Then, he turned and left.

Lettuce scrambled over to her bed, laid down, then let the pillows pull her to sleep.

"You kept a whole jar of gumballs for me?" Tart asked holding the glass jar in his hands.

"Of course, Tar Tar, you said you'd come back for some." Pudding replied.

Tart looked down at the rainbow of candies in the jar. He felt a sudden pain in his heart that he hadn't come back sooner. She had all these, for him.

"But why?" he asked.

"Because we're buds, remember?" She replied with her beaming smile.

Tart just stared down at the jar.

"We are still buds, aren't we?" Pudding asked quietly.

"I...I.." Tart stammered, "I don't deserve to be your friend."

Pudding looked at him closely. She could see the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. She quickly grasped him in a hug with her face on his shoulder. Tart dropped the jar which was thick enough glass that it didn't break and wrapped his arms tight around her. He held her as close as he could.

"Don't ever say that, Tar Tar. Of course you deserve to be my friend. I want you to be my friend."

Tart's voice became low and quiet, "And I want you to be mine forever."

The way Tart said it, it seemed to have another meaning. The thought made Pudding's heart flutter.

Later, Kish was the first to return to their room. He hadn't laid down yet when Pie entered holding a book from Lettuce. Then Tart followed carrying Pudding's candy jar. Kish had the feeling that they were gifts. Without a word, he climbed into bed and rolled over. He wished so badly that he had a gift in his hands as well. Yet, Ichigo didn't appear to want to have a lot to do with him. Could she still hate him that badly?