Chapter 16

We are together

« Get out of my way !

« No. Tokyo is going to die today. But I´ll kill you with own hands, Ichigo. That´s my last... »

In the middle of his sentence, the alien vanished, only to teleport right in front of her.

«... present to you ! »

Ichigo started but managed to jump behind, avoiding him. Kisshu teleported behind her, smirking.

« You´re too slow... » he whispered in her ear.

He then hit her in the back. She gasped and fell on the floor. Luckily, she landed on her feet. Before she could move, Kisshu reappeared before her.

« This is the end. Good bye, Mew Ichigo ! »

He gave the final strike.

The cat girl avoided him, raised her foot and struck him in the face. Kisshu was thrown backwards, whirling on himself. She fell on the ground, breathing heavily. Her enemy watched for a second then started to laugh.

« Amazing ! This is just amazing ! he exclaimed, grinning. You´re greater than I thought ! I´m moved. You hit me when I was serious ! Yes, I know... »

She looked up to watch him.

« I´ll ask for your life to be spared, he told her. Let´s go together, Ichigo ! How about it ? »

She blinked.

Wha... what ?

Before she could react, four multi-colored columns of light appeared in the sky. Ichigo watched them, stunned. But she remembered. Her friends... the trees... the infection...

I have to do it... it´s now or never !

She bent her head.

I´m sorry, Aoyama-kun. I have to destroy the tree...

Kisshu noticed her attitude and frowned.

« What ? Ichigo... »

She raised a hand. He understood.

« Ichigo !

« Strawberry Bell ! »

Without any hesitation, she seized her weapon and jumped in the sky, reaching the summit of the tree. Kisshu´s expression faltered. He yelled :

« Ichigo, stop ! You are going to die ! »

She didn´t listen.

« Ichigo, look this way !

« Ribbon Strawberry Check ! »

The beam of pink light flashed from her weapon, surrounding the tree.

« The next day... you tried to win me over again, Ichigo whispered. You remember ? But this time, you decided to reach me through Aoyama-kun... »

She was so lost in her memories, she didn´t even notice that she had just used the honorifics with her fiance. An old habit she had lost years ago.

She had no idea how much timecould have pass. She didn´t care. She had been staying here, her hand laying on Kisshu´s, reminding him their past, their stories, their... moments. The precious moments they had share.

As she continued talking, and talking, Ichigo had came to realize something. Something... important.

I won´t let him die.

I CAN´T let him die.

No... no. This wouldn´t happen.

And, once again, she continued to recount him their past.


Masaya came in front of the door. He could hear Ichigo´s warm voice. It made him smile.

But then she pronounced Kisshu´s name. His smile faded.

He sighed.

I have to talk to her. This is important.

He didn´t know if it was the right moment... but they would to talk about this after all. He had to be honest with Ichigo. And he hoped she would be honest with him.

Masaya knocked.

« Ichigo ? May I come in ? »

They was a small silence. Then :

« You can, Ao... Masaya. »

She was going to... call me Aoyama-kun.

What... what does it mean ?

Masaya hesitated, but opened the door and came in.

Ichigo was sitting on the edge of the bed. Kisshu was still unconscious, his head laying on the pillow, his eyes closed, breathing silently. But at least he was breathing.

« Ichigo... I have to talk to you. »

The young girl just stared at him. She didn´t seem surprised. She smiled gently.

« Of course. I... know. »

Her voice was so understanding... Masaya smiled back and sat next to her. She understood what he meant.

« Well... I was thinking... maybe... »

He cleared his throat and added :

« Maybe we shouldn´t... ano...

« Get married ? » she muttered.

No !

He shook violently his head.

« No ! No, that´s not what I mean. I mean... maybe... not now... »

Damn it ! How can I say this ?

Masaya had no idea how to explain to her his feelings. Wouldn´t she be upset, hurt, or...

Just calm down. Be honest. Tell her.

« You see... it´s because Kisshu is here, he went on. I can see you... he´s important to you. And... you have feelings for him. I´m just wondering if...

« It´s okay. »

He stopped, stunned, and watched her. Ichigo was smiling.

« I see what you mean. You don´t have to worry. »

She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly on the lips. A sweet, fruity kiss. Masaya embraced her and returned it.

Yes... it´s her... it´s my Ichigo.

When they broke off, she put a hand on his and looked at him in the eyes.

« Masaya, you are right. Kisshu is important to me. But not the same way. I love you. I´ll never be able to love anyone as much as I love you. You are the only man with who I´ll be happy. I know it. »

She sighed and took a peep at Kisshu.

« I know Kisshu loves me too. He will understand. I´m sure... he will understand. He´s a good person, Masaya. Even if you never saw him act nice to you. »

Masaya closed his eyes.

But...

« I´m not Ao No Kishi anymore, he whispered. I wouldn´t be able to protect you like he would protect you... if you needed help.

« I don´t need you to be my knight, Masaya. I need you to be with me. That´s all. »

Ichigo.

She´s... amazing.

« I love you » he stated calmly.

Ichigo smiled.

« I love you too. »

Then she turned back to Kisshu.

« I´ll leave you with him, he said, walking to the door. He needs your help.

« Arigato, Masaya. »

He stepped out and closed the door.

He knew everything would be fine now.

He had nothing to worry about.