Chapter 19

Ryuu No Kishi

When Ichigo came back with soup a moment later, Kisshu looked asleep on the bed. She put the bowl on the table next to him and watched him carefully. She noticed his skin was less pale now.

He is recovering.

She sighed in relief and prepared to leave, to let him rest.

Kisshu made sure she wasn´t looking before opening his eyes.

"Leaving already, Koneko-chan ?" he asked in a teasing tone.

He was satisfied to see the redhead start and turn back.

"You... you´re not asleep ?

"Nah. I wanted to surprise you."

His voice was a bit faint, but as mocking as she remembered. She couldn´t help but smile.

He´s becoming himself again... good thing.

Kisshu took a peep at the soup.

"So... what´s that ?

"It´ll make you feel better. Hot soup with noodles. My mom makes some for me when I´m sick.

"Arigato."

His eyes didn´t leave her face. For some reason, Ichigo felt forced to stay. She came back to his side.

"So, you... you´re recovering."

She mentally scolded herself. What this the best thing she could say ?

Kisshu simply nodded.

"Yep. Thanks to you, Koneko-chan.

"I´m happy I could help you."

Kisshu didn´t answer. Ichigo hesitated.

"You... you are fine now, aren´t you ? You won´t...

"Fall into coma again ? he interrumpted. Don´t think so. As long as... I am allowed to be your friend."

My friend.

The alien smiled strangely.

"At least I´ll be on your side. It means a lot to me, Ichigo. And, as long as as your fiance doesn´t hurt you, I´ll tolerate him."

He cleared his throat.

"I´ll try at least. Don´t blame me if one day I can´t control myself. I´ve never been very good with that."

No jokes, she thought. But there no way she was going to voice this.

"I´m happy you´ll try...

"It´s funny, he whispered.

"What ? What´s funny ?

"When I was sleeping, I came up with this crazy idea..."

Kisshu sighed and went on :

"Well, Ao no Kishi and I weren´t so different after all. See... if I could, I would have protected you no matter what... even if it could kill me... hell, I did, actually. And I was thinking... now that your Masaya is nothing but a normal human..."

Ichigo frowned, curious.

"May I be your protector ? Your blue knight ?" he muttered.

He´s asking me...

Ichigo did her best to hide a laugh. This obviously wasn´t the answer he was waiting for : he looked serious. But he noticed she was amused and smiled himself.

"Yeah, crazy idea, huh ? Just... forget it, but...

"No, Kisshu, that´s not it, Ichigo chuckled. It´s just... you don´t look like a blue knight to me. So...

"Listen, just...

"Why won´t be my... dragon knight instead ?"

This caught him off guard.

Dragon Knight ?

He grinned, amused but proud at the same time.

Now that is flattering.

"Dragon knight suits me best, you´re right, he admitted. Yeah... yeah !

"I have no problem with this, Ichigo said. My own dragon protector ? How can I say no ?"

He smiled and stretched his arms. The young woman didn´t hesitate ; she leaned forward to hug him. And, oh miracle, Kisshu didn´t try to steal a kiss.

At this moment, Masaya came into the room. He saw them together.

They´re friends. Looks like he is better...

The alien noticed him and separated from Ichigo. She turned and blushed, seeing her fiance.

"Hi, Masaya !

"It´s Purin who is sending me, he explained. She wants to tell you something.

"Coming."

She went out of the cabin but kissed him on the cheek before leaving. Masaya smiled and turn to Kisshu.

The two men stared at each other for a moment.

Then Kisshu moved so fast, the young man had no time to react. In a nanosecond, he had jumped off the bed and seized him firmly by his shirt´s collar.

"Listen, Aoyama. I´m staying with Ichigo now. And if you hurt her – in any way -, if you cause her the most little pain, I swear I´ll make you regret it."

His voice was threatening, his eyes were blazing. Masaya looked at him calmy.

"I would rather die than to let anything hurt her" he stated coldly.

Kisshu stared at him for a moment. Then he smiled. A satisfied smile. He let him go.

"Yep. That´s what I wanted to hear."

Then he nodded and went back to his bed.

Masaya understood he had been accepted by Kisshu.

Ichigo has gotten herself one dedicated friend... he thought, slightly amused, before leaving the room.

Kisshu watched leave and made himself comfortable on the pillows.

He remained thoughtful for a moment, and smirked.

I am Ryuu no Kishi.


And you´ll have the final chapter tomorrow ! The wedding of Masaya and Ichigo. Yes, they are together after all. But I still hope you liked my fanfic. See you tomorrow !