A/N: SOOO sorry about the extremely late update! I've been really busy with homework, and the musical, and track, and all that. Really sorry. But now it's fianlly up! Yay!

Oh, and thank you all of my reviewers! I love you guys so much. I haven't gotten a single flame! You guys rock!

NOTE: Cherii is NOT me. I did not add her in as me, otherwise I'd be a hypocrite... I hate it when people do that. Anyways, she is just a character that is important to the plot line and in no way reflects me. Luckly I haven't gotten a review about that, but I'm just saying. All other characters from the flashback are the same. Ok, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I obviously do not own TMM. If I did Aoyama would be dead, Ichigo would fall in love with Kisshu, and all of my other favorite pairings would be together. (TxP, SxA, MxZ, PxL).

Chapter 2: The Devoted Pursuer

The sun's radiance filled the lovely park with its warmth. The quiet pond's water lazily flowed in the direction of the light, pleasant breeze, in unison with the emerald-green leaves attached to sturdy brown trunks. The lush green grass gave the area an earthy aroma. Upon a hill overlooking the deep blue lake sat a girl dressed in a light autumn coat accompanied by half-cut jeans. Ichigo stared off into the water, nothing really on her mind. Taking in her surroundings, she shut her coffee colored eyes to enhance the relaxing experience.

"KOOONEEKO-CHAAAN!"

Her peace was disturbed by that one voice, the oh-so-familiar voice that had caused her and her comrades so many problems.

She swung around to find Kisshu standing causally in one of the tall, color-changing trees above her.

He leaped down from the hierarchy, elegantly landing on the open space beside Ichigo.

Eyes blazing, she gave Kisshu a loud, aggravated huff. It had been three days since they had last spoken, and, sadly for the girl, she had not been able to get this Cherii girl off her mind.

Aside from his normally elfin self, he gave Ichigo a blameless look.

"What?"

Another 'hmph' was heard from the strawberry haired schoolgirl while she dramatically flipped the hair from in front of her chocolate eyes.

"WHAT?"

"Three days. It has been THREE DAYS. I've been thinking about that story of yours ever since you left. It's the only thing that been on my mind! Where in the world were you?"

Giving her a cocky grin, he responded: "Well I obviously wasn't 'in the world'."

"UGH! You are so annoying!"

"I know. Anyways, want me to tell you some more of my story, Koneko-chan?"

Face brightening, she gave a quick nod and an excited smile.

"Well, too bad, cause I got to run. Don't worry though, you'll find out soon enough. See ya soon, Ichigo!"

She stood there; gapping into nothing while Kisshu was off who-knows-where.

…I hate him

Aoyama sat at a small, round metal table, looking around anxiously. He scooted his silver chair closer into the circular table.

Again he glanced around, finally seeing the one he sought.

Ichigo was running down the thin extensive pathway, mumbling something to herself like 'How could I be late again?' or 'Why must I always keep him waiting like this?'

The raven-haired boy smirked to himself before putting on a calm, polite face.

"Good Morning, Ichigo-san!"

She bent down, placing her hands on her knees for support. "Good Morning, Aoyama-kun, sorry I'm late," she panted.

"It's alright." Giving her a warm smile, he motioned for her to take the seat across from him.

Returning the smile, she made her way over to one of the small metal chairs that sat outside a petite café.

It's time.

Stunned, Ichigo glimpsed around.

"A-Aoyama-kun. D-Did you h-hear that?" Her ghost phobia sparked up and made her shake with fear.

Don't worry; I'll get rid of him with out causing him harm, just for you. Okay, Koneko-chan?

"Eh? Ki-"

Aoyama's phone suddenly started to ring.

"Hello? Oh! Hi Ta-… w-what?! Um… a little, but yes. Mhmm. Ok, bye." Sighing, he closed his phone and glanced up at Ichigo.

"I'm sorry Ichigo-san, something came up at the Kendo gym… I have to go and provide my assistance."

She simply nodded to him and gave him a jovial smile. "No need to worry. I can just go and do my homework or something. Ahahaha!"

She shut her mouth, covering it with her hand after she had realized how unnecessary that laugh was. Blushing, she saw that he had returned her smile, and had given her a small chuckle of his own.

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm really sorry. Bye!"

"Bye," she whispered as he jogged down the same sidewalk in which she had come.

That was easier than I thought.

"Ok, I think I might be going a little crazy… I keep on hearing Kisshu…" Giving another nervous laugh, she rose from the café's chair and began walking in the direction of her home, glancing about uneasily.

"No, no, Honey. You're not crazy…" A disturbance in the air formed ahead of Ichigo.

"…Just a little foolish!" Grinning, Kisshu's body fully formed.

"Hey Kisshu!" Ichigo returned his impish smirk with a jubilant smile.

Mischievousness quickly turned to astonish. "Huh?"

"What?"

"You smiled upon seeing me."

"Point?"

"You hate me."

"Not true."

"Very true."

"Nuh-uh!"

Kisshu failed to respond.

"Um… you're supposed to say 'Uh-huh' right there."

"I refuse to take part in an idiotic conversation."

Pouting, she turned away from him.

He floated around to face her, picking up her chin so her auburn eyes could meet his magnificent golden ones.

"Do you want to hear my tale or not?" His eyes were sincere as he spook quietly.

"Y-You're not going to trick me?"

"Of course not."

"…Kay…"

The wind blew with harsh beats, causing a high-pitch whistle to sound through the murky caves. Aliens stood in a queue, bundled together for any spark of warmth left in their icy bodies.

"NEXT!" the rough voice could hardly be heard over the shrieking storm.

A family of four gradually inched to get their weekly supply of food that they had to savor for seven days. The burly man handed them two small loaves of rock-hard bread, a slab of uncooked mystery meet, and three strange vegetables.

"NEXT!" he called again.

A young teenage boy walked to the stone counter, his jade-colored hair muddled from the wind.

"Hey, Hosho. Whatcha got for me this week?"

"Well, Kish, I've got some bread, meat, and cirnoco."

His brilliant yellow eyes brightened. "We've been able to get a crop up? That's great!"

"Yup. Seems like we've got some more help down in the crop mines. Surprisingly, it's a girl. Not too much younger than you, actually."

"Yeah? What's her name? She might be one of my fangirls." He gave him a quick wink.

"Name's Cherii. She seems so delicate but man can she pack a punch. Literally. She was able to break through the wall of limestone covering our fertile soil bare-handed!"

He froze at the name of the girl.

"I've got to go, Hoshonaru. See you next week," he said almost robotically.

"Umm… later, Kisshu," Hosho had a confused look on his face.

Kisshu stalked through the gloomy caves, his feet automatically taking him to the crop mines.

Amazed, he halted in front of a large gap in the wall. "I'll admit it, she's strong."

He began to stride into the ever-more-dark hole until reaching a small, rock-like structure.

Gazing upon it, he saw small, purple mushroom-like plants sprouting from the top of the configuration.

Hmmm, I guess it has been successful down here. He thought, still staring upon it lazily.

"HEY! Who's there?" a shrill voice came from behind Kisshu.

Smirking he held up his hands mockingly. "I'm here to cause our people more struggle by destroying our only source of Cirnoco!"

"Don't even joke about that!"

Heaving a sigh, he turned around to see his nagger. He solidified, seeing a petite girl, about a head shorter than him, with an infuriated expression. Her deep amethyst hair toppled to one side of her face. It stopped short at her shoulders. Scarlet eyes blazing, she repeated her first question.

"Who are you?!"

"Well, well, well. Forgot me already, now, Honey? Don't you remember? I threw Akuma to the ground during the Dragon Sword match I had with him."

"Oh right. The one who hurt my brother?" She relaxed from her tense stance to cross her arms.

Not the best way to start a relationship.

"What are you doing down here?"

"Well, I heard there was a new hand down here. Able to break through stone apparently. Thought I'd check it out."

"Well, I'm here and you've seen me. Now you can go."

"Feisty."

"Yes, I am. Now get out of here. Knowing you, you'll probably demolish the crops."

"'Knowing me'? Do you know me?"

"Ugh! Just get out!"

Grabbing a hold of his hand, she forcefully dragged him out. Immediately when her soft, but sturdy hand touched his, he felt a sensation rush through him.

Why do I keep feeling this…?

"And day after day I'd go visit her. It was the same routine every stopover. She'd ask who I was, stopped that after the first three days or so, yell at me to get out, then she'd grab my hand and pull me away. I knew that I should have stopped but… I couldn't. I wanted to see her. I had a desire to watch her… kind of how I felt with you." He finished his story; his eyes had never left Ichigo's.

"I see. So, go on."

"Up, up, up. No can do, Koneko-chan. I've gotta go. See you around. Don't worry, I'll stop by at the most inconvenient time to tell you some more, kay?"

With that, Kisshu left the strawberry-haired girl standing there alone. Her face took on a fuming look.

"That's Kisshu for you!" she spat.