A/N: Oh my god. I am SOO sorry for the... 3 week late update? Yeah, I think that's right. Most of you have probably lost intrest in this or you have forgotten about it and I understand. I just hope that all of you will find this chapter to your liking. I kind of wrote on and off, so it might be better in some places or another.

I also predict that this won't be a very long chapter, similar to the others.

Review!

P.S. Akachan means baby.

Chapter 3: Don't Let Me Fall (For You)

The light autumn air's temperature was slowly dropping into the winter. Ichigo wore a pink jacket, a bit heavier because of this. Strolling down the cement sidewalk, she noticed a familiar person on the other side of the asphalt-covered street. Aoyama, ambling down the opposite way of the brown-eyed girl, looked somewhat confused. She opened her mouth slightly as if to speak, but for some reason didn't have the usual yearning to call for him. Ichigo actually didn't want to talk to him or to be with him. How strange.

So she continued her walk. Feeling relieved that he had not noticed her. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Wait… relieved?

Ichigo shrugged off the peculiar feeling, striding down the street, somewhat satisfied that she actually wouldn't be late for work today.

I don't have anything to be in trouble for at the moment! An over triumphant smile entered her small face.

As the café came into view, Ichigo realized that she had forgotten her waitress hat at home.

No, no, no! My uniform will be incomplete! I-I have to go get it, I-

Her thoughts were cutoff by an overjoyed Shirogane (well as elated as this man could get).

"Ichigo! It's good to see that you made it on time today. Go on and get changed. We have another full house!" He gave her the warmest smile that he was capable of.

She returned this effort with a weak grin. "Well, actually Shirogane, I forgot something at home and I need to go get it…" She trailed off, her voice getting softer as she spoke.

His delight turned almost instantly into rage. "OF COURSE! I shouldn't expect much of Ichigo now should I? Your lucky that I need you in this whole operation or you would have been fired MONTHS ago!"

It seemed as if her stature had shrunk in comparison to the intimidating man. Ichigo hadn't seen him get THIS mad over her tardiness. I guess he just finally cracked, she thought.

Before she could get scorned any further, she hastily ran in the direction of her home, wary not to look back at the still fuming Shirogane.

Ichigo let out an almost inaudible sigh as she walked through the chilly streets of Tokyo. The slim, frail branches of the leafless trees swayed ever-so-slightly in the cool breeze. Slowly turning the corner, she saw a small figure in the distance, gradually growing in size as it approached her at an alarming speed.

Right on queue, she thought quietly to her self.

Before she could be called out to, the raspberry-haired girl gave a slightly loud statement to the one forthcoming her.

"HEEEY KISSHU!"

The alien boy stopped in his tracks, the tips of his feet elegantly placing themselves on the wintry ground. He had a baffled expression plastered on his face, but it quickly disappeared as easily as it came.

"Well, well, well. What's this? Now you're calling to me? I tell you a simple story and this is what I get? Why didn't I think of this earlier?" A smug smirk slid onto his frighteningly pale skin as he spoke the words with an almost gentle tone.

"What? I can't be excited about it?"

"I never said that, it's just-"

She pressed a tiny finger to his pastel lips.

"Just tell me the story."

Kisshu stalked through the caves, oblivious to everything around him. He didn't notice the girls who practically sank at his feet or the bitter cold that surrounded him, all he could think about was Cherii.

Cherii. He said her name once in his usually empty mind.

He was on his was to pay her a visit. It seemed, to his benefit, that the more he came, the more she grew to enjoy his company. Cherii no longer shoved him out so hastily, nor did she yell at him when he arrived. She now just simply gave him a small smile and continued with her work while he talked to her about his day or what was around the planet.

It's a start.

The moment he arrived this time though, her face brightened considerably.

"Hey Kish! H-how've you b-been?" Her stuttering seemed to make her blush noticeably, causing her to look down. Cherii didn't quite understand herself, but she couldn't look into Kisshu's golden eyes, his brilliant, stunning, gorgeous eyes.

Despite the darkness, the impish boy perceived the scarlet coloring on the alien girl's cheeks, making him grin childishly.

"What's wrong, Akachan? You seem a little embarrassed. Anything you want to tell me?"

"N-no." Her bright burgundy eyes had never left her shifting feet. Pulling back her lavender hair behind he enormous ears, she stated: "I was actually hoping that instead of standing there and doing nothing that you'd actually help me!" The girl said it with an accusing tone, as if he should have thought of this.

Kisshu let out a bothersome laugh. "All right, Cherii-san, whatever you say," he said through chuckles.

The light-toned girl glanced at him wearily, handing him a sharp-featured tool. Kisshu accepted it drunkenly, leaning in towards Cherii as much as possible when receiving it. The red coloring on her cheeks flushed darker as the petite girl turned back to her work, focusing intently on the statue figure.

"Uh… so… what exactly are you supposed to do?" The boy flipped the odd instrument in his hands, occasionally taking glimpses of the limestone.

Cherii, looking at him as if he were an idiot (which he generally is), placed a slim hand on her skinny waist. "Are you really that stupid?" An indicting glare fell on the forest-green-haired boy.

"W-Well… I usually work with swords…"

"Then use it like a sword!" The violet-haired girl began slashing at the rock in an experienced rhythm, while Kisshu, finally aware of the concept, awkwardly hit the stone with the pointed object placed in his hands.

Cherii, notwithstanding her previous words, gave Kisshu the warmest smile possible.

"Don't worry, you'll get it."

"Why does that sound familiar…?" Ichigo gave Kisshu a playful glare.

"Oh, I don't know!"

"I think you do."

"I think not."

"Yes, you do!"

Kish flashed the cat-girl a mischievous smirk before diving into her. Tickling every part of her small body. Ichigo squealed and squirmed in Kisshu's tight amusing grip.

"S-Stop Kisshu! L-Let go!" She was able to pull herself out of his hold, opening her mouth just enough to stick her bright pink tongue out at him.

The alien boy licked his lips, eager to kiss her right then and there. He held himself back, mentally slapping himself.

I can't… but I will… soon.

Again he grinned, leaving in one of his vortexes.

Ichigo was still laughing, though stopped soon after Kish's abrupt exit.

Why does he have to leave when I actually want him here? Huh? Wait… I want him here? Do I? Hmmm…

Ichigo thought through the notions running through her brain.

"Yes. I want him here." the girl stated, absentmindedly saying it aloud.

Just then, she realized it. With Aoyama, she had never laughed. Honestly laughed. Not out of apprehension or forcing herself to, but chortling to something out of freewill. Kisshu had done that for her. He had given her her will to laugh and smile and to have... true fun.

A/N: Well, not my best chapter. I kind of wrote one sentence every now and then, so it's mixed of good and bad writing days...

Again, SO sorry for the late update, please don't flame me for it. I promiss I'll get the next one up sooner... maybe.

Review, please! 3