Chapter 5:

Ami's Advice Hit's Home with Ichigo

"We're here at last," smiled Ami as we approached the edge of the woods. There was a backwoods road leading higher into the mountain. We all dropped our bags and rested for a moment. "The bus should be here any minute," she continued.

"Why are we getting on the bus?" asked Mint, "it's only been a week."

"We're doing something special today. The bus will bring us back here tonight." Akasaka-sama smiled pleasantly at us.

"What is it?" cheered Purin with excitement.

"We're going rock climbing," responded Shirogane with a smile. This was obviously something he enjoyed since he seldom showed enthusiasm for anything. I sighed and hung my head. Why couldn't we ever do anything I was good at? How depressing…

"We're joining a wilderness group for their monthly climb. It'll be a great experience for you guys." Ami smiled at us and put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry. The first time I did this I was only a little older than you… and I only got four feet off of the ground before I panicked and could go any higher." She laughed a little at the memory before walking towards the bus that had just pulled up.

"You know," Akasaka-sama said to me quietly, "you and Ami are very similar. Maybe you should talk to her." I looked at him curiously. I had hardly noticed that I'd been kind of reclusive and quiet that week and it made me feel awkward suddenly; I hadn't wanted to call attention to myself and how I was feeling but it seemed as though I'd failed. All I could do was sigh and nod.

"Ami," I called after her. She turned to look at me and I smiled nervously. "Could I talk to you on the bus ride up?" She smiled kindly and nodded but it did little ease my nerves.

"What's up Ichigo," she asked as we settled into the back of the bus. I asked her how much she knew about us and she admitted that she was more or less in on the whole Project Mew Mew thing. I looked at the floor and tried to find the words to begin:

"Well… you see…" I began. I relayed the story of how I'd met Aoyama-kun. I told her how he'd discovered my secret and accepted it; I told her how we had come to discover that he was the Blue Knight, a mysterious hero who always showed up in the nick of time to protect me; I told her of that final battle when he had become the enemy and nearly destroyed the world, but that the battle had been won by our love for each other; and then, I told her about that night in the park, how I'd seen Aoyama kissing that other girl. She sat and listened to me.

Her genuine interest and concern surprised me: she sat by me near the back of the bus listening intently to everything I said, nodding or frowning occasionally. She sighed deeply and leaned back into the seat and looked up as though she was pondering the best way to answer me:

"Listen Ichigo," she finally said; "I understand- believe me. It hurts like hell when that special relationship hits the wall, so to speak. You and Aoyama-san clearly had something special. However, just because you had that experience together doesn't mean you have to stay together forever. Maybe Aoyama felt that way but couldn't bring himself to break up with you? He may have been acting out of confusion, or fear… who knows but, Ichigo, you owe it to yourself to talk to him." She smiled calmly at me and gave me a quick hug. "Life… it doesn't get easier Ichigo."

"Gee that's comforting!"

"Isn't it just?"

"This is amazing," murmured Zakuro as we stepped off of the bus an hour or so later. It was probably around ten or eleven in the morning and the sun was warm and bright. My friends were simply enamored with the view around them- but I couldn't appreciate it at that moment. There, no more than a stone's throw away from me, was Aoyama-kun… This could NOT be happening, I thought loudly as I turned my head; if I was lucky, really lucky, he wouldn't notice me.

No such luck was with me that morning apparently.

"Ichigo…" I wanted to turn and run back onto the bus and stay there all day… He called my name again and approached me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him quietly.

"I'm a member of this wilderness group. We do this rock climb about once a month or so." He couldn't look me in the eye… "Why did you leave without telling me?" It was my turn to avoid eye contact.

"I saw you Aoyama-kun… with that other girl… that night in the park." His eyes grew wide and he turned a deep red. He whispered my name and reached for me, but I shrugged his hand away. Aoyama-kun looked up and took a couple steps back. I hadn't realized Shirogane had come up behind me.

"Are you okay Ichigo," he asked me, never taking his eyes off Aoyama-kun. I nodded and he stood by me until Aoyama-kun hung his head and rejoined his group. Without thinking about it, I turned and buried my face in Shirogane's chest. He seemed surprised at first but after a moment wrapped his arms tenderly around me.

"Come on Strawberry," he said attempting to sound annoyed. "Don't do this." His hand came up and stroked my hair. "You're not going to have any fun at all if you cry all day." That's right… I'd completely forgotten where we were and what we were doing for a moment! The wilderness guide was gathering everyone around him to go over techniques and basic climbing instructions.

"Best thing to do: distract yourself, and there is nothing more distracting than avoiding a hard fall from fifty or so feet up," he teased lightly. I pushed away slightly and looked up to meet his eyes to respond with some sarcasm, but all I was able to see in those eyes was concern; all I could do was nod.

After the guide had explained how the harness worked and the best way for beginners to scale the mountain it was time to strap in and go for it. Six groups of five and MINE was the first to get called. Ami, Zakuro, Mint, Retasu, and me… Ami turned to the four of us and smiled slyly.

"If all five of us make it to the top, I'll personally check our whole group into a five star hotel the night before we start canoeing." I saw Mint's eyes light up at the idea of sleeping in a bed instead of on twigs and sticks. Zakuro's returned the sly smile and agreed to the challenge for us. Retasu and I looked at each other and sighed.

"Come on," I said cheerfully; "we can do it." Retasu looked nervous by smiled back at me and nodded.

The rocky wall wasn't what I'd expected: it was hard, solid as it should be, but the naturally built in footholds and places to grab on to are what surprised me. For some reason I'd envisioned an almost flat wall, but it was surprisingly easy. I took a deep breath and looked down behind me, surprised at how high up I'd already gotten, and it really thrilled me; no wonder Shirogane enjoyed it so much; that a group would come monthly to take in the experience. The feeling was almost addictive. The best part was seeing the plateau just ahead and remembering how far up it had looked from the ground

Retasu cried out as her foot slipped from the rock she'd stepped on. Still, she clung on and I was impressed. Ami called down to her, saying to hang in there. Mint wasn't doing horribly… and Zakuro seemed to have remarkable upper body strength.

"You all can do it," cheered Purin from the ground below and the encouragement was enough to get Retasu moving again.

The others were well ahead of me, pulling themselves on top of the rock now; Mint looked back at me and sighed in feigned frustration:

"Come on Ichigo," she said. "You are not going to cost me a chance to take a bath and sleep in a bed; get moving!" It took a few moments after they'd finished but I soon found my friends helping me make that last step.

"YATTA!" all five of us cheered in unison as we shared a group hug.

"I can't believe I made it," cried Retasu with excitement. I hugged her again and smiled: I'd never doubted she could do it.

"How do we get back down," Zakuro asked suddenly. We all looked around, and then down, and then to each other.

"Zip Line is over here ladies," Ami called before jumping and sliding down the side of the mountain. The woman manning the station raised a brow and swung the next rope side to side, silently asking who was next.

"You first," Mint said pushing me a little.

"Oh no, after you Mint," I said pushing her back.

"Betcha didn't think you could do that," commented Ami as we all undid our harnesses. I shook my head. "But you're stronger for it. Now you know you can do it," she added. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, you seem to have one more mountain to climb today, don't you Ichigo?" She glanced over at Aoyama-kun. I took a deep breath. She was right- this was something I had to do.

"Aoyama-kun," I said quietly walking over to him. He quickly stood and dusted the dirt off of his clothing.

"Let's talk." He looked at the ground and nodded solemnly.

"Why, Aoyama-kun?"

"Ichigo… I'm sorry. I did love you. I still do… it's just… some time ago I started thinking of you as a friend, not as a girlfriend. I wanted to tell you but the thought of hurting you was unbearable. I don't know what possessed me to do what I did… and there is nothing I could say that would make it excusable… I'm sorry Ichigo. I didn't want to hurt you."

"I know," I replied quietly, fighting back tears. "I just wish you'd told me this to begin with Aoyama-kun…" He looked away from me, tears brimming in his eyes. I slowly walked over and embraced him. "I'll always love you Aoyama- kun," I said gently. "But if you think we should just be friends… I'd rather have you as that then nothing at all." I broke the embrace and he smiled warmly at me.

"I'd like that."

I nodded, sad- but happy in a way. It was Aoyama's turn to go up the mountain. I started to walk back to my group when I heard him call my name again. I turned.

"You know Ichigo… there's someone who's been waiting for you for a long time: They love you so much they kept quiet during our relationship because your happiness was the most important thing to him… Give him a chance, okay?" There was something so earnest in his eyes… I nodded slowly, blushing a little. He smiled, and joined his group at the base of the mountain. I stood there, the wind tossing my hair around. I stood there until Purin started calling me for lunch. Taking one more deep breath to compose myself, I went to join my friends.

Later that day

The bus showed up to take us back to the woods around four or five that evening. I thought back on the day's earlier events and closed my eyes. Despite how painful it was, I needed that closure; and as much as I wanted to hate Aoyama-kun for what he did to me, I understood that we were connected. We always would be. I could never hate him.

"You okay?" asked Zakuro sitting down beside me. She leaned back in the seat and looked at me plainly. I smiled a little and said I was.

"Please cheer up Ichigo-onee-chan," smiled Purin peering at me from over her seat. "There are lots of other guys out there! Like Shir-." Retasu (who had been sitting next to Purin in the seat in front of me) clasped her hand over Purin's mouth and pulled her back down into the seat laughing nervously.

"What she means is there are lots of other fish in the sea," she said trying to cover herself. I heard Purin fuss under her breath that she just wanted to play match maker; I blushed a little.

"Don't rush so much Ichigo," comment Ami from the front of the bus. "Love comes to those who aren't looking."

"Besides," teased Mint, "you're a lot less goofy now that Mr. Wonderful is gone. You were a drooling drone before!" I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Now girls," smiled Akasaka-sama standing. "When we get back to the woods we have to immediately return to our previous campsite and get to bed. Tomorrow is a long day of hiking. Mint, Zakuro- it's your turn to lead." They nodded and the bus came to a stop along the side of the road.

Throughout the whole bus ride, Shirogane had been almost invisible. I glanced at him as he walked by me and stepped off of the bus. The sky was already dimming and the night was growing cold in contrast to the beautiful weather of the day. I shivered. Then I remembered Shirogane's jacket- he'd never asked for it back. I put it on taking in his scent that lingered in the material. I thought back to earlier when I had cried in his arms and blushed.

It was already dark by the time we all reported to our tarps, and we were all exhausted from the days climb. I knew I was anyway. I touched the little cat bell around my neck and listen to it jingle. With a sigh I reached around and untied the little ribbon letting the bell fall into my hands. When everyone was asleep I walked quietly into the woods and let my once precious gift from Aoyama-kun fall to the ground with a final soft jingle. I stood there a moment in the silence, and then, headed back through the woods towards the camp site.

I yawned as I crawled back into my sleeping bag. My friends around me were already snoring. As I lay there I heard Shirogane's voice echoing in my head… all the times he'd said he'd protect me… all the times he'd stepped back and let me have my relationship with Aoyama-kun… the dance we'd shared early on in our battle against the aliens and Deep Blue… Was Aoyama-kun right? Did Shirogane love me? I closed my eyes and tried not to think about it anymore.

TWACK. Mint rolled over in her sleep and smacked me in the face, waking me up again. I glared at her and scooted my bag further away. THWUMP. Shirogane rolled over and smacked me in the stomach. I groaned and lay back down. I had to stop sleeping between the two of them… this routine was getting really old. I was just about to whack both of them when I heard Shirogane start to mumble in his sleep. I knew I shouldn't have… but I tried to understand what he was saying.

"Ichigo…" he murmured. I felt my heart thump and my face turned red. He really did love me. "Quit being so lazy and take care of those customers." That jerk! I smashed my pillow down on his face.

"What the heck did you do that for," he snapped at me, trying to keep his voice down.

"For what you said in your sleep you jerk," I sneered back.

"I don't talk in my sleep," he said turning away. His cheeks showed a soft hint of red. "Can I go back to sleep now?" I blushed, realizing how silly I was being. Sure, I muttered lying down.

"Sorry Shirogane," I said rolling onto my side.

"Ichigo," he said softly. I rolled back over to face him.

"Call me Ryou."