Chapter Nine: The unexpected

I slowly came back to my surroundings, still in Ryou's arms. Slowly, I looked up at him… those soft blue eyes. I'd never seen them look so kindly at me before:

"Ryou, not to sound," I began, still lingering in the embrace, "ungrateful for tonight, but what's gotten into you?" He laughed and patted my head.

"Don't make me out to be such a jerk. I can be nice."

"Sometimes," I teased him back. "I'm just surprised," I said shyly, looking at the ground and widening the gap slightly. "I didn't know I could have this much fun with you." I felt his fingers trailing through my hair and down around the edge of my face… down to my chin; his hand tightened around my back and I felt him pulling me towards him. I suddenly felt really weak…

"I've gotta go." I turned abruptly and rushed off. God, what was wrong with me? He called my name once, but I didn't respond. I was too embarrassed… and a little scared. These feelings were just too sudden for me. I wasn't sure what I wanted. Did I really have feelings for Ryou or was I just rebounding from Aoyama… seeing something new in Ryou and reading too much into it… I wished I was older so I could know what to do… older… That was it!

"Ichigo? What are you doing here?" Ami opened her door and rubbed her eyes. "It's midnight."

"Gomen ne. I'm sorry to wake you… Can we talk?"

Ami poured me a cup of tea (she was so obviously related to Akasaka-sama!) and we sat at the little desk area of her room.

"So he went to kiss you… and you ran from the room?" I nodded, red with embarrassment. She laughed. "Don't be embarrassed Ichigo. It happens to all of us. Poor Ryou though. He probably thinks he's done something wrong."

"What should I do?"

"You have to make that decision for yourself Hon." She looked at me for a moment and then smiled softly. "I've known Ryou for a few years now. He's had a tough life and it's made him reclusive and scared of showing his emotions… scared to reach out to anyone. You girls may be the best thing that's ever happened in his life. Especially you, Ichigo."

"Why does he always pick on me then? He's always nice to the others."

"Sounds like an old friend of mine back home," she said smiling nostalgically. "We're married now. You should think about it. Sort out your feelings. Find out his. See where you want to go from there. Ichigo, I told you before: you're young. You don't need to settle down at this stage in life. Enjoy your youth." She winked at me. "Now try and get to sleep. It's just about one am now."

I quietly let myself out of Ami's room and started down the hallway toward mine. That's when I saw the one thing I never expected: Ryou was sitting on the ground, leaning against my door, asleep; had he been waiting for me? I quietly crept over and knelt in front of him.

"Ryou," I whispered. He jumped. "Sorry." I said looking away.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He said standing. He wouldn't look at me either.

"I am."

"Okay then. Goodnight." I felt him walk by me and down the hall to his room.

"I'm just not ready." I blurted out. He stopped. "I need to think… can I please have time to think." I turned to him, blurry eyes. He slowly walked back. Those pale blue eyes pierced mine and I couldn't move. My heart was pounding in my chest, my knees were weak. I felt his arms wrap tightly around me. My body grew warmer pressed against his. And then…

"I've got time," he said in his normal, teasing way as he pulled away from me. "I can wait a little longer. Goodnight Strawberry." I stood there, watching him walk away. Watching him until he disappeared into his room, leaving me alone in the hallway.

My friends were already asleep when I crept in so I snuck into the bathroom to change. It was then, in front of the sink mirror, that I saw it. Around my neck was a black string holding a crystal pendant necklace. It was entwined with metal and sparkled brilliantly in the light. Where had it come from? As I walked out of the bathroom to go to bed I noticed a letter had been slipped under the door. My name was on it:

Ichigo,

I know it's not your "precious gift" from Aoyama, but I hope it will bring you as much joy and comfort. Just don't do something crazy and choke yourself with it while we're hiking through the woods. And try not to drop it in the river. I know how you klutz out some times.

Ryou

I growled. Even when he was being romantic Ryou was a jerk. Still… I folded the letter and carefully packed it with my stuff and went to bed.

"Ichigo, wake up, we've gotta go soon!" Purin was shaking me. I pulled the pillow over my head. Was it really morning already?

"You got in awfully late," pried Mint, sitting at the edge of my bed.

"I think I'll go take a shower," I said sitting up quickly and making a dash for the door.

"Oh Ichigo, what a lovely necklace!" I groaned. Retasu just had to call attention to the necklace…

"Mmmm… how pretty," commented Zakuro taking a closer look at the pendant on my neck.

"Did Shirogane-onii-chan give you that?" asked Purin excitedly.

"N-no," I stammered. "I brought it with me from home… I just haven't worn it before." I grabbed my clothes and rushed into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

"You have to come out of there some time Ichigo," teased Mint from the other side of the door. Sometimes she could be worse than Ryou.

After breakfast we found ourselves back on the old bus headed towards our next destination- the two weeks of white water canoeing. Our summer time adventure was half over.

"Alright girls," began Ami after we were all settled in the bus. "This next part of our trip is considerably more dangerous than the last. Let me explain some things to you right now. Rapids are classified from 1 to 5, 1 being the weakest. We will not canoe over anything larger than a 3.5. At all times in the canoe you will wear helmets and life vests as well as water shoes." The lecture went on for most of the ride.

I know I should have listened more to what Ami was saying, but my mind couldn't focus. I kept thinking of the hotel… of my night in Ryou's arms… it was different from being with Aoyama. Things had always been so perfect with Aoyama. We complimented each other well. But Ryou… Ryou always challenged me. He always made me better. I lightly touched the pendant around my neck. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Ryou watching me, hiding a smile. I blushed.

"So, Ichigo." Mint popped over the seat. "Let's finish that discussion from earlier."

"What discussion," asked Ryou raising an eyebrow.

"About what you and Ichigo-onee-chan were doing so late last night," Purin said. Ryou laughed a little at that and sat looked at me expectantly. I stared back at him wide eyed. What did he expect me to say?

"Looking at her face, you'd think they kissed," teased Zakuro suggestively. I shook my head repeatedly and waved my hands frantically.

"No, no. We just danced a little while, that's all. Really. Nothing happened." I looked down at the floor. "Nothing at all," I said just a little sullenly.

"Did you want something to happen," Mint asked me. I thought for a moment. I looked over at Ryou who seemed to be particularly interested in my response. Revenge.

"Of course not." I said firmly. "It'd probably be really bad anyway."

"Oh really," he commented. I nodded firmly. "Okay."

He was suddenly beside me in the seat. He pressed his lips firmly against mine… I was in total shock. His lips softened against mine… the kiss was sweet and passionate… something I had never felt when kissing Aoyama. His kisses had always been warm and fuzzy… This… this was entirely different.

Our friends were laughing and clapping as he pulled away from me. Ryou looked positively triumphant. "I hate you," I muttered looking out the window.

"Don't be a sore loser Strawberry," he teased before returning to his seat.

Everyone crowded around me again asking what the kiss was like. I tried to disappear into the wall of the bus. I would be safe soon. We were just about to arrive at our next destination.