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Valediction
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Disclaimer
It is Mia Ikumi who owns TMM. I can firmly guarantee you that I am not her.
Summary
On the flight to England, Masaya comes to a startling realization. Ichigo returns from the airport changed, and this could mean the downfall of the others. Are the recent attacks the work of Kirema Animas, or perhaps...One of themselves? IchigoxRyou
Author's Note
Yes, yes, I know. I'm horrible about updating. I'm also horrible about sticking to a format, but this one seems to work the best.
Thanks to all my diligent readers for bearing with me – there's not all that much left to go…
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Chapter 10
Heartbeat
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Ichigo
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I toss and turn in my bed, my actions haunting me. But perhaps the worst of it is that I don't even remember what atrocities I committed – it's like a feeling that everyone knows a terrible secret about you, though you're not sure what. And it eats you from the inside out…
And the fact that I attacked Ryou, of all people…Oh, why did it have to be him?
It seems that's how many a trains of thought I seem to have commence with the single word, 'Why'. Why did I attack Ryou? Why is this suddenly happening now? Why is it even happening at all?
…Why can't I stop thinking about Ryou?
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Minto
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I sit alone in my luxurious room, a contemplative look about my face. I had recently received Aoyama-san's letter, and it unnerved me to say the least.
On the bright side, Aoyama-san did at least still care for Ichigo, though no more than that. Apparently his journey to England wasn't entirely based on studying endangered species, if at all. I can see his position; staying here would be too much after letting go of Ichigo. She'd hound him for sure, just because Ichigo doesn't let things slip away from her easily. She's actually quite stubborn.
So obviously the fact that something she loved deeply was suddenly ripped away from without so much as a fight had broke her.
Shirogane-san spoke his thoughts to us (Though most likely on accident) about why it had happened. Something to do with a deep depression, and that answer certainly seems reasonable. The fact that Masaya had ignored her, even if not completely, had given her an unsure feeling.
But the sentiment that he actually didn't love her hadn't been confirmed, had it? My heart beat faster at the idea.
If it had, Ichigo would be helpless. She'd have to turn to someone…but whom? I hope it would be me, though something causes me to doubt that…
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Ryou
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How exactly am I supposed to tell Ichigo what her alter-ego did to me? Or explain that it was her feelings that caused her to become that feline-monster?
'How' this, 'how' that. It was getting quite repetitive. Keiichiro tells me that sometimes we can't always have a plan on what we are to do. – I wonder if that can apply to this situation.
I think it must.
I trudge my way to the room Ichigo is currently presiding in and lightly rap on the door. I wait for a few seconds, though I do not receive an answer. Cautiously, I slowly swing the door open only to be met with the sight of a sleeping Ichigo.
I quietly advance to her bedside, studying her. She looks so peaceful, it seems wrong to wake her and tell her of the terrible answers she needs to hear.
Unbeknownst to my mind, my face inched closer and closer to Ichigo's. I had almost kissed her, once….
Once…
Thankfully, yet also 'unfortunately' depending on your point of view, I was interrupted from my reverie by Ichigo beginning to stir. Panicking, I moved away from her as quickly as possible.
Her eyes peek open slightly. "Morning, Ryou," she murmurs, sending a shiver down my spine. She had been calling me that for a bit now, though this seemed to be the first time it registered seeing as more important matters were not currently at hand. (Well, they were, but I chose not to think of them this time…)
The simple name was something only those close to me had called me, including the girls, Keiichiro, and my…parents. Of course, Ichigo had never taken to calling me by my first name, which satisfied me somewhat. I wasn't exactly sure what I would do if she called me by my name.
"…Morning, Ichigo," I respond softly. The girl rises from her position on the bed and rubs her eyes.
"I guess I'm going to receive my answers now," her voice echoes through my brain. It reminded me that this wasn't just 'time to think about Ichigo', but it was 'time to say things that will permanently alter Ichigo's life'. My heartbeat quickens in nervousness.
"Yeah, I guess you are."
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Ichigo
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"What do you want to know first?"
That question triggers a multitude of thought processes in my mind. What do I really want to know first? What I did to him. But is that what I want to ask first? No.
"Why," the word triggers a small twinge of annoyance as it leaves my lips, "Is this happening to me?"
Ryou sighs. "I…I have a theory. First of all, your heartbeat quickens whenever you get overly nervous or excited. That is what triggers your transformation into a cat. Different levels of nervousness and excitement trigger different levels of results. For instance, when slightly nervous your ears and tail would pop out, though when exceedingly so, you would transform completely into a feline."
"Therefore, when your heartbeat slows, it would produce a different result. Things that could cause this slackening of the heartbeat are grief and depression. Any type of sadness causes your personality to have exaggerated emotions and a somewhat feral sense like the… being. But any intense experience of these feelings causes you actually to become the being."
"I'm not sure why this is still happening. In theory, when your powers left it, it should have too. But since your ears appeared afterwards, it's completely possible that there was enough residue left to still trigger the transformation."
Though somewhat lost, I still could see how it happened. When I was overwhelmed with grief, I was changed into that…thing.
"Ichigo, I think we should call that being by something. It's…less confusing." I look at him whilst he speaks, trying to read him. Like everyone else, (Save Keiichiro) I can't.
"It doesn't deserve a name. Just monster. Call it a monster," I spit out, angry at the beast.
Ryou's face showed some dismay that I thought of it so harshly, but I could tell he felt the very same way.
"Ah…very well, then. …Any more questions?"
Silence hung in the air at his inquiry, both of us dreading what needed to be asked. I, scared of what I had done; Him, scared to relive it.
"What did I do to you?"
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Ryou
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"What did I do to you?"
There it is; the question I was dreading above all others. Involuntarily, my hand jets to the wound on my arm. What you did to me physically or mentally? I sneer inside my head. I bite back my anger with reason. It wasn't her, Ryou. It was the thing YOU injected in her.
I guess she at least deserves to know some of it.
"Ah…this…" I murmur, slowly lifting my sleeve to show her the only deep and terribly visible wound on me. I felt like I was revealing a nasty secret to her that, although she deserved to know, it was best if she didn't.
Her eyes visibly widen as she jumps to the wound, gently caressing it. I try my best to suppress a small wince, it was quite deep, but I think she doesn't notice.
"I…I did this?" she asked unbelievingly. I nod, even though I wish so badly that it wasn't true.
Ichigo is silent for awhile, her gaze fixated on my arm. "…What else did I do?" Her tone is solemn and guilty – so much so, that I decide against telling her more.
She slashes her claws across my face.
"I know what I'll do. I'll just kill you."
She grabs me violently by my shoulders, and I can feel her claws digging in.
She licks the salty liquid from my face, and I don't hide my disgust.
She raises her hand to her mouth, still grinning, and...licks my blood from her fingers.
"…Nothing, Ichigo. That's all you did to me."
I'm lying through my teeth.
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Keiichiro
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I diligently scrub the dishes (A task I insist on doing by hand, much to Ryou's dismay) as I also diligently listen to Ryou and Ichigo's conversation. The first of the two seemingly went downhill the fastest, due to the deafening yelling on Ichigo's part.
Of course, I'm not actually listening in to the exact words – more like trying to hear if eitherof the two is over-emotional. I'm not really concerned with exactly what Ryou's saying to her; it's his own business.
As of now, silence reigns over. Perhaps the explanation is over…I'm sure Ryou's glad to get it over with.
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Ichigo
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My gaze once again diverts to Ryou's arm. Though I can't say I'm glad I injured him so deeply, I am relieved I did nothing more.
I look to Ryou's face; it's indiscernible on exactly what he's thinking, though he does seem a bit melancholy.
"Ryou…are you feeling okay?" I question, though somehow I already know his answer.
"I'm fine, Ichigo," he smiles, though even I can tell it's fake. Perhaps because of how many times I've donned that very same expression over the past week.
An awkward silence follows. Wait, scratch that. Awkward is a bit to light of a word. I finally decide to speak up.
"Well, Ryou, I guess I should probably get home…I don't want to worry my parents…" I speak softly, feeling guilty for only just now giving a thought about my family.
"Ah…y-yes, of course," he stutters, though I can't imagine why. Being polite, I straighten up the bed I've inhabited for who-knows-how-many hours before taking my leave.
All the while, I'm aware of Ryou's watchful and calculating gaze on my back.
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Author's Note II
Well, I hope this wasn't a disappointment! Personally, I think this is my favorite chapter yet. What do you think? Your feedback is highly appreciated.
Sorry for any mistakes too – I've read over it and used 'Spell Check', but you can never rely on that too well…
And also, a newly added section that should make everyone happier…
Next Update:
January 1st
(Give or take a day or two…It's my procrastination-elimination excersize.)
