elavyeth: sorry about the huge delay on posting this chapter, life has been hectic. x.x

I have a warning: there will be one more flashback after this chapter and then the story will hit the spot. Stay tuned and review, please. :)

Do NOT own TMM!

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Part one - Lost

Throughout the entire morning, the Mews kept looking around. Despite being a small park, it had a huge area of trees. Shirogane kept asking Akasaka if the computer showed any signs of mew aqua, but he would give the same negative answer again and again.

"Aaahh… I give up!" Minto leaned against a tree and sat down to catch her breath. "We've been searching all morning and nothing!"

Purin fell on Minto. "Purin's hungry, na no da…"

Shirogane was awfully quiet, staying still and staring at oblivion. Akasaka approached him. "Ryou, let's get back to the café… It's lunch time, we'll keep looking after we eat."

He didn't seem to pay attention. "Keiichiro, do you think I'm fantasising too much by thinking the woman had mew aqua with her?"

Akasaka scratched his chin. "Well… She might have it without realising it. It's not the first time it happens."

"Then where the heck did she go?" Both of them turned around to see Zakuro talking.

"I know I'm not loony, she was there and gone the next minute… I guarantee you that."

"I wonder if Ichigo-san is ok…" Said Retasu.

Akasaka closed the screen and put the computer inside the bag. "We can't continue on an empty stomach." He smiled. "Come. Let's have some lunch."

--

Ichigo closed the front door behind her. There was a note from her mother on the floor. She didn't have to read it to know there was no one in the house.

Her feet were hurting from wondering around, avoiding to come home. Staying there meant being alone.

"Baka… Why did you have to go? Just when I needed your presence the most... And now this." She lifted her skirt and threw the mark a look full of hatred. Then she sighed and went upstairs to her bedroom, plopping on the bed, staring at the ceiling. 'I guess just because we got the mark, doesn't mean there will be troubles… It's only mew aqua showing up. The aliens are no longer here and it's been quite a peaceful time…'

The thought brought a little smile to her face, but it quickly faded away when she remembered Masaya. Ichigo felt embarrassed and didn't tell anyone… She couldn't bring herself to admit that Masaya asked for some space. Some space… The crappiest two words of her life. She knew he had to follow his dream; she was obviously not going to stand in his way. But then he had to say that painful sentence... 'Can we be friends?'

Like so many times before, some tears forced their way out. Ichigo grabbed the sheets and snuggled down in bed. She was getting comfortable and used to the feeling. Her mind was numb.

"Maybe I should go back to the café… Everyone's probably irked with me, but I certainly prefer their company to this."

It took a while for her body to obey her thoughts. She just lingered and looked out the window. "I hope the aliens are doing better than me." Ichigo giggled. With a jolt of energy she stood up, stretched her arms and grabbed her purse. Humming a cheerful melody, she left the house.

--

Part three – Just a Pendant

A faint bluish light filled the room and Kishu woke up. It was just enough to see the lines of the objects in the house. The sun had yet to be born.

Still sleepy and feverish, he scratched his chest and turned his head slightly to the right. He couldn't see very well but it looked like Sayuri was sleeping near the round table, using the cushions as a mattress. "I'm thirsty…" He whispered, hoping she would hear him. "Sayuri… I'm thirsty…"

The fever was taking its toll. Kishu was dehydrated and sweating a lot; his hair was glued to his face and the bandages were wet and hot, making the wounds itch. He slowly slid out of bed and sat on the floor breathing hard. Its coldness was soothing against his burning skin… So nice. "Sayuri…" He called again, this time with more effort. She didn't move.

'I'm not feeling too good…'

Lying down, he pulled the curtain aside and dragged himself with his elbows, enjoying the fresh temperature of the wood. When he had almost reached her, Kishu stretched out his hand to touch her, but for some reason he stopped and stared. Got a little closer and sat up. And continued to stare.

She looked…harmless. If he wanted to kill her, there was no better chance. Seemingly naked under a white sheet, lying comfortably on fluffy pillows was the girl who saved him. Just like that… With her eyes closed and mouth slightly opened, her chest rising and descending… Her breath was so peaceful it could only be heard in that absolute silence. Her skin glowed with the faint light of dawn.

How could she sleep so soundly with him in the same room? He threatened to stab her. Was she not afraid at all?!

Kishu realised his chin dropped and closed his mouth embarrassed… How was he supposed to wake her up now? She was wearing no clothes! He'd probably get smacked…

He stood up weakly and decided to find some water on his own. He could hardly stand on his feet and felt a wee bit too high… After gaining some temporary balance he ventured towards the shelves he saw before. So many jars and pots… There had to be something to drink in them. He knocked a small one down and before it touched the grown, he managed to grab it sacrificing his balance and falling on the wooden boards with a loud thump. "Shit!"

Quickly looking at Sayuri by the corner of the eye, he made sure she was still asleep. 'Sigh…' Close one.

Just as he was going to have another try, something caught his attention. A blue box. He saw it on the first day… but now it had some kind of shimmer.

Again he looked back at the girl and then reached for it. Carefully not to make any creaking noise he opened it.

"What the…?"

Kishu's face was lightened by the peculiar contents of the box and squinting was the only way he could see what it was. In the middle of all that brightness he distinguished a small object. He put his hand inside the box and took it out. The minute he touched it he felt a wave of warmth invading him from head to toe, making him feel weightless.

It was a gemstone so little it fit perfectly into his hand; and it had a silver chain attached to it.

It was so nice… He was feeling on top of the world and it looked like he could do just about anything.

He heard some noise and looked back at Sayuri. She was now sleeping with her belly facing down, her arms embracing the cushions, some hair lying gently on her back. The blue light of the gem was filling the cottage and Kishu could see more clearly now. That was when he noticed something on the bottom of her back, some sort of stain… 'Is that a bruise?'

He stood up and walked towards her easily. That was weird; he could hardly sustain his legs a moment ago… Ignoring that, he squatted next to her, blushing slightly… At that point, the sheet was only covering her bottom and legs leaving her delicate back completely exposed.

And the stain was no stain at all, more like a birth mark or something. There were two wavy lines, one above the other. Very simple and yet so perfectly drawn like a tattoo…

Kishu wasn't thinking and with his hand opened he touched the drawing. There it was… the same odd feeling he had when she first touched him, but stronger this time.

'This is… so good…' He couldn't help but closing his eyes. The brightness of the stone was more intense now and for a moment that seemed like forever, Kishu experienced an almost orgasmic feeling all over his wet body. He threw his head back slowly and took deep breaths, every one of them causing his blood to rush to his vital organs and genitalia, making him believe he was floating somehow…

He let out a gentle moan and opened his eyes lazily, looking down at the girl who was still sleeping totally unaware. 'I could kill her now… and she wouldn't even… notice.'

He knew he was risking being caught, but he couldn't – didn't want to – take back his hand. What was happening to him? His hand was closing in an attempt to claw her back and he was grinding his teeth, making an effort not to do it. It was overwhelming… like he was sharing his intimacy with her.

But… something was not right.

"Aaaaahh!!"

Suddenly the gemstone lost its light and Kishu fell back on the floor panting and blinking, confused with what had just happened.

Sayuri had woken up and covered her bare body with the sheet. The look on her face was terrifying… Her eyes had the same glow as the stone and she was staring menacingly at Kishu. He didn't know what to do and he couldn't move… He was paralysed by her eyes.

There was a moment of tension and danger between them.

Then Sayuri blinked and the glowing stare faded away. "Kishu?... What are you doing on the floor so early in the morning?" She asked naturally, rubbing her eyelids.

Kishu was stunned. She didn't notice?... How couldn't she have noticed?!

"I… huh… was looking for some water." He evaded, hiding the gemstone behind his back.

Sayuri was suddenly pretty much awake. "Oh dear! I fell asleep so soundly!… I'm sorry, this isn't normal…" She quickly sat down next to him, still holding the white sheet around her body.

Kishu immediately looked away. "Can't you at least get dressed?!" He complained; his face as red as a tomato.

Sayuri laughed at him. "Don't worry, I'm only checking your forehead." She said while touching it. "Hmm your fever has come down. That's good news. I think…"

Kishu held his breath. He noticed a suspicion in that sentence and waited for some kind of scolding. But the girl just stood up and he watched her walk to a corner to lift a wooden tile that revealed a not very deep trap-door.

Kishu raised an eyebrow. "Is that meant for someone to fall in it?"

She smiled amused. "No… It's where I put the water pot to keep it fresh." She took a clay glass from one of the shelves and poured some water for Kishu. "Here, drink as much as you want."

Then she headed to the bed and closed the curtain. "What are you doing?" Asked the intrigued green alien.

"Getting dressed." He heard her saying. "No peaking. Or else."

Kishu couldn't tell if she was kidding or if that was a real threat. Somehow she didn't inspire much trust at that moment. 'Gee… I wonder why.' While he drank his water, he looked at the gemstone again. It wasn't shining anymore, which was so odd… He never felt like that before. 'What the heck happened?' Over his shoulder he stared at the purple curtain. He could vaguely see her silhouette…

The sun was almost out, so more light came in from the east window. The crickets were silent and birds were chirping outside.

Then Sayuri noisily opened the curtain, wearing a white tunic and jeans. "Alright, time for your bath!" She said happily.

Kishu blinked twice. "Huh?"

"Your bath, boy. You haven't washed yourself in five days and you're starting to stink." She said, plugging her nose with her hand.

"Hey! That's not very nice!" He yelled and then sulked. "It's not my fault I'm ill." He mumbled.

The girl jumped from the bed to the floor. "You're not ill, you just had a fever because of the infected wounds. But they are healing better now." She walked around the cottage, getting some things for Kishu's bath.

He panicked. "You're not expecting me to let you bathe me, are you?"

"No. You're going to do it yourself, after I take your bandages off." She said a little annoyed. Kishu felt it wiser not to push the subject any further.

"There! I think I have everything." She stuck the stuff inside a leader bag and put it over the shoulder and across the chest. Then she helped Kishu up. He still didn't get that weird radiation coming from her. "Where are we going?" He asked.

"You'll see."

When they stepped outside the door, Kishu was dazzled. That place was just beautiful!… The trees and grass were painted with the greenest green he ever saw. The sky was immense and the orange light coming from the sunrise was breath taking. "Wow… I… I've never seen anything like this…"

Sayuri smiled. "Careful, you're almost drooling."

Kishu cleaned his mouth hastily and didn't notice he was using the hand where he had the gemstone, with the chain hanging from it. When he realised it it was too late… The girl was staring at him.

"Erm… I found it?" He said smiling stupidly.

Sayuri didn't seem surprised. "Yes I know." She said calmly.

Kishu's eyes widened. "You do?" 'Then maybe she knows what happened. Crap…' He looked at it inquiringly. "What is it exactly?"

Her face went emotionless all of a sudden. "Just a pendant."