Chapter 11! Phew, I'm on the ball this month. It's as if someone released the inspiration bunnies! Bwaha the plot bunny already came XD

This chapter is a whole lot of fluff. So be prepared!

Sorry it took so long to update, and I hope this chapters okay. Oh i don't own kool N' Soothe...or TMM(but i've said that every chapter, so you really would think they'd get it by now).

Enjoy!

"Akasaka-san, is she still ill?" an impatient girl asked, from where she sat at the window. She was 'testing' the tea, as she watched the surrounding chaos of the cafe around her.

"I'm afraid so Mint-san, even if she does get better though...we can't be sure she'll want to come back to work," the brunette told her, frowning.

Mint snorted and set down her china tea cup. "Be serious Akasaka-san. This is Ichigo we're talking about," she sniffed, crossing her arms. "She won't be gone for ever, and if everything goes to plan she'll be back in no time. Honestly, I can't wait to have someone at least a bit more competent at handling china again."

"Mint-san," Keichiiro sighed, shaking his head.

"Mint this was about helping Ichigo," Zakuro said, disapproving of the blue haired girls attitude. "Not about your personal gain."

"Onee-sama..." Mint mumbled, hurt. "This is about Ichigo, you're right."

"We all plainly saw how Ichigo has been suffering, it was only luck that she even found Shirogane," Zakuro told the girls around her. "Only on Akasaka-san's decision are they now sharing a bed."

"Onee-sama's right, it was luck. If they hadn't had got together this way we would have had a much harder job," Mint continued where her idol left off. "We've been covering so much for them, and trying to give them as much time alone together as possible. But think about it; if they can't work things out in this time. We'll have to act."

"Ichi-Ichi and Boss Man will get better soon na no da," Pudding chirped in. "I don't want Ichi to go back to being the Icy Lady again."

"Pudding-chan, I don't think she will," Lettuce tried to reassure the young monkey girl. "We could all see it taking it's toll on her. I don't think she'll want to do that again."

"Lettuce is right Pudding," Mint said, taking another sip from her tea. "Besides, of course she'll stop, she's being forced to share a bed with Shirogane until she's well again. I don't think she could even keep it up if she tried."

"That's what we're hoping for," Keichiiro smiled, picking up the empty tray that had been on the table. He put it on the kitchen side and left to head upstairs. "Maybe the two of them will finally start to work things out. They both seem to hurt each other unintentionally, maybe this will help them understand each other better."

"Let's hope so," Lettuce said softly, holding her hands to her chest.

--

I'm hot! It feels strange though, 'cos It's not my temperature. No~ I was so comfortable and more importantly ASLEEP. Mou, I can't believe that...

The strawberry haired girl moaned and moved onto her side with an annoyed grunt. Her eyes flickered as she began to fully wake, blinking a few times before she opened them.

She groaned and sniffed, bothered by her blocked nose stopping her from breathing. The only good thing she could even consider, was the clean pink pyjamas -with strawberries on them- which she was currently wearing, that her okaa-san had dropped around the other day.

Ichigo hadn't felt more comfortable or refreshed after the shower she had taken that day. As soon as she had her bag, she had entered Ryou's bathroom faster than a bullet from a gun to get cleaned up. It had been extremely embarrassing as she remembered that it was Ryou's bathroom she was in, and she had been blushing the whole way through.

Now as she laid on her side, trying to force herself back to sleep, she began to notice just where that heat was coming from. Ryou had moved closer to her in his sleep, his body radiating heat from his fever.

Ichigo groaned and sat herself up, taking a box from behind her. It had been inside the bag her okaa-san brought over, along with her toiletries and pyjama's. She turned it over opening the top of the box and pulling out a blue strip. Ichigo held it for a second, enjoying the cool feeling of it before she ripped of one side of the plastic; it was a blue gel pad.

She moved Ryou's hair from his face and stuck it on to his forehead, the cold gel working to cool his fever. Okaa-san always did go over board when I got ill...all that stuff she brought over, anyone would think this was a pharmacy! Tablets, bottles, and I don't even want to know what that other thing was. Although I've gotta say these things came in pretty handy.

Ichigo smiled lightly, doing the box of Kool N' Soothe up and putting it back on the shelf. She watched as Ryou's breathing smoothed out and the frown on his face began to leave. I don't know what to think of you anymore, you've confused me more than ever. I don't know whether I can stay mad at you, or if I should comfort you. It's hard to believe how young you look when you sleep, but I think being ill has made you even younger...Gah Ryou you're such a jerk for making me think like this!

Ichigo whined to herself, knocking her head back against the wall as she sat back. She yelped quietly to herself, deciding to lay back down instead and snuggle into the sheets.

The koneko gave a gloomy look as she stared ahead, knowing she'd never get back to sleep. Her eyes slid from her strawberry covered sleeves, up towards the sleeping blonde next to her. He was lying on his back with his head lolled towards the wall, she studied him, taking in his mussed hair, red cheeks and disheveled clothes.

Ichigo pouted, feeling empathy for the ill teen; even his skin was paler than usual. The strawberry haired girl continued to stare, her eyes taking in every detail she could see, jumping when he began to move. Ichigo released the breathe she didn't even realise she had took, and found Ryou now lying on his side, facing her; still asleep thankfully.

She blinked a few times, taking in his relaxed features and flushed cheeks. Her eyes traveled downwards, only to snap back up to the thing that had just caught her attention; Ryou's bare neck. It was the strangest sight she had ever seen, his neck was always covered, if not by one of those collars, then by a top that had a higher collar itself. But that wasn't it, the thing that had really struck her was the small mark on the side of his neck, a mark not too different from her own. Only his was less detailed and more simple.

It fascinated her and she soon found her hand hovering over it, her first finger tracing it lightly as a shock ran through her body from the contact. She could feel his pulse beating faster than was normal, but she thought nothing of it; his illness was the most likely cause.

Ichigo was entranced, she had always wondered why he kept himself covered up; even when she had found out about Alto, the thought had never even occurred to her. She felt as if she had just stumbled across a big secret, it made her feel almost guilty for seeing this. Ichigo took her hand away unwillingly and put it back down at her side, not knowing that Ryou had been fully aware of what she was doing the whole time.

He had been sleeping less than peacefully, his dreams over ridden with the heat of flames created by his fever. He felt smothered by the overwhelming temperature and the flames coming ever closer to surrounding him. It was a relief, to say the least, when the cool wave washed over him, dowsing the flames in the refreshing coldness; this was what woke him.

He rolled over, enjoying the refreshing feeling that roused him from his nightmare, refusing to open his eyes. It was only a few seconds later, after he had heard an almost silent intake of breath, he felt something tracing lightly over his neck, in a pattern that seemed all too familiar to him.

Ryou didn't open his eyes, or even move, now realizing just who was touching him in such a way, making his heart race. It was a shock to him, knowing that that girl -the one who claimed to despise him so- would even consider doing something as unimaginable as that, no matter how curious she was. But he wasn't about to disrupt her; he was enjoying it. He had never thought anyone could be so gentle or careful, especially considering how clumsy the Strawberry was. She stopped.

Ryou had the sudden urge to sulk, he felt like a child who had just had his favourite toy taken away. He gave a small pout and shifted his body slightly until his head was now resting on the frozen girls shoulder, his hand resting lightly over hers. He smirked inwardly at her stiffened form as she even stopped breathing for fear of waking him.

Ichigo nearly had a heart attack, she hadn't even blinked before she found the blonde was sleeping on her, breathing softly against her neck which sent a shiver through her body. His hand was on top of hers, fingers curled loosely around hers.

She froze, she didn't know what to do, one minute he was next to her, the next on her. Ichigo sighed heavily, finally remembering to breathe once again. She looked down at the messy blonde hair on her shoulder and began to relax. Phew, asleep. This is sort of embarrassing, demo...he looks so cute, like a little kid.

The red head smiled warmly and closed her eyes, snuggling her self deeper into the quilt and closer to Ryou. She was just beginning to drift back off into sleep when the door opened.

Ichigo groaned hearing the content laugh at the door. She sat up, disgruntled as she had once again been driven from sleep, and glared at the general direction the sound had been.

"Ah Ichigo-san," the voice spoke, soft as it carried across the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Nm...tired," Ichigo grumbled, still glaring at the brunette in her view. "Akasaka-san, anou Ryou was burning up earlier."

"Hm, well I'll take your temperatures now then," Keichiiro replied, frowning. He inwardly smiled hearing the girl address his friend so informally. "Ichigo-san, are you comfortable sitting like that."

Keichiiro raised his eyebrows, looking at the odd position the iriomote was sitting in; half sitting up, with her left arm stretched across her front. The reason was because she was balancing Ryou and holding his hand still, the blonde could have laughed at her effort.

"Eh? E-etto...well uh," Ichigo mumbled, glancing between Ryou and Keichiiro. "I don't wanna wake him...I guess."

"Don't worry, it'd be easier if he was awake," Keichiiro told her.

Ichigo nodded and let Keichiiro move the 'sleeping' boy out of her arms, Ryou groaned at the movement; even if he was awake he was still tired, and was completely comfortable where he had been.

"Mnn...Kei-" Ryou glared at the brunette.

"Ryou sit up, I'm bringing up lunch in a while," Keichiiro explained, giving Ryou a pleasant smile. He took note of the cooling strip on the boys forehead. "But first I need to take your temperatures; Ichigo-san said you were burning up earlier. So, how do you feel?"

"Hn, hot...," Ryou told him, pushing himself up and noting with some satisfaction; he still had Ichigo's hand. She hadn't even noticed yet.

"Ah, I'll bring your medication up with the food," the elder decided. He took the thermometer from the side and handed it to Ryou. "Here."

Ryou sighed and put the thing in his mouth, silently counting along with Keichiiro until he returned it to the brunette. Keichiiro read the numbers and nodded.

"Well it's gone up quite a bit from yesterday," he told the blonde. "We'll keep an eye on you, but if it gets worse you'll be going to the hospital. I don't think it's something to worry about though."

Ichigo watched Ryou's expression; if anything he looked put out. She gave a small smile trying to be reassuring. "It has to get worse before it can get better, ne Akasaka-san? Like the saying goes."

Keichiiro agreed, waiting for the thermometers temperature to return back to normal, before quickly cleaning the glass stick and handing it to Ichigo. "If you would Ichigo-san."

"Ah, hai," she mumbled, sticking the thing in her mouth and trying to resist the urge to play with it. The glass was resting underneath her tongue, bugging her for the time it was there, it was hard to not try to move it.

"Ichigo-san you can take it out now," Keichiiro laughed.

"Oh, eh heh," Ichigo giggled to herself and returned the stick to her older friend.

"Mm, you're temperatures almost gone Ichigo-san, you'll only need a day or so until it should be gone," he told her, reading the number engraved on the glass.

"You say that...but my body says other things," Ichigo complained. "I can't breathe! Everything I say sounds weird 'cos my nose is blocked."

"That'll go soon Ichigo-san, as you said 'It has to get worse before it can get better', right?" he smiled.

Ryou snorted and rolled his eyes. Get worse...this past month has been nothing but getting worse, where's the better?

"Ne Akasaka-san, don't you have any of that smelly stuff?" Ichigo asked, causing both boys to raise their eyebrows in question. Ichigo sighed and scratched her nose. "You know, the smelly stuff that can help you breathe...it unblocks your nose and stuff."

"Oh you mean a decongestant," Keichiiro corrected her. Ryou groaned and laid back down.

"They smell...horrible," he mumbled, burying his head into the pillow.

"Well I want to breathe again," Ichigo hissed. "Do you have any idea how -cough- annoying it is to not be able to breathe normally, and when you breathe through your mouth you end up coughing non stop!"

Well she's certainly getting better, and louder... "Of co-rse I don't," he hissed back, flicking his tail irritatedly with his ears twitching.

"Oh don't get all catty with me," she grumbled, sticking her tongue out mockingly.

The two didn't even notice when Keichiiro left. Ichigo sighed and stopped glaring at the blonde, she looked away towards the window with a bored expression; arguing and sleeping can only be entertaining for so long.

The strawberry haired girl looked around the room, the only thing she could see that would be slightly gratifying for fun was the laptop sitting on Ryou's desk. The tired boy had been watching her expression warily, and saw where her gaze had landed.

"D-n't even...think...'bout it," he warned, giving her a challenging look.

Ichigo couldn't hide the mischievous glint that had appeared in her eyes, and she stared back just as determined. "Onegai~ I won't break it."

"Tch," Like you won't break the plates in the cafe?

"Ne Ryou...why are you holding my hand?" the girl asked, tilting her head in question. She had just remembered her hold when she went to move her arm, only to have it stay where it was.

"Hm?" Ryou replied, opening his eyes again.

Ichigo raised their entwined hands, a blush lighting her cheeks pink, and drummed her fingers across the back of his. Ryou blinked once before letting go quickly, he looked away with an ashamed and flustered groan, burying his head back into the pillow.

"Gomen..."

"I-it's fine," she breathed, flexing her hand with her blush increasing. She sat there silently for a while, concerned mixing with her thoughtful look.

"...You're not sleeping well," she whispered after a moments thought. "You woke me the other night...I think you had a nightmare."

"Mn, Strawb'ry..." Ryou whined, yawning into the pillow grumpily. "...-coughcough-..."

"Ah! Gomennasai Ryou..." Ichigo jumped, waving her hands in front of her face worriedly. "If it's something you don't wanna talk about..."

"Hmph...b-baka," Ryou chuckled quietly. He grinned against his arm at her indignant response, as she huffed and crossed her arms, pouting.

"You re-remind me -cough- of kaa-san...," Ryou mumbled, glancing up at her shocked expression. "The things...you say. You're cer-cough-tainly not mature like her."

Ichigo frowned, was he trying to compliment her or insult her? Demo, this is weird. Ryou NEVER talks about his parents, ever! This is so confusing, he's being so out of character. It's kind of cute...demo I liked it better when he's being himself. Why is he bringing up his okaa-san so suddenly?

"-go...Ichigo? Str'wbry, y-you awake?"

"Hm?" Why's Ryou staring at me so oddly..., wait...I'm the one staring at him, and I haven't said a word! Gah, no wonder. "O-of course I'm awake jerk!"

"Uh huh," Ryou nodded, smirking.

The iriomote growled, fighting the need to yell her head off. I'm not going to yell, I'm not going to kill that smug jerk...

She turned her back to him, huffing at the desk. She was about to get up when Keichiiro re-entered the room carrying a tray. Ichigo's head snapped to face the brunette...or more specifically to the gorgeous smell coming from the tray he held.

"Wah~ That smells so good," she exclaimed, mouth watering.

"I did say I was bringing up lunch," he reminded her, happily.

"Right."

"Quit drawling, baka," Ryou smirked, sitting up. It had been a while since he had eaten anything proper, and the food really did smell delicious.

"Oh, you actually managed to say a sentence," Ichigo grumbled, sarcastically.

"Yeah, yeah baka."

For the most part, with the exception of Ichigo's irritated curses and retorts, the two ate in relative peace, too busy enjoying the amazing meal in front of them. Ichigo couldn't help but give continuous praise with every mouthful, resulting in Ryou's complaints about her manners. Really, was it too much to ask to eat in silence? It was bad enough the girl had suddenly regained all her -noisy- attitude. Oh well, it's better than how she was last week...maybe I should be grateful? It is nice seeing her so happy again.

"Arigatou, K-Ke..." Ryou sighed and covered his mouth. He took a breath a tried again. "Keichiiro."

"Mhm! This tasted so brilliant," Ichigo gushed, eying the plate with a longing look. I want seconds...mou, it might be greedy to ask though.

"I'm glad you liked it," Keichiiro smiled, grateful for the praise. "If you want more just ask, it was only a small lunch."

"I'm okay," Ryou told him.

Ichigo stared at her plate, torn between wanting more food and saving room for maybe cake later. She was also wondering if Keichiiro was a mind reader. "I'm...okay, too."

The strawberry deciding it was the right thing to do; ignoring the mocking smirk she could see from the corner of her eye, that is.

"I liked you better when you had no energy," Ichigo mumbled. "You were polite then."

Ryou shrugged, handing Ichigo's and his own plate back to Keichiiro, his hand brushed lightly across the girls. They both unknowingly blushed at the contact. Keichiiro sighed to himself and shook his head. These two are unbelievable, I wish they could see for themselves how their own bodies are reacting to each other. Maybe they'd work it out if they could see that...but then again it is them.

He picked the tray back up and told them he'd be working the cafe downstairs. The poor guy almost considered giving up and letting Mint take over this trying idea of theirs, but that could be dangerous; it was Mint after all.

So Keichiiro Akasaka left the room, grinning knowingly to himself with the image of Ryou's tail looping lightly around the girls waist, and the memory of how with every movement one of them made, the other would move their body too; it was as though they were binded together some how, it was just looked so natural for them. It was an honest wonder why the two were so blind to each other.

--

"Hey, how are you feeling now?"

"A bit better," Ryou smiled, joylessly. He pulled the covers up around is neck and turned onto his side, facing the girl.

"Huh, that's good," she said, half talking to her self. It's starting to get awkward now, all this small talk is making me uncomfortable, but he can barely manage a straight sentence. Mou, what do I do? I'm getting better while he's staying the same...I feel kinda mean, heh heh.

Ichigo sighed and looked down at Ryou; his eyes were closed but she knew he was awake. The boy was sick of sleeping; it didn't help much at all, instead he was deep in thought, thinking over the circumstances, the work he was falling behind on -not that it would take long to catch up- and also about a certain strawberry sitting next to him.

It's so quiet. I wish I could use Ryou's laptop or something, I'm kind of bored just laying here. I wonder how the girls are doing down stairs? All that noise I've been hearing, I bet there's chaos...and Mint is probably still doing nothing!

Hm...I wonder what he's thinking about, Ryou's frowning so much. I hope he hasn't noticed the clouds outside, that could be a bad thing if a storm comes, I don't want him to be scared. Onegai, don't let there be a new storm.

"Ichigo?"

Ichigo blinked, coming back from her thoughts, and pulled her attention away from the window to Ryou. He looked at her oddly before trying to see what she was staring at. Ichigo automatically moved to block his view.

"Uh, n-nani?" she asked hurriedly.

Ryou raised an eyebrow, but decided it was best not to know, especially if she seemed so intent on stopping him. He turned on his side and thought about what he was going to say, it wasn't helping with Ichigo giving him that cute, confused look. He was thankful for his fever.

"I...," Ryou sighed, inwardly cursing himself for not being able to say what had been on his mind that morning. She's making this so hard, I never have to do things like this, but it needs to be said; I don't want things to carry on like they have previously. I wish she'd stop looking at me like that though, she looks so cute with that expression, and her strawberry pyjama's...baka.

"Ry-ou? You still with me?"

"...I'm sorry."

"Oh that's fi- wait what?" Ichigo blinked, and tilted her head. "Sorry for what?"

Has she honestly forgotten...baka Strawberry, Ryou mentally groaned. Just tell her, it's better if you do, even if she is making this harder than it should be. "I'm sorry...for -cough- what I said, for making...you upset."

Ichigo blinked again, trying to register what he had just told her. Ryou...Ryou Shirogane just apologised to me...for what he said? What he said...and making me upse-Oh!! I'm such a baka, how could I forget that, baka Ryou distracting me.

Ryou couldn't believe he was seeing the expression of dawning cross the girls face, it was hard to believe -in the slightest- that the baka had honestly forgotten what she had spent weeks crying over. Not that it was entirely his fault...but he was definitely a big part of it. Although there was a part of him that was glad she had forgotten.

Wow Ryou apologised to me. He even looked really worried about saying it, I guess he didn't want to remind me, or was worried what my reaction would be. Wow, I never would've...I wouldn't expect...demo, why don't I feel anything bad? I feel strange, glad I think...Happy. I feel genuinely happy.

"Strawberry?" Ryou asked, not sure what to think of the girls ever changing expressions. "...I was wrong to call you that, you -coughcough-...I do care okay, you're more than a...a weapon."

"A-arigatou Ryou," Ichigo smiled brightly. Enjoying greatly Ryou's awkward gaze and discomfort, she wondered how much pride he had just swallowed to say that. She grinned seeing his tail whipping around quickly from embarrassment.

"Don't sound too happy," Ryou mumbled, sarcastically. He closed his eyes and turned away, embarrassed but glad at her smile.

"T-to be truthful...with everything going on," Ichigo spoke, still beaming. "I sort of forgot all about that for a little while, I guess it's because I was moving on...demo, arigatou Ryou. I'm so happy."

Ryou turned back and looked at her sceptically. "Why?"

"Huh? Anou...because it's nice to know you care," Ichigo mumbled, hoping she said it too quiet for him to hear. She forgot about the cat DNA.

"Of course I care," Ryou told her, getting up. He lent against the wall behind him and kept his eyes closed. "I don't like seeing you in trouble."

Why do I find that hard to believe? Ichigo thought dryly. She had to admit what he was saying was probably hard fr him though, so maybe she would believe it.

"Ne, I should apologise too," Ichigo laughed nervously. "I caused you a lot of trouble...and injuries."

"It's fine," Ryou replied, opening one eye to look at her. "I can't blame you."

You should, she thought. Broken window, injuries...my behaviour. Ugh I was horrible.

Ichigo sighed and turned to face Ryou, he looked tired again. I guess that medicine is pretty strong, I wonder if he knows Akasaka-san puts it in his food...he probably does, Ryou knows everything.

"Go to sleep Ryou," Ichigo said, smirking as he fought against the medication.

Ryou glared at her, and kept his eyes open. "I'm not tired."

Ichigo sighed, he really could be a kid sometimes. She took his arm and pulled him from the wall, he was shocked at the sudden motion and looked up to stare straight into her eyes. "Ichigo?"

"S-sleep," she stuttered, finding it hard to turn her gaze away. Her hand moved blindly and found the covers, pulling them around the boy. She broke the hypnotic connection and forced him close his eyes, resting his head on her shoulder.

Ryou mumbled some form of complaint, blushing as he feel asleep with Ichigo's arm around him. She smiled and kissed the top of his head, near his bandage.

Her breath caught in her throat as she realised what she had just done, and she turned a brilliant red. It's his fault for being so cute when he's ill...that's it. Uhm like a mother's instinct or something...that's gotta be it. Surely.

Nya end of the chapter! I hope it's okay...i think I drabbled to much in this, not sure so ConCrit would be appreciated please.

I have to -unfortunately- give a small, tiny, tiny, tiny, thanks to my step bro who helped me a tiny, small, microscopic bit XD

Lol Please Review! I'll be writing the next chapter soon, and hopefully it's now coming to an end...until the sequal! Mwahahaha! Lol I blame plot bunnies X-x

R&R and ConCrit please, until next time. Ja!

Oh! And~~ Thanks to everyone who's been reading this story since it started; wah, i feel so happy ^^; and thanks to everyone who favourited me ^^