Escape Part 7:

Arrangements

When Kisshu had calmed down, he and Ichigo went downstairs. They found everyone in the living room, talking. They looked up as Kisshu and Ichigo came in, and Taruto asked, "Kisshu, how are you feeling?"

"I feel better, thanks Midget," Kisshu said, smirking.

To everyone's surprise, Taruto hugged Kisshu. "You're not whacking me for calling you a midget?" Kisshu asked.

"I thought I'd never hear that again…." Taruto said. "Believe it or not, I missed that. I missed the person you used to be before the Council decided to put you in jail for no good reason."

"Thanks, Taruto," Kisshu said.

The others watched them, smiling. Then Yahiko said, "I'm glad you're both here, because we were starting to talk about what will happen now. I knew from the start that putting Kisshu in jail was not a great idea, but after coming here, and seeing what it had done to him, I realized that listening to the Council isn't a good idea. They have become over-confident and arrogant due to their power, and while some might be able to handle dealing with them, I've decided that I can't. Having to exile Pai and Taruto in order to help Kisshu was hard for me, and I feel that the position of leader isn't really what I want to do. Therefore, I've decided to hand my power to the Council, and step down as leader of Cyniclonia."

Pai, Kisshu, and Taruto looked utterly shocked. "The Council's still upset about the Deep Blue fiasco, though," Pai said. "What if they attack Earth again?"

"I need to make it clear that what Mew Ichigo told me the first time we met is true; that Deep Blue intended to wipe us out along with the humans," Yahiko said.

"Forgive me for asking, but how exactly will that work?" Pai asked. "The only people who actually fought Deep Blue were Kisshu and Ichigo. They were the only two in Deep Blue's fortress before Ichigo killed him."

"I think I'm missing something," Yahiko said. "Why did the Council tell me Kisshu was the one who killed Deep Blue?"

"They must have misunderstood my report," Pai said. "Kisshu fought Deep Blue, but was killed by him. Ichigo is the one who killed Deep Blue."

"I don't know how I'm going to explain this one," Yahiko sighed. "I can't tell them I just heard it on Earth, they'll want real proof that Deep Blue didn't intend to help us."

Pai looked worried, and said, "The only people who could provide that proof are Kisshu and Ichigo."

"And it's not a good idea to bring Kisshu back to our planet," Yahiko said. "Especially not where I have to go to talk with the Council."

"I'll go," Ichigo said.

The others turned to her, startled. "I can tell the Council what happened," Ichigo said. "I'm the only one who can."

Sakura looked worried, and said, "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," Ichigo said. "Kish can't go back; I'm the only one who has a chance of convincing the Council that Deep Blue wasn't what they thought he was."

Yahiko looked thoughtful, and said, "That would work, but would you really be okay not knowing anyone? And most of my people aren't comfortable around humans, to be honest."

"Well, we'd go with her," Moe said. "She needs someone to protect her anyways. Ichigo attracts trouble."

"Thanks, Moe," Ichigo said sarcastically.

Yahiko sighed and said, "I should take you two with me anyways; the Council wants to meet you both."

"I guess that's settled," Miwa said.

"Yahiko-sama, are you coming back to Earth to live with Yume-san, Moe, and Miwa?" Kisshu asked.

"Yes, how did you know that?" Yahiko asked.

"Kisshu is perceptive to the point of creepy," Pai said dryly. "I don't know how he does it without mind-reading."

Sakura sighed and asked, "When are you leaving?"

"As soon as possible," Yahiko said. "You girls should start packing."

"How long are we going to be gone?" Miwa asked.

"About a week," Yahiko said. "The flight itself isn't long, but I imagine the Council will be having meetings about this, so I think you should pack enough for a week."

"Alright," Ichigo said. "Should we be packing dress clothes if we're going to be meeting with the Council?"

"It's a good idea," Yahiko said.

"Okay," Ichigo said. "I'll go start." She got up and went back upstairs, followed by Kisshu.

"Koneko-chan, is this a good idea?" Kisshu asked as Ichigo started packing clothes into a suitcase.

"Yes," Ichigo said. "And besides, Moe and Miwa are more than capable of protecting me if something goes wrong. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Kisshu sighed. "I just wish you didn't have to do this alone," he said.

"I don't mind," Ichigo said. "And it's a bad idea for you to return to Cyniclonia. You went through too much there, and it killed me to see how much you changed."

"Ichigo, why did you decide you loved me after I left?" Kisshu asked.

"I realized it during the final battle, but seeing as I didn't have a chance to say goodbye, and you were dead when I died, I never had the chance to tell you," Ichigo said. "But living two years without you was really hard, and I couldn't shake the sense that something had happened to you. I dumped Aoyuck after a week; I realized I couldn't keep seeing him when I loved you. Of course, now he's a total jerk, so it's a good thing that I dumped him."

"I'm glad you love me now," Kisshu said happily. "Can I have a kiss?"

Ichigo smiled and kissed him, feeling him kiss back passionately. She returned the passion, winding her arms around Kisshu's neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

They stayed that way until they heard Pai say, "Am I interrupting something?"

Kisshu and Ichigo broke apart and glared at Pai. "What do you think?" Kisshu asked irritably.

Pai sighed and said, "Yahiko-sama sent me to tell Ichigo it's time."

Ichigo closed her suitcase, and said, "Good, I'm ready. Are Moe and Miwa done packing as well?"

"They just got back," Pai said. "Let's go downstairs."

Kisshu and Ichigo followed him downstairs to the living room, and saw everyone waiting. Sakura and Shintaro came over and hugged Ichigo, and then Sakura said, "Be careful, k?"

"I will," Ichigo said. "And Moe and Miwa will be there too."

"That sentence always makes me feel better," Shintaro said. "Good luck."

"Thanks, we'll need it," Ichigo said.

"I agree," Yahiko said. "Pai, will you teleport Ichigo?"

"Hai, but I need the image," Pai said.

"Of course," Yahiko said. He put a finger on Pai's forehead until Pai said, "I see it."

Yahiko took his finger away, and Pai took Ichigo's shoulder. "Kisshu, I'll be fine," Ichigo said.

"K," Kisshu said. "See you in a week."

Ichigo smiled, and then Pai teleported her to a large room. Yahiko teleported in with Moe and Miwa soon after, and said, "Thank you, Pai."

"Of course," Pai said. "I have to go back now. I will see you all in a week."

Yahiko nodded, and Pai bowed, then teleported out. Yahiko turned to the girls and said, "I'll show you where you can put your things, but then you're on your own; I need to fly the ship. With this ship, it's about a four-hour flight."

"That's amazing," Moe said. Yahiko smiled, and led them to a large room that looked somewhat like a living room.

"There's a bathroom off of this room," Yahiko told the girls. "Due to the time difference, it'll be about noon when we arrive, just so you know."

"Thanks," Miwa said.

"Sure," Yahiko said. "I have to go fly the ship, will you be alright?"

"We'll be fine, thanks," Ichigo said. Yahiko nodded and teleported out. "What should we do now?" Ichigo asked.

"I brought some cards and Scrabble," Miwa said. "I also brought Uno cards."

"Let's play Uno," Ichigo said. Moe and Miwa smiled, and Moe started dealing out cards.

They played Uno for a while, but finally got bored. "Let's play BS!" Moe said.

"Great idea!" Ichigo and Miwa chorused. Moe started dealing out cards again, and the game started.

A while later: "Three sevens," Moe said.

Ichigo didn't buy it, and said, "BS."

Moe groaned and took the entire pile of cards. "I'm glad Kisshu's not playing," she said.

"Why?" Ichigo asked.

"Remember what Pai said about him being so perceptive it's scary?" Moe asked. "I bet he'd win every round."

"We should test that theory out," Miwa said. "Just because he can spot lies doesn't necessarily mean he can tell them."

"We can do that when we go home," Ichigo said.

Suddenly they felt the ship bump a bit, and Ichigo said, "Maybe we landed."

Miwa checked her watch. "It's been about four hours, let's wait and see," she said.

Sure enough, Yahiko teleported in and said, "We're here. I'll have someone bring your suitcases to where you'll be staying; you should come with me."

The girls got up, and Yahiko led them out of the ship. Two Cyniclons, a man and a woman, were waiting for them, and looked shocked to see Moe, Miwa, and Ichigo, though they tried to hide it as they bowed. "Yahiko-sama, welcome back," the woman said.

"Thank you, Kimi," Yahiko said. "I need to speak with the Council; will you take care of our guests?"

"Of course, but forgive me for asking, why did you bring humans back?" Kimi asked.

"Moe and Miwa are the twins," Yahiko said. "They're also my daughters, and this is their best friend, Mew Ichigo."

Kimi and the man with her were speechless, then the man said, "Um… you do realize the Council will have a fit, right?"

"They'll probably have heart failure when they hear my news," Yahiko sighed. "I need to speak with Koni, can you two take care of these three for me?"

"Hai," Kimi said. "Takashi, go get their bags."

Takashi sighed and went into the ship as Yahiko teleported off. Kimi sighed. She looked at the girls, and said, "Takashi can be a handful. So which one of you is which?"

"I'm Ichigo," Ichigo said.

"I'm Moe, and this is Miwa," Moe said.

"If you two are the twins, why were you on Earth?" Kimi asked curiously.

"Our mom is human," Moe said. "And up till yesterday, we had no clue our dad was even still alive, much less a Cyniclon."

"I suppose that means you can't use your powers?" Kimi asked.

"We can use telepathy, but that's it," Miwa said. "Ichigo can use it too."

Kimi turned to Ichigo and said, "You don't look like the pictures…."

"I'm in my human form, that's why," Ichigo explained. "Staying in Mew form takes up a lot of energy, so I can't stay that way all the time."

"Oh….." Kimi said. Then she looked at the door to the ship, and appeared to be concentrating. Finally she said, "He's coming."

Sure enough, Takashi teleported out of the ship carrying the girls' suitcases. "Seriously, did you have to scream?" he asked Kimi.

"What took you so long?" Kimi asked.

"Um… I found something interesting on the floor," Takashi said a bit uncomfortably. He held up an Uno card.

"Oops, I guess we didn't get them all cleaned up," Ichigo said.

"What is it?" Takashi asked.

"Part of a card game called Uno," Moe said. "It's fun."

"Can you teach us?" Takashi asked.

"Sure," Ichigo said. "Where should we play?"

"Let me show you where you'll be staying," Kimi said. "You three were given a room together for some reason."

"I bet it's so we can wake Ichigo up in the morning," Miwa said. "Ichigo has trouble getting up in the morning because she's half cat. Cats need lots of sleep."

"Oh…" Takashi said. "Let's go."

The others followed him off.

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