Ichigo hated herself for crying in front of him again. If only she could just be stronger! She was always leaning on Kisshu. He was so good to her and put up with her. He was even holding her while she cried. She really had no right to lean on him after everything that had happened in the past. The truth was she felt wicked for allowing him to comfort her after she had been cruel to him for so long. She needed him now so badly. He was the only thing holding her up right now. The only light in her world was coming from him. The trouble was it was wrong of her. It was hypocritical to tell him she cared nothing for him when she had Aoyama-kun, and now to expect him to tolerate her. How cruel was she? What good was she?
"Shhh. . . don't cry anymore, my love. I'm here to protect you, okay?" He whispered into her ear.
Ichigo's heart stopped. "I'm here to protect you." Hadn't she heard that before? Hadn't she been told that by someone else? Yes. . . she had. The person she used to lean on told her that. The boy she loved with all her heart, her knight, her prince, her protector said that to her before. Aoyama-kun swore he would always be there for her and would always protect her. . . but now he was dead. He promised never to leave her!
She shook her head wildly, "No, you can't. It isn't even possible!"
"Of course it is, Koneko-chan."'
A cold chill traveled through her. No! Don't say that! Don't try to protect me! She was becoming so dependent on Kisshu, she needed him, but this happened before. What happened to Masaya when she leaned to much on him? It got him killed! The day they all fought with Deep Blue. . . Kisshu stepped in to save her. He risked his life for her and lost. He was alive now, but. . . Masaya risked his life for her too and he was dead. She stared into Kisshu's face. What if it happened again?
Kisshu stepped into her fight with the Crusader and even showed himself. He put himself in harms way without hesitation. When he came into the fight he knew nothing at all about Royal Highness, but he came anyway. Even she did not exactly understand the powers the Crusaders had yet. In all probability she would have been killed today if Kisshu had not stepped in to save her. The trouble was, by stepping in, he showed himself to be a threat. They had a new face to paint as a target. What if. . . what if. . . the same thing happened again? What if Kisshu were to die because of her? No! Hadn't enough people risked their lives for her? Hadn't enough people died because she was weak?
"No! I don't want it! You should go home, back to your planet!"
Enough! She did not want anyone to be hurt because of her, especially not Kisshu. In the past, she had already hurt him enough, even caused his death. She did not want anything like that to happen again. If he left nothing bad would happen to him. When he was with her he always ended up in danger or getting hurt. If he were back in his own world he would live a peaceful life. He deserved a nice life - Deserved to be free of her forever. If it was her, she would always be dragging him down. She already did it to Masaya. It was because he was always protecting her that he was dead now. Even Deep Blue told them the Mew Mews connection to him sped up his awakening. What that really meant was because of her connection to Aoyama-kun, because of her he became Deep Blue. Had she never gotten him involved it might have been different for Masaya.
"Is that what you want me to do?" His voice was so soft she could barely hear it. "You want me to leave?"
The sound of pain in his voice made her chest tighten so much she could not even take a breath. The deep emptiness she felt when he was not with her returned, only so much stronger. The tears she was already shedding took on a deeper sorrow. Her sobs got louder even though she was fighting them with everything in her. Ichigo's body shook uncontrollably with her tears. No! He did not understand. She did not want him to go. . . that was the last thing in the world she really wanted. She wanted him to stay!
Pain shot through her as he pulled away and moved out of her reach. Her head spun as she watched him floating into the air. She really could not breathe anymore. He turned his back to her. Ichigo watched with blurry eyes as he opened a port. The air rippled in front of him and he slowly glided in. It was over. He was leaving. Kisshu was going back to a place she could never reach. He was flying away.
"No!" She shrieked.
Kisshu froze midway.
"Please, don't. . ." She covered her mouth with her hands. No, she could not do this! She had to let him go no matter how much it hurt. It was what was best for him. Things would be better this way. Letting him go was the right thing to do. She had to let him go! She could not call him back!
He turned to face her again. She looked into his eyes for only a second before she had to look away again. Sharp pain shot through her chest again and again. She could not look at him because if she looked at him she would cease to be able to hold back.
"I will leave if that is what you want me to do, Ichigo."
It felt like her heart was splitting into millions of tiny pieces. Why? It had only been a few days? Why did she feel that if he stepped into that port that the only ray of light would go with him? After only a few days like this she should not feel this dependent, this tied to him. Why did the thought of him leaving her make her want to die? Why? Why couldn't she let him go peacefully?
Kisshu stared back at her. She was crying so hard she did not even seemed to be getting any air. Her face was hidden in her hands. The shuddering cries accosted his being to the core. He hated this sound.
He could not stand it anymore, "Stop, please!" He glided to her side and gathered her into his arms. "Don't cry like that, Ichigo."
Ichigo grabbed hold of him like she was taking a life preserver. Before he knew it she was practically tied to his neck. She clung more tightly to him than before and shook her head slowly but deliberately. He was not sure what her response meant. What was she saying no to?
"What do you want? You must tell me clearly." He prompted.
"Please. . . don't-" She did not make it through the sentence before she clamped her hand over her mouth to muffle a cry.
"Don't what, Ichigo?"
"Don't leave me. . ." She blurted out. "I can't, I don't. . . I don't want you to. . ." She wailed into his shoulder.
An irresistible smile crept onto his face and his eyes drifted shut. "Oh, Ichigo. . . Why didn't you say so sooner? You could have saved all those tears and not ruined your appearance. Now you look terrible! It will take you all day to fix your face."
She laughed through her tears, "Jerk!"
So, she did not want him to go even though she said she did. What a confusing woman! If the way she was hanging onto him said anything it was that he should not leave her. He shook his head. They really did have a unique relationship. No, they had a strange relationship! It did not matter though. He love it and he loved her. He felt like his heart had begun to beat again now and he could finally breathe again. Part of him wanted to shake her but part of him just wanted to keep holding her. A few seconds ago it seemed like he would never get to hold her again, but here they were. Ichigo seemed shaky now as he held her. He wiped at her drenched face with his fingers.
"You wore yourself out with all that crying, silly girl." He scooped her up, "Let's go fix your face."
The air rippled as they entered a port and she squealed as the door closed. She shut her eyes and rested against him. She already looked better, happier, more at ease in some ways. At least she was not crying anymore.
Kisshu did not bring her back to school after she was calmed down. He kept her all to himself, not wanting to let her go. After believing he had lost her once again he could not bring himself to let go of her. The idea of being apart from her, even to simply let her go to school, seemed like it would be more than he could stand. Tomorrow he would let her go, but not today. She did not seem to want to be apart from him either. She had not let go of his hand for hours. Ichigo clung to his side ever since he returned to her. He had not even left her, but it seemed like he had. Having to walk away from her made him feel as if another year had passed during those terrible moments. He was pathetic when it came to her.
He was back in his human form so they could go unnoticed. So she could walk the streets without worry she had changed out of her uniform. To be doubly sure she would not be seen by anyone she knew he took her to a different town. It was only a few miles outside Tokyo, but it was far enough. She seemed happier here too, like being out of Tokyo made her feel freer. She seemed more liberated now that they were outside her familiar area. Here she did not have to contend with anyone she knew or any old memories. He decided he would be sure to take her out of town more often now that he knew it helped lift her spirits.
Kisshu did the only thing he could think of at the time, he took her shopping. The last time he was on earth he kept hearing how girls liked to go shopping. Everyone said shopping made girls happy. He honestly did not see the appeal of it but if this would make her happy he would go along with it. With the two of them walking happily, side by side, it was hard to imagine that a few hours ago they had nearly separated forever. Regardless, they were together now. Part of him still was confused and part of him wanted to strangle her - Those were only small parts of him though. Mostly now he was just happy. She asked him to stay. Whether that meant that she was asking him to stay a little longer or whether it meant forever he did not know. Right now it did not matter. She asked him to stay. Those were the most wonderful words he thought he had ever heard her say.
Taking her here was his way of telling her how happy he was. Ichigo did seem to be having fun too. She was laughing a lot as they walked hand in hand through different shops. He let her take him into any store she wanted. He even suffered the humiliation of being used as a manikin. Ichigo took a little too much enjoyment out of putting pink hats or the like on him. She even forced him to stand still for her to snap a picture with her phone. Kisshu realized he was now seeing Ichigo's evil side. He was now questioning the wisdom of letting her decide what stores they entered. It was hazardous.
"Try this on!" Ichigo held out an outfit to him.
"No. I am not putting that on." Kisshu crossed his arms.
Ichigo had dragged him into a store for something called a prom. They had strange looking clothes for guys. He did not mind the things they had for girls though. She waved the odd set of clothes called a suit, or a tuxedo, something or other under his nose. It looked horrifically uncomfortable. He was amazed at what humans would allow themselves to be put through with such clothing.
"Please, please, please! I am dying to find out what you would look like in this!" She fluttered her eyelashes.
"That should be against the law." He sighed.
"Just this one, Kisshu! Come on!" She pleased.
A cunning smile creased his lips, "On one condition!"
Ichigo arched a brow as she eyed him, "What condition?"
"I will try this on for you if you try that on for me." He pointed to a purple dress on one of the racks.
"T-that. . . dress? B-but it's. . ." She stared at it wide eyed.
He leered at her. "Those are my terms."
"I can't possibly wear that, it's so. . ." Her cheeks were starting to flush. "My body isn't even fit for a dress like that!"
"Do you want me to wear the tux, suit, thing or not? It's up to you."
"Fine." She snatched the dress off the rack and marched to the dressing room area.
This dress was incredible! Did he even realize how extreme this dress was when he picked it? Yes, he likely did. This must have been the payback for the pink hats and scarves she put on him. She stared at her reflection in the long mirror. The royal purple dress was beautiful but there was no way she would ever come out of this room. She had no intention of letting that lecherous guy see her in this. It was an elegant halter top with beads lining the neck line. The problem was that the v-neck line plunged just short of her naval. The back of the dress was nonexistent, a totally open back. It was a floor length though and the material was very soft.
"Come on out, Koneko-chan. " Kisshu cooed.
"No, I am not coming out." Ichigo shook her head wildly even though he could not see that through the curtain.
"Don't you want to see me in this thing, Koneko-chan?"
"I don't care, I am not leaving this room!" Ichigo said firmly.
"Very well, Koneko-chan." Kisshu ducked swiftly inside the curtain.
Ichigo grabbed her shirt and pressed it to her chest. "What are you doing? You can't come into the girls dressing room! It is not allowed!"
"It's fine. The girl working here told me she had to go to the back for a while and do inventory. She said we could call her when we were ready. She won't catch me here." He smirked.
Why curtains? Why couldn't they have a door? What was wrong with doors? What good was having a curtain? You could not lock a curtain! Kisshu was grinning smugly. Ichigo's heart was beating a bit faster. Her eyes wondered over him, examining him. He looked like a prince in the black three-piece suit. The vintage style vest was black but with blue pinstripe. The jacket had a band of blue color along the lapel. He had left the collar of the shirt unbuttoned like a model. He truly looked stunning and handsome. In some ways he reminded her of Keiichiro Akasaka in this.
"Kisshu! You look great! So handsome!" She could not help grinning.
"You think so?" He chuckled, "I had no idea how this was supposed to look when I was trying to put it on. Lucky for me there was a poster of a guy wearing something like this next to the dressing room. I copied what the picture showed."
She giggled, "Well, it looks nice!"
He leered at her, "Koneko-chan," he chimed, "It's your turn. I showed you, so you have to show me."
"But I. . . it's so. . ." Her cheeks flushed hot as he swiftly tugged her shirt out of her hands.
Kisshu made a little purr of approval, "Wow, Koneko-chan!"
Attentive eyes scanned her up and down, drinking her in thirstily. She suddenly felt claustrophobic in the little dressing room - A hungry tiger and a little cat together in one room. He reached out his hand and traced a line up her arm with his fingers. Little chills ran alongside his touch. She held her breath as he closed the minuscule distance between them. Her heart rate spiked and her cheeks began to feel warm. He was so close and she was in such a little bit of clothing. She did not even have a bra on! Since he had been staying with her she kept one on at all times. Beginning at her collarbone, he traced the dip of neckline with is other hand.
His breath whispered over her skin, "I knew I was going to like this dress."
"K-Kissh-" Her eyes squeezed shut as he leaned in with a quick kiss.
His lips caressed her ear as he spoke, "You look so beautiful."
Ever so delicately, his fingertips ran slowly over her skin, along her shoulder and down her exposed back. Delicious chills ran up her spine. He ran them slowly up and back down again so gently - The little gesture sent a strangely sweet shock through her. Lowering his head, he began dragging his lips over her shoulder. Her head rolled obediently to one side, allowing him better access. The strange feelings were making her dizzy and it was increasingly more impossible to think with any clarity. The moment his fingers first touched her, she was already at his mercy. No matter what her mind was telling her she was unable to hear it anymore. His lips explored her bare shoulder and then her neck. It elicited a quiet moan from behind her closed lips.
He lifted his head and locked eyes with her before pulling her into a kiss. His tongue slipped into her mouth, caressing her tongue tenderly. Long fingers ran through her hair and cupped the back of her head, pulling her deeper into the kiss. The kiss and gentle motion of his tongue drew a muffled sigh from her. They had never kissed like this before. It took her breath away and drove her mind further into a haze. His other hand traveled slowly and carefully over her exposed lower back. The material rustled a bit as his fingers edged slightly under the line of the dress. She clung to him - dazed and confused - fingers threading through his thick, silken, hair.
Sudden, sharp pain cut into her spine as her back connected with the wall. The fight with the Chimera - That things wing caught her between the shoulder blades. Until now she had not noticed it. It only revealed itself when his body pressed her back to the wall. If not for the injury she did not realize she had it would not have hurt her. She winced and tensed with the dull but harsh ache. Kisshu broke the kiss instantly.
"Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head, "No, it wasn't your fault. It's nothing."
He frowned, turned her around, then lifted her hair back. "What is this?" His hand covered the spot between her shoulders - The touch was so warm and gentle but still painful.
"Please, don't touch it." She pulled away with a nervous laugh, "It's not a big deal."
"Where did that bruise come from?" He persisted.
"I got it during the fight but it is nothing."
"I see." Kisshu pulled back the curtain, "Well, I should go back to my side before we get caught."
Ichigo nodded, "Right."
He ducked out with a swish of the curtain. "Oh!" His head poked back in, "Do you need help getting that off, honey? I would be happy to assist."
Ichigo glared at tossed her shirt in his face. "No, I don't! Pervert!"
"Just checking." He grinned and ducked out again, but this time taking her shirt with him.
Ichigo chased after him. "Wait, give that back! I still need that!"
"Then you should not have thrown it at me." He chuckled and kept going.
"Come on! Give it back! Please?" She said sweetly.
"I might. . . if you agree to try things on for me at a lingerie store." He chortled.
"No way, you pervert!" She snatched her shirt out of his hand and dashed back to the dressing room.
She changed quickly, slipped the dress back on its hanger and left the little room. Kisshu was already waiting for her by the door. They replaced their respective outfits to the racks and walked out quietly. They did not want the woman working there to see them leave. It seemed a bit strange to have to sneak out of a store but it just seemed like the thing to do. Once outside Kisshu slipped his hand into hers again as they walked. Things were back to normal even though he nearly left her earlier. Her arms wrapped instinctively around his arm at the thought. The thought of him leaving made her sick. She never wanted him to leave. It was selfish but she could not help it, she needed him more than anything. She really did. . .
Ichigo was snapped out of her thoughts by the feeling of something wet hitting her nose. It was followed by a second drop of water, and then another. Rain. They both glanced up at the dark clouds rolling over them. Somehow she had not noticed at all, she normally did. They sped up their pace a bit. Before they had gotten far at all the rain was coming down remarkably fast. People were rushing around and by them as the rain fell harder.
"Perfect. . . With all these people here I can't even take us out of here without being spotted." Kisshu growled.
They quickly ducked inside a shop without even looking to see what it was. The two of them shook off a little as they came in. She stared outside as the rain feel even harder. It was unthinkable how fast the storm was peeking. She wondered why she had not sensed the storm coming. She always knew when a storm would be coming well in advance. It was very odd. If they were still battling Kisshu and the others she might have wondered if the sudden burst of weather was their doing.
"Ichigo, you are not going to believe where we are!" Kisshu doubled over with laughter.
She turned around to discover a wall of sexy, skimpy, and outrageous lingerie. "Eh? No way!"
"We really did end up in a lingerie store! What are the odds?" He cackled.
Ichigo stared ahead, speechless.
Kisshu shot her a sultry look. "Since we ended up here anyway. . . you could always try something on to pass the time."
"What?" Her cheeks were heating up as she thought back to the formal shop.
Kisshu slipped an arm around her waist. "How about that pink and black maid one? Or maybe that sheer set with the strawberries on it, that would be perfect for you!" His tone was low, "Or we could try something really naughty too!"
All she could think about was that dressing room - the way he kissed her and the touch of his fingers. She felt her ears suddenly make their entrance. No! Why now? Before she could move to try to hide them Kisshu stuck something on her head, in front of the ears. He grinned and held up a second headband with big, fake cat ears on them. There was a stand next to them that had everything imaginable: cat ears, bunny ears, masks, and the like. A smile edged at the corners of her lips and she cupped his hand in hers. He used fake ears to cover up her real ones. She could easily keep her tail hidden on her own. It was a good thing she had chosen a long skirt to wear today.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"No problem." He gently caught hold of her tail through the skirt. "It is the least I can do. . . since I'm the one who excited you."
"I take it back." She growled. "I'm not thanking you."
Kisshu chuckled and grinned wickedly as he slid his fingers along her tail. "Are you sure you won't try anything on while we are here?"
"I'm leaving!" She hissed.
"You can't! Not as long as your ears are out." He shot back and ran the tips of his finger down the curve of her neck.
"Stop it! Nya! You're not helping!"
"No, but I am enjoying this. I would enjoy it more if none of these people worked here though." His voice had taken on a seductive tone.
"Nya! You're so mean! I'll never get rid of them if you don't stop! Nya!"
"Alright, Koneko-chan. You win, I will be good now." He nuzzled his face against her neck.
The two of them listened to the sound of the rain beating down on the roof. As hard as it was coming down it was a good thing they had been near the shops. It would have been a pain to be stuck outside when it was raining that way. He kept his arms circled around her waist but, true to his word, had stopped teasing her. Once her ears and tail had gone away he slipped the fake ears back off her head and replaced them in the bin.