Nothing is as it Seems

Ichigo felt a touch on her arm and she opened her eyes. Two strange gray eyes met hers so close to her face it frightened her. She instantly tried to resist but . . . somehow she could not seem . . . to move as she stared into those eyes. Her body felt weak and feathery, a little like she had no control over it. She could not see anything clearly besides those eyes, even the face was blurry but she had a hunch about who it had to be. He was speaking but she could not make out the words and the voice was even hazy. What was happening? She could not hang onto any thoughts, everything just melted away and out of reach. She tried to resist it but could not seem to; it was like fighting a loosing battle, outnumbered one-hundred to one. Slowly her eyes drifted closed again.

When she finally blinked her eyes open again she was in a dim, cream color room. Looking around she discovered no windows and only one door. Where had they put her this time? The chains were gone though, so it might be her one chance to run. This could be a trap but she would have to chance it. No light shined under the door so it might still have been night. Tentatively she reached a shaky hand out and gripped the knob. She twisted it slowly but found no resistance of a lock.

When she pulled it open all that greeted her eyes was darkness. It made her uneasy wondering what might be out there, but what could she do . . . the only choice she had was to move forward. One foot ventured out and touched solid ground so she stepped outside. She jumped when the door slammed shut behind her. She worked to accustom her eyes to the darkness but it was as if there was an absence of any light at all in this place. Her cat ears twitched back and forth in search of any sounds. She swung her arms out in front of her every step she took. Each step was torturous when she had no idea what she was going to find. Her heart was pounding the longer she walked and part of her wanted to go back. Horror gripped her as she took a step but found no more ground.

Unbalanced, her body pitched forward and fell. She shrieked as she plummeted to an unknown floor. At last she hit, body plastered to the ground like a pancake. After a long groan she rolled into a sitting position.

"It's a lie . . . cat's don't always land on their feet!" She murmured, "At least not if they can't even see the floor."

She looked around – Now that she was here it seemed like there was a bit more light. It looked like grass covering the ground. As her eyes adjusted she began to make out a sky and even trees. Where was she? She frowned. For that matter, where had she been before she fell – She remembered a door shutting but she could not really remember anything else. Why couldn't she remember? At one point she had been chained somewhere by someone, but who? She was in a park now though.

Ichigo lifted her pink eyes – The first thing her eyes fell on was green hair and amber eyes. Her hands flew to cover her heart. He was alright! Her heart sped up and an ecstatic smile swallowed her face. Here he was! It seemed like years since she had seen him. She missed those beautiful eyes, that mischievous smile, that handsome face, just everything. She bolted toward him and he sailed to meet her. They collided in a tangled, eager embrace. His touch, his arms around her, felt more wonderful than she could have imagined.

Her ears flattened. Why did she miss him? Where had he been? Why did she feel so happy to see him? Why was one of her first thoughts that she was glad he was alright? Why wouldn't he be alright? She gripped him more tightly when an image of a bloody and bruised body flashed in her mind? Had Kisshu really been hurt like that or was it in her imagination? Ichigo nuzzled against him. He seemed fine now, there was nothing wrong with him. There was no blood and no bruising anywhere. His light, smooth, beautiful skin was without blemish. His gorgeous golden eyes were as bright as they always were. He was just the way he had been. She was so glad that was nothing more than her imagination.

Their lips met in an eager, gleeful kiss. He floated up, arms coiled around her waist. They tangled around each other, so happy to be together after some sort of separation. She linked her legs around his waist, her tail swishing absently. His splayed fingers cupped the back of her head to deepen the kiss. This was like the day they visited the valley – He would not be dropping her this time though. Why did that day seem like such a faraway time? Their lips smacked as they finally broke the kiss and held each other close. Her fingers wound through his lush, silken hair. All she knew was that she missed him so.

"Oh, Ichigo . . ." He whispered into her ear almost breathlessly.

She nuzzled into his neck.

"I missed you, Koneko-chan!" His feet hit the ground, arms slackening around her.

She dropped her feet to the ground. Slowly he floated onto the grass, eyes focusing somewhere near her boots. For some reason he looked so drained, a little like he might faint. Frowning she sank to her knees in front of him and stared into his face. Since the normal color of his face was so pale, it was hard to tell if he lost his color. Could he be coming down with some sort of cold? Her fingers wrapped around his hand and his skin was cool. There was no fever but maybe aliens got cold rather than getting a fever if they were ill.

"What's wrong, Kisshu?"

He smiled, "Nothing, I just feel tired is all."

She watched as he reclined back onto the ground.

Kisshu patted the grass next to him, "Come here, please, Ichigo?"

She lay down next to him on her back. Kisshu rolled onto his side and coiled around her. A satisfied sigh rattled his throat as he nuzzled his head against her neck. His soft, smooth lips sent delicious goose bumps down her arm as they grazed her neck. A tender hand reached up to caress her face and hair.

"Let's stay like this." He nuzzled against her, eyes closed.

Ichigo nodded and began running her fingers through his hair, stroking his head gently. He did seem overly tired. It was hard to tell but it seemed that he was already drifting off. This was fine, she did not mind if he fell asleep this way. If he was tired she would hold him and let him rest. It was the least she could do for him. He was so wonderful, always good to her. When she cried he dried her tears. When she smiled he smiled with her. When she needed someone the most, he was there to wrap her in his arms. Once she thought of him more as a devil that loved to torment her but now she saw him for what he really was – Kisshu was, and always had been, her angel.

"I love you," He whispered.

Her breath caught in her throat when she heard those words. There was a chance he was talking in his sleep but she really was not at all sure. Before she had a chance to wonder further he rolled his head upward to look at her face. His amber eyes held her captive, swallowing her deep into themselves. She could not help wondering what could be going through his mind as he gazed intently into her face. At times like these she wished she could hear his thoughts. After a minute of staring he revolved around until he was in a sitting position. Quickly, she sat up as well. It was almost like he only just remembered something and had awakened.

"You know I love you." It was not a question but a statement.

She needed to say something, had to respond. Her throat was suddenly dry, tongue like cardboard, lips frozen. She needed to say something, say it back, give a reaction, so why couldn't she . . . What was wrong with her? Something like that deserved an answer; he deserved an answer – Why couldn't she give one? He rescued her by hooking his fingers behind her neck and pulling her into a deep kiss. She melted against him, delighted by the kiss, but even more for being saved. His perfectly smooth lips rubbed against hers, osculating passionately. It almost felt like he was trying to make up for lost time, or as if he expected this to be the last kiss they could share. She felt the cool touch of his hand as he laid it against the side of her face. Her arms encircled his upper body. The touch of his smooth hand against her face felt nice.

This touch and this kiss stirred something within her that she did not understand. He always knew . . . always knew what to do, what she needed. He knew how to hold her steady or put her off balance. More than that, always, he came to her rescue. He astounded her on so many levels. Never could she have found anyone more special and precious than this if she looked forever. From the first day he returned he had been chasing away her darkness. He taught her how to smile again and let her find a bit of happiness. Maybe it really could be this easy, just like those butterflies.

"You're so beautiful, Ichigo! You'll always be my Koneko-chan." He murmured as he kissed her again, "I'll say it even if you get angry with me for it."

"Kisshu . . ."

"I love you." His fingers etched into her hair, "I loved you from the first minute I saw you, even before you had seen me. I watched you at a distance even before I stole a kiss from you that first time. I could not stand staying away from you any longer, so I introduced myself." He grinned, "I think you were right when you said I never could kill you because I did not really want to. You were the only one I wanted to keep alive . . . deep down I guess I knew you were the only girl I could ever care about."

Ichigo stared at him in stunned silence, heart racing.

"Even when I said I was leaving without you, the time when I tried to force you to run away from earth with me, I already knew I could not leave you alone. Saying I was going without you was just empty words. By that time I already knew that I would do anything for you. All I truly wanted was to find a way to keep you safe. I loved you so much it made me crazy, and it still does. I would and still will do anything for you."

She could not speak. Even without trying it she could tell her voice was somehow gone. He had never spoken quite like this before. His words thrilled her heart but they terrified her at the same time. She did not know what to do or what to say. She did not know how to react. If he had given her a bit more warning before he started this she might have been able to think more clearly. These sweet, honest, gentle words were flowing so easily for him but she could not think of one word to say. He was so much better at this than she was. It seemed like it came so easily to him but she could not even think of one romantic line. Ichigo leaned forward impulsively and pressed her lips over his. It could serve as her answer and it would keep him quiet as well.

He took the kiss eagerly, not at all disappointed by this answer. His arms surrounded her and held her close against him. She would have hugged him in return but her arms were pinned against his chest. His smooth tongue slipped gently into her mouth and caressed her tongue. He ran a hand over her bare shoulder and down her partly exposed back. Chills raced up her spine at the brush of his fingertips. His other hand moved to her neck. The touch of his lips was like silk, the touch of his hands like melting chocolate. It made her feel dizzy and happy.

A long, strong set of arms circled her from behind and jerked her off the ground. Ichigo struggled to free herself, heart rate spiking. She screamed in alarm and Kisshu jumped to his feet – The minute his golden eyes met the face of the man the expression of alarm turned unseeing. Kisshu stood as still as a doll in a window – She could not help but notice that his eyes had glazed over. What was wrong with him? He did not even seem to be able to see or hear her anymore. The world around him began to darken.

Her breath caught in her throat as she suddenly remembered the past few days. She really had forgotten so much, but why? What had happened to make her forget so easily? She beat her fists against his arms and kicked at him. Duke held her tightly as she struggled all the harder to get away and go to Kisshu. What was happening?

"Not happy to see me?" He sneered, "Don't I get a kiss too?"

A deep growl rumbled out of her throat, "Let go!"

"That was such a touching scene to watch!" He crooned, "To think you won't even admit how much you love him. You're afraid to even say that word around or to him. That's your problem, the reason you could not say it back."

"Shut up!" She hissed.

"He loves you, you know. He begged me to let him see you, wanted to know if you were alright. It is touching how the mere mention of your name tames him."

"Why don't you just leave him alone? You already have me so forget about him!"

"It is a little late for that, Ichigo."

"What do you mean? Why is it too late?" Part of her was terrified to ask but she had to anyway.

Duke smiled but his eyes had turned wicked, "Do you want to see how that boy really is now, Ichigo? Shall I show you the truth?"

"What do you mean?" She followed the blue eyes and stared into the darkness. It took her only a minute to find what he was staring at. Hundreds of long, glistening strings hung like a web in the darkness. Kisshu was on his knees, head drooping, arms stretched out to the sides – The web hopelessly entangled him like medieval chains on a prisoner in a dungeon. He did not appear to be conscious. He looked the way he had when they brought him in to see her the first time. The sight of him like this made her head spin.

Her voice cracked with the emotion welling inside her, "What have you done to him?"

"This is his mind and I trapped him within this place. The darkness he is shrouded in and the cords that bind him cannot be lifted by anyone. He cannot escape this place because it is his own mind, the depths of his mind where he cannot touch. In the state I have placed him he cannot see, hear, reason, or think clearly unless I allow it. His mind belongs to me to crush at will."

"No! No, please, don't hurt him!" She twisted in his arms and grasped his collar desperately, "Please, let him go!"

"Do you know he was threatening me a while ago?" He laughed, "Even in that state he tried to fight me, said he would fight me no matter what. Isn't he chivalrous? The gallant knight always trying to save his lady!"

"You don't have to do this, Duke! You could let him go. I won't try to run away!"

"I can release him, yes, but I have no reason to." He flexed his arms more tightly encompassing her, "I have crushed minds in this way before. Once the mind is crushed they are nothing more than an empty shell."

She shook her head emphatically, "Please! Release him!" Somehow she knew he was not lying.

"Not without a reason."

She lowered her head in defeat, "You win, alright? I will do what you say, just let him go! I will obey you. Please, let him out of here!" She lifted her eyes to his only long enough to plead with him.

He grinned, "That is what I wanted to hear." He nodded, "I will let him out and I won't crush his mind. But he will not be out of danger unless you follow my orders to the letter."

"I understand, I understand, just don't hurt him!" She was fighting back the tears as she spoke.

How had she just agreed to that? However, how could she let him crush Kisshu's mind? What was she supposed to do? She had no choice. At least this would buy her a bit of time to think about her options. Right now she could not think of anything to do besides follow his orders. Yesterday he told her she would have to kill someone, but if she refused him now, Kisshu would die. It was all she could do to hold back the tears as Duke took her away. If it had been only herself that he was threatening she would have been able to stay strong, but not when it was a threat to his life. It really was too much. She took a long last look at Kisshu before the two of them vanished.

His large hand grasped her throat and tightened, "If you disobey me, don't think you won't suffer as well! I assure you, I will make you wish you had never been born!"

She pushed against his chest, trying to twist away. He released her neck but his fist crashed into her cheek. She fell back and hit the ground hard, body complaining instantly. His fists and boots crashed against her again and again. She curled up defensively trying to minimize the damage. Her mind did not fully register the pain just now since terror was far too dominant but she would later. She did not dare try to fight back, she was far too frightened of him for that. Not only was she afraid of him but afraid what might happen to Kisshu if she started a real fight. He could not defend himself so she had to be sure Duke's attention stayed on her. She cried out as his foot crashed onto her tail and ground in under his heel. She was sure she felt it snap. Tears pooled in her eyes and spilled onto her face. His fingers locked into her hair and pulled her to him again. She whimpered and squirmed in his grasp, desperate to distance herself from him even a little.

"Remember, Ichigo, never go against me. The suffering you have had until now will be nothing compared to what I will do to you if you defy me." His teeth grazed her neck and she shrieked as his tongue flicked her ear.

"Stop! Please!" Her tiny arm continued to press against him, bruises already surfacing on the creamy skin.

His response was to drag his tongue over her shoulder.

"Don't, please!" She sucked in a startled breath and whined, eyes clamping shut.

"Like I said, you're too young for my taste . . . but don't think I would not hurt you just because of that. I might just because I know how deeply you don't want to be touched by anyone but him. I might choose to torture you this way, or I might choose to torture you other ways. I could always feed you to my sharks if I decide to do that."

Ichigo trembled uncontrollably, whole body shaking violently. The sheer filth of his touch sickened her and sliced fear through her body. His words drilled into her with the same horror she might feel if she wear facing a den of snakes. His touch felt like slime on her skin and made her long to wash it away.

"Never, ever defy me! Understand? Never forget that I can do anything to you I wish and I can do anything I want to the people you love. Nothing can stop me from getting my way!"

She held her breath as his mouth hovered over her lips, just enough away not to touch her.

"Understand?" He repeated, his hot breath slithering over her face.

"I understand!" Her voice quaked, tear threatening to fill her eyes.

He pulled back again, "Good, because I want us to be able to be friends. I'm an enemy you never want to have, but a great ally. I take care of my people. You and Kisshu could become part of my group and then I would take care of you both as well." His cold eyes made her shiver again, "Think about it, Ichigo."

Gently he drew her head against his shoulder and picked her up. She did not move even one muscle, terrified to upset him. The movement would only have made her body ache more anyway. She knew where Duke was going, he was headed back to that door she came out of. It must have been the entrance into this place. Her eyes fixed on Kisshu. She was glad he could not see or hear, glad he did not know any of what had just happened. She was glad she had been able to keep Duke away from him even if it meant she was hurt. Getting injured did not matter to her as long as he was safe.

A closed sign was on the front door of the café but six people sat at a table inside where no one could see. The warm, pastel colors stood out against the green grass and tall trees. From the outside everything looked fine and normal. The atmosphere inside was of a darker nature than the cute atmosphere portrayed. The Mew Mews, Keiichiro, and Taruto shared a large round table. Had this scene taken place a year ago it would have seemed strange to have this group at one table, but things had changed. Even though the aliens had been the Mew Mew's enemies, the battle was over between them. In the end, Taruto had even fought on their side. Deep Blue had become the only enemy at the end, and now he was gone, so they could have peace.

Mint heaved a sigh, "I don't understand it at all! When I called Ichigo's parents they said she was in her room!"

"However, when we went over to see her, Ichigo was not in her room. It did not look like she had been there for some time." Zakuro drummed the table with her nails, "But even when we told her parents she was not there they insisted she was, or that she might be taking a bath."

"It was a little like . . . like they were no longer in touch with reality." Lettuce's green eyes glistened with potential tears.

"I haven't seen Kisshu in almost two days either." Taruto frowned as he linked his fingers, "He was supposed to wait for me, but when I came back he was gone. I can't pick up a signal from him even on the links we used to keep track of you guys before."

Pudding took ahold of Taruto's arm, "I don't get what's going on! Where are they, na no da?"

"Where is Shirogane?" Zakuro eyed Akasaka as if he should be the one to know.

"Ryuu, I believe, already went out searching for her. I know he searched for her during the night but when he came back to the shop this morning he had not found her." Keiichiro shook his head slowly.

Silence slinked over the group as they sat like stones. Nothing made sense. The longer it went on the more people seemed to be vanishing. Ichigo was first, then Kisshu. Of course, without Taruto they would not have known about the disappearance of either. After Aoyama's death Ichigo had barely been around anyway. After she ran away they intended to visit her, but they would not have discovered her missing until today, when they intended to see her. When she was at the café she had seemed a bit strange but they decided it was just because it was her first time back. They decided it was because of the memories lingering in the building until Taruto told them how sickly she looked when she ran away from them. As for Kisshu, Taruto had not informed them of his presence on earth until this afternoon.

"I think we should go look for them too . . ." Taruto was on his feet, eyes narrow with frustration.

Zakuro nodded, "Indeed." She flicked her hair off her shoulder in a typical model style, "However, we need to be organized about it. We don't want anyone else to go missing considering all the circumstances feel . . . suspicious to me."

"Agreed!" Akasaka leaned forward, "With one Mew Mew missing, we can't take chances on any of you going missing. I checked on Mew Berry, and she is fine, still on vacation – But we have to be sure no one else goes missing."

"Do you think it is an attack?" Mint frowned, her perfect face twisted.

"What else can it be? As Zakuro stated, the circumstances seem too suspicious not to have some underlying factors."

"If it is an attack on the Mew Mews, why is Kisshu gone? I know he was going to stay there to wait for my news. Even if he was going to leave and keep looking, he would have come back to see what I knew." Taruto gritted his teeth a bit.

"Maybe he found something . . . and got caught because of it." Lettuce offered reluctantly, timid nature showing even more now than ever.
"That is why we all have to be careful." Zakuro's violet eyes were dark.

Pudding shook her head from side to side, "I don't want anyone to be hurt! I want everyone back, and everything back the way it should be! What do we do, na no da?"

"We find out what is going on and stop it." Taruto slipped his hand into Pudding's, "Then everything will be fine, like it always is."

"Exactly!" Akasaka smiled, though a clearly superficial one.

Through hazed eyes Kisshu saw the masked man wrap his arms around Ichigo and the two of them vanished. What happened? Where did he take Ichigo? His heart jolted and he came alive. He dove forward but found nothing – There was no door, no hole, nothing. He ran his hands frantically over the ground, eyes wide. What was happening? Where had they gone? His eyes scanned the surroundings and he noted that they no longer looked like earth as it had while Ichigo was here. When he was alone before this place had seemed more like the way his home planet had been before they acquired the Mew Aqua. While she was with him he had partially forgotten about the masked man but not totally. The whole time that man's promise to let him see Ichigo had rung in his head alone with the words: "It may be the last time you can see each other." At the time he assumed that meant he was going to kill him, but what if the meaning was aimed at Ichigo?

"Ichigo! Ichigo, where are you?" He shouted to the dark sky, voice dripping with panic.

Why had he been unable to stop her from being taken away? Why? Why? What was wrong with him that he could not get it together in time to catch her? Where had she been taken? His fists pounded the ground, tears of frustration threatening him. Why could he never manage to save her from that guy? That guy kept saying there was a gap between their strengths. Maybe it really was true. Maybe there really was as large a gap between them as he said. If there was, how would he save her? What if he could not save her? It happened before with Deep Blue, he failed to protect her because he was not strong enough. What if she paid because he was too weak . . . again? What if . . . no, he could not think that way. Ichigo would be fine. When that man came back here he would attack him with all his strength. This time he would get him!

"Really?" A chuckle rang through the dim space, "You really are eager to battle all the time."

Kisshu whirled toward the sound but saw no one. He perked his ears to listen for even the slightest sound, senses oh high alert.

"No gratitude for my generosity in letting you spend time with her in peace?"

"Thank you." He growled at the air, working to pinpoint the voice.

"You're welcome." Another laugh.

"Where is she? What did you do with her?" The alien demanded.

"I just took her back to her room, nothing to worry about, yet."

"What do you mean 'yet'? What are you planning?" His eyes search intently, ears still poised to pinpoint a direction.

"If all goes according to plan, someone will die today." The voice stated calmly.

"What are you talking about? I demand you explain all of this!"

"I don't answer to demands!"

Kisshu's side burned as something struck him.

"You need to learn that I am the one in control, not you. If you learn that we will get along better."

Kisshu snarled, "Who would want to get along with you?"

"Your little cat girl, for one."

He glared at the air, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You should have heard how shamelessly she was making up to me when she was asking me not to kill you! She was quite friendly once I threatened you." The mask came into view, "Did you know she actually tastes rather sweet?"

Kisshu lunged for him in a blind rage, claws and teeth bared, but he vanished. Fury, anger, wrath, rage, no human word came close to expressing the feelings bursting inside him.

"That girl's lips really are – "

"Dare touch Ichigo and there will not be enough left of you to sweep into a pile!" Kisshu howled as he dove madly at anything and everything as he searched for the man he wanted to kill.

"Really?" A frosty voice whispered into his ear.

Hands were suddenly on Kisshu's neck and he found himself instantly immobilized.

"You need to be good a little longer, so I will ask you to sleep now."

His head ached suddenly. The masked face rocked and swirled violently in his vision. What was this? He could not breathe anymore, not even one breath. His body dropped like a rock tossed into the ocean, dark waves crashing over his head as he sank beneath an unknown force. He could no longer see, hear, or feel anything at all. Any wish to kill the man was lost.

Zakuro held up her Mew pendant and leveled them all with a warning stare. Akasaka stood next to her with his usual charming manner in tack, but had a serious, rather grave look in his eyes. Since they were the oldest in the group, Zakuro and Keiichiro had taken over. Zakuro seemed tense and a bit unlike herself – The typical calm aura had been tainted with worry. Even Keiichiro had frowned frequently today, and his charming nature was a bit darker in nature, if that was even possible. Lettuce was especially worried about the two of them though she did not say so.

"Be sure to keep these in hand at all times so we can remain in contact. I do not want any one of you to get lost." Keiichiro nodded at the pendants, "Since Taruto does not have one he will stay with Pudding."

Mint swung the back door open, "We understand, you two, now let's get moving."

"I realize that you are eager to look for Ichigo, but we are only taking precautions, Mint." Keiichiro eyed her.

Lettuce started to move but paused, "Have you heard back from Shirogane yet?"

Akasaka shook his head, "No, not yet. I will inform you all when he returns the message."

Lettuce nodded and moved for the door with Mint. Her green eyes scanned the group as she walked. Everyone was tense and worried. Everyone was reacting to their feelings in different ways. Zakuro and Keiichiro were still plotting out a map as the four of them slipped out the door. The two of them were acting a bit paranoid, but maybe it was understandable. They were the ones in charge now since even Shirogane had gone missing. With so many people already unaccounted for they had a reason to be hyper sensitive. They were trying very hard to sort of some kind of plot to the happenings.

All of them had faced danger before but they had at least known who to blame before. The answers were not so clear now. No one had voiced it but they were beginning to wonder if yet another new enemy had surfaced. The Crusaders had been inactive for a while now, and they would have no reason to go after one of the aliens, as far as they knew. It seemed like such a strange set of circumstances surrounding everything and nothing really made any sense. There did not seem to be a reason behind anything.

Pudding halted, "Wait!" Her eyes were wide, "Since they made me hold it out and keep it in my hand while they were talking I set my pendant on the counter, na no da!"

Taruto cringed, "Really, Pudding?"

Mint glowered at her, "Then run back and get it, we will wait." This had put her in a worse mood than normal.

Pudding nodded and raced away as they watched her. Pudding seemed to be the only one acting like herself at the moment. Akasaka's pep talk seemed to have eased the girls worries – If only it had done that for all of them. They all hoped they were wrong about all the worries running through their minds, but how could they be sure? Lettuce began to fidget in place as they watched the girl vanish through the door. The Café was still close enough, they had not even totally left the yard, so it was fortunate Pudding remembered now. Taruto drummed his fingers against his arm impatiently. He loved that scatterbrain Mew Mew but there were times . . .

Sweet Juliet led Ichigo down the hallway without a word. She took careful notice of the building and tried to memorize the turns they were taking. Light from the noonday sun trickled in through an open window. Her heart jolted as she looked outside. There the Tokyo tower! She spotted a second landmark. Quickly, before Sweet Juliet caught her looking, her eyes dropped back to the floor. It was hard to keep the smile off her lips though considering she just gained a big advantage. At last she knew where she was. Now that she had seen it, she even knew what this place was. During the year she walked by this house and admired it for its beauty and design. Had she known then what she knew now she would have sent them a bomb. Still, she knew where she was!

"Hey, Sweet Juliet?"

"You can call me Yura if you want."

"Yura-san, may I ask you why you guys brought me here?"

"Because Duke told us to." She answered shortly.

"I know, but do you know why he wanted me here?"

She sighed, "Not really, and I'm not sure it matters."

"It matters to me. If I have to be a captive I'd at least like to know why."

Light hazel eyes drilled her, "Because he needs you to kill someone in order to start up some trouble."

"W-who am I supposed to kill?" Ichigo clenched her fists.

"He will tell you soon enough." She looked away, "You have to do it today."

Ichigo's heart stopped. Today? Her head spun. Today? Yura noticed her wavering and grabbed her by the arm. Ichigo let her drag her down the hall to a large room. They had not brought her here before that she knew of. It almost looked like a castle ballroom. It would be impressive if not for the person who owned it. This place had been tainted by that man, she could feel it everywhere. His darkness lurked in every room. A movement in the corner caught her eye.

"Ichigo!" Duke grinned, "Shall we go over what you must do?"

She stared at him in silence, body stiff. Royal Highness stood next to Duke, gray eyes colder than usual. The look he gave her was unreadable but she had a feeling it was unfriendly. The wooden door creeked as Blue Bayou entered the room and moved in next to Yura.

Duke smiled at her, "You agreed to do a job for me, remember? You agreed to serve me."

"I remember." Her eyes dropped to the floor.

"Come now, Ichigo, don't look so depressed. You only have to kill someone. It's not like I'm sending you to an orphanage to burn it down." He laughed, "I will even give you a new weapon for this job. With your new bit of power you will be able to use it rather well." He took out two strange round metal blades fashioned with three long protruding flame style blades. "These are called wind and fire wheels. Even if you do not know how they are used, with your powers now, I think it will just come to you as it did with your Mew Mew weapons."

She had seen things like that before but had no idea how to use such a thing. She did not want to know how to use such a weapon; it looked barbaric. Even though she did not know who she was supposed to kill she could not even imagine what killing any living thing would be like, especially with those.

"Once a bit more of your powers are awakened, I will give you another weapon as well."

Happy Child slid in next to Ichigo, "Shall we go?" He grinned, "We would not want to miss our chance!"

"Yes," Duke nodded, "the target needs to be eliminated today. No use wasting time."

"Alright!" Happy Child laughed, "Then let's get going!"

Her world began to spin and it was all she could do to stand – Or was she even standing? The strange feelings were similar to the times Kisshu had taken her into a port. She closed her eyes to avoid the spinning vision but could not stop the tremors in her stomach. If she knew anything, she knew she hated this. This was not at all her choice of travel. It was better when it was with Kisshu because at least she could hang onto him in here.

"You can open your eyes now." Blue Bayou nudged her with his elbow and nearly made her topple over.

It was a good thing she was in her cat form or she would not have maintained her balance. Ichigo looked around, eyes wide with surprise. Of all places, why had he brought her here? This already did not make even the slightest bit of sense to her. What could this guy possibly be up to? What was here? Who was here? Duke shoved the weapons into her hands and grinned down at her.
"Do you see that over there?" He pointed.

Her heart jolted and she suppressed a gasp.

"He is the one you must kill for me."

Ichigo whirled, "What? You can't be serious! Why? Why would you want to kill him?"

His cold blue eyes pierced her, "Because I'm going to start a war."

Her hands went to her heart. What did this mean? He could not really be serious! There was no way he could possibly mean that she had to kill that person? A war? What was he talking about? How would her killing someone begin a war, especially him? Maybe she could understand if it were different circumstances but this made no sense. What sort of war did he want to begin? Her brown eyes stared into his in horror as all she could see behind those eyes was a raving lunatic. He was stark raving mad, he had to be! She was under the control of a mad man. What was she supposed to do now?

AN: Romantic moment ruined. XD Well, that's what happens when Duke is around.

Anyway, hope you all are enjoying it. I try hard to keep them all in character, I really do. I try to think how they would react in situations and write accordingly. The Crusaders are hard since I really had little to work with, but this is how I always saw them being. I hope none of you are disappointed by this story, hope it holds your interest!