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Lock and Key	By : Wildfaerie Category: +S to Z > Tokyo Mew Mew Views: 706 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew or anything associated with it. Nor do I make any money off this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew or anything associated with it. This lil story is, however, mine.
“text” – Talking   ‘text’ – Thinking   “text” – Talking Telepathically.

Lock and Key
Chapter 3: Face to Face Again

“Hey, you going to be alright?” asked a concerned Tart. “I don’t know, but I know I can’t wait any longer to see her. I need to find out what’s going on and if she’s alright. No idea when I’ll be back, so don’t wait around for me. I’m not the only one who’s been missing someone,” Kish answered with a wink as he teleported away. Tart shook his head, already worried about his cousin.

They had landed about three hours ago at around nine at night. The ship was parked hovering near the top of Tokyo Tower. It was cloaked and locked in place with a distortion shield around it that would cause birds and what not to alter their course so they wouldn’t run into the invisible ship. Tart had tried to convince Kish that they should go to bed since it was so late, and they could go to the café in the morning together to look for the Mews. But Kish had shot that idea down, saying he needed to see her tonight. When Tart had asked why, Kish had revealed something startling.

Kish had noticed a time pattern to the attacks, but being on the ship he noticed another pattern. While on the ship, the computers showed the converted time of Tokyo as well as their own. Cyniclon time was different in that their hour was fifty minutes long and their clocks went to sixteen not twelve because a day lasted thirty-two hours on his planet. Though he himself could never have figured out how to convert times, the computer did. And Kish had noticed that his attacks always took place between midnight and four am Tokyo time. The time when Ichigo should most likely be asleep.

If that was the case, then these attacks seemed to be stemming from Ichigo waking from some extremely powerful nightmares. Which would make sense why the pain was sudden yet brief and she would usually call out to him. She was waking up from something terrible. But what could she be dreaming that was so painful? And why was it his name she called out? To be reaching out to him, it had to be something bad and most likely related to the aliens. So he wanted to go to her at night. To see if he was right and if so, how he could help.

Floating along over Tokyo, Kish kept himself high enough not to be noticed while he let his mind wander. His body was on auto pilot for he could get to Ichigo’s with his eyes shut. He’d spent so many nights sitting in the tree outside her window. ‘Maybe he had been just a teensy bit stalkerish back then,’ he thought shaking his head. Looking below him he marveled at the bright city lights. As disgusting as they could be, he had to admit humans really could create some beautiful things. He had missed the beauty of all the lights twinkling throughout the city.

Paying close attention, he noticed some things had changed. The damage from the final fight had been cleaned up, but most of the forest that had grown that night still remained. Some had been cleared away here and there to make traveling easier, but it looked as though the city had embraced the vegetation and had worked to coexist with it, even in the middle of downtown. Kish stopped, ‘Apparently, they can learn. And they’re trying,’ he mused. Realizing he’d drifted close to Ichigo’s neighborhood, Kish took a deep breath and teleported to her balcony, praying she still lived at the same house.

He wasn’t disappointed. Looking through the glass, he saw that her room looked nearly identical, though all the pink had either been muted to something softer or gone all together. Her bed was a bit bigger and many of the posters she had had were exchanged for paintings or framed photos.

The latch on the glass door caught his eye because it was unlocked. He’d never seen it unlocked before. Ichigo always made sure it was secure in case he showed up even though he could just as easily teleport inside. Which is what he did now, taking the unlocked door as invitation enough and he didn’t want to risk making any noise by opening the door. He appeared hovering just off the floor next to her bed and his breath caught in his throat. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. But before he could really take in her features, movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention.

Masha blamed the slow reaction time on not having sensed an alien presence for nearly five months. Popping into his full size, he was about to alert Ichigo, when a hand quickly wrapped around his mouth, silencing him. He was held up before an alien who placed a finger to his lips. “Shh. I’m no threat,” he whispered. Masha studied the alien before his eyes got big and he started bobbing up and down, agreeing. Slowly the alien released him.

Flying up, Masha hovered before the alien and whispered, “Alien Kish?” Kish smiled and nodded. “Kish friend. Ichigo misses Kish. Kish help Ichigo,” Masha said quickly but quietly. Kish frowned at the little fluff ball. He wanted Kish to help Ichigo? He was about to ask what the furball meant, but the little thing had floated to his shoulder and promptly fell asleep. Apparently, the little robot did see him as a friend now.

Sighing, Kish returned his attention to the girl tucked away in bed. What was going on that not only had she been calling out for him, but even her little companion had thought he could help. His eyes drifted over soft face. Right away he noticed the subtle changes the years had caused. Her rounded cheeks were now slightly more angled, showing off her high cheekbones. Cherry kissed lips had become fuller. Long lashes dusted her cheeks. Her hair was a touch darker and fell in longer waves around her face.

How he longed to bury his hand in those deep tresses while he kissed her. She shifted, turning her face towards the ceiling, which let the moonlight brighten her features even more. Her skin was a softly tanned pink and looked incredibly soft. But the light revealed something else. Kish noticed dark circles under her eyes like she hadn’t been resting well. ‘Maybe my nightmare theory is true,’ he thought.

Suddenly, she started to toss and turn. Her eyes clenching even while closed. Her lips parted as a small whimper escaped them. Being this close, he could feel the pain begin to build in his chest instead of just slamming into him all at once like usual. Tucking a lose strand behind her ear, he gently called to her with his mind, “Ichigo. Ichigo. It’s alright. Wake up, Kitten.”

Seeing her start to thrash harder and feeling the pain build, he knew she would wake up any moment. Teleporting over to the balcony door, he took a seat on the floor. Back pressed against the cool glass, one leg stretched out, the other bent at the knee which he rested an arm over, and his gaze hidden by his bangs as he kept an eye on Ichigo.

He didn’t want to scare her by being too close as she awoke, and honestly, he wasn’t ready to be that close to her awake just yet. Until he knew where they stood with each other, he’d keep his distance. It was the best he could do for now to protect his heart and his sanity.

Pain lanced his heart just as Ichigo’s eyes shot open and she bolted upright. Before she could yell out, Kish entered her mind, “Hush, Ichigo. It’s alright. I’m here.” His words were like a spell that froze her voice and her movements. Slowly she blinked away the tears. “Kish?” she thought as her heart gave a nervous flutter. “At your service,” he answered with a grin. “But how? Where?” she asked frantically. “Right here.” Wiping the tears and sleep from her eyes, she looked around her room.

And there he was. Sitting on the floor of her bedroom. Her eyes locked with his glowing amber gaze. “Hey, Kitten,” he said flashing his signature fang filled smirk. Her heart began to race as she threw back her covers and bolted for him. Crawling to the end of her bed in record speed. She had just dropped to the floor at the foot of her bed when his voice in her head halted her.

“Wait Kitten. Stay there. We’ve got a lot to talk about first. And it’d be better if you stayed where you are,” his voice was firm but gentle. And it cut through her heart like a knife. ‘He’d never insisted on distance before. In fact, personal space had been a foreign concept to him in the past. So why now? Maybe he really had moved on. Maybe he had someone else now, that’s why the need for distance,’ her mind railed on. “Ichigo.” ‘I should have known he wouldn’t still love me after all this time,’ she continued. “Ichigo…” ‘But God I want to hug him. I’ve missed him so much.’

Kish tried to get her attention again, his smirk growing as he heard her rambling thoughts, the moonlight glinting on his pearly fang. “Oh, Ichigo.” ‘Damn that smirk has gotten even sexier,’ she couldn’t help but think. Suddenly, his smirk grew into a full blown smile, both his fangs flashing in the moonlight.

Her eyes widened, ‘I wonder what those fangs would actually feel like pressed against my…’ her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by an exasperated Kish. “Kitten! If you’ll hush for a moment I’ll explain,” he shouted in her head. ‘But I haven’t said anything,’ she thought. Then it dawned on her. They had been speaking telepathically. ‘That means…’ Oh dear God, he had been hearing her thoughts. She turned bright red in mortification.

Kish had quickly interrupted that very interesting train of thought, even if he was very curious to see where it was going to lead. It had made his cheeks flush and his heart rate quicken. ‘Just what in the Abyss had been going on to have her thinking of something like that with him?!’ he wondered. Clearing his head, he finally managed to get her attention. He almost couldn’t hold in his laughter when she realized he’d been listening to her thoughts, though he hadn’t done so on purpose. When her face turned beet red, he did chuckle. “I didn’t mean to listen in, Kitten. But you were broadcasting your thoughts to me,” he tried to explain. “But how?” she thought softly.

“First, I figured talking this way would keep us from waking your parents.” “But I thought only Pai was telepathic,” she interrupted. “Technically true. His telepathy is much stronger than mine. He can read most people’s minds unless they have strong mental defenses. I can only speak mind to mind with him and Tart because we’re so close. Though Tart is terrible at telepathy, usually coming through as broken sentences and emotions. I can speak easily with you because of our bond,” he explained.

‘Bond? Sure, they may not be enemies and they did have some serious history, but what bond? And wait, where’s Masha? There’s an alien in my bedroom and he didn’t alert me. And why can’t I hear his thoughts if we’re speaking telepathically, but he can hear mine,’ Ichigo’s mind rambled.

Kish chuckled and pointed to his shoulder. The little robot was still slumbering away. “Traitor,” Ichigo thought. “Actually, he was worried about you and thought I could help.” Ichigo blushed deeply. ‘Well that was an unexpected reaction,’ Kish thought to himself. “I’ll explain what I meant by bond in a moment. To answer your other question, I can hear your thoughts because you’re still broadcasting them to me.” Sighing, “Do you trust me?” he asked sincerely. Ichigo thought about it for a moment then nodded her head.

Hesitantly, Kish stood and slowly made his way to Ichigo’s side. Kneeling beside her, he whispered, “I promise I won’t hurt you. Now just relax.” His soft words put her at ease, and she did as he asked. When he shifted to reach out, Masha tumbled from his shoulder. Gently he caught the fluff ball and placed him in Ichigo’s lap. Kish reached out and gently placed two fingers against her temple. “Close your eyes,” he whispered. Again, she obeyed.

Ichigo found herself surrounded by nothing but pure whiteness. No matter where she looked, it was only white. The only disruption besides herself was Kish standing before her. She took a moment to look him over. He’d certainly grown and matured over the years. He looked to be around six foot tall, making her have to look up to see his face. Like she had imagined, he no longer wore his forelocks tied, but left them loose to frame his face. They were also longer, coming to rest just past his collar bones. The rest of his deep green hair was also much longer, almost to the middle of his back. It was loosely gathered with a red tie behind his shoulders. The look made him appear even more dashing and trickster-like than before. His eyes were still that mesmerizing liquid amber that she could lose herself in.

He wore an outfit similar to Pai’s but still true to himself. It was a sleeveless mesh undershirt with a small vest like Pai’s, but Kish’s undershirt was dark green and the mesh didn’t reach out from under the vest. No, Kish’s pale abdomen was left completely bare. Showing off his defined abdominal muscles. Ichigo licked her lips. He still had the lean physique from when they were younger, but he had clearly continued to work out.

Moving on before her thoughts ran away with her, she noticed that he still wore his arms wraps around his wrists unlike the sleeves that Pai had worn, only now the wraps were black instead of red. His pants were also much lower slung around his hips than Pai’s had been, but they were the same type. No longer the shorts and half tunic from before. The pants were tucked into more black wrappings which disappeared into a pair of boots like what he used to wear except these were also black. All in all, he had grown to become incredibly handsome and very sexy. Her assessment had only taken a handful of seconds as she looked up at him in confusion. “Where are we?” she finally asked.

A grin slid across Kish’s face as he watched Ichigo’s eyes travel down then back up his body, her heated blush revealing that she liked what she saw. Clearing his throat, “Technically, we’re inside your mind. But in a protected space that I created to keep your thoughts and memories safe. I’m going to give you a crash course in telepathy so that you won’t keep accidentally sharing your thoughts with me.”

Ichigo nodded, “Ok. What do I need to do?” “First, I need you to envision a locked door, and behind that is where all your memories and private thoughts will be located. You can imagine it any way you like. Then picture a small waiting room, if you will, in front of that door. That area is your common ground. When you want to speak to me or share any specific thought, you’ll do it from there. Anything private will remain behind the locked door. Alright, do you have that pictured in your mind?”

Ichigo cleared her mind and envisioned what he said. Slowly, the vast white world faded away and they were left standing in something that vaguely looked like the dining area of the café only cozier and more private. There were a couple of small tables with chairs and a large fluffy sofa off to the side. Behind Kish was a massive red and gold locked door. “Very good, Kitten,” Kish praised with a smile. “But be careful, I removed my barrier so if you don’t focus on keeping your private thoughts behind that door, I’ll be able to hear them again.” He gave her a wink.

“What if I want to share a thought or memory with you?” she asked. “There are several ways. For thoughts, anything you think in here while aiming it towards me, I’ll be able to hear. Same with speaking, though speaking is much simpler so you don’t really need to think of yourself here. As long as you’re thinking at me, I’ll hear you. Just like if you were speaking to someone. And the same if you were to yell something here or in your mind, you’d be broadcasting it to anyone nearby that has telepathic capabilities. For memories, well there are two most used methods. One is while in here, just think of the memory you wish to show. I’ll see it as a slide show with only the strongest sounds of the memory coming through. If you wanted to share a memory more completely, where I could hear everything and even smell and feel all that you did, we’d go inside there,” he pointed to the locked door. “But wouldn’t you see everything if you went in there?” Ichigo asked.

Taking a seat on the sofa, Kish leaned back and stretched his legs out. “Yes and no. Everything would still be private, but if I touched a memory while in there, I’d have access. I could watch as if I were living that moment through you. See all you saw, heard, smelled, and felt. Or at least everything that you remembered. I promise I won’t touch or do anything. But if you want, I could accompany you inside and show you what I mean.” Kish was being a tad selfish. He really didn’t need to enter her locked memories. But he was curious. What would her inner mind look like? And would she trust him enough to allow him access to her most private self?

Ichigo’s mind wandered, but she kept her thoughts firmly behind the locked door. Did she trust him with her innermost memories and secrets? He hadn’t done anything or pushed her to do something she hadn’t agreed to, so he hadn’t given her a reason not to trust him. But she could admit she was both scared and intrigued by the idea. And she really wanted to keep him talking and with her as long as possible. There was no telling when he may disappear on her. She still had no idea where they stood. Though, he had seemed flattered and amused by her earlier thoughts about him, but he hadn’t really revealed anything. She didn’t know how he felt about her or even if he was single. Then there was that bond thing he mentioned.

Sighing, she was starting to give herself a headache. Walking over to the sofa, she sat down at the other end, sitting with her legs folded in front of her and her hands resting on her thighs. She was facing him but left roughly a foot of space between them. “I’ll let you in there,” she flicked her thumb towards the door, “on two conditions.” Kish turned his body towards her, bringing his left knee onto the couch so he could face her completely and leaned back against the couch’s armrest. “I’m listening,” he almost purred.

Suddenly, she released a yelp and rubbed at her temple, “Ouch!” “Oh, sorry, Kitten. That was me removing our physical connection and sitting back down.” Ichigo looked at him in confusion. “If you’re not touching me anymore, then how are you still here in my mind?” she asked. “Part of that pain was me solidifying our link. Now that the connection has been made and as long as I have your consent, I can enter this part of your mind whenever you or I want.” Seeing a shift of worry cross her eyes, he added, “Don’t worry, Kitten. This is still your mind and I’ll never enter here without your permission. But if you’d rather continue this conversation in your bedroom, I could leave here.” His hand rolled back and forth between them while he made the offer.

Instantly, Ichigo’s hand shot forwards and wrapped around his wrist. “No! Uh… I mean. Please stay. At least a while longer while we finish talking,” she tried to hide the need and longing in her voice. Kish smiled, “Of course, Kitten.” He rotated his wrist so he now held her fingers in his grasp and brought her hand up. He leaned forwards and placed a butterfly kiss to her knuckles. Ichigo blushed scarlet as she pulled her hand back. “Thank you,” she managed to stutter out. They had both felt the sizzle of electricity run through their bodies at the contact. Kish bit his tongue. He was skirting fate, he knew that, but he hadn’t been able to resist. Her touch had almost pushed him over the edge. Grasping for a distraction from the way her skin felt under his lips, he asked, “So what were those two conditions?”

“Oh, umm… First, I want you to explain what you meant by our bond. And second,” here she glanced up into his molten eyes and sucking in a deep breath for courage, “I want to know how you feel about me now.” Kish’s eyes widened slightly at her second request. He knew it would come up eventually, but he was surprised it was her who was bringing it up. Another trickle of hope seeped into his heart.

With that hope, a bit more of his old self rose to the surface. “Can the little kitty-cat pay attention long enough for me to explain?” he teased. Ichigo crossed her arms defiantly, “I’ve been paying attention the rest of the night just fine. Haven’t I?” ‘There was his fiery Kitten,’ he thought. “Mm. I suppose you’re right. Well seems like it’s your lucky night, Kitten. For you’re in store for another lesson from Master Kish.” Ichigo couldn’t help but giggle, “There’s the cocky alien I’ve missed. Was starting to wonder if he was still in there or if you really had actually matured.” With his old self returning, Ichigo had found her former confidence.

“Oh, trust me, Kitten. I’m still me. But if you play your cards right, I’ll be more than happy to show you just how much I’ve grown and matured.” His voice had dropped in tone and his eyes sparked with mischief and something darker. Now that he’d slipped back into his old habits with her, he couldn’t seem to stop himself. The teasing and flirting just came naturally with her. Ichigo’s cheeks tinged pink, but as usual, she wasn’t one to back down to Kish. “Then I suppose you should hurry up with your lesson, Master Kish.” She let the last two words come out as a slow purr. Teasing him. Kish licked his suddenly dry lips. His blood was warming as his heart rate quickened. ‘Gods and Goddesses, this was better than before,’ he thought. Not only was she being her usual defiant self, but his fiery little Kitten was playing back. ‘All Bright, help him.’

Clearing his throat, Kish began to explain, “In Cyniclon culture we have love, relationships, and marriage just like you humans. But we take it one step further. When we find that special someone that we know we can’t live without, someone we want to share our very soul with, we can form mate fonds with them, then eventually forge a mate mark. While finding a real mate can be difficult, it’s common in our culture. You can love and even marry without forming a mate bond. You see, it can be difficult to create the bond in the first place and dangerous. When someone finds a person they wish to forge a bond with, there are some things that are required. There must be some mutual positive feelings between the two. But if they don’t run deep enough, the bond becomes frozen, and the one who started the process would be stuck. They wouldn’t be able to cancel the bond and try for someone else. They’d never be able to have that connection with anyone as long as that other bond was frozen. With me so far?” Kish asked.

“Sort of. I think I’m following. But why couldn’t, let’s say the girl, just tell the guy that she wasn’t interested in him and break him from the bond?” she asked. “Because mate bonds don’t work that way. They are something truly special and aren’t to be taken lightly. It’s why it’s rare but common. Most want that deep connection, but are incredibly careful when trying to obtain it. Let’s say the guy started the bonding process with a close friend that he loved dearly. The process would start because they both cared for each other but may end up frozen if she only sees him as a friend. Another reason why most couples speak about it before letting the process begin. Though occasionally someone may start the process because the person they fell in love with was it for them. That even if the bond became frozen, they’d be alright because she was his one and only. Besides, even with a frozen bond, you can still have relationships and even marry. Only a piece of their heart would always be locked away. But most don’t want to marry someone they couldn’t bond with for they would lose the chance at that deeper connection as well.”

Kish glanced at Ichigo to gauge her reaction as he continued, “The reason a bond can be dangerous is if a frozen bond lasts too long or if after the bonding process starts, that person then completely denies you. Then the person who initiated the bond can slowly be driven insane. You see, once the process has started, some things become shared between the two. Telepathy becomes easy and normal between the pair. Strong emotions are also shared, but only to the initiator. But in a frozen or rejected bond, the initiator still feels these things. Which can become like torture. To feel the one you care for either hurt or incredibly happy and you can’t help or join them begins to take its toll. Eventually, driving them insane. Most take their own life at that point or have someone they trust do it for them. It’s considered a kindness because there is no healing a broken bond.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Kish continued, “Now there are two ways to break a frozen bond other than being accepted. First, is in the death of the chosen. The link would be severed and the initiator would be free to pursue someone else. Of course, this breaks a fully bonded pair as well allowing the one left behind to move on if they so wish. The other way would be if the chosen completes a full mate bond with someone else, accepting their mate mark. Rejection and frozen bonds are incredibly rare because, as I said, most couples talk about taking that step before initiating it. Frozen bonds usually happen if they become separated before the bond is completed. Or in the rare cases where the chosen becomes unsure and decides they aren’t ready for the commitment or that they really aren’t happy with the pursuer.   Rare, but can occur.”

Kish took a moment to wet his lips. He linked his hands together and stretched his arms above his head. Ichigo’s soft whisper pricked his sensitive ears. “Are you trying to tell me that you started this mate bonding process with me?” she asked hesitantly. Sighing, Kish locked his hands behind his head and closed his eyes, “I’m getting to that my impatient Kitten.” He tried to sound teasing, but it mostly came out sounding tired. “But why?! Why Kish?” she demanded. “You knew I was in love with someone else. Why do that to yourself? Why make a bond that you knew would end up frozen?”

Tears gathered at the corners of Ichigo’s eyes. She couldn’t understand. He must have been in pain all these years, believing he would never complete the bond. Would never have that kind of connection for the rest of his life. Kish slowly slid his eyes open and locked his piecing gaze with hers, “Because, Kitten, you were it for me. From the moment I saw you, I knew. My heart would never belong to another. Then one night while we were fighting, it happened. Pai had fired an attack aimed at you before turning his attention back to the other Mew Mews. I had my back to Pai so I didn’t see the incoming attack. All my focus on you. But I saw the sudden fear flash through your eyes. I had moved into the line of fire and didn’t know. But you did. You jumped up and shoved me out of the way. As I hit the ground, I watched as Pai’s attack grazed your shoulder, knocking you to your knees. I realized if you hadn’t pushed me aside, it would of hit me full force. You had saved me. Though you called me names, denied my advances, fought me with tooth and claw, and claimed to despise me. You had feared for me and possibly saved my life. Even putting your own life on the line for me. It was in that moment I had felt the instinct rise to form the bond with you. And I neither could nor wanted to stop it. You were the only one I knew I would ever love.”

Closing his eyes and tilting his head away, he thought of that day.   But suddenly the memory shifted, and he saw it play out from Ichigo’s eyes. Surprise hit him when he realized she was sharing her memory of that day with him. And though normally all he would see were the sounds and images, she was feeding him her emotions from that day. She had been petrified when she saw the attack heading for him. She had acted purely on instinct when she had saved him. And he saw something he had missed that day. When she had seen he was alright, she had wiped a tear away in relief.

As the memory ended, his eyes glanced back to Ichigo. She had tears streaming down her cheeks and her eyes were clenched tight. Like she couldn’t even stand to look at him. He could feel she was in pain. She was hurting for him. ‘Feeling sorry for what he had been going through most likely’ he thought. And sorry that she couldn’t return his feelings. He still hadn’t found out the cause of her initial pain and nightmares, but he needed to go for now. To lick his wounded heart and let her calm down. “I’m sorry Kitten. I never meant to upset you or make you cry.”

Before he could exit from her mind, her next question froze him in place. “Does that mean you still love me?” Her voice was shaky, timid even. He swallowed thickly, “Never stopped, Kitten.” The hollowness in Ichigo’s heart disappeared as something clicked into place. The bond had finally been completed. She accepted and reciprocated his love fully.

The pain Kish had been feeling was washed away as he too felt the thrum of the completed bond between them. Her happiness, love, and need for him slammed into his chest, filling his heart to the brim. The sheer force of her emotions knocking them both from her mind and back to the outside world and her bedroom.

Settling back into his own mind, Kish blinked as he looked at the girl on the floor several feet from him. He watched as she became aware of her surroundings again. Another blink and Kish’s eyes locked with hers. Again, he blinked and she was in his lap. If he didn’t know any better, he would have said she had teleported to him.

As soon as Ichigo had gotten her feet under her, she let her cat reflexes take control and launched herself at Kish. She had covered the distance between them in a single leap. And she now found herself in his lap. Her left knee braced atop his thigh, while her other knee supported the majority of her weight pressed to the carpet between his legs. Her fingers we curled around the shoulder straps of his vest, holding on for dear life. But what currently had Kish’s mind spinning were her lips pressed firmly to his. She was kissing him!

Kish’s mind finally snapped awake as he gently gripped her upper arms and pushed her away softly. She allowed herself to be pulled away but didn’t release her death grip on his vest. She looked up at him in confusion. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? I’ll never be able to let you go now. Not only did you accept the bond Kitten, but you let me taste those lips. Why?” His voice was rough and slightly demanding.

Ichigo smiled, “Silly alien. Still haven’t figured it out?” She flashed him her own cat fanged smirk, “There was this cocky golden eyed alien that once promised to show me paradise. I finally realized what he meant and was offering. And I’m hoping the offer still stands.” She winked at him and leaned forwards, her lips brushing along the base of his long ear. A soft whisper escaped her, “I love you, Kish. And I’m yours if you still want me.”

In an instant, Kish had wrapped his arms around Ichigo and had pulled her against him. Their bodies flush with one another as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes, so he clenched them shut. Breathing deep, he let her soft scent envelop him. She smelled like a ripe strawberry field after a spring rain. Clean, fresh, and delicious.

Ichigo held him tightly, one arm around his shoulders and the other hand slipping through his soft hair. When her hand caught on his hair tie for the fourth time, she slit it off. Wrapping the string around her wrist, he hand was now free to let the silken green strands slip through her fingers. When she felt the first drops of his tears run down her shoulder, she began to softly purr for him. To comfort him. She couldn’t blame his emotional state. If he truly had continued to love her for all these years, then she had just given him the greatest gift of his life.

With the bond now complete between them, she could even feel some of his emotional turmoil. All the pain he had suffered was being washed away and he was being left bare, raw. Fear also permeated his feelings. Fear that she didn’t fully realize what she was offering him. Fear that she didn’t genuinely love him and was simply confused. Confusion also surfaced. He couldn’t understand what had changed so drastically that made her suddenly love him. Concern and worry also warred within him. Worrying for her and concerned about their possible future. Kish gave a soft shudder before she heard him in her mind.

“How? When?” was all he managed to coherently ask. His mind was in shambles as he clung to Ichigo. She nuzzled her cheek against the side of his head as she answered him in kind, “It’s a long story that took years of soul searching and realizations. You sure you’re up for it?” She teased lightly. Taking a deep calming breath, “Kitten, I’ve waited more than four years for you to say those words. I can wait a bit longer to hear the explanation.”

Ichigo giggled softly, “Good to know, but not what I meant.” She could feel his confusion, so she shifted the knee between his thighs a bit closer. In doing so, it brought his slowly growing arousal to his notice. He chuckled dryly against her throat, “Cut me some slack will ya? I have not only the most beautiful Kitten across two universes, but also the woman of my dreams wrapped in my arms.” Ichigo blushed at the compliment. “I am. That’s why I asked if you could handle my long explanation.”

‘Oh,’ he thought. “I’ll be fine. But how ‘bout I make things a bit more fair. I seem to recall you wondering what my fangs would feel like against your skin.” While he spoke in her mind, he had kissed just below her ear then dragged the point of a fang down the side of her neck, leaving a faint red trail behind on her delicate skin. When he reached her shoulder he sealed his lips over her skin and let the tips of both fangs prick against her flesh.

A shudder coursed through her body as liquid heat pooled low in her belly. “Fuck,” she hissed at him. “I was wrong. Your fangs feel even better than in my fantasies.” “Hm? Been dreaming of me Kitten?” he purred seductively in her mind. The reminder of dreams had her snapping out of the haze that was enveloping her. “Tell you what. You take us somewhere more private and comfortable, where we can finish this conversation and I just might show you some of those fantasies.” Kish continued to lick and suck at her shoulder as he pressed his fangs in deeper, but not breaking the skin. When he noticed her scent become peppered with the faint traces of her arousal, he pulled his mouth away.

Glancing at her shoulder, he admired his handiwork. A light bruise was forming centered around two red indentions just above her collar bone. ‘Right there,’ he thought to himself. That would be where he would mark her. Leaning back, he looked into her eyes with a smile, “You’ve got yourself a deal, love.” Using her thumbs, Ichigo brushed the last traces of his tears away. Trailing a hand down his cheek, she twirled a finger around one of his forelocks and gave it a slight tug. “For someone who was just so emotionally distraught, you sure did bounce back to your old self awfully fast.”

“All because of you, Ichigo,” he told her as he rested his forehead against hers. “Having you here, in my arms and hearing you say you’ll finally be mine. The walls I’ve kept locked around my heart have finally crumbled away. Now,” he placed a hand over her heart, “that I can finally feel everything that’s in here with our completed bond. I know you love me and aren’t just saying it.” His words were soft yet happy in her mind.

Smiling, “Of course I wasn’t just saying it, ya dumb alien. I do love you. It just took me a little while to realize it. And if you’d keep your deal, I’ll explain how.” He grinned and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and back. “Then hold on tight, love.” Ichigo wrapped her arms around tightly around his neck and tucked her head under his chin. Kish lifted off the floor slightly as the air began to ripple around them. The pair vanished.
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Lock and Key