I Belong To You: A Kisshu And Ichigo Love Story

Chapter 25: I Belong To You

"Ichigo..." Kisshu dipped his head and gently nuzzled Ichigo's cheek. It was still warm. Her heart was fluttering - a weak, insubstantial pulse. Kisshu was more furious than panicked, and it occurred to him that in this form, anger was his overriding emotion. He was driven by some blinding rage, which was why he had been so eager to rip and tear through those Chimera Animals. Never mind swords - anyone who tried to hurt Ichigo deserved a painful death of being shredded to pieces by his claws.

But fighting wouldn't save her now - he had to think of something, or Ichigo would die. His heart wrenched painfully at the idea, and his mind raced as it fought against his urge to go take care of Parfait first. Ichigo was more important right now. He need to concentrate on what he could do to save her.

There was only one option - another taboo crime, according to the laws of his people. It was just as dangerous as transforming oneself into a Chimera Animal, and it was forbidden for anyone to attempt it. It almost always resulted in death.

But Kisshu would not lose her. He would not lose Ichigo. Not when she was the only one in the entire universe that he wanted to spend his life with. He was not going to give her up without trying everything in his power to save her. And if he acted quickly, and did what he needed to do...there was a chance...that they might both make it out, as themselves, in one piece.

Gently, as if he were handling a baby, Kisshu kneeled down and laid Ichigo on the ground. Her chest was barely moving - her warm, sticky blood coated his skin. Ignoring the gaping wound in her chest - quite similar to the one he'd suffered perhaps a day earlier - Kisshu held her face in his hands and whispered, in his strange, new bestial voice, "Ichigo...listen to me."

Ichigo's eyelashes fluttered, and then her eyes just barely opened. She was holding onto life for him. Kisshu was sure of it. That was why she hadn't died as soon as the knife pierced her.

He leaned in close to her ear. "Just relax. I'm going to save you."

Ichigo didn't respond. Kisshu leaned away, and stretched out his arm, his fingers spread wide, and focused on the bleeding hole in her chest.

A white glow illuminated his hand, and soon, Ichigo's body was connected to the light, which pulsed in circular waves. Kisshu felt it coming loose. It was easy, since she was so close to death. And besides that, she was letting him. It was so much more difficult to do this when the person was resistant.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Mint demanded.

"Why are you taking her soul?" Lettuce cried.

Kisshu knew that the Mews didn't understand. But then he heard Pai's sharp intake of breath, and knew that Pai had figured out what Kisshu was doing.

Tart was still confused and scared. "Are you going to turn her into an Animal too?" he cried. The Mews reacted instantly.

"No way, we won't let you do that!" Mint cried, running toward Kisshu and intent on stopping him. Lettuce also took a step forward, but Pai caught her arm abruptly and pulled her back.

Lettuce tried to squirm out of his grasp. "Pai, let go-!"

"It's the only way to save her now." Pai's iron grip on her arm didn't loosen. She could almost feel it bruising. "In fact, it's quite likely that he will give up his own life to save hers, if they do not separate in time."

"Separate?" Lettuce's wide eyes gazed fearfully into Pai's. "What's going on? What's he doing to her?"

Meanwhile, Zakuro was forcibly holding Mint back, and telling her in a loud, commanding voice, "No, Mint, we have to trust that Kisshu is trying to save her-"