Recap

The Lord was interrupted by a joyous, familiar cry. "ICHIGOOOOOOO!"

The two whirled around just as the bedroom door to their Royal compartment of the Palace burst open. In came Ichigo's running mother.

Chapter 3

Ichigo's mother nearly knocked her daughter over when she jumped and hugged her.

Startled, Ichigo stammered clumsily backwards trying to regain her stance. "M-mom!" She gasped in surprise.

Awkwardly, Kish stared at the two women hugging. "H-how did you get in?" He choked. Not only are their doors always locked, but the entire West Wing of the Palace is heavily protected 24/7 by servants and guards. Enchanted energy-shields reside around the outside of the wing and the windows are made from a special glass that is not easily broken. Although assassination and menace is rarely threatened against the crown, protection is still critical. You can never be too safe. Especially after the incident with Malo and Belgemine three months back. Peace and prosperity seemed to overwhelm the planet...but after those events Ichigo had never entirely recovered. Kish's happiness, love and safety would always be the most important thing in her life.

Laughing, Ichigo's mother released her daughter and turned half way to Kish. "What on earth do you mean, my dear?" She swept over to give Kisshu an enormous embrace.

After hugging her back, Kish looked the woman in the eye. "I mean with the guards and security," he chuckled lightly, trying not to sound rude. "How did you manage it?"

The voice of a young, mocking, teenager laughed. "How do you think she managed it, lover-boy?"

The group turned to see Taruto leaned casually against the open door frame. Behind him, Pai walked up.

As if by cue, Kish sneered. "Ha – damn it, you two," he snapped, playfully. "You guys are hell."

Amused, Taruto bowed. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Again, the Lord laughed. "Yeah, you WOULD."

Pai, too, expressed a smile. "Young Taruto is not often praised. He is rarely given compliments...because to give one with sincerity is not feasible."

Taruto's face turned red from anger. "Hey! What EXACLY are you referring to?"

Ichigo couldn't resist a comment. "Your height," she laughed.

Taruto's eyes lit like flames. He turned to insult the girl back but withheld it when he noticed her somewhat suggestive state. Instead, his comments fell to another topic. "Wait...it's like past 10 and you're still not dressed...?" The pieces came together in his mind. "...Wait..." Ichigo's mother also noticed.

Kish laughed. "Taruto - you've certainly got some wild imagination."

Ichigo's mother cut in, a bit concerned about her daughter. "Oh, here – let me help you," she said to Ichigo. Snatching a robe, she draped it over her daughter's bare shoulders. The mini-gown was rather suggestive for the scene. "Everyone clear out," she told the party. "They have a lot of getting ready to do." She was a bit surprised, and Ichigo could tell. "I can't imagine why you two aren't already up, dressed and ready."

Kish cast Ichigo a fine, adoring glance from across the room. "I can..." Ichigo blushed at the look in his eyes. The attention made her feel annoyingly weak.

Taruto covered his mouth is disgust. "EWWW...!"

Ichigo's mother went on. "I said clear out," she stated firmly as she motioned Pai and Tart out. Then she turned to Kish who had not moved from his position. "You, too," she said, sternly.

Kish looked a bit surprised. "What? Why?" He asked in all seriousness.

Ichigo mother looked serious. "Because Ichigo has a great deal of preparation to do before her speech. The least you could do is give her some space."

Kish started to protest but Ichigo cut in. "Kish...maybe you should go." She tried to cast him a glance that would give him a "do his for my mom" warning. To reassure him, she gave a slight smile.

Kish knew what was bothering her. "Oh, Kitten, come on," he moaned sympathetically while moving over and then taking her aside. "You don't need to worry. I told you it's all gonna be fine. Thinking about it will only make you more anxious."

Ichigo's mother spoke up an almost rude comment that surprised the pair a bit. "Perhaps, you're not being fair, Kisshu. Ichigo can't help it if she's nervous. What would you have her do? Forget her feelings?"

Ichigo cast her mother a concerned look. What one earth had caused that comment? "No, mom," she started, quickly. "That's not what Kish was saying."

Kish echoed his mate, reassuringly. "Yeah, I wasn't saying that at all," he replied in a tone of sensitive care. "She's a loud to feel nervous. I can understand that. But...I just don't want her to overly-stress out about it..."

Ichigo's mother sighed a bit irritably. "Well never mind that," she said. "But please. I would appreciate it if you would give Ichigo and I some time."

Kish sighed and looked his mate in the eye. She nodded, not wanting to make things worse. "Alright, if you say so," he said. "I'm gonna go get ready then... When I'm done, I'll find your dad. I presume he's here?" Ichigo's smother nodded. "Okay, then. We'll meet up when you're ready." After quickly grabbing a few things from the room, he made his way out and to the shower on the opposite side of the large compartment. "See ya..." he whispered softly. He shut the door behind him.

Ichigo turned to her mother. "You didn't have to be rude about it," she expressed sincerely.

Her mother did not return the same fairness. "If you ask me he was being a little too insensitive. AND selfish. He gets to see you every day. I can't say the same for your father and I..."

Somewhat frustrated, Ichigo sighed. "I know mom, I know. And yes – Kisshu does have his faults – but then again so do we all. You shouldn't snap at him so, okay? He's stressed out enough..."

Directly, Ichigo's mother caught on to her daughter's bothered tone. "Is something the matter, dear...?"

With a sigh, Ichigo strolled into the master bathroom and gently placed down her essentials and clothes. "I'm just worried about him," she admitted softly. She didn't want to 'get into it" with her mother. The girl stripped her robe and hung it up. As she turned on the shower's water, she simply replied. "I'll be out in a sec."

After a several minutes, Ichigo stepped out of the shower, wrapping a fresh robe around her petite, pale body. When her mother heard her, she came up to the bathroom door, still cracked open and knocked lightly. "May I come in?" She asked.

Ichigo made a noise and her mother entered. The steamy room smelled of soaps and alluring perfumes. Ichigo had apparently "gone all out with it." Her silky skin shinned with an exuberant glow. Her still wet, red hair was a beautifull gloss. Ichigo's mother smiled. "Shall I help you with a dress?" She offered, sweetly.

Ichigo smiled, taking her mother's offer, and pulled off the robe.

Cautiously, the pale, naked body slipped into the silky, gold mini-gown. It was a delicate, expensive piece of fabric, embroidered with some foreign, light-weight jewels. As Ichigo held the dress in place, her mother's boney yet skilled fingers began to zip it in place. It was an entirely different speed and use of finger-affection than what she had been used to these past months. Kish had been the one who had helped her anytime she needed it...

Thinking about it made her blush, shiver and then smile softly.

Ichigo's mother spoke gently. "...So why are you worried about Kisshu?" She asked.

The girl sighed. "I can't say, really. It's not like he hasn't been around or he's been ignoring me – because he's hasn't. In fact, he's more adoring than ever. That's why I think something is bothering him...he seems troubled – anxious, even..."

Ichigo's mother made a somewhat irritated noise. "I wouldn't have guessed. I'd say you're far more apprehensive than he is. Besides, if he is anxious as you say he is, why is he trying to keep you at such ease yourself? It's inconsistent."

Ichigo rolled her eyes in silent anger. Still, she kept her tone in calmed, control. "Mom – I already told you. Kish wasn't telling me to notfeel uneasy. He just doesn't want me to entirely lose my mind over this speech. I'm touched he has so such confidence in my abilities...however pathetic they may be..."

Ichigo's mother finished fastening the dress. With a soft sigh, she patted her daughter's shoulders. "If you say so, dear. But I still feel he's being insensitive to you, your father and myself. We miss you so much and we'd like you to visit more...and what you do is so dangerous."

Ichigo stepped away to examine herself in the mirror. "Dangerous?" She chuckled as she straightened and patted the folds in her dress. "Mom, my job isn't nearly as dangerous it used to be." She had to laugh. "At least no one's trying to kill me or my friends anymore. Believe me - I'm perfectly safe. The most I have to fear is stage fright."

Interrupting, Ichigo's cell phone rang. Casting her mother a smile, she swiped the phone and answered it with a friendly, "Hello?"

Yet again it was the voice of Kova. "Lady Ichigo?"

She broke into a smile. "Yeah, hey. It's me. What's up?"

He tried to be sensitive. "Forgive my impatience and somewhat rude conduct. I am sorry. But I have a request of you. Is it possible if you could be ready within the next fifteen minutes? I have my ship ready and can escort you to the auditorium. I was hoping we might briefly talk..."

Ichigo was surprised. "Oh. Um...yeah – I can be ready. I was going to ride with Kisshu and my friends and family...but I guess it's alright. Is something wrong, though?"

Kova was brisk. "I would rather not discuss it over the phone, My Lady..."

Ichigo was even more intrigued. How was she supposed to react to THAT? "No, of course," she said at last. "I understand. I'll tell Kisshu I'll be riding with you and-"

Yet again, the Royal Adviser was quick. "Please, My Lady. Let me contact him."

Despite her confusion and curiosity, Ichio consented. "Alright then, Master Kova. I will meet you by the East Gate with my patrol. Talk to you soon."

"The same, My Lady," he said in return. "Good bye." The man then hung up.

Baffled, Ichigo stared at the phone. It was all so odd. Deciding to drop it, she glanced at her mother whom looked concerned. Ichigo smiled. "It's like I said, mom," she answered, reassuringly. "Everything is fine. The absolute MOST I have to fear is stage fright. Really. I'm sure it'll all be fine."

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READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!

READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!