A/N: I don't own TMM so don't sue.

Chapter 2 "Through Sickness and Fear"

Kish has not been seen for a week and I have been living life like usual. I will go to work every morning and be a half hour late. As soon as I walk in the pink doors Shirogane is standing there waiting to yell at me about being late once again. I then blow up in his face and storm into the back where I change into my uniform and go to go be a waitress at the adorable pink Café Mew Mew.

However even though things seemed pretty normal today it just wouldn't last all day. "Eh-choo!" I held onto the broom as I finished another box of Kleenex. I sat down on a chair as I rested my head upon the table. Everything seemed to be spinning around me and I just couldn't understand. The fact that I hardly am ever sick was just confusing me even more.

Retasu, Shirogane, and Akasaka where the only people left at the café. Retasu and Shirogane were conversing in the kitchen while Akasaka was washing dishes. Retasu looked up at Shirogane with her bright blue eyes and concern reflected in her eyes. "Shirogane-san, Ichigo-san has been sneezing all day I think that she has fallen ill." Retasu informed as she turned away from Shirogane and looked out the wooden saloon type doors.

Shirogane nodded as he walked through the doors and he walked over to me. I was startled as I sat up and looked at Shirogane. He then gently placed his hand on my forehead and took it off. He then took the broom from my hand and turned his back to me. "Ichigo you are ill you should not be here. You should have said something and I would have let you go home. You should not be forced to work when you are not feeling well. Now I want you to go home and get some rest."

I looked up at Shirogane a bit confused as I stood up and looked at his back. "Shirogane?" I then smiled lightly. "Thank you I am going to head home now." I then went into the back as I changed out of my clothes and then headed to my house. Once I got home I felt very hot as I went up to my bedroom and opened the window slightly. I could feel a nice gentle breeze come into my room as I laid down on my mattress and coughed. I then slowly closed my eyes as I fell asleep.

Retasu helped finish up cleaning for the day as she changed and looked at Akasaka and Shirogane. "I am going to head home now. I will be in tomorrow around 7:30. Good night." Retasu bowed slightly as she headed out of the café and went home.

Shirogane shut off the lights as he walked upstairs. Shirogane looked around his room as he looked in a mirror and looked at the mark he had on his neck. He then got into his soft bed and closed his eyes. After a couple of moments Shirogane fell asleep.

Not moments after Shirogane feel into a deep sleep he had a dream. In his dream I was crying as I came up to him fearful of what Kish had done to me. I had fallen extremely ill in the dream. Kish had come to me and the others saying in fact he injected me with the illness and was the only one who could cure it. Shirogane turned to me in the dream and looked me in the eye as Kish took off with me. "Ichigo no matter what happens I'll be there through your sickness and fear. We will save you I promise."

Half way through the middle of the night I woke up and looked in the mirror. My face which was usually nice and tan was now paler than a ghost. My stomach felt like it was going through the rinse cycle on my mother's washing machine. I could feel it turn as I slowly made my way to the bathroom where I sat and vomited for a good half hour. Once I returned to my room I got back into bed in order for my head to not feel so cloudy. Finally I was able to rest my eyes once more and fall asleep.

Retasu walked into the back of the café as she got changed and brushed through her hair. When Retasu walked out of the back room and into the dining section Shirogane looked at her as he smiled. "Good morning Retasu." Shirogane then walked into the kitchen.

Retasu blushed a bright red as she walked over to the tables and began taking down the chairs that were standing on top of them. Quarter to eight came around and everyone was at the café and ready to work. That is everyone besides Purin and myself. Purin rushed in the doors 2 minutes before 8 o'clock. Shirogane sighed as he looked around at Minto, Zakuro, Purin, and Retasu. "Ichigo still isn't here. Now why doesn't that surprise me?"

I woke up around quarter after 8 and I did not feel well at all. I got on some clothes as I grabbed my jacket and headed out of my house. I walked down the almost empty streets as I yawned.

"Ichigo?" A boy called out as I turned and my amber eyes looked into his eyes.

I smiled as I looked at the boy. "Aoyama-kun!" I then ran over to the boy and blushed slightly. "Good morning Aoyama-kun."

"Hello Ichigo and how are you doing this beautiful morning?" Aoyama questioned as he smiled.

"I am feeling a little ill, but I have to go to work either way." I replied as I smiled.

"I hope that you feel better Ichigo. I am just on my way to Kendo practice. I will stop by the café once I get out and I'll visit you. I had better get going good-bye Ichigo."

I waved as Aoyama ran off. "Bye Aoyama-kun! I will see you in a bit!" I then sneezed as I looked at my watch. "Nyan! I am so totally late!" I then began to run to the café.

Once I got to the café Shirogane was once again standing by the doors as he looked at me with his sapphire eyes. "Ichigo you are late once again. Are you ever going to actually show up on time?" Shirogane then walked over to me and noticed that I was paler than usual. "Ichigo you are still sick…"

I looked at him. "No I'm feeling just fine. Eh… eh…CHOO!" I sneezed as I sniffed and looked at Shirogane and blushed slightly. "So I lied I have a bit of a cold." I then walked into the back as I changed into my uniform and came out.

Everyone was lined up in front of me as they looked at me. Zakuro had her arms crossed as she walked over to me. "Ichigo-san you are ill we can cover your shift for you. You need to be in bed resting."

I looked at Zakuro as I smiled lightly. "I'm fine everyone I can work today." I then saw Shirogane glare at me as he walked over to me and flicked my nose. "Hey what was that for Shirogane!" I shouted as I glared at him.

"Baka Strawberry. You are ill and we all know it, now go get changed and head home. The last thing any of us need here is to catch your nasty cold." Shirogane's expression then softened as he smiled. "Go home and rest so you will be better and can help fight once more." The dream from the night before kept playing through Shirogane's mind as he looked at me and thought to himself. 'I will always be there for you through sickness and fear, Ichigo.'

"Shirogane-oniichan is right Ichigo-oneechan. You need to sleep na no da." Purin replied as she looked at me worried. "Let us worry about your shift and you worry about getting your self well again no da."

Retasu smiled warmly. "Ichigo-san go on and get changed now. Please we all want you to go home and rest. If Aoyama-san shows up here we will tell him that you are home resting." The green haired girl replied with a kind smile.

I looked at my 6 friends and I smiled. "Thank you everyone." I then went to the back as I changed out of my uniform and said good-bye to my friends as I headed home. On the way home though all of a sudden something kissed me as I backed away and looked into the creature's Golden eyes. "K… Kish!"

"Well it looks like my little kitten is getting sick just as expected." He smirked as he patted me on the forehead. "If you need anything my little kitty cat I'll be around." He smirked before disappearing.

I looked at where Kish had been as I ran back to the café. Once I had gotten inside I felt the world around me spin as collapsed to the ground. The last thing that I could remember seeing was Retasu and Zakuro heading towards me. I finally opened my eyes only to see Shirogane and everyone around me staring. Slowly I lifted myself from the bed I was in, only to feel light headed and return laying down. Everything seemed so bright and my head was about ready to explode.

"Ichigo-oneechan we told you to go home. Why did you hurry back to the cafe na no da?" Purin questioned as her big eyes looked at me full of concern and worry.

"Kish… he said… he came and talked…" I said not really making any sense to them as I close my eyes and tried to think of how to word what I was trying to say. I could only think of everything that had happened at his ship and how I had blacked out and everything seemed to rush through my mind. Once more I tried to tell them what was going on but only gibberish escaped my mouth.

Shirogane looked at me concerned as he placed his hand on my forehead. "You have an extremely high fever Ichigo. You are not allowed to do anything until we can break this fever. Keiichiro is analyzing some blood samples as we speak. There is reason to suspect the Kish is in fact the one causing you this illness."

Shirogane spoke to me, but as he spoke none of what he said seemed to enter my mind. Everything seemed so fuzzy to me as the girls just seemed to run around me in circles. The rinse cycle was back from my mother's washing machine as I tried to keep in my lunch but managed to loose it next to me. Retasu got a mop and bucket as she kindly cleaned up my vomit and washed up.

Slowly I rose my head just enough so I was nauseous as I looked over at Shirogane. "Do you really believe that Kish injected me with this illness?" Fear covered my face as I could feel cold shivers run up my spine.

"Kish is capable of doing many things and I definitely wouldn't put this past him. He probably has some huge plan sketched out in his mind and now he is going to try and execute it." He stated as he turned his back to me and mumbled something I could not make out. "I will always be there Ichigo through sickness and fear."

Keiichiro rushed over to me and looked at my face. "Ichigo, Ryou's suspicions were correct. Kish somehow managed to inject you with some type of poison which will eventually end up killing you unless you get the antidote." Keiichiro explained as I looked over at him.

"Well that should be no problem at all right? You can just make the antidote and I'll be working tomorrow!" Trying to be cheerful I looked at him with a great big smile only to have a serious look returned.

"Ichigo there is nothing that I can do. The cure for the poison the only way you could possibly get it is from Kish himself." Just as Keiichiro got the words out of his mouth Kish appeared and grinned wickedly.

"It would seem he is correct my cute kitty. I injected you with a poison that only I have the remedy for. Therefore if you do not wish to die today you must come with me." Kish smirked as he looked at me and I had never been more scared.

There was nothing I could do. If I chose to stay the poison would kill my body and me; however if I went with Kish who knows what would happen. Slowly I rose to my feet as I looked Kish in his golden eyes. "I… I have to go with you. There is no other choice." I replied sadly as he took great pleasure in looking down at me.

Shirogane's bright sapphire eyes looked at me with concern as I passed out in Kish's arms. An evil laughter emanated throughout the basement of Café Mew Mew as Kish took of with me leaving everyone speechless. Shirogane turned to the wall and hit it as hard as he could and cursed under his breath. "Damn."

"Shirogane-san? W… What are we going to do about Ichigo-san? She is in Kish's possession once again. We are once again at Kish's mercy." Retasu replied a bit nervous as she walked over to where I had been standing just moments before.

"We rescue Ichigo." He replied briefly before typing furiously at the keyboard.

Coldness and darkness surrounded me as I opened my eyes to see a pair of golden ones staring at me. I went to freak but my body seemed to be drained of energy as I could actually feel the cold poison course through my veins. Everything around my made me sick as I closed my eyes and groaned slightly.

"What is the matter my sweet little kitty cat? Aren't you able to move?" Kish taunted as he forced a kiss and I was too exhausted to even cry about it. Every muscle in my body screamed at me as I tried to ignore Kish. "You see my cute kitty if I tell you to do something now you are going to have to do it." He smiled as he slightly licked my lips.

"Kish… Just go away and let me die. My head is about to explode on me and I'm too tired to cry. Please just let me be miserable in peace." I begged as I couldn't believe that I was begging to Kish.

Kish frowned as he looked at me sadly. "It is very sad to see you so miserable and even worse to hear you plead; however, I enjoy it very much." He grinned as I caught a glimpse of the antidote in his hand.

Kish stood there before me for a long time and I looked at him until I felt so sick and so hot I was ready to die. I then slowly closed my eyes as I fell asleep in the bed. Slowly Kish stroked my hair as he looked down at my frail sleeping figure and smiled. "I have you now my little kitten. You are all to myself."

The next morning Retasu came into Café Mew Mew early as usual as she saw Shirogane up making coffee. "G…Good morning Shirogane-san." She replied quietly as she walked out of the back in her uniform. "Have you been up all night Shirogane-san?" Retasu questioned walking over to him.

"Oh hey Retasu. Yea I've been trying to find some way to get Ichigo back from Kish." He replied tiredly.

Retasu's blue eyes looked at Shirogane with concern as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Shirogane-san you are going to make yourself sick. You need to get some sleep and not over work yourself. Please go up stairs and at least get an hour or two of sleep." Retasu pleaded as he turned and looked at her caring blue eyes.

Shirogane slightly smiled as he looked at Retasu. "Alright I will go take a little nap, but if anything happens you need to inform me alright?" He replied starting to head up the stairs.

"I will Shirogane-san." She smiled walking down into the basement to see Akasaka working hard. "Good morning Akasaka-san." She stated quietly as she walked over to him and looked at the screen. "What is up Akasaka-san?"

"I have found Ichigo's location; however, there is a slight problem." Akasaka replied as he looked up at Retasu.

"What would that be?" She questioned as she turned to see me lying in a bed and Kish standing next to me.

"Kish has not given Ichigo the antidote yet. She is still very ill and if we go to rescue her she probably will not receive the antidote from Kish." Akasaka replied as he turned towards the screen.

"Ichigo-san don't worry we will save you I promise!" Retasu said looking at the screen. "Akasaka-san can you try to make an antidote for that poison? We have got to get Ichigo-san out of there before Kish can hurt her."

"I don't think Kish will hurt her so she is safe for the time being; however I will try to make an antidote. In the meantime we are not going to be opening the café today. So you don't have to worry. I want you and the girls to be ready to attack at all times." Just then Akasaka could no longer see where I was in Kish's ship and the computer went down.

"Oh no the computers!" Retasu gasped as she looked at the black monitor screen.

"Damn now we have to fix the computers before we can do anything else. Retasu can you go get Ryou for me?" Akasaka questioned as she shook her head.

"Shirogane-san is sleeping at the moment. He needs his rest before he makes himself sick. Why don't we take a break you need to rest a bit as well." Retasu smiled as they went upstairs and got some coffee.

Something sharp and cold went into my arm as I groaned slightly and went to turn but something was holding me down. Slowly my amber eyes opened as I looked at a pair of golden ones staring at my arm. A huge needle was in my arm as I just stared at it. My head seemed very cloudy as I looked at Kish. Nothing seemed familiar to me and I felt very lost. Kish removed the needle from my arm as he leaned in for a light kiss as I didn't even try to back away. "There you go kitten you should be all better now." He said softly as he looked me in the eyes.

"Where am I? My head is… I'm so confused." I stated a bit groggy as I sat up and held my head. "Everything is so weird and my head kills."

Kish looked at me as he noticed I wasn't putting on an act. His golden eyes looked at my amber ones confused. "Kitten what is the matter with you?" He asked sitting down next to me as I almost fell off the bed but he caught me and looked at my pale face.

I slowly leaned my head against Kish and tried to stop thinking about the pain I felt. Someone seemed to be hammering my head as I closed my eyes and rested against him. I could not explain what was going on but everything seemed to be slipping out of my head. The more I thought about things the more I seemed to forget. After much thinking and trying to remember I fell asleep in Kish's arms.

"I'm very sorry to do this to you kitten, but I will make sure that you do get better from the poison." He grinned slightly kissing me as he laid me down and smiled. "There is nothing anyone can do now Ichigo you are mine."

Hours later I opened my eyes as I slowly stood up but I stumbled and began to fall. Kish caught me and looked at me. "Kitten you shouldn't be out of bed just yet you are still very weak from the poison." He said with concern in his eyes as he kissed me again.

"Poison?" I asked confused as I held my head and tried to remember but something was blocking me from my memories. I felt the ground below me slipping away and Kish held me up with a tighter grip.

"Please my sweet kitty get back into bed before you get hurt." Kish pleaded helping me into bed. "You need your rest so you can battle off this poison."

"Poison? I…I am so confused…" I held my head once more as I tried to remember but it hurt too much. Bits of my past seemed to flash through my mind. I remembered fighting with the Mew Mews and working at this weird café. I then remembered kissing Kish and having my arm around some other boy. "I'm a mew mew…" I said slowly feeling my eyes get heavier as I looked up at him still leaning on his shoulder. Finally I slipped asleep once more.

"Sorry Ichigo, but this is going to be a long hard road for you. Your recovery won't be fast." He replied grimly looking at my fragile body leaning on his.

A/N: Sorry it took so long I wasn't positively certain where this story was heading and to be honest I still don't... I just don't know because I wrote it for for and only for it to be a short fic like the first chapter only but decided to write more but I don't really have a purpose in this story because I don't paricularly support Ichigo X Kish, but if you couldn't tell there is some RetXRyou that is who I truly support. Anywayz hopefully Ch. 3 will be up relatively soon.