Me: Hello everyone! Welcome to the last chapter of the renewed Mune Kyun Tropical Island! :D I hope you like it. Thanks for supporting this story and me as an author :)

I do not own Yumeiro Patissiere.

Mune Kyun Tropical Island

All Over Again

Chapter 6:Upside Down and Backwards

He actually had no idea where he was; somewhere deep inside the heart of the island's trees. It was very dark and Kashino really didn't know how he let everything get so out of hand. He stopped to catch his breath, leaning against a tree and finally giving up on that idea and just sitting down on the floor. Eventually he found himself lying there, looking up at the tree tops, watching the little glimpses of sunlight filter through the leaves.

If Ichigo didn't want him, he wondered if she wanted Hanabusa. That thought made him feel sick. He really didn't know what to do. He lay there for how long, he didn't know, but while he lay there, he didn't really know what he was thinking about.

All he felt was emptiness. Being turned down by the girl he loved the most was like ripping apart cotton, it was unclean and tough. He thought he could hear his name being called, but he didn't move.

Finally, he heard footsteps running toward his direction, but even then he still lay there. Then he saw Ichigo's face, hovering over him, almost glowing. At this point he wasn't really sure if this were real or a dream. But she looked at him with such worry, it felt real. The way she dropped onto her knees to be beside him felt real. The way she moved his head onto her lap felt real. Then she leaned in and whispered, "I'm sorry." And it really felt real.

She was sorry about what? Sorry that she had turned him down? Sorry that she didn't feel the same way?

"I was wrong, Kashino I'm sorry," Ichigo said, her voice tender. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. She wasn't sure why he wasn't responding, to anything for that matter. He just seemed to stare at her, with such sadness she felt her stomach turning.

"I was scared and overwhelmed," Ichigo tried, "I didn't mean for it to sound the way it did, Kashino I'm sorry."

He blinked, though didn't move. But he asked fairly quietly, "So how did you mean for it to sound?"

Ichigo laughed, in spite of herself. She had actually been afraid when Kashino wasn't responding to her. "I mean for it to sound like this, I... I don't know how to be in a relationship Kashino. I'm scared that I won't be able to be the girlfriend you need. Let me admit this to you, you are special and any girl is lucky to have you. I just don't want to treat you anything less than you deserve just because I don't know how."

He smiled, "But being with you is all I need. Honest. I don't know what it's like to be in a relationship either, and I was hoping you would help me. I was hoping we'd lead each other. This whole trip, I've been trying to tell you how much I like you and impress you. But I guess fate really just doesn't like me."

He sat up and sat there on the ground with her. He realized she had tears rolling down her cheeks and that she was crying. "Hey, don't cry," He said, reaching over and brushing the tears away.

She nodded, "Sorry. I just... Kashino..."

Their eyes locked. It was a very weird feeling to Kashino, to stare into Ichigo's eyes and see his feelings for her returned in the kind of look she gave him. It made him feel bubbly and special inside. It made him want her more and more. He found himself leaning forward and then he kissed her.

She didn't hesitate to kiss him back either. And that kiss was exactly what Kashino was waiting for. His major crush on Ichigo was a lot more than just a crush. He loved her. That's why it felt different. That's why it felt dangerous. It was love at it's more unrefined state, but maybe that's what made it so beautiful.

Ichigo was the one to break that kiss, only to kiss him again. Kashino found himself lying down on the ground, Ichigo was still kissing him. It felt so passionate he didn't want the moment to end, but of course it did.

The first thing Ichigo did was laugh. She laughed because she felt awkward, because she had never kissed a boy before.

Kashino had never kissed a girl before yet either.

It had been both their first kisses, yet they felt as though there was nothing that could compete with it.

They lay there side by side, just looking up at the tree tops for a very long time. Neither said anything, but just lay there, enjoying the feel of the other's presence right there beside them. And finally,

"Hey Ichigo?"

She responded even when he called her by her first name, "Yes?"

"Remember when you told me this experience, being stranded was for the better?"

"... Yeah I do."

"Wasn't it?"

"It was."

He was silent for a while, before speaking what they both thought about the other, "... I love you."

He was barely finished his own sentence when she replied, "I love you too."

XxXxX

It was hours later when Hanabusa and Andou found them; still lying on the forest floor, wrapped up in each other's arms. They were fast asleep, covered in dirt, leaves and bramble. They didn't seem to care however, still holding fast to the other, peaceful expressions upon their faces.

Kashino was awoken first, solely because of their presence. When he saw Andou, along with his love rival, he immediately tried to explain. In a hushed voice he said, "I-it's not what you think! I... It's..."

The narcissist shook his head. The fire Kashino had always seen in his eyes was gone. Kashino stared at him confused, before Hanabusa gestured to Ichigo, "If she's happy with you, I'm not going to fight that." Maybe Hanabusa did have a heart. It was just Kashino had never been one to receive such emotions that made him realize that.

Kashino hadn't thought that he would be fine with it, but now it was obvious to him. Hanabusa really did love Ichigo. That was why he was willing to give her to Kashino, because that was what would make her happy. Andou gripped the blond's shoulder and gave him a nod, "Come on. We're going home."

"Home?"

"Come on," Hanabusa coaxed him. He stole a glance at Ichigo before adding, "Just carry her back."

Kashino blushed, still uncomfortable with relationships and such, "R-really?"

Hanabusa shrugged, "You're her boyfriend, aren't you? It's your job to protect her."

And it really was. Slowly picking Ichigo up from her shoulders and under her knees, Kashino held her close to his chest, her head snuggled against him. Her breathing remained calm, with the evenness of a heartbeat.

When the three boys came back to where they had set up their fire pit, Kashino was surprised to see the boat's captain there. "C-captain!" He exclaimed, surprised. It felt suddenly awkward to the boy to have a girl in his arms, while talking to an adult. It was Ichigo no less.

Though the captain just smiled and with a gleam in his eye he said, "You'd better take care of her."

Kashino was shocked to say the least, but slowly he nodded. With his golden orbs shining, he replied with a smile, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

XxXxX

When Ichigo awoke, she was quite startled. Kashino had to calm her down. Okay, so maybe it wasn't the best idea for him to let her head rest on his lap and then let her wake up there. But it felt nice to him. The girl blushed, and the thought of the moments she and Kashino shared in the forest came flooding back to her. Kashino was aware of this because of the expression on her face.

"What are you think about?" He asked her anyway.

She started to laugh, "It's just kind of... Embarrassing!" She admitted.

Kashino had never had a girlfriend, lest a crush, but the things he said seemed to always get the best reactions out of her. "... Well, it was a worth it kind of embarrassment, wasn't it?"

Ichigo stared at him a moment, trying to see if he was joking. When she realized he wasn't, she smiled, "Mou, of course," And then she leaned forward and kissed his forehead sweetly.

Later, the captain and the boys worked together, building a raft to send themselves back home. Ichigo, who was in no way skilled at that sort of thing, decided to hang back. She was busy working in the fruit orchard, but for what reason, Kashino didn't know.

He didn't feel very different to be Ichigo's boyfriend, but then again, he didn't feel the same. It confused him, but he was sure love was supposed to be that way. With the help of Andou, the two of them began to tie up logs that the captain had cut down. Hanabusa worked on the sail. "Ichigo-chan!" Hanabusa called to her, "What are you doing over there?"

She smiled, "Ah! Well..." She came toward the boys, coconut shells in her hand. Each half was scooped out, full of fresh fruits, like oranges and mangos, sliced and plated beautifully inside the coconut. "I just made you guys a snack."

"Of course it's Amano-san who would be kind enough to think of these things," Andou laughed.

The brunette blushed, but handed each of them the treat. Except for Kashino. Her smile widened, "Don't think I forgot about you now," She giggled, "I've got something special for you... Makoto."

The way she said his first name stunned him for a moment. "Come on silly, I'm your girlfriend right? Come on!" She took his hand, squeezing it gently.

"I-Ichigo... What're you doing?" He asked, feeling his face turn completely red, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," She assured him.

XxXxX

She led him into the fruit orchard, and beneath the mango tree, "Surprise!"

He was actually in awe. She had laid out her different dresses at the base of the tree, like a multi-coloured covering. There were two coconut fruit bowls, much like the ones she had made for Andou, Hanabusa and the captain. "I-Ichigo..."

Ichigo smiled, "Do you like it?"

"O-of course I do!"

"Give me a second, I've got one more surprise!" She assured him.

"More?"

"Just sit down, I'll just take a little bit." So he sat, slightly self-conscious to the fact that he was sitting on her dresses, but sat there quietly, leaning against the tree.

"M-Makoto?" She whispered behind him. He almost jumped, but he knew it was Ichigo, just from the sound of his voice. She appeared from behind the tree and his heart seemed to jump into his throat. She had changed into the prettiest dress she had brought with her, a pink strapless lace dress with a sweetheart neckline. There was a white bow tied right under her chest and she smiled sheepishly, "I... I don't really know how to be a good girlfriend, because I've never been one before... Do you think this is good?"

His jaw dropped. She was absolutely stunning. He nodded instead, and she laughed. "Oh you're so cute Makoto," She laughed, sitting beside him, tucking her legs beneath her dress. "I'm so happy... Did you know?"

He nodded again, "You make me happy too."

She picked up the first coconut half and held out a mango slice to him, "Here."

Slowly, he leaned forward until she placed the mango right inside his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully before asking, "Why are you so beautiful?"

Her smile was as warm as sunbathed summer air, "Because I'm in love." He swallowed, before leaning forward to kiss her. Just as his lips met her own, there was a click of a camera, Andou and Hanabusa from behind another tree. The two pulled up the picture onto the camera's small screen, "Do you think Ichigo-chan will be happy with this one?"

Andou looked at the tenderness in the girl's eyes, paired with the lovingness in Kashino's own, "... Most definitely."

XxXxX

Epilogue

"That's the story," Kashino finished.

"Really?" The young girl gaped, "That can't be the end... How 'bout when you two got married and all that?"

Kashino laughed, ruffling her blonde hair, "That's a story for another time, when you're older."

"Mou, I am older! I'm 4 years old."

"No, Dad's right," Ichigo came into the room, holding her youngest child in her arms. He babbled happily, while being transferred into his father's arms. Ichigo took hold of their daughter and spun her around before sitting down beside Kashino with their 4 year old daughter in her lap, "When you're older, Dad and I will tell you lots of special stories, but for now..." She stole a glance at her husband, "Those stories are just for Mama and Dad."

"They're special?" She asked.

"Yes Lynne, very special," Ichigo told her, allowing her daughter to rest her head on her shoulder.

"I love you Mama, Dad..." She murmured, quietly closing her eyes, "Thank you for the bed time stories."

Ichigo slowly rubbed her back until the young girl was fast asleep. "Special huh?" Kashino asked her.

She laughed softly, "Like I said, very special."

His lips turned up in a smile, he flipped the page to the photo album Lynne had been looking at. The next picture, him and Ichigo in the fruit garden; a special moment, captured and ready to be relived over and over again.

"Mikee's already asleep. He sure was tired today."

Kashino continued to stare at her, while rocking Dylan, who was slowly following the same path to dreamland his sister had taken. "What?" She demanded.

He smirked, "Why are you so beautiful?"

She laughed again, making his heart feel like it was falling in love all over again. She shifted her daughter to give her more room. Ichigo leaned forward very closely, "Because," she whispered in his ear, "I'm still in love."

And she kissed him softly on the lips, with the same passion that both of them had felt right from the moment of their first kiss, for years, and to that very day.

The End.

Me: I hope you all liked it, and thank you for reading my first remake ever! As I look back at it, I really changed everything. ROFL. Sorry if it doesn't suit your taste xD

Again, thanks for the reads/reviews/follows/favourites you're all so special to me :)

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~Mikashi-chan :)