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Ichigo- *Ichigo set staring at the fire in front of him. The fire soothed his frayed nerves until at last he could think with a clear mind. Ryuu had gone to wash in the river near by.* Ryuu. *He spoke her name out aloud as if just the sound of it would bring him comfort. * How had things gotten so mixed up? She was an Air Fae. That in it's self was a problem. He had no way of knowing if what he was feeling was purely love or just the effect a air fae naturally had on him. He had known more Air faes (Airies as they called themselves) then he would have liked to. But none had gotten close enough to work there magic on him. He knew he could trust Ryuu but did he know if he could trust his own feelings?*He thought to himself*
Ryuu- *Ryuu set herself down in a small clear pool that had formed on the side of the river. The water was cold but she didn't care it helped to clear her mind after everything that had happened. After she had washed herself she slipped under the water till the only thing left above it was her nose and the rest of her head. She set there thinking to herself.* I don't know what I'm going to do now. I don't know if Ichi will let me stay with him. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't. *She got out of the water and wrapped her towel around herself and set on a rock staring at the moon*
Ichigo- *Ichi found himself walking through the wood toward the river. He knew Ryuu may cry because of what he was about to tell her. But he had to be certain. She deserved better then a false love.*
Ryuu-*Ryuu had a feeling that Ichi was coming towards the river. She got off the rock and got dressed. She figured now would not be a good time for her to have nothing but a towel on.*
Ichigo- *As soon as Ichi lay his eyes on Ryuu he felt his throat close up. How could he tall her of his plan when he knew her fear of being abandoned?* She is going to think I hate her. She is going to blame herself even though she has done nothing wrong.
Ryuu- *Ryuu looked up from where she was she could see Ichi looking at her. She could tell from his face that he was deep in thought. She set down and waited for him to come over.*
Ichigo- Ryuu I need you to listen to me very carefully and I want you to understand that what I'm about to say is... very hard.. for me.
Ryuu- Okay Ichi. I will. I can tell you not happy with what you're about to say. I'll be quiet, I won't cry, and I'll listen to you.
Ichigo- *Ichigo felt his heart crack at her words. He only hoped he wasn't going to break her heart.* I need to continue on my quest alone. I can not be sure of my feelings as long as you are with me. I see now that I was wrong to bring you with me. I was wrong to use your feelings to keep myself from being so lonely. You deserve better then a confused man with a broken heart.
Ryuu- *Ryuu felt herself start to cry but she bit her lip. She had promised she wouldn't.* If you really think so.... I guess I have no right to force you to take me with you. I wouldn't want to travel with an air fae either. From everything you have told me about them they sound awful. But I don't see why you think you deserve to be alone. If you do leave me here at least promise you will find someone to keep you company.
Ichigo- Please Ryuu try to understand that it is not because I don't want to be with you. It is because I can't not be sure of anything. How can I know that it is not you're very being that intoxicates me? How can I not know that it is because of not my own selfishness that I keep you by my side? I have seen Fire Faes trade their last possession just for a chance to be with a Air Fae. You have never used your ability on me until the time in the rain. So I did not realize what you are. To my people you're powers are like a drug. That is why my father puts up with the Airies living on our land. Because if they were to leave our people might rise against him. You are not to blame for any of the things your people have done. But you must under stand that I must be very careful now that I do not become confused.
Ryuu- *She bit her lip again before she started talking to try to keep herself from crying.* It's okay I've traveled by myself before. I would like to think that you just liked being with me. I can't see how you can call yourself selfish. You are the least selfish person I have ever known. But if being with me hurts or confuses you so then you should leave. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if being with you caused something to happen to you.
Ichigo- Perhaps there is some other way? *Ichigo found himself saying though a moment ago his intentions had seemed so clear.*
Ryuu- But you just said..... How do you know I'm not somehow changing your mind? I wouldn't do it on purpose but I didn't do what I did earlier on purpose either. I don't want to make you take me with you if you don't want to.
Ichigo- But I want to! I want to so badly it kills me to even talk about leaving you alone. What if I never see you again. What if something happens to you while I am gone. It might even be possible for you to change my mind, but I do not think you could if you do not know how. I just do not want you to find these things out later and believe I am using you. And I do not want you to see me like some addict begging for one more night.? *His eye's flashed as if remembering something from long ago.*
Ichigo- I leave it up to you my lady. Do whatever you see fit.
Ryuu- You really want me to go with you.* Her eyes lit up and she glomped him knocking him down in the process.* I would never think of you as some sort of addict. You're much to strong willed for that. It's nice to know that you care. You know that? *After saying that she kissed him*
Ichigo- Ichi couldn't help but stiffen at Ryuu's touch. He felt so confused and he didn't know what to do it was as if his mind were splitting in two. Part of him wanted so badly to be with Ryuu. But the other part was terrified of what might happen if he did.
Ryuu- *Ryuu could tell that Ichi was still confused. She got up and brushed the dirt off of her clothes, and laughed nervously* You know I can tell your still not sure about what you're going to do. I'll just leave you alone for a while so you can think. * She then turned toward to camp and ran. Half way there she climbed into a tree in hopes that he wouldn't find her till he was sure of what he wanted to do.She set in the top branches of the tallest tree between where Ichi was and where the camp was.* Maybe he won't find me till he has mad up his mind, or maybe he won't even look for me and decide he doesn't want me with him.* She thought as she set in the tree breathing as quietly as possible*
Ichigo- *Ichi shoved one hand through his orange hair* How had things come to this? When had he lost sight of what he wanted?
Ryuu- *Ryuu continued to set completely still on her tree branch concentrating on her breathing hoping that she would be able to keep herself hidden till he had made up his mind*
Ichigo- Ryuu! *Ichi called out into the night. Though he was confused he knew that he didn't want to go anywhere without her. *
Ryuu- *Ryuu's ear twitched. She had heard Ichi but she wasn't sure if she should go down to see him. She couldn't help but feel that all she did was make him more confused.*
Ichigo- *Ichi closed his eye's and concentrated on Ryuu's life-force. In the blink of a eye he had transported himself to her side.* You should not hide from me my heart. *He whispered into her ear.*
Ryuu- *Ryuu jumped in surprise from Ichi's appearance. She grabbed on to him to keep from falling.* Don't scare me like that! I wouldn't try to hide from you, but it seems whenever I'm around you you seem to get confused. I figured if I was away from you that you would be able to make up your mind about traveling.
Ichigo- *Ichi smiled a toothy grin in the dark. Only Ryuu would find fault in his actions while putting herself down.* Mayhap I have decided what I want to do. Did it occur to you that it might be the reason I was calling?"
Ryuu- * She looked down and started playing with her fingers* I thought you might. But I also thought that you might not have and just wanted to know where I was hiding.
Ichigo- So now you admit you were hiding?* He asked playfully*
Ryuu- Yes I admit I was hiding. You cheated to find me too. *She started to smile a bit.*
Ichigo- You did not set the rules before you left.* He pointed out.*
Ryuu- Well I didn't think you would use your abilities to find me. I guess if you did that than you must have really wanted to find me.
Ichigo- You are fishing my heart, if you want to ask me something you have only to ask.
Ryuu- Okay. Do you want me to travel with you? I can understand if you don't. I would just like to know.
Ichigo- Do not think there would be anything I would like more then to have you with me. But you must understand that I can not be close to you at this time. I need to find out what it is that I feel. I know there is more to this feeling then raw need. It is something much sweeter more pure then that. If you can wait for me I see no reason that we would have to part ways.
Ryuu- I can wait as long as you need me to. If that is all it takes to keep me from having to leave you I can wait an eternity.
Ichigo- Let us hope it does not come to that.
Ryuu- I suppose we should get back to the camp. I'm sure the fire has all but died. *She turned to the side of the branch and jumped down to the next and continued to do so until she got to the ground. She looked back up to him.* Are you coming?
Ichigo- *Ichi took the whole tree on one leap.* Lead the way my lady
Ryuu- *She grabbed his hand and took off toward the campsite. As they got near it she let go off his hand and skidded to a stop spraying dirt on what remained of the fire causing it to go out* Oops. I guess I should be a little more careful.
Ichigo- *Ichi only smiled and shook his head. then without a word he began rebuilding the fire.*
Ryuu- *She watched him start to rebuild the fire* You're completely sure it's okay for me to travel with you? You're not just saying I can because you feel sorry for me or anything are you?
Ichigo- If you ask me that one more time I will find a severe punishment for you. *He threatened playfully.*
Ryuu- Eep okay I won't ask anymore. I just wanted to be sure. I just hope you remember what kind of a hassle I am. *She grinned at him with the last statement*
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