"Pai's right, Kish, you're going to ruin this whole mission for us."

            "Oh, shut up, Taruto. You don't know what you're talking about." Kish said calmly, letting his eyes roll. He turned back to Pai, and locked gazes with him. "I'll get her… and I won't waste time doing it." 

            "You had better not… and don't get attached to her, Kish,… or it could be both your heads."

            Ichigo sighed as she finished wiping down the last table. Lettuce had just finished the dishes and was heading out the door. Keiichiro was finishing stacking chairs, and Pudding, Zakuro, and Mint had long since left.

             "Thanks for all your help, Ichigo-chan." Keiichiro said as she finished. "I didn't think it would get that busy."

             "Yeah… it was odd. There was just suddenly a ton of people." Ichigo sighed, wringing the rag and hanging it over the edge of the sink. She took off her apron and hung it up, then walked out of the kitchen. Keiichiro had finished stacking his last chair, and was pulling out his keys to lock up.

            "You did a good job, though." He smiled at her as she approached him. "This café just wouldn't be the same without you."

            Ichigo blushed as he tossed a wink in her direction. "Thanks Keiichiro-kun."

            He smiled sweetly at her, as they walked to the door. "I'm only speaking the truth. Your personality keeps the customers."

            Ichigo blushed again. "I, personally, think it's your pastries."

             Keiichiro laughed. "Thanks, Ichigo. I'm glad you like them."

            He unlocked the door and opened it for her. "Good night, Ichigo-chan. Be careful, I don't want you hurting yourself."

            He winked at her as she bowed, then turned her smiling face up to him.

            "I'll be careful… remember, I'm as tough as a cat." She tossed a wink in his direction and waved as she started toward home.

            "Good night, Keiichiro-kun!" She called.

            "Good night, Ichigo-chan!" He called back, waving. He smiled and watched as she happily bounded out into the evening.

            Ichigo was ecstatic. The day had been perfect… everything a day should be for her! And to top it all off, the moon was shining like a mystical orb in the sky, lighting everything with a celestial glow.

            Ichigo stood for a moment, entranced by the silvery orb of the full moon. It was so large and beautiful… she couldn't remember a time when it had been so bright, or so radiant. It looked exactly like gypsy's crystal ball.

            "Good night Tsuki!!" She called out, giggling. She watched the moon for a few moments longer, the world around her melting away into a sea of serenity.

             Glancing one last time at the silver halo, she finally started in the direction of her home…

             CRASH!

            …but not before running into a certain some one.

            Her eyes went wide as she leaned back and stared into those deep green eyes, which seemed to be oh-too familiar.

            "Good evening, Ichigo-chan. You look as beautiful as ever!" Strong hands reached out and grasped her slender wrists. He smiled at her face as different emotions passed over it.

            "Kish!" She finally decided upon the emotion of anger. She glared up at him, frustrated that he had ruined her perfect day.

            Kish just smiled down on her, his eyes glinting like dark emeralds in the light of the bright moon.

            "That is my name, Ichigo-chan. Would you care for an evening kiss?" He asked, lowering his head so his eyes were level with hers.

            "Kish! Let go!" She struggled against his firm grasp, hoping that her friends would know of her troubles. But she seemed to be alone. Alone and in the clutches of a perverted alien.

            "I'm afraid, my dear Ichigo-chan, that I cannot do that. You see,  I've been sent to kidnap… or shall we say cat-nap, you. And setting you free would deplete the whole purpose of me coming to get you." He said, matter-a-factly.

            "Let go!" She tried to hit him, but her arms were pinned to her sides by his grip, and he was squeezing very hard on her wrists. He looked firmly at her before bending forward, closing the gap between their faces.

            Ichigo squeezed her eyes shut and let out a frightened gasp, as she knew Kish was going to try and kiss her. But the feel of his lips didn't come, he brushed past her face, to his lips were very close to her left ear.

            "Look, Ichigo." He dropped his voice very low, and whispered into her ear. "It's not as if I want to take you to Pai and Taruto… Trust me… if there was a way I could get you out of this, I would. But, I don't have a choice…" He pulled away and looked into her dark brown eyes. His own eyes soft and, for a moment, caring. "I can't promise that they won't hurt you… but I can promise that I'll try and keep you as safe as I can."