Ichigo laughed. She was thinking, that was clear. Antipode's little bits of laughter, little messages to Ichigo, were loud... but far more importantly, far more obviously, the wheels were obviously turning behind her eyes. She was thinking, even as he spoke, and he was able to read enough from her expressions to know that she was thinking far more than the 'that's amazing' pronouncement that she finally gave.

Then again, she could be forgiven. After all, it was amazing. And pretty darn complicated, too. She was a smart girl, but what does someone say to something like what Ichigo had just said? Hard to find much of all to say, and Ichigo understood it. Besides. She had some more... pressing distractions to worry about. He smirked, and continued moving his hand against her stomach. He was teasing her, and she was reacting to it. His hand moved up to her shoulder, and down her arm. He leaned in again, quite close. It was amusing to see this girl flustered.

Still, he thought of something else. It wasn't quite so happy.

Yeah. He's made... several others. My first sister, Jiro, is a little less friendly than I am. My second sister, Saburo... she's being enrolled in the school. She doesn't know about any of this, she's been given false memories. I disagreed, but... Antipode, I guess, wants a firsthand experience of what you girls are going through here. In the end, her thoughts and memories will be taken back into my master... and he'll know first hand.

(Well, I've been gone, sadly. I didn't even know you posted. ^^; How strange... it didn't tell me, I think. I think I can come back now though, ha ha.)

Ichigo listened to the girl. She was upset now, and rightly so. He sighed, and moved over, sitting down at some place. He closed his eyes and listened to the girl. She could see the shift in his expression. He didn't like it, he wasn't fond of it, but he couldn't change it. He certainly didn't want to die himself, so he was stuck as a collaborator. It was a rather loathsome thing, but in this case, he was collaborating with, of all things, his father. What more could he do, though? He really couldn't think of anything at all.

I dunno. Am I a different person? I've never really felt anything else, so I couldn't tell you. My thoughts aren't his. He can send me his, but I control myself. Of course, within himself are multiple independent layers, too. Almost like a complex computer program... or a human brain. Take the part of you that pulls up memories of it's own accord, and give that part of you control of a proportionally large independent entity, and I suppose you could call it the same thing. However...

He looked away. He frowned again, before looking at her again. He looked her straight in the eyes, and spoke carefully.

What some of you go through is bad. And from our perspective, yes, my master's choice is deplorable. He really does think of us not much more than... video game characters. He's nice, because, I suppose he's the equivalent of a player of some game who likes to go through at least the "good" side, and play nice with all the other fictional characters... but he doesn't think of us as real in the same way as he is, I don't think. I'm nothing more than a role, to his mind. A role that takes on a life of it's own, but from his own level of power, he probably feels me no more real than a fictional character you made yourself for some game.

((Glad to see you back!))

Shai couldn’t even begin to imagine the emotional turmoil Ichigo had to be going through. She thought of Pan, and how she would never subject him to be nothing more than a pawn in her life. If there was even the slightest possibility that Pan could think for himself and begin to make conscious decisions, she would never be able to disable or destroy him even if he’d done something to gain her disfavor.

Ichigo was a part of Antipode, she supposed. While it may seem cruel and sick to Shai, surely Antipode had the final say in what his creations, or rather his humanoid projections of himself were subjected to. Whether they liked it or not. It all became a matter of morality, and obvious this Antipode did not have the same morals as Shai, but that was his right nonetheless, but she didn’t have to like him for it.

She watched the distaste cross over Ichigo’s features as he began to unravel the circumstances of his and his sibling’s creation. How they were regarded and how they were used. She nodded where it was appropriate, and concentrated on each word. She felt as though she should be more horrified than she was, and only surmised that it was due to the blocking of memories that she wasn’t. As Ichigo ended his explanation Shai was more or less at a loss for words.

“That’s terrible.” She said softly, and rather bitterly. She supposed Antipode was being made out to be this terrible creator, but really from what she’d gathered of the being he was more benevolent than cruel. While she disagreed with some of his tactics, she was at least partially grateful that Antipode was as kind as he was.

Perhaps he was. Antipode watched this situation with quite great amusement. No, he really didn't see the problem of doing what he wanted with these beings. They were HIM, after all, and he could do whatever he wanted with himself. It's not as if creating Saburo and then reabsorbing her would destroy her. No, it'd merely allow him a new perspective. Ichigo, too, wasn't real. At least not to him. Oh, he was real, he just wasn't a person. He wasn't nothing more than a part of him. He used himself because it was the easiest way, and the best way to create a true, legitimate being. Still, this being was beginning to really create his own viewpoints. He could change this of Ichigo if he wished, but... it was curious. Ichigo had a human perspective. He wanted to keep that perspective around, even if it hindered the situation.

It's very lovely that you two are getting along so well and so forth, and Shai, I appreciate that you are glad I treat you with benevolence. As for the girl, the one I'm creating, I think I'd like to point out something. This is me we're speaking of, an aspect of me. Yes, she'll have her own feelings, however... I think it's a necessary thing. Yes, I can read your memories, see the things that have happened. But it's not me. Saburo is me. Ichigo is me. And through them, I can understand far better, your human foibles. And what it is you like and dislike so completely.

Ichigo sighed. Antipode was speaking to both of them, as boldly as ever. He glared a little bit, and looked up to the cieling. He shook his head a little, and looked over to Shai. He really didn't agree. He was Antipode's... but he didn't feel like a mere appendage. However, they had some other goal besides mere discussion, didn't they? As if reading his mind (He was, of course) Antipode responded to that thought.

And anyway, as much as you two are enjoying yourself, and I don't mean to distract you too much, but you have other things you need to do, anyway. I'm sure you can keep correspondence after tonight, if you two so wish. Besides, I did promise you information, Shai, and I'll give it to you, through this intermediate. But, for now...

There was a hint of something in his voice. A hint of... not urgency, but a little impatience. He wanted them to just start already. And Ichigo sighed, looking at Shai. He blushed a little, then, and spoke.

Well. I don't want to make you feel too uncomfortable, but... I guess he's getting pretty clear about what he wants, isn't he?

(aww! Poor Shai. ^_^ Pity Ichigo isn't reading her mind, and is unable. xD )

Antipode was of course listening to her thoughts. It was terribly cute. She was beginning to feel guilty herself, and expected Ichigo to be able to hear her thoughts as well. It was a curious thing, for her to feel guilty over such minor details. But then, for her it wasn't minor, for her self-perception was subjective, and based on worries, fears, and many other things.

Still, her words to him specifically were very interesting. What did she imagine these beings he made were, free individuals? She of course didn't see their deeper nature, as parts of him. Sure, he could no longer feel them directly, and could only manipulate them now by thinking of them specifically, but they were still his own. Were they not?

Now I'm speaking only to you, not to him. Incidentally, no, he isn't hearing your thoughts to me. And he certainly doesn't know the way you feel. You worry that he just thinks you something he's been forced upon? You have those kinds of worries? Ask him. He's the one who feels one way or the other, not me. I'm not going to ruin his privacy by telling you what he thinks, just as I'm not telling him, either.

It was almost cruel, wasn't it? Antipode was teasing now, goading her on to admit her worries, knowing what the answer would be, but not telling her what Ichigo's answer would be.

For Ichigo's part, he smiled a little back at Shai, and walked forward. He looked a little nervous at the moment, but as he walked over to her he placed a hand on her shoulder. He leaned forward, then, and kissed her. He knew she was feeling shy. He got that alot, it seemed. That and anger. He preferred shyness, to be terribly honest.

Really, though, he was surprised she was still so shy. He decided he clearly needed to move forward, and move things along. His kiss was careful, his lips pressing against hers. Hands moved to her shoulders, and her body was shifted so he could get to her more easily. The kiss was long, and it was only after awhile that his tongue pressed against her lips. He already decided he'd go slow with her. After all... they had plenty of time. No time limits, nobody coming after them. Really, the only limit was her passing out, and he doubted that would happen for quite awhile, at least yet anyway.

He had a job to do, after all. Not that he didn't enjoy it, but he did quite enjoy talking with her, and had wished to speak of much more. Maybe he would, in the future.

Ichigo felt her response and had a feeling she was getting back into it. It was probably the fact that his master was hiding from her her emotional trauma, and that alone, that allowed her to get past it, since she didn't have that resistance. He'd be curious how she reacted without it. And in fact... he felt quite curious. And quite worried. She'd probably just freak out, and hate him, he figured. Right now, though, he was focused on the kiss, feeling her tongue on his, and responding enthusiastically.

His hands were moving on her arms, and feeling her carefully. He was moving a little closer, in fact, preparing to do more, when Shai pulled away. He was curious, looked at her with slight concern, and then listened to he rwords. He nodded, then, and was silent for a moment.

Where did this come from? He presumed Antipode would grant her request to not have him here, should she ask for it at this point. However... she was asking him. What was she getting at? Why not merely ask Antipode to send him away? However... that didnt' seem to be what she was getting at, was it? So he smiled a little, and didn't move away. His hands were on her shoulders, and he looked at the girl carefully.

You know, that's a curious thing to say. If I wish to opt out, in other words, I can leave? I suppose I could opt out, really... if you told Antipode you didn't want me. But to be honest, you're a quite beautiful girl, and if this wasn't by force I'm sure I'd have been happy to do this with you anyway. Though... that doesn't soudn very good, does it? Oh well, whatever. He laughed a little, and kissed her again. This one was much shorter.

Look, I'm not going to take you up on that. Since I'd rather not leave, right at this moment. He stepped away, and began removing his clothes. The tentacles around her held her carefully still... he glanced over at her every once and awhile.

Still... I wonder if you'd ask such things, or do anything but yell at me, if you had your memories at the moment.

Antipode listened. She really wanted them back, did she? Well, whatever. He didn't mind, though it'd get in the way. Watching, he decided... he'd do so. Silently, he'd do so. Without telling her anything, he'd let all her memories come back.

Actually, tha twasn't quite accurate. It wasn't a flood. The memories he'd blocked didnt come back. This was not like a dam, to be released and allow memories to flood over her. However, in due course of time, whatever feelings, whatever memories she had, would come as they naturally would. Of course, the time without memories would affect her too. There'd be new associations. Pleasant ones. They didn't dissapear, because they were real. Thinking pleasantly of Ichigo... that wouldn't go away. All her thoughts and feelings still counted.

But her other memories, her other associations, would return, whenever they naturally would, and affect her. Luckily, though, she had those new memories of being taken without displeasure of any kind. And of Ichigo's... way of being. Still. Antipode was terribly curious.

Ichigo, of course, watched carefully. He looked a little nervous, and knew what was going on. After a few moments he looked at her, and moved close.

So, Shai. How does it feel, then? Is it any different? I've never seen you with your memories still there... and I never agreed with taking them in the first place. But... how is it, really?

Ichigo watched. Antipode was silent for once. He wasn't telling him anything. He wasn't telling him anything but the fact that he undid it. He sighed a little, and felt almost a bit of irritation. So. All this pleasantness. Those nice pleasantries, her arousal, and lack of fear. Her even... friendliness, to him. It was all based on the fact that she wasn't truly herself. It was definitely based on the changes Antipode had given.

Ahh. The eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. He sounded a little bitter, actually. He laughed, however, and smiled at the girl, taking a step towards her. He knew what had happened, but he didn't know her feelings. What she was thinking about him or anything else. He was aware of one thing. She looked ashamed, disgusted, and was clearly going on because it was what she'd agreed on.

Not how I think? I didn't know you were the one with mind reading. He smiled a bit, but it was clear he was rather upset. Still. Fine. How is it different, then? I'm sure Antipode is laughing now, though he isn't telling me about it.

Ichigo listened. He was quiet while she talked, but stayed far enough away that he wouldn't seem threatening. He didn't intend to act all threatening yet, but instead he'd watch, and wait. He looked at the girl, as she spoke of herself being ashamed. He understood. They all felt that way, didn't they? Hell, he felt a little ashamed, standing here the way he was. Further... she was upset she'd enjoyed it, when she felt it was wrong to enjoy it that way. He... understood that as well, he could say. Though Antipode would be laughing, and he knew this, Ichigo still didn't like this.

He sat down again and watched, nodding a little bit. He found her words curious. And in the end, he laughed. Dire consequences? He wasn't his master, even if he was beholden to him. He finally sat up and spoke in response.

I dont' have access to your mind, though my master does. He isn't bothering to tell me, and I'm not asking. But... well. Let me put it this way. I'm not going to argue for anything, since what we're going to do is what we're going to do. But I'm not him. I don't agree with him, I don't always like him. Check my dna if you'd like. It'd be human dna. My brain is a human brain, my senses, human senses. But... in the end, things here are not good. With your memories, with all of you back together, you don't trust me. And that's okay. I don't like it. I'm sure my master finds it hilarious, but to be honest, I don't like it at all. But you have good reason to not trust me.

With a deep breath he stood up, and walked over to her. He kissed her again, aggressively, and looked at her again.

I can't promise I won't use them, you know. They can be far too useful. But if you really request it... I suppose I can take requests of my own, outside of my master. There is a precedent, you see.