I know it´s been a long time since my last story. Now, I hadn´t quit writing. On the contrary. I am writing a lot these days. I just couldn´t choose which story to put first.
Now, this fanfic is much different than my last ones. It centers on Zakuro : I´ve always been curious about her past life, her family, which were very briefly mentionned in the anime. I used those hints to imagine her childhood and I think it is quite acceptable. I also did my best to keep her in character. This is about Zakuro, the woman : her secrets, her hopes and desires.
Summary : Mother´s Day is approaching and Zakuro feels a bit lost after she received the news of a loss in her family. But then she gets a very special letter that changes everything and is forced to live her past again.
Disclaimer : I don´t own Tokyo Mew mew.
Full moon
The pale moonlight was flooding the garden of the sumptuous residence, illuminating the bushes filled with roses and the gravelled paths. The grass was smooth and freshly cut, the trees were fragrant with the scent of fruits. A stone foutain was standing before the massive iron gate. As for the three appartments of the modern building, they were spacious – two flats each - and luxurious. Wood balconies flanked the picture windows.
A young woman was walking peacefully along the path, enjoying the calm atmosphere of the garden. Under the moonlight, she looked like an apparition. She had black opal-like hair, sapphire blue eyes that gave a mysterious glitter, and legs as white as platinum. She was wearing an elegant white blouse and a short red skirt with a silver belt. Around her neck, she wore the religious cross that had become her emblem.
Zakuro gave a sigh and gazed upon the moon. This was so relaxing. Just her, the park, the silence and the warm breeze. No hysterical fans chasing her to get her autograph, no agent calling her every five minutes, and most of all, no aliens attempting to destroy her. But then again, the aliens were gone and had no reason to return to Earth.
A year had passed since Deep Blue´s defeat. Zakuro was now eighteen – even though her record said she was two years younger. Just like her companions, she was still working at Café Mew mew – when her schedule allowed her to. Ichigo, Retasu and Purin had stayed because they wanted to remain faithful to Ryou and Keiichiro, and Minto, because she didn´t want to leave Zakuro. But Zakuro had chose to stay because the Café was one of the rare places where she felt really good. Because she knew her co-workers here were her true friends.
Even if there´s no way I´ll ever admit it.
Zakuro´s carreer was getting more and more promising as time went by. Her latest movie, Deep in the maze, had been an amazing success and remained at the top of the box-office for five weeks. The critics had praised her acting skills and her great presence on screen. She had recently signed a new contract with the clothing brand Grenade and was working on her new CD, which would be released for november.
Yes, Zakuro was currently the most famous celebrity in Japan. Her agent, Yamada Kaito, was thrilled about it : he received about ten new contracts for her every day.
The young woman sighed.
They were all pleased – Kaito, the movie producers... they were treating her like a priceless bibelot... but she knew perfectly well that in truth they didn´t care about her at all. All they cared about was the money and fame she could provide them. They maybe didn´t realize it themselves, but she had.
She knew this world.
She knew this world of opportunism, glory and money long before she started her carreer. She grew up in this world.
Zakuro stopped walking. Every time she recalled her childhood, she felt lost and confused. She usually tried her best to ignore her memories – which was easy, because she had so much work to do that she didn´t have time for this. But now, she was alone, calm, and perfectly vulnerable. Giving a sigh, she sat down on a bench.
In two days was Mother´s day.
Of all days, it was the one Zakuro disliked the most. Because she never knew what to do.
« We are still waiting for your return, whenever it might be. »
Her return...
But she didn´t want to return...
« Mother ? Mother, where are you ? »
A ten-year-old girl was wandering in the corridors of her spacious mansion, searching for her parents. Her lavender hair was braided and she was wearing a private school uniform.
« Mother, Father... »
She heard a noise a bit forward in the corridor. She approached the door and listened, a bit puzzled, then smiled. She heard her mother´s voice, then... a soft sound she recognized immediately. A bit embarassed, she stepped back.
They are huggling... I better leave...
But then a male voice was heard from behind the door. She turned around, surprised.
This wasn´t her father´s voice.
Zakuro hesitated. Curiosity got the best of her. She neared closer and opened the door.
As soon as she saw what was inside, her world shattered to pieces. »
Zakuro stood up.
I will send a card. And flowers. Like always.
And like always, she would hate herself for this... accuse herself not to be brave enough, not to think about other people.
But it was people who didn´t think about her.
A dark cloud obstructed the moon.
Maybe some of you noticed I picked Minto´s own words to describe Zakuro ( episode 10 ). That was voluntary.
I hope all of you enjoyed this first chapter. Next chapter will come soon, hopefully.