I've been into Tokyo Mew Mew, and here and then, I feel I should write a story of my fav couple in this series. For those who haven't seen this show (my author alert fans), I say give it a go and come back when you're ready to read :)

And as for the rest, please enjoy and review at the end ;)

P.S This is set after episode 36, where everyone knows of Ryou's past. Also, I think I might end up making this a Ryou blue knight thing.

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Thoughts

"Speeches"

"Whispers"

Flashback:

Summary: When Masaya studies abroad, Ichigo becomes very lonesome. Thus, she starts talking to Ryou, and so, unexpected feelings begin to build. When Masaya comes to visit, Ichigo must make a choice! But that's the least of her worries as things become much worst...

That chimera...it's come back. What's Ryou going to do now? Will he let the same thing happen? Will the mew mews have to suffer the same fate? Or will he let his vendetta darken his mind? He knows one thing for certain, he must protect his loved ones, even at the cost of his own life...IchiRyou

Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew...yet (lol jk!)


An Unspoken Attraction

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Chapter 1: The one with the nightmare

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"Mum! Dad!" He screamed his heart out as his eyes confronted the worst predicament. He felt his heart pounding heavily against his chest. His world was turning upside down. "I have to do something! I have to save them!" He tried to drag his feet but it was no good.

"Ryou no!" Keiichiro grabbed him tight to prevent Ryou of doing something he'll regret, "It's too late…"

Ryou watched in fear as his home and his family in it burnt to a crisp. How could this happen…? Why did it have to be like this?

And then he saw it…that chimera that caused this incident. The little blond stared deep into the chimera's eyes and could feel the evil chilling his spine…he can't give into it, don't let it get near you…no! It's going to attack…!

"Gah!" Ryou lifted abruptly from his bed and breathed heavily, not again...

"Ryou," he heard knocks from his door, "it's almost time to open the café," he heard Keiichiro's voice.

Great...I'm not in the mood to deal with anyone today, Ryou rose out of bed, intending on taking a shower. He paused for a second as his eyes rolled to a familiar photograph. The blond teen sighed, I can't believe it's been this long...

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"She's late again," Mint stated as she sipped her morning tea.

"Mm hm, she's gonna get it now," Pudding spoke in agreement.

The four mew mews awaited for their last teammate to show to up for work. It was like this everyday, only on rare occasions she would show up early, but that's if she wanted to have another go at Ryou. Whether it was about a raise, a holiday or a demand for respect.

Keiichiro entered the room, "Time for another hard day of work," he smiled as he paced towards the door. At that moment, the entrance abruptly slammed open and entered a fast-breathing, messy looking Ichigo.

"I -breathe- made it -breathe- finally!"

"Ahh, Ichigo, you've made it just barely," the baker spoke, "go on ahead and change."

Footsteps were heard from the staircase as everyone watched Ryou making his way towards the kitchen. They all awaited yet for another argument between the two most loving pair. Ryou turned his head to catch a glimpse of a fatigued Ichigo, though said nothing. The mew leader stared back only to say nothing but walk towards the changing rooms.

"Is it just me," Pudding whispered to Lettuce, "or is the atmosphere even more tense than usual, even though they're saying nothing to each other..."

"You're right, The green-head replied. Once both were out of sight, everyone became silent.

"Alrighty then," Akasaka broke the heavy silence, "our costumers are arriving."

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"Check please!"

"I'm coming!"

"Where's my chocolate fudge order?"

"I'll bring it in a sec!"

"Hello! This is not what I ordered!"

"Apologies, I'll bring the right order!"

Gah! Why are the costumers whinier than usual! Ichigo placed herself onto a chair for a few second break, Work is twice as hard and I'm again doing the work around here! She turned to Mint, "I hope your enjoying that tea your highness...!"

"Very much thank you," Mint smugly replied, "Hurry up Ichigo, our costumers are awaiting,"

"And I would appreciate it if you helped me," the red-head inwardly held her anger,

"Sorry can't, I'm on my tea break. But knock yourself out though,"

"MINTO-!"

Crash

Pieces of glass were all over the floors as Lettuce clumsily dropped five plates, "Oh no!" The green-head panicked, "I'm sorry Keiichiro! I will clean it up now,"

Why do I keep reiterating this day of workload? Ichigo sighed, I deserve better! And I demand a raise! Where is that brute-headed blond anyway? Well I'm going to find him and oof--!!

"Ryou!" Ichigo spoke as she bumped to just the person she needed, "We need to have a chat!" The others rolled their eyes as they prepared for another money drama.

Oh great, Ryou thought, I really cannot be asked to deal with anyone today, especially with the loud-mouth annoyance, "No we don't actually; you know why?" Ichigo blinked, "Because everyday you ask me the same question, and everyday I'll give you the same answer,"

"But why won't you just give me a raise?! I know I do the most work around here!" Ichigo moaned,

"Well then you really shouldn't be wasting your time talking to me when you should be serving the costumers," Ryou turned to make his way towards the stairs.

"Don't you dare walk away from me, Ryou Shirogane! I will not be ignored when I'm speaking," She hastily paced towards the blond and halt until they were face to face.

"Step aside, strawberry," she was really testing his patience.

"No I will not, until I get a raise and some respect!" She replied aggressively.

"Step aside, now," he was practically seething his teeth now.

"And what if I don't?" she challenged him.

"If you don't move," Ryou began, "I won't pay you a single penny for a month."

Ichigo paused, she had no choice this time. She stepped aside as the blond teen continued moving, "This is not over." She whispered as he passed by.

"Whoa," Pudding spoke, "is it me, or is Ryou crabbier than usual?" Everyone nodded. The two sure made a scene today.

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The café finally came to an end for the day, allowing everyone to leave. Everyone except Ichigo because she had cleaning duties today. This day just gets better and better...The red-head thought with irritation, if I come across that cruel bastard one more time, I swear I'll-

"It happened again," Ichigo heard her boss's voice coming from the kitchen. She quietly walked towards the voice and patiently listened to Ryou having a conversation with Keiichiro.

"That dream..." he continued.

Keiichiro stared at Ryou, " You mean the one with-?"

"Yeah..."

Huh? What dream? Ichigo wondered curiously, is that why he was acting so strange today?

"That's the fourth time this week," Keiichiro stated,

"And the sixteenth time this month," Ryou continued, "Why is it happening again?"

"You haven't had nightmares like that since the first few weeks after the incident,"

"I know," the blond placed his elbows on the table and slid his hands through his locks, "Does it mean something?"

"Who knows? Maybe?"

There was a minute of silence as the atmosphere let out tension in the air. Ichigo continued listening closely to the conversation, I wonder what incident they're referring to?

"What're you gonna do now?" Keiichiro broke the silence.

Ryou thought for a second, "I don't know, but I sure don't want to wake up in cold sweat again." He stood up and made his way out of the kitchen.

Oh no! Ichigo silently panicked, he's coming this way! Better move quick!

Ryou paced the café grounds while deep in thought, but then came across the sound of humming. He turned his head to glance at Ichigo who was sweeping the messy floors.

Ryou sighed, "You still here?"

"Yeah, I have cleaning duties remember?" she replied without turning her head from the broom, "The ones you decided to push me for more labour, which proves I do a lot more work than you give me credit for."

Ryou continued to speak, "I'm sorry,"

Ichigo paused and slowly turned to face her boss, "What?" she audibly spoke.

"I guess I was being..." he struggled with his words, "too harsh today. There was no excuse for my demeanor and it was uncalled for,"

Ichigo was speechless, to say the least! "Uhh....it's fine...I guess."

"Go home." Ryou finally spoke,

"But what about this mess?"

"Leave it to me," the blond teen grabbed the broom, "You deserve a little break."

Was it in Ichigo's imagination or did she just see a faint smile on her cruel boss's face? "Um...thank you?"

"You should be, strawberry. Now go change, it's getting late,"

Ichigo nodded and made her way towards the changing rooms.

Ryou watched Ichigo smile in gratitude, "Heh."

Finally, the red-head was prepared to go home and was she ever thankful for once to her boss for not keeping her too long. She lifted her wrist to read the time, whoa! Was it that late? I guess I was in the changing room shower longer than I thought...

"You girls sure take your time when changing," Ichigo turned to the voice, to find none other than Ryou standing near the café doors.

"You finished cleaning?" the strawberry spoke, "Why are you standing here?"

"What does it look like? I'm waiting for you to hurry up,"

"But why?"

"Have you checked the time yet? It's almost eleven PM and you think you can walk the streets at this hour?"

"I can handle myself thank you very much,"

"Too bad I don't agree. C'mon, I phoned your parents to let them know your arriving soon."

Ryou just kept surprising her today, what was with the nice guy act? They both continued walking down the silent streets, "A-ano Shirogane?"

"Hm?" he responded,

"What's with you today?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, at first your like 'pick up the slack, strawberry' and then your like 'give yourself a break',"

"This is just a way of making up to my crude behaviour is all," Ryou simply replied.

"Oh," she began chuckling, "wish you were like this all the time, then maybe I would actually enjoy having you as a boss,"

Ryou's face was expressionless, "Don't count on it. This doesn't mean I'll start going easy on everyone because I know you'll start slacking off,"

"Hmph," there goes his good side..."Here we are," Ichigo began scratching her now-faintly-pink cheeks with her index finger, "Um...thanks for walking me home..."

"It was no problem." Ryou began walking back to the café, "'Night Strawberry." He waved as his back faced Ichigo.

Ichigo smiled in gratitude, Night Ryou, hope I'll meet this side of you again.

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TBC

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Good God! This was by far the longest chapter I've ever written for a fanfiction!

Anyways, it's getting very late here and I should end it there. This is a fic where they both start falling for each other soon; not one where he is in love with her secretly but wouldn't tell her. That stuff just ruins the whole concept of them falling for each other romantically.

Well, I thank you for reading my story and I request a favour of reviewing in return!

So PLEASE REVIEW!

With much love,

Mrs-N-Uzumaki xxx