Ichigo ran in the cold rain, splashing through the puddles on the sidewalk. She held a pink umbrella above her head and held her pink purse. She was cold, and tired, but she had to make it to Café Mew Mew on time or else Ryou might dock her pay. Just then, Ichigo passed the park and saw a girl lying on a bench, injured.

All thoughts of being late rushed out of her mind and Ichigo ran over to the girl. She was unconscious, and there were many wounds on her. The girl had long ebony black hair, and was wearing a blue shirt and jeans. She also looked about Ichigo's age, and there was a dark red purse next to her.

It must be hers, Ichigo thought.

Ichigo opened the purse and took a cell phone, some gum, a few pictures and then finally, a wallet. She opened the wallet and saw a few membership cards.

Cheri Ariyoshi, 13.

So she was her age… Ichigo put back everything into the red purse.

Ichigo whipped out her cell phone and dialed Ryou.

"Hey Shirogane! It's me, Ichigo. I need you to help me."

"Why? You're late!"

"I know that! But I found a girl in the park, and she's like dying! I can't just leave her here! Her name's Cheri Ariyoshi."

"K. I'll be there right away."

Please hurry Ryou. She looks like she's going to die.

---

Ten minutes later, Ryou, Lettuce, and Pudding rushed out of Ryou's black car.

Lettuce looked strickened.

"She looks terrible! We got to get her to the hospital."

"No chance. These wounds were made by Chimera Anima. We won't be able to explain them to the doctors there. We'll take her to Café Mew Mew. Keiichiro used to be a doctor."

"Okay." The three girls said.

"Where's the others?" Ichigo asked.

"They haven't came to work yet." Ryou answered.

The four of them lifted the girl as gently as possible and put her in the car.

---

"Keiichiro, is she going to be all right? I don't want her to die!" Pudding asked, worried.

"Don't worry, Pudding. She'll be perfectly fine in a few days."

Pudding let out a sigh of relief. Then…

"Yay na no da! I'll have a new friend na no da! NA NO DA!"

---

Mint and Zakuro finally got to the café. The only person there was Lettuce. No costumers because of the heavy rain.

"Sorry we're late!" Mint called out, "What did we miss?"

---

"Ichigo!"

"Yes?"

"Come over here! I looked up Amaya Ariyoshi."

Ichigo walked over to Ryou's office. It was dark, and there was a computer with a lot of expensive looking equipment.

"What did you find?"

"It turns out that Cheri Ariyoshi lives in Toyko, near you, actually. She's half Chinese, a quarter Japanese and a quarter American. She's is in 7th grade and is 13 years old. Her dad died in a car crash and her mom died giving birth to her. Amaya lives with her grandma and owns one dog."

"Poor girl… Wait! How did you get all this information?"

"I hacked into the government records." Ryou said sheepishly.

"….."