Kisshu4eva (me) : Hi everyone! I'm Kisshu4eva (as my name may give away, I love kish! :3) sadly I don't own tmm or any of its characters, only my own plotline! This isn't personally my favourite pairing, but I wrote this for an anonymous friend in school, hope she likes it!

Part of this is a flashback Zakuro has of the first part of the final fight in Tokyo mew mew; the events of the flashback take place in episode 51.

This will turn into a lemon in the second chapter, and I don't intend this fic to be any longer than 2 chapters. If you read it, please just review, whether you like it or not, that would be much appreciated! I would love constructive criticism, but I haven't put anything up on Fanfiction for ages because I was shy and scared people would hate it! So please, no MEAN flames, but criticism is fine! :D

Sorry to rant, cookies to anyone who reviews, please enjoy!

She hated him. That much she was sure of. Wasn't she? A deep frown creased across Zakuro's smooth, tanned forehead whilst she deliberated over her current predicament. Though the final battle was done and Deep Blue dead, the aliens still couldn't leave, and now it was causing her grief. Damn him, for turning her into such a confused wreck! Her mind was cast back to the final battle with Deep Blue, the day everything had come to a close. So many unanswerable questions ran through her mind whilst she recalled those tormenting memories, as they had done countless times before, plaguing her, and as usual, it all centred on Pai.

Even at the end of the world, as the depth of Deep Blue's betrayal was revealed, still he remained unflinching and uncaring, set in stone, as he engaged them in combat in the mission they all knew was pointless; fighting against the mews to keep them at bay whilst the final fight between Ichigo and Deep Blue raged inside the palace/war machine. Neither side could win, nor advance. In a fight like this, there was no aim, no goal; the only certain outcome was that one way or another, one side would suffer loss of life. Why couldn't he listen to them? Did he enjoy the struggles and suffering that came with fighting? Didn't he too dream of peace? It made no sense. He made himself into their enemy, and for what? So he could fulfil the meaningless mission Deep Blue set him? It wasn't comprehendible. And now, she would make him regret it.

Ichigo leaned forward, soaring towards the death machine past Taruto, who had surprisingly stepped up to defend the mews. Inaudible words of regret and disappointment were exchanged between him and Pai in the sky as the mews steeled themselves and prepared to fight, Pudding practically jumping with joy that her 'Taru-taru' was going to defend her. And then the unthinkable happened.

Her stomach lurched as she stood witness to the sickening moment the terrible thunderfan struck the small boy in the stomach, the everlasting silence as Taruto floated in the sky, a dazed, confused half-smile on his face, until his large amber eyes glazed over and he plummeted from the dull, ashen sky. The heart wrenching cries that burst from Pudding's lips as she sobbed and mourned over the loss of her best friend shook her to her bones. Still he didn't say anything, just sat there in the tempestuous sky regarding the mews, ready to prolong the seemingly endless assault. He didn't ever stop, even continuing until Lettuce lay fallen on the ground to protect Ryou from the horrific Chimera anima he constructed. Lettuce, who had only ever shown him compassion and patience.

Something primal took over within her, as if the wolf in her fully awakened, watching her friend lie defeated on the barren earth. A red mist engulfed her vision as she glared at him, not even attempting to mask the hatred that he had now inspired. A low growl arose in the back of her throat. To harm Lettuce was atrocious enough, but to kill someone who was not only a friend, but a child too? The rage that rose in Zakuro was something she had never experienced, hadn't dreamt she was capable of. It filled every crevice of her body, a raging fiery anger that tore through the very fibres of her being. She lifted her chin arrogantly as a sign of defiance-she would not yield: for Taruto and Lettuce, she would stand against him. He met her hate-filled stare with stony nonchalance; his gaze void of emotion. Her voice rose, deep and powerful, but in a dangerously sinister tone.

"I won't forgive you… no matter what reason you have!" In spite of this he continued to glare at her callously. "In this fight, reason isn't necessary!" She screamed at him, launching herself into the air, closing the gap created between them by the sky and releasing all the hatred inside of her, the resentment she had been bottling away since the plight of the mews began. She was responded to with equal ferocity; both of them screaming with feral hatred, each striking out at the other, sending brilliant flares of pulsating, vibrant energy slicing through the stifling stormy air, until both were exhausted with the futile exertion.

And then later, as she stood huddled with her friends, watching her impending doom racing towards her from the death machine, there he was, placing himself between them and the huge release of power, saving their lives and simultaneously sacrificing his own.

But why? Why, even though he killed his own friend and put the mews through agony in a fight even he admitted was pointless, would he then sacrifice himself to save the ones he was in conflict with? His reasoning was unperceivable. With an irritable flick of her long black hair, she pushed the traumatizing thoughts of the battle to the back of her mind. Everything he did confused her. And now all three aliens were restored to life and staying on Earth, what was she supposed to do? How could she forgive someone who killed a child and victimised her friends? Surely it was unforgivable and wrong! 'But how can I hate someone who saved the lives of me and my friends? Yet how can I trust someone who would murder his friend?'

She was broken out of her interior row without herself as she bumped her head on a tree directly in front of her she had failed to notice. Stumbling backwards, she promptly tripped and fell over with all the grace of a dead pigeon, falling awkwardly on her behind. There had been little rain recently, so the ground was cracked and hard; she landed with a painful bump. She couldn't help but yell out in her mind: being a supermodel, actress and mew still couldn't guarantee her perfect co-ordination in day to day life.

"Ouch…" she groaned. She looked around anxiously, large azure eyes scanning the open field to check if she was being watched-it wouldn't be particularly beneficial for her career to be caught by harsh photographers. The field was long, stretching for at least an acre in length and about half as wide. There was no point really, she had spent hours searching for such a secluded spot-the likelihood of her being found by anyone was miniscule. Tall, knee-high stems of soft, fresh green grass wafted gently in the cool summer breeze, so long she couldn't see over the top from sitting. The light wind fanned smoothly against her tanned olive skin, lifting the ends of her glossy hair.

The opportunity to escape the café for short periods of time to sit and relax here was one of the only things that helped keep the eldest mew so calm and collected most of the time; out here she could truly breathe, away from prying eyes. Out here she could think aloud, or scream in frustration, or break down and sob, and air all the troubled thoughts that surged through her mind so often, without the worry of having her true self, the real Zakuro, the one who was anxious and scared, ever being discovered. Tilting her head back, she let weak ribbons of sunlight filter down from between the trees leafy branches to warm her face, temporarily relieving her from the pain caused by falling so gracelessly.

"Graceful," the sarcastic remark spookily echoed her thoughts, and she was so startled at the sudden noise the she made a small cry as she was jolted out of her daydream which caused her ear to sprout from her head and her tail to poke out from underneath her short skirt. She furiously glanced around, seeking out the source of the voice she knew all too well. The hidden person let out a snort of sarcastic laughter. Big mistake.

Her sensitive ears picked out that the person was up in the tree in front of her. Unfortunately, the sun was coming from that direction, so could only pick out the vague masculine outline as she squinted. Again, cynical laughter.

"God, you look so unattractive when you squint," her tail flicked irritably, although the deep voice sent an odd shiver up her spine. She couldn't quite tell if it was bad or not. There was a small thump as the tall alien dropped from the tree, landing on his feet at the base with ease.

"Pai".

"Zakuro". He dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"And here I was thinking we were all past that annoying stage where you and the other aliens had stopped stalking and randomly ambushing us," she dropped a note of vexed sarcasm into her voice. He looked affronted, and opened and closed his mouth as if unsure how to respond.

"I wasn't stalking you, I wouldn't waste my time on such an insignificant person, cub," That annoyed her. "Besides, were this an ambush, you would be favourably immobilized now," He took a step towards her, looking down at her from his formidable height, as if she were a piece of dirt he had the misfortune of stepping in. Damn him, for being so tall! Even she felt intimidated, being stared at in such a scrutinising way by someone who looked like they could squish her like a bug. But she would not feel intimidated!

She took a step towards him as well, so that less than a metre stood between them now, and drew herself to her full height, chin pointed upwards.

"Yes, because that worked the first few…hundred times?" Her voice rose at the end, as if it was a question. "Seriously Pai… Just go away and stop bothering me, I care less than nothing for fools like you" His peculiar coloured violet eyes narrowed menacingly. Being honest, it worried her a little. They stood there for a while, just staring at each other, each one trying to guess what the other was thinking. Suddenly, his shoulders seem to sag, his eyes softened, and his whole countenance appeared more relaxed, almost defeated.

"Why do you hate me so much?" He asked almost beseechingly, sounding unusually quiet, a curious look in his eyes, mixed in with…was that almost sadness? She raised a confused eyebrow, her mouth falling agape. This she had not expected. Irony, yes. Sarcasm, yes. Not this. 'Why do I hate him?' she considered the question. Where to begin? Did she really hate him? She took a moment to gather her thoughts. She didn't realize how long she was taking until an amused half-smirk formed on Pai's soft, sensuous lips. 'Whoa, SENSUOUS?! WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM?! '

"Uhh… I..." she stammered. Mentally slapping herself before her could make a snide remark, she hardened her voice and tossed her hair off her face. "I hate you because you victimized my friends! All three of you aliens did that, granted, and it was for your people, but neither of the other two betrayed and killed each other! Yeah, he's fine now, but you killed Taruto!" He looked taken aback and was about to interject, but she cut him off abruptly before he could continue. "You stuck up for a retard like Deep Blue who would have happily killed this planet for his own gain, not your people! Not just that, but you KILLED a child. What chance did Taruto, who was trying to do the right thing, have against a strong adult like you? I can never forgive anyone for that…"

She broke off at the end, having run out of things to say in her tirade of words. He took a moment to consider her words, his head bowed so she could not see his face. When he spoke again, his voice was low, but held some unknown quality she wasn't quite sure of, giving her no clue as to his current emotion.

"It's true I killed Taruto, ands though he forgives me, every time I look at him I am reminded of it, it is a mistake I will regret for the rest of my life. But, do you honestly believe I would have killed him unless I believed I had a genuine reason? And I had no reason to behave any differently than normal to any of the mews, whether I was wrong or not. You never gave me cause to stop fighting"

"Yes we did!" she burst out angrily. "Stop being such an ignorant baka! We told you Deep Blue was lying, but did you listen? No, of course not! That's because one of your biggest flaws, Pai, is that you never listen. How can I trust you now that you killed one of your friends and fought me so hard, at the end of the world? What's to stop you turning on us?"

"Of course, I'm really going to turn against you all after I saved your life and gave mine in the process!" He snarled triumphantly. "Starting to regret that now!" Genuine hurt flashed through Zakuro's eyes. He regretted…saving her life? It was a shock to her. "And if I'm flawed, than you are hardly perfect by comparison! Even the other mews are terrified of you and think you're a loose cannon, plus I've never seen someone go so out of control mentally when they fight". He spat at her, his countenance now stronger, darker; he appeared more angry and volatile, like a volcano about to explode.

"Shut up!" Anger like the same insane flame she had experienced at the final battle began to flicker inside her, and once a flame like this began, she knew there was no way she could put it out until it had run its course. "I'm not-"her words broke off as a strong gust of wind flipped her hair wildly about her face and into her mouth. Whilst she stood there pulling hair out of her mouth, her began to laugh meanly.

"Smooth" the sarcasm in his voice was unmistakeable. She screamed angrily in reply.

"Again with the sarcasm! Just drop it already, you're so nasty!" She yelled in his face, self-control almost gone.

"You can talk, you're so nice and right all the time! You're even more stubborn than me!" he shouted back. During the heated argument, they had gotten so close to each other her nose was practically brushing his well-muscled chest. She couldn't help but stare at the smooth plains of his broad shoulders, his voice sending deep, unmistakeable shivers down her spine. She felt short of breath, her heart almost stopping. He was so…attractive. 'No, stop it! I don't like Pai!'

"Oh bite me!" She barked, turning on the heel of one foot to walk off, afternoon spoilt. She could have walked away from it all, but the next 3 words he said changed that.

"No thanks, BITCH,"

She stopped walking, less than half a metre away from him, and went very still, hair swinging gently around her hips in the wind, eyes closed, almost too angry to take into account how funny and unusual it was to hear Pai so annoyed he would swear. Her ears went down, her tail as well. Her hands clenched into fists, her smooth oval shaped nails digging in to her palms. And then she opened her eyes.

And swung round and hit him full on in the jaw.

OK! So hopefully that didn't go TOO badly… oh well, please review, and I will try to post the final half soon! Bye, love you all! Cookies to annoy who reviews!

-kisshu4eva- x