A/N: Ok, I'm re-doing my RyouxZakuro pairing, because some idiot insulted pretty badly so I got pretty pissed off. I usually try to stay nice but that person was a serious freak of nature. Whoever it was, be glad I forgot your pen name! –Growls- So here is my first Tokyo Mew Mew fan fiction done again…
Zakuro rolled her eyes sarcastically as Mrs. Aikawa was droning on and on about how Hiragana was introduced into the Japanese language. 'It is just a way to spell foreign words in Japanese…' The explanation was so simple; it was scary to say that Mrs. Aikawa could even be a teacher at Daikanyama Junior High school. Her appearance for school today was in the least appropriate for a Monday morning. The mandatory, yellow tie was loosely dangling from the collar, the folds of her skirt were quite wrinkled and the usually combed to perfection hair flowed unevenly behind her back. Just because she was an international model, did not mean she had to look perfect on everyday of her life. Zakuro placed hand on her mouth and yawned silently. The photo shoot from yesterday took longer than needed and the ride home was disastrous.
Mint poked Zakuro's back with her pink mechanical pencil. "Hey, Zakuro, maybe after-school we could have some quality time together and maybe talk about clothes, fashion styles…" Mint whispered at a hush tone. Zakuro was just really cranky from modeling that she retorted back too loudly.
"Oh be quiet Mint! I do not want to hear you warbling on about such impudent ideas. Go annoy someone else; I have no time for this!" Zakuro sneered at the blue haired girl .
"Miss Zakuro, would you care to explain what conversation you were having with Miss Mint?"
Zakuro bristled and faced front again. "It was nothing Mrs. Aikawa! I was just explaining to Mint how Japanese should be one of the most taught languages, for it is just as important as fore say English, Chinese and Spanish!" Zakuro gave Mrs. Aikawa a fake plastic smile. 'Hurry up and get the lesson over with.' Was really on Zakuro's mind. The bell quickly rang after Zakuro's curt comment. Being one of the first ones to stand, Zakuro grabbed her books and raced out the door. She breathed out a sigh of relief and without knowing ran into another student. "Well excuse me-Ryou?!" It was pretty shocking to see Ryou here, because:
Daikanyama Jr. High is an all girl school only.
As the creator of the Mew Mews, he should conceal his identity
He usually alerts the Mew Mews of his arrival and et cetera
"What are you doing here?!" Zakuro was also surprised to see Ryou in his casual clothing of the sports jacket, long pants and red band around his neck. Ryou grinned mischievously and pulled Zakuro along side to a more private area. Running around the school, hiding a boy was not Zakuro's main agenda, but her day was already more interesting. Ryou and Zakuro found an empty hallway and leaned against a windowsill. Zakuro still holding her books placed them in her lap and looked emotionless at Ryou. It was strange that Ryou only wanted to talk to her. Zakuro had never actually had a private conversation with him, so this was quite new.
"Finally, a more private place." Ryou placed his arm against the windowsill and stared at Zakuro with amusement. "You're still probably wondering why I'm here."
Zakuro spoke, "Just a teeny bit…" Ryou was never this sociable to her, what was going on?
Right on cue, as if he knew he was on her mind, Ryou leaned closer to Zakuro and spoke close to Zakuro's ear, making his hot breath warm her cheek. "I wanted to see how you were doing and just give you this letter." Underneath his jacket, he produced a small waded up yellow parchment and put it carefully in Zakuro's hands. Before leaving Zakuro's side he muttered, "You should read it when no one is around…" Ryou put his arm around her. "And when you respond to the letter, don't say that you have another modeling class; I already know your schedule." With the final words, Ryou snickered, "What a worried girl you are, what ever am I going to do with you, pomegranate?" Ryou stood up and signaled a wave before exiting the school through the side corridors.
Zakuro's eyes had widened the whole time when Ryou had touched her. 'Why does Ryou make me blush so hard, and make my heart miss a beat?' She shook the blush quickly off. If the other girls knew I could be this emotional, they would come to me with their problems. Shivering at the thought, Zakuro reverted her gaze back to the parchment. She peeled back the fold and gasped at the note
To: Zakuro (Little Pomegranate)
What a rare person to have met, though I regret putting you under my experiment. Your life is always in terrible danger, and I have yet to see the true Zakuro underneath her cold complexion. The more I know you, the more I have been attracted to your coldness and insecurity towards others. Isolating yourself has brought more curiosity in me to know more about you. But I do know this…every since I met you, I knew I was in love with you.
Ryou Shirogane
And no matter how hard I try, it seems you are never out of my mind.
Zakuro re-read the paper a couple of times, just to make sure he wasn't joking. Then she whimpered as she read at the far bottom.
What I write now on this paper, is the truth and nothing else.
A tear fell from Zakuro's eye, which was confused at the sight of new information. Should I be overjoyed that someone actually loves me, or should I be frightened for the events to come? All she knew for certain was that Ryou needed a reply to such a heartfelt note. Zakuro stared at the garden that was surrounded by the school. Sakura trees blooming of pink cherry blossoms lost a few petals to the spring breeze. The sun burned brightly against the somewhat cloudy sky. It was already 7th period, and she didn't have much time. Even though no one was around, Zakuro spoke, "Ryou, soon you shall have your answer. I promise." Zakuro was worried of her choice, but she needed for once in her life to stand up and listen to her heart. '
The final bell of the day rang, and school was officially over. Pudding, Mint AND Lettuce raced out into the courtyard and jumped with such zeal. "Time to go to work at Café Mew Mew!"
Ichigo groaned, "Is it time already?! I don't want to go, if you guys make me do all the work-" But everyone had ignored her blatant comment and hurried down the street. Zakuro smiled when Mint began to drag Ichigo away from the school grounds. She was about to go herself; when she saw Berry, who had stayed behind to wait for Tasuku. Zakuro knew she was going to regret this later, but the thought was unbearable.
"So how are you and Tasuku, Berry?" Zakuro was most comfortable with Berry, so she seemed like the right person to talk to.
Berry appeared surprised at Zakuro's question, "Well umm, it's been going pretty good. I mean he hasn't cheated on me or anything…ahahahahahaha!" Zakuro knew she wasn't getting to the main point.
"I mean, how did you realize you liked each other?"
Berry paused, "Well we never really noticed the affection we shared with each other, since we were best friends for a long time. But the more time I spent with Tasuku, I just grew out of my friendship stage and learned to really love him. I guess he's really the only one for me." Appreciated silence soon fell upon them, but a shadow hovered above their eyes.
"Hey Berry! Hi ya Zakuro!" Tasuku was doing another spin with his rollerblades. "Thanks for waiting! Ready to work?"
"You bet Tasuku!" Berry had already begun racing Tasuku, and quickly called out. "C'mon Zakuro! Those pastries won't serve themselves!"
Zakuro escaped from her dazed look and hurried after the rambunctious couple.
"Lettuce! We need two strawberry tarts and one espresso gelato at table 3." Zakuro called out to Lettuce, who finished carrying out some peppermint frappuccinos.
"I'm on it Zakuro! Could you help Pudding with the kitchen cleaning? The dishwasher seemed to have overflowed."
"Will do, Lettuce." Zakuro went into the employee's only room and quickly changed into a plan teal t-shirt and short khaki pants. With a white hair tie, she quickly pulled her hair up into a messy bun and rolled up the sleeves of her t-shirt. Wearing big t-shirts, were most comfortable for kitchen duty, besides no one but Pudding would really see her. Bursting through the kitchen door, Zakuro found Pudding caught with a beard of soap bubbles.
"Welcome to the Soap a La Bubble parlor! Care for a soapy mustache or goatee?" Zakuro chuckled at Pudding' cute humor.
"Pudding, you are such a kidder. What's the status on cleaning the dishes?" Observing the clean pots and pans, Zakuro concurred that Pudding used her "Inferno" to clean the dishes recklessly but efficiently.
"Squeaky clean! I can even see my reflection on them!" Pudding held up a white ceramic plate and giggled at the sight of her new beard.
"Good. One step down, now let's dry these dishes." Whipping out some towels, Zakuro threw a large red towel in Pudding's direction. But another hand grabbed it.
"Zakuro, may I have a word with you?" She was too shocked to move. Ryou had grabbed the towel and toyed with it in his hand.
"OooooooOOoooooOOOO! Pomegranate is in trouble!" Pudding giggled, she did not know Zakuro's secret so kidding around was the only response to such a surprise.
"I'll…be right back…" Zakuro felt alarmed at Ryou's cool tone. Maybe he was asking for something else…
"Follow me, Zakuro…" Zakuro obediently followed Ryou to the hall wear the next Mew Mew project was being conducted.
Not facing Zakuro, Ryou asked, "Have you found an answer to my comment?"
Zakuro stopped in her tracks. "I have Ryou…" Ryou turned around and saw Zakuro with tears in her eyes. He walked towards her and quickly brushed a tear away. At the same time, Ryou placed his fingers on her chin and pulled it close to her face.
"I know your life is a tough one, but will you become open to me and hopefully love me, as I do for you?" Ryou leaned closer and slowly kissed her trembling lips. He was so careful and held her close to his heart.
As they broke apart, Zakuro whispered, "Yes, I will Ryou. I love you too." They embraced each other once more and stood there for a long time.
"Zakuro?"
"Hmm?"
"I think we should get back to work."
"Whatever you say, boss."
Ryou smiled, but then quickly frowned, "Zakuro, we should keep our relationship a secret for now. It is unwise to let everyone know so quickly."
"Yeah I hear ya…"
Ryou gave Zakuro a small kiss on the forehead. "Say, when are you going to high school?"
"Don't worry Ryou; I'm only two years younger than you. Don't act like a mature adult now…" Zakuro teased.
"And Zakuro?"
"Yes?"
"Your tail is showing."
Zakuro blushed and quickly covered her "wolf" tail. "Eh…I'm kind of new to this 'relationship-y' thing…"
Grabbing her purple work clothes, she went back into the employee's only room. After closing the door behind her, she leaned against it and slid to the floor. She held the clothes against her face and breathed it in.
Ryou Shirogane. I have always loved you too.
Zakuro stared at the wall in front of her. Was exploiting the truth about her love to her boss the right decision?
Ryou sat back into his leather chair and began typing. His eyes were on his work, but his mind was on Zakuro. Pausing, he looked back to where Zakuro had left. 'Was telling her my feelings the right thing to do?'