Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew, please don't sue me!
Chapter 1: A turn for the worst"I said you have to work, Minto!" Ichigo yelled madly at Minto.
"Well, you haven't been so bad before. Before we beat Deepblue, you weren't so…compelling." Minto replied in her normal, calm nature.
"Guys, stop quarrelling!" Retasu moaned. "We have to stop being like this!"
"Shut up Retasu! No one asked for your opinion!" Ichigo thundered.
"Fine! Seeing that I'm not wanted here, I'll leave!"
"Leave for all I care." Minto smirked.
"What? Sister Retasu is leaving now? Sister Ichigo and Minto, what are you arguing over?" Purin questioned.
"Purin, don't get involved." Ichigo grumbled as she glared at Minto, who returned her glare.
The diners were all staring at the two girls now, and to cover up, Purin quickly uttered, "Um, the two of them are rehearsing for a play. One of them is supposed to be the mother, the other is the father. Excuse them…"
"And who's the father?" The two yelled at Purin.
"Hey guys, I was just covering things up…"
"We didn't ask you to cover things up." Minto interrupted.
"And that's what I get for saving you from embarrassment? Beautiful!" Purin snapped as she stormed out of the café.
Zakuro and Berii stood at one corner, watching the two bickering. "I think I'd better do something…" Zakuro mumbled as she stepped forward. "Ichigo, forget it if Minto doesn't want to work. We need some peace and quiet here!"
"Zakuro, she's getting one thousand yen per hour and she's not even working! How can you let her off?" Ichigo answered.
"I don't even need the money! I'm rich enough!" Minto snapped.
"Cut it out and just do whatever you want!" Zakuro's voice held a tone of anger.
"Minto, work!"
"No, why should I listen to you?"
"I SAID CUT IT OUT!" Zakuro screamed at them coldly.
"I'M THE ONE WHO SOULD BE SHOUTING AND NOT YOU!" Ichigo exploded in anger.
"Fine!" Zakuro said coldly as the doors of the café slammed shut for the fourth time that afternoon.
Berii stood stunned at one corner as Ichigo yelled her reply and stormed out, too. "Minto…? I'm…leaving…early…" She mumbled almost incomprehensibly. Minto said nothing as Berii left hastily. What a crummy afternoon. What's happening to our friendship? Are we just six strangers who stuck together purely out of fear to fight Deepblue? True friendship never breaks. But…is ours even true friendship?
A rustling sound spun Berii around. "You're scaring yourself. There's no one there. Besides, you're a mew mew, Berii." She muttered under her breath to herself.
"Are you sure there's no one, Berii?" The voices hissed as Berii's pace quickened. "If that's the case, you're wrong. Very wrong. We've returned…to make you pay."