Tokyo Mew Murder

Chapter 1: Confusion

"She was acting completely normal yesterday!" Shirogane said angrily, pacing back and fourth. "It's so strange. It's definite she didn't commit suicide." Zakuro replied.

"Maybe she had a dark secret that caused depression," Lettuce added, sobbing slightly. "Remember, we don't really know anything about any of each other's backgrounds." Keiichirou pointed out.

"It's still impossible to believe she hanged herself, she was so devoted to the Mews. Maybe Taruto did it?" Mint added.

"No, deep down Taruto really did like Pudding. It has to be murder." Ichigo countered. "What's this about Pudding?" Taruto said, suddenly appearing. Kisshu and Pai appeared too. "Pudding was found dead yesterday, hanged." Shirogane said grimly. Pai went wide-eyed, Kisshu gasped and Taruto started crying.

That was a trigger, everyone started crying. "It's no use crying, we have to solve this. Hopefully Pudding was the only target, if someone out there's targeting the Mews then we're in trouble unless we solve it before anyone else becomes victim." Shirogane said.

"How would they know where we live?" Mint asked.

"He or she knew where Pudding lived, so it's likely that if they're targeting all the Mews they'll know where they live, too. And don't forget, the Aizawa household is pretty famous." Zakuro pointed out, "but who am I to talk about fame?"

"I think it's best we all find a new base of operations and live there, perhaps until this all blows over." Keiichirou offered. Everyone nodded.

"What about us? Could we be of help?" Pai asked, Keiichirou considered and shook his head.

"In a way we, including you three, are all suspects." Lettuce said. The aliens looked outraged, but they kept their anger in. "Still, we'll all stay in the same place. That way we can protect one another." Keiichirou replied.

Keiichirou bought a house, lonesome with no neighbours and the seven moved in. "Wouldn't it have been better to buy some place in a neighbourhood or apartment block? That way if someone gets attacked, they'll be neighbours to hear." Zakuro asked, she suspected Keiichirou, big time!

Keiichirou shrugged, "there are two bedrooms for you girls and one for Ryou and I. They're close together so that counts enough." He said. Ichigo and Lettuce shared a room and Mint and Zakuro shared a room. Zakuro didn't sleep that night, so she heard Mint being dragged off. She got to her feet and tiptoed after her in the darkness, being careful not to be caught.

She was exhausted and found herself falling asleep before she could see who was dragging Mint, but her worries were gone when she saw Mint in the bunk below her the next morning.

The seven found out more about each other's traits living together. They discovered that Shirogane wasn't at breakfast that morning, because he was sleeping late. Mint didn't put her hair in her twin-buns until after breakfast and Ichigo was barely awake at breakfast. Lettuce was fully-dressed and neat as a pin, though. Zakuro was still in her lilac silk pyjamas but she was wide-awake. Keiichirou was in the kitchen cooking the breakfast.

Lingering smells of food drifted out from the kitchen, making the girls' mouths water. Keiichirou, half-asleep, served five plates, including one for Pudding. Once he realised he quickly sat down to eat it. Mint ate politely with her knife and fork. Lettuce ate with only her fork as her other hand was holding a book. Ichigo ate dreamily and slowly. Zakuro fetched some bread and made a bacon, eggs and sausages sandwich.

Shirogane didn't even get up until midday, coming down the stairs with his hair tousled, forgetting he was only in his vest and underpants. Luckily the only girl there was Lettuce, and she was absorbed in a book. Zakuro had gone out with Mont for a walk in the woods surrounding the house and Ichigo was constantly on the phone with Aoyama.

The house wasn't at all lively without Pudding, but everyone was occupying themselves and didn't notice. Keiichirou was arranging his knives in the kitchen, taking the largest one and running upstairs to his and Shirogane's room, locking the door behind him.