Dislaimer: I don't own TMM. But I do have the privlidge to write a fanfiction of it.
Finished: Friday, March the 27th, 2009.
Rating: Teen
Genre: Paranormal/romance
Notes: What would have happened had Ichigo and Masaya hadn't had a happily ever after? What if he'd died in a fatal car accident before they'd gotten farther than boyfriend/girlfriend? Say her life hadn't gone expecting to how she'd planned. But that doesn't matter anymore. Several years later, she's at the point of just giving up. She's lost her powers, her parents have moved to the states, and she's having to submit to the torture of working with her friends but not really being able to do much to contribute. Then one night after she's worn herself down entirely, Ichigo finds something amazing. She regains her abilities. Because of Kish.
Read and review, please.
Ichigo Momomiya fought hard not to wallow in her depression. She was almost always optimistic. Just not today. She didn't feel like being happy or perky.
Today was the tenth year of retirement. From being a Mew Mew, that is. When you didn't belong with the Mew Mews anymore, you didn't belong anywhere. She was on middle ground, so to speak. She contained knowledge that a normal person didn't know. She possessed genes that could have her dissected for examination. But she couldn't transform. Despite those flukes when Berry had first come into the larger picture, she hadn't been able to hold a transformation. She no longer turned into a cat, and her ears and tail hadn't been seen in years.
After the aliens had left, the remaining Mew Mews had been left to clean up after them. Thousands upon thousands of chimera animas had been left behind, multiplying.
Ichigo, former leader, was left to watch her friends battle monsters on a computer sceen underneath the Mew Mew cafe. Instead of being a Mew Mew, she'd taken Ryou's old job.
God, she missed the feline half of herself. She missed that life. She missed being able to fight like her friends did and be useful. And here she was. All she could do was sit on the sidelines and watch on. Alone.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. She worked Keiichiro on a daily basis. She could cook with the best of them—had gone in competitions with Keiichiro, too. That was only the cover up for what she really did though. She monitored for chimera animas. And since they were parasites, they naturally spread.
Everywhere.
As of right now, the Mew Mews where spread around the world. Each one was ridding the world of parasites as they ventured farther and farther away from Tokyo. Zakura was in the states. Minto was somewhere in the European countries. Berry and her husband were headed for the Caribbean. Pudding was in Beijing. And Lettuce was currently on a plane headed for South America from Australia.
With yet another sigh, Ichigo leaned back in the office chair in the lair. Before her, monitors and computers shone with information. She pressed the intercom and called in for check point.
"Ichigo speaking. Come in, everyone. I repeat, come in and answer me or else." She said tiredly, staring at the light blue bleep over the North American continent. "Ryou, I swear you're only in Mexico for the food, you jerk." She added to for the older blonde in particular, rubbing her eyes tersely as she watched the monitors.
"Am not!" a masculine voice objected in her ear, clearly annoyed. White noise came in from his line, and she could have sworn she heard a distinct crunching sound. Like someone eating fresh chips and salsa.
Ichigo brought the focus on Ryou's dot until she found him. "Are too." She pointed accusingly at the satellite's map. No one could see her, but it made her feel better as she poked the address of her boss's location, hotly chiding. "You're at one of the most expensive restaurants in Mexico City! How is that not pertaining to food? You should be over in the south end taking care of those two that are headed towards the Gulf."
"Alright, so maybe I am eating. What about it? I deserve it, stupid. I just took out a dozen over here—you shouldn't be talking. You're stuck staring at the screens, nagging at us from the shop, sitting in the dark basement. Then you go in the front and put the icing on the cakes. Or eat something that'll stick with you the rest of your life in the most humiliating way. So, yeah. I think I deserve some steak for dealing with your constant nagging." Ryo chuckled. " I just realized something. That may be why I don't date anyone, Ichigo. I'm scared I'll be nagged to death by not one woman, but two."
That cut into her, and she flinched. Even though he was teasing, it still hit home even it had been unintentionally.
"That was uncalled for, bastard. " Ichigo hissed, swallowing back what could have been a really nasty comeback. For the sake of the other's ears, she'd save it for later.
She kept odd hours, rotating between A.M and P.M. Even when she and Keiichiro switched shifts, her inner clock work was all screwed up. Add the genes of an endangered feline, and that made it even worse. Never mind. She supposed that made it better because of how a cat slept, but still!
Her basic daily routine revolved basically around what Ryou had said. And she couldn't be any more aware of that
"Pudding reporting in!" A happy voice spoke into the headset she wore. Ichigo's eyes darted to the map of China, watching the yellow dot blink repeatedly from the capital that was tracking Pudding.
"It looks like things are quiet over there, Pudding. What's going on?" Ichigo touched with a light finger to the settings, zooming in on China on the middle monitor.
She clacked away at the keys and with amazing speed, brought up all the connections, linking them privately. No one could trace them. And if someone tapped in, Ichigo would be able to tell instantly. Privacy was all in a minute's tinkering. All of the team could hear each other as well as respond.
Which really tested one's concentration as well as their patience if someone started to interrupt someone else.
With some more modifications to the settings, she centered in and adjusted the views. Seven colored dots appeared on the screens, showing the red head their locations. Along with that came stats on the area. Everything from basic satellites weather predictions to local news and who bought what and even the local happenings.
"I'm here." Minto answered up in a bored yawn. "It's like four in the morning, Ichigo. Couldn't you have called in at noon?"
Ichigo frowned. "It's not my fault for the time zone differences, sweetie. It looks like there's a bunch of parasites west of you." She stared blankly as more dotes appeared on the screen in France. "Time to get up, Mint."
"Can't that wait?" Minto drifted into a quiet, obnoxious whine. "I've just got in the hotel room. I'm all icky and sweaty. Ungrateful parasites woke me up a few hours ago, and my beauty sleep got a rude awakening. And I haven't eaten since dinner. All I had was…"
Ichigo tuned her out, ignoring her rumbling tummy. She too hadn't eaten in a while. As Minto carried on and Ryou added commentary, Ichigo bit back another nasty remark, reminding herself it wasn't worth the consequence.
Neither of them had changed over ten years. Not a bit. She should be verbally defending herself, but she didn't. Which was unusually uncharacteristic of her as of lately. Uncharacteristic was becoming the normal for her now. In any case, no fighting over long distance. That was rule number one for her concerning her tem members.
Rule number two: keep mouth glued shut around all those sinfully delicious looking sweets she constantly averted her eyes from upstairs.
"That's alright with me, Miss Priss. Just don't bring your pendant in the shower with you." Ryou breathed to Mint. "Wait until we're done before you beautify yourself to head off again."
Mint huffed, making Ichigo imagine the turned up chin that Mint always seemed to have.
"There's no activity here," Pudding reported when no one spoke. "I think I've got the last of 'em over here. Is there enough time for me to take some time and relax, Nee-chan?"
"Ichigo, I'm sorta busy right now." Berry's connection crackled in, static sizzling until Ichigo moved the connection a bit and played with the computer again.
Lettuce answered softly, sighing. "Umm… Wow. I'm so lost here. It's huge. Has anyone been in the airports over here? Oh, never mind. I found a map. How's everyone else?"
Zakura came in last. "What great timing—during the middle of an interview. Ichigo, thanks for the interruption," her voice came out husky and winded. "That bitch was really getting on my nerve. You possibly just saved her from coming to a nasty run in with a bristled wolf."
Pudding giggled. "You're getting more and more intolerant, Nee-chan. Have you had your daily espresso fix yet?"
"No." The purple haired beauty growled. "And it doesn't look like I'll have a chance util I get back to my hotel tonight."
Mint intergected. "Hey, if anyone can get out without having been traumatized from Zakura before her coffee, then they should be told they're one of the lucky few who hasn't met the other side of her—"
"Report in, everyone. Give me your stats so I can hand things over to Keiichiro." Ichigo said for all, cutting off Mint. She stood up, stretching with a soft noise as her stiff limbs protested.
"Here," A chorus of irritated voices said.
And that was all that was required of her. They chatted among one another for a few minutes, and Ichigo took off her headset, setting it down on the desk. She didn't even tell them goodbye before she climbed the stairs.
Sniffing, she smelled the sweet scent of strawberries. She sped up a little, heading for the kitchen. As she spotted them, she grabbed a clean knife and carved them, eating them until her stomach was satisfied. With a contented grin, she let the knife splash into the sink, watching it as it disappeared under the suds. Even though she'd had more than one person's serving of fruit, there were hundreds more in those bottomless containers. Just what was Keiichiro going to do with all of them? Pfht! What did it matter to her? She was getting them either way she wanted to look at it.
Keiichiro was humming, carrying a beautiful covered cake and set it down on the counter as she swiftly washed her hands in the sink. His long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, whipping as he turned around.
Drying her hands, she nodded as he asked: "I'm guessing it's my turn now?"
"I need to stretch my legs, Keii. Is there anything I can bring back for you?" Her use of his nick-name was only recent. Seeing as Ryou wasn't there, he'd finally tossed it up for her that she could if she pleased. And she knew when he'd said that the reason.
Because even though he was a kind person, only a select few were allowed to get away with certain things. And calling him by a shortened version was an honor. Which...unsusprisingly, made them more comfortable around one another.
He gave her a dazzling smile and shook his head. She smiled back. He was like a nice big brother to her. The man deserved happiness. Besides, he had so much more of it than she did.
Ichigo glanced down at his hand, the sparkle of his wedding band glinting in the light. He and his girlfriend—the one that Ichigo fondly remember as the Butterfly Lady—had gotten back together after she'd turned sixteen. Rei knew of the Mew Mews—once she'd accidentally found out—and had married Keiichiro knowing her life was going to change drastically. They had 1.5 kids. Rei was probably at their home right now, either cleaning or helping their daughter with homework, come to think of it. That or watching the news.
Ichigo had been there when Keiichiro had panicked about anniversary number one. She remembered with a glint in her dark eyes, shaking her head. And what a funny memory that was. Had it really been that long ago that she'd met everyone?
Keiichiro hung his apron to the rack. "Sure. I can handle it from here. Take your time, Ichigo. There's some sandwiches in the fridge if you're hungry." And with that, he left her to assume his position in the lair.
It was Sunday. They'd closed hours ago, and the young teen waitresses had left just after the sign had been turned around. Thank God they were only temporary. It would be a nightmare if she had to keep them unsuspecting about the hidden basement otherwise.
So she walked out the back door, watching with sad eyes as the sun set below the horizon.
A while later, as she was entering her tiny apartment, she noticed that it was a mess. Not that there was a whole lot to clean up. So in half an hour afterward, she had transformed her apartment from messy to sparkling. Stomach still rumbling, she cursed her stupidity. She should've taken a sandwich when she'd been offered. There was nothing in her fridge.
She yanked a brush through her shoulder length hair, wincing as she tugged at several knots. She knotted some old sneakers on, tripping over her feet and nearly landing face first on her desk. Ichigo laughed bitterly at her 'gracefulness'. Even having the genes of the iriomote wild cat was useless. Everything had faded away. She might as well just be a simple human. She couldn't transform, she couldn't understand cats, and she no longer had cat like tendencies. What was the use of even being able to claim having two seperate DNA in her when one had all but dissappeared?
Tossing on old tattered shorts and a faded red shirt, she locked her apartment and started jogging. With her earphones in place, the young woman locked her iPod and slipped it into her pocket. With a hollow feeling in her chest, she stopped by at a fast food joint to grab a bite to eat as night time Tokyo was coming alive. Music of all sorts and genres played, surrounding her in her own comfortable setting of peace.
And as midnight rolled around, she took a deep breath and flat out ran, jumping over a roped off section of a nearby park. Ichigo landed with a soft thud, and continued on until she was too tired to even stand. Sweat trickling down her skin, and she breathed a sigh of relief, the high of adrenaline having finally been spent.
Then her iPod died. With a wide grin, she wrapped the earphones around the pink device and tucked it into her faded cut off shorts. She had no energy to be depressed anymore. She felt glorious as she let a much needed breath rack her depraved lungs.
A loud rumble caught her off guard.
She jumped, and looked to glowing gold eyes. With a yelp, she fell over a little, and righted herself by catching the lamp pole. She slid down, still partially straddled to the cast iron lamp.
Fear gripped her as the black panther lifted its large head and stalked forward. It came from the shadows, ears pressed back, and fangs showing in an intimidating snarl. With shaky hands, she stepped back, and glanced sideways to her escape route. This thing could kill her. This massive creature with golden predator eyes could acutely end her life then and there.
He—she recognized by the panther's growl—warned her.
Wait. Her heart picked up tempo. She could hear the frantic rhythm in her ears, and the adrenaline returning as she froze. Warned her?
"Don't run." The cat had growled. "I'll chase you down if you do."
She could understand him. She could actually understand this magnificent creature, she thought in awe. He had threatened her in a terrifying rumble, but the effect was useless at the moment. Her tail swished. Her tail?! She happily gasped, frantically looking behind her. In shock, her hand reached out and grabbed it. As her fingers curled around it too tightly, she flinched, letting go. It wasn't her imagination. She grinned nervously, her canine teeth appearing as her lips parted.
She could smell her fear. The sharp tangy smell of her own fear.
And that delighted Ichigo more as she overcame her shock. It was almost like she was her old self—her teenage, iriomote wild cat DNA spliced self.
Emotions only known to an animal mingled with her, and the simple joys of being aware was more than she could express. With a purr, she reached up with hope and hesitated before her fingers touched silky fur. She had her cat ears again. She trembled, her expression crumpling. With joy, tears leaked from her eyes and she openly let it out.
She was back. Ichigo could still feel her inner feline, and her inner feline seemed pleased to have been reintroduced to the world. Her eyes shut, though the tears didn't slow. Her nose dripped, and she rubbed it on her shirt, not caring - because quite frankly, this shirt was old and sweaty.
But unlike her teenage years, it was as if she was fully merged with her animal. Though she couldn't describe it, she felt her emotions, and her thoughts slid inbetween. As she blinked, her pupils were dialated. She could see through the nighttime cloaking. Smells clouded her senses once her tear ducts cleared. Sounds vibrated and penetrated, both low and high and inbetween. An inner balance kept her rooted, even as she resettled inside, finally whole after years of not being able to have access to her abilities.
And all it had taken was a random encounter with a panther, crouched and ready to kill her.
Oh, great. She'd forgotten about the danger. But wait. He was staring, right? If she was still alive, than he wasn't going to hurt her. That was the way of felines. Spring first, talk later. Obviously, since he hadn't hunted her yet, than he had no real intention.
She hoped.
With a laugh, she wiped her wet cheeks and greeted him in the way of felines: by meeting his eyes with openness that showed no intention of negative reaction, purring loudly and happily. She could feel as her emotions stirred in an way so alien to her that it seemed normal.
But she was still scared. What if it was only temporary? What if she wasn't able to maintain touch with her powers? What if -
"I won't hurt you," the panther spoke, only loud enough to be heard. He sounded alarmed, as if her strange reaction had caught him off guard. It looked as though he hadn't expected her to not run.
"I know." Ichigo smiled, and did something that others—sane others, mind you—wouldn't dare to do. She sat down on the ground and stared at the cat eyelevel. It hesitated, before a low rumbling filled her ears. He… was purring?
That must be a good sign.
She still hoped.
When the giant animal silently came closer, her fear left her. Amazment sailed through her, wiping her of any human logic. She could understand his speech! She had her ears and tail! Her senses were sharper, more defined. Joy consumed her being, and she purred again in delight. She could understand him! She could actually understand him clearly! It had been years since she could make intelligible words from any feline, let alone being able to partially transform. She had her powers back! She was whole again! After so many months of failure, she was back and....
She stopped, realizing what she'd done.
His purr had a distinct meaningful tone and she'd returned it. Just in feminine form. An intimate greeting by a feline's standards. One that friends shared. And he was. She wouldn't ever think of him, whatever his name might be, as anything other than a friend. He'd done something to her and returned her powers to her. She was back! Ichigo could feel herself becoming what had been locked up all those years ago.
And it was completly different too. Everything was...more. She was more than just what she'd been as a high schooler. It was like... she'd grown up and embraced her split DNA until she'd completly merged it into not two halves, but one whole. And....
...there was more.
But....
what was it?
Besides, she shook it off. It was strange how many people take for granted what they had until they lost it. At one time, she would have done anything to have these abilities taken up. A few hours ago, she would have given anything to have them back. She should be terrified witless, but she wasn't. She studied the large cat's form, seeing what a human shouldn't be able to. He was a beautiful creature.
That didn't make sense. No, he shouldn't be here.
And yet...he should be.
Yet that couldn't be right.
Her confusion was limited because of her sudden mood swing. Simplicity of being complete made her anger fuzzy, and it melted away. It was like everything made sense, yet... it didn't.
"You've changed," the black panther rumbled in husky amusement.
Her eyes widened in surprise as he walked around her, butting her shoulder with his head. She got a good whiff of him as he came within her reach. He smelled… no. No, that couldn't be right. He smelled familiar. She knew that scent. She knew she knew it. Ichigo was racking her memory, but couldn't come up with anything. She knew that scent. She just couldn't place it. At all.
"How?" she asked. She'd never met him before. Did she remind him of someone else though? "And what is a panther doing out on the streets of Tokyo? Are you lost?"
Ichigo felt a sudden urge to stroke his fur. Boldly, she stuck out her hand, and buried it in the handsome cat's thick dark pelt. With her vision, she could see him perfectly—she could smell him too. He smelled of male cat. The feline in her became aware of that, internally readying herself for the snare. How could this have happened? Tonight, of all nights, her ears and tails had repapered.
She had no words as he studied her, marking her possessively with his scent by rubbing against her.
She didn't really mind. Ichigo let him, a tender feeling sinking in her chest as she stroked his soft fur. She felt… comfortable. Like this was right. Like this needed to be done.
So she didn't speak or protest.
In his tongue, he soothed her into a peaceful state, telling her of old tales. Surprisingly, she knew of them. She'd never heard a one of them before, but her other half recognized it. Through a way older than time, animals subconsiously recognized many more things than humans ever could. And she accepted that.
As he continued, her eyes drooped. He moved to her side, his fur tickling her arm, silently offering his support.
Ichigo gladly accepted.
Her common sense and her human thoughts were yelling in her head, telling her she was in for a death wish. Her feline half was lulling her closer to this stranger, telling her incoherently to trust him. She went with trusting the great cat.
She leaned into the giant cat, and let him continue. Then he quieted as she sighed. She was so comfortable. A feeling of belonging tugged at her. Something wasn't right though. While she thought that, another part mentioned the opposite. That it was right. But which side had the greater chance of being wrong? She honestly couldn't think straight. All she wanted to do was curl up and fall asleep, curled up in this panther's warmth.
A normal human wouldn't have considered this.
But then again, she wasn't quite a normal human. She was a mixture of human and animal—both sides perfectly blending until her wants and needs were totally different than either one species. So, she reasoned, it was perfectly alright if she wanted something unusual that she couldn't comprehend by either halves seperate standards.
At least...that's what she thought. All she knew was that she was happy. And that this big cat had been the reason.
She wanted to stay here forever. Contentment filled her, washing away the depression like it had never been. It was this panther that had done this. This handsome creature was making her feel like she belonged for once.
It wasn't normal to be this close and personal to a panther either. Scratch that. It wasn't even normal to even be able to understand his soothing voice.
And it didn't seem to bother him as she petted his amazingly soft pelt.
But before she could think anymore, the black panther licked her neck. Her animal side kicking in, she growled low in her throat, warning him to back off as his muzzle gently touched the curve of her neck.
He did.
Right before he chuckled.
"You still haven't answered me," she hissed as her tail whipped angrily. She didn't care if anyone saw her—she was back to normal!
Or.. hmm… her definition of that word wasn't in the dictionary. Damn. Oh, well.
The panther rounded her again, informing her he was getting up so she wouldn't fall over. Her eyes peeped open. His ears swivled, as if listening, and he slowly sat down on his haunches, fixing his intelligent eyes on hers. When she was sitting like this, he was looking down at her - less than an arm's length away.
As she searched his golden eyes, she frowned. Why did they seem so familiar?
"In order, you've grown up. I'm not lost either. I came to find you." his voice sent shivers down her spine. The kind that made her uneasy.
"Why?"
"Because," he answered simply. "You and I are mates."
What?! Her jaw dropped open. She tensed. She tried to inch away, slowly moving in case something should happen. He showed her his teeth, and she noticed a glint of silver. His ears were pierced. And oddly enough, she wasn't laughing. Who would ever think a panther had pierced ears?
Not that she should dwell on that matter much longer.
Calmly, she shook her head. "I'm sorry. You're mistaken, my friend. That's not possible."
"Are you so sure?" he inquired, a little harsher. "You're wrong. I know my mate. You called me. I came. I'm here to claim what is mine."
She stilled. Uneasy, she started to scoot away, but he roared, pinning her leg with massive paw. With a bewildered expression, she gulped. Ichigo knew she couldn't talk her way out of this. His huge paw rested on her thigh, and his claws rested with just enough pressure to tell her he meant business. Even with her powers back, she was small compared to him.
"I need you to understand. You're mine. You will do what I say and willingly do what I need of you."
"Why should I?" Ichigo asked, genuinely bewildered. Of everything that should have spooked her, it was this. Not her ears. Not her tail. Not even being able to understand him and being totally comfortable around a carnivorous cat that could have her for a snack.
Then something astounding happened. Ichigo watched as the cat changed. In a matter of seconds, he disappeared, leaving a man in his place.
"Because," the man said, cupping her cheek and leaning in. His breath was hot againt her face, as his eyes darted to her lips. "You will. You have more to gain then to lose, Ichigo."
Kish.
And he was breath taking. Her world narrowed down to just him. The paleness of his skin, flawless in the moon light covered muscles that made her mouth water. His dark hair fell in a messy, tousled way, framing the features of his face. She glanced down, liking the strong muscles of his lean form. Her tongue darted out, wetting her lips. The hard planes of his body revealed a forbidden promise. His bare chest just inches away…
Her hand rested on rippling abs of his middle, and she gazed into his unblinking golden gaze.
Ichigo couldn't move. She couldn't think. She couldn't breathe.
Inside, she lost a battle that any woman could win. She lost human thought and logic, heading in a place no person should know. Sensations and emotions and needs undefined by words. All she could do was react. A need so strong caused her to lean more towards her feline half, plunging into a completly different focus. As his scent filled her nostrils, assailed her in an overwhelming way, she moaned. Eyes dilating, she leaned in, breathing in his delicious scent. All desires focused on one thing as rational thought left her.
Everything focused down to one thing.
And that was possession and submission.
He was her mate.
And she wanted him.
Now.