Um, so, this is my first fanfiction. Ever. Please be nice, ok? Flames aren't welcome.

Disclaimer:

The original story, Tokyo mew mew, was not written, created, or in any way conceived by T.A. All credit belongs to its creators. However, the plot line for Infectious Affections was thought of by T.A, and written by T.A. Please do not copy without permission. Thank you.

Ichigo quickly ran down the road, blind to everything around her. She didn't know where she was headed just that she had to get away. But how could she hide? The truth is no less the truth because you aren't willing to face it. Sooner or later, she found herself in the park just as the sun began to set. Her parents would be worried, but she couldn't find room in her heart to care.

Though she wasn't quite sure if any of her heart was left. It had been shredded. Destroyed. Betrayed. She sank to the ground and fell into a fetal position. She tucked her knees to her chest and laid her head upon them. She let out a slow, shuddering breath, as one crystal tear carved its way down her cheek, soon to be followed by another, and another. Her shoulders shook with pent up emotions and the tears fell faster and faster. Damn him! Why did he do this to her? He knew she needed him! She cringed at the memory.

Flash back

'Yay! Aoyama-kun wants to see me! And he was so serious. Wonder what he wants to tell me?' All these jumbled up joys blended together as Ichigo made her way to the old cherry tree Aoyama-kun had showed her not long ago. She skipped happily over to it, and plopped down to wait for him. She didn't wait long. The second he crossed over the last hill she jumped up and dashed over to him, giving him a colossal hug.

"Aoyama-kun!" she cried cheerfully. She was surprised when he stiffened and pulled her off. This wasn't good. He had never rejected a hug before. Ever. "Aoyama-kun?" she asked warily. Something was dreadfully wrong.

"Ichigo, take seat." He said gesturing to bright green grass beneath the cherry tree. She sat down staring up at him in confusion and fear.

He heaved a sigh, and finally said, "Listen, I-I just can't handle having a mew for a girlfriend. I can't do it."

Ichigo stopped breathing. Stopped thinking. Even her heart seemed to stop beating. Aoyama went on to explain why he couldn't do it, how it wasn't her fault at all, but she didn't hear a thing. Not one single thing. Finally she asked, "So y-you're b-breaking up with m-me?" She looked at him, hoping against hope; he'd say it was just some mean trick. He didn't. Instead he nodded and walked away. She stared at where he left for a full ten minutes, wondering where she went wrong. Then she bolted up. She had to get away, and she had to get away now.

End of flash back

She didn't have a clue what to do with herself. She felt as if she might never be able to move again. Then it started to sprinkle, tears melding with the few drops of rain. A perfect end to a perfect day. Unknown to Ichigo, Kish was out looking to play with her again. He had been searching for her all day and was pretty disappointed. He let himself drop to the ground and tapped his foot against the concrete in irritation.

Where on Earth was she? It was like she'd been zapped off the face of the planet! He was just about to admit defeat, for the day, when he picked up some ragged sobs. His ears pricked in curiosity, as he fanned them out to hear the elusive sound better. He found it was coming from behind a small brick wall that surrounded the park. He cautiously floated to it and peered over. He was shocked to see his kitten, soaking wet no less, crying her heart out in the mud. He ran right over to her and dropped to his knees before her.

"Ichigo?" he asked, voice slightly strangled from worry. She raised her head, inch by painful inch to look at who had disturbed her. When she locked eyes with him, her first reaction was to hide how weak she was, but she decided she didn't have the energy. Let him kill her. She really couldn't care less.

She let her head drop back to her knees as she gave a muffled, "Go away Kish, I don't have the energy to fight you."

Kish's eyes widened in astonishment. She never ever, ever, let him go without a fight.

"What happened?" he asked. He didn't know why, but suddenly his heart was cloaked in fear, and… anger. How DARE someone hurt her! She could feel his gold eyes burning into her head. Why should she tell him? He just thought she was some toy! Aoyama-kun was to only one who really had ever loved her but he…left. With that thought, another ragged sob forced its way out of her throat. The second Kish heard the muffled sound he grabbed her shoulders and forced them up, making her twist out of her shuddering huddle to stare at him eye to eye.

"What happened?" he asked again, though this time in a growl. As her blurry brown eyes met his molten yellow, she let the dam break. Later she never could have said just why she told him. Maybe because he was the closest shoulder to cry on or maybe she knew he'd make her once love miserable for this, who knows? But for whatever reason, she poured out her heart and every spec of it.

"I-it's Aoyama-kun." She cracked out. She barely noticed how Kish stiffened.

"He…he..." she trailed off.

"He what?" Kish hissed in fury.

"He… oh god, he dumped me!" she finally screeched, tears pooling around her. "He just abandoned me, and I don't know what to do! It feels like I've got a bullet in my heart, like everything good in my world just got thrown out!" she sobbed louder and louder, and her voice became a keen wail.

"What the hell am I supposed to do?" she asked shoulders shaking. "What do I do?"

Kish looked at the small girl helplessly. He couldn't think of anything rational to do, so he flowed on his instincts. He leaned toward her, and in a blink had given her a sweet kiss.

He then gathered her in his arms and murmured soothingly to her, "Don't worry Ichigo. If that tree hugger can't protect you, I will." He hardly realized what he was saying; just that he knew it to be truth.

She looked up at him, though still cradled to his chest, in amazement. "Y-you will?" she asked in wonder.

"Definitely!"

"Why?" Now it was his turn to stare at her in amazement.

"Why'd think? I love you, you silly pretty kitty." She blinked in shock at this revelation, and then started to giggle. Something she thought she would never do again. Kish stared at her in confusion as small giggles burbled up.

"What's so funny?" he asked, totally lost.

"You!" she said putting a finger on his nose. "You're the only person I know who can see me completely soggy, covered in mud, and tears streaming out my eyes, and still say I'm pretty!"

He quirked and eyebrow at her which only made the situation seem more comical. "Well," he said letting her go, "If you're gonna laugh at me I might as well go."

He stood up and prepared to teleport, when Ichigo's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Kish, wait!" she yelled pulling herself up.

"Hmm?" he started to turn back to her, but didn't get far. Ichigo had run to him and she yanked on his arm, causing him to lean towards her. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. When she drew back she was flushing furiously, and, for the first time in history, Kish was too. "Ah, um," she stuttered nervously, "Th-thanks Kish." she gave him a quick wave and ran off as fast as her feline genes would take her.

Kish gaped (the wide open, flies flying through kind of gape) at where she had just stood, eyes dilating with shock. He brought his hand to his face and gently ran it over where she had kissed him. He could still feel it resting on his skin as he smiled out to the night. "Don't worry Ichigo." He whispered. "I really will take care of you." And he meant it.