Model

Spurred into existence by a review from someone who's actually heard of TMM (you know I love you anyway, Peggi) here's the second chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Second verse, same as the first.


"Zakuro, have you SEEN these headlines?" Ryou looked furiously at the purple-haired girl reclining in a pink, frilly chair. When she didn't respond he threw the papers he was holding at her. Headlines like "Admirer Snares Famous Model" and "One Fangirl's Dreams Come True" fluttered in the air. She immediately snapped out of her reverie and shot Ryou a glare.

"Of course I've seen them," she intoned calmly, flicking one gently off her lap, "but it's the kind of thing everyone in the modeling industry has to deal with at some point. I don't really care." Her lack of concern made him even angrier, if it was possible.

"It's not you I'm concerned about! What about Minto? She'll be branded as some sort of slut now!" I tried to slink out of the kitchen when I heard my name, but I ran into Retatsu in the doorway. She dropped the stack of plates she was holding with a resounding clash. Zakuro and Ryou whirled around. I winced.

"Minto! How long have you been in here?!" Now Zakuro showed real signs of panic. I grinned mentally. Such displays of emotion were rare for her, and I was glad to be privy to this one. Retatsu returned silently back to the restaurant proper.

"I heard everything, Zakuro." One hand flew to her mouth and she glared at Ryou. He cleared his throat.

"We didn't mean it like that, Minto. Anyone who knows you would never-"His cool, controlled voice contrasted sharply with the wan look on his face.

"It's okay. If Zakuro doesn't care, then I don't either. We'll be fine." I gave him a little smile.

"Fine. Whatever. Just don't do anything that would hurt the café, you two." My smile broadened as Ryou slipped back into his normal icy demeanor. If this was the way he wanted to deal with us, it was fine by me.

"Come on, Minto, we're out of here." I followed Zakuro out of the kitchen and through the restaurant. It was hard for me to keep up with her. Usually she walks slowly and gracefully, but today...today she was more like a soldier. And since her legs were longer than mine...well, let's just say I was out of breath by the time she stopped in front of a café, the very same one where I had first confessed my feelings for her.

Every head swiveled in our direction as we entered the tiny restaurant. Zakuro paid them no notice, and I tried to do the same. As we sat at a table in the corner, I noticed for the first time that her brow was creased with worry.

"Zakuro...." Her head snapped up, as if she had just become aware of my presence.

"Minto, if you don't want to go out anymore, that's fine." She stated it matter-of-factly, without a trace of sorrow. I felt my eyes fill up with tears.

"Iie!" I shook my head violently, my tears flying off to either side. "I love you, Zakuro. I'll always love you. No matter what the damn papers say about me. You're more important than any of them." To emphasize my point, I stood up and wrapped my arms around her waist, still sobbing violently. Now people were really staring, but I didn't care.

Zakuro stood stiff as a statue. Slowly, mechanically, she laid her arm across my shoulders and patted me softly on the back. I knew it was hard for her to publicly display her emotions, and I loved her all the more for it. I still cried, but now I laughed through my tears.

Suddenly she wrenched me away from her side, grasped me by the arms, and kissed me. It was so unexpected that I just stood there dumbly for a second before I could kiss her back. We let our lips lock for a moment before...

"RWAAARR!!" Something huge, green, and scaly burst through the café's front window. Zakuro and I took advantage of the pandemonium to transform.

"How DARE you threaten innocent lives!" Zakuro growled, cracking her whip.

"You have no place on this planet or any other" The kirema anima turned from wreaking havoc to face us. We stood back-to-back and shouted together,

"FOR YOUR EVIL ACTIONS WE WILL MAKE YOU PAY!"

"Ribbon Mint Echo!"

"Ribbon Zakuro Pure!" the kirema anima screeched in pain as our combined attack hit it. It stumbled backwards towards the shattered front window where, suddenly, three figures stood erect.

"You didn't think we were gonna let you have all the fun, dija?" the shortest figure said with a giggle. "Too bad, 'cause we're here now! Pudding Ring Inferno!"

"Ribbon Lettuce Rush!"

"Ribbon Strawberry Check!" As Ichigo's attack hit it, the kirema anima flashed and began to turn back into what looked like a gecko. Before its claws disappeared, though, it made one final lunge at Zakuro. I rushed in front of her and prepared to take the monster's impact myself.