Wow, hey guys! I can't believe it's been almost two years since I've properly updated. I'm so sorry, I've just been really busy, but I've been getting you request and will try my hardest to update quicker. I took a little break from writing, but I'm back now. Also, I am holding a competition, for more details, look on my profile. Anyway, this idea came from when I was eating hehe, so I hope you enjoy this as I really worked hard on it, and think it's my best yet. My writing style has changed a lot, but hopefully it was for the best. Anyway, I'll shut up now, enjoy! xo

Disclaimer: I don't and will unfortunately never own TMM, as if I did Masaya probably wouldn't exist and Ryou and Ichigo would be together, as would Pai and Lettuce (Which may mess up the dynamics of the show, but oh well) XD

Strawberry Tart

Sunlight flooded the streets of Tokyo, and Ichigo Momomiya woke up to the melodic sounds of birds tweeting outside her bedroom window. She gave a long, well rested yawn and stumbled clumsily out of her bed. She walked over to her window and drew back the thin, gauzy curtains. Light shone in through the clear glass panes. The street outside was serene and peaceful, with nothing but a black cat lying on the wall, lazily basking in the glorious sunlight.

Aahh what shall I do today?

At that moment, Ichigo realised with a moan that she had work that day. She walked slowly away from the window to her bedside table, on which rested her cell phone. She flipped it open and her eyes widened as she saw what time it was.

Oh no, I can't believe I'm so late! Shirogane will kill me!

Ichigo, in a blind panic brushed her teeth and threw on her work uniform. She fumbled around, trying to find her shoes, but just her luck, she could only find one.

Arghhh! Where have all my shoes gone today?

Eventually, Ichigo found a different shoe, which was also missing the other one. This'll have to do I guess..
She slipped a black pump onto her left foot, before fumbling with the strap of a completely different pink one. Ichigo then dragged a brush through her hair, giving up on untangling the strawberry coloured bird's nest. With one last look in the mirror, she sighed and ran down the stairs and out the front door.

She ran all the way to the cafe without stopping once to look at what was going on in the world around her. She almost ran into a little schoolgirl in her blind panic, and managed to mumble a quick sorry as she burst into the cafe doors, pulse racing, heart beating, and clearly out of breath.

A smooth, blond head turned just in time to see Ichigo collapse, less than gracefully, into a chair. Ryou Shirogane stood staring at the dishevelled redhead, with a slight amused look on his face. This amusement showed in his deep sapphire eyes which instantly met big hazel ones. Ichigo glanced at Ryou with a look of confusion on her face.

"What do you want Shirogane? I'm here aren't I? I know I'm late, but it doesn't look like I'm the only one not doing any work today. Where are the others?"

At this point, Ryou smirked, holding in a chuckle.

"You wanted to see me so badly that you ran over here despite me giving you all the day off today, as Keiichiro had to go visit a friend, Baka Strawberry?"

Anger exploded inside her, but before she could put it into words, Ryou chuckled and went on.

"Don't tell me you rushed over here for nothing. I thought I would have a nice day to myself with everyone gone, but you had to come ruin it."

Ichigo went as red as her hair. She was furious enough that her skin tone almost matched the unruly mess on her head.

"You jerk! I can't believe you! I thought I had to come in today, which is why I ran all the way here! You never told me I had the day off!"

"Well I told the others, not my fault you were too busy daydreaming to notice."

Ichigo's stomach rumbled. Ryou simply smirked again and replied.

"Come on, you're either hungry, which is why you're so crabby today, or it's that time of month again. I'm gonna take my chances and go with the first one. Keiichiro left food for me, I'll go get it."

Ryou got up and walked into the kitchen, feeling smug, and leaving Ichigo alone with her thoughts for a moment or two.

How dare he just assume it's that time of the month again?! Stupid Shirogane, Masaya would never be so disrespectful!
With that thought, Ryou came back into the cafe, struggling to hold a tray of delicious looking food and a few plates.

"Come on Strawberry, it's a beautiful day out, let's take this stuff outside."
"Almost as beautiful as you, Baka..." he added in his head.

Ichigo reluctantly obeyed, and carrying the food, followed Ryou out the door. They picked a nice spot on the grass, and Ryou laid down a blanket, which funnily enough had strawberries on it. They both sat down, quiet and facing each other. Ryou started putting some of the food onto plates, while Ichigo took a long moment to gaze at him.

Wow, he looks so good in the sunlight...Oh ew! What am I thinking?!

The platinum blonde thought similar thoughts to the girl sitting in front of him.
She looks so cute and innocent just sitting there. I want to tell her how amazing she looks but...

Ichigo spoke, shattering, the more than awkward silence.
"Ryou, why are you being so nice to me?"

Ryou, purposely avoiding the question replied with a question of his own.
"Why are you wearing odd shoes Baka Strawberry?"

"Stupid Shirogane! I was in such a rush, I couldn't find anything else to wear, so it's your fault!"
"Well how do you explain the bird's nest you call hair then?"
"The beautiful, unruly, bird's nest you call hair..." he added silently.
"Shut up Shirogane."

Ichigo glanced up as her eyes met Ryou's, which were now shimmering like aquamarine pools of water.
Wow, I could fall into those eyes...
Ryou, was also thinking the same, while returning her soft stare. At that moment, Ichigo's stomach rumbled again, even louder, completely ruining the moment. Ryou chuckled.
"Strawberry, do you want tart?"

Ryou passed her the plate, and their hands brushed. Sparks shot up both their arms, and for a while, it felt like they were stuck in the moment. For them, it felt like an eternity, whereas in reality it was only a few brief moments. Something was ringing in the distance, but it seemed so far away as all they could see was each other, and all they could hear were their heartbeats. Slowly, they both leaned in till their noses were almost touching, and they could feel each other's heavy breathing.
Wait, is that my phone?

Ichigo picked up as Ryou thought "Trust her to completely ruin this precious moment. I may have been able to show her how I really felt about her..."

She then hung up, and explained to Shirogane that it was Masaya, and he needed to talk.

"Thanks for the nice food, and for being so nice, and all of that stuff, it was nice..." Ichigo mumbled, not being able to produce much vocabulary besides nice. Both she and Ryou had been surprised by what had just happened, so for lack of a better word, Ryou, sighed, clearly agitated.
"Whatever Baka, leave me alone now."

Ichigo stumbled away, thinking of what would have just happened if Masaya hadn't called, as Ryou did the same. Did she want it? Did she like Ryou? No it couldn't be! She turned her head to find Ryou still staring at her walking off. Ichigo quickly spun back round, blushing strawberry, while Ryou sat there, dazed and wishful, lost in his thoughts.

If only. If only I could make her stay. I'll tell her one day, although that day could have been today. I've lost my mind, it will never happen, but...maybe one day it could. There will always be that one part of me that is still hoping that she returns my feelings. If only I knew for sure...

So what did you think? Like it? Prefer my writing style now? Comments, reviews and CC welcome, will update asap! This was slightly on the long side considering it's a drabble, but I just couldn't stop writing or figure out which out of 3 endings to pick. Hope you enjoyed it! Much love, Forever Mesmerised xoxo