Sticks and stones can break my bone, and words will always hurt me

Chapter 3 – This dream must end…

Note: Were I go to school when you call in saying you are 'sick' as in a bug you can't come in for 48 hours. Just in case something said later doesn't make sense to you ^_^

Summary: In the safe haven of Ryou's arms can she come to a decision over Masaya?
Warning: Violence, Bad language, Adult content and it's all O.O.C (Masaya Aoyama fans won't like this)
Disclaimer: Mushka no owns Tokyo Mew Mew :3

A glistening ray of first morning light drifted through the gap in the curtains. The light shone off the golden haired boy as he cradled the woman of his affection. It really was no secret that he loved her, she was his everything, he didn't care if she was with someone else as long as he got these brief moments when he could pretend she was his. Still blissfully asleep, Ichigo snuggled in close to her protector. During the night she'd wiggled and entwined her legs with his, keeping him from leaving. He watched intently as her eyes flickered open, the gleaming rose orbs stared back at him. His heart stopped. A red mist crept along her porcelain cheeks "Shirogane-san…"
"Why do you always call me that…? You only call me Ryou when something bad is happening" his face was the embodiment of melancholy.
"Ryou-kun…thank you, you always do so much for me." she hid her face in his chest; he could feel the heat from the blush on her cheeks. Looking over at the time they realised how early it was, 6:45 am. It really was first morning light.

After getting changed Ryou drove her home, it was Monday after all. Seeing all the curtains closed meant that no one was home so she invited Ryou in, she didn't need to be at school for an hour and a half. "I'll make you some breakfast, you go get ready." Ryou smiled finding his way to the kitchen. When he walked in he spotted a note on the fridge.

Ichigo
your fathers work was sending him to America for two weeks to represent them in some event. He was told he could take a guest so I went with him. We trust you but I have left a message with Akasaka to keep an eye on you.
No parties.
Love you lots x

"Ichigo-chan" Ryou called walking up the stairs. "I figured out were your parents are"
He walked into her room; she was sat in front of her mirror, already in her uniform, brushing her hair. "They've gone away for two weeks; apparently your mum left a message at the Café for Keiichiro-kun" she took the note off him.
"Ryou-kun…since mums not here to scold me…I might have the day off, I'm worried about seeing Aoyama-kun alone. Do you think Akasaka-san will ring up as my 'guardian' and say I'm sick?"
"Of course he will, I'll go and tell him."
"No, wait for me." She said shyly. "You ring him and I'll get dressed, I think I'll spend the day at the Café if that's alright."

Keiichrio agreed, of course, and Ryou waited by the front door. Looking into the living room he could see all the old photos of Ichigo growing up. In all of her class photo's he noticed how much smaller she was than the other children, thinking about it now, she was a bit smaller than other girls her age. It didn't matter to him really, just made her cuter.

During the day the café was open, it was normally just Zakuro and Keiichrio working as it was never really that busy, sometimes Ryou would waiter but it would be very rare. Ichigo helped out today as she had nothing better to do. Zakuro arrived midday, she didn't question Ichigo's presence; they spent most of the day stood round waiting for the odd customer. Ryou, being the busy type, had slipped off to do some work on his computer. At about 3 pm his peace was disturbed by the sound of little footsteps hurrying past his door. 'What is she doing' he thought to himself. He stepped out of his room just to catch the edge of her frilly pink uniform enter the spear room. He walked in to find her flung on the bed with a pillow over her face.
"What you doing Strawberry head?"
"Hiding" she said in a muffled voice. "He'll be here soon; I'm going to have to tell him…"
"Don't worry, he already knows he's fired, I had someone leave him his notice. And, I'll tell him where he stands with you."
No sooner than he spoke they heard a shouting down stairs.

"Get Shirogane down here now!" screamed the irate Masaya at Lettuce, who had only just arrived herself.
"Ermm aa okay, just one second!" she waved her arms around frantically looking to Zakuro for help. She dashed into the kitchen and explained it to Keiichiro. Ryou walked calmly and coolly into the kitchen and then into the main part of the café with a very timid Ichigo in tow.
"Aoyama, did you not understand the message. Your fired, get out."
"Ichi-chan, are you hearing this! Aren't you going to say something?"
"It's over for you" She mumbled.
"Excuse me, Ichi-dearest" he spat leaning into her face grabbing her wrist.

Ryou snapped. He grabbed Masaya by throat and slammed him into a wall, he put his face right in his. "She said it's over. I know everything you did, you sick bastard, if she wasn't stood there I'd be redecorating the room with your blood. Now get out of my café."
Masaya stumbled away after being pushed out the door. Everyone turned to look at Ichigo who, to everyone's surprise, was smiling. She looked up into Ryou's sparkling blue eyes and untied the ribbon around her neck and handed it to him "Burn this." she grinned and then left the room. Everyone returned to their business and she went and plonked herself in the kitchen.

The day went by and everyone rather awkwardly went along with the events. As per usual, Ichigo was the last one left at the café cleaning up, even Keiichiro had gone home after cleaning up the kitchen and counting the takings. It was just Ryou and Ichigo, alone. Ryou was sat in the kitchen on the table watching an oblivious Ichigo sweep. She seemed to be back to normal, as if a weight had been lifted. "Ichigo-chan" Ryou called as he walked into the room. "What are you doing tomorrow? The school won't let you back yet and will you be alright at home alone?"
"Well, I may have a big lie in and then come here, if that's okay. And, I'm sure I'll be fine by myself, I've done it before."
"Hmmm, how about I drive you home, okay?

He took her home and they had an awkward good bye at the door. He really wanted to hold her again but thought it may be too soon for her. She ran upstairs to her awaiting fuzzy little friend, he never came out anymore because all the things his sensors were made to find aren't around anymore; he was retired. Ichigo was very tiered so she just stripped off, put on some pyjamas and got in bed with all the lights out. The comforting sounds of the wind blowing and Masha snoring we're sending her off to a blissful sleep. Almost. There was a shift, a crash down stairs, some mumbling. The voice wasn't deep enough to be her dads or high enough to be her mum. Hadn't she locked the door? Her heart began to race and her hair stick on end. She grabbed her mew pendant and headed for the door. She was certain she wasn't alone, but who would grace her with their company at this hour?

R&R