I put some mild PaiRetasu into this one :) enjoy and thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! You all deserve cookies.
Kisshu was sitting on his bed, cross legged, looking over the profiles Ryou had given them. It was boring, but if he didn't do it then Pai would pester him until he did. So far, he had found Ichigo's the most interesting. He found out that she and Berry could do a special combined attack and read the whole story about the Saint Rose Crusaders. He looked up when his door slid open and saw Pai standing there.
"Care to knock?" Kish said, slightly annoyed.
"We need to go over a plan of action against Suika and his friends," Pai said.
Kish sighed and leaned back against the wall, "Yeah, I know. I just wish Ichigo would let me protect her more. I should be with her right now! Not here, studying crap I already know. Well, most of it anyway." He poked the Saint Rose Crusaders report with his foot.
"She is a strong girl," Pai said, "and highly independent."
"She might be strong, but she's still my Koneko-chan," Kisshu said, "I'm still going to protect her." Pai remained silent and Kish studied his face.
"Why did you lie to Retasu?" He asked.
"Excuse me?" Pai said.
"You told her the only reason we were back was because of Suika," Kish said, "but you knew Tart and I were planning a visit soon anyway."
"It is my only reason for being here," Pai said.
"Oh, please," Kisshu said giving him a look that clearly meant he knew better, "You might not show it but I can see it in your eyes every time you look at her."
"Look at who?" Pai said, sounding like he was only humoring Kish.
"Pai, you have to be honest about this," Kish said, sounding very serious.
"I don't know what you speak of," Pai said. His expression remained emotionless but he looked away.
"If you can't admit it, Retasu's gonna start getting attacked and no one is gonna know why," Kish said.
"Retasu-san will not be attacked," Pai said, looking back at him with the slightest hint of protectiveness in his voice.
They stared at each other for a moment before Tart ran in yelling, "Guys, guys, guys!" They both looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Their younger brother was a little breathless and looked panicked. "Mew Ichigo was taken by Suika!
"What?!" Kisshu jumped into the air, "When?!"
"Just now," Tart huffed, "Ryou contacted us through the computer and said we need to get to some building called Twinkle Toes Studio pronto." Kisshu immediately disappeared.
Ichigo let out a squeak as she was tossed to the ground and landed on her back, still wrapped in the chain. Suika, Kehki, and Mikan stood on the ground a few feet behind her. Ichigo looked around quickly at her surroundings. It was dark in the room. It would have been too dark if the moonlight hadn't been shining in and bouncing off of the wall-length mirrors that covered the wall to her right and they had a metal bar running the same length. On the wall above her head there were several large windows and on the wall below her was a broken door. Nothing but a pink couch was along the wall to her left. Dust had settled all over the room, dead leaves were scattered around that had blown in through the open windows, and the mirrors were covered in a thin layer of dirt. Ichigo recognized it as the old abandoned dance studio downtown.
Suika moved quickly as he walked up to her and knelt down close to her head. He smirked down at her, "I can't believe Kisshu actually fell for a human." He let out a loud laugh, "he's so weak! And refusing to let go...well, that just makes it so much sweeter. Not to mention you'll die and he can spend the rest of his short life believing he'd never have a chance with you!"
"What does that even mean?" Ichigo wondered to herself as she stared up at him, frozen with fear at what he might do. She was wrapped up in a chain and couldn't move her arms, get to her feet, or call for her weapon. At least Ryou would be able to track her and send the Mews to help her. She prayed that they'd get there soon. Getting an idea, she arched her body, sliding her legs back, and then swung them forward off the ground, ramming her knees into Suika's back.
He let out a shout and fell forward. "You'll pay for that!" The orange haired boy said and faced a palm to the leaves on the ground. They started to swirl around the room.
"Cool it, Mikan!" Suika barked, getting back on his feet, "I'm not done with her yet." The leaves settled as Mikan lowered his hands.
Suika picked her up by the ends of the chain and started walking towards the mirror covered wall. Slam! Glass shattered all around them, the moonlight glinting off of the broken shards. Glass tangled in her hair and scraped up her backside. Suika jerked her closer to himself and tiny pieces of glittering glass fell from her shoulders and the folds of her skirt. His smiled looked twisted and malicious.
"Wishing for your little friends won't help anything," he hissed, "even if they can track where you are. I'll kill you before they get here."
"No, you won't!" Something hard hit Suika across the back of his head and he stumbled to the left, dropping Ichigo who slumped to the floor.
"Koneko-chan," Kisshu knelt down and hurriedly unwrapped the chain from around her, "I told you I should've stayed at your house."
Ichigo let out a sharp breath, "my back..." Kish pulled her closer to himself, making her lean on his chest, so he could see what she meant. Multiple tiny shards of glass were jutting out from her skin. Nothing fatal, but definitely painful.
He stood and spun, making his sais appear in his hands, just as Pai and Tart appeared at his sides. Suika smiled. "An even match, I see." He said. His smile faded to a glare when he saw Ichigo slowly and wearily get to her feet, holding her shoulder.
Kish looked over his shoulder at her, "Ichigo, don't get into this fight. We've got it covered. Just rest and...I don't know, stop bleeding."
Ichigo let out a snort of laughter, "as if I could control that," she stood as straight as she could, "but I will fight. I have to."
Kisshu was going to argue that no, she didn't, but remembered how stubborn she could be and knew they didn't have time for it. He gritted his teeth and flew at Suika who dove to the ground by Ichigo's feet and grabbed his chain. He used it like a whip and slung it at Kish. It hit his knee but he pushed passed the pain and kept fighting. Mikan let out a strangled yell as he lunged at Tart, knocking him to the ground. They wrestled, throwing punches, kicking, and pulling hair. Pai and Kehki stood before each other, Pai with his fans in clenched in his hands and Kehki with a bright ball of fire between his own. As Pai raised one fan to ready a strike, a blue streak crashed through one of the large windows and right into Kehki, knocking him backwards into the wall. Minto bounced back, her wings beating fast as she hovered in the air. Moments later, the other three Mews barreled through the door.
Suika was near the ceiling when he looked down at Pai and saw him looking right at Retasu. "Halt!" He shouted and everyone stopped to look at him. Suika drifted down to stand in front of Pai who glared back at him. He started snickering, quietly at first, and it grew until he was howling and holding his stomach in laughter. Pai held his glare, unamused and uninterested in Suika's behavior. Everyone else, however, was watching with wonder at what could be causing it.
"Did you read something from him?" Kehki asked.
"Oh, my God, Pai!" Suika blurted out, subsiding his laughter to mild chuckling, "Kish, Tart, sure, I almost expect it from them. But you?! This is too good to be true!"
"I do not know what you speak of," Pai said monotonously.
"You can't lie to me," Suika said, only smirking now, "it's all over your mind that you l-" he was cut off by Pai grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground. His legs kicked and he clawed at Pai's hand but it did nothing to help him.
Pai brought him close so that his lips were right next to Suika's ear, "I will rip out your throat if you speak one word about her," he whispered so quietly that not even Berry could hear what was said. He threw Suika back as he released his grip on him.
Suika's eyes darted from each Mew and alien as he gingerly held his throat. He cursed under his breath, "We're outnumbered this time. Let's hit it." He disappeared along with Kehki and Mikan.
"What was that all about?" Minto asked.
"Nothing," Pai stated and also disappeared.
Ichigo was on her stomach on her bed with her arms crossed over her pillow in front of her and her Strawberry Shortcake pajama t-shirt pulled up to the nape of her neck. Retasu sat on the edge of the bed, gingerly picking out the tiny shards of glass from her upper back and dabbing the bleeding spots with a medical disinfectant. The other Mews had gone home and Ryou was waiting outside Ichigo's bedroom door with Kish, who was now dressed in a black t-shirt, baggy dark colored jeans, and a black beanie cap to hide his ears in case one of her parents woke up and came out of their bedroom.
"All done, I think," Retasu said, examining Ichigo's upper back, which was now riddled with circular pink band-aids. Ichigo slowly sat up and sat with her butt between her feet, gingerly pulling her shirt back down.
Retasu stood and went to the door, slowly opening it so it didn't make any noise, "you can come in now." The two boys walked in and she shut the door behind them.
"I told Kisshu to keep an eye on you for a reason," Ryou said.
"Oh, don't even start," Ichigo grumbled, "how the heck am I supposed to hide a sleeping alien in my room?"
"Figure it out," Ryou said.
"She has a point," Retasu said, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the bed again, "her parents would never let her have a boy spend the night."
"I'll sleep in the corner on the strawberry thing," Kish said, "that way if a human comes in at night, I'll be hidden enough that they won't see me and I'll have time to leave."
"I don't want to share a room with Kisshu," Ichigo protested, "he's enough of a pervert as is."
Kish winked at her, "only for you, Koneko-chan." Ichigo shot him a half-assed glare. She was too tired to deal with his antics and owed him a thank you for saving her yet again, anyway.
"Just do it, Ichigo," Ryou said, "it's for your own good." He turned and headed for the door before she could continue to argue, silently letting himself out.
Retasu let out a shallow sigh and stood up, "I best be getting home as well."
"Retasu, that's too far to walk," Ichigo said, "just spend the night."
"I can't," Retasu said, "my parents hopefully still think I'm asleep in bed."
"I'll take you," Kish said, "we'll just teleport and no one will know you ever left."
"A-are you sure?" Retasu asked, "I don't want to be a burden."
"It's fine," Kish said, shrugging, "it'll only take a minute."
"Alright," Retasu said and Kish raised a hand, snapping his fingers in her direction. With a ripple, they were gone.
Ichigo sat alone on her bed. In the back of her mind, she acknowledged that a few spots on her back itched but ignored it. It had been a crazy night and all she wanted was sleep. She looked over at her alarm clock. 05:13AM. Nearly three hours they had been out dealing with those creeps.
Kish reappeared in front of her window and she looked over at him. "See? Only a minute." He said with a smile.
"I really don't need you to stay," Ichigo said.
Kisshu narrowed his eyes, "look, I understand that you can take care of yourself. Believe me, I've been on the bad end of it. But I have to...I need you to..." he let out a frustrated sigh, "damn it, Ichigo, would you just let me take care of you for once? Especially after what just happened."
She blinked, a little surprised at his sudden frustration and his request. "Fine. Stay if you really feel the need to." She slid off of her bed and got down on her hands and knees, reaching under the bed. She pulled out a fuzzy black blanket and handed it to him. "It might be a little warm for a summer night, but it's the only spare blanket I have."
"Thank you," Kish said, still sounding irritated, and took the blanket from her. He plopped himself onto the beanbag, yanking off the beanie, and covered himself with the blanket.
Ichigo watched him for a moment, knowing it would be an uncomfortable sleep for him there. Not knowing what else to do, she flipped off the light and got in bed herself.
"Goodnight, Koneko-chan," she head him say, sounding more relaxed now.
"Goodnight," Ichigo said.
Ichigo let out a tiny groan as she groggily started to wake up. She blinked her eyes open slightly, hazily seeing something gold colored right in front of her. Remembering that she now had a temporary roommate, her eyes fluttered open to see Kish's face mere inches from hers. She jerked herself backwards, startled and propped herself up on one elbow.
"What are you doing?" She demanded.
"Watching you sleep," he answered from where he was crouched on the floor in front of the bed.
"Why?" She asked, sounding utterly confused.
"'Cause I woke up like fifteen minutes ago when your little strawberry thingy started beeping," Kish said, pointing to the item on her bedside table.
Ichigo looked at it and blinked. Her alarm clock. She had slept through it again. "Oh, crap!" She exclaimed, throwing her covers off and scrambling out of bed. "I'm so gonna be late! This is the third time this week. Why didn't you wake me up?! It's called an alarm clock for a reason!"
Kish watched with amusement as she raced around the room, digging through her dresser drawers and hurriedly putting on makeup and putting her hair into pigtails. She tossed her choice of clothes onto her bed -denim shorts that had a black cat face patch on the left leg and a black t-shirt that had a cute cupcake graphic on the front- and was about to peel off her pajama shirt when she stopped and looked at Kish, who was now watching her with a smirk and raised eyebrows.
"Get out!" She exclaimed. He pouted but did as he was told and teleported himself to her tree outside. She yanked her curtains closed and finished getting ready. Ichigo raced downstairs and quickly shoved her feet into a pair of black ankle-high boots and bolted out the door without even thinking about breakfast. She mildly acknowledged that Kish was following in flight through the trees.
Ryou had decided that the aliens needed to blend in more and instructed them that in order to do so, they would be working at the cafe with the girls. He assigned each boy to a task and asked Retasu, Purin, and Ichigo to help them out with it. He also gave them each a uniform. They were white button up shirts with black vests, black slacks, and a bow tie. Kisshu's bow tie was red, Pai's was purple, and Tart's was orange. Their ears were still pointed but at least human sized. The Mew crew discovered that for a few hours the aliens could alter their bodies just slightly by snapping their fingers over whichever part they wanted changed.
"Kisshu, you'll be with me," Ichigo said when they all got changed into their uniforms and were out in the main lobby, "taking orders for customers."
"Pai-san will be helping me greet and seat people," Retasu said with a cheery smile.
"And Tar-Tar will help Purin clean the kitchen, na no da!" Purin exclaimed excitedly. They all got to work.
Retasu stood in front of the register counter, waiting for new customers. When one walked in, she instructed Pai on what to say and how to act.
"Welcome to Cafe Mew Mew," he towered over the two teen girls that had walked in, "just two?"
"Y-yes..." One said meekly.
"This way." Pai said and turned on his heel. The two girls glanced at each nervously other before following him. He showed them to a two person seat as Ichigo walked over with Kisshu on her tail. Pai returned to Retasu and asked, "was that satisfactory?"
"Um..." Retasu thought of what to say, "you were a bit on the, uh, scary side. Try being a bit happier next time. Watch me with the next people who come in." Pai gave quick nod and waited attentively for the next customers.
A loud crash was heard from the kitchen and white powder blew out as Purin yelled, "Tar-Tar that's not soap, that's flour, na no da!"
A boy at a table that Ichigo was taking orders from snickered mischievously as she was turned, taking his friend's order. He made a reach for her butt but a pale hand caught his wrist before he could touch her. He looked up into angry golden eyes.
"Hands off," Kisshu growled.
Ichigo looked over her shoulder, "what's going on?"
"He tried to grab your ass," Kisshu sneered at the boy, who looked rather frightened.
Ichigo blushed a little. "Kish, let him go. Sir, if you harass waitresses, you'll be asked to leave."
The boy yanked his hand away, "y-yeah, sorry."
The bell on the door jingled as yet another customer walked in. It was a boy with a girl clinging to his arm.
"Welcome to Cafe Mew Mew," Retasu said cheerfully, "only two?"
"Yeah," the boy said, eyeing Retasu in a way that Pai did not like at all. The girl also seemed to notice and glared at her.
"Take us to a table now, please," she demanded.
Retasu's smile faded, wondering what could make the girl act so rude, "O-of course, right this way. Pai-san, would you please grab some menus?" Pai nodded and walked behind the counter the get them. "Thank you," Retasu said before leading the couple a small table for two. Pai was right behind her with the menus in hand. He set them down on the table and walked back to the counter.
Kisshu walked up with a silver tray and a white towel on his arm, Ichigo observing from behind him, "Hi! My name is Kish and I'll be your host today." Retasu turned to walk away and he noticed the boy watching her backside. He also noticed Pai mildly glaring at the boy from his place by the counter. He couldn't help quietly laughing to himself, wondering when his brother would finally just break down and admit his feelings for the girl.
The rest of the day seemed to go without a hitch, except for Pai unintentionally scaring a few more customers. It took him a while to get used to greeting people with a smile and friendly tone, but he managed to at least a little. Kish started taking on tables by himself after just a little practice, and Purin and Tart got the kitchen cleaned up pretty well. Zakuro hadn't been there that day for a photo shoot, Minto had left early for ballet practice, and Tart and Purin had just left to pick up Heicha from daycare.
Ichigo yawned and stretched her arms out over the table she and Kish were sitting at with Retasu, Pai, Berry, and Tasuku. "Hey, Kish, want to watch a movie when we get to my house? I'll make some popcorn."
"Sure," Kish agreed cheerfully, "I've never seen a movie before. Or had popcorn."
"You'll like it," Ichigo said, "movie nights are one of my favorite things."
Kisshu grinned. Ichigo was actually sharing one of her favorite things with him. Not another mew, not Aoyama, but him.
"That does sound fun," Berry said, "what movie are you gonna watch?"
"I don't know yet," Ichigo said, "we'll probably pick when we get home."
"Berry and I are gonna go to her room and make out," Tasuku announced with a cheeky smile.
"Tasuku!" Berry whined, her face reddening, "you can't just say stuff like that in front of people!" Kisshu laughed at the two, silently wishing he could say the same about himself and Ichigo.
"I think I might take a trip to the library," Retasu said, "I'd like to find a new book to read."
Pai felt a tinge of worry that she might be attacked. He had a soft spot for the green haired girl, although he'd never admit it, and didn't want to take any chances after their last encounter with Suika. "I would like to see this library, if you would not mind the company."
"Oh, sure," Retasu smiled up at him, "I think you'd really enjoy it, there are lots of interesting books to look through."
"Well, now that everyone's plans are settled, I say we head home," Kisshu said, nudging Ichigo gently in the ribs.
Pai and Retasu walked to the library from the cafe, after changing into street clothes. They chatted a bit the whole way and she answered the best that she could to any of Pai's questions about human life and the strange things they have, like hot dog carts on the sides of streets. When they got there, it was quiet as usual and not many people were around.
Pai was looking at a shelf containing books about nature and Retasu was on the other side, where the romance novels were. He got a bit curious when he heard her grunt softly a few times and walked around to find on her tiptoes, trying to reach a book on the top shelf. He walked up behind her and grabbed it for her.
"Oh, t-thank you, Pai-san," she said.
"A romance about mermaids?" He asked. He looked over the cover and then handed it to her.
Retasu blushed a little, clutching the book to her chest, "yes, well, you see...ever since I became one when I was near the Mew Aqua, I've had a bit of a fascination with them."
Pai gave her a small smile, "that's understandable." She beamed up at him and he couldn't help enjoying seeing her smiling at him.
She looked down at the book he was holding in one hand, "are you ready to check out?"
"Oh," he held up the book, "I do not have a...what do you call them?"
"A library card?" Retasu said. Pai nodded and she took the book from him, "that's fine, I'll get it!" She said happily and walked up the nearby counter before he could protest.
"Thank you," he said once they were outside.
"Your welcome," She smiled up at him, "just remember we have to return it in five days."
"Hey, Retasu-san!" A boy with short black hair and crystal blue eyes ran up to them, "I haven't seen you in a while. How are you?"
"Oh, I'm just fine, Takao-san," Retasu said, "how are you?"
"Good," he answered, "so, I was wondering when you were gonna come help out our coastal cleanup group again."
"I will soon, hopefully," Retasu said, "things have just been a little hectic lately."
"I understand," Takao said. He glanced up at Pai, "who's your friend?"
"Pai-san, this is Takao Yokomori," she introduced them, "he's the captain of a coastal cleanup group I work with sometimes. Takao-san, this is Pai, um..." she blinked, realizing that she didn't actually know Pai's last name.
"Ikisitashi," Pai said.
"He just moved here and is working at Cafe Mew Mew with me," Retasu said with a bright smile.
"Ah, I see," Takao said, "well, you'll both have to come help out the group sometime soon. See you around!" He waved as he walked off and the both waved back.
Retasu laughed a bit nervously, "I never thought about what your last name might be."
"What is a coastal cleanup group?" Pai asked.
"Oh, we go to the beach and pick up trash that people leave behind and whatever else could pollute the water. My group is named Ocean Saviors," Retasu explained, "and we almost always go swimming afterwards, so we always go in our swimsuits. Is it something you'd like to try?"
"Maybe," Pai said. He did like the thought of helping to clean the Earth, especially since the Mew Aqua that healed his own planet was from there.
I can't wait to get Pai and Retasu's relationship passed secret admiration because I have some cute ideas for them coming up. But I am having trouble thinking of some kid-appropriate relationship stuff for Purin and Tart, so if anyone would be willing to help with ideas, that would be great! And please review :)
