I finally updated after god knows how long

hope you like more Ichigo Zakuro goodness :)

It had been another long day at work at the cafe and Ichigo was finishing up. Mint and Purin and Lettuce had already gone home for the day. This left the older members to deal with the mess left behind.

Purin understandably had to get home and make dinner for her siblings. She had the others found it admirable how much she sacrificed for the sake of her siblings. But they did worry that she pushed herself too much.

Mint had stated how she had to go to ballet practice for her next performance. However she had asked Zakuro if she wanted a lift to which the latter refused. While many of them respected the art form of ballet; they found it quite boring. It was regarded as a specific taste for certain people and not everyone's thing.

Ryou was doing paperwork in his room and Keichiiro was doing dishes and tidying the kitchen. Being the kind person he was he could never leave all the work for the other girls. The mews saw him as an older brother or parental figure; while Zakuro saw him as another potential love interest.

Zakuro had opted to check the amount they had made that day, while also cleaning up the tables. She had also turned down the offer for a ride with Mint preferring to walk home instead. When she shared a car ride with Mint all she tended to do was pester her and try to cuddle her which got annoying.

Ichigo was around the back of the cafe sweeping up leaves and watching the sunset. It was now late summer and becoming autumn. Due to this the weather had gotten colder and their uniforms didn't cover much; due to this Ichigo got cold when doing chores.

She couldn't see her breath yet but she could definitely feel the drop in temperature. The heat had definitely become cooler in the passing weeks. "I'll definitely have to make something hot when I get home" Ichigo muttered quietly. She had started drinking more hot beverages in the previous weeks.

Her winter exams were coming up so she had been studying like a maniac on the side. She had stopped socializing as much with her friends as they were studying too. This meant not hanging out with her fellow mews as much too apart from work.

In order to get good grades and please her parents she had put her social life on hold and put her efforts into passing. It was a big sacrifice but she knew the effort would pay off at the end. When she did good on her exams her parents always gave her some form of gift; nothing expensive but still something nice.

A cold shiver ran up her back and she sighed as her body covered in Goosebumps. She would have to finish quickly before she caught a cold. At some point she had to have a word with Ryou about the uniforms. They were not appropriate for cold weather. They at least needed winter ones too given what kind of place they ran.

Suddenly she felt a heavy presence on her shoulders and sudden warmth elope her. She realized that she had a red blanket on her shoulders. "Eh? A blanket?" she questioned in confusion. Who had given her the blanket and where had they come from?

"That should feel a little better" A kind voice said from behind her. The red-haired mew looked up to see Zakuro standing behind her. She had been watching Ichigo working outside while finishing up her own tasks.

"Z...Zakuro-san?" Ichigo cried out nervously. How long had she been stood there? She really wasn't a wolf for no reason; she was very good at sneaking up on people with surprise attacks.

Zakuro smiled warmly "Would you like some help? I'm all done with the tables" she offered kindly. If not distracted and left to do her work; Zakuro could finish her chores quickly and efficiently without any hassle. The only reason she tended to take long usually was because Mint kept pestering her nonstop.

Ichigo flinched "Are you sure? Don't you have things to do?" she stammered nervously. She knew how busy Zakuro was on a daily basis outside of work. Didn't she want to go home and relax?

Compared to the company Zakuro usually had she was so plain and average. Surely she would prefer the company of people from her own lifestyle. I mean Mint was a snob but she was much better suited for her.

Zakuro gave a a confused look "Don't you wanna hang out? You were quite content with the shopping trip we had" she explained. She had fun with Ichigo that day. Simply trying on outfits and giving her fashion advice then getting food. It had been casual but she had enjoyed it very much.

While she was not open about it she actually got tired of the celeb life. No privacy, forced schedule, hard work, annoying fans and no free time. She envied the other mews for never having to deal with such stress and simply live normal lives. She longed for such normality in her own life as a model and celebrity.

Ichigo blushed wildly "No! No not at all! It's just..." Ichigo stammered trailing off. She wasn't like the other people Zakuro hung out with. She enjoyed being with her but she looked so normal compared to Zakuro's flourishing sexuality.

Zakuro tilted her head in confusion. What was flustering Ichigo so much that she didn't want to hang out with her? Then again she recalled Ichigo had exams coming up so perhaps she a study session planned.

"I'm not popular or fancy like the others..." Ichigo explained quietly. She wasn't rich like Mint or the other people she hung out with. She didn't go to restaurants every night or big gala events. She didn't own top of the line clothes or go travelling around the world all the time.

Zakuro stared at her quietly then started laughing in amusement. God Ichigo was cute. She always seemed to think everything was a big deal or that she needed to doll up in order to spend time with her.

Ichigo became worried at her laughter and that she had done something stupid. She couldn't help have self consciousness. She was still human after all underneath all the duties that came with being a mew.

Zakuro stopped laughing after a while and wiped her eyes gently "Ichigo; I don't ask you to hang out simply for status" she explained half laughing still. She loved Ichigo's smile and upbeat nature. How she could still remain resilient and brave no matter what came her way.

She loved the traits Ichigo carried in her personality both good and bad. She loved all of Ichigo's flaws and her assets equally regardless. She was one in a million and shone like a star.

Ichigo blinked and looked at her in confusion. But then why would she ask her to hang out? Its not like she was overly interesting and had a lot of interesting hobbies; in fact she was quite plain and normal.

Zakuro smiled warmly "I like hanging out with you because you are who you are. You never pretend to be someone else and wear your heart on your sleeve" she explained gently.

She had never liked fake people; they only ever wanted one thing, sex or money and nothing else. Ichigo was an honest person and always spoke her mind even if it wasn't right to. She was loyal, compassionate and full of bravery.

Ichigo blushed at the compliment and bowed her head. She had never heard so many nice things from someone before. She was used to the perverse teasing of Kisshu or insults from Ryou on a daily basis. She never was used to someone simply saying nice things to her.

"T...Thank you Zakuro-san" she said gratefully her cheeks still red. Somehow she felt her confidence boost every time she complimented her. It was like all her worries or doubts seemed to slip away.

Zakuro's gaze softened and she looked hopeful "You nearly finished?" she asked. She had a lot of free time this week and wanted to make the most of it. She never knew when the next big job would come up.

Ichigo blinked and smiled awkwardly "Nearly; I have to take the bags of leaves and take them to the trash. Then I have to get changed" she explained.

While it wouldn't take her too long she always checked to make sure that she got everything. She then checked in with Keichiiro to tell him she was done for the day. He was the only person who worked here that didn't drive her insane next to Zakuro.

Zakuro sighed and took the rake from the cat mews hands. It wouldn't take her long and Ichigo's hands were turning pink. How long had she been out here in the cold working like this?

"What?" Ichigo argued quickly. She didn't want Zakuro to do her work as well. That wasn't fair! They all had to do their part equally; she wasn't a slacker like Mint was.

"Your hands are turning pink. Go inside and check up with Keichiiro; then we can go for ramen" Zakuro said sternly. Ichigo worked the hardest out of them and often made herself sick for it. Going inside and finishing her shift was not optional.

Ichigo blushed and wrapped the blanket around herself gently. She wasn't used to such kindness from anyone other than Masaya "Ok..." she said obediently her tone shy. She had no idea that Zakuro worried about her this much.

Zakuro smirked and pushed her in the direction of the door. What would she do without her? "I'll see you shortly; Ramen is on me again" Zakuro said sternly. There was no argument; she was paying.

Ichigo hesitated; she had already paid last time. Why was she doing all this for her? She didn't understand. Not that she hated that Zakuro was being so nice. But she didn't understand what she saw in her.

She wasn't overly cute and stylish like Mint. She was awkward in public places and didn't know any fancy people. She was just too different from her. They were quite honestly like Yin and Yang.

Zakuro saw her hesitation and raised an eyebrow "Don't you want to get something to eat?" she questioned curiously. Perhaps her mother had said she was making dinner and didn't want her to ruin her appetite. Understandable as she had most likely put a lot of work into it.

Ichigo blushed and shook her head wildly "I...It's not that" she explained awkwardly. The clothes she came in weren't suited for a fancy restaurant. Her clothes were much more girly and casual.

Zakuro smiled "It's not going to be anywhere fancy Ichigo. I was just hoping to go to a ramen, grill place is all" she explained casually. While she could afford to go to the nice restaurant everyone always stared. She felt eyes on her at all time and got fed up with it.

She liked the quiet lower key places because they were full of people she didn't know. Nobody bothered her and it was much more peaceful in general. She could enjoy her meal in peace without being bothered.

Ichigo felt a sense of relief knowing that. She found it settling that the older mew was so laid back and capable of going anywhere. "I'll go get ready then; I won't be long" Ichigo said shyly smiling at her. She kind of liked being treated so sweetly.

Zakuro gazed at her fondly "You're worth waiting for" she said gently. Yes that sounded cheesy but she meant it. There was something about Ichigo that made her feel warm inside; especially that smile.

Ichigo's face turned beetroot and she just about passed out. Those kinds of things were what you generally heard in movies. Nobody had ever said something like that to her before in her life.

She then rushed inside not looking at Zakuro in the eyes. If she did she wouldn't be able to find her voice. She would melt like warm butter and would make a fool out of herself.

Zakuro watched her leave quietly and smiled fondly. She enjoyed teasing Ichigo for a reaction; she was just too cute. "If she keeps that up I'll want to eat her" she chuckled mischievously to herself.