Lettuce Rushed (CHAPTER SEVEN)
Suika was pissed. It was winter and what were they doing going underwater diving?
But Ryou and Keiichiro insisted, so they divided into groups.
"Ichigo, Pudding, and Lettuce with me," Ryou commanded, "Suika, Zakuro, and Mint with Akasaka."
Once each group was in a boat, they took off, flying into the sea's vast blueness. She watched Ryou driving his boat across from them and almost felt like she was there next to him….
It could be them two, riding into the summer sunset, her in that dazzling bathing suit and Ryou in swimming shorts. They had scuba gear in the back and were laughing, smiling, carefree highschoolers, not worrying about the world for once.
Her little delusion was stopped with the boats. Ichigo and Pudding were assigned to dive down, disregarding everyone else. Of course Ichigo and Pudding jumped in without the gear at first, which actually was because Pudding pushed them both in.
Suika looked longingly to the scuba girls, even though they looked cold, but jumped over to Ryou and Lettuce's boat.
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She really hadn't minded at first.
For a long time now, Suika noticed that Lettuce probably had a crush on Ryou. Despite her good intentions of letting it slide, Suika couldn't help but feel that twinge of protectiveness at that moment.
Lettuce had become so bold in her sayings, talking to Ryou openly. As Suika landed in the boat, she heard the endings of some story about wind and happiness.
About to interrupt, Ichigo and Pudding sent an alert from under water, "Chimera Anima fish are headed to you!"
Suika immediately transformed, ready and hiding behind Ryou's back slightly, and watched the monster fish jump out. As the battle was happening, Masha cried a warning.
They tried to fight the fish, but were out numbered. Ryou decided to go to Masha's help signal, taking Suika and Lettuce.
As they rode quickly to the Masha's aid, Suika pushed Lettuce to the back, causing a smile on Ryou's face to appear.
This was obviously his first sight at Suika's jealousy. Just as she was about to complain, a huge chimera anima pushed the boat straight into the air.
Ryou felt the impact of the water on his body, quickly swirling around his throat. He heard Lettuce scream for him first, but his mind was hazy. His body sank, but as it did he could feel Suika's grasp on his wrist loosen.
Her smile filled his thoughts and he was glad that this would be his peaceful ending, for the world had turned black. As he looked down at his Mew Aqua drop necklace, Ryou feld he had completed what he could.
************
She felt numb and was having a hard time breathing. Suika opened her eyes to feel the stinging water.
Suika, realizing at once that the boat had capsized, swam to the surface. She sucked up all the air she could, looking frantically for Ryou, knowing Lettuce could swim, but not confidently unless transformed. She swam down, wishing for Lettuce to find him, just save him. Lettuce was a sweet girl and would save Ryou, Suika knew she could.
Suika swam so furiously, she almost collided with the now red chimera anima as it swam up and past her. Reflecting on Ryou's words the other day and her own amount of air, Suika only swam a little more forward.
Pai was there, watching as Lettuce had obviously passed by him to save Ryou. Suika stood gaping, ignoring the water rushing in her mouth, as she saw Lettuce kiss Ryou.
Lettuce…kissed…Ryou.
She saw Pai just look up at Lettuce as she swam up and out of the water. Suika torpedoed out of the water herself, barely able to breathe. Keiichiro had arrived just then, with the rest of the Mews. They were occupied with that huge chimera anima, but marveled at Lettuce spinning in the air, holding Ryou. Suika bobbled at the top of the water, her face dark and twisted, from an indescribable pain that wasn't physical. Zakuro glanced in her direction, and in a flash, whipped Suika on their boat.
Not until then did Suika start sputtering all that engulfed water, trying to watch what the chimera anima would do next. Her face was wet and her tears were well hidden by the water droplets on her horrified face. She'd never forgive Lettuce, but right now she had to focus, for Ryou.
The Mew Aqua's reaction was so intense it blinded the chimera anima. Suika covered her eyes, trying to wipe away her angry tears. Lettuce…how dare she?! How could she?
She knew the chimera anima was dead because she felt the boat start to move. Then, Lettuce was babbling about how happy she was that Ryou was okay. His voice made her head snap up.
It held no romantics feeling and seemed a little displeased.
"Get me in the boat, this water is freezing," This was followed by lots of sneezes and laughter. Suika held back her anger and did feel grateful he was alive, but…
Masha also squeaked as he came up, damp and quickly comforted by the other Mews. Pudding looked Suika over, "Onee-chan, are you alright?"
"Absolutely fine Pudding!" Suika smiled reassuringly and shook out her wet hair. Try not to be mad, try not to be mad...
Ryou sat down next to her, closing his eyes and resting his shivering head on her, sniffling. Her smiled turned genuine and she began to relax. It was time to just rest.
They all rode away, tried for the evening, each with person with their own thoughts, Suika trying to ignore her own.
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Suika got to work the next day, nice and showered after Karate. Her local competition was coming up and she was going to avoid telling the girls, better for Suika that they wouldn't watch. That would be too much pressure. Tatkeshi hadn't made it to those rounds and was already going to make her life miserable for it.
She arrived skipping through the door, and arrived to the girls quickly bombarding her with a broom, forcing her to sweep.
"Fine, fine," She muttered in defeat. Then, her good mood crashed.
Pudding sat there, eagerly listening to Lettuce while she blushed and told a story in whispers.
"Oh so you're in love?" Pudding clapped her hands, "Ry---" At this Lettuce squealed and tackled Pudding as the little monkey girl kept yelling out segments of Lettuce's love life.
Suika's face was bright red and she clutched the broom, whitening her knuckles.
Ah, you Lettuce, gahhh! You kissed my Ryou!!!!!Gahh, someone is going to die!
"Would you like some tea? You look rather stressed Suika," Mint's voice was sarcastic, but joking. Suika quickly averted her glare to Mint, but softened.
"No thanks. I have to go take a walk, I think," She moved steadily to the door, pushing the protesting Ichigo aside.
"But who's going to cle—?"
The door slammed, causing the girls to look at each other incredulously. Pudding eyed Lettuce and momentarily added softly, "Onee-chan was in the boat with you and Ryou-san right?"
"But we didn't do anything!" Lettuce blushed.
Suika ran to the park bench, and let out a howl of frustration. Gahhh, I HAVE to get even! Even if it wasn't big, it didn't matter. She thought of being all hardcore about it and writing down all her plans and concocting incredible scenarios. Then, Suika decided that would be too weird.
Suika sat musingly, when Kish appeared in front of her.
"Yo!" He began, smirking.
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Lettuce sat down distressed. She really hadn't thought this out.
"Onee-chan didn't care that you liked him before, she told me," Pudding began.
"What?!" Lettuce was bright red and covered her face with her hands. Was she that obvious?
"You'd think you kissed him," Zakuro said. Usually, she thought Suika was level-headed in relationships, so Zakuro hoped maybe Lettuce had a certain confession.
Lettuce turned red, like she was about to say something; then, her eyes widened in comprehension.
"Suika was in the water right?" Lettuce said, too suspiciously quiet.
"Yeah, but anyway, what are you going to do? I mean she should understand that you love him, but that you respect he's hers. Just tell her the truth," Ichigo griped Lettuce's hand comfortingly.
Mint sipped her tea, wanting to remain neutral in this, though if push came to shove she was on Suika's side. Zakuro's comment made it obvious that something went down in the water that only Lettuce and Suika knew about.
"Are you sure this is why she's upset?" Zakuro looked at the source with doubt, Pudding wiggling happily under her stare.
"It is true!" Pudding squealed.
"I'll go say I'm sorry, thanks girls,"
Lettuce quietly left the café.
"Sorry for what?" Zakuro voiced the rhetorical question.
"Was that really smart? If I know Suika well enough she just might kill Lettuce," Mint said, making all the girls go crazy with fright.
***************
"Kish, I'm in a really bad mood right now, I mean I could kill a puppy," she stayed tense and guarded, not wanting to be victim to an alien plan.
Kish started laughing, "Hmm, so you plan to fight me right now? I mean last time I thought you'd kill me right there."
"When were not in battle, then why should I kill you? Unless, you have some destructive plan currently," she eyed him.
"Just came to be with you! I was actually walking by and saw you looked displeased," Kish sat next to her on the bench, hands behind his head.
She actually enjoyed Kish's company, too bad he was a bad guy. Well, not really, he just was saving his planet, his way.
"Well, Lettuce---"
"The green Mew right?"
"Yeah her. She's like all over my boyfriend. She even kissed him! What a whore!" Suika folded her arms across her chest, pouting angrily. Kish started laughing.
"Hmmm, so you plan to do something about it."
"Yeah, duh! But I have no ideas," She shrugged her shoulders.
" I could get rid of her for you, maybe with a little of your help," He smiled charmingly.
"I couldn't do that!" She looked horrified, then smiled mischievously, "That would be so badass wouldn't it?"
Kish started cracking up, "Wow, Suika!"
Suika gave him a good natured shove, "I'm TOTALLY just kidding so don't hurt her. I'll think of something."
Kish floated there for a moment, then said, "Well, I'll talk to Pai."
"Why doesn't she just marry Pai or something? There so suited for each other," She was hugging herself. Kish laughed and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Bye Princess!" He vanished as Suika wiped her face with revulsion, reminding her all the more of her hatred for Lettuce.
************
Lettuce stood behind the tree nervously, losing all her bravery as soon as she watched an exchange between Kish and Suika. She couldn't hear anything, but they were both smiling. No, she couldn't think the worst.
She was leaning half out from behind the tree so when Suika stood up and walked toward her, Lettuce freaked and tried to hide again. Sadly, she only succeeded on landing on her backside.
"What do you want?" Suika's voice was cheerless and so unlike her, it made Lettuce even more scared.
"I wasn't spying on you. I—I was just trying to—well I wanted to come and apologize. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Lettuce was standing now, with her head bowed low.
Suika smiled, Lettuce unable to see it winced at the silence.
Now, Suika knew just how to get even with Lettuce.
Something so simple could only hurt Lettuce. It wouldn't be too hard to shun this girl forever.
Except that Suika personally hated leaving things as long time grudges instead of quickly getting even.
So, she quickly hid her glee from this simple revenge and said, "I don't except your pathetic apology." Suika brushed the hair from her face and walked past a stunned Lettuce, whose eyes had begun to water.
Suika walked in triumphantly to Café Mew Mew, leaving Lettuce at the park.
"Finally, thought you'd never return from your walk," Ryou said, typing on his laptop on one of the tables.
Suika almost wondered aloud it they had told Ryou the whole story, but since his welcome seemed so normal, she guessed they hadn't mentioned anything.
"Where's Lettuce?" Ichigo said, trying to sound casual and utterly failing.
Suika found that rather entreating, especially since Ryou seemed uninterested and like he didn't even know what was going on.
"Lettuce?" She said it innocently, with a dark grin.
Keiichiro leaned against the wall, trying to calm Pudding, who was crying and dressed in all black.
"Onee-chan killed her!" Pudding wailed.
"I told you guys!" Mint said rather unsettled, waving good-bye to Zakuro a she exited the café.
"Where is she?! You don't know?" Ichigo panicked, almost transforming right then, assuming some aliens had trapped her or something.
"Oh, calm down! She's probably off hanging herself in pity" Suika finally said, busting up laughing. Pudding immediately ripped off her mourning attire and stood, bright and yellow, "So, you're okay again?"
Ryou looked up now, trying to piece together what exactly had happened. It's true Lettuce had exited the café, but the girls had said it was to find Suika.
"I'm mad at her," Suika stated, trying to clear things up for Ryou.
"Why?" Ryou questioned. Of all people, Lettuce seemed like the most agreeable.
A sick smile was on Suika's face, this was another blow to Lettuce, "This is too good Ryou. Underwater, right before her in the air fanfare, she..." Suika almost lost her sarcastic edge, "she kissed you, going all blue from the Mew Aqua."
Before anyone could anything, Masha flew over.
"Alien, Alien!" Masha pipped
Everyone quickly looked at Ryou, "Keiichiro check their location on the downstairs computer. Mews, transform!"
The girls transformed, feeling a little different without the 6th member there, trying to ignore the awkward expression on Ryou's face.
"Pai, it's a great moment to attack!" Tart was super pumped after Kish reported the little bickering.
"Besides, it's around the area where there may be Mew Aqua,"Tart tried to say convincingly.
"C'mon Pai! Besides that it's boring around here, the Mew Aqua reacts to the Mews, especially when they are emotional. This situation is a perfect test run," Kish's argument seemed persuasive enough, but Pai still wouldn't go.
"C'mon we'll jus—" Tart began, but was silenced by Kish.
"Oh sorry Pai, I forgot," Kish, had his head tilted up, whistling while moving back and forth on his feet.
"What?" Even Pai wanted to see what his comrade had to say.
"Well, that you have a soft spot for that Mew, the green one," Kish was so upfront about it that even Tart gave Pai an appalled look.
"Kish! That's not true. You're the one always toying with those girls!"
"Calm down Pai. I am always saying it though. You just keep your little love a secret."
"It's not true, you bastard!"
"Well prove it. I happen to know she's alone, at the park, this very moment and you co—"
Before Kish could finish, a slightly blushing Pai had teleported, weapon already out. Kish high-fived Tart and they both followed their ally, ready for some fun.
Keiichiro jumped into the room, "The aliens, they're in the park and fighting Lettuce!"
The Mews ran out the door, Suika getting a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. Ryou and Keiichiro followed closely behind them.
They saw from the park entrance Lettuce lying on the ground in the distance, people running out. Kish and Tart where searching for something and laughing uncontrollably, as Pai angrily struck at Lettuce relentlessly with his lightening weapon.
"Die!" Pai yelled, sending a huge attack at the immobile Lettuce.
"NO!" Suika ran up ahead, diving in front of Lettuce, taking the blow.
"Suika!" Several voices said in unison. She was on her hands and knees, shaking. Her mouth was a little bloody, but she looked up.
"I'll never forgive you for this!" Ichigo said.
"Lettuce," Suika whispered to the barely conscious girl next to her, "I'm sorry you got hurt."
Suika was crying; this was all her fault. She didn't want her to literally die. Lettuce looked up at her, "No, it wasn't you. I'm sorry," Lettuce then went unconscious.
Suika finally pushed her self up, Ryou grabbing her arm to stabilize her.
"Ah, if it isn't my princess, the mastermind!" Kish said, louder than he had to.
"Shut up! That's not true....I didn't want this," Suika stammered.
Tart realized her hesitation, "No way, Kish! She planned this?"
Ryou's grip on her arm tightened, more protectively then as if he was mad. Still, all the Mews looked at her, disbelieving.
"Nah, she's not that evil. She just sparked my plan," He winked at Suika, as she stood, barely holding up.
"Well, there was no Mew Aqua reaction and I know you can see I have no ties to any of these humans," Pai literally spat his words.
"Aww, that was short lived," Tart said glumly as the aliens all disappeared.