Disclaimer: Still not owning Tokyo mew mew, or the aliens! Shame really…I would do so many things to them….uh not like that you sick pervs! Tut tut, such dirty minds! XD

Chapter 9 – Truths

"Count me out of your childish games, I have a TV show to appear on tomorrow anyway, tell Ebony I said happy birthday," Mint looked shocked and simply nodded, then she walked into he changing room came out in casual clothes and walked out the café, leaving Mint to go and sit at her table, Pudding to jump on her giant ball and Ichigo to begin running around again. They were going to make this a party Ebony would never forget, and make it a day Ryou would regret, not even getting his own girlfriend a present.

"So Ryou, would it be a good idea to host a charity event considering Ebony has never been to one held by you yet, only the other girls have,"

"Sure whatever, I was going to give a load of stuff to this charity soon anyway, but we'll just do that instead, by the way what charity is it Keiichero?"

"Oh…uh for endangered animals of course…I forget the name," Keiichero covered for himself unbelievably well and smoothly.

"Okay, if Ebony does come in later, just let her know I'm in the lab,"

"Certainly," Keiichero said with his sweet smile 'He does care for her, he's moved on unbelievably quickly after the Anzu and Akito incident, maybe holding this birthday party is a bad idea after all'

"Keiichero did he fall for it? It's a big party for tomorrow right?"

"Uh yes…Ichigo,"

"What flavour cake chocolate or sponge Na no da?" Ichigo thought back to the first time Ebony ate at the café and she had ordered chocolate cake.

"I think chocolate, that's the flavour she ordered first time she came to café mew mew!" Ichigo said with a wide smile, obviously pleased that she could remember something like that from so long ago!

"Sure, I'll get started on it right away; I need someone to warn me if Ryou comes though, whose it going to be out of you lovely young ladies?"

"You really are to smooth Keiichero!" Ichigo said with a slight blush.

"Me! Pick me Keiichero! I can shout really loud or roll my ball into him if he heads down here! Then I will help you hide it Na no da!"

"Thanks Pudding, but I already know to hide it in the fridge,"

"'Kay Na no da!"

'Ring, ring. Ring, ring, ring, ring, ri-.'

"Moshi Moshi, Haru speaking"

"Oh…uh do I have the right number, is this Ebony's number?"

"Yes, she's my daughter, can I help you?"

"It's Shirogane Ryou her boss at the café, is it possible to speak to her for a moment?"

"Oh the boy that's got a crush on my Ebony! Well as you've guessed I'm holding her phone right now so she is busy,"

"Well yeah I suppose, may I ask why she is busy?"

"Yeah sorry! She's just getting some pocky for me, I only came home yesterday so today I'm taking her out, she said her headaches better! Then tomorrow for her bir-"

Ryou was waiting for the end of the sentence but it stopped when he heard Ebony's voice on the end of the phone, he then guessed they swapped over.

"Sorry about that, I specifically told my dad not to answer it, it was in my bag for crying out loud he shouldn't be rooting through that! Anyway what did you ring for Blondie?"

"I thought we'd given up that nickname?" Ebony could tell Ryou had said it with a smirk, but she wasn't buying it, she still wasn't comfortable dating him with 'Anzu' around.

"No…only Pretty-boy! Anyway hurry up I've got a low battery!"

"Oh tomorrow at the café we're having a –beep, beep beep-. Ebony? Hello Ebony you still there? Damn, I'll get one of the girls to tell her!" He hung up the phone and went to walk into the kitchen when Pudding blocked his way so he simply avoided her and walked over to Ichigo.

"Hey Baka-Strawberry!"

"What Shiro-Baka?"

"Can you tell Ebony about the charity event tomorrow? I just rang her but her phone ran out of battery before I could tell her,"

'Thank god, if he'd told her it would've ruined everything!' Ichigo thought while sweat dropping and shouting 'Sure, no problem' over and over again, Ryou simply sweat-dropped and went up to his room.

"Crud, I just realised that Ebony's parents said it was her 'birthday' tomorrow! Pai looked them up it's when humans celebrate the day they were born and they give each other presents…what could I get her? I suppose I could steal something out of a human shop…what do girls always wear? Oh jewellery, I'll go to the jewellers tomorrow and steal a bracelet or something for her!" Kish said to nobody in particular as floated around the sky's bored, with no Ebony to tease, and Pai and Tart coming up with a new fighting plan, he was alone with nothing to do.

"You know dad, Ryou was going to tell me something important!"

"Probably 'he loves you' or something!" Ebony's dad Haru was joking around of course but went slightly worried when he didn't get a response, just a sad looking teenager.

"What's the matter Eb', you feeling alright, has the head-ache come back?" At this she suddenly chirped up again with a smile.

"Honestly I'm fine, just boy troubles don't really want to talk about them with you though Dad, no offence it's more of a mom thing!"

"Sure, but are you dating him yet? It seems cruel to leave him hanging when he obviously likes you so much!"

"Yeah, I am dating him, we went out last night actually, I'm sorry I lied I just didn't want mum to freak out because I was sleeping at a boys house, which isn't even a house because he lives in the café!"

"Its fine and I'll make sure your mother knows nothing of it! You didn't do anything indecent or he didn't do anything to you did he?"

"Chill dad, no we didn't in fact we did the opposite! I found out about his old girlfriend running off with his best-friend thing and now I feel uncomfortable with him, because I think it's obvious he still has feelings for that other girl because she was the first one under the mew pro…uh I mean she was the first one to work at café mew mew and since he's 17 and she was 17 it seems like they have more of a connection you know what I mean?" Haru simply nodded smirking he had managed to squeeze the problem out of her and she didn't even realise.

"But don't worry dad, it's nothing for you to worry about I'll just sort it out with mum later!" By now they had managed to walk to their street and were walking down the pavement only to both stop and turn around when Ebony's name was being called.

"Ichigo, what are you doing here?"

"I'm actually here to talk to your parents about something! So I'm glad I caught you with your dad!" Ichigo said with a smile.

"My dad? What d'ya want to speak to him for?" She said with a grin, her dad playfully ruffled her hair.

"My parents wanted to get to know your parents and even you so I'm meant to sort out a date for them to come over!"

"Oh right"

"Nice save…how did I come up with that?" Ichigo mumbled under her breath.

"Nani?"

"Nya! Nothing, really!" Ichigo's fangs showed when she jumped and they simply walked to her house and in the front door.

"Ichigo, while you're talking with my parents, I'll just be in the bathroom 'kay?"

"Sure, even better!" Ebony disappeared from view up the stairs and Ichigo got lead to Ichigo's mum by Haru; who had already explained the situation to her mum.

"Well I don't really need to organise something with my parents, I just needed to tell you that tomorrow at the café we're holding a surprise party for Ebony and you two should come! It's formal though so dress up, we already have a plan for how to get Ebony to the café so just say you need to go out or something and wait for her there. I have no idea how to get her all dressed up though, that's where I thought you could help Ebony's mom!"

"I have an idea, I can take her out shopping with her dad now and pretend it's for a friends wedding or something, you don't worry about another thing, and it's very sweet what you're doing for her!"

"It wasn't just my idea, it was everyone at the café's we've all become really good friends, especially Ryou and Ebony, they always fight but I think they're friends really…although they have been ignoring each other lately…" Ichigo put on a mock thinking face only to stop when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Okay Ichigo, it would be lovely to come round sometime, sayonara,"

"Ja ne, Ebony I'm going, later!" She waved to her as she passed through the door.

"Eb' since your dad and I are here, we're going to take you out to get your birthday present, we've decided what you're getting but you can pick it!"

"Seriously, what is it?"

"You get to pick your own ball-gown and accessories sweetie, we both think you could wear it to one of my friends weddings soon and other events," Ebony was gob-smacked, she's never had anything 'princess-like' in her life as a little kid she had always been a tom-boy, wearing shorts and caps, she could even skate-board. So this would be really special.

"And we're going now so come on get in that car!"

"Sure dad! Love you both!"

"All set, her parents can come as well; they're giving her a ball-gown as her birthday present!"

"Great, come here tomorrow in your formal outfit, you wearing the one Ryou gave you last time the pink boob-tube, the white gloves and pink shoes?"

"Sure, Mint you wearing your blue sequin one with white frills?"

"Yeah it's a shame Zakuro can't make it, she'd look so beautiful…"

"Did you remember to ring Lettuce and tell her the plan? I loved that long green dress she wore last time she looked so pretty! Then Pudding in her little yellow strap-dress, that was too kawaii!"

"Totally Lettuce knows and everything, so see you tomorrow, my butlers brought me the tea now, good-bye"

"Bye" She hung up the phone.

"Snob!" 'I wonder what Ebony will look like; after all she is picking her own dress…'

"I like this one, oh but this one's really cute too and really cheap, but this one has the frills on which I like! Oh you had to bring me to the best dress shop in town to pick from!"

"Only the best for our beautiful little 15 year-old on her 16th birthday," The shop clerk had been watching with interest; plain boredom displayed on his face.

"Did you just say it was your daughters 16th tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I did, why?"

"Well 16th birthdays are special right? We just got this one-of-a-kind black and white ball-gown in and I think it would really suit your daughter and she would look beautiful for her 16th birthday," Ebony lightly blushed at being complimented so much, shaken out of it at her mothers hyper voice, she was obviously enjoying this as much as Ebony!

"That sounds great Arigato,"

"I'll just fetch it out the back,"

"Theres enough dresses out here but theres a back full of dresses too?" The man appeared a few moments later with a hanger, on the end of it was a blue-cover with a zip down the front, Ebony took the dress from the man and literally leaped into the changing room. After several minutes of ruffling and ribbon tying Ebony stepped out of the changing room earning wide-eyed faces all round.

"Is it that horrible that you have to pull faces like that?"

"N…no it's the opposite darling, look in that mirror," Her mum said her face lighting up as Ebony walked over to the full-length mirror. She caught her refelction and almost choked on the air for a second. She had let her hair down so it was trailing down both her shoulders stopping at her chest. It was an all black, silk, boob-tube dress with pulled up ruffles at the front, one was pulled up to her thigh with a beautiful diamond broach and there was a white ruffled material underneath instead so it didn't show to much. Then there was a simple white ribbon pulled round the front and tied around the back in a bow with the longer bits trailing down the back of her dress. As for the little details there was a white lace rim edging the chest part, she had put on elbow high black, silk gloves and she had even felt brave enough to keep the tiara that the shop assistant had quickly placed on her head on.

"Wow, I really like it, but you said I'm wearing it for weddings and stuff isn't this a bit too showy?"

"I don't think so darling, you look beautiful! Plus when you graduate from school you could wear that to the dance!"

"Okay I suppose your right, how much is it anyway?" Her mum walked behind her and her eyes widened as she read the tag.

"What is it that bad…whoa…that's a lot of zero's?" Haru complained.

"Sorry, I'll take it off and find one that we can afford…"

"Hey, who said we weren't going to buy it for you? We said you could pick the one you want and if that makes you happy we'll buy it for you, you won't get many Christmas presents though!"

"Sure, I love you guy's way toooo much!" Ebony went back into the changing rooms and came out once again in her black skinny-jeans and white t-shirt with black graphic designs; she pulled her hair into a messy bun also, and then slammed her feet into her white high-tops. She had the dress in her hand and had put it back into the blue cover, she then took it too the assistant.

Very happy looking Ebony and two very exhausted looking parents stepped out of the dress shop and once again they were out in the mall.

"It's a shame my friends haven't got me anything for my birthday, but it's my fault for not telling them, I told Ryou but he might now even care!"

"Why didn't you tell them Ebony?" Her mum said as she rummaged through her empty wallet.

"I didn't want a fuss, I don't mind a little outing with my family and Ayame and Sakura, you didn't even have to buy me that dress, some earrings or make-up would've done me!" Ebony's dad snorted almost spitting out the drink he had purchased from the fast food stand after they got out of the dress shop.

"You…not wanting a fuss…could do with some earrings? Are you hearing this Izumi, I think our daughters banged her head!"

"I agree Haru, maybe all the money we've spent on her is getting to her head!"

"Hey, hey, hey theres the soon to be 16 year old!" She recognized Sakura's voice instantly, she was so happy she turned around full speed and glomped her.

"Thank you! I haven't seen you or Ayame in ages; I've been so busy it's not even funny! Man I just realised…I actually really missed you and didn't realise till now, but you do know I love my two favourite sisters anyway," She grabbed Ayame who was stood beside Sakura and pulled them into a group hug.

"We've got your presents! We were going to come round tomorrow and…" Ayame stopped as she was released from the hug and saw Ebony's mum behind her pretending to cut her hand across her neck as if to say 'no, shut up!'

"And what Ayame, what are you looking at?" She turned to face her mother just as she stopped miming and stood there smiling.

"Oh Ebony be a dear and go and get some paper towels for your dad he's got drink all down him, plus we want to ask Sakura and Ayame what they've got you!"

"Ugh, fine, dad why'd you have to spit it out in the first place? You're worse than a baby!" With that she walked off leaving Haru, Izumo, Sakura and Ayame.

"Tomorrow at Café mew mew there's surprise birthday party for Ebony and you two have to come if won't be right without you there and dress formally as well because it's a posh event, we just went and got Ebony's dress as a birthday present so just get there around noon 'kay?"

"Sure thing Ebony's mom!" Sakura saluted and she started to watch Ebony's dad with amusement, he was stood behind Izumo miming and doing action of everything she said making Sakura laugh, Izumo obviously knew what he was doing because as soon as her hand shot up she grabbed his wrist and turned around to face him.

"Seriously honey, grow up its not good for your health, your not ten anymore!" He crossed his arms and pouted turning the opposite direction (like a 10 year old would). Izumo simply sighed and looked back at the two girls.

"Got it, see you and Ebony at like…near noon!" She nodded in agreement and Ebony appeared with some paper towels.

"Turns out you didn't need to get them honey, your dad's going to walk home wet looking like the fool that he is!"

"Not fair, Izuizu gimme' the paper towels pleaaaase?"

"When you start acting your age! Even though it's really cute when you're like this!" Ebony's mum pecked Haru on the lips, not noticing that Ayame, Sakura and Ebony were stood behind them miming throwing-up.

"Get a room please, I'll see you two at school then and you can give me my birthday presents!"

"Okay ja ne!"

Kish was hid down an alley at the side of a well-known jewellery store, he was able to manage quick glances in the window and that's when he saw the perfect gift. 'That's almost as if it was made for Ebony' He saw the man in the posh suit inside leave the room for a second and this was his chance. Kish teleported into the store and quickly went into the window, he had grabbed the gift and the blue velvet box it was in, in a second before he was gone again 'Now I just need to…what do humans call it…decorate it!' He knew he had seen a bright shop around here before and it said it was called 'Decorations4U' he didn't know what that meant but there were ribbons in there, he teleported inside just as he did before and took a white ribbon which he tied in a bow around the box. He then went back outside and down another alley; worried that he would be spotted and stuck a label that he'd grabbed onto it and wrote on it with the pen he had also stolen. 'Maybe this will help her with forgiving me' He was about to sign his name onto the bottom when the pen hovered for a moment 'Might as well leave her guessing…I just hope she doesn't think its pretty boy' He smiled to himself as he stared at the gift, that soon faded though as he heard a man shouting and alarms going off in the jewellery store. He smirked to himself and teleported; happy with the gift and trouble he'd managed to cause.

"I can't believe my parents actually brought this for me! I love it, love it and love it!" Ebony just sat on her bed staring at the dress in front of her. 'Hey I can ring Ichigo and tell her about it!' She picked up the phone beside her bed and began to dial the numbers to her friend's phone.

"So, she has her dress now, right?"

"Yeah Keiichero, her parents got it for her and said It was her birthday present, so her mum was going to find a way to get her to wear it while we call her here tomorrow. Her parents are coming by the way! Also when her dad rang me he said that her two best friends Ayame and Sakura were coming, I just hope Ryou doesn't think it's too suspicious with her parents and friends here,"

"Surely not, we can just say I invited them as its Ebony's first 'charity event'"

"Where is Ryou anyway?"

"In his lab in a sulk because him and Ebony had a little disagreement about something,"

"What about, she didn't mention anything and she seemed really happy earlier!" They both stopped and looked to the café phone when it started to ring. But they both looked back when they saw Ryou was already there to answer it.

"Hello Café mew mew, how can I help you?"

"Oh…uh, hello Shirogane, sorry about earlier with my dad on the phone he's so annoying sometimes!"

"Oh Ebony, did Ichigo tell you about it? And I've been thinking about you and I an-." Shirogane stopped and looked to his left when he saw Keiichero tapping on his shoulder smiling. "Hold on Ebony, Keiichero needs me so I'll just get someone for you," He put the phone down and followed Keiichero into the kitchen not before shouting to the mews that Ebony was on the phone, Pudding and Ichigo rushed over but Pudding beat her and picked up the phone first. On the other end of the line Ebony had to pull the phone away from her ear because Pudding spoke so loudly.

"Ebony! Are you okay now, I hope your headaches gone Na no da!"

"Yeah, I'm fine arigato Pudding, Not that I don't love you Pudding but could you please let me speak to Ichigo?"

"Sure thing, Ichigo she wants you, bye Ebony Na no da!" Ebony chuckled at the young girls antics.

"Bye-bye Pudding, phone hug!"

"Phone hug!" Ebony and Pudding both hugged the phone at the same time and Pudding then jumped on her ball letting Ichigo on the phone.

"Hey Ichigo, I just rang you up to tell you that after you left my parents took me out and brought the most awesome birthday present!"

"Oh kawaii, what is it?" Ichigo said trying to sound surprised when really she was grinning from ear-to-ear.

"The prettiest dress I've ever seen in my life! I don't know when I'm going to wear it though, my parents said to weddings and the school dance, but there ages away! I'm thinking about making it my new mew outfit!" Ichigo and Ebony both laughed.

"Oh wow, you totally have to show me next time you see me! Oh by the way what did Shirogane say to you?"

"Oh yeah, apparently you were meant to have told me about 'it' and that he was just thinking about me,"

"It doesn't matter anymore, it was just um…that I needed to tell you that you didn't have to work if you were feeling ill, you know he's been awfully quiet all day in the lab, I don't think he likes you being away from him it's too…quiet, even with Pudding around, even Masha misses you!"

"Yeah well it's his fault I feel ill, keeping me up all night thinking about his old…Ichigo…let me text you something hold on,"

"Uh, okay," Ichigo kept the phone under her ear while she checked her other phone for a text she received one from 'Eb'z x' and opened it, it said:

'Dnt say anything but Shiro-baka has a spare fone in da kitchen 'nd no doubt he's listening to this, play along with what I say okay, but first run up to the kitchen window and see if Ryou has a green fone in his hand! Ly x'

She put her phone back into her apron pocket and let the phone dangle down the wall, she ran up to the inside kitchen window and surprise, surprise Ryou had a phone in his hand and he was listening to the conversation. She then ran back to the phone dangling and put it to her ear.

"Yeah,"

"Wow, I knew that it happened sometimes, but that's just rude, theres a thing called privacy!" Ebony laughed and then began to start her plan.

"So Ebony, what did you want to talk to me about, it was more than the dress wasn't it?"

"Yeah actually, I know we've just been talking about him, but I really, really like him he's so cute the way he just randomly talks! Oh and I can't forget the eyes either, they're so cute!" Ichigo wondered what Ebony was planning until she got another text from Ebony.

I'm rly talkin bout Masha! XD

But play along!

Ebony~x

"Oh yeah, I know he's really good at detecting those aliens as well without him we'd be lost,"

"Yeah I know, I think maybe I…love him, isn't that wrong though, I mean he does work with us…"

"Yeah…oh hold on Shirogane's here; he said he needs to talk to you, its urgent,"

"Okay, I'll talk to you later…this should be good go listen in the kitchen!"

"Sure ja ne, here's Shirogane,"

"So spoiled-brat what's so urgent that you had to interrupt me and Ichigo's conversation?"

"You really like my eyes?"

"Geh, what're you talking about Blondie?"

"Just a second ago on the phone with Ichigo you said you liked my eyes and that you think you love m-."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa hold on! How did you know me and Ichigo were talking about that?"

"I was listening in the kitchen…I've been worried about you all day and now you've just said that…"

"Why do you always do that? It's an invasion of privacy! Don't be worried about me and Ichigo having a conversation about how much we love Masha,"

"Masha?" Ryou heard very hard laughing coming from the kitchen and just shrugged it off as Ichigo being Ichigo.

"Yeah I love his eyes there so cute! He's good at detecting aliens too, I love that little robot!"

"Oh, well uh…see you when you get to work…whenever,"

"Shirogane, it's okay don't be embarrassed me and Ichigo knew you were listening so we planned that! It was meant to sound like we were talking about you. If it makes you feel any better I really do like your eyes!" Ebony giggled from the other end of the line and Ryou just smiled.

"So does this mean I'm forgiven?"

"Yeah, I suppose, it's my fault for acting like a possessive weirdo, just because your still in love with her, I can't stop you, in fact I'm most likely getting in the way so I'm going to stay off work for a few days, is that okay with you? I'll still come to attacks and everything,"

"You're not a possessive weirdo; you've just had crappy relationships before right? So you're making sure theres no possible way for you to get hurt, it makes can stay off work for a few days but not too long I miss your cute, sarcastic comments,"

"Wow your actually really sad, you want me to ring you up everyday just so you can hear my voice, like some stupid dog that's so hooked on it's owner that the dog needs to hear the owners voice or it goes insane?"

"Theres the sarcasm I love, ring me whenever you want,"

"Sure will, ja ne"

"Ja ne," Ryou put the phone down smiling to him-self then walked back to his room.

'Phew, longest phone call ever, I only wanted to tell Ichigo about my dress! Oh well I feel happy that I'm talking to Shirogane again, I wonder if he got me anything for my birthday…I'm going to ring Zakuro, I know we never talk much but I don't think she hates me enough to ignore me!' Once again she picked up the phone and dialled Zakuro's number, the ringing stopped and she heard a very calm, mature voice on the other end.

"Konnichiwa Zakuro, is it okay if I just talk to you for a few seconds, I know you're probably busy but I'm really bored and need to talk to somebody,"

"Actually I'm glad you rang, I've been super bored as well I got to the TV studio only to be told to wait 2 hours because there having problems with the cameras, did you want to talk to me about anything in-particular?"

"My parents just took me out and brought me this beautiful new dress and I just felt like telling someone other than Ichigo…oh wait…it doesn't sound like I'm boasting does it? Now I feel like a big-head,"

"Compared to some of the big-head's I've met that's nothing" Zakuro and Ebony laughed together. "So do you like your dress then?"

"Yeah, I've never had anything like it before; I was a right little tom-boy when I was little, wearing caps, baggy-shorts and things!"

"Really? Well I suppose you do still wear shorts just very short-shorts!"

"Yeah, I used to skate-board and everything, not sure if I can still do it though! Maybe if I ever got one I could try…"

"Mh-hm, well thanks for filling up a few minutes of the wait, only another hour left now, ja ne!"

"Ja ne Zakuro, have a nice time at the studio,"

"I'll try!" Zakuro said with a smirk; she had the perfect idea what to get Ebony for her birthday and she could fill up the next hour getting it.

"So, how are we going to decorate for her party if Ryou thinks it's a charity event? We can't have birthday banners up and a huge birthday cake on the table…aw Keiichero help us!"

"Well okay…uh…we'll put decorations up like pictures of endangered animals and you 6 girls because there doesn't seem anything strange about that, then I'll go with Ryou down to the lab for the next couple of hours and you can put the banners and cake out, then you tell Ebony theres a mew emergency and that's when she'll come rushing,"

"Then you and Ryou come up and the fun begins..." Mint cackled evilly and she rubbed her hands together and tipped her head back, with flames in the background, she then coughed and went back to her normal self.

"Oh Keiichero make sure you and Ryou are changed first and we'll let all the guests in while your down there as well, then we can get changed in the changing rooms if we bring the dresses tomorrow morning and we can get ready there too,"

"See you girls are smart enough on your own you don't need my help!" Keiichero said with a smile only to stop and look at the café door when Zakuro walked in.

"Zakuro why are you here, I thought you had a TV show?"

"Yeah well I thought I might as well drop of Ebony's birthday present now so you can give it her tomorrow when I'm modelling,"

"Oh that's sweet of you Zakuro," Keiichero said with a smile.

"What'd 'ya get her, what'd 'ya get her Na no da?"

"You'll just have to see tomorrow, bring it in!" Zakuro stepped out of the door way and two men walked In carrying a rectangle box wrapped in silver paper with 'Happy Birthday' printed all over it. It seemed quite heavy to the men but not so heavy that they were putting in an effort, they followed Keiichero into the kitchen where they hid it in one of the cupboards.

"Well, I have to get back to the TV studio now, see you whenever," With that she was gone again.

"I didn't think she'd actually bother with a gift…maybe she's not just a pretty face…"

"Of course she isn't! She's a pretty face and is really smart, she's so cool…I wish I could be like her!"

"But you are like her Mint! You were a mew longer than she was, so technically your better!"

"Huh?" Mint stepped out of her daze and looked to the owner of the voice.

"Ebony Na no da!" Pudding ran to the girl and glomped her.

"Uh Ebony not to be rude, but why are you here?"

"Didn't you leave this morning and say you weren't going to work for a few days?"

"Well I got uber bored and so decided to come hang round, I'm not working though!"

"That's fine, I believe you've had quite a day, Ichigo said something about shopping for a dress?"

"Yeah, I love it! It's weird, I was having a rubbish day and then I found out my dad was home, then they brought me this great dress and now I'm here talking to you guys! My day just got better!" She had the biggest smile and looked truly happy; it was different to the Ebony Keiichero had seen in the morning. She walked over and threw herself on the chair.

"I tell you though; it's been one of the longest! Ano…where's Shirogane?"

"Oh…uh…not here, he had to go see somebody about something!"

"I thought you said he was walking around sulking all day, why are you all being so weird?"

"We're not…he's not really seeing somebody about something…he's in the lab just working really hard and we thought if we told you that you'd bother him, sorry for lying to you,"

"No it's fine, I'm used to being lied to…and you were right I probably would've gone to bother him, but just because it's fun to tease him, but because you said he's so busy I might as well leave him just this once,"

"Arigato, I'm sure he'll appreciate that Ebony," Keiichero said with a smile.

"Well I'm going now; I've seen everyone and done everything I wanted…apart from talk to Shirogane…" Ebony said as her head drooped slightly.

"Ebony…" Then her head jerked up and she starting waving her hands in front of her face smiling.

"Really it's nothing…it wasn't that important, it's just we made up over the phone and I felt like just seeing him properly and hearing his voice in person…but it's no big deal, I'll just see him when I come back to work, seriously no big deal!"

"No Ebony, you can go and see him, just don't mention anything about tomorrow, what Ichigo has said, if she's asked you anything, I don't want him to know that I told you he asked if you were okay,"

"Uh…sure, tomorrow is a no-no! But what's wrong with tomorrow?" She said slyly knowing it was her birthday.

"It's a delicate subject with Shirogane I just wouldn't mention it, okay?"

"Fine, fine I won't mention it," With that she walked down the stairs to the lab.

"I can't believe I forgot that…"

"You forgot what Keiichero?"

"Well I don't think Shirogane's been sulking just because he had a fight with Ebony today, because as well as Ebony's birthday tomorrow is…"

"Tomorrow is what…?"

"April 23rd, the day Akito visits Shirogane…with Anzu," Ichigo was the only one how knew that this meant, Ebony had told her the whole story.

"Oh no…and the whole party is all organised and everything, how could you forget that Keiichero, did Shirogane not mention it or something?"

"I'm sorry, we can't stop the party now, he'll already be depressed tomorrow, but if Ebony breaks up with him because she thinks he didn't get her a gift…oh no, oh no, oh no!"

"We have to tell Shirogane about the party! Or at least let Ebony give him hints!"

"Somehow I think they'll sort it out in the lab, we'll just calm down and if the worst comes to the worst, I'll say me and Ryou shared in getting her present,"

"Okay good idea!"

"Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day…" Keiichero muttered under his breath.