I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew or its characters. I also don't own You Don't Belong by Daughtry. I only own the OCs and the plot line.

With time to kill and an empty tomb, I always find a way to pass the time with you

Dark and smoky rooms, I can hardly stand the fumes

Telling me that you mean no harm, you stand me up like a crutch, another arm

But only when I'm long gone, Have I been away too long

Chapter Nine: Flames of Memory

"Shirogane-san! Wha-what are you-how are-huh!" I yelled and questioned in surprise, confused as to how my boss could be the cat that saved me. Ryou picked himself up, brushed himself off and extended a hand to me. As confused as I was, I knew what Ryou was doing and gladly pulled myself up.

As I was about to ask how what happened was possible, Ryou started heading in the direction of the café. I raked through my thoughts and organized them. I thought about what happened and lightly touched my lips, realizing that he was an ass and just stole my first kiss. I growled in frustration. When I finally realized what to ask him, I noticed he was out of my sight.

I quickly ran to the café, but when I arrived, Ryou was no where to be seen. Keiichiro came into the room and said, "Mizuki-san, I know that you probably have many questions, so please, sit down and allow me to explain." I automatically obeyed, knowing that Keiichiro would explain thoroughly and probably why he changed, and I sat down in a seat that was between myself and Keiichiro.

"As you know, five years ago, I worked as an assistant for Dr. Shirogane, Ryou-kun's father, in the US. He was an international expert on UMAs. But then one day Ryou-kun was in his father's lab.

"Five years ago, I worked as an assistant for Dr. Shirogane, Ryou's father, in the US. He was an international expert on umas. But then one day Ryou was in his father's lab.

Flash back

"Don't touch anything inside the lab! Ryou, what are you doing?" shouted Ryou's father. Ryou had a disk and was standing in his father's lab with his dog.

"I'm culturing uma cells," responded Ryou as though it was obvious.

"Don't be silly! You don't know how to do that yet!" scolded Dr. Shirogane as he took the disk from his son's hands. He inspected the disk and whispered to himself, "This is impossible! Even I have yet to succeed…"

"It's based on your research notes. I improvised a bit, but…" Ryou paused, unsure of how to explain. "I'm going to be a scientist just like you! I don't want to just sit and inherit money, like grandpa did!"

"What?" Dr. Shirogane was appalled at what his son had just said.

"Dr. Shirogane, It's time for your tea. Mrs. Shirogane is waiting," stated a younger Keiichiro, taking the extra lab coat that Ryou had put on.

"Snack time?" questioned Ryou eagerly. Ryou took off, calling, "Let's go Daisuke!" The dog barked with enthusiasm, running after its owner.

After her left, Keiichiro commented, "He's very bright. He takes after you."

"No. He's a genius. He's above me. Maybe he'll succeed with the mew project! If he's able to introduce animal genes into humans, that will help us fight the aliens!" Dr. Shirogane said mostly to himself. "But I'm worried about getting him involved…Never mind. Forget about what I just said. I was just rambling.

"I see. Ryou said that?" questioned Dr. Shirogane's wife.

"Yes. His grandfather will be upset that Ryou isn't going to take over the family Business! Are you worried?" Keiichiro replied then questioned.

"Yes, but what can I do? Ryou is his son."

"Daisuke, what's wrong?" Ryou questioned his dog who had suddenly gotten defensive, as though he was about to strike something. Daisuke ran back to the house, barking its head off. "Daisuke!"

In a huge explosion, the house caught fire, the flames licking the sides of the house and roof. The force of the explosion caused Ryou to be blown backwards and become unconscious.

Ryou's mother started to head towards the house, or more specifically, the lab. "Ma'am! Stop!" Keiichiro called.

"Keiichiro! Please take care of Ryou. I loved having tea with you every day." As much as Keiichiro called, she wouldn't stop. The house was soon completely engulfed in flames.

That was…the last time that Ryou saw his parents.

"It's all gone. Everything." Keiichiro and Ryou stood in front of the burnt remains of the house. Ryou let go of Keiichiro's hand to pick up what was to be guessed the remains of the dog. "Ryou?"

"I'm going to Japan to complete the mew project," Ryou decided. Keiichiro was shocked that he had decided on what to do so easily. "We didn't lose everything. My father's research notes...I memorized them."

Eventually…

"It's almost complete, Ryou. All we have to do is inject these genes into five, compatible, young girls," said Keiichiro, having finally finished checking the data.

"Is this…going to be safe?" questioned Ryou, even though he was the one who did most of the research.

"Ryou, it's too late now… According to our data, it shouldn't harm the human body." Ryou loaded a gun that would insert the animal genes into him. "Ryou, don't do that!" Keiichiro called.

"Keiichiro, you'll head the research from now on. This is the final experiment," Shirogane said as he injected the formula.

"You know you won't gain special powers unless the genes are compatible. Unbelievable." Keiichiro said as he took a grey cat in his hands. "Mew project phase one, complete. I'll begin the final phase.

End of flashback

"Yes…Ryou was the guinea pig. He tested this on himself first, just to make sure. Ryou can change into a cat at will, but he won't be able to regain his human form if he remains a cat for more than ten minutes. He has vowed to protect anyone and everyone involved in the mew project. I know that you've realized he's changed, and I hope that you understand that he didn't mean to forget you and that he didn't change like this because he wanted to."

I took a moment to let the information sink in. As I thought about what Ryou went through, I remembered what it was like when I found out that my parents died. I remember my sister shouting at me and Takao getting angry with me. He always preferred Mitsuki over me. Mitsuki running outside in the storm. All of the memories of that day coming back to my mind.

I quickly shook the image out of my head and then said to myself, "Well, that explains why he's so different than how he used to be. I guess the shock probably made him forget about me…"

Most likely not knowing that what I had said was me voicing my thoughts on accident, Keiichiro said, "It's highly likely that he remembers you a bit but not enough to know if what happened actually happened or a figment of his imagination." At this, I looked up with curiosity dancing in my eyes. "You were a big part of his life since he was always smarter than the other children in his grade and you were the first person to accept him because of that. You're still the same as you are now so he likely is starting to remember you more and more." I sincerely hoped that he would remember me completely. I did find it odd though. Both of our parents died and yet we both had such different reactions to that. He became colder and more sarcastic while I had become more paranoid and prone to worrying more.

At this, I couldn't help but remember the time when we went to the park. He had run into some of his classmates there and they started to bully him. I remember being so pissed at the time. My parents were really angry with me for getting into a fight.

"If I had to guess, it seems that Ryou is trying the experiment with the chimera again."

"WHAT!"

REMADE!

~~MNRS