Hi all! Sorry for the slight delay, but I wrote this up as quickly as I could. I was updating my other story, Starlight. Anyway, as a very grateful thanks for once again reviewing past the expected number of reviews, here's the newest chapter. The whole mall scenario is going to end up longer than I expected, so it will probably take around 3 chapters to complete. But here's the first part, I hope you enjoy.

There was a slight change in writing style in this chapter, so I hope you'll forgive me! It was partially because I was trying to move along the story so I focused more on the character's thoughts than the surroundings. Anyway, as I've decided to split this up into multiple chapters, I'll probably revert back to the previous style of writing.

Same rules apply, 3+ reviews before the next update. Enjoy the read!

Chapter 10: Let the Games Begin!

"Hey MINT!" Ryou watched as the speaker ran over to the group of people waiting for them, her bright flaming hair bouncing up and down with almost as much vigor as the strawberry herself. Mint had been tapping her foot impatiently and staring down at her watch, but she brought her head up at the sound of the girl's voice.

The blue-haired Mew wasn't staring at the girl who was hopping happily along to make her way towards them though. The Lorikeet was staring straight at him. That's right, she was staring at the calm Ryou who stood silently aside, wearing just the most peculiar expression. It was that damn knowing smirk again. The one she had been flaunting around him lately as if gloating that she knew something he didn't.

The blond ignored the uncomfortable feeling of Mint's gaze, trying to look for something else to focus on. He turned his attention back to the redhead, not particularly because he wanted to but just because the strawberry somehow always easily caught his attention. He brought a hand against his forehead as he continued his thoughts despite the risk of another headache. And that was because, he reasoned to himself, that the strawberry was just the type of baka to attract attention with her idiotic behaviour.

The redhead lunged forward, ignoring the silent Ryou behind her as she cheerfully hopped onto her best friend. "Shopping!" she squealed in utter excitement. The blond watched her in disbelief. That girl was truly slow; why hadn't she been this excited when she was first invited? Was this the result of the delayed workings of her mind? Well, being an idiot did have its perks as Ryou was quite certain that the redhead had completely forgotten about her troubles.

"I LOVE YOU MINT!" The redhead hopped up once again, landing herself a few inches from the ground as she clung onto the girl who wore a strained expression. Then, suddenly becoming very serious, the strawberry turned her head to Mint, not yet releasing her from her death grip and asked: "You're paying for everything right?"

"You seem happy." A surprised blond heard someone whisper to him. Keiichiro had shuffled through the crowd and made his way toward Ryou. The oblivious Ryou hadn't even heard him approach, but he managed to hide the surprise in his lack of awareness, fighting off a groan as he considered whether this was an effect of hanging around the baka for too long. He turned around to glare at the brunet; how dare him for approaching him as if they were still friends.

"My oh my. No need to be like that Ryou. I was just making a comment about your smile." The brunet gave him a warm grin. "Besides, I haven't seen that in awhile." He spoke gently as a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. Keiichiro could not resist the need to point out the simple fact to the clueless Ryou whom he was always watching out for despite knowing the stubborn blond's wishes, but he retreated back beside Lettuce and Zakuro after speaking, understanding that Ryou was in no mood to listen to him.

Smile? The confused blond brought a hand to his lips, tracing the corners that were slightly curved up. When had he started smiling? In fact, when did he ever smile? He forced the sides of his mouth back down into a straight, unrevealing line.

"Me too, me too na no da!" By the time Ryou turned his attention back at the scene, Pudding had climbed on to Mint's back as well. He knew that look on her face – the strained expression of supreme annoyance. It was a look he often got with his strawberry. Wait did he say his strawberry again?

"So why are you suddenly so cheerful?" Mint said to the hyper redhead who had just released her after shaking off the monkey girl, but the speaker clearly turned her gaze towards the slightly dazed Ryou.

He groaned slightly from behind the huddled crowd. He was always a bystander, choosing to watch rather than take part in anything, yet this annoying little bird somehow managed to change that lately ever since she began watching him more carefully.

"Hm?" Ichigo cocked her head to one side placing a finger thoughtfully against her cheek. "What are you talking about?"

"Ichigo," Mint replied exasperated as she rolled her eyes at the clueless girl. "Remember why we're here?"

"MINT!" Ryou hissed through his teeth, joining the huddle as he sent a piercing glare at the Lorikeet. Oh goodness. For all her act of being high and mighty, even the conniving girl had times when she slipped. This of course only made the genius feel even worse, since he had been already been bested by Mint on more than one occasion. "Don't remind her." He had made his way beside the strawberry's best friend, bringing a hand up beside her ears as he whispered the words.

Catching the redhead's gaze, he suddenly dropped his hand and stiffly looked away from Mint. The strawberry was giving him the strangest look, though he couldn't quite make out what it was.

But the look soon disappeared as the redhead began to speak, her expression dropping just slightly. "Oh...yeah." Ryou turned to glare at Mint, who only looked at him apologetically. No sooner did Mint do that, which in itself was very uncharacteristic of her, did she revert back to herself, eyes suddenly growing wide as she had caught on to something. She turned back to Ryou and whispered. "Why do you care?"

The redhead's expression seemed to drop just a bit more when Ryou saw her watching them. He was about to turn around and reply to the very nosy Mint that of course he wouldn't want the strawberry to be reminded – that was the whole purpose of this god forsaken trip to which he had agreed to despite his utter revulsion at the idea of shopping with girls. Wait no, that would not have been a good thing to say to Mint as she would only take it in the wrong way even if it was true. But why had he come?

Well of course he was somewhat concerned over the poor girl, but that didn't suggest anything beyond that. Ryou was not a heartless guy after all and having seen the strawberry in her distressed state, he just had to help her out because he was just that kind of person and not because he was in love with her.

Oh right, and there was that whole issue with Keiichiro in which he must absolutely stop the strawberry. Yes, yes, yes. That had been it; to protect Keiichiro at all costs, even if it meant going shopping with girls. He shuddered just slightly at the thought, but was reminded of the pleasant breakfast he just had with the redhead. Okay, so maybe just maybe, he did kind of enjoy it, but that didn't count as shopping. The image of redhead kicking the window was just a tad bit amusing, as he recalled the pile of pathetic girls on the ground. Certainly, none of them were half as spunky as his – no, the – strawberry. At this point, Ryou shook his head slightly at the idea of enjoying breakfast with the girl but to no avail since in the next instant, he recalled the brief sensation of the contact of her hands and gave a slight involuntary shiver.

"Shirogane?" Oh god. When did the baka get so close? He could feel his ears getting warm.

Ryou raised a finger against her forehead, flicking her away from him.

"OWIE!" She pouted as she covered her now red forehead with a hand. "And I was just going to ask you if you were cold too." She grumbled.

"Baka why the hell would I be cold? The mall has the heat blasted up on high." He snapped.

"Well cuz you couldn't have been shaking in fear right?" She crossed her arms as she glared at him. "And it was just the oddest thing to see someone smiling and shivering at the same time."

Say what? Ryou stared at her. He was smiling again? Why the hell can't he even tell anymore? That idiot really had some incredible powers, spreading her baka-ness so quickly. It was like his body was moving on its own lately and his mind couldn't keep up with his actions, which in itself was difficult to believe considering he was a genius. But alas, his quick-witted mind was slowing melting away into the idiocy of the infectious Baka Strawberry Syndrome.

And he was certain it would only get worse since they had just made a pact a few moments earlier. He lifted two hands to support his drooping head, pressing into his temples.

"You okay, Shirogane?" The voice of the redheaded Mew was uncertain, with a trace of concern. He turned towards the speaker, stirring slightly at the tone of her voice. Oh God, when'd she get so close again?

"J-Just dandy." He stumbled back a little while he attempted his sarcastic tone. Then recovering his calm demeanor, he stuck his foot out just slightly in front of the girl who walked beside him as they made their way after the others.

THUD!

"OW!" Ichigo was sprawled across the cold shiny floor of the mall, facing down. Keiichiro and the Mews who had been walking ahead, now turned around at the sound. The redhead scrambled to her feet as Lettuce ran over to help her while Pudding and Mint forcefully shoved Keiichiro towards the fallen girl. Zakuro made no motion to approach them as she remained calmly detracted from the utter madness that was her friends.

Ryou looked down at the glaring girl. So that had been a little mean, even for him, but it must be done. It would seem strange to the Mews if he had started getting along with the strawberry, which he still hadn't, and the only way for their plan to work on Mint was if they had acted perfectly normal in front of the others – normal in their usual arguments and antics. And while Ryou had told himself this was the reason he had intentionally tripped the baka, he honestly hadn't been thinking at all when he had done it; he only knew that he had to settle the strange and inexplicable erratic thumping of his heart.

Still, his point was valid – if he hadn't done something to get the strawberry screaming at him again, he might start acting nice to her again. Ryou shuddered at the recollection of helping the redhead's uninjured foot at the diner, when his body had somehow once again taken over before he realized what he was doing. And of course, being the quick-witted man that he was, he managed to pass it off as practice for the upcoming plans for Mint.

Ryou's expression was blank as he watched Pudding push Ichigo right into Keiichiro, before the light orange-haired mew suddenly turned around and stuck her tongue at him.

"Um..." the redhead looked away from the brunet who stopped her fall, compliments of that monkey girl. Her furry cat ears and tail were quite visible, to the blond's extreme annoyance and to the Mews' satisfaction. "Sorry about that Kei-kun."

The blond winced at the name. Not in pain or anything, though he wouldn't admit it if it was, but just at the use of that disgustingly sappy speech.

Keiichiro had one hand wrapped around her waist and brought the other toward her face, sweeping away the stray strands of ruby hair that covered her reddened forehead. Then he lowered his head just slightly...

The Mews gasped in shock.

Ryou stared at them, mouth gaping despite himself as he fought off the uncontrollable twitch at his eye.

There they were, standing in the middle of the mall, right in front of the crowds of people passing by. Ichigo with her rosy cheeks and widened eyes as Keiichiro carefully planted a light kiss on her forehead.

Ryou clenched his hands. WHAT THE HELL did that annoying Keiichiro think he was doing to HIS girlfriend? Okay, okay, okay. He breathed out. His pretend girlfriend, and only when they were in front of Mint, but still girlfriend nonetheless. And what the hell did the strawberry think she was doing?

He stomped his way towards the two, ready to give Keiichiro a piece of his mind. He had warned him time and time again to leave the baka alone, but here he was, completely ignoring his warnings as he kissed the girl.

The blond pulled Ichigo by the shoulder away from the brunet as he prepared to take a swing at the kind chef.

Luckily for Keiichiro, Pudding stepped in. She had managed to grab onto Ryou's back, as she tightly locked his arm around his neck. The blond hadn't even noticed the extra weight as he had been so focused on clobbering the man who stood in front of him.

"I told boss man not to mess up our plans na no da!" She locked him in place with her arms and legs as she clung onto him. "Lettuce-neesan! Remember Mint's plan!" She whispered as the green-haired Mew walked past them, completely ignoring the struggling Ryou. He did, however, see a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks as she brushed by them.

He watched helplessly as Lettuce approached the pair, bringing Ichigo's hand into Keiichiro's. Ryou didn't particularly care what the Mews had planned, though he couldn't help but be curious. Whatever strange thoughts of the girl being his girlfriend --shudder shudder-- earlier, was only a momentary lapse in judgement. After all, he had to protect Keiichiro. It was all about protecting Keiichiro.

"Why don't you two go ahead first, we'll meet up with you guys later." Lettuce said with a strained smile. Mint looked on with a smug expression of success on her face.

Pudding finally released the blond from her grip, as she felt his body go limp. His tensed muscles had long relaxed and it had become just a waste of her extraordinary martial arts skills to restrict someone so unresisting. Quite bored of the lack of challenge, Pudding hopped off but she left one more warning. "No more messing up the plans na no da!"

Ryou gave a slight sigh of defeat. Well, it really was too bad, but he could at least fall back on his own plans – they had yet to begin. He had thought it so perfect too, but his plans were really useless if they couldn't be carried out. Patience Ryou, patience and that time will come.

The blond followed the crowd of excited Mews as they tailed Ichigo and Keiichiro closely behind. This really was ridiculous. "This is stupid." He called after the Mews as they watched Ichigo and Keiichiro enter a very girly clothing store full of pink fluff and laces.

"SHHHH" The four heads turned to hush him. Even Zakuro who had said she would refuse to play a part kept herself from view, leaning casually against a large column that blocked her from being seen. He rolled his eyes at them. Considering they were all nearly graduating high school now, other than the young Pudding and an older Zakuro, he reasoned that maybe their plan should be feared. But he really did give them too much credit for such childish ideas. He sauntered after the pair inside, not in the least bit concerned about being discovered.

Until Pudding pulled him down next to her as he had almost reached the entrance of the store. She was hiding under the large display window of pink tops and cute skirts with her back pasted to the front of the store. "Keep a low profile na no da!" she hissed as many hushed whispers could be heard from the people passing by.

He rolled his eyes at the girl. Yep, she of all people should be the one saying that. "MINT" He called over to Mint and Lettuce who were similarly hidden under the window from Ichigo and Keiichiro, but clearly visible to the group of giggling girls passing by. "This is absolutely ridiculous." Ryou Shirogane, reduced to spying with a bunch of over enthusiastic girls. Shopping with them was bad enough, but publicly humiliating himself with their stupidity and childish plans were even worse.

He pushed away Pudding, sliding out of her grip and stood up, facing the window. The strawberry had grabbed a pile of clothes with the smiling Keiichiro. "Mint! Isn't all this snooping a little beneath you?" he asked, attempting to appeal to her pride. "This was your plan? To follow them around while crawling on the dirty floor like a petty thief?"

Mint shot up from the ground, very much aghast as if she hadn't even noticed. But she ran over to Ryou, and pulled his head down from the view of the window, suddenly noticing Ichigo's gaze. "Shh for a moment." She said as she knelt on the floor beside him.

"And Pudding will you stop that?" She barked at the girl who was tugging at the blond in her anger. Ryou watched the blue-haired girl. Maybe she hadn't thought this through as much as he had anticipated. He continued speaking, noting her facial expression as he realized that he was getting to her, even if she pretended not to be affected by his words.

"And what happened to the whole change in image? This is exactly like the old strawberry." He stared at Mint expectantly.

"Alright, alright." Finally, Mint stood up, rising into the view of the window from the inside. "Change in plan girls!" she announced, composure once again restored. As much as she hated to admit it, the blond had a good point. She was not one to be found on the floor, and while setting Ichigo and Keiichiro up was part of the reason for being at the mall, she really had intended to help the girl change her image. Lettuce stood up from the other side of the entrance, as did Pudding while Zakuro stepped out.

Ryou watched the Mint who stood before him suddenly brighten up. That couldn't be good. But at least this ridiculous spying was finally over. He would have stepped away from them and gone home earlier if not for the very annoying itch that kept him there. Despite the amount of embarassment that Ryou Shirogane, the cool and sexy college heart throb, had to endure, it was really better than to leave the aggravating buzzing alone. By god, he was going to smack that fly silly rather than sit around and do nothing.

He turned his attention to the store and watched the strawberry enter the fitting rooms. Mint shuffled at her feet, as she motioned for the Mews to enter the store without her. She needed some time on her own to think, telling them that she was going to the restroom.

"Ugh, me too." Ryou said to the other Mews after Mint had gone. This was the perfect chance, wasn't it? And it was about time to fight back...

When the other Mews had entered the store, he whipped out his cell phone and texted the girl. She was still in the fitting rooms; it was the one place she couldn't be watched.

Beep. Beep. Beep. "Oh, a text message!" Ichigo exclaimed from her locked dressing room.

IT'S TIME – it read. She scrolled down, to see the number and looked at the caller id. It was from 'Idiot Boss.'

She gave a slight sigh, just adjusting her hair tied up in a high pony tail. She had just managed to get into the clothes. She wore a red tank top beneath a well fitted black jean jacket and a thick black belt wrapped around the jacket at her stomach. She turned around to admire the cute plaid skirt that she wore and the knee high black heeled boots. Ichigo smiled at the reflection. Talk about change in image; she was sure her Mew friends would freak, especially Mint. Maybe she should paint her nails black next time...

Her lips curved up into a thin smirk – it didn't look too bad on her even if it seemed a little strange at first. She had somehow managed to dig these clothes from the very pink and girly store, and she was certain that her friends, whom she saw snooping around outside, was not expecting anything like this at all. Her smirk dropped slightly as she recalled the image of Mint reaching over towards the blond's golden hair, right before they disappeared from the window. She shook her head to chase away the memory, not quite understanding the agitating sensation she felt tugging at her chest.

Oh well, it was probably nothing to concern herself over, she thought as she roughly adjusted the belt by her waist, leaning it to one side. Finally satisfied, she turned around, ready to meet with her partner in crime outside the store, only to find a very silent lavender colored cat staring up at her with his blue eyes and his mouth parted. He had managed to slip under the ankle high gap between the door and the floor.

"A- " she was about to scream if not for the hand that covered her mouth. Alto had immediately transformed back into her blond boss. Exactly how long had he been there? And...and as a kitten looking up...Oh GOD. She wanted to cry! She was wearing a skirt; of all days to wear a skirt short enough to almost approach skanky, it had to be today. The day when a perverted little kitten decided to appear at her feet and utter absolutely no sound as he had stared up for only God knows how long.

She felt her face growing warm as the fuzzy ears expectantly popped out...and that damn tail! It was riding up her skirt and from the force that it was lashing around, she was positive that her pink laced panties were visible, though he had probably already seen it. "Ah- " She still managed to utter through Shirogane's stiff hands, her tail only lashing about even more wildly at the thought.

"Shhh baka." He was staring straight at her, blue eyes unflinching though his cheeks were a little rosier than usual. He had her pinned to the wall, hands still over her mouth as he whispered. "No screaming, you'll catch everyone's attention. We're going to sneak out of here without anyone knowing and we're going on with the plan, got it? We have to hurry. Mint will be by the bathroom, so we'll find some place around there." He heaved a slight sigh, uncertain whether she could really do this. "Now I know you said no kisses, but you need to transform into a cat." He suddenly saw her eyes flicker as she suddenly tensed up. "Relax, I'll transform into Alto. Just a light tap is enough okay?" When the redhead nodded at his words, Ryou relaxed his grip and finally dropped his hand from her to transform into Alto.

The redhead calmly picked up the cat, and looked away a little uneasily as she brought him to her lips. But this was no time to worry. It was about time she showed Mint who she was messing with.

POP! Enter scheming kitty cat Ichigo.

Ahh I'm so terrible for not writing about the plans yet, but you'll get to know soon! Coming up next, Mint gets a bit of a shock and is left very very confused. Chapter 11: Payback!