I shall call this chapter "Departures". I imagine you want to find out what happens next, so I won't bore you with another one of my pointless intros. Next chapter—if there is one—will have an intro, though. Okay, here you are! BTW—Chapter is rated T for mild gore and violence.

Kisshu and Ichigo shot toward Deep Blue, Ichigo jumping up and soaring. Then, she and Kisshu exchanged a glance and nodded. Ichigo pulled up, holding out her weapon. Kisshu continued forward, his swords hitting Deep Blue's with a loud clang. Kisshu and he both glared daggers at each other, then Kisshu pulled back and started swinging at him. He hit back so each time the swords crashed against each other, hurting Ichigo's ears. She made no complaint, however, and was waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Ribbon Minto Echo!"

"Ribbon Lettuce Rush!" Kisshu jumped away from Deep Blue, but the attacks were blocked with ease.

"Ribbon Zakuro Spear," Zakuro cried, coming up behind him. He whirled, throwing up a shield again, while Mint let loose one of her arrows. It shot over his shoulder since he moved to the side and she hissed. He turned, preparing to attack her, but Tsikiko stopped him.

"Ribbon Tsuki Shower," Tsikiko yelled. He gasped, jumping away, and Ichigo attacked.

"Ribbon Strawberry Flight!" He dodged again, smirking.

"This is hopeless! We need him to stay still," Koro shouted, aiming at Deep Blue's head. He shot and Deep Blue dove away. He locked on and shot again. This time, the attack hit him in the back of the head, sending him flying forward. However, it wasn't enough to get him down and he got back to his feet, wiping a small bit of blood from the side of his cheek. He glared at them while Koro looked at the others, sweating.

"I'll deal with that problem," Jet said, swinging his grappling hook from side to side. They nodded and started to attack again.

"Ribbon-"

"Minto Echo!"

"Pudding Ring Inferno!"

"Lettuce Rush!"

"Zakuro Spear!"

"Tsuki Shower!"

"Fuu Shi Sen!" Tart and Pai both shot lightning at Deep Blue while Jet swung his grappling hook around. It pinned Deep Blue's arms to his sides and he gasped, struggling against it, then yelled in pain as the attacks all hit him in the chest. He staggered, but remained standing, panting in pain.

"It's over, Deep Blue," Kisshu growled. "You're finished. Ichigo, would you mind doing the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure, Kisshu," she said, flashing him a quick smile. Then, her face hardened and she jumped into the air. "Ribbon Strawberry FLIGHT!" Deep Blue cried out in pain as the attack hit him, and then his body slowly disintegrated, leaving an unconscious Aoyama to fall on the ground. Ichigo gasped, running to his side.

"Aoyama-kun," she cried. She didn't care for him as her boyfriend any longer, but she did care for his safety. "Are you okay? Aoyama-kun! Wake up!"

"We won!" Pudding shouted happily. Pai and Tart grinned at each other while Kisshu smiled at Ichigo, then his face creased in confusion and concern. He hated the human that had threatened to steal Ichigo's heart, but since Ichigo still cared for him he would try not to kill him... unless he did something unreasonable. Jet and Koro grinned while Mint and Zakuro smiled broadly. Tsikiko had hurried over to Ichigo's side and was hugging her hard. She was laughing, but looking down at Aoyama in concern. Shirogane smiled at them, then narrowed his eyes at Aoyama.

"We should get him to a hospital," Lettuce said, changing back and dashing over to the two of them.

"And say what? This isn't something that we can explain to the public," Shirogane said, crossing his arms. The victory's effect seemed to have worn off on him. He leaned against a tree, looking indifferent. "We'll have to take him back to the cafe and hope that we can come up with enough of an explaination to satisfy him."

"O-okay," Ichigo said. "Tsikiko, let's go!" She started to reach for her sister but Kisshu grabbed her arm. She started and turned to him. His eyes told her that he wasn't going to let her go, but also flashed affection. She could now understand his uncertainty at letting her go, and then she flashed him a smile.

"I love you, Kisshu. He doesn't mean as much to me anymore," she whispered to him, leaning over and giving him a quick kiss. She and he both smiled at each other and Tsikiko stared at the two, then took Ichigo's hand. She pulled back from Kisshu and nodded at the others. They came over and latched on, then Kisshu took Ichigo's shoulder. She looked at him inquisitively and he gave her a look that said he'd explain later. Then, they teleported back to the edge of the forest. Akasaka grinned at them but frowned at Aoyama. Masha was floating over his shoulder, bobbing up and down.

"We should hurry in case he wakes up," he stated. Ichigo nodded and Shirogane reached out. Akasaka took his hand and they teleported back to the cafe, where Pai and the others were already waiting. Pai glanced at Kisshu disapprovingly and he shrugged, laughing nervously.

"You go deal with Aoyama," Kisshu said to the others. "We have some... er... business... to take care of. I'll keep Ichigo safe," he said, sensing Tsikiko's nervousness. She looked at Ichigo for permission and Ichigo nodded. She nodded back and motioned for her friends to follow, which they did nervously. Ichigo stood straight at Kisshu's side and he held onto her hand tightly, reassuring her. Ichigo stared at Pai, who looked back at her.

Once the others were out of earshot, Ichigo spoke. "You're taking me back, aren't you?"

"We're going to decide that now," Pai told her. "We initially came to this planet for Deep Blue's purposes. He said that once he was revived he would wipe out the humans on this planet so that we could settle on it again. I'm not sure that was his motive now, and anyway we have made our choice."

"The only thing that can save our planet is the Mew Aqua," Tart said, crossing his legs in midair. "And you guys won't give any of it up." Ichigo's heart started to race when she realized what they were implying.

"If we had some Mew Aqua, at least ten drops, then we could save our planet," Jet said.

"But the Mew Aqua is scattered across this planet," Koro added. Ichigo was thinking and it must have shown because Pai snapped his fingers at her to get her attention. She jumped and looked at him again.

"Do you know where we can find the Mew Aqua? Because if you don't, we'll take you again," Pai said expressionlessly. Ichigo gulped and looked back at the cafe.

"I, personally, don't, but Ryou and the others might. I could ask them if they know where any is," she said nervously. Pai exchanged a glance with Kisshu, who nodded.

"Kisshu will go with you in case you decide to pull something funny," he said, nodding at Kisshu. He grinned and turned, gently tugging Ichigo back to the cafe. She smiled and started running, realizing that she hadn't seen the inside in a while. She laughed, throwing back the doors and looking around inside. Everything seemed the same and Lettuce smiled at her.

"Feels good to be back, doesn't it?" she asked.

"You don't know the half of it, Lettuce," Ichigo said, sighing happily. She glanced to the side and noticed Kisshu. She put on a determined face and walked through the cafe.

"Where's Shgirogane?"

"In the guest room with Aoyama." Lettuce seemed uneasy at the presence of Kisshu when he wasn't attacking, but made no comment against him. Ichigo nodded her thanks and hurried into the back of the cafe to the guest bedroom. Lying on the bed was Aoyama, still unconscious. Shirogane and Akasaka were talking near his bedside and looked up when Ichigo and Kisshu walked in. Shirogane glared at Kisshu and Ichigo sighed.

"Listen, do you know where we can find a lot of Mew Aqua?" Ichigo asked. Akasaka and Shirogane exchanged horrified glances. "I know that you think I've gone over to their side, but the only reason why they were going for the Mew Aqua before was to revive Deep Blue, and then destroy the life on the planet. But now they've realized that they can restore their planet with the Mew Aqua. And they said that they won't let me go unless we give them the Mew Aqua."

They exchanged glances and then Akasaka nodded. "I'll go and see if I can detect and energy signature," he said, going downstairs. Ichigo nodded and started to follow him, but Aoyama moaned. She froze and turned toward him, seeing that he was waking up.

"Oh, shoot! Kisshu, come on," Ichigo hissed, grabbing Kisshu's arm and starting to pull him away, but Kisshu wouldn't let her. She pleaded with her eyes but he smirked cockily, and she knew what he wanted her to do. She sighed in exasperation and nodded. Then, Aoyama's eyes opened and he sat up with a gasp. He looked around fearfully and then blinked, his eyes finally coming to rest on Ichigo and Kisshu.

"Ichigo!" he said. He narrowed his eyes at Kisshu. "Why is he there with you? What's going on?"

"You passed out on the street," Shirogane said quickly. "We didn't think that you really needed to go to the hospital, so we brought you here. Hope that's okay."

"Yeah, it's fine," Aoyama said, then turned to Kisshu and Ichigo. "What's going on?"

"Um, Kisshu, would you mind leaving?" Shirogane asked, sensing Ichigo's hesitation. He glared but nodded, stepping out of the room. "I'll leave you two alone."

"Ichigo...?" Aoyama started, uneasy, but Ichigo sighed, sitting down in a chair next to his bed.

"Aoyama-kun, I'm sorry," she said, looking away. Kisshu pressed his ear to the door, trying to hear, while Shirogane stared at him disapprovingly.

"You are really too possessive," he said. Kisshu ignored him. "Ichigo's gonna get annoyed with that."

"I don't care. She's mine anyway. Now, blondie, would it kill you to leave me alone?" Kisshu snapped. Shirogane glared at him and leaned against the wall.

"I don't trust you. That said, I'm gonna stay here to make sure that you don't go and kill Aoyama." Kisshu hissed and glared, then floated up in the hallway.

"Ichigo, what are you sorry for?" he asked with a smile, walking over and giving her a hug. She sat there stiffly and he pulled back. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry," she said again. "I've lied to you from the start. I never... all those times that I cancled because of work... most of those were because I'm... I'm..."

"You're not in love with me?" he asked. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, realizing that that was part of the reason now.

"No, not that... It was all because I'm a Mew Mew," she whispered. His eyes widened and then he gasped, a memory rushing back. He stared at his hands, pupils tiny with shock.

"I... I was..." he stammered, looking up. Ichigo was looking away, not realizing what was happening. "I was Deep Blue," he breathed. Ichigo's eyes widened and her head snapped toward him. Then, his chest started to glow. He and Ichigo both gasped, prompting Kisshu to teleport in. He stared at the two, eyes wide. Then a medium sized blue orb appeared in the air above Ichigo. She stared at it in shock, then her body began to glow blue in response.

"Mew Aqua?" she whispered. Kisshu's eyes were the size of dinner plates.

"Sore wa... Mew Aqua?" Aoyama gasped. Then, he convulsed.

"Aoyama-kun," Ichigo screamed as his hand snapped toward her. Kisshu gasped, teleporting to her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her away, and his hand flew through the place that it had been. Aoyama screamed and Shirogane rushed in, followed swiftly by Akasaka.

"There is an enormous—Mew Aqua?" he gasped. Kisshu's Sais appeared and he pushed Ichigo behind him. She stared at Aoyama in shock, peering over Kisshu's shoulder. She gritted her teeth and her feet lifted from the floor.

"Ichigo?" Shirogane gasped. She grinned, holding out her hand. A golden light started up from it and then solidified in the form of a new pendant. Ichigo's hand closed around it and she brought it to her lips. They softly brushed against it and she transformed.

"Mew Mew Tsubasa Strawberry, METAMORPHOSIS," she cried, then she was standing in her battle outfit. She grinned at Kisshu and then turned to Aoyama. He was clutching his chest, clearly trying to resist something.

"Ichigo! He's trying to—take me over," he gasped out, trying to keep Deep Blue at bay. "Onegai," he rasped. "kill me now." Ichigo's eyes were saucers and she shook her head in disbelief. "Hayaku! Koroshite!"

"Demo-"

"Do it! Or he'll kill you!" Kisshu looked at Ichigo helplessly and then pleaded with Shirogane.

"Don't let her look," he said, turning away. Ichigo stared in shock and shook her head, starting to reach out to make Kisshu stop, but Shirogane grabbed her arms. She shook her head, tears in her eyes.

"Ichigo, it'll be okay," Aoyama coughed. "I'll always be with you... in your heart, Ichigo. I love you."

"Aoyama-kun," she sobbed, trying to get to him, but Shirogane kept her right there. She sank to her knees, sobbing, and he wrapped his arms around her, shielding her face on purpose. Kisshu stepped forward, looking at Aoyama. His Sais were gripped tightly in his hands and he glared down at Aoyama. Aoyama looked up, squinting, and then gasped. His face paled and pointed ears grew from his own. Kisshu's eyes widened as the blue robe appeared on his body and then the person smirked, getting to his feet. Deep Blue stared at Kisshu, who took a step back, then glared.

Quickly, before the sword appeared, Kisshu dove forward, Sais out, and the with a yell plunged them into Deep Blue's chest. Deep Blue yelled in pain and sank to his knees while Ichigo sobbed, then realized that the voice wasn't Aoyama's. She stiffened and looked over her shoulder, catching sight of Deep Blue. She gasped, struggling. Shirogane released her in surprise and she got to her feet shakily.

"I'll put an end to your suffering, since I don't want Aoyama-kun to be in pain," she whispered, wiping her eyes. He stared at her, then coughed up blood. Ichigo looked away, then her face hardened.

"RIBBON STRAWBERRY FLIGHT," she screamed, eyes closed. Deep Blue shouted in pain, and then his body disintegrated. This time, no other body fell from his place. Aoyama was dead.

Ichigo sank to her knees and sobbed for her old boyfriend. She couldn't believe that she had just helped kill him. She let out a wail, and Kisshu knelt next to her. He pulled her into a hug and she sobbed, sobbing into his chest. He looked grave, holding her to his chest in sadness. "I'm sorry, kitten. I didn't wanna kill him... but I would do anything to keep you safe." She nodded, not trusting her voice, and then a high pitched noise filled the room.

Ichigo and Kisshu looked up and Kisshu let her go suddenly. She didn't notice, getting to her feet slowly. She reached her arms up, and then the orb of Mew Aqua floated over to her. It touched her hands, then split into two. She sobbed, more tears falling. She pressed one to her chest and held the other one tightly. She turned to Shirogane and Akasaka, who both were staring at her with wide eyes. Tsikiko and the others burst into the room then, and stared at her.

"Ichigo," Tsikiko cried, diving for her sister, then realized that something was wrong. She sniffed, holding out a ball of Mew Aqua.

"We can use this to restore the Earth," she said softly, handing it to her sister. Tsikiko's eyes were wide and the took the ball, pressing it to her own chest. Ichigo then turned to Kisshu, who was looking at her happily. "You need it to fix your planet. Make it perfect," she said with a sniffle, then smiled. Kisshu's smile widened and he pulled her into a hug, the Mew Aqua ball pressed between the two of them. "Promise me you'll come back to visit," she said.

"You're not coming?" he asked, his ears drooping. She shook her head.

"I need to stay here with my family and friends," she said softly. "I can't come with you."

"Please, Ichigo?" he asked, looking like a child that had just been told Christmas and his birthdays had been canceled. "I need you to come with me! Please!"

"I'm sorry, Kisshu," she whispered. "Now is just too hard." Pai and the others teleported in to see what was wrong, then saw the Mew Aqua. Pai's face lit up and Tart yelled in happiness, jumping at Pudding. She laughed, hugging him back.

"You guys can live on your planet now, na-no-da! No more fighting," Pudding smiled. He nodded, then caught sight of Kisshu. He looked at him, then Ichigo, and realized the problem. His face fell. He hated the old hag, but he knew that she meant the world to Kisshu.

"Can't you please come? Just for a while? And then, as soon as things are returned to normal, we can come back and live here?" he asked. Ichigo hesitated. That offer was tempting. She looked at Tsikiko, who turned to the other Mew's. They all looked unsure, then Lettuce smiled.

"I think it's a good idea! Maybe we could all go. I think that Tsikiko should, at least, and maybe Pudding if Tart wants her to go," she said. Pai blushed a little and Kisshu smirked at him(Breezyfeather: Ooh, Pai, let me read your fortune! gets out magic ball

Pai: *looks uneasy*

Breezyfeather: I see blackmail in your future!

Pai: That's a cabbage, and I could have predicted that.). Tsikiko bit her lip and looked at Ichigo, then she nodded. "Ichigo, if you promise to come back," she said, but Ichigo flung herself at her sis and they fell over.

"Thank you, Tsikiko," she cried, still crying. Tsikiko smiled and hugged her tight, then they let go. "I'll be back soon you guys," she said, wiping her eyes. Mint looked at Ichigo and then, suddenly, pulled her into a hug.

"If they hurt you even a little I'll kill them," she said, then stepped back. Pudding and Lettuce enveloped her in a hug next, which she returned. Zakuro came last and pulled back with a grin. Ichigo smiled through her tears and nodded at Shirogane and Akasaka. Shirogane looked indifferent while Akasaka nodded at her with his usual smile.

"Give me a call before you come back, Ichigo," he said. "And I'll bake you a special cake."

"Thanks, Akasaka-san," she said, then turned to Kisshu.

"Ready to go?" he asked. She nodded, reached out with her hand. He took it and smiled at her. She smiled back, then closed her eyes.

"Wait! Can Pudding come too?" Tart asked. Pudding's face lit up and she flung herself at him. He yelped, falling over. Ichigo stared, then laughed softly, but stopped because sadness welled up inside.

"If she wants," Pai said irritably, looking at Lettuce. She blushed and looked away.

"Will Lettuce-oneechan watch Pudding's siblings, na-no-da?" Pudding asked, looking at Lettuce. She nodded with a grin.

"Don't worry!"

"Okay!"

"Okay, now we can go, right?" Koro said excitedly. Kisshu nodded. Ichigo smiled at her friends, giving them a thumbs up.

"I'll look after Pudding," she said.

"That makes us all feel a little bit better, Ichigo," Mint said, then Kisshu teleported them to their ship.

"It'll be a few minutes until we get this thing off the ground. Just sit tight... maybe buckle up?" Kisshu said, pointing to a row of seats in one corner of the room. Ichigo took Pudding's hand and they walked over there, sitting down. Ichigo was still crying silently and Pudding wrapped her arms around her friend, her usual hyperactive-ness dulled by their departure. Tart was floating near the others, helping to flip switches and stuff. Finally, the ship roared to life.

"Hang on," Pai said, taking the controls. Ichigo nodded, helping to strap Pudding in. They grasped hands tightly in fear and Ichigo wiped her eyes, trying to take control of her sadness. Then, the ship lurched. Ichigo and Pudding gasped as they felt the ship pull away from the Earth. Pudding's eyes were wide in curiosity and fear while Ichigo had her eyes squeezed shut, thinking about Tsikiko and Aoyama.

Then, with another sharp lurch, they hurtled toward the atmosphere. Ichigo and Pudding were hanging onto each other for dear life, and then the ship evened out. They were on their way.

"Okay, this not going to be the last chapter. I still have to show what their planet is like now and how they fix it, and then if they go back. IF," Breezyfeather says.

"You mean you'll have me break a promise? Gee, thanks a lot," Ichigo muttered, walking away. Breezyfeather sweat drops, then turns to the computer screen with a sigh.

To my pal Tgbwe: sorry that we ended up on different teams for the new school year, but we'll always remain this close, right? Hope that's the case. And Tgbwe and zetta 13 13s, you two maybe kinda ditzy sometimes, but you guys mean a lot to me and I hope that we can remain close friends(To my other friends-doesn't feel safe to mention your real names, but know that you guys mean a lot to me, too. I just shouted out to them because they were the only two that I know of that have a .net account.) Have a great rest of August, people.