Disclaimer: I own Tokyo Mew Mew. I'm also Bill Gates, I'm the Queen of Kishtopia, I come from Pluto—what? Don't you believe me?

"Hey, Ichigo," Ryou said to the girl, slipping his arm around her waist.

Ichigo jumped a little, and then remembered to force a smile onto her face. "Hey Ryou," she replied, falsely cheerful, putting an arm stiffly around his shoulders.

God, she wished things had been different. She wished that Kish had—lost, and he had, but that Masaya had soundly beaten Ryou. Sometimes it seemed that she spent the time with Ryou checking her watch, wanting to hurry the date, to slip out and meet Masaya in the darkness. But even then, lately that had lost its appeal. Ichigo was certain that it was merely because she didn't get to see Masaya much, and never was she able to see him alone in the daytime. Ryou didn't trust her enough to let her.

"Hm?" she said, realizing that Ryou had said something. "Sorry Ryou, I didn't catch that." She bowed slightly in apology, which gave the added benefit of being able to slip away from his arm.

"I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight," Ryou reiterated, smiling a little.

"Oh—sure," Ichigo agreed. "I'll have to be home by ten though, you know my spastic dad." She turned her thoughts back to Masaya. She had been wondering if she ought to break up with him. This was getting a little bit too dangerous. She didn't want him to get hurt, and, to be honest she didn't trust Ryou. All right, so the older boy had never hit her or anything, but sometimes she thought it was only a matter of time before the college student lost control.

And yet… if she gave up Masaya… she'd be losing the only comfort that she had after a long, hard day of trying to seem upbeat and cheerful. She'd be losing the only person who would lend her his shoulder to cry on. Ichigo cursed the stupidity of males for getting her into this situation, knowing she was being unfair, but not caring.

As Ichigo walked home after staying for dinner at Ryou's house, she took her usual detour. She slipped into the shadows and walked the long way home, then ducked to the left side of the back porch. Sure enough, Masaya was waiting, bathed in shadow, the way he always was.

"Hey Masaya," she said, relief evident in her voice. God, she hadn't known how low she'd been feeling until she saw him!

"Hello Ichigo," Masaya said sweetly. "You had a trying day, I take it? You can tell by your voice." Masaya put a hand on her shoulder. "I think I can cheer you up a little," he offered with a wicked grin.

Ichigo turned red as she realized what he was thinking. Still, they'd been together for a long time, and it wasn't like she hadn't hoped this would happen someday… "If Ryou finds out—" she began—

"How would he find out? Is he stalking you?" Masaya asked. He glanced over his shoulder to see… the wall of Ichigo's house.

"No—no, I don't think so," Ichigo admitted.

"Well then," began Masaya, "what are you waiting for?"

Ichigo shrugged and eased the back door open silently. Maybe all the excitement from her relationship with Masaya wasn't all gone. "My dad's home, so we'll have to be quiet. Come in, come in, just keep the noise down." Masaya followed her in, and the door closed behind them with a nearly inaudible click.

Authoress: stabs Masaya with screwdriver Die you evil cheating bastard!

Masaya: But then the fic will be incomplete…

Well, the first part, the battle for Ichigo, is over. We are on to the second part, which will be titled as it unfolds. I thankies all my reviewers, please keep them coming!