Chapter 14 – The In Between

Okay. I know I'm the worst person ever... I'd advise you not to be too eager to see the end. If what I've done until now is anything to go by, I'd say it's gonna take at least five years to make this :P Joking aside (or not), here's the next part, longer than I usually do, where there should be much drama.

XXX

When she woke up, Lettuce found herself tangled in Ryou's arms. She stared into blue orbs gazing at her lovingly, and completely forgot where she was. She felt at peace in his arms and couldn't seem to fathom why they were in the park in the first place. All she cared about was the warm feeling their cuddling was bringing her.

"Hey", she offered smiling shyly, not really knowing what to do.

"Hey to you too", he said as softly. "How do you feel", he enquired remembering they had been who knows where and then reappearing in the park on the ground.

"Really good", she smiled brightly.

"Good", he said as happily as she did.

Ryou was still as handsome as she remembered, and now, without the alien's power corrupting her, she could see clearly how much she had truly missed him and the others too. At that, she finally tore her eyes away from Ryou – she couldn't stop herself from saying his name that she had allowed herself this privilege – and searched for the girls. She didn't search for long, since they were all surrounding them; separating them from the aliens. Her heart also warmed at their sight. How could she have doubted those caring so deeply for her for one moment?

But then again, as it should always been, their reunion was short lived, if not inexistent. As soon as the aliens saw her waking up, they approached to ask her what had happened. However, the girls were in no way letting any of them near Lettuce after everything that happened. So in the end, they were thrown back into battle before she could say or do anything to confirm that she was, indeed, finally back. The only option left for her was to smile shyly at Ryou, who understood her thoughts, and stand beside the Mew Mews ready to fight.

The two groups were facing each other, none ready to cave in. The tension was thick, but no one moved, no one was ready to take the first step and get back into battle. In the end, the aliens – or should I say Pai – took the first step, and, as usual, taunted the Mew Mews.

"Well, well, well...", he trailed off.

All eyes turned on him, but he didn't say much more. He was fixing Lettuce with a piercing gaze. She was still, not moving from the Mew Mews' side standing in a defensive stance. It seemed she had gone back to her human side, and, even though he was supposed to be a ruthless alien, he was kind of disappointed to see her go. They weren't as near as his brothers and him, but she was a new addition to their own alien team and it had tipped the outcome of their search on their side. She also was his creation, it was thanks to him that she had become who she was.

"What do you want!", yelled Ichigo.

"Lettuce is on our side now!", added Minto.

"And you won't get near her as long as we're here", Zakuro said for good measure.

"Oh! We're so afraid!", Kish mocked in false fear. "What do you think you can do against us?"

"Don't think you can underestimate us!", Pudding retaliated on the defensive.

Lettuce was once again in awe in the length her friends were willing to go for her. They were putting themselves in the front line to protect her. She couldn't believe how blind she had been. Her insecurity had led her to forget and discard the girls' friendship. She was ashamed to have let the alien's to hold such a power over her and to have acknowledge it without a fight. Surely, if she had been stronger, then none of that would've happen.

'No!', she berated herself mentally. 'I won't wallow in self pity again! I will fight to defend those I love...'

Her mind now made up, Lettuce held her head up high and took a step forward aligning herself with the orders. They were now forming and impenetrable line against the aliens, each one supporting one another.

"Looks like that little fainting spell brought a change of heart, right Lettuce?", Pai said seeing Lettuce advancing.

"And what if it did?", she responded looking him straight in the eyes. "At least, now, I can see what is truly in front of me"

'I'm not blinded by my lack of confidence anymore', she thought to herself.

'She seems so graceful and fierce', Ryou mused.

Ryou looked at Lettuce in agreeable surprise. Her stance was decided and unwavering. She was still in her alien attire, but everything about her had taken a softer glow. Her dark marks had more of a blue hue than a black one and her eyes had taken a warm blue color; the ice had melted away. Ryou was also impressed by Lettuce's apparent calm and courage. She was confident in herself, and unafraid to face the alien's. Now that he had revealed – to Lettuce and himself – his sentiments, he was seeing the green haired girl in a new light. She was extremely sweet, but she still could defend herself when needed. She was standing with them ready to attack whomever would try to come between them all. She truly was a Mew Mew now.

"You don't really think you're done with us yet?", Pai threatened.

"We've already beat you many times before.", Ichigo said smugly. "What makes you think we won't do it again?"

"Then, show us what you've got!", Kish provoked the Mew Mews.

"Don't worry, we will", Zakuro replied in a low voice full of venom and doom.

Lettuce was happy to see everyone ready to defend her. However, she was tired of the fighting. She had seen what hatred and vendetta had brought on the aliens and herself. They would fight again and again until one side would kneel, and then... nothing. They would eventually become so focus on their quarrels that they would forget about their primordial quest; helping those in need – at least that was what Lettuce thought the girls did. In any case, Lettuce knew the alien's weren't as bad as they seemed: only desperate to save their people. If only they would all work together, they could bring peace to both parties and in the same time find, she was sure, a great friendship. Sure, her first reaction to the aliens when she first found out that she had been used was anger. However, on second thought, she could understand their reason and thus forgive them. This way, they would be able to began a combined search of the Blue Aqua. Yet, it seemed it wouldn't be possible in the near future.

"You will be so sorry that you haven't yielded in front of our power yet", Kish once again threatened.

"Don't be so confident!", Ichigo responded. "As I said before, we beat you so many times before, we could do it during our sleep."

"Then let's see how you manage against this", Pai smirked. "Wind Ice FAN!", he then attacked.

The Mew Mews were expecting the attack, so they separated themselves into two groups to avoid the small icy tornado. However, it seemed Pai had expected such a turn of event and the cyclone separated itself in two parts each going toward a group. Minto and Zakuro were protecting Akasaka-san while Pudding, Ichigo and Ryou were standing in front of Lettuce. They were fending off the cyclones, but the aliens were playing it dirty and were starting to approach the two groups to attack them while they were distracted. In the end, unsurprisingly, the aliens' sneaky attack didn't go unnoticed. Seeing them advance sneakily, Lettuce freed herself from her peers and took, once again, a step forward.

"STOP!", she yelled. "Everyone, please. Just stop!"

Her desperate cry rang over the small clearance, and all heads turned in her direction in surprise. As Lettuce demanded, they all stopped, however they still held defensive stances, no one trusting the other species. If they went on like that any longer, Lettuce was certain it would all end up badly, for both sides.

"What is it, now!", Pai cried out exasperated. "Really... can't we just fight? You lose. We win – "

"And then what? Each one of us go our merry way and dance in joy until the next time we meet?", Zakuro scoffed full of sarcasm.

"No, it was more along the lines of: we defeat you, and then maybe, if we're feeling compassionate, we could transform you like we did to our dear friend Lettuce.", replied the alien. "However, seeing the newly developed comportment of said Lettuce here, I don't know if it would be as useful as we once thought it was."

"It's not like we would want it anyway!", Ichigo snarled back.

She was furious at the aliens' – more precisely Kish – and fiercely trying to defend Lettuce from them. Even knowing that this heinous streak was directed at him, Kish was completely enthralled by her. The pink Mew Mew was passionate in everything she did, and, through it all, Kish couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Since the first time they had met, she had caught his heart. Now he was just searching for a way to get to her. However, every time they would meet, they would indefinitely end up fighting. But since it was his favourite part of their relationship, he was always looking forward to those meetings. So, that is why, he once again couldn't stop himself from answering her.

"Nor would we give it to you!", Kish replied hotly coming face to face with Ichigo to yell his response in her face and maybe discreetly get near to her.

And that started it all again. They all forgot about Lettuce's attempt at peace and were getting at each other's throat. The aliens and the Mew Mews faced each other in defiance. Lettuce looked at them powerless, trying furiously to find a way to stop them again. Even if both groups had accepted her – one during a short period of time – it seemed that her voice wasn't worth listening to anymore. Even though she had promised herself not to wallow in self pity again, she couldn't stop herself from doubting her importance or her self-worth. Her life resumed to nothing if she couldn't even make her supposedly friends understand her point of view. Neither could she proclaim herself as a true Mew Mew, if she also couldn't bring peace between their two groups. She only wanted to find one way for them all to get along and be friends, now that she had become herself once more, she didn't want her new resolutions to go to waste. Still, she was starting – okay, maybe not starting, but it all meant the same in the end – to feel desperate as to finding an answer to end the raging war: aliens VS. Mew Mews.

Zakuro noticed Lettuce's despair and misinterpreted it as anguish over the aliens' looming power over her. So she flew into battle in hope of getting rid of the aliens from Earth finally – all with good intentions, obviously. She then took it upon herself to take on the alien's by herself and free everyone from their hold. She broke their defensive front line, marched up right to Pai and conjured up her energy whip – in any case, the only way to kill a snake is by cutting its head off. She threw her whip towards his neck, but he caught it with his hand and pulled the Mew Mew forward. He then proceeded to get her by the neck.

"This kind of looks familiar, don't you think?", Pai mused. "However, it seems I have a different girl between my clutches this time."

He tightened his grip on the purple haired Mew Mew as it was a mere stress ball. He looked defiantly at the others as if daring them to come forward and attack all at once. In any case, Zakuro was used to fighting alone, and against Pai too. So she kicked his shin, made him trip and retreated before he could launch another attack in her direction. Once they regrouped, the girls pushed the guys behind them and advanced on the aliens calling forth their own power. The alien brothers separated themselves to surround the Mew Mews and materialized their weapons, ready to fight off the enemy. Sparks and attacks were flying everywhere. War was raging all around with Mew Mews or aliens being thrown away by a blow. At one point, Ryou, tired of assisting to it all powerless, engaged into battle with the nearest enemy, Pai, who was on the verge of attacking Mew Minto with her back to them. The outcome, as predicted by all, was not in favour to Ryou. He was sent back by one of Pai's wind attack and he fell back on the ground where the back of his head hit a rock.

Seeing such an atrocious scene – in her eyes – Lettuce, yelled out in misery running toward her newly established lover. It hadn't yet been an hour since they had revealed their sentiments and one of them was already hurt and lying unconscious on the ground. She didn't know if she had to take it as a sign about Ryou and hers relationship, but she knew that, in any case, it would be heart wrenching to lose him so soon after having him to herself for such a short period of time.

'Don't worry yourself out, Lettuce', she chided herself. 'Ryou is made tough and I'm sure he has seen worst situations before'

After an eternity – which could be proven to be mere seconds, in fact – Lettuce still didn't see Ryou move or even blink on the ground. He was laying down motionless, and her heart skipped a beat, imagining the worst. She couldn't take the pain anymore; Ryou looked like a corpse, the alien's had used her, her newfound friends were fighting their hardest because of her, no one listened to her, she couldn't even manage to bring peace to the two groups she had become the closest to... She could continue on and on forever, but it became too much for her. Her emotions of anger, sadness, pain and love took over her and the power fighting within herself overpowered her own consciousness.

She cried out in pain, sorrow and hope, when the power reached out from her and started to took form. It first appeared as a small black hole which grew and grew... It was draining everything surrounding it, from trees to breathing people. When they noticed that the battle was getting out of hand, the aliens hurriedly took their leave without saying another word.

"Cowards...", Zakuro muttered under her breath. "Lettuce, stop this!" she then tried to yell over the wind.

Akasaka-san had pulled Ryou out of the way behind the tress and was trying his best to protect him from being sucked up by the hole. In the mean time, the girls were holding to the first thing that came at hand since the wind was growing stronger and stronger. Lettuce seemed unaffected by the black hole's power, but she still didn't seem able to stop it from destroying everything. She tried many times to call forth the power that had made it appear to extinguish the hole, but nothing worked and she was as powerless as she was before when the aliens and the Mew Mews were fighting. When she finally thought she had reached the power to stop – or at least diminish – the black hole, the improbable arrived. The branch on which she was holding on cracked and then broke. She was suddenly finding herself in mid air unable to reach anything to stop her tumbling toward nothingness, and got sucked in the hole. And right at this moment, there could heard many different anguish yells coming from all over the place.

"Ichigo..."

"Ichigo – "

"Ichigo!"

"I-ICHIGO"

"ICHIGO-O...!"

"No, Ichigo!", Kish was the last to yell. He was throwing himself toward the black hole, but his brothers had appeared to stop him.

Seeing everyone's distress, Lettuce succeeded to diminish the black hole wind's power. Nevertheless, it was too late; the unthinkable had happened, and one of them was lost.

XXX

Truthfully, when his brothers had left the battlefield, Kish was reluctant to follow them. However, seeing everything they had gotten through since their parent's death, he couldn't leave them because he longed for the enemy. But then again, he was never one to follow the rules when needed be. So, in the end he left with his brothers to reappear mere meters away behind some bushes, just out of sight. They had left the Mew Mews with a black hole on their hands and he wanted to keep a close eye on the pink Mew Mew in case something happened.

Since the first time they had met, Kish had felt himself being pulled toward the Mew Mew. She was everything he dreamt of: fierce, beautiful, unpredictable, loyal, kind, and so on. Even though he didn't like to say it – but things had to be said at one point – in few words, he was stalking her. After their first battle, he had been mesmerized, and, at the first chance he got, he followed her everywhere – well almost. So, even though they had never talked nor had she shown any kind of interest except battling him – however he knew she secretly loved him – he learnt secretly about her and everything that attracted her, pained her, made her laugh, made her smile, made her yell, and so on.

He never told his brothers in much details what he was up to when he wasn't with them, but he suspected at least Pai knew as much, but didn't say anything as long as it wasn't interfering with their quest. Sure, he was throwing sharp remarks under his breath from time to time, but nothing that Pai wouldn't normally do; it just showed that he cared, somehow.

In the end, when he had seen the girls being drawn to the black hole, he was slightly anxious, but nothing too dramatic since he knew she could easily get by herself. She was strong, and even though some part of him feared for her well-being, he was always amazed at how she could come up on top of any situation. In the end, he didn't want to risk upsetting her, and he left before any of them could find him. He may loved the spark anger caused in his pink pixie, but it didn't mean he wanted it thrown in his direction. He disappeared quietly into the night not knowing what would soon unravel.

XXX

The girls were all huddled together, supporting one another through their grief. Once Ichigo had been sucked into the black they had been stuck in an impasse. They couldn't fight against the black whole since it had already gotten Ichigo who knows where, and they didn't even know if the pink Mew Mew was still alive. However, no one voiced that thought aloud not wanting to acknowledge it as a possibility. They knew they had to do something and fast, but they couldn't fathom what. However, the sun was soon to arise and even though people didn't usually wander in the area, they didn't want to risk innocents being trapped in a black hole along with Ichigo.

Lettuce had tried to reach out for something, anything; may it be a life form into the guzzling whirlwind or power to conjure something. She felt completely helpless and hopeless. Ryou was laying on the ground, still breathing, but unmoving. Akasaka-san was tending to him while the girls tried to think of some way to help Ichigo. Lettuce couldn't let herself be distracted from the task at hand, but she deeply desired for Ryou to wake up, help them and just be alright. For the moment, everything had gotten out of hand and they were useless to solve anything.

Pudding noticed Lettuce's misery etched on her face; it was present on all of them. She was thrilled when she had first realized that Lettuce had returned to normal, but then everything had gone downhill afterwards. Pudding's cheeriness was then replaced by a solemn and grave air she usually wore when the situation deemed it. She was torn between cheering for Lettuce's return and grief for Ichigo's disappearance and maybe even worse. In the end, her childish innocence took over and she held her head up high, conviction reflecting in her eyes.

"We HAVE to do something!", she said, only slight desperation pouring through her battle cry. "I KNOW we can do something!", she tried to convey all the hope she felt – she should feel.

"Oh, little one...", Zakuro said fondly patting Pudding on the head. "I know how you feel, we all do. But I don't think there is an easy answer to this problem."

Zakuro shook her head. She didn't want to dash everyone's hope, but she couldn't let them delusion themselves either. She truly wished for an answer to all their prayers, however it seemed as though there was no more options left. They would have to close the black hole and return to their fight against the aliens – to stop them once and for all. She had been alone for so long and now, after finding a family, she was going to lose it again so soon. Ultimately, she hung her head low ready to face whatever would come this way, she maybe had lost hope, but whatever the others would want to do, she would still partake in their plan.

Minto couldn't believe her ears, nor her eyes in fact. It looked as if everyone had gave up. They were the Mew Mews,not some ordinary peasants running around in short skirts. If someone had the power to save their friend and the world from cupid aliens, it was them! Ichigo may unnerve her to the point of wanting to strangle her from time to time, but it didn't mean she wanted a gurgling whirlwind to do it. Without Ichigo, they weren't the Mew Mews anymore and if they abandoned now, Minto knew they would never continue to fight without her. Even if they did, it would be out of spite and it would lead to nothing except their own destruction.

"Held your head up high and fight!", Minto yelled when she just couldn't take any more of their pitiful sight. "Ichigo is not dead until I say so. Now we have to get her out of there.", she said pointing to the windy round hole.

"Please, Minto...", Zakuro pleaded.

"NO!", Minto countered. "We cannot stay put and do nothing – "

"What do you think we have done up until now?", Lettuce cried out. "I wish as strong as you do that Ichigo was here with us!"

"Lettuce", Pudding interrupted sadly

" If only I didn't let myself be fooled by the aliens,", she continued completely ignoring the younger Mew Mew.

"Lettuce!", Minto tried in turn to stop the green Mew Mew. She was feeling guilty since she was the one who had pushed her over her breaking point.

"Or if I didn't get overpowered by them,", she almost broke down. However, she had started to beat herself up and nothing could stop her. "Or if I hadn't called this..." At this point, Lettuce was overtly crying may it be of sadness, hopelessness or anger. Everyone else was feeling her hurt, but no one could do anything to stop her.

"... this –", she spat out.

SLAP!

In the end, Lettuce couldn't finish her sentence. Having had enough of her rant, Zakuro had taken things into her own hands – literally. Lettuce was drowning into self-pity and bringing the others with her. And even though Zakuro had no more ideas on what to do, she still wasn't ready to just lay down and wait for the inevitable. She had thought the girls had more ideas or plans, but it seemed they were all stuck at the same point.

"Lettuce, little one. We all understand how you're feeling, but we're not accusing you for every little thing that happened up until now.", she comforted. "We may be in a dire situation, however everything will be alright in the end because we are all together. So please, stop blaming yourself so much"

"She is right, you know?", Pudding added. "Ichigo would think and say the same too. I'm sure of it"

"Yeah, they have a point.", Minto whispered. "It's not because of you that we are here. It's thanks to you", she said with conviction. "And I'm sorry for making you believe otherwise. Without you, we wouldn't have a reason to fight for, and we wouldn't be the family we are now."

Lettuce looked at them all. She could see the trust they had put in her, but she still had difficulty to face everything that had happened and couldn't stop the feeling of responsibility and guilt that was overwhelming her.

"They are completely right and you should entirely believe them, or me at least"

Lettuce made a sharp 360. She couldn't believe her ears, Ryou was awake. However, when she finally looked upon him, Ryou was gazing at nothing. Despite the grin adorning his face, she couldn't stop herself from tumbling forward in worry. She wanted to feel him near feeling that something was wrong. When he turned his head in her direction after sensing her movement, she could decipher no recognition in his gaze. It was as if he was blind.

XXX

When Ryou had first woken up, he could only hear voices in the background. He felt dizzy and feared that if he opened his eyes, he would blackout once again. He then took time to regain his senses thinking of all that had happened until now. He couldn't completely grasp the fact that he had finally gotten everything he wished for. Not only was Lettuce his now, but she was coming back. They would return to café Mew Mew all together as before. She would smile happily at him again, and would probably blush also when he would stare at her for too long, just taking in her beauty. She would act shy and regretful at first – there was no doubt about it – but then she would bloom with his and the Mew Mew's help. He was eager to get to this future he imagined, ready to make it become reality.

Taking a deep breath and feeling ready to face whatever had happened during his blackout, Ryou opened his eyes. At least, he thought he did. He could feel all his limbs, nothing was missing. However, when he put his hand in front of his face he couldn't see it. He approached it to his without it touching, but still near enough to feel its heat radiating. He rubbed on his eyes, blinked furiously, shook his head to the point of dizziness, but nothing would work. Whatever he did, he was still unseeing; he was blind. He was frantically rubbing his eyes, when a calm hand stopped him. At first, he thought it was one of the aliens who had found him, but then he smelled Keiichiro's scent of vanilla and pastries and sagged under the comfort of knowing he wasn't alone.

Keiichiro had had the task of looking after Ryou who wasn't in shape to fight. In fact, he wasn't in shape to do anything, he was totally out. He tried to lay him down the most comfortably possible. At least, the best he could do on hard ground. Ryou had no evident, overtly gaping and bloody injuries, so Keiichiro waited for the blond one to wake up. After a while, when nothing changed, he strayed his attention on the Mew Mews who seemed as lost as he was on what to do. However, it looked like they were soon ready to take it out on each other. When he was on the verge of getting up to stop them all from murdering each other, he heard movements beside him. He had been so worried about the girls' behaviour and the outcome of all that had happened, that he had forgotten about Ryou. When his attention was finally back on Ryou, he knew instantly something was wrong. Not only was Ryou rubbing at his eyes desperately, but he was also very silent. Keiichiro had learned that whenever Ryou was silent it usually was his way of trying to cope by himself. Not that Ryou was too proud to ask for help, but that he didn't want to bother anyone whit his problems. He had gotten used to depend only on himself or at least few people. In the end, Keiichiro tried to ease his fear, frustration, desperation or whatever he was feeling just by letting him know next to him. He knew he wasn't necessarily the one Ryou would want the most right if the looks he and Lettuce exchanged were any indication. Still, he had looked over Ryou since who knows when and he was glad that he had found happiness.

"Keiichiro", Ryou choked up.

'Well it looks like happiness is not for now...", Keiichiro thought.

"It's alright, Ryou", the older man said soothingly. "I'm right here, and the aliens are gone."

"No, you don't understand!", he yelled in a whisper. "I can't see..."

When Ryou finally moved his hand out of his face, it dawned on Keiichiro. It wasn't just a turn of phrase used to express himself, but the reality. Ryou was looking up without really looking. His eyes couldn't acknowledge anything that was happening around him. He was most definitely blind. Whatever hardships may come Ryou's way because of his condition, Keiichiro knew they would be ,any to help him and that nothing would stop the younger man from doing what he wanted to. So he took a deep breath, put a smile on – even though Ryou couldn't see it – and took it upon himself to relate the latest events that had occurred. Keiichiro wasn't sure if he was being listened to, but it got both of their minds off things and that's what they needed for now. However, half into his reenactment of events, the girls' shouts got louder. So he dropped his story when he clearly saw Ryou's deep in thoughts from Lettuce's voice.

Ryou was glad for Keiichiro's story of the past events. However, the old man seemed to think that he had to act as if on egg shells around him, and that prevented him from relating all the facts however hard they may be to accept. It was only thanks to the girls' shouts in the background that the importance of the situation dawned on him. He may have become blind, but it didn't mean he had to be sheltered. Even though Keiichiro obviously had the best intentions at heart, he had responsibilities to face. It was because of him that the girls had suddenly found themselves obligated to fight an intergalactic war. If it wasn't for him none of that would've happened and so dearly wished that Lettuce wouldn't accuse herself of all that had happened in his place. In the end, even though he wasn't in a state to do much – or anything – he still wasn't letting Lettuce wallow again in self pity. So, he step up and made himself heard.

XXX

Lettuce spent a long time just staring at Ryou. Even though Ryou hadn't said anything, she could see from Akasaka-san's face and the acknowledgement she was still waiting for from his eyes were enough of an answer. He couldn't see and that was because of her.

"Lettuce!", Ryou said almost sounding reprimanding. "This is not your fault. It should be me you blame. However, we don't have time to find a culprit, because we have to get Ichigo back some way."

"Listen to Ryou, little one. We don't blame you, we are as lost as you.", Zakuro added.

"See Lettuce. We really are happy to have you with us.", Pudding pitched it.

"And I never meant to upset you.", excused herself. "I'm desperate as we all are to find a solution, and I know it's no reason to lose my temper –"

"Don't worry about that anymore", Lettuce interrupted her. "I lost my temper as much as you did. But everyone... I-I don't know what we could d-do", she slightly stuttered.

"At least we're all in this together", Ryou reassured.

"It would be much simpler if we could go into the black hole", Akasaka-san sighed.

That's when it hit Lettuce. If they couldn't bring Ichigo out of the black hole, they would have to get to her. However, when she made up her mind, she knew it would be too dangerous to bring anyone else with her. But, no matter what, she had to do it.

"I think I've got the solution.", Lettuce said trying to hide her excitement. She didn't want to give away anything and risk being stopped before she had done anything. "But you'll have to step back", she warned.

"Lettuce...", Ryou said still sitting on the ground. "Whatever you're thinking, I'm against it."

He wasn't against any plan she had formed per se, but having found a plan so suddenly and not giving away any details of it was suspicious. He wanted to make his point get across so he tried to get up. However, aside from the blindness, he still had received a blow to the head and was still feeling weak. In the end, he stumbled and looked more like a fool than anything else. Soon enough though, he forgot his sentiment of shame when he felt a smaller frame trying to support him. He knew without a doubt that it was Lettuce coming to his rescue. From the fresh scent of the sea, the softness of her skin and glowing warmth she was releasing, it was easy to distinguish her from anyone else. He was thankful, but he still wanted to dissuade her from carrying out whatever she had thought of.

"Lettuce, please. Surely we can find another way instead of your self-harming plan I'm sure you found.", Ryou pleaded.

"Ryou", she said blushing not used enough to calling him by his name. "We don't have the time, and my plan is good as anything else.", she countered defensively.

"It's not that I want to discredit you...", he tried to plead. "I just don't want to put you in danger"

"But, you don't even know what my plan is...", she murmured.

"It's not that hard to guess, Lettuce.", he chuckled. "From your reaction after Keiichiro's interjection on the problem, you clearly want to go in to get to Ichigo", he added more sombre.

"What? How –", Lettuce said bemused.

"I'm not a genius for nothing, you know?", he remarked offhandedly trying to lighten the mood.

Lettuce smiled fondly at his antics; trying to deflect from the problem and win time in order to make her change her mind or find an idea wasn't going to work. They had pondered long enough on the problem without finding a solution and now that they had one, they had to act quickly. They didn't how Ichigo had coped on her side of the black hole or if she was injured, or worse... So she took a deep breath, and huddled closer to Ryou and put her head on his shoulder to let him know she was there and would come back; no matter what.

"Don't worry about me, Ryou", she said confidently. "I know what I'm doing. I conjured the black hole so I know how to control it now", she murmured the last word. She wasn't able to lie to him, but it didn't she would gladly give him more reasons to stop her. "And", she added hastily. "I'm half alien now, or so it seems. If there's one thing we learned from the aliens is that we haven't been able to defeat them.", she smiled.

"Yet", he muttered under his breath.

Ryou may be stubborn, but he also knew when to back down and admit they had no other choice. Moreover, he couldn't see her smile, but he could feel her lips stretch on his skin and it felt as much as a promise for him than words. She would stay safe and come back to him. To ensure her return, he took her chin in his right hand, leaving the other on her hip, and dipped his head.

They may have kissed only once before, but they were already in sync. When Ryou stopped halfway uncertain of what to do because of his blindness, Lettuce closed the small gap separating them and kissed him. It was only their second kiss, but it felt as complete and perfect as the first and all of those that would surely follow.

It was Lettuce who broke away first, fearing she wouldn't be able to continue with her plan if they had gone on. With one last peck on Ryou's lips, she disentangled herself and advanced toward the ominous black hole. She cast one last look at others who didn't stop her as Ryou did, but who had followed their discussion. They understood she had to do it, but like the blond man, they were fearing for her safety and asking her to come back as soon as possible.

Finally, she concentrated her power on enlarging the black hole, but still diminishing its power. When everything seemed under control, she cast one last look at the others, and with a little wave of her hand she stepped into the unknown.

XXX

Ryou had wanted to throw himself forward and stop Lettuce before it was too late, but he only clutched his fists instead. He knew that Lettuce's actions were as much for her as it was for Ichigo. She wanted to save the pink haired girl, but also prove herself her worth; that she wasn't a burden to the Mew Mews. He stood beside the others, resolutely looking in front of himself, at nothing, trying to imagine Lettuce's face; her determined eyes, her bright smile trying to hide a quivering lip of incertitude.

Keiichiro was impressed by Lettuce's courage and determination. To go into the black hole without help or knowing what would happen could be seen as reckless, but he knew the green haired girl personality and it was all done out of selflessness – he was sure of it. He worried a little bit of the outcome and how it would influence Ryou, since he was clearly so attached to the girl already. However, it didn't that important when he felt a little hand slip into his. He looked to his right and saw Minto trying not to acknowledge it was her hand in his. He smiled fondly at her and gripped it slightly as if trying to tell her everything would be okay and that there was nothing to worry about.

Minto didn't know what had taken upon her to take Keiichiro-san's hand, but she had needed comfort and it seemed a good idea at the time. At first, she had had second thoughts, but then he had squeezed her hand and she couldn't remember why. Right now, so many emotions were swirling in her head, and she didn't know what to do with them. Sadly, she also knew it wasn't the time to tackle those questions. Anyway, she didn't have to worry about them just yet. After all, she had all the time in the world to sort out her emotions later on.

Zakuro didn't have much more hope than earlier. She was even more gloomier, since they now had two friends in possible danger instead of one. On one hand, it was best that way, but on the other it turned out even more concerning. But it was those moments that let her feel part of something, a family; something she had longed for all her life. She was still enraged against the aliens for having led Lettuce in such a situation and for leaving so hurriedly like cowards. Nonetheless, when the girls would reappear, she would get all the time in her life to get sweet revenge on them.

Pudding had difficulty to contain herself. She wanted to jump all over the place and just do something instead of waiting for something to happen. She would've liked to jump in with Lettuce and saved Ichigo, but when she had made a move to come forward, Zakuro had put an hand on her shoulder to stop her. When Pudding had looked at the older girl, she was shaking her head slightly to tell her they weren't to meddle. Since she couldn't help Lettuce directly, she stayed silent and prayed for her shy friend to overcome whatever would come her way and come back to them.

Suddenly the black hole surged and it started once again to draw them in. They were all holding to each other in fear of being sucked into it also. But then, it stopped and a form appeared out of it. The wind had brought wind, leaves and dust into everyone's eyes, so they couldn't distinguish anything just yet. However, as soon as it was clear for everyone – almost everyone – to see, the girls ran forward, leaving Keiichiro and Ryou behind. They were completely overwhelmed and screaming all over the place. Pudding threw herself on her, Minto joined into the hug and Zakuro put a comforting hand on Ichigo's head; the only body part visible under the other girls' mark of affection.

Ichigo was back! She was the same as before she disappeared if not a little bit exhausted, but it looked as if she hadn't left, completely unharmed. She was a little dazed by the energetic welcome she was the lucky recipient of. They couldn't stop themselves from asking a plethora of questions: How was she? What did happen in there? How did she come back? ...

Unsurprisingly, their joy didn't last long. A strong voice resonated throughout the woods with only one word, one name, a prayer: ominous, broken, but still hopeful.

"Lettuce?"

XXX

In another situation I would write "Don't be afraid to review", but as I am the one afraid of them, I won't... Anyway, I'm writing the follow up, but even though it may writes itself easily, I fear there is still yet a long way to go. So thank you for still keeping up with even though you might be restless or you even forgotten about this story.

And as I know that the length may not be worth the wait, I wouldn't mind if you waited until the "complete" button was pushed to continue your reading, criticising , commenting or whatever.

Truly yours,

Ct-Zen