Unspoken Words

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Unspoken Words

Chapter 26: Revelations in the Dark

Deep in the dark halls of Mint's mansion was a lone girl. She sat with her knees up, leaning against the wall for support as her arms clutched at her legs for dear life. Her usual vibrant red hair was dull and lifeless in the cover of the night. She kept her head down, trying to ignore the flicker of movement her eyes would catch when she had allowed herself to look up from her position on the floor.

It was late at night, perhaps early morning and the large windows she was facing was dark as black. It was cloudy and even the usual moonlight could not filter through the thick wisps of condensed water particles. Not a single stream of light passed through the glass, yet even so, Ichigo swore she saw a shadowy figure slip past the doorways, right before she had turned around to get a full look.

Not that there really was anything to look at since she couldn't see. Her hands trembled uncontrollably and her body gave into a frantic shudder. Of course the fact that there really was nothing that could be darker than the complete black that surrounded her, meaning that it truly was impossible to see anything even if something was there, did not help to calm her fears. Rather, the fact that the the image of the hall (or lack of one) was exactly the same whether she kept her eyes opened or closed, sent another wave of panic through her body.

She gulped. I should be getting back.

Ichigo tried to get up, slowly rising from the ground as she kept her hand pressed against the wall behind her. It was the only thing keeping her from going insane. The darkness swallowed her whole. If it was not for the wall, the only solid thing she could actually touch and rely on, she'd have long given up. Yet even with the reliable wall at her back, her mind constantly brought her attention to the sounds and movements she may or may not have actually heard or seen.

She would have cursed herself for foolishly running off without looking, if not for her inability to speak. Stupid Mint and her stupid house, she raged in her head but could not say aloud. She had gotten lost long ago in the convoluted hallways of Mint's all too large mansion, which was unfortunately even bigger than the mall. It was a bit later when the darkness completely took over so that she could not even see her hands in front of her.

At this thought, Ichigo slumped back onto the ground, knees growing weak. "D-da…" Her breath caught in her throat and her attempt to curse failed miserably.

Tap, tap, tap.

Her head shot up, scanning the area. She held her breath, sitting up in alertness. Her hands were stiff against her sides. That was nothing…

Tap, tap, tap.

I didn't just hear that! She quickly dug her head back against her knees, arms now wrapped tightly around her legs. The way the soft taps echoed through the empty halls sent a cold chill down her spine. Her body shook. It was getting louder.

...TAP, TAP, TAP...

No, I must have imagined it again.

She heard the faint taps getting close and sucked in a sharp breath. It's nothing! She forced her eyes shut. Her knuckles were going white as she dug her nails painfully into her knees.

Breathing…is someone breathing in background? Her chest was tight as her body screamed for her to breath again.

But she couldn't, not with the…

Is…is that the sound of something sloshing against the ground?

She bit her bottom lip. 'Something' like a dead girl looking for revenge…

A flash of the hideous figure, dark, black with a mess of long wet hair appeared in her mind. No, no, no damn it! Ichigo stop scaring yourself! Stupid Mint and her stupid scary movies…

Tears were already welling up at the corner of her eyes as she closed her eyelids tightly shut. The force of her bite nicked her lip, causing a pungent coppery taste to invade her mouth.

Without warning, Ichigo was rudely interrupted from her thoughts. Something, the weight of something was on her shoulder. Her head went blank; even her mind was at a loss of words. The weight felt real enough.

She turned her head slowly, still holding that breath. Her face was red, heated and tear-stained. Her eyes gradually scanned through the darkness, gaze directing towards her shoulder.

All the remaining breath was knocked out of her. Her eyes went wide. She broke out in a cold sweat. And during the entire time, she could not break her gaze away from it.

'It' being the pale hand, skin as white as a lifeless corpse that was squeezing her shoulder.

"I…chi…go?"

"AHHHHHHHH! Get off, get off, get off!"

She spun around and shut her eyes, hoping that when she opened them, she would not see the image of the eerie white hand.

Wait…see? And then it occurred to her, she had just seen it.

She opened her eyes, still facing away and blinked a few times. There's light.

The redhead let out a huge sigh of relief when she felt the weight lifted from her body, only to stiffen up in the very next moment when she heard the familiar patter of footsteps dangerously close, making its ugly way around her.

Tap, tap, tap.

She closed her eyes and braced herself. Whatever creepy monster that was, it couldn't hurt her if she couldn't see it right?

"I guess the flashlight really did come in useful huh?"

Her head shot up from its hidden position. "Ryou?!"

There he was in all his annoying Ryou-like glory, standing in front of her appearing perfectly calm. Well, not entirely calm. His body did occasionally give into the slightest tremors as he pressed his lips together from letting an inappropriate chuckle escape from him.

She glared at him intensely, before finally dropping her head back between her knees in silence.

"Oh come on Ichigo. That was hilarious!" The blond directed his flashlight at the sulking redhead, trying to get her attention.

"Hn." She grunted. It was barely audible.

"That was priceless how wide your eyes got. You looked like a deer caught in the headlights." He paused, trying to get another response from the slumping girl. "And that was just my hand. I can't begin to imagine what you would've done if I had shined the light to my face."

The figure on the ground made no sound much to Ryou's dismay. He would have at least expected her to stand up and start huffing at him about what a big jerk he was, not to mention her swift delivery of those slaps that he knew he deserved. But it wasn't like he actually did that on purpose…

And that was the truth. He had only intended to rouse Ichigo who had seemed to be asleep and the light had just happened to fall on her shoulder where his hand was. Well even if that wasn't on purpose, Ichigo's reaction was hysterical and even the supposed emotionless Ryou had a sense of humor. A sick one maybe, but it was still there.

"Look, it was an accident. I was just trying to wake you up." He sighed, settling beside her a few feet away.

Resting the flashlight on the floor, he turned to look at the girl. Only a mass of red hair could be seen – her face was hidden deep within the crevices of her bent arms which she kept over her knees. Her shoulders trembled slightly.

"…Ichigo?" His voice was uncertain. It hadn't been very smart of him to laugh in such a dire situation. "Are…you okay?"

It was muffled, but Ryou could make out the sound of Ichigo sniffing.

"Ichigo?" His concerned gaze landed on her shoulders which now quivered more violently than before. "I – " He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the words. "I'm sorry."

She hiccuped in response, as if casting doubt upon what he had said.

"Really." He slid a little closer to the girl, carefully watching her the entire time. Her head seemed to move just the slightest.

The sudden flickering of the flashlight broke his attention from Ichigo for a second, before the light gave out entirely. In the darkness, he could hear just the mildest whimper…

"It's okay Ichigo," He leaned closer, settling against her side. He could feel her shaking. The trembles traveled right through his body and straight to his heart, hitting him with a feeling of uncertainty and inexplicable sadness. She didn't move from where she sat. Ryou slowly lifted an arm to slip it onto her shoulders. Her movements steadied and gradually fell still.

"Strawberry," he sighed pulling her close. Her shaking had stopped, but her muscles were still tense. "It's okay."

Ichigo stirred slightly, just beginning to lift her head. It was dark and she tried to make out Ryou's expression from where she was, recognizing that soft murmur of his voice.

"I'm here for you."

It was the rare gentleness from him. Rare and special…and hold on. He's a meanie!

"Sh-shuddap." Ichigo muttered suddenly, just breaking away from her thoughts. "Y-you're s-such a j-jerk."

Ryou only held her closer, pulling her damp face against his chest. She sniffled again, weak and unresisting as she inhaled his scent through the cloth of his shirt. He had not seemed the least bit fazed by her words.

"That's the Ichigo I know." A smile traced his lips in the darkness that could be easily missed. But Ichigo could feel the smile through his words.

"I-I'm serious!" She hissed. Even so, it was impossible for her to resist that warm smile that chased away all the evil of the room, lighting the darkness – the smile that would take her breath away and make her heart skip a beat just to see him so relaxed and happy, so unlike his usual guarded self.

"Is that what you think of me?" His grin grew wider. "Guarded?"

"W-what a-are you talking about?" Yes Ichigo, damn your inability to keep your thoughts to yourself.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." His voice was confident and clear. He had finally stopped grinning, and wore a serious expression instead. She could feel his unflinching gaze upon her and even if she was totally invisible to him in the dark, her body fidgeted uncomfortably. His hands kept her close and she found it difficult to breath.

"Jerk. I'm still angry at you!" She seethed in return, trying to regain her hostility towards the blond. It was much easier now that he had stopped his hypnotizing smiles.

Ryou let out a heavy breath of air, still not releasing his arm around Ichigo's body. He kept her pressed against his side despite her unconvincing struggles. There was just something about her words and movements that he didn't buy.

"Will you stop being angry at me for laughing already? I can't help it if it was funny. Besides, why didn't you get angry at Zakuro or Keiichiro for laughing at you?"

Ichigo's body went completely stiff and she immediately stopped moving. After a few minutes of awkward silence, her body finally relaxed and she sighed her words. "You idiot. That's not what I'm angry about."

"So what are you angry about? Why don't you tell me? You can't expect me to just know if you don't say anything to me."

She bit her lip, trying to fight back the tears.

"Tell me, Ichigo."

He pulled her towards his chest and she sank in his scent again, uneasiness calmed just slightly. She relished every sweet sensation –the incredible shock sent through her body at his simple touch, the warmth that always seemed to envelop her when Ryou was around. Her body had been sending her clear messages the entire time right from the moment she had met him. The way her breath caught at her throat, her sudden rise in pulse, and her quickly growing blush each time her boss had teased her with a near kiss only to flick her head afterwards, or when he had those rare moments of kindness. Her body had screamed out the very obvious truth of her feelings for him, yet it had taken three years for her to understand.

Tell him? Tell him what? Where do I even begin?!

She opened her mouth, but shut it immediately after. Her lips were pressed closely together. It truly seemed impossible.

But then she shook her head and held her breath to prevent herself from remembering his enticing smell and of all those fond memories that just suddenly seemed to emerge at this moment when he had forced the spotlight on her.

Besides, I told myself before that I will never let him know. Her heart tugged at her chest. He was Ryou, afterall. Her boss, the guy responsible for the Mew Project. The very same man who overworked her and underpaid her. The guy who made her come in on holidays to clean up after his leaking pipes when everyone else was given a day off. He made her stay behind almost every night to close up. He was the guy who only saw her as an employee for the café or a weapon to protect the Earth.

"You're a jerk. That's what I'm angry about, you jerk!" She screamed the words, letting out the huge amount of tension she had managed to build up just in the few seconds of thinking about what he did. But most of all, he's the guy who will never see me beyond being just his waitress or a Mew.

He rolled his eyes, bringing his other arm over her. "Ichigo…"

"What?"

"You're still not telling me."

"It's because YOU DON'T CARE okay?!" She huffed accidentally letting the words slip. She pushed herself away from him. His hands easily slipped and he sat dazed in silence for a few seconds before he finally spoke.

"Wait, what?" He felt his shirt wet at his side where Ichigo had leaned against him and it tore him up inside to know that she was crying.

"It's just everything you do, you idiot! First you seem all interested and then you're all ehh whatever Keiichiro, we're not even together and then while I'm getting grilled by all those lovely spawns of the devil, yes the Mews – you're just soo relaxed about it all that it's insanely aggravating and impossible to bear just like all the times you've pulled back after everything we've done which has left me completely breathless and woozy and just confused and how can you not even react to something as big as that when you're the only, only person I've ever allowed to do things like that to me but you obviously DON'T CARE YOU STUPI- "

"ICHIGO!"

"What?!" It hadn't occurred to the redhead that Ryou had been screaming for her to stop the entire time.

"Come here you baka." He reached in the darkness and found Ichigo's shoulders. In one swift motion, he pulled her into a tight hug. A surprised squeak escaped from her mouth.

One arm was pressed against her back, bringing her closer. Another was placed at the back of her head, gently caressing through the soft tresses of red. Ichigo's body went limp and showed no signs of resistance as Ryou rested his chin on her head. He enveloped her in his warmth and her breath hitched at his sudden movement. Bold, daring, and completely Ryou.

Damnit. I'm in love with him. Ichigo wanted to snarl in opposition to the idea, but it really was impossible to do in her position. She relished his arms wrapped protectively around her. She could just fall asleep like this, snuggled close to him. It didn't matter that it was completely dark and entirely frightening when she had been alone only a few minutes before. I could die happy like this.

But Ichigo couldn't simply allow herself to be so easily distracted. The blond always found a way out of explaining things and what she needed most of all at this moment was an explanation. Okay, so it wasn't really as though she had confessed but even so, she had finally voiced to him all the things that had been bothering her and she expected a response at the very least. Ugh, I could hit myself for letting this end…

"L-Let g-go." She sputtered, as she struggled somewhat weakly under Ryou's grip.

"No Ichigo. I'm never letting you go again." Ichigo stopped as soon as she heard those words and was pulled back against Ryou. Her hands pressed against his chest to cushion her head. His hand traveled slowly through her hair, weaving its way through until it found what it was looking for.

"I told you before." He softly brushed her cat ears with his finger tips and blew the next few words huskily into them. "You're mine." The teasing utter of his voice shot through her body, intensified by her sensitive hearing. It reverberated through her and Ichigo's muscles responded likewise by releasing their own shudders, causing the redhead's lips to part in another sudden gasp as a faint feeling of pleasure spread from her abdomen.

"I-I need more than that Ryou."

"How about this then?" In the darkness, his hands slipped over her neck and his fingers danced an eager trail over her vulnerable skin until it found its mark. Half a second later, Ichigo felt something warm and damp sliding across her neck. She gave another mild shudder and her eyelids fluttered momentarily before she found the voice to speak.

"P-Pervert. I meant…" She paused mid-sentence, nearly having revealed that she was actually expecting a confession of some sort. How ridiculous of me. Her countenance turned sour, but her sudden mood change could not be seen by Ryou.

"What did you mean then?" His tone was still slightly teasing, but was beginning to revert to his usual seriousness.

"Ichigo…" He cooed, suddenly deciding it was much more fun the other way. His hands played with her ears and she mildly heard him lick his lips as she fought off a purr that threatened to erupt from her.

"I meant that! I'm not just someone you can toy around with just to discard right after."

"You've got it wrong…"

"No I don't! I – I'm not just here to play these ridiculous games with you without emotional attachment. I'm sorry Ryou but this – this…" She made a messy sweep across his muscled chest, fighting off a groan that tried to escape from her throat.

"I can't do this without feeling anything!"

Ichigo felt herself growing red from embarrassment. Her face lit up with the thought of what she had suggested and hadn't said out loud. It didn't take a genius to figure out what she was referring to, even if Ryou was a genius.

"What games, Ichigo?"

Maybe she had been too presumptuous? Neither of them had actually admitted out loud what was going on between them. The undeniable attraction, the sudden urges, the caresses in intimate places, the sounds of them panting their names, the everything! And it was driving her absolutely crazy thinking about these things without being able to bring it out in the open.

"R-Ryou. I- I can't do this anymore." She hated the uncertainty in her voice and her utter weakness. It was wrong to continue with this, even if she clearly enjoyed every second of it. She would not be able to keep her sanity for much longer if they did continue with their little trysts in secret. Even if it had really only happened once, just thinking about a second instance and having to pretend it was nothing was enough to drive her over the edge.

"Ichigo, they're not games. Who says there's no emotional attachment? I'm serious about everything." His voice was kind and gentle. His tone was certain without a single trace of doubt. Ryou reached up for her cat ears again and stroked them softly, lulling Ichigo into a calm. Taking her silence as an opportunity to finally speak without being interrupted or misunderstood, he continued.

"I'm serious about you, Ichigo." In another quick movement, he pulled her in by the waist, forcing her to lean on his lap. A soft squeak escaped was heard, but other than the simple utter, no other sound or words left Ichigo's mouth.

Ryou took a deep breath, rubbing the furry ears at the most pleasurable places. I…I have to say it all before she interrupts again. He remembered all those instances, all the misunderstandings, all the missed chances. I'm not letting her get away again, not after three years of patience.

That single thought spurred him on and the emerging rumbles at Ichigo's throat gave him the confidence to proceed.

"Strawberry…"

Purr, purrr…

She nudged her head slightly against his hand, asking for more of the blissful touch.

Ryou sighed. He hadn't imagined that it would be like this. He had planned for it to be perfect – in some romantic restaurant with Ichigo completely aware of herself. Not like this. Not with Ichigo as a half cat, too distracted to really listen, if she can even hear me past that purring.

His lips soon gave way into a grin though. That purring was all because of him.

"Y-yes?" Ichigo managed to utter softly between purrs.

He considered her for a moment, his hand just stopping its motion as he brought it into her hand instead. Her hand had been facing up, rested comfortable against his leg beside her head and he took it in his own. Ryou laced his fingers through hers, causing Ichigo to suddenly suck in a sharp breath and shuffle mildly on his lap.

"I…"

Ichigo sat up, waiting hopefully. She had pulled back her hands to help push herself back up from the floor.

"I…" Ryou held on tight to her left hand, unwilling to release it. "I've been waiting to say this for three years." He breathed out and the redhead groaned slightly. But noticing the pressure of his fingers pressing her hand into his palm, she let him continue.

"I..I love you, Ichigo Momomiya. Just you, and no one else."

Her heart stopped in that instant and in the very next second, doubled over in order to make up for the missing beat. She finally released a breath of air she didn't know she had been holding. Her eyes went wide, nearly tearing with happiness. There was a strained moment of silence as Ichigo allowed her body to adjust to the shock and the sudden euphoria that entirely swept her up.

If she hadn't been knocked out completely by those words, rendered entirely weak and limp by them, she would've jumped up and danced around in joy.

"I…chigo?" He choked back slightly, uncertain what to make of it. "Y-You don't have to answer me. Just know that-"

She pressed against his hand in response, giving it a small squeeze as she brought it to her wet cheeks. These hands are so warm, so loving, so…

"R-ryou." Her voice cracked while she rubbed the back of his hand fervently up and down her cheek to show her affection. It was her cat genes acting up; now that she was fully fledged with her feline ears and tail, she couldn't help but rub herself against his hand like a cat begging to be pet.

"I'm so sorry." He suddenly said, pulling away his hand. "I-I didn't mean to upset you Ichigo, really. I'd never want to make you cry."

"No Ryou, you're misunderstan-"

"Ichigo, I'm sorry for all those times if you thought I didn't care. I didn't mean for it to get so far…"

She blushed a deep shade of red. Her words diminished to a complete silence as embarrassment took over.

"So I promise you, I'll stop losing control to those…" He coughed. "…urges."

Ichigo was thankful for the darkness, feeling the heat radiate off of her face. Though she wasn't too sure she liked what she had just heard.

"To show you that I'm serious about my feelings for you. I didn't do those things without a reason. I wasn't using you or just messing around. I could never, never just 'mess around' with you." Despite his collected manner of speaking, Ryou's face was faring no better than Ichigo's burning one.

"R-Ryou…" Ichigo squeaked, relieved that she wouldn't have to look at him. With the darkness hiding her embarrassment, she found it a little easier to speak honestly. "I…didn't mean it like that."

The blond let out a surprised cough, but did not speak.

Ichigo hadn't missed it though, and now wondered whether it was a good idea to say that. She jumped slightly at the twitch of Ryou's hand still against hers before collecting herself and tracing her other hand up his arm in the dark.

He sucked in a shallow gasp of air, muscles stiffening at her touch even if it was through his shirt. Her fingertips trailed up his arm and followed past his shoulders, finally making its way to his chin.

"Ryou…I…" She pressed her palm against his face, leaning in closer to him now that she knew where he was.

Ryou felt her nose brushed across his left cheek, light and teasing. The tip of her nose touched the shell of his ear, and he nearly let a soft groan escape. Really, right after he had given her that talk, letting her know that he had good intentions, he couldn't carelessly utter any sounds that would be incriminating to his promise.

But with the way she's touching me... He released the mildest shudder.

And then a soft whisper by his ear whipped him back to his senses. "I…like you Ryou."

Ichigo felt his cheek hot against her hand, and gulped.

"I think…I might even love you." She gave him a messy peck on the cheek, before quickly pulling away from him completely with a nervous squeak.

Ryou gave into a strange coughing fit before finally regaining his composure and spoke again.

"...Does that mean you want me to touch you like that?" His tone was teasing, but he was genuinely curious.

"Ryou!" Ichigo squeaked, once again grateful for the darkness. Maybe…

He let out a heavy sigh. "You think you might love me? I just confessed my undying love for you Ichigo and that's the best you can come up with?"

"…Well, I…" She struggled with her words, cursing herself for not being brave enough to speak the entire truth.

"It's better than I could have hoped for."

"Wait, what...?" Her head snapped up in shock. After letting the words sink in, a smile crept onto her face. "…I can give you better."

Without warning, Ryou suddenly felt the soft touch of Ichigo's lips against his. She was kneeling forward, leaning into his seated figure against the wall. Her palms pressed against the floor, damp with a cold nervous sweat. He brought a hand against her waist, pulling her down until she crashed into his chest and wrapped his other arm around her.

She gasped into his half parted lips and he took the opportunity to allow his hunger to be satiated by the moist muscle that now explored her sweet mouth. If Ichigo had still been kneeling, her knees would have buckled beneath her and she would have found herself falling into his chest once again. His tongue flicked against hers, challenging for her to fight back. When she complied, pushing forward in a heated battle of dominance, she felt a small shiver run through his body. Their mouths moved deftly together - fitting together perfectly like two pieces of a puzzle, refusing to part once they were together.

Ichigo's lung screamed for air but she ignored it with all her might, losing herself to the incredible kiss. Ryou finally pulled away, only a hair's length from her face as the both panted breathlessly into each others parted mouth – their breaths intermingling in such a way that drove them both nearly insane with the need for another kiss. Despite the darkness, or maybe more so because of it, the moment seemed so much more intimate.

"W-wow." Ichigo muttered mindlessly. The word just slipped from her but she made no movement to pull away any further. Her lips were still burning and slightly swollen from the contact.

"I can kiss you again right?"

Please do. "I-If y-you want."

His lips descended on hers without a moment of hesitation. Her skin almost went numb from the excess of electric sensations that she felt running through her body. He pulled her close, leaving no gaps between their bodies and she hungrily drank in the soft and innocent tap on the lips.

But it wasn't enough for her.

She parted her mouth as she ran her fingers down his chest, shuddering at the arousing feel of his muscled arches. Her tongue slipped out of her mouth, and she licked the bottom of Ryou's lip begging for entry.

Despite the groan that rumbled from his throat, he continued to keep his lips pressed together, even when she tried to pry them apart with the tip of her tongue. Finally giving up, she allowed herself to enjoy the feel of his arms wrapped around her protectively. Even the softest tap was overflowing with an indescribable love for her. Sweet and gentle, and just as enjoyable as any heated kiss.

Ichigo smiled into his lips. Her eyes closed as she relished the blissful sensation running over the surface where Ryou had pressed against. This is Ryou's gentle side.

He pulled away, chest heaving as his heavy breathing was silenced with an effort. "I…think we should stop." He gulped, now prying the girl away from his chest and thankful that only half of her body was leaning against him.

"But I didn't know kissing could be so fun until I met you!" Ichigo huffed indignantly, before hurriedly cupping her mouth in horror.

The blond patted his hand against the floor in silence, choosing not to respond though his mouth was curved up in the biggest smirk. Finally, his fingers fumbled upon the handle of the flashlight on the ground. "It's time to get back. The others will be wondering what took us so long."

"Eep!" Ichigo squeaked, tail lapping hard behind her. It slapped Ryou's hand in its agitated movement. "The others! I can't deal with them now." She groaned, bringing a hand to her head to settle the headache that suddenly throbbed through her skull.

"If it really bothers you that much Strawberry, we can pretend nothing happened." He said cautiously, reaching into his pockets.

"I don't want to pretend nothing happened!" She snapped. "We always pretend nothing happened."

Ryou smiled, enjoying every second of her sudden distress that revealed her affection for him. "I didn't mean it like that Ichi. I mean to pretend nothing happened in front of the others. It'll be like our old games again, part 3."

"Ichi…?" Ichigo questioned somewhat dazed. It sure has a nice ring to it.

"Ehem." Ryou cleared his throat. The term 'Strawberry' was a pet name reserved for her, but the blond was still agitated by Keiichiro's casual use of 'Ichi-chan.' "You don't mind do you?"

"I love it, but I still like 'Strawberry' more."

"I thought you hated that."

"Only when you worked me to death with it."

He chuckled lightly at her defiant words.

"I…secretly liked it though." She admitted, feline features still present.

"That's still not getting you a raise."

"I would never use you like that!" Ichigo huffed, beginning to rise to her feet.

"Uhh huh. You're such a kid Ichi." He ruffled her hair with a smile plastered on his face.

The smile had been there ever since she had told him of her attachment to his pet name for her and it refused to disappear since. He thought back to the instances at the mall when he had inadvertently smiled without even knowing it and now understood. He had finally caught Baka Strawberry Syndrome completely. It was impossible not to smile when Ichigo was around.

"You're the one in love with a kid."

"Hai, hai, hai." He said defeated. "Are you sure you don't love me Ichigo?" It wasn't quite fair to push, but Ryou swore that he had nearly heard her say that in the bathroom earlier before.

"Well, that's um…"

"Forget I asked. You'll say it when you're ready." With a little help from him of course…

Ryou rose from the ground. He took the flashlight and slipped the old batteries out, placing them into his pockets. "They're waiting. Let's get back."

"But how?" Ichigo glanced through the darkness surrounding them, squinting at the nothingness before her.

"Looks like you were right about the batteries."

"Eh?"

"The extra batteries that I brought along with the flashlight…" Ryou reached in his other pockets and pulled out the new set of batteries, before placing them into the flashlight. He switched it on, causing a steam of light to flood through the concentrated source.

"Oh!" It took a few seconds for both of them to adjust to it.

"And the GPS." He mused with a small smirk, not missing her furry black ears and tail. "Of all the chances that you'd actually be right…"

"HEY!" She huffed with her arms crossed. "But in any case, I told you so!" She cried triumphantly.

He rolled his eyes at her. After reaching out for the GPS, he passed it to Ichigo. "Just give me the directions. The red line on the map is where I've walked. We'll just have to trace our way backwards to get back to the room."

"Eh?" Ichigo pouted, rotating the GPS in every which way and that as she tried to figure out left from right.

"Ugh, you really can't do anything without me can you, Strawberry?" He exchanged the flashlight for the GPS and grabbed her free hand as he led the way.

Ichigo looked down at where their fingers intertwined, feeling Ryou's steady grip around her hand and smiled. No, I can't.

Yes! Finally! I know this has been the moment you've all been waiting for. Goodness, those stubborn felines should have just talked about it so much earlier! (Yes, I shouldn't be saying that since I was the one who forced them to act that way) Incredible how just talking clears up so much. But, I tried to keep everything within character (I doubt it would've been that easy to just 'talk' after all that happened.)

Moral of the story, ask if you're not certain! ...well, it wasn't really my intention to give relationship advice of any sort, but this ended up being a focus in the story. Mostly, I wanted to develop their feelings for each other while showing a very real and human reaction that was still within their characters. I do plan to continue with after they are together and that may end up extending this story to a couple more chapters.

Gosh, I'm soo sorry it took this long to get them together, but I promise I'll make it up to you Ichigo x Ryou fans. :)

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This has been my most successful story by far. And I have to say, I do like how it's been going. Personally, I felt like I rushed Starlight a little at the end but that was my first fic, so I've learned.

This may be the last long Tokyo Mew Mew story that I will write. (Long as in over 20 chapters) But I can't know for sure about Living in Your Shoes yet (most probably it'll be between 10-20 chapters because I find it really difficult to have fresh humor for every chap). I really do like how this story has developed, but it takes way too much time to complete one story like this. I may do a couple of one shots ( I have one in mind with Kish already...)

Or I may have a complete story split into 3 shorter ones with part 1, 2 and 3. Part of the reason I might do this is because I think a really long story might discourage some people from reading and so they'd never even really give it a chance to begin with. Do you guys think that this fanfic warrants an M rating? (I'd really love to reduce it to a T if possible...but that's seeming very unlikely.)

I have a short sequel in mind for this story too (probably around 10 chaps or less), but that's still a long way off.

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