I never did like math. It never seemed to stop confusing me. Sometimes I could work a problem with full confidence, check it, and realize it was wrong. All the numbers never added up, and the problem would never be worked out correctly. At times it reminds me of my real life. I had problems too. Like how I was supposed to meet Masaya for lunch and I didn't have any money to pay with. On top of that, my stomach just growled at me, and the cute boy on the left is stifling a laugh…

College Mew Mew 2

By: Satashi

"Ichigo."

Masaya waved to me as I ran lightly up the stairs to the cafeteria door where he was waiting for me. "Mou." I had to catch my breath a little. "It's not fair. You're class is right there!" I pointed to the building to the left of where we were standing. "I have to run all the way across campus!"

He smiled. "I don't mind waiting."

With a small sigh mixed with a laugh, I agree with him and take his hand before walking through the doors. "What are you going to eat today?"

"I think I'll go Mexican. I could really go for a taco right now." He gave me a tray. "And you?"

Suddenly I wanted fish. "I'll get some catfish, and some milk. Wow, I didn't realize, I'm really thirsty. I didn't drink anything after track practice! Oh!" Blushing, I look down. "I don't have enough for a drink too."

"It's okay."

Before I could ask or react, I find a one thousand yen bill on my tray, and he was already on his way to wait in line. "Mou…" But I still smiled. "Thank you, Masaya." I turned and walked over to my line and waited semi-patiently for the people to get their food. While I waited, the back of my neck started to itch. I had one of those feelings like some one was watching me. Turning, I looked out one of the windows on the ceiling, catching a small blur move, but nothing important.

"Miss?"

"Oh! Sorry." I bowed lightly to the person behind the counter. "Um, I'd like some fish," I pointed at what I wanted, even though I just said it. I somehow developed a bad habit of moving my hands while speaking lately. "And some fries, and…Some baked fish too…"

"Like Fish, don't you?"

"I guess I do," I replied, just realizing that I normally didn't eat it as much as I used to back in high school. After saying a quick thanks, I made my way over to the beverages and got myself a large glass of milk. Then, after paying out, I walked to the table that we always sat at. For once, I made it there before him.

I sat my backpack on the back of the chair and placed my purse onto the seat part of it. Not a moment later, my boyfriend plops down his plate and sits down, crossing his legs. "So, you did really well today at track! I'm really impressed."

"Nya-ha!" My hand found its way to my face, covering my laugh. "I was too, to be honest." I smiled. "I never knew I could run that fast. Half way through, after I stumbled, I suddenly remembered how to run properly, as if I had been doing it wrong all this time. Weird, isn't it?"

He had a French fry in his mouth, stolen from my plate, with his face paused in thought. Swallowing, he shrugged it off. "I think the only weird thing is your lunch, my kitty. If you eat fried food with that much milk, it'll make your stomach ache later."

"Think so?" I looked at my plate.

"Yeah," He nodded.

"I'll risk it," I speared a piece of fish and placed it in my mouth, chewed and swallowed. Then I took a large drink of milk before sticking my tongue out at him. "I feel fine."

Masaya rested his cheek onto his palm, which was propped onto the table. He did that a lot, just watching me eat. At first I was shy about it, but then I noticed that my other friends did it too sometimes. Apparently I like eating, so I smile a lot while doing it. Good thing I exercised a lot. I may have put on the freshman fifteen that most everyone else gets.

That feeling again. "Nya?" I turn and glance at the nearest window, but again I find nothing wrong.

"What's wrong?"

"I felt like…someone was watching me."

"I am." He smiled in his own special, mischievous way. "You're a cute little Kitten today, aren't you?"

I could feel my cheeks burning. "I…don't think so."

"You are. You're even meowing a lot recently."

My eating slows down. "I…thought so too. It's almost as if…No, it can't be…" My words start to trail into a whisper. "I gave all my powers to you… I don't have any wildcat inside me anymore…"

Masaya's face turned to one of sympathy. "Hey… Don't talk like that. Your DNA is merged with the genes from the animal. You'll always have them. As for your powers…" he touched his heart. "Your love is all I need to keep me alive." Reaching out, he took my hand in his. "It's not the Mew Mew power you gave me. That's yours, always will be. The only thing I need is your hand in mine…"

Oh wow.

"Ma-Masaya…" I didn't know what to say. My heart was beating quickly. I wanted the moment to last, but a twitching feeling behind me made my head jerk to look at my backside. It was almost like I felt something soft and furry…

"Ichigo?"

He was worried about me. "Sorry," I flushed and squeezed his hand, giving it a small peck. "I thought there was a bug or something on me." Exhaling, I place my now free hand on my chest. "I'm such a girl sometimes…"

"He he. Wouldn't have it any other way. Come now, eat up. I have something I want to talk with you about."

"Hmm?" blinking, I slowly chew my food. "What about."

"I've been chosen to represent the Animal's club for the trip to England."

"Ehhhh!?" I almost dropped my fork. "You're going back!?"

"No, no!" Masaya waved his hands frantically, trying to calm me. "I'm only going to be gone for two weeks, three at most."

"But…What about classes?"

What about me?

"I have all my assignments already. I'm going to do them over there." His smile was uneasy. "If you don't want me to go…"

"Oh, no!" My hands shot up to my face. "I didn't mean it like that. Oh course you can go. I mean, you have friends over there. I'm sure you want to see them again."

"Oh, good. I was worried you wouldn't want me to." His smile was full again. "But you're right. I was chosen because I did a study over in England for a long time." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "And I'm the only one that can speak English."

Not being able to help laughing, I agreed with him happily. "It's true." My attention was turned back to my food when my stomach growled at me again. "When are you leaving?"

"Five days."

"Aw, that's it?" I was pouting.

"Sorry." He winked. "I just found out yesterday."

My pillow smacked me in my face as I collapsed onto my bed. "Hmmmmm…." So far it was an eventful day, and I had gone from excited to depressed, and all over again. Luckily I didn't have to go to work tonight. Sighing, I debated just falling asleep right then and there, but my cell phone rang, making me get up.

"Not asleep already are you?" The voice asked. It was Levina, a girl I met my first day in my Japanese Literature class. "It's only Eight o'clock!"

"Mou, I'm not that lazy on Fridays," was my comeback. "I am a little tired, had a long day."

"So you don't want to go to the grand opening of the new café with me tomorrow?"

"Which one?" I didn't really feel like going.

"The one on campus. It's on the west wing; you don't have any classes over there do you? Anyway, they say a famous movie star is going to be at the opening."

"Yay. Who is it?" I wasn't really interested. I was trying to plan out a date with Masaya tomorrow mentally.

"Fujiwara Zakuro!"

No way!

"Are you serious?!"

Levina laughed. "I knew you'd be interested. You love that actor, I can tell. You waited several hours to get the first ticket to her latest movie, didn't you?" a small pause. "Ichigo? Hello? Are you there?"

Zakuro. I haven't seen her in almost a year or so. She's been so busy; I can only get in a few phone calls every month or two. Of course, we talked for hours each time, but to actually see her again! I had to go.

"Levina!" I could tell I scared her. "When is she getting there!?"

The crowd was nothing short of what I expected. There were people everywhere, all crowding behind red rope leading into the café. Unfortunately I had slept in that morning and was near the back of the crowd.

Taking the time to look around, I took in the view of the café. It was fairly large, with an outdoor seating area as well as an inside. Being on campus, it had that appeal to it that seemed to draw students to it. A large menu near the front displayed several items, ranging from the things that would make any teenage girl squeal, to coffees and drinks that guys would like while studying in the shade of a giant umbrella on a sunny day.

All in all, it reminded me of Keiichiro and Ryou, both of which I haven't talked to recently, which was weird considering I normally talked to them at least once every two weeks or so.

"There she is!"

Turning, I saw a limo pull up to the start of the roped off area. A moment later, she emerged. Zakuro. Still as beautiful as I remembered, and even more elegant looking. Even in a fashionable short sleeved shirt and a skirt, she still radiated a look that came with being a big star. Instantly she smiled and waved to everyone, walking slowly down the walk, stopping to shake hands with a few people along the way.

"Zakuroooooooo!" I jumped a bit, and waved frantically, but realized that the entire rest of the mob of people was doing the same thing. Blushing at that idea to get her attention, I tried another method of trying to push my way to the front. This only got me shoved farther to the back of the crowd. So far in fact, that I was at the very last row of people.

"Now what…?" I whispered, looking around. Acting on a sudden idea, I ran to the side of the crowd and over to her car, where I ducked under the ropes and ran over to her. I had almost managed to reach her when a large man wrapped his arm around my stomach and started to pull me back.

"You can wait in line if you wish to see her," He stated in a polite yet firm way. "Please do not go past the ropes."

"Zakuro! Zakuro!" She didn't seem to recognize my voice. I don't blame her; my cell phone didn't get the best of reception where I lived. What now? I don't want to wait to see her… "Ribbon Zakuro Pure!"

That did it. Instantly she turned and gasped, finally seeing me. "Hey, Hey! Let her go!"

"Phew." I was released and the man backed away, wondering what he had done wrong. "About time!" I yelled at her, smiling. "I was calling you forever!"

"Ichigo!" In a rare moment of spontaneous outburst, she ran over to me and we hugged each other tightly, laughing at nothing and everything. "I haven't seen you in ages! You're even prettier than in your pictures!"

Blushing. I knew I was. "Don't say that," I waved it off. "But you! Wow, what are you doing here? Can you stay for a long time?"

"Let's talk inside," She motioned me to follow her. "We're getting the fans all excited."

It was true. After I made it to her, it seemed like others were trying to do the same. "Oopsies."

Together we ran to the door and into the café, where we were greeted by two people I didn't expect to see. "Ryou! Keiichiro!"

"Ichigo!" They both replied at the same time. I hugged both in turn and then Zakuro again, who patted me on the head. She was still so much taller than me. "I can't believe we're all together again!"

"About time," A new voice came. Turning, I saw Mint sitting in a chair to the side, sipping some tea. "Why didn't you come in the back door?"

"What do you mean?"

"Idiot." Ryou thumped my nose. "Did you not get my mail?"

"Mail?" I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and opened up my messages.

"Ichigo, I'll meet you in front of the Union at seven thirty.  –Ryou."

"…Oh." I blushed and looked up at him, but smiled anyway. "How long did you wait?"

"About five minutes." He put his hands behind his head and looked away.

Zakuro put her arm around him and poked his cheek. "He waited for three hours."

"Shut up!" He moved away and crossed his arms, looking away from everyone.

"We've both been looking forward to seeing you again." Keiichiro stated, motioning for me to sit down with Mint and a reluctant Ryou. "Unfortunately, celebrations will have to wait until the grand opening is over. Zakuro, thanks again for this."

She was smiling, cheek on her palm. "I'm going to be in the neighborhood anyway. We're filming on site for my next movie. I'll be here for a few months."

"Really!?" Mint exclaimed, excited. "Wow, we can get Lettuce and Pudding to come too! It'll be a great way of everyone catching up!"

"Lettuce said she'll come by later tonight, she's out of town right now." Ryou spoke with a grin. "Pudding should be here sometime this afternoon."

"I bet you couldn't wait for everyone to meet up," Mint accused, with a gleam in her eye.

"Oh shush." He looked away again.

I couldn't believe this was happening. All of us together again, together, in one place. Just like old times. Keiichiro and Ryou are back with a new café, Mint and I in the same college as they set up in. Lettuce would come over daily, I'm sure. Zakuro said she would be here for months. Pudding would drop everything for a vacation here. She could make up and classes she missed in high school easily. She was such a bright cheerful girl.

"Ichigo?"

I sniffed, just realizing I was crying. "This is so great…" I spoke, tears of happiness trailing down my cheeks. "All of us…"

Without a word, everyone came to me and we shared a group hug. "To old times," Someone spoke in the hug. "And to many more memories."

"Welcome to the café!" I greeted cheerfully. "Zakuro-san will be signing autographs for anyone who stays and enjoys some of our cakes and drinks; may I lead you to a table?" I had repeated the same line for hours now. I hadn't been there ten minutes before I was shoved in a cute outfit with a short skirt and stockings. It wasn't as frilly as my old café outfit, but still drew attention. Mainly from the male attendants.

As I guided the new group to a chair, I easily spouted off today's specials and offered menus. Amazingly I took to this rather well, remembering all the training and work I did in high school. I could still remember orders easily, and balance was no problem for me. Even Mint was back in action, taking today seriously, as it was the grand opening. Neither of us said we wanted to work there, but it was implied that we were now the staff as soon as we saw the uniforms. Red for me, Blue for Mint.

I was glad for the opportunity to work with them again, as I hated my job at the library. Considering this café was on campus, it was okay for me to have a job here. Plus the pay would be good, although I didn't know what I would be working for. Anything was better than the five thousand yen an hour at the library. Anything.

"Zakuro, the people on table four have been waiting a long time," I greeted as I entered the kitchen and sat down the dirty plates and took the new order onto my hands while putting a slip of paper onto the turn table so Keiichiro would know what to make next. "Mint, the people at table seven spilled their drink. Ryou, I need you to do the next three orders, some are about ready to leave and I'll have to get their change."

"Right." Ryou didn't hesitate putting on his apron and walking out to start taking orders. Even Mint nodded and went to work without complaint.

"You are still good at this," Keiichiro complimented as he whipped some kind of mixture. "I'm glad to have such help. We didn't have any employees this morning. Ryou was going to handle it all himself if we couldn't meet up with you and Mint-san."

Winking, I gave him a peace sign as I picked up the money clip and receipts. "Just remember that when I ask for an advance in pay." I heard him laugh as I walked back out into the café and smiled at the people talking to Zakuro.

"Looks busy."

Turning at the voice, I couldn't help but beam at the person in the door. Pudding stood there with a smile on her face, looking around. Her hair was long, and in a pony tail. Gone was the cute, almost pudgy childish face that everyone was used to seeing. She was almost seventeen now, and even prettier than the most popular girls at her school. "Maybe I should put on a performance!"

She hasn't changed at all. "Pudding!"

There was a quick reunion in the kitchen, exchanging hugs and fast compliments before she too was in a matching yellow outfit and taking orders outside, which was starting to fill up even more.

A sudden gasp and applause made me turn to look at the youngest of the group. She was balancing several plates on her arms and still somehow managing to walk and dance around people standing around to properly deposit the correct plates to the people who ordered them.

I couldn't stop smiling if I wanted to. Ryou, Keiichiro, Mint, Zakuro, Pudding…all that was left was Lettuce and we would be all together again. I would have to invite Masaya later as well, as soon as he was done preparing for his trip with his teachers. Today had happened so fast, and I still don't think it's caught up with me yet. Everything was just perfect.

"I didn't even get to drink my tea…" Mint sighed as she laid her head down on a table.

"I want to quit." Ryou agreed, leaning back. "I can't remember ever being this busy. If you girls hadn't shown up…"

"Here you go everyone." Keiichiro sat down large glasses of tea for everyone. "Here's to a good day at work."

"Is there one for me too?"

We all turned to the door at the voice. Lettuce stood there, a smile on her face.

Everything burst together all at once. Laughing, hugging, several stories all going at the same time. Nothing seemed to slow down for several hours. It was almost if no time had passed since we were all in high school, working at a cute café while trying to listen about stories of strange happenings while doing so. Only now instead of talking about serious things such as the Mew Aqua's, we were all going on about how Zakuro's newest video was a hit, how Lettuce had landed a boyfriend, and how Pudding was going to start taking the bus here everyday after classes to work.

We were never in the same school, even back then. Lettuce was in a higher society school, Mint was in a prep school while Pudding was still in grade school and I was in the local establishment. Zakuro was a senior back then and already a rising star. Working together had kept us all in the same spot.

When Masaya went to England, and after our pretend wedding, Ryou went back to America. Zakuro had her movie contract.  Keiichiro tried hard to stay with us, but he too eventually left to pursue more skills as a scientist. The café closed down when we were in our sophomore year of school. I got another job at a grocery store to start saving for college. Mint had quit working altogether, and Pudding was taking care of her family. Little by little we had slowly started to break apart…

But now… we were a family again. Everyone agreed to work part time at the café. Mint, Lettuce, and I were going to work between classes, while Pudding would come after school. Zakuro wasn't required to be at the studio every day, so even she agreed to work during times the café would be short staffed.

Eventually the conversation turned to the Mew Mews. Promptly, cloths were shifted to show the markings. Everyone was cheerful about it, but somehow I felt a small twinge of pain in my heart. My marking disappeared after the final battle, when I gave my powers away.

"Of course, my powers have faded, but I'm still faster than anyone I know," Pudding was saying, with a smirk. "I can literally run circles around them."

"I can still jump high," Zakuro added in, with a wink. "And I still practice my whip."

"I can't fly anymore," Mint was saying, "But I'm as light as a feather on my feet."

"And I can hold my breath for over six minuets." Lettuce chimed in.

I felt everyone looking at me. "My ears haven't appeared in years," I spoke. My eyes were looking down. I didn't know how I felt about it all. I loved being a Mew Mew. I loved protecting people… but I almost lost my love during it. I suppose it left an impact on me that the other girls didn't get.  Ever since I had hated fighting. I couldn't even bring myself to argue with my parents over anything, scared I might lose them the way I almost lost Masaya. But that didn't matter right now.

"I can still smell things really good, nya." I grinned, making everyone laugh.

It was almost three A.M. before Everyone started to disperse into the night. I didn't have far to go to the dorms, so I said my goodbyes to everyone at the bus stop and started on my way back to my small place.

There it was again. That feeling.

My feet started to move faster, but the itching on the back of my neck only grew worse. Was someone stalking me? Gritting my teeth, I broke into a run, darting across the sidewalk as fast as I could.

"A fast one, aren't you?" a voice called, body suddenly appearing in front of me. Not being able to stop, I slammed right into him. The man, however, only glided backwards, as he was hovering in the air. Then, before I could react, arms went around me and I found lips pressed against mine.

My eyes were wide, staring deeply into the yellow slitted eyes of a green haired man with long ears. It took almost four full seconds before I pulled away and stumbled backwards. "Oh, careful there," The man said, gliding forward to help me recover my balance. When I didn't say anything, he looked hurt. "Don't tell me you forgotten me!?" He grinned, a single fang showing over his bottom lip. "My name is Kish….thanks for the kiss, Honey."

A/N: Woohoo! My first Tokyo Mew Mew review! Thanks a lot shaman queen lee! It means a lot to me. == I'll dedicate this chapter to you. Oh, I forgot to mention. Reviews make me write faster. More reviews=daily updates, around 7 pages (roughly 3,000 words). I know the story doesn't seem to be going anywhere besides a standard life, but don't worry, I just have to lay down a good foundation to get started on chapter 3 will be up tomorrow, and feel free to email me, I love making friends, nya!