I never was really good at picking out birthday gifts. For some reason nothing ever seemed to be good enough for what I wanted to express. After knowing the girls for so long I always had a kind of hunch of what they would like. Masaya on the other hand was a different story. He was mature, kind, and would like anything I got him. This, of course, meant I had to get something especially good if I wanted to impress him with a gift.

College Mew Mew 13

By: Satashi

Looking around the store, I found many things that he would like. They ranged from small statues of animals done in a fine art fashion to pictures on canvas of birds and pretty scenery. Picking up a picture frame, I tried to imagine what type of picture would look good in it.

Placing the frame back down, I shifted my purse lightly as I continued to browse. It was a small shop I was in, nice and warm on a cold day. Truthfully I had originally ducked into here to escape the harsh breeze outside but now I realized just how cute of a little shop this was.

It was old looking with wooden floors and walls, giving it a homey feeling to it. Smiling, I picked up another small frame and looked at it. Around the corners was some type of cub that looked like the iromote wildcat that I had inside of me. Deciding to keep it, I continued to look around a bit before walking up to the cash register and handing it to the old man behind it.

He gave me a kind goodbye as I walked out the door and into the wind. I had to close one eye as some of my hair was blown into it. Using my free hand, I pulled my hair behind my ear and continued to walk down the street. It was a pleasant day; the sun was shining, random fluffy white clouds passed overhead and the brisk air felt good to breathe. The only downfall was the cold front coming through that gave us all this wind and a sudden drastic drop in temperatures.

On a day like this, I wanted to be in a nice home with a fireplace to sit by while reading a good book. Unfortunately, there was no way I could afford a house at the current moment, and Masaya just moved into his apartment a few months ago. Needless to say, I won't be having that dream become reality anytime soon.

As I walked, a flyer caught my attention on the wall next to me. Pausing to look at it, I realized it was an advertisement for the local zoo. Apparently there was going to be the annual contact time in a few days. Smiling, I looked at the date and made a mental note to ask Masaya if he would like to go to it.

"Ah, Ichigo,"

I looked at the sound of the voice and saw Zakuro walking over to me. Giving her a smile, I bowed lightly to her. "Zakuro. What brings you out here?" She fell into step beside me as I walked and placed her hands into her jacket pockets to keep them warm.

"I'm not needed at the studio today, and the café is being covered by Pudding, Mint, and Ryou so I am just looking around. How about you? Is there any reason for you to be on this side of town?"

"Birthday shopping." I held up the small bag I was carrying and showed her the picture frame. "I don't know what to get him, but I thought this was cute so I'm going to throw it in as an extra gift." Placing it back into the bag, I let out a small sigh. "I've been looking all day and I don't even have anything to show for it yet..."

"Hmmm... How about adding a little flare to your birthday gift?" Zakuro smiled down at me in a mischievous kind of way. Winking at me, she held up a finger. "I know of this one place that is sure to make any guy happy. Why don't we try it out?"

"Eh? Where is that?"

Unlocking the door to my apartment, I stepped in slowly. I looked around a bit before walking to the bedroom, where I quickly went to the closet and stashed the pink bag with his two gifts and a certain something 'extra' that Zakuro had convinced me into buying. Blushing at the thought, I walked back into the bedroom and almost screamed as Masaya walked in as well from the living room.

"Ichigo? You okay?" He looked puzzled. "Did I scare you? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, you okay?"

"Eh? I'm not hiding anything!"

"I didn't say you...Ah! You got me a present didn't you? Where is it, can I see it?!"

"No!" I blushed darkly and pushed him out of his own bed room and kept on until he fell down onto the living room couch, where I sat in his lap to keep him from getting up. "We are going to watch some T.V. for a while, until you forget about your gift."

"Aw come on, it's only a day away. What is it?"

"Nothing!" I blushed more and lay back against him. "Let's just relax for a change." Picking up the remote for the T.V., I turned it on and began to flip through the channels, stopping on the news.

Kish flew across the screen, slamming into Yosuke and forcing him into the side of a building, cracking it. The slightly younger boy grit his teeth and pushed back, igniting the area around him on fire, forcing Kish back.

"Figures," I complained hopping off of my boyfriend and to my feet. Calling out my words, I felt my body shift in a warm and pleasing sense. My hearing grew better as cat ears came up through my hair, which was turning pink. I felt my tail grow and twitch as it was blessed with a ribbon and bell. My jeans faded away and were replaced by a soft silk like material and knee high latex boots that laced themselves tightly. Finally opening my eyes, I purred as the transformation was over.

"Let's go," Masaya stated simply, wrapping his arms around my waist. I felt a power surge from him and blond hair splash around my vision. His grip on me tightened and the world blurred around us as we teleported to the battle zone.

Landing, I was sat on the ground in time to see Kish clip Yosuke's temple with a new type of nightstick that had blades going down the side instead of metal. The flame master's eyes rolled back in his head and teleported away before even hitting the ground. Kish noticed us then and before we could react, started to run at us.

Somehow I managed to suppress my surprise and readied myself for a battle. Kish, however, shot right between us and crashed into the window of a jewelry store and setting off its alarm. I realized what was going on and ran after him, being slightly outrun by the blue knight next to me.

Kish smirked at us and teleported outside the store and crushed the object eh was holding before swiping his hand and holding up a clear small bottle that shone bright blue. "Such pure elements in the middle of the city," He said amazed. "I had no idea a mew aqua could be created in such a place."

"Give it here, Kish." Masaya threatened him, drawing his sword.

"I don't think so," Kish responded bitterly as he started to float into the air. "This is over for the day."

"Kiiiishhhuuuuuuuu!" The green haired alien was floored by a large lightning bolt. He crashed into the concrete below so hard it actually split around him and I felt a small trimmer below my feet. Incred landed on top of him, grabbing his arms and pulling back harshly, dislocating Kish's right shoulder.

"Strawberry Check!" I swung my bell and launched the attack that slammed into the newcomer and made him roll across the ground a few times before he righted himself and glared at me. "The Mew Aqua belongs to us!" I pointed at him. "Don't get in our way!"

Masaya made an impressed sound next to me before we both took off to Kish, who just slammed his shoulder into the nearest car by him to set it. Letting out a yell of pain, he managed to regain use of his arm just in time to slash at the Blue Knight when he got close enough.

"Kish is mine!" Incred shouted angrily, suddenly behind me. I choked out as his arm went around my neck and literally lifted me off the ground. Coughing, I swung out my legs trying to find something, anything, to push up on. "Kish! This is revenge!" He yelled out. "For killing my parents, I'll kill your lover!"

Kish's eyes flared and before I knew it I was ripped from the choker hold and spun around, being teleported away next to Masaya. Collapsing and gasping for air, I held my neck. Kish stood in front of me, emitting a sort of green glow around him. "Again with this... Again with this stupid rage." He suddenly yelled at Incred. "Incred, when will you realize that I-"

"Shut up! Shut up, shut up shut up dammit!" He ran forward, sword drawn and crackling with energy. "You killed them Kish! You killed them all! I want my revenge with your blood!"

Kish blocked the swing and took one back. Slashing with his other arm, he managed to cut Incred's arm, only to get pierced on his side. Hooking the blade under the shield of his nightstick, Kish jumped into the air and began to turn backwards for his signature back flipping kick. Incred twisted, however and also did the same attack faster.

I gasped as Kish was launched into the air. Incred didn't waste any time of raising his hand and shooting a lightning bolt straight into him. "Feel the pain, Kish!" Incred shouted, increasing the power of the lightning. "Feel the pain and suffering of everyone that you killed! Feel the pain that I've felt ever since you turned you back on me!"

Incred's stream of energy was cut off as a long gasp appeared on his chest. The Blue Knight skidded past him and slashed his sword, ridding it of the blood on the edge. Incred stumbled and held the wound, glaring. Kish's body fell to the ground, but he somehow managed to turn in a way where he would land on his feet

"Don't misunderstand," Masaya spoke coolly, crouching into a battle stance. "I didn't do it to save you; I didn't want the Mew Aqua to be damaged." He put his sword parallel to the ground and looked at them both with hatred. "Let's settle this right here, right now." A blue wisp of energy came around him, emitting a soft glow of power.

Incred didn't pay any attention to him. "Kish, give me that mew aqua drop right now or I will kill you." He gripped his sword and made lightning arch around him. "You cannot defeat me, you never could. Just give me the drop and die easily. Once you're dead I'll leave this planet. After, of course, I kill that cat over there."

Why? Why does Incred hate me so much? Thinking back on it, he was always the first one to attack me, and when we split up, he was never far behind. Every time he would battle Kish if the Blue Knight wasn't there already and if so he would instantly come after me. I tried to get a read on him, looking hard at his face to try to get something from him.

He... He was crying?

"For everyone!" Incred shouted out, running forward. "I'll kill you to avenge them all!"

"You're an idiot!" Kish yelled back, clashing blades with him. "How do you think I feel about it, huh!? Do you think I meant for it to happen!?" He brought up his arm and blocked another attack and kicked Incred away, only to charge again. "I turned on Deep Blue! I fought against our Messiah! I died for this girl!"

"Only to come back and kill my family!" Incred countered. "You saw the Mew Aqua! You knew its power!" Incred shot a bolt of electricity into Kish, who screamed out but still attacked. "It's your fault they died! Because of your weakness you couldn't commence the plan to take back our planet! Our planet Kish! We dreamed of that all our lives!"

"Then you should know how important this is!" Kish shouted back at him, a mist coming to his eyes as they clashed and cut into each other. "Incred, you know I didn't mean for it to happen! I didn't know the mew Aqua's power would dissolve over time! I only wanted to help!"

Incred's eyes went red and he slashed hard down into Kish's shoulder. "Well you didn't did you!? Damn you! Damn you Kish!" His attacks started getting slower and tears streamed down his cheeks. "Just let me hate you! Let me kill you!"

"You know it wasn't my fault," Kish spoke softly, lightly blocking the attacks and not counter attacking. "I'm fighting against her again, Incred...I'm trying to get more mew Aqua to bring back. This time we know how long they will last and no one will die because of it."

Incred fell to his knees and hit the ground. "Kish...Why did this have to happen? Why did the mew Aqua's power have to fade...?" I slowly walked over to them and leaned against a car next to Masaya who was also listening to them. "You just got back...Everyone was so happy. I remember you saying that Deep Blue was defeated, but you still got something for us all. You...You went to the surface, knowing nobody could withstand that kind of heat out there..."

"It was hot, but I had to do it," Kish picked up for him, kind of looking at me, as if explaining. "I flew into the air and released the power of the mew aqua. Everything went green and water started to flow. It was amazing. Clouds blocked out the intense heat from the sun and a kind of dome appeared over the area. Several miles were coated in a lush green forest. Plants, trees, insects, animals, they were all revived there..." he looked away.

"You came in and told us what happened. Everyone rejoiced for days on end, finally able to leave the underground caves we had thrived in for so long... It lasted seven years... Several glorious years... But then people started to try and crowd it, fighting over the new paradise. My family was there, as well as several hundred others when it happened..."

"When what happened?" I asked softly, making Kish turn to look at me. I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth. His eyes were stained with tears running down his face.

"The Mew aqua lost its power," He replied, voice so low it was almost inaudible. "It went away and instantly the sun's rays came down again. There was a panic...and everyone who didn't make it back underground..."

"They died." Incred finished. "My mother, my father, everyone..." He stood up. "I came here with the others to reclaim this planet. Kish was supposed to lead us, but he refused. Later, he vanished after stealing a spaceship to come back here. I was so mad...I was furious. My best friend left me and came to warn you before we could leave. I started to blame him for it. I started to hate him... I remembered him talking about a girl here, that smelt and tasted of strawberries which she got her name from. I thought he chose her over his own planet. Coming here, I saw him fighting against her, but I didn't accept it. I was too angry... and now..."

"It's okay, man." Kish spoke, walking over to him. "I understand. I didn't exactly go easy on you either..."

"So much for best friends..."

"Hey, all friends fight every now and then..."

Incred looked over at me and Masaya. "This isn't right...Taking your this planet back and hurting the people you care about too, all for our own reasons. It would be the same if we never left and humans came to invade..." He looked at Kish and wiped his eyes, putting on a grin that I never thought I'd see on his face. "Kish! Let's fight together again! We can collect the Mew Aqua's and return home! This time we'll know how to go about it and turn the entire planet beautiful!"

"Friends again?" Kish held out his arm.

"Friends!" Incred slapped his hand against his and the two shook firmly, grinning at each other.

"Well then," I smiled, wiping a tear from my eye. "We can settle this peacefully after all."

"We don't think so." All of us turned and looked into the air, where Kei, Black rose, and Saucer were all hovering several yards from the ground. "Incred, you have betrayed us as well?"

Incred looked up at them. "Guys! Let's just get the-"

"No!" Black rose shouted down at him. "This is our planet. We'll reclaim it."

"But-"

"Don't come back," Kei glared at him before all three of them disappeared.

"You can stay with us," Kish told him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But first..." He took the aqua drop from his pouch and walked over to me. "Ichigo..."

"Yes?" I looked at the drop then to him. Was he going to give it to me? Kish leaned closer and held our the drop. Reaching for it, I squeaked as he snared my hand and pulled forward, forcing his lips onto mine. Blushing, I pulled back and tried to slap him. "Kish you perverted little freak! Don't do that!"

"Thanks for the kiss, Honey!" He replied, sticking his tongue out at Masaya, who was shaking in anger. "Till next time!" He waved and the pair of them disappeared.

"Bleh," I wiped my mouth. "Well this is an interesting day so far." I shivered in the wind.

"Mew Mew! A word! Please!" Suddenly I noticed several T.V. Cameras all around us, filming. "What exactly is going on? Who are those people? Who are you?"

"I, er, that is..." Smiling, I posed for them. "I'm Mew Ichigo! Don't worry, and just leave it all up to us!"

The Blue Knight sighed and shook his head, walking over to me. "Come on, little Kitty, let's go home before we're all over the newspapers." Placing an arm over my shoulder, he teleported us off.

A/N: FF.N is being mean and won't let me upload when I want to. So sorry for the delay ;