Hello, and welcome to chapter two! I've rewritten this again, lol! I've decided that I'd prefer it if Ichigo knew about Alto! Lol

Disclaimer: One day I may just steal TMM, but until then it is not mine, lol! Enjoy!

"Alto?" The little kitten froze in its tracks for a second to confirm who the person in front of him was, then prepared to dart off at a record breaking speed, only to be caught by the girl.

Damn, he thought, I thought I could get away!

"Shirogane Ryou!" she exclaimed as she held him up by the scruff of his neck, "Were you trying to run out of here to avoid talking to me?"

Sweat dripped down Alto's face as he tried to think of some excuse as to why he tried to leave so sneakily. All he could come up with was, "Aw, you caught me!" He grinned as he reverted to his human form, effectively pinning Ichigo beneath him. "Sooo… what did you want to talk about?"

Blushing violently, the redhead shrieked, "Pervert!"

Ryou quickly brought a hand to her mouth to silence her. "You're so loud. Isn't it a little late for you to be screaming like that?"

"Mmmft!" Momomiya tried to protest, but her words were muffled against the blonde's hand. Thus, she opted instead for glaring, although her face remained a brilliant red.

Temporarily satisfied with the level of embarrassment he'd caused, Shirogane released the cat girl and stood, offering his hand.

"Pft! I'm not falling for that! You're just trying to make me forget about that raise I want! Well, I'm not gonna, so knock it off!"

The young man replied, "You never give up, do you? Can't you ask about that at a more decent hour?"

"Correction: I'm not asking for a raise; I'm demanding that I get one. The payment I get isn't nearly worth it for all the work I do. Um… a-and if you don't give me a raise… I… I'll- I'll- I'll quit!"

The blonde teen became amused at her sudden little outburst and teased, "You're so weird. And why are you so worked up now, of all times. It's almost Christmas anyway, which means you'll be getting a break soon. Oh, and on Christmas Eve, instead of working, you're invited to the party we're having downstairs in the café."

At this, Ichigo's ears perked up. (A/N: No, not the cat ones. Lol) She immediately hammered Ryou with questions, asking, "A Christmas Party? At the café? Who's coming? Can I bring some friends?"

"Slow down," Shirogane instructed, "You can bring whoever because anyone who wants to come is invited. Just don't bring anyone like you. I get enough of that as it is."

"What!" she cried, "You are so mean!"

"Yeah, I know," Ryou smirked, "But that's why you like me!"

The girl immediately squealed, "Wh-what?!" and her cheeks reddened, two oh so familiar cat ears appearing.

"You're so funny."

A few moments of silence passed between them before the little cat girl spoke again, "I had better go home. It's pretty late..."

"I'll walk you. It'd be dangerous for you to go alone." That being said, he grabbed his jacket and led Ichigo outside.

"Ryou…" she inaudibly whispered. Is he worried about me? Why does he always do this? He goes from being mean to super sweet, which might explain why I have mixed feelings toward him… Feelings of friendship! They're just feelings of friendship! As the redhead continued to ponder her friend's strange character, she unconsciously shivered.

Concerned, Shirogane asked, "Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine," she assured, but he had already placed his jacket on her shoulders.

Surprised, she protested, "But I said-"

"Don't be dumb. If you catch cold, you'll be sick over the holiday..."

"Th-thanks," she stammered while thinking, He really does care, doesn't he? I like it when he's nice to me! Ichigo smiled as they walked along the street.

Eventually, they approached Momomiya's house, and she returned Ryou's coat and slipped inside.

Wow. That time he didn't even go back to being a jerk. He was nice during the whole trip. That's gotta be some kind of record… Wait, am I forgetting something? As she yawned, Ichigo decided that whatever it was could wait because she was completely exhausted.

Outside, the blonde laughed, "Well, I got her to stop talking about that raise!"

"Mm…hm?" Ichigo sleepily looked at the clock on her nightstand. " Quarter after nine? Oh no! I was supposed to be at work fifteen minutes ago! Ryou's gonna kill me!" She hurriedly got ready for work and flew out the door, running as fast as her legs would carry her. Once in the café, she skidded to a stop directly in front of her boss.

"You're late, baka strawberry! When are you ever gonna be on time!" the extremely angry blonde teen yelled.

"Look, my alarm didn't go off this morning! Why are you yelling at me! You know I always make up for being late by working extra hard!" she explained. So much for being nice; he's right back to insulting me… she inwardly fumed, but apologized, "…Sorry about being late…"

Ryou sighed heavily, thinking, This girl causes me so much stress… Then he said, "Just hurry up and do your job." With that he walked away, leaving little Ichigo completely dumbfounded. But she soon snapped out of it when she heard someone calling her name.

"Hey, Ichigo!"

Spinning on one foot, she turned around with excitement. "Masaya!" However, her expression soon dropped when she saw a girl with him. "Uh… who's that?" she asked while silently adding, And what's she doing, hanging all over Masaya like that!

Aoyama stated, "This is just an old friend of mine. You haven't met."

"My name is Acacia. It's a pleasure to meet you," the brunette announced with arrogance. "Masaya's told me all about you…Momomiya is it?"

Ichigo nodded politely in affirmation, but her thoughts were anything but that. She inwardly glared, I think she just sneered at me! I don't like her!

"Say, you wanna come with us to the library later? We're going to be looking up information on the protection of rainforests," he offered.

"I would, but I have to work pretty late today… Sorry, I wish I could," Ichigo admitted regretfully, "Maybe next time..."

Smiling back, he waved and said, "Sure, but we better go. Have fun at work!"

Waiting for Aoyama to walk far enough away, Acacia glared at Ichigo.

"You had better stay away from my Masaya or else, you loser!" she threatened. Just as Momomiya was about to tell her off, though, Shirogane stepped in.

"Or else what?" he dared.

The bully of teen rudely asked, "And who are you?"

"I am Ichigo's boss, and I will not tolerate anyone talking to my employee in such a rude manner. And if you don't leave right now, you'll be thrown out. So get lost!"

Acacia let out a "Hmph" and turned on her heel to follow Masaya.

Timidly, Ichigo looked up at Ryou. Smiling, she thought, He stood up for me… Then the girl just had to ask, "Thanks, but why?"

"Well I couldn't let her get away with that. Only I'm allowed to make fun of you! Strawberry head!"

"Ugh! You, jerk!" Stomping toward a table, she mumbled to herself about how Ryou could be so cocky. Who does he think he is anyway? And what does he mean only he can tease me?

So, whaddoya think? Next time the aliens are gonna join the fic! Yayness! Whelp, you know what to do! R&R please!