Okay, this chapter needs some serious revising! Lol! Ryou! It's disclaimer time!

Ryou: Ya already know she doesn't own Tokyo Mew Mew. If she did, I think she would've killed off that Masaya guy before the second book…

Me: Yes! I would've!

Stuck in Ryou's Room

At the Christmas Eve party, Pie approached Zakuro wearing his usual bored expression. When he stopped in front of her, the look on his face changed almost to one of warmth, which was quite unlike him.

"I have your Pollyanna gift," he said as he pulled out what appeared to be clothes. "I here you're a model, so I thought this might be of use to you, since I'm sure you've never seen an outfit like this one."

Zakuro held the articles in front of her and observantly stated, "They're very similar to what you wear. I'm sure my photographer will be interested in shots with these. Thank you, and here. I got you a job as a waiter. If you like, we could work together."

Pie answered with blithe, "I'd like that very much, Zakuro." That said, they both decided to leave the party and go somewhere quieter.

Back at the café though, Pudding and Tart had just exchanged presents. Pudding gave Tart a year's supply of candy and received a cute orange scarf.

"Thanks a whole bunch, Tar Tar! I'll always wear it!"

"Whatever," was the response she got.

Ichigo was so nervous now, for Ryou had kissed her not once, or even twice, but three times. Unable to match his gaze, she concentrated on her feet while shuffling them in embarrassment. Meanwhile, the older teen just stared at her with soft eyes.

Many thoughts were going through Ichigo's mind at the time. Why'd he do that? I can't even look at him, I'm so mortified! What should I do?

Then she felt her arm being stroked and her entire face began to redden. Wait… I've never felt like this with Masaya… what's this feeling and what could it mean?

Testing if her voice would work, she stuttered, "R-Ryou, if… if you don't stop… I'm gonna turn into a cat again… I… can't-" Poof! She transformed back into a feline.

"Hn," Shirogane sniggered, "You get excited so easily... Does this happen when you're around him?"

Immediately understanding who he was speaking of, Ichigo sighed angrily. "Only once... and I'd rather not talk about him right now..."

Her boss pressed, "Does it bother you that much? That he seems involved with some girl?"

"Why would it?" neko-Ichigo lied defensively, "It's not like the two of us are r-really going out anyway..."

"So it does bother you... Sorry, but what is it you like about him anyway?"

"I said I didn't want to talk about it," Momomiya stated with more authority. The subject annoyed her more than it should.

The blonde tried, "I was just wondering, because he just seems so disgustingly perfect... How could you stand that?"

"I said drop it!" she hissed, running toward the door foolishly. She knew she couldn't open the door, but the bottled up anger about Masaya clouded her mind.

Ryou called sympathetically, "How are you gonna leave like that, Strawberry? Even if the door wasn't shut, you'd still have to be human to go home."

"Well then, I suppose I'm trapped here for now, aren't I? Cause I don't want your help!" she growled, not knowing why she was so upset. Sure Ryou had pressed into a subject she wasn't comfortable with, but he really didn't do anything wrong.

He replied with frustration as he settled onto his bed, "If that's the case, then I'll be going to sleep now. Sure you don't want my help?"

"Of course I'm sure! Jerk!"

"All right. Goodnight then."

Darn it! Ichigo thought, I am gonna have to kiss him if I want to get home…

What's little Ichigo gonna do now? Hm... well, I hope the revised version is better! Please let me know what you think!