Thanks for the reviews! I'll try to make chappie's as long as I can from now on! I've got Mint here to do the disclaimer!

Mint: Am I getting paid for this?

Me: Uh, no. Why?

Mint: Whaddoya know? Right now is my teatime. You'll have to do the disclaimer yourself. Too bad.

Me: Okay, okay! How's ten bucks? (holds out a ten)

Mint: (snatches the money) Deal! Okay! My dear friend here does NOT and will NEVER own Tokyo Mew Mew because she is not clever enough to come up with something so brilliant!

Me: Hey! How dare you insult me! Just for that, I'm not putting you in this chapter!

Chapter Two- Exit Masaya, Enter Ryou

Ichigo hopped down the school steps, determined to meet up with Masaya so that she could officially break off whatever relationship it was that they had. Upon finding him, she also noticed Acacia, the girl he seemed to fancy lately. Momomiya slowly marched up to them, causing Acacia to grab Masaya's arm.

She said without emotion, "Don't worry, Acacia Kouri. I'm not here to take Aoyama away from you. Actually, I came here to say he's all yours. See you around." She left before she got a reply, rushing off quickly to the café.

"Phew. Thank goodness THAT'S over with!" she sighed as she entered the Mew Mew Café.

"Oh my, oh me! Ichigo's actually EARLY! How unusual!" Mint piped.

She was right. Ichigo was early by ten minutes to be exact. Apparently, she walked even faster than she thought she did.

"Wow! I really am early! Ha! Now Ryou can't yell at me for being late!"

"Get to work, Strawberry!" a familiar voice mocked.

"What! I get here before I should be, and that's your greeting! Jerk!" she fumed as she walked into the kitchen. That's when she noticed Lettuce.

Lettuce congratulated, "Good job for arriving ahead of time, Ichigo. So, are you really okay about the whole Masaya thing?"

"Don't worry Lettuce. Truthfully, I just told Acacia that I don't mind her being with Aoyama. And to be completely honest, it makes me happy that he's with someone else."

"Glad to here that your happiness hasn't faltered," she replied. "By the way, did you know that Pie AND Tart are going to be working here from now on?"

"Really? When did this happen?"

The shy girl answered, "It appears that after Zakuro got Pie a job, Tart asked Ryou for one too. I wonder if Kish will start as well?"

Ichigo mumbled, "I hope not…"

"What was that, Ichigo?" she asked softly.

"Oh, it was nothing," Momomiya assured.

Later, Zakuro walked in with Pie. He wasn't too friendly with the customers, just like Zakuro, but anyone could tell that they were both happy. Every now and then they even smiled at each other in a sort of wordless communication. The couple only talked a few times, yet they completely understood each other.

Mint then asked Ichigo, "Hey, do you think Zakuro and Pie are dating?"

"I don't know… they might be."

"Wouldn't that be so totally cool?" Minted asked with stars in her eyes.

Ichigo accused, "And what about Tart and Pudding? There's DEFINITELY something going on with them! They are so cute together! Don't ya think?"

"Of course! Now, if only we could hook Lettuce up with someone!"

"What about you? Shouldn't you try getting a boyfriend?"

"No way! That would take too much of my time away! How could I possibly beautify myself fully if I had to spend time with some guy?"

Ichigo sighed. Mint could be so conceited sometimes. She lied, "Sorry, I forgot just how busy your schedule is. It's amazing that you even have time for work! How do you do it?" 'I can't believe I'm saying this. Now she'll have an even bigger head…'

"Practice, my dear. It takes a lot of practice," the blue haired girl instructed.

Meanwhile, Pudding was showing Tart how to twirl the dishes without making the food splatter.

She directed, "Now hold your arm straight and twirl!"

"Like this?"

"Yay! Tar-Tar is wonderful! He deserves a star!"

Tart mocked, "You can't give away stars! Their too big and hot!"

Giggling, Pudding put a sticker on his forehead, "Not a real star, silly! A sticker!"

"Oh. Why does it go on my head?"

"Because it makes Tar-Tar look cute!"

Tart blushed and ran off, but Pudding soon followed to play with him some more.

By the end of the day, Ichigo was wiped out.

'Other than Lettuce dropping a few plates, it was a pretty good day.' Everything was great, but somehow she felt that something was missing. Sure she was happy… demo, that didn't seem to be enough. 'What could it be?' she thought, 'What could possibly be wrong? Hm…'

She had been finishing up with some dishes in the kitchen after the others had all gone home. Finally done, she dried her hands and turned to leave. She was surprised to see Ryou leaning against the counter, staring blankly at her.

The redhead asked simply, "What's up, Ryou?" Then her heart began to race, but why she did not know.

"Just checking up on ya. You seem different today."

"I do?"

"Yeah. You still seem happy, just… different…" he breathed. "Your face is kinda flushed." He placed his forehead to hers and determined, "No fever…"

'What's he doing?' she wondered frantically, 'He's so close! And my heart's pounding in my chest, but why? This isn't like how I felt around Masaya… I wasn't this nervous around him at all… I feel like my heart may even explode!'

Without moving, they gazed into each other's eyes, as if searching for something that might have been overlooked before. Ichigo gawked at his intense blue pools of emotion, wondering if every feeling they held was directed towards her. Even that of love maybe?

As if to confirm her thoughts, Ryou tenderly rested his lips upon hers and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her closer as he deepened the kiss, and Ichigo soon found herself kissing back.

She was unsure of how long the position was kept, but she had no time to think when they parted for she was swept off of her feet and carried into an all too familiar room that belonged to Ryou. After a short talk and a couple more kisses, Ichigo drifted off to sleep in the blonde's strong arms.

When Ichigo came to, she was at home on the couch. Her mother squealed with excitement and practically tackled her daughter.

"Oh my, Ichigo! Who was that handsome young man? He was so sweet! I can't believe he brought you home all by himself! Doesn't he have any parents? I thought you were with Masaya! Are you feeling all right? Your face is kinda red!"

'What? He brought me home? He must've figured that my parents would be worried if I stayed out all night… He really is sweet! Hm… last night…' she began to recall her chat with Ryou held on the previous night.

End Chapter

Mint: I thought you weren't putting me in this chapter.

Me: Yeah well… I just sorta did. I guess you're off the hook. Anyway, plz R&R!