If anyone has any writing tips or ideas for this story, please share them! I'm not exactly sure of everything that's going to happen in this story yet.
Oh, and just for the record, I don't really know what Ichigo's dad's name is. If someone could tell me, that'd be great.
Chapter 6—Discoveries
"Ichigo, honey, you've been awfully quiet this evening."
Ryou poked at the meatloaf in front of him with his fork. He stared down at it, trying to avoid making eye contact with Ichigo's parents best he could. "I guess I'm tired," he answered Ichigo's mother. Sakura Momomiya seemed to be the more civilized of the girl's parents, but then again anyone would look civilized after seeing Shimzabu eating.
Ichigo's father stuffed his face with mashed potatoes and said before he swallowed it all, "Hof wuf fwok twday?"
Ryou thought for a moment as he attempted to translate what Shimzabu had said. "How was work? It was fine."
Sakura gave her husband a look that a mother would give her child when he had just done something rude. "Don't talk with food in your mouth, dear." She turned to who she thought was her daughter and smiled. "Just fine? Nothing interesting happened?"
"No." He looked down at his food and continued poking at it. When he looked up, Sakura and Shimzabu were staring at him, most likely waiting for him to say something. It struck Ryou that Ichigo probably spoke more than a few words at dinner, and if he was going to play her for a week, he would have to fool her parents too. "I…got a raise."
"Hey, that's great Ichigo!" Shimzabu exclaimed, having fully swallowed his food.
"I told you that employer of yours wasn't as bad as he seemed," said Sakura, winking.
She even told her parents she hated him. How wonderful. "Yeah, I guess he's a pretty nice guy." He forced a smile. "May I be excused?"
Sakura frowned. "But honey, you've hardly touched your food."
"I'm not very hungry," he said. "I had a big lunch."
Sakura nodded as if she understood and Ryou went into the kitchen to put his plate in the sink. Yawning, he decided to go to bed. It had been a long day. And tomorrow was Monday; he would have to go to school. Well, joy. But at least he would be in a lower grade so it would be easier. Wait… If he was in a lower grade, didn't that mean Ichigo would be in a higher one? Ooh, that wouldn't be good. He'd flunk his classes for sure.
Sighing, he decided he'd think of an excuse to why he was failing for a week after he returned to his body. He exited the kitchen and headed for Ichigo's room…except he didn't know where that was. Well the house wasn't that big, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. He decided to start on the second floor, and he made his way up the staircase. At the top there was a small hallway with four doors; Ryou knew immediately which was Ichigo's. The pink color and strawberries painted on it were a dead giveaway.
He turned the doorknob and pushed it open slowly, as if he thought a monster was waiting for him on the other side. The room was pink, just like he had suspected it would be, and was fairly tidy. Her bed was made; the pink bedspread decorated with strawberries (somewhat like the door, Ryou thought) was smoothed out without any creases. A box of makeup along with a few pictures of Ichigo and her family and friends were placed atop a small white dresser, and a small bookshelf stood near it gathering dust. In one corner there was a white and pink chest, which appeared to be locked. Ryou tried to open it and saw that this was true.
Forgetting the trunk for the moment, Ryou began to inspect the pictures on the dresser. There must have been at least fifteen, and to Ryou that was too many to count. Most of them had Ichigo, her parents, a few other people that looked related to her, and her two friends from school—Miwa and Moe, Ryou believed were their names. Two of the pictures had everyone from Café Mew Mew in them, except for Ryou because he had claimed he had too much work to do to take pictures. He regretted that now; he would do almost anything for Ichigo to have a picture of him along with all of her other friends.
To his disgust, the largest photograph was one of the redhead and her crush standing together, holding hands. It was in a large red porcelain frame that was shaped like a heart. They were outside, so Ryou guessed that must have been one of the times Ichigo was helping him clean up the environment.
He picked it up and stared at it for a minute, considering whether or not it would be a good idea to "accidentally" break it. No, she was already mad enough at him as it was.
He started to put it down, but he spotted a small piece of paper that had been under it and picked it up. He would have gasped when he saw what it was, if gasping wasn't such an un-Shirogane-like thing to do.
It was a picture.
A picture of him.
…………………………….
"Sheesh, Shirogane, don't you own anything that isn't leather?"
Ichigo dug through her employer's dresser drawer, searching for at least one article of clothing that she felt comfortable in. So far, she was having no success. It appeared that the few clothes Shirogane actually owned were either too dark for her taste or made of leather. Sighing, she decided to stay in the clothes she was wearing now until she went shopping.
Before closing the drawer, she took notice to the five or six different collars that Shirogane possessed and seemed to wear so often. Come to think of it, she never saw him without one. Unless he was wearing a turtleneck or something…
As her curiosity began to grow, she touched the side of her—er, Shirogane's neck, wondering what might be the reason that he would hide the area all the time. She looked around the room as if someone might be watching her, although she spotted no one. She reached behind her neck—Shirogane! It was Shirogane's neck!—and began to undo the strap that held the scarlet collar together. When it came off, she touched Shirogane's bare neck and analyzed it in the mirror. It looked normal enough. But wait—on the right side there was a small pink mark, identical to the one she had on her thigh; the mark that she had received when she became a Mew. "What…?"
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Ryou, may I come in?"
Ichigo almost fell over. She quickly closed the drawer and smoothed her clothes out, as if it would make much of a difference to the man at the door. "Come in, Aka—I mean, K-Keiichiro!" It almost felt wrong calling Akasaka-san by his first name, but Ichigo realized that Shirogane and Keiichiro were close enough friends to do that.
Keiichiro opened the door and walked in the room. "Good morning, Ryou," he said with a smile. "Are you feeling well?"
"Um…" Think Ichigo: What Would Shirogane Say? "Of course! Duh. Why wouldn't I be."
Akasaka-san looked at her strangely. "All…right."
"Yeah."
"So—"
"Well, actually, I'm a busy jerk, so I don't want to listen to anything you have to say."
Keiichiro stared at her like she was crazy. "Ryou…are you certain your feeling well…?"
"Heh, j-just kidding!" She sweatdropped. "I mean, c'mon, can't you take a joke, Aka—Keiichiro?"
Akasaka-san didn't say anything. He just continued staring. Ichigo stared back, unsure of what to say. She suspected that wasn't something Shirogane would really say. Obviously, playing the part of him would be harder than she thought.
"S-so, what did you want, Keiichiro?" she said finally.
"Um, well…" Akasaka started, "One of your father's old friends called this morning. He wanted to speak to you. Since your door was locked, I told him that you were busy but you would call him back." He handed her a piece of paper with contact information.
"Cool," said Ichigo. "When am I gonna see Dad again, anyway?"
Akasaka stared, now more worried than confused. "Ryou, your parents are dead."
Whoa.
What did he just say?
Ichigo had to sit down. She remembered when she heard about the tidal waves on the news. They just came without warning, wiping out cities and killing hundreds.
She felt like one had just hit her.
"Ryou, are you sure you're alright?"
Ichigo managed to nod and say, "Yes Keiichiro. I've just been under some stress lately." Did she really just say that? She was amazed at the sincerity in her own voice. It occurred to her that that might actually be something Shirogane would say.
It surprised her to a certain degree when Akasaka-san sat down beside her. "Is there anything I can do?"
"No, I'm fine. Really!" She tried her best not to smile perkily like she usually would. It was not something Shirogane would do.
"It would be wise, you know, if you would take a small break."
"A break?" From what? All Ryou did was sit around all day and play games on his computer, right?
"Yes," Akasaka-san said firmly. "A break. You're working too hard, Ryou. Let me handle some of your work for a few days. It will refresh you."
She thought about it. Not whether or not to take the break—the obvious answer was yes. Ichigo was really thinking about what Shirogane would do to reluctantly agree to the elder man. It was all too obvious that Ryou would never go along with it.
"How long would this 'break' be?" she asked.
"How about two weeks?"
More than enough time, Ichigo thought. She fought back a smile. She was stuck inside Shirogane's body and she wouldn't have to do a thing but go to school. Plus…after they switched back, Ryou would get some time off of his own. Not that it really matters or anything, she told herself.
"Okay," said she.
Akasaka-san seemed surprised. "'Okay'?"
"Yes. Okay."
"Just 'okay'? You're not going to argue with me further?"
"Don't see the point." She leaned back leisurely, in a very Shirogane-like fashion. "You'd just force me to do it in the end." Maybe she was getting the hang of this.
The answer was sufficient enough for Keiichiro. "Um, alright. You just…hang out then!" He smiled brightly and left. "Goodbye, Ryou!"
"Bye, A—Keiichiro." She gave him a little wave as he closed the door behind him.
She sat in silence for a moment, trying to take in what Akasaka-san had just told her. Dead, she thought. They're dead.
She looked at Shirogane's neck again. It didn't make sense. Why would he have this mark? Why would he hide it? Why had he let her go on thinking his parents were alive? She looked at the picture on his desk. The four people in it looked so happy; so content. And Shirogane looked so much unlike…Shirogane. She picked up the photograph.
Ryou, you idiot, why didn't you tell me?
…………………….
Ryou got to school on time the next morning, much to everyone's surprise.
"Are you feeling okay?" Miwa asked.
"I'm fine," Ryou mumbled. He thought it was kind of obvious that he was feeling okay. After all, if he weren't, then wouldn't he be late and not early? Leave it to Ichigo to make stupid friends.
"For as long as we've known you, you've never been at school on time," said Moe. "So who are you and what did you do with Ichigo?"
Ryou considered making a sarcastic comeback, but decided against it. Ichigo was probably more perky in the morning. He could understand why, since she always slept in.
Miwa decided to change the subject. "Hey, Ichigo, do you think you could get a day off this week to go shopping?"
"No," he answered automatically. Ask Ichigo for a day off so that he could run around a mall with a couple of squealing girls? Ryou didn't think so.
"Could you just try to ask your boss?" said Miwa. "He's gotta give you a day off eventually."
"He just gave me a raise," said he, "it would be rude to request a break now."
"C'mon, just ask him!" said Moe. "It won't hurt."
Ryou sighed. "Fine. I'll ask him later today." Yeah, right.
The bell rang and the three girls headed to their different classes. Ryou passed the class he would have normally gone to—if he was in his own body—and noticed his teacher standing outside scratching his head. Ryou stopped to see what was the matter.
"Legree-san?"
The teacher looked at who he thought was a young girl. "Good day, miss. You're Momomiya-san, correct?"
Ryou managed to nod.
"I thought so," said Legree. "You work for a boy in my class, Shirogane-san. Have you seen him by chance? It's so unlike him to be late."
Ryou's eyes narrowed. "He's late, is he?" Being late in her body, that was understandable. It wouldn't be Ichigo if she weren't late. But making him late? How dare she? "I think I know where he is," Ryou said, stomping off.
Confused, Legree watched him go.
……………
Ichigo had been having a pleasant dream about going to France with Aoyama-kun, when a thumping sound awoke her.
"Ichigo! Wake up now!"
"Five more minutes," she mumbled unconsciously.
"You're late!"
Ichigo rolled out of bed and hit the floor hard. Did she have to go to school today? Her room was so warm and happy, and school was so gloomy and blah, and—
Wait. This wasn't her room.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The door swung open, and Ichigo saw something run in that looked strangely like herself. It took her a moment to realize that it was her. She opened her mouth to scream again, but she…the other Ichigo…covered it.
"And I thought I wasn't a morning person," he/she/it said.
Shirogane? Ichigo thought. She went over the events of the previous day in her head, slowly but surely realizing what was going on. Oh my god! I'm in Shirogane's body! She jumped up and gaped at the other. Oh my god! He's in my body!
"Fascinating, isn't it," Shirogane said without emotion. "Now hurry up and get to school. You're making us both late."
Still dazed, Ichigo obeyed and began to get dressed. Ryou wisely waited outside. When she was finished, Ichigo came out wearing a white t-shirt with a large coffee stain, and a pair of blue jeans that she had found buried somewhere in the back of his drawer.
Ryou stared. "What are you wearing?"
"Clothes," she said with a shrug.
"I know that."
"They're the only decent clothes you own," she snapped. "Seriously, Shirogane, your wardrobe is totally lame! With a capital 'L'." She made an "L" sign with her left hand and put the other on her hip.
"Don't…do that!" Somehow, he managed to keep himself from swearing.
Ichigo rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, I can act like myself when it's just you and I. I've completely got your whole jerk-ish attitude covered."
Ryou let that comment slide and went back to the clothing issue. "Ichigo, go back into my room and change into something more appropriate," he instructed.
"I'm sure there are plenty of people who would agree that what I'm wearing is much more appropriate than the rest of your wardrobe."
"And I'm sure there are plenty of people who would agree that by wearing what you're wearing you'll make a total fool out of yourself."
"No," said she with a smirk, "I'll be making a total fool out of yourself!" She gave out a laugh and threw her fist into the air. "Take that, Shirogane! Revenge is so sweet!"
"Ichigo!" Ryou said, fuming, "If you don't stop it I'll—"
"Ryou, what in the world are you doing up there?"
"Keiichiro!" both teens cried out upon hearing the brunette.
"He can't see me here!" Ichigo yelped.
"No, he has to see you here!" corrected Ryou. "He can't see me here!"
"Hide in your room! No, don't, he might go in there!"
"Not if you stay out here! Wait, you have to change or he might get suspicious!"
"Too late!" Ichigo pushed Ryou into his room and slammed the door shut. About half a second later, Keiichiro came walking up the stairs.
He stared around, seemingly perplexed. "Ryou, were you talking to someone?"
"Who? Me?" Ichigo forced a laugh. "K-Keiichiro, you're so funny sometimes!" On the other side of the door, Ryou smacked his forehead.
Keiichiro looked more confused than ever. "I was sure I heard someone up here…"
"And you did!" Ichigo said quickly. "I was, uh, y'know, talking to myself, um, reminding myself to…go to school! Ohmigod!" She jumped up suddenly, remembering why Ryou had stopped by in the first place. "I've gotta go! I'm gonna be so late!"
"You're wearing that? Wait!" he called; but in vain. Ichigo would not stop to talk to him any longer.
The young man stood silently for a moment, utterly confused. It seemed to him that Ryou had not been himself lately. Perhaps, he considered, because of the mention of his parents. Akasaka wasn't sure.
Well, he would have to think about it later. There was work to be done in the café. Keiichiro headed back down the stairs.
Ryou heard his friend's feet descending the staircase, and sighed with relief. Relaxing, he leaned back against the door.
Big mistake.
As it turned out, Ichigo hadn't shut the door all the way when she shoved Ryou in his room. The door swung open and Ryou came tumbling out of the room. Keiichiro immediately turned around and ran back up the stairs to see what the commotion was.
"Ichigo!" he cried out of surprise. "What were you doing in Ryou's room?"
Ryou felt his face flush. What could he say? Keiichiro must be suspecting something was going on—maybe he would suspect the worse! If he saw Ichigo there two mornings in a row, what would that mean? What if he thought that he and Ichigo were… Oh, he didn't even want to think about that.
Keiichiro waited for him to respond, but Shirogane's mind wasn't working right at that moment. Nothing he could do! Nothing he could say! There must have been something! Think, Ryou, THINK!
He felt two cat ears pop up on the top of his head.
What? No!
Wait, he thought, this is perfect. He put his hands over his ears, trying to hide them, and ran downstairs as fast as he could. "IhavetogotoschoolAkasaka-sanbye!"
"Wait! Ichigo!"
Like the real Ichigo, Ryou would not stop to talk to Keiichiro any longer.
……………………
"You're late, Shirogane-san," Legree said, more shocked than angry, when Ichigo entered the classroom.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry about that, uh…um, sir." She sat down at the only vacant desk, between a boy with glasses and poofy hair, and a girl a about who looked disturbingly similar. Nerdtopia, Ichigo thought.
The teacher was still amazed at one of his best students arriving late, but began his lesson. Ichigo hardly understood a word of it, but either way had way too much on her mind to pay attention.
Akasaka-san is the only person I have to really try to fool, she thought. Shirogane doesn't really have many other friends. At the thought of her brunette manager, her mind wandered to the night before.
Why did Ryou want to keep his parents' death a secret? Did he think she and the other girls would see him differently or something? He would always be an egotistical jerk, in Ichigo's eyes.
Now that she thought about it, she Shirogane had always avoided talk about his family—and everyone else's for that matter. Maybe he didn't like to think about it. Maybe it hurt too much for him to think about it. Maybe he just wanted to forget them all together.
Shirogane Ryou, she thought. Beautiful name, really. There was little about Shirogane that was not beautiful; his looks, attitude, clothes, and lifestyle were charming and lovely in a unique way. His smile—his true smile, not that devilish smirk he always gave Ichigo—was rarely seen, but secretly treasured by Ichigo when it appeared. She always assumed that he wasn't a complete brute, and his smile was almost an "I told you so" to back up this theory. And his eyes; can one describe the beauty they reveal? It took all of Ichigo's will power not to get lost in those deep blue orbs.
Ryou was…there was no word Ichigo could think of that could fully describe the young man. He was unordinary, she decided. No, extraordinary. She could spend a thousand years with the boy and never fully understand him.
These thoughts of Ryou aroused a feeling of excitement in Ichigo; an emotion that she had only felt a few times when with Aoyoma-kun. And yet the mere thought of her manager made her feel like this?
Ichigo mentally smacked herself in the head. Ichigo, you baka-strawberry, you love Aoyoma-kun only! He's the only beautiful person there is. Oh my god, what did I just call myself!
The girl felt her face flush. She was glad she wasn't in her own body at the moment, because she was sure her cat ears would come out if she was. Ichigo tried to get her mind off of Shirogane by imagining her beloved Aoyoma-kun whisking her off to Paris, and telling her that she was the girl of his dreams, and that he could not live without her.
But for some strange reason, Aoyoma's dark chocolate eyes kept becoming as blue as the sea, and his brown hair became a lovely golden color.