Disclaimers: I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew.

Yes, I am alive. And I didn't forget about my fanfic. I'm really sorry, but something went wrong with my computer, and it took a while to get it fixed so I could update. This chapter is dedicated to my goods friend Crissy and her parents, Joe and Jen for fixing my computer. Big thanks to silver wolf demoness, Ichigososofan, MistressOfYugio, Reena, gelatinoussugar, Ringo-Crimson-Apple, boycrazy, Twysted.Care.Bear, Hikari Rioki, Magick-Silverfang25, Ichigo12, kira, I Heart DM 11, Quicksilver Foxx and yuyuyasha33 for reviewing!

Warning: This chapter contains malexmale romance.

Misunderstood Emotions: Chapter Nine

Keiichiro felt Ryou's arms tighten around him, unwilling to let go. "I was so afraid…afraid you were never going to open your eyes again…" The blond boy said softly. Keiichiro suddenly pushed Ryou away to look him in the face, his dark brown eyes meeting Ryou's kind, but serious blue ones. Keiichiro smiled softly. "You were really worried about me, weren't you?" he asked. "Of course I was!" Ryou exclaimed, seemingly surprised Keiichiro needed to ask. Ryou suddenly found Keiichiro's arms around his shoulders and the brunet resting his head in the crook of Ryou's neck. "Thank you Ryou… Thank you for caring about me…"

"Oh and before I forget, you need to make a couple of phone calls." Ryou said turning to Keiichiro. "I do?" Keiichiro asked wondering what Ryou meant. "Yes you do, unless you want Café Mew Mew open, with the girls and a bunch of customers running around."

"No Ryou doesn't have a high fever!" Keiichiro exclaimed talking into the phone to Ichigo. He had already called Lettuce ("Is everything okay Akasaka-san?") Mint ("All right, I have dancing lessons tomorrow anyway.") Pudding ("Wow a vacation na no da!") and Zakuro ("Okay…") and now he was trying to convince Ichigo that Ryou wasn't delusional because he was giving the mew mews an actual vacation. That… wasn't an easy job. "But Shirogane never gives us any time off!" Ichigo exclaimed. "Well he's in a generous mood today. Goodbye!" Keiichiro hung up the phone and sighed in relief. "Gee you'd think I treated them like slaves the way she talked." Ryou remarked from across the room. Keiichiro smiled and chuckled softly. "What are you laughing about?"

The next few days were uneventful. With Café Mew Mew closed there was no Lettuce breaking dishes, no Pudding swinging from the ceiling, no Ichigo arguing with Mint, and no Zakuro frightening customers. For once in a lifetime it was actually peaceful at the café.

Ryou would have liked to have been able to enjoy the break from the insanity. But he couldn't relax completely, Because he worried about Keiichiro. He knew the man wasn't in pain anymore. At least… not any physical pain. But Keiichiro eye's held a sad, almost haunted look. He flinched at the slightest touch and he avoided looking Ryou in the face. It wasn't like before, when he was in shock and in physical pain. It was different. It was worse.

Keiichiro knew Ryou thought something was wrong. He also knew Ryou was right. But he couldn't tell Ryou was wrong. Those moments of closeness he'd had with Ryou… When Ryou hugged him, when he'd comforted him … They'd made Keiichiro fall even more in love with Ryou, if that was even possible. And now it was becoming nearly impossible to hide his feelings. "But I can never tell him how I feel…" Keiichiro thought. "I don't want him to hate me…"

"Hey Keiichiro…" Ryou said. He'd approached his friend in the living room after dinner, so there nothing for Keiichiro to do to avoid his questions. "Something's wrong isn't it?" he asked softly. "No nothing's wrong!" Keiichiro answered a little to quickly avoiding Ryou's serious gaze. "Keiichiro…" Ryou gently put his hand on Keiichiro's shoulder. Keiichiro flinched at the touch. Ryou pulled his hand away, feeling slightly hurt. "Please Keiichiro… Just tell me what's wrong." Keiichiro choked back a yell he could feel building in his throat. "I told you nothing's wrong." he said quietly, staring at the floor. "Keiichiro…" Ryou started. "I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG OKAY?" Ryou jumped at the sudden yell staring at Keiichiro in surprise. Keiichiro never raised his voice. Keiichiro raised his face to look at Ryou and Ryou saw that there were tears building in his eyes. "I can't tell you what's wrong… because you'd only be disgusted…" Keiichiro said softly, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to flow down his face. "Keiichiro… you can tell me anything." Ryou said. "Whatever it is I promise I won't be offended. Can't you trust me?"

Keiichiro bit his lip, trying not to cry. "Perfect now he thinks I don't trust him." he thought sadly. " Ryou it's not that…I trust you more than anyone else. But… I don't want to ruin our friendship. I can't tell you what's wrong. I can't tell you that I love you…" Keiichiro thought. He froze as he felt the secret he had kept for so long struggling to escape his lips. "No…I can't tell him!" But his body seemed to be going against his wishes, disobeying his mind. "I-I love you…" Keiichiro whispered.

To Be Continued

I'm sorry! I don't update for forever and then I end the chapter with a cliffhanger! Please review! If I know people are still reading this fanfic I promise to update soon. Thanks for reading!