Chapter 8

Growing

Quickly, Lettuce hurried in the direction of Café Mew Mew, full of anticipation and butterflies. She couldn't imagine what was in store for her and each passing moment felt like an eternity to her. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she did not notice that the closer she got to the café, the brighter her surroundings became. She finally was snapped out of her thoughts when she came to the edge of the property that the establishment was on and saw a long line of fabulously dressed people waiting outside. The café was decorated so beautifully, and everyone was in long sparkly evening gowns or tuxes and it seemed like they were all waiting for someone to come out. Lettuce felt completely underdressed, and was about to leave when someone emerged from the café doors and announced that the crowd could now enter. That one person made Lettuce freeze in her tracks.

It was Ryou. Ryou as Lettuce had seen him only once before- in a white tux and tie, his platinum hair shimmering in the moonlight. He seemed to sense her gaze on him, and instantly he rushed to her.

"We were wondering if you were going to show." He said as he approached her.

"Ryou," she said quietly, not looking him in the eye, "what's going on?"

"Come on in, and you'll see." He said, as if he was inviting her to a secret place where the two of them could be alone.

Lettuce numbly followed him into the café and gazed around at the room. It was packed with people and there was a four string quartet accompanied by a pianist playing classical music.

"I think I'm a little underdressed." She said to Ryou.

"Yes. You are." He agreed. From nowhere came Keiichiro with a box. "If you want to go upstairs, you can change into this." He said, looking at her. "But leave your hair down…it looks nice."

Lettuce involuntarily blushed at the comment and took the box. She raced upstairs and into a spare room. When she opened the box, there was a glorious green silk dress that probably cost a fortune, Lettuce reasoned. It had a low neckline, trimmed in sequins and a large ribbon that tied in the back. Lettuce quickly put it on along with the green heels and gloves that accompanied it, and gazed at her reflection ina mirror on the wall. After a while, she figured she'd better go rejoin the party, or there would be a search to find her. As she left the room, something else in the box caught her eye. She went over and lifted out a white rose blossom. Wondering at the flower, she tucked it in her hair next to her ear and walked down the stairs.

Her entrance back into the party attracted some attention, and soon she could see people smiling at her and whispering to their neighbors. It seemed they were all trying to figure out who she was. Lettuce blushed at this realization, and headed out to the back balcony so no one could see.

As she stood out in the night, she heard the door open behind her, and when she turned to see who it was, Ichigo appeared at her side dressed in an elegant dress in different shades of pink, and her hair in its usual ribboned pigtails.

"Can I have some answers now?" Lettuce asked as they both leaned against the stone railing.

Ichigo sighed and looked at her. "Go ahead. Ask what you want. I will try to answer."
"What happened that day with you and … you know." Lettuce asked. It was the most important thing on her mind, and she wanted an answer, but was at the same time afraid of what she might hear.

"What happened that day…….was…well, the truth is, Ryou and I were caught up in the moment. We didn't mean to do it, me especially. I knew how you felt, plus I still love Masaya. But at that moment, I wasn't thinking. I was just so happy to finally be able to have a normal life and not have to worry about my ears or tail popping out anymore. After everyone left, I stayed behind and talked to Ryou about it. I told him that I couldn't be with him because there was someone else who wished to be."

"You didn't tell him it was me, did you?" Lettuce asked, horrified.

"No, I kept my silence, but Ryou is a smart guy. I think he'll figure it out sooner rather than later." Ichigo said with a smile.

"So you and Masaya..?" Lettuce asked.

"Are still together. I told him about the incident and he wasn't happy, but we're working through it." Ichigo said.

"And you and Ryou..?" Lettuce pushed.

Ichigo turned around to face the door that led back inside and smiled. Then she whispered in Lettuce's ear "He's all yours." And left her.

Lettuce spun around and saw Ryou gazing at her intently.

"You…you look beautiful." Ryou said, walking toward her.

"Thank you for the dress, and the rose." Lettuce said, and smiled at the ground.

"You make them lovely. Would you care to come inside and dance?" He asked her warmly, and took her hand.

Once they were inside, the band musicians began to play again, and as they twirled around the dance floor, Lettuce spotted each of the other girls dancing as well. There was Zakuro and Keiichiro, Ichigo and Masaya, Mint and a young gentleman, and even Pudding was dancing with someone Lettuce recognized as Makiko, Masaya's younger cousin. Although dancing probably wasn't the right word-they were chasing each other around the dance floor, and Pudding was incorporating some of her tricks into the routine.

After the dance ended, the girls gathered around Lettuce and Ryou and headed off to a table. Moments later, Keiichiro began serving cake, and soon everyone was enjoying it.

"So, are you coming back to work soon?" Mint asked Lettuce.

"If it would be alright…" She said, looking at Ryou.

"Please." He said, looking her in the eye. "I would love it."

Pudding giggled, and Zakuro smiled slightly. Everything was falling back into place.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When the party was over, Lettuce lingered behind to pick up a few tokens to remember the night by. She had changed back into her regular clothes and was gathering small favors when Ryou came up behind her. He too, had changed back into the black vest and white pants that he usually wore and he had his hands behind his back.

"Did you have a good time?" He asked, and Lettuce nodded.

"But I still don't know what the party was for." She admitted.

"As far as anyone else knows, it was a benefit for a local school. But for the Mew Mews, it was a celebration of a complete mission. It was the party we were supposed to have a few weeks ago. Before one of our most valued members decided to leave us. But I'm glad she came back." He said, smiling, causing Lettuce to grin as well.

From behind is back, he produced two glasses and a bottle of Sparkling Cider. He poured equal amounts into both and handed one to Lettuce. "Hold on, I'll be right back." He said, and went into the kitchen.

When he came out, he was carrying a small whitecake with two marzipan figurines topping it. One was of Lettuce in the gown she had worn that night, and the other was of Ryou in his tux and they were holding hands and kissing. He set the cake down on the table and raised his glass.

"To new beginnings…" he said smiling kindly, "may they never end."

"To new beginnings…"Lettuce agreed, and raised her glass as well.

THE END