Ch. 4

Ichigo sighed as she recalled the memory of that night. Many years had passed since then. She was seventeen now and just ended her junior year in high school along with Lettuce and Pudding, who was in her sophomore year. Minto had finished her home schooling and was touring the world with her best friend Zakuro. Ichigo, Pudding and Lettuce still held their jobs at Café Mew Mew and had moved in together awhile ago. Everything seemed to be going good for Ichigo these days. Massaya and her had broken up not long after the Mews had defeated the aliens and they left, and still remained close friends. She had gotten over him nicely and even moved on to date a few other boys but wasn't really into the dating thing. Problem was, that she just couldn't find anyone to compare to the guy she dreamed of.

"Ichigo! Are you getting up soon? We have work today!" Lettuce's cheerful voice called from the kitchen downstairs in their apartment. Ryou had gotten them this apartment close to the café so they would be near work.

"I'm coming." a sleepy Ichigo groaned. She pulled herself from her bed and went to the closet to find something to wear. Ichigo still had some cat genes in her, even though Ryou said they would be gone after the aliens left, and still loved naps and all kinds of fish. Her cat ears and tail would occasionally pop out when she got really started or frustrated.

After pulling on a t-shirt and fluffy skirt she reached for her hair brush. After slipping on some shoes, she went downstairs to find breakfast waiting for her.

Lettuce gave her a warm smile, "Hope you like it."

Ichigo smiled back and replied, "I usually do."

Pudding was already at the table munching on toast and eggs while reading comic in the news paper.

Ichigo looked around and realized they hadn't changed much in the years. Except for the fact that they were much older and that their bodies had matured, they still look like always with the same hair styles, style of dress, and pretty much just the same people on the inside. It made Ichigo happy to think her friends were still the same energetic, caring people she always knew.

"What's on your mind this morning, Ichigo?" Lettuce asked as she sat down at her spot at the table. Despite the fact that the table was big enough to sit six people and maybe even then some, they all pretty had their routines and certain spots. They had learned to live together nicely with a peaceful household.

"I was just thinking of how much we are the same on the inside since the time we were Mews."

Lettuce and Pudding both smiled at the thought.

"Your right, not a lot has changed." Lettuce said giving it considerable thought.

"But we look different." Pudding pointed out.

"You think so?" Ichigo asked.

"Yeah! You two look a lot different than when we were young."

They both nodded.

They spent the rest of breakfast recoiling on memories. Lettuce got up from the table and went about washing up the breakfast dishes. That's how it always was. Lettuce would make and clean up after breakfast, Pudding would do lunch, and Ichigo would do dinner. All the other chores in the house were divided up too and rotated around. Lettuce had gone through the trouble of setting up a chores chart to keep track. They all done their chores willingly without fuss. And they all obeyed certain house rules set up to ensure peace. It was nice to live in an organized household.

At the right time, they set off to work. Today was Friday so they were expecting to be busy and they were right. By the time the day was over, they were out of it. Ryou and Keiichiro offered to clean up today and they gratefully accepted. They changed back into normal clothes and headed home.

"I guess we'll go to the supermarket tomorrow." Lettuce decided.

"Yeah. I'll go in the morning." Ichigo offered.

When they got to their apartment, they stopped at the sight of three figures sitting on their doorstep.

They didn't move, didn't breathe.

"Who are they?" Pudding whispered.

Ichigo shook her head.

They started moving closer to the men sitting in front of their door. When they were at the end of their walkway the figures had seen them and stood up. The girls had no idea who these men were but they each had a small smile on their faces.

The short one looked about Pudding's age with dark brown hair and eyes. The middle one was older than the other one with blackish green hair and yellow brown eyes. The oldest had deep purple hair, almost black.

The two groups stared at each other for minute before the middle aged boy stepped forward, "So, kitten, miss me?"

Ichigo lost consciousness.