Ch. 7

Ichigo was in her cat form again.

What? This hasn't happened in awhile. she thought. I better find Ryou! Then she went bounding off through the park. It was getting late so she tired to hurry. Then she saw Lettuce and Pie on the walkway. She jumped into the bushes to not be seen. Her eyes went wide. She watched them as they embraced for a long time then disappear. She felt her protective cat instincts raging. She ran off to the café.

Next thing she knew, she was Mew Ichigo dodging the acid attacks from the lake monster. Kish grabbed her just as Pudding was caught in the grasp of the slimy monster. Through her struggles she watched as Lettuce froze in place before Pie. She heard herself cry out to her. Still she didn't move which made her blood boil. How could Lettuce just stand there while Pudding was in trouble? This was his fault, his lies had clouded her mind. She must put an end to this!

She swung around and knocked Kish out as hard as she could and used her power to free Pudding. Then, without a second thought, she gave into her cat side and went in for the kill. The only thing that stopped her was Lettuce. She stopped her. Even after she spat the truth out at Pie, she still stopped her. Then, when that light in Pie's eyes changed, something change within him. Then, he admitted to his plan but Ichigo knew better. She realized then that he had feeling for her. But that he realized what he was going to her. He did it to save Lettuce the pain. Even up to the end, and after they were defeated, he never went back on his words.

Ichigo felt herself falling. She felt heavy and was falling through air. Down and down she went. Til she shot up in bed, her eyes wide, her face sweating, and her cat ears alert. She wiped her face off with the back of her hand. There was barely any light coming through her curtains. She groaned and got up to head to the bathroom. Their apartment had two bathroom and it was already decided that they would be divided up between the girls and guys.

After a quick shower and after she changed into some everyday clothes she made her way downstairs. She heard Lettuce already in the kitchen and when she got to the top of the stairs she realized Pie was down there too trying to help her cook. They were smiling and laughing like old friends. Ichigo felt happy for a moment, then her recent dream came to the front of her mind. Her cat ears still at home on her head.

She made her way downstairs and when Lettuce seen her she shot her a totally happy smile, "Morning Ichigo. What are you doing up so early?"

Ichigo found herself smiling back, who couldn't after that smile, "I couldn't stop dreaming." Her cat ears twitched when she picked up the sound of another person coming out of their room. Ichigo went to the refrigerator and poured her a glass of milk then sat down at the table.

Lettuce and Pie went back to their task as Kish found his way downstairs, "Well, Pie, I never thought I'd see you learning to cook."

"I'm just learning to adjust to earth life." Pie reasoned.

"So, kitten," Kish began as he slid down into the chair next to her as his mind took a snapshot of Ichigo in the morning with cat ears, "were any of these dreams about me?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Ichigo bluntly stated.

Kish shut his mouth. Lettuce turned and looked hard at Ichigo trying to read her expression. It was unlike Ichigo to shove people off like that. And the thing is, she didn't say no to Kish. She had a feeling what Ichigo had dreamed about. The only reason she though this was because the memory had not been to far from her mind either. Ever since the moment Pie showed up on her doorstep, the memory of that night had never been too far away. As she turned around back to her cooking, she glance at Pie which a longing look behind her eyes. Then concentrated on what she was doing.

Pudding sat up in bed and stretched. She woke up with an energy she hadn't had in a long time. The sun streamed through her window and the smell of breakfast scented her room. She got up, got dressed and went out.

"Pudding, could you wake Tart up for me? Breakfast is almost ready." Lettuce asked when she saw Pudding at the top of the stairs.

Pudding smiled and nodded. She noticed quickly how content Lettuce was this morning. She also noticed how distant Ichigo was and that her ears were present. She concluded that Ichigo must have been dreaming again.

She went down to the next room, the fourth room in their apartment, and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, she cracked the door open and peeked in. Tart was lying on the bed beneath the window. The covers were up to his chin and he was sleeping happily. She stood there a moment, taking it in how cute he looked sleeping there, his brown hair sweeping across his face. She crossed the room and gently shook his shoulder, "Tart."

He groaned and turned over.

She tried again, a little harder this time, "Tart!"

Again he groaned and pulled the covers over his head.

Frustrated, Pudding took hold of the covers. When she had a firm grip on them, she yanked them off.

"AHHH!" Tart exclaimed at the sudden coldness.

Pudding instantly blushed upon seeing him. It had not crossed her mind what he would be wearing to sleep, or not wearing. Luckily he had on underpants. She put her hand to her mouth to hold in a giggle. His underpants were bright, sunshiny yellow.

Tart's face went red as he scrambled to reached the covers on the floor.

Pudding couldn't hold her laugh in much longer and began to giggle.

Tart's face went even redder, "What so funny?"

She shook her head back and forth.

Tart, now furious and seeking revenge said, "Oh, you think that's funny? Well, here..." and he hooked his thumbs on his underpants and alowlybegan to slid them down just a little.

Pudding shrieked and raced out of the room and downstairs to the table. Ichigo had jumped up upon hearing Pudding's scream and caught Pudding when she ran right into her. Her face was blood red and she was panting slightlyfrom the sudden burst of speed. Ichigo held her in a protective hold as Pudding regained her composure.

When Tart came down the stairs, dressed, like nothing had happened, Ichigo's cat ears laid flat on her head.

Kish, seeingIchigo's reaction jumped up, "Tart, what happened!"

The young boy smiled, "When she wiped the covers off me, she got quite a surprise."

Kish couldn't resist the smile that yanked at his mouth.

He continued, "She started laughing so then I thought I'd just give her a show and..."

Kish's smiled faded quickly. He glanced over to Pie who had the same look of disapproval. Then two men got up anddragged Tart back to the room.

"What?" Tart exclaimed as he was shooved back on his bed by the two older men.

"Do you have rocks for brains?" Kish asked.

"Tart, we are trying to survive here. Our banishment was not meant to be a vacation. If you upset their leader, she'll kick us out! Then, what would we do? These women are our only chance of surviving this planet. Without them, we wouldn't make it. We have to show them the respect they deserve and not anger the wild cat." Pie stated, his voice smooth. They were still in the habit of referring to the Mews by their animal genes.

Downstairs, Pudding had regain her composure and smiled, "Sorry Ichigo, he just shocked me."

But Ichigo wasn't paying attention to her. Her ears twitched as she listened in on the alien's conversation. A smile crept onto her lips.

"What are they saying?" Lettuce whispered.

"They're scolded Tart for angering the wild cat." Ichigo whispered back with a smile.

The other two girls smiled as well.

When the boys came back down stairs, the girls were in a fit of giggles. They looked at each other questionably.

"So much for my peaceful household." Ichigo said and they were sent in another fit of giggles.