Ch. 8

With breakfast over, Pudding helped Lettuce through the dishes so they would make to work on time. Ichigo had the day off today. She was going to head over to the grocery store.

While Lettuce was drying off her hands, she turned to Ichigo and said, "Hey, why don't you let Kish go with you to the store? That way you'll have someone to help you carry home the bags."

"What about work? He has to go to work?" Ichigo replied nottotally thrilledabout the idea of being alone with Kish.

"Nah! Ryou will understand. Besides it will be easier to train just two people today instead of three since you won't be there. Then, you won't be home alone all day. You'll have someone to watch out for you." Lettuce said with a smile.

Ichigo knew she had won this time. She looked over to Kish to see what he thought.

"I don't mind going with you, kitten." Kish grinned.

"Then, it's decided." Lettuce declared. She had been doing a lot ofdecision makinglately, Ichigo noted.

Ichigo smiled at Kish, "Alright, then we might as well get going." Lettuce handed her the list as she put on her jacket. Kish followed her out.

They walked quietly down the sidewalk together. Neither one knowing really what to say. They headed through the park and were surrounded by birds chirping and fluttering by. It was the beginning of summer and everything was bright green and beautiful.

"So," Kish started, a little nervous, "how have you been? Since I last saw you, I mean."

Ichigo smiled and turned to him, "Not much as happened since you left. We all had stayed close together for a time then, only a few years ago, Mint and Zakuro left Tokyo to explore the world. They are working together with many world saving organizations to better the earth. It has been amazing the progress they've accomplished. That's when Lettuce, Pudding and I moved in together. We wanted out of our houses and to be closer together. It's been nice. Nothing really exciting or amazing has happened in my life. At least, nothing that compares to being a Mew Mew."

Kish was quiet taking it all in.

"So, what about you?" Ichigo asked shyly.

"A lot has happened with me. When we returned to our planet, the Mew Aqua had restored the planet within months. It is now more beautiful than ever. Our people are thriving in a great time of peace. Pie, Tart, and I have been pretty bored though. None of us had families, and with no battles to fight, we didn't have a lot to do. We were the military back then and the highest and most respected officials, but now, we're still respected and all but, there has become no need for us anymore. That's why we hatched a plan to come back here. Because we wanted to see how you were doing." Kish answered.

A question pounded through Ichigo's mind, "Do...do you..regret...?" She couldn't finish, she didn't even really know what she was trying to ask.

Kish looked at her seriously, "I have no regrets, kitten. If given the chance I'd do it all over again. I don't regret coming here, meeting you, harassing you, battling you, losing to you over and over again, or falling in love with you."

Ichigo felt her cheeks grow red.

Kish wanted to pursue the matter but thought better of it. Besides, wherever Massaya was, he was sure they'd probably still be together.

They arrived at their destination. Kish just followed Ichigo around and observed. It was fascinating to him how humans collected food for their homes. In their world, they grew their own food which was very different looking from what this "store" had. He bombarded Ichigo with questions.

"Why do they come in boxes?"

"How do they make that?"

"Who grows all this food?"
"How does it get here?"

Ichigo was very patient with Kish and answered all this questions to the best of her ability. She found it kind of cute how he was so curious about the simplest things. When they went through the register, Ichigo paid for the food with the cash she brought. Kish insisted on carrying most of the bags.

"Aren't those heavy?" Ichigo asked as they made their way back through the park.

"No. I'm use to lifting thirty pound weights just for a warmup workout." Kish replied honestly.

The thought of Kish working out made a deep red blush across Ichigo's face.

Kish couldn't help himself, "Do you like the thought of me working out, kitten?"

Ichigo had to turn away, she knew by doing so would mean his suspicions confirmed but, her face heated up really quick. "It's no big deal," she said more to herself than him, "lots of guys life weights."

"I bet I'm stronger though." Kish smirked.

Why was he doing this to her? How was he doing this to her? Her heart wouldn't stop racing and her mind couldn't stop spinning. Every time that thought of him raced pass, her blush got deeper and deeper. She began to wonder if he worked out with a shirt on... Oh! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! she screamed at herself.

Finally they were home, and she opened the door without looking in Kish's direction. They went in, unpacked the bags and Ichigo made both of them lunch. Her cheeks were still slightly red.

Lettuce and Pudding were twice as busy today with the usual crowd and explaining to their trainees what they were doing and why. It was much harder than they imagined because they were explaining things to people not even of earth which put a major problem on things. Yet, they were learning and fast.

"Wow, what a day!" Lettuce sighed and sank into a chair after the last customers left.

Pie looked at her with concern, "I hope my being here hasn't caused you too much stress."

She shot him a winning smile, "No, no not at all. I enjoyed you being here."

He smiled in return, "You are as sweet and caring as I remember you being."

That was the first time Pie had mentioned anything of when they were last here. Lettuce looked up and met his eyes. They were still as handsome and soft as she remembered as well. Though she could never voice that thought. He had made it clear along time ago that he had no interest in her.

Pie watched as her eyes sparkled at him from his compliment then fade as her mind drifted. He knew where it drifted and he was tempted to voice that thought but found it difficult. Voicing any emotions or anything personal was hard for him. Especially if it meant telling her what he really meant that night. And he had no idea what she had been through all these years. Or who she had seen or was seeing. It pained him very much at the thought.

Pudding was as cheerful as ever. She washed the dishes with a permanent smile plastered on her face. Tart was right next to her rinsing them. They made a good team when it came to the dishes. They were done in a flash.

"Wow. That was the fastest I've ever since those dishes get washed." Keiichiro smiled.

"Tar Tar does a great job!"

Tart smiled a bit at the mention of her old nickname for him.

"You four all done?" Ryou asked looking about the clean café.

They all nodded.

"I guess I'll see you all tomorrow then." and with that, they were dismissed.

After they changed back into normal clothes, they headed for home.