(A/n : I am working from the anime. The English dub at that, and things are different. Kisshu's phrases,and pet names for Ichigo, for instance. Also, though I realize some things may be out of character for the aliens,please remember this an AU fic, and things are not going to be exactly as they really are. )

Chapter Two-Breaking the Rules: Pai's decision

"Are you serious! Kisshu, taking care of a child?" Lettuce couldn't believe what Ichigo was saying to them. "Is that even possible?"

"It sure seems like it. He's very protective of her." Ichigo slumped in her chair. "I know I should probably try and get her back, but...he seems to really care for her."

"Don't be so naïve. The only reason that creep would even be interested in a child is if she posed a threat!" Mint declared. "I say we go after him, before he makes her get attached to him..."

"Wait! Come on, you guys. I saw the look of concern on his face,behind that evil persona of his. He took her away from her parents because they were hurting her. Does that sound like someone who wants to hurt an innocent child to you?"

"Well, I still think he has an ulterior motive, but whatever." Mint crossed her arms, and went off to wipe down some tables.

"Am I wrong?" Ichigo looked to her other friends now. "I mean, he only seemed interested in paying the parents back for hurting their own child. It wasn't a random attack like usual..."

"It's hard to know for sure. This is Kisshu we're talking about, after all." Zakuro replied slowly. "Maybe we should...confront him about it.."

"Confront who about what?" Ryou Shirogane came up to them now.

"It's a tough situation. One of the Cyniclons kidnapped one of my babysitting charges from her abusive parents. I want to get her away from him, but, at the same time, I don't really know if he plans on hurting her himself!" Ichigo moaned stressfully.

"Knowing the Cyniclons..." Ryou began, "he probably does intend to hurt her. Maybe not until later, but, all the same. Ichigo, I want you girls to bring that girl away from him."

"But, Ryou! He pretty much insisted on taking care of her! He's not going to give her up without a fight."

"Then we fight." Mint returned to them now. "I'm with Ryou. We just can't be sure of his true motives, Ichigo."

"What if she's already attached to him?" Pudding put in now. "Won't it be kind of hard to convince her that he's no good?"

"That is all the more reason to get her away from him as soon as possible. Ichigo, I'm leaving it up to you, but that is my suggestion." Ryou's tone held a note of finality, as he walked away.

"Argh! I hate making difficult choices!" Ichigo moaned. "Alright, girls. I'm going to try and talk to him."

"Talk! Ichigo, he's not going to listen to you!" Mint shot now. "He's the bad guy, remember?"

"Yes...but he's a bad guy who has good intentions at the moment..." Ichigo replied calmly. She got up, and headed for the door. "See you guys later."

"Ichigo, wait..." Lettuce got up, and followed. "I'll go with you. Just in case." She smiled.

"Thanks, Lettuce." The two friends walked off to find out where Kisshu was hiding the child.

Meanwhile, Kisshu was having his own problems. Pai had turned up, and was trying to talk him out of his crazy plans to raise Arissa as his sister. "It's not a bad idea! If I can make her think we're the good guys..."

"Not only is it a bad idea, it's impractical!" Pai insisted. "Listen to reason for once, will you? If you even bring her home for a minute, she'll be dead. You know Deep Blue won't allow for it!"

"Then I guess I'm staying here then." Kisshu snapped in agitation. "She can't survive on her own, and I'll be dead before I let the Mew Girls have her."

"No die..." Arissa looked over at the two aliens now. "I love you..."

Pai grunted in disgust. "I don't believe this..." He rubbed his temples in irritation. "Alright, Kisshu. You know how much I'm against this, don't you?"

"Wai! She's adorable!" Tart appeared now, bearing food and clothing. "Can we keep her, Pai? Can we?" He sat down beside Arissa, and smiled. "I'm Tart. Kisshu's one of my brothers."

"Tart...I like name." Arissa replied, grinning. "What bring?" Now Arissa seemed to be preoccupied with Tart's bag of goodies.

"Help me, Pai. All I want to do is be a friend to her. She doesn't have any, and no parents to love her. I can't imagine how that feels, but it has to be a sad life."

Pai sighed. "Alright. I'll go home, and do some research. We'll leave Tart here with her for the moment. You need to make an appearance so Deep Blue doesn't get too upset with you."

Kisshu was elated. At least he'd have help taking care of Arissa now. "Thanks..."

"Just so you know, I'm only doing this because, like you, I don't like how she was being treated. It doesn't mean I think we should keep her forever." Pai informed him, before teleporting home. Kisshu only smiled, following him.

"Fish! I win!" Tart smiled at Arissa kindly. "But I'll let you have the snack." He handed her a bag of pretzel-like things. "I think you'll like these." He opened the bag for her.

Arissa studied the contents carefully, then tasted a bit cautiously. "This good...I like it."

"Good. I wasn't sure what kind of food you Earth people ate..I guess I should ask Pudding."

"Who's her?" Arissa asked, as she munched on the pretzels in her small fist. "Her an aliem too?"

"Ahh. No. She's an Earthling, like you." Tart smiled. "She's one of my enemies...sort of." He moved to sit closer to her, feeling the temperature drop a little. "I hope Kisshu and Pai hurry back...it's getting kind of cold, and we're probably going to need to get you a little warmer.."

"I no like Pai. He a drowned rat!" Arissa pouted. "And he no like me eifer."

Tart cracked up now. "Drowned rat? Wait'll he hears that!" He pulled her closer to him. "Yeah...he can be a real drag sometimes. It's his way of showing he cares, really." Tart glanced out of the boxcar idly, hearing low voices. "You stay here, okay, Arissa? I've to go check something out."

" 'kay. I'll stay." Arissa crawled over to the small bed of leaves Kisshu had provided her with.

"Good girl..." Tart whispered softly, going out of the boxcar. He had the impression there were unwelcome guests outside that he did not want near her.

"Tart! Where's Kisshu? I came to speak to him, not you." Mew Ichigo stared at the young alien coldly.

"Kisshu's not here right now." Tart replied, forming an energy ball in the palm of his hand. "I'll give him the message." He threw the ball at Mew Ichigo, snickering. "If it's about the girl, you'd just be wasting your time, and your breath."

"Give her back!" Mew Lettuce spoke up now. "Or else!"

"Or else what?" Tart demanded. "She thinks we're her friends. If you try to hurt any of us, she'll never go to you willingly."

"Ugh!" Ichigo scowled. He's bluffing! There's no way they could've all bonded with her this quickly! "Where is she!"

"I'm not telling you. She's hiding." Tart replied, smugly. "We're playing a game."

"Ichigo..." Lettuce pointed past Tart to a figure in the shadows. "Is that her?"

"Arissa!" Ichigo moved to go to the child, but Tart was faster. "Let me pass!"

"No." Tart replied, a pout on his lips. "She's ours now." He turned, and picked Arissa up gently. "Arissa, you were supposed to go to sleep..."

"Too noisy..." Arissa yawned, laying her head against Tart's shoulder.

"I don't believe it..." Ichigo said in a hushed voice. "She really trusts him..."

"You see, Cat girl? She wants to stay with me." Tart smirked, and disappeared with the little earthling back to the boxcar.