Author's Note

Fourth chapter! Thank you so much for reading this far! Mint has finally decided to tell Ichigo about her feelings. Now they are at Mint's mansion, having a sleepover after all of the drama. Will Mint go through with it?

*Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Tokyo Mew Mew anime or manga.

"How did this happen?" I yelled, back in my night gown, surrounded by the others in theirs.

Ichigo was in a two-piece, her stomach exposed, her hair tied up in ribbons just how I liked it… But she was being unruly and, frankly, was pissing me off. But then, she popped up in front of me, her body only a few inches away. "Hey, Mint," she said, almost seriously.

"What is it now?" I asked, pretending to be irritated.

She giggled. Her ear-imploding, high-pitched, irritating, adorable giggle…

"Yay! Mint is back!"

She glomped me. She full on jumped at me, her arms extended, her face so close… closer than it had ever been before. I could feel her breath on my lips and I nearly….

She hit me. Right in the face with a pillow. "PILLOW FIGHT!" she screamed, swinging it at me again.

"Not my pillows!" I yelled, grabbing for the already fluff-exhausted cushion. Wrong idea. The other noticed and joined in, grabbing more of my limited edition, designer pillows.

"Take that!" Pudding squealed. I pretended to fuss and pout, complaining about the ruined pillows and the mess we were making, but I really enjoyed that fight. It helped me get all of my frustration out, especially whenever I managed to land hits on Ichigo's face.

The pillow fight tired us out and we soon lay down on the floor, each with our own satin blanket and fully fluffed pillows (of course I had extra). Pudding and Lettuce ended up lying down next to each other, so the only available spot for me was next to Ichigo. I sheepishly lay down next to her, trying not to stare. "I hope here is alright," I commented.

"It's perfect," she replied. I turned away, hiding my burning face. When I turned back, Ichigo had lain down and had taken her choker off.

It was my chance.

I wiggled over, as close as I could get without being suspicious. We all whisper-gossiped until Pudding and Lettuce closed their eyes and laid their heads down on my fabulous bed wear. They drifted off into their own private paradises, Pudding mumbling "Na no da" with a contented smile on her face and Lettuce remaining as quiet as she usually is when she's awake.

But Ichigo was still up, her giant red eyes fixed on my face. I swallowed, and, trying to keep my voice steady, managed to blurt out: "Why are you staring at me like a creep?"

"Did you enjoy the sleepover?"

"What?"

"Did you? I thought a sleepover would cheer you up. I hate seeing you so upset."

If the light hadn't been off, she would have seen my face both redden and blanch at the same time, like the contrast between her red hair and pale skin. "Wha- why do you care?"

"I know we don't always get along, but you are still my friend. Sorry if that sounds really lame or cheesy, but it's true."

"It is lame, and cheesy, and not to mention completely cliché."

"Meanie!"

"But it was very straightforward and so not… oblivious of you. And... I... I appreciate it because I really wasn't okay."

"Do you need a hug?" She took her hands out from under her pillow and gestured me forward.

Normally, I wouldn't have hesitated to scoff at her. But this was different. She wasn't wearing that awful choker, that blatant reminder of my hopeless situation. Plus, the others were asleep and no one would ever know. I swallowed and mumbled "Sure, I guess." Much to my surprise, Ichigo grabbed me and pulled me in.

I felt skin. Her neck. The place I longed to be. The place I daydreamed about, where I would lay my head against its curved, smooth arc. This was it. My dream come true. And it was so much better than a pillow.

But I knew it was a dream. Because once the morning came, that choker would be on her neck again and would jingle its abhorrent reminder. But right now it was gone, and dream or no dream, I could pretend, if only for a short time, that Ichigo was mine and Aoyama-san was gone. Listen to me, sounding like a typical schoolgirl…

I pressed in harder to her neck. She noticed and asked, "Are you okay?"

"No, Ichigo. I'm not. But don't ask any more dumb questions. Do me this one favor, and, for once in your life, stay quiet. No words, no yammering, just your breath and mine."

"Mint?"

"I said no words. Just hold me."

Silence. I smiled to myself. She had actually listened to me for once.

"Look, don't tell the others about this, okay? This is a one-time thing. I just... I just really need this right now. But again, it's just between me and you. If anyone finds out, I'll kill you."

"Oh, such harsh words for a princess!" she snickered.

"Hey!" I smacked her playfully on the arm.

"Just kidding." She giggled. "I won't, I promise."

And she never did. We never talked about that night again. I thought about it every time I saw her, and still do. I am sure she thinks of it from time to time. I think she knew how I felt. She never admitted it, but her demeanor toward me changed after that night, ever so slightly. She acted a tiny bit more mature around me and we got along better, worked together more seamlessly on the battle field, and fought less about petty things (although I admit I have a tendency to be petty).

Nothing ever happened between us romantically. She went out with Aoyama-san and I never admitted my feelings toward her, although I consider that night to be my confession.

We talked long into the night. I stayed in the arc of her neck, breathing in every part of her I could. Her skin and scent were warm, like strawberries sitting in the sun. We laughed and talked about things like we never had before; I felt her giggles vibrate in her throat and I tried to absorb them, to become more optimistic and fun-loving like her. I think it worked because from that day forward I felt such more at ease. Or perhaps… it was because I felt that I was able to make my feelings more obvious to her even if I never actually came out and said it. Or maybe… and this is just between you and me… maybe it was because I had the opportunity to do something I would never be able to do again.

Ichigo had fallen asleep before I did. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't stay asleep against her neck all night, so I tried to reposition myself. I lifted myself up and as I did so my lips almost brushed against hers. I couldn't… I couldn't possibly…

She shifted in her sleep, purring under her breath and using her curled fist to brush away the hair from her eyes. It was so moe, I lost all control and, like the bird I am, pecked my lips against hers. She mewed again and whispered "Aoyama-kun." I smiled to myself. It wasn't Aoyama-san, sweetie. I felt so accomplished I pecked her again on the cheek. In one night, I had kissed and (almost) confessed my feelings to the girl I loved. Although I knew we would never truly be together, I couldn't help but feel satisfied as I tucked myself in next to her and fell asleep, knowing that no dream would ever come close to the one I had that night.

Japanese Dictionary:

Moe: cute, adorable

*Thanks for reading! I really appreciate that you read the whole thing. If you liked it, please leave a comment! :3 -Rai