Chapter 5: Wings

Author's Note: Fifth chapter! Originally, the story was supposed to end with the last chapter, but I decided to continue. From this point on, the story converges from the anime and focuses on the storyline from the manga, starting specifically from Chapter 15 (the beginning of Volume 4 of the tankoban). Thank you to everyone who has read my story this far!

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

Perhaps I was too abrupt last time. I made it seem like it was all over, that I had completely come to terms with how things had turned out. I really am full of myself; full of excuses and denial. I am no better than the stereotype I represent… shallow… superficial… nothing but appearances…

But no longer. I am done covering everything up. And I don't mean with makeup.

I honestly struggled with everything that happened next. At first I was genuinely happy after the events of the sleepover. I stopped my pouting. I stopped isolating myself with my tea and crumpets (although they were quite delicious) and I actually started putting effort into working at the café. I greeted customers with a smile instead of a sneer. I was so beside myself that I didn't even care when Ichigo mentioned Aoyama-san. However, I still made sure to pay attention to all of the gossip so I could keep tabs on him (just like a good oujo-sama).

There was one day in particular, not long after the sleepover, that I felt as light as a feather (pun intended). It just so happened to be the same day the aliens decided to plant a giant cocoon on top of Tokyo Tower. And of course they interrupted us right before I was going to get some juicy info out of Ichigo.

The battle began like any other. The aliens appeared, Kishu said bad food puns, Kimera Anima monsters were made, and corny catch phrases were thrown back and forth. "All right, let's go!" Ichigo yelled, as optimistic as ever. But then…

Ring ring…

Oh no, I thought. It couldn't be…

Ring ring…

Her hand went to her pocket….

Ring ring…

"Hello?" she answered. "Masaya?"

It was none other than Aoyama-san. He has impeccable timing.

"Not now, Ichigo!" I scolded.

"Uh, uh, no, um, I'm not busy," Ichigo stammered into the phone as a giant praying mantis Kimera Anima sliced at her. It came up from under her, its menacing pincers extended in a sinister thrust.

Slice, slice, it missed her belly.

"Oh, un, that sounds great!" she said, dodging the praying mantis' claws. She was making plans with Aoyama. Slice, slice, it went for her arms.

This is ridiculous! I thought.

And then, as if I had somehow willed it to do so, the praying mantis snatched up Ichigo's cell phone and, in a glorious (though most unbecoming) chomp, it crushed the phone with its mandibles.

"Oh my god! It ate my cell phone!" Ichigo yelled.

I almost squealed with delight; she couldn't talk to Aoyama-san anymore! But she had already managed to make plans with him…

I could feel the bitterness starting to build up. I sighed. There was no helping it. They were going to meet up no matter what happened, aliens or no aliens. I was actually in an amazing mood for once- why let something like this ruin it? Besides, Ichigo would probably be late for the date anyway. I took a deep breath, the kind they teach you in yoga class.

I walked up to Ichigo and shoved her, resentment pushing off of my fingertips and into her back. "So, you promised to meet him, right, Ichigo?" I said, a lump of pride slowly descending into my stomach. She stared back at me with her big, cute eyes. I won't let this put a damper on my good mood, I thought. Their relationship isn't going to go anywhere anyway. I know how selfish that must sound, but I am a rich girl after all; I am used to getting what I want.

Another deep breath. Time to put on that fake smile all of those dinner parties taught me to do. "Hush! Let's get moving so Ichigo can go on her date!" I announced, my fake fervor fooling everyone.

But their date was delayed. What was supposed to be a quick and easy battle turned into something much worse. Because Kish had tricked us and lore us away from the tower, the cocoon had time to hatch.

It burst open, a mammoth of a moth hatching with a hideous hiss. The enormous insect spread its toxin-coated wings, every beat releasing a gust of black venom. The poison threatened to kill everyone in the city. And my complexion.

We attacked the moth with all of our might, but, as it thrashed and turned, its wings clouded the air even more.

"Aggravating it will just spread more toxins around," Zakura commented.

"What can we do?" Ichigo asked, concern spreading all over her face.

"You guys can handle the toxins," Ryou's voice answered through Masha's radio. "Find the Mew Aqua right away! That's our only option to clean the air."

Masha began to tweet- "Masha senses something!" Ichigo said.

We decided to split up and look for the Mew Aqua; Ichigo volunteered that her and I (YES!) look together, which resulted in us searching the sewers (NO!). It wasn't very romantic, but maybe if we had some scones… Who am I kidding, it was disgusting... Even with Ichigo's light, fruity scent distracting me from the smell… her porcelain skin and pink hair casting a rosy glow on the green walls…

Ahem. Anyway.

We had no luck finding the Mew Aqua in that dreadful place, but as we emerged above ground… I could feel it. Among all of the pore-clogging smog, there was a moment of warmth, gentle and pure, like the first time I realized my feelings for Ichigo… Like the moment of light between the beatings of a bird's wings as it flies toward the sun.

My senses were fine-tuned. I could almost grasp it…

The black ashes of poison faded to the edges of my vision. My eyes became encased in a shimmering shell and all I could see was the light. It was coming toward me- I heard Ichigo's voice calling behind me, but something propelled me forward. Nothing fazed me, not even the moth shrieking in my face. I flew past it, above the shrinking buildings below, above the clamor and chaos, and reached the top of the tower. I gasped. However, it wasn't the view of the city that awed me, but the tiny, beautiful bead of light that sat on the tower's needle. Mew Aqua. It glowed and let out swift flashes of light, like the feathers that floated through my dreams.

"Give it to Masha!" I heard beside me. I looked to my left and saw Masha. The Mew Aqua was suddenly in my hand. A flash; something else in my hand. The Mew Aqua Road. I knew with this I could purify the polluted air. I felt… accomplished. I had finally (kind of) admitted my feelings for Ichigo, and I had finally done something that could not only help her but the whole city. No amount of tea, high society parties, or piano lessons could make me feel this way. This happiness… I wanted to share it with everyone.

The words came to me. "Ribbon… Aqua Drops!" I raised my arm and the bubbles came forth. They floated down to the city, small, round circles of light and hope. They weakened the giant moth… They cleansed the city, the air… and I hoped they would somehow cleanse Ichigo, that they would wash away her feelings for Aoyama and then, with clear vision, she could see my feelings for her. I realized at that moment how much she had helped me. Before our argument and my semi-confession, I had done nothing but sit around and act spoiled. But now with renewed vigor, I was actually able to help others, instead of insisting others help me with things I was pampered to do on my own. It was all thanks to her.

I blushed as I thought this and landed in front of Ichigo. "This… is the power of Mew Aqua," I said. And you, Ichigo.

As the Mew Aqua extinguished the poison from the air, Ichigo combined our powers together: "RIBBON STRAWBERRY CHECK SURPRISE!" she yelled as a blinding flash surrounded the moth, its light reflecting off the remaining bubbles that had drifted down around us. The poisonous moth died and the sky cleared as the aliens retreated, but I was sad to see the Mew Aqua go… No. I couldn't let the others see this side of me. Not yet. It was time to go back to my usual, cocky self. Clearing my throat, I announced, "Wow! I was the one who saved the day this time!" I stood there, boasting and gloating.

Until Ichigo glomped me.

"Thanks Mint!" she cheered as her hair brushed against my burning cheek.

I should be thanking you, I thought.

"No biggie, really!" I stammered. So much for playing it off…

Onee-sama came over and patted me on the head, which was her way of congratulating me.

I giggled under my breath- I felt a soft sensation on my cheek and voice in my ear: "You deserve a kiss!"

Ichigo? I thought.

No. It was Pudding.

"Get off me!" I protested, trying to shake her off. You are not the one I want a kiss from!

She and I laughed and wrestled until I heard Ichigo proclaim: "Let's go back to the café!"

That idiot. She was supposed to meet Aoyama-san. As much as I wanted her to forget about the date… If she missed it, she would be upset, and all of the joy I was feeling wouldn't have been worth it.

I shoved her.

"What was that for, Mint?!" she complained.

"Weren't you supposed to meet somebody? You're so forgetful." And cute, I thought, closing my eyes to hide the angst behind them. "Don't worry about work," I continued. "You can make up for it later." This is my thanks for all of your help. I pushed her to go. It would make her happy. Plus, I figured he had already left, considering how long the battle had taken.

In my mind, there was no way their relationship could ever work with how things were going. I watched her go, tripping over herself, as clumsy and unreliable as always.

She was a complete spaz and it was just a harmless date, nothing to worry about.

But letting her go would end up being one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.

Thank you for reading! I really appreciate it! Please comment or review if you liked it :3