Heya! This is my first fanfic so please R&R with constructive critisism! Okay, the story is set after the defeat of Deep Blue and I have decided to ignore A La Mode. It is set four years later and the ages are as follows:
Ichigo: 16
Mint: 16
Lettuce: 17
Zakuro: 18
Pudding: 14
Ryou: 19
Keiichiro: 25

Pudding shall be doing the disclaimer today!

Pudding: Can I show you a trick?
Me: Maybe later.
Pudding: Awww, but I want to show you one now!
Me: Can you make sure that the mean lawyers dont come hunting for me first?
Pudding: Oh, okay she dosent own Tokyo Mew Mew!
Me: Thank you.
Pudding: Now can I show you my trick?

-x-

As soon as he saw her pause by the door to the changing room he knew something was up. He didn't know why, maybe just how she stood? It didn't matter though. As soon as he saw her sway he was walking quickly towards her, a few strides and he was there, just in time to catch her as she fell backwards. He heard her whisper his name as he did so and shook his head slightly, "Baka." He whispered as he picked her up bridal style. He was about to head to the kitchen to key Keiichiro to help when he remembered that his friend had gone out for the night, something about a cake convention? Well whatever it was, Ryou was alone with a passed out Ichigo. Shaking his head once more, he headed to the stairs and up to his room.

He laid her down on his bed. The room was bare but because of it's location, it didn't get as much sun and so was cooler then the rest of the building. He pulled a chair to the side of his bed and sat down, hands folded and findling in his lap (A/N: its what i do when I'm nervous or upset), his eyes watching for a sign of her coming back round, but none were showing. Getting up, he headed to the bathroom and ran the cold water. Once sure that the clothe he found was cold enough, he walked back and laid it gently on her forehead and once again sat down to watch her. She laid quite still and just looked like she was in a deep sleep. As he moved a strand of red hair from her closed eyes, he shook his head and ran his hand through his own blonde hair. What would he do? He was a jerk to her, he rarely gave her any slack, yet every so often he couldn't help himself, he would have to help her. He didn't know why, but just the thought of her being hurt made his heart ache and gave him the urge to protect her. He had just out this down to the fact he knew he was responsible for her, he had made her a Mew, yet lately he had been wondering if maybe it was something more. He glanced at the clock, i 7.30pm /i . He got up and went to the phone, he would have to contact her parents.

After explaining that their daughter had fallen ill after work and that it would not be wise for her to be moved, they had consented to allow her to stay at the cafe for the night. By the time he had finished talking to them and making himself a late dinner, it was nearing 8pm. Heading back to his room, he found Ichigo in the same position that he had left her in. He glared at her slightly and mumbled something about her being a baka to not think to take some breaks in the cooler parts of the cafe, before sitting back down and starting to watch over her once more, searching for a sign of life in her limp body, trying to ignore the fact his mind kept wandering to why he was so protective over her.

That night, Keiichiro walked upstairs and noticed Ryou's door was open. Being around 2am now, he thought this a little unusual. Taking a look inside, he smiled at the sight which greeted him. Ichigo, still passed out was on Ryou's bed, with him asleep in the chair next to her, his hand in hers and small smile on his face. With a small laugh, he closed the door and headed down to the lab to do a quick, pre-bedtime scan.

-x-

Second chapter done, one more to go! Again, short, but I think I prefer them short then long lol

R&R

strawberry-x