Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew, or Japan. I do, however, own the island of Namika and it's little towns, including Tokaimoya.
She had been overjoyed in that moment, that precious moment when he had said yes. After half a year of crushing on him, she had worked up enough courage to ask him out. She was happy, so very happy. She wished that she had known then what this event would have caused. Poor, poor Pai-san. If she could change what happened, she would.
She hadn't realized in time that forming a relationship with Ryou would end up in something that she ached for, yet loathed the idea of at the same time. If only she had known.
She stood now, on the cliff near the bay. She wondered how they would feel. Would they even care? What about Ryou? Would he regret his actions? A tear rolled down her cheek. She wanted to believe that he would. She was wondering now if she should have left something else aside from a letter and her mew pendant. Maybe she should have left the ribbons from her hair? No, that would be silly.
She remembered the words that she had scratched onto that piece of paper, tears burning her eyes.
To all my dear friends at Café Mew Mew,
I'm sorry about this. I know it's sudden, but I've made up my mind. I don't think that I'll ever see any of you again… no… I know I won't see any of you again, but please remember that I don't regret what I've done. Please tell my parents not to look for me. It feels cruel, but I cannot bear it any longer. I don't want them wasting their time trying to find me.
Sincerely, Midorikawa Retasu.
P.S. Shirogane-san, I love you. Please remember that, always. I'm sorry.
A gust of wind blew past her, causing her already messy hair to become even more so. Retasu stared down at the water far below. She wondered how long it would take them to find the body. Who would find it? Would it be a stranger, or someone she knew? Cautiously taking a step toward the edge, she continued to stare, wondering if this would be the last thing she ever saw.
She supposed that it depended on which way she fell. Maybe it would be the cloudy sky that she saw. Maybe it would, in fact, be the bay. She knew in that moment, however, that she wouldn't die. She let out a sob before falling to her knees, cradling her face in her hands. She had to get away. She had to start again. She would go somewhere far away, to a place where no one knew her. They would think that she was dead, but she would be living a new life, in a new town with new people.
She smiled. There, she would take her mind off everything from her past life.
Goodbye, Shirogane Ryou.
"Where is she?" Ichigo cried, Purin sobbing in the background. "Where is Retasu Onee-chan?" She hiccupped as Minto hugged her comfortingly. Keiichirou glanced at Zakuro worriedly as Ryou stared at the letter. "We should search Tokyo. Check all her favorite places, things familiar." Keiichirou suggested as Ichigo walked up to him, her face grim. "Should I check the library?" She asked as Minto scowled at her. Although in a state of panic, her tongue was still sharp.
"Why would she go to the library if she's written us a letter saying that she's going to kill herself?" She snapped as Ichigo glared at her. "I'm just throwing ideas out there." She growled as Zakuro stepped between them. "This is no time to be arguing. We have to find Retasu before it's too late…" She didn't finish the rest of her thought. If it isn't already too late, that is…
"Yo, how's it going, Koneko-chan?" Ichigo whipped around to see Kisshu floating in mid-air, a huge grin on his face. She quickly thrust her fist at him, missing, due to his quick reflexes. "Not now, Kisshu." She growled as Kisshu frowned. "What's wrong, Koneko-chan? Did I do something wrong?" This time, Minto flung herself at him, knocking him over. "Go away, you bastard! We have more important things to focus on right now than your stupid plans." She choked as Kisshu stared up at her.
He glanced around to see all their faces filled with anxiety. "What's gotten into all of you?" He asked as they all glared at him. "Just leave, won't you?" Purin sobbed as she buried her face in her arms. Kisshu stared at them. "Fine. Pai probably won't forget this so easily, however." Minto's eyes burned in rage. "Well, Pai can go fuck himself in a gutter for all I care." Kisshu glared back at her before teleporting away, leaving the mews to their panic and angst.
"What?"
"They seemed really unhappy, so I left them alone. They weren't transforming or anything."
Pai punched Kisshu in the face. "You idiot! Do you even care about our planet anymore? Who cares if the humans are sad?" He growled as Kisshu rubbed his cheek. "Like you're one to talk! Haven't you been sneaking off to watch that fish girl?" He demanded as Pai narrowed his eyes. "A Finless Porpoise is a mammal, and no, I haven't been sneaking off to watch her." Kisshu rolled his eyes. "I don't care what a porpoise is, and yes, you have been. I've seen you!"
Pai's eyes widened. "Wait; was Midorikawa Retasu present at the café?" Kisshu stared at him, a bizarre expression on his face. "Who the hell is Midorikawa Retasomthing?" He asked as Pai threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "Midorikawa Retasu! Mew Retasu! Fish girl!" He cried. "Ah." Kisshu paused, his hand on his chin. "Now that I think about it, I didn't see her there." Pai wasn't able to keep the panic out of his eyes.
He kicked Kisshu out of his path as he dashed out of the room, heading towards the main computer. "Hey! Where are you going?" Pai ignored him. He quickly opened up the screen of the computer, frantically searching. He had placed tracking devices in all of her clothes. Well, not just hers. The other mews had them too, but the only signal that Pai really kept track of was Retasu's.
"What's going on, Pai?" Kisshu asked as Pai's eyes followed that little green dot on the screen. "Not now, Kisshu." The green haired alien hit himself on the forehead. "Why does everyone keep telling me that?!" He cried as Pai dashed back out of the room. "Oh, great… now where are you going?" Pai stopped and turned to Kisshu briefly. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry." With that, he teleported away, leaving behind an extremely confused Kisshu.
This was the area where her signal currently was. The crowd spread out, away from the man who had fallen from the sky. Pai's eyes darted about, trying to find Retasu in the crowd. "Excuse me." He pushed his was through the people, trying to find her signal. She was close. So close, he could almost smell her sweet scent. What was it that she smelled like? He tried to remember, but he couldn't…
He stopped. Her signal was right in front of him. He stared at it. He slowly walked over to the trash bin, peering into it. There it was, lying in the trash. He reached in and pulled out the school uniform. "Damn it!" He cried as he threw the uniform back into the trash and whipped around, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Even the end of her braid would do…
"Damn it!" He cried again as he fell to his knees, slamming his fist into the ground. He could hear the people around him whispering things, but he didn't care what they were saying.
She was gone. Gone. He couldn't track her now.
…
"What do you mean 'you're leaving'?"
"Exactly what my words imply." Pai responded as Kisshu and Taruto stared at him. "Why? Where are you going?" Pai glanced at his feet. "I'm going to search Japan." Now they were staring at him like he was nuts. "What for?" Kisshu demanded as Taruto glanced between the two of them. "I'm going to search for Midorikawa Retasu." He responded. "She can't leave the country. She doesn't have her passport." Kisshu's eyes were sad as he turned his gaze to the ground.
"When will you be back?"
"I don't know. I don't plan on returning until I find her."
Kisshu looked back up at him again. Tears were starting to form in Taruto's eyes. He ran up and clung to Pai, not able to restrain his sobs. Pai glanced down at him as he placed his hand on his head. He pushed Taruto away from him and crouched down to look him in the eyes. "Don't cry, you big baby." He growled as Taruto backed away slightly. Pai's frown softened into a slight smile as he rubbed the top of the younger boy's head.
"It won't be all that long, I promise." With that, he stood up and turned away from his companions. Kisshu blinked as he crossed his arms.
"Hey, Pai?"
"What?"
"You'd better bring Retasu back soon, or I'll beat the crud out of you."
Pai smiled as he teleported away, leaving the other dimension forever.
Okay, so, I've been wanting to get this story out of my system forever, so... please excuse the cruddyness of this chapter. Dx
This will have three chapters, and I'll include some information on Tokaimoya in the next one.
Anyway, R&R please!
