I do NOT own Naruto or Tokyo Mew Mew but I DO own this fanfic.

The next day, Naruto, Kakashi and Ichigo, prepared to depart.

All the while she was packing, last night's dream lingered in her head.

There was just some feeling she couldn't shake. Like she was missing something, giving something up. And for what?

She knew why she felt what she did. She knew the reason, but should she...?

The hours were passing quickly, and the time of departure came closer and closer.

Ichigo frowned to herself.

What was she doing? Had she really become any stronger, any better?

She decided, it was time to find out.

She told Naruto and Kakashi she had a quick errand to run, and took off running down the sandy street.

She ran, without stopping, with as much courage as she could, straight to Gaara's house.

Now she wondered how she would get in without Temari and Kankuro knowing.

She took a good look at the house and noticed Gaara sitting inside, in his bedroom. She then decided to climb into Gaara's window. She climbed quietly, nimbly, up to his window, like a cat. She hoisted herself into the window and into his bedroom.

Gaara turned and their eyes met.

They stared at each other, for a silent second.

That's when Ichigo realized she was right. She could feel that spark, slightly, in her bosom. It was small but she could feel it.

She looked Gaara in his seafoam blue eyes, and smiled, just like Masaya told her.

"Gaara-kun," she spoke. "I'll be leaving soon, in just a little while. I'm going back to Konohagakure."

Gaara seemed unemotional. "Alright."

Ichigo swallowed and continued, "I knew I couldn't go without seeing you again. Because, I like you. A lot. I don't know how you feel, or what's going on. I don't understand why your siblings want me to stay away from you, but they said that you don't give up. So I'm going to become stronger and I won't give up either. And I definently won't give up on you. I know you're a good person. I can feel it."

Gaara looked straight at Ichigo. His face softened a bit.

"I understand," Gaara replied. "I understand your feelings. At first, it was confusing, but now..."

"But now?"

"Ichigo. I will become someone who people don't have to run away from. Someone who you don't have to fear. I will become someone who can make people happy. I'll make you happy. And then, everything will make sense. There won't be a reason to give up anymore."

"Okay!" Ichigo smiled wider than Gaara had ever seen before.

She had a beautiful smile.

The two moved closer to each other and time seemed to stop for a moment.

For a split second, Gaara couldn't hear or feel Shukaku's nagging presence.

Ichigo then uttered those beautiful words. "Gaara-kun, I love you."

They kissed quickly, for no more than a few seconds, although it seemed so much longer to them. The passion in that simple kiss was tangible and fierce. Like a fire ignited in their hearts that would persist to burn no matter who, or what, tried to extinguish it.

Then, Ichigo silently slipped out the window, and ran off.

Gaara went to the window, and stepped out onto the roof to watch her go. She gave a last look over her shoulder with that bright smile.

The same thoughts were going through their minds.

"When we see each other again, we will both be changed, different people. We will be better people, stronger people, more mature and passionate people. Then, at that time, we will finally be able to be together."

Fin.

A/N: Thanks to everyone and anyone who read this to the end. I'm sorry it took me so long to write it. I really hope you enjoyed it. :) I may make a sequal/spin-off one day because I love the idea of this pairing, so you (might) have something to look forward to? O-O; Anyways, thanks to everyone! XD Bye-bye

til next time!