The Troubles with Love (RevisionRe-Release) Chapter 2: Hiding Behind This Smile, a tokyo mew mew fanfic

Author's Note: Alright I don't own TMM and I'm not claiming to either. I use some lyrics from various artists and I don't own those either.

Chapter 2 "Hiding Behind This Smile"

Fifteen year old Midorikawa Retasu was sitting in the sand as her green hair blew in the wind gently. She sat there in her green bikini as she sighed. Today truly was a beautiful day to be out at the beach. The girl then lay back on her towel allowing her gaze to turn towards the vibrant blue sky and the clouds that carelessly floated by. Many thoughts wandered through Retasu's head as she watched those many clouds slowly move in the sky. No matter how hard she had tried, the teenager could not seem to stop thinking about Shirogane. For now, the girl closed her sapphire eyes and thought about taking a nap. All of a sudden a volleyball hit her head and she winced.

"Gomen Gomen Retasu!" Momomiya Ichigo apologized running up to her and grabbing the volleyball. "Hey come on why are you just sitting there? We are going to play volleyball three on three. Come on Retasu you can be on my and Aoyama-kun's team." She smiled pulling her friend to the volleyball net. Earlier in the day Ichigo had paid her a visit at her home to convince the green mew it was important to get out once in a while. Lately Retasu had been locked away in her room, refusing to have any interaction with the outside world. Although the girl still felt hesitant of being out with her friends, part of her was glad they cared about her so deeply.

I haven't come out for a while
See, there is this place so empty inside me
I keep hiding behind this smile
'Cause I know I'm not okay, yeah
I know I'm not alright, yeah
I'm hiding behind this smile

"Wow she lives!" Minto giggled as she looked at Masaya, Ichigo, and Retasu. "So are you three ready to lose to Purin, Oneesama, and me?" Minto questioned throwing up the ball and catching it.

Retasu giggled as she looked at Minto. "There you go getting over confident again, Minto-san." The young girl then went to the right side and got ready to hit the ball. The group of heroes then played volleyball for what seemed like hours as they all giggled and teased one another, but most importantly had fun. Retasu giggled as she jumped to hit the ball but once she hit the ball it went right into the back of Masaya's head. "Gomen Gomen Aoyama-san!"

Masaya laughed as he looked at Retasu. "Don't worry about it Midorikawa-san. I thought it was kind of funny." He laughed rubbing the back of his head where the volleyball had hit him. In all honesty it wasn't as though the girl had hit the ball very hard to begin with. Besides that, the boy was just glad that the teenager appeared to be in better spirits. The group had been rather concerned for her well being in the past week. Seeing her lively once more was a breath of relief.

Retasu giggled as she picked up the ball and threw it over the net. "I think it is Purin-chan's turn to serve the ball." She stated getting ready to receive the ball if it ended up coming in her direction once more.

Ichigo smiled as she looked at Retasu and they received the ball and scored a point. "Great job Retasu!" The strawberry mew smiled as she served the ball to the other team. Ichigo, Masaya, and Retasu got ready for the return as they all giggled when Masaya and Retasu ran into one another trying to get the ball.

"Aoyama-oniichan! Retasu-oneechan! That is why you are supposed to call the ball no da!" Purin beamed looking at the older girl as she apologized to Masaya continously and turned bright strawberry red.

Ichigo's POV

I am so glad that Retasu is able to have some fun! She looks so happy and normal right now. This was such a great idea; I am going to have to thank Aoyama-kun when he brings me home tonight. His plan was a great success! Retasu seems to have forgotten all about her troubles with Shirogane. Sure she is hurting poor Aoyama-kun, but this is a great way to spend the day. Care free and with friends!

End Ichigo's POV

The group played volleyball for a while longer until Purin got hungry and they all decided to each lunch before they had to listen to her complain. The group giggled as they threw grapes at one another as they sat on a picnic blanket. Retasu sighed as she looked at the sky and smiled. "Arigato minna I am having so much fun. This is way better than sitting in my room." She chimed looking at her teammates and coworkers. Not only were they that, but these individuals were the closest friends Retasu had ever had. All those years of being an outsider desiring to be in the crowd were far behind her. Here, with these people, she had finally found her place.

"You are welcome Retasu it is great to see you enjoying yourself. We all missed your lively smile." Zakuro stated as she took a bite out of her sushi.

"Purin missed hanging with Retasu-oneechan na no da." Purin smiled as she ate a sandwich that Minto had brought. "Minto-oneechan this sandwich is delicious na no da!"

Minto smiled. "Arigatou Purin. Baka made them herself specially for today's trip to the beach." The bird mew smiled as her brown eyes looked at the ocean. "After we are finished eating does anyone feel up to swimming?"

Retasu smiled as she ate a chip. "That sounds like a wonderful idea Minto-san!"

"I suppose it is settled then, after we are finished eating we will go for a swim." Masaya smiled as Ichigo leaned on his arm happily.

"Yeah that sounds like a great idea." The strawberry mew smiled as she sat up and grabbed a tuna sandwich and smiled. "I love tuna ~nya!" She then blushed as she looked at the others and laughed. "I guess I still act like a cat at times!"

"Ichigo-oneechan still acts like a cat na no da! Nya nya Ichigo-oneechan!" Purin chimed as she looked at Ichigo.

"You better watch it Purin!" The older girl replied as she went to hit Purin but the monkey moved out of the way. "Get back here!"

A laugh escaped the green haired teen as the scene between her friends began to unfold. "Come on now there is no need to fight. We came here to enjoy the nice sunny day. You would not want to ruin it fighting now would you?" The young green haired teen questioned looking at the strawberry and blond haired girls.

"No." They replied in unison as they began to giggle and returned to their spots on the blanket. Everyone laughed as they finished up the food and began to clean up and throw away what they did not need no more.

Retasu looked at the water as she remembered the time that they had all gone to the beach with Ryou and Keiichiro. Retasu had realized that she liked Ryou shortly after she had a talk with Ryou at the beach. The girl sighed as she looked towards her friends that were all having fun and enjoying themselves.

Retasu's POV

I don't understand they seem to be having such a great time. I truly have missed hanging out with my friends and being crazy, but I can't get Shirogane-san out of my mind. I wish I knew what I should do. I truly do like Shirogane-san, but what if he doesn't feel the same in return? I can't afford to tell him how I feel. What if he never wants to talk to me again because he is afraid I will try to get him to like me? I wish this wasn't so hard to do. Ichigo-san seems to be so happy with Aoyama-san and I only wish that I could be happy with Shirogane-san. Oh stop it Retasu you know Shirogane-san does not feel the same about you so why put yourself through all of this? Can't you see you are only hurting yourself more by doing this? You are being so dumb! Baka Baka Baka!

End Retasu's POV

Minto ran over to Retasu as she smiled. "We are all going to go swimming now Retasu! Come on we are going to try to dunk Ichigo!" Minto giggled as she ran towards the water.

Retasu smiled lightly as she followed Minto into the water and began splashing around with her friends. She laughed as she was forced under water and as she came up for air she looked at her friends. They then dunked Ichigo under water as she came up and glared at them, but began to laugh as well.

Retasu's POV

You know Retasu who cares about Shirogane-san right now? You are out on a sunny day with your friends. This does not happen very often so why not enjoy it while you can. As long as I always have friends like this I shouldn't have to worry about being lonely. You can't just keep hiding behind this smile.

End Retasu's POV

The group of teenagers splashed around in the lake for hours until the sun began to set and they noticed that their skin had gotten all wrinkled. The girls and Masaya laughed carelessly as they packed up their belongings and looked at the volleyball nets.

"What do you guys say to one last game of volleyball before we leave? Onegai?" Retasu smiled as she looked at her friends and they all smiled and nodded at her.

"You better watch out! Oneesama, Purin, and I are going to beat you all bad!" Minto bragged as she ran into her spot and looked at Masaya, Ichigo, and Retasu.

"I hope you are ready to eat your words Minto!" Masaya laughed as he served the ball.

The group of six played their game for an hour and in the end after all the smack talk and giggling it came out that Ichigo, Masaya, and Retasu won by two points. It was a very close game and they all had loads of fun, but the sun began to set and they knew they could not fit in one last game. Everyone then grabbed their stuff as they left the beach unaware however that a certain pointy eared alien was watching over them.

Minto and Zakuro went off in one direction as they headed to their homes and Purin went off in another direction. This only left Retasu, Masaya, and Ichigo as they headed towards Retasu's house. "I hope you had a good time today Retasu." Ichigo stated as she turned towards her friend.

"Arigato Ichigo-san. I had a wonderful time and I'm really glad that I joined you all today." Retasu thanked as she stopped in front of her door. "Arigato for walking me home. I will be sure to talk to you tomorrow." The green haired teen smiled as she walked inside and left Ichigo and Masaya outside.

"Arigato Aoyama-kun! Retasu had a great time today and I think we helped her. It is all because of your idea." The strawberry smiled as she held onto Masaya's hand as they headed to Ichigo's house.

"It wasn't only me Ichigo. Midorikawa-san had a great time because of all of us. We are all her friends and because we care so much for her she can have fun with us all." Masaya smiled as they reached Ichigo's house and he gave her a long kiss and waved good-bye to her.

Masaya's POV

Midorikawa-san is far from happy and I know it. I just hope that she can do something before she'll regret not doing anything. You are one of my friends, as well as Ichigo's, if anything were to happen to you Ichigo and I would fully blame ourselves for not helping. Please let us help you.

End Masaya's POV

Retasu looked out her window as she sighed and she walked over to the picture frame that was on her desk. "Shirogane-san…" Retasu looked at the picture and saw how happy everyone was as she frowned. Shirogane would be gone for another week and she felt as though that week would be just as the previous had been. The girl then set down the picture as she slowly got into her bed and closed her eyes. Her breathing got lighter as Retasu fell into a deep peaceful sleep for the first time in what felt like ages to her.

Author's Note: Another Chapter is revised for you guys. What did ya think? Was it good enough for a nice review? I sure hope so! Expect Chapter 3 soon, Shirogane returns! For the Future of the Earth I'll keep writing~nya!

Japanese Words and Meanings

Gomen- Sorry

Arigato- Thank you

Nya/Nyan- Meow

Baka- Idiot

Onegai- Please

Na No Da- Purin says it at the end of each sentence; a form of exclamation

Oneesama- Minto refers to Zakuro as Oneesama; This is a form of big sister but with a lot of respect

Oneechan- sister

Oniichan- brother