DISCLAIMER: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew. Nope.
Alright, first order of business...American Names to the Original. (I've gotten a few confused reviewers, so this might help.)
Ichigo: Zoey
Minto: Corina
Rettasu: Bridget
Purin: Kikki
Zakuro: Renee
Ryou/Shirogane-san: Elliot I'm pretty sure. You know, the blond guy.
Keiichiro/Akasaka-san: Wesley
Masaya: Mark, I believe.
Anyway, this chapter starts off with the preview, because it flows better. This chapter is also a lot longer- 8 pages on Word.
Also, I have no idea about Rettasu's home life, so I tried to make one that wouldv'e been one that shaped her into what she is now. It is by no means true, and 'Izumi-san' belongs to me. Not that'd you 'd actually want to use him, but at least I have something in my name.
And Without Further Ado...
VALEDICTION
Too Brown
Ryou's POV
BEEP BEEP BEEP.
Ugh.
I groggily hoist myself from the comfort of my bed and rub my eyes with my hands. I suppose I didn't need to wake so early, but it is some sort of routine I find I can never break out of.
Still, I admit it would be much more peaceful to arise to subtle rays of sunshine from a slightly ajar window. Of course, that would never be, as I have no windows in my room.
I slowly trudge downstairs into the kitchen, where Keiichiro is undoubtably tapping away on his laptop while sipping his morning coffee.
I wish I was a morning person.
I sit at the table where he already has my breakfast-sizzling bacon, eggs, and pancakes, all arranged in a professional manner. Don't get me wrong, I don't like being doted on, in fact, I despise it, but Keiichiro insists. How he can bring himself to the stove and cook so perfectly at the crack of dawn, I'll never know.
I find it amusing to watch his expression as he scans the newspaper articles. Yes - you heard me right - the newspaper. On the laptop. Once he gave me a nice long lecture about the money it saves, not that we need to save though, and something about protecting the environment. I would normally have heard him out, but the said lecture took place at about four in the morning.
As he reaches for another sip of coffee his hand suddenly freezes. My gaze averts to his face, which bears a slightly confused and contemplative expression. Looks like something caught his eye.
"Ryou..."
His voice seems strained.
"Keiichiro?" I question, slightly concerned.
"There's...been an attack..."
I shot up from my seat. "A KIREMA ANIMA? THEY ARE GONE KEIICHIRO!" I scream, but somewhere in the inner-workings of my mind, I know that maybe - just maybe - all of the Kirema Animas were not defeated. I hurriedly rush over to the laptop so I can scan the article.
As I'm scanning it, my mind processes one scrap of information, one scrap that makes my stomach tie up in knots.
"Keiichiro...the attack was on the street where Ichigo lives."
Keiichiro's face sharpened as he glared at nothing in particular. After a quite uncomfortable silence, he speaks. "You think...it was after her?"
I shake my head, not feeling like the 'genius' many describe me as right about now.
"You know what Keiichiro? I don't know."
Ichigo's POV
I feel a shiver down my spine.
Blood.
Ok, I was some kind of a 'super hero' so this isn't supposed to freak me out, is it?
Well it does.
Sure, I had been in many countless battles with Kirema Animas. But they didn't have blood. It's not like I hadn't seen it either, but it was always just mine. Occasionally someone else's, but mostly just mine.
But this was someone else's on me.
Ick.
With more energy than I thought I had, for some reason my drained energy was replinished overnight, I somewhat skip to the bathroom. Yes, skip. I didn't think I would rebound so quick over the whole Masaya thing.
Then-WHAM.
The Masaya thing.
Needless to say, my 'skipping' stopped right there as I fell to my knees. I slowly hoist myself back up and limp to the sink. So much for the extra energy.
I use my elbow to turn the water on-don't want bloodstains on the handle-and tried to cleanse my hands of the crimson liquid. After much scrubbing and numb skin later, the stains were mostly gone. Mostly. Hopefully my parents weren't going to have a sudden urge to stare at my hands all day.
I slowly trudge to my door, then make my way into the kitchen. When I arrive I recieve grim looks from both of my parents.
Did...they know?
When Mom saw my troubled expression, she rushed over to hug me. As her face buries into my shoulder, tears start to spill from her eyes.
"It's Mrs. Hammond...something...attacked her..."
The fragmented sentence erupted between sobs. I didn't need to ask, it was obvious Mrs. Hammond was no longer with us.Mrs. Hammond lived a few houses down the street. She was always nice to us, for instance, when we first moved here she offered to show us around and even baked us foreign treats. She was raised in America, so I loved just listening to her talk .When I was younger, she was my favorite neighbor. My eyes started to brim with salty liquid also as I clutched my mom back.
We sit there for a few moments when my eyes snap open. I remember the telltale stains on my hands.
And I am very, very afraid.
Rettasu's POV
CLANG.
Oops.
I feel so clumsy as the stack of pans I was reaching for fall on my head. It always happens.
"You better hope you didn't break anything, girl!"
I cringe. "I didn't, Izumi-san." I speak so softly, it's a wonder that he can hear me. Who knows if he can, anyway?
As I despondently heave the unneccessary pans back into the high cabinet, I start to feel a bit of...self-pity. But I shake it away. It's times like these I think of how strong Ichigo-san and Shirogane-san are. If I can be like them, I can get through this.
I pour batter into the heated pan on the stove and watch it sizzle for awhile. I reach for the spatula, which causes a chain reaction as various other kitchen utensils clatter to the floor.
"Hurry it up!"
"Yes, Izumi-san," I once again pick up the fallen things, then use the spatula to flip the pancakes over. I notice they're a tad bit browner than Izumi-san likes it, but maybe he won't notice.
Oh, who am I kidding?
I finish up the pancakes and bring them to Izumi-san. His nose scrunches up in disgust.
"Too brown," he mutters, pointedly glaring in my direction as I cower under his gaze.
The Grandfather Clock in the living room echoes a melody. Late again.
"Izumi-san?"
His eyes narrow as he once again turns his face toward me, this time bits of pancake over his mouth.
"What, girl?"
I stutter. "Izumi-san, I'm already late for work, so if I could--"
"Go ahead and get out," he speaks gruffly, once again returning to his pancakes. I speed-walk to the door as fast as I dare, but as soon as I arrive outdoors, I break out into a run.
Tip, Tap. Tip, Tap.
My strides are about twice as long as I thought I could make them, and I arrive to the cafe in record time. Not that I'm keeping a record, mind you. I open the doors a bit stronger than I should have, and trip inside face first.
"Are you alright Rettasu-Oneesan, na no da?"
I lift my ace from the floor, which I'm sure is red from embarassment. "I'm fine Purin-san."
I hoist myself from the floor and take a look around the cafe. Minto-san, of course, is sipping tea. Other than us three, it's deserted. I suppose I could have afforded to walk here, as really we don't get much business in the mornings. Most are in school.
My school is having a week long break. Minto-san is home-schooled, so it doesn't matter to her. And Purin-san...well...I'm not really sure. Nevertheless, we are the only three in the room, so I voice my thoughts aloud.
"Where are Shirogane-san and Akasaka-san?"
Minto-san stops sipping her tea and stares straight at me. Her eyes are so sharp I feel as if they are penetrating my soul. I suppose by now I should be over such things but...well Minto-san's eyes can sometimes be so...cold.
"I'm not sure. We haven't seen them."
She closes her eyes as she once again blissfully sips her tea. Minto-san is a great friend, but I am thankful her eyes are closed. Once again, I find my voice.
"Should we look for them? I don't want to bother them or anything, but...what if something happened?"
Silence met my question. I was surprised that Purin-san hadn't broken the uncomfortable silence. I glance a look at her face, and I was very surprised. Usually I would expect a carefree expression, but this...I had only seen it once before. Even then it was just a flash, then it was gone. When we rescued Purin-san from Tarto, she was very energetic. Unlike the others though, I kept a careful watch on her face. When she looked back at Tart, I saw this serious face. As soon as it came though, it was gone. This time...it lasted.
"Purin-san..." I murmur, a bit worried.
It is as if she didn't hear me, as if her soul has disappeared. After yet another silence, she speaks.
"Ichigo-Oneesan..."
I hear Minto-san once again stop sipping her tea. She struts over towards us, and bends over, examining Purin-san.
"Rettasu, look. Her mark..."
Indeed, her mark is glowing. Minto-san puts her hand to Purin-san's forehead, and the younger girl suddenly collapses. Luckily, I catch her, it seems like the only thing I've done right today. We sit there for a few moments watching her chest rise and fall.
I'd say something, but I'm speechless. I'm not sure if anyone knows what's going on. Purin-san eventually stirs. I guess we expected something slow, but she shot up.
"Good Morning, na no da! How are Rettasu-Oneesan and Minto-Oneesan doing, na no da? Purin feels great, na no da!"
Minto-san smiled. "Back to normal, I see..." she sat back down and was about to sip her tea, yet again, when she stopped and spoke again. "We should find them...tell them what happened." A contemplative look spread across her features. "We'll check the basement."
I follow Minto-san as she leads the way, Purin-san right behind.
The tunnel is dark and dank. I wonder how Minto-san knows the way? Oh well, I'll ponder that later. I concentrate on following Minto-san.
When we arrive, I see Shirogane-san typing furiously at a huge monitor. Akasaka-san is standing nearby with a downtrodden expression. He is the first to notice us.
"Hello, girls," he smiles like a gentleman.
Shirogane-san temporarily stops typing and speaks, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"Opening time already?"
Akasaka-san casts a concerned glance in Shirogane-san's direction. "Come, Ryou. We should probably head on upstairs."
Shirogane-san is typing again. "I won't rest until I find it Keiichiro."
Akasaka-san sighs. He leads us upstairs and I pause to look back on Shirogane-san. He's so strong. Shirogane...Rettasu Shirogane...
What am I thinking?
I rush up the tunnel to catch up to the rest.
I hope you like!
Anyway, IchigoRyou fans, don't fret. It is my belief that Rettasu likes Ryou, but in this fiction, Ryou does NOT like her back.
And I may HINT at KeiichiroMinto, but it will be kept to a minimum. If you don't like it, ignore it. If I get enough reviews not liking this, however, I won't add it.
Thanks for all of your feedback! I read every single review, and I consider them all! Your opinion means very much to me.
