Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew.
AN: This chapter isn't as long as the last, sorry about that, but I needed to get it out. And...there's RyouIchigo here, but it's kind of light. Ichigo's not really over Masaya, so she can't just throw herself at Ryou. Anyway, I hope you like this, thank you to ALL my reviewers. And BlackRainAisu, I tried adding a bit more emotion, but I had already written mostof the chapter when I read your review. I'll make sure to add more next chapter, thanks! ALSO: If the layout is wierd, QuickEdit is messing up for me...
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VALEDICTION
A Customer
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Ichigo's POV
I lay in my bed, pulling the sheets up to my chin. I am hiding.
Why?
Simply because I am afraid.
But why am I afraid?
How would you feel if you woke with someone else's blood all over your hands, then found your mother crying madly because your neighbor was killed?
That's what I thought.
I turn to see my alarm clock, which reads 9:32. I missed school, but that doesn't really seem to matter right now. I've got bigger things to deal with.
Not that I can deal with them. I'm gonna need help. Who, though?
The answer is simple, but I'm not sure I like the idea.
I throw the sheets of me and step from my bed, slowly trudging to my bedroom door.
"Where are you going, young lady?"
Hi, Dad.
"I need to get out again, Dad..."
His face softens a bit, and he places a hand on my shoulder.
"Be careful."
I nod. Here I come, Shirogane.
Minto's POV
Akasaka-san is leading the way upstairs. That's all he's doing.
So why is my heart pounding out of control?
My emotions should be in check. I should be in control, on top of the world, never uncomfortable. And I was that way. Was. But why not now?
We arrive in the kitchen and he beckons for us to sit down. Purin, of course, just stands, and Rettasu finally joins us, out of breath from running. I choose to speak, since none seem to be about to.
"So, what was that all about Akasaka-san?" I try to say it indifferently with a bit of my usual cool tone. In control. Yes.
He sighs and holds his head in his hands. Is the Cafe not getting enough business? No, that couldn't be it. Oh, I hate seeing Akasaka-san like this.
"It's Ichigo. It seems a Kirema Anima attacked someone on the street where she lives."
I wasn't really expecting that one.
"But aren't all the Kirema Animas gone, na no da?" Purin inquired, voicing my thoughts.
"That's what we thought." He looks so tired.
And then it comes back to me.
"Akasaka-san, there's something you need to know..."
He looks at me curiously.
Ryou's POV
It's so frustrating!
Why, why couldn't the Kirema Animas just leave us alone? They've already ruined my life, can't they just disappear? We had them beat, there was no way. No loophole, no way one could have survived.
But one did.
I type furiously. I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. Anything I guess...just anything.
Ichigo...
Keiichiro's POV
"Akasaka-san, there's something you need to know..."
I cock my head a bit.
"What is it Minto-chan?" She pauses for a moment absorbed in her own thoughts.
Rettasu-chan's face seems to dawn in understanding. She speaks softly, "You mean Purin-san?"
Minto-chan nods. "Akasaka-san, earlier today something happened to Purin. She seemed really...out of it. Asleep at the oar. Normal I'd just brush it off, but her mark was glowing. When I touched it she collapsed, and when she woke she was fine."
Glad I know. She continues. "She said something to when she was in the...trance. She said Ichigo's name."
I should probably let Ryou know right now. I cast a quick glance at Purin, who had remained silent, but now spoke with a reverent tone." Because Ichigo-Oneesan was hurting..."
After we all process that bit of information, Rettasu speaks quietly. "Do you think it was because of the Kirema Anima attack?"
I shake my head. "No, that was late last night. But it could have been repercussions. She might have known the neighbor well."
I've run out of ideas, and after the short silence that follows, a loud bang echoes across the kitchen.
Looks like we have a customer.
Ichigo's POV
The walk to the cafe was uneventful.
When I arrived, I flung the doors open with a loud bang. I guess I know how to make an entrance.
From the kitchen dashed a flushed Rettasu. "Welcome to the - Ichigo!"
I quickly take a seat in one of the chairs at a nearby table and massage my eyes with my fingers; I'm starting to feel tired again. "Rettasu, where is Shirogane?"
She pauses for a moment. "He's in the basement trying to find out about the...attack."
I rise from the seat. "Exactly what I need to talk to him about."
Rettasu grabs my hand a bit hesitantly and leads me to a back room in the Cafe. She then opens a door to reveal a tunnel. "Shirogane-san is down there. I'll give you some privacy. Do you want me to tell the others you're here?"
She really is such a nice girl. "Thanks, Rettasu. Just tell them I was someone asking for directions." She smiles and retreats back to the kitchen.
I slowly trudge my way down the tunnel, which is a bit longer than I expected. Leave it to Shirogane to lock himself in some kind of basement with no sunlight whatsoever for hours on end.
But...he was to doing that for me.
I quickly shake my head at that statement. He's trying to protect everyone, not just me in particular! Of course.
When I reach the end, I don't make my presence known. I stand there for a few minutes watch him. He's constantly typing, and for a few moments he stops and holds his head in his hands. He's trying so hard. Unknowingly, I place a hand on his shoulder. This turned out to be the wrong thing to do.
As soon as he senses human contact, Shirogane aggressively snaps and turns my way. I'll never forget his face. It held suffering, frustration, sadness...
"Keii - ...I-Ichigo? Ichigo, I'm so sorry...I..."
I stop him before he finishes. "Shirogane, there's something I need to talk to you about..."
That's when he notices my hands. He grabs them.
"Blood...Ichigo are you hurt?" He looks so concerned. I shake my head.
"Shirogane, I'm fine. But...thank you." He looks up at me; still a trace of concern but his mouth is quirked up a little into a small smile. And of course, since this is Shirogane, it disappears and he gets down to the point.
"What did you need to talk about?"
I hesitate, I'm not sure if I'm really to talk about it now, but I might as well get it over with. "It's about the blood on my hands...it's...not mine."
Shirogane looks at me quizzically but signals for me to continue.
"I'm not sure exactly whose blood it is, but I think it's that woman's. The one who was attacked."
Shirogane's expression turns grave. "You...you think you were there at the attack?"
I pause, gathering my wits. "Shirogane...I think I was the attack."
Hope you enjoyed, I did the layout for this chapter a bit different, hope you like!
