DISCLAIMER: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew. I think that's rather obvious...
A/N: Once again, NEW layout! Hopefully this one won't mess up!
Anyway, I just now realized what a cliffhanger I left you with! Shame one me! This chapter's only 4 pages, so the only thing I can say is sorry!
Also, I'll usually can't write on Mondays, Tuesdays, Weekends, and Alternating Wenesdays. No, that wasn't some kind of a sick joke. I'm trying!
- - -
VALEDICTION
Groceries
- - -
Ichigo's POV
"Shirogane, I think I was the attack."
Shirogane looks at me dumbfounded, and I can see why. "E-excuse me?"
I sigh. "That night I was getting really...tired. When I woke up I had this really bad feeling,"
He looks at me contemplative, trying to get a solid answer. "What about that morning? Were you still feeling tired?"
My eyes widen a bit. "Now that you mention it, I wasn't tired at all...until...I thought of something..."
"What did you think of?"
His voice was piercing. No...no I don't want to think about it...no...
"No..."
"Ichigo...?"
"No, I won't tell you!"
For a moment his face shows utter shock, but then it changes to anger. "How am I supposed to help you when I have no idea what's going on!"
There is a slight pause. "You don't. It was a mistake coming here." I run towards the tunnel before he can process anything. I'm almost to the door when I hear the faint echo of his voice.
"Wait, ICHI-"
SLAM.
Ryou's POV
SLAM.
Ryou Shirogane, what have you just done?
I despondently plop in my chair, and hold my head in my hands.
"No, I won't tell you!"
I sit there for awhile, when I yet again hear footsteps behind me. My smile spreads across my face.
"Ichi-"
Keiichiro gives me a concerned look. I should've known she wouldn't be coming back.
His concern silently passes and a slight smile graces his face. "Ryou, could you do me a favor and go get the groceries?"
I give him a small nod; he's trying to get my mind off things. "Sure Keiichiro. And...thanks."
Another smile. "The list is by the door."
With one last glance at the computer, I exit the basement.
- - -
When I reach the grocery store, I start at the far right and head left. Keiichiro always writes grocery lists this way, because he claims it's easier to shop. Thanks again, Keiichiro.
Suddenly, I see a familiar flash of dark red hair. Ichigo? I run towards her. "ICHIGO!"
She turns to face me, and I stop dead in my tracks. It's not Ichigo.
I fully expected her to say something along the lines of, 'Sweetie, the strawberries are in that aisle over there...' but what she did say sent a slight chill down my spine.
"What do you need with my daughter?"
It was Ichigo's mother.
I didn't know what to say.
"I...I need to apologize."
"Why?"
Ever the inquisitive one, I see.
"Because...I was worried about her...I think I asked her too personal of a question." Yes, that seemed good enough.
She seems to consider that answer for a short time, then she questions me again. "Do you know of a young man called Masaya?"
"Er...yes." That was...unexpected.
Her face shows sadness. "You seem like a good gentleman, so I think I should tell you. I don't want Ichigo to do this alone..."
...Alright, what happened? Masaya didn't go and get himself killed again did he?
"...From what I gather, things didn't go too well at the airport." ...Ok. And?
She doesn't look like she's going to continue.
"'Not too well'?"
"That's putting it mildly, dear."
She...loved…him, so I guess I can see why that would make her depressed...but...tired?
"Thank you, Ma'am. I'll do all I can to help her."
She smiles at me. "No dear, thank you."
And she walks away.
As I watch her an idea sparks in my mind...an idea so crazy...but it's all I have.
Rettasu's POV
I hope everything is okay with Ichigo-san.
When the others heard the resounding bang of a door, Akasaka-san shot up from his seat. I assume he went to the basement to have a talk with Shirogane-san. He probably had an argument with Ichigo-san. They fight like a married couple. Perhaps someday, they will be.
Akasaka-san joins us again. Minto takes her place to speak. "What was that all about, Akasaka-san?"
"Ryou was having another, ah...tantrum. I sent him to fetch the groceries so he could blow off some steam." I saw concern behind the slightly sheepish smile on his face. Akasaka-san is lying, but probably for our own good.
Minto-san and Akasaka-san soon made a debate on which pastries they should sell, and the best way to make them. I know Minto-san isn't all that interested, but I think she wants to talk to Akasaka-san. That makes her smile, and her eyes soften a bit. She tries to mask her feelings, but I'm pretty sure most of us know how she feels, including Akasaka-san.
I hear the tip-tap of feet, and Shirogane-san enters. I see a new fire in his eyes, determination that he didn't have before, even down in the basement.
"Here are the groceries." Shirogane-san plops them down on the counter.
He stops for a moment, gathering his thoughts, as if he needed to make a speech but wasn't sure how to word it.
"Keiichiro." Akasaka-san nods, showing Shirogane-san that he is listening.
"Ichigo transforms into a cat when she is extremely nervous, correct?" Akasaka-san nods, albeit slowly. He wasn't sure where this conversation was going, and frankly, neither did anyone else. Shirogane-san sighs.
"What about when she's extremely depressed?"
That last scene was planned from the start. The truth is revealed! But how can they save Ichigo? They will be blantant Ryou jealousy next chapter. Jealous of who? Well, if you can't figure it out then...oh well.
