Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew. Mia Ikumi does.
A/N: Sorry this chapter is so late, and not long to boot. It's dramtic though. And mostly in Ryou's POV.
Also, there ismild violence and...er...I guess mildly disturbing things in Ryou's POV, but nothing sexual, I promise. It should definitely not exceed the T rating. Continuing...
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VALEDICTION
Nails on a Chalkboard
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Ryou
It all happened so fast.
One moment I was kneeling on the cold tile flooring of the basement, clutching that torn photograph as if my life depended on it. The next, Ichigo, of all people, is dashing down the tunnel then crashing into my arms. I then froze in a state of utmost shock promptly followed by her whispering a phrase I could barely hear.
"Perhaps he is not the one for you..."
As of now, I'm still trying to decipher her words as she sleeps motionlessly in my lap. Subconsciously, I pet her head to soothe her, though she will never even know of the act.
I'm not sure how long I sit there, content. I enjoy the time I can spend with her in my arms, though still aware that I can never have her.
To my surprise, her body gives a powerful jolt. Her limbs start trembling, and she mumbles incoherently. Suddenly, her eyes shoot open.
...Are they even eyes?
The entire pupil seems to have disappeared, and the blood vessels seemed twice the size as normal. I hesitantly reach my arm out to try and comfort her, only for it to be viciously swept away by her now unnaturally long fingernails. I quickly scoot backwards, all the while keeping my eyes on Ichigo in fear and morbid fascination. I don't even notice the sting for the wound in my arm.
My gosh...
Now that she's standing, I can see all the terrifying details. Her fingernails are growing at a rapid rate, and they start to curve in a manner reminiscent of claws. Her mouth opens in a silent scream of pain, and at that moment my mind barely registers the fact that her canines are now gruesomely sharp. Her cat ears begin to protrude from her head, but unlike before, they no longer seem adorable. They are now a reminder of the fact that I might die here. I scoot back further at that thought. Her tail is missing the trademark bow, but I suppose it suits her current horrifying form.
Ichigo crouches down on all fours, once again joining me on the floor. The corners of her mouth curve upward in a decidedly morbid grin quite similar to what a cat's sneer may look like.
"You're a bit like me..." Shivers run up my spine at the sound of her voice. It is like nails on a chalkboard, except less high pitched and more scathing.
She runs one of her claws down my arm, irritating the wound a bit. She raises her hand to her mouth, still grinning, and...licks my blood from her fingers. I've been perhaps more scared than I have ever been before.
"...I like that."
I hear the saving grace of hard footsteps from the tunnel.
"Keiichiro..." I murmur, my voice scratchy. Keiichiro looks to me, utmost horror on his features, which grows as Ichigo shifts her piercing gaze to him.
"I've found what I want...and I'm taking it." Ichigo bounds over to him quicker than the eyes can see slamming him into a wall, and coincidentally, into unconsciousness.
I'm all alone with...it.
I always try to put on a strong front, always be the cool and collected one, forever calm. Never worried, never...scared. But no one's here to notice just how terrified I am, so why bother? My eyes show deep fear as she once again draws close to me.
"Like me..." she whispers tauntingly, now cupping my chin in her extremely long claws. She strokes it, sending more shivers of fear up my spine.
Just like a cat. Toying with her prey, then coming in for the kill.
Against my will, a tear streaks down my cheek. In for the kill...
Noticing my tear, her smirk grows wider. "Now, now, baby, don't cry..." She licks the salty liquid from my face, and I don't hide my disgust. At first, she's still grinning, but that disappears when she notices my expression. She is now angry, and I can't help but think I'm worse off than before.
"Why do you hate me! You love me, don't you? Why do you hate me!" Her voice is sharp and piercing, screaming mad. I try to form an answer, but my muscles won't even budge. She grabs me violently by my shoulders, and I can feel her claws digging in. "WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER ME?"
More tears fall, but still I can't speak. She releases her hold on my shoulders, then slams me into the wall. "Why? Why...YOU? You're disgusting!" She slashes her claws across my face. The creature then pauses for a minute, with a look of...fear? Finally she seems to pull herself together again.
"I know what I'll do. I'll just kill you."
I can feel myself sweating profusely, and the salt of my tears mix in with the wounds from my face. Why did it have to happen like this?
She raises her arm high above her head, and I can already tell she's aiming for my neck. I cringe as she roughly swings it downward, preparing for the worst...
...Which apparently isn't coming.
Her claws stopped mere millimeters from my neck. I pause to look at her face, and I can almost smile at the sight. Her pupils are gaining their color back on and off, as if two sides are fighting for dominance. I can feel her hand trembling against my neck.
I look to her, and try my best to smile.
"It's okay...Ichigo."
Her eyes show brief recognition, then she falls back into slumber. After checking to be sure Keiichiro is fine, I carry her from the basement to an extra bedroom, where she can get proper rest. Though I'm a bit hesitant at first, I decide I can wait at Ichigo's bedside. She won, and that...thing...won't be coming back.
Hopefully.
Ichigo
When I finally awaken, I still feel tired. I gently hoist myself into a sitting position and pull the bed sheets off of me.
Wait...bed sheets?
In a flash I realize, I'm not at home and am in an unfamiliar bedroom. I start to panic at first, but calm down a bit as soon as I realize I'm still wearing the clothes I wore this morning. This morning...
I attempt to sort through my memories, but the last thing I remember was reading...that letter. As I think of that, a tear rolls down my cheek.
"Don't cry."
I quickly snap around, just now realizing I wasn't alone. I was met by the somewhat solemn face of Shirogane. He's kneeling on the floor with his elbows resting on the bedside, and his face was slightly buried in his arms.
"Shi-Shirogane..."
He raises his head slightly in recognition, then goes silent for a bit. We just sit there, words unspoken, me still trying to sort through memories I don't have. Finally he breaks the silence.
"You don't have to call me that. You can just call me Ryou." That brings a small smile to my face. It is wiped clean, however, as I voice my question.
"What am I doing here? What happened?"
He squirms a bit, not answering. "I-I'll tell you later. I...Keiichiro needs me." He speed-walks from the room, trying to look inconspicuous.
That was...strange.
All alone in the room, I start talking to myself, testing my vocal chords.
"Rrrrryou. Ryouuuu. Ryyyyou. Ryou."
I smile, for the last one was perfect.
Shortness, but hopefully what you great reviewers wanted.
