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Valediction

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Disclaimer
If I owned TMM, do you honestly think Ichigo wouldn't be with Ryou? Yeah, that's what I thought. I don't own TMM.

Summary
On the flight to England, Masaya comes to a startling realization. Ichigo returns from the airport changed, and this could mean the downfall of the others. Are the recent attacks the work of Kirema Animas, or perhaps...One of themselves? IchigoxRyou

Author's Note
Sorry about the outrageously long wait for such little pages; I've been working on three stories at this time – the others are about five/six pages for the next chapter. Ah, well. Sorry again.

Also, V. is almost over. I can't say I'm really depressed since I'll be less stressed, but it will be sad to see it go. It's my longest fiction, after all.

Special Thanks!
I'd also like to take time to thank DanyChic for all of her wonderful reviews - one every chapter! I love your reviews, thanks so much for your time!

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Chapter 11
Genuine

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Ichigo
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When I arrive home, I'm greeted with the embrace of my teary-eyed mother. Though I don't know how long I've been gone, I know it's been awhile. And I left so abruptly…I start feeling a bit guilty for worrying her so.

"Oh, Ichigo! Your father…he's inside. We were so worried; h-he almost called the police!" she grins a slight bit at the final part, as do I. "Honey, where have you been?"

What exactly am I supposed to tell her? 'I was sleeping at the café…the only female in the vicinity! Oh, but nothing happened…really!' I mentally roll my eyes at that. Wrong approach; perhaps the best would be none at all.

"I'd rather not talk about it, mom…"

Her gaze meets mine; her eyes searching though me. "Are you alright, then?"

"Actually mom, I think…I think I'll be able to go to school tomorrow." I try to crack a smile at that, though school doesn't exactly bring me joy.

My mother's smile widens as she pulls me in a tighter hug. "That's great, honey! You'd better get some rest then…"

I nod in confirmation, heading towards my room and bed. I don't mention to her that I've been sleeping most of the day and hardly need more rest. I only shut the door behind me and turn off the lights, keeping the guise. Yet inside, I let my mind swirl with the many events of today.

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Ichigo's Mom
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As I watch Ichigo retreat to the confines of her room, an audible sigh escapes my throat. I'm not really sure about my daughter anymore. I absent-mindedly twirl my forefinger through a lock of my hair as I think about my only child.

Ichigo was always a very perky young lady – very positive and optimistic. She exuded an aura of goodness, brightening everyone in the room.

But of course, when it rains…it pours. Ichigo rarely cried or even felt extremely sad. Yet the few times she did, it hit her like a tsunami wave with cold, unforgiving waves of depression. Of course, this was rarely but every time I witnessed it I always would worry about how she would fair when something like what happened last week came to pass. I feared for my Ichigo.

I can't say she's doing well, but I can at least say she's better than I imagined back then. Or perhaps I could be wrong – she could be dealing horribly, yet masking it.

I just never feel like I know my daughter much anymore.

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Ichigo
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School took a bit of adjusting to, I guess. It was a bit awkward seeing my friends after so long; telling them lies on the reason I was absent.

But I can't really tell them the truth anymore, can I?

I can't tell them why I've been gone, why I'm constantly zoning out in class, why I've been so depressed. I can't tell them I was a Mew Mew. It seems like I can tell them nothing now!

My thoughts snap from my head with the piercing sound of the final bell. I can't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment at that – I had finally picked myself up! Sure, I had some help, and I still wasn't completely content; but I had come a long way. I think back to myself at the airport and feel a tinge of embarrassment. I didn't even know anything for certain back then!

Needless to say, my stride home held an extra bounce to it; something it had recently lacked.

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Ichigo's Mom
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"Mom, I gonna head by the café, okay?" I hear my daughter shout from the entry way. There is a resounding 'clunk' as she drops her books to the floor.

"See you later, honey…" I say, giving her my confirmation as she slams the door behind her.

How she became so close to everyone at that café is beyond me.

I really have no idea who my daughter is. I've met just a few of her friends at the café including Minto, Rettasu, and the owner. They all seemed quite nice, though I admit their personalities are very different. How the group became friends, I have no plausible idea.

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Ichigo
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The tapping of my feet on the pavement echoes throughout my head as I run to the café. I guess I just really want to talk to people who know at least some of my predicament. Minto will probably be there, and probably Rettasu as well. I'm not sure about Purin, though.

As I open the doors, I'm greeted by Rettasu. "Oh, I-Ichigo…It's so nice to see you feeling better!" Minto sits on a bar seat with a calculating expression. The smile on my face must've stumped her.

"You are feeling better, aren't you?" she asks me, still doubting that my smile is actually genuine.

"Yes," I smile wider; and I am being truthful. Going to school really helped me get it together again – regardless of how grueling it was. Not to mention Ryou helped…

"Here's that cake you needed, Minto…Ah! Ichigo! So nice to see you again," Akasaka-san greets me politely. I watch his figure retreat from the room, and then I jump into a conversation with my long-missed friends.

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Ryou
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"Oh, Ryou. Someone here to see you…" Keiichiro prompts me as I sit inside my room, staring at the ceiling.

"Tell them I can't come," I respond simply.

"Oh, but she just can't wait you see. She really needs to see you as soon as possible…" he pesters me once again. Suddenly, it clicks.

Ichigo.

Keiichiro wouldn't bother me for many other reasons than her. I guess it was a fairly good idea telling him of my feelings for her.

Needless to say, I hoist myself from my position on the bed, running a hand through my hair. It would be nice to see Ichigo again.

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"Oh - hey, Ryou!" I'm greeted as I enter the main foyer in the café. It was Ichigo.

She looked so much better today with a bright smile on her face, her eyes full of shine, and a hop in her step. She seemed so much more…alive. I could barely keep my eyes off her.

"Something wrong?" she asks in response to my staring; I quickly try to hide it, stammering out a 'no'. Her gaze is still questioning, but she turns back to talk with Rettasu.

I run clear out of the room, slamming the door to my basement behind me, no explanation whatsoever.

It was Ichigo. After seeing her, I couldn't get that girl out of my head. And when she was right there, so close, so palpable…I was afraid I wouldn't be able to contain myself. I'd grab her right then and there, tell her how I felt, never let her go…

It sickened me how I had such little self-control. How I had lost my cool in just a split second.

Besides, if I told her how I felt it'd just be another burden for her to carry. I might wipe off that smile, cloud those eyes, or slow her step if I did. And that was something I didn't want happening.

I'd just admire her from afar; just a poor boy staring into a shop window for that toy he could never have.

The door creaked open.

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Ichigo
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Ryou streaked out of the room before I had a chance to speak even a word to Rettasu. It worried me; something urgent must've happened. Akasaka-san sent a concerned glance in the direction of the basement, where Ryou fled, but made no move to follow.

I, however, did.

My steps were slow at first, though they gradually sped up as a strange sense overtook me. I couldn't really name or describe it, but nevertheless, it pushed me faster and faster.

I skidded to a halting stop at the door, suddenly feeling apprehensive. Foreboding overtook me as I slowly pushed the door open, gaining the attention of a certain blonde inside.

"Ryou…" I speak at a loss for words.

His gaze slowly examines my face; an action that freaks me out a bit. He wasn't saying anything; just staring.

Suddenly, it happened.

Faster than I could comprehend, I found myself enveloped by a pair of strong arms. "I love you…" he spoke with utmost conviction.

As for me, I felt as if my heart stopped right then and there.

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Authors Note II
Well, five and half pages typed isn't too bad, but it was definitely less than ya'll were hoping for. Sorry.

Also, Happy Birthday Azzie-chan! Not the best B-day gift, but one nonetheless.