Another update

Another story I haven't updated for months, but that's going to change. I've worked hard on this one and I've been writing practically all day, so I hope you enjoy! I was planning to get this up last weekend, but something came up and I couldn't. So, it's a week late - but better late than never!

Disclaimer: See previous chapter because I'm sick of typing the answer.

Chapter 6

A Blackmailer's Tricks Pt 2

The cool, frosty air nipped at her cheeks, causing her to bury her face further into her jacket. Her usually sparkling brown eyes were downcast and lifeless and had been this way for several days now. She kept her head facing the pavement beneath her feet, continuing to trudge through the snow that seemed to her to have lost it's glistening appeal. Now, it was but a mere icy, empty substance that reflected her mood.

The reasons for this were built on the events of a few days prior; namely, the day she had made the mistake of bringing Kiichigo to the café. If she hadn't found out about the Mew Project, then things wouldn't have turned out the way they did. Ichigo and Ryou would still be friends. Well, more or less, if you classed their relationship as friendship.

Ichigo sighed, letting her breath out as a cloud of smoke. Her twin only complicated things. She'd come to that conclusion a little too late though. Wandering aimlessly, Ichigo tried to come up with a plan that would make Ryou forgive her. Though it was highly unlikely that whatever she did would prove a good enough reason for him to. Of everything she could've said, it just had to be the thing that would hurt him most!

Momentarily pausing her thoughts, she looked up just in time to jump out of the way of a lorry headed straight for her. Cursing her stupidity, she exhaled deeply and crossed the rest of the road. Which was when she found herself staring at the back of her twin.

Kiichigo was at the other end of the path, and if it weren't for Ichigo's genetically enhanced eyes, she probably wouldn't have caught her sister as she glanced shiftily from side to side after leaving a small, tucked away building. Something about her seemed different and Ichigo immediately became suspicious. But before she could make her way over to the girl before she disappeared, a yell came from her left.

Tuning, Ichigo saw her boyfriend making his way towards her, looking less than pleased. Although she'd seen him mad before, she'd never seen him this angry. Especially not at her. His eyes, normally glowing with happiness upon seeing her, were cast with a darkened disapproval. His smile was turned into a thin red line, his brow creased in what seemed to be frustration or annoyance. His long, brisk strides were weighted down, almost by the heaviness of his rising temper. Ichigo cringed. This wasn't going to be good.

However, she attempted to lighten the mood, "Aoyama-kun! I haven't seen you for a while! How are you?"

He didn't reply, just kept walking straight for her. A shiver crept down her spine as a feeling of dread washed over her body. He reached her finally, stopping short a hair's breadth away from her slightly trembling form. "Momomiya-san, I think you know perfectly well how I am. And I would appreciate it if you stayed away from me from now on."

His eyes shot daggers, warning her, daring her to say anything. She plucked up the courage - after all, it was just her boyfriend - to ask him what he meant, but as soon as she opened her mouth, he cut her off.

"I don't want any excuses. What you did was unacceptable. I can't believe you would sink that low. You! Of all people! I thought I could trust you! But obviously, I can't. It's over!" His voice was raised to a yell, growing louder with every word. But all of a sudden it quieted, as he maneuvered around her, whispering the last sentence as he left. "I never expected you to cheat."

Tears trickled down Ichigo's cheeks, the words he said not fully registering yet. She was left alone, standing in the snow. What she did? But she didn't do anything…Wait. He said she'd cheated. But she hadn't… Little snowflakes grew bigger, whirling around her, gaining speed. The falling of the whiteness got thicker, more and more descending to the ground until there was a blizzard, blocking anyone and anything inside it from sight. Including the red-head. She was lost, alone in the midst of it, as the water continued to stream down her cheeks.

--

An hour later, the front door to the Momomiya household clicked open and a sniffling Ichigo stepped inside. Looking around with empty eyes, she sighed before unzipping her jacket and placing it on the coat-hook. Then she turned, slipping her shoes off and stomping up the stairs.

Upon reaching her bedroom, she pushed open the door and as soon as she was inside flopped down onto her bed. Clutching her duvet tightly, tears once again began to spill from her ducts and pour down her red cheeks. She remained like that for a long time, lying and crying. Her boyfriend had just broken up with her for a reason that she knew wasn't true. But she had no way to convince him otherwise.

And on top of that, she had no one to turn to. The past few days, Kiichigo had been the centre of everything; all the attention, all the people, all the reasons. Every time anything went wrong and Ichigo was blamed, Kiichigo was there. She was starting to think that the only reason her twin came back was to destroy her life.

Suddenly her tears stopped and the sadness was replaced with a rising anger. Her knuckles began to turn white as her grip on the bed covers became vice-like. Her teeth gritted and her body quaked. Everything…Kiichigo was doing everything.

Flashback

It was the day after the 'incident', as the Mews had taken to calling it. Ichigo walked through the doors of the café with a sullen expression, knowing it would take a lot to right her wrong and get Shirogane to speak to her again. After all, what she'd said wasn't the best of things. However, beside her, Kiichigo was brimming over with smiles and perkiness. The catgirl couldn't help but think that maybe something else had happened with Ki later the previous night.

Taking a deep breath, Ichigo attempted to cheer herself up. Painting a small smile upon her own face, she glanced around, immediately seeing Minto sitting at her usual table. So, naturally, Ichigo decided to go and talk to her.

Making her way over, she grabbed a chair and pulled it out, planting herself down into it. Then turning to her friend, she asked, "Why aren't you in your uniform?"

Minto just stared straight ahead, almost as if remaining indifferent, however, she gently put down the cup of tea she held. Opening her mouth, she replied, "Shirogane-san said to come into the café, but we aren't to work. He wants to try and infuse Kiichigo. He's going to make her a Mew."

Ichigo's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Behind her she heard a squeal of delight. Kiichigo had won.

--

It was several hours later when Ichigo and Minto found themselves peeking round the corner of the door that led down to the basement. Ryou had taken Kiichigo to the lab a while ago. Seemingly, he needed to find which animal her genetics would be compatible with. So far, no luck. Or at least, that's what the two spying girls thought as they continued to wait for any sign that would let them know whether or not it had worked.

Although they couldn't see anything as such, they could listen. However, even with heightened senses, Minto and Ichigo were straining to hear. The sounds were muffled and it was likely that Ryou had soundproofed the room. Or tried to.

After ten minutes more of no results, Minto sighed and gave up, retreating back to her table and taking a sip of her now ice cold tea, which she promptly gagged at. So, standing again, she proceeded towards the kitchen to get herself a fresh brew, leaving Ichigo to press her ear against the other door alone.

All of a sudden, she heard footsteps making their way up the stairs. Leaping backwards in time, Ichigo narrowly avoided the wooden entrance colliding with her face. Out from behind it stepped Ryou. Their eyes met in a locked gaze as an uncomfortable silence settled in. Each stared at the other, doing nothing, their expressions portraying no emotion. However, Ichigo was churned up inside, her head reeling with slight fear and anxiety, butterflies swarming in her stomach. They'd had fights before, but none had left her feeling like this. She wanted to make it up to him so badly. She wanted to…but for reasons beyond rekindling their friendship.

Meanwhile, Minto had finished making her tea. She came back through into the main part of the café, startling both Ryou and Ichigo.

Upon noticing them together, staring at her, Minto said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Have I interrupted something?"

Snorting, Ryou turned and snapped, his voice laden with venom, "No."

"Shiro--"

"Shut up Baka Strawberry. And while you're at it, get out! I don't ever want to see you here again! You hear me? You're fired!"

Tears welled in the corners of Ichigo's eyes and she instantly twisted and fled the café. Minto cried out after her, trying to get her to stop. But Ichigo had carried on, ignoring it. However, he didn't fail to notice Kiichigo's sly smirk from the corner of her eye as she burst outside, sobbing carelessly.

End Flashback

She hadn't been back to the large, pink building after that, for fear that she'd upset the boy even further. So the past few days she had either moped about the house or drifted round the streets of Tokyo. With no job at the café, and no school because it was the Christmas Holidays, there was nothing else for her to do.

But why was Ryou as mad as he was? Surely he couldn't be that angry for what she'd said. He didn't need to fire her. And why was she blaming him? It was her sister's fault. She was certain of that much.

Ichigo was so lost in her thoughts, that she almost missed the dingof her doorbell. Wiping her eyes, she stood, making her way to see who it was. But before she reached the bottom of the stairs, the door opened anyway and a cautious Minto entered, scanning the hallway.

"Ichigo-chan? Are you here?" she called out, not seeing the red-head halfway down the stairs.

"I'm fine."

Jumping, the ballerina gasped and turned. "I didn't realise you were there. Sorry for intruding like this, it's just that it's snowing so heavily outside and I couldn't possibly stand in that weather much longer. I mean, look what it's done to my hair!"

A ghost of a smile crept across Ichigo's lips. Minto had obviously deliberately walked to her house so as to cheer her up with the state she would be in when she arrived. And boy, was she a mess. Her blue hair was knotted due to the wind, several strands sticking out and falling into her face. Her cheeks were a bright cherry red, which matched her vibrantly coloured nose, and water trickled down them from melted snowflakes. Her clothes were drenched with snow; covered in a crisp, white coating. A small chuckle of amusement escaped Ichigo's throat and Minto looked up from examining herself, smiling.

"Why are you here?" Ichigo asked in a quiet voice.

"I was worried. I haven't seen you for days," Minto replied.

"The real reason?"

There was a moment of silence whilst Minto chose the right words to say. Finding them, she hesitantly replied, "I overheard Shirogane-san and Akasaka-san talking…" she trailed off, seeing Ichigo wince at the mention of his name. After a short pause, she continued, "They were talking for a while, and I'm not going to recount everything they were saying, but the conclusion was that they both feel that Shirogane was a little too harsh on you."

Ichigo blinked a few times. Suddenly, her lips curved into the biggest smile she'd, well, smiled, for days. She sprang down the last few steps and flung herself at Minto, wrapping her arms around the startled girl. Minto only stood there dumbfounded. When Ichigo let go, she bounded over and grabbed the jacket she kept wearing and threw it round her shoulders.

"I never did give this back to Shirogane, did I?"

Minto continued to stare into space, still dumbfounded.

Rolling her eyes, Ichigo cried, "Well come on then! We have to go now, while Shirogane still thinks that!" And with that, she grabbed Minto's arm, dragging her out of the door and into the frosty snow.

"Huh? Wait, I am not going back out there again! Ichigooo!"

--

An Hour Earlier

Ryou sat at his computer, typing in data and searching for answers. He kept glancing at the clock as if restless, unsettled. In reality, he was waiting rather impatiently for the café to close. He'd asked Keiichiro to come and see him at the end of his shift to discuss something important.

Groaning, Ryou leant back in his chair, covering his eyes with his arms. He stayed like that for a while, though he didn't know how long. But his somewhat peace was disturbed by a knocking sound. Sighing heavily, Ryou said, "Come in." He heard the person enter, so he swiveled his chair round.

"Shirogane-san? I was just coming to let you know that we're all leaving now," Minto explained, her arms folded across her chest.

"Yeah, ok," he said, waving her away in dismissal. It was obvious to him that she hadn't come up here just to inform him that she and the rest of the girls were leaving; it was only Ichigo who had ever done that before and that was because she was always the one to clean and close up.

Ichigo… Ryou shook his head, ridding himself of the thought of her. He was angry with her, and had a right to be. She'd slashed at an already deep wound, and she knew that. But, though he tried, he couldn't get his mind to shift from her being. There was just something about her…oh, yeah, maybe it was the fact he'd fallen for her some time ago.

He cursed himself aloud, earning a confused look from Minto, who was still inside his room. He glared at her, to which she responded with a glare of her own before promptly turning and exiting. Immediately after she left, Ryou's room was invaded again, this time by Keiichiro.

The chef closed the door behind him, nodding when Ryou motioned for him to sit down and make himself comfortable. Once he had done so, the blonde began to speak.

"Ok, so I've told you that this was pretty important. I lied."

He paused, waiting for the brunette's reaction, which came as a raised eyebrow.

"It's an urgent problem. It's about Kiichigo's blood test. I got the results through earlier, and I think you should take a look," Ryou explained, gesturing for the elder man to see the computer screen. He let Keiichiro scan through the files and data, giving him enough time to allow the information to sink in. When he'd finished reading, Keiichiro stood upright from his hunched over position.

"I don't see what's wrong. Her blood seems to me to be perfectly normal and healthy," he reasoned.

"I know. But that's what struck me. Her blood is normal. In order to be able to be infused with the DNA of a Red Data animal, you have to have a certain rare blood type. Kiichigo doesn't."

"And your point…wait, shouldn't her blood be the same as Ichigo's?" Keiichiro realised, bending back down to re-read the screen.

Silently, Ryou nodded, glad that his friend had come to see the dilemma. The two of them looked at each other a moment, then the chef queried, "So how are their blood types different if they're identical twins?"

"That's what I've been wondering for the past few hours," he admitted, shifting his position and tapping on the keyboard. "But the strangest thing is…" he began, stopping for a second until the file had loaded, "why Kiichigo's blood is completely different from her parents aswell."

Surely enough, the information on the screen backed up his statement. Keiichiro shook his head in disbelief. Confusion crinkled his brow, alongside the deep thoughts that were spinning in his mind. It shouldn't be possible; yet, here was the information right in front of him.

Pulling away, he walked back over to Ryou's bed, settling down onto it once more. "Does she know?" he asked.

"Not yet. She only knows that the infusion process wouldn't work and that she isn't able to become a Mew Mew," Ryou said, not looking up from the keyboard as he carried on updating an old document.

"Which is where that mark came from."

The blonde froze. Side-glancing at Keiichiro, he moved his hands up and pulled his collar over his cheeks, hiding them. The other man gave a soft chuckle, despite the situation. Although he was getting on for seventeen, Ryou still reverted back to one of his childish habits every now and again.

Changing the subject, he asked, "Does Ichigo know?"

Again, the boy froze. Only this time, when he finally moved, it was to throw a glare at Keiichiro. The pony-tailed man exhaled noisily, purposely catching the attention of the other occupant of the room who had decided to go back to his typing.

"You can't avoid her forever, you know."

"Yes I can. I fired her. She's not coming back here, so that means I won't see her and certainly can avoid her."

"In other words; you're just too stubborn to admit you were a little too harsh on her," Keiichiro reasoned.

Ryou snorted in disagreement.

"She didn't intend to say that to you. She was angry. How many times have you upset her by saying something so inconsiderate and insensitive when you were angry?"

"I haven't."

"That was a rhetorical question, to which you got wrong anyway. You owe her an apology."

"The only thing I owe her is a slap across the face!"

"You mean like the one Kiichigo gave you?!"

The shouting stopped momentarily. Then Ryou's eyes narrowed, and avoiding looking at the older male, he hissed, "I could do a lot worse than this to Strawberry!"

Yanking down the collar, he turned to give Keiichiro a proper view of his cheek. It was still crimson, as if it had happened mere seconds ago. Three, sharp cuts ran through the middle, the ends of which were deeper from where Kiichigo had dug her nails in. Sinking back into the seat, Ryou turned and cast his vision in the opposite direction.

"You would never hurt Ichigo and you know it."

He lifted a hand to his forehead, massaging his temple slowly to calm himself down. Then he whispered, "I know." Ryou swiveled back to face Keiichiro. "I would never hurt her physically. And in any other case, it would never be intentional. Yes, I was too hard on her, especially given all the times she's forgiven me when I've irritated and infuriated her."

"Going to give her another chance then?" the brunette smiled.

"I suppose. After all, it's boring here without her. I have nothing to do. It's almost as if my whole day centered around winding her up."

Beaming, Keiichiro stood and made his way to the exit, silently offering to go close up the café. But on his way out, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "It did."

--

A/N: I wasn't originally going to end it there, but I figured I'd stop now or else it wouldn't be up by tonight. I'm planning on there being only three more chapters, and I'm going to work on this story alone until it's finished, so for anyone who reads either 'Strawberry Shrieks' or 'Change', updates might not be for a month or so…but then again, it all depends on how quickly I finish this off.

Review please! Button's just there and it doesn't take long!

KO xoxo