Here it is! The next chapter! This one, however, is hopefully much more action packed, and should help my story to get further underway. I need two reviews for this chapter to add the next sooner, so DO IT! When your done reading of course, don't worry, I'll remind you. Now go read!
Ryou's head hurt.
He kept going through the fight yesterday, and the few days before it. He watched them over and over from the camera inside Masha. He went over all his notes. But nothing added up.
Where was their motive? What was the purpose of what they did? Do they intend us to think it was nothing more than the simple objective to frighten people? Fat chance we'll buy it.
It was killing him, ever since last night when he thought about all their recent attacks. They're up to something again, but what? To his knowledge they hadn't taken anything, and the only activity he could detect was when one of them was flying around or an attack.
He also knew that whatever was occurring was because of the purple alien. He hadn't been there for any of the recent fights. What's he up to…
"Ryou?"
The blondie jumped out of his skin when he heard the voice. He spun around and relaxed. "Keiichiro, you really startled me."
Keiichiro smiled. "Sorry. I thought you might like something to eat, since you never had breakfast."
"Starving, thanks." Ryou took the plate and set it next to the computer before typing again. "By the way, I heard some commotion earlier, what happened?"
"Lettuce… had a slight accident again."
Ah, I should have known. "She was late today." Keiichiro looked at him in surprise. "Please," Ryou gave him a knowing look, "I installed security cameras for a reason."
"It'd be helpful if you didn't let her know you knew."
"Why? She has to understand that I won't tolerate her being late."
"She's very sorry for it Ryou." As usual,Ryou thought sarcastically. "How's the search coming?" The tall man asked, trying to change the subject.
"Nothing. Zip. Notta. I can't figure it out Akasaka! But whatever it is, it won't be good for us." Ryou glanced at the clock on his wall. "Thank-you again for the food, I'm going to keep working for a bit longer."
Keiichiro smiled and walked up the steps. "That's what you said last night."
Ryou ignored him.
Xxx
Pai gazed intently at the dark blob lurking in the water depths of the large container. The blob was actually a creature he came up with a long time ago, but now its use would be even more deadly than it had first been.
Taruto had at first been fascinated with the prospects that it held for them. But after seeing how long it took for Pai to get it ready, he drifted off somewhere to go torment the park frogs.
Kisshu remained neutral in what he thought about it. "If it beats the mews, then I could care less what it is," Were his exact words.
The mews.
Mew Lettuce.
Pai's ear twitched.
Stop that! He silently reprimanded it. It eventually complied. Pai really hated that, why did she make him act like some fool?
In all honesty, he really was fascinated with her. Lettuce's ability to be easily accepted by Mew Aqua made her a unique figure in Pai's knowledge of humans. Mew Aqua usually affected humans in some way, but to actually merge with the person was rare. And despite the fact that she didn't fight as continuously as the other mews, he had found that her fighting ability's were as good as Mew Zakuro's, possibly better if she tried harder. Her maturity levels were almost equal to the purple mew's, and when looking at the others, that was saying something. She may lack confidence and for that reason appear awkward, but that's nothing that can't be fixed. Pai pictured her face in his mind's eye. Her determined but gentle look when she took on the Chimera Anima's, how her green eyes sparkled when she fought, how she smiled…
Pai's ear twitched.
No more thinking about the mew! This is not helping the plan at all! Pai's emotionless mask cracked into a frown as he continued with his work. Kish will be checking in soon and I can't have him see me thinking about a human. I'd never live it down.
Xxx
Retasu jogged around the corner in a huff. She had found everything Keiichiro had asked her to, but it had taken her longer than she had expected. And now I'll be late, twice in one day! Oh, please please PLEASE let me make it on time!
She had decided to take a short cut home, but the path she was on hadn't been used in awhile, and it was rather rough. Just stay focused, get back to the café on time! This was a horrible day to where sandals. The path was right next to a drop off that led into more forest area, long forgotten by companies to use as land due to it's nearness to a old factory that had mysterious pollutants break out. How long will it take now? Maybe ten minuets. I wonder what Ryou's doing now, or the other girl's? Or the aliens- "AAGH!"
In her daydreaming Retasu had jogged too close to the edge and had stepped on loose rock. With vain effort she shoved the supplies up on the path as she fell. Her eyes could only take in the sky getting farther and farther away. I'm going to die!! How'd this happen? But the slant in the drop caught her and rolled her down. When she finally skidded to a halt at the bottom she laid there for a few seconds. Eventually, feeling she didn't have any serious injury, she stood up. The drop looked a lot larger from below, easily 20ft.
And there was no way she could climb it.
Oh dear. I hope the mews don't get too worried. She glanced around uncertainly. Maybe if I follow the ditch it'll eventually level out- Her thoughts were cut off as she saw a momentary flash within the trees. "What?"
Retasu glanced between the trail and the strange light, then, finally going against her better judgment, she walked into the trees. At first it felt as if there was more than tree branches blocking her way, but after a bit of a struggle she shrugged herself past, deeper into the forest.
Xxx
Pai's senses perked up as he felt the barrier breached. Who could get past the shield? Just then Kisshu came from the trees. "Hey, Pai, how's the project coming?"
The oldest alien frowned at him. "Kish, next time you enter, try and be a little less obvious."
Kish looked at him blankly. "Sure… if you say so."
Xxx
Retasu approached a clearing that dropped down a couple feet and gasped. The aliens! What are they doing here?! Acting on instinct she jumped back into the safety of the trees. It was Pai and Kisshu, standing in front of a lot of technology that seemed wired to a strange tank holding something dark.
I can't believe this, why doesn't Ryou know about this? Or maybe he does. Retasu silenced her thoughts as she heard the aliens begin talking.
Xxx
"Hey, what the heck?" Tart floated down to the path that bordered their hideout. He had been positive it had been empty before, but now there was a bag of groceries strewn across it. Tart dropped to the ground and let his victim, a large bullfrog, hop away. He went over and found that some of the path had broken off and fallen into the ravine. Dusty footprints walked off from the drop and into the forest. Taruto's eyes widened. Someone found us.
Xxx
Retasu couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"When's the bugger gonna be ready?" Kish asked Pai, completely oblivious to her presence.
"About 5 days, maybe a week." Pai regarded some blinking lights. "It's needs enough time to fully produce and fertilize the seeds within it. If it's released before then, we'll have a problem."
"What if the mews find out about it?"
"Keep them occupied until it's ready to come out, and it won't matter. Only if the person had an unnaturally strong will would the effects not work."
This can't be happening! What should I do? What should I do? Retasu watched the two go silent as Pai continued his work. I have to get to Ryou; I have to let him know about this.
"Hey!"
Retasu jumped and turned to find the youngest alien had found her. "Taruto?!" Oh dear.
"Pai! Kisshu! The bookworm mew got inside the barrier!" Lettuce took a step away before realizing what she was doing. But when her feet landed on dirt and not forest greens, she turned in horror and found the aliens looking directly at her, as she had shown herself when she had stepped away from Taruto. The aliens looked baffled at her appearance, but that quickly changed.
Time to run! Sprinting before Taruto could get her she raced back into the woods, cursing herself for picking sandals to wear.
Xxx
We can't allow her to get away! Pai turned to Tart, who was about to follow after. "Tart, circle left! I'll head right. Kish, center!"
The green alien smirked. "Right."
In seconds they teleported off in pursuit of the fleeing mew.
Xxx
Go go go! Retasu urged herself, her breath becoming gasps as she tried to maintain her speed. I have to get to Ryou! I need to tell Ryou what's going on! The urgency of the matter kept making her feet all the clumsier, causing one of her shoes to fall off. This occurrence didn't help things and it wasn't more than once that she almost fell flat on her face. Suddenly the air just in front of her rippled, and she stopped too late as Kisshu appeared and grabbed her wrists.
He grinned evilly at her frightened face. "Little green mews shouldn't wander the woods alone, Lettuce." She tried to push herself out of his grasp, but he held her only firmer to him. She squirmed until she felt there were no more alternatives, and bit down on his arm. "OW! Hey!" But his surprise was enough, and she was already running.
Taruto came out of nowhere and blocked her path. "You think you can get away with trespassing, bookworm?"
Retasu turned in the only direction left, gasping for breath. Again the air rippled in front of her and she came face to face with Pai.
I have to get out, I have to tell Ryou. Retasu backed up, but now they were circling her, she was surrounded. I need to get out, Ryou has to know! Before they could come any closer to her she whipped out her pendant. "Mew Mew Lettuce, METAMORPHASIS!"
A brilliant light expanded around her and receded to show Mew Lettuce, her castanets held at ready. "Ribbon, Lettuce RUSH!" Water burst from out of nowhere and fell upon the three aliens.
Xxx
Pai crashed into the ground. He should have seen that coming, but he hadn't. It was the surprise of her showing up. Her. Lettuce! Pai forced himself up, but the green mew wasn't there any longer. Kish and Tart lay groaning on the ground, muttering about foul play. Where is she?! Pai scanned the trees franticly until-- there! A brief flash of lime green, but it gave her away.
"There's no escape for you, Mew Lettuce." He muttered quietly as he flew after her.
Xxx
"Almost… there…!" The energy surge it took for Lettuce to create that wave was exhausting, and she felt it. She wouldn't be able to run much longer. "Ryou… I have to get… to Ryou…"
Xxx
"Keiichiro!"
All the girl's at the café heard the frantic note in Ryou's voice. The doorway into the basement was plugged with bodies in a matter of seconds.
"Ryou, what's going on?" Ichigo finally pushed her way out of the jumble of bodies.
"It's Lettuce, why isn't she with you guys?"
Keiichiro came over, concern morphing his features. "I sent her a little while ago to grab some groceries for me."
"We'll she must of ran into trouble, she activated her pendant."
"Lettuce is in trouble, na no da?" Pudding looked worried.
"Where is she?" Ichigo asked, anxious for her friend.
"That's the problem, I don't know! I know she activated, but it goes haywire when I try to find the location."
"An alien shield." Keiichiro stated grimly.
Ryou regarded the girls. "Mews, go out and try and find her using your instincts, I'll contact Zakuro and let her know what's going on. Keiichiro and I will stay here and keep you posted if we find anything else."
"But the café is still opened." Minto reminded him.
"Then close it!" he snapped. "If we don't get to Lettuce, I think the aliens will!"
Xxx
Keep going…Retasu forced herself to run faster. You can't slow, Lettuce. Your friends need to know what's going on. You have to alert Ryou.
"Kuu Rai Sen!"
Retasu screamed as Pai's attack hit her square in the back, sending her into a cliff face. Lettuce's body slumped unceremoniously to the ground, her mind fighting over staying awake or finding refuge in sleep. Get to Ryou, get to Ryou…Her body felt like it was one giant bruise. Resolving to move she stood up shakily to find Pai regarding her a few paces off. His face was etched with a frown. "If you continue to fight, so will I." Lettuce knew what the words were implementing, but she couldn't back down. I need to tell Ryou.
"Ribbon, Lettuce RUSH!"
"Kuu Rai Sen!"
The attacks hit each other head on, showering each being in turn with sparks and water drops. With energy Lettuce didn't know she had she launched at the eldest alien, swinging a kick at his head. The alien dodged it expertly, but he wasn't prepared for her to use the momentum of the kick to start off her escape again.
"Stop this right now!" He raced after her and caught up easily, she was weakening. He grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms against her side. Lettuce tried in vain to get out of his grip. His heavy breaths tickled her ear, and she could feel his muscles straining to hold her still. "It's over, enough."
He's right. Lettuce felt the tears pool in her eyes. I was a fool to go here; I was a fool to think I could get away. She pictured her friends in her minds eye, totally unaware of what was happening to her, what would happen to them because she couldn't escape. No! "Let… go…" Lettuce's breaths were drawn more and more forced.
"If you won't comply willingly, I'll have to make you." He threatened her quietly, so she could only hear it in the one ear his lips were pressed against. His strong arms encircled her own firmly, allowing no movement for attack.
Lettuce was crying now, too tired to be abashed by it. She shook her head weakly "…Never…"
The moment the words came from her mouth one of his hands went and covered her mouth. He effectively blocked her nose and mouth so that no oxygen could get in. Immediately her body fought wildly against him, this time with the need for air driving it. No! No! Ryou! Her mind began to feel like it was being prickled, and her vision slowly clouded to black. Her body stopped spamming and went limp, and only then did Pai remove his hand.
Her body eagerly sucked in the new found air, but she did not wake up. Pai felt a pang of sadness for her, but it was ultimately overwhelmed by how her appearance would affect the plans. Her transformation will have triggered the other's mews to know that she was in need of aid, but the shield should shuffle the problem easily enough. How much had she heard? Seeing is enough though.
Kish and Tart appeared nearby and hurried over just as her transformation wore off. "You got her?" Kish looked at her battered body and frowned. "What'd you do? Throw the cliff on her?"
Pai ignored him, gently laying her on the ground so her body would relax more.
"Do we have to kill her?" Tart asked with wide eyes. He was holding the sandal that had fallen off her foot in her flight to escape.
The purple alien looked down at the helpless girl. "No. There are plenty of uses for a captured mew."
Kish got a glint in his eye, Pai saw it. "We can hold her hostage and use her to keep the other mews from engaging us. At least until the creature is full grown."
"And after that?" Kish asked in a voice that had a deeper meaning.
"After that, it won't matter any longer."
O.o, Pai can be soooo insensitive. Ah, well, REVIEW!!!! I need two, or else you don't get more!!! REVIEW!!!