Took me forever! I'm SORRY!!! :falls to floor guilt stricken: I just wanted to make it real good, and it was so HARD, I'm glad I don't have actual deadlines. Anyway, this might be how it is from now on, the amount of time it takes me to get these up I mean. But I hope you still look foreword to reading them, and be sure to message me any q's or complaints! K, the dream, is iffy on whether or not it plays a role in Lettuce's future, I'm working on it. Also, let me know how you feel about their characters, I think I might of gone slightly off, but, YOU decide…

Lettuce watched in horror as her friends fell before her, one by one. "Ribbon Lettuce RUSH!" Pudding screamed as she was hit directly by the attack. What am I doing? Why are my friends being hurt?! Lettuce tried to scream out, tried to call to her friends, but all that left her mouth was a menacing scoff. No no no! Ichigo, Mint, Pudding, Zakuro! Why, what's going on?!

"Lettuce."

Retasu knew that voice! Her body turned more slowly than she would have liked, trying hard to speak out. Pai! What's going on? Why am I hurting my friends? But he didn't hear her; he instead looked emotionlessly into the mew mew's eyes. "Finish them off."

Retasu watched in absolute horror as her body turned without her consent, and raised her castanets up. Ichigo looked up at her with bleak dismay, the others too far gone to even try. "Lettuce… please…"

No! NO! Don't do it, my friends, don't do it! Her mouth uttered the words with venomous glee. "Ribbon, Lettuce, RUSH!"

Xxx

"'Ey! Lettuce! Wake-up!"

Retasu jerked awake in surprise, she had fallen asleep? What had she been dreaming about? She couldn't recall it, though it left a horrible feeling in her gut. But these thoughts were forgotten very quickly as she turned her head up to be face to face with Kisshu. "Aaah!" She instinctively tried to move back, but realized she was already against the wall.

He looked rather bored. "Do you have to scream so loud?"

"Oh! Um, sorry. You surprised me."

Kish shrugged indifferently. "Whatever. Pack your bags bookworm! You're moving!"

Moving? Does that mean they're letting me go? Retasu wondered if she should dare to hope. "What do you mean?"

Kish rolled his eyes. "Well, unless you'd really enjoy sleeping there the rest of the time you're here, we decided this wasn't a very good observation room, since it's a rather poor habitat for any living thing, so we'll move you to more suitable living quarters. Or that's what Pai said."

Retasu tried not to look deflated. "I see." Well, I shouldn't be disappointed, if they really are putting me somewhere else, it must be better than this cramped hole. She had gotten stiff from sleeping against the wall, which didn't help her still bruised and battered body. A painful groan accidentally escaped her mouth and she struggled to stand up.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Kish leaned forward, suddenly concerned.

Lettuce tried to wave him off, smiling apologetically. "Nothing, just a little sore."

Kisshu frowned, "That's right; I forgot how bad you got beaten up when you tried to get out." Kish walked over to the door, mumbling something about Ichigo not wanting to kiss him.

Retasu walked behind him quietly, not sure what she should do. It's amazing how hurt a body can feel. I think I'm finding new muscles from this experience. It was then that Lettuce realized something. "Um, Kisshu?"

He turned and cocked his eyebrow. Retasu stumbled over her sentence awkwardly. "I- I'm sorry for, biting you earlier. When I had been trying- trying to get away."

Both of his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're really weird, do you know that?"

Retasu sighed. This isn't going well. But at least my conscience is clean now. They walked on for a bit longer until Kish motioned them to another simple gray door. "Alright, you think you can take it from here?"

"Um…" Retasu looked down and blushed deeply.

Kish groaned, she was so shy! He didn't know how Pai could be attracted to someone so… quiet! "Just say it porpoise girl."

"There's… a restroom also in there, right?"

Kish smirked despite himself. "Don't worry, we fitted it with all the needed human 'accommodations'." He opened the door and motioned her in. "Including a closet and something called a 'coffee brewer'."

Retasu timidly entered and found a simple apartment. The main room was the bedroom and kitchen combined, with a bathroom on the other side. As silly as it was, she felt pleased with the quaint little room. "Thank-you, Kisshu. Its- it's nice of you all to do for me."

"Again, you're weird. But look what we got!" He sauntered over to the fridge and took out a cereal box of Cheerios and a box of chocolate chip cookies.

"Why are they in the fridge?"

Kish munched on one of the cookies. "Whamf dof foo meamf?"

It was Retasu's turn to look surprised. "Those items don't need to be refrigerated."

Kish looked from her to the box of cookies in his hand and back. "Oh." He put the items on a simple table. "Well, you take care of it then, I'll let Taruto know he got it wrong." He turned and head for the doorway. "One of us will come and check on you later, or something."

"Uh, Kish?"

He sighed wearily. "What now?"

Retasu clasped her hand in front of her, an unconscious gesture when she felt awkward. "Is, the mew team, are they alright?"

Kish walked out the door. "For now, yes." And with that he left.

Xxx

What should I do? Lettuce glanced around the room uncertainly. It really was a nice area, probably like a college dorm room more than anything, but it was still given to her by the Cyniclons. Retasu couldn't help but know for certain that the room was somehow bugged. She could just imagine them watching her every move, waiting for her to somehow spill a big secret…

Don't think so poorly of them! She silently reprimanded herself. It's their duty to learn what they can to their advantage, that doesn't mean I'm going to outright tell them! Retasu shook her head, she might be captured, but she would defend her friends in any way she could with her life. She turned to the fridge, which Kish had left open. First things first, it'd be rude if I allowed the food they bought for me to spoil. Trying to focus on humming a simple tune she walked over to the fridge and took out 3 cans of soup, a box of pop tarts, a one large box of Kraft's Mac' n Cheese (For the record, I understand that she's Japanese and probably doesn't own these items, but for the sake of my lack of education, she's having mac' n cheese). Tart had put the milk in where it was supposed to be, luckily. The small pantry she found above the sink held the eggs, fruits, veggies and meats. She was happy to find that they all seemed all right and not spoiled in the least.

She had to smile at Taruto's attempt. It was sweet of him to try, even if he didn't completely do it correctly. She moved around the room again to find two chairs at the small table, Kish's coffee brewer, and the bed, which was simply an air mattress. The bathroom also held her closet, which, Lettuce noticed with a pang, held no clothes.

The bathroom cupboard held all the hygienic necessities that Retasu would need, save for a few girl items, that Lettuce would have greatly preferred not to have to stay long enough to request.

She heard a firm knock on at her cell's door and just reentered the main room as Pai appeared. He was carrying two large bags that he seemed to clutch effortlessly. He must be strong to hold those bags so easily; I never noticed that about him before. Lettuce felt her face grow hot at thinking of the aliens figure and quickly dashed the thoughts away.

It seemed that Pai hadn't realized she was in there yet (she hadn't moved from the bathroom entry way and the bags were somewhat obscuring his view) he left the door precariously open as he made his way towards the bathroom. Is he coming towards me? Lettuce felt her skin heat up as the space between them grew smaller. No, wait, he's heading for the closet! And he doesn't see me yet! "Pai, san?"

His reaction was immediate. The Cyniclon's ears twitched severely while the bags fell to the floor from his surprised start. As the bags fell, Lettuce watched his eyes focus onto her. A flash of anger quickly hid his complete shock. "What are you doing in here?"

Xxx

That Kish had planned this, I just know it. What in the world is she doing in here already?! It had taken everything in him not to draw out his weapon in surprise. He had passed Kisshu in the hallway down to the room, and the stupid companion had had a questionable smirk on his face… I'm gonna kill him. Pai thought with venom.

It wasn't so much that she was in the room as to what was occurring before he realized she was there. And what had been happening before hand was that he had been thinking about her. Not that is was completely out of the question to contemplate her. After all, she is my main predicament at the moment, and I always analyze my problems from all angles. To be specific, as Pai himself would never admit to it, he'd been wondering what Lettuce would think of the room, what her reaction to be.

And then she was there.

"What are you doing in here?" he demanded harshly, immediately regretting it. It wasn't like she tried to surprise him, or like she really had a choice in coming there. He knew that. He knew that! Why were his emotions so dysfunctional recently? Actually, I don't want to know the answer.

The porpoise mew immediately reacted to his anger, taking a step back and stumbling through her speech, her face gone from its blushing pink to pale white. "I-I, sorry! I didn't think- I thought- you were- I'm sorry!" She backed farther into the bathroom, apparently trying to give him space.

His anger would have remained for a bit longer, but he realized he had left the front door open. Abruptly turning on his heel he made his way to the door and slammed it shut. Pai turned, sighing when he saw that Lettuce was still hiding in the back bathroom. "Please come out of there." He asked quietly, not sure if he was willing to apologize to the enemy for startling him.

Rather sheepishly, she complied. She came as far as to where he had dropped the clothing before stopping, looking down at the floor in what Pai interpreted to be embarrassment.

He heaved another sigh. Is it wise to express regret to your enemy? Your captive enemy? This mew makes my brain work harder than I recall having to with any other opponent. "I was bringing in more supplies when you surprised me. I… hadn't been expecting you." He hoped she understood that this was the closest thing to an admission of guilt that she was going to get. I shouldn't even be trying to cloak an apology; by nature I shouldn't ask for forgiveness. So why am I?

She clutched her small hands in front of her; her face's growing color told him that she caught the apology. "No, I- I'm sorry, Pai-san. I'll try… and make myself more known next time."

Pai hoped his face didn't show his confusion, he didn't trust it to remain neutral on its own anymore. What kind of apology was that? She did nothing wrong!

Before he could attempt to somehow voice this, or even collect his thoughts, she started talking again. "Um… if it's okay with you, where would you like me to put these bags?"

He glanced down and realized why he had come here. Pai mentally scowled when he realized his ear had begun to twitch ever so slightly again. "…Kisshu notified me that you'd need new… attire, after the last fight. There are 4 shirts, 2 skirts and pants, sandals… among other things."

Lettuce's face once again went scarlet at the implied meaning. "Yes, thank-you. I'll put them in the closet then?"

Pai nodded, but then paused. "Please try on some of the items, I'm uncertain if I got the correct size." There is nothing wrong with that request! He mentally scolded himself as his ear twitched a little faster.

Lettuce looked surprised by the question. "I suppose so." She tried to pick up both items at the same time, but couldn't manage it. Her face became more flustered each time she moved slightly and lost one of the bags again. Pai kept his face expressionless as his face fought over the right to grin at her embarrassed appearance. Taking pity on her (or so he told himself), he moved up and took the bag that had just fallen on the floor for the 5th time.

"Let me help you."

Xxx

Pai came over and leaned down next to Retasu, grabbing for one of the bags that had once again fallen out of her grasp. "Let me help you." Retasu jumped slightly at how soft his voice was. She turned to see his purple eyes completely ignoring her and keeping their focus on the bag, though one of his ears twitched again. I always thought his eyes were purple, but there's a subtle bit of gray in them too…

Realizing her own thoughts she clutched her bag and rushed into the bathroom, trying to hide her blush. After carefully setting down the garments she moved over to let Pai set down his burden. It was a rather small bathroom, and she tried to give him plenty of room to maneuver.

He gingerly set down the bag and exited the bathroom, glancing her way and quietly asking her to not be too long before closing the door behind her.

Letting out a small sigh of relief, she turned back to the bags and opened them. No glasses or anything to aid her in caring for them were enclosed, but she supposed it could be easily forgotten. You forget to notice the details on someone and just except it as part of who they are, right? After looking over her choices, she put on a set of the new undergarments and chose a navy blue top with tan kaki's. Luckily, the under garments fit snuggly, and were comfortable, but the outside clothing appeared to be just a bit too large for her. But at least it's new, and clean. After reassuring herself that nothing would slip off or mortify her, she tentatively opened the doorway.

Pai had seated himself at the little table and had his back turned to her, seemingly examining her cabinets. Can I really call them mine? He turned to regard Lettuce, causing her to become suddenly embarrassed. This shirt isn't at all flattering. I mean, its not like it matters, but, what if he thinks I'm sloppy because of it? Everything's so baggy, what can I do?! Could I run back in the bathroom? No, it would seem far to suspicious, he'd think I'm a bigger threat, and I can't have him thinking anything like that. Well, not that I am a threat, really…

Pai watched her fidgeting figure with a cocked eyebrow and twitching ear (darn that ear!). When it appeared Lettuce wouldn't be looking up and telling him what she thought anytime soon, he spoke up. "Is there anything wrong with the clothes?"

Retasu looked up quickly at him when he spoke, then immediately ducked down as her blush grew deeper. "They're… I mean… it's… yes, thank-you, they work very well, color wise. The clothes are fine, thank-you." Lettuce's hands clasped tightly together in front of her, her knuckles going white with her intensity.

Pai gave a slight incline that could pass as a nod, which the poor mew really didn't see. He silently rose from his seat and walked back towards the door. Lettuce risked a glance up as he left, taking in his stiff gait and firmly focused attitude. He turned back momentarily to her. "Tonight I'll be starting a through examination of your capabilities, so be ready."

Retasu wasn't quite sure what that meant for her, or her team, but nonetheless, she knew she had to do what he asked for the sake of everyone. She nodded her head resolutely. "Of course."

He glanced emotionlessly at her one last time before quickly exiting the doorway.

Cut! K, you know the drill: Review, wait patiently, read next one, review, etc.. This was mostly just filler seeing I was taking so long, so, yeah… REVIEW!!!