The next chapter! It took awhile, but I think its worth it, let me know! A very helpful reviewer gave me insight that I might just be making Retasu a bit too… mm, sensitive? So! Hopefully, it changed in this chapter, slightly? I dunno, I always took her character as being shy and sensitive, so it's hard for me to get out of the mind set, but I'll work on it… kinda. Read! Enjoy!

Retasu had to wait for 6 hours before someone came to get her. She had ended up sleeping for four of the hours, being unable to resist the soft and comfortable mattress that had been provided for her. In the time she had spent with the remaining two hours, she had found that the cupboards Pai had been examining held a security camera (like she had first suspected) and that the coffee brewer was somehow bugged as well, seeing as when she tried to move it to rearranged the place, it wouldn't move, and upon opening the cupboard underneath it she found a wire connected to it other than the initial plug in.

Having not eaten since the morning of her capture (and how long ago had that been, a day? Two days?), she ate two strawberry pop tarts in order to stem off the hunger until she knew she had enough time to make herself a proper meal.

It turned out that it was Taruto that came and got her, though whether she was relieved or not that it wasn't one of the older aliens Retasu wasn't sure.

"Book worm! Come on!"

Retasu had looked up from her almost finished food in surprise, instead of using the door he had randomly appeared above her. "Taruto?"

"Come on come on! The longer it takes getting you to Pai, the longer my prisoner has a chance to escape!"

The green mews eyes widened in horror. "You're keeping someone else captive besides me?"

Tart rolled his eyes sarcastically. "Yeah, and he's a real pain too. He keeps getting out of his cage somehow, the dirty amphibian…"

Amphibian? Well, at least its not a human, but, oh that poor thing… "Why is he your prisoner?" Retasu asked as she took her plate over to the sink and put it in.

"Less talk, more walk! Sheesh, you take forever."

"I'm sorry." She said out of habit.

"You should be." He glided over to the door and teleported out, Retasu waited where she was until she heard the door unlock and he opened it. "Come on lady! I bet the old hag is faster than you."

"Sorry, I'm coming." Retasu had initially not wanted to startle him or cause him to worry that she might be up to something, but it seemed the more cautious she was, the more annoyed he became. I'd better just hurry and stay quiet.

After several run arounds in blank corridors (save for one area she glimpsed in at, but Tart yelled at her when she looked, so she didn't see much except an eerie green at the end) they came to a gray sliding door. After Taruto told her to turn, and double checked that she wasn't peaking, he typed in the code and then entered into a giant lab room, Retasu meekly following behind.

It was amazing! The hum and buzz of the strange technology was incredible to the mew. Think of all the knowledge in this one room! All the possibilities it could hold for mankind!

"'Ey! Focus book worm!" Retasu snapped out of her thoughts as she looked to see she had irritated the youngest alien again. After seeing he had her attention he turned and started flying down a small wing again. "This way."

Her now newly sandaled feet walked slowly behind him, trying to take in everything around her. I have to be aware at all times, I might get a chance to run at any moment.

Taruto led her around another corner to reveal Pai standing by a large computer facing a large, white room. "Pai-i! I got her for you! Can I please go now?"

Pai turned and gave a level stare to first the disgruntled little alien, and then Lettuce. He sighed to himself and then turned back to the machine. "Yes, Taruto, you may go."

Muttering a quick "Finally!" the little brunette teleported away, leaving Lettuce to face Pai alone.

Xxx

She's nervous, but her heart rate is remaining just above average, that's good. Pai let himself fall into the rhythm of typing and working the machine a little more before he regarded the mew again. He knew that she wouldn't try to run, not when there was such a low chance of escape and a good chance she could learn something to aid her team. Which I will never allow. He frowned.

After making sure everything was ready, he finally turned again and regarded their captive. Whatever Lettuce had said about the clothes being fine, he was suspicious that they were too big for her. Regardless, if she wasn't going to request a change, he wouldn't give it. The green mew had her hands clasped in front of her again, her little fingers subtly fighting with one another. Her eyes were cast submissively to the ground, both because of her natural shyness and attempts to appear harmless, though Pai knew well not to trust anyone regardless of appearances.

"Behind me is a large training chamber. It has no opening, so I'll have to teleport you in, understood?"

Pai's ear twitched at what that would imply, much to his aggravation. Retasu, keeping her eyes carefully downcast, didn't notice. "Yes, Pai-san."

Why must she call me Pai-san? He thought as he approached her. –san is a term used for respect to another, older male. Can this imply that she respects me, her enemy? None of these thoughts played on his face as he carefully laid his hands on top on Lettuce's shoulders.

His ear twitched once again when she gasped as the teleportation began. Pai's body had gotten used to the sensation, but he realized she had never experienced something like this before. When he was a child and had first learned how to use this ability, it had felt like his body slid through a layer of cold water, though the sensation wasn't exactly wet.

In less than a second they were within the large white chamber. His eyes widened as he took in Retasu's shocked state. "How do you feel?" Pai grimaced to himself, wondering if teleportation could harm the human body. Though it didn't appear to cause harm in his theories…

The green mew finally seemed to regain her senses and took a large breath. "I'm fine. It felt… strange."

Realizing his hands still rested on her shoulders, he briskly took them away. "All right, listen carefully." He drew out her pendant form his pants pocket, holding it carefully between them. "For this experiment, your mew form is required. Kish has (somehow) convinced me that there is no need to take precautions against you, that you won't attempt anything." He lowered the pendant and waited until Lettuce's gaze was firmly caught in his. "But if you dare to attempt anything against what I ask you, I won't hesitate to retaliate. The way you are being treated now, is a privilege. Are we clear?"

Some vague part of him felt guilty for behaving this way towards her. From everything he knew about Lettuce, fighting was the last thing she wished to do. Had it been any other mew, his statement would be more than needed. But Mew Lettuce was different. Fighting came to her only when needed. Even now she seemed embarrassed at this threat made at her. "Understood, Pai-san."

He nodded, trying to ignore his rather deplorable feelings. He lightly tossed the pendant towards her, which she caught easily enough. "Good. This room is reinforced with our best defense system. I'll call for you to get ready, and were going to work with some target practice for today, nothing more till later." He teleported out with no further delay, vaguely feeling relieved to be out of such close proximity to her. Since she's my enemy. He briskly reminded himself. Appearing in front of the main controls, he opened up the sound panel for her to hear him. "Are you ready?" A brief nod on her part was all the more he needed. "Commence experiment ML1."

Xxx

Time to act. Lettuce closed her eyes and brought her pendant to her lips as the room around began to whir with activity. "Mew Lettuce… Metamorphosis!" The sensation of her transformation came over her, like being clothed in warm light. A determined frown creased her face as she opened her eyes to face the challenge.

Four targets had appeared in front of her, all extended white pieces of the wall with steady blue lights blinking on them. "Mew Lettuce," Pai's voice rang overhead, "you are to use your primary attack on all four of these targets. Commence."

Lettuce withdrew her castanets and began immediately. The first target was level with her, all she had to do was raise her arms and call out. I'll do my best no matter why it's done. "Ribbon… Lettuce RUSH!"Instead of a normal tidal wave, her attack was a concentrated water spiral that hit the target easily. With a somewhat waning beep the target turned off and went back to its place in the wall. The second was meant to be more tall, and the third wider. Both she hit with no trouble. She turned to regard the fourth target, which was unfortunately at a drastic height, even jumping with her mew abilities she might not reach it. I need momentum… a way to get higher…Glancing at her surroundings and the position of the target Retasu did a few quick calculations. …Alright! She turned away from the target and sprang for the wall like she had sometimes seen Ichigo do. Carrying herself as high as she could go up the wall, she crouched and vaulted herself up towards the target. "Ribbon… Lettuce RUSH!"

With one last waning beep, the last target went quietly back to its position. The jump had been a little too high, and Lettuce landed less-than-comfortably. I did it… Her breath came out slightly heavy. I did it…

Xxx

Pai glanced at his recordings, stubbornly impressed with Lettuce.

Her time had been 67.835 seconds, which, though it wasn't exactly fast, was steady and not bad at all.

The correct aim percentage showed 83%, 5 points higher than his estimated calculations.

The direct force of the hit, individually speaking, was enough to take down one of the more simple, smaller Chimera Animas of Taruto's creation. Combining the 4 attacks together, there was a 75% probability she could take down the more common Chimera's sent at the Mews.

From the data collected by the injected organisms, however, he found that she was already out of breath. He hadn't expected this, though it made sense. Since his gathered facts showed that she hung back more so than the others when it came to attack, she had more time to attack, and therefore was quicker about it. But her timidity was weakening her fighting abilities.

Pai was just fine with that.

He turned back from his work and assessed the mew himself. Lettuce stood complacently, as composed as she could be, to wait for a sign of what to do next. "Lettuce," he called over the loud speaker, "the next round will commence in 15 seconds, stand at ready."

She seemed to stiffen as his voice suddenly echoed through the chamber, but nevertheless stood at attention. He glanced back at his recordings as he set the room for target practice pre-level 2. 26 seconds of break. "Begin."

Xxx

What a day, what a day, what a day… That was all that Ryou could get himself to think about as he wearily got out of his bed. Keiichiro, it all his kind logic, had found that 48 hours straight (excluding the possible 3 hours when he accidentally dosed) was long enough for Ryou to be awake. After much reluctance and threats to shut down the super computer entirely, Ryou had trudged up to his room, ate half a piece of toast, and then tried vainly to sleep. When he couldn't sleep due to the stress, he had taken some sleeping pills, which had done the trick for about 5 hours. But now, he was awake, and fully aware of his hopeless predicament.

There's more to it then just absently kidnapping a mew. He mused dully, his body having no energy for fierce passion. They've had plenty of times to individually attack our girls, and it's never happened like this. Lettuce must have found out something, probably the reason why they had been so sporadic with their attacks recently. He recalled when Kish and Taruto had appeared, they had ordered the mew team to stand down no matter what if they wanted Retasu to remain safe, but was she? What if… No, he absently shook his head as he wandered down the stairs to the main floor. I can't think that way, they wouldn't do it. Purple's behind this. He couldn't muster up the proper irritation with the cynical alien. They were using Lettuce to keep the other mews from nosing in on whatever they had been planning over the last week, which was probably why they sent the Chimera Anima's, as another distraction to keep the Mew team's eyes elsewhere.

This must be big, but if it's big, that means I'm going to have to break the rules. Ryou's head swam with stricken guilt. He knew if he acted, he would endanger Retasu. He started down the basement steps without looking in on how the customer's were doing. There must be something, something that I can do. Along with the hidden plot, Mr. Midorikawa had appeared the day before; he was going to the police on this. Which meant that the mews were jumping in hot water on both sides of the field, and any move they made, whether as mews or café waitresses, would be analyzed and possibly endanger them.

He brusquely shoved the door open. What can I do, what can I do?

It was then that he noticed the insisted beeping on his computer screen.

His fatigue was momentarily swept under the rug. "Keiichiro!" He leapt for the computer, his hands moving so fast across the keyboard and panels that they were close to being a blur. "Keiichiro!"

Heavy pounding came from the stairs, and faint calls of 'Ichigo, stay up and watch the customers' and 'I'll let you know in a second Mint'. He thrust the door open in a frenzy. "Do you have something?"

"It's her signal! Lettuce's pendant is activated again!"

Keiichiro didn't waste another second gaping. "Can you contact her from it, are you getting past the shuffle."

"Wait… wait…" Ryou's fingers pounded furiously across the keys, his eyes never blinking as he ran through many strange codes. "Wait… yes!" The sound of somewhat heavy breaths came through the speakers, along with the loud rush of water from Lettuce's attack. What's going on, who is she fighting? "Lettuce! Lettuce, can you hear me? Lettuce!"

Xxx

"Lettuce!"

The mew gasped in shock and lost her momentum for moving to the last target. Had she dreamed it? Was she truly hearing what she thought she heard?

"Lettuce, can you hear me? Lettuce!"

Ryou! Now she hadn't even bothered attacking the target, she was falling to the floor in shock. It's Ryou's voice, he found me!! She realized that Pai must not of noticed, and quickly regained her momentum, moving towards the target again. "Ryou, is it really you?" What am I saying? Of course it's him! There's no time for this! "Ryou, the aliens-"

"Are you fighting them? Why are you in mew form? What's going on?"

"No no! Pai-"

"Pai's attacking you? Why? What did you try to do?"

For perhaps the first time Retasu remembered, she felt a twinge of annoyance towards Ryou. "Ryou, listen to me!" she hissed as she jumped for another target, trying to look natural. Calm down, it's not his fault, he doesn't know yet what's going on. "Pai's watching me, I don't think he knows that you've contacted me yet. I'm doing some kind of experiment for him."

"What kind of experiment?"

"He's having me break targets, um, I suppose he's assessing how well I do." Even as she spoke, she made contact with the last target. With a waning beeeeeeep, it went away. "Listen, Ryou, the aliens are planning-"

She had been facing away from the window, but she jumped as Pai's voice rang within the room. "Very good. We're done for today, de-transform and set down your pendant."

No! I have to let Ryou know! I won't be able to if I go back to normal! Lettuce stiffened and kept her back turned.

"Was that Pai?"

"Ryou, listen quickly, I don't have time-"

"Lettuce! Power down and lay the pendant aside immediately!" Pai's voice rang with telltale warning.

Thankfully this also seemed to convince Ryou. "What did you see? Why did they kidnap you?"

"They're setting up something! Down in the wooded area where there had been a spill awhile ago." In her franticness she missed the distinct sound of a teleportation from behind her. "There's a giant machine with-" Retasu gasped in fear as something cold slid it's way in front of her jugular.

Xxx

"Lettuce, what's going on? Lettuce!"

"Enough." A cold emotionless voice reprimanded the pendant's communication. "Order your mew to de-transform, or she dies. As it is, you broke the rules." Pai gazed angrily at the back of Retasu's head. Out of all the things he should have been feeling right then and there, hurt feelings was not one of them. Mew Lettuce was given an opportunity, and she took it. He couldn't blame her for that; Pai himself would have done the same thing (though he'd never be in the position to have to).

It had been rather brilliant of her, actually. He had wondered why she had lost her momentum as she went for the last target, dropping to the floor as if in shock. But when she rose back up he had blamed it on fatigue, which was why he ended the session. Good thing I did. When she hadn't responded to him at all, he had opened the communication two way just in time to hear Ryou ask for the reason why she was kidnapped.

He put Lettuce in danger regardless! All for the information! It wasn't like Pai to think so poorly of that, it was one mew or the world, after all. But still, putting her in danger, Lettuce! The only decent and kind…

Pai caught himself.

"Lettuce, what's he doing?"

Pai sneered behind her back. The nerve her leader had, ignoring his deliberate order! He felt Lettuce tremble, and understood. "Go on, tell him." His voice was levelly controlled, but dangerously bordering close on sounding kind. Pai silently reprimanded himself.

"H-he has a k-knife to my throat." She managed weakly. Oh dear heavens, she had better not faint!

"Don't threaten her!" Ryou's voice shouted desperately from the pendant. "I need to discuss certain things with you anyway."

Despite the fact that he wanted to remove the knife away from her (the thought that she would have to die at his hands for some reason made him feel rather sick) his logic won out. He needed the advantage right now, and her life was just that. "And why should I discuss anything with you?"

"Lettuce's disappearance hasn't gone unnoticed. Her parents have called in the police, and they're investigating."

Pai felt a twinge of sympathy as the green mew gasped horror stricken. "My parents?" She began to shake slightly. "Ryou! Are they all right? Do they know? How-" She jumped and stopped as Pai's free hand came and rested on her shoulder.

"Why should this be of any meaning to us?"

"The police are starting to get nosy…"

Indicating that they may think blondie and the others might know something about it. Pai smirked despite himself. "All the better for me."

"No, it's not! If they come asking, I'll confess, I'll spill the entire thing in regards to the mew team, the research, and you Cyniclons."

Lettuce caught her breath in shock, while Pai himself paled. If Ryou tattled, there was a greater chance of other humans getting hurt, but it would put a dangerous dent in the Cyniclon's current plans. Obviously the Tokyo police were aware of the fights that had been occurring, and the mews had been televised when people occasionally caught them before they ran off, but going public… "You wouldn't."

"If I get caught, you're coming down with me."

Pai felt infuriated, how could he be so easily played? "What's your plan?"

Xxx

Aiko Hoshiama beamed brilliantly at the news camera. "And that concludes our weather forecast! In other news, a rather unusual kidnapping took place three days ago. A young teenager, Retasu Midorikawa, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and didn't show up till tonight, when another alien attack took place. The Tokyo Mew Mews defeated another chimera anima and were about to attack the aliens, when they presented Miss Midorikawa in front of them."

The screen switched over to the news footage of Pai teleporting in front with a battered Lettuce in her old clothes and missing sandals. "Though there isn't much to go on," the newscaster beamed pleasantly at the screen. "It appears that Miss Midorikawa was watching a battle when the aliens grabbed her and used her as a shield, and is now being held as a hostage. More on this story at 10." And with that, Aiko went on to the surprising rise in electric shortages in the nearby area, along with unexpected heavy rain-storms in the mountain regions, completely and utterly forgetting the frail, innocent mew that had stared helplessly at the screen.

Okay, yes, the ending was rushed, but I felt bad making you guys wait this long anyway. I'll fill you in: Ryou convinced Pai to stage Lettuce's kidnapping story and whereabouts so the police will back off suspecting Ryou and the girls. In the next chapter, there will hopefully be more on how her parents are doing, and what occurred after that little incident in the practice room. After all, I can't have Pai stay cranky at our innocent green mew, can I? Review!