I'm sorry it took so long guys! I really am! I'M SO SORRY! I had wanted to get this one out sooner, but KISH! That JERK! Has a personality that for some reason my mind has a horrible time trying to fathom, so I rewrote the Kish scenes, like, 3 different times each, I think I'm satisfied with it now, but MAN! I hope you guys like it!

Lettuce sighed contently to herself. It's such a pleasant day! I don't think we've had this nice of weather in a long time! Not that she could necessarily know for sure, since she hadn't been around to comment on a weather a few days back, but it was a better day than most nonetheless. And to think I had been missing this in my room! She smiled to herself. Thank goodness Ichigo came and snapped me out of my mood. If she hadn't… The green mew shook her head in a self mocking motion; if Ichigo hadn't come, she would still be drowning in her own self pity. Sometimes… it'd be nice to be like Ichigo, being so brave, and open to others, never worrying about what to and not to say. Her eyes watched a pair of birds flutter from tree to tree. And how she always knows what to say to help me out of a slump, or make my day better... I wish I was more like her. Lettuce smiled to herself. I want to be as strong as she is.

Despite Ichigo's pep talk and success in lifting the downcast mew's spirits, the eldest Cyniclon still weighed heavily on her mind. The thought of Pai, how her heart had slowly changed its shape towards him, how she now felt things for him that were both impossible and probably never to be returned, it was still a bit too fresh. And she still couldn't help but feel stupid that her heart would flutter at the thought of his calm grey eyes, or his normally cold voice saying her name with and unusual hint of warmth. Not that the warmth was a sign of some kind of romance on his part. She told herself, a blush creeping on her face. I'm not sure really what he thought of me, but it means nothing… now. She sighed sadly, caught herself, and smiled despite the situation. I'm my own worst enemy, with these feelings inside of me constantly battling. Well, at least I know that time will heal all wounds. She thought sternly. Even if I can't fix my heart into disliking him, I must fight against these feelings no matter what. I can't let anything, or anyone, keep me from doing my duty in protecting the earth.

Lettuce rounded the corner to find the fountain that she and Ichigo were to meet at, but Ichigo had not arrived yet. How strange… Lettuce glanced towards the path that her best friend would have to take to get there. Seeing no one, she went over to the fountain and sat. "I was sure she'd beat me here, she's so much closer than I am from home!" She looked up into the sky, as if it would tell her what the dilemma is. I don't mind waiting, of course, but I wonder what's keeping her. I'm already slightly late! Perhaps something's come up with Masaya? Lettuce grinned at that. Nobody (except, she thought briefly, perhaps Kish) is as infatuated with someone as much as Ichigo is with Masaya.

The green mew started slightly when her bag suddenly shook against her side. Oh! She quickly reached into the side pocket to grab the vibrating phone, seeing Ichigo's number come up on the caller ID. She smiled to herself. "Ichigo." She's probably calling to apologize for being late. A sudden thought occurred to her. Oh no, I hope she doesn't need to cancel on me! I was looking forward to going shopping with her… After the third vibrate Lettuce realized she might want to pick it up. "Sorry, hello? Ichigo?"

"-tell you again, I don't want your company, get lost!"

Lettuce was taken aback, what was Ichigo talking about? "Ichigo? I'm sorry, wha-?"

"Actually, it's not your choice, kitten."

The green mew gasped. Before she even realized it she had abandoned her purse and was running down the path Ichigo had to take to get to the fountain. Kisshu! No! Why is he attacking Ichigo now? The phone was still on in Lettuce's hands, but she had forgotten the fact until Ichigo's scream emitted from it.

And just up ahead.

"Ichigo! Ichigo!" Lettuce looked wildly ahead, desperately looking for any glimpse of her friend. She flew around the corner just in time to see three figures shimmer out of existence, with Ichigo hanging lifelessly from a golden-eyed alien's arms. Retasu's hand reached futilely towards them, but by the time she got to where they had been, they were gone.

Lettuce stared at the ground where they just had been I horror. Ichigo… Ichigo was just kidnapped. What should I do? What can I do? Ryou! He'll know! She spun around and headed back to the fountain, grabbing her purse in one hand as her fingers flew across the dial pad on her phone. Please Ryou, pick up, pick up!

"Hey, you've reached Ryou Shirogane. I'm not available right now-"

"No!" Lettuce ground her teeth in frustration. She felt so helpless! And the longer it took to get in contact with Ryou, the less Ichigo's chances were. "How can we even get to her?" Lettuce was so aggravated she didn't realize she was talking out loud. "What am I going to do? She needs help! And it's not like I can just call her up so she can tell me how she got there before…!" Lettuce froze and looked down at her cell, the gears in her head rapidly turning faster and faster. Call… Ichigo's cell phone… that's it! "Yes!" she breathed in realization. I've got to get a hold of the others!

Lettuce began to race down the path in the direction of Café Mew Mew, her cell phone already dialing for Mint.

Xxx

Everything was finally going according to plan.

At least, that was probably what Pai was thinking.

The trio now walked down the endless maze of hallways towards the Chimera Anima; Pai had taken the lead, with Taruto sticking to the back of the line. This left one mischievous Cyniclon holding his kitten smack-dab in the center of the line. The Cyniclon now smirked at the back of his eldest comrade. He knew exactly what that brainiac was thinking; they hadn't been together all these years without Kisshu picking up on a few things. And he could tell by the purple head's stiff gait, occasional furtive glance and how his ears were trained to listen behind him that Pai was just waiting for Kish to make a break for it and save his kitten. He wishes. Kish's mouth twitched from a smirk that was aching to form on his face, the gears in his mind turning ever faster. Even if I wanted too, that book thumper wouldn't be able to stop me if he tried. But why ruin his fragile ego? With already fudging the plan, getting his hide flayed, and losing his girl, I want to see how much worse he can make it for himself. At this thought, his twitching smirk finally broke through and took over his face. And then there's that. Shame he didn't see what I did.

His thoughts were cut off as a soft groan escaped from the lips of the damsel in his arms. And true to his nature, Kisshu completely lost his focus on anything but 'his' beautiful red head. Ah, Ichigo. If you only knew what you were putting me through. His gaze lingered over the snug way the capris fit her legs, how the cute ruffled tank gave him a small glimpse of her stomach, and those beautiful, tender lips… His eyes darkened slightly with some rather impassioned thoughts. If only you knew…

Ichigo turned slightly away in her sleep, as if able to sense the thoughts that would defiantly make her uncomfortable. In doing this, something fell to the ground from her denim pocket, hitting the ground somewhat loudly in the otherwise quiet hallway. Pai whirled as the sound echoed through the hallways, his gaze rather dangerous. Kish narrowed his eyes. Thought I was up to something, eh? "Thanks for the vote of confidence Pai."

Pai, seeing that Kish had done nothing, relaxed with an eerie swiftness that often left the viewer of such a transformation disturbed as to what else he was hiding behind that smooth façade. "Let me know when you deserve my confidence, Kisshu." He turned away from the affronted Cyniclon towards Taruto, who had run over to what had fallen. "Well?"

The youngest alien picked up the object experimentally. His ears twitched in surprise as small beeps emitted from the machinery after clicking a few of the buttons on it. "I think it's one of those communications devices humans use."

"It's called a cell phone, oh-smallest-of-us." Kisshu gave him a face that rang with mocking.

True to his nature, Taruto reacted instantly, defensively, and heatedly. "I know that! You'd have to be brainless to not know what, uh, this is! I just wanted to make sure you knew!"

Pai looked impassively at the device, completely ignoring their bickering entirely. "It's of no importance to us, leave it Taruto."

Taruto looked at the eldest Cyniclon with some surprise. Ignoring him and Kish fighting, yeah, that was normal. But he wasn't the least bit interested in the… what was it… selfown? Then again, Pai was always like that, once he got really serious about a mission.

A fanged smile curled onto Kish's face, his eyes gleaming as he also looked at the leader of the operation. "Are you sure you wanna do that, Pai?" Kisshu's tone was one-hundred percent provocative.

Pai turned his stone gaze from the device and onto his comrade briefly before turning around and heading down the hall again. "Yes, I am. Taruto, drop it and let's go."

Taruto looked back and forth between the two, then back down to the selfown. "Hmph." With a well practiced indifferent sigh he threw it over his shoulder onto the cold floor. Taking his que from Pai he started down the corridor as well.

Only Kisshu remained behind, the provoking smile still stretching ever wider. "I dunno Pai, after what I saw, I wouldn't take any chances."

Pai remained unmoving, but Taruto quickly whirled on the older Cyniclon as soon as he smelled something interesting. "You saw something? What, what was it?"

"Huh, don't you care about what I saw?" Kish whined out, completely ignoring the youngest Cyniclon.

"No." Pai replied immediately.

Kish turned his head, regarding Pai's figure from the corner of his eye. "I think you would. Especially since she has been making a habit of throwing a wrench in your plans."

Taruto took a step towards him impatiently. "C'mon Kish, tell us what you saw already!" Noting that the brown-haired alien no longer followed him, Pai heaved a sigh and turned to regard the green-headed alien also.

"Well," Kish took on a lazy tone, but his eyes locked with Pai's with rather uncomfortable intensity. "You guys had your backs turned, so I don't blame you for being so oblivious. But," the smile crept a little more wide, "as we teleported off, a certain mew ran around the corner to see us depart." His eyes practically screamed taunting laughter. Pai's face, which had been completely devoid of emotion, gave a subtle frown.

He turned away and began his progress forward. "We don't have time for this nonsense."

But Kish wasn't finished, and he watched the back of Pai's head, particularly the ears, quite smugly. "That clumsy little porpoise mew, Lettuce."

Taruto's eyes widened, his mouth falling open. He quickly turned as well, to assess his friend's reaction.

But Pai showed none at all, he didn't stop walking, he didn't jerk or say something.

And his ear, for once, did not twitch.

Xxx

Lettuce rushed through the café Mew Mew doors after scrambling to unlock them with the key hidden under the welcome sign. Quickly dumping her purse on the nearest table she bolted down the stairs to Ryou's computer. Luckily he had left it on so it could warn them of any alien activity that might surface while he was out of town. Not that it did them any good.

Lettuce, despite her efforts, had only managed to reach Zakuro, who had been on break from a woman's magazine shoot. As the green mew rushed to get the computer ready, her mind flashed back on the last word's she had spoken with the beautiful fifth mew.

"Hello, this is Zakuro Fujiwara speaking."

Lettuce hadn't even had time to feel relieved. "Zakuro-san, this is Lettuce."

"Lettuce? What's up?"

"It's Ichigo." At this point Lettuce was half-way to the café. "She's been taken."

"What?" Zakuro's voice wasn't raised enough to make it sound like an exclamation, but it cut like a blade through the air nonetheless.

"I don't know why," The green mew rushed to explain. "We had been planning to go shopping, and while I waited for her, she was taken by the Cyniclons. Zakuro, I think it might have to do with the plan that they have been working on."

"You're probably right." Zakuro voice sounded normal, but Lettuce could feel the

tension underlying every word. "Have you told Ryou?"

"I've tried, but I can't get a hold of him, or anyone else for that matter!" Retasu veered off the path through the trees, making the way towards work even quicker. "I have a plan though, on how to save Ichigo."

As if sensing just what the plan was, Zakuro's next words came out loud and

commanding. "Don't do anything rash, I'm on my way."

"No, I have to leave now. The longer I wait, Zakuro-san, the less time Ichigo has." Lettuce's heart felt strengthened by the new found determination. "Please, if anything, I need you to get a hold of the others somehow."

There was a long pause before the eldest mew responded. "Alright, leave it to me. But Lettuce, how are you going to save Ichigo, let alone get to the Cyniclons? Are they still on earth?"

"No." Lettuce tried not to pant over the phone line, but her breath was running short. "But I think I know how to reach them."

"Is there any way I can talk you out of this?"

Lettuce smiled slightly, it touched her that the solitary mew cared so much. "I'm sorry Zakuro-san, but there really isn't."

She heard the mew sigh. "Alright. I'll get a hold of the others as soon as possible. Good luck."

"Thanks, you as well."

Lettuce knew she needed all the luck in the world to make this work, but she wasn't named the smartest girl in her class for nothing. Ryou was able to track the mews based on their pendant's signature, and Lettuce had a pretty good hunch that she could make the same thing work with Ichigo's cell phone. Ryou's computer alerted him to when the pendants were activated. So long as Ichigo's phone was still on, Lettuce could track it (and therefore, her) down. Unless the Cyniclons had done something, Ichigo's phone would still be on.

The only trouble with this plan? It was a complete theory. Thousands of things, aside from her not being able to find the signal, could go wrong, and Lettuce had little or no way to prepare for any of them. What if after she teleported herself, the alien shield blocked it, and then the transplacement would leave her floating in space? What if the teleportation couldn't handle her mass and it ripped her apart instead? And the worst of all, what if she teleported right at the Cyniclon's feet? How could she save her friend if she was captured as well? If not killed?

No, this thinking will do me no good, I have to find a way, I have to! For what seemed eternity (but with Ryou's wired connection, was really only a matter of seconds), the computer searched until it finally came up with a feed box requesting that Lettuce put in the data needed to find the signal. This part was the easiest, all that needed be done was type in the mew leader's cell number and it could start the search. Retasu hurriedly typed in the number and hit enter.

Now that this was done, she had to search again for the code that would activate the teleporter and use the cell number as a location goal. And it was here where she became a little stumped. After bringing up a few panels, Lettuce found what she was looking for. With deft fingers she moved over the screen, typing in the starting quardinates that she had had so much trouble typing in when she was escaping the Cyniclon ship. A box appeared telling her the coordinates of the cell's signal. They looked as familiar to her as they could get. After affirming all the information was correct, it told her to press the enter key.

It's now or never! Lettuce hesitated slightly, her eyes gazing at the button somewhat fearfully. But Ichigo being captured by the aliens, held in their clutches for horrible purposes, strengthened her resolve. She pressed the button.

Light's began to appear around her and dance wildly about, going faster and faster round her until in one fantastic bright flash, she disappeared.

Xxx

Ichigo wasn't exactly sure she remembered what happened before she fell asleep. What had she been doing? Let's see, I had gone and saw Lettuce, and we had talked, that's right! She confessed to liking Pai! What then…? As she slowly came around, she also realized that along with sleeping, she was being carried by two warm, strong hands. Her head was gently resting in the crook of one of the arms, while her feet and hands hung limply. What the…! I'm being carried? By who?

Her better judgment told her to keep up the appearance of sleep; something wasn't right. After a few more moments the footsteps below and around her began to echo loudly, as if they had just entered a cavernous area.

"This is good enough."

Ichigo instinctively flinched at the voice but quickly covered it up with a sleepy moan and swinging her head slightly away from the sound. Pai! That heart breaking jerk! Oh my gosh, what the heck is going on? Though she hadn't meant to, rolling her head to the side had consequently brought her straight into the chest of whoever was carrying her. And if she was to judge by Pai's voice and what company he might keep, she had a horrible suspicion she already knew who it was. Would they buy that it was normal to blush slightly in your sleep? Or pale for that matter?

The arms encasing her held her more closely to his body, so her head was better cradled (and Ichigo prayed that for once she was heavy and it was pain for him to have to carry her). A piping, annoying voice spoke up from the right. "Did she wake up?" Taruto.

"She'll have to awaken soon enough." Came Pai's gratingly monotone voice. "Kisshu, we don't have time to waste."

"Yeah! Besides, no amount of beauty sleep will help that old hag out!" Ichigo felt her blood boil slightly from the Cyniclons rebuff comments. Stupid cynical Pai, I can't forgive you for what you've done to my best friend, let alone the fact that you just kidnapped me! And that midget! When I get my hands around his scrawny neck-

Her body shivered involuntarily as a low chuckle was emitted from above her head. It clearly belonged to the person carrying her. "It's alright, Ichigo's already awake."

Her brown eyes shot wide open with considerable shock.

Kish smiled coyly at her surprised face. "Sleep well, kitten?"

Unwilling to continue giving the perverted alien satisfaction from her startled (and slightly embarrassed) reaction, Ichigo immediately went on the offense. "Get your hands off me Kish!" She frantically tried to move herself out of his grasp. "Let me go!"

Kish chuckled again and set her down, completely unaffected by her wild thrashing. Once she had her two feet back on the ground, she quickly took a belligerent stance in front of him, getting ready to give him the verbal thrash of his life. But of course, this only seemed to please him more. "I had no idea you were such a cranky person when you wake up, Ichigo."

"I'm not!" she exclaimed, quickly defending herself and disagreeing with his annoying attitude. "But when I'm minding my own business and someone kidnaps me, after they knocked me out, I tend to be angry!"

The grin grew to show his teeth. "How else were we going to get to you play the damsel in distress Ichigo?"

"I wish Lettuce had knocked your head even harder against that wall!"

"Enough." Pai's cold, faintly irritated voice chilled the room's tension in an instant. He glanced to his young companion. "Now."

Taruto, with unhidden glee, quickly called forth his parasites and threw them to the ground before Ichigo. The red haired girl stared at the ground for a few moments before giving a cry as strong vines sprang from the earth and captured her within their limbs. Soon she was pinned, only her head being allowed some movement, if it could count as any. The vines twisted her body to face away from Kisshu, towards the far end of the room, where she could clearly see a very familiar tank.

And fully grown creature watching from inside it with unnerving intensity.

Ichigo felt fear flicker in her heart. "What the heck is that?"

Pai, despite his inward need to remain in control of his features, felt a rather intimidating smile crawl over his face, one that he would never had allowed Lettuce to see. "I'm glad you asked."

Xxx

Luckily for Lettuce, the teleportation succeeded. The same shock of gravity and slight dizziness took over her when the process completed and she fell to the floor weakly. I made it, thank goodness! Retasu gazed around quickly, finding herself alone in a hallway.

Ichigo's phone on the floor right next to her.

No! Ichigo! Am I already too late? With a will strengthened by her loyalty to her friend, the mew forced her legs to support her and stood up, taking note of her surroundings. It was sheer luck that the phone had somehow been separated from its owner, since it meant the aliens weren't there when she first appeared, but it did nothing to help the predicament of her not knowing where to look. The fact that I had been on this ship before and that I probably walked through this very hallway means nothing! It all looks the same! I might be a door away or on the other side of the ship from where she is! There's no one able to save her right now except me, but how can I even find Ichigo? She gazed in frustration at the phone, wishing she could have somehow been left some clue as to which way the aliens went. Wait a minute… She started slightly and groaned at her own stupidity. Of course! There was no way to track Ichigo, but with an activated mew pendant, finding Cyniclon activity was simple! And if I find them, I'll find Ichigo!

As she brought out her pendant she realized with another pang of guilt that she should have transformed even before she teleported. What would she have done if the aliens had come? Being worried is no excuse! Any mistake I make now jeopardizes both me and Ichigo! Not to mention humanity itself! Softly calling out her words, the mew immediately transformed into the renewed and elegant Mew Lettuce. Instantly her senses kicked in, warning her of the Cyniclon signals coming from behind her. Turning on her heel she sprinted towards the source. Ichigo! Please be alright! I'm coming!

Xxx

If the plants hadn't been holding her up, Ichigo probably would have fallen to the ground in shock.

And dread.

Actually, if there was nothing holding her back, she would have run for her life by now. Key phrase: for her life. Because, according to the snooty eldest alien, that's what she was about to lose in order for their plan to work. She was the key to making all this happen, to help bring the lives of thousands, tens of thousands, to an abrupt and horrible end. Mew Ichigo, leader of the Tokyo Mew Mews who had sworn to protect their city, was about to be made into the host body of one of the most diabolical Chimeras yet. And how could this get any better?

She'd die.

And not a dignified, normal death either. The moment the chimera fused with her, it would begin to eat her very soul, probably in the same manner sugar deprived children attack candy, until nothing was left but the body. Her thoughts, her feelings, herself, would be gone. Erased.

Destroyed.

What are the chances that Kisshu would try to save me from this?

That small and completely unwelcome thought was promptly smacked, gagged, and thrown to the darkest regions of her mind. I am never, ever going to depend on that stupid alien to save me! Never!

Because Ichigo was who she was, there was no way she'd allow that self-righteous load-of-crap Cyniclon Pai to see her panic (or consider his comrade as a possible escape route). "This'll never work! And I'll never let some genetically enhanced fungus take over my body!" She glared at his mocking face with a fury brought on by desperation. "I've seen your 'brilliant' and 'ultimate' plans before, they never work! Even if I can't, the other mews will find a way!"

Pai allowed a smirk to spread on his face. "It's touching how much you mews seem to believe in each other, but believing and hoping in something never brings about anything. And by this fact alone, your team was doomed from the start. Believing and hoping you can fly doesn't give you the ability to do so. Just like thinking and wanting to save your planet doesn't mean you can."

Ichigo felt an unladylike snarl curl onto her face. "You're wrong! Our team doesn't just think and believe, we act on what we know! And I believeyour plan will fail, and because of that, we will act on that knowledge and take you down!"

Pai glowered angrily at her, showing the first sign of the emotional turmoil rumbling under his nonchalant appearance. "Sometimes it's better to refrain from taking action, because even if you believe, you have no chance of ever succeeding."

The mew leader narrowed her eyes accusingly. "Well, just because you may never succeed in your hope, and because you're too afraid to take any action, doesn't make it right trying to kill the person you believe is the source of the problem."

Xxx

"Well, just because you may never succeed in your hope, and because you're too afraid to take any action, doesn't make it right trying to kill the person you believe is the source of the problem."

Pai forgot his control temporarily and gawked at the audacity the mew leader had. There was no doubt in his mind to whom she was referring, and if he was reading Kish from his sideways glance, the green-haired alien understood perfectly as well. Pai didn't realize that the meaning of the words could cut him, but they did.

He had wanted to object, release the agitated anger and pain inside him and burn Mew Ichigo with it. But he also knew that too much was at stake, and he'd simply have to keep the mask on, for forever if necessary. He'd have to deny it, or even more probable, ignore the comment completely. This he all knew, and would have done.

Still, he had already begun to open his mouth to let out a torrent of fury that seemed unable to keep hidden inside him any longer. Pai had been ready to tell Ichigo exactly what he thought of 'the source of the problem'.

Of course, that was before a flash of green burst into the room. The snug outfit once again was perfect, as if it had never been through the past fight with Kisshu and Pai. Emerald eyes scanned the room frantically until they suddenly locked on his. Pai felt like a jolt hit him, and suddenly all his carefully built walls around his heart crumbled and fell away. The figure before him mirrored his shocked and somewhat panicked look, but it was only his voice that rang out.

"Lettuce?"

Okay, The next one should be out quicker than this one, because it's a short (but intense) chapter. I hope this chap didn't disappoint, I really did want to add more, but you've waited long enough as it is! Thanks for keeping with the story guys! It's great knowing people are enjoying my work! :D