A Green Mews Troubles

by Ally Marton

Retasu accidentally uncovers an alien plot, one that's ten times more deadly than what they had yet to face. But when the aliens capture her before she can tell, it's left up to the mews to uncover the dark scheme and rescue their friend. LxP, with some wonderfully tense IxK and sweet PxT ;)

23. A Green Mew's Troubles

Okay, you might hate me at the end of this… but I encourage you to read through to the end regardless. Thank you! Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the little bit in here that ties into the reason why I picked my title, and if you figured out which part it is, let me know! Recap: Kisshu just foiled the Chimera's plans by saving the mews, it's the end game, GO!

Lettuce wanted to weep with joy. Yes! Oh, thank God, thank God!

"You!" The chimera screamed furiously. "How dare you jeopardize my mission! Our mission!" She raised the castanets from where she was, shrieking out the attack.

Lettuce's soul cried out in fear, unable to hold back another spike of terror as she watched her body send out another lethal attack. The tension left her instantly in relief when Kisshu calmly teleported her friends out of range, landing near Taruto.

The green haired Cyniclon looked rather smug as he watched the frazzled creature. "Oh yeah, attack your leader, that's a good idea."

Lettuce tried to feebly restrain some part of the Chimera, but felt the iron-like control wrap around her, keeping her more captive than ever. The opposing soul didn't even bother to snap at her attempts, it had become too furious with being once again thwarted. Instead she glared dangerously at the newest addition to her growing list of obstacles. "I have no qualms destroying faulty subordinates. I do not need to answer to simpletons like you!"

"But you do answer to me."

Lettuce didn't think her heart could take much more surprises. Pai-san!

Xxx

Pai gazed down at the scene with an almost impassive expression, a far cry to what he felt inwardly. He was set on his way of thinking now. No thanks to that obnoxious partner of his, Pai decided to test his experiment one last time. A distant, cold part of his brain was growling at him for what a fool he was to let Kish get to him and allow his own petty hopes to guide his actions, but the rest of him could only think of Lettuce. Lettuce trapped in her own body, the kind, sweet and compassionate mew helpless against the whims of what might as well be a cold hearted assassin.

And speaking of the creature, it looked far from enthusiastic at his appearance. In fact, he was sure he detected a sudden glimmer of apprehension in its eyes. Good.

"Master, what is the meaning of this?" Her tone barely kept in check, the crazed tone still flitting in and out of her speech.

The eldest Cyniclon glared knowingly at his creation. This creature… this thing has wreaked havoc at every turn, manipulating not only the mews, but me as well. It's time for this to end. "Stand down, Chimera. That's an order."

Her uneasiness momentarily fell away as she gaped at him in shock. "W-what?" The creature searched its creator's eyes, looking completely incredulous. "You can't be serious, you wanted the destruction of the mews, and I am following through on that!"

"Not just the mews, Chimera," Pai leveled his frostiest gaze at her, watching her so closely she had begun to squirm. He thought of Lettuce, trapped against her will, watching the creature kill her comrades with her own hands. "Call off everything, call off every parasite in every person that you have planted. Now."

The experiment's mouth dropped open in alarm. Pai expertly hid a wince at the disbelief in her features, it too much reminded him of when he and Kisshu had caught Lettuce right as she was about to escape. Oh, the irony. "You- you can't mean that, master."

His eyes narrowed, showing none of his thoughts. "That was a direct order, Chimera."

Pai's eyes narrowed when he saw the shock fade to a black rage. Inwardly, it hurt to see that expression on the green mew's face. But just as he expected, the Chimera had failed his test, and now the final piece was set. Not aware of its fatal error, the experiment erupted in rage. "NO! I will not bow to such stupid whims! I am the ultimate weapon against this world! I am indestructible! And I will not keep stooping down just to please you!" The Chimera made to attack her master, almost throwing Pai off guard. "I will bow to no one, not even to you!"

Before the chimera was within arm's reach Pai wordlessly whipped out his fan and swung a wind attack at her, halting her jump and throwing her backwards to the ground. He gazed coldly at the experiment. "Taruto." The air next to the eldest alien rippled until the youngest Cyniclon appeared. Smugly, he threw down some predicites to the earth before the sprawled mew. She looked to her feet in shock as vines tore out of the earth and obediently wrapped about her, raising her into the air and keeping her immobile.

The chimera screeched in fury. "Let me go! Let me go!"

Pai folded his arms resolutely across his chest, the very picture of an army general. "Kisshu."

The creature glared furious daggers at the Cyniclon that appeared three feet in front of her, still wearing his infuriating smirk. For once the eldest Cyniclon didn't feel the irritation in seeing that dumb expression. The Chimera tore her gaze back to Pai, trying a different tactic. "Master, you don't want to do this." It's tone turned pleading, but even with Lettuce's voice, it came out flat and false.

Deep Blue, forgive me for what I'm about to do to our plans. But… the image of the green mew walking through his green room in the flowing sundress appeared in his mind, then of her innocent face looking completely serene as she slept obliviously in front of him, then to her desperate, pleading eyes as she escaped only so that she could sacrifice herself for the sake of her friend. But I've found something more important to me. "You're right, Chimera, I didn't want to do this." Both souls gazed at him in surprise, but his expression did not change. "I had created you to take over the world through following my orders. When complications arose, when signs began appearing that this might not work, I willfully ignored them. However, you have just proved to me my error in doing this. I gave you an order, and you chose to do things your way. You were never to have so much self will, never to bear such deceitful abilities." Never to actually make Lettuce endure torture, even if I would have done similarly not long ago, it was never to be like this…

"You gave a ridiculous order, something that went completely against what you designed me for!" The creature's eyes were wild with fury, but Pai could detect the cold, calculating killer beneath them, trying to see a way to salvage the situation.

"I didn't create you to judge my orders, I created you to follow them! And the more I consider, the more I realize my own foolish ambitions have lead me to ruin." He flew down next to Kish, he face completely stony. "Even if you had decided against following my orders, that's not what lead me to this decision. Tell me, Chimera, what are you hiding from me so blatantly?" It sent a strange tingle of pleasure down his spine to see the mew's eyes widen slightly in realized guilt. "Well?" Unconsciously he reached out and gripped her wrist, like he had in the woods, and all the sudden he could hear.

He's talking about me, that you concealed me!

Pai managed to keep his expression schooled, save for the wild jabbing the ear made at hearing her true voice so unexpectedly. He felt the creature's presence surround that voice, muffling it and trapping it further within the confines of its mind. He felt a cold pit of anger that he not felt in a long time as Lettuce's soul transferred her pain to him, the helpless agony of dealing with the raw anger from his experiment's soul. No more. Lettuce, please hold on a bit longer. He released his grip and backed away in disgust. "Kisshu, begin."

The creature looked away from it's master back to the cocky alien, it's hatred fathomable. Kish let a cold grin crawl on his face. "Sayonara."

Xxx

In the time it took for the Chimera to think of some choice words that Lettuce would have colored to had she had a face, Kish brought his hand forward so his palm was facing them. Lettuce remained quiet within her body, confused and frightened as to what was going on. Pai's attitude had been so cold, Lettuce was reminded of how she had first known him, a cold, solid statue that showed nothing, and possible felt nothing. Both souls suddenly gasped in pain as a familiar tugging came from Lettuce's chest. Lettuce looked up to see Kish's palm glowing, the light pulsing in steady beats towards her immobile body. W-what are they doing?

Lettuce felt the creature's shock as it brought up the memory of Retasu being opened so that it's soul could enter. But why- Both girl's gasped in agony as another strong pulse echoed through them, and with a jolt of shock the Chimera realized it's soul was slowly being drawn towards the light, away from the safety of its host body. No! The creature thrashed as it tried to stay connected to the tissue, the nerves and bones it had fused to. The green mew too found herself being separated, though it was from the bonds that had been held over her by her captor and not bodily. Nonetheless, the wrenching pain was still just as acute to her as it was the alpha soul.

Then Pai was suddenly there, gazing into the experiments, Lettuce's, eyes. "I know you're alive in there." His eyes seemed to melt into something bordering compassion. "Bear with it just a little longer, this whole ordeal will end soon."

It took a moment for the green mew to understand that he was acknowledging her, her! He knew she was there! But why would he be doing this, unless… the experiment hadn't worked! Of course! He's going to save everyone! Lettuce cried out in relief, not fully understanding as the pain wretched through her again. He's going to kill us! If he kills us, the threat is nullified! Everyone will be safe! Part of her quavered at the thought of courting death again, but she knew she had been on borrowed time ever since she woke up to still being in her body with a new host inside.

The Chimera didn't share one shred of her joy. "NO! Master, don't do this! After everything I've done for you, would still do for you!"

They watched through waves of pain as Pai glared at his creation, somewhat with pity. "This was not the life I meant for you to take on, chimera. And I see now it was a mistake in total."

The frightened eyes turned suddenly dark. "It's her, isn't it? That's why you're doing this."

Lettuce, obviously overhearing despite the painfully insistent tugging, felt her mind freeze in confusion. W-what?

The lose strands of hair spun wildly around the creature's head as it gnashed its teeth towards the eldest Cyniclon, the pieces clicking into place faster than Lettuce could comprehend them. "Fine! If I have to be taken away, then I'm not going alone!" Her voice screeched up a notch as the pain became acute. "I'll kill her too, this blasted soul you're so bonded to! Then you'll know my pain!"

Before Lettuce understood what was happening, the pain was suddenly met with the familiar attack of the Chimera's soul. Once again she tried to maneuver out of the stronger being's grip, but it now attacked her wildly, like something possessed. No! Let go of me! Lettuce could feel the creature tearing at her, cutting into her, trying to take apart her very being. No… Lettuce continued to weakly struggle against it, the creature's onslaught not letting up. Pai…

Xxx

Pai clenched his teeth, his eyes widening in panic. "Kisshu, hurry!"

"Working on it!" The green haired Cyniclon grunted through clenched teeth. The pulsed separating the two souls grew stronger, ripping a louder scream from the victim.

"She won't live! I won't let her! You'll pay for this, master! You'll pay!" After another blood curdling shriek, the creature's head fell limp as it went unconscious.

"Something's wrong!" Kisshu yelled through clenched teeth. "The chimera's retreated further into the host, and I'm now yanking at two souls instead of just one!"

She's trying to consume Lettuce, so they'll be too fused to be properly separated, NO! "Lettuce!"

"Pai! Your going to have to link with my pull, or I won't be able to break this!"

Pai looked sharply at his comrade. "That could endanger Lettuce's soul!"

"Her soul's more endangered now!"

Pai looked at the unconscious body, his mind trying not to panic. I won't let her die; I won't let her be taken from me! Not again! He raised his hand, the pulsing lights meeting up with Kisshu's and merging together. Soon they could see a glowing purple orb of light slowly being sucked out of her chest. But a small, faintly green orb was being brought along with it, stuck to the larger spirit. Pai's eyes narrowed in a rather feral anger. NO! His teeth gnashed together as he fought to hold onto the resisting force. After everything I've gone through, after everything I've done wrong, I am not letting you take away my one chance to set it right! Yelling under the strain, he and Kisshu, as one, jerked the offending soul off the smaller and threw it away from the opening to the human shell. With one last effort they gently pushed the original back into the body and cut off their attack.

Taruto's vines had disappeared after Pai had joined in, since the power combined was enough to hold the body in the air alone. Now, though, the attack on the mew was finished, and falling limp in exhaustion, the human's prone form began to plunge down back to earth. Pai reacted immediately, flying after the falling form and grabbing it protectively while Kisshu vaulted after the helpless Chimera, plunging one of his sai into the purple orb. Taruto, who had been keeping a watch over the unresponsive mews, turned to see signs of them stirring.

Pai carefully descended down to the earth, holding the frail girl in his arms. His heart started to speed up in panic as he took in her white pallor and shallow breaths. My god, she's going into cardiac arrest! He hurried his descent, not noticing the mews waking near where he would land. He quickly set her on the ground and began CPR, his brain panicking too much for his ear to draw a real response from this new closeness. "No, come on Lettuce, no!" He clenched his teeth, the fear making him feel lightheaded. Her body's giving up, it can't fight anymore after all the abuse. How can I know so much about the human being yet not be able to get her to keep fighting? She can't give up! If she does… Oh no.

Lettuce had stopped breathing.

"No!" Pai redoubled his efforts, his mind scrambling for some way to make this right. "Don't do this, not now, please!" Oh god why, why? He kept at it, not willing to give up even as Lettuce lay there unresponsive.

Xxx

Ichigo had been vaguely aware of not being blasted away by an onslaught of mew aqua powered water, and could somewhat remember a rather warm and safe-feeling figure holding her earlier. But now all she was aware of was damp grass underneath her uniform, and her hair being in a wet tangle all around her face. Augh, what happened…? Nevermind, who really cares? 'Just wanna get back to sleep…

"No, come on Lettuce, no!"

Is that Pai…? Lettuce, wha- OH MY GOD, LETTUCE! Ichigo, with great effort, heaved herself off the ground to look up and see Pai on the ground over her best friend. What is he doing to her? Is it the Chimera? What-?

"Ichigo?"

The pink mew looked away to see her friends sprawled haphazardly near her, apparently waking up as well. Minto, who had spoken, looked at her leader in confusion. "What's going on?"

Just as Ichigo was about to respond, Zakuro gasped. The sound made all three mews give their complete attention to her. The gasp had been loud, frightened, and very unZakuro. They all took in her wide eyes with mixed amounts of fear. "No…" she breathed out.

The girl's turned back to see what she was seeing and Ichigo once again found herself looking at Pai next to Lettuce's prone form. Well, yes, that's unsettling, but why-? Ichigo felt her heart plummet.

He was performing CPR.

With strength none of them knew they had, the mews were suddenly on their feet and moving quickly towards their friend's body. Before they could make it very far, a brunette Cyniclon suddenly appeared in their way. "Wait!" Taruto put his hands out in a rather childish appearing authority, "Don't go closer, Kish told me that you need to stay away-"

With a snort of 'I-could-care-less-what-HE-thinks' Ichigo side stepped him and continued to hurry over. The younger Cyniclon looked torn as to what to do, but finally just kept his ground in front of the other girls. Minto made to follow her team leader, but Zakuro touched her and Pudding lightly on the shoulder. "Wait." She said quietly (and if the girls were brave enough to think about it, in a rather defeated tone).

"No!" Pai seemed to go to work even more vigorously. "Don't do this, not now, please!" But Lettuce remained unresponsive.

Dead.

Pudding's eyes slowly started to fill with tears till her big sister was nothing but a blurry mass. "Lettuce nee-chan…"

Mint sucked in her breath sharply, her whole body shaking in shock. "O-Onee-sama… Lettuce…" Zakuro silently swooped in on the younger girl, holding her protectively so she could no longer see.

Taruto watched as Mew Ichigo ran to her friend, already knowing it was too late. Hearing a small hiccup, he turned to see his estranged frie- rival was crying. Pudding was crying. But, this wasn't how he wanted it to be, this wasn't why she was s'posed to cry. And his eyes weren't supposed to feel wet either! But looking at the fallen form of the porpoise girl just filled him with something he wasn't all that comfortable with. "Bookworm…"

Xxx

Minutes went by, his hands pounding in place of her heart. Urging her to fight back and begging any being out there to save this one girl, to save Lettuce. Finally he couldn't take it. Feeling his chest constrict painfully as he looked down at her almost serene face, Pai gathered her in his arms, his heart breaking. "Lettuce… No."

He had tried, he had tried so hard to save her, to keep her from any further harm. Why did it end like this? Why? Not even aware of his actions he carefully cradled her head against his chest, his arm scooping under her shoulders to keep her close. She was small, so very small. "Please, Lettuce, don't leave now. Please…" He never even realized that several of the faces watching on had now focused on him. "God, Lettuce, you can't leave. You can't leave. Come back, please…" He brought her protectively to his chest, his forehead touching her own. "Lettuce…" Why couldn't I protect her? Why couldn't I see what I had an arm's length away? Why, by everything right, why? His eyes were swimming in that unfamiliar way again, threatening to drip the salty liquid onto the girl's pale cheek."Lettuce, I…" Leaning back so he could see her face, he swallowed the hard lump in his throat that threatened to overwhelm him. "Lettuce, I love you…"

Xxx

No. Freaking. Way. Ichigo couldn't really get that thought process out of her head as she watched Pai cradle her best friend's lifeless body. Did he just say… what I think… he just said…? No freaking way. Just- just NO freaking way. Nobody but Kisshu was close enough to hear him say it, so she really couldn't compare notes to see if she was imagining things. Was he faking, was that it? Another elaborate Cyniclon scheme to throw her and her team off? But no, one glance at Kisshu told her that this was not only real, but just as bizarre to him as it was to her. And sure, Kish had said that Pai had liked her, and he had kind of been vaguely showing that before all this, but… No freaking way.

But this wasn't important! How could she be thinking about this? Lettuce wasn't breathing, if they didn't try to find help soon, they weren't getting her back, ever! She made to move towards her friend, but suddenly Kish was there, gently holding her back. "Wait," He whispered so only she and the mews could hear, "just wait."

Xxx

The girl with green hair didn't know if she had spaced out or been asleep, but all the sudden she became aware that she was staring at a fast expanse of white. In every direction she turned she could see nothing but a long endless ocean of white mist. Oh. She thought with sudden clarity. I died.

She wasn't sure why this made such perfect sense to her, and she felt some distant, long forgotten idea that she didn't want this, but as she looked around, she realized something. It was so quiet, so perfect, so peaceful… There was something before, it hadn't been peaceful… I don't remember what…

Sensing something near her, she turned to regard a girl who looked very similar to herself. She didn't feel surprise at the sudden appearance of another person in this perfect realm, nor could she remember why exactly the girl's purple body should have been something outlandish. Eerie green eyes looked at her in surprise. "You… you look just like me!"

No, the green haired girl argued gently, feeling completely sure of herself. You look just like me.

"Oh." The being looked at her with slight confusion. "Then, do you know who I am?"

What do you mean? Her braids swished as she assessed her absently, feeling like this was somehow important. Am I supposed to know you?

The girl's shoulders slumped sadly, something the teenager realized was very out of place in this realm. "I'm not sure, I just know that I don't know who I am, I wish I did. Who are you?"

Me? The thin girl furrowed her brow in confusion. Actually, I don't know either…

"Perhaps," The other girl glanced around herself in resignation. "Perhaps it simply doesn't matter any longer who we are."

Yes… The green haired girl felt a faint tug of sadness in her heart. I think you're right. But, do you remember how we got here?

"No." The purple girl stared off towards the distance, or where distance would be if this realm had depth to it. "I remember… pain, a broken feeling, and a mission, but, it must have been a long time ago. I don't think it's important any longer."

The girl toyed with one of her green braids absently, wondering why she chose to make such a motion. I remember, I wanted to protect something… and… there had been someone…

The purple girl sighed in acceptance. "Do you feel that tug?"

Huh? The girl stopped her foggy pondering briefly and realized, yes, she felt a tug. It felt so much louder than her distant ideas she was trying to recall, so much more important. What is it?

"I think it's what's calling us home."

Do you know what the home is?

"No. But… I think I'm going to find out." She turned towards the green haired girl, her eyes somewhat hopeful, desperate. "Will you come with me?"

The green haired girl started in surprise, for some reason, that question made the faint feeling cry out just a tiny bit louder, telling her no. Feeling a strange thud, she reached a hand over her chest, trying to both feel and silence the strange knocking coming from inside her. It was different from that patient, insistent tug that was asking her to walk further into the mist. This thud was impatient, desperate, forcing itself through every single beat. I… I'm not sure… She looked up and saw that the purple girl with green eyes was already walking away. No, please! I don't know what to do! Wait!

The girl turned to her and gave a reassuring smile, something that, for whatever reason, the green haired girl felt surprised to see. "It's alright. I hear it too, that beating in your chest. I'm not sure quite what it means, but… I have a feeling it means that I'm going to have to walk alone." The being looked at the girl rather sadly. "I don't know why, but… I feel like I need to say sorry to you, does that make sense?"

Lettuce shook her head in confusion, the beating growing a little more demanding. No, not at all.

"Huh. Well, whoever you are, I hope we'll be able to meet again someday!" She smiled. "When we meet again, maybe I'll be able to finally tell you my name!" Before Lettuce could respond, a particularly large gust of mist came up, hiding the girl from view for ever more.

"…Lettuce…"

The green haired girl started in surprise, her blue eyes widening at the strange sound. Where did that come from? She looked around in the mist, trying to find the source. That word, what was it about that word that seemed so important…?

"Please…"

Who is there? The gentle tug asking her to come further into the mist was still patiently droning on, but it was getting hard to feel over the strange thumping inside of her. Please what? Who are you?

"…Lettuce, you can't leave…"

She gasped as the strange thumping did an extra large THUMP-THUMP at that word again. Lettuce, what is Lettuce? Who is Lettuce! Tell me! She started running towards the somewhat painful noise, the calm tug ever following her. Her fists clenched in slight frustration. Where are you? Tell me who Lettuce is!

"…Come back, please…"

A sudden, even stranger jerk occurred within her. It had something to do with the voice, the voice and how desperate it sounded. Let me help you! Why won't you answer me? Can't you hear me? Pai, let me- Her heart gave another harsh BUD-DUMP. Pai…? Who was, wait, Pai, wasn't he…? Why did she say Pai? It had to do with that insistent, desperate tugging inside her, that tiny voice barely able to make itself heard. Pai…

All at once a sure clarity hit her. Pai. She knew Pai. He was a friend, or maybe not quite a friend, but he was… he had been someone very important to her, but who was she?

"Lettuce…"

She gasped and doubled over at the power of the pounding inside her. But hearing that word, it opened up another realization. I… I'm Lettuce. I'm the one Pai is searching for… An unintentional cry escaped her as a flood of memories hit her all at once. The fight. Her friends. The Cyniclons. Tokyo Mew Mew. The Chimera. Her duty. Her family. Who she was.

Is it that important to remember? A small, gentle voice prodded her. With a shock, Lettuce realized it was coming from whatever it was that had been patiently prodding her to go further into the mist. It's all in the past now.

No, I think… I think I need to get back… I need to go back to Pai…

But why? Don't you remember all those troubles back in your world? It wasn't the greatest of lives. The voice wasn't malicious, it was simply stating the facts. You were constantly bullied. You carried so much responsibility for people who would never even know who to be grateful to. Responsibility that put you constantly in the path of danger. You were always worrying how to please others, how to please yourself. The good does not always outweigh the bad. Come back with me, the voice spoke tenderly, almost sounding like a compassionate parent, I can promise you rest, Lettuce. Rest, peace, and happiness for the rest of time and beyond. Do you really want to go back to that collage of troubles?

The warm voice made her pause. Really, why did Lettuce want to go back? Her life hadn't been great, not to say it was terrible, but it hadn't been perfect either. But then, when was life perfect? And even though all the things the voice said were true, well, weren't those troubles part of the wonderful threads that made her life what it was, is? It wasn't just the good things that made Lettuce who she was; it was the bad as well. It was the troubles in life that helped make Lettuce the sweet, shy, and gentle green mew that she was.

Yes, she said with an assured smile. I do want to go back, I haven't finished my duty to the world yet, and… even in the afterlife she could feel the blush creep onto her face, there's someone I'm not ready to say good-bye to yet. She suddenly thought of something. Um, thank-you, whoever you are, for letting me go back, I'm sure people don't always get second chances on things this big, and I am very grateful for your generosity.

The voice let out a small laugh, as if it could see her sweet coloring. Well spoken, Retasu Midorikawa. We'll meet again one day. And next time, it will be my pleasure to welcome you home.

Lettuce knew then that the voice had left, and she was alone inside the mist. H-hello? Pai, where are you?

"Lettuce, I…"

Pai! She couldn't suppress a shout of joy as she quickly ran towards where she heard his voice. Pai, please keep speaking, I'm coming, I'm coming back! The gentle tug was gone, leaving her to feel the thumping she now knew was her heart grow ever stronger as she left the realm of light towards a long black tunnel, towards a mass of swirling blue and green and brown she knew was her home. I'm coming Pai!

"Lettuce, I love you…"

Instead of stopping in her tracks in shock, Lettuce felt a burst of warmth and joy envelope her being just as she hit the dark tunnel. She picked up speed, and as she did she felt a laugh of joy escape her. I love you too Pai! Pai, I love you! I'm coming! As she drew closer to earth, she turned back to see the light receding farther and farther away down the black tunnel. I'm coming Pai!

Xxx

Lettuce wasn't sure what was going on. One minute everything was black, the next she was waking up feeling weak and somehow empty. There had also been something she had just gone through, she had seen white at the end of a black tunnel, but… darn it, hadn't there been something else…? What was it? She groaned weakly in protest at not being able to remember what it was.

Someone close to her gasped slightly. "Lettuce?"

I…I know that voice! The green mew summoned what strength she had and opened her heavy eyes to see the handsome face of a purple haired Cyniclon inches away from her.

"P-Pai-san…" Lettuce smiled weakly up at him, the close proximity not bringing up even the slightest blush. "I knew… I could trust you… to make the right choice."

The alien started in surprise at the sincere warmth, but chose not to look the gift horse in the mouth and simply held her tighter to him. His gaze on her was unmistakably tender. "Welcome back… "

Pai-san… She felt her face flush in response to his warm attitude towards her. With a bit of a stuttering start her mind pieced together what had been going on before she blacked out. "B-but I'm alive! The Chimera…?"

Pai felt a self-mocking smirk grow on his face. "Gone, and for good. My experiment was a failure."

But, if the experiment is gone, that means… Lettuce looked up at him in surprise. "You saved me." Pai looked almost sheepish at the statement, his ear for some reason twitching, but Lettuce pressed on. "Why save me, and not your experiment?"

The eldest Cyniclon once again looked at her warmly, a rather handsome smile splayed across his face. "One could say, I found something more important than my experiment." A tiny, tiny voice in her heart, filled with sure confidence, spoke quietly to her. Because he loves you.

The green mew blushed prettily, not sure how to respond to that statement, and instead found herself watching Pai's ear twitch in that funny, rather cute way. He picked me, another, somewhat shocking thought came after that when she realized what that entailed, he picked me over his duty, me!

The Cyniclon was becoming embarrassed by her watching his gleeful ear, and finally broke the silence. "It doesn't matter now. But, I think your friends need to be assured that you are indeed their friend and not another trick."

As if his words made her realize that he wasn't the only one there, the mew suddenly looked around her to see all of her friends hovering nervously nearby. "Everyone…" She carefully took hold of his arm and began to push herself up, her mind shutting out the thoughts she had just been thinking in favor of giving her attention over to her team. She swayed slightly as she stood up, but Pai was right there, gently supporting her. The green mew, who had been beginning to blush again at his thoughtfulness, took sudden notice that Pudding was still slightly crying from the scare, and within moments the girl had unsteadily reached out and hugged the girl tight to her. "I'm so, so sorry for worrying you."

Pudding looked up at the girl who was like an elder sister to her, tears still peaking out. "Lettuce nee-chan?"

Retasu smiled and knelt down to Pudding's level. "Yes, it's me Pudding." Feeling her own eyes heat up in tears she pulled the youngest mew back into a hug. "It's Lettuce."

Xxx

After that it was like a spell had broken. The mews quickly surrounded their comrade in excitement. Within moments Pai was quite unceremoniously pushed away from his beloved, Mew Zakuro in particular seemed to jab him rather hard in the gut, and he was sure Mint had tried to step on him. However, watching Lettuce's face brighten in happiness at the sight of her comrades, he couldn't bring himself to feel annoyed.

She's safe, finally safe. We might have lost this battle, but… it was worth it. With all the mews focused on Lettuce once again, nobody saw the relieved and tender smile that widened onto his face.

Well, except for a certain green haired Cyniclon.

Upon sensing a presence come up to his left, the smile immediately fell into an annoyed frown. "Shut up, Kisshu."

"I didn't say anything yet!"

"…not out loud, but you were thinking it."

Kish grinned cheekily.

"Kisshu, I said shut up!"

"Heh, glad to have you back to normal, oh mighty leader." The crafty Cyniclon looked over to the giggling group of arch-enemies. "Something tells me if we stay much longer, we'll be over staying our welcome." He sauntered over to where the smallest Cyniclon was still trying to discreetly wipe his eyes dry. "C'mon, Taru-taru," Kish absently mussed the kid's hair, "time to get going."

Taruto turned to glare at him in a huff, forgetting that he was trying to hide his still slightly red eyes. "Don't call me that!"

"So you guys are leaving?"

The Cyniclons glanced back at the girls to find that they were now all watching them, though not warily. Pai quickly put his poker face back in place. "Today was an exception to our rivalry. When we go, things will be back to as they were. Earth is still ours to reclaim, no matter how you try to stop inevitable."

"Then after you leave, we can no longer be friends?" Lettuce looked sadly at the trio, though not surprised. At Pai in particular, she seemed to send a more meaningful message, and the love-struck alien understood right away. She didn't want to have to fight him anymore. Probably even less than he wanted to fight her.

"Sorry porpoise mew, it's still in the job description to try and reclaim our lost planet." Kish shrugged indifferently, temporarily saving Pai from having to answer in front of everyone.

"Enemies can still be friends, na no da!" Pudding looked hopefully at the slightly blushing brown-haired Cyniclon.

"Regardless, we will take our leave now." Pai looked solemnly towards the forgotten Ryou, who was just then stirring into wakefulness. "We have caused enough damage as it is."

Kisshu waved as they turned as one to leave. "Be seeing you, kitten!"

"Kish, wait!"

Everyone, including Kish, looked on in shock as the leader of the Mews released her protective hold on her friend and hurried towards the Cyniclon, her steps slowing a few feet away from him.

Kish, not used to this kind of response from his kitten, did his best to force up a suave facial expression. "Sorry Ichigo, I know I must be leaving you with a broken heart like this."

The girl snorted in a very unladylike manner and rolled her eyes. "Fine then, I won't say what I was going to say."

Kish realized that the feisty kitty was starting to learn how to push his buttons; this did not bode well for his future conquests. "Alright alright, no need to threaten! Until I go, we're all friends here!" He waltzed pompously up to her. "So, how can I help unburden your troubled heart, fair maiden?"

The pink haired mew scrutinized him briefly, slightly biting her bottom lip. "Hold still."

Kish's ears were suddenly tuning in loud gasps of surprise and one blond leader's 'what the-?' exclamation, but he really didn't register them as he was too focused on the feel of warm lips on his. Kisshu's eyes were still widening in shock when the warmth against his mouth was taken away. The strawberry looked up at him with a face that said she was trying to appear firm and failing. "There."

"Uh… what?" Kish kept on staring, his mouth hanging open now that there was nothing to anchor it shut.

"That was your payment, though you did nothing to deserve it." Ichigo huffed in embarrassment. "A deal's a deal. Lettuce came back to us safe. And if I didn't give you that kiss now, you'd steal it from me later!" With that, the strawberry turned on her heel and marched back to her gawking friends.

Taruto and Pai recovered and went over to Kisshu, Pai wearing a rather smug smirk. Kish frowned. "Shut up Pai."

He raised his eyebrows sardonically, "Did I say something?"

"I said shut up." He quickly cuffed his younger comrade as the Cyniclon tried to hold back his snickering. "Both of you."

The mew team, along with a disgruntled looking Ryou, watched silently as the trio began to disappear. Lettuce, who was now supportively leaning on Zakuro, took a step towards the Cyniclons.

"Pai-san!"

The dissolving Cyniclon felt his semi-transparent ear twitch again. Lettuce smiled tenderly as his disappearing form. "Thank-you."

And with that, they were gone.

Xxx

All across Tokyo and the surrounding cities, people began to stir into wakefulness from their forced slumber. In years to come it would be given bizarre theories as to why it occurred, like a sudden bubble of deoxygenated air blowing through and temporarily knocking thousands unconscious, that then went out to sea. Another was that terrorists had released a virus into the plumbing systems and most people's water supply was contaminated, but the weapon had deteriorated on its own. Experts concluded, based on those affected to the few who had been in basements and on their own oxygen supply, that whatever it was it had indeed been air born, but found no traces as to what it could be, and it was eventually blamed on pollution and global warming. A smaller, more extreme part of the populace believed it was an alien invasion, that people had been knocked out and abducted (after all, within all the chaos of out of control cars, some house fires, and flooding, there were several dozen people that remained missing).

They were largely ignored.

Only seven people knew the truth, and they weren't about to go blabbing it around. While the rest of the city awoke, Tokyo Mew Mew retreated to the café.

The moment the group moved into the café, their tall pastry chef calmly walked out of the kitchen and announced that he was making smoothies for everyone. His eyes skimmed over the group until they came to rest on a very happy green mew. "We missed you, Lettuce." Keiichiro looked over to Ryou, giving him an 'I-told-you-so' look that the head scientist grinned wryly back at. As the girls moved over to the tables, falling heavily into their seats, Ryou turned to face them.

"Ladies, I first need to say good work, to all of you. You've truly become a team worth being proud of." His eyes had moved over each girl, pleased with all their hard work.

Ichigo, naturally, moved to argue. "Is that all? Shouldn't we get a raise for this, or something?"

Ryou gave her that 'you-are-so-naïve-it-hurts-to-be-around-you' look, but he was still smiling. "Don't go getting a big head strawberry, our war with the Cyniclons is far from over."

"Yeah, so shouldn't we be compensated accordingly?"

"Watch it. And if you stick our tongue out at me behind my back, I'll throw in a late shift for you." He turned to Keiichiro, smirking as he heard Ichigo fuming behind him. "Do you need help with those smoothies, Akasaka-san?" He paused, his smirk growing wider as he faced the pastry chef. "Ichigo, your now on late shift."

"What? You can't prove anything!"

Minto rolled her eyes heavenward. "Ichigo, next time you decide to have childish inclinations, try not to do them behind someone who's facing a mirror."

"…I can't work late shifts! My parents would freak!"

He glanced over his shoulder as he and Keiichiro headed through the doors. "Fine, you're on trash duty and stocking duty." He calmly walked through the doorway, expertly dodging the shoe chucked at his head. "And you have to clean the bathrooms."

"Ryou!"

Zakuro turned away from the fuss to see Retasu fidgeting in her chair. "How are you feeling, Lettuce?"

The green mew's head shot up in surprise, but recovered with a genuine smile. "I'm not entirely sure, better than I had been. I'll be happy when thing return to normal."

"As 'normal' as they get for a us, you mean." Minto briefly turned back to Ichigo, who was making increasingly grotesque faces at the doorway that the blond scientist went through. "How is it that after everything we've gone through today, you having the nerve to act like such a dork?"

Zakuro noticed that their recovered comrade had gone back to shifting uneasily in her seat as soon as the attention left her. With a sigh she raised her voice above the growing bickering between the two other girls. "Everyone, Lettuce has something she'd like to say."

Retasu looked to the eldest mew in surprise, but, realizing she was caught, turned quietly back to the group. "Um…" She unconsciously began playing with her skirt. "I couldn't—well, I tried, but I couldn't really gain control of the Chimera while it was inside me."

"Stop!" Minto took on an imperious air as she looked down her nose to the mew. "If you try and apologize for being helpless, I won't accept it."

"We understand, na no da! Nobody's mad at Lettuce onee-chan, we knew you were fighting!" The others nodded in agreement, smiling sincerely.

"You didn't give up, even when we didn't believe you were alive." Ichigo winced at that painful memory, was it seriously only a few hours ago?

"I-it's not that." Lettuce looked around imploringly. "When you injected the… cure… inside us—me, it did work, but…" She looked down in embarrassment.

Minto finally broke the tense silence, voicing everyone's fears. "Did you help her? Even though you knew she'd attack us, did you help her?"

Lettuce hung her head, her eyes looking almost haunted in the lighting. "… … no…"

It took the girls a few seconds to reprocess and understand what she meant. "Wait, you didn't help it, her? You just said it worked, but that Chimera-" Ichigo stopped herself when she saw Lettuce trying to work up her next words.

"I… I wanted to help her, I knew how to stop it, but I didn't. I knew she would hurt you, so I didn't help. But… because our souls were so… close, she was able to read me, understand what to do. She took the knowledge and forced me through the motions." Lettuce looked up to them, a horribly tortured expression marring her features. "I'm so sorry! I tried to fight her off, but I just, I was too weak! And then she attacked you, she almost-!" She hid her face in her hands, the shame-wrought tears forming hot trails on her cheeks. "I couldn't do anything! I was just so weak!"

Zakuro looked away, not willing to continue to watch Lettuce in such a vulnerable state. She understood that what she had gone through would scar her, no matter what. But to see her feel so responsible, when there was nothing she could have done. It shamed her to realize that she too had thought Retasu had helped the creature despite the consequences. The idea that if she found a way to fix it, she wouldn't be able to stop the Chimera from taking the information had never occurred to them. And Lettuce isn't a violent person, to have to watch somebody so close go through that agony, and not do anything, even if they are your enemy…

"Lettuce, you were no weaker than the rest of us would have been."

The green mew looked up to Minto tiredly, still fighting back sniffles. "W-what do you mean?"

Minto, in a rare show of affection, placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "You, for whatever reason, think we care that you did not do more while you were captured. Trust me when I say we don't. Like Pudding said before, we know you were fighting," she shrugged carelessly; "we are more astonished how much you were able to fight. But Lettuce, you realize, if you were not you, I don't think you could have stopped the Chimera."

Ichigo, catching on to what her friend was saying, took over. "When you gained control, and saved Pudding, in case you forgot that little detail," She looked playfully at the porpoise mew, but didn't get a smile back, "it was because of your compassion and love for us, that's what made you so strong! I'm not saying I'm not compassionate (Ichigo pointedly ignored Minto's snort), but I don't think my care for everyone would have been strong enough to fight back. I don't think it would have been for anyone!" Everyone else threw in their agreements, and Ichigo grinned as they finally got a shy smile out of their favorite green mew. "That's what makes our team so great. Not because we're all powerful, but because our individual strengths create one huge kick Cyniclon butt machine!"

"Hmm, are you thinking of one Cyniclon in particular Ichigo?" Minto had an evil gleam in her eye. "I'm sure you'd like to kick Kisshu's butt in particular."

Lettuce and the rest of the mews broke into laughter at the strawberry's indignant red face, and like that, everything was fine. A couple moments later Keiichiro and Ryou exited the kitchen with two trays full of all their favorite smoothies. The green mew glanced out the window as Ichigo continued ranting and Keiichiro tried to control the situation. It's going to be a beautiful day. Lettuce thought to herself. A beautiful day.

PLEASE READ WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN BELOW THIS LINE HERE TILL THE END (OR AT LEAST SKIP TO THE LAST PARAGRAPH!):

:is hiding behind café: H-hey everybody! If your wondering why I'm hiding behind this… don't kill me. That's the end of the story right there. I'm thinking about throwing in an epilogue with some nice PaixLettuce to finish off (because I seriously want to see them kiss)… but, do you think it'd be too outta character? Hmm… I think I can work around it, but anyway, congrats on making it all the way through this story without being bored out of your mind! For all of you who were exceptionally patient with my long updates, I thank you for your persistence. May I make a special note to those reviewers who were most constant (that's right, I kept track of who reviewed and who didn't, because I'm weird! And I think people who show their support deserve recognition). This is a list (with my personal comments to the reviewee) of everyone I have found AS OF THIS DATE that reviewed more than five times:

Izume Hope: You came in kinda late to the game, but I ended up looking very forward to your reviews, especially when I got to see what an advent PaixLettuce fan you were! I'm sorry that waiting so long for Lettuce's revival made you sad or took WAAAAY too long, but thank-you for staying on as long as you did. And thank you for forgiving me for all those long waits! My opinion here, but you have a lot of potential in writing, and I'd encourage you to keep at it in anything and everything! Thank you again for your wonderful support.

Saba's Reflection:I'm so glad you've stuck with this as long as you did! Saba, you've always given me good criticism and feedback, and though I didn't always use it, I appreciated every bit of it. As a writer (for EVERY writer), it's good to have someone out there who can roll out the ways of improving your work, and I do believe that you helped do this for me. And I don't know if you intend to, but you always seem like you'd be a sarcastic kinda person on the inside, and it made it really fun to read your reviews, because they had a 'tone' in them, and I love it when you can see different tones in people! Also, I know you didn't want Kisshu to help, but he's going to push one last time in the epilogue! And I hope your crisis in believing in the PxL pairing is gone, because they're awesome!

EssenceofGold: Just so you know, because I WANT you to know, you are in second place for the person-who-reviewed the most. I have always looked forward to your reviews, not simply because of the PxL fanlove that we share, but because whenever you reviewed, you would almost always tell me what scenes you liked the most, what lines you liked the most, or what parts need improvement, and I think that kind of review makes the best. Also, your sis almost made the list, but it turns out she only reviewed 4 times, and 1 other time you reviewed under her name (almost missed that, heh!), but I feel honored that you and your sis, who really do hold the corner of PxL fanfiction, have taken such interest in my work. I will be throwing in a bit more of our favorite twitching ear in the end (and I only mention that because it was always awesome to read how much you liked that), so be on the look out! And also (just one last thing!), it really made my day when I read that comment oh so long ago when you said 'Ally-sama', I know it was in joking, but it really made me feel like my writing was reaching a professional level (though I know I still have a ways to go). Thanks again!

AvaofLight: I just wanted you to know, real quick, that your first review always made me smile, because I feel the same way. That kind of scenario ALWAYS makes for a good story! And I'm so glad you supported Kisshu! Personally, I kinda dislike him, just 'cause he's so snarky, but he's got it where it counts, and deep down he really is a good friend to Pai. So to see someone out there supporting him, despite my initial feeling of 'ugh' towards him, always made me happy to read! Thank-you for sticking with my story, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it!

Abbie8290: LADIES AND (possibly) GENTLEMAN, THE WINNER FOR THE PERSON WHO REVIEWED THE MOST GOES TO ABBIE, WITH AN OUTSTANDING 20 OUT OF 22 CHAPTERS REVIEWED. And I only wanted to say that, because you really deserved the recognition. Out of all the reviewers out there, yours were the ones I was looking the most forward to. You were always encouraging, always engaging, and I got to watch your stories grow even as I worked on mine. It gave me incentive, reading how amazingly you'd bring on emotions of happiness, grief, and anger in your stories, how taken I was once I started a chapter, it made me work hard to put that in my work and I think I succeeded where it counted. And, again, you are the holder of my favorite review for this whole story (chapter 11), because every time I read it, I laugh, and laugh, and LAUGH! In fact, you always make me laugh, thank-you for that, it's a gift I hope you share with everyone. And just so you know, I do remember the PxL kissing request, which is why this Epilogue is going to happen. Hope you enjoy it!

ABlood'sPromise: I haven't seen a review from you in awhile, but it doesn't change the fact that when you did review, it was consistent, and hopefully you'll read this at some point regardless. Your reviews were shorter, but there was one thing you did that no one else ever mentioned that really made me happy, which was all those chapters ago you reflected that the dress Lettuce was wearing was probably Ichigo's, and it was! I was so happy that you said that, I don't quite know why it's important, but it was to me, that you caught that detail. You always felt bad for Lettuce's situation, so I hope your happy with the outcome, knowing that 'poor Lettuce' has fought against the odds and come out victorious!

Rizu Neko-Chan: You JUST made the mark, but I'm glad you did, you've left me excellent reviews and I'm happy to tell you that now. You always left good length reviews, with good ideas and opinions. You once mentioned how it helped you characterize PxL fluff, and I hope it's still the same as it was then for you. Thank-you for staying with the story as long as you did! XD And I'm glad you liked the 'twitching ear' so much, I have to say that, along with the frog, were some of my favorite OCs to write. Enjoy the last bit of 'twitching ear' in the upcoming epilogue!

Thegoldenlock: You jumped in later too, and I'm so glad you did! Your reviews were greatly appreciated, and I liked how you would look into the characters feelings and try to see if they really WERE what Pai would act like or what Lettuce would act like, and then tell me so I could either keep it up or improve, and when you mentioned Pai's character, I did try to act on it, but I think I dragged his emotional conflict out too long (eheheh… -.-'). Please enjoy the last bit coming up!

Breezyfeather: XD heheh, I'm sorry, but sometimes, when I read your comments, I really feel like breezyfeather is a good name for you, because they were always happy, excited, and pushing for more. I dunno, that just makes me think of wind somehow! And I'll always love your review for ch.17, because it made me laugh how you viewed that (even though you were right!), that somebody saw it that way. I hope you like the ending (and the epilogue coming up, Kish's role isn't done JUST yet!).

KassieBoyd: One of my favorite things to note from your reviews was when you told me you liked the fighting scenes. I personally struggled with those, trying to make them realistic, but well paced. Your reviews on liking them encouraged me, and hopefully you enjoyed all fights till the very end. ;) And I hoped you like Kisshu's last bit with Ichigo up there, since you seem to like how he's written in here. Thought of your review on his true character when I was creating the scenes, just so you know! Enjoy his last bit o' mischief at the end here!

KisshuGurl101: XD my dear, your reviews were on the short side, but there's nothing wrong with that! You gave me reviews, and for that I am extremely happy! And I wanted you to know, your review on ch.19 had mentioned 'What's going on with Kish and Taruto?' and up to that point in my story, I had totally set them aside, so then I went, 'Hey! I should put them in!' and that's why they appear when they do in chapter 20, so thank-you very much for your imput, because it totally gave me a new twist on my story! Keep on working on your own stories, don't give up!

I had MANY other reviewers, and I treasure each and every one of you, your reviews are forever idolized in my heart. When I started this story, I was completely unsure of myself, only knowing that I wanted to see a story that didn't exist on fanfiction, so I'd have to make it myself! To all of you, I hope that in whatever you want to grow strong in doing, you continue to work hard on it and make it there! Don't give up!

ONE LAST THING! This epilogue is my last chance to tie loose strings, so there's a lot to answer, but if you think of something I haven't answered, please let me know so I can remember to add it in the epilogue! Have a good day everyone, be back with the final piece soon!

Sincerely,

~Ally M