The next morning Ichigo woke up early, like she'd been doing in the States, and put her joggers on. Then she opened the window. Ryou would still be sleeping and she didn't want to wake him by banging doors. She jumped out the window. She was kinda glad the genes hadn't worn off on her.
After a few miles she climbed back in and went for a shower. It felt good on her aching body, not from running, from being stressed. She got changed into her jeans, pink tee and pink converse high-rise.
Then she crept downstairs for some breakfast.
When she turned into the kitchen she nearly died of fright. "Shirogane! What are you doing up this early?!" She put her hand on her heart that was threatening to break from her chest.
He smirked at her. "I could ask you the same, Soggy Kitty!" He looked at her wet hair-and her cat ears.
Ichigo jumped and patted the ears away. "Did I wake you?" She asked.
He shook his head. "My alarm did. Why? What were you doing?" He replied.
"I woke at four. Ran a few miles, got a shower and now I'm hungry." She opened the fridge and got herself some milk.
Ryou smiled a little.
She caught it. "What are you happy about?"
"I never thought I'd see a day when my Baka-Strawberry would be early for work." He chuckled.
She frowned a little. "'Your' Baka-Strawberry, huh? Okay... well can I have my new uniform? I'm a few inches taller than I was." She grabbed an apple. What's happened to my Jerk of a boss? This is too weird.
"Oh! Someone else has missed you too. R2000!" Ryou called. The little fuzz ball came zooming in.
"Masha!" Ichigo hugged her most trusted companion, grinning like crazy.
"Ichi! Ichi!"
Ryou gazed at her. Her smile lights up the heart!
Later on, while working, someone came in who was the last person Ichigo ever wanted to meet again.
"Aoyoma-Kun?!" She choked, staring at him.
"I knew you'd return here." He smirked.
Zakuro stood in front of her favourite Mew pal. "You can stay away, Aoyoma. Leave her alone otherwise you're gonna hear about it from me." She growled.
The other Mews turned to see the commotion.
Mint ran to hold Ichigo. "When did he get here?" She exclaimed. "Get out!"
Maysha shook his head. "Not until Ichigo hears me out."
"I don't wanna hear it!" Ichigo came free from Mint. "The things you said. The things you called me. That's all I needed to hear. We're done, so go back to the States and your hooker of a new girlfriend." She screamed.
He laughed. "I've always admired you for that, always speak your mind. Well, for your information, I finished with Rebecca to come and get you."
"I don't care! Just get out! Before I throw you out, through the window." She was threatening to cry.
Ryou and Kiichiro came out the kitchen to see what was going on.
All Ryou's eyes saw was Ichigo, looking vulnerable, and that bastard! He strode towards them.
"Ryou, calm it!" Kiichiro hissed.
"He's upsetting Ichigo. That is pissing me off so I'm gonna sort it." Ryou snarled.