Ryou got to them and stood in front of Ichigo. Glaring down at Maysha. "Get out of my café, Son of a Bitch and never come near Ichigo again." He said calmly as he could.
"This is your fault you blonde bastard!" That caught everyone off guard.
Ryou glanced over his shoulder at Ichigo. "How's that? She's been in the States with you. I've never seen or spoke to her." He said.
Maysha chuckled. "You were still in the way. All she ever talked about was you and this stupid café. She cares more for you than she does me. What have you got that I can't give her, huh? Why is it when I kissed her it felt like she was wishing it was someone else?" He shouted.
They were attracting an audience now.
He studied Ryou's face. "You want her too. Ain't I right?" He laughed and looked over Ryou's shoulder at Ichigo, whose eyes were wide.
"That's it. Out!" Zakuro took Maysha's arm and she and the other girls took him out.
Just as they got to the door Maysha looked back at Ryou and Ichigo. "You can have that little tramp. You deserve each other."
Snap! Ryou had him by the throat. "Insult her like that again I'll break every last bone in your pathetic body. You hear me?" He yelled.
Kiichiro grabbed Ryou by the arms, restraining him.
Zakuro shut the door behind Maysha, who was laughing his head off.
In the kitchen Ryou, Kiichiro and the Mews stood in silence.
Ichigo was a mess. Shaking like crazy and her stomach was threatening to make her vomit. Why?! Why did he have to come here?!
Mint had her hand on Ichigo's shoulder.
Zakuro was foaming. "How dare that lowlife bastard come in here and call you that. Let's hope he doesn't cross me in a dark alley." She growled.
"I never thought Aoyoma-san was like that. He always seemed so sweet." Lettuce added.
Ichigo snorted. "That was sweet compared to what he's been like to me. I've been a whore, mutant freak, ungrateful bitch... you name it, I've been it. That's just started lately though, when he found that I still had cat genes. He called my parents pitiful and losers for having a daughter like me. That was a week before... y'know." She shuddered.
Ryou gritted his teeth. Bastard! But could it be possible that he had a point about Ichigo liking me? I hope so.
It was getting late. The girls went home, as did Kiichiro. Ichigo sat on the kitchen bench, Ryou was upstairs.
When he came down he looked at Ichigo. "Why didn't you say anything Strawberry?" He said.
She shrugged. "It wasn't important. I still wouldn't of said anything if he hadn't come." She breathed and dropped down from her perch. "Night." She passed him. She was at her door when Ryou stepped in her way.
"Strawberry, if you need to talk, I'm here. Okay?" He whispered.
She nodded and tried to step around him.
He caught her waist and pulled her to him. Snaking his arms around her.
That's when she broke. She clutched his shirt and cried.
Ryou felt his heart breaking too. Poor, sweet Ichigo; its okay, I'm here. He held her close. "You definitely deserve better."
She looked up, her eyes shining brightly. "I know, and I think I've found better. And he's right here in front of me." She whispered. "I think I've known for a very long time too."
That was it. Ryou gave in and pressed his mouth against hers. Knotting his fingers in her strawberry hair. Not wanting to let go. Her sweet scent, her warm eyes... everything... was his now.