The next morning, Ichigo and Ryou agreed to keep their kiss under the hat for now. It wasn't easy.

"Ichigo, could you get table three's order... and that couple wants more Cherry-Shakes... that man's just spilt his tea over there..." There was Mint, back to the old routine, bossing Ichigo around.

Ichigo didn't mind. It was another way that made her feel like she was home. As she was backing through the kitchen doors, with a metre high pile of plates someone snickered behind her.

"Why can't you tell her to help out, Baka?" Ryou pushed off the bench where he was leaning and took half the stack away.

"If you want it done right, do it yourself, isn't that right?" She sighed putting the plates in the dish washer. She looked at him.

He was staring at her.

"What is it?"

He stood in front of her. "I seriously wanna kiss you. Right now." He leaned in. The door behind him swung open and he jolted back. "Uh...just tell Mint to do some of the graft okay? Don't overwork yourself like you used to." He stammered.

It was Zakuro who entered. "Yeah, Ichi. She's just stuck up as ever. I'll tell her for you... oh, god! What's he doing here? Shirogane? Can you bar him or something?" She stared through the little window.

Ichigo and Ryou looked too.

Maysha!?

Ichigo went white.

Ryou lead the way out. "Ichigo? Got a kiss handy? I seriously need to make out with you." He sounded wasted.

"What the hell? Why are you pissed this time in the morning?" Ichigo exclaimed.

Maysha came to her. He reeked of vodka. He leaned in to kiss her.

She ducked away. "You dumped me remember?! I'm glad you did. You're a complete ass-hole! Now get lost before you cause another scene."

"Oh! Getting feisty now, aren't we, Kit-Cat. Now, just one kiss and I'll get out. Saying that, Blondie over there looks like he's gonna beat me up, so let's take this somewhere more private, know what I mean?" He winked grabbing Ichigo by the elbow.

She ripped her arm away and fly kicked his face. "Sober up first, then we could go to a lonely river where I could drown you." She snarled.

Maysha clutched his jaw.

"Take the hint."

He stood up. "How is it you're the only one here who's still got that red data stuff in you? Because I don't know why I'm so turned on by you, you're a fre..."

Ryou cut him off with a fist to the stomach. "Didn't I warn you? Get out before I call the cops."

Maysha doubled over in pain.

"Girls, take the trash out." He said to the other Mews. He looked at Ichigo whose eyes were distant. "Strawberry?"

She looked at him and smiled. "Thanks, Shirogane. I kinda needed the support there." She turned back into the kitchen.

He followed her and pulled her to him by her waist band. He locked lips with her. I don't give a damn, let the world see!

"Oh, wow! This is better than watching dramas on TV." A random customer muttered to a friend.

"You're so right! That girl's so pretty. She totally deserves the blonde guy." She replied.

Zakuro looked to Mint. "I reckon that too." She whispered.

"Yes. You're right. At least Shirogane looks out for her properly. He's been moping about her all this time. Now she lives with him. They can't not admit their love now!" Mint grinned.

That's when Pudding came jumping up and down in front of them.

"What, Pudding-san?"

"Onee-Chan and Nii-san are kissing in the kitchen. Talk about drama!" She whispered excitedly.

They both stared at the Monkey-Mew.

"Ichigo and Shirogane? Seriously? I've gotta see this." Mint was off.

Zakuro and Pudding followed. They peeked through the door.

Ichigo had her head on Ryou's chest.

He had his hands around her protectively, with a satisfied smirk on his face.

Kiichiro came behind the little investigators. They stopped him from speaking and pointed. "Took your time, Mate." He breathed.

Zakuro smiled slightly. "They're both as stubborn as each other. Perfect couple. Oh, Retasu-san! Here. Shush."

Lettuce came to see too.

Ichigo pulled away and saw them. Then her ears and tail popped out. "Nya! Busted!" She squeaked.

Ryou turned around. "Kiichiro-San. You're nearly as bad as they are for eaves-dropping." He smiled.

Kiichiro returned it.

"I knew it!" Maysha was looking through the window from outside. He climbed through. "You stole my girlfriend!"

Ryou had enough of this."So what if I did?" he countered with a smirk.

Maysha took a swing, that hit squarely across Ryou's cheekbone. That caught me off guard.

Ryou grinned to himself and took a strike back.

Ichigo couldn't handle this. She stood in the middle of them. "Don't fight! I've had it! If being in love means more than one person getting hurt, then I'm done hurting!" She yelled.

Ryou had never seen Ichigo like this in a long time. "Strawberry... what d'you mean, you've had it?" He asked. He tried to take her hand, she flinched away.

"I'm done. If you two are gonna get hurt over me then I'll walk alone. Forever." Her voice broke. Then she ran up the stairs.

The others stood in silence.

Ryou was on the verge of crying himself. Idiot! I've just got what I wanted, and I've gone and lost it! Poor Ichigo... He let out a low growl and grabbed Maysha by the collar. "You sick bastard! After everything that girl did for you... you treat her like a toy... she saved your life because she loves you... god! I wish I was that lucky... you had the cutest girl in Tokyo, who would've died for you, and you broke her so badly she's scared to love again! Then you come back on the suspicion that she wants someone else. Are you playing some sick game? Well, it's game over!" He gave Maysha a shove and let go.