Betraying My People Chapter 24:

Lettuce's House

"Is there a problem?" Zakuro asked. She took her hand away from Kisshu, and he went back to Lettuce's lap.

"Not exactly, but Keiichiro doesn't have the equipment he needs right now to turn them back," Pai said. "It might take him a while to get it, so Kisshu, Ichigo, you're going to have to wait a while to turn back."

"Myuuuuuuuu!" the two kittens wailed.

Pai sighed. "I know it's hard, but we will turn you back, so don't worry about staying kittens forever. Keiichiro says we can stay here, so you'll have a nice place to stay."

"Nya…" Kisshu said.

"We'll all come play with you," Lettuce said. "It won't be that bad."

"Myuu!" Ichigo said. She sounded excited. Lettuce smiled and said, "You like playing with us?" Ichigo nodded and rubbed her head against Lettuce's knee.

Zakuro sighed. "It's getting late, we should probably get going," she said.

"Okay," the others said. They got up, and started to leave. Everyone except Lettuce, who was having a very hard time getting the two kittens to let her go. She finally managed to get them both off her lap, but when she waved and tried to walk out the door, Kisshu and Ichigo ran in front of her, and started mewing. "You do know that I have to get home, right?" she asked them.

"Nyaaaaa…." Ichigo wailed.

Lettuce sighed and looked at Pai for help. "Kisshu, Ichigo, you know she'll be back tomorrow," Pai said. "Let her go home, and you'll see her tomorrow." Kisshu and Ichigo gave him death glares, then went back to looking at Lettuce pleadingly.

Keiichiro came up from the basement and saw what was going on. "Kisshu, Ichigo, why are you so against Lettuce leaving?" he asked.

"Myu," Kisshu said. He lifted a paw, and mimed typing. Keiichiro sighed. "Lettuce, we have to figure this out. I'll drive you home after we do, but I think we should figure this out."

"O-okay," Lettuce said. She picked up the kittens, and followed Keiichiro downstairs. He opened up a Word document, and Kisshu jumped onto the table, then walked to the keyboard. The others watched as he typed, and then Keiichiro read aloud, "She's comfy." The others facepalmed.

"Kisshu, that's not a good enough reason to stop her from going home," Pai said. Kisshu glared at him, and typed something else. Pai read out, "Ichigo and I are attracted to her and we don't know why. We don't want her to leave. Can we go home with her?"

"Um…. I have to call my parents first," Lettuce said. She took out a cell phone and dialed her home number. When she got a response, she said, "Yes, I know I'm late. I've got a small problem, can you come here? I'm at Café Mew Mew. Thanks Mom. See you soon." She sighed and turned to the others. "After the Mew Project was over, I told my family," she said. "They were very understanding, and they promised they'd never tell anyone. My mom's coming here, so we can explain the problem. We should wait upstairs."

"Okay," Keiichiro said. He, Pai and Taruto followed Lettuce upstairs. They didn't have to wait long, Mrs. Midorikawa came in and said, "I'm here, what's the problem?"

"You remember I told you about Ichigo and Kisshu?" Lettuce asked.

"Yes," Mrs. Midorikawa said.

"They turned into kittens," Lettuce said.

"Is that the only problem?" Mrs. Midorikawa asked.

"No, the real problem is that for some reason, they won't let me leave," Lettuce said. "Can I bring them home?"

"Do you know why they won't let you leave?" Mrs. Midorikawa asked.

"Kisshu can communicate by typing, and he says he and Ichigo are attracted to me, but they don't know why, and they don't want me to leave them," Lettuce said. "I didn't really know what to do, so I decided I'd ask you if they can come over."

"And what about your school?" Mrs. Midorikawa asked.

"Mom, tomorrow's Saturday," Lettuce said. "And it's a long weekend. Hopefully Keiichiro will have the means to turn them back by then."

Mrs. Midorikawa sighed. "I guess you can bring them home," she said. She turned to Keiichiro and said, "Do you have any food they could eat?"

"Sure, I'll go get the supply of fish we keep here," Keiichiro said. Noticing the others' questioning looks, he continued, "I like cooking fish, it's good for you. I'll get enough to last you through the weekend." He went to the kitchen. Ten minutes later he came back with a package of fish, and handed it to Mrs. Midorikawa. "Take good care of them," he said with a smile.

Mrs. Midorikawa smiled back and said, "We will." Then she and Lettuce left, Lettuce carrying Kisshu and Ichigo, who looked happy.

When they got in the car, Mrs. Midorikawa sighed. "I always wanted a kitten when I was little," she said. "I hope I'm ready for two."

"They're very well-behaved," Lettuce said. "Just don't startle Kisshu, he has a tendency to use his claws. Ichigo hasn't unsheathed her claws at all, though. Maybe it's a guy thing."

Kisshu squeaked indignantly. Mrs. Midorikawa laughed and said, "We'll be fine, and I'll make sure Uri doesn't startle them."

Eventually they reached the apartment building where they lived, and parked. They took the fish and drowsy kittens up the stairs and to their apartment, then went in. Mr. Midorikawa and Lettuce's little brother Uri looked up as they came into the living room. "The problem was kittens?" Mr. Midorikawa asked.

"Actually, my friends Kisshu and Ichigo somehow turned into kittens, and I was asked to take care of them, since they wouldn't let me leave," Lettuce said.

"Your friends turned into kittens?" Uri asked. "How'd that happen?"

"We're not exactly sure," Lettuce said. "Try not to startle them, they do have claws."

"Okay," Uri said. "Hey Mom, what's in that package?"

"Fish for the kittens," Mrs. Midorikawa said. "I'll go put it away." She left, and Lettuce said, "I think I'll take them to my room, they look sleepy." She went to her room and turned on the light. Kisshu and Ichigo blinked as she gently set them down on her bed. "I'm going to go help with dinner, so stay here and be good," Lettuce said. "Don't worry, I'll be back." She waited till they nodded and curled up together before leaving.

Short, I know. But it's almost midnight, and I think for once that's a fairly good non-cliffie chapter ending. Plz review!