Ichigo's Illness Chapter 20:

The Humiliation of Pai

"WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?" Pai shouted.

Kisshu ignored him and started flipping pages. He reached the one he wanted, and began to read aloud.

"Today we fought the Mews at the beach. Mew Lettuce was looking at me again. This time she asked me why we can't get along. But then our storm caused two children to get blown into the ocean, and she went to save them. I've never met anyone with that much compassion. She isn't like the other Mews; I can tell she hates fighting. And she only talks to me, not Kisshu or Taruto. Why is that? Could she possibly have feelings for me? I wish this battle wasn't so complicated.

Kisshu smirked and flipped to the middle of the book, then started reading again.

"We are going back to Earth tomorrow. Kisshu can't wait, Taruto's pretending he doesn't care. Frankly, I think Taruto would be a lot better off if he just admitted he likes that monkey Mew. As for me… How am I to tell Lettuce how I really feel? I'm not good at showing emotions. And what if she's found someone else? There's no one else like her. Not on my planet, not on Earth. She's the only one for me.

Kisshu flipped one more page, and read out:

"Well, we're back on Earth. Kisshu got his wish, Taruto's spending all day, every day, at the monkey girl's house. And me? I've never been this happy. Lettuce and I are together, and I don't think I'll ever be sad again."

Kisshu closed Pai's diary and looked at him. Pai was dark purple. Taruto and Ichigo had laughed themselves into hysterics, Mint and Zakuro were looking rather amused, Lettuce was bright red, Keiichiro was looking nervous, and the two police officers looked confused.

Two seconds later, the explosion came. "KISSHU! I'M GONNA KILL YOU FOR THAT, YOU LITTLE #%# &# !" Pai shouted.

"Even if I give the diary back?" Kisshu asked.

"YES! YOU'RE DEAD MEAT!" Pai shouted.

Kisshu gulped, and teleported out, dropping the diary on his way. Pai teleported out soon after, still dark purple.

Everything was silent for a minute, then Officer Itou said, "Um.. we kind of have to get back to our office, what should we do?"

"Taruto, can you teleport them back to Earth?" Keiichiro asked.

"Sure," Taruto said. "Is Café Mew Mew okay?"

"Yeah, that's where our car is," Officer Itou said.

"Can I look at your car?" Taruto asked excitedly. "I've never seen one of them up close."

"Sure," Officer Anko said.

Taruto smiled and took both of the police officer's hands, then teleported.

This left the Mews and Keiichiro with nothing to do. Lettuce was still very red, and Zakuro said, "Lettuce, are you okay?"

"I didn't realize Pai loved me that much," Lettuce said softly. "I'm glad though; I love him with all my heart."

"I'm glad," Zakuro said. "You two work well as a couple."

"Th-thanks, Zakuro-san," Lettuce said.

"What should we do until Pai and Kisshu work this out?" Keiichiro asked- just as they heard Kisshu scream.

Ichigo immediately ran for the door, followed by Lettuce. The girls ran to the sound of Kisshu's scream, and finally reached where Pai and Kisshu were.

Kisshu was slumped against the wall, unconscious. His left arm was badly burned, and he had a long slash across his chest, which was bleeding. Pai was standing over him, looking at the fan in his hand in what appeared to be shock. He looked up as Lettuce and Ichigo came over. "I didn't mean to go so far….." he whispered.

"Pai, we have to care for Kisshu's injuries," Ichigo said. "You have the power to heal, right?"

"Y-yeah," Pai said. He seemed to be in shock as he knelt next to Kisshu, and put a hand over the slash on his chest. The bleeding slowed, then stopped as the cut began to repair itself. When the wound was healed, Pai turned his attention to the burn on Kisshu's left arm, and healed that, too. Finally he stood up and said, "Can… you take him back to his room, Ichigo? I need some time alone."

"Sure, Pai," Ichigo said. "Lettuce, help me carry him."

Lettuce obeyed, and the two girls carried Kisshu to his room and put him to bed, covering him with a blanket.

Two hours later, Lettuce and Ichigo were still watching Kisshu, who was still unconscious. He didn't have a fever, but he was unconscious and paler than usual.

Pai came in a while later, and said, "How is he?"

"Still unconscious," Ichigo said. "He's also very pale, though I don't think he has a fever."

"I'll try to wake him up," Pai said. He tapped Kisshu's forehead, and Kisshu slowly opened his eyes.

"Pai?" Kisshu whispered. "What happened?"

"I'm sorry, Kisshu," Pai said. His voice cracked slightly as he said, "I shouldn't have attacked you like that. I'm really sorry!"

"I guess we're both at fault," Kisshu said. "I shouldn't have read your diary out loud like that. I'm sorry too."

Ichigo and Lettuce quietly left as Pai started to break down.

Kisshu was pretty alarmed as Pai sank into the chair Lettuce had just left and buried his face in his hands. "I can't believe I did that…." Pai whispered.

Kisshu had never seen Pai like this, but said, "We're brothers, Pai. It's natural to fight. I admit this was worse than usual, but I'll recover, so don't beat yourself up over it."

Pai looked at Kisshu, and said, "You're not angry with me?"

"No," Kisshu said. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," Pai said. "I'm sorry I got so worked up."

"Like I said, don't beat yourself up over it," Kisshu said.

"Are you feeling okay?" Pai asked.

"Not really, to be honest," Kisshu said. "The injuries don't hurt, but I don't really feel great."

"I'll take a look," Pai said. He placed a hand on Kisshu's chest, and closed his eyes. Finally he said, "I think you've come down with something. This is bad timing, though. We have to meet with the Blue Knight in three days."

"Can you do anything?" Kisshu asked. "I don't want to face him while I'm sick, and I don't think he'll believe the rest of you if you say that I didn't come because I'm too sick."

"I'll try," Pai said. His hand began to glow. Finally he took his hand away, and asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

"I think so," Kisshu said. He sat up, but when he tried to stand, he fell, and Pai caught him.

"You should get some rest, I'll send Ichigo in," Pai said. "Save your strength for the Blue Knight." He helped Kisshu lie back down, and tucked him back in. Kisshu fell asleep as Pai teleported out.

Pai found Ichigo and Lettuce in the kitchen, making what smelled like cookies. They looked up and Ichigo asked, "How's Kisshu?"

"He needs to rest, I just healed him," Pai said. "He should probably take it easy until we have to face the Blue Knight."

Ichigo nodded, and said, "Is he sleeping?"

"Yeah, I said I'd send you in," Pai replied.

"Okay," Ichigo said. "Lettuce, can you finish up here?"

"Sure, Ichigo-san," Lettuce said. Ichigo smiled at her and went to Kisshu's room.