A/N: the final chapter! huzzah!
So as you guys know, (assuming you've been reading these notes since chapter 1) this is a story I originally wrote when I was thirteen and to be honest, this story was NOTHING like the version you've been reading the first time around. I'm so glad I rewrote it because this story was something I've been pretty emotionally attached to since I was young. These characters (Amaya and Mamaya) have meant a lot to me for pretty long time.
Originally, this story was a five-part series. It is POSSIBLE that I will rewrite the other parts, but if I do, it won't be published for a while. (I know, I'm such a tease, right?) Because this story was so different before, I'll most likely have to plan out what can stay and what has to go for the other volumes as well.
Until then, I'll be rewriting other fanfictions that I also wrote when I was young, so look forward to those!
Anyway, thanks for sticking by me for so long, guys! Some of you have been patient with me from the start (#tbt to when I posted once a week lol). Others just started reading near the end (lucky you). Either way, I'm thankful for each and every one of you, even those who have never commented and just come here to read my shit.
SIDENOTE: Ikisatashi is the last name of the aliens Kisshu, Pai and Taruto given by the Italian dub (Mew Mew Amiche Vincenti)
Anyway, enjoy!
The Nikini mansion was a tall, looming building with white brickwork and prestigious architecture. It's pillars were taller than most houses, and its doors were made of the most expensive rosewood. The lawns were always mowed perfectly even and its flowers and hedges trimmed to perfection. Nothing about that house was simple; it was the best of the best.
Mint's house was no different. Walking up the long driveway toward the beautiful front porch, Amaya was getting flashbacks to days when she used to play outside or run inside from school. There was a marble fountain in the center of the winding driveway and beautiful flowers surrounding it. They thrived brilliantly despite the cooling weather of the fall. Amaya was sure that the house maids and gardeners made sure the yard looked beautiful all-year round.
When they entered, two long rows of maids were already stationed at the door. They formed a perfect line like an aisle for them to walk down and bowed their heads down low. "Welcome home, Miss Aizawa!" they recited in unison.
Mint walked down the man-made aisle and came face-to-midsection with an old grey-haired woman with beady eyes and tiny glasses. "Baya," Mint said, "my friends are here for the night. Would you please make some tea and have it sent to my room?"
The old woman bowed her head loyally. "Yes, of course Miss Mint," she said.
Amaya watched silently. From her experience living in a mansion, it was unheard of for the help to call any of the house-owners by their first name. That included instances when 'Miss' was placed before it. Judging from their behavior and the way they spoke, she figured the old woman must have been much closer to Mint, like a grandmother or a nanny perhaps. She wondered where her parents were, then she regressed. Knowing how things had been in her own home, it was likely Mint's parents were rarely ever around.
Mamaya had been too young to remember living in a mansion at all, save for a few fragmented memories from the Shirogane mansion. Because of this, she excitedly took Pudding's invitation to go exploring through the house. Mint watched them dash up the stairs. "Come back to my room in ten minutes, the tea will be ready by then!" she called after them.
Amaya grinned sheepishly. "Sorry," she murmured. "My sister can be a bit much when she's got someone around to influence her. She doesn't remember ever living like this, so she's probably getting a bit worked up."
Lettuce looked at Amaya curiously and gave her a friendly little smile. "You used to live in house like this, Amaya?"
Amaya smiled shyly. "I used to," she admitted. "Things are different now."
Mint looped an arm around Amaya's. The action caught the older girl so much by surprise, she yelped in shock. Mint was smiling brightly at her. "Finally someone dignified. I bet you came from a prestigious family, didn't you Amaya? Come now, let's leave these peasants and have tea."
Ichigo's temper flared. "Peasants?!" she growled. "Who are you calling a peasant?!"
Lettuce smiled nervously and let out a shaky laugh. "Now, now Ichigo. She's just joking, right Mint?"
Mint shoved her nose into the air like a bird. Then she turned to look over her shoulder. "Let's go Zakuro! You, me and Amaya are going to go have tea and pleasant conversation."
They began climbing the tall staircase, Ichigo stomping angrily behind them. "Mint is mean," she mumbled.
Amaya giggled.
"I see. So you want her dead."
The Chimera Anima growled its response, unable to form words. Its core being was primitive murder, which could only be expressed through animal-like sounds. Pai didn't mind. Its tone and the hatred in its flaming, slit-like eyes were enough to express what it had meant. This Chimera could very well be the key to what they had been working so hard for.
Kisshu had failed again. Their longtime mission to destroy Tokyo Mew Mew and take back earth was long overdue no thanks to the constant prevalence of the Mew girls. The alien brothers had tried time and time again, only to continuously face defeat.
But perhaps this time would be different.
The Chimera Anima had stumbled into the Ikisatashi brothers' lair with an injury only days ago. Startled, Pai had immediately sought information. This was a Chimera Anima the aliens had not created; how could it have survived for so long and where had it come from? After much analysis, it appeared the Chimera had been born on this planet somehow, and had managed to conceal itself from humanity until now.
It seemed to have one goal: to kill the Mew Mews. That was perfect for the aliens. They shared a common purpose. They had failed Deep Blue many times and their patient savior was becoming restless with their defeat. Pai, loyal till the end, would do anything to please his master and save his people.
Kisshu had argued against it. "How do we know we can trust it? What if it comes after us afterward?" he had questioned. Pai had simply shooed him away. It was a ridiculous notion: a Chimera Anima attacking aliens. Just the thought made Pai laugh.
"Here's the deal," Pai said, looking the chimera straight the eyes. "If you help us get rid of the other Mew Mews, we'll let you do whatever you want with the other girl. Kill her, eat her, do what you may. But first, you must kill the others. It is only then that you may have her. Understood?"
The Chimera Anima raised its hackles and roared angrily into Pai's face. His pride escaping him, even he had to flinch. Kisshu and Taruto stood straight like pins behind them, awaiting for the monster to gobble Pai up. Its face looked enraged; it did not like being told what to do. Kisshu was not sure how, but just looking at the creature's eyes told him everything it was thinking: I am doing you a favor, not the other way around. He shuddered. How could Pai put his trust in this beast? It could turn around and kill them in an instant.
Nonetheless, Pai digressed. "Please," he said urgently. "I'm not trying to disrespect you."
The Chimera Anima let out one last snarl and settled angrily once more.
"Do we have a deal?" Pai urged.
The Chimera Anima sent him a glare, then snorted. Pai took this as a yes and grinned an evil, toothy grin.
"Amaya, your PJ's are so cute!" Ichigo sang.
Amaya blushed red and scratched the back of her head shyly. "Really? You think so?" she asked. She looked down at herself. She was wearing an orange satin crop top with laces and bows on top and a matching set of satin orange bottoms. They singed tightly near the ankles and flared out again in lace. She had picked them out earlier that day with Zakuro and gotten her sister a similar pair in white. She glanced up at the older girl, who winked.
They were sitting on the floor around a low set table drinking their tea and snacking on cookies. Pudding gobbled up as many cookies as she could fit in her mouth, while the other girls picked at them slowly. Mamaya took a cookie, dipped it into her tea and shove it into her mouth. "Mmmm!" she moaned happily. "These cookies are delicious, Mint! Where did you get them?"
Mint smiled gracefully. "Thank you. They're imported from India."
Mamaya made a disappointed sound at the notion that she couldn't ask for more from the local grocery store. "Maybe Akasaka can learn to make something like these," she mused out loud.
Amaya sent her sister a warning glare. "You take advantage of poor Akasaka. You still owe him for giving you a ride to school this morning."
Mamaya grinned sheepishly with a cookie in her mouth.
"So Amaya and Mamaya are living in the cafe now?" Pudding asked curiously.
Ichigo frowned worriedly at the younger girl. "Pudding! Don't be so quick to bring up sensitive topics..."
Pudding simply blinked, too young to understand such social cues.
Amaya resisted the urge to begin fidgeting. These are your friends, she told herself. You can trust them. You can tell them anything. She smiled casually, trying to play off how nervous she was. She could feel her face turning red as she spoke. "For now," she said. "Mamaya and I have never really had a permanent place. The cafe is just a temporary fix until we figure something else out."
Lettuce smiled. "It was nice of Shirogane and Akasaka to take you in," she noted.
Amaya smiled in return. "Yeah, it was," she agreed. "We've lived with Ryou in the past, so hopefully things will be okay for a little while at least."
Ichigo leaned forward, eyes twinkling. Amaya could tell, she was thrilled that the girl was opening up so much all of a sudden. "Don't worry, Amaya! Shirogane really likes you! I'm sure he'd be happy to have you. And besides, we're all here if you ever need anything. Especially Mint. She's got so much stuff, she wouldn't even notice if you borrowed anything!"
Mint sent the girl a glare, but then she smiled. "Ichigo is right, I'm happy to lend you any clothes or belongings." She side-eyed Ichigo. "Ichigo certainly makes herself at home in my closet..."
Ichigo laughed casually, shaking off Mint's dagger-like glare.
Amaya and Mamaya bowed their heads. "Thank you, all of you."
Would you protect your mother and sister and everyone else if you could?
The words suddenly rang through Amaya's ears like a bell tower's chime. She froze, and suddenly a familiar, paralyzing fear shot through her veins. Her blood went cold. She felt a shiver run up her spine. She had a familiar, terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, making the hair on the back of her neck stand. She could feel herself being watched.
"Amaya? Are you okay?" Ichigo asked.
"Amaya, what is it?" said Mint.
"Amaya!" Zakuro shouted.
She was too afraid to speak. She feared that the slightest peep would set off a chain reaction and everything would be destroyed. For a moment, her feeling of self-hatred returned. She never should have come here and put her friends in danger. She should have thought about the risk she was putting them at just by being around them. She had made a horrible mistake by agreeing to come here.
Then she thought of the happiness she'd felt that night. Sitting around the table and laughing with the girls, even waiting on tables at the cafe with Ryou...She felt happy. It was a feeling she had never thought she'd be capable of having again. Being around them taught her that she was capable of being loved, and capable of smiling again. Did she really want to sacrifice that?
She was being selfish. But perhaps that was what she needed to be.
"Everyone...I need your help..." she murmured. She bent her head over as tears formed in her eyes. Her fists clenched tightly together in her lap. Her entire body shook with fear.
"Amaya..." her sister whispered.
"What do you need help with, Amaya?" asked Lettuce.
"I..."
The winds blew heavily outside, making the branches from the trees outside slam repeatedly against the glass windows. Amaya flinched at every sound.
"I..."
The familiar evil laugh rang through her ears like a song, resonating such fear inside her that she was practically convulsing. Her skin had gone white and was covered in goosebumps. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead. She let out a sob. "I need you to help, please," she cried. "I don't want to die!"
Ichigo looked as if she wanted to press Amaya for more details, but it was too late: a loud crashing sound outside made the entire house shake. Mamaya let out a scream and covered her head with her arms, clinging to Amaya for safety. The others got to their feet and ran toward the window to look outside. Ichigo opened it and leaned out. As soon as she did, Kisshu floated into view.
"Kisshu!" Ichigo exclaimed. "I thought you were done trying to kidnap people. Why don't you and your friends just leave us alone?"
Normally, the alien would laugh and produce a remark that somehow pertained to his attraction to Ichigo, but today was different. The look in his eyes weren't the usual mischievous gaze, but instead one of concern and worriment. "Ichigo," he said, "you must come with me to join us. If you don't, it will kill you. Come with me, we can be together and you'll live!"
Ichigo frowned. "What are you talking about? What will kill me?"
Kisshu looked over his shoulder. Ichigo, Mint, Lettuce, Pudding and Zakuro followed his gaze toward the end of Mint's driveway, where a familiar looking Chimera Anima stood. They gaped. "That's the Chimera Anima that we saved Amaya from that first time!" Pudding exclaimed.
They turned to Amaya, who was still frozen in place in her spot at the table. It didn't take long for them to put two and two together.
Ichigo set her jaw in determination. "All right, everyone. Let's save Amaya and Mamaya! Ready?"
Kisshu gaped. "Ichigo! No!" he cried.
The girls nodded, ignoring the alien completely. "Let's go!"
"Mew Mew Zakuro!"
"Mew Mew Pudding!"
"Mew Mew Lettuce!"
"Mew Mew Mint!"
"Mew Mew Strawberry!"
"Metamorpho-sis!"
Lettuce, Pudding, Mint and Zakuro hopped out the window first, darting down the driveway to meet their foe before it could destroy the Aizawa mansion. Ichigo turned and ran to Amaya, who was still shaking in fear on her knees. She knelt to the older girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "Amaya? We won't let anything happen to you."
Amaya looked up at the girl through tearful eyes.
Ichigo smiled encouragingly. "Let's go destroy that Chimera Anima together as a team. Okay?"
Amaya felt something in her chest, but this time it was not fear. Instead of cripplingly cold, this feeling was warm and made her heart stop pounding so hard. It eased the painful feeling in her chest a little, allowing herself to inhale a deep breath. She wiped her tears away and smiled up at the younger girl. "Yeah. Okay," she said.
Mamaya looked up at her sister with tears in her eyes. "Please don't leave me alone, Amaya! Please!" she wailed.
Amaya reached into her pocket and pulled out the cell phone Ryou had given her. She handed it to Mamaya. "Call Ryou. Stay on the phone with him for as long as you need to. I'm not going to let it come anywhere near you, Mamaya. Just stay here. You need to stay in the house. Don't chase after me. Promise?"
Mamaya sniffled, taking the cell phone from her sister's shaking fingers. She nodded. "O-okay."
Amaya stood and took another deep breath. She had known this day would come. Part of her wished that it hadn't come so soon, and on this day. She'd been having so much fun with her new friends. As she and Ichigo ran down the stairs and toward the front door, she wondered if this would be the last fight she'd have alongside the girls. Would this be the last time she saw Mamaya? Aja? Ryou? Akasaka? Ms Rosbe? Was she satisfied with what she'd left them?
She shook her head. "No," she whispered. She spoke too quietly for Ichigo to hear. She wanted more for Mamaya. Her sister had no one left in the world except for her. How could she be satisfied with leaving her now?
She thought of Ryou. They'd grown up side by side, partly enduring the same pains while still in solitude. They'd lived lonely lives. Wasn't it time for the both of them to feel like they had someone there for them? Amaya wanted that for him. She wanted to be that for him. She wanted to hold him when he cried and smile with him when he was happy. She wanted him to have the world. She promised herself then and there that she would give it to him no matter what.
Her thoughts drifted away to Ms Rosbe. The woman had done so much for the sisters ever since the night she'd saved them from being kidnapped in the alleyway that late summer night. Amaya had done nothing to thank her for the things she'd done for her. As far as she was concerned, she'd been a burden on the woman since day one. Amaya would never be able to live with herself until she could finally repay her for the things she'd provided them.
She thought back to the day she saw her parents and the Shirogane's in the meadow under the tree. At the time, she'd wanted nothing but to stay with them and relish in the old happiness she'd felt. Now, all she could think of was how she wasn't ready to leave the happiness she'd found for herself here.
Would you protect your mother and sister and everyone else if you could?
Yes. Of course. She would die trying.
But not today. Today she was going to live. She was going to defeat this monster, the most terrifying demon of her past, and she would live. She promised it to herself right then and there: I promise to live to see another day. I promise to live to see Mamaya's smile again and watch her grow up and become an adult. I promise to grow up and repay the kindness Ms Rosbe has shown me. I promise to love and care for Aja again. I promise to repay the favours Akasaka has done for Mamaya, and I promise to love Ryou for the rest of my life, and laugh and smile with my new friends. I will live today. I promise. I promise.
It was decided. With a strong resolve, she kissed the glowing pendant in her fingers. "Mew Mew Blackberry! Metamorphosis!"
Ryou usually worked all day and most of the night doing research in the basement. When he and Akasaka had been studying in America, he often forgot to shower, eat or do anything other than lean over a computer or a microscope. He couldn't help it; when he became immersed, he stopped keeping track of time and only focused on his work.
Because of this habit, it wasn't until the last ring that he noticed his phone was ringing. It vibrated angrily against the computer desk next to his mouse, making the whole table shake.
He reached for the cell phone and looked at the caller ID. His eyes bleary from staring at a bright computer screen in the dark room, he took a moment to focus on the image in front of him. Then his heart dropped when he noticed the name on his screen was Amaya Nikini. He scrambled away from the computer to collect himself and hit the call receive button. "Amaya?!" he shouted into the receiver.
But it wasn't Amaya's voice on the other end. Instead, Mamaya was crying. "It's back! The monster!" she cried. "Amaya, she ran away to fight it. Ryou, I'm scared!"
Her voice was higher pitched than usual, her throat probably constricted with anxiety. He could tell just from listening to her that she was shaking all over. Hurriedly, he stood from his computer chair and headed toward the stairs to go up. "Where are you, Mamaya? Are you safe?" he asked, sprinting up the stairs.
"I-I'm in Mint's house, they're outside and th-the house... It's shaking and it's so close. I can hear everything. I can hear them fighting!" she wailed.
Ryou didn't even bother to throw on his leather jacket before dashing outside to run to the car. He climbed in, started it and began pulling out from the cafe's underground parking. "I'm on my way over. I'll be there in five minutes. Stay where you are, okay Mamaya? You'll be okay."
"Please hurry!" she cried.
Ryou nodded, then he hung up. Before he could even get his seat belt on, he began speeding toward the Aizawa mansion, his heart pounding nervously in his chest.
"It's too close to the house. We need to relocate or else the damage will be huge," Ichigo said. The Chimera Anima was enraged having the Mew Mews dodging so many of its attacks. It shrieked and attacked mercilessly and sometimes without aim. Its huge wings were widened out, flapping so strongly they created heavy gusts of winds around them. Ichigo was shivering in the cold.
"We can split up and run!" Pudding suggested.
"But if it's after Amaya, it'll only chase her anyway!" Zakuro argued.
Amaya tried to still her shaking legs. She was terrified but she was so shot up with adrenaline running through her veins that she couldn't even focus on her fear. "Use me as bait!" she said. "I'll run and it'll chase me. I'll lead it away from the house."
"That's too dangerous!" Lettuce protested.
Amaya was already beginning to put her plan into action though. "It's all we have!" she retorted. She ran toward the Chimera Anima and waved her arms. "Hey!" she shouted up at the huge, angry beast. She realized that antagonizing it probably wasn't the best idea, but Amaya was desperate now. "I'm the one you really want, aren't I? So come and kill me instead!"
The Chimera Anima began to swing its giant tail, making Amaya yelp and turn to run. She jumped up and into a nearby tree, clinging to its branches. Her legs and arms shook so much, she wasn't even sure she could keep herself balanced on the rough bark.
Amaya looked down at the ground from her tree branch and suddenly felt dizzy. She clung to the branches around her and gulped. Perhaps this was how cats felt when they got stuck in trees and couldn't get down. The Chimera Anima was approaching Amaya quickly.
"Ribbon Lettuce Rush!"
"Ribbon Pudding Ring Inferno!"
"Ribbon Mint Tone Echo!"
"Ribbon Zacross Pure!"
"Ribbon Strawberry Surprise!"
The Mew Mew's attacks rushed toward the Chimera Anima in a spiral of rainbow coloured light, but when it came into contact with the Chimera Anima, it simply brushed the light off. Amaya's heart sank. Their attacks had not made any kind of damage at all. If they couldn't even hurt it with all of their attacks combined, how were they going to destroy it?
"Mint, get Amaya out of there!" Zakuro shouted.
Mint immediately soared through the air to perch onto the branch where Amaya stood stunned silent. She grabbed Amaya from under her arms and pulled her up as she jumped from their branch and flew back down to join the other Mews. "You okay?" Mint asked.
Amaya nodded absentmindedly. Then she turned to face the others. "What do we do? It took no damage at all."
They were in a forest full of trees and bushes now, which hid their fight from the Aizawa mansion perfectly. Amaya was slightly relieved at the idea that Mamaya could no longer see them just by looking out a window. If something happened, she didn't want Mamaya to see it. On the other hand, it would make the fight much more difficult having such rough terrain to fight in.
"Let's try again," Ichigo said.
They nodded.
The Chimera Anima whirred on Amaya and let out a loud, ear-piercing shriek. Those fiery slits met Amaya's eyes, immediately paralysing her in fear. For a moment, she thought she was dead.
"Ribbon Pudding Ring Inferno!"
"Ribbon Zacross Pure!"
"Ribbon Lettuce Rush!"
"Ribbon Mint Tone Echo!"
"Ribbon Strawberry Surprise!"
Amaya stood straight like a pin, eyes wide as the Chimera simply glared. Their attacks, leaving no damage at all, created rays of lights around them, making Amaya's eyes burn. The Chimera slithered toward the terrified girl and began opening its terrifying maw of a mouth. Its rows of teeth reminded Amaya of a shark: sharp, jagged, never-ending. She thought of the pain she'd feel if the Chimera clamped its jaws around her body and shook in fear.
Would you protect your mother and sister and everyone else if you could?
Amaya felt a gentle breeze around her and for a moment, she could feel warmth surrounding her. It was nostalgic; she'd felt this feeling before. She looked up at the sky and remembered her mother and father and the Shirogane's in the meadow under the tree. She wasn't sure why, but she knew: they were here with her, offering their power. She put a hand over her beating heart and smiled. "Mother, father. I need your help now," she whispered.
The Chimera Anima was raising its tail and letting out another battle cry. As its giant tail began to fall toward Amaya, she wound the muscles in her legs and jumped. She landed in front of the Chimera, standing between it and the Mew Mews. As she stood there, Ichigo caught a glance of her face. It was no longer terrified like it had been only seconds ago; now she was determined.
The fox girl pointed menacingly at the demon of her past and grinned as if she was already preparing to celebrate her victory. "I know your weakness. You've spent so many years chasing me, trying to kill me and failing, only to return bigger, better and stronger. You disappear for long periods of time and come back, and now you're asking for the aliens' help. I know your weakness!"
The Chimera Anima glared at the girl in pure hatred. It hissed, and Amaya knew it was not expecting this of her. Its eyes wavered with uncertainty.
The girls behind Amaya stirred anxiously. "Weakness?" Pudding asked. "You mean it has one?"
"Yes," Amaya said. "Your weakness is that you're afraid! Isn't it?"
The Chimera Anima roared angrily. Outraged, it darted straight for Amaya, jaws opened wide. Ichigo jumped, pushing Amaya to the ground and rolling further away to protect her. She landed next to the fox girl, dirt and grass staining their faces, knees and elbows. "Are you okay?" Amaya asked.
Ichigo nodded and smiled. "I should be asking you," she said.
Amaya grinned down at her as she leaned up on her hands and knees. "Let's defeat this thing together, shall we?"
Ichigo's face broke into a huge smile. She nodded. "Yes. Let's do our best together, Amaya."
Mother, father. I couldn't do much those first few times. I spent years thinking everything was my fault and hating myself for everything. But now I've found friends who believe in me. I may not be a normal girl, and I may not be good at being a teenager, but I'm good at this. Fighting, defending and being a Mew Mew. I found a place for me to call home. So, after this, you can stop watching over me. Please go. And wait for me. I'll see you again someday.
The warmth inside Amaya began to build.
She offered a hand to Ichigo and helped the girl stand. Then they turned toward the Chimera Anima once more. Amaya's hands shook but she knew what she had to do. Protect Mamaya. Protect Mamaya.
Ichigo squeezed her hand tightly in hers.
Then, without any notice, Amaya's body began to glow.
The ground was shaking. That was how Ryou knew that he was close. Part of him wanted to run straight for Amaya, but he knew what he had to do instead. She had given the phone to her sister for a reason: to tell him to protect Mamaya first and above all else. He had a duty to fulfill those wishes no matter how badly he wanted to run to protect Amaya.
He pulled in to the long driveway and for a moment, he was struck with an odd sense of deja vu. He stepped out of the car and began sprinting toward the house. Images of Amaya sprinting up the lawn to run into a burning building flashed through his mind. He had simply stood there helplessly at time, but today was different. He was no longer the innocent child he'd been back then.
Mamaya had opened the door and begun running down the driveway to meet him before he'd even gotten halfway there. She ran to him and threw her arms around his torso, shaking uncontrollably. "Amaya ran off into the forest! We have to help her!" she wailed.
Normally Ryou would tell Mamaya to stay where she was so that he could investigate but he knew the girl would never agree to idly standing by when her sister was in danger. So instead, he looked toward the forest and nodded. "Show me the way they went," he said.
Mamaya nodded and began to run. Ryou followed close behind.
It was cold. The summer air was cooling down to begin its transition into the fall. The winds were picking up and Ryou hadn't worn a jacket. In his white pants and leather tank, he was beginning to feel both cold and heavy. He pushed on despite his body's screams for him to stop. If this was how he was feeling, Amaya must have been feeling ten times worse.
Mamaya didn't even seem to notice the cold weather. She had run out in nothing but silk pajamas and hadn't even bothered to slip into shoes before sprinting out the door. She wasn't reacting, but he knew that every time she stepped on a rock or twig, her feet split open in pain.
Everything was black. The only light came from the house behind them and the moon shining dully through the clouds above. As they ran, Ryou wondered if Mamaya really knew where they were going. But then, something strange came into view.
It was glowing. Not like the color of the Mew Aqua, but like a bright white light. Mamaya was running toward it. Could it have been Amaya? They both began to pick up speed. They had entered the forest now, and Ryou pushed away branches and twigs from his face as they ran. He felt the trickling feeling of blood on his face, but he ignored it. He followed the light toward Amaya, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest, desperate to find Amaya and keep her safe.
Ichigo had never seen someone glow so brightly before. She had glowed a bright blue when her body had come into contact with Mew Aqua in the past, but this was not like that. Amaya was glowing bright white, like an angel.
"Amaya is glowing! What's it mean?" Pudding shouted.
"Could it be Mew Aqua?" Mint asked.
"No, it doesn't look like Mew Aqua," Zakuro protested.
"Amaya? Are you all right?" Lettuce asked.
Ichigo squeezed the girl's hand once more, hoping that she would somehow respond. All the fox girl could do was squeeze back. That was better than nothing. At least Ichigo knew she was okay this way.
Amaya stepped forward. She could feel power surging through her veins like a tsunami wave. She wondered if this was her parents' lending her their power or if it was her own lying dormant inside of her until now. Either way, this was what she needed to defeat the monster. She knew it. She could defeat it like this.
She rose her hand into the air above her head. Her weapon, a long orange rod with a fox's head on top, appeared inside her palm. However, this time it looked different. It was bigger, thicker, and the fox's eyes were glowing bright red. The chains that wrapped around the rod from top to bottom glowed the very same red. Something was happening. Words were appearing in Amaya's head. She held out the wand. "Ribbon Blackberry Change!"
There was a loud sound like an explosion. Amaya squinted her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her wand had changed yet again. Instead of a wand at all, she held the hilt of a long, glistening sword.
She turned to Ichigo, who was standing behind her in awe. "Ichigo, you guys attack! Then I'll combine my power with yours!"
Ichigo nodded. "Everyone, let's go!"
The Chimera Anima sprang forward, teeth bared toward Amaya. It crashed into the ground in front of her, sending the girl flying backward. Her back slammed against a sharp tree trunk before slumping back down to the ground. She held the back of her head and forced herself up on her hands and knees.
"Amaya!" Mint cried.
Amaya shook her head. "Don't worry about me! Just go!" she shouted.
The Chimera Anima was getting desperate now. It was blindly attacking, slamming itself against things to try to gain the upper hand. Its tail whipped against the tree Amaya had crashed into, sending it toppling right over. Amaya scurried away to avoid getting crushed.
The Chimera Anima followed her, separating her from the rest of the Mew Mews. Amaya looked around her for an escape route, but she was cornered. There was nothing around her but tall rocks and bushes. She had to move, fast.
The Chimera Anima opened its jaws and moved in toward Amaya like a cobra moving in for the kill.
"Ribbon Lettuce Rush!"
"Ribbon Pudding Ring Inferno!"
"Ribbon Mint Tone Echo!"
"Ribbon ZaCross Pure!"
"Ribbon Strawberry Surprise!"
The attacks moved together in rays of light toward Amaya and the Chimera Anima.
"Go, Amaya! You can do it!"
Amaya's ears twitched. That voice. It couldn't be. Mamaya?
She looked to the left to see her sister and Ryou watching from the trees. Their faces were covered in dirt, sweat and blood, probably just like her. Their eyes were filled with concern. Ryou nodded to Amaya, and for a moment, she remembered the day they'd stood face to face in the basement. Amaya had been determined to show Ryou her resolve.
Amaya grinned. I can do it.
She raised the sword in her hand and jumped. "This is the last time you'll ever hurt me or anyone else. This is the day you die!" She thrust the sword forward and focused the power racing through her toward the tip of her blade. "Ribbon Blackberry Trench!"
There was a blinding moment as the light collided together and their attacks combined. Amaya covered her eyes, forcing herself to continue pushing the power inside her outward, toward the monster. It screeched loudly, painfully, desperate to live. But it was to no avail. The Chimera Anima finally seized up, collapsed onto the grass and slowly began to disintegrate.
Amaya collapsed onto the cold grass beneath her feet. She was back in her original form before she could even touch the ground.
"Amaya!" Mamaya shouted. The younger girl ran to her and pulled her upward to a sitting position. "Are you okay? You're bleeding!"
Amaya nodded. "I'm fine." She looked at her sister and grinned. "Didn't I say not to follow me?"
Mamaya scoffed, face turning red. "Well it's a good thing I did! You would have stood there like an idiot if it weren't for me!"
Amaya smiled, tears in her eyes.
Ryou stood a little further back, giving the sister's a moment together. When Amaya noticed him there, she smiled up at him. "Thanks for making sure she was okay," she said. "You got here pretty fast. I hope you didn't break any speeding limits."
Ryou grinned. "Don't you worry. I can get myself out of any legal issue," he said. He leaned over and ruffled her hair.
"We did it, Amaya! You were amazing!" Pudding cried. The girl ran over and flung herself toward Amaya, throwing her arms around her neck. "That attack was so cool! I wish we could do awesome things like that! How did you change your weapon?"
Amaya shrugged. "I don't know," she said honestly. "It just kinda happened."
"I'm sure Akasaka will look into it," Ryou said. "There may be things about the project that we don't know about yet. But it's also possible it's something only Amaya can do."
Pudding pouted. "No fair! Pudding wants to learn too!"
Amaya giggled. "Don't worry Pudding, maybe I can try to teach you."
Pudding cheered.
Amaya looked up at the other Mew Mews and bowed her head gratefully. "Everyone, thank you very much."
They smiled. "We're glad you're okay, Amaya," Lettuce said.
"You were quite amazing," Mint said.
Ichigo offered her hand to help the girl stand. "Let's continue to do our best together, Amaya," she said.
Amaya smiled and nodded. "Yes." She took her friend's hand and squeezed it tight. Ichigo squeezed back.
It was over. Amaya and Mamaya were safe.
She had won.
Four weeks later, Ms Rosbe was sweeping the front porch when a big envelope was delivered to her door. The mail carrier had handed it to her, asked for a signature, then bid her a good day and left. The woman cradled the broom in the crook of her arm as she curiously opened the large manila envelope. She had never gotten mail addressed specifically to her at the shelter. Who could it have been?
She pulled out a small stack of papers. The first one looked like a handwritten letter.
It was from Amaya.
She felt pain shoot through her chest. She'd never been the same since the day she'd exiled the Nikini sisters. Looking at this envelope, she knew that this was going to be difficult for her to read. She set the broom down and sat on the porch steps.
Dear Ms Rosbe, it read, I'm sure that by now, most of the commotion I caused has finally begun to settle down. I want you to know how sorry I am for all of the trouble I've caused for you and the others at the shelter. I wish that I could change all the hurt I've caused.
Mamaya and I are okay. We're living with some friends in the city and soon we'll be moving out into our first place. Mamaya's doing well in school and she's even on the dean's list this year. She's the top student in her grade, or so they say. I think she's probably top student in her whole school, but you know Mamaya. She's too modest to ever admit to something like that.
Aja is growing and she's finally lost all of her baby fur. She's been going out into the city alone a lot, so I think she's beginning to branch out away from me a little, which is a little sad. I suppose that's how most parents feel when their kids start to leave their homes. Maybe she's found another fox to be friends with. So far no cubs, or so I think.
As for me, well..I've dropped out of school. That whole thing just wasn't for me. I'm sure you're probably disappointed in me, but I'm actually doing okay. I help Ryou in his lab sometimes and we're working on some small projects together. I'm thinking of maybe taking up some of my dad's old research, but we'll see. Some of his research was a bit boring.
Things are looking up for all of us, I suppose.
We've done a lot of damage to you in the past but both Mamaya and I want you to know that you'll always be the one that saved us, Ms Rosbe. If it weren't for you, we'd be dead. You've done so much for us and we've never really repaid you. That's why we've left you with a part of our parents' inheritance. We know that money will never atone for some of the things we've done, but we hope that it will help you at least a little at the shelter, and for you personally.
I've also included some other documents I need signed by next week. Someone will come and pick them up from you next week.
Best of luck, and thank you for everything. You're the reason we've been given this future. I wish you the best in yours.
Love, Amaya and Mamaya Nikini
The woman held the envelope tightly in her arms, cradling it against her chest as she wept gently. She wiped the tears with her apron and sniffed, looking up at the sky. Since the day she'd kicked the sisters out, she'd been torn up, worrying about whether or not they were okay. She still hated herself for ever kicking them out, but she was glad that they were okay. They were beginning to make a new life for themselves.
They were beginning to grow up.
She reached into the envelope and pulled out the rest of the contents. There was an official government form. This must have been what Amaya was talking about. They were emancipation papers. There were two; one for Amaya, one for Mamaya.
Then the woman pulled out a small slip. She looked at it, then turned it over. It was a check. It was addressed from Amaya's inheritance balance. As she stared at the total number the girl had left her with, her eyes went wide.
She had given her 1.5 million dollars.
Ms Rosbe felt both giddy and nervous. Then she felt the blood drain from her face.
"How much money does she have if this is just a portion of her inheritance?!" she cried.
Amaya was bent over a stack of papers. She'd been finding herself like this often lately; now that her legal documents were coming through, she had a lot to figure out to get she and Mamaya set for the rest of their lives. She sat at a large marble kitchen island, forms and sheets scattered around her, a pen idly in her hand.
There were footsteps coming from upstairs. Though their new house was large, it was nothing like the mansion they'd been born into. When Mamaya was running around upstairs, it was easy to hear it from downstairs. The girl came running down the stairs, around the banister and into the kitchen where Amaya sat. She opened the stainless steel fridge, pulled out a bento box that Amaya had made for her earlier in the day and shoved it into her backpack. "I'm off to school! I'll be home late tonight, I have a shift at the cafe after!"
Amaya nodded. "Ryou will drive you home, don't go walking around alone in the dark. You have his number."
Mamaya nodded and began running toward the front door to slip into her shoes. She opened the door and waved at the girl who stood waiting for her at the other side. "Hey Aika! Thanks for picking me up. I'm running so late today!"
The girl smiled. "It's cool. My mom doesn't mind since you live so close."
"Bye sis!" Mamaya called, shutting the front door behind her. Amaya waved, smiling as she watched her sister go.
Amaya sighed and began cleaning the papers around her. She couldn't focus. She needed to do something else.
The doorbell rang only moments later.
Aja barked excitedly, dashing down the stairs from her bed in Amaya's room and toward the door. Her tail wagged as she waited for Amaya to open it. The girl smiled and began walking toward it, turned the knob and swung the door open. Ryou stood on the other side, holding a small bouquet of sunflowers.
Amaya took the flowers from his hands and frowned. "What's this for?" she asked.
He grinned. "It's your first home. What's a home without some flowers on the table?"
She smiled. Just the thought of having flowers or tables at all made her heart feel warm. It wasn't what she'd had before, but it was hers and Mamaya's. It was real. It was their lives now. "You didn't have to," she said. "Thank you. They're beautiful."
He kissed her gently on the forehead. "They match you."
She rolled her eyes, but her smile gave away her true feelings. "You're so corny sometimes."
He chuckled. "You know you owe me dinner, still."
She turned in the middle of her walk back to the kitchen and frowned. "Huh?" she asked, confused.
He nodded. "You still haven't let me to take you to dinner."
She felt her face get hot. She hadn't even remembered. "O-oh. Um."
"I'll pick you up at eight," he said.
Amaya yelped. "W-wait! Where are we going? I don't have anything to wear!"
Ryou grinned. "You're a multi-millionaire now. You can buy whatever you want!"
Amaya pouted. She still hadn't gotten used to seeing so many zeroes in her bank account, or having a bank account at all. She had sat down with Ryou and Akasaka for hours trying to learn everything she could about basic finances and the thought of it all made her head spin. She was great when it came to calculations and formulas but as soon as real life was set in front of her, she felt nauseous.
"Give me ten minutes. You're taking me into the city to go shopping," she said.
Ryou smiled. "Yes ma'am."
Amaya turned to make way for her room, then stopped when she remembered the flowers in her hands. She went to the kitchen and pulled out a vase from the top cupboard beside the fridge, then filled it with water. As she waited, she took a whiff of the flowers. They reminded her of summer. She remembered the hot days when she would sit outside with the Shirogane's and eat fruit and play tag with her sister.
She peeked down the hall to watch Ryou as he waited for her in the hallway and smiled.
The vase full, she set it down on the center of the table and put the flowers inside. She stepped back to admire them and smiled. She put a hand over her heart and looked up toward the sky. Mother, father...Thank you. I kept my promise that day and I'll continue to keep it for as long as I can. I'll continue to fight. I'll protect my sister, my friends, and everyone else.
She turned and began making her way toward Ryou. As he looked up at her, she smiled. A warm feeling spread through her bones. This was what home felt like.
I am a Mew Mew.
She pulled him into her arms and into a tight embrace. She never wanted to let this feeling go.
I'll fight to save the people I love.
He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her.
I'll fight to save the whole world if I have to.
The End.