Tokyo Mew Mew Fan Fiction ❯ To Be A Traitor ❯ VI ( Chapter 6 )

I disclaim TMM.

 

…..

 

Ichigo's eyes opened of their own accord for the billionth time that night. With a groan she turned in her bed, trying to find another comfortable position that would tempt her body into sleeping, but it was no use. With an aggravated sigh, Ichigo threw off the covers with a flourish and tiptoed across the room to the bathroom, turned on the florescent lights and shut the door. Glancing at the mirror she saw her reflection for the first time in three days. Her hair was an oily, tangled mess and her complexion was dull and pale. `Is that a pimple?' She thought, picking at a spot on her chin. Behind her she noticed her overnight bag on the floor. It was the pink and white one that she had gotten for her 15th birthday from Mint. Her parents had probably dropped it off. Rooting through it she dug past the essentials (tooth brush, panties, hair ribbons and such) before pulling out her favorite tank top—the white one with the red bow, and a pair of red baggy pants that had served as her favorite lounging attire every weekend. She hugged the outfit to her chest, grateful for her thoughtful mother.

 

Out of the blue, an image of Kish popped into her mind. `What would it be like to hug him?' She wondered absently. Then, with newfound determination, she strode over to the tiny shower. She didn't want to smell bad if Kish decided to pay her another visit. Ignoring the heat that now brushed her cheeks, she stepped into the shower and stayed there for a full 45 minutes until the hot water ran cold.

 

Clean and dressed, Ichigo walked out of her bathroom to look out the window. She pulled on its edge, finally jerking it open to allow the fresh air to breeze through her stale room. There was no screen, so Ichigo sat half-hazardly on the pane. It wasn't a long drop down, should she fall, since there was the roof of the floor below only a couple feet away. She loved heights, and being up there after so long with the fresh breeze blowing in her face was pure bliss. The sky had cleared away most of its clouds, and only the smell of rain and the occasional puddle was left of the storm. The sun was just starting to rise, the gentle pinks and oranges melting in subtly into the dark blue of night; the black silhouettes of the buildings around her stood distinctively against the dusty blend of pastels. Ichigo had been a morning person before she was fused with cat DNA, she would always wake before the sun rose with only a few early birds to keep her company. She savored the solitude she had now, alone with her thoughts.

 

Her mind kept drifting back to that incident not so long ago, as it had all night. That one glimpse of him was burned into her memory. Every time she closed her eyes it was if he was with her once more. But then she would open her eyes again to find only empty air. So Ichigo sat there on the windowsill, her eyes closed, exchanging the beautiful scenery before her for a pair of golden eyes.

 

…..

 

“Pass the finger things!”

 

“What finger things?”

 

“The ones on the platter, na no da!”

 

“They're all on platters!”

 

“So pass `em all!” giggled Pudding.

 

That earned an aggravated sigh from Ryou and Ichigo couldn't help but chuckle at him being so disgruntled.

 

“I'm no waiter,”

 

“You're no fun!” Pudding teased good heartedly and scanned the room for another victim. “Lettuce! Pass the finger things!”

 

Ichigo's room was packed with people. All four mews, Keiichiro, Ryou and her parents had come to celebrate Ichigo's speedy recovery. Keiichiro had brought tasty hors devours (a.k.a. “finger things”) for the special occasion. Why they didn't just go to a restaurant was beyond Ichigo, though she suspected it had something to do with her still being “unstable”, despite her very sane demeanor. `I'll just have to put on a good front for the next week or so if I want to stay out of here,' came her conclusion. She didn't like the fact that she had to treat her loved ones as obstacles to her new goal, but they simply wouldn't be able to understand. Heck, even she didn't fully understand her need to be with Kish, but the feeling was there and as palpable to her as the cupcake she held in her hand. She looked up to find the room had gone very quiet, with everyone facing her with smiles. Ichigo's dad rose, his can of Coca Cola in the air, and said in a loud, booming voice,

 

“To Ichigo's recovery!” The jovial statement was met with cheers as everyone took a sip of their drinks. Ichigo plastered a smile on her face and hoisted her own can. `Never mind the fact that they see my mourning over the death of a friend a sickness to get over,' she thought bitterly, `Never mind the fact that they would replace me without a second thought should I go astray,' But she couldn't stay angry at them, for she knew all too well that they did what seemed right at the time. And worse! She actually understood it, and might've even done the same in their shoes. Still, this newfound perspective of the people closest to her was disconcerting. She felt detached and alone, as if she were viewing this party from outside a window.

 

“—matter?”

 

“Huh?” Ichigo turned to the voice, `How long had I zoned out?'

 

“I said, is something the matter?” It was Zakuro, her expression deadpan as always but Ichigo heard the concern in her voice.

 

“Oh no, I'm fine!” Ichigo smiled and forced a laugh,she was getting quite good at it now, and changed the subject. “These cupcakes are delicious!” Zakuro smiled slightly before turning to an enthusiastic Mint who was now complimenting her outfit. Ichigo stared after her thoughtfully before her mom interrupted her musings with an over-eager hug.

 

“Sweetie! Aren't you excited to go home today?”

 

“Yes, very!” Ichigo couldn't think of anything else to say, and hoped that she sounded convincing. She realized for the first time how tiring it was to act tremendously happy all day. Her mom rambled on about shopping trips and the new coffee place that opened up near their house. Ichigo nodded politely from time to time, all the while smiling until her cheeks grew sore.

 

…..

 

Her room was exactly how she left it, save for the freshly made bed and the strawberry air-freshener smell—oh, and the Oriental rug to cover the bloodstain on her fluffy white carpet. Ichigo dropped her duffel bag unceremoniously and threw herself onto her bed; she was exhausted. She hugged her pillow fiercely and breathed in the sweet smelling strawberry scent of her shampoo…except, there was something different about the smell-- musky cologne, or the pages of an old book with a hint of cinnamon--something masculine. Ichigo lifted her head to frown at the pillow, and when it dawned on her she buried her head in it once more and inhaled deeply.

 

“Kish,” She whispered with a smile and closed her eyes, curling around the pillow, finally able to sleep.

 

…..

 

The last few weeks of summer proved to be very dull indeed—especially in comparison to the events that took place beforehand. Buying school supplies and a new set of clothes all seemed very mundane. When the first day of junior year arrived, Ichigo couldn't help but gawk at what used to be the peak of her entire life. Through the new perspective given to any person who cheated death, everything was--for want of a better word: boring. Nothing was amped up anymore, as if someone had taken the flashy masks and beautiful dresses out of a masquerade party, leaving just ugly people dancing around in their under garments.

 

The bell tolled, beginning the student's lunch hour. Ichigo stretched in her desk leisurely and cracked her back. Today's lecture had been very intense: it went into depth on the second world war, and she found it so interesting that she practically sat on the edge of her seat. Reaching below her, she pulled out her bento lunch, greeting the crowd of people that had situated themselves around her, and made small talk with them. She had accumulated many friends since the start of the school year. People seemed to flock to her, as if she were a beacon in the dark. She remembered talking to Zakuro about it, and the model's theory was that people were naturally drawn to those with confidence. Ichigo had scoffed at the notion. Her? Confidence? But the more she thought about it, the more it made since to her. Perhaps “confidence” wasn't the right word, but whatever had happened to Ichigo during that memorable battle in the park had changed her for the better.

 

…..

 

Ichigo waved goodbye to her friends after school had finished for the day and started down the road leading to her home. It was a long walk, about four miles, but she needed the exercise. At least, that's what she told her parents and friends. She hugged her books to her chest and sighed, gazing up at the sky, the trees, the roof tops of buildings… Everyday she would do the same thing, whether it on the way home from school, her morning jog or her weekend strolls, just searching for him. And everyday, she lost a bit of hope. Finding a quiet spot of grass, Ichigo sat down, tired. She lay back and closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her to focus on that night in her dark room, with the raging storm and the moment's glimpse of his yellow eyes. She did this quite often, but every time the memory lost its clarity, like a treasured photograph that had been handled for years, and every time, Ichigo would be left wondering if she had imagined him after all.

 

“You okay?”

 

Ichigo opened her eyes, squinting against the sun toward the voice. She could barely make out his face, the bright sunlight around him seemingly draining out the color, shadowing his features. She propped her herself on an elbow and shielded her eyes with her other arm, the face finally coming into view.

 

“Masaya?”

 

She hadn't seen much of him since the robe incident, and had never apologized, though there was a time when she had the perfect one planned. It had included a long explanation and a home baked cake. Ichigo rolled her eyes mentally, had she really been that obsessed? Still, she had slapped him pretty hard, and he deserved an apology.

 

“I—“ She started, but was interrupted.

 

“I'm sorry!” Masaya practically shouted. Ichigo jumped, she wasn't expecting that. Now that her initial shock was over she regarded him. He was bent at the waist in a formal bow, his eyes shut tight either from the effort it took to apologize or from the fear of her beating him to a bloody pulp again. Her breath caught in her throat, and before she could control herself she started to laugh. Masaya cracked a smile and started to laugh as well. They stayed like that for a while, doubled over in laughter, until their eyes watered and their lungs burned for air. Finally, catching their breath, they melted into a comfortable silence. Masaya had sat down in the grass next to her sometime during their fit of laughter and Ichigo surveyed him with a critical eye. He was handsome, she admitted. Even in his school uniform he looked like he had stepped off of the set of a cheesy soap opera. But there was something else about him that drew others in. May be it was the casual way he held himself, despite his superior looks. Or the fact that he was well disciplined in both his schoolwork and kendo. `Smooth and controlled,' Ichigo thought absently. It was a while before she realized that Masaya was looking right at her. His mouth slid into a cocky smile, and he seemed to muse over something, letting the silence grow, before saying,

 

“Were you just checking me out?”

 

“An eye for an eye,” Ichigo quipped. Masaya looked shocked for a split second before he let out a bark of laughter. She smiled at his amusement, but her nerves felt like they had been dowsed with icy water at his words.

 

“No, but really…” Masaya started, his laughter had died down but there was an amused sparkle in his brown eyes when he looked at her. “I am sorry,”

 

“Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have slapped you so hard,” They were silent for a moment before Ichigo changed the subject, “What are you doing here?” It was an innocent question, but at once Masaya became uncomfortable. He ran a hand through his hair.

 

“Oh, you know… just walking around…”

 

“Really,” Ichigo arched an eyebrow and smiled slightly. She didn't want to pry, but she couldn't help herself. He was so obvious! He seemed to not have heard her, simply gazing off into the distance, before blurting out,

 

“You wanna go see a movie sometime?”

 

“What?!” Ichigo yelped, completely losing her cool.

 

“Or maybe just coffee… or a card game or something…” He looked so forlorn with those chocolate brown eyes. Ichigo bit her lower lip. `If I went out with him, would I be betraying Kish?' But she hadn't seen him in a month--if anything, he had betrayed her! And if Kish got angry that she was with another guy, than he would probably confront her. He's not one to just walk away. She didn't care if he was angry when she saw him again, only that he would give her a chance to ask a couple questions; she was still so confused. What did she have to lose? Mind made up, she answered,

 

“Sure,” She said with a shrug and a smile. She couldn't help but giggle at the way Masaya's face lit up.

 

“Really?”

 

“Really, just… Masaya?”

 

“Yea?”

 

“Don't stalk me anymore,”

 

“Deal,” he laughed,

 

Picking up her things, Masaya walked her home, and Ichigo couldn't help but feel happy. Intent on their conversation, she didn't so much as glance toward the sky the entire way home.

 

…..

 

TBC