I Belong To You: A Kisshu And Ichigo Love Story

Chapter 2: It's Over Between Us

O/A/N: Sorry the first chapter didn't cover very much and was kinda short. This one is better! Also, I apologize if I get some of the names wrong.
____

"Whew! Wow, look how much money I made today!" Pudding was hopping up and down in front of the other four Mews, who were squeezed on a park bench together the following afternoon. She shook the coins around in the large top hat she carried, looking as excited as a monkey with a banana pie.

Ichigo looked at her friends seated beside her; Mint, looking extremely irritated at being squished, had her nose in the hair and her hands folded primly in her lap; Lettuce was smiling serenely at Pudding as the little blonde-haired girl danced around with her earnings; and cool-headed, beautiful Zakuro was gazing up at the sky, watching the clouds float by abstractly and humming quietly to herself. Ichigo had been lost in thought, watching passively as Pudding did her usual routine for the crowd of admiring spectators.

"Well? How about we all go out to eat? I'll buy!" Pudding said, skipping circles around the bench happily.

Zakuro said, "No, Pudding – you keep that money for your brothers and sisters. I'll buy."

"Wait! I'll do it!" Mint said, leaping at any excuse to impress her idol. "And we'll go somewhere really nice too!"

"Maybe we should invite Keiichiro-san and Shirogane-san too?" Lettuce asked.

Mint looked irritated again. "Well…I guess. If you must."

Lettuce sprang up. "I'll just run over to Café Mew Mew and ask. Ichigo, do you want to come?"

"Oh…okay," Ichigo said, smiling and getting up to join her. The two of them waved goodbye to the others and began walking away.

After a moment of quiet, Lettuce asked timidly, "Um, I was wondering…"

"What is it, Lettuce?"

"Are you still having nightmares?"

Ichigo sighed, and then nodded unhappily. Lettuce looked sympathetic.

"I'm sorry, Ichigo. You know, you can call me if you need to talk. I mean, I know that must be really awful for you."

Ichigo laughed uneasily, trying not to make a big deal out of it. "No, it's okay, really! I'm doing okay! The nightmares don't even come that often now anyway."

Lettuce smiled. "Well, that's a good thing."

"Yup." Ichigo smiled, but she could feel it was a strain. By now they were strolling up the walkway to Café Mew Mew. Lettuce reached to open the door.

When she pulled it open, they were met with the smells of fruit, bread, and any number of delicious baked goods, which were Keiichiro's specialty. Just as they walked in through the doorway, Ryou walked around the corner.

He looked at them in mild surprise. "Hey. What are you two doing here?"

Lettuce spoke for them. "We – I mean to say, the Mews – were wondering if you and Keiichiro-san would like to join us for dinner? Mint said she was paying."

Ryou laughed. "Well, in that case, I guess I can't refuse – if this isn't the time to get the most expensive meal I can think of, then I don't know when is." He looked back over his shoulder and called, "Hey, Akasaka! Let's go eat!"

Keiichiro appeared from inside the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. "Good idea, I'm starving," he agreed, "Oh, and with the Mews too? What a pleasure."

Lettuce, as usual, looked embarrassed. Ichigo gave another smile that felt too tight and led the way out. The rest of them followed, Keiichiro closing the door behind them.