• A gentle breeze rustled the light pink blossoms in the tree above her head. Ah, how he missed seeing that face. That innocent, sweet face. With her gentle blush and her vivid red hair and those eyes. It was her eyes that had brought him in. Those soft brown eyes. He smirked, leaning against a tree nearby. The breeze brought him words. Her words.

    Ichigo.

    "It's been a year now, Masya. How are you?" she asked. Then she laughed softly. "You can't hear me, can you?" Her eyes looked sad. Her voice sounded sad.

    What happened to Ayoama? he thought.

    Ichigo smiled sadly. She reached out and rested her hand on the trunk of the cherry blossom tree. Now he could see it. The marker at the base of the tree. His eyes widened.

    Ayoama was dead.

    Pain filled his heart. He was about to call out to her before she continued.

    "I loved you, Masaya. I really did. But you weren't the only one." she said so quietly that he took a few silent steps closer. Ichigo's eyes brimmed with tears. "You were so surprised when you found out Tokyo Mew Mew wasn't over yet. That there was a new enemy. I was so proud that you wanted to help. So proud that you let Shirogane-san and Akasaka-san test on you. Make you an offical Mew Mew since you couldn't be Blue Knight anymore."

    She took a deep breath and continued.

    "When we found a match for you, I was so happy. So happy that you could join my side and fight with me. But your DNA wasn't meant for it. Only for us. Minto, Lettuce, Zakuro, and Pudding-chan. After that, I felt terrible. That you couldn't become a Mew Mew for good like me. I didn't know what it would do to you."

    She shut her eyes tightly and tears streamed down her face. "All you did was smile and say, 'It was worth a try.' But, why Masya? Why? How could you say that after you knew what would happen?" She looked up, opening her shining eyes and staring at the pink blossoms above her. "But as I said, you weren't the only one. I...I loved someone else."

    Inside his chest, rage burned. Who? He'd hurt anyone that had stolen Ichigo from him.

    Ichigo gave a small smile. "I-I think I love someone from the past, Masya. Did you know that? You remember him. He was your ultimate rival."

    He took another step foward, his eyes wide. "Ic-hi-go." he said, his voice barely a whisper.

    She turned around quickly, her ears and tail popping out. "Whaaa!" she exclaimed, her cheeks turning red. She blinked a few times, unbelievingly. "Kisshu?" she asked, staring at him.

    Kisshu nodded, his green hair bobbing along his cheeks. "Hai, Ichigo."

    Ichigo's entire face turned red. "What are you doing here? How long have you been here?" Then she snapped out of it. She changed her position into a fighting stance. "Whatever you're up to I'll stop it!" she shouted.

    Kisshu took another step foward, mostly in a trance. "Who is it? Who is this person? The one you love? Didn't I tell you? Your mine, Ichigo. Your my toy." He chuckled, and held his hands up as his Dragon Swords appeared. "You can't love another Ichigo. That's why I came here. I just assumed you'd have forgotten that weak human and finally come with me." he said, taking a few more steps closer. "Who is he, kitty cat? I want to meet him."

    Ichigo took a step back. "No, Kisshu. You don't get it. I-"

    "What? That you can't come with me? That you love someone?" Kisshu interupted, taking another step closer. Ichigo bumped against the tree and Kisshu came as close as he could. He bent his head to her level. "Your mine, Ichigo." he whispered, a sadistic grin on his face.

    Ichigo turned her head away, trying to push him away while with her other hand, reach for her Power Pendant. Kisshu smirked and started to say something when with a stronger push, Ichigo shovedKisshu away and jumped up into the tree. Kisshu floated up, a frown on his face. "Don't fight, Ichigo. Cooperate for once!" he shouted, pointing one of his swords at her.

    Ichigo frowned and transformed. Her tail lashed angrily. "Kisshu! Your not listening to me!" she said, trying to keep calm.

    Kisshu started chuckling quietly, then that small chuckle formed into a loud and insane laugh. "Ichigo. I know what you're going to say. You love him and you'll never go with me. Didn't we go through this three years ago?" he asked, his grin growing wider. "Come on Ichigo, just tell me."

    He rushed at her, and teleported quickly, appearing in front of her with his swords crossed above her neck. Her eyes widened and she reached up to grab Kisshu's wrists. "Kisshu! There's nothing to tell! He's right there!"

    Kisshu whipped his head around expecting to see someone rushing at him. But there was no one. He looked back at Ichigo.

    "What are you talking about?" he asked. "Stop messing around, kitty. Your the toy, not me."

    Ichigo's face flushed with anger. Her body began to glow and Kisshu was thrown backwards. She was reacting to Mew Aqua? It must still be in the soul of the cherry tree. But why was she getting so emotional? His swords vanished and he fell onto the grass with a thud. He propped himself up with his elbows to see Ichigo standing in front of him.

    She slowly walked towards him and kneeled next to him when she reached him. She looked at him, her face serious. "Kisshu. It was you. It was always you." she murmured. "I didn't want to admit it. But..." she smiled and Kisshu saw that it was pained. "I couldn't tell you. I didn't want to leave my home so suddenly." Her calm facade faded and tears streamed down her face. "And all those times I heard you tell me how much you cared, it hurt, Kisshu. It hurt to know that you loved me too much and I was too scared."

    She shook her head and some of her tears splattered on Kisshu's face. He reached up and touched his cheeks, shivering as they ran down his fingers. "Ichigo." he whispered.

    He sat up and stared at her. She cared about him? Hesitantly, he reached his hand out towards her face. Swiftly, Ichigo snatched his hand and held it to her face with both hands.

    "I'm sorry Kisshu. I've hurt you so many times. You died once for me. I'm so sorry!"

    Without speaking, Kisshu leaned foward and stole another kiss from the fair Ichigo...