What is happiness?

A Tokyo Mew Mew fic by Saki5.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew or its characters [sniffs] But Ryou is so cute! [cuddles] I got the part of the plot from Pita Ten and sadly, I don't own that either.

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Lesson 1: How to say Hello

"Ichigo you're in trouble!" A tall girl exclaimed as she opened the door to her sister's study, "Ichigo!" The room was cluttered with books scattered on every inch of the floor, pencils and papers thrown about the room in a distasteful manner, and a few odd objects laying about here and there.

A pink-haired girl sat in the middle of the mess, her palm upright as she called forth an object, "Flower Nya!" Her tiny wings drooping as she failed another granting. "I'm not very good." She sulked as she set the cactus beside the sliding glass door. "Ichigo!" Her ears perked at the call, "Yes big sister?" The taller sibling made her way across the room, her long purple hair flowing behind as she took even strides. "Ichigo, I got a call from the Academy, they say you flunked another final exam." Ichigo's wings drooped lower, "I tried REEEEEEEEEALLY hard but the questions were too hard! Are you mad at me Zakuro-nechan?" Zakuro couldn't help but smile at her sister's innocence, it was like wanting to coo at a new-born baby; something you just couldn't help but feel.

"I'm not mad at you but the Academy wants to send you to Earth to do some training." She poofed Ichigo an envelope, "Inside is information on your assignment." Ichigo carefully pulled the top flap back, not wanting to damage the contents within. She shook out a few pictures and papers; sitting cross-legged she began reading her assignment aloud, "To Miss Ichigo Momomiya from the Academy. We are aware that your skills needs some work so we are sending you to earth for some study-time. Your exams show you have lots of potential; however, you lack the basic knowledge of 'happiness'. 'Happiness' is your job and your must fully understand what it is before taking the exam. Your assignment on earth is to make the boy we have chosen happy. His happiness will help you discover what you lack. Information on this boy is listed on the following sheet of paper. Good luck Miss Ichigo Momomiya! Signed, the Academy."

Ichigo flipped the page, "Ryou Shirogane...that's it Nya?!" Her cheeks fumed at the nearly blank piece of paper, "They expect me to make him happy when I only get his name?!" Eyes darting to her sister as she noticed the other girl laughing at her naïve comment. "Ichigo, the Academy expects you to find out about him by becoming his friend. You'll feel better about it and may even have an easier time if you get to know him that way."

Having searched through her apron pocket Zakuro presented her sister with a key, "It's the key to your new apartment. I also packed a little surprise, with that said," She stood, "Time for you to pack!" Hopping up, Ichigo beamed, "I will do my best! I will make big sister very proud, I promise!"

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"This must be it." Ichigo checked the key's engraves number just to be sure. "204, yup-yup!" Inserting the key she turned the knob and pushed the door open. "Big sister said there would be a - oh it's all my stuff!" She locked the door and began searching the walls for a light switch. Upon finding one she flipped it on. Light illuminated the room; it was medium size with a low table, oak desk and chair, and a few other things from home. The entire apartment was five rooms; living area, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and storage. It wasn't as big as her house but this would have to be home. Ichigo began shuffling through a large box; pulling out her futon and comforter she dragged it to her new bedroom. "I don't remember this one, Nya." I also packed a little surprise. "Arigato Zakuro-nechan!" Upon pulling off the shiny red ribbon a pink ball of fluff popped out and cooed, "Masha!" Ichigo squealed and petted the floating creature. It purred and chirped, "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you! Name is Masha, name is Masha!" The pink-haired girl smiled and let the creature settle onto her palm as she introduced herself, "My name is Ichigo, it's nice to meet you too, Nya!"

The pink fluff floated off Ichigo's palm, its eyes grew wide and projected a video onto the white wall. "I see you found Masha; it's your new pet. Mom bought it for you a long time ago and told me that if she and dad should ever leave I'd give it to you when you were old enough. Since you'll be living on your own I'd say you're old enough. Masha can turn into a special laptop which we can communicate through. Good luck little sis." The video clicked off. Floating back over to Ichigo Masha's mouth grew wide as it dropped a checklist into Ichigo's lap. "Things to do. Unpack, introduce yourself to Ryou, get a job, make Ryou happy, pass exams." Clenching a fist she flashed Masha the 'v' sign, "I will do my very bestest!" Masha chirped and floated around the room happily.

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"Why do they have to give us so much homework?" The blonde sighed as he dropped his bag, not caring where it landed. "Oh, forgot to check the mail." With another sigh he stepped outside and fumbled through his pockets for the correct key. As soon as he pulled it from his grey pants it slipped out of his hand, the light clink as it bounced farther from the boy. Ryou was about to run after it but the copper object landed at Ichigo's feet; she had been dusting a small rug when it knocked into her white sandal. Ryou found it hard not to stare at the girl. She was pretty, shoulder-length pink hair, pink eyes, and a fluffy white dress with sandals. It was as if she jumped out of a fairytale.

"Here you go, Nya!" Ichigo smiled brightly as she handed Ryou his key. Upon recognizing the boy Ichigo jumped up and glomped the blonde, "You're Ryou! I was supposed to look for you!" Ryou was beyond shocked but not freaked out enough to run away. "Um, how do you know my name?" Ichigo perked and clapped her hands together. Their noses almost touching as she shoved her face up to his, "My name is Ichigo Momomiya and I am here to make you happy!" Getting the wrong impression Ryou blushed and ran back into his apartment. Ichigo frowned; her pink eyes threatening to tear over, "I made him scared...Su."

As she retreated back into the apartment Masha noticed Ichigo's sudden emotional change and floated over, its eyes softening in concern. [I shouldn't make Masha worry.] "Don't worry Masha, I'm okies. Can you turn into a lappytop; I need to talk to Zakuro-nechan." Masha gave a tweet and poofed into a laptop, the semi-transparent screen blinking as Zakuro answered, "Good evening little sis. So how are things on earth?" Ichigo sighed, "Not so good, I met Ryou-su but I made him scared and now I don't think he likes me...nya." Zakuro smiled, "Don't worry, Ichigo. Why don't you bake him something and say you're sorry for giving the wrong impression." Ichigo cheered, "Zakuro-nechan gives such good advice; I'll will bake cookies and tell Ryou-su sorry." Realization hit her and she frowned again, "But I don't have any stuffies to cook with and I don't have any money, Su." Her sister pointed out something that made the pink-haired girl smile. Ichigo thanked Zakuro again and allowed Masha to turn back into its fluffy form.

Rummaging through the boxes Ichigo found some cooking supplies and a purse with some money. "Zakuro-nechan is the bestest sister!" She cheered; swinging the purse onto her shoulder she left the apartment in search of the closest grocery store.

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"Yay, I got everything to bake Ryou-su some cookies!" Leaving the store with a bag of baking supplies Ichigo skipped home. "Cookies will make Ryou- su smile he'll will be happy!" Masha chirped. "That's right; I have to study some more, Nya! I have to make nechan proud! But exams are very far away so I have lots of time to study-wudy." Turning a corner Ichigo collided with something furry. "A doggie, Nya!" Ichigo laughed as it licked her cheek. A girl rounded the corner; her braded green hair flying wildly as she tried to catch up with the creature. "I'm so sorry!" She apologized, lifting the small dog from Ichigo. The pink-haired girl simply flashed a smile as she picked herself up. "It's okies; no scratches! My name is Ichigo Momomiya, it's nice ta meet ya and greet ya!" The girl look taken-aback, she didn't expect such kind behavior from a complete stranger. "Oh, my name is Lettuce Midorikawa. Again, I'm very sorry; you see I was walking my friend's dog and he just started running and I couldn't hold onto the leash." Ichigo bowed, "It's nice to meet you Lettuce-cha! I have to get going; gonna bake some cookies and if we bump into each other again I'll be sure to give you some. Have a safey-wafey walk home, Su!"

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"Yay I met two nice people! Well the doggie isn't a person but he was nice. Now for cookies!" Masha chirped and rested on the counter. "Can Masha have cookies too? Masha likes cookies, Masha likes cookies!" Ichigo grinned and she stirred the batter, "Masha gets to have as many cookies as she likes!" Masha have a gleeful tweet and flew around the living area; waiting for the cookies to be baked.

"Cookies are done!" Ichigo cheered, "I made lots of cookies because I want to give to all my new friends." Masha flew into the kitchen and snagged a cookie from the bowl. "Masha likes cookies; Masha likes Ichigo's cookies a lot!" Ichigo stacked a dozen cookies onto a colorful piece of yellow wrapping and tied the end with a piece of white ribbon. "Masha wishes Ichigo luck!"

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Ryou was finished washing dishes when the doorbell rang. "Who is it?" he called; discarding the apron as he opened the front door. Seeing the strange pink-haired girl Ryou almost closed the door but Ichigo's cry halted his actions. "I'm sorry for making you scared so I made cookies!" Ryou gave Ichigo a quick look-over. [She doesn't look threatening] "Come in," He offered; Ichigo nodded.

"You have a nice placey-wacey!" Her fascination grew as she twirled, taking in as much as she could to learn as much about the blonde as possible. "I guess," Ryou sighed. He wasn't used to company and the strange-talking Ichigo was making him quite nervous. Walking up to Ryou, Ichigo shoved her face just centimeters from his. "Thankies for letting me see your house but I gotta go unpack now, Su." Ryou began to sweat as his personal space was being severely violated, "Y-you just moved in, huh?" Ichigo backed away and walked over to the sliding door, "When I'm done unpacking I'll let you see my house!" She slid the glass door open and jumped on top the rounded railing. Ryou panicked, "Hey the door's over here! Get down before you fall and hurt yourself!" Ichigo smiled and Ryou ran up to her, "Tee-hee I forgot my key, but don't worry...after all, I'm an angel." Her wings appeared in a glittering fashion and extended, the silky-smooth feathers spread as she flew the short distance to her balcony.

Ryou looked on as Ichigo disappeared through her window. The roll of cookies clutched tightly in his hands.

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TBC! FYI alert! I reposted this chapter cause the first version was seriously pissing me off. Please review but keep in mind that flames aren't very nice.