A Lonely Lover

Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew.

Kish sat outside on a tree limb with his back turned while Ichigo got dressed. He stared straight out into the night not wanting Ichigo to suspect for even one second that he was peeping at her out of the corner of his eye. He wanted her to trust him, he wanted her to feel comfortable around him, and most of all, he wanted her to learn to love him.

Besides, even if he wanted to watch her dress that little fluff ball would surely be there ready to knock him out of the tree.

He sighed. He didn't want too but it made sense to ask the puff thing to come along to prove that he wasn't up to no good. It was going to take a while for Ichigo to get over the death of her 'old' boyfriend, as he liked to think of it. He couldn't rush her.

But her eyes.

His ears flopped downward. Her eyes had held such sadness. He hated to admit it but Ichigo had truly loved Masaya, not like boyfriend and girlfriend but . . . He swallowed hard. But like soul mates. It almost drove him to the edge with guilt, to the point of confessing his sin. The only thing that kept him from doing it was the knowledge that Ichigo wouldn't be any happier if he told her the truth. She would probably be worst off. He nodded to himself. That's right! He can right his wrong by making her happy again.

And no one would have to know.

"Kish?" Ichigo called. Kish turned around and saw Ichigo standing with her hands pressed down on the windowsill. She was wearing a pink t-shirt with a large red heart on the front. She had thrown on a red button-up sweater over it and was wearing an old pair of jeans. Since they were going flying she decided not to wear a skirt. Her hair was brushed and pulled back with red barrettes. He moved closer to the window. "You look very pretty, Ichigo," he said.

"Thanks," she said softly. Her eyes were still swollen from crying.

Kish turned around and bent over. "Climb onto my back and we'll get going. Oh, and you can bring, um, that," he quickly added pointing to Masha not quite sure what to call it. Masha zoomed down and tucked its self against Ichigo's neck.

"His name is Masha," Ichigo said. She climbed onto his back wrapping her legs around his waist. "Are you sure you can carry me, Kish?"

"Of course, I can!" Kish exclaimed cheerfully. He pushed away from the side of the house and they were up in the air. Ichigo gasped and wrapped her arms around his shoulders securely. Kish smiled. "You aren't afraid of heights, are you?"

"No," Ichigo said. She looked down as the cars and houses grew smaller and smaller. "I'm just not use to flying."

Kish circled around over her house. "If you want I can fly lower."

Ichigo thought it over for a moment. "But then people might see us. Just fly how you would usually if I wasn't here."

"Ok then. Hang on tight." Ichigo did so and Kish kicked it into high gear speeding through the air and spinning around in sideways loops. Ichigo screamed as he came out of a series of loops. "You alright?" He called back to her.

"Th. . that. . .was. . . scary," Ichigo stuttered her head wheeling with dizziness. Masha was tweetering loudly, scolding Kish for his brusqueness. "Next time warn me before you do something like that." Her palms were sweating and her hands were too tightly locked in place, otherwise she would have placed a comforting hand on Masha.

"Sorry," Kish said. They were silent then he said. "You want to do it again?"

"I don't know . . ."

"I'll take it slow. Just relax. I would never drop you."

"Okay." Kish tipped to the side but before Ichigo's weight could shift, he flipped over so they were flying upside down then flipped upwards again.

"Was that alright?"

"It wasn't that bad," Ichigo replied.

"It's better if we go faster." Kish did it again but this time they were flipped back over before Ichigo could blink an eye. "Like that?"

"Did anything happen?" Ichigo asked. He had executed the move so smoothly; she hadn't even realized she had been upside down.

Kish laughed. "Pay attention, silly kitty. Or you'll miss out on all the fun." He looked down and spotted an area of park land that stretched out below them. "Like this!" He swooped down like an eagle and came up so he could even himself out to be parallel with the ground. There were trees all around them with low laying and twisted branches. He flew past them, twisting and turning, curving and ducking over and under the outstretched branches. He made certain to time everything to make sure he wouldn't have to make any sharp turns that would frighten Ichigo. It was hard to concentrate. He wanted to listen to Ichigo's ooh's and awe's and whoa's. There was no alarm in her voice. He felt like she was enjoying herself. The trees ended and he gained altitude. "Now, how was that?"

Ichigo was speechless. Even Masha didn't have anything to tweeter about. "Uh, Ichigo." Kish was afraid she had fainted.

"It was, it was," she gasped. "So cool! That was neat, Kish!"

A wide grin burst out on Kish's face. "You think so?"

"Yeah, I don't know how to describe it. It was like being on a roller coaster without the stomach flops."

"Was it the coolest thing you'd ever experienced?"

"Well," Ichigo was quiet again. No, it wasn't. The coolest thing was going out with Masaya for the very first time and feeling her stomach do flips because she was going out with Masaya! It had been the biggest thing to ever happen to her. Back then, she couldn't have even imagined actually being Masaya's girlfriend or holding his hand or kissing his lips. Tears welled up in her eyes. Oh no! What was she doing? She shouldn't be doing this. She should be at home getting ready for a funeral. How dare she have fun at a time like this!

"Ichigo?" Kish asked.

"I sorry Kish, but I. . ." Ichigo trailed off.

"That's ok, Ichigo," Kish said. "This will top that." He pointed down and Ichigo wiped the tears from her eyes to clear her vision only to be blinded by the glowing lights reaching up towards them.

They were flying sky high over Tokyo.

Ichigo had to gasp for air. It was so beautiful. She took in all the lights: neon pinks, blues, yellows, and greens. Some blinking, some staying still. The sounds of the cars down below were barely audible all the way up there but it was such a relief to be on top of the noise and away from the busyness of the world. She was like a spectator, sitting back and watching as other peoples' lives past as opposed to watching her own. She was no longer Ichigo. Ichigo was back at home in her bed. Now she was no one with no problems, no fears, no worries. She could relax and be free from the troubles of the past twenty-four hours.

Kish didn't speak but watched Ichigo out of the corner of his eye. Her face was so close to his, in fact if he turned his head he would have been able to kiss her cheek and with Masha being on her other shoulder it probably wouldn't notice. Kish looked up ahead. No. Not so fast. He told himself he would take things slow. He spotted Tokyo Tower (not that it was hard to miss) and decided to land there so Ichigo could have a break from flying and take in the sights around her. He rose up higher and landed gently on a wide perch to act as their observation deck. Ichigo climbed off his back and they stood side by side watching the glow of the lights of Tokyo. Masha hovered over their heads but was quiet, taking in the sight for himself.

Ichigo was trying to decide for herself who she was. Was she Ichigo Momomiya, leader of the Mew Mews, suffering in light of her boyfriend's death or was she someone else? Had she become a different person because she was feeling happy? Was it even possible for Ichigo Momomiya to be happy again?

"Ichigo," Kish whispered. "Do you want to go to the other side of town and see the lights there?"

Ichigo looked at him. He had called her Ichigo. Then it must be true. She wasn't someone else, wasn't free of her sadness. She was still Ichigo Momomiya. She looked down upon the beauty of Tokyo. Masaya would have loved looking out over Tokyo like this. A fresh batch of tears welled up in her eyes. And this time, nothing was going to stop them from spilling over. Masha was quick to be under her chin giving her all the comfort its small body could provide. "Oh Masha!" she cried as she pressed it against her face.

Kish reached out to touch her but hesitated. "Do you want to go home, Ichigo?" he asked.

Ichigo nodded as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes only managing to smear them across her face.

"Then I'll carry you," he said. He picked her up in his arms and took off from the tower. The fly back wasn't as eventful as it had been to Tokyo and it was quieter. The window to Ichigo's room was still open and Kish landed on the tree limb that was even with it and helped Ichigo step inside.

"I'm sorry, Kish," Ichigo said. "I probably ruined it for you."

"Nah, I was just hoping to cheer up my favorite kitten." He wanted to lean in to kiss her so badly but refrained from doing so. "Get some sleep and," To hell with it! He took her small hand in his and kissed her knuckles lightly, "if you need someone to talk to just call out my name. I'll hear you." He released her hand and descended to the ground. Ichigo turned away from the window. Masha circled around the room to make sure nothing was out of place before settling on the bed post. Ichigo flopped on her bed.

Maybe it was still possible that everything had been just a dream?

To Be Continued:

BlueDragonGirl1: Ok, I couldn't remember for sure if Masha was a he or an it so if anyone can tell me I would greatly appreciate it. This chapter is kinda boring, I know, but it was supposed to be mushy. R&R!