Let’s just jump right back in where we left off, shall we? If you are unfamiliar with Once More please see my profile page for the link as this is a sequel. Please feel free to review it as well since I’m planning to go back and fix the kinks soon anyway ; ).

This takes place after the final battle in chapter 16and before the epilogue 3 years in the future. More fluff with a larger range of characters.

Kei/Keiichiro

Ichigo/Ryou

Purin/Taru-Taru

Rettasu/Pai

Possibly others…

Chapter One: The Beginning of the End

Several weeks had past since that cold November day when the Amatsu sisters had been defeated. It was now only two weeks from Christmas Eve and Tokyo was covered in the soft glow of white snow.

Kei’s black curls sparkled as the snow melted from them inside the warm café. She was greeted by her four younger friends in passing. They were rather busy at the moment with the swarm of customers looking for a yummy treat on a chili day. She snickered a little at the ridiculous reindeer costumes they wore.

“Welcome back.” Keiichiro was standing beside her, offering a warm cup of tea. Kei gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“What would I do with out you?” She smiled sweetly at him.

“Lead a slightly less adventurous life I suppose.” He winked before returning to the kitchen. Kei watched him walk away.

“It’s good to be home.” She sat quietly at one of the tables and sipped on her tea. Indeed, over the last five months the Café had become home. Ryou was becoming something of a little brother. Ichigo was the little sister she had always wanted. They others were equally as dear to her. In particular there was Keiichiro who had stolen her heart in a very short amount of time. Life, as it was, was good.

A short time later the café was closed for the evening—much to the delight of certain employees. Ichigo opened the back door and called for the new busboys.

“This is humiliating.” Kisshu and Taru-Taru came in with the mop and assortment of cleaning supplies.

“You guys know the deal,” commented Mint slowly sipping on her evening tea. “While Pai finds a way to go home, you two earn your keep.” Kisshu glared at her but took the rag from his younger friend anyway and began cleaning a table. The Amatsu sisters had captured the three aliens late in the battle to use as hostages causing them to be temporarily stranded. Of course, Kisshu had made it easy for them. It was he who had insisted on checking in on the girls (it was his pair of golden eyes observing them at Ichigo’s birthday party) making them easy targets for the Katja and her sisters.

“Get to work Taru-Taru,” teased Purin. He yelled back for her to stop bossing him around which resulted in an all out battle of 11-yr-old wit. Ichigo sighed. Usually it was Rettasu who broke up these little quarrels. She had left for her new school only a week after that final battle. When they group had parted at the airport, she promised to come back and continue with the fight. That promise was what held Ichigo strong. She didn’t like it when her friends left, but Zakuro had returned and she was confident Rettasu would as well.

“Here’s a little thank you for a job well done today girls.” Keiichiro smiled and presented them with a large layer cake with little sugar figures of them on top. “Where’s Kei,” he added looking around.

“She had a phone call.” Ryou came around the corner and spotted the cake. “They’re going to get fat and not be able to fight if you keep feeding them that.” Keiichiro smiled nervously and stepped back to a safe distance. Ryou shuddered at the angry stares.

“One of these days those girls are going to maul you Ryou,” scolded Kei coming down the stairs. “So boys, what’s this meeting about?” She sat at the table with the other girls and crossed her arms.

The two gentlemen grew serious for the moment. Their scanners had been showing new activity regarding Dr. Amatsu’s Chimera research—and Katja was still out there. Reyna, Ophelia, Cassandra, and Azura had all settled into regular Tokyo life. Shozou had been admitted to a mental institution soon after the battle.

“Did you research Katja Amatsu for us Kei?” Ryou looked at her expectantly. As usual, she didn’t disappoint. A thick manila folder hit the table. She raised a brow triumphantly.

“Graduated top of her class from UCLA. Got her masters and doctorate at Yale. Engineering, Genetics, and Biology. Age 23 years old, eldest of the five sisters. Went to work for her father while she worked on her degrees after graduating high school. Any specifics you need to know?” They stared at her.

“No, that’s a good start,” replied Keiichiro flipping through the papers.

“Just how do you get this information?” Zakuro looked at her with mild interest. Kei shrugged and simply replied connections.

“Do you really think it’s possible she plans to follow through on her threat of revenge?” Mint directed her question to both Ryou and Keiichiro, but neither seemed to have a response. For now it was hard to say. Still, there was definitely something going on.

The meeting over, Ryou offered Ichigo a ride home. Mint made a joke about them, which was her new nightly custom, resulting in the nightly argument between her and Ichigo. Zakuro scolded Mint making her cry. Taru-Taru made a comment about them which put Purin on the defensive resulting in yet another argument. Kei turned to Keiichiro and laughed.

“It’s just like being home.” There was a sadness in her voice that upset him. He led her from the chaos into the kitchen.

“Keiichiro… that phone call was from the company I work for.” She looked at the floor and leaned against the counter. “They’re impressed with my work… and they want to promote me.” Keiichiro was confused by something he would think to be good news. “The job is in Switzerland.”

“What are they talking about,” Mint whispered. Ichigo had her ear pressed against the door. They were all leaning in to catch a bit of the conversation. Ichigo shushed her. It was over though. Unsure of how to respond to the news Keiichiro excused himself and retreated to the basement to do some work.

“Kei-onee-sama… You’re not going to leave us too are you?” Purin looked up at her sadly. Kei let the door to the kitchen swing closed behind her. She ruffled the girl’s hair and smiled softly. She wasn’t sure yet. Ryou headed down the stairs after his friend.

“I suppose this puts a cramp in your plans?” Keiichiro sat in front of the monitors caressing a little black box in his right hand.

“She deserves the promotion. She should take it…” Ryou patted his friend on the shoulder.

“Take your own advice when it comes to women. Ask her the question… don’t pass up the opportunity to be happy.” Keiichiro pocketed the little box and shook his head. He couldn’t put that kind of pressure on her.

Upstairs the girls were further grilling Kei.

“I don’t know what to do guys,” she admitted.

“Don’t you want to stay here with us and Akasaka-sama?” Purin looked up at her hopefully again. Kei paused and nodded.

“He’s busy with his work though girls. He wouldn’t miss me too much if I left.” I’d sure miss him though, she thought.

- - - - - - - - - -

“If I ask her she may stay,” Keiichiro stated. Ryou sighed and leaned against the desk. Is that what you want, he asked. Keiichiro looked away.

- - - - - - - - -

“How can you say that? Keiichiro is crazy about you. He’s a whole different person now.” Zakuro was showing a surprising amount of interest for her normal stay-out-of-it attitude. Kei stared at her.

- - - - - - - - - -

“You’ll regret it if you don’t ask. That’s all I’m saying,” commented Ryou as he walked up the stairs. Keiichiro continued to stare blankly into the monitors, still not sure what was the right thing to do.