Konnichiwa! Did ya miss me? I hope so! Cause if that's the case, chapter 5 is waiting for you. This time, we're having Kish say the disclaimer. Take it away!

Kish: I'm glad she doesn't own Tokyo Mew Mew! She paired Ichigo with Ryou! She's supposed to be MY kitty!

Me: Sorry, Kish, but the IchigoxRyou pairing is my favorite!

Kish: It's not fair!

Chapter 5

Ichigo stealthily tip toed to Ryou's bed in her kitten form and silently hopped onto it. I can't believe I'm doing this! she noiselessly cursed herself, Well, here goes… She oh so slowly bent down to kiss Ryou while chanting in her head, It's not a real kiss… It's not a real kiss… Then a hand shot out and grabbed her middle and gently held her up in the air.

"Couldn't resist?" a certain male taunted. "Come on. I'll put you out." After opening his door, Ryou gave Ichigo a light peck on the lips and let her go as she transformed into a human again. Just as the blonde turned around to reenter his room, the cat girl stopped him.

She piped out, "Um, Ryou?"

"Yeah?" he sighed.

"Th-thanks… I guess," she stated while blushing. Why is my heart pounding? I can barely breathe, it's beating so fast!

Shirogane smiled a triumphant smile and said, "See ya tomorrow."

"What! Tomorrow! I'm not working tomorrow!" she yelled defiantly.

"I didn't say you were. But you and the others are still gonna be here. You don't have to stay long, just make sure you're here at nine P.M. exactly."

"Huh? What for?" the perplexed girl wondered aloud.

"Just be here. Night, cat girl." He finally retired to his room, leaving Ichigo by herself.

Christmas Night; 9:00

Ichigo skipped into the café happily because she'd had a pretty good day. She quickly spotted her friends and called out to them, "Hey guys!"

"What do you know? She's actually right on time!" Mint teased.

"You're here! Yippee!" Pudding cheered.

Lettuce shyly greeted, "Hello there, Ichigo. Merry Christmas. How was your day?"

Ichigo suddenly beamed, "It was fantastic! I got a TV and DVD player for my room! And, and a bunch of movies! I am SO happy!" She jumped up and down with endless energy and spun around and around until she bumped into something… or SOMEONE, that is.

"Watch where you're goin, Strawberry!"

"Huh?" Ichigo turned around. "Oh, Ryou! Uh, sorry! I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. Haha…"

Ryou asked, "Is everyone here?"

Keiichiro answered, "It looks like it. Ready?"

The Mews added, "Yes!" Then the lights went out, and a Christmas tree was all that illuminated the large building. Flash! Strings of festive lights that were hung from the ceiling glowed brightly. Soft music filled the café with serenity and Pie and Tart appeared in front of Zakuro and Pudding.

Tart exclaimed, "This is a day just for the Mew Mews!"

"Zakuro?" Pie took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

Mint declared, "Wow! That's so unlike you, Pie! It's like you're being sweet. Aww…"

An ecstatic Pudding called, "Come on, Tar-Tar! I wanna dance too!"

In a far corner Ichigo whispered to Ryou, "Did you set all this up?" After receiving a slight nod, she giggled girlishly, "You really do have a nice side." She elbowed him gently. "Don't ya?"

Back on the dance floor Kish decided to show himself, but Mint refused to let him bother Ichigo and forced him to dance with her instead. Regardless, they enjoyed themselves because they didn't have to fight anymore. Keiichiro offered to dance with Lettuce since she had been far too shy to ask anyone herself.

Ryou glanced at everyone that was dancing and then back at the girl standing next to him. "We're the only ones just standing around. That means I'm stuck dancing with you, Strawberry. Come on."

"Wha?" she said. Ryou then tugged her into a slow dance. Momomiya blushed profusely, This is just like that time on his ship… And I think I like it even more this time… She unconsciously rested her head on his chest as they continued to dance. Unfortunately, though, the song came to an end and they came to a halt.

"Ichigo?"

She spoke almost inaudibly, "Yes?"

"Whatever you do, don't look up. You should probably just walk away now."

"Why?" She looked up. M-mistletoe?

Ryou scolded, "What did I just tell you?" But before she could answer, he placed a feather-light kiss on her soft, pink lips.

Mint caught this and almost tripped over her own feet. "Oh my God!" This caused everyone else to turn and look, including Kish, who just about had a heart attack.

Totally oblivious to Mint's statement, Ichigo gazed into Ryou's blue orbs to find an emotion she never saw in them before. "Love?" she accidentally questioned aloud.

"Yes, Strawberry?" he grinned devilishly.

"Stupid! I wasn't calling you that! I just wanted to know if that look in your eyes…" She trailed off.

"I know you weren't, Strawberry. Anyhow, I have to go take care of something. See you later." Managing to avoid answering her question, he headed up the staircase to his room.

That look was love, she thought with glee, And he may not ever tell me, but I'm positive he cares. Knowing that makes me happier than anything… maybe I'll let him know sometime. Paying no attention to the looks she got from her friends, Ichigo skipped out the café doors and down the street to her house.

End Chapter 5

That's it for this story! But I've written a sequel! Please read it!