Well, this is gonna be the first story written by so many authors at once. We shall not reveal just WHO is doing the writing. There's no fun in that. So sit back and enjoy.

The seven Mews, and their two accompanying boyfriends assembled in the basement of Café Mew Mew. The latest additions, Berry and Ringo squirmed a bit in nervous anticipation. Ringo especially, considering it was only a month ago that the Mews had come to her island home in search of Mew Aqua. 'Not only had they been temporarily re-untied with their former enemies, but had also found that she, young Ringo Akai, had been living on the island, alone. After the Mews had dealt with the aliens on the island, Ringo had asked to return to Japan with them. Thankfully, with a Japanese birth certificate, she could prove her citizenship, so there were no legal issues. And a month ago, she had contacted her brother, a West Point graduate, and currently serving in Iraq with the U.S. military. While he was surprised at Ringo's decision, he willingly gave Ichigo's parents temporary custody of Ringo, much to her and Ichigo's delight.

Berry was still a tad nervous after dealing with the Saint Rose Crusaders. However, her love with Tasuki proved more powerful than any magic they could use. Now, Ryou stood before them, looking ragged, tired and depressed, with Keiichiro standing next to him, a worried expression played over his face.

"I'll cut right to the chase," Ryou announced. "Three days ago, NASA caught an image on the Hubble Space Telescop," manipulating the keyboard behind him, he brought up an image of, what looked like a green shooting star.

"What is it?" Ichigo asked in awe.

"It looks pretty na do na," Purin injected.

"A similar image appeared a week before the Aliens invaded a year and a half ago," Ryou told them blankly.

"Wait, so that means," Reatsu began.

Ryou nodded solemnly. "Yes, they are returning,"

"Isn't that a good thing?" Berry asked. "I mean, you guys kinda made peace with them last time,"

"This is different now," Ryou told them grimly.

"First off," Keiichiro began. "When the Aliens left, they told us they would announce if they ever came for a visit."

"Second, they're not headed for Japan this time," Ryou interrupted. The girls and boys stared at him blankly. "The trajectory of that ship over the past three days implies that it's not coming to Tokyo, but rather, New York City,"

"In America?" Ringo asked.

"So now we need to uproot our entire lives, move to America, all learn English and fight these Aliens again?" Ichigo howled.

"No," Ryou told her flatly.

Ryou locked eyes with the seven girls. "I've asked too much of you already. You seven have risen to the challenge time and again. To ask you to fight again, is something I can't do with a clear conscious,"

"Shirogane," Ichigo began, astonished by what he said.

Ryou turned to Keiichiro. "I'll go to America myself, and set up a new Café. I'm relying on you to stay here and make sure nothing happens,"

"Shirognae," Keiichiro began.

"No 'buts,' no arguments. This is a burden I must bear alone," he looked up and smiled at him. "Besides, someone needs to watch the café,"

Keiichiro nodded sadly. "I have a sister in New York City, who will be more than happy to help you,"

Ryou nodded, a bit happier. "Contact her, see what she can do for me,"

"Shirogane," Ichigo began again.

"Ichigo," he replied.

She suddenly looked down and began curling the hem of her dress. "We'll miss you,"

"I'm not leaving yet baka," he told her with a quick laugh.

()()()

Three weeks of preparation found Ryou standing in the main lobby of Café Mew Mew, several luggage pieces around him, the Mews in front of him.

"Ryou," Zakuro stepped forward, extending a hand. "I'll say it's been an experience, and you are defiantly one of my better managers,"

"Thank you Zakuro-san,"

"Ryou onii-chan," Purin shouted, catching Ryou in a flying hug. "Purin is going to be so sad that you're not around," Ryou smiled, as he put her back on the floor.

"Don't be, I'll be back eventually,"

"Shirogane-san," Minto walked up to him, handing him a package of tea. "It's a personal favorite of mine. You always seem like someone who could relax a bit."

"I'll remember that, thank you Minto,"

"Shirognae," Berry and Ringo pulled him into a double hug. "Good luck with everything," they told him.

"Shirogane-san," Reatsu stood there, nervously writhing her hands.

"Yes," he asked.

She gasped, and looked up. "G-g-good luck," she told him, offering a 'peace' sign.

Ryou smiled, as Ichigo stormed up to him. "Shiro-baka, you're an annoying, perverted smart alek, and I can't stand you," she shouted, getting in his face. Then, to everyone's surprise, she pulled him into a hug.

"Open up to people. It can get lonely if you have no one to talk to," she released him, and went to stand over next to Masaya.

"I'll remember that," he then locked eyes with Masaya Aoyama.

"Aoyama-san," he began.

"Yes," Masaya replied.

"Take good care of her,"

Two honks from outside announced the arrival of Ryou's ride to the airport.

"Ryou," Keiichiro began. "My sister will meet you at the airport. She already rented out a store and apartment for you,"

"I assume you wired her to my account," he asked. Keiichiro nodded in reply. Then, even more sudden than Ichigo, he pulled his blond friend into a bone crushing embrace.

"Don't try and over burden yourself again. I'm here, and the computers are too. Ask me for help, please Ryou,"

As Keiichiro released him, he could see the look in Ryou's eyes. "Thank you old friend," he replied, before opening the main doors. He took one last, fleeting look at the café that had been both his life and home for so long, then walked down the cement path towards the car that would be the first leg in his next journey.