[America Mew Mew] Episode Twenty Nine

[ziriffic]

Y-yeah, I don't think I'll be able to wrap this up by thirty any more. e_e The characters just want to gab and gab and gab... but I think we're getting there? There is actually plot development in this one! And a battle! So yay?

Title: Episode Twenty Nine: The Perfect Saturday Morning
Fandom: ... let's call this OC fic
Summary: Primrose loves Saturday mornings! They're so peaceful and perfect... but what's Briar doing here, then?
Disclaimer: If you recognize someone from TMM, then they're not mine, okay?

The Wallace household was always busy on Saturday mornings. Today was no exception. The family thrived on the endless energy of the children as they scurried from one floor to another and even tried to harness this lawful chaos into household chores. (It usually failed, much to the mother's chagrin)

Primrose loved Saturday mornings. She lazily walked barefoot around the first floor of her house and cheerfully noted each new difference as she passed by it. There were the flowers blooming outside the living room window! Look at how her baby sister eagerly colors the papers green, blue, and purple! Every new change was marvelous.

She could smell her father's famous blueberry pancakes. Drifting towards the kitchen, she eagerly stood on tip-toe as she grinned at him.

"Good morning, Daddy!"

Her father laughed as he flipped a pancake over effortlessly. Brushing back his own sandy blond hair, he called back, "Good morning, Prim. Did you sleep well?"

She nodded as she sat at the breakfast nook. "Uh-huh! Where's Mommy? Still sleeping?"

Her father gestured towards the door. "One of your friends is here, actually. Did you invite him over?"

Primrose blinked as she rose from the comfortable wooden chair. Shaking her head, she solemnly walked over to the front door. This was weird. Saturday mornings were usually reserved for the family. It was her chance for her to re-organize her priorities and get her life in check!

It usually wasn't socializing time. And she certainly didn't invite a boy over! She shrugged at her father before looking to see who had interrupted her precious family time.

The boy looked normal enough as he leaned against the door. His maple brown hair was casually styled in a loose rat-tail, and his clean polo shirt and khakis indicated that he was at least brought up with manners. Primrose couldn't help smiling at the rope bracelets and casual flip-flops.

"Good morning," She chirped to this newcomer. "Um..."

"Briar," The boy finished as he smiled at them both. "It's so nice to finally meet Primrose's parents. Mrs. Wallace, I presume?"

Primrose stared at him.

He quickly gave her a glare when he was sure her parents weren't looking, and then returned the flawless smile as he walked through the door. Primrose was left behind with a completely dumbfounded look on her face.

Briar sighed before dragging her over to the corner of the nearby dining room.

"Why are you still staring like that?"

Primrose gestured towards him, "You were polite towards my mommy. You're not nice towards anyone, 'cept maybe for the plants."

Briar scoffed, "It's not exactly common sense to be rude towards your elders."

Primrose blinked, "Um, okay. But why're you here? And looking like that?"

"What," Briar sneered, "Do I look ugly or something?"

Primrose shook her head as she took his hand and squeezed it lightly. Still clinging slightly to him, she whispered, "You always look really handsome."

Briar immediately let go, his face red as he looked away and muttered, "You humans really are all the same."

Coughing, he added, "I need to go to the flower shop. You said you'd take me, remember?"

"Of course! It's just... you said, um..."

"Times've changed," Briar cut her off with a look. "I have no choice. It's either come as your guest or break in."

"Break in? Like you're having a party or something?"

Wow, she really was naive. Briar couldn't help rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms. "Jeez. But can you ask your dad if he can give us a ride?"

"Easily," Primrose smiled. "But could you wait until the afternoon?"

"Um, sure. Why?"

"Because Saturday mornings are family time," Primrose proudly declared as she ushered Briar to the door. "Okay?"

Briar couldn't help chuckling as he found the Wallace front door slamming shut behind him. She really was a weird child - putting her family first before everything? Even if she could keep an eye on her archenemy? (Well, she didn't see him as one. That might be why.)

He could easily hear Primrose stammer an excuse as she clung to her father; he could hear the laughter and scurrying of the other children in the rooms.

Taking one wistful glance, Briar stared at the content household before he floated off into the distance.

"Shame that it'll all have to come down later. Perhaps not all Earthlings are as evil as they look."

+

Summer really was the perfect time for relaxing. Roy couldn't help grinning as he sat outside on the grass; the weather was absolutely beautiful! The sun was shining, the birds were singing... and in a way, the flowers he'd planted were enthralled with the sunlight.

He could feel their emotions; he could sense that they absolutely loved the way everything was in sync.

Tilting his head to the side, he motioned towards himself. "You can come over, Noru. I'm not gonna bite."

The newcomer under the rose-adorned trellis shook his head slightly as he made his way over, "That's not what I was worried about."

Roy blinked, "Then what's up?"

Noru took a seat beside his friend, "You sure you're okay?"

Staring down at the stitches on his arm, Roy shrugged. "I'm okay for now. I don't know why Dad's freaking out all of a sudden. He knows stuff like this happens to me."

"He's your dad," Noru rolled his eyes. "Of course he's going to be worried about you."

Pressing his lips together, Noru added, "I'm sorry I can't be around more often. I heard about the Mew Project and uh... the injuries you and Ryler got from the treehuggers."

Roy glanced around his backyard quickly before replying, "You know, you can be more open about us. What we do. No one's really around."

"Yeah?" Noru scratched his cheek. "I was just brought into it. It's still so weird to think that you and Ryler can do what you do."

"You mean, my ability to speak plantese," Roy chuckled as he leaned in to gently touch rose petals. "Yeah, I guess it'd be weird."

Noru gave him a look. "You guess? I'm still a little shocked that you have this natural ability to talk to plants and even control them in battle. You're not even... like, half-elf or anything. Wait, does that even exist?"

"Of course," Roy scoffed. "And I don't mind how long it takes for you to get used to it. I don't really talk about my powers to the other girls."

"Because they'd take advantage of it," Noru guessed with a grin.

Roy finished, "Exactly!"

They laughed together, watching with some sense of awe as the flowers seemed to sway in perfect unison. (It wasn't even windy!)

"So," Noru finally asked, curling his legs under him, "Why'd you finally tell me about it? Is it because of Genbu?"

"It's exactly about Genbu," Roy noted as he took a gardening can and gently watered some nearby flowers. "Because you can summon him when you play with your spinning tops, you can access some form of magic. I don't think the others with animal spirits realize it, but... you're a kind of summoner."

"Sweet," Noru laughed. "I'm a mage too."

Roy stuck his tongue out, "Of course."

There was a slight lull in their conversation as Roy started to look over at the nearby Shirogane mansion. He sighed, "Hey. Have you seen either Shuu or Ryou?"

"Nope. Why?"

"Oh, mainly for Mew Project stuff," Roy shrugged as he stretched. "I really don't think Nel kidnapped them or anything. They would've texted me for help first."

The back door of Roy's house opened, and a blond man walked through the trellises to the two teenagers. He was similar to Noru in appearance, what with the wild blond hair flying about and the gentle blue eyes. Motioning to Noru, he smiled over at the two.

"Come, Minoru," The man called. "It's time to go."

Noru nodded, "Coming!"

He rose from his seat, patting Roy on the shoulder as he headed towards his father. "Good luck with the Project," He whispered in his friend's ear. "I'll be busy with my tournament, but please call me if you need any help, okay?"

Roy smiled as he mouthed back, "You've got it," to his younger friend.

Minoru's father laughed, "It's been a while since you've babysat him, hasn't it, Roy?"

"Yeah," Roy grinned. "I miss the little bugger. Have him come over more often."

Noru rolled his eyes, but waved as he and his father left the house through the backyard. Roy shook his head gently as he watched the two leave.

"Makes me wish I could still fight," Roy sighed as he stared down at his arm again. "But it's probably for the best. When was Dad giving me a ride to the flower shop again?"

+

Her son really wanted to work at the flower shop? On a Saturday morning? Liz couldn't help feeling completely overwhelmed and thrilled. Her Shuugo! Working alongside her with the flowers today! It was like a dream come true.

Shuu really seemed to like the flowers too. He cheerfully snipped the thorns off roses beside her; she could even hear him humming!

Kotoko laughed, "This is certainly a new development. What merits your presence, Shuugo?"

"I just wanted to help Mom," Shuugo shrugged with a laugh. "Is that really so special?"

"Considering that you could've slept in," Kokoto laughed, "Yes."

"Oh, come now," Liz sighed as she leaned on her best friend, "It's summer vacation. He's free to do whatever he wants on Saturday mornings now."

Shuu rolled his eyes at them both, "Awww, Mom, Auntie Kotoko!"

"Fine," Kokoto smiled as she finished arranging a bouquet, "I'll stop. You wanna take some flowers to the back for me?"

"Sure!"

Both women were taken aback by the boy's sudden eagerness to go there. (Was there really something interesting about the basement of their flower store?) They laughed, nodding weakly as they pointed to a fresh bouquet of roses and orchids.

Shuu cheerfully lifted the glass vase and hummed as he took them towards the back.

"That was weird," Kotoko commented as she watched the door slam behind Shuugo. "I guess he left his Game Boy here and was too proud to tell you."

"Probably," Liz sighed, placing a hand to her cheek. "Shuugo..."

Shuu rolled his eyes as the door finally slammed shut. It didn't take him long to put the bouquet in the fridge; he just had to open the door and wonder why he volunteered to work somewhere so cold in the middle of summer.

But his mom was partially right: he'd left something in the basement that he had to go see. He wasn't stupid enough to leave his Game Boy SP behind, but he was also smart enough to leave it in Fuu's capable care. Opening the back door, he followed the stairs down into the computer room. He glossed over the machinery to where his younger cousin was.

"Hey, did you run the tests on the sample Miles left us?"

Fuu nodded, his eyes never leaving his violin. "Uh-huh. I did exactly what you said, but I have no idea what the results were supposed to be like, so I just left it on for you."

"Kay," Shuu gave the thumbs-up as he walked over to the computer. "Thanks. You didn't tell niisan or Rovin about this, right?"

"Obviously," Fuu exasperatedly answered as he hummed the next few measures on his violin. "They probably wouldn't even believe us if we told them what happened." He paused, setting his instrument down as he walked over to his cousin.

"Is Ryou doing better?"

"Yeah," Shuu mumbled, his eyes still scanning the data. "He can't really walk, but Uncle Brett thinks it'll get better in a couple of days. Good thing Roy's dad is a doctor."

Fuu crossed his arms, "Okay. I haven't seen him since I caught him kissing his girlfriend, so I was wondering---"

"Whoa. You mean he was kissing Retasu?"

"If she's got green hair, yeah."

Shuu whistled, "I thought he'd never admit he liked her."

The redhead paused, reading the last lines of code to himself before he saved the details, printed them out, stuffed the pieces of paper in a nearby notebook, and turned the computer off. "I think I've got everything. Thanks for helping me out, Fuu. I really, really appreciate it."

"What're family for," Fuu smiled. "And besides, I really wanted in on the Mew Project! It was like you and Rovin and Ryler were like some big cult. Only me and Noru were left out."

"But we finally let Noru in on the other 'cult' we're part of," Shuu admitted as he turned to leave the room with his notebook in hand. "You know, about being mages?"

"Took us long enough," Fuu sighed as he picked up his instrument and followed his older cousin out. "I mean, he was going to find out eventually. We're not that great at keeping secrets!"

"Ssssh," Shuu pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't let Ryou hear you say that!"

"What," Fuu made a face. "Everyone knows he's the world's worst liar."

They walked up the dark staircase and started making their way through the back hallway. No one else was around, so Shuu added, "By the way. I'm calling Miles again."

Fuu stared as he continued walking, "What? Why?"

"You weren't here for the lecture, but the aliens were looking for a human. They needed him or her to help them reclaim Earth... and since Miles has this weird ability, I was hoping it wasn't him they were after."

Fuu shook his head, "Wow. Just because he happens to be dating Mimi..."

"Yeah, but he probably would've gotten roped into this anyway," Shuu sighed, gripping his notebook more tightly. "I talked to his dad the other day and found out that Mr. Alesci and Dad were more connected to the aliens than I thought."

The two boys stopped before the door linking the back to the rest of the flower shop. Fuu held his hand around the knob, but didn't open the door as he glanced over his shoulder at his cousin.

"You might want to give Aunt Liz a good excuse," He said. "I don't know how she'll take that news."

Shuu laughed nervously, "Oh, 'bout that. We haven't actually told her anything."

"Figures," Fuu snickered as he opened the door. "How much punishment do you think you'll get once she does?"

"Only God knows," Shuu stared up towards the ceiling. "I have a feeling I'll be grounded for life."

As they met the two women, Fuu politely bowed towards them as Shuu set his notebook on the counter. Nervously, Shuu cleared his throat as he moved closer to his mom. "Hey, Mom, I was wond---"

The door to the flower shop opened as two customers wandered in. Primrose wasn't supposed to be here today, but she'd dragged a boy along too?

"Hey-o," Primrose cheerfully called as her father also looked in too. "We wanted to buy some yellow roses for my mommy! Her birthday's coming up~"

She paused, watching as her father came towards Liz and Kotoko. Much to everyone's amazement, the three were able to strike a conversation about birthdays and flowers within seconds. Primrose waited a sec before she clung to Shuu's arm.

"Hey," She whispered in Shuu's ear. "I brought Briar with me~ Can you listen to him for a sec?"

Shuu frowned. Wait, she'd actually brought one of the aliens here? He couldn't very well take Briar to the back - that's where they kept the Mew Aqua sample. But he also couldn't just leave him like this... wasn't there a couple of tables toward the back that they could use?

Motioning for the two to follow him outside, Shuu called, "Hey, Professor Wallace! I'll buy Prim and her friend some ice cream. Come join us when you're done, okay?"

"Sure," Professor Wallace cheerfully called back as he watched the four children saunter outside the store and towards the ice cream parlor across the street. Sighing, he commented, "Liz, you really brought Shuugo up so well... he's extremely polite towards his elders."

Liz laughed, "Oh, we try," as the door to the flower store slammed shut.

Rolling his eyes, Briar commented, "We're not really buying ice cream, are we?"

"Nah," Fuu pointed towards the long line that trailed outside the door. "It wouldn't be much of a stretch to say we went elsewhere. But we wanted to talk somewhere where Aunt Liz's security cameras don't reach."

"Makes sense," Primrose nodded solemnly as the four took seats in a somewhat secluded area behind the flower shop. "So... Briar? What'd you want to ask Shuugo?"

Briar glared at her, "I wanted the blond and the orange-haired kid."

"They're sorta-kinda busy at the moment," Shuu shrugged. "I'm sorry, but can I do for today?"

Briar sized Shuugo up as he started to float. Crossing his legs, he finally mumbled, "I guess."

Primrose giggled as she saw a smile appear on the redhead's face.

"So," Shuu tilted his head to the side. "What'd you wanna ask? Cause if you don't have any for me... I sure have some for you."

There was a sudden glint in Briar's eyes. "Oh? What would you want to ask me?"

"Miles' mom was an alien too---"

"WHAT?"

Shuu had never seen Briar so angry. He jumped, staring back at the now enraged alien. The disguise the alien had been wearing burned up completely; there was even a jelly-like creature in the alien's hands! So it was battle-time?

"W-what's wrong," Primrose cried as she attempted to run towards him. Shuu and Fuu both held her back with firm arms and a, "Don't you dare!"

Briar hissed, "What's wrong with me? What's wrong? How 'bout that Miles kid actually being one of us? You're lying."

An alarm rang through the flower shop; Shuu glanced from the alarm to the suddenly smirking alien.

"... It was a trap," Shuu rubbed his temples. "You lured us out here so that Chive or whoever could get the sample."

"Bingo~" Briar smirked. "I didn't think you'd actually fall for it."

Fuu pulled out two drumsticks from his sleeves. "What do you think you--"

Shuu cut him off with a look. "Do you think I'm really that stupid?"

"Ah, well, I'm gonna celebrate," Briar yawned as he tossed a Chimera Anima at the nearest rat. He waited as the rat grew to an enormous size, then started to leave--

Fuu glared, tapping his drumsticks on the trash cans with ferocity. "Not so fast! Rainfall!"

Without warning, the sky groaned as rain began to fall from nowhere. Primrose cried out, "Mew Mew Primrose! Metamorpho-sis~"

In seconds, the boys thought they were going to be soaked. The rain was hitting pretty hard for something so random--- "Ribbon! Primrose Enforce!"

Oh, good. The barrier spared them from the weather! Briar death glared at Fuu, "... You were responsible for this, weren't you?"

Fuu smiled innocently, "Me? An innocent human? No way."

Shuu stuck his tongue out, watching as the rat attempted to strike for the barrier. It lunged; it howled as the barrier drove him back.

"Mew Prim, Fuu, keep Briar in line," Shuu found himself saying as he took a deep breath. "... I'm gonna kill the rat."

Mew Primrose and Briar stared as they watched Shuugo summon his dagger from seemingly out of nowhere and ran towards the Chimera Anima.

"No way," Briar whistled. "He really can fight."

Shaking his head, the alien started to disappear. Mew Primrose tackled him down - wait, this wasn't supposed to happen - as she called again, "Ribbon! Primrose Enforce!"

A familiar yellow ball surrounded him as the two were brought down safely to the aspalt. Fuu twirled the drumsticks in the air, "Sunshine!"

All that rain disappeared as the sun brilliantly shone above the buildings. Briar grumbled - he was so sure that the humans were changing the weather! - and furiously kicked the ball. It was to no avail; he found himself bouncing off all its walls.

Shuu backflipped to avoid the Chimera Anima as it lunged. He watched as it fell, then running towards it with his dagger held out. Stabbing its arm, he deeply threw the knife in... and watched with an almost terrified expression as the blood oozed out.

"Ewwwww," He muttered as he reached and brought the knife out. "I-I can't believe I did that."

Briar seized the moment and broke the ball with his own energy; the walls of the barrier shattered. Instinctively, Shuu and Fuu protected themselves from the blast by falling to the ground and creating their own barriers.

The shards flew all towards the Chimera Anima; it howled in pain as they all lodged themselves within. Shuu closed his eyes as he heard the all-too familiar final cry of pain... and then nothing. Mew Primrose slowly got up as she walked over to the fallen opponent. There, where a Chimera Anima should've been... were a jelly-like creature and a decreased rat.

She cried, "... Shuugo, why'd that have to happen?"

Fuu replied numbly, "Because Mew Mimi wasn't here. Only she and Mew Lettuce can purify Chimera Anima. Otherwise... to separate jellyfish from their victims, they have to die."

"S-so that's why we fight together," Mew Primrose whispered as she stared at the rat. "Because they'll die otherwise?"

Fuu and Shuugo solemnly nodded.

Mew Primrose wiped a tear, then held the jellyfish up to an incoming Masha. "... I'm sorry, mister rat. But you're up in the big cheese shop in the sky, right?"

Fuu whispered in his cousin's ear, "Isn't she being a bit overdramatic?"

"Well, she is sensitive," Shuu whispered back. "Let her be. It is just a rat."

Primrose de-transformed as she slowly walked back over to the two boys. She leaned on Fuu's arm for support as they made their way - finally! - to the ice cream parlor and towards the back of the line. (Not surprisingly, it was much shorter than it was just half an hour ago.)

They bought their ice cream (Shuu had mint chocolate chip, Fuu chose rocky road, and Prim had vanilla with sprinkles) and took a table outside. Fuu blinked as he looked up and saw Liz, Kokoto, and Professor Wallace cheerfully eating ice cream at the table beside them.

Professor Wallace blinked as he looked over at the three, "What took you so long?"

"Primrose saw a rat die," Fuu nonchalantly explained. "We had to take forever to make sure she calmed down."

Liz and Professor Wallace shared sympathic glances. "Prim's always been sensitive towards stuff like that," Professor Wallace finally replied. "Even towards rats and chipmunks. But she's always telling me to make them go away! She's quite the odd child."

"I'll say," Shuu sighed, trying to push a sleeping Primrose off his shoulder. In the end, however, he let her sleep as he took a bite out of his ice cream. "... Hey, mom? What happened to the flower shop? I heard the alarm go off."

Liz frowned as she stared at her son, "... I didn't hear the alarm. Danny? Kotoko? Did you?"

Both adults shook their heads as they turned to glance at each other. Liz sighed, "Perhaps you're hearing things again, Shuugo."

Shuu nervously laughed, "Perhaps. Sorry to have worried you."

Fuu frowned as he whispered, "Do you think it was---"

"Yeah," Shuu sighed. "I think we're going to have to tell Rovin and niisan now. But first, let's check on Miles and see if he's okay?"

Fuu slowly nodded, "You've got it."

Staring down at his ice cream, Shuugo sighed but put another spoonful into his mouth. The ice cream was amazing, but... it just couldn't take his mind off today's events. What exactly had turned a wonderful Saturday morning into something so horrific? Perhaps he was better off not knowing.