Chapter 1

"What?" Mia asked with a yell! She was currently standing in front of her boss Shibuya Kazuya, more commonly known around the office as Naru.

"I thought you were at least smart enough, to hear me the first time, but apparently your as much as an idiot as I thought you were, so I will repeat myself once more." Her boss stated with an icy glare, "I will fire you, unless you improve your wardrobe, I will give you the afternoon off, to go get the new clothes, If you do show up tomorrow in an outfit similar to that one, I will fire you on the spot, understood." He finished as she nodded her head slowly, "Good, you may leave once you get me tea." And with that he turned his attention back to his paperwork. Mia turned sharply and walked out, only to slam the door in the process, what was with that narcissistic jerk thinking he could tell her what to wear! Once she got the tea going, mai leaned up against the counter, with a sigh. Things had not been so good financially lately for her, she had been barely making it before. Now this on top of other bills had to just pop up! She had already run through her emergency fund, was forced to shut off her electricity and cell phone. Ignoring the whistle of the kettle, she grabbed her coat, and walked out the door, to deep in thought to even notice. Closing the door behind her, she walked down the snow covered steps, and started her long trek home.

It was December, and there was snow everywhere, but she didn't even glance. Finally, reaching her apartment she walked into the cold distant room. It was dark, just the way she liked it. Walking to her room, she Grabbed her money that she had saved back for groceries, yep she was out of options. She had gone a couple days rationing her food, and she ate her last ramen cup today, thinking that after work she could go shopping. Sighing, yet again, she left her house, to go shopping for clothing.

Meanwhile at the office, Lin finally went out to the main room, only to find his pissed off boss standing there, making tea. Raising his eyebrows at the scene he walked on, almost going back to his office, when the door opened.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if I could have a word with you!" said a frantic man

Mia was exhausted, she had just finished her shopping, and had spent everything she had brought, literally everything. Yep food was definitely out of the question, sighing she went home, and packed new her clothes into a duffle bag, her tired intuition was bugging her to do so. Her stomach began to growl in protest, ignoring it, she went and took a shower in the dark. And crawled into bed having nothing to do. Staring at the ceiling, she could feel everything. Since her electricity was shut off, she had no heat, and it was a particularly cold night. She hadn't been running her heat at all this winter though, but it was still disheartening to see her own breath in her room. Pulling her blankets tighter around her, she succumbed to being numb. Which is the only emotion she felt anymore.

Mia was tired, so very tired, she couldn't tell if it was because of her new case of insomnia that had been happening, or the fact that by next year she wouldn't be here. She recently found out that she had cancer, and that it was too far along for them to do much. She couldn't afford kemo, hec she could barely afford her medicine. Sighing again, she closed her eyes and thought about her parents. 'I wonder if it hurt when they passed away?' A small tear escaped, and she laid there for hours just lost in thought. When 3am rolled around, mai got out of bed, and started getting ready for the day. Life seemed to short now, she thought about everything, that she always wanted to do, like get married, go to college, have children. So many things, that seem so distant now. She had made a realization a few weeks ago, when she had just found out, about her condition, that she didn't love naru. She had a crush on him, but it would always be one sided.

Looking at herself in the mirror, mai realized she had changed alot in the last year. She had grown more womanly, and filled out in the right places, her hair had grown a bit longer and was threatening to spill past her shoulders, and her face had a more grown up look on it. She looked paler than usual, but that was to be expected with her medicine being so strong, but her eyes betrayed her, they looked worn and tired. Not the bright ones she always had. She was sporting her new clothes, which consisted of a blue button down long sleeved shirt, and a black pencil skirt. She choose long sleeves because she didn't want to attract anymore attention to pale complection than necessary. Noticing it was a half past 6, she gabbed her coat, and started on her way to work. Even though no one spoke there, she had been beginning to realize that she missed being around people, even if they where mean to her.

Finally reaching the office, she wasn't shocked to find it already open, silently slipping in, she hung her coat up. Looking at the clock she noticed it was just turning 7:15, 'hmm I must have thought more than I should.' Walking into the kitchen she decided she would make tea for everyone, getting the water, she turned on the stove and placed the kettle on. 'I wonder who will make naru his tea, when I am not around?' she silently contemplated to herself. 'Being told you where going to die really gives you a new perspective on things, doesn't it?'

The kettle gave a whistle to let her know that it's job was finished, thus snapping her out of her thoughts. After the tea was finally to perfection, she took the two cups and walked towards the offices. Knocking on Lin's door, she heard the typing stop, and the door opened.

"Sorry for disturbing you, Lin-san, but I made some tea." She said holding out a cup for him, with a quiet 'thank you' he took the cup and closed the door, in her face. With a small smile, she turned and left to her boss's office, knocking on the door, she heard a small grunt coming from his office. Taking that as a 'come in' she opened the door to find naru, bent over his desk, sleeping. Walking quietly over she placed the steaming cup next to him, and laid his jacket over his shoulders, then turned and left. Walking back to her desk, she noticed a large stack of paperwork that wasn't there when she left. Sighing she took a seat and attacked the mound.

When the clock struck 10, she leaned back and stretched. 'Finally, I got it all done.' Picking up the stack she went to start fileing them. "I wonder why it is so quiet..." she quietly whispered to herself.

"Mai, Tea." could be heard coming from her boss's office.

'About time' Mia thought to herself, walking back to the kitchen she started her routine, yet again. After finishing it, she went about distributing the tea again, and picking up the extra cups. After receiving the go ahead from naru, she entered his office, and immediately felt his cold gaze on her. Walking to his desk, she sent down his tea, and was proceeding to pick up the other when he spoke.

"Where did you go yesterday? If you specifically remember, I said you may leave, after you make tea. You left without doing so." He stated glaring at her.

"Gomen, I forgot, and for that I am sorry." Mai said with a bow, in which case he just raised one eyebrow at her.

"I assume this is the clothing, in which you spent precious time away from work to buy." He said gesturing to her

"Hai." She said feeling upset, but not having enough energy to act upon it, "I hope it is to your standards."

"It is an improvement from what you were wearing, however you could do better." He stated then waved her away. She simply bowed and left with out a word. Which in turn, made him stop to stare at her retreating form. Something was off, and he couldn't figure it out.

'When five o'clock rolled around, Mai had finished everything that naru wanted her to do, and was currently taking his last cup of tea to him, before she left. As she was leaving, she heard naru say, "Tomorrow come, at 7, we will be leaving for a case, be on time." then a shut of a door. Sighing, she left the office, but didn't want to go home.

At home she was all alone in the darkness to dwell upon her hunger. Her stomach was now in a constant numbing pain, as she felt more and more of her energy leaving her. She decided to just walk around town, and enjoy watching the people. It made her feel better. Wandering for an hour or so, she reached an area of town she did not know. The streets weren't as crowded now, seeing it was dark, and the snow had picked up. Walking, she saw a church up a head, with a sign saying 'soup kitchen.' Her stomach growled at the thought, looking around she could tell there wasn't a ton of people. After standing there for another minute or so, her stomach growled even louder this time, finally giving in, she made her way towards to doors. Opening it slightly, she peeked her head in, and gave the room a once over.

There where a few homeless people sitting in the corner, near the heater, and where sipping soup. Other wise than that it was pretty much empty, tip towing into the room, she silently closed the door. The homeless people didn't even look her way, they continued to mumble to themselves. Walking slowly inside, she wasn't sure what she was supposed to be doing, after standing there for a few minutes, she walked towards the counter, and looked into the back area. There were a bunch of big pots, sitting on the oven, with steam coming from them.

"Eto, ummm..." she said looking around, she couldn't see anyone back there, there was a bell though sitting on the counter. 'Should I ring it?' she thought, as she looked around, some more, her stomach was growling so much it hurt. Wincing, she decided to give it a try, closing her eyes, she lightly tapped the bell. The pure sound echoed throughout the area, and a noise could be heard coming from the back round. The sound of clanking and a crash could be heard, followed by a 'yelp.' Then a rush of blonde came streaking out from the back room. Mai immediately recognized the boy turned to leave.

"Eto, you rang." came the voice of the Australian.

Mai froze in her spot, 'Crap, he noticed me..'

"Ummm...do I know you?" John asked, as he felt a familiarity about the woman. Mai turned and nervously laughed, at the young man, who was now in shock, at the sight of her. "Mai-san! What are you doing here?" the young priest asked in shock.

"Hehehe...long story, ummm not to be rude, but can I have some soup? Sorry I am just really hungry" she replied even more nervously than before.

"Sure..." replied john, whilst giving her a weird look, "Just a moment, go have a seat, I will bring it to you."

Turning around Mai looked around assessing the tables looking for the cleanest one. She really didn't want to get her new clothes dirty, since they where the things to get her in this situation. A few minutes later john emerged from the kitchen, with a bowl, and a plate. Walking over to the table he set it down, before muttering a quick "be right back" before disappearing back into the kitchen. It took everything in her power not to just eat it right then and there, with out any utensils. John re-emerged from the kitchen for the second time, with spoons, and another bowl.

"Sorry for the wait, you just reminded me I haven't eaten yet either." He said apologetically, looking at the sullen girl. He handed her spoon, and watched as she seemed to try to refrain herself from swallowing all of it then and there.

She shakily started to eat it as slow as she could possibly could, her hunger was itching to take over, but she was not going to appear weak in front of john.

"Mai-san, what is going on?" John asked, "I can tell, you haven't eaten anything in days." He asked worriedly, he usually wouldn't be so forward, but he wanted to know, why his friend was acting like this. She gulped down the last of her soup, slowly putting the bowl back on the table, she then casted her eyes downward. "Do you not have any food?" he asked quietly, which was replied by a small nod from the girl across from him.

"Can you tell me why?" He asked, this time taking her hand in his, and noticing how oddly cold it was. "Mai, please I just want to help." he voice betrayed him with a pleading sound.

"Do you promise, not to tell anyone?" her voice came out cracked and in a whisper.

"Mai, are you sure that is..." hewas saying only to be cut off by her again.

"Do you promise, to not tell a soul, promise on your faith, John!" she exclaimed quietly, there was a desperate look in her eyes, one he has never seen before. Closing his eyes, and praying he was making the right choice he replied, "Hai, Mai, I promise on my faith, that I will not tell a soul."

She gasped his hand tighter, "Thank you, John." a tear fell from her eyes ever so silently. John's heart ached, when he say this. What had happened to the Mai they all knew and loved, when had she gotten so sad? "But I don't want to talk here..." she trailed off.

Just then, the door opened. "Thanks, Father John for covering for me, but I am back now!" said a little old lady, and her husband, as they bowed towards the boy.

"No problem it was my pleasure." John stated as he stood and bowed back, then turning to mai he said," Stay here, I will take this back to the kitchen, and then we will go get dinner somewhere ok?" he finished with a smile. Mai nodded her head, and with that he was gone. Sitting there she was wondering if, she was doing the right thing, by telling someone. She didn't want to burden him, or anyone, but she guessed it was a little late for that considering, she came to his soup kitchen. There was no way she was getting out of this. John emerged yet again from the back, with a bow he thanked the old couple yet again, and walked towards mai.

"Are you ready?" and with a nod, they left.