People forget my birthday even more now, ever since I became an orphan. Only my neighbor who was 85 years old when she died remeber and I was five at the time. I remeber my sixth birthday I stood at the door of my small apartment the orphanage had put me in cause I 'scared' some children around me. It wasn't my fault I could see what they couldn't. I remeber how heart broken I was and how I cried myself to sleep that night and woke up tried as hell the next day. It took me a while after that to understand that I would be getting no more presents. I made that same mistake when I was seven but after that I understood whole heartily that nothing would ever be given to me again. So I wasted no more time dreaming. My life was spent on school, half time jobs, and speaking with spirt that confined in my apartment. Now I'm 15 and today's that special bitter-sweet day. Waking up form my white sheeted bed I accepted happy birthday meow from the ghost cat that seemed to make his home on the edge of my bed and stumble my morning self into the bathroom. Wrapping myself in a soft robe and tying it I step out to see a young man sitting back int eh chair petting a dragon's head who was curled up beside the chair. I smile, "good morning Gene," I say, it wasn't the first time on my birthday he had come to see me. It was actually when I meet Naru that the man had a lot of explaining to do but I got over it in the past two years.

He turns to me and smiled, "good morning and happy birthday," he says getting to his feet earning an unpleased groan from the dragon who was having pleasure from having his scales scratched, "You were in the shower but my brother called you, listen to me Mai, Whatever happens don't let my brother get you down today."

"What did he say Gene," only accepting that I heard part of what he said, he should know I gave up long ago caring if people put me down or not.

"You have fifteen minutes to get to the office, SPR has a new mission they have to work on." I nod and walk into my bedroom leaving the door open, not like Gene hadn't seen me naked before, of course since he wasn't alive he didn't have a nose bleed but from the way his eyes popped out of their sockets you could tell. My hand runs over a bruise by accident and I wince. My how side seemed to be black and blue. My ex-boyfriend had come by last night. I couldn't stop him. Shaking my thoughts away from last night I change into some black mini skirt and black tank-top. It had become somewhat of a tradition to wear such dark colors on this day. It was sad day after all. I pack some comfy clothing and move back to my dresser. My eyes lock down on what seems to be a bellybutton ring. You know how the cliche tales have necklace passed down from generation to generation, well yeah, My tales like that only with a belly buttons ring. Gene laughed at me when he saw my face the first time I saw it. I smirk and stick it in with out flinching. It held a ruby stud in it. I pull my shirt down and grab my bag and toss it over my shoulder before writing a message and sticking it on my door, I turn to the ghost cat whom I had named Yume, "Yume watch the place while I'm gone please." I gained a meow and shut the door after turning the light off. The cats green eyes shown before blinking out.

I closed the door to SPR office and put my stuff down carful not to spill the coffee I had gotten on my way, I wasn't late, so he couldn't hold that against me but...

"Your early, what you get evicted form you apartment?"

Naru would always find someway to make me sour.

"No I did not," I replied my eye twitching out of the small act I usually put on infront of him, "I decided to come early so that you wouldn't nag me about being late."

"Then you can help Lin get the equipment packed, don't dawdle," he said, "oh and make me some tea." One crack to my ever cheerful heart.

I nod, "alright," I say going into the little kitchenette that we have and making some tea. I'm leaning up against the counter waiting for the tea kettle to whistle when Lin comes to the door.

"Mai-san?"

I turn around and smile to the twenty year old in the door way, "anything I can fix you Lin-san?" At least we're on a first name bases now.

"Its morning, he'll get less strict as the day goes on." I smile softly.

"I'll get you some fresh fruit and put it on your desk," I says gently pouring the tea, "would you like some tea as well?"

I can feel him smirk. I didn't need to turn around as he nods yes to me and continues out to the truck to pack things. I go to reach behind me but when I move my arm I yelp. Moving my arm back that far requires the help of my side, which as shown before was injured. I quickly retract my arm and turn around this time to pick up the cups on the island counter. I poor some tea and place it on the tray before taking it to Naru.

At first I was worried, what if they question me about my new choice of clothing but hell, its Lin sand and mr. stick-up his ass- narcist I'm talking about. They wouldn't notice; maybe lin would but he wouldn't say anything about it. I set the tray down on Lin's desk and put the plate of fruit on it. I had long discovered that Lin enjoyed fruit. Stealing a slice of apple for myself I took the tray into my hands. Lin didn't like sugar therefore he didn't need, however Naru on the other hand. I sometimes how a 18 year old could stand so much sugar. I went to leave the small office before I heard someone call me.

"Mai! Wow! What's with all the black?" I stop and sigh slightly smiling.

That's Bou-san. I turn to him and smile, "good morning to you too Monk-san,"

"MAI! TEA!" I hear Naru call and I flinch before he nods to me and I race off to supply Naru with his need for tea.

Entering into his office I set everything up for him before he returns from his bookshelf, "about time," he says sitting down, "It better not be cold." I can't promise that, I think to myself watching him add the whole cup of sugar to his tea. He takes a sip before putting it down. "Pour it out." I look up, "pour it out and make me some more and make sure it's hot when you deliver it." I clench the handle of the tray but load the tray back up before bowing and leaving. My whole body's trembling walking down the hall. I see Musako heading toward his office and I can't help but be disgusted, whatever did that girl see in him? But as I thought about it I figured that was what he needed, some little girl, submissive and willing to please to put down with his harsh words and glares. I enter into Lin's office and see that his plate is empty and his tea is gone. My feet move my body in there slowly, the gab of my leg was starting to hurt again. And then I remember I had forgotten to take my medicine. I sigh and put he tea cup on the tray, guess I would just have to live with the pain today. When I was younger I had tripped and my whole leg had somewhat dislocated itself, and I'd been on pain killers the rest of my life- at least until I could afford a good surgery job.

"Mai-san," I hear Lin cal me and I turn my head slightly.

"Hai Lin-san?"

"Thank you," he says from his bookshelf where he was going through a book. I can't help but smile but wordlessly I nod and leave so he can get back to his work. Though one thing changes as I leave and I know he notices it; it's that I was limping.