Just to warn you, this is my first fanfic story. Any mistakes please point them out, I won't get offended :) Please R&R


Chapter 1

There had been a wedding. The whys and wherefores are not relevant to this story, and it was just a coincidence that he had been to the wedding. A string of coincidences that would ultimately lead to his death. The wedding itself was not important, in the same way it was not important that a train derailment at the other end of Japan caused 132 deaths and several more injuries, or that a group of school children had passed the day counting butterflies on their school trip.

The important bit was the fact that the wedding party finished late, and the man drove home late. He was unhappy as it was a long drive, but he had known the groom for many years. To be honest, it was worth it to see his friend's happy face.

But now he was driving in the dark, in his old car, with the radio turned down low. He did not sing, as he was a serious man, and serious men do not sing. He concentrated on the road. Damn it, it was dark. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead. Rain lashed down on the windscreen, as the wipers went mad and water streamed across the windows.

The lights flashed on brown hide, and he swerved to avoid the deer. The car bounced off the grassy verge, and rolled forward as he tried to break. The car came to a standstill, and the man rested his head on the steering wheel. He coaxed the engine back to life, and switched to reverse gear. The wheels turned, trying to gain a purchase on the soft mud, but to no avail. After trying a few more times he gave up and opened his door.

His foot sank into the mud. He squelched around the car. There was no way he would shift it by himself, not to mention it was pouring down, and he was already soaked. He pulled out his mobile, but, no luck, it was dead. He ran a hand through his hair thinking. Hadn't he passed a house a couple of miles back?

He trudged to the edge of the road, and started walking. He stumbled many times in the dark, following the grassy verge. Occasionally a car would flash past, spraying him, but he was already so wet he didn't notice. Eventually he made it to the house. Well, mansion would be more appropriate. He almost smiled at the clichés, before ringing the doorbell. Well, not all the clichés had been fulfilled.

A young man answered. Blimey, the door even creaked ominously.

"My car got stuck in mud, and I was wondering if I could use your phone?" He asked.

"Are you a guest?" The young man asked.

"No. But my car broke down and..."

"Yes, of course. Um, this way..." The young man moved aside and he walked in. At least there was decent lighting in the entrance hall, he thought. The man lead him through twisting corridors, passing other non-descript men and women, all dressed in black and white. There were also men and women, dressed in dresses and suits, rushing past him. The house was alive with activity. He dodged and swerved. Surely they must have a phone nearer the entrance hall? Or was it his fatigue and endless stopping and starting that made the journey seem so long?

One time he even walked round the corner straight into a girl, who promptly fell backwards.

"I'm sorry..." He began.

"It's okay!" She cried gaily, jumping up again and smiling widely at him. She continued past him, the pale teenager in total black following her shot him an unreadable look from unusually blue eyes. After what seemed like an age to him, but in reality it was more like three minutes, they reached a phone that was out of the way of the general hustle and bustle. The young man wordlessly handed him the phone, then wandered off.

He picked up the phone and dialled. The woman on the other end picked up after the third ring.

"How was the wedding? When will you be back?" Were the first questions asked. The man explained the situation. There was silence on the other end.

"Do you need me to come and get you?"

"No no, I'll need someone to tow it. Then I'll..."

"You'll what? Catch a taxi? Pah! I'll collect you." She hung up on him. The man stared at phone for a few moments, before hanging it back on its base. Absentmindedly he drummed his fingers against the small table the phone was on.

It was very still in this part of the house. In fact, he couldn't hear any sounds of other people at all, just his own steady breathing. It was chilly here, and seemed to be getting colder and colder. He could see his breathe as a little cloud hanging in the air before him. Warily he looked around, his fingers stopped drumming. He moved down the corridor, his footsteps the loudest they had ever seemed. He could feel breathe on the back of his neck. His hair stood on end.

Panicking now, he started to run, the incessant breathing on his neck making him more and more terrified. He glanced back, and wished he hadn't. His body hit the floor, and his fingers would never drum again.


-A month earlier-

The alarm clock beeped annoyingly. Mai stretched out a hand and groped for the machine, hitting it to make it shut up. She stretched and yawned widely. After lying still for five minutes she strengthened her resolve and threw off the covers. About an hour later she sleepily stepped into the office, not bothering to apologise for being late.

"Mai, you're late. Make me some tea." A cool voice sailed through the door. She dumped her bag on her chair, and shuffled to the kitchen to fix tea. Well, you know the routine by now. A day full of filing and sorting was not an exciting prospect, and she was already wishing it was the end of the day.

As predicted the day was just as boring as usual until about midday, when Monk and Ayako strolled into the office. Well, Monk strolled, Ayako stormed. Mai meanwhile practically danced with delight, and ran up to hug them both. Ayako halted mid complaint to greet her.

"What's up?" Mai questioned. Monk grinned.

"She's just annoyed because she has to meet this girl she doesn't like. Apparently she's much younger and prettier then-!" He winced and raised his hand to the soon-to-be bruise.

"He could have said that you were much younger and prettier than her!" Mai said reproachfully.

"Humph. Anyway, I have to meet Aiko in a month. They're having a party..."

"I thought you liked parties?"

"I do, I just don't like her."

"How do you know Aiko-san anyway?"

"Basically her father owns the company which provides medical equipment for our hospital. And she happens to be the same age, so we have to be friends. And they've just moved into this new house, well mansion, and they're having a party, so of course I have to go and keep Aiko company." Monk and Mai backed away slyly. The italics and repetition of 'and' did not bode well for their health.

"My office hasn't changed into a cafe." Naru stood in the doorway, arms crossed and face expressionless. They sweat dropped.

"Strange, because you're always ordering tea..."

Naru glared at Monk. There was a silence. Naru sighed.

"Whatever." He retreated back into his office.

"The old man beat the young fry!" Monk threw himself onto the sofa grinning. Ayako clicked her fingers.

"I have the answer!"

"Hit me." Ayako smiled evily. "Hey, I didn't mean it literally! Ow!"

"Anyway," She continued, studying her nails, "I can invite you guys. Then I'll have to show you around and won't be able to talk to her."

"How long do you think it'll take to show us around?"

"I did say it was a mansion. I guess you can't help deafness in old age..." Ayako grinned. "I'll give you all invitations."

"Um, Ayako, you said all..." Mai butted in, a cute befuddled look on her face.

"Yeah?"

"You mean Naru and Lin-san will be coming too?"

"Why not?" She frowned as she spotted a miniscule mark on her otherwise perfect nails.

"You have met them right?"

"Duh."

"It's alright Jou-chan, we'll make them come. Leave it to us!" Monk patted her head, just as the door flew open and a certain pink haired woman floated in.

"You'll make who come to what?" She asked, smiling gently.

"Madoka!" Mai immediately jumped up and ran to hug her. Monk and Ayako exchanged a look. Their quest was about to get that much easier.

"Madoka-san!" They sidled up to her.

"Hello Takigawa-san, Matsuzaki-san." They all bowed. "I'll just go and tell Lin and Naru I'm here." She walked towards their offices.

"Do you think her and Lin-san are together?" Ayako whispered.

"If they are then if she comes he'll come, right? And Naru won't argue with her!" Monk grinned.

As soon as Madoka came out of their offices and made to leave Monk and Ayako accosted her.

"I was going to invite everyone to a party, and I was wondering if you could come?"

"I'd love to, but I'm only here for a week..." Their faces fell. "Well, maybe if I can't go, I can do something to make up for it?"

"Funny you should say that..." They couldn't believe their luck.

"Actually, I wanted to invite Lin-san and Naru too, but you know what they're like..."

"Oh, I see! No problem." She left as Monk and Ayako danced in victory. Mai smiled serenely.

Madoka lived up to her word, and Lin agreed to go to the party, as did Naru, though admittedly after more trouble. John agreed after a slight hesitation and the assurance that nothing too sinful was likely to happen, Masako was delighted (clearly she hadn't been asked to many before) and Yasuhara couldn't wait. Days went by, until there was only a week left. Mai couldn't shake off her nervousness, and try as the might; those butterflies in her stomach wouldn't disappear.

"Masako and I are going shopping to get something, you coming Mai?" Ayako called. It was a Friday, and everyone had dropped into the office. Really, you'd have thought they had something better to do.

Mai glanced at the clock. "But it's only 1!" She protested.

"I'm sure Naru won't mind. Why don't you go ask?"

"But I don't have any money..."

"Mai, we can pay for you. Go ask!" Masako nodded towards the forbidding door to Naru's office. Nervously Mai knocked said door.

"Come in."

Mai slowly opened the door, feeling her heart sink with every step. He's not going to say yes... she thought unhappily.

"Yes Mai?"

"Um...Ayako and Masako are going dress shopping...and, er, I was wondering if I could go with them?" Naru looked at her for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes!" Mai danced out of his office as a slightly puzzled Naru watched her. He had never understood this strange relationship between females and shopping.

Mai, Masako and Ayako spent a happy couple of hours trying on and comparing various dresses, while chatting merrily. Even Masako found her voice. I won't describe all the dresses they ploughed through, nor will I describe their final choices yet. It's enough to say that they were all very happy with their purchases, and returned to the office in very high spirits, refusing to show them to the insistent Monk and Yasuhara.

The week passed slowly, until next Staurday. Mai jumped out of bed, showered and ate at lightning speed, before dressing and catching the bus across town to Ayako's house. Masako arrived (by car obviously) a quarter of an hour later. They went through their beauty rituals, did each other's hair and nails, ate a snack, wriggled into their dresses, took one last look in the mirror and set off.