Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character otherwise the parings would be different.

So the characters are in the English dub version since they are easier to write. Enjoy and review.

Matt was walking home from the grocery store late at night. His father had called him earlier to inform him that he wouldn't be able to make it home today due to the overload of work, nonetheless he wanted to have enough food at home just in case. As he got on the train leading home he recognized a pink hat, only one person would wear that type of hat. He approached her and sat in the empty seat next to her without speaking. After realizing she hadn't noticed him he decided to speak up.

"Any particular reason why you are in a train with a bag full a clothes this late at night."

Mimi turned to her side. The familiar voice broke her train of thought and forced her to look at the sapphire eyes she had bypassed in the past but could now truly admire.

" Matt" she whispered and without warning she launched herself at him. How she needed someone familiar by her side.

Matt was taken aback. He had never been closed to Mimi, they would rarely communicate since there just hadn't been need for it. He awkwardly returned her embrace understanding that she needed comfort. He didn't talk much during the train ride other than offering his place for the night. The bag had said it all; he himself had ran away from home countless times only to return back in the end. He figured that if she stayed with him and thought things through she would come to her senses and return home. As he led her to his bedroom he reassured her he'd sleep on the floor. He left her alone with the kitchen as his next destination. Looks like there really would be a dinner for two after all. He went through the refrigerator to see what he could make and came to the conclusion that they needed more things than what was on the list.

'Thanks a lot dad, don't offer to do something if you aren't going to do it right'

He slammed the door frustrated having now to improvise something that wasn't his forte.

Mimi appreciated that Matt had given her, her space. She would have never expected that from him, any other of the guys, sure, but not him. From everyone in the group she had the impression that he was irritated by her, almost as if she didn't belong with the rest of them yet he had done this. She wondered what his reaction would be when he found out the reason for her running away. Outside something smelled good and her stomach willed her to go to the aroma. There she witness Matt in an apron decorated in hearts and ribbons. She couldn't help but giggle.

At the sound of her voice Matt turned, why was she laughing? He looked down, oh right, apron, why did he put it on again?

"Laugh while you can but don't forget who's cooking your dinner." He told her playfully; it was nice seeing a smile on her face.

"Can I help? I feel bad enough for intruding on you like this."

"You can set the table" he told her. It was a good thing his back was facing her otherwise he wouldn't have resisted laughing at the face she was probably making. Mimi was known for feeling she was the center of the earth, no scratch that of the universe not that it was completely her fault but rather her upbringing. She had always had everything handed to her and as a result she became the spoiled brat that she was, 'course she also had her good points and TK had taken a liking to her. He was shocked when he heard drawers being opened and utensils being pulled out. He turned to look at her.

"All done anything else you need help with"

He shook his head slowly. What? The little princess didn't mind doing unassuming tasks?

"No you can go wash up I'll be serving the food in a minute" he informed her.

She didn't wait for his instruction on where the bathroom was and went her way. It was almost like if she was at home, he didn't know whether to be irritated or amused.

When Mimi arrived back and took a look at the plate in front of her she knew fate had played a nasty joke on her. The food might have smelled good but it looked anything but eatable she feared the taste of it.

"Can I eat that?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course there are even seconds if you want more" Matt declared proudly.

It would be rude if she didn't eat what the host prepared for her she told herself and closing her eyes she took a bite of the questionable substance. She swallowed as fast as she could but the taste lingered in her mouth.

"So how was it?" He asked with a grin plastered in his face.

"That was the most disgusting thing I have ever swallowed in my life! Were you really trying to poison me for my remark!?" She responded sickened.

Ouch! She didn't have to say it like that but then again it was a prank to see if she would eat it. Not even TK was fooled by it and TK was pretty gullible. He was about to remove the plate when she had another bite. His eyes widened.

"Don't eat that! You said it was horrible so why eat it?"

"Because you made it. It's rude if I don't eat what the host made so I'll finish all of it but I won't go for seconds" she warned him.

Matt was struck with guilt. He was about to try and persuade her not to eat it when she pushed away the chair she was sitting at.

"WATER!!!!" Mimi searched restlessly in the small apartment for the one thing that would make the burn go away. Matt was holding the substance in a matter of seconds. She reached for the water and drank it in no time.

"What do you put in that thing?" she asked irritated.

"That's a secret now how's that finishing the whole plate thing huh?" he grinned at her.

"No way, I changed my mind that's not eatable you yourself haven't even tried it"

He laughed. It was too much to expect her to go through with her word. Oh well he would go without dinner again because there was no way in hell he would try his work of art.

"Fine but you wash the dishes" he informed her proudly, the dishes hadn't been washed for over a week.

"Fine" she was relieved that she would get off the hook with just that, she had feared he would kick her out. Unfortunately things never went smoothly for her, did they? The sink was loaded with dishes, how had she missed that? No matter, she got right to work and in half an hour she had them washed and dried by hand of course since their dishwasher was broken for over a year according to Matt. She retrieved to his room to gather her clothes and headed for the bathroom to change. As she came out she noticed Matt was waiting for her outside.

"I think it's time you give me an explanation of what you are hiding from. Maybe I can help." He seemed sincere and she really had no right to hide information from him.

"My parents…they want me to move to America with them. They told me today and said we would leave tomorrow. I don't want to go, I told them to go by themselves and leave me behind. That I would be alright but they refused so I-" she was stopped by Matt who shoved her against the wall.

"You spoiled little brat. What gives you the right to do that? Both of your parents are together and want to be with you and what do you do? You run away. I hate people like you that are blinded to what's right in front of them. They are your parents what could be more important than them? Didn't you cry for days when you thought you'd never see them again? So what now? They're suppose to be at your disposal for when you decide to summon them." He was aware that he was shaking her roughly but he didn't care at the moment.

Mimi should have known something like this would happen no one ever understood her. She got out of his hold and looked back at him fiercely. "You guys are!" he answered one of his questions.

"Okay! Yeah I cried bloody murder when I thought I'd never see them again but here we are now, not having to face those obstacles anymore. You know something? During that time I honestly considered you guy's my family and somehow I feel like losing all of you would hurt me more than my actual parents. If I leave I'll be crying worst than that over the lot of you all but I guess that doesn't mean anything to you, does it Matt? Pathetic isn't it especially because I'm usually a burden to you all. I'm sorry okay, I'm sory this time it had to be you who had to listen to my petty problems" With tears in her eyes she slammed the door of his room.

Matt didn't know what to do. He had screwed up obviously but he couldn't help it, when she began talking about her parents like that. He had wished his mother had taken them both instead of only TK or for his father to hold onto TK more but that hadn't been the case. After all these years he finally released some of the resentment that had build up, too bad it was on the wrong person. The phone rang and he went to answer it. Probably his dad reinstating he won't be coming home tonight.

"Hello"

"Matt have you seen Mimi?" Tai asked, his voice filled with concerned.

"Why?" he asked back.

"Because her parents are looking for her like crazy. She ran away but none of us have come in contact with her, you are our last hope so have you seen her"

"No, I haven't I don't think Mimi even knows where I live. But I'll give you a call if I see her."

"You do that, by the way tomorrow we are going to do a search party for her, are you in?"

"I'll try"

"K then bye"

"Bye Tai"

At that moment he noticed Mimi was standing at the door way of his room.

"Why didn't you tell him the truth?"

"It was none of my business" He answered with a shrug.

"Look I over reacted so if you want to stay you are free to do so for as long as you want. As long as dad doesn't find out"

"For real! Thanks I promise not to be a burden and it won't be that long a week, two tops. By that time mom and dad would come to their senses. Thank you" She couldn't help but hug him again and he seemed to genuinely return it.

The next day Matt received a call from Tai again about the search party for Mimi. He reluctantly got ready to attend to it because Mimi had given him a letter which he was to stumble upon in which she explained she was safe. As he headed for the door of the apartment he noticed a note directed to him from his father.

Came to get a change of clothes don't know when I'll be back. Take care.

He ignored it and continued to head to the door, after delivering the letter he would come back and sleep regardless of the time.

The moment Matt left Mimi got out of bed. She never liked to sleep in especially if she was in a place other than her house. As she got dressed she looked around and sighed. It would be a long day but what else could she do since she was free loading at a friend's house. Besides if she was to stay here for over a week this place needed to be tidied up.

Six hours. Matt had been away from his apartment for six hours now. He wondered if Mimi had gotten hungry. He carried a bag of instant food in his hand as he entered the key in the door. Once inside he tossed his jacket to where the couch was suppose to be but it wasn't there. He looked around and then inspected his key. Was it possible to have entered the wrong apartment, because surely this wasn't his. He was heading back to the door when he spotted a familiar figure wearing his clothes emphasis on the his.

"Wha-how- when what are you wearing?" He settled for the most obvious questioned. As he stared back at her he noticed a blush creeping up in her cheeks. Kinda cute, no this isn't the time for that.

"You you see I was going to do the laundry and thought it be weird if they saw a girl so I dressed as a boy. Hope you don't mind I didn't think it would matter." She answered half scared.

Matt looked around, this was his place "And the stuff? I had stuff here."

"I picked everything up, I threw away all the junk that wasn't necessary. Everything is now where it's suppose to be. You don't have to thank me."

"Bu-but I liked how everything was arranged. It was easy to find. Now it will take me forever to locate what I'm looking for. Not to mention this is a guys apartment, I doubt dad will believe I cleaned it all."

Mimi glared back at him as much as she could "I slaved here for hours and you can't even offer a thank you. This place was a pigsty but if that's how you like it fine by me" She spread all the clothes she was carrying in the laundry basket around the living room floor.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Returning this place to its original state of course. Hmp." With that she went back to his room.

This was not fair. It was his place so why did it seem like she was the one making the rules. Matt was literally pulling at his hair. It was reasonable for him to react that way wasn't it? She was the one that had done unnecessary things. He took a deep breath and inhaled the aroma that came from the kitchen. Had she cooked something? He inspected the pot and ventured to taste it. It was the best home cooked meal he had tasted since the divorce of his parents. Okay now he felt guilty.

He picked up the clothes and folded them carefully something he rarely did. Then he entered his room waiting to see the damage she had done here. To his surprised there was no damage everything was as he had left it but organized.

"I didn't want to move your stuff around especially after I found your lyrics." She told him poutingly without looking at him.

"Look Mimi I'm sorry I've been a jerk lately to tell you the truth I don't know why I've been acting this way but I'm sorry."

She stared back at him "You really don't know why you've treated me like this? I figured it out already after thinking about it, it really did make sense. You want to hear my theory?"

He noded.

"Okay" She got up and was ready to tell him "You are mad at me because you don't want anyone to take care of you especially not a woman. Get over yourself Matt! Just because your mom left your dad doesn't mean you can't trust anyone around you. I don't know how you feel but I will tell you this much, all of your friends want to know the real you not the you that tries to be everyone's cushion. It's okay to rely on others and even if those people turn out to disappoint you at least you have the memories. And don't you dare deny it. I swear even TK feels that way. Oh another thing is that whole jealousy thing with Tai. The only reason why people look up to him and why he is such a great leader is because he has confidence in himself and because he's not afraid to show weakness in front of others. It's not a matter of who's better or worst I mean you don't see me comparing myself with Sora. I-"

"That's right because there is no comparison. You'll never be like her you're just a spoiled ditsy little princess which is why I get sick and tired of you expecting everyone to do as you command because of your angel face. You tell me to get over myself what about you, huh? Get down from the clouds and face reality you can't hide forever!!" Matt was breathless after that and panting heavily. He looked directly at Mimi and she smiled.

"Didn't it feel good to get that off your chest? I guess all you said was right on the mark but….. do you really think I have an angel face?"

Matt rolled his eyes and then they both laughed.

Matt spoke first, "Didn't you take offence in what I said?"

Mimi stopped laughing and her eyes became serene, "Matt you're my friend so you are allowed to be sincere with me and tell me when I'm being a brat to keep me in line. I mean yeah what you said hurt but you are right about everything. For one thing I know I can't just run away and I don't plan to for long. On another note I know I'll never be like Sora, she has so many admirable traits but you know what? So do I and I wouldn't change them for the world. Hey how about we eat now? I bet you are hungry. I cooked myself and have the cuts to prove it." She displayed her finger covered in band-aids.

"Mimi you-"

"Yep, and these cuts are my badges of honor so eat up"

"I didn't know you cooked"

"My either but there was a cook show on TV and I gave it a try. Thankfully all the ingredients were here its kinda fun you know. Oh Matt I saw the lyrics and your bass can I hear you sing? I mean I've heard you play the harmonica before but that's about it. Actually the sound of the harmonica had always had a calming effect on me, it was so reassuring. I wonder if it'll be the same with your voice. So please please please can you sing for me ."

Matt blushed. He hadn't performed in front of an audience and TK did not count as an audience. "Maybe some other time."

Mimi pouted again.

"Okay I guess. You know I'm a decent singer myself maybe we should try to start a band. What you think?"

"I hadn't thought of that. We'll see." They continued eating and having conversations about music which Mimi was pretty informed about.

It had been over a month since Mimi began staying at the Ishida residence without anyone suspecting. It hadn't been all that hard and they had both avoided the topic of her going back with her parents. Honestly they enjoyed each other's company a lot and life in the Ishida apartment had gone smoother with Mimi around even if one of them was not aware of her presence. Matt had began recruiting members of a band and would come every evening after holding auditions to a nice meal and a clean house. Today was no different or so he thought . As he went in he felt the lack of warmth the place had held since the arrival of Mimi. He then noticed a man and a woman in the living room. They were Mimi's parents.

"Matt, you're back. Thank goodness I was afraid I would leave without saying good-bye."

Matt turned to Mimi, she was leaving? Well to her house right? She had said her parent would go back to their senses. As if reading his mind she continued,

"America will be such a great experience. I talked it over with my parents and we decided to go together after all. I'll make sure to send post cards."

So she was leaving him. "Oh" was all he could say.

"Yeah thanks for letting me stay, I shouldn't have imposed on you for so long. Thanks for the advice of returning home as well. I guess you were right and all I needed was time to sort out my thoughts"

"That's what friends are for." He said trying to mask his feelings. How was it possible for her to smile like that at the news when a month ago she had ran away to not be shipped to America. A better question was why did he expect more?

"Have a safe trip." He told her.

"Right, I will and good luck with….everything"

He watched motionless as she and her parents left, strange they hadn't spoken to him to either thank him or scold him. It didn't matter anymore. To think he came in a hurry today to inform her that they had the line up of the band. That's how people are Matt they use you and then toss you when they don't need you anymore. He told himself.

Mimi didn't know how she did it but she managed to get out of the Ishida residence without crying.

Idiot, he didn't even care that you were leaving why are you crying now.

Her parents had found her by tracing the letter Matt had taken to their friends. Her parents appeared earlier that day and threaten her after she refused to go. If she didn't then they would place charges against both Matt and his father. She couldn't do that to him so she left.

Three months in New York her parents realized she wasn't getting any better so they had her return to Japan. As soon as the plane landed she took a cab to Matt's place. He wasn't home but she waited hiding in the shadows to surprise him. Hours passed and eventually he came home. She was about to approach him when she spotted none other than Sora. They were holding hands and she was carrying a grocery's bag. Stupid why did she think he would miss her. He didn't need her, no one did. The best thing for everyone was for her to disappear. America, she would return there at least she wouldn't be a burden to anyone there. That same night she took a plane back to the states vowing that the next time she met with her friends she would be strong enough to carry her own weight and maybe….. maybe even strong enough to support Matt and Sora.

**********What do you people say prequel to a story or just a one-shot?***********