Hi!

Just want to say how sorry I am for not posting faster! First few weeks of school have been hectic and I've had enough stress to cause writer's block. So, when the lastest chapter ( even if it is fake translations) came out, I felt that I just HAD to get this one done. I love jasmine and I thought it sort of suited Naoto if she had to pick a flower. I mean, it's not to girly like lavender or rose, and its just simple and clean. But anyways, do review and tell me what you think! Criticism welcome!

And with no further blabbling, I do hope you read, enjoy, and review!

It had already become a daily routine, heading over to the church after delivering the newspaper and sitting down with Nill for a cup of tea.

It wasn't that she didn't want to stay at Buon Viaggio because she didn't like coffee; she had enough of it throughout the day. Yet, somehow that hot cup of jasmine tea Nill would bring, made it a little more special than anything else.

Naoto loved jasmine. It was just something about that light flowery scent that soothed her weariness and calmed her instantly. Nill, noticing how the swordswoman's appreciation for the flower, even went so far as to buy sprigs of jasmine and place them around the church.

They sat quietly in the church kitchen, admiring the september sunbeams that shone into the room. Mornings had become a special time for the two of them; the room still, yet light and joyful. Occasionally someone would join them, but most of the time they sat alone, enjoying their tea in silence.

Thus, her annoyance was apparent when the Bishop walked in, interrupting them from the peace they got from mornings with his loud obnoxious shouts of gibberish.

"Nill, my angel!" he cried excitedly. "Badou just dropped by. He says Granny Liza has another fresh patch of dresses for you to wear."

He turned to Naoto, the grin on his face almost sickening with perverted joy.

"Would you be so kind, Naoto, as to accompany her there? I would feel much better knowing that you went with her." he asked.

She sighed and consented, finishing the rest of her tea before getting up and reaching for her sword case. Bidding goodbye to the blind man, they set out for Granny Liza's place.

Naoto could see why the Bishop told her to go with the younger girl. Eyes followed them wherever they went, and she already has to cut off a few fingers before they even reached their destination.

"Stupid Pedophiles" she thought to herself, before shooting another threatening glare at some pervert across the street, who licked his lips.

Unfortunately, her protective streak ended up becoming a minor distraction, as she failed to notice a young woman running frantically with a coffee cup in her hand turning the corner.

The lukewarm coffee trickled down her jacket and her already bloodstained scarf. Naoto bit her lip in attempt to stay calm, giving a brief word of assurance that she was alright to the panicked woman.

With the stench of coffee all over her, she and Nill finally arrived at the small café. The little bell rang as the door opened, and the pair found themselves in the company of the tiny old woman, her assistants, and a certain white-haired albino.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, putting down her sword case. Granny Lisa had already fretted about the brown liquid that dripped from her scarf, but the swordswoman assured her that the stain was barely noticeable on the black jacket and she planned to head straight home after dropping Nill off.

Haine gave her a funny look. "The old woman asked me to pick up something for her." he replied. The cup of coffee in front of him remained untouched and Naoto glared at it with disgust. It had been quite an awful day, and all she wanted now was a nice cup of jasmine tea to calm her rousing anger.

A loud screech of a stool pulled her out of her thoughts and she looked up to see that Haine had stood up.

"I'm going to head home first" he announced. He turned to leave, but hesitated and glanced back towards her.

He sniffed. "How do you do it?" he asked her with a questioning stare.

Naoto looked back at him, confused. She had no clue about what he was saying, and the ambiguous question was trying her patience.

"What?" she snapped.

He gave her another odd look and leaned over, his hand gently holding a lock of her dark hair. The others were all in the back, unaware of the scene occurring outside. The café was silent, and all she could hear was the sound of their breathing.

"This" he answered, rubbing the silky black strands. "You get yourself into a huge mess and come out looking like shit," he gestured to the dark patch on her shirt.

"And yet," he added, leaning closer, his mouth almost brushing her neck. " You still smell of jasmine."

He could probably feel her pulse quicken as he inhaled softly. It lasted for only a second, before he swiftly released his hold on her and strolled out of the café.

Naoto closed her eyes and sighed. She was feeling all the more aggravated and once again wished for that nice cup of tea.

She didn't end up getting any tea, but she did bring home another bar of jasmine soap.

Fin.

Please review!