Aww guys! After such a wonderful response to my last chapter I had to update sooner rather then later! I can't help it, you just all make me so happy~!


Shibuya had only just managed to fall asleep when he was awoken to the sound of thumping. It was faint and almost sounded like defective pipes, but as it persisted, he became more and more sure that something was wrong. Sleepiness faded rapidly as he hustled out of the room and to the hallway. Lin, Ayako, and Monk had beaten him to it, and where already hammering on the door to the bathroom.

"Mai are you in there?" Ayako called, concern evident in her voice. There was no reply except the banding of fists on porcelain.

"Out of the way" Lin ordered, just as a scream sounded from the bathroom. Lin took a step back, before twisting and landing a heavy kick on the door, splintering it slightly as it shot open.

Shibuya ran in first, seeing the dirty dishevelled corpse like girl pushing Mai down.

It stopped fighting. Its hair fell in dirty clumps over its face, but it's dulled flesh and red eyes were visible. It turned its head fully, it's neck snapping echoed around the room. Its sickening sound imprinted into the minds of all who heard it and lingered far past it's welcome.

It was still for the longest moment.

A blood curdling cry broke the stillness, and it sprang at them.

Lin whistled.

Just before it could collide with Shibuya, a white light shot through it…

Before Shibuya could check up on Mai, Ayako ran forward. She snatched up a towel and held it in front of the bath so Mai could stand up with some modesty. She was covered in bruises.

Ayako wrapped Mai up in the towel, and Mai immediately started crying. She sobbed silently, the fright making her tremble like a defenseless animal. Ayako held her and let her cry against her chest.

She stayed like that for the longest moment. Sobbing being the only sound in the room.

"Are you OK Mai?" Shibuya asked, his voice soft and full of worry.

Mai froze. He called her Mai. She pulled away and looked at him.

Their eyes met, and Mai felt the fear gripping her dissipate. She nodded and forced herself to stand on her own.

Despite the towel being wrapped securely around her, there were plenty bruises and scrapes to see. Spanning her arms, shoulders and most likely her ribs and back.

"We will leave you to get dressed, but then you don't leave base unaccompanied" Shibuya sighed, not believing that she could possibly be OK after what just happened.

Mai wanted to argue, but that look in his eyes told her not to. She nodded. "OK"

~o0o~

Mai found herself very bored.

For about five hours she was sitting in base with Monk, John and whoever else wondered in from time to time.

She wanted to see her parents but wasn't comfortable asking anyone to come with her. Yasu had gone home to get some real rest, and everyone else would be burdened with the true sadness of her situation.

Mai flipped through the pages of the book on her lap, contemplating making tea.

And just when she decided that she couldn't be bothered, Shibuya walked in. Mai immediately stood, having completely changed her mind about making tea. "Afternoon Shibuya, sleep OK?" She asked kindly.

"Afternoon Taniyama" He didn't tell her that it was not easy to sleep after seeing what he saw. Mai had been uncovered for a split second, and her entire body looked like it had been beaten mercilessly.

Mai pouted, but didn't comment on the fact that Shibuya had stopped calling her by her first name. He was worried earlier, so it was probably an accident. "You got it boss" she smiled, unable to meet his eye.

She tried not to dwell on what happened earlier. The same thing had been happening for months, but they never tried to actually kill her before. That didn't matter. She was fine now, and despite being caught completely naked (apart from the bubbles) she would get over it.

She delivered the tea with a beaming smile. Shibuya looked up at her, before taking a long sip of steaming earl grey. Mai waited patiently for some kind of thank you, and when none came, she huffed, stuck out her tongue and gave tea to Lin. He muttered a polite thanks, and Shibuya smirked into his tea.

So, it was that easy to get a rise out of her? Good to know.

He tried not to let her see his upturned lip, but she still saw the amused glint in his eye.

Mai wasn't mad at him to begin with, but that glint stole the pout from her lips.

Shibuya would probably look really handsome if he smiled...

~o0o~

Mai rolled up her sleeves and got to cooking, with John and Yasu as her cooking assistants. She forced them into matching pink aprons with frilly lace. They didn't fight her on the apron but Yasu put his foot down at the hairband. John tried it on but upon seeing his very girly reflection, had gently declined.

Mai joked along with them but was secretly a little jealous at how adorable John was. Shouldn't she be the cute one?

One amusing hour later, the pre-agreed roast dinner was served.

And it was really good.

"I know this probably isn't anywhere near as good as you are used to Shibuya-San" Mai smiled, speaking quietly as to not distract everyone from their animated conversations. They were such a lively bunch and Mai couldn't help but adore them.

"You've made this before?" Shibuya asked, matching her volume.

"My parents went to England for their honeymoon, so I guess I have an affinity for the culture" Mai admitted, smiling sadly. Talking about her parents always upset her a little.

"Have you ever been?" Shibuya whispered, noticing how well she used the cutlery. Monk had no such luck.

"No" Mai smiled. "But I will someday"

"Mai how do I use these?" Monk laughed, picking up the fork with the left hand, then the right and then the left again. "I'm stumped"

"I can get you chopsticks but that's probably going to be messy" Mai teased, holding her cutlery so he could see. "Try this"

Monk copied her... badly. Mai smiled at his attempt, and Ayako laughed at him. Monk looked like he was going to argue with her, but then started laughing himself. "I'll get there eventually"

"Sure, you will old man" Ayako mocked, smiling condescendingly. Monk stuck his tongue out.

"You have some nerve to call me old, you look twice my age" Monk shot back, watching the red mist darken Ayako's expression.

"TWICE YOUR AGE?!" She yelled, her appalled pitch high enough to break glass.

"You guys shouldn't be fighting in front of a client" John reminded in a small voice. Ayako huffed loudly and sat back down. She apparently rose with her voice.

Mai didn't seem to mind. She was smiling, her eyes sparking with life at the out roar. "Please don't worry about me" Mai assured, wondering if her look of glee made her seem sadistic, after all, they were fighting. Mai was just so happy to see people in her home, being so energetic and happy.

Everyone mirrored Mai's smile, with the exception of the unsmiling boys in black.