A/N: Hello everyone.

First and foremost I have to apologize. It makes me so happy that this story has so many faves and follows, and there I go making you wait months for an update. I really have no other excuse other than that I lost my motivation. I never once forgot about these fics and I always wanted to continue. So I will.

Earlier this year, someone very close in my family was diagnosed with something that turns life into a battle. That kind of drained me of any motivation to write.

But here I am back again. Thanks to those who PMed me (shout out to Nilex), you really gave me that final push to get off my lazy butt and write again. I'm so grateful.

Here we have chapter 3! This is the kind of chapter I needed to get back in the groove. It's a lot of set up for next chapter when things will really start to get going.

Hope you enjoy it!

Sachiko breathed in a sigh of relief as she stepped into the warm entrance of her home. The cold evening air had coated her lungs unpleasantly, and was melted away once the door closed behind her. Almost at once a motherly looking maid bustled through from the next room and hastened to take her coat.

"Miss Sachiko, let me take that for you. You must be cold too. Never mind dear I've run you a hot bath upstairs and your dinner will be available to you whenever you request it."

I'm treated like royalty…what have I really done to deserve all this? Be born into a rich family? I can only wonder what story that poor sweet girl would tell of her life…but perhaps I won't have to be alone in this…

Sachiko smiled wearily at her maid and surrendered the garment. Mai had been her personal maid for as long as she could remember. She was one of those few members of the household staff whom she actually considered to be like family. She was a plump woman with a kind, round face and honest eyes. Sachiko would not hesitate to ask her for advice from time to time, even more so than her own mother. She was roughly the same age as Sachiko's mother and yet she seemed so much older from all the time spent caring for others.

Mai and her driver Daisuke could always be relied upon in a tight spot. Though her father paid their salaries, Sachiko did not doubt for a moment that their loyalties lay with her.

"That all sounds wonderful Mai-san. I'll take full advantage of it straight away." Sachiko hesitated for a moment. She knew she could probably rely on Mai to help her, but was unsure of how to go about approaching the subject. The kindly woman noticed her apprehension.

"Sachiko dear," Mai lowered her voice to address her mistress in the more relaxed terms they shared in private, "Is there something else you needed? You seem distracted."

The heiress's eyes darted nervously to each of the archways leading off the atrium. "There is something I need Mai, but I can't talk to you about it here. Mother probably wouldn't like to here of it and god forbid it reach Father. Will you please come to my room this evening after dinner?"

Just as any loyal motherly figure would, Mai nodded firmly and reliably. She had nannied Sachiko since the girl was first learned to take her first ladylike steps and would not betray her for anything. "Of course dear, just so."

Sachiko couldn't help but smile at her potential new alliance. Mai would certainly be willing to help her. Turning toward the staircase, she was about to make the journey to her room when Mai's voiced called her back."

"Oh and Miss Sachiko, there was one thing I forgot to mention." The tone was apologetic enough that Sachiko didn't have to too guess to hard at what that thing might be. "It's your father. He said to tell you he wishes to speak with you. He will be returning from his business trip tomorrow and called ahead."

Suddenly the room wasn't as warm and pleasant as it had been a moment ago.

"Very well…there is not much use in avoiding it. I shall speak with him tomorrow evening but there shall be no further discussion of engagements to accelerate the family business. He should know by now that I'm immovable on the subject." Sachiko knew very well that she was mainly speaking to herself aloud at this point, preaching to the choir if you would. Mai had always been on her mistress's side concerning any forced marriages, but could not so openly boast her opinion to the master of the house. Such insubordination would see her tossed out onto the curb, bags and all, regardless of her decades of service.

"Of course Miss Sachiko, I shall let him know that he may expect you tomorrow evening." Mai smiled comfortingly at her, performed a quick departing bow and left the room.

I suppose I better go up for my bath now. It's no use sulking around wondering what Father wants from me this time, though it most likely isn't anything to rejoice over…

Reclined on her chaise lounge, eyes flickering towards her spacious surroundings, Sachiko was being tugged at by an unfamiliar emotion.

Guilt.

Logically she had no concrete reason to be feeling this way. She hadn't hurt anyone on purpose, or even by accident. She hadn't stolen anything or said cruel or hurtful things to anybody. She just felt guilty. Of where she was…who she was.

Dinner had been a quiet affair. Her mother was always rather subdued on the eve of her father's return. The dishes set before them were sumptuous and plentiful. There was so much choice that most of it remained untouched, and would be sent back after the dining had ended. Sachiko noticed for the first time, as though someone had pulled a bag off her head, just how wasteful and entitled she was.

She.

Me.

I'm a part of the problem. I only just realized.

Sachiko's eyes travelled around her enormous room.

Enormous room. Enormous bed. Enormous bath. Enormous dinner.

That's me…the daughter of the man with the most enormous company, enormous income and the most enormous opinion of himself…in all of Japan.

I'm no better. I expect certain things. I feel things are owed to me…just not the same things he does.

Sachiko couldn't be sure why she was having this sudden crisis of conscience. It had been a very strange day. She hadn't even remembered the girl on the street until a few hours ago. It wasn't like Sachiko had never seen a homeless person before. They were everywhere in the city. She'd seen them in every country she'd travelled to in her young life. This girl was different though, she hadn't just seen her…she'd seen her…noticed her. She hadn't looked through her like she'd been conditioned to do.

Her father despised anyone below a certain wage bracket. He was contemptuous even to people who obviously worked hard and provided a valuable service. She had once observed him sneering out the window of the First Class Cabin as the plane sat on the tarmac. The luggage handlers had been loading the bags into the cargo hold. Mr. Ogasawara had made some comment to the tune of "those unwashed lowlifes better have stowed my suitcases correctly." She had almost wanted to ask him whether he would rather be out there doing it himself but had chosen to purse he lips and remain silent.

It spoke highly of her character that she hadn't sunken to that level. She was aware that many aspects of her privileged lifestyle were seen to for her behind the scenes, but had never belittled anyone below her "station".

If her father was contemptuous about people with low-paying jobs, she didn't need to enquire further into what his opinion was of people who didn't have employment. Or even worse, people without homes or possessions. To him, not having immense liquid assets was distasteful…but not having any solid assets either, well that notion was just downright offensive to him.

That girl was very young, perhaps just old enough to have started high school. Sachiko couldn't see how she'd have any chance of employment in her current situation.

Yes, her current situation. Which you know nothing about Sachiko, because you didn't spare a moment on her the first time you saw her, and you couldn't make up your mind fast enough the second time…

A knock at the door broke her from her thoughts.

"Miss Sachiko, it's Mai. May I enter?"

"Yes, please do."

Mai closed the door softly behind her as Sachiko straightened herself up into a more dignified position. Even though she was very familiar with Mai, she had been hardwired to maintain decorum in all interpersonal interactions.

At the nod of her mistress's head, Mai took a seat opposite Sachiko in a fine embroidered armchair. Both immediately felt a sense of peace and comfort wash over them. Sachiko knew this was a safe place to be.

"Thank you for coming to see me Mai, I have something quite pressing to address…I just hope you'll be able to take me seriously."

Mai's eyebrows rose slightly. "I don't see what could possibly catch me off guard nowadays dearie. Why with the arranged engagement annulment fiasco you've gone through this year, ordinary teenage problems could hardly compare!"

"Well," Sachiko swallowed, "this isn't exactly a problem pertaining to me…per say."

"The Lillian Christmas Ball then! Oh it will be so marvelous Sachiko. If that's what you're stressed about I wouldn't worry in the slightest. You have a real eye for detail, everything will work out fine. Or is it the boys? You mentioned a while back that Hanadera might be involved. If so you are in no way obligated to-"

"Mai," Sachiko knew interrupting was rude but with Mai it was sometimes imperative.

"dance with any of them. I'd have half a mind to march down there and-"

"Mai!"

"Sachiko? Oh yes sorry dear, I got a bit carried away."

"That's perfectly alright and I am comforted by your concerns. However, as distasteful as I find the potentially gender inclusive ball," (she would always have a dark place in her heart for functions designed to push interaction with males), "it is not what bothers me now."

"It isn't? Is it school dearie? Have you found yourself a lovely young thing to be your petite soeur?"

Sachiko couldn't help but colour a little at the way her maid phrased the notion. Mai had a habit of being quite suggestive at times. It always made her feel a little warm inside though. Mai wasn't unintelligent. She hadn't missed the fact that Sachiko showed absolutely no interest in boys, neither romantically nor platonically. Her little teases were her subtle way of showing Sachiko she'd support whatever path she chose to take, whether it involved romance or not.

"No, it's not related to school in any way…but it does involve a person."

Sachiko was not surprised when Mai became even more intrigued at this. It was not secret between them that the heiress didn't have much going on outside of school. Her life consisted of home duties and school duties. There wasn't a lot of room in-between.

Mai gestured for her to continue.

"Well I was being driven to school by Daisuke-san this morning when…" Sachiko explained the encounter to Mai; even down to the clothes the girl was wearing (or lack of). She described the frailness of her body and the gentleness of her eyes. Her soft smile.

"And then I saw her again this afternoon. I'd completely forgotten about her but she was there in that same place. She looked so cold and alone. Nobody would even spare her a glance. I just can't stop thinking about her. I mean it's almost Christmas! The nights are already bitterly cold, but what will happen to her when the snow arrives? Where is she right now? Is she warm enough? Has she eaten anything today? Is she safe? She's a young girl alone on the streets, there's no way she could defend herself from some…from some bandof…of men!

I don't know how to help her Mai. I'm so tempted, the next time I see her, to just take her home with me! To keep her here somewhere and make her life better." Sachiko was trembling slightly from the intensity of her words. She'd even startled herself a little.

Where do these thoughts keep coming from? Is this all from inside my mind?

"Actually my dear, I think you'll find this is all from your heart." Mai was smiling at her so kindly she realized she'd just thought aloud.

"Sachiko dear, while this is unexpected, I wouldn't shy away from it. First things first, we need to establish what's going to happen next. Am I to understand that you fully intend to go through with helping this girl? I know you've only seen her today but if fate has pulled you towards her in such a way I believe we should let it."

"Yes Mai, I really do want to help her. She should be in school, making friends…not sitting on a cold street-corner fading away."

Mai frowned slightly. "You must understand that helping her may involve more than getting her into a school or providing her with money for food. Like you explained to me, you didn't actually speak to her. You know virtually nothing about her, not even her name. There is a possibility she might be mentally disabled in some way and requiring support for that. This poor dear has obviously had a rough start but regardless of how altruistic your intentions are, bringing a stranger home with you is not safe, for you or for her. You may think you are helping her but that may not be her idea of a knight in shining armour. I'm certain she'd be a bit wary of the whole "hey, I'm a complete stranger, get into my car and I'll feed you and give you a place to stay" routine from less than savory individuals."

Sachiko almost let out a little growl of frustration. "Oh I know it wouldn't be that simple…but I need a place to start. It's getting colder every day and I don't know how much longer she could last out there. You didn't see her Mai! So thin and pale. So tired…You're right of course, I couldn't just bring a stranger home. Father would absolutely- Father! How would this work with father coming back? If he so much as suspected I was doing something like this he'd probably arrange to have every homeless person in the city rounded up and driven to the next prefecture to 'be homeless' there instead."

"Oh dearie don't worry about your father, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but I think we can both agree that you'll need to get to know her before you go making any grand gestures of humanitarianism. I propose that you try and speak to her tomorrow morning, if she's there. You're in a public place so it should be safe to approach her. I'll make you up a delicious meal to give to her. Maybe a thermos of hot tea too. I can't guarantee she'll accept it but it shows a lot more care and thought than simply thrusting money into her hands." Mai slapped her hands over her knees, almost as to settle the matter.

"I like that idea a lot Mai. I can introduce myself properly and thank her for her help with my books. I'm certain we'll find something to talk about. If I can just find out her name I'll consider it a success." Sachiko's prim smile set with determination.

"That's the Ogasawara Drive that closes the business deals!" Mai chuckled at her mistress, "Just don't charge in too enthusiastically tomorrow or you'll frighten the poor thing away!"

Sachiko retired to bed that evening anticipating a very interesting next day. Of the two interactions she would be having the next day- shy homeless girl vs. intimidating father, Sachiko knew which she would rather have.

What she didn't know, was just how much more complicated her life was about to become.

A/N:

Boy, ixnay on the daddy issues right? Well there was my pathetic return! Hehe don't worry I won't leave you hanging for that long again if I can help it. I'm already keen to start the next chapter (will feature Yumi/Sachiko interaction).

Please fave or review and let me know your thoughts and what not. :) I'm also working on chapter 2 of my Mermaiden story for anyone who hasn't checked that one out yet.

Until next time my lovelies xx Thanks for being patient with me!