Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime.

Again, sorry if things look weird (ex: the same thing typed twice, etc.) my computer is acting up. XP

"Breakfast… yes…" I said without thinking. Well, I was still trying to wrap my mind around this small person named 'Kuga Natsuki'. She stared at me with expectant eyes as she continued to slouch her shoulders.

I slowly climbed off my bed, placing my feet firmly on the ground in fear of my legs buckling under my confusion. I brushed myself off slightly, as if taking off dust, and cleared my throat, placing my mask on my face before turning my whole to the tiny girl. "What would you like?" I asked in the most calm, controlled voice I could muster. Taking this situation as a test of self, I tried my hardest to ascertain the situation.

She simply scowled once more, "Oi, quit smiling like that. It creeps me out."

"Eh?" My eyes widened. Not to response I was expecting. I closed my eyes in deep thought. Surely, she was joking, correct?

"Whatever do you mean?" I try again, shrugging my shoulders slightly as if to give emphasis.

I heard her growl slightly before she took her hand and pointed directly at me, "That!" She sounded exasperated, "You can't honestly expect me to believe that's your real smile." She grumbled something to herself I couldn't hear before she sat down and started to slide down the pillow case, "Whatever. I'll just go make something myself."

I blinked, dumbfound as she started to make her trek through the mounds of bed-sheets towards the side of the bed. No one's ever questioned my way before. But before I could ponder any longer, I heard a yelp come from the opposite side of the bed, loud enough to pull me out of my reverie.

I looked up just in time to see Kuga fall off the ledge that was my bed. Actions before thoughts, "Natsuki!" I quickly jumped onto my bed, slid over, and reached out my hand, snatching the blue-haired girl before she could become the new addition to the wooden floors.

I let out a sigh of relief that I hadn't realized I was holding in as I brought the small creature to shoulder level.

"Need… air…" She strained, banging her small fist onto mine.

My eyebrows furrowed. What did she…? Oh! "I'm sorry!" I said before loosening the grip I had around her.

I heard her let in a long, loud gasp for air before several short ones followed. After she calmed down, she glared up for a second, then turned her face away, a small tint of pink coming onto her cheeks, "Thanks." She grumbled out in such a way I almost didn't understand.

Amused by the blush on her cheeks, I smirked slightly before giving into the sudden urge to manipulate words, "Of course," I started, nonchalant, "I can't have Natsuki falling to her doom, now can I? I wouldn't be much of a hostess for my guest, now would I?"

"S-shut up!" She growled, the tint darkening ever so slightly. She crossed her arms as best she could in my grasp.

I smiled, enjoying the moment as it was.

All was still for a second before her green eyes traveled up to my red and a slight smirk appeared on her face, "There!" She suddenly pointed up to my face once more.

I blinked, clearly confused. She must have sensed my uncertainty because she pressed on, "That one! That's a real smile!" She smirked victoriously as she stared up at me.

I blushed. I was caught and I couldn't take it back. I tilted my head downward and slightly to the side, bringing my hand up to my mouth as if ashamed. My red eyes wandered the floor as if it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

What I was really doing was hiding my smile. For some reason, if felt good that someone, or something (I don't know if she's human yet) could see through my perfectly mended facade. 'Refreshing' was the first word I could come up with to describe this feeling.

I was once again brought back to reality via her rough voice, "What do you want? I'll have that."

I looked back down at Natsuki, "Nah?" My hand lowered from my mouth.

"For breakfast. I wanna taste what you make."

I ponder this for a moment, then nodded, heading off towards the kitchen, with Kuga still in my hands. She trembled slightly and clung onto my thumb as I passed in strides towards the kitchenette, uncharacteristically eager to cook something.

I placed her down firmly on the counter and started to take out the necessary items needed to cook a regular breakfast meal. I washed my hands and she followed suit; I had to make a platform with my hand so she could reach the water faucet. Finally, I got the utensils and began my work. Green eyes watched in obvious fascination as I made everything from scratch, clockwork was the way my hands worked as I've been doing this since I got to this school in my freshmen year.

"Natsuki?" I started. Something's been on my mind.

"Yeah?" She looked up.

"Are you…" I hesitated slightly before continuing, "human?"

She glared, huffing slightly before turning her body away from me. I stared at her back, slightly worried. Apparently, I've said something offending.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm just trying to establish the situation."

Her fuming ceased, she turned around, "'Establish'?" She had an amused grin on her face. "Who says 'establish'?"

I frowned, "I do."

She held her hands up defensively, "Okay, okay. Sorry." She then stuffed her hands into her pockets once more, "I am human. I know that much."

"And where did you come from?" I asked, maybe a little more rushed then I would have liked.

She gave me a dull stare, "Didn't I tell you I didn't know that much about myself."

"But —" I was about to bring up the fact that she herself said she came from 'somewhere', but decided against it. I let out a silent sigh as I placed the finishing product of my cooking onto a plate.

Natsuki looked up expectedly at me. I thought for a moment what she might be waiting for, and then it dawned on me. I walked over to an old sewing kit I used occasionally, took out a thimble and a small piece of cloth, and walked back over. I washed the thimble and placed it down on the counter next to my own cup. I filled the two and placed them both on a tray with the food. Natsuki climbed on before I even had to ask and I carried the tray over to the table, placing it down before I myself sat down.

Before I could even pick up my fork and knife, Natsuki was already chomping down at the eggs, "This is awesome!" She complimented after swallowing, just enough time in between her next full for a breath of air. I continued to watch her for a couple seconds in awe: either she was very starved or very gluttonous. I couldn't quite tell.

I shook my head slightly before starting to eat my own fill of the omelet. I looked down briefly just in time to see her face covered in omelet. I caught myself thinking what a cute scene was being displayed before me.

She must of felt my stare before she stopped and looked up at me, "What?" Childish curiosity was swirling in those viridian orbs as she stared up at me with pieces of egg dotting her cheeks and mouth; an image that would probably be imbedded into my memory forever more. "Something on my face?" She asked.

"Yes," I informed while looking away and lowering my fork and knife onto the platter, "You eyes, nose, mouth, ears," I continued while holding up the respective fingers as I counted.

She huffed and grumbled as I simply lifted my fork and knife once more before proceeding to eat.

She stopped after a bit and started to lift her licked-clean hands to her face. My eyes moved downwards to the small girl, a small mischievous smirk found its' way onto my features; I couldn't hold it back. She felt around her mouth and gasped, her eyes widened before she shot me a fierce stare, "You tricked me!" She exclaimed.

I just continued to cut away at the omelet, humming away as if I didn't hear anything, a small smile playing on my lips as I brought the food to my mouth and ate it.

"Oi!" She threw her arms about in a temper tantrum, "Don't ignore me!"

By that point, I couldn't hold my laughter in any more and it all just came out at once. After a bit, her face softened and she joined in.

When was the last time I laughed like this…?

After we calmed down, I mentioned getting ready for the day. She nodded her head and agreement as I pushed myself up from the table and took the tray and placed it in the sink — letting Natsuki jump onto the counter before that, mind you.

I thought for a moment, then came up with a plan. I flipped the switch on the stove on so I could boil water as I got a large mug out. Once the kettle started to whistle, I poured the water into the mug, "Let it cool for a bit, then you can have a bath." I instructed my plan.

She looked at me with an indifferent stare as she nodded.

I went off to get ready myself.

I came out in my Student Council addition clothing and look at her as she continued to dry her hair, her clothes on. "Hm..." I said thoughtfully as I stared at the counter, deep in thought.

She perked slightly at my mumbling, "What's up?" She asked.

"Well," I started to voice my thoughts, "I can't just leave you here when I go to school…" I trailed off.

"Then just take me," She said bluntly, looking strait at me after she lowered the cloth for drying her hair.

My eyes widened. So many things could go wrong if I took her with me! But then again, so many things could go wrong if I didn't take her with me. At least if she's with me, I can watch over her.

I sighed in defeat, "Alright."

She smiled brightly, obviously anxious to learn about what I do all day. I just hope she didn't set her expectations too high.

I was right this morning: Today really was going to be a long day…

Whoot! Chibi Natsuki with egg all around her mouth.

R&R please. X3