Elli hanged her head as she trudged along a quiet sidewalk. Every day she struggled to just get out of bed; some days she wondered what's even the point any more. It wasn't too long ago Elli's once happy life shattered around her. Everything she once knew had changed, gone like a summers breeze. Elli had only just moved to Tokyo a month before the events that shook her.

Elli remembered the events clearly in her head as if it was only yesterday. The phone call she received on that stormy night changed her life. Elli's family were to go out for dinner, something they had planned for awhile so they could all spend some time together. Unfortunately, on the day they were to go Elli had come down with the flu and couldn't go along with them; little did she know at the time that would be what saved her life.

As they were getting ready that night a sudden storm had hit. Elli didn't like the idea of her family going out in such a storm but they didn't want to cancel now after all the preparations it took to be able to get everyone together that night. Though they were saddened Elli couldn't join them. Her family said their goodbyes as they went out the door, little did they know it would be their final farewells. Elli was to never see them or their smiles again.

Elli laid quietly on her bed that night as the storm raged on, her thoughts were riddled with the safety of her family, if they were okay. As much as Elli tried to sleep she just couldn't, her body was too unsettled.

Finally, the phone call came, one she wished had never come. Elli's heart nearly stopped as she wondered who might be calling, she hoped it would be her mother letting her know they are okay.

Elli jumped out of bed and raced to answer the phone, her hands shook as she reached out for the phone. On the other end was an unfamiliar voice, Elli waited with baited breath to hear what they had to say.

As soon as she heard the words, 'I'm sorry but there has been an accident.' Elli felt the tears well up in her eyes, she hoped with all her heart they would be okay but what she heard next would tell otherwise, 'There were no survivors.' At that moment, time had come to a standstill, the phone slipped through her hands as she crumpled to the floor. It was like a living nightmare, one she would never awaken from no matter how much she screamed and cried nothing would change. Elli sat there in silence as the tears trickled down her swollen cheeks, she didn't have the strength to move and so she stayed like that the rest of the night.

After those events, Elli fell deep into depression. She had lived with her family her whole life and the sudden loss had sent her into an unbelievable amount of shock.

Everywhere she looked reminded her of what she once had, the smiling faces of her family.

Her younger brother and sister running around with joyful glee. Her parents standing side by side in the kitchen as they happily cooked together. All those are but distant memories, they are all Elli has left to remember them by. The house felt so empty now as if it reflected the loneliness she felt. And to make matters worse, Elli had been doing miserably at work thanks to her emotional state. Elli had only been employed for a short time and though they understood what she was going through they couldn't accept her sloppy work and so she was laid off. With no way to pay for rent, she was soon to lose the house as well.

Luckily her landlord was a kind old lady, she had given Elli six months to find a new job before she would have to ask her to leave. Elli was truly grateful to her kind gesture but she didn't know if she would be up to the task, would she even have the will, the motivation to want to find a new job and actually keep it?

Two weeks had passed since her landlord had given her the extra time to find a new job. Elli tried day after day, handing in resumes everywhere she went but so far has had no luck. Her attitude in finding work heavily contributed to why no one was hiring her. Never smiling at any of her interviews, Elli looked miserable wherever she went, she lost the will to smile. The companies were looking for someone reliable, someone who was cheery and upbeat, someone with a bright smile, Elli though was anything but that.

After another failed interview, Elli was almost in tears as she made her way home. Elli didn't want anyone seeing her look so miserable, seeing how much of a failure she was so she ducked down a back alley way to hide away. As soon as she was completely out of sight she let her tears flow freely, "I'm useless..." Elli breathed those words through her tears. She was ready to just give up. Elli didn't think she belonged in this world, she didn't have any friends or family, she had no one to support her. The loneliness she felt was slowly eating away at her as it clouded her heart.

As Elli stumbled along she heard voices not too far off. She had no idea who else might be going through the alley way. Not caring what might happen to herself, Elli headed off in the direction they were coming from, she used the voices as a guide to find their location. Soon enough, Elli found the owners of the voices. Not too far off in the alley way that met with a dead end stood three guys. Elli hid behind a wall as she peeked over to watch them. She surveyed the situation closely to see what was going on. Elli quickly realized two of the three people were not the kind of men you would have as friends.

They two men had cornered a young guy with red hair, it looked like they were trying to rob him. Unable to just stand by and watch a defenseless man get beaten up by two thugs, Elli decided she'd put her judo training to good use and even out the numbers.

"Hey! leave him alone!" Elli revealed herself as she ran towards the group.

They immediately focused their attention on her, they didn't look too happy by the surprise company.

"Huh... you shouldn't be here. It's too dangerous for a girl-" Elli cut off the young man before he could finish, she wasn't about to let someone put her down just because she was a female.

"So what if I'm a girl? I'm trained in judo. I can hold my own." Elli for the first time in ages had a glint of determination in her eyes. She wasn't about to let herself get shown up just because of her gender.

A smile crossed the young mans face from seeing her all fired up. Together they took on the thugs and eventually they made a hasty retreat.

"Haa... are you okay?" The young man asked as he looked Elli over, she nodded her head, assuring that she's fine.

"Phew. I'm glad that's over." The young man was hunched over with his hands on his knees as he took in deep breaths, "Thanks. You put up quite the fight. I might have underestimated you."

Elli also took in a few deep breathes, she too was relieved it was over, "It was nothing. I couldn't just stand by and watch you get beat up."

The young man laughed a little when something came to mind, "Hey, what were you doing walking through the back alley ways anyway? They are dangerous you know."

Elli jumped slightly at his question and averted her gaze, "That's none of your business..." Elli kept her mouth shut, she wasn't going to tell him anything when something occurred to her, she looked straight at him, "Besides, I could ask the same of you. Why were YOU walking through here?" Elli threw the question back at him. The young man stood there stunned before he shyly scratching his head as he nervously laughed.

"Ah, You got me. Well I guess I was lucky you did come along. I don't know what might have happened if you didn't. Oh, by the way my names Yamato. It's nice to meet you." Yamato smiled as he held his hand out to Elli.

Elli was shocked by his sudden gesture, she wasn't sure if she should take his hand or not. Hesitantly, she reached out her hand and placed it in his, "I'm Elli. It's nice to meet you too." Elli said as they shook hands.

"Why don't come with me? I have to thank you for saving me."

Elli's eyes widened at his sudden invitation. He was the first person to have asked her anywhere since she moved to Tokyo. Elli felt conflicted, she wasn't sure if she should accept his invitation or not.

'By all rights I should be dead too along with my family... Is it fair if I'm allowed to be happy while they no longer live?' Elli breathed a sigh, her head hurt from the thoughts that ran amok in it.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

"Waaa!"

Elli was brought back to reality as Yamato's voice rang through her ears. She was shocked to see his face right in front of hers.

"I-I'm sorry."

Elli bowed her head in apology for spacing out on him, "Okay, I'll join you."

Yamato smiled happily, "I didn't realize you were such an airhead but I'm glad you will come along. Oh, I was just thinking, are you new around here? I don't think I have seen you before." Yamato held a finger on his chin as he tried to recall if he had seen her before.

"I moved here a couple months ago."

"Aha," Yamato hit his hand with his other enclosed hand, "So you are new here. Well then I'll have to introduce you to all my friends. I'm sure they would love to meet you. Though one you better watch out for he is a bit of a flirt..." Yamato and Elli walked along side by side as Yamato went on to tell her about his friends.

Elli wasn't sure where life would take here from here on and just how much meeting Yamato would affect things. For now she would do her best to put on a brave face, hiding all her pain and sorrows behind a fake smile.

Elli didn't know how long she would be able to keep up the act or how long before she would break but this could be her first chance at making friends. Elli didn't want to jeopardize this chance at possible happiness so she planned to keep her past though how recent it might be a secret. Elli didn't want to affect others with her problems.

Yamato and Elli stood in front of a tall building, Yamato had led her along to what appeared to be a bar.

"Welcome to Long Island." Yamato said as he peered in through the glass, "We are in luck. It looks like the whole gang is in today."Yamato turned to face Elli and noticed she was slightly shaking and looked awfully nervous, "Hey, don't worry about anything. They are all nice guys. I'll protect you if anyone tries to make a move on you."

Yamato smiled reassuringly as he opened the door to the bar.