Hello to everybody! I thought that I should take a small brake with 'How it all began' and write something different this time…

So I decided to make a Mai/Reito/Mikoto fic and this is the first chapter!

Please be kind…

I REALLY REALLY need your reviews on this! So, please R&R!

BTW, this doesn't mean I won't continue my 'How it all began'… I just want to make you wait for chapter 8 a little bit more… hehehe!

My beta is was bit busy so I post it as it is… Sorry for the errors! I'm pretty sure there are some in this chapter… I should wait for him to check it by I couldn't wait more!

No more talking… Enjoy!

A second chance- Chapter 1
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"NO!"
The scream echoed in the dark room. She opened her eyes and looked around her. She closed them again. There was no meaning in keeping them open; darkness didn't allow her to see anything. Her mind started slowly distinguishing the dream from the reality. It was only a dream. Again. "Only a dream." Her low whisper was clearly heard in the complete silence.

Her dreams almost every night reminded her of what she was all day trying hard to forget. In her sleep she was going back in time, re-living all the facts that hurt her. They say that time can heal a person's wounds. Maybe others' wounds, not hers… In the night these wounds were open again and bleeding, just like then. The only difference was that there was more pain now…

Takumi dying in her hands, Tate disappearing before she had the chance to give him their first kiss, Mikoto betraying her and Reito … Reito was the vessel of Lord Kokuyou, the source of all this pain that the HiMEs and their most important persons had to go though.

Everything was over now. The world was saved. Even the people they believed dead had come back to life. And everyone was happy. Everyone… except her.

The bitter feeling of abandon was everything she had left from the Festival. She was alone and her life was a miserable repeating of the same exact actions that she was doing almost subconsciously. She rarely learned news of the other girls anymore. A few times going to Karaoke together, a few lunches and that's it; she was out of their life. She didn't know if they kept meeting without her… The only persons she kept seeing were Natsuki and Shizuru. But a long time had passed since their last meeting.

Somewhat the HiMEs had a kind of happy resolve with the whole Festival and were leaving a peaceful life. Some of them were married now, like Akira with Takumi and Akane with Kazuya. Akane had a really sweet daughter and she was perfect for the role of the caring mother. Some others were in a relationship like Haruka and Yukino or Natsuki and Shizuru. The last couple had a really hard time until Natsuki was able to accept her feelings for Shizuru. But everything turned out all right and they were living together now.

Distance had come even between her and the people she cared most in her life.

Tate was with Shiho now. He chose her during the Festival and he did the same thing after that as well. She had no hard feelings for him though. He wasn't her most important person anyway. The mind many times plays dirty tricks on people and this time was one of them. She had spent so much time believing that her feelings for him were love, but now she was able to see clearly that it wasn't.

She felt nothing when he told her to move on with her life, that he loved Shiho more than her, that he wanted to remain her friend. She felt nothing when she saw them together for the first time after that. Nothing like jealousy or hate for him. Not even for her. She used to hate her back then but she had no reason now. Tate was Shiho's from the beginning and Mai was blind enough not to see this.

Takumi wasn't her most precious person either. He was Akira's. Who was her most important person then? They said that when a HiME loses the person that matters most in her life, she also loses the ability to summon her Child or materialize her element.

Yet, she could do both after Takumi's death, even after Tate's death. Still, there was one more person in her life that meant a lot for her. Could it be that she was that important for Mai? Her most important person?

Mikoto. This little girl, always hungry for her food, resting her head on her chest, attacking her with Miroku, choosing Reito over her… Guilt. This was the only thing that she felt when she thought about Mikoto. She had caused so much pain to her! All due to stupid misunderstandings when she believed that Mikoto killed her brother and Tate. Hatred made her say words that she would regret for the rest of her life. Almost every night she dreamed Mikoto crying while following blindly her brother's orders…

Now they lived together in Reito's house. The same place she had spent that evening after Tate's death. She thought that Lord Kokuyou had made the girl so obsessed with her brother, but nothing changed after his destruction.

Mikoto had said that she wanted to be with him, to catch up for all these years that the siblings had spent separate and moved in his house. She packed all her things in the boxes and took them with her. Mai never accepted anyone else for her roommate after that, not even Natsuki who was trying hard to cheer her up. Mikoto had left and took everything with her. She never noticed that in these boxes she had packed Mai's life as well, together with all her belongings…

Mai turned on the light and looked at the clock beside her bed. 3:00 am. She should get back to sleep. In four hours she would have to get up and go to work. She turned off the light and closed her eyes, hoping that tonight's dreams were over…

The beeping sound of the alarm woke her up. The room was now lighted by the sunrays coming though the window. It was time to get up.

She pushed the covers away and got out of the bed. She repeated the same exact moves like every morning. A bath, wearing her clothes, a sip of tea and once again she was out of her house, going to work. Another meaningless day was about to begin.

The bus was crowded as always. People that she met every morning in that bus. Someone pushed her trying to get to the exit. She turned her head to get a look of him and then the phone rang. Trying to keep her balance in the moving bus, she put her hand in her purse and reached for her phone.

"Hello."

"Hi."

It was Natsuki. The usual morning call to see how her friend was doing. They never said much, but Mai was always happy to hear her voice.

"How is it going? Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm all right. How are you?"

"I'm at work. My boss has loaded tons of work on my shoulders again."

"And Shizuru?"

"I left her back at home sleeping. But she must be awake now. Well, Mai do you want to have lunch together after work? Shizuru will be late today. I think she has something to do at school. She told me she won't be back before seven."

There were always invitations coming from the couple, asking Mai to have dinner together or go to the movies. At first Mai accepted, but when she was with them, seeing them together like that, she couldn't help but thinking about her own life and that hurt. A lot. Sadly they were the only moments that she felt alive. That wasn't enough for Mai. She felt like living their lives and Mai didn't want to live others' lives. She wanted a life of her own. She stopped accepting the invitations after the second time they went out together…

"Mai? What do you say?"

Natsuki would be alone this time, just like the old times back at school. Only that this time a certain person would be missing… She had said 'no' so many times to Natsuki, but Natsuki always insisted calling her to make sure she was ok. She had a kind heart after all… Natsuki would never admit it openly, afraid that it might ruin her image of the tough girl, but she cared for Mai and Mai was thankful for that.

"Ok, I'll come. Meet me at the KFC's at three."

"Thank you." Mai couldn't see Natsuki's face but she was sure that the woman was smiling.

She hung up and looked through the window to realize that she had missed her bus stop. She pushed the button and waited for the next stop. The doors opened in front of her and she got out of the bus. She'd have to walk to work, but it was ok since the weather was fine.

When she reached the office she was fifteen minutes late. Her boss, a large terrifying woman, gave her an angry glare instead of the 'good morning' greeting.

"Tokiha-san make sure this won't happen again. Am I understood?"

"Yes. I'm sorry."

Who would believe that she, Tokiha Mai, would lower her head like that and apologize… She was a HiME, damn it! She had helped saving the world! What would this stupid woman say if she knew this? But she needed this job and she had to put up with her. She wouldn't have the courage to look for another job if anything went wrong…

"Make me a coffee and start working."

She made the coffee and after leaving it on her boss' desk she went back and sat behind her own. She looked at the pile of papers in front of her. Lot's of work was always something welcomed for Mai. It was the only way to keep her mind from thinking. She picked up the pen and started writing. The phone rang and she answered it.

"You have called Negimo company. Can I help you?"

This job of the secretary was her third in a year. She usually changed jobs and many times she had two or three of them, but not now. One job was enough for her to survive. She didn't have anybody to take care now.

Takumi had become a doctor. Perhaps his long-year illness was the reason that made him select this profession. He was a capable doctor and quite known in the medical circle. After the surgery, he was strong enough to stand on his own feet. He was perfectly healthy now, a handsome young man. Akira and Takumi married last year and they seemed really happy together. They loved each other very much anyway. They lived in the nearby town and she got to see them once in a while. Akira was four months pregnant and she was looking adorable. It was the first time in a long period of time that something pleasant happened in Mai's life.

The rest of the morning continued with Mai working like crazy. She was worth the double of her salary, maybe the best secretary that this company ever had. She was obedient and always willing to work, never late in the morning (except today of course) and most of the times she was the one to lock the office in the evening. Unfortunately this was something that her boss didn't recognise, who always treated her in the worst way. But for Mai, this wasn't a reason to stop working there. The last time she was unemployed she discovered that finding a decent job wasn't an easy task anymore. For this, she had decided to tolerate the difficult character of the older woman.

She was still working, bending over the papers on her desk when she heard footsteps coming from the next room. She raised her head and her eyes met the figure of her boss.

"I'm leaving. Don't stay until late. Make sure you lock when you leave." She smiled to her and left.

Mai's jaw dropped after the last scene. 'Dracula smiled!' Her loud laugh filled the office.

She looked at her watch. It was a quarter to two. She had to leave if she didn't want to make Natsuki wait…

She gathered the papers in front of her into a pile and placed them by the edge of the desk. After arranging all the items on her desk she stood up and walked into the washroom. She looked herself in the mirror. 'I'm a complete mess.' Dark circles were visible around her eyes, sign that she didn't have a normal night's sleep for days. In addition to this, no matter how much she slept, she woke up with a strange feeling of fatigue. She was tired. Tired of her life, tired of being alone…

She pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind and hurried out of the office. She was late…
Natsuki was standing outside KFC leaning against her bike. It was half past ten and Mai hadn't showed yet.
'Where is this woman?' She always had the habit of being late, which irritated Natsuki. Her lips formed a smile. It was a pleasant fact that some of Mai's characteristics hadn't changed…

Mai wasn't her old self anymore. She was her friend for many years and she could tell. Mai had changed and this worried her. She rarely smiled and when she did, her smile was short and bitter. Natsuki made her best to cheer her friend up. She and Shizuru always tried to get her out of her house, where she closed herself right after work until the next morning. She hardly contacted anyone.

Mai wasn't the kind of person that liked to be alone. She was always outgoing, genial. Midori might have created the HiME Sentai but Mai was their soul. She cared for everyone, always willing to help the others. When HiMEs were fighting one another she was trying to make them understand the consequences of their actions. Seeing her condition now made Natsuki feel sorry for her. It wasn't pity though, it was concern. She tried really hard to bring back the good old Mai, but her efforts had no effect on the woman. There was a reason that Mai was like that and Natsuki knew very well what it was, even if Mai never talked about it… Unfortunately she couldn't do anything, no matter how much she wanted to help her friend.

Mai appeared at the other side of the street. She was walking with grace, even if she was in a hurry like now, and she was pretty enough to make men stare at her when she passed by. She hadn't changed a bit since school. Orange hair that reached her shoulders, thin but juicy body and a breathtaking smile. It was a pity that this smile was so rare now.

"Sorry if I made you wait!"

Natsuki gave a quick glance to Mai. There was something different today about her. Left aside the dark shades under her eyes, she seemed… cheerful! It was an enjoyable break from the latest glum Mai.

"Let's go inside! I'm starving!"

After a few minutes, they were sitting at the table near the entrance, each one of them with a plate in front of them. Mai's plate was half empty and Natsuki's had so much chicken that could easily fill two plates, buried under a mountain of mayonnaise.

A smirk appeared on Mai's face. Some people never change and Natsuki was one of them. 'How can it be that Natsuki never gains weight after eating all this junk food?' she wondered. 'Maybe Shizuru is helping her work out at home… to burn the calories.' Her smirk became even wider than before.

"Why are you smiling?"

"No reason."

It was the first time in months that Mai actually felt in a good mood. She was feeling like this since she left the office to meet Natsuki here. Seeing a dear person after a long time was nice and refreshing.

"How is work?" Natsuki was speaking while chewing.

"I used to think that my boss is a heartless bitch but I was wrong. Today she…" a small pause and her voice came out in a lower tone "…she smiled at me!"

Natsuki faked an expression of surprise mixed with terror and they laughed together.

"How is Shizuru?"

"Well you know Shizuru. She lives on tea and she never stops teasing people around her, especially me. And I'm really glad that she's working at the school. Now she found new victims to lecture about healthy food and proper manners. Poor kids…"

Mai laughed again but soon her expression became serious.

"Natsuki?"

"What?"

"Are you happy?"

She expected sometime soon this question. The same question she often asked herself. 'Am I happy?' A quick look in Natsuki's life was enough to answer that question.

"Yes." Her tone was soft and her eyes were fixed on Mai. She was sorry that she was happy and Mai obviously wasn't. But she couldn't lie, not to Mai.

Mai wasn't sure if she wanted to hear Natsuki's answer. She knew very well the truth. Secretly she hoped that Natsuki would lie for her and then Mai could pretend that she wasn't the only one miserable.

"Sometimes happiness lies in front of your eyes. You'll just have to realise it's there and take the opportunity to bring it into your life. Once you find what matters most for you, you just have to grab it and never let it go."

'Just like me and Shizuru.' Natsuki was stupid all this time. Stupid and blind. She had her happiness in front of her all the time and yet she denied accepting it. But not anymore. Shizuru was hers and she wouldn't let her go.

Mai felt her friend's words penetrating her heart, tearing her soul apart. These words were completely true and Natsuki's low serous tone showed that she was speaking out of personal experience. She remained silent and kept looking at her plate with the blank eyes that people have when they are lost in their thoughts. Natsuki was right. Sadly, she had lost the opportunity to be happy a long time ago. The opportunity to avoid all this pain.

A party of young people rushing into the room took her out of her reverie. They were making a lot of noise as they were laughing out loud, teasing one another. Mai didn't raise her head to look at them.

"Hey, wait for me!"

The last person of the party passed through the entrance running after the rest. The light suddenly disappeared and there was only this voice in the whole world. 'So familiar…' Mai closed her eyes, feeling a strong pain through her chest. 'This voice…'

How could she forget? Even after a hundred years, she could still remember her voice, her face, everything! The voice wasn't exactly the same as back then. It was more mature now, more of a woman's voice but she could tell it was hers.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the source of the voice. The young woman was laughing and shouting, so alive! The years that passed had turned the girl to the young woman in front of her. She took her eyes from the girl and brought them on Natsuki. Natsuki's wide open eyes confirmed that she had noticed too.

Suddenly, she remembered Natsuki's words: Sometimes happiness lies in front of your eyes. You'll just have to realise it's there and take the opportunity to bring it to your life.

Mai looked again at the girl. Her opportunity to be happy. Right there in front of her eyes. Life had given her a second chance to make things right and this time she wouldn't ignore it.

She never realised how she got up, how she walked. Her body as if moving on its own took her to the place where the girl was standing, waiting to say her order. Her feet stopped moving when she was right behind her. A deep breath and she closed her eyes. Now it was the time! Her lips moved and she said the word that she hadn't spoken for years.

"Mikoto…"

That was chapter 1!

I hope you liked it! And if you did, PLEASE make a comment and let me know!

I'll be looking forward to your reviews!

KISSES

Irina67