The True Meaning of Happiness – First Chapter

Author's Note: Hello! ;) I'm finally back for the sequel of Standing at the Beginning with You and I am really hoping that you will love and support The True Meaning of Happiness just like what you did to the story before this. And by the way, I am not expecting much in this story. I just hope you like the story as much as the first. And by the way, in this story, there will be a case. I just hope that I'll be good in writing something eerie or that has suspense. I am not actually good with those. So, I need a friend who will help me think of a way how to make the story more interesting with suspense. :D Thank you!

Anime: Ghost Hunt

Pairing: Mai Taniyama and Shibuya Kazuya

Summary: During Mai's third month of pregnancy, Naru receives a case that could possibly take the life of the little angel that is being carried by his wife. He takes it due to Mai's pestering and encounters something Naru thought would be impossible.

Disclaimer: No, hunny, for the 36th time since I started writing Ghost Hunt fan fictions, I do not own Ghost Hunt. Fuyumi Ono-sensei, if I am not mistaken, owns Ghost Hunt.


The True Meaning of Happiness Chapter I: Please, Naru?

"Mai, tea." Oliver Davis, also known as Shibuya Kazuya in Japan or Naru as Mai called him, called out to his wife while reading files about a possible upcoming case that was offered to him a few days earlier.

"You egoistical, narcissistic jerk! You can't even give your wife a break from giving you your precious tea!" He heard Mai say, and the stomping of her feet towards the kitchenette, where she makes his tea, was as well heard.

'Tsk. How childish. She's already three months pregnant and she still acts that way.' A thought that crossed Naru's mind as he smirked, ready to see the irritated face of his wife.

A month passed since Naru found out Mai's pregnant. Luckily for him, his wife still didn't have those weird cravings and mood swings. What sometimes disturbed him was his worry over his wife who still has morning sickness. She would throw up, sometimes in the middle of their sleep or she wakes up at five in the morning because of her morning sickness.

Though Mai didn't tell much to Naru, her husband is definitely not an idiot to notice that she was out of bed whenever he was asleep, sometimes, he would wake up in the morning when Mai is inside the bathroom. Sometimes, he would help her. Now, he isn't a bad husband like what you expected, eh?

"Here's your tea, Jerk." Mai entered his office, without any knock and a scowl on her face.

"I'm guessing you want to take your lunch break, Idiot?" Naru smirked at her, his hand getting ready to get the cup of tea and drink it.

"Yes, Naru-chan! You can't let me starve here inside here to death! Plus, I'm bored." Mai grinned at her husband, hoping that he would just stand and agree to her.

Naru just finished drinking half of his tea when he said, "Fine. We'll take our break now. But, when we go back later, I have to talk to you about a case I received from an e-mail. It somehow involves you in a way."

Mai looked at Naru confusingly. She didn't get anything he said. But, her stomach growled, and ignored what her husband said as she pulled him, out of the door, out of the office, and to a small cafe near the SPR Headquarters.

"What do you want to eat?" Naru asked Mai even before the waiter would come to take down what they want to eat.

"Something western. Oh! And maybe a bowl of strawberries and chocolates as a syrup! That would be delicious!" Mai squealed, giggling to herself as Naru looked at her strangely.

And suddenly he said under his breath, "Cravings."

"What's wrong with those? I am pregnant after all." Mai grinned victoriously at her.

Whenever Mai would use the 'I am pregnant' excuse, Naru could do nothing but sigh and admit defeat. I mean, who would want a very very emotional pregnant wife, who will cry and then get angry that she could force you to sleep on the couch and the very next day, she would cry again to say sorry? Naru didn't want to go beyond the line when Mai's pregnant, he definitely isn't planning on sleeping at the couch.

The waitress soon came, and started flirting with him. Which, by the way, made Mai irritated, glaring at the waitress who were winking at her husband, and not even considering her! What was she? Invisible?

"If you haven't noticed, I am the wife of the man you're flirting with." Mai couldn't resist the urge to tackle the bitch for flirting with her Naru, who was her husband, for heaven's sake!

Naru glared at the woman, who started to glare at Mai.

"You? A wife of this handsome lad over here? I'm surprised he chose a simple average and not to forget ugly girl like you over some of the other women who looks more matured than you are." The waitress smirked at Mai, getting ready to raise a hand on her.

Naru's glare became more harder, as if he wants to kill. He quickly stood up, and grabbed the hand of the waitress.

"Don't you speak of my wife with those words. She is not ugly, in fact, she is beautiful. The ugly one here is you. If you want something from me, don't you dare involve my wife by talking to her using those words." Naru glared at her, pushing her away and holding Mai's hand to pull her out of the cafe.

"N-Naru.." Mai said, her eyes with tears as she faced her husband.

"Don't worry. I won't allow that bitch to lay a finger on you, Mai." Naru said, pulling Mai to him and kissing the top of her head as she hugged him, crying on his chest.

"Thank you, Naru." Mai quietly said as she tiptoed and placed a chaste kiss on Naru's lips, smiling afterwards.


An hour and a half later

"Ah, that was really appetizing! Delicious food from the cafe at the corner of the street. Let's eat always there, Naru-chan! Their strawberries with chocolate syrup is delicious!" Mai giggled.

"Fine." Naru answered, and walked towards his office, "I'll be inside. Tea, Mai."

"It wouldn't hurt you if you say 'please', egocentric narcissistic jerk!" Mai stuck her tongue out like a small child.

Before Naru could enter his own personal office, he looked back at Mai with a smirk on his face saying, "It also wouldn't hurt if I didn't say 'please', Idiot."

Mai didn't really, she just puffed her cheeks and went to the kitchen to do what Naru told her to do so. And of course, that is to make his tea, his most precious tea.

"He's such a jerk, ordering his me, his own wife, around like I'm just the assistant he had, not the wife who is pregnant." Mai crossed her arms, waiting for the tea to finish and her forehead wrinkled because of her anger.

Suddenly, she heard a laughter coming from her back, a familiar one. Mai turned around and saw Bou-san and Ayako, together with Asami, their one-year old daughter.

"Bou-san! Ayako! Asami-chan!" Mai grinned at them, giving all of them an individual hug.

"Mai-nee-chan!" Takigawa Asami held her hand up to Mai, asking that she wants the brunette to carry her.

"Oh, honey, you can't let Mai-nee-chan carry you. See, in her tummy, she'll also have a baby! You and Mitsuo-kun will have another playmate!" Ayako explained to her daughter.

Being an understandable little girl, Asami just nodded her head and gave Mai a hug with her big smile, "I want Mai-nee-chan and Naru-chan have a baby girl!"

Mai blushed and Naru, who went to the kitchen because his tea wasn't inside his office, placed his arms around Mai and smirked saying, "We're still not sure of that, Asami. May I ask you why you want a baby girl?"

"Because my playmate Mitsuo-kun is a boy. And I want to play my dollies with baby girl." Asami grinned, the grin of her father actually.


Short Author's Note: If you can just imagine Asami-chan and Mitsuo-kun speaking like a baby, please do so. I want everyone to understand what they are saying. Thankyou! :)


"I see. But how about Mitsuo? He won't have a boy playmate if you want a baby girl." Naru decided to carry the little girl from her mother.

Nearly everyone's eyes widened. Naru actually looked like he will become a good father. Or this might be a rare opportunity seeing him like this. But whatever it is, the excitement about being a father is written in his face and everyone, even Lin and Madoka, who just arrived, can see it.

"Hmmm. Then Mai-nee-chan and you should have twins!" The red-headed little girl giggled, clapping her hands.

Mai, who received Naru's infamous smirk, blushed beet red, and stuttered while she said incoherent words.

"Yes, yes! Mikan-nee-chan should have twins and all of us will play together!" The three year-old Mitsuo told Mai and looked at Naru who said nothing.

"W-Well, w-we still d-don't k-know t-the g-gender of the b-baby so we still don't know." Mai tried to hide her blush and tried not to stutter as well.

Everyone, even Naru and Lin, stifled a laughter. Obviously, they were amused to see Mai blushing so hard that her face could be as red as Ayako's hair.

"Oh, right! Naru, the case I told you to read about, the owner of the house will be coming later." Madoka gleefully said, grinning at her student.

"Oh, and you told me that you will say something to me, Naru." Mai said, looking at her husband.

"About the thing I told you about Mai, come inside my office. We need to talk about it." Naru said, putting Asami down on the floor and holding Mai's hand as he started to walk towards his own office while not sparing a glance to the others who looked at them intensely and mischievously.

Once inside the office, Naru asked Mai to take a seat, and after him, she did. Naru then got a paper on the top from the stacks of files that was on his desk. He made Mai read it, not looking at her.

As Mai started reading the paper, her heart nearly broke when she found out what their next case was about. And when she turned the page. She saw a picture of a woman. A woman who looked like Mai, but the thing is, she was dead. The picture of her corpse was there and beside her was an infant, who was also dead, Mai assumed. Blood was covering the mother and child, they weren't moving and Mai was on the verge of tears.

"I want you to not come with us when we take the case, Mai." Naru said quietly, looking at his wife as her tears continuously fell.

"I h-have to. I can't not come, Naru!" Mai suddenly shouted, her eyes full of worry over the woman and the child who died because of the ghost that they could possibly face.

"Mai, have you not read about the case? It's dangerous for you and for our child!" Naru was close to getting angry, he was looking at Mai with fierce look, meaning he is determined to let Mai stay.

"Please, Naru? You know you can't leave me alone! And Naru, you know you need me in this case." Mai shouted, looking at Naru with such pleading, hoping he would allow her.

"No, Mai. That's final."

"But Naru –"

"No buts, Mai."

"Fine. But, if I have a dream regarding the case, you'll allow me to come."

"No."

"Naru! I want to help everyone else, you know!"

"You can help my not coming, Mai. You know how dangerous this case may be."

"I'm coming, Oliver Davis! That's final. If you refuse, you will not sleep in the same bed as me as long as I'm pregnant!"

Tears were visible in Mai's eyes, she was just trying to force it back so that she wouldn't appear weak in front of her own husband.

"Fine. You'll come. But if anything happens to you and our child, I will immediately call my parents to accompany you inside our house." Naru sighed.

"O-Okay." Mai let her tears flow, rubbing her eyes and trying to stop it. But to no avail, her cries only got worse when she once again saw the picture of the deceased woman that was connected to their case.

Naru told Mai to come sit on his lap, and she did. He rubbed her back, making her stop her cries, but nothing happened. She only hugged him and buried her face on the crook of his neck and continued her sobs.

"Stop crying now, Mai. I'm sorry for shouting at you. I was just.. scared that if you come to the case, it might harm you or the baby. Maybe even the two of you. The case isn't as easy as it sounds." Naru said, kissing the top of her head, and cradling her in his arms.

"Naru, Mai. Our client is here already. If you can just stop flirting with each other for now and continue it when you get home in your house." Both could feel Madoka's smile from the other side of the door. Oh, if only everyone could see Naru's blushing face.

"We have to go." Naru and Mai said simultaneously, making the couple smile as they walk hand in hand towards the outside of Naru's office.

On the couch of the so-called 'living room', a woman on her mid-thirties was sitting, her brown hair tied into a bun, her face looking angelic but the fear in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by Naru and Mai. On her side was a little girl, also has brown her and the couple assumed that the little girl's age is six or seven years old. She has the same look in her eyes as the elder woman, holding tightly the dress that was worn by their older client.

"Good Morning. I am Shibuya Kazuya. This is my wife and also my assistant, Shibuya Mai. My other assistant, the male one, is Kuojo Lin together with his wife, Kuojo Madoka and their son, Kuojo Mitsuo." Naru said, pointing to one by one before continuing. "Our colleague, the ones who help us whenever we have a case is also present. He is Takigawa Houshou, a monk. His wife is a priestess, Takigawa Ayako. They have a daughter, Takigawa Asami. And here, is Osamu Yasuhara, Hara Masako, and the priest, John Brown."

Naru said, sitting in across the woman, and he waited for her to speak.

"I am Yamamoto Hanako, and this is my niece Sato Hatsumi." The woman named Hanako spoke, smiling gently at everyone present inside the room.

"You may now procede telling us about your case." Naru said.

"You have read about it, if I am not mistaken. But we decided to come here." Hanako started, "You see, the mother of Hatsumi-chan is my younger sister, Sato Fumi. Unfortunately, she died inside our house a few weeks ago. She and her second child, an infant, only a few months old. Fumi, before she died, talked to me. She told me to run along with her daughter, Hatsumi because there were ghosts following her. Apparently, as I've researched, the ghost has a dislike over women who has a child. Whether the woman is carrying the child or she just gave birth. Before the child turns one, the ghost is determined to kill the mother and the baby."

"Lately, before the death, we've been hearing rapping noises, and the lights were also turning on and off. I'll not forget about the woman crying we hear about twice a night. Saying something like 'Bring back my child, Kaito!' Her voice somewhat desperate to have her child back."

"And then, two days after Fumi's death, Hatsumi-chan suddenly has nightmares about being chased by a ghost, and after that, she strangles her to death. And then, Hatsumi-chan suddenly wakes up, all sweaty and crying. It has been happening since Fumi's death."

Hanako's story ended with her crying. Trying to stop her tears, she said "Please. Please help us. I'm worried about Hatsumi-chan. She might be in danger and if she will have the same fate as her mother and brother, her father, he will be alone."

Naru was in deep thought. Mai looked at him with worry.

"The case you brought us is rather interesting. We will take it." Naru finally said, looking at Mai with a nod.

"But Naru, Mai's pregnant! She might be in danger." Bou-san suddenly interrupted.

"When is she not in danger, Bou-san?" Naru gave the older man a smirk.

"Yeah, when was I not in – HEY!" Mai looked at him with a scowl, and refused to talk to him.

"Besides, Mai and I talked this over. We agreed that once she gets hurt, or something life threatening happens to her and our child, I will immediately call my parents to have her under their care for as long as we handle the case."

"So, it means you will take the case, right?" Hanako said, with a glimpse of hope already in her eyes.

"Yes. We will take your case. Do prepare us five rooms for sleeping and one that will serve as our base. I believe your house is big enough for you to have many vacant rooms, am I correct?" Hanako nodded at Naru and smiled a little bit.

Mai looked at Hatsumi and smiled brightly at her. Suddenly, little Hatsumi stood from her seat and walked to Mai, whispering, "Okaa-san."

Mai was caught off guard, but lowered herself to Hatsumi's level. "Hatsumi-chan, I'm not your Okaa-san. I am Shibuya Mai, and I will be one of the people who will help you not have nightmares okay? I will help you and your father and your aunt to find justice for the death of your mother and brother, okay?"

Hatsumi nodded and gave Mai a hug and whispered again, "Mai-nee-chan."

Mai could only smile at the little girl, pitying her for losing her mother at such a young age. Mai believed that a child will always need a mother. Especially if it's already Hatsumi's age.

End of the Chapter


KYAAAAAAAAAAA. I finished the first chapter! I finished the first chapter! Kyaaaaaaa~ I hope the story will be really awesome! I mean, like I said earlier, I am not good when it comes to giving a really mysterious stoy that has suspense. I mean, look at my first story, Saved Life! :)) I hope the story turns out interesting. I don't really now my own capability. I just really hope I do good with this story. Especially after giving me a hundred and more reviews in Standing at the Beginning with You. I just really want to thank everyone! I really, and I mean seriously don't know how to thank everyone! This is just like too good to be true! xD

Miharu-chan :) xx