Maria sat in her room for several days, not doing anything. Her mother and Alfred were automatically worried when she didn't show any interest in the garden or in the Green project. She just couldn't get over the fact that she was now mated to a silver haired fox demon. As quickly as the shock came, it went.
Maria had just opened the door when another was about to knock. It turned out to be her step brother Ryuu. Sin growled at him while Maria gave him an icy glare.
"What," she said calmly staring him in the eye.
"Mother wanted me to see if you would join us for dinner," he said trying to make up an excuse in order to be there.
"Your lying. Mother hasn't sent anyone to come talk to me for the few days I locked my self up. The only one I have seen was Alfred and that was because he brought me food and was checking up on me. Mother knows not to push me into anything when I am not well. I suggest you leave now," stated Maria walking around him and down the grand stair case to the first floor.
Maria walked into the study to see her stepfather on the phone talking with a branch of his buisness, however, when he saw Maria he quickly ended the conversation.
"Your up," he said surprised.
"Yes. I want to know if it is possible for me to join the company and work over seas," she asked, getting straight to the point.
Takanashi was further surprised by how she now acted and with the way she held herself. It took him a moment to gather himself before answering her question, "Of course. I was planning on asking for your help in the Green Project."
Maria nodded before leave her stepfather to his work. Maria continued to shock and surprise those in the house by her additude and straight forwardness. Her mother was even more worried as dinner rolled around. It was suppose to be a semi-casual affair for those now apart of the Green Project. She was hoping that Maria would come down in her nice black button up shirt and black slacks with her boots. When she saw Maria, she wanted to faint. Her daughter came down in a black tank top, black cargo pants, and her combat boots. Maria's long black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and her eyes were outlined in black, causing her eyes to stand out even more.
"Mom," she said gently, "What's going on?"
"We're having a dinner with all of those involved with the Green Project," she answered still shocked.
"Oh," was all Maria said before turning around and walking up the stair case and to her room only to reappear a few minutes later wearing her button up shirt.
Maria knew dinner was going to be uneventful. However, she was hoping that one person didn't show up. She didn't want to face him yet. She knew she would never have to face him again once Takanashi sent her back to America with Alfred, since the butler was very loyal to both Maria and Sin. If he was here then Maria decided that she would do what any normal person would do, be polite and stay on guard. She wasn't going to let him touch her again, not without her consent.
She entered the dinning hall behind her mother and saw all of those who were to be apart of the Project. Then she saw him, Shuuchi Minamino. With a deep breath, she took the only available seat, which was next to Shuuchi. Sin sat between them, acting like a barrier to keep his master safe.
Shuuchi knew he must have done something wrong the night of the Gala. He woke up under a tree with his clothes missing. Next to him was the necklace that Maria was wearing. He was meaning to return it but had been caught up in some buisness and was only now able to get any where close to her. Her scent tickled his nose, causing an unwanted voice to come forth.
'She still looks as delectable as the first time,' purred the voice inside his head.
'What do you mean Youko,' demanded Shuuchi coldly.
'You will see little one, you will see,' was all Youko said before retreating from his mind.
"Shuuchi-san," came a sweet voice to his ears, "Is something wrong?"
Turning he saw that it was Maria, she looked relaxed and open but he saw how Sin sat between them and how she placed her self. She didn't want to be near him. So he was correct in assuming something had happened that night.
"I'm fine Maria-san. How have you been since the Gala," he replied with a soft smile.
"Doing well. Father has allowed me to join the company but I'll be leaving for America in a couple of days," she said drinking from her glass.
"Really," he said, solely focused on the woman before him, "For what reason?"
"To get the Project started there," she said, there was another message that he read loud and clear, "And to get away from you."
It hurt yet he knew she need to cope with what happened and was willing to allow her that. He didn't wish to hurt her anymore.
"I hope it goes well for you," he said feeling sorry for himself.
"As do I," she agreed before turning to Takanashi and her mother, "If I maybe excused. I need some fresh air."
"Of course dear," said Takanashi with a grin, "Why don't you take Shuuchi-san with you. Show him the garden."
"Sure," she said standing and waiting for Shuuchi to do the same.
Maria walked out of the dinning hall and around to the back towards the servents quarters before walking out a door to the left. Shuuchi kept pace with her easily until they reached the garden. It was a large and marvelous garden filled with many plants and almost non existent walk ways.
"Maria," called Shuuchi softly, unsure of what to do.
"What is it Shuuchi," she said walking into the garden, not looking back at him.
"Can you please tell me what happened at the Gala," he asked slowly following after her.
"Don't you remember? You left me at the edge of the garden," she said not stopping.
Shuushi silently followed atfter her, knowing that she lied, if not to protect himself then to at least protect her own well being. She looked around the garden, looking but not seeing. Her eyes showed that her mind was miles away. She looked sort of lost to the world around her. When she stopped, she turned to him.
"Let me speak to Yoko," she demanded softly, her eyes hard and cold.
"What? How do you know about him," Shuuchi asked, taken by the surprise shock of such a thing.
"Let me talk to him," she repeated not changing the subject.
A little shaken up, he allowed for Yoko to come forth and speak to her.
Smoke surrounded Shuuchi as he watched her with confusion written on his face. When the smoke cleared, the tall beautiful Yoko stood there, staring down at his mate. She looked at him for a minute before asking ,"Why?"
He was silent before a small smirk covered his lips as he answered, "Because I could."
Maria only lifted an eyebrow before saying, "Thats not good enough. In three days time I will be leaving Japan. I won't return for sometime. And if I do, it won't be for you."
Yoko stared at the woman shocked before smirking again, "If that's what you believe little Flower. But you will return to me one day. That I know for a fact."
"We'll see. Now return Shuuchi. I'm tired of your arrogant behavior," replied Maria crossing her arms.
Yoko laughed before his body was surrounded by smoke and he was no more.
"M-Maria-san," he asked very confused, "What's going on?"
"Nothing Shuuchi-san. Your ride should be here by now. I'll show you back to the front," she answered turning to leave.
"Maria," he said grabbing her arm, causing her to whip around and Sin to growl.
"Let me go. Now Shuuchi," she said venomously as Sin nearly attacked him.
"Not until you tell me whats going on," He said, not seeming like himself.
Maria glared at him befor ripping her arm from his grasp.
"Why don't you ask Yoko. I'm sure he would love to tell you how he raped then mated me," she growled, her eyes seeming to flash green.
Shuuchi stepped back, looking horrified before falling to his knees and repeatedly saying sorry. Maria sighed softly before putting her hand over his mouth, causing him to stop.
"Listen. There is a reason I'm leaving. It's to deal with this. I don't blame you and I never will. So forget it," she said gently before removing her hand to let him speak.
"Maria...I found this next to me when I woke up. I believe its yours," he said, not looking at her as he handed her a necklace with a single black crystal.
"It is. My brother gave it to me several years ago. Thank you." she said sweetly putting it around her neck before leading him to the front where his ride was waiting.
"Maria," Shuuchi said causing her to turn to him, "I would like for you to understand me more. However, I don't think that you would right now."
"Its alright Shuuchi, I don't blame you. But I can meet up with you tomorrow if you wish," she said softly.
Maria did met Shuuchi and his friends that decided to follow after him. She laughed and learned a lot about who Shuuchi really was and was glad to call him a friend. The next day she packed her belongings and talking with the step-father about what she would be doing. That night, she was visited by Yoko.
Maria stood in the rose garden late that night, dressed in her purple silk like pajama pants with a muscle shirt to sleep in. She was going to miss the garden the most when she left. She may have only been there for a short time but she loved the garden dearly. She smiled softly before lifting her face towards the full moon. Her serenity was shattered when she felt two cool arms wrap around her, pulling her to a muscular body.
"My Midnight Jewel," he said softlylaying his head on top of hers.
Maria grew angry at him. It wasn't just the fact that her raped her, but he dare come to her under the impression that she was an object. She pulled herself away from him and spun around to see him slightly shocked yet highly amused.
"I thought I made it clear that I didn't want you near me," she growled glaring at him.
"It doesn't matter what you want mate, but what I want," he said pulling her to him again and locking his arms around her.
Maria glared up at him, her anger and hate paluadable in the air. Yoko ignored it in favor of pulling her down into the grass and staring up at the sky.
Even though she didn't plan on it nor did she want to, she soon fell asleep as Yoko ran his hands through her hair. When Maria woke up the next day, she lie on her bed, Sin laying at her feet and a blue and black rose lay next to her head.
"What have I gotten my self into," she whispered as she sat up and inspected the rose.