A/N: Yay! You guys like the story so far! What a relief, aha. Before we start off this chapter, let me answer a question!
Lalaloo: Yes, it's only a father/brother/mentor-type relationship. Fre's too old anyways LOL.
Oh! I realized I got Frederic's age wrong(ehe..). He's actually 38! Alright, enough of me. On with the story!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Ghost Hunt.
The next morning, Frederic awoke Mai just like they planned. Half-asleep, she ran around the house getting ready.
"Pack loads of extra clothing, Mai. Don't forget female products too!" Frederic reminded her with a cheeky grin. Mai's face reddened, before she stuck out her tongue and grabbed a waffle from the various plates sitting on the counter.
"Oh dear...I do believe I'm going to miss my little girl." Frederic murmured, the sparkle in his eyes dimmed. Mai paused in her munching, and walked over to where Frederic stood. Shoving the last bit of the waffle into her mouth, she hugged the man.
"And I believe I'm going to miss my Fre-Fre." She replied sadly. He wrapped his arms around the girl tightly, holding her against his chest. They stood like that for a few moments, before he pulled away and sighed.
"You grew up so fast. It seems like just yesterday I was carrying you out of the manor..." Frederic whispered, kissing her forehead in a fatherly-way. Mai didn't reply, just stood there listening to his words.
"Mai, I trust you will be safe?" Frederic asked, a stern edge to his voice now. He knew of the risks the girl had taken throughout the years she worked for SPR, and how far she would go to keep her loved ones safe.
"You know I'll try and fail miserably, Fre. Why even bother asking?" Mai replied, fruitlessly attempting to lighten the suddenly cold atmosphere. For some reason, it felt like they were saying good-bye...forever. Mai shivered involuntarily at the thought of leaving Frederic, the man who raised her into who she was.
"True, true. Let's just hope your boss will figure this case out quickly, so I'll have my princess back home." Frederic mock sighed, smiling at Mai who giggled.
Soon enough, it was time to go. Mai picked up her bags and heaved them towards the door, only pausing to glance over her shoulder one last time.
"Bye bye, Fre-Fre. I'll miss you." She whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. He simply smiled in return, shedding a few tears of his own.
About fifteen minutes later, Mai was at SPR, lugging equipment into the van.
"So...much...work..." She groaned, her arms feeling like jelly.
Naru smirked in her direction, before turning back and returning to his conversation with Martin. The men were discussing possible names for the third ghost, but were coming up short. They had been talking for slightly over an hour by now, too.
"Damn, who the hell could the third ghost be?" Naru swore, frustrated. Martin shrugged helplessly, put out.
"C'mon boys, the van's packed!" Mai called over, gesturing. They walked over, Naru jumping into the front seat beside Lin, who was intending on driving. Mai prepared to get in, when a strong pair of arms grabbed her own and pulled her back down.
"Hey!" She cried out in annoyance. Turning, she realized it had been Bou-san who'd pulled her down. Furrowing her eyebrows, she punched his arm lightly.
"You're coming with us this time!" He cheered, spinning her around. Mai's jaw dropped as she stiffened.
"As in...the same car? As you and...Ayako and...Yasu?" She asked, scared. Bou-san nodded in confirmation and Mai gasped in started struggling. Too bad Bou-san as stronger than her.
"NO! NARU, LIN HELP ME! THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME!" She screamed, kicking her legs out. Bou-san smirked, and threw her into the car.
"BOU-SAN, WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME BACK?" Yasu was screaming, his hands over his heart. Bou-san, who was driving, groaned and hit his head in the steering wheel before turning over to Yasu.
"BECAUSE YOU'RE WEIRD AND OBNOXIOUS!" He screamed in response. Yasu feigned hurt and started screaming something about them both loving dumplings.
"EYES ON THE ROAD, YOU DAMNED IDIOT!" Ayako screamed at Bou-san, smacking his head with her purse. Mai, on the other hand, was curled up into a fetal position and was praying she'd make it out of this car alive.
"GET YOUR PURSE OFF OF ME, YOU-" A sudden, ear-splitting screech erupted through the car. They realized that it was the tires, Bou-san having almost hit a truck.
"SEE? SEE? YOU ALMOST KILLED US!" Ayako screamed.
"I BEG TO DIFFER YOU OLD HAG!" Bou-san yelled in response. Shouldn't have gone there, Bou-san...Mai thought desperately.
"DON'T CALL ME OLD!" Ayako thundered, smacking Bou-san's head with every word. Yasu, fighting to protect his 'love', tackled Ayako and sent them both sprawling onto the floor. Unfortunately, his shoe hit Bou-san on the side of the head. More screaming erupted and Mai pulled farther back into her corner. Suddenly, her phone started ringing.
"Hello?" Mai greeted, a desperate air to her voice.
"Mai?" Madoka confused voice replied back. She'd obviously heard the screaming.
"MADOKA SAVE ME!" Mai screamed into the phone, her eyes on the brawl involving Ayako and Yasu.
"What's going on...? Wait, do I want to know?" Madoka asked nervously. Mai didn't reply right away, instead she watched the speed meter reach over 100.
"They're crazy Madoka! Help me, ple- NO! AYAKO, DON'T SHOVE YOUR SHOE DOWN YASU'S THROAT! NOBODY HERE WANTS TO GIVE HIM CPR!" Mai suddenly started screaming, forgetting about being on the phone with the older women. Turning her phone off, she shoved it into her pocket before throwing herself into the full-blown rage-fest. Grabbing Ayako's flailing arm, she bit down hard and fast, most likely drawing blood. Ignoring the miko's enraged screaming, she moved onto Yasu's arm and bit down even harder than she did for Ayako.
".." Mai screamed at the lot, enraged. Silence emerged as the trio obeyed, blissful and comforting. Sighing in relief, Mai moved back onto her seat and pulled her legs up to her chest.
Three, silent hours later, the gang arrived at the airport. As soon as they parked, Mai jumped out and gulped down the fresh air invitingly.
"Holy shit, I honestly thought I was going to die. BEFORE we got involved with the case." Mai glared at the emerging three.
"Sorry Mai..." Yasu replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. The girl simply sighed, grateful that god had spared her life.
"Well hello Mai. Good to know you're alive!" Madoka's cheerful voice cut through the silence. Whirling, Mai was elated to see the others, who were currently jumping out of the van.
"Glad to live to see your face again, Madoka." Mai replied tiredly, smiling. Madoka laughed, ruffling the younger girl's hair, before turning to face the other three.
"You people be ashamed. Almost killing a young girl? Terrible!" She mocked, grinning toothily. They laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of their heads in sync. Mai blinked; had they practiced that?
"Well, come along children. We don't have all the time in the world our plane leaves in about 5 minutes." Martin interrupted, an amused smile on his face. Together, the team trudged into the airport and in the direction of their gate.
A/N: Whew! Finally, all the boring stuff is D-O-N-E. Expect some plot and action next chapter! Just so I can keep you guys interested, I won't write about the plane ride, which would most likely be boring. Anyways, R&R! I'll try and get another chapter up...in two days or so? I'll update soon, basically. Bye! Love, Lilac.
