A/N: Everyone is obviously dying (no pun intended) to know what happens next. And so as to not get myself hunted down, I have worked diligently at this chapter. I hope you all like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt. Do you think I would be writing fanfics if I did?

"Damn it!" Naru cursed, punching the wall beside him. He could feel the blood dripping from his now bleeding knuckles but he didn't care. The teenager slumped to the floor.

Lin, Ayako, Takigawa, Masako and John all looked at the boy. Gone was his cool façade, to be replaced with utter defeat.

"How could I let him take her? I'm supposed to protect her," he muttered to himself. The others just watched on in silence as their boss gave up. Before anyone could stop her, Ayako had kneeled before Naru and slapped him hard across the cheek.

"What the hell kind of attitude is that?! Mai is out there and she needs you but lo and behold, you are still sitting here moping over something that hasn't happened yet!" she yelled at his startled face.

Takigawa placed a hand on her shoulder. The fuming redhead sighed and stood up.

"I'm sorry Naru, it's just that we all care about Mai," she apologised, gesturing to each member of SPR. "She makes us smile when we are in the worst situations and I know you care about her. Please don't give up just yet. We need Mai just as much as you do."

Her words seemed to get through to Naru. She was right. Mai was their little bit of sunshine. His little bit of sunshine. And gods be damned if he was going to give her up.

As Naru stood, a thud was heard. The group turned to find Masako passed out on the floor. Hovering over her was none other than the ghost ball they had heard about. Now knowing they couldn't trust Paolo, the SPR group had begun to doubt its existence altogether.

The ball floated over to Naru and nudged his shoulder. It then exited the room with Naru in tow.

"I think it wants us to follow it," he called back to the gang. They too, after picking up Masako, followed the ball back up into the main foyer of the house.

A single crystalline tear slipped down Mai's cheek as she approached the alter set up in the large ballroom.

Mai was walking in a pair of crystal like slippers that glittered when the light hit them. Her dress was pure white, with a tight bodice that almost cut off her breathing. The skirt was white silk, with a white net like layer over it that had crystals threaded all over. Over all the dress glittered like one big diamond.

Looking around, Mai realised she hadn't even known this room existed until she was almost dragged here by Kasumi moment ago.

The aforementioned woman was sitting playing an organ that looked to be older than the house itself. Her fingers were gliding effortlessly over the keys as she played "here comes the bride".

Mai sighed one final time gripped the bouquet of red roses just that little bit harder and climbed the three steps to stand beside Paolo.

He was dressed in an elegant white tuxedo with a single red rose in the jacket. He had a large smile on his face. This looked to be the happiest day of his life.

If only Mai were able to agree. If Naru didn't save her, this was going to be the last day of her life.

Hesitantly, the group followed the ball through a door located to the right of the stairs. When they first entered the house, none of them had actually noticed the door until now.

When the door opened they watched as the ball floated down to pair of ornate looking doors before disappearing.

Suddenly the lights in the hallway began to flicker, signalling the presence of something supernatural.

Everyone was on guard when Kamui stepped out through one of the hall walls.

"I'm so sorry, but master Paolo isn't seeing anyone right now," he said in a rather formal tone.

"Yeah well we'll see about that," Takigawa replied. Without hesitation he began his exorcism.

"Nam Hak San Man Baza Ra Dan Kan," he chanted. Kamui just shook his head.

"Too bad," with a click of his fingers, the rest of the maids and a few servants they didn't recognise stepped through the walls. They began advancing on Takigawa until Ayako stepped in.

"Rin Pyou Tou Sha Kai Zei Ritsu Zai Zen," she chanted alongside the monk. The first ghost wavered before disappearing.

As the pair chanted the ghosts slowly began disappearing, only to reappear closer to the door. They were managing to push their way through though.

A hand landed on Ayako's shoulder but before it could harm her, a spray of holy water rid her of it. John had just gotten involved.

Despite their best efforts, the ghosts began advancing and gaining ground against them. Lin handed Masako's still out form to Naru before calling on his shiki.

They darted this way and that, dispersing the spirits as fast as possible. Before they could reappear too much, the group began weaving their way towards the door, still chanting their respective exorcisms.

"Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony," Kasumi began reading.

"The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee."

"It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honoured among all people. The union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in property and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord."

"Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God."

As Kasumi spoke these words, she handed a glass goblet to Mai. The brown haired teenager knew what was coming next. She had seen Kasumi drop the poison into her drink. This was it. She brought the cup to her lips as Kasumi continued speaking.

'Goodbye Naru,' she thought.

"Into this holy union Paolo and Isabella now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace."

As the first of the liquid slipped passed her lips, a crash was heard and, lowering the cup, they turned to see Naru and the others enter.

"Yeah, we've got a few just causes," he yelled.

Ayako, John and Takigawa were panting from the effort used to by pass all those spirits, Lin was once again carrying a now awake Masako and Naru was glaring at Paolo with everything he had.

Mai dropped the glass, ignoring the smash as it shattered, and ran down the steps into Naru's open arms. She had tears slipping from her eyes as he embraced her.

"Shush, it's okay. I'm here now," he whispered in her ear, trying to soothe her. She just clung tighter as he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and pressed a kiss into her hair.

"Get away from my bride," Paolo said dangerously low. Everyone, Mai included, turned their attention to him. "Isabella come here."

"I told you, I'm not Isabella," she protested, leaning back into Naru. A look of confusion crossed Paolo's features momentarily before he replied.

"But you must be. Don't you remember? You killed yourself. But I waited for you! I love you," he proclaimed. Mai just shook her head.

"Isabella didn't kill herself. Did she? Kasumi," she called to the woman still standing on the altar. She just smiled in that really sadistic way she does.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied smoothly.

"Oh how convenient. You got amnesia now?" Mai replied sarcastically. "Isabella didn't kill herself. Kasumi did it!"

Paolo looked between the two women before fixing his gaze on Kasumi.

"Is this true?" he asked shakily.

"Your union was unacceptable. Your parents told me what had to be done," she admitted boldly.

"But I loved her!" Paolo almost screamed.

"That doesn't matter! She was nothing more than a gold digger! I did you a favour getting rid of her. And everything would have been fine if that stupid girl hadn't refused," she replied heatedly, pointing at Mai.

"And what did she have to do with this?" Naru asked clutching Mai.

"I thought if I could give my master a girl that looked and acted like Isabella, he would move on, releasing all of us from our hell. But no, that stupid spirit guide of hers had to get involved. And Minari! She just couldn't leave well enough alone," Kasumi yelled.

Suddenly Mai lurched forward. Kasumi smirked at this.

"It doesn't matter though. The poison has already taken effect," she said gesturing to Mai's form that was huddled in Naru's arms. The next moment, Mai went limp in Naru's arms. He lowered her to the ground and checked for a pulse.

"She not breathing," he murmured. He tried resuscitating her but it was no use. She was gone. A few tears leaked from the boys eyes as he hugged Mai's still form to his body. Everyone cried as Kasumi smirked.

Suddenly Mai's brown eyes popped open. Before Naru could stop her, she had stood and made her way over to Paolo.

"Isabella," Masako breathed.

"Paolo, you need to move on," she spoke elegantly. "She," she said pointing at Kasumi, "has twisted your mind so that your heart is filled with nothing but pain and hurt. That's why you could never see me, despite how I was always there waiting."

Isabella then held out a hand to Paolo.

"Let it all go, and come with me to heaven," she said with a smile. Returning the smile, Paolo grasped her hand and closed his eyes. Suddenly Kasumi and all the other spirits throughout the house became will-o-wisps and disappeared.

Isabella looked back at the SPR group in the corner.

"Thank you," she said, "We would never have been set free if it wasn't for you. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Paolo echoed. A bright light engulfed the pair and Mai's body slumped to the ground. The group hurriedly made their way over to her but found her the same as before. Cold and dead.

As they cried for their friend, the house and everything within it began disappearing, until they were left sitting in the middle of a field with their equipment and belongings surrounding them.

Naru hardly took any notice thought as he rocked Mai's body back and forth. Takigawa held Ayako as she wept into his shoulder, John tried to comfort Masako and even Lin wiped at his eyes.

Naru squeezed her body as tightly as he could, refusing to believe she was gone. A small whisper was caught by his ears.

"Naru I can't breathe." He gasped and looked down to find Mai peering up at him, very much alive.

"Oh my god," he said, drawing everyone's attention. "You're alive."

"You're just lucky I found her spirit before she crossed over," a voice said beside him. There stood Minari with a huge smile.

"Minari," Mai said.

"You better take care of her. I won't hesitate to come back and haunt you if you hurt her," she warned Naru playfully. He nodded and she smiled.

"Goodbye," she said while beginning to fade, "And good luck. All of you." Then she was gone.

"Can we go home now?" Mai asked innocently, climbing to her feet. Ayako laughed.

"Yeah," Naru replied. "Let's go home."

A little while later, the group were in the van heading back to the city.

"It's actually romantic when you think about it," Mai commented.

"What do you mean?" Takigawa asked from beside her.

"He practically stopped time to wait for her," she replied looking way from the window and at the monk. "He loved her and, while his methods were a little misguided, he just wanted to be with her."

Everyone except Naru and Lin nodded in agreement.

"That's the kind of love people can only dream of," Mai finished.

"But you don't have to. You already have it," Ayako said. Mai looked at her confused.

"I'm sure if push came to shove, Naru would be willing to stop time to be with you. Wouldn't you Naru?" Takigawa said with a teasing voice.

"I'm not going to dignify that with a response," he said not looking back. Takigawa just shrugged.

"Oh well," he said.

'Looks like Naru is back to his usual self,' Mai thought, 'And I wouldn't want him any other way.'

A/N: Ta Da. Memories of Old is finished!!!!!! Wow, that was actually pretty good. Let me know what you thought. I decided not to do an epilogue. Happy reading.