Author's note: Sorry for the delay, guys. I was very overwhelmed watching Code Geass. For those who haven't watched it, give it a try. It's like a mix of Death Note and Gundam. So cool!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt.
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The atmosphere was, in one look, lively and warm, but I sensed some negative vibes from Setsuna. I could feel the welcoming spirit from grandfather, who smile a lot at me and even told stories about our family and also from onii-san who seemed didn't notice Setsuna's silence though she was beside him and happily joined the conversation. At first, I had all my attention to what they were saying to me, but I couldn't ignore Setsuna. She hadn't spoken a word since I came. She just ate in silence and never bothered to look at me. I kept quiet about it for a while and then decided to ask if she was feeling bad. When I was about to open my mouth, Setsuna stood up angrily. Her furious eyes glared directly at mine. "I can't take this anymore. I don't want to see this murderer in front of me ever again!"
"You must not speak of those words to your own sister. Apologize to her right now." His voice was frightening and powerful that I didn't dare speak a word.
"No," she firmly answered and left while Seto followed her immediately.
"I'm sorry," I uttered softly. "Even though I know what I've done, I 'm sure she is angry because of me."
"No… No… That's not it," his voice turned a lot kinder. "Just don't mind what Setsuna has said. I know you're tired so why don't we head home. I'll get your room fixed right away." I could only nod and follow him.
----------ooo000ooo----------
I covered my mouth with my hands in amusement upon arriving at my new home. It was bigger than what I had imagined and seemed like a newly built palace to me. As we entered, a dozen of servants, clad in their black and white uniform, bowed and greeted us in unison. "Welcome back, Chariman! Welcome home, Sayaka ojou-sama! We've been looking forward to serve you."
It was definitely scripted and practiced, but the thought still made me feel welcomed. I bowed in return and said, "Thank you, minna-san. Nice to meet you."
The butler, who was an old man with grey hair, lightly coughed as if I've done something wrong and walked towards me. "Sayaka ojou-sama, you don't need to do that. The maids will surely serve and obey your commands."
"H-hai…"
"Well than, if you'll excuse us, Chairman, I'm bringing Sayaka-sama to her room no," he politely asked.
"That will wait. For now, I want to let Sayaka see something important."
---------ooo000ooo----------
We came into my parents' room which thrice as big as my house in Fukushima. Grandfather left it untouched and unchanged for he wanted to keep all of their memories in that place. A huge wedding portrait of them in an antique wooden frame hung on the wall. They both looked young and gorgeous. As I stared at it, tears inadvertently fell from my eyes.
"You look so much like your mother. Don't you think? The only thing you got from my son is his eyes," said ojii-sama with a smile. "Ryoutaro, Ruriko," he called out their name. "after so many years, your daughter has finally come home…"
"What happened to them?" I found the courage to ask.
"You were kidnapped," he started. "We did everything the kidnappers told us and paid the ransom, but they didn't give you back. The police chased after them and they were caught, but you were not with the kidnappers. No matter what they wouldn't tell where you are. We searched desperately. Then, your parents got a hint that that you were in Singapore so they quickly went there. However their plane crashed…"
I felt the sorrow that was brought back to him as he told me the story and I just wailed louder. "Sayaka, don't cry… All have to do is celebrate your coming back. It's now time to introduce you to our family friends and business partners. From now on, people will recognize you as Sayaka Kannagi." I didn't have much idea what he meant by that, but I knew my life was going to be more complicated.
----------ooo000ooo----------
Two weeks later, I was more accustomed to my new life. I became used to maids preparing everything for me and bodyguards following me everywhere I go. I had gotten closer to ojii-sama and onii-san too. Though Setsuna was still avoiding me in many circumstances, I tried to be a good and understanding sister for her. Our parents died without having so much time for her because they were busy looking for me. I couldn't blame her for hating me and I just hoped that someday we would get along.
"You called for me, ojii-sama?" I stood at the door of our library that served as his office at home.
Putting down the book he was reading, he told me to come in and sit which I did so. "Arianne," he said. I asked him to call me by the name I am used and fortunately, he gladly agreed. "By the next, we will be holding your welcoming party and use that opportunity to formally introduce your as a member of our family. What do you think?"
"Arigato, ojii-sama! Can I invite obaa-san and Adrian? I want them to be there in that very important occasion. They're family to me…"
"Of course," he smiled. "I want to show them how grateful of them I am for taking care of you."
"Thank you very much!"
-----End of POV-----
----------ooo000ooo----------
"Sayaka ojou-sama, please don't run! I will be scolded for sure if you hurt yourself," a maid worriedly tried to stop Arianne from rushing down the stairs. "Sayaka ojou-sama!"
"Obaa-san! Adrian!" her eyes glistened with happiness upon seeing two of her most beloved people. She wasted no time, ran towards them and embraced the two tightly. "I missed you so much!"
----------ooo000ooo----------
They celebrated their small reunion at the mansion's biggest veranda. They enjoyed drinking tea and eating some cake while chatting.
"It's all thanks to your grandfather. He let us stay in one of his hotels until your party. He knew how much we missed and that just a day to be with you is not that enough. He's a very kind person," Sachiko complimented him. "Arianne, now I'm rest assured that you'll be doing well…"
"Not just doing well, obaa-san! I'm doing very great! Ojii-sama is very kind to me. He gives everything I want. He gave me a car, a driver, a bodyguard, a personal maid, expensive clothing, money and jewelry. Oh, there are so many and the day will end with me not yet finish telling all the things he gave me. I never thought I'd have these in my entire life."
Adrian scowled hearing her. He didn't like the way she spoke. "So simpler things can't make you happy anymore?"
"That's not what I mean!" she retorted. "I'm just stating how grateful I am to ojii-sama."
"But it doesn't look like it."
Before the fight could heat up, Sachiko sopped them already. "Both of you, calm down. You two need time together after being separated for so long. Why don't you spend the rest of the day on a date? There you can settle things out. And I will go back to the hotel and rest."
----------ooo000ooo----------
Arianne and Adrian walked the crowded downtown in silence. Nobody would even suspect they were lovers nonetheless, strangers who happen to go on the same way.
"Adrian," she finally spoke. "Ok. I'm sorry already. I shouldn't let myself become materialistic… that's what you're angry at, right? Gomen…" tears slowly dropped for her emerald eyes.
"Don't cry. There are so many people here. I don't want them to get the wrong idea," he teased her. "And I'm not angry. I just don't want the old Arianne to disappear. I don't want money to change my Arianne…" he hugged her and planted a light kiss on her lips. "Stay here. I'll be right back…"
----------ooo000ooo----------
'Taniyama Gardens' he read before entering the said flower shop. His head ached for a minute as if a memory was being forced to him, but in the end, he recalled nothing even though the name, Taniyama, sounded so familiar to him. "Excuse me. Sir, are you alright?"
Escaping from his trance, "I'm fine," he replied. He then picked a bouquet of white, red and pink roses from the display rack. "This one…"
"Nice choice, sir. This shop's owner is the one who personally arranged it," she quickly packed and gave it to Adrian. "Please come again…" and he exited the shop.
"Yuki-chan, you can now deliver this," the owner said holding the order flowers as she went out of their storage room. "There's someone who bought the bouquet I have just arranged?" she asked seeing its former place empty.
"Hai, Mai-sama. Just a while ago. You should have seen him…"
Mai peeked outside to see the man who bought the bouquet. She wanted to thank him. "Naru…" her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the back of a man who resembled Naru so much walking among the crowd. Mai swiftly stepped out and ran after him. Could it be Naru? Is he really alive? Why was he gone for so long? And most importantly, where has he been all this time? So many questions were entering her mind, and they could only be answered if she could find him. Soon, she found a raven-haired guy standing as tall as Naru, clad in an all black outfit. "Naru!" Mai held his one arm as he turned around to see who called his attention…
----------ooo000ooo----------
"I'm back," Adrian said and presented her the bouquet he had bought for her. "This is for you."
"You took so long buying this you know. I waited for fifteen minutes," she complained childishly. "But since these roses are very beautiful, I forgive you," she smiled. "Shall we get going? After all this is our first date, isn't it? Back in Fukushima, we need not to go out and see each other 'cause we live in the same house…"
"That's why we have no time to waste. Let's go now," and they were off to consume the whole day for their very first date.
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Author's note: I also thought Mai will see Naru in this chapter, but it's not yet the right time though it's very very soon. Thank you for reading. Please leave some reviews. The next update will probably be next next week. My family and I are having a vacation. So until next time then! ^^