Chapter Ten: Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Always Hurt Me

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Mai laid her head in Takigawa's lap as she cried. Her feet were carelessly thrown into Ayako's lap and the girl's sobs were getting to the point where she couldn't breath. "H-how could he say that? He m-must really hate me!" she managed to gasp out.

Takigawa rubbed Mai's back while Ayako said in her most soothing voice, "He doesn't hate you, Mai. He's just confused. You need to calm down; everything will be fine."

Mai only nodded, and after a few more minutes only silent tears were left to show the world how upset she was.

It was then that Masako and John ran into base. "Where's Mai?" Masako demanded.

Mai sat up slowly. "W-what's going on now?" she asked.

Masako and John looked her over, concerned. "We were worried. The walls are covered in writing and all are directed to you, Mai."

Mai stood and ran to the base door, Ayako and the Monk right behind her. Sure enough the walls were covered in a red sticky substance reading, 'Mai, she's mine' and 'I will have her.'

Masako narrowed her eyes. "What would this- demon want with Mai when he's been targeting infants in the womb?"

Mai sighed. "He wants her."

"Who?" John and Masako asked.

Mai looked them both in the eyes and in a voice devoid of emotion, replied, "My daughter."

Ayako led everyone back to base then and everyone sat around Mai, waiting for an explaination.

"I found out a week ago that I'm pregnant. What's there to tell?" she responded. It was almost as if she were on autopilot. She was so numb. She just didn't want to feel, wasn't ready for more hurt. It was as if Naru had taken all of her ability to feel. And all with that one sentence.

Masako gave her a bewildered look before asking, "But how, Mai?"

Mai shrugged. "How does any girl get pregnant?"

John was very concerned. This wasn't like Mai. Not at all. "Does Naru know?" he asked as gently as possible.

Mai flinched and sank into Ayako's side before giving a small nodd.

"I'm afraid he's in a bit of shock right now," Ayako jumped in.

Takigawa was desperate to get a smile back on Mai's face so he questioned, "How do you know she's a girl? I mean, you never know. I could have a grandson to teach bass too!"

That brought Mai out of it a bit and she put a hand to her stomach gently. "You're getting a granddaughter whether you like it or not, Bou-san!" she teased.

Takigawa smiled. "Is this coming from your instinct?"

"Nope! Motherly instinct this time, I think!" Mai allowed a smile to grace her features and could feel the room relax a little.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier, Mai?" Masako asked, still concerned.

Mai's smile dropped. She sighed. "I was afraid I'd lose the only family I have left."

John smiled softly. "Of course you wouldn't lose us, Mai. We care about you as much as you care about us. Nothing can change that."

Masako went and kneeled in front of Mai. "Of course not, Mai. You're the only one other than John and I that has any sense."

Ayako stood slowly, vein popping out of her forehead. "Excuse me, you brat?"

"You heard me," Masako said as she stood as well. She hid her mouth behind her kimono as she continued, "You do nothing but complain and hit poor Bou-san in the head with your purse all the time."

Ayako turned to Monk, a triumphant grin on her face. "I don't hit you all the time, do I?"

Takigawa shook his head. "I'm not getting involved in this one, ladies!"

Ayako glared. "Oh yes you are!"

Masako nodded. "Yes, do tell us your answer."

Takigawa caught on to what Masako was doing and turned to Ayako, grin on his face. "You do hit me alot..." he teased.

Ayako grabbed her purse and started hitting him upside the head. "Jerk!"

"Hey, you're hitting me! Masako, John, DO something!"

"Now, Ayako, let's all calm down," John nervously inserted.

Masako smirked at the mayhem she'd caused, turned, and winked at Mai.

Mai watched the scene and soon couldn't help but start giggling. Everyone turned to her as she laughed.

"What?" Ayako asked.

"It's just so good to see you guys acting like that!" she exclaimed as her giggles started to subside. Everyone watched and smiled. What she didn't know was that it was great for them to see her laugh like that again.

A/N: I don't really like this chapter but I thought this was needed. I may end up tweaking it here and there. Let me know if this was too cheesey or turned too fast. Or if anyone's ooc. Gomennasai a million times to all I left hanging! After a series of unfortunate events, I'm back. Events like being kicked out of a house, my computer being retarded, my brother taking months to fix said computer, normal stuff. XD And now that I have a car I can pretty much go to Books a Million any time I need to upload chapters. =D So please press that little button and tell me what you think! And no flames!