Disclaimer: I do NOT Ghost Hunt. (I think, by this time, you are very aware of this)

IMPORTANT: I did a little revision. If you read this already, You DON'T have to read again, it's pretty much the same... I deleted a repeated part (Thanx to candianviolet for pointing it out to me). Hope you enjoy!

Last Chapter:

"It's your life, and getting you to a college doesn't mean she owns you. Wait a minute, what exactly did she tell you, word by word, tell me, now." Ayako glared at Mai, because she had an idea what might have happened and caused Mai not to answer or reject her too quickly. That woman must be scheming something.

"Everything was going fine until,"

Chapter 13 Unexpected Meeting

Flashback:

Mai was sitting in the living room of the two storied house... or mansion. The living room along with the second story of the mansion was decorated with pink and white flowers. The person who decorated had taste.

That was the most exquisite hall she has ever seen... even in dreams, but that doesn't count, considering her dreams are full of haunted castles and scary ghosts.

Doesn't people get married in churches? Oh well... they are after all rich and have different tastes.

Then Mrs. Atsushi came out with her personal secretary, a very tall woman with dark hair tied in a ponytail. ("Why are you describing her assistant?"-"She was really pretty, so I thought I should. Anyways...") She smiled widely at the brunette and motioned her to come close while talking to another man.

Mai smiled back and went to her. "Good morning, Aunty."

"Good morning, dear. So, I didn't inconvenience you, right?" She stopped talking to the man and addressed Mai.

"No, not at all, I was free and I am more than happy to help." She assured her, slightly embarrassed at the formality.

"Then it's okay. Here's the chef, They have a wide variety of selections, I don't have time to sample and select every single dish. I need this many courses," she handed Mai a list and she took it, "You wouldn't mind narrowing it down to your tastes, would you?"

"Uh-No... but my taste, is it alrig-"

"Mai, I know you have good taste and you are a good cook yourself and your mom was one too, so I am perfectly content with your choices." She again flattered the girl as she put a hand on her short hair.

"Don't forget, after you are done, I need to talk to you." The woman said before turning and leaving.

So, she started her job, and was very happy with it. Mostly, because she got to taste every dish and not to forget desserts were included too. She loves food and it was delightful!

("There were deserts too, what kind?"-"Not the point, Ayako. The main part is coming..." - "Oh, sorry, I just get excited when desserts are mention, sorry." - "Sshhh..")

She looked around, she was done and waiting for Ryo's mom. She didn't get to meet him the whole day, may be he's not home today.

"If you are looking for Ryo, I sent him on an errand because I need to talk to you alone, come with me." Why she wants to talk to me when Ryo's not around? Though confused, she followed her without any questions and went inside an office room.

"You don't have a clue why I called you?" To get my help?... I didn't meditate about this.

She laughed at Mai's face. "I like that you are so simple and honest. I was wondering for some days now, why did you refuse the scholarship?"

("You refused it?"- "Yes" - "You never told me about it" - "I was gonna tell you, just listen...")

"I know people, who have become my new family, I don't want to leave them and I also found a good college here,"

("Not a lot of people, you mean, Naru," - "No, I don't." - "I know you do." - "Fine.")

"Oh, the college that you asked Ryo to switch the scholarship for, because its the same branch or something, isn't it?" The girl in question nodded and the woman now sat down opposite her paying close attention to her movement as she slightly shifted from her position. I did say I will do it, Ryo said he can do it faster.

"Don't worry, I am not imposing, I knew your parents and they are my close friends, and I will always have special favor for you. I will help you no matter what problem you are in. And I know Ryo will do the same." The mention of Ryo's name caused her to blush as she smirked and seemed to enjoy this whole situation.

"I meant it. I am always ready to help whenever you are in problem and you parents did tell me to look after you after all." This got Mai's attention and she looked up in curiosity because as far as she knew, their family didn't meet after she last saw them.

"I talked to your mom before she... I was informing her about our success when I got the news." She answered her unvoiced question. The girl's spirit went down considerably at the mention of her mother's death.

"Don't cry, dear. I was just starting the good news with your mom's memory." Mrs. Atsushi walked over to her and hugged her.

"Good news?" It was the first time she talked in this whole conversation as the other woman walked to the window and looked distant.

"I want you to marry Ryo." She turned and fixed Mai with a steady glance.

"Marry?" Mai was shocked out of her wits. Still, that's an understatement. Come Again? Holy & I think I just got hit by a car and is about to lose consciousness.

"Yes, Ryo loves you and I want happiness for him and not to mentions yours too. I know you will be a perfect wife...I will take care of you as my own daughter." Mai spaced out the whole speech about how she has settled everything if Mai agreed and how is she going to take care of her. She was staring at the floor, processing the first few sentences.

"Mai?" Her name broke her from the reverie...or nightmare. "H-Hai"

"I give you time to decided whatever you would like to do, don't forget whatever your decision is, you will always be my daughter."

"Hai"

"One last thing, don't tell Ryo about this conversation. I will talk to him later. I want to know your answer first. He loves you too much to confess his feelings and make you feel uneasy in front of him."

I understand him. I know how it feels when you confess to someone and then end up getting rejected but still spending time with him.

"Yes, I understand." She smiled at her and got up to leave.

"Then I will meet you next week, same day, same time, think about it carefully. I always want your best. Good bye." She smiled once again and waved her hand at Mai.

"Good bye" Mai smiled and left the room but bumped at someone just outside.

"Yo, hime-chan" Ryukii smiled at her.

"Ryu-chan" Mai hugged him as he raised an eyebrow.

"I told you not to call me Ryu-chan or anything like that." He hugged her back.

"I also told you not to call me hime-chan." She said breaking off.

"But I am getting married, and when you say that it sound like I am some little kid at kindergarten."

"Fine, fine, so who's this unlucky girl?"

"Oh, it is... did you just say unlucky? I don't like you now." He whined.

("He is just like the monk." - "Pretty much" - "He is so gonna get pissed off, now that you have another pretend-brother-who-looks-out-for-your-safety-but-usually-can't" - "He's not... no, you're right")

"I will drop you home. What were you two talking about?" He asked as they walked outside the front gate.

She thought what to say and then answered, "Nothing much" except that I got one week to decide if I want to marry Ryo or not... the biggest decision of my life!

"You looked pretty upset when I met you then, anyways, got a boyfriend?" He asked as they drove to her home. She blushed at the question but quickly answered no.

"Such a shame, I wanted to beat a guy up and say I am protecting my little sister."

"Well, you have Michiru and she is so gonna hate you when that happens."

"She is too young... I have to wait for that."

"Can't wait when the time comes."

"Mai, if somethings wrong, you can talk to me," he said seriously as they stopped in front of her apartment, "I can beat anyone up and I am more stronger now." even a ghost? She thought to herself because usually her problems arises from ghosts or... Naru. Well he probably can beat up Naru, right?... what if he uses PK, oh no.

"Oh yeah, I can see that. But, thanks... Bye" She said and smiled gratefully because she knew he cared.

End of Flashback:

"So? You have two days..." Ayako prompted when Mai fell silent after the story.

"I think...I have decided..."

-xoxoxoxoxo-

Back at office

"So, why are you here Lina?" Bou-san asked. They were sitting in silence for a few minutes, neither having the interest to start a new conversation.

"Waiting for Mai." She answered and then added, "She was talking to Ayako, getting a half day off. When she comes, we will go home."

His mouth formed a 'o' and he looked at the watch.

"I wonder how was she at office now that he knows she is getting married... or about to." Lina seemed to be talking to herself, but Bou-san answered anyways.

"He doesn't talk... so when no one talks you can't really do anything. And Ryo is..." He trailed off and there was a short silence before Lina said anything. Little did they know, the dark-haired boy was listening to them quite attentively.

-xoxoxoxoxo-

With Naru

He wasn't leaning on the door, but he could hear them...because he was sitting on the couch close to the door instead of sitting on his table.

"He doesn't talk... so when no one talks you can't really do anything. And Ryo is..."

I don't talk?! Maybe not babble like them... that's annoying. He was not trying to listen to them, he just can hear them, it wasn't his fault.

"Let me finish the sentence... Ryo is the kind of person, when crossed halfway, needs a little kick to succeed, which his mother oh-so-kindly is giving him. And you..." Gene was giving his brother the unwanted company that he doesn't need, at least that's what Nary thinks.

And me? Even though Naru wasn't eager to know what his brother is gonna supply to give him courage or assurance, he was risking it.

"Oh, you?... You are the kind who needs a kick to start off, and unfortunately I am not there to give it to you. I am so sorry." He said with an emotion that suggested that he wasn't happy with his brother's progress.

"I think Mai had a crush on Ryo, when we started middle school, I didn't know that he liked Mai too."

Really, it was only because I wasn't there, he thought smugly. It was just his unconscious mind taking over.

"Really? But how can she say yes, wasn't she leaving with some scholarship?"

Yes, yes, I was wondering the same thing, even though I don't want her to leave.

"Oh she refused it."

She refused? To marry him? How?... She still lov-lik- has a crush on him?... Doesn't she love me?...

"She was going to tell you, but all this..." She trailed off.

Another silence.

"Mai, you're here." He heard the monk exclaim.

"So what did you decide?" He asked anxiously.

"I-"

"Mai!" A boy, he hates-oh-so-much screamed pretty loudly for an office, but then again, his office somtimes can be mistaken for a cafe.

That was a voice Naru would love to erase from his hearing range, unfortunately, it didn't seem possible. Why is he here? It is my office and I decide who can be here.

He got up, and opened his door only to reveal that Ryo was holding Mai's hand, with an expression of urgency as if his life was on the line.

"I really need to talk to you."

"But, it's not today."

"It's urgent." Finally Mai gave in and let him drag her. Everyone looked at each other as if asking 'what just happened here?'

Naru only caught a last glance at her. She also looked at him for a fraction second before they were out of the office.

"I might as well leave, he will drop her home." Lina said taking the leave first and everyone followed her suit.

-xoxoxoxoxo-

A.N: Is it a cliffie?... I think this was a pretty quick update, see if you guys review I update early ;)

Thanks to all my reviewers... I was really happy... So tell me what do guys think about this one? Do you think some parts were unnecessary? Tell me and I will try editing or revising... R&R