A/N So here we are. First, I want to apologise for implying last chapter was the end of the story. Rest assured, the story ain't over yet.
Also, a huge thank you to Pink360x3 here on Wattpad. Thank you for your support and most importantly, the ideas you had for the ending.
Thank you to all my readers for taking time to read this story and for your votes and comments as well.
Enjoy
Moonrea
Megumi enjoyed being home, with family and friends, and not having to be another persona in a foreign land. Admittedly she did enjoy her time at the surface, at least the parts that didn't involve having to escape the clutches of the Kurosawa. She got to journey across new planes and experience a lot of things that Moonrea didn't offer. Case in point, the luxuries of a beauty spa. But at the end of the day, there was no place like home. However, in the few weeks since her return to the Mizushima island, one thing -or to be specific, one person- seemed to dampen the complete joy she should be feeling.
Mai.
Mai had occupied herself day in and day out. In the first week, it had been spending time with the members of the clan (her father excluded). In the second week, she went out on diplomatic trips to the other clan islands to improve relations between them and the Kurosawa, as well as attending the trial of Shane Kurosawa. It was quite the occasion as it was the first trial to be had in Moonrea with the criminal being tried for treason and deciding his -as well as that of his accomplices- punishment. They had been cast to the an island reserved for criminals. The 'Bare lands'. There they would stay for a period of 5 years and after, would work the farmlands of the clans until a time the Clan Head deems it that they served their sentence. And until then, they would not be allowed entry to the Kurosawa island.
However, imagine Megumi's surprise when Mai did not show any reaction towards the verdict. She acted indifferent, as though it was a fleeting matter that didn't need that much attention. What worried Megumi more was the way Mai acted afterwards. Mai had taken a trip to the Mori island, going to visit her old school. An old friend of Megumi's was kind enough to let her know that Mai pretty much spent her time training from dawn til dusk, sparring with anyone who was available. If it wasn't for Mai's sensei, who sent her home to rest, Mai would have trained herself to death.
And now, Mai spent time in the clan library or in her room. Having had enough of the turn of events, Megumi decided it was time for an intervention.
Mai had been reading a book about her grandfather's reign when a messenger interrupted her. The messenger being Ichigo.
"It's been a while since I've seen you, Mai-sama," Ichigo greeted. Mai looked up at him, seeing him wear a white polo shirt and brown slacks, his dark hair a bit messy and his charcoal eyes dancing with content. It had become a regular thing adopt the current style of clothing from the surface. For instance, Mai had on a dark grape sweatshirt and black sweatpants (She was in a dark mood).
"So it has," said Mai, "What brings you here?"
"Megumi was hoping you could join her for tea. She misses your company"
"Is that so? I guess I'll see her later"
"She's hoping you could join her now. And by the looks of things, you need a break"
"But my apparel. ..?"
"Its Megumi. She won't mind at all"
Mai kept silent for a moment, and finally agreed to go. Both Ichigo and herself left the library, making their way towards Megumi's family home in comfortable silence. Once they arrived at their destination, Ichigo bid Mai farewell, and Mai thanked him for escorting her in return. She watched him leave before entering Mai's home.
Before Mai could announce her presence, Megumi's mother had caught sight of her saying, "Oh, Mai-chan! It's so lovely to see you. Megumi's been waiting for you. Coming in"
"Thank you, Obaa-san," Mai replied, removing her shoes and following the older woman through the house. (Obaa-san - grandmother)
When they arrived, Megumi's mother exchanged a few words with Megumi herself. Mai peered into the room. She saw that Megumi -dressed in a white kimono and haori- already seated in front of a table with a tea set and treats atop it.
"Come have a seat, Mai-sama," Megumi called softly.
Mai, on realizing that Megumi's mother had left them, gave a short bow and took her seat. If someone were to see the two together at a glance, they would have assumed that Mai and Megumi were sisters. But while Megumi's eyes were a warm brown, Mai's were a chilly obsidian. Megumi had an air of calm, and Mai was tense.
Megumi lifted the tiny kettle, gesturing it towards Mai. Mai took a ceramic cup from the table and leaned forward, holding out the cup to Megumi. Pouring the tea, Megumi said,
"It's been a while since we've done something together"
"I can't disagree with that," Mai replied, placing the cup now filled with tea on the table. She watched Megumi pour tea into her own cup before placing the kettle on the table once more. Megumi lifted the cup to her lips, taking a sip of the warm liquid.
"You've been scarce, Mai-sama"
"I've just been busy with a few things," Mai replied quickly.
"Is that so?"
A short silence ensued, as both women drank their tea.
"Something is weighing heavy on your mind," Megumi stated.
"What makes you say that, Megumi-san?"
"Call it an intuition of sorts, but you've not been yourself these past few weeks"
"If my father put you up to this then I'm leaving," Mai retorted, slightly slamming her cup onto the table.
"I assure you that he does not even know about this. You have changed. And it's not for the better. You work yourself to exhaustion and you hardly speak to anyone"
"I'm preparing myself to be a proper leader"
"That's well and good but you have time for that. Right now you should focus on things like your relationship with your father. Don't think I haven't noticed how you avoid him unless it's for matters dealing with the clan. That's not right"
Megumi watched Mai, waiting for a reaction, but the girl remained silent. Megumi pressed on
"I want to understand why you're doing this to yourself. Ever since Huey Freeman left you..."
Megumi paused, thoughts running through her head. She did not miss the tight grip of the cup in Mai's hands.
"What happened between the two of you?"
"Nothing," Mai forced out, but her body language betrayed her.
"You should know by now that I can read you well Mai. Did he hurt you? Is that way he left so quickly?"
Mai didn't answer immediately, her head facing the ground. Megumi was about to ask more when she heard Mai voice out softly, "He didn't hurt me. I told him to leave"
"Why?"
Mai stayed silent.
"Mai, why did you tell him to leave"
"Because he had to return to his world"
"Mai, I can tell there's more to it than that"
" There's no way I could be a part of his world nor he mine"
The dots connected together slowly, but the realisation hit Megumi in a second.
"You have feelings for him," It was not a question but Mai's silence confirmed it all the same.
"I'm afraid," Mai began, drawing in a breath, "because it's not something expected of me. I have a duty to my clan. I couldn't hope to pursue what ever it is I feel with the life I have ahead of me"
Pushing the table aside, Megumi crawled towards Mai and gathered the girl into her arms. She could feel Mai shaking in her arms, and the short chokes of breath told her that Mai was crying.
"Oh, Mai," Megumi cooed, "You're still young. You don't have to put so much pressure on yourself"
"Its pointless," Mai stated stubbornly through her tears. She withdrew from Megumi's arms and wiped the tears from her face.
"Thank you for the tea, Megumi-san. But I have a duty to my clan and to the people of Moonrea," Mai declared.
Mai was about to stand up when Ichigo stepped into the room.
"Pardon my intrusion, but I brought a letter for Mai," Ichigo said, handing Mai the letter.
"From who?"
"Taro Kurosawa"
Mai's eyes widened as she looked at the large envelope in her hands. She ripped open the envelope, finding another envelope and a letter. She opened the letter first, scanning the contents...
To the Jewel
A friend asked me to deliver this to you as soon as I could. Given the events of the past three weeks (and your rarely being around thank you very much!) I was only able to deliver it now.
Taro
Head of the Kurosawa Clan
Mai rolled her eyes at Taro's nature and opened the second envelope. She was curious about the contents, throwing caution to the wind. Inside were was a folded paper that was at least more than a decade and another folded paper that was smaller in size. Reading the latter first, she nearly burst into tears:
I will wait for you
H. F
Mai folded the paper and went onto the final letter. After read it, she truly was in tears.
Huey
Since he boarded the plane and sat on his assigned seat in the economic class, Huey kept his face fixed on the window next to him. And to make sure no one conversed with him, he had on his headphones, blasting music into his ears. Huey wanted to forget it all. His time in Moonrea and the girl he forced himself to leave, the one he developed feelings for. Kami just let me forget, Huey thought to himself, clutching the cloth around his heart with the protruding ache. Shutting his eyes, he gradually slipped into the arms of sleep, silent tears trailing down his face.
*Time skip brought to you by Shane*
When Huey came through the front door of his home, Granddad shot out of his seat, ready to scold the teen. But one look from Huey made the old man stop and mutter, "Go to your room, son. We'll talk later"
For the first time in a long time, Huey gave Granddad a small -albeit sad- smile, making his way upstairs. He entered his empty room, closing the door behind him. Seeing Riley's usual messy side and his own, neat and tidy as always, brought a sense of normalcy to him. Huey crossed to his side of the room, dumping the bag he carried on the ground and collapsing on his bed.
It only took a moment, but all his tears, his feelings, came out in waves. During this, his mind traveled back in time, to his past relationships with Ming and Mai. He didn't think he'd feel this way again after Ming, only now it was worse, way worse. He thought back to all their encounters in the past. The first time he saw her from his window, meeting her has Lee, all the way to her revealing her true identity as Mai. He should have trusted his instincts, maybe then, he wouldn't be feeling the way he did.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
For the next few weeks, Huey was on autopilot both at school and at home. He rarely spoke unless spoken to, and did his usual routines out of necessity. But at the end of the day, he would cry silent tears, with most nights struggling to sleep.
Granddad was worried. He hated that Huey was being a shell of himself. He assumed that maybe Huey needed time to sort this out on his own and would gradually return to his usual self. But time showed him that it was not going to happen anytime sooner. Granddad had Riley go talk to Huey.
"Why do I have to do it?" the young teen complained.
"He's your brother, boy. Go do the brotherly thing and find out what's wrong with Huey"
"But, Granddad..."
"I'll pay you fifty dollars if you find out what's wrong"
"Deal"
And off Riley went, only to rush back downstairs after five minutes.
"What did he say?" Granddad asked
"Eh," Riley replied.
"What!?" Granddad exclaimed, "Didn't you two talk and have a heart to heart?"
"He also threatened to take out his sword and slit my throat if I didn't leave him alone. Now, pay up"
"What? Like hell I will since you didn't get nothing. You can kiss that $50 goodbye," Granddad declared, waving the $50 bill in Riley's face. Granddad was about to turn away and pocket it when Riley held onto his arm.
"Hold on, Granddad," Riley said, "I don't have to ask Huey to know about what's going on. He's only like that when he gets rejected"
"Are you sure? He's not been in a relationship since, you know who"
"Yeah, but is Huey ever open" Riley replied, swiping the money off Granddad's hand.
"Thanks Granddad!"
"But don't you know who she is?" Granddad called out, but he was answered with silence. Granddad scratched the side of his face thoughtfully. If its because of a girl, he thought, then maybe Jazmine might help.
With a new resolve, Granddad left his home. His destination, the DuBois residence.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Huey was completing his homework when he heard a soft knock on the door. What now? He thought. Earlier, Riley had irritated him, asking him questions he was not ready to answer.
The knock was heard once more, to which he answered, "I'm busy"
He heard the door creak open and a voice call out, "Huey"
"Jazmine, I said I'm busy"
"I can see that, but I was hoping we could talk"
"Is it something life threatening?"
"Well not exactly but..."
"Then leave!"
"What's the matter with you? Ever since you came back, you've been different. You're not the Huey I know. Its just not fair that you're doing this to yourself"
"Let's get one thing clear Jazmine," Huey said in a monotone voice , "you don't know me. And you never will. Now get out "
"Is this because of Lee? She did something to you didn't she? I always had a feeling she was bad news. That no good..."
"Just stop. I know why you're doing this," Huey said, getting up and stalking towards Jazmine,
"Understand me when I say this. You won't talk that way about her. You don't know anything about her. And I'll never reciprocate your feelings. Now, get. OUT!"
"Where is she then, huh?" Jazmine choked, her eyes shiny with tears, "She left you and you can't accept anyone's help? Or even let anyone in. You, Huey Freeman are a hollow monster!"
With that, Jazmine turned away and left the room in tears. Huey sighed, going back to his seat. His ears picked the sound of thundering footsteps.
"Boy! What the hell is wrong with you?" Granddad yelled, "Jazmine is a mess of tears"
"She should mind her own business"
"That's it, I am sick and tired of your mood swings. You better sort things out before I..."
"Before you what, hit me? I'll gladly welcome it"
"Is it wrong that I have concern for you? It's obvious that something's wrong"
"There's nothing wrong with me, I'm fine"
"No you're not! You're giving yourself misery because of a girl? You better get your act together"
Granddad stormed off, leaving Huey to his thoughts.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Late into the evening that very day, when most folks in the neighborhood would more likely be asleep, Huey decided to go outside. He took his katana with him, making his way to his hill. He strolled through the nearby park, stopping momentarily at the tree where he first spied on Mai. He ventured on, seemingly not aware of the brewing storm above. Huey finally stopped at the familiar lone tree atop the hill.
(I recommend listening to Say I believe in it by Isabella Antena)
He took caution to make sure that his surroundings were clear, he wouldn't want any unwanted eyes seeing him in this state. Finally, Huey lets all his feelings pour out by stabbing the tree. The lightening flashes above and the thunder roars as rain begins to fall. With the thunder still booming, it drowns out his screams of rage and sorrow.
Once he had no more to vent out, exhaustion took over, forcing Huey to collapse to his knees. With the last energy he could muster, he shifted Huey shifted his body so his back could lean back against the tree. He lifted his knees, wrapping his arms around them and tucked his head in them. Huey could feel himself shiver, unsure whether it was because of his now drenched body or the overwhelming feelings.
Moments pass, and he looks up at the sky thinking about all his memories. Everything he went through. His family issues, Jazmine, EVERYTHING! Then he looked back to the memory that went down with Ming, and then Finally, the ONE girl he TRULY grew to love...Mai. Huey recalled the note he left behind. But it had been weeks, and he didn't know how much longer he could wait.
While sitting there he envisioned them having a relationship, then with the passing years, it blossoming to a beautiful wedding and then a honeymoon (he chuckled bitterly a this point). Then 2 years later, they would had a beautiful baby girl, and he would sacrifice his everything just for her.
Huey smirked to himself and then wept at the loss of that dream. He releases his hands from their grasp and places them on his sides. His right hand landed on his katana. Grabbing onto it, Huey held it with both ends, pointing the sharp end towards his heart. The ache in his heart had not in anyway receded. This was the best way for it to stop.
Huey shut his eyes tightly, ready to plunge the blade in his chest when it was suddenly knocked off his hands. He looked around and saw a black kunai. What?
"What the hell where you about to do, Freeman?" Mai scolded hotly. She was breathing hard, glaring at Huey. She was wearing a dark green sundress with a black leather jacket on top and ankle boots.
"This is a hallucination," Huey uttered.
"Believe me, you wish it wasn't"
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your family?"
"You act as though you weren't about to take your own life. You're welcome by the way"
"What do you care. It's none of your business"
"Oh yeah? Guess what, it became by business when you were about to take your own life! And I wasn't about to let you go"
"You already let me go that night, the night you rejected me"
"I was drunk," Mai defended.
"Great excuse," Huey replied sarcastically.
"Baka!"
"I'm not an idiot!"
"Oh yeah? Then for someone so smart, you should have known about the slight possibility that some of the things I said weren't true!"
"For once, stop with the mixed signals and lies. And tell me the truth. If not, just go back and play heiress"
"You know what, I will," Mai shouted, "I got my mum's letter. She told me not to let loyalty to my clan stop me from living. She told me live freely and be in control of my own fate.
"I was so conflicted about it. Know why? Because there's my duty and my heart. I was heartbroken because I let you go and sacrificed what could have been my greatest source of happiness. So I decided to take a chance and come here. And what do I find, you trying to kill yourself. You promised me you would wait for me and yet you were going to take yourself away from me"
Huey grabbed Mai by her arms and asked,
"How do you feel about me?"
Mai looked away from Huey, but he shook her, having her face him.
"Tell me," he urged.
"You mean a lot to me. It broke me that you left. I've grown to care about in a way I've never felt before"
Huey drew closer. Both teens were ignorant to the fact that they were drenched, Huey more than Mai.
"I know you have more to say," Huey said softly.
"I'm still new to this," Mai replied, "But I like you. I like you a lot. I want to get to know you more than I did before. I..."
Mai was cut off by Huey's lips on her own. She shut her eyes, kissing him back and wrapping her arms around his neck. When they parted for air, Huey had his hands on Mai's waist. He crushed her into his arms, loving the feel of her body against his own. Both had grins on their faces.
"This isn't an illusion, right?" Huey asked.
"I'm here. With you. I'm never leaving," Mai replied, pulling Huey closer to her by his collar and into a loving kiss.
The End
Thanks for reading!
Stay tuned for a sequel
