Ryou woke up and walked out to the living room to find Mai standing at the big window, staring out it.
"Good morning, Baby." Ryou gently greeted Mai, walking over to her.
"Moring, Daddy." Mai mumbled.
"What are you doing?" Ryou asked, already knowing the answer.
"Wait for Mommy an Kai come home." Mai answered, looking out the window.
For the last two weeks, Mai's done nothing but stare out the window, waiting for Ichigo and Kai to come walking through the door, saying, "we're home!" Only to be met with disappointment and tears when they don't walk through the door.
Two months ago, Jin and Ami bought back and fully paid off Sakura and Shintaro's house. It is now under Ami's name—and her name alone.
Sakura broke up with Jin and Ami after having enough of Jin's verbal abuse towards Ichigo. She and Ami still talk and hang out from time to time.
Four weeks ago, Ichigo and Ryou broke up. Ryou agreed to allow Ichigo to have full custody of him so long as he had full custody of Mai.
Three weeks ago, it all became official and legal when a judge signed the papers.
Two weeks ago, Ichigo and Kai moved in with Sakura.
Every other weekend, Ryou or Ichigo have both Kai and Mai together—and for the most part, it's going well.
They turned five just a few days ago, and it was a disaster all around:
Ichigo brought Kai over only to stay for about an hour or so for cake and presents.
Ichigo got Kai and Mai Nintendo Switches and some games.
Kai bullied Mai until Ichigo stopped him—and they left.
"Mai…" "Mommy!" Ryou started only for Mai to happily squeal when she saw Ichigo walking up the sidewalk—with Kish and Masaya but no Kai.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Yes, Ichigo?" Ryou asked, annoyed, opening the door.
"Can we talk?" Ichigo asked, looking at Ryou.
"Where's Kai?" Ryou asked, staring into Ichigo's eyes.
"I have him." Sakura spoke, walking behind the three with Kai.
"Come in. Let me get Mai dressed." Ryou invited everyone inside. There was a look in Sakura's eyes that read this wasn't going to be pretty and that she was taking the twins.
Five Minutes Later:
"Mommy!" Mai cried, running out in a new pink dress.
"Hi Mai." Ichigo greeted as politely as she could.
"What's going on?" Ryou asked, watching Ichigo.
"I wanted to apologize for my and Kai's attitudes on their birthday a few days ago. I also wanted to apologize for not doing anything about it. And finally, I want to half apologize for getting them the switches. Only because I did it behind your back though. So, I'm sorry." Ichigo apologized, watching Ryou.
"Ok. Well, thank you for that." Ryou replied, watching Ichigo.
"I was thinking that for their big birthday party, we do it separately? You know—so that doesn't happen again." Ichigo slowly spoke.
"I suppose that's something I could agree to. But I'll need a little time to fully think it through. What else?" Ryou replied as calmly as I could before asking.
"Two more things… One: there's a new park across town." "I know of it; I've taken Mai there once or twice. Cho-Park, yes?" Ryou interrupted Ichigo.
"That's the one. Kai wanted to go—and I was hoping to take Mai with as well. I know it's not my day or anything, but I figured they could have a few hours together." Ichigo continued.
"What's going on?" Ryou firmly asked; he wanted her to get to the point.
"Well, Kai and I are moving in with Masaya—and Kish tonight. It's a little ways away, and I'd like to let Kai and Mai spend time together before then." Ichigo told Ryou, hoping he wouldn't blow up. However, that didn't seem to be the case.
"Masaya and Kish?" Ryou asked, eyes twitching.
"Can we take the kids to the park? Mom is willing to take them there while we talk, but we can't stay long because she has an errand to run." Ichigo spoke up.
"Pease, Daddy? I wanna go park wit Kai an Mommy." Mai begged, tugging Ryou's pant leg.
"Fine. You behave for Grandma." Ryou firmly told Mai.
"Yes, Daddy. I pomise." Mai happily replied as the Mokona's floated over to her.
"Come on; we'll let Mommy and Daddy talk for a little bit. Ichigo, if you're not to the park in twenty minutes, I'm bringing them back to Ryou. I have an important meeting to get to." Sakura told Kai and Mai before strictly telling Ichigo.
"What is your problem now?" Ichigo demanded once Sakura and the twins left in Sakura's car.
"What is my problem? What is your problem? I have no problem with who you date, but you made a whole big deal about being in a three-way relationship when your mother and my parents were all dating. Or don't you remember that?" Ryou snapped.
"I remember. I realized I was wrong and since apologized to Mom and your parents. Though, your dad doesn't seem to want anything to do with me." Ichigo explained.
"You can always be involved if you want." Masaya spoke up.
"Dad's issue is how you treat Mai: that's it. And thanks, but no thanks. As I told Ichigo before: I'm only interested in having a relationship with one girl. As good of a person and mother as Ichigo is, we just don't mix anymore. I want her and Kai to be happy, that's it. I have Mai; she's my main concern. I'm just a little frustrated because she made such a big deal out of it all, and now she's dating both of you. I'm also frustrated because after only living with her mother for two weeks, she's already planning on moving out with you two. It frustrates me because she told me she wanted to take things slow, focus on Kai, and not enter into any relationships at the moment. What happened with that?" Ryou replied before asking.
"Well—that was a lie. When Mai was in the hospital—after we found out about our parents and I stormed off, I ran into Kish. We talked, and I realized a lot of things that I thought were wrong were right. I then talked with Kish and Masaya, and we started talking about dating and everything." Ichigo explained.
"Well, that's just great. What's that teaching Kai and Mai? Lying's ok? But never mind that right now: how long have you three been dating? And where does moving factor into everything?" Ryou asked, watching Ichigo, arms folded across his chest.
"I'm not teaching either of them to lie! We've only been dating three weeks. We waited until we were officially broken up because I know how you feel about cheating because I feel the same way. As for moving in together: that wasn't planned; it just kind of came up. And the house is only half an hour away. This is all our information." Ichigo argued before handing Ryou a piece of paper.
"Ichigo, if you want to get to the park before you run out of time, we have to go now." Masaya spoke up, interrupting her and Ryou.
"Right. That's all I wanted to say." Ichigo spoke up.
"This isn't over; we'll continue this later." Ryou firmly told Ichigo.
"Fine. I'll bring Mai back in a few hours. I'll let her and Kai play at the park for a few hours and then take them somewhere for lunch. I'm sure Mom has something in her car for Mai to eat something for a quick breakfast. After lunch, I'll maybe take her to a movie if that'd be ok. Then we'll bring her home." Ichigo replied before telling Ryou.
"Fine." Ryou retorted, watching Ichigo closely. Something seemed different about her, but he couldn't tell what.
"See you later." Ichigo, Masaya, and Kish bid farewell before leaving.
"Yeah—later." Ryou responded, leaning into the couch.
Fifteen Minutes Across Town:
"It's about time you got here." Sakura greeted Ichigo, Masaya, and Kish when they arrived.
"Mommy!" Mai cried, running over to Ichigo.
"Go play while you can." Ichigo firmly told Mai, sending her back.
"I don't understand how you can be so cold toward her. She does understand, you know? She's not stupid." Sakura sighed, watching Mai slowly walk back to the playground.
"I'm sorry, but I just don't have a bond with her." Ichigo argued.
"That doesn't mean or give you any right to treat her the way you do. When are you taking her back again?" Sakura firmly told Ichigo before asking.
"Well, that's the thing…" Ichigo started before Kish blew some powder into Sakura's face, knocking her out within seconds.
"Gramma?" Mai asked, running over with Kai.
"Don't worry; Grandma's not feeling well. She's very tired and just needs a nap. We're going to take her home in a little bit. We have time to play one game of Hide and Seek. Mai, you get to be the seeker: so you need to go by that slide, no peeking, and count to ten while the rest of us hide. Ok? Then we'll take Grandma home, get something to eat, and then maybe go to a movie." Ichigo lied to Mai, trying to entice her.
"Ok. … One. Two. Three. Umm… Six?" Mai started counting, making it to three before becoming confused.
"Wow. She made it to three. Who would've thought? Come on; let's go before she figures out how to get to ten." Ichigo told the guys and Kai, grabbing hold of Masaya's arm while Kish held onto Sakura.
They were gone within seconds.
Other families had already left because of the weather: it hadn't started raining yet, but it was going to.
"Mommy? Kai?" Mai asked, confused and hurt. She had turned around just as they teleported away because she heard a "whooshing" noise.
Aside from the Mokona's, Mai was all alone. There was nobody at the park. And the park was surrounded by trees so that people from houses couldn't watch children.
Having no houses around made it so that parents or guardians had to participate and watch their children. It also made it so that perverts or pedophiles couldn't watch from houses either.
"Mai?" Sole asked, concerned.
"Mommy no love me." Mai replied before she started crying as she wandered around the park, hoping her dad would come to get her.
But that never happened.
Three Hours Later:
Elsewhere:
"Where the hell are we now?" An angry, pintsized Kurogane asked, looking around, annoyed.
"I don't know. But we must be close to Mokona." A teenaged-looking Fai replied, looking around.
"Yeah? Why do you say that?" Kurogane asked, annoyed.
Kurogane, normally a twenty-five-year-old ninja with short spiky black hair and red eyes, was now eight.
Fai, typically an undetermined age, looking around twenty-seven-year-old mage with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes, was now thirteen.
"Because Yuko took that device away from us two worlds ago: we haven't been able to understand each other. She said we'd have to find or be near Mokona again to be able to understand each other." Fai proudly stated.
"Right. What are we waiting for? What direction do you think that thing is in?" Kurogane demanded.
"I don't know. But listen: someone's in trouble." Fai instructed, listening.
"No! Leaf me lone! I wan Daddy!" Mai screamed.
"I'll be your daddy." They heard an older-sounding man tell Mai.
"No! I wan MY daddy!" Mai screamed again.
"Is that a child?" Kurogane asked, standing up straight.
"I believe so. And it sounds like an older and possibly stranger man is trying to get her." Fai stated, looking around.
"Screw the creampuff! Language be damned! Not on my watch!" Kurogane exclaimed, taking off.
"I couldn't agree more with you." Fai agreed, following Kurogane.
If there was one thing Kurogane and Fai hated and agreed firmly on: was pedophiles or people who hurt children were scum and needed to be dealt with.
"No! Daddy! Daddy!" Mai screamed, hiding under a bench.
When Kurogane and Fai got to them, Kurogane lost it immediately. Not just because the man was a predator, but because something about the girl called to him.
"Get away from her!" Kurogane furiously yelled, charging the man.
"Back off, Kid. I'm just trying to help the girl; she's soaked and needs an adult." The man spoke, turning around, only to shut up when he saw an eight-year-old with a sword nearly as long as Kurogane.
"I said get away from her! I won't say it again. You're not trying to help her; you want to rape her. I can see it in your eyes." Kurogane growled.
"Kid, you shouldn't be playing with swords like that. Do you know just how dangerous those are?" The man asked, watching Kurogane, backing up a little.
"Oh, yes; I know exactly what they're capable of. And I'm not playing with this; I'm an expert swordsman. So, back off." Kurogane growled, narrowing his eyes.
"Now, now, Kurogane; let's remain calm. We don't want to scar the girl." Fai calmly spoke, noticing that Mai was scared—and that she had Soel and Larg.
"Is this your brother or something? You should do something abo—" "Shut up. Yes, he's a brother or something like that. And trust me; I am doing something about the situation now. If we were where we're from—and there were no children around; I'd let Kurogane gut you where you stand. However, there is an already terrified child present. Men like you give all men a bad name. Now, you're going to go home and contemplate what you are. Then you're going to go to the police here, turn yourself in, and give them a list of all your victims. Lest Kurogane and I quickly take you somewhere private and personally castrate you—our way. Now, go." Fai interrupted the man before sending the man elsewhere, using magic.
Also, using magic, Fai made the man forget all about them.
"As not to scare the girl even further, calm yourself." Fai firmly told Kurogane.
"The creampuff must be near; we can still understand each other just fine." Kurogane muttered, trying to calm down.
"Indeed." Fai replied with a mischievous smile.
"What does that mean?" Kurogane asked, annoyed.
"I was wondering when you were going to arrive here." Larg spoke, coming out from under the bench.
"You. Wait. You're the one who's always with that witch." Kurogane spoke, watching Larg.
"Yes, this is true. But I've been sent here with Soel. The girl's name is Mai and Soel and I were sent to keep an eye on her and her twin brother, Kai. However, their parents are no longer together, and Kai has chosen to live with Ichigo while Mai chose to live with Ryou. Your basic case of "Mama's boy" and "Daddy's girl." I was supposed to be with Kai, but the brat wanted nothing to do with me, so he gave me to Mai. However, now that you're finally here—that'll probably change. Mai and Kai had an interesting past—but all you need to know for now was that the lady who gave birth to them was not their biological mother; she was a surrogate. She kept them from Ryou and Ichigo and abused them. Because of the abuse, Mai has many issues. PTSD and shyness being two of the biggest issues. When you meet Ryou, he'll explain the other issues—eventually. Anyway: her mother and her boyfriends, Masaya and Kish brought Kai and Mai here." "Not true. Ichigo's mother, Sakura brought them here!" Soel yelled, coming out from under the bench, interrupting Larg.
"Yes, this is true. Sakura is not the same as Princess Sakura; she's different entirely. And yes; she brought the twins. Kish then blew some sleep powder in her face, knocking her out. Ichigo and Kai left with Kish and Masaya—and Sakura, leaving Mai at the park alone. They weren't going to last, but I think Kish did something to Ichigo to make her start acting like she is now. Poor Ryou: I can't imagine what's going through his head now." Larg explained, watching Kurogane and Fai.
"Eeee!" Mai cried when thunder crashed.
"What do we have to do with any of this?" Kurogane asked, annoyed. Of course, he was going to help the girl. But then he wanted to go home.
"Yuko will explain once you find Ryou and reunite him and Mai. Speaking of which… Mai, you can come out of there: these two won't hurt you; they're friends that Miss Yuko sent. Their names are Kurogane and Fai." Larg answered and then gently told Mai, trying to coax her out.
"Oh, yeah; Kuro-Pu and Fai are the bestest!" Soel happily added.
The only reason Kurogane didn't yell at Soel was because Mai was already terrified. He didn't want to scare her any more than she already was.
Nothing but quiet whimpers.
"If you come out, we'll help you find your daddy. I'm sure he's worried about you." Fai calmly spoke to Mai.
"We promise you, Mai; they'll help and won't hurt you." Soel and Larg tried again.
After a few hesitant seconds, Mai slowly crawled out from under the bench.
"Just how old is she?" Kurogane asked, looking at Mai, stunned.
"If I had to guess—I'd say three?" Fai asked, looking at Mai.
"I fife." Mai softly spoke, putting her hand up, indicating she was five.
"Five? No way!" Kurogane and Fai exclaimed, shocked.
"Yep; she just turned five. It's a long story. Follow us; we'll take you back to the park." Soel and Larg instructed, starting to lead the way.
"I no wan go back to park. I wan Daddy!" Mai cried.
"Sweetie, this is the start of that. We have to go to the park." Larg calmly told Mai.
"Come on. We're with you." Fai insisted, reaching his hand to take hers.
Slowly, Mai reached for Fai's hand.
With Ryou:
Earlier:
"Where are they? Mai shouldn't be out in this weather. They've been gone two hours now—and nobody's answering their phone!" Ryou snapped, pacing back and forth.
"That's it. I can't take it anymore. Maybe Sakura's home and can tell me something." Ryou finally had enough before getting an umbrella; he walked down the street to Sakura's house.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Sakura? Are you in there?" Ryou called, knocking on the door.
After a few minutes of receiving no answers, Ryou had enough and pulled out his spare key. Sakura had given him one awhile back for emergencies.
At this point, Ryou figured this was an emergency.
"I'm comin—in. What the hell?" Ryou started before asking in shock. The entire house was empty.
"Excuse me, Sir, but can I help you with something?" A man in a suit asked, walking over to Ryou after he left the house.
"Who are you?" Ryou asked, looking at the man.
"My name is Kota Hanamura; I'm here to look at the house. Who are you and what are you doing here? Are you also looking at purchasing the house?" This man, Kota Hanamura, calmly explained.
"My name is Ryou Shirogane. This house isn't for sale? Who's selling the house?" Ryou answered and then asked, almost demanding.
"Sakura Momomiya." Kota calmly answered.
"Sakura can't sell this house. Yes, it may be under her name, but she doesn't own it yet. She's still paying my parents off; she knows this. As of this moment, until Sakura pays them back, the house is owned by my parents, Ami and Jin Shirogane. And yes, they have the deed." Ryou explained as calmly as he could.
"Ryou, what's going on?" Ami asked, walking over with Jin and Tomohiro.
"Who's this?" Jin asked, looking at Kota.
"His name is Kota Hanamura; he says he's looking at the house. He wants to buy it from Sakura, but she doesn't own the house. And it's empty—and Mai's missing. Sorry about everything, Mr. Hanamura. These are my parents: they're the ones who own this house. You can have this: it's a spare key Sakura gave me." Ryou answered before apologizing to Kota; he then gave his mother the spare key before returning home.
"Can you give us some contact information? We'll give you a call as soon as we get things figured out. This is our business number." Ami politely spoke to Kota.
"Sorry for the mishap." Kota apologized after Jin showed him their credentials.
"It's not your fault. Thank you for understanding." Ami thanked Kota as Jin posted something on the door so that others would know what was going on.
"Did he say Mai was missing?" Tomohiro asked, looking at his parents.
"Yeah. So, let's go." Jin and Ami replied before making it to their car and drove to Ryou's.
"What's going on?" Ami asked, walking in with Jin and Tomohiro—with Zakuro and Keiichiro right behind them.
"Ichigo took Kai and Mai to the park and haven't returned—and they, along with Sakura aren't answering their phones. And of course, we now know the house is empty. What? What's that look for?" Ryou answered and then asked when he saw Zakuro make a face.
"Didn't you know?" Zakuro asked, watching Ryou.
"Obviously not. Know what? What's going on?" Ryou demanded.
"Ichigo, Kai, and Sakura moved in with Kish and Masaya." "That I knew; they told me earlier. Well, I didn't know Sakura was as well." Ryou interrupted Zakuro.
"Did they also tell you they were moving to Kish, Pie, and Tart's new home planet? They're not on Earth anymore; they left hours ago." Zakuro explained, shocking everyone in the room.
"WHAT?! What about Mai?!" Ryou demanded, now in panic mode.
"I don't know. I can get a hold of Lettuce and have her ask Pie." Zakuro replied.
"Do it! Now!" Ryou angrily demanded.
"Will do." Zakuro sighed, getting her phone.
"Sorry. Sorry. I'm just worried." Ryou apologized after realizing how he sounded.
"We know and understand." Keiichiro calmly told Ryou.
"We'll find her." "One way or another." Ami and Tomohiro assured Ryou.
"I knew she couldn't be trusted. And how could Sakura not do or say anything?" Jin mumbled.
"Jin, not right now; that's not helping anything. There's a possibility that Sakura didn't know anything—and you know that." Ami scolded her husband.
With Ichigo, Kish, Masaya, Kai, Sakura, and Pie:
"What's going on now?" Pie asked, annoyed, appearing behind an invisible barrier.
Ichigo, Kish, Masaya, and Kai were on the other side of the barrier while Sakura was nowhere to be seen.
"What do you mean?" Kish asked, looking at Pie.
"Do you want to come in?" Masaya asked.
"No, I do not want to come in. I have no interest in being on that side—and I know neither do Tart, Lettuce, Pudding, or any of the others." Pie spoke, folding his arms across his chest.
"You could always make them." Kish calmly spoke.
"Like you did Ichigo and Kai? Are you doing the same to her mother as well?" Pie asked, making a point.
"Kish didn't do anything to us. This is the first time we've been here." Kai argued right away.
"Uh-huh. Where's Mai? Ryou's back home, freaking out because he doesn't know where she is." Pie spoke, not caring about whatever Kish, Ichigo, and Masaya were currently doing.
"Good." Ichigo replied.
"Good? Good? It's good Ryou's freaked out and Mai's probably alone somewhere, terrified. Trust me: I know how the girl is. What did you idiots do to them? Because I know that even if Ichigo and Ryou didn't get along and aren't together anymore, she wouldn't be this cold towards him or their daughter. Yes, I know she prefers Kai and Ryou prefers Mai, but neither would be cold to the other child." Pie asked before stating, becoming pissed off.
"Just never mind any of this. Go back to Lettuce and have a good life. You won't have to see or deal with us anymore." Kish calmly told Pie.
"Fine—after you tell me where Mai is." Pie replied.
"Just you never mind." Ichigo replied, turning around.
"You tried selling your mother's house even though you didn't have the right to." Pie stated, getting Ichigo's attention.
"I didn't sell it; Mom did. It's her house; she can do what she wants with it." Ichigo immediately argued.
"Except for it wasn't her house yet. Yes, it was under her name, but it still belongs to Ryou's parents; they'd yet to sigh the official deed over to your mother. And yes, your mother knew that; that's why she had a job interview today." Pie calmly stated, shocking Ichigo.
"Don't worry about him, Ichigo; he can't do anything. Ryou's parents can just make the money back by selling the house again." Masaya calmly told Ichigo, relaxing her nerves until Kish defensively stepped in front of her.
"Oh, I can't do anything, can't I? Kish, why don't you tell them what I can't do? No? Well then, I will. The place you're in now, I created when I worked under Deep Blue years ago. I made all the rules, and they still apply. Since I created this place, I can easily destroy it. But for the ones who live there, I would rather not because it keeps them in there. Also, since you're back there, you can no longer get out unless I say so—including Kish and Masaya. So, if you don't want your plan or whatever ruined, tell me where Mai is. Tell me where Mai is, and I'll leave you alone and make sure Ryou can't get here. And if you do not tell me where Mai is within the next minute, I will pull Kai out and take him to Ryou and Ryou will get one hundred percent custody. I will tell the courts what I know: that Ichigo broke agreement and took Kai out of Tokyo without telling Ryou. And that she left Mai alone at some park, making it child abandonment. You will NEVER get to see Mai or Kai again after that. Take your pick." Pie dangerously threatened, giving them fair warning.
"We don't know where she is! We left her at Cho-Park hours ago. By now, she's probably wandered off somewhere! Don't take Kai from me!" Ichigo cried and begged as Kai started floating in the air toward Pie.
"I'll give you an hour. If we don't find Mai within an hour, I'm coming back for him. Ask Kish; it doesn't matter where you hide in here, I'll find him. I don't even need to enter to get him—and you can't leave. You had better pray we find her." Pie warned before teleporting away.
With Ryou:
"Pie said he'd look into it." Zakuro calmly told Ryou once she was done talking to Pie.
"So, now what?" Ami asked, concerned.
"Why don't we go to their home and talk to them?" Tomohiro asked, watching Ryou.
"I don't know where that is." Ryou replied.
"Besides, they're not at our home they claimed to be at." Pie spoke, appearing out of nowhere.
"Excuse me?" Ryou asked, watching Pie.
"Ichigo, Kish, and Masaya are not at our home; they're at a place I created when we worked for Deep Blue. It's a place humans can't get to without me, Kish, Tart, or even Masaya. However, now they've all passed the invisible barrier, they can't get out. But I talked to them and asked where Mai was; they said they left her at some park—and by now, Mai probably wandered off. Tart checked the park; he said it's empty. I'm sure Kish and Masaya knew they wouldn't be able to live in the area with others of our kind because of what they did, so they had to find elsewhere. Most do not condone leaving a small child on his or her own." Pie calmly explained, watching Ryou.
"Damnit! What the hell is wrong with her?! I mean for fuck's sake, Ichigo!" Ryou snapped, throwing his arms in the air.
"My guess is that Kish and Masaya brainwashed Ichigo and Kai—and are now working on Sakura. I went there; they're waiting for the brainwashing to be done, and I can't do anything because it could kill the person getting brainwashed. But anyway: we should start looking. If she were a little older and could take care of herself: I'd say hold off. But we should head out." Pie calmly explained before insisting.
"Why'd you say it like that?" Tomohiro asked, watching Pie.
"I told Ichigo if we didn't find Mai within an hour, I'd come back and get Kai and she'd never see him again. That's how I got her to tell me where they left Mai. Although, we still don't know where she is." Pie calmly explained.
"Thank you. But I suppose if Ichigo wants Kai so much; she can keep him. I know for a fact that if we try to take Kai from her, he'll lash out more than he already does—and he will physically hurt Mai. I won't have that. Now, if you'll excuse me; I have to find my daughter." Ryou replied before getting his car keys.
"Take your brother with you. Tomohiro, go with Ryou. Two heads are better than one. Jin and I will go together while Keiichiro and Zakuro go together." Ami gave orders.
"I'll get Tart and we'll take to the skies." Pie informed everyone before teleporting away.
Now:
Roughly ten minutes into the walk back to the park, Mai became weak and started falling over, so Fai offered to carry her on his back. Kurogane tried putting his cape over her to keep her dry—but that didn't work, and they were all drenched.
"Are you doing ok, Mai?" Fai asked, concerned as she leaned against him.
"Daddy." Mai mumbled, barely there anymore.
"Hey, are we almost to the damn park yet?" Kurogane questioned the Mokona's.
"It's just up these steps." Larg answered, leading the way along with Soel.
"And then we'll lead you to where Ryou is." Soel added, concerned. Fai and Kurogane both picked up on that fact.
"How long have you been with Mai?" Fai asked, curious.
"A few weeks—since she was in the hospital last." Larg answered like it was nothing.
The rain started to wane as they began slowly ascending the steps.
"Here we are. The park." Soel spoke, looking around the wet, empty park. Well, almost empty. They could see a man just leaving.
"Daddy?" Mai asked, looking up at the man.
"Daddy!" Mai cried, recognizing the man.
"I'll get him." Larg insisted, taking off.
"Hold on." Fai instructed, kneeling so Mai could slide off him.
A Few Minutes Ago:
Ryou, Tomohiro, their parents, Keiichiro, and Zakuro just arrived at the empty park to find nobody there. But they figured that already.
"Where could she have gone? I mean, really? There's only two ways she could've gone, right?" Ryou asked, looking around.
"And then you gotta think about all the ways she could've gone once she gout out of this place." "Jin! Don't give Ryou a heart attack. I'm sure he knows that already!" Jin stated, looking around until Ami scolded him.
"We should split up." Zakuro insisted.
"Agreed." Ryou replied, following the others down the steps.
"Mr. Ryou!" A familiar voice rang out from behind them.
"What is that?" Zakuro asked, confused.
"It's Larg." Ryou replied, stunned.
"Daddy!" Ryou barely heard Mai cry in the background.
"Mai?" Ryou asked, walking back up the steps.
As soon as he got back to the park, he saw a flash of wild red by the playground.
"Daaadddy!" Mai cried again, this time tripping over her own feet.
"Mai!" Ryou yelled, running to her, getting the others' attention.
"Daddy…" Mai panted, trying and failing to get up.
"Mai, Baby." Ryou breathed, pulling Mai into his arms and rocked her.
"Look at you. You're all soaked. What happened?" Ryou asked after a few minutes.
"Gramma fell and fell sleep; Mommy say she no feel well an dat we take her home after we play Hide an Seek. It my turn count. I know I not 'spose to, but I turn 'round an den day gone. Mr. Kiss and Mr. Masa make dem all dispeer. Den I all lone an it start rain. I try go home but I no know where go an got loss. Daddy I wan go home! I cold!" Mai explained before she started crying.
"I know, Baby. What's this?" Ryou started but then asked when he noticed Kurogane's cape wrapped around her.
"Is his." Mai answered, pointing back to Kurogane and Fai, who was just standing there.
"Who are they?" Ryou asked, standing up with Mai in his arms, trying to remember what Yuko told him about two boys.
"Fai an Kurgi. Fai carry me here an up steps, an Kurgi try keep me dry wit dis." Mai answered, pointing to Fai and Kurogane.
"Oh. Did you tell them "thank you" yet?" Ryou replied and then asked, walking over to Kurogane and Fai.
"Not yet. I see you an wan be wit you." Mai answered, shivering a little.
"Ok. You tell them what you need to and then we'll get you home, in the tub, and changed." Ryou told Mai, setting her in front of Fai and Kurogane.
"Tank you for bring me to Daddy." Mai thanked Fai and Kurogane, hugging them both, shocking them.
"You're welcome." Fai happily replied.
"Yeah. No problem." Kurogane replied, looking away.
"Thank you for looking after her. This is yours. I'm guessing your name's not "Kurgi," but something like it. And you're Fai." Ryou thanked the two, handing Kurogane his cape, getting the two mixed up.
"Stay calm; she was far enough away, it probably looked like she was pointing to whoever. No, I'm Fai and he's Kurogane." Fai told Kurogane before correctly introducing Kurogane and himself to Ryou.
"Well—you've met Mai. I'm Ryou—and that's my family behind us. This may sound like a weird question, but do you know anyone named Yuko?" Ryou replied before asking.
"Yes, we know each other." Yuko answered for the boys before either of them could; she appeared out of Soel's gem.
"It's about damn time you showed up." Kurogane impatiently spat.
"Now, is that any way for you to speak?" Yuko asked, taunting Kurogane.
"I'll talk any damn way I want to. Now, we found your damn creampuff, so keep turn us back to our proper ages like you said you would!" Kurogane snapped.
"Did I say anything about returning you to how you were before you were turned into a child?" Yuko asked, watching Kurogane.
"Yes…" "No, you didn't." Kurogane started only to be interrupted by Fai.
"Excuse me?!" Kurogane snapped.
"Yuko said that if we found Mokona in time, she would give us further instructions on what to do." Fai calmly spoke.
"That's correct. Now, with that taken care of…" "What's been taken care of? I'm still a pintsized child!" Kurogane angrily interrupted Yuko.
"Alright, calm down. Go with Ryou and Mai and I'll explain things. Get in the vehicle before any of you get sick. There will be towels waiting for everyone." Yuko spoke before disappearing.
"Well, come on." Ryou sighed, leading the way.
"You're willing to let complete strangers come with you somewhere?" Kurogane asked, watching Ryou.
"We're going to our place. And if I'm correct: the last time I saw Yuko—no. Sorry. The first time we met Yuko when Mai was sick in a hospital, she said two boys would be coming to stay with us. I only figure she means you two. And as much as my mother and Mai's mother's mother try to hide things; they know Yuko. And if my daughter is somehow tied into Yuko and you two, I'd rather do what Yuko says just in case. I never know what's instore for Mai. So, come on." Ryou explained and then instructed.
"Tomohiro, are you going with Ryou, or are you coming with us?" Ami asked, watching her sons.
"Umm… I'll go with them." Tomohiro replied, seeing a look on his father's face.
"Mai in the middle and you two can sit on either side of her." Ryou told Mai, Kurogane, and Fai, wrapping Mai in a towel.
"What is this contraption?" Kurogane asked, getting in the car after Ryou got Mai situated.
"It's a van and is used for transportation." Ryou answered as he and Fai got in on their side.
"What is the thing you put Mai in?" Fai asked as he and Kurogane wrapped themselves in a towel.
"It's a car seat." Tomohiro dully answered.
"So—I know what I asked earlier, but ummm… Do other worlds really exist outside of this one?" Ryou asked, looking in the rearview mirror.
"Yes. I'm from a world called Celes Country—originally from Valeria Country." Fai answered, watching Ryou.
"I'm from Nihon Country—which I've been told is also known as Feudal Japan." Kurogane answered with his eyes closed.
"Explains why he doesn't know what vehicles or car seats are. But I've never heard of Celes or Valeria." Ryou noted, keeping his eyes on the road.
"I suppose if you don't have them in this world, you wouldn't have. Celes was a cold country; it no longer exists as it imploded on itself. Valeria—well, Valeria wasn't a nice place. Or I suppose it was, but I had nothing but bad memories from it. I have a question for you if I may?" Fai explained as best as he could before asking.
"Sure. Go ahead." Ryou replied, turning a corner.
"Mokona said that Mai had a twin brother, but he chose to live with their mother. Is that true or is it because twins are a curse?" Fai asked, trying not to offend anyone.
"Yes, her brother's name is Kai. And yes, he chose to live with their mother, Ichigo. Curse? No. Kai just prefers Ichigo over me, which is fine. Mai prefers me over Ichigo. And yes, it's been proven. No, twins are a curse. Why do you say that?" Ryou explained, shocked.
"In Valeria, twins are considered a bad omen. My twin brother, Fai was killed. My birth name is Yuui, but after I was rescued from that world and taken to Celes, I took my brother's name to stay close to him." Fai sincerely answered.
"Well, Fai. I'm assuming you just want to be called "Fai—" which works for me; it's pretty easy for us to remember. Why is that, Mai?" Ryou started only to ask Mai a question.
"Fai sound like me and Kai." Mai proudly answered.
"Yes, Fai's name rhymes with your and Kai's names. But as I was saying before: twins here aren't considered a curse—unless you don't want kids to begin with. Twins, for most are considered either a miracle or a blessing. I love my twins, but I do love Mai more. It's no real secret—no matter how hard I tried denying it. I swear Ichigo hates Mai. The reason I'm allowing Ichigo to keep Kai—and to keep them separated is because I'm afraid Kai would hurt Mai. He has a temper and despite what Ichigo believes, he does have anger issues. And he's even threatened Mai and me—mainly saying he'd hurt Mai if I didn't let him go with Ichigo. All in all, Kai's a good kid; he just needs the proper medication and Ichigo. Fai, I'm sorry about your brother, but it seems you have a surrogate brother with you. Kurogane. And Kurogane, please don't get mad at Mai if she mispronounces your name. Her mind works a lot differently than others; she has a harder time learning and catching up." Ryou sincerely spoke before telling Kurogane, who turned his head to the side, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Sorry about that." Yuko apologized, appearing out of Soel's gem.
"Hi, Miss Yuko." Mai softly greeted.
"Hi, Miss Mai." Yuko politely greeted.
"What's going on?" Kurogane demanded as calmly as he could.
"Firstly: I'm sorry, Mai, but I'm going to have to take Larg back." Yuko calmly spoke to Mai.
"Larg?" Mai asked, confused.
"Black bunny." Ryou calmly spoke, turning a corner.
"Why?" Mai asked, confused.
"Because it's time for him to come home." Yuko gently told Mai.
"What 'bout White bunny?" Mai asked, tensing up.
"You'll get to keep that one." Yuko calmly spoke.
"I thought they were a gift for her and Kai." Tomohiro defensively spoke up.
"Soel was for Mai and Larg was for Kai. Kai didn't want Larg and gave him to Mai, which was fine for the time being. But it's time for him to come home with me. Don't be sad, Mai. How about I trade you? When I get my Mokona back, you can choose from any one of these toys for your very own." Yuko explained before gently telling Mai, standing in front of an area of the shop filled with toys for children.
"O-ok." Mai replied, trying not to cry.
"Ready?" Yuko asked, looking at Larg.
"Yep." Larg calmly replied.
"B-bye-bye, Bunny." Mai bid Larg farewell, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Don't be sad. I promise I'll see you again. It may not be in person, but I'll see you again." Larg promised Mai, allowing her to hug him before he left.
"Ok. Before you pick a toy, I need to talk to Kurogane, Fai, and Daddy, ok?" Yuko told Mai.
"K." Mai replied, crying.
"Well, now I feel bad. Watanabe, fetch one of those large lollypops for Mai! Now, where was I? Oh, right. Kurogane, if you want to be an adult again, you'll just have to wait ten to twelve years. That's right, there's no way to magically turn you or Fai back to how old you previously were: you'll just have to grow normally again. And why do you want to go back to your previous age? You have a regular arm instead of a robotic one. And yes, you and Fai will be living with Ryou and Mai. You will help Ryou watch over Mai. Also, using a small spell, everyone will believe Fai is Ryou's son—Mai's older brother. Fai is thirteen and Kurogane is eight. Eventually, after some time, you will the worlds you've come from and will adapt to this world. Depending on how quickly you pick things up, you may go to public school. However, you may also be homeschooled like Mai will be. Although, that's an entirely different reason. Oh, and Ryou: you may want to start looking for a new home to live in. The man who sold you his home is going to give you your money back because his family wants to move back an into the house. But that may be what's best anyway. With Ichigo and everything: you never know if she'll try anything. Well, that's all for me. Mai, you've had time to look for what you want, right?" Yuko explained before asking Mai.
"Can I has da fuzzy blanky?" Mai asked, looking at a fuzzy blue blanket with flowers and fairies on it.
"This one?" Yuko asked, holding a blanket.
"Yes, pease." Mai answered.
"You're sure? This is a very special blanket." Yuko asked, folding the blanket.
"Yes, pease." Mai answered again, eyes becoming big with interest.
"Ok. I'm going to send you a large lollypop as well. But you can't have it until your daddy says so, ok?" Yuko spoke to Mai.
"Yes." Mai answered, sniffling a little.
"Here you go." Yuko sent the blanket and rainbow swirled lollypop over to Mai.
"What's so special about the blanket?" Fai asked when Mai received the blanket.
"It's extra warm, stays dry no matter what, and never needs to be washed. I've also sent you two an outfit and a pair of pajamas for the night. The rest is up to Ryou." Yuko answered before disappearing.
"Home sweet home." Ryou sighed, pulling into the garage.
"Daddy, I cold." Mai told Ryou.
"I know, Baby. We'll get you inside and in the tub in just a few minutes." Ryou told Mai.
Ten Minutes Later:
"Mokona, please stay with Mai. Call if you need anything; I'll leave the door open." Ryou told Mokona and then Mai.
"Yes, Daddy." Mai replied as he left.
"What's going on?" Jin asked right away.
"How's Mai?" Ami asked, watching Ryou.
"Upset but alive. Yuko took back the black Mokona. This is Fai and this is Kurogane; they helped Mai get back to the park—and tried to keep her dry. They will be staying with us until further notice. Somehow Yuko's going to make it so everyone thinks Fai is Mai's older brother and my son. I'm not going to argue this. Fai, Kurogane: these are my parents, Jin and Ami Shirogane. This is my younger brother, Tomohiro. This is my best friend/brother, Keiichiro and his wife, Zakuro. There is an upstairs, but for now you're going to share Kai's old room. I have to start looking for other places to live because the previous owner wants this house back—or his family wants it. Whatever. Fine. We move. Ichigo can't find us. Then tomorrow I have to call the courthouse and let them know what's going on. What?" Ryou answered before asking his parents.
"Your father already called police and the court. Don't worry; nobody's out there looking for Mai; he called on the way here." Ami told Ryou, frustrated.
"I don't have time for this. Mai, if you need anything please call for Grandma. I'm going to show Fai and Kurogane the upstairs bathroom so they can get cleaned and dry." Ryou told Mai.
"Daddy, I want out now." Mai replied.
"Ok. Hold on." Ryou sighed, walking in.
"I'll show Fai to the upstairs bathroom." Keiichiro offered, leading Fai to the stairs.
"Kurogane, can you come here?" Ryou called from the bathroom after wrapping Mai in a towel.
"Yeah?" Kurogane asked, walking into the bathroom.
"Come here; I'll show you how to work the shower. Or would you prefer to use the tub for a bath?" Ryou asked after setting Mai on the toilet.
"What's that?" Kurogane asked, looking at the toilet.
"This is a toilet: it's where we pee or poop. Then you push this plunger down to dispose of the waste." Ryou explained, pushing the plunger down.
"Ah. If that water's warm, I can just use that. You can always show me next time—take care of your daughter." Kurogane firmly told Ryou.
"Ok. That's fine. Do you know how to wash your hair and body?" Ryou asked, watching Kurogane.
"Yes, Fai showed me in a different world we visited." Kurogane replied.
"Ok. This is cold and this hot. Turn them to the wall when you want to turn them on. Turn this knob for the shower so you can wash your hair and body after your bath. Pull this plug when your done so the water can drain. I guess that's it then. See you when you get out." Ryou instructed before leaving.
"See you." Kurogane replied, waiting for the door to close behind them.
Three Hours Later:
Keiichiro and Zakuro left an hour ago to get Mika and Kenji from some camp they were at.
Ami, Jin, and Tomohiro left about two and a half hours ago so they could go grocery shopping before going home.
"How are Mai, Fai, and Kurogane?" Ami asked over the phone.
"Have you even got all your groceries put away yet?" Ryou asked, stunned his mom was calling now.
"We haven't even gotten them all in the house yet. I just wanted to see how the kids were." Ami replied, shocking Ryou even more.
"Well, Fai and Kurogane are figuring out how the TV, internet, and other technology work. Yuko came by again and took Kurogane's sword away—which he's not too happy about. Fai keeps asking him how Mai must feel about Yuko taking the black Mokona away. Mai finally cried herself to sleep about an hour or so ago. Mokona's sleeping with her as well; she had it in a death grip until I loosened her arms a little." Ryou answered his mother.
"Your father wants to know if Mokona was begging again." Ami told Ryou.
"No. Mai's upset and Mokona knows that. I told Mokona it didn't matter; if it was uncomfortable, call out and I'd loosen her arms. You know Mai: she doesn't always understand because she thinks Mokona's a talking stuffed animal. It looks like a rabbit, but at the same time, it doesn't. And it's not like the cats or dogs. *Sigh…*" Ryou explained, ending in a long sigh.
"What's going on?" Ami asked, hearing something in Ryou's tone.
"I made an appointment a few days ago for Mai to get a CT scan of her head. I realized I never had her head checked out to see what was going on in there. I would like to know if it's worth having her on all those medications." Ryou answered.
"Oh. I thought you already had that done." Ami replied, kind of stunned.
"No. I think I thought about it before, but never went through with it because I didn't want to believe she had something else up with her. She's so small and already has so much wrong with her already. It's not fair that she may have more. I mean, I love her no matter what and just as much. It's just—I don't know… It just doesn't seem right." Ryou told his mother.
"I know, Dear. But it's about time. I'm sorry. I wish I would've known sooner that she's never had a CT scan: I would've helped you set one up for her. I know it's scary, but for her health, it's something you NEED to know. And as strange as I'm sure it is for all of you, you're not alone in that house anymore; you have Fai and Kurogane to help you. Shut up. Yes, I know Yuko and trust her; she wouldn't send dangerous people to them. Strange, sure. But never dangerous. And yes; Mai needs a CT scan. No, we will not use yours. The last time you used it on Tomohiro, the power went out—in the entire city. No. Sorry, Ryou. I have to go. If you want me to go with you, you know how to get a hold of me. Bye. Love you." Ami told Ryou before snapping at her husband.
"Bye. Love you too." Ryou replied before hanging up.
"What's wrong with Mai?" Fai and Kurogane asked after overhearing some of Ryou's conversation.
Ryou just sighed and had them sit on the couch before explaining Mai and Kai to them…