A/N: I decided to continue this while I'm stuck in my other fanfic. I can't believe I ran out of ideas for that one! Ugh! I will be updating two chapters for this fanfic so I hope you enjoy this chapter and please don't forget to send me your feedbacks in the comment section below!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Ghost Hunt.

[Not Edited]

ARC 01: THE RETURN (01)

CHAPTER ONE: Mother's Funeral, Last Will

It has been three hours since she stood up from her spot. Most of the people and religious staff attending the funeral stared at her with pity, some were looking at her with predatory eyes. She lost her father before she could remember things and her mother laid in a coffin in front of her. She had been mourning for three days straight. She skipped dinner and lunch again and she hadn't touched the water that the priest gave to her. Alas, she had been orphaned at the tender age of seventeen so of course, losing her only family would have a great impact on her.

The priest helped her up when it is already time to bury her mother. The little girl didn't speak and followed the young priest that is assisting her. She emotionlessly watched the ceremony in the church and walked beside the priest while delivering her mother's coffin to their family mausoleum. The girl has no other living relatives and the talk of whose going to take her will proceed after the burial.

Many cried for the deceased. Most of them are the people who Mrs. Taniyama, the deceased, had helped. They were devastated by their philanthropist's death. The little girl, Mrs. Taniyama's daughter, watched as they lowered the coffin on the ground. She just stood there, not moving an inch. Nobody knew what she is thinking but the people can see the pain and sadness in her eyes. Her pitch black mourning dress completely summarized what she is feeling.

The coffin was buried six feet under the ground but the little girl didn't move. The people left one by one after offering their condolences. They feel pity for the girl. She will be alone from now on. The young priest, who assisted her stood by her side. He, too, did not say a word. His face is very haggard and his eyes are bit swollen and red. He is also one of the people who Mrs. Taniyama helped. He is also one of her closest friends and advisor.

"Father Andrew." The priest looked up and saw the girl moving from her spot.

He studied the girl's face and he noticed something different from her. Her eyes very tired and her gaze…somewhat become mature. Father Andrew blinked, thinking it was his imagination. The young mistress had changed. The bubbly, naïve and innocent looking young lady had become cold, matures and distant. It is completely different from the hurt and mourning girl that had come to him three days ago. The constant tears are gone and was replaced by her serene mask.

The priest stopped himself from crying. The young lady had lost both of her parent. She must have thought it is useless to act the same when there is no one protecting her. The priest wanted hug the girl to comfort him but the coldness tells him not to do anything. Father Andrew cleared his throat and wiped his tears.

"Yes, Little Mai?"

"Let's go to the private conference."

In that conference, all the directors of the company, Mai and Father Andrew would discuss what will happen to Mai and the company. Mrs. Taniyama is the Chairwoman of Taniyama Shipping Company. The company was built by Mrs. Taniyama in memory of her late husband. It was located in San Diego, California. Mai and Father Andrew flew back to California from Cambridge, England.

Although Mrs. Taniyama built the company in California and had lived there with Mai after her husband passed away, the Taniyama Household was still located in England. They are Japanese but her mother had migrated to California and her father was born and raised in England.

The directors of the Taniyama Shipping Company are arguing on who will take the successor of their dead boss. Each of them wanted to take advantage of the weak lamb and steal the wealth under the little girl's name. It is the perfect opportunity to possess more money. The lawyer and the late Chairwoman's assistant watched them in disgust. The people with them wanted to hurt the little girl, who just lost her mother, just to get that damn money! The two of them glared at them while gritting their teeth.

"I will take care of Ms. Taniyama! I am the one closest to the late Chairwoman!"

"Shut up! The late Chairwoman didn't even talked to you for ten minutes! I will take Ms. Taniyama!"

"You hypocrites! You were badmouthing the late Chairwoman when she's alive and now, you wanted to take her daughter?!"

"You are the one to talk! You're also aiming for her position!"

Their yells and insults echoed inside the room. All of them feared the late chairwoman but now that she's gone, their true colors are slowly appearing on the surface. The Taniyama Shipping Company is a successful company and although it is not the best, it is still making millions of money every month. Everyone wanted the wealth of the late Chairwoman. The directors wanted the little girl to be their puppet and reap the benefits of fooling her.

The late Chairwoman's assistant, Margaux Wilson, suppressed her anger while watching their hypocritical faces. She refused to let the win but she was also well aware that she lacks power to do so. She was just an assistant and all of them hold high positions in the company. She prayed that their little mistress won't be fooled by the directors' faced and she also hoped that the late Chairwoman did something to take care of this before she passed away.

Mai Taniyama, the late Chairwoman's only daughter and heir. She just graduated high school and barely have any knowledge in managing a company. She's only seventeen and in need of a guardian. Assistant Wilson and the late Chairwoman's personal lawyer and friend, Dietrich Peterson also wanted to be her guardian to protect her until she is eighteen. But even with the combination of both of them, they still couldn't fight against the powerful directors inside the room. Although they have been friends with the late Chairwoman for years, they are still no match against the directors' status, wealth, family condition and position.

Atty. Dietrich Peterson waited anxiously for the little mistress. The young girl have the late Chairman's last will that they would be discussing today. There is also the issue of the little mistress' guardianship. He and Assistant Wilson hope that this day will not be chaotic.

The door opened and Mai Taniyama, together with Father Andrew, entered the soundproof conference hall. Seven directors stood up and greeted the little mistress. Some glared at her but they soon changed it into a flattering face as the little mistress swept a glance at each of them. One director left his seat and went to her side with a fake caring smile.

"Little Miss, let me offer my condolence. I am very sorry for your lost."

"En."

The little mistress ignored him and directly went to the head seat. She is no longer the naïve little girl that she had portrayed when her mother was still alive. A cold and arrogant young lady appeared in front of the directors, Assistant Wilson and Atty. Peterson. She is clearly telling them that she is not someone who is easy to fool. The directors didn't utter a word while watching the little mistress. Cold, knowing and mature. The little girl would always smile at them whenever they met her. She is quite different from the overbearing and cold late Chairwoman but now, the young lady is acting like her mother! 'Do girls' personality change after seventeen?'

The assistant and the lawyer also noticed the change but more than that, they almost cried when the little mistress conveyed her silent message. 'She resembles the late Chairwoman while sitting in that chair!' The two of them had seen a bit of hope. 'The Heavens had answered our prayers!' The little mistress glanced at the two of them. Seeing that very familiar glare, they both straightened up and began the meeting. That look is very similar to their late boss' look. After a series of giving condolences and greetings, the little mistress finally spoke.

"I have my Mother's Last Will and as you all know, permits you to know the contents of this paper." Mai announced and handed the envelope to Atty. Peterson. The lawyer accepted it with both hands and pointed the camera lenses after taking out the will. The directors turned to the monitor in front of them. It projects what the camera is capturing. Atty. Peterson cleared his throat and began to read what is written in the paper.

"I, Myuki Taniyama, of legal age, a Japanese descent, married to the late Leo Taniyama, born on the 16th of November 18, a resident of San Diego, California, being of sound and disposing mind an memory, and not acting under undue influence of intimidation from anyone, do hereby declare and proclaim this instrument to be my Last Will and Testament, in English which I am well conversant. And I hereby declare that:"

"I declare that should I die, it is my wish to be buried according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church led by Rev. Fr. Andre H. Draw and interred at our father mausoleum in Cambridge, England."

"To my Executive Assistant, Margaux C. Wilson, 32 years old, single and born on the 5th of January 19, I give the following property to wit: 10% of shares and the position of Vice Chairwoman of Taniyama Shipping Company and a land property located in , San Diego, California."

The directors roared after that announcement was made. '10% of shares and the position of Vice Chairwoman!' The shares given her is equal to the shares of the director who is just second to the late Chairwoman! That 10% given is also almost half of the late Chairwoman's shares. That was even written first than the announcement of the little mistress' inheritance! Assistant Wilson cried and kneeled down the floor. She never thought she could receive this much from the late Boss. She had been loyal to her for a decade now and the late Chairwoman was also like a big sister to her. She repeatedly thank the late Chairwoman in her heart.

"To my personal lawyer, Atty. Dietrich M. Peterson, 35 years old, single , born in the 24th of September 19, I give the following properties to wit: 25% of the company shares and the position of Chairman in Taniyama Shipping Company, and two land properties located in , San Diego, California."

'25% of shares!' Adding the 10% given to Assistant Wilson, it would be 35% and that is all the late Chairwoman had in the company! 'Nothing will be left for the young miss!' All people in the room turned to the Little Mistress to see if there is any hint of disagreement in her but they saw nothing. She just watched without any word. That means she doesn't care who inherit the company!

Atty. Peterson also didn't know that he will be taking on the late Chairwoman's position with the backing of 25% shares from her. It is true that they had been friends for so long but he never thought he would be receiving something from her! Now h understand why the late Chairwoman didn't allow him to take part on forming the will. 'She was planning to give me the company from the very beginning!' Atty. Peterson turn around to wipe the tears hanging in his eyes.

The date when the will was written was five years ago. That means she was long ready of her death and she was well aware of her condition. The directors also couldn't believe what had happened. They wanted to say that the will was forged but it was personally written in the late Chairwoman's pen writing. There is also the certificate proving that it is truly the late Chairwoman's handwriting.

It was the directors' turn to grit their teeth in anger. They didn't expect the late Chairwoman to be cruel enough to not give her beloved daughter a share or a position in her own company! She is giving the company she built to some strangers! What they didn't know is that the lawyer and the assistant is not just some employees to her. Mai Taniyama perfectly knew of that fact.

"To my dear friend, Rev. Fr. Andrew H. Draw, 30 years old, single, born on the 15th of July 19, I give the following properties to wit: 10B US dollars from my personal account and the Taniyama Household Mansion in San Diego, California."

"To my beloved daughter, Mai Taniyama, 17 years old, single, born on the 3rd of July 19, I give the following properties to wit: The Main Household Mansion in Cambridge, England and the 30% of my wealth in my personal account amounting to 46B US dollars. I permit my daughter, Mai Taniyama to use all that are under her name with the permission of the guardian that I had appointed, Rev. Fr. Andrew H. Draw."

"The rest of my money and properties will be used in charity. The land and the houses I acquired will be used as orphanages and schools while the rest of my money in my personal account will be used as funds for the orphanages and schools that will be established. This project will be led by my dear friend, Rev. Fr. Andre H. Draw, my beloved assistant, Margaux C. Wilson and my personal lawyer, Atty. Dietrich M. Peterson."

"I hereby designate Atty. Dietrich M. Peterson as the executor and administrator of this Last and Testament…………………. In the witness, whereof, I hereunto affixed my signature this 7th of December of 20* in San Diego, California. MIYUKI TANIYAMA."

All of the people, excluding Mai, couldn't believe what just happened. They knew for sure that the late Chairwoman would pass down all her wealth to her daughter but this goes beyond their expectations. Outsiders got the highest positions and shares on the company and the blood daughter just received an abandoned mansion in another country and 46B US dollars. Of course it is not a small amount but it was just the annual profit the late Chairman earn for 3 years!

The rest of her money in her personal account that approximately amounts to 100B US dollars are given to charity! 10B US dollars and the little mistress' custody is also given to a puny priest! 'Such a waste!' the chance that they had been waiting for had gone to waste with just a Will from the late Chairwoman! Miyuki Taniyama was really good! The directors didn't show any pretense anymore. They glared at Mai and her companions. Mai victoriously smirked at them while standing up. She walked towards the exit with the three of her mother's loyal friends. The directors wanted to stop her but the bodyguards already stopped them. Mai turned around to face them but what she said completely ruin their day.

"Did you think my mother will leave me and the company to all of you? Dream on. Are you that qualified?"

Mai mockingly laughed at them as they exited the conference hall. Her way of saying that is very cold and insulting that the directors couldn't utter any words. They already betrayed the company when they learned of her Mother's illness. Her mother already have ways to dispose them and the papers and evidences of their betrayal are only waiting for the new Chairman to execute the plan. Assistant Wilson and Atty. Peterson are not vegetables so Mai is so sure that they could pull out the plan perfectly.

The four of them quickly entered the late Chairwoman's study after arriving at the mansion that was given to Father Andrew. They had signed the papers and was ready to be submitted to the court. The three of them stared at Mai and gathered the courage to ask the teen.

"Are you really okay with this Little Mistress?" Assistant Wilson asked with tears hanging on the corners of her eyes. Mai emotionlessly look at her nodded. She gazed at the papers she just signed and gave them to Atty. Peterson. She smiled and bowed to them.

"Congratulation in inheriting the company, Chairman Peterson and Vice-Chairwoman Wilson. I am glad my mother gave the results of her hard work to the both of you."

"Little Mistress…."

"Please don't worry. I have no interest in managing a company. I plan to live normally as my mother wishes. And Father Andrew. My mother gave you 10B to make your dreams come true. I am sure my mother is watching over you as you make it come. She also hopes that you three will help any people in need in her place."

"Little Mistress, will you live in England after you move the things from the mansion?"

"I will be moving the things from this mansion to our Main Household but I will not be living in England."

"Why not, Little Miss? You also have your studies here."

"I will be living and continuing my studies in Japan."