Disclaimer: Nope, nada,

Chapter Seventeen: Faith

Mai POV

I found myself twirling around my arms stretched out like wings of a plane laughing along. My mother sat on her chair in our small apartment, watching me. A smile passes her lips as she leans back on her chair, looking behind me at the picture of my father.

I stopped in front of my black sofa looking at my old brown teddy bear which sat on the edge staring back at me with his dark bitty eyes. I took it and turned around to head towards my mom.

I remember perfectly that she wore a long white skirt with a silky blue blouse. Her brown hair was tied in a ponytail. The window behind her made a reflection from the sun making her look glowy. I smile at that.

I walked towards her knees, placing my teddy bear on top. She leans forward, taking a hold of the bear.

"Mr. Teddy is sad cause mommy is sad. Why?" I asked in my small child voice lifting my gaze towards her. My mother gave me a sad smile. Leaning down she picks me up and places me on top of her lap.

I smiled, snuggling into her warm chest.

"Mommy is sad, cause she misses daddy," she points at the picture, that is on top of a small table next to the sofa. I tilted my head towards the side, pouting.

"I miss daddy too. Did mommy love daddy a lot? Just like you love me?" I randomly asked, feeling my heart warm up. She wraps her arms around me, planting a small kiss on the top of my forehead causing me to rub it.

"I love you more than anything in this world, just like your father. Never forget that" she tells me, causing me to smile even more.

"I love you too Mommy, lots, and lots. Daddy to... I miss Daddy." I said feeling sad that he's not with us. My mother grasps my chin making me look at her, then leans down and kisses my cheek a couple of times holding me tight causing me to giggle.

"Listen to me, missing someone is a part of loving them. If you're never apart, you'll never really know how strong your love is. I miss your father terribly. You're the only thing he left behind when you fall in love in the future, you'll know what those words will mean." she explains. I frowned, lifting my gaze.

"I will never fall in love. I will always love you, mommy. Just like daddy. I love both. Even if I don't remember him." My mother chuckled, placing my teddy on my lap.

"Eventually all parents need to let their children go. I'm just praying, that you'll find a good man, that will love you for you." she squeezes me tightly causing me to giggle.

Giving me one of the warmest hugs, I ever received.

"I love you, mommy," I said with a happy heart as she places her chin on top of my head, tighten her embrace at me.

"I love you as well Mai, I love you so much."

O.o

I awoke sweat rolling down my face as the morning birds sang in the background.

I groaned, placing my hand on my forehead.

"I haven't dreamt about mama for a long time. Why now?" I murmured, getting up.

"Naru, we..." I paused, lifting my veil to see no one slept, only the pillows are spotted.

"How long has it been already? Five months now, five months since he left, and we've been on this island almost a year." Shaking off my depressed feeling, I slowly stood up to only hiss in pain.

I glance down on my legs, to see how my skin seems to start to chip off. Gross, but painful, very painful.

Stupid ghost and its fire fetishes.

Again I try to stand up but to no avail, I fell back down, so I grunt in frustration as I turn to look at the mirror that Naru found when we first arrive. I look pale, almost looking like a ghost itself. My hair is longer now, up to my elbows. I haven't lost that much weight since I've been eating what Naru taught me and even found a new food that it's tasty, I can't wait to show Naru.

It's been hard for me to move around, but if I stay put, then I will die for sure and Naru will be very mad at me for dying. I need to be strong when he returns.

Even though five months have gone by, Naru will come back. I have hope that he'll return to me.

I look at my wedding ring and fumble with it as my memory went back to five months ago, a week after Naru left for his journey.

O.o

Five months ago:

I was washing my clothes by the stream, trying to keep my mind occupied at the fact of how much I miss that man.

While minding my own business, scrubbing hard than the normal a sharp piercing pain reaches my heart causing me to drop my pants to the floor.

"What's this, why does my heart hurt?" I place my wet hand against my blouse, not caring that I wet it, and began to rub my chest trying to ease the pain, but to no avail, it became worse by the second.

"It feels like something bad happen... Naru!" I called out in such a pain, that I dropped to my knees as tears began to roll down my cheeks as this horrible feeling overshadows my whole being.

"God, please let it be the figment of my imagination because I'm worried about him. Please protect him." I prayed to try to calm myself down from this horrible feeling.

Naru is doing fine, he'll be back soon. He'll be coming back and giving me one of his scoldings or his cold remarks, but he'll be with me once again. Nothing happened to him, nothing.

I try to convince myself as I slowly stood up with that new determination in my head even though my heart was seeing another story.

"Then why do I feel like something happened to Naru? Naru, please, I beg of you be safe. I'm here waiting for you."

End of Memory

T.T

That was five months ago, five months which went painfully slowly.

Ayame has been visited me from time to time, but every time I asked her about Naru, she would just keep quiet which causes more grieve in my heart.

"Naru, it's been five months, but here I am waiting for you, nothing particular happens besides my nightmares. I have so many things to talk about with you. Did you know, I have grown to attach to your company? I miss you like crazy, I learned the hard way that one can't live by themselves. I don't know how long we have to stay on this island, but I want to tell you, I miss you, I miss you like crazy and I realized that I don't want anyone but you. So I'm being brave Naru for you and please be safe and come back to me, my love."

o.0

I sat on the edge of the stream getting ready for my bath, only to see some rabbits and other cute animals scatter around to get some water. I place my cheek against the palm of my hand and smiled gently at the free-spirited animals.

"They are so cute, Naru, don't you think so?" I turn my gaze to see Naru staring at them and shrugs at his shoulders.

"They are just animals, Mai, they are doing what their instincts are telling them." would be his matter-of-fact reply. I rolled my eyes and went to grab his hand only for Naru, to disappear into the wind. I felt my heart clenched as I return my gaze to the animals. Then a dry laugh escapes my lips.

"Yes it's true Naru, but they are so cute. I want to even adopt one, but I'm sure you won't let me because you'll give me a lesson on why we shouldn't adopt wild animals." I laugh at the sense that I know Naru, to well.

"Oi, Naru, I got your birthday gift, even though it was four months ago and I wish I could have spent it with you. Now you're twenty-one years old, you're getting old Naru." I said, smiling at the fact that I took some time to make it. Then my smile turns upside down and I rub my arms.

"He must have been sad since he didn't have Gene with him. It must be very hard on him to celebrate his birthday when Gene isn't here." I felt my eyes water up aching at the thought.

"Naru, you hide it very well, but I know you are very sensitive when it comes to your birthday, but this year, I'll make it the best," I told myself so I can cheer myself and hopefully Naru.

"Ayame, please come to me. Please let me know that Naru is doing fine, please it's driving me crazy, I'm sick and worry about him. " I spoke out loud to see if I can hear a response from her, but nope, nothing.

The sound of the animals replaced the answer. I bowed down, placing my hands together, and made a little prayer.

"God, please keep Naru safe. Bring him back to me in one piece." ever since he left, I have been praying that to him every morning and night.

I hoisted myself slowly to go into the treehouse, but in doing so a loud tussle on the bushes, cause me to stop as my heart jump in fear.

Turning around, I squinted my eyes to get a better look, but I didn't see anything, but the tree branches moving with the winds.

"Okay? It must be an animal, it's been too quiet since I have seen any ghost or those two brothers." So I headed back towards the pathway, but on doing so, the tussle sound turned a little louder. This time, turning around, I headed towards the sound.

Upon reaching the small bush near the tree and, I bend down with a shaky hand I extended it and touched the bush. Which I know is a very bad idea. Out of nowhere, the bush shook more, causing my heart to race.

"Ahh!" I yelled, when a rabbit popped out of it, I glance at it, as I breathed out.

"Okay, most cliché things I have ever seen. Don't tell me there's someone behind me?" I groaned knowing very well that this has to be a movie scene. Slowly I turned around, and heaved in relief, to find nothing.

"Oh, thank God." I rubbed my chest in a circle to calm my heart.

So I headed back to the treehouse slowly, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something feels off, and when I have the feeling, it means something. So I speed my steps as fast as I could trying to ignore my pain.

As I reach the stairs of the treehouse shivering feeling dawn on me. I was now cold, very cold.

Oh no!

I rushed my steps up the stairs while grabbing the railing for support so I can move faster.

Then my heart drops when I felt a hand on my leg and the burning sensation started once again.

"You're mine, just like your husband." I heard which cause my whole body to grow stiff.

The hand pulls on my leg hard causing me to fall harshly on the ground, hitting my chin against the stairs, without mercy the hand starts to drag me. I turned and started to do the nine cuts, without hesitation, my hands started to do the gesture that came out of me as naturally as the others thought me.

"Rin, Pyou, Tou, Sha, Ka, Djin, Retsu, Zai, Zen," I screamed while finished doing my signs. The invisible hand disappeared from my leg.

I immediately stood up, rushing towards the treehouse, but on doing so, a gust of wind came from nowhere causing me to cover myself with my arms.

"RUN MAI!"I heard Ayame voice echoed around the wind. Without questioning it, I move swiftly towards the treehouse, but in doing so, I stopped as a black mist appeared from nowhere in front of me. My heart jumped.

"Please don't let it be Alack or Isac," I knew better than wishing this. Well, lucky me, I have two guests. From nowhere, the horse appeared at the bottom of the stairs as the wolf appeared few feet away from the entrance of the treehouse.

"Should we play cat and mouse?" I heard Alack mention. I turned around to see Alack sitting on his horse staring at me with his bloodshot eyes. I felt my heart jump in fear.

"I rather not play, can you just let me pass and pretend this isn't happening." I tried to negotiate, hey, give me a break. I'm stuck.

"How cute. Should we tell her that her husband died?" Isac's voice seems so vacuous, so vile, that I felt my heart stop, no my world stop spinning.

"D...Died?" it just barely passes my lips, when I felt myself move backward, only to catch myself.

"Yes, believe it doll, he died... Now, give up hope. He isn't coming back to you."Alack concludes.

I couldn't move My body seems to be paralyzed.

"Mai run!'Ayame screams again, I glance up to see Ayame floating above me, sadness past her eyes.

"N... N.." I couldn't even form a word, my chest felt tight, too tight that it's beginning to hurt to breathe.

"Yes, run Mai. It's time for the thrill of your lifetime."Alack moves his horse towards the side. I didn't know what to do, but little choice I had?

They are lying, Naru isn't dead. With that, my determination I became pissed off.

"I will never give myself to you vile souls. I will stop you.." I declare, a lot of emotions running through me. Sadness, anger, pettiness, and above all, mourning. I was in shock.

Without a second thought, I started to run ignoring my pain. I headed towards the forest, scraping my skin against the twigs, and why not. Then I yelp when a blast of fireball is thrown towards my right.

"Are you freaking kidding me? This isn't an action movie." I groaned, turning towards my right, heading deeper into the forest.

"Run little mouse; run, sooner or later I will get you." I heard behind me. Then another fireball is thrown, causing me to move towards the right.

Right, the plan, do the plan, Naru would do that, don't give in and be brave, you promise him.

I ducked down from a large tree truck sticking out. Then I came to an abrupt stop as my eyes landed in front of a few boars that were minding their own business.

"Not in the plan, but it can help," I whispered, turning around, Isac and Alack standing a few feet away from me.

"Enough with this chasing. I'll take her." Isac moves forward, but Alack growls turning his gaze on his brother.

"No, she's mine. The one that shall leave here is you. I gave you enough, and how you repay me? Now, let me have her."Alack snaps back, Isac growls back at him.

"I have something important, far more important. She is my key, as well as her husband. Just leave." as they argue with whom will take me. I took in a big breath and place my hands together.

Concentrating, on the task at hand, while Naru's voice echoed on my head. His last resort for me if he's not here to protect me and patiently taught me how to do it.

"Mai, there's another chant, that you can master, I can teach you, but is very deadly to do. Lin even forbid me to do it. I need you to fuse it with the nine cuts. Remember to use it as a last resort, it will be deadly if you overdo it. Okay."

Closing my eyes, I started to do the nine cuts after I finished, I added the extra chant, murmuring very fast and my hands did the signal faster and faster. I heard a yell, feeling sweat rolling down my face as my chest heaved a lot. I felt the energy flow around me more powerful than normal.

Naru said that I need to borrow some energy from anyone, so the boars are living animals and it's working.

Then I release, I felt a tingly sensation going through my fingertips, and an electroshock form around me, causing a heavy wind.

Reminds me of when Naru used his Pk.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I yelled, throwing electroshock toward the two ghosts. I felt my body lift then the next thing I knew, I was being thrown across slamming against the floor, hitting my elbow pretty bad. The two brothers disappeared, as my power left with it.

My energy is drained.

I gave the Boars a shaky smile. Watching them just walk around or just eating.

"Thank you, for letting me borrow some of your energy," I whispered, as everything started to lose consciousness. I slowly open my eyes, to see two pairs of pale white legs in front of me. I felt a soft brush on top of my head.

"You did good my dear daughter. Now rest."and with those final words, everything fades out.

O.o

Dream:

"Should I believe?" I asked while I stare at the Treehouse in front of me, not feeling a thing. I felt numb oh so numb.

"SHOULD I BELIEVE?" I screamed this time, trying to get someone to help me. To clarify for me I was going crazy. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump.

"Depends, of how much faith you have." I heard. Turning around, Ayame stood in front of me, with a sad expression on her. Without a second thought I move and wrap my arms around her she did the same.

"I want my mama, I miss her." oh how I miss my mother right now. I miss her warm hugs her smile and her advice. I started to sob.

Ayame rubs my back very gently.

"Everything will be okay Angel." she soothes me. Moving out of her embrace wiping my cheeks, Ayame turns to face the forest.

"Sorry, I just.." I didn't know what to say, I just know that I wanted my mother. I miss her terribly. I wish to have her at my side. Ayame turns and lifts her hand.

"Don't be sorry, it's natural for a daughter wanting their mother, especially if you lost her at a very young age." I nodded, looking at my wedding ring.

"Is it true? That... Is that why you were so quiet so you won't hurt me?" I gulped not liking this at all, I didn't even want to believe it myself. Ayame frowns at me but shook her head.

"Not everything on this island is what it seems. Remember that. Remember to keep the faith. Now, the road for you will be harsher, and more painful at times. Just be strong. Everything, in the end, will be worth it. Your next destination will be in two months. When the third full yellow moon appears on the North. Go the next day, and head towards the direction. It will take time, this island is bigger than what you think. You will be attacked worse than ever before because that's the heart of the island. Find out what happened to Alack. Puzzle it. Each thing that I show you are a puzzle. I can't tell you cause I can't remember correctly. Yet you have a long way to solve this." she explains to me.

"Is easier than said and done, but I will, Naru would like that, How do I release the souls?"

I asked. Ayame lifts her gaze, looking up at the treehouse, and gave me a small sad smile.

"Sometimes, you have to find your reflection to save them all." was all she said. I arched a brow so confused by her words.

"My reflection?" I hiccupped, turning my gaze towards the Treehouse, on doing so, my eyes widen, to see fire surrounding it.

"No, not again." I was about to move towards it, but Ayame stopped me, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay, just let it be. Now wake up, or not you'll surely die," she suggested.

"Die?" I was confused by her words once again.

A screamed escapes after I asked watching Ayame rapidly coming up to me and her eyes turn bloody red, her face turning faceless. Her body no longer is a body, but a dark spirit.

"Alack?"

"Miss me?" his voice seems choppy and cynical as well a hint of mocking, and I can not assure you a friendly mock, and with that, I screamed once again as he overshadows me.

...

...

I awoke with a slight scream feeling a nip on my hand and something crawling on my legs. Groaning, after my sight returned, I see a white rabbit, nipping on my hand.

"I'm not dead." I shooed it away moving my aching body. Lifting my upper body.

I glance down and see many ants crawling up my legs. I immediately set myself up and scramble the ants away from my legs.

"Wow, what happened?" I asked rubbing my forehead. Turning around, the treehouse was right in front of me. I arched a brow in confusion.

"Wasn't' I deep in the forest?" But I tilted my head towards my left, noticing something off with the treehouse itself. Something seems off though. It looks newer, fresher, and unbroken.

"Okay? Oh no, don't tell me." and before I could finish, I heard a voice behind me. So I turned around to see Alack and Isac appear from nowhere standing in front of me, and facing each other.

"No, I don't want to betray our tribe, why? They have been so kind to us." I heard Alack speak at my right. I slowly move my head, to stare at him.

"Kind to us? They have lied to us. You know damn well how this island works. Time. There's no time. Our parents are still looking for us. I know they are."Isac argues.

"It's been a long time now. They had forgotten about us. Just go and marry Hayako, I know you two love each other. Start anew."Alack suggested crossing his arms. Isac bit out an angry moan.

Hayako? Wait, isn't that the lady I saw last time, his wife?

"Just cause I love her, doesn't make it less. I want out of this island. I will take Hayako with me. This island is ruining our lives. Let's just do what I have found. Please brother. You're the only one that I trust." Isac pleaded this time. Alack shook his head in disappointment.

"If you don't stop this brother. I will assure you that I will stop you, no matter what happened," he warns him and then they disappear.

I groaned, covering my eyes with my hand. As a headache came pulsing on my head pounding in my skull. My chin ached, as well as my elbow.

"So Alack did something to frame Isac? What did Isac do? Damn too many questions. I'm too tired to think." with little strength, I muster myself up only to wobble down.

So I muster as much strength as I could. I headed up towards my house. Shutting the door behind me. I glance up at the stairs.

"Great." without any other choice, I move, and somehow and that's a big somehow. I manage to get to Naru's bed.

I flop down, feeling every muscle scream as try to relax my body. I stare at the books blankly.

I felt a tear roll down my nose to my mouth.

"Why am I crying?" I asked myself confuse. I kept staring as more tears flow down. I felt my chest heaving hard. I closed my eyes, smelling Naru's scent in his pillows.

"Right. Isac said Naru died." I simply said. I clenched it into his pillow, holding it tightly as I snuggle more.

Naru isn't dead, he isn't. I cover my eyes with my hand and finally let go.

A painful agonizing scream leaves me, as the five months of waiting for Naru finally came crashing on me. After that bad feeling, I haven't shed a tear so I can be brave even though I felt like I was dying. Now...

Naru, you promise... Why did you leave me? I haven't told you that I love you. I love you so much that I can't stand it. I miss you, please come back to me.

"Naru!" I fist my hands crying even harder, letting my pain in my heart consume me completely.

...

...

I stare at the ceiling feeling empty, it was worse than my body aching.

"Out of everything that hurts, my heart hurts the most," I whispered to myself.

Mama, is that why I remember your words when I was little? To prepare me for anything? Because I feel horrible, I can't stand it.

"Missing someone is a part of loving them. If you're never apart, you'll never really know how strong your love is. I miss your father terribly. You're the only thing he left behind. When you fall in love in the future, you'll know what those words will mean." her words rang strong on my head, and in my heart.

"Mom was right. Being apart this long is like a part of me is missing. You don't know how good you have it until you lose it."

This is worse than when he rejected me three years ago

I cover my eyes with my palm.

"I never knew how much I love him. I never knew how much until he left me again... I should have faith I remember once, I told Naru that I will have faith and hope for the both of us." I lower my hand and turned my body to face my bed only to wince. I tuck my hands under my cheek and stare at my bed.

"I'll have faith for the both of us. I will wait for Naru no matter what happens. He's not dead. I feel it deep in my heart. I will wait for my husband to come back to me. You hear me, Naru. I will wait for you, and we'll work this out. I don't care anymore Naru, I know you don't love me, but I do so much, so I'm yours, so I will wait for you to return, even as a phantom."

I whispered as sleep took over me and for the first time in months, it was a dreamless sleep.

O.o

I awoke not early in the morning, it was already midday, my body was recuperating from everything I went through the day before.

My body aching, my eyes were swollen. I had no energy to stand. Yet, something in me, a small voice told me to do so. So I did.

Slowly I made my way around and ate something, but a piece of fruit, not in the mood to be eating.

Almost crawling towards the entrance, I stopped in front of the door. A sudden heaviness hits me, as my hand started to shake violently.

I grasp my hand and place my forehead against the door, why? I felt very weak and emotionally drained.

Get a hold of yourself. Naru would be very mad at me, if he sees me like this.

So I opened the door and head down the step each step was painful. My heart jumps out of nowhere when I heard rustling in front of me. I glance up, to see nothing in particular. Just some wild animals roaming along.

What, you expect Naru, to appear, just like in the movies?

I shrugged it off and continue to go down and headed for the stream. I forgot to bring my things with me.

A few minutes later, I reach the stream and slowly bend down, to cup some water and wash my face with it. Lifting myself once more. I turned around, looking down at the ground, then my heart leaped again?

So I lifted myself and a soft breeze passes through me.

I stopped, shaking off an odd feeling that seems to crawl up my spine towards my heart.

Moving towards the forest, I stopped in my tracks once again, lifting my gaze once more and I began to cry hard as a burst of new emotions filled my heart.

"Faith, I should always keep my faith."

So I change some things around, I think I like this version much better than my Og. Let me know.