Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.
"We have to stop," Lin finally insisted, though he really didn't want to. No matter how frustrating it was, he was determined to respect his family's traditions.
Mai sighed unhappily and rolled from his lap. She flopped onto the opposite side of the bed, sprawling on her back to stare up at the ceiling.
"Well then, what plans did you have for the day?" she asked.
Lin turned towards her slightly and took ahold of her hand.
"Well—" he said as he lifted her hand and placed a kiss on it, "I thought perhaps you might like to go sightseeing."
Mai was silent as she thought about his offer. She was a little reluctant about the idea. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she felt like there were still things they should discuss. Though they had been together for nearly a month and would be married in a little over a week, she didn't feel like she knew enough about him personally. Still, she didn't want to ruin his plans.
"It sounds fun," she finally answered.
Lin frowned slightly at her response. He got the distinct feeling that there was something on her mind.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Not expecting him to notice her reluctance, Mai was caught off guard and quickly looked at him. His expression was even as he quietly waited for her to reply. She lightly sighed.
"It's just… there were some things I wanted to talk to you about," she confessed.
"Such as?" he calmly inquired.
"Well…" Mai said hesitantly. She wasn't sure how to broach the topic, but it had been on her mind for a while. She supposed it was best to just ask him directly. If he didn't want to tell her, then he would just say so. "Your childhood," she finally answered, "...and our bond."
He tilted his head. "What about them?"
"Well, how did the bond affect you when you were growing up?" she clarified. "Why was there a need for the restraints?"
Lin looked at her silently. He knew she had been curious about this, but for some reason he could never just come out and tell her. However, it was a huge part of his life and he definitely wanted her to know, so now that she asked, he wouldn't hide it from her.
"The dreams… were with me from an early age," he told her. "Actually, I've had them for as long as I can remember. Due to that and the role I played in my family, I believed they were visions of my future and that all my training was leading me to my destiny. Everything I was taught, I learned with ease."
Mai was slightly surprised that he didn't know they were dreams of his past life, but then again, she didn't know until he told her.
"Wait," she interrupted, "when did you find out what the dreams really were?"
He thought about her question for a moment, trying to recall exactly when it was.
"I was about seven, I think," he answered tentatively. "That's when my mother had a suspicion of what my dreams truly were. This only led my family to believe all the more that I was meant to receive the family teachings."
"Okay, then at what point did the restraints become necessary?" she wondered.
"I was ten," Lin answered with certainty this time. "That... was when I lost my connection to you."
"You lost it!?" Mai exclaimed, slightly sitting up.
He nodded solemnly.
"I felt as though your soul had completely left the earth," he explained, "and I knew with certainty that whoever you had been had died. There was no guarantee that you would be reincarnated within my lifetime. My mind was tormented by this idea and the dreams started to occur more frequently."
Lin paused as he remembered that time in his life. It was an unbearable period and, back then, he was convinced he would die.
"And that's when you used the restraints?" Mai guessed.
"Yes," he confirmed, "that was the method my grandfather taught me to cope with the pain of it."
"Your grandfather was the one who trained you, right?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered. "I spent the majority of my childhood with him. He was the most aware of my condition at that point. He assured me the dreams were real, but made it very clear that life would never be easy with such a strong bond. Even after I felt you return, he insisted I maintain the restraints."
"But why?" Mai questioned.
"Well, he didn't exactly think it would be a good thing if I found you," he admitted. "He thought it might be disastrous."
"Oh, I see…" she responded somberly. His statement only served to ignite her previous fears.
Noticing her shift in mood, Lin stared at her quietly. He had a feeling what had caused it, but no matter what, he wouldn't lose her.
"Mai," he said softly, "whatever disaster may or may not come… nothing could ever make me give you up."
Mai sighed and laid back down. She removed her hand from Lin's and folded her arms over the upper half of her face.
"I know," she whispered. "I know."
There was a brief pause.
"Is it… painful to know?" Lin quietly asked her.
She quickly shook her head. "No, not exactly. I could never give you up, either. But that doesn't mean I want to be your downfall. I couldn't bear it if I was."
Lin laid down on his side and placed his arm across Mai's stomach, resting his hand in the curve of her waist.
"I think it would be more detrimental to be apart," he quietly stated.
"I know," Mai agreed. "I remember that ache. It only got worse the longer we were away from each other."
Lin remembered it as well. That was the whole reason she had moved in with him. They could hardly sleep without the other after everything came to light.
"I don't think it'll be like that forever," he reassured her. "It's likely a temporary side effect from neglecting the bond for so long."
Mai lowered her arms and turned her head to look at him.
"It's like our souls crave each other," she whispered. She couldn't understand why she spoke so quietly. It was as if it was a thing of reverence.
"It's not a stretch to say that they do," he acknowledged.
Mai rolled on her side to face him.
"Koujo…" she said quietly, "everything that I am… my body, my mind, my soul, it all belongs to you."
Lin stared at her intently. This was the first time she had confessed the depth of her feelings to him. He had always assumed his attachment to her was stronger.
"Do you mean that?" he questioned.
Mai frowned slightly. Wasn't it obvious?
"Of course I do," she insisted. "You're my life. You're the one I want at my side through good and bad. And I want you to rely on me just as much as I rely on you."
"I will," he immediately answered. "—I already do. You've given me strength whenever we've faced the worst."
Mai smiled warmly at that.
"I know," she acknowledged. "You've always given me the strength and confidence to fight. It makes us a good team."
Lin gently smiled. "That's why we're meant to be."
