Meeting Mai

Everyone was sitting around the café doing nothing, seeing as it was closed down for the rest of the day.

It was silent until there was a knock at the door, startling everyone.

Zoey was the one who answered the door and told the person that they weren't open, and that they should come back tomorrow.

"Sorry, but we're here on official police business. We're looking for an Elliot Grant. Is he here?" The men in suits asked coming in.

"Yes, that would be me. Is there a problem?" Elliot asked stepping forward.

"Yes, well kinda. Are you familiar with a girl by the name of Mara Poppie?" One of the men in suits asked.

"Yeah why?" Elliot asked.

"Mara Poppie is dead. We found her barely alive a few weeks ago, someone had murdered her. We had put her in intensive care, but she didn't make it. She just died two weeks ago. The funeral is in two days. You and your guardian, Keiichiro must attend it. Your other friends have the right to attend, but it's totally up to them." The other suit said.

"Just who are you guys? What do you want with me?" Elliot asked annoyed.

"You shared an intimate moment with Ms. Poppie, correct?" Another suit asked.

"Yeah, so what. She may have been a little older than me, but we were drunk, incredibly drunk. She's the one who bought the drinks. You never answered my other questions?" Elliot said annoyed. (She would be 30. He's 19)

"Right, maybe we should introduce ourselves. I'm Zeke. These are my associates, Ashley, Tristan and Titanna. We're with child services and we're here to give you custody of your daughter." Zeke said.

"What are you talking about? I don't have a daughter. You guys are crazy." Elliot said.

"Oh, but you do. You never knew about her, because Mara never made an effort to contact you and tell you that you got her pregnant with your child. You're not in trouble. She's done this kind of stuff before, but this is the first time she became pregnant. Right now your daughter is in the car sleeping, she had cried herself to sleep. We had been trying to get her out of there and to you since she was two, she is now two and a half, but will be three on Monday. She's always been afraid of her mother, her mother's sister, Amanda and because of that she's been afraid of a lot of things, especially her mother's boyfriends'. She had many of them, but there was one that got to her. What was his name?" Tristan asked.

"I do believe his name was Nate Koplan. The reason he scared her so much was because he would tie her to a chair and would have her watch them have sex, but the bigger reason she's afraid of him is that he would beat her and I guess we got reports of him touching her sexually. We did have her checked for any diseases that he could've given her, but she's fine, well scared and has bruises here and there, but other than those she's ok. We talked to her, told her that we'd be taking her away from her mommy and taking her to her daddy. You'll have to get used to talking like that from now on. She' your responsibly. She said she wanted to meet you." Ashley said.

"So if I'm her father and she's my responsibility I'll take care of her, but is there a reason we have to go to Mara's funeral?" Elliot asked.

"You have to go because there are some people who would like to meet the father and find out what you're like. They also have stuff for you." Titanna said.

"Ok. Well another thing? About my daughter?" Elliot asked.

"Yes what is it?" Zeke, Ashley, Tristan and Titanna asked.

"If I'm supose to be responsible for her, don't you think I should know about her. What is she like? What does she like? More importantly, what is her name and what does she look like? The only things I know about her is that she's two and a half and will be three Monday, and that she's afraid of Mara and this Nate!" Elliot said obviously annoyed that he has no clue what's going on.

"Well her name is Mai, Mai Grant. We just had her last name legally changed so it would be yours. She is two and a half, but will be thee on Monday, May 1st. This is a picture of her. She has your bright blue eyes. She has red hair, kinda like that girl in the red over there." Titanna said pointing to Zoey, after she handed Elliot a picture of Mai. (Mai means Brightness.)

"Oh well she's really pretty." Elliot said handing the picture to Wesley.

"She is quite cute." Wesley said getting the girls.

"Awww! She's adorable!" The girls cried getting the guys.

"She is cute." The guys said cleaning out their ears.

"She looks as if she could be Elliot and Zoey's daughter." Corina said joking.

"Hey!" Elliot and Zoey shouted at once.

"Well anyways back to Mai. She likes to draw and just about any kind of arts and crafts. She is somewhat active, loves to be read to. She likes baths, but she doesn't like to swim. The reason she's afraid to go swimming is because Mara put her in the ocean and left her to drown, but somebody did end up saving her, which is why she knows that not all people are bad. She loves music and tries to sings along with songs. She loves to watch movies with her dolls and stuffed animals. I don't know what kinds of foods she likes, it always changes with her. She loves stuffed animals, dolls and that kind of stuff, as you will find out. She won't wear anything fancy, she loves to be free and wear whatever she wishes. She loves cats and has one of her own. That's ok with you isn't it? If it isn't she won't be too happy." Ashley said.

"No, that doesn't bother us, but it'll have to stay in a room for most of the day, 'cause we live in this café and we have customers to serve and we wouldn't want one of them to take the kitten. What's the kitten's name and who gave it to her?" Elliot asked.

"I believe the kitten's name is Neko. It's white and black with a little brown and green eyes. I do believe it's a girl. No one really gave Mai Neko, Neko just came to her and she started to eventually stay. One day the Mai was getting beat up by Nate, and Neko saved her by clawing him in the neck, back and arms. That was what a few weeks ago. Anyways when Neko saved Mai she got hurt and Mai tried everything to save her by herself. That's when we came in and took her away and put Nate in jail and Mara in the hospital. As for Amanda, she's missing. We had to keep an eye on Mai that week because all she wanted to do is be with that kitten. Eventually we gave up and let her keep the kitten. I don't think they've been apart since then. Mai said that Neko was her best friend, considering she doesn't have any real friends. That's because she's been marked as weird, just because she can do the alphabet, count, and art really well and doesn't talk much. The only thing she has a problem with is reading, and then there are some words she can't pronounce. She is smart for her age. If you want to know more about her, you'll have to ask her, because all I've told you already is all we know." Ashley explained.

"Ok." Elliot said.

Soon you could hear a little voice and the sound of the front door pushing open and then a little girl with red hair and bright blue eyes and an old teddy bear falling on the floor.

"That's Mai. She's also kinda clumsy, but that's not her fault." Tristan said.

"Asswee!" Mai cried in a tiny voice.

"What is it Mai?" Ashley asked.

"…Neko…she rand undwer twis place! …And she…won't come out! …I down't think she liwkes me anymo!" Mai cried falling to her knees and stared sobbing uncontrollably.

"It's ok Mai. Zeke, Tristan and Titanna will get her out." Ashley said.

"What why us?! Why not you?!" Zeke and Tristan yelled.

"Because she has to stay with Mai. Plus we need all of us to get her out. You'll go under, get the cat and hand her to me and Ashley and Mai will have Neko back." Titanna said.

"Fine." Zeke and Tristan said going out, while Titanna followed.

"Now Mai, look at me. That a girl. We're gonna get Neko back for you. Now, how would you like to meet your daddy? He's right over there. See the guy with the yellow hair standing next to the man with the ponytail? He's your daddy." Ashley said picking Mai up and carrying her to Elliot.

"This is your daddy, Mai. Say hi daddy." Ashley said.

"…" Mai didn't say anything, but looked at Elliot trying to figure out if he were going to hurt her or not.

"Come on Mai, its ok, he's not going to hurt you. Say 'Hi Daddy.'" Ashley said as Mai looked at Elliot and breathed in deeply.

"…Hi daddy…" Mai said slowly and shyly, still watching him.

"Hi Mai. This is Wesley. The girls over there are Zoey, Corina, Bridget, Kiki, Renee, Berry and Ruby. And the boys over there are Dren, Sardon, Tarb, Tyson and Kyle. Zoey is the one with the red hair. Corina has the blue hair. Bridget is the one with green hair. Kiki has the gold hair. Renee has the purple hair. Berry had the long yellow hair. Ruby has the dark red-orange hair. Dren has green hair. Sardon has purple hair. Tarb has brown hair. Tyson is the one with red hair. And finally Kyle is the one with the blonde hair." Elliot said pointing to everyone.

"Ashley! Get out here and help us damnit!" Zeke yelled making Mai cry.

"Hey! Little girl here!" Ashley yelled back.

"What was that all about?" Elliot asked.

"Another thing Mai doesn't like is she doesn't like yelling. Here you take Mai and I'll go help get Neko." Ashley said handing Mai to Elliot.

Elliot was holding Mai to his hip. She had her tiny arms around his neck; teddy bear in hand, her legs were wrapped around his waist, while he had his arm holding her with his arm just under her butt.

Mai would every once and awhile pull herself closer to Elliot making his arm have to follow her. It only took Mai about a minute or two to get used to Elliot, and figure out that he wasn't gonna hurt her, the others on the other hand, she didn't know about yet.

A few minutes later she had dropped her teddy bear and started to cry, until Elliot bent down and got it for her.

"...Thank you daddy." Mai said softly watching the door.

When the others came up with a dirty cat Elliot put Mai down to go see them, but stopped when she didn't see Neko moving.

"What's wrong with Neko?" Mai asked holding her teddy bear close.

"We're sorry Mai, but Neko's sleeping, and he's not gonna wake up." Titanna said softly looking at Ryou telling him that she'll tell him later.

"What do you mean?" Mai asked tears starting to form.

"I mean that…" Titanna started but was cut off by someone coming in the doorway.

"She's saying that the cat is dead! Now all you have to do is get over it! It's just a stupid animal!" Exclaimed a voice from behind everyone.

When Mai saw who it was she ran and hid behind Elliot's leg, dropping her teddy bear.

"Just who do you think you are saying something like that?!" Zeke and Tristan asked pissed until they turned to see who it was.

"YOU!" Ashley, Titanna, Zeke and Tristan gasped.

"Hey, long time no see." Said the guy.

"What the hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be in jail, Nate!" Tristan said pissed.

"Oh I got out and am here to get what's rightfully mine." Nate said looking and walking over to Mai.

"You stay the hell away from her! She is here with her father, like she should be!" Zeke yelled dropping Neko.

"That's too bad. Something as precious as a teddy bear is rare." Nate said picking up the teddy bear and ripped its head, legs and arms off its body and then started yelling.

"GIVE ME BACK THE BRAT SO I CAN HAVE MY TIME WITH HER! ONCE SHE'S OLD ENOUGH, SHE'LL HAVE MY CHILDREN!" Nate yelled running towards Mai, but Elliot kicked him the gut and punched him in the face while Wesley took Mai into the kitchen and covered her ears. (She couldn't see anything, but she could hear stuff.)

"You stay away from my daughter! You hear me?!" Elliot yelled punching him again.

After everything was done and over, Nate was taken back to jail. Zeke, Ashley, Tristan and Titanna left saying that if Elliot ever needed anything he just had to call. A little after they left Neko was buried, which Mai had a hard time with.

Elliot held her in his arms while she had hands clutching his shirt crying hard into his chest.

Mai had eventually cried herself to sleep and Elliot sat in a chair rocking her back and forth to keep her asleep.

"Hey Zoey, do me a favor and I'll give you a raise." Elliot said quietly.

"Sure what is it?" Zoey asked looking at him and then the sleeping girl in his lap.

"I need you to go to the vet and find a kitten that looks exactly like Neko and get it for Mai." Elliot said handing her $500.00.

"If by any chance there is any money left over, you can keep it." Elliot said feeling Mai move a little and heard her sniffle.

"Kay, I'll be back soon." Zoey said softly leaving.

"How come she's getting a raise?!" Corina demanded almost waking up Mai.

"Because Corina, she is one of you girls that does the most work around here, while you sit around drinking tea and bossing her around. If you don't start working, I'm gonna dock your pay. Bridget, will you fix her bear?" Elliot asked trying not to wake Mai, while Corina complained.

"Sure. I'd love to help." Bridget said rushing out with the pieces of bear.

About an hour later, Zoey arrived with the new kitten that looked exactly like Neko, and Bridget came back with the bear.

"I'm back." Zoey said.

"You got the kitten then?" Elliot asked.

"Yep. Here she is." Zoey said letting the kitten out.

"Good. Mai sweetie, wake up. I have something for you." Elliot said.

"What?" Mai asked rubbing her eyes.

"Look what Bridget fixed for you." Elliot said as Bridger handed her the bear.

"…Thank you Bidet." Mai said her voice a little horse from crying.

"That's not all. Look what Zoey go you." Elliot said sitting her down in front of the new kitten.

"Neko?" Mai asked.

"If that's what you wanna call her." Elliot said sitting next to Mai, getting a confused look from her.

"Well, we knew you missed Neko, so we got you a new one. We know that this kitten will never be able to replace Neko, but we just wanted to make you happy." Elliot said.

Mai looked at the kitten, as the kitten did to her.

They just stared at each other until the kitten got up and walked towards Mai, who reached out her hand to pet the kitten.

After awhile Mai started to play with the kitten, who she called Neko. Elliot was happy to see his little girl happy.

'My little girl. That sounds nice. It has a nice ring to it.' Elliot thought watching Mai play with Neko.

"So Elliot, are you ready for this responsibility?" Wesley asked.

"Yes. I know I am. Plus I know I'm not alone, I have you and the girls." Elliot said watching Mai play with both Neko and Zoey.

They were running around the café having fun until Mai stopped and sneezed. That didn't shock anybody. What shocked them was that after she sneezed she had white cat ears and a white cat tail.

"OMG! Mai!" Elliot yelled as everyone went up to her.

Elliot picked her up and looked at her, while Zoey picked up Neko.

"Mai. How did this happen to you?" Elliot asked looking at her while she just stared.

After a few moments pause they all went down to the lab and studied her. Mai didn't care as long as she had Neko.

A few hours later they found out that she was a mew, but her powers weren't as strong as the others considering her age.

"So we have a new mew mew. Things should be easier now that we have another mew. She can help us fight. So I wonder what her outfit will look like. Where's her pendant? Elliot you need to give her her pendant." Corina said.

"No." Elliot said making everyone stare at him.

"What do you mean no?" Corina asked.

"I mean no I'm not giving her a pendant. No she's not going to fight in battles." Elliot said.

"What?! Why?!" Corina demanded.

"Because she's too young." Elliot said.

"So what! You made us fight. You made Kiki and Ruby fight! Why is it any different for her?!" Corina demanded.

"Yes I did make them fight, but it's different for her because she's too young. Kiki and Ruby were both eight when they started. Mai's only two and a half. There's a big age difference between them. I don't care what you have to say, she's not fighting." Elliot said.

"I have to agree with Elliot. She is too young for something like this, and it's probably easier for her to get hurt." Zoey said.

"Yeah." Everyone else said.

"Fine have it your way. I'm going home." Corina said stomping out of the café.

"Yeah we'd better be going as well." The others said.

"Ok. See you all in a week." Elliot said.

"WHAT?!" The girls exclaimed.

"I'm gonna give you a week off so I can spend more time with Mai this week and get to know her more." Elliot said picking up the toddler.

"Thank you!" The girls exclaimed running out the door.

"No problem." Elliot called.

"That was nice of you Elliot." Wesley said looking at the young toddler.

"Yeah, but what I said was true I want to get to know Mai more." Elliot said.

"That's sweet." Wesley said.

"Yeah. Hmmm? What's wrong Mai?" Elliot asked when he saw that she was holding her stomach.

He was worried until he heard her stomach growl, indicating that she was hungry.

"Come on let's get you and your cat some food." Elliot said as he picked her up and Wesley got Neko.

After they all ate Elliot gave Mai a bath and got her into her pajamas and set her on his bed.

After he set her on his bed she yawned and rubbed her eyes, while Neko stretched.

"Tired?" Elliot asked.

"Yes. Will you read me a story?" Mai asked looking at her daddy.

"Sure. What do want me to tell you?" Elliot asked.

"Tis one." Mai said holding up Aladdin.

"Ok. Come on." Elliot said as he set Mai on his lap and started to read.

"Ok. Once upon time there lived a boy, who everyone called a street rat, his name was Aladdin..." So Elliot continued to read.

About half way through the book Elliot could hear soft breathing and could feel Mai's head on his stomach with her hands by her chest holding her teddy bear. Neko was on the pillow.

When Elliot looked down he found Mai sleeping peacefully.

Elliot then gently picked her up and laid her by the wall covering her up.

What he heard next shocked him.

"Daddy." Mai mumbled in her sleep.

Elliot looked at his toddler and leaned down to kiss her on her forehead.

For awhile Elliot sat at his computer typing about whatever it is that he writes about.

About an hour later Elliot got off his computer put on a pair of sleep pants and a sleep shirt.

He then turned off his light and climbed into bed looking at his baby, before pulling her to him, falling asleep.

A few hours later Wesley came up to check up on them and when he opened the door he smiled at the cute site.

Elliot was holding Mai and her teddy bear close while she held onto his shirt lightly with her tiny hands, Neko above them.

Wesley left them to be alone, before going to bed himself.

There you go. What'cha

think? Tell me.

Review.

Write Soon, SarT55