Well.

Because of Popular demand, I am putting up an epilogue. And trust me when you say, you'll threaten to kill me if I don't hurry up with the sequel soon. XD yes. I know exactly what you are thinking,

ok I don't, but just go with it here.

For Your Information: this epilogue will not be too long. In fact, it will be short and sweet. Well. Bittersweet, but you know. At least you are getting something.

So

Without further ado, I present to you the Final Chapter in "Beating Hearts"

Seriously.

Beating Hearts

Epilogue.

Ayako was carrying a small box of Mai's things down the hall to her new room. Today was the day that Mai would finally move in with her. Ayako was very proud of herself for offering such a generous proposition. Normally, she wouldn't do something like that, but after everything that mai had been through, she didn't see how she couldn't.

Watching Mai with her parents gave her very awkward feeling. She had never been very intimate with her parents. In fact, their relation ship was down right platonic when it came to her. She didn't understand how they could come together and produce a daughter, but she did understand why she was an only child.

They wanted Ayako to take over after they were gone and dead. It was such a disappointment to them when they found out that Ayako became a priestess, granted she was a self claimed one, they were disappointed none the less.

Ayako sighed as she continued to think about how she wished she could've been in Mai's spot. Even though mai had been beaten and lived with a psycho, and both of her parents were dead, Ayako still wished she could at least have something to say about her own, besides "So, where do you want to be buried? Or would you rather be cremated?".

Morbid, isn't it.

So, after two weeks of planning, and planning, and even MORE planning (on Naru and Lin's part) Mai had finally moved in, without a hitch. And what a happy feeling Ayako had about it, too. Everyone at SPR had become like family to her, but Mai was special. Mai was like a daughter (NOW she felt old) or a younger sister. Someone that Ayako could look after and hang around with after having been alone for a majority of her life.

She turn the corner and entered Mai's room, expecting to see the brown haired girl unpacking her clothes and such, but to her surpirse, Mai was nowhere to be found. Her room was rather large, but not big enough to get lost in. Maybe she was out on the balcony. . ?

Ayako set the small box down on Mai's bed, and made her to the double doors that led out to the balcony. Just as she reached them, the noise of someone retching was heard. Ayako spun around and saw Mai bent over the toilet seat, with her head practically in the white bowl. Ayako hurried into the bathroom to Mai, and pulled her hair back out of her face.

When Mai finished emptying her stomach, she sat back against the wall as Ayako handed her a small towel.

"Mai," Ayako said, "are you alright?"

Mai nodded. "I'm fine. I just haven't been. . .feeling very well, lately. I'm sure it's just a cold."

Ayako stared at the younger girl. Mai was averting her eyes and that only meant one thing when it came down to the Taniyama girl.

She was lying.

"Mai, what's going on? You've been looking rather pale lately, and you can hardly keep anything down. And you've been getting so thin. . ."

Mai new she couldn't get out of this with a lie. She had to tell ayako the truth.

"Ayako. . .when I was, um, living with Zakuro–"

Ayako sneered. "Being held hostage, is more like it."

"–he did what he wanted. With my apartment, with my food, with my money, with. . .me." Mai said weakly.

Ayako froze.

"Is–is that what your mother meant when she told you to be careful now that you're–"

"Pregnant." Mai took a deep breath, "Now that I'm pregnant."

Ayako's happy feeling suddenly vanished.

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Ayako exclaimed.

"For the same reason I didn't tell you I was living with a psycho. Things would've gotten complicated."

"Oh, like they aren't now?"

"Why do you think I didn't want to accept your offer? I knew things would go bad." mai looked up at Ayako. "I didn't really unpack anything yet. Everything I did unpack, I can re-pack and then I'll leave."

Ayako glared at mai and then pulled her cheek. "Are you crazy? You're only seventeen! You don't know how to take care of a baby. Well, you might, since you can take care of yourself and you practically are a baby."

"Hey!"

"But none the less, you are not going anywhere. You are staying right here, missy. We'll work through this, and everything will be alright. I mean after all, I am a doctor."

"You're a miko. A self claimed miko."

"I come from a family of doctors. Should anything occur, I'd know what to do." Ayako corrected.

Then they were silent for a couple of beats.

Mai had never intended on letting Ayako find out. Well, not so soon anyway. When she started growing, the inevitable was going to happen. Ayako would find out, she'd have to leave school, maybe even. . .quit her job. She didn't really want anything to happen, but it's not like she had a choice. Things were going from bad, to worse.

"Ayako." Mai suddenly said.

Ayako looked down at her friend. "Hm?"

"Could you. . .could we keep this from everyone at SPR until, you know. Until I'm ready?"

"Mai–"

"Please? It's awkward now. Think about how bad it'll be for me when everyone knows.

"Think about how bad it'll be when they stumble across the truth, like I did."

"Please? I'm just not ready."

Ayako sighed.

"Alright. Do you know when you'll be ready?" she inquired. Mai started messing with her fingers, and averting her gaze to anywhere else in the large bathroom.

"Mai." Ayako said sternly.

"Um. . .after the baby is born. . ?"

"MAI. NO." Ayako exclaimed. "Are you nuts?"

"Well, no. But I was thinking–"

"You have done enough thinking, young lady. Pick another time." Ayako ordered. Mai looked back at her.

"Then. . .how about. . .I tell you when I know for sure. And it won't be after the baby is born." mai added when she saw the look Ayako gave her. Ayako sighed, and stood up. She hld out her hand and Mai took it.

"Fine." she said as Mai dusted off her shorts. "But don't stall. Things could be too late by the time you are ready."

Mai's smile saddened. "It's already too late, Ayako."

Ayako didn't know what Mai meant (at the time) so she came to her own conclusion. "At any rate, we still need to unpack."

"Yes." Mai smiled brightly.

And so began Mai's new life.

DUN DUN DUN! I betcha you didn't see THAT one coming. If you check in chapter two, at the end when Zakuro forcefully kissed Mai, you'll see how I came to this idea. What exactly did you think happened? That he'd kiss her and leave? Why did you think Zakuro was so possessive of Mai?

Gah. Don't worry. I will begin the sequel soon. I just have to straighten my cluttered thoughts.

Alright then. Review if you want. But this REALLY IS THE LAST CHAPTER FOR THIS STORY!

Sayonara Duckies!

L.A.S.