Authors Note:
I never finished the ghost hunt manga because it never finished coming out online. i just know crap through research and other such things... oh yes, I will be incorporating numerous anime/manga/books/whatever into this story so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Speaking of which, Last chapter's opening was from the intro of "My Apology" by Floetry. Today the opening is the english lyrics to "Regret" by Mai Hoshimura. It's an awesome song! You should totally check it out if ever you get the chance!
Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt, durarara, khr, or baccano. If I did...well lets just say certain 'stuff' would be happening or something like that...kufufufufufufufu...nor do I own the music
The scenery outside the window changes
Even the season leaves me behind
Being closer than anyone, why didn't I realize
That seed of worries at that time?
Before I'm unable to see your figure
I couldn't say just that, just that one phrase of "don't go"
I can never say that it's fine as long as you're happy
I can't help but to hate this twisted heart...
The initial ring I received on my birthday
Remembering only makes me painful but
What I finally realized is that I relied
On you more than I thought
As if to even destroy the times spent together
The words that came out contrary to my heart was a good-bye in vain
I'm wishing that a day when you'll greatly regret will come
I hate this mean and ugly heart more than yesterday
I can never say that it's fine as long as you're happy
I can't help but to hate this twisted heart
I'm wishing that a day when you'll greatly regret will come
I hate this mean and ugly heart more than yesterday
Chapter 1: Two Years Later...The Return.
Mai's POV:
When I woke up this morning I had the distinct feeling that something from my past would return. I wonder what? Either way. Now is not the time to be thinking about stuff like that when I have things to do! For one I have to go meet up with that psycho-humanitarian information broker Orihara Izaya, next I have to go check up on Firo and company, then it's checking up on the young Vongola, and finally I have a performance later on this evening! Oya oya! I have a busy schedule today, but then again it's the busy schedule that distracts me from what has been eating at me for the past two years...WAIT! Wait just a damned minute! I forgot about school! I quickly got into my uniform, put my now long (as in reaches mid-to-lower back long) hair in a sloppy bun, started texting the people I needed to meet today, telling them to meet me at my school throughout the day, shoved some toast into my mouth, and made a mad dash to the subway so I could get to school in time.
~~TIME SKIP~~
When I made it to school and I was maybe five minutes early. The day went by uneventfully until lunch time. That was when I was supposed to be meeting up with everyone. Then a thought crossed my mind. What would Naru think of the stuff I've been doing for the past two years while trying to get over him? What would he think of all the strange people I've met and all the powers I've acquired? Why am I even thinking about him right now? I've worked so hard to get over him and here I am still thinking of him...I am such a love sick idiot. Not to mention I have the resources to go to him in England now and yet I've been avoiding the place like the plague! I visit Europe all the time now and yet I can't bring myself to go visit him...I am too cowardly. I laughed a dry, bitter laugh that bordered on hysteria. Which earned me a few curious looks as I headed up to the roof of my school.
"Mai-chan~!" I heard Izaya's smooth voice say.
"Thank god you're here! This wack job was tryin' ta question me an' Ennis." I heard Firo say, reverting to his New Yorker 'English'.
"Haha! It's nice to see you again Mai! Tsuna sent me and Hibari to meet up you!" I heard Takeshi's ever cheerful voice say.
"Wow! I wasn't expecting for all of you to be here at once! What happened to the delinquents that hang out up here?" I asked even though I was pretty sure I knew what made them all go away.
It was probably due to the homunculus Ennis (Origins sort of unknown, she met Firo in NY and married him about 70 years later), the ex-mobster Firo(an immortal who is from maybe 19th-20th century NY), the Mafioso Takeshi(he's the rain guardian of Tsuna's family and is very strong despite his cheerful and friendly disposition.), the ex-prefect current Mafioso Hibari(the cloud guardian of the Vongola's. Very strong, very sadistic, not at all cheerful or friendly), and the crazy informant Izaya (he loves all humans, is amazingly strong, good at parkour, probably knows all of your deepest darkest secrets. Not to mention he's psycho and has a switchblade on hand all the time). Either way, they all had varying degrees of smirks/grins/smiles on their faces. I sighed. Whatever shall I do with them?
"Anyways, we need to get back to business. Izaya, I'll be dealing with you last 'kay?" I said, "I'll talk to Firo and Ennis first because they stick out more than the rest of you, no offense. Although you all stick out like sore thumbs."
"Hmph. Just hurry up or I'll bite you to death. (uwah! the catch phrase! it's the catch phrase that is an unintentional innuendo!)" I heard Hibari threaten impatiently, although it was an empty threat to me.
"So you wanted to check up on us?" Ennis said in a gentle voice, ignoring Hibari's empty threat.
"Yeah, has there been any disturbances that need to be taken care of? Anything I need to know about?" I asked.
"No, actually it's been pretty quiet lately. Although Isaac and Miria are in Japan now. Czes is here with Maiza as well!" She replied.
"Ah, okay. Tell them I said hi please! Anything else?"
"Er-um...Well there has been weird stuff happening at our new home lately. Like we'll wake up in the middle of the night with some part of our body cut off or furniture will be moved when no one is home. I do believe paranormal activity is your specialty" She said sounding unsure of herself.
"Woah! So all of you are being haunted." I said disbelievingly.
Firo and Ennis started looking sheepish and mumbling about how crazy it sounds and how they shouldn't have even said anything. I laughed, catching everyone's attention.
"Okay. I'll get it taken care of! So don't worry!" I said.
"Thanks Mai! We owe you!" I heard Firo laugh.
"It's not a problem! Bye-Bye!"
"Bye!" They said with a wave over their shoulders as they left.
I finally sat down on the floor of the roof, and started eating lunch.
"So what's up with the Vongola's?" I asked Takeshi.
"Nothing much really. The Gesso family isn't causing trouble anymore and Verde seems to be one step closer to curing the Arcobaleno curse. Also Mukuro's out of Vendicare prison finally." he replied.
"Wonderful! I'm sure the Kokuyo gang is elated. How about you Hibari? How are things going with the Foundation/Disciplinary Committee and your Quantum Physics studies?"
"They're fine. Can we go now?" he asked impatiently with Hibird twittering at his side.
"Yes, So long as that's everything." I said smiling.
They left with quick goodbyes. I turned to Izaya.
"What is it?" I asked Izaya.
"Oliver E.C. Davis along with Lin Koujo and Madoka Mori have recently purchased one way tickets to Tokyo, Japan. Also, a man under the name of Kazuya Shibuya has repurchased an office in Shibuya." he said in English, smiling maniacally.
I was shocked to say the least. They're coming back? All of them? I didn't let the shock show on my face.
"Is that all?" I asked somewhat impatiently.
"Yes. Bye now~! Although I will be seeing you later!" he said as he pranced of the roof.
I finished eating as fast as I could and went back to the classroom before the bell rang to let the information I received sink in. They're coming back...I wonder if Naru changed at all over the past two years? I bet he's as narcissistic as ever. Will I even get to see him? I looked out the window of the classroom up at the sky. My seat was in the back of the classroom by the window. The bell rang signaling the start of class. Not that I really pay attention to it anymore seeing as it is completely unnecessary. I looked down from the sky only to see a sleek navy blue Dodge Charger parked in front of the school. That and Izaya looking at me with a maniacal 'I-told-you-so' look on his face.
"Taniyama Mai to the main office for early dismissal please. I repeat Taniyama Mai to the main office for early dismissal please." I heard the loud speaker call.
I groaned inwardly as I received curious looks from my classmates. Then the whispers started. Good god couldn't these people think of anything better to do other then talk about other? I got up, excused myself from the classroom politely, and left to get my belongings. After I acquired my things I headed to the office only to be told that two handsome, foreign men and a beautiful woman are waiting for me outside. So he was right. They have returned. I went outside thinking about how nostalgic all of this made me feel.
"Mai. You're late." I heard a familiar voice say when I got outside.
"I beg to differ! You are the one that's late this time, Naru. I, for one, have been waiting forever for you to get here." I replied turning to said man.
I held back a gasp when I looked at him. He was smirking, but his eyes, they looked somewhat sad. Not to mention the fact that his faced matured even more than before and he, unfortunately, got even taller. He was about the same height as Lin. His hair had a somewhat shaggy look to it even if it was only a little bit longer then it was before. Other than that he looked exactly the same. Still sporting the all black suit. Then I saw Lin and Madoka waving from the car. They didn't change at all.
I smiled and said, "I missed you guys."
With that we got in the car and I listened to Madoka gush about how long it's been and how much I've matured. Lin just sent a hopeless smile in my direction, which I returned. By the time we got to the old office building that SPR used to own I had remembered something that I unintentionally forgot.
"Err-guys?"I said with a shaky smile, "We have a case. It's from some friends of mine, and the case is genuine. I could have them come in if you like? Although they're sort of a special case..."
"Special how so? And please do make them come in. Also do these friends of yours have names?" Naru said skeptically as we walked into the office.
"Oliver Edwin Charles Davis! Don't you take that tone with Mai! Hear her and her friends out first!" Madoka scolded.
Naru just looked away irritated. Lin and I held back chuckles.
"Their names are Firo and Ennis. I think Maiza, Czeslaw, Miria, and Isaac might be with them as well." I said, "As for how they are special...well you'd have to see it to believe it."
"Fine. Mai, tea." he said as he settled onto the couch.
Then I had a sudden realization of a task that I had forgotten. Later on tonight I have to do a performance!
"Oh crap! Naru, can I please make a quick phone call to someone so I can free up my plans for the rest of the day? Please! I really need to do this!" I asked with the most pleading eyes I could manage.
"Fine. Just make it quick." he said after a few moments.
After that I quickly dialed a number I knew so well after what has happened over the past two years. I can only pray that Naru will never find out just how involved I was in some things after he left.
"Hey! Tsuna! You know that performance at that small pub you own that I am supposed to do? Well some things came up and I was wondering if you could send in one of my shadows or someone else to take care of it. This is really important so please, do me this favor." I practically begged, earning a few looks from those in the room with me.
"Mai-chan, you know I'll do any favor for you! After all we've been through and after all this time I would have thought you would have learned that by now. The only question I have is, what came up, is it related to 'that' or is it something else." I heard Tsuna say on the other line.
"Thanks Tsuna, and don't worry. What came up was the past that's all. Nothing relating to 'that'. Although I don't get why we're referring to it as 'that' when there are plenty of other ways to refer to 'it' while being less suspicious." I said.
Everyone in the room, which was Naru, Madoka, Lin, and myself had mysteriously found a reason to stay in the main room with me. Although they were suspiciously scooting closer to me with each word I said. Well, actually, Madoka was being shamelessly open about eavesdropping by simply putting her ear next to the phone as well. Some things will never change I guess...
"I know there are better ways of referring to the family but I guess old habits die hard." he chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Either way, I'll most likely be sending Mukuro your way soon. I mean, I would send Chrome but she and I have unfinished 'business' to take care of. Plus we finally have some alone time."
"Thanks boss-er- I mean Tsuna! It's just as you said, old habits die hard. Anyways thanks again and try not to be too rowdy with Chrome otherwise Mukuro and I especially will be serving you your own ass on a silver platter. Well-done of course (a/n: you know, like how they ask you if you want your meat raw or well done and etc.)." I replied.
The other line was cut-off when I heard a familiar voice say 'Ciaossu! (a/n: mixture of ciao and ohayo/ossu or something like that.)'. I sighed as I realized throughout the whole conversation I had with Tsuna, not once was I able to out-maneuver Madoka. She was ginning like a Cheshire cat at this point and I knew she was itching to question me about that phone call. Luckily I have a job to do and I can do it to at least delay Madoka's questioning.
"Okay then Naru! I'm all yours for the rest of the day and I'll make you some tea like I'm supposed to and then I'll take care of this new case!" I exclaimed cheerfully.
I walked into the kitchen I used to know all too well and settled back into the habit of making Naru's tea, but not without some issues. As I started preparing Naru's tea, today would be Earl Grey, the situation had finally sunken in all the way to my core that I had been able to put protective walls around. The walls were useless though. The situation I was in was one I had never expected to happen. I felt tears threatening to spill out of my eyes but I sucked it back and reminded myself of the things I have learned. Mukuro helped me a lot with that. Same goes for Tsuna, Chrome, and the rest of his family. Although we may not be related by blood we all stuck together through thick and thin. We fought together, we trained together, we learned together, and no matter we would always be connected in some way shape or form.
"Kufufufu...It seems that reality is just as harsh as it usually is. Well maybe a bit more, but harsh none the less." said the voice I knew to be Mukuro's.
"Damned straight. Either way Murphy's Law dictates that things can only get worse." I replied with a bitter smile, "By the way, Tsuna said he was going to send you. Not that he already did. Also will you be staying?"
He smiled an equally bitter smile that was knowing as he said, "He sent me earlier probably because his hyper intuition was acting up again. Although I'm glad he did, and yes I'll be staying as long as you need me to. It took you so long to get over those past regrets and now him showing up in your life right when you thought all was well once again, it feels like an omen of sorts. Like something is trying to warn us of danger."
"I know what you mean." I said as I went to give him a quick hug before returning to my work, "Congratulations on getting out of Vendicare!"
When I finished making the tea he followed me out of the kitchen into the main part of the office for the entire world to see. Oh god Naru looks pissed. I served the tea to everyone quickly and efficiently, while ignoring the stares/glares I was getting from everyone but Mukuro. Thank goodness, because if Mukuro was staring I probably would have broken my newly acquired poker face. Mukuro seemed to sense this and chuckled his usual 'kufufu' laugh and found a seat on one of the couches in the office.
Then Naru had to disrupt the tense silence by opening his mouth. And since he was in a particularly bad mood currently...well let's just say nothing too good came from his mouth...