Chapter Four: She has No One

It's been three weeks since the princess started to live with us. It is interesting to see another woman in this cottage. Her wounds slowly have healed, but at times she will still limp or hiss in pain. I took notice a scar on her arm that has formed. Yet she didn't care to hide it. It's strange to see that, but yet admirable. Her dog, snow, would keep me company when she is doing something. I knew from the bottom of my heart that she is trying to ignore me as much as possible. She's scared of what I have told her. Hey, I don't blame her. I would be too if I was in her shoes.

She has been cleaning and cooking as her daily routine, and I have to admit her cooking is delicious. Masako gave her a room near the kitchen, with curtains as walls. I did offer my room to her, but Masako told me that she refused, that she doesn't want to be treated as anything special.

"I don't know how you do it, but this Nana person gave you the most exquisite teachings of the art of cooking, I can't get enough of your cooking and your cleaning, it doesn't even look like you came from the castle itself." Madoka chimed, as she tilts her head down over the pot, taking a breath of Mai's deer stew. Since Lin brought a dead deer.

"You think she can do it?" I asked Lin, as he crosses his arms in front of his torso.

"We need one more person, plus she looks capable. I want to test her." Lin suddenly said. I arched a brow, noticing the princess eyes on me. I fisted my hand, trying to not look back.

"Why?" I asked. Lin shrugs at me, while he looks back at his wife and Mai.

"To see if loyal are capable of working in these areas. If she is suited to be our next leader. So far she's very humble person, but sometimes looks can be deceiving," he said. I thin out my lips.

"Just don't make her do anything over the top," I told him. Lin nods at my words. I turned to see Madoka place her hand on top of her small swell of her stomach, and whisper something to the princess.

I stare at her as a strange ache passes my heart.

"If anything, let me know. Rest as much as possible. A pregnant woman needs to rest as much as possible." Mai simply answers her. I wonder what did Madoka tell her, for the princess to reply to her like that.

"You are such a kind woman. That future husband of yours is sure lucky." Madoka said. I tilted my head, to ponder at Madoka words. A future husband for the princess? My eyes harden at the thought, and my heart leaps oddly. Not sure why.

"Thanks," she smiles and turns to sit next to Lin, while Snow went up to her master, and starts to bark at her.

"I know, I know," she whispered to her. My eyes betraying me once again, as I watch her looking at her dog, her eyes turning tender. I don't know why, but I couldn't rip my eyes from her.

Lin stood up and shook his head at me. I rip away from Mai small frame and rolled my eyes at him. He sighs, and went up towards Mai and handed her his bowl. Knowing very well, that he's going to ask her to work with us.

"So, you like her?" I suddenly ask Madoka, as she slurps the soup. She lifts her head up and nods.

"I adore her. She's so cute and so kind. Are you sure you don't like her? I know she's a princess, but.." my cold stare I gave her, made Madoka sigh in frustration.

"I really like her Noll. I just have this feeling; she needs someone to protect her. She looks so lonely and afraid all the time. I think she's a person that you need as well. You need to become human, and she's the perfect person to help you so." Madoka said, as I sigh and stood up.

"Keep dreaming." I simply said, going to get myself some food. So I grab a bowl from the table,

"Alright, I would love to." I heard the princess agree. Lin smiles back and turns around to sit next to his wife. Snow barks once again, making her look down at her. I simply stood behind her, waiting for her to move to the side so I can get my soup. Yet, for some odd reason, I couldn't resist to scare her. I suddenly smirk, as she said to her dog.

"I couldn't refuse. Is good to leave the house once in a while," she said, making my smirk became a smile.

'That's good,' I thought, without noticing, I said out loud.

"It is," That's cause Mai to jump in fright. She lifted her gaze, to see me standing next to me, with a bowl in hand. Her cheeks become so red and flushed, while she picks up a handful of stew and poured it into my bowl.

"Here, enjoy the food," she nervously said.

I kept on staring at her, enjoying the lovely shade of red in her cheeks. It gives her life, and her eyes sparkle in a strange way. Suddenly I felt Snow brushed against my leg, snapping me out of my trance, and I simply nod, turning to sit next to Lin.

'That was strange, hmm, will the others accept her? She's a girl, and is rare to have a minor girl in our team.' I thought, getting worried about this. Then I shook my head and look blankly at my stew.

'You shouldn't care, she's loyal, nothing for me to be concern about, hell, let them tear her apart, I don't care,' I told myself, hearing Lin clearing his throat, snapping me out of my dark thoughts.

"Hmm?" I asked, taking a mouthful of the stew. He simply smiled at me.

"Is good to go," he mouthed, as he turned to face his wife, and started to chat. I rolled my eyes and sigh.

'Yeah, I don't really care,' I said.

"Noll, go and get Mai, she never eats with us, and she looks very lonely. Tell her to join us. I want to talk to her," Madoka asks of me. I was half lifting my spoon to eat my stew when she told me. I stop halfway and nodded. I stood up and place my bowl on top of the table.

'I really need my own place,' I thought, as I went towards the back. There stood Mai, eating her food, next to Snow. She looks so sad and lonely. The urge to go to her hits me hard. I want to just sit next to her, and just hear her talk. She sighs, and lifted her head up. I leaned against the door and cross my arms.

'I should tell her to get her,' I thought, about to step forward, but a sudden raven call is heard from a distance. Snow starts to bark at it. A strange feeling passes through me. Not a good one at that. I move forward, to catch a black raven looking down at Mai and her dog. Something in me stirs. I knew it was watching her. I fist my hand, digging my nails inside of my skin.

"Leave me alone, please," I heard Mai mumbled while she started to eat the stew. An ache, I can feel an ache in my heart, as I watch her eat her stew.

'I shouldn't even care.'

…...

The next day, after we said goodbye to Madoka, Lin came up to Mai to hand her some of the miners' clothes.

"Come, you don't mind wearing man pants?" Lin asks her after she turns around to see the clothes at hand.

I watch as her face becomes excited at the sight. I leaned against the wall, cross my arms, to watch her closely.

"Not at all. I always wanted to wear it," she told him. Lin nods with a surprised look, but doesn't say anything and hands her the clothes. She rushed into the cottage and closed the door. Lin clears his throat, as I move closer to the door, and cleared my throat.

"That was a surprise," he said. I nodded at him and smirk.

"At least she isn't shy," I murmured, Lin nods in agreement, and about five minutes later, Mai rushed out of the cottage. Snow came up to her and barked. Lin went up to her and place a brown hat on top of her small head. It looks a little too big for her, but she looks very um, what's the word, delightful? No, that's not what I would describe it. She looks up at him, looking confused by this.

"So your hair won't get in the way, come." He used as an excuse. He was really afraid if someone finds out what he did, and tells Madoka about it. He doesn't want to hear it from her.

"Be a good girl and stay. Stand guard, and don't leave your post, okay soldier?" I heard Mai say. I turned around, to see her salute her dog. Snow barks, wagging her tail, as she moves to lie down on the ground.

"That's my girl," she whispers and stood up after she pats her. I stood behind her, and tilt forward, watching her smile at her dog. I found her strangely and yet intriguing, of how kind she is to her dog, and to everyone else.

Suddenly she turns around, only to slam against me. I arched a brow, as she hissed in pain, taking a step back.

"Oi, sorry," she whispered, as her cheek flush in embarrassment. I arched a brow, but I don't say anything, and turned around, heading towards the mine.

'Why? You didn't know I was there,' I thought, wishing I could have told her that.

She followed quietly, looking at her surroundings. Full of beautiful trees and birds. Lin is ahead of us, as he carries some of the equipment, while I hold my pick. For a reason, this felt strange, not sure why, but suddenly I heard Mai giggle silently.

"This is fun." I heard her say out loud. I suddenly stop in my tracks, and she once again slams against me. I turned around, and narrow my eyes, and stare at her, and said.

'Watch where you are going.' I said as she did. Then I was curious,

'Why did you laugh? What was so funny? We just walked,' I was now curious about that. Mai tilts her head, then asks me.

"Sorry. Why did you stop?"

I sigh and lifted my right hand to point at my right side, using the mines as an excuse to cover my real question. She follows my finger, and her eyes widen to see a large mining opening. Filled with men working hard and sweating under the heat.

"That's a lot of men. In the castle, I have only seen them run around, or standing doing nothing but never like this, is strange. They won't do anything to me since I'm a girl, right?" she asks me. I can see the fear in her eyes. If she really did bed another man, she wouldn't have even asked me this, or looks so nervous. Yes, some of these men have their head in the gutter. Most are decent men, but a few aren't.

'Yes, they can force themselves into you, if you are left alone with the bad ones. Okay, this is a very bad idea.' I suddenly thought as she moves closer to me.

"No." I lied, watching her breath out in relief.

'Because I won't let you out of my sight,' I thought, as she takes notice how close she has gotten to me. So she takes a step back, and her face flushed, looking anywhere but me. I just started to walk towards the mine. I heard Mai following me.

When we reach the mines, all the men that work there, stop their jobs to look at Mai. Suddenly I felt every muscle of my body tense up.

"Her? A woman you brought? You know how bad luck they are." One of the miners with long white whisker spoke. His chubby cheek turns red, noting a missing tooth. Another man, with long brown hair, a young man appears next to him and places his hand on his shoulder.

"Lin knows what he's doing, but seriously a woman? You really need more friends," he burst out laughing, as his brown eyes soften. I can feel Mai going tense at this. I took a breath and try to control my anger. Feeling Mai going behind me.

"Work, Housho." Is all I said, trying to control my anger, feeling Mai eyes on me.

"Oh, getting irritated? I wonder why? Fine. What can she do?"' I was about to say something, but Lin took a step forward.

"She can do anything you sent her, besides heavy lifting." He tells them. The older man's eyes roam Mai and I didn't like the way he was staring at her. So I took a step forward.

"She's with me," was all I said, as I turn to grasp her wrist, and pull her roughly once again. Forgetting that she's very fragile. My anger didn't die down. I heard her hiss in pain. I loosen my hold and took her next to the wheel barrel, which has brown hats well helmets with lanterns on the side.

"Thank you. I..." Mai started, but I just ignored her. I bend down to take a helmet and turned around to remove the hat that Lin gave her. Then I place the helmet on her. She looks up at me with those brown eyes, surprised, and my heart suddenly started to race. I shrug it off, and place my pick in my other hand, and went into the mine. As soon as I entered, Housho, a co-worker from years now, came up to us, and gave us a long look, I gave him a cold look, as he clears his throat.

"Hello, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Housho, I'm one the minors at this old place. What's your name?" he asks Mai. Mai lifted her gaze and clears her throat.

"My name is Mai, I'll work hard, please take care of me." Housho brown eyes brightness up, and pats her shoulder a little rough, with a chuckle. He's a very friendly man. So I don't have to worry too much about him. He loves his wife too much to think otherwise. I felt Mai go stiff at his touch, so she moved away from him and got closer to me.

'Interesting,'

"My wife would like you. I'll ask Madoka to bring you to the shop, so you can meet her. Her name is Ayako." He mentions. She stares at him and nodded.

"Okay." she had no idea what to say to him. Housho laughs and moves towards the opening of the mine. I started to head forward, and Mai started to follow me towards the opening of the mine. Then out of nowhere, a crow. I stop in my tracks and turn around to see a black crow on top of the branch, looking straight at us.

'Something bad is going to happen.' I thought, looking at Mai. She looks very scared and concern. I was about to reach out for her hand, but her words made me stop.

'Why do I have a bad feeling?' she said as she passes me, to follow Housho. I look back at the crow.

'What are you planning? You evil bird?'

….

The mine itself is a long path, filled with thick rock walls. Is damp, that I can see the water drip everywhere. I was right behind Lin, as I took notice Mai shivering from the cold.

"Are you okay?" Lin asks getting concerned. Mai turns around and nodded.

"Just cold is cold in here," I admit to him. Lin nods and speeds his walk.

"Sorry for taking you here, I had no other choice." He sounds remorseful, and he should. Yet, I shouldn't be saying anything, since I didn't stop him.

"You and your wife have been so kind to me, anything you need, it will be a pleasure to help," she said, Lin chuckles, shaking his head.

"No, we should be the one grateful to you. If you need anything, let us know, okay." He smiles at her, and she nodded shyly.

"Okay," she whispered, he headed straight ahead until we reach some trail tracks, old carts filled with rocks, filled with diamonds. The walls are filled with many lamps that brighten the dark...

"Wow, so pretty." She suddenly said, but her eyes shine with wonder. I didn't know how to take this as? Does she like material things? Was she surrounded by this all the time? Another motivation to hate her? I turned to face her. I couldn't get her, wondering more about her.

Housho huff.

"Typical for a woman to say that at least you're not the princess." He stated that causes Mai to rip her gaze away from me and turns to face him.

"I meant the shine of the diamonds, that's all, and what do you mean?" Mai defended herself. I took her words carefully.

'Oh, the shine of the diamonds, not the diamond itself, strange?'

Housho shrugs, as Lin went deeper into the mines. I started to head in but stop when more miners came in.

"Don't you hear the rumors? They say the princess Taniyama is a rotten little one she is. She lavishes in these, and takes from the poor, so she can fill herself with jewelry, or court men, the little free self she is. Wonder how many men she beds to get what she wants." He bitter spat. Mai's eyes widen in shock as she clenched her chest. I can see hurt and fear passes her eyes. That irritated me. I should take this to heart, but so far, she isn't giving me any clue that she does that. Especially bedding men. She flinches every time, Madoka or Lin gets close to her. My eyes widen, hurt pass my heart at his hurtful words.

I walk up to Housho, wanting to rip his mouth off. So I took every self-control to not do it, so I just hissed through my teeth.

"Shut it." When I said that, Mai shivered at my voice. Then she moves next to me and looks straight at Housho. Housho seems to be affected, but shrug it off.

"Why I'm saying is the truth, Noll."

"What makes you say that? You don't know her," Mai cuts me off before I could say anything. I can tell Mai is trying to control her anger, as her voice trembles. One of the guys' barks of a laugh.

"Is what has been talking around. Why don't you think we never see her? She is too proud to show herself to us, poor folks. Not like her mother. Oh, how beautiful she was, and how humble and beautiful soul she had. She would come and help us no matter what. Too bad her daughter came out rotten." One of the minor spat with bitterness.

Mai fists her hands, as tears gather in her eyes, wanting to say something. For a reason, my heart hurts, and it shouldn't, I should be agreeing with them. To make her hurt, yet I'm hurting for her. What's wrong with that picture?

"What right you have to say that? You don't know anything about our princess. So please, stop bad mouthing her, especially if she's not around to defend herself." Mai hissed through her teeth.

"Puah, you're a female, of course, you'll defend her. All women are the same. Noll, don't let her near me," a thin man with black curly hair spat, as he walks around me giving Mai a dark look.

"Oi, I..." Mai was going to say something, but Housho shook his head.

"Sorry, I went overboard. You're right; I shouldn't be saying things without knowing facts. I'll see you later." Mai stared at Housho watching him leave. She turns to only breathe out. I bend down to her level, as I look into her eyes. She looks mortified and so hurt. I ached to tell her that I will protect her, yet I'm a bastard too because I'm going to use her for revenge. Yet, this little mouse makes me do nothing but hold her. She suddenly shivered.

"What?" She asked me. I couldn't help it, but smirk at her, liking how her mood changes. Her fear almost gone, replace with annoyance and something else, I can't name. I move forward, making her move backward. Then I stretch my arms and adjust her slanted helmet. Her eyes widen.

'Don't be scared, I'm here, I promise you to protect you. The more I want to hate you, the more I want to protect you. You are a strange woman, different from the rumors.' I thought, as I just simply said.

"Don't leave my sight," with that, I turn into the mines. I can feel her gaze on my back. I chuckled silently.

'She must be so confused by my sudden mood swings. Maybe thinking I must be odd. Yet, at least it will ease her from what just happen. Is the least I can do for her.' Hearing her steps right behind me.

…...

We are deeper into the mine, watching everyone bang against the walls with their pix, or just chipping some stones. Mai stood behind me, watching with the interest of how I worked.

I am already tired, after a few hours later. Yet, I can feel Mai eyes on me. I couldn't help it, but show off a bit. I even smirk time to time. Suddenly the urge to look at her hits me. So I stop my work and turn to face her. Our eyes lock, but no words are said. Again, I found myself trapped in her gaze, feeling my heart racing.

'I want to learn more about her, but I shouldn't.' I thought sadly, turning around breaking our connection.

Her job was to pick up any rocks that I broke and place it on the old crates. Many men were doing the same.

"Girl, bring me some of the picks; this one went dull already." I heard behind me, but I continued to work.

About a few second later, I heard her yelp in pain. I stop my work and turn to look at her. Everyone did the same and stares at her and then laughter passes their lips.

"I told you to get me a pick, not to fall, klutz." The male shook his head and goes around her to pick it up himself. She stares confused but embarrassed. She lowered her gaze, in shame. I was about to go to her, but Housho beats me to it. Placing his hand on her shoulder to give her support.

"Stop laughing you idiots, she's trying hard." He snaps at them. Mai wince at his touch, and automatically jumps out of his touch, but doing so, she almost trips once again. This time, I move rapidly and wrap my arms around her, to steady her. She gasps, and looks up, to see me looking down at her. Her face turns red. I mentally sigh.

'Be careful woman. You're hurt enough,' I simply said in my mind, while I felt her body shiver under me.

"Thank you." She said to Housho and me.

Housho chuckles. Suddenly a powerful earthquake rumbles under our feet, causing me to tremble backward. I automatically wrap my hand around Mai's waist, to steady her.

"Avalanche, get out!" someone yells from somewhere. My heart leaps in fright at the mention, but I kept my composure, watching everyone drop their things, and started to run.

"Noll, get her out," Lin screams as he rushes towards the exit. I didn't have to be told twice, so I take a hold of her small hand, and pull her towards the exit. My body starts to tremble even more when suddenly another shake passes.

Such our luck, the exit gets covered with many rocks, blocking our way. Lin stops in his tracks and turns to stare at us. (Since he was on the other side.)

"Noll," he calls out. I shook my head and wave my hand to say, 'Continue without us.' Lin nods, and he rushes his steps, now our only exit is completely covered.

"Damn it!" I heard behind me. We turned to see two more men trap with us. Another quake started to rumble, and one of the men suddenly came up to Mai, grasping her arm harshly. She winces, looking up at him with wide eyes. A sudden unpleasing feeling passes through me.

"Stan was right; Lin shouldn't have brought you here. If we die, you die with us." He threatens, noticing how gray his eyes are, an older man with gray hair, and chubby, with wrinkles all over. Now that annoyed me, he shouldn't touch her, as Mai winces, I move next to her and place my hand on his.

"Let her go." I hissed in a low tone. The man lifts his gaze at me.

"She dies with us Noll. And I know how much you don't care for women, so I doubt losing one woman will be a problem with you." He hissed with anger.

'She's my ticket, I won't anyone hurt her,' I darkly thought, but don't say anything, since isn't the time or place, but forced his hand out. Mai automatically moves closer to me. I turned around and take Mai hand in a firm way. Not noticing Mai looking at our join hands, and her eyes soften.

"What do we do?" she asked. I can feel her body starting to shake but kept her calm. I glance up, and an idea pops into my head. I turned around and pointed up.

"Climb up." I only said to the others. The other males glance up as Mai did. There was a huge opening, and from what I can see, a light. Everyone nods, and start to climb the walls.

"I'm not good at climbing. Go without me." Mai said. My eyes narrow at her words.

'Like hell I let you go,' I said. Suddenly I move closer to her and bend down to grab a rope. Without a word, I wrap it around her waist and the other end around mine. She looks down, then back at me. I told him.

"Why do you want to save me?" She asked me. I just smirk at her, but another quake shook, causing Mai to tilt upward. I wrap my arms around her and whisper in her ear.

"I'm still interested in you." Was all I said, making her eyes widen.

…...

Climbing up was very difficult, the walls shook and we have to dodge a lot of rocks. One of the men already made it to the exit.

Mai kept on slipping a couple of times, so I kept on catching her. Thank God, that I was smart enough to put the rope on us or not she would be dead by now.

Then something horrific happens. One of the rocks came rushing down, a large one. The second male, that almost made it to the exit, got hit by the rock, a piercing loud, deadly scream comes out of him, and I watch in pure horror, as his body rapidly came crashing down.

My heart stops as I look down, he was splattered on the floor, with blood running everywhere under him. Mai was not moving, and fear overcame her. Even as horrible the scene is, we had to keep on moving. I sigh, and with every courage, I could muster up, I yelled.

"Move it!" that got Mai attention. She looks up at me, as I start to climb once again. I can see the exit. When I finally reach the opening, my co-worker helps me out.

"Where's Jordan?" he asks. I shook my head and lower my eyes. His eyes narrow at my reaction. My heart hurts for this loss. He suddenly growled, but I turned to help Mai.

We stood on top of the mines, where you can see the other miners looking up at us. Then a raven croaks loud. I lifted my gaze and watch it fly away.

'Damn crow, I knew it,' I thought, as I turned and lock eyes with Mai, suddenly the man takes a hold of Mai's arm, and forced her to look at him.

"Your fault, you brought a man's death. Get out of here, before I kill you myself." He threatens. Mai stood there shocked, I doubt she even realized what just happened. She stood up, but her legs wobbled. When she tried to walk away, she and I am pulled due to the rope.

I simply unknotted the tie, as I watch no emotions play in Mai's eyes. I watch her face turning paler and paler.

She turns around, then she starts to throw up on the side. I don't know why, but went up to her, and frowned.

"Take her out of here Noll; I don't want her in my sight." The man shouts at me. Mai wipes her mouth and glanced at me, finally tears running down my cheeks. I sight, I hated to see a woman cry. I simply wrap my arm around her and help her up. She turns to face my co-worker.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean this to happen. I didn't kill him; it was an accident." She felt so remorseful. The man ignores her, I knew he won't forgive her, so I start to pull her away from him.

"Nana, I'm sorry," I suddenly hear her whisper. I look down at her, as she covers her mouth.

'Why did she say that?' I ached to ask her, but right now is not the time. Mai looks up at me, and hiccups.

"Are you mad at me as well?" she asks nervously at me. I gave her a long look,

'No, it was an accident, he fell by himself, you didn't push him or anything,' I thought, but simply lifted my head to look at the blue sky.

"No, not your fault." I simply said to her. I didn't notice the gratefulness in her eyes, as I held her tighter.

"Thank you," she whispered to me; I look down, from her sudden words. They seem so grateful. Her eyes told me that she was so grateful for not accusing her. I wanted to take her in my arms and tell her that everything will be okay.

'Maybe, just maybe, you aren't as bad as I thought. She really has no one to protect her.' At least I have my godparents, and she? She has no one.

The raven stood on the branch, staring down at us, he lifts his small body and flew away, with an eerie croak, echoed the woods…

..

..

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"

"Mai Taniyama is the fairest of them all, and no one will stop that, not even you; my queen."


A disclaimer: I DON"T own Ghost Hunt