Chapter Six: Anything?

I don't know why, why the thought of protecting her and saving her pulse deep in my core. I wrap my arms around Mai, burying her face in my torso and close my eyes ready for the impact. I don't even remember if I cried out in agony or hissed. All I knew I took the heavy blow, and Mai was safe in my arms but wet as I. Thank God for the water that cushion my fall.

I groaned in pain, as the princess starts to wiggle in my embrace. Making me wince in pain.

"Don't move," I hissed through my teeth.

"Noll?" She whispers, moving her head to brush her cheek against mine. She's between my legs, as her arms held me tight, but she moves them and place it on top of my chest.

'She's safe, good,' I sigh out in relief, as she moves to look at my eyes.

"How did we survive that drop?" She asks confused. I arched a brow.

'I'm fine, thanks for asking,' I wanted to snap at her, but I move my head, and let her go. I stood up, and look around to see if we can get out. At least the voice left, which was strange. I know it has to do something with the crow.

When I move to get closer to the wall, I wince in pain. Pain that comes from the junction of my neck. I took a hold of my neck, feeling blood oozing out.

'Not again, but at least it wasn't my little mouse that got hurt,' I thought, feeling a bit better.

"Oh God, Noll, you're hurt," Mai panics, reaching my side. I lift my gaze, when I felt her place her hand on the crook of my neck, more panic reaches her, when she sees the blood.

"I'm okay," I whispered very low, but she didn't seem to catch me, as she stares blankly at the blood. Then she moves and looks down at her dress.

"What are you planning to do?" I asked her, but yet again, she is in her own world.

"Sorry Madoka, I'll repay you back." I watch her bow, causing me to raise a brow, confused by her words. I saw her wince a little, as she tears a strip of the dress.

'Did she hurt herself?' I frowned, not liking this. I watch her kneel down, and rinse out the strip.

"Don't move, your hurt," she said, pressing the cloth on the junction of my neck. That causes me to hiss out more. Then I felt her fingers run through my neck, somehow that causes me to shiver.

'What is she doing? Don't touch me like that,' I turn my head, to see her eyes becoming heavy. I felt my heart thumping hard at the look she is giving me.

"Noll," she whispers my name, and she locks eyes with me. Getting lost, I move my hand and grasp her hand gently. She moves closer to me, feeling her breath hitching up.

'I shouldn't do this,' that ache from before came to me, but when I move, I hissed out in pain once again, bringing me back to reality. Mai moves away from me, and I press the strip of cloth on my wound.

'Using her is enough, I don't need to get involved with her like that. Yet, I do question myself once again, why? Why am I starting to desire her like a woman?'

"We need to find a way out. Is there a secret tunnel or a door. In my castle, there are usually secret hidden passages. Is there any here?" Mai asks, bringing me back from my dark thoughts, noticing that she's looking around the walls. I somehow found that entertaining.

"No," I answered her. I can see her turning around to look at me. I move back, and sat down on the wet floor, leaning my head against the wall.

'I wish, though,'

"Really? Darn." Mai says, while she walks next to me, and sits next to me, rubbing her bare arms since it's chilly down here and lift her legs up. I look up at the night sky, praying for the dog to call out for help.

"Snow will alert them, I'm sure of it," Mai confirms my thoughts. I move my head, but made an intake, as the sharpest of pain shot through me. I took hold of Mai shoulder not sure why.

Mai stares at me worried, but asks me.

"Noll, why did you save me? You shouldn't have." I turn my gaze.

'Your my ticket and you're worth saving,' I answered her in my head. I move my leg to feel some rocks I have in my pockets.

'Oh, right, I forgot about these,'

"Look," I said, turning to look at her. Her eyes widen, but then confusion crosses her feature.

I nodded at her, as I handed it over to her.

"Magic rock," I lied.

'Maybe this will keep her mind busy, so she won't feel scared and ask me nonsense,'

"Magic rock." she asks, looking down at the rock not believing it. Then she snaps, looking back at me.

"Do you think I'm a child? Sure, magic beans are real, but rocks?" she huffs out. I mentally laugh at her outburst. I shook my head, and place my hand over her small hand.

"Look, magic," I tried again, as I remove my hand. A yellowish bright glow starts to illuminate the small well.

"That's so beautiful, Noll, you see this, is very, I don't even know how to place it." she said excitedly like a child. Her eyes sparkle, and a smile broke her lips. She looks content and so amazed. It's very interesting to see how something so small can make her so happy. I'm glad I showed her this, if it makes her this happy. She's very simple, anything so small that can be overlooked by someone, can mean so much to her. Here she's the princess of the lands, that is suppose to be greedy and a freeloader.

'I like this side of her, she so simple,' I felt my heart thumping hard as Mai turns her head, to lock eyes with me. Shyness spread in her features.

"Right, you're the one that gives it to me. Where did you find this?" she asks me. I turned and grab three more rocks from my pockets, and handed it over to her. Why I carry it? I find them useful, plus earlier, I was by the lake, throwing rocks in the water. The well became brighter due to the rocks.

"Mines, I found it one day, so I thought it would be useful," I simply replied, not wanting to explain more. Mai stares at the rocks, which made her face glow giving her a slight charming glow towards her.

"Snow would love this, and Nana," I heard her mumbled to herself, as I look up at the night sky. The stars sure look lovely, I wish I can enjoy it not wet or hurt.

"Thank you, Noll and for your proposal," That catches my attention,

'So she made her mind up?' I turned my head to look down at her arching a brow up.

"I accept, but in two conditions," Well, at least she accepts, but what conditions? I should have expected this.

"What?"

"No beheading the queen. I let you do whatever you want with her, but not kill her, I can't stand violence. And second." she paused,

'Well, damn, I wanted her head on a plate.. Maybe there's another way?' Fine, but I want her destruction.'

"I want trust in our partnership. Okay," she tells me. I stare at her trying to find logic in this.

'Trust? But I'm going to back stab her. Should I allow it? I wonder why she wants my trust?' I wondered, but instead I ask her.

"Why?"

"Truth to be told," her voice thinning, looking away from me. Now that got me curious. Why is she acting shy all of the sudden?

"I never was close to any male, and" she paused, watching her cover her face with her hands, embarrassed beyond words. I was taken aback. I knew she had trouble being around people, so she confirms my thoughts. She's pure, not sleeping around with anyone? Oh, thank God. Somehow that made my heart swell.

"And you're the first that has ever protected me," she continues hearing her voice turn heavy as though she was going to cry. Her words made my eyes widen.

'Wait, no one has ever protected her? Wouldn't her father protect her? Isn't she daddy little girl?' Something tells me is a big no.

"Papa stopped protecting me for a long time. I don't know how to trust nor do I have friends. What type of princess am I? So, if you offer that proposal, then those are my condition. I want to gain your friendship Noll. If you allow me." She finally broke, gasping in a cry. I felt my heart drop to my stomach, feeling sad for her.

'Terrible fate, she has, damn father, what was so important to stop protecting his only daughter?' and somehow I knew the answer.

'Emilia,'


It's been an hour since we were stuck here and no help has come,

'Come on, Snow, don't make me lose hope on you,' I thought, feeling my body shivering.

"I'm freezing," I heard Mai raddle her teeth, rubbing her arms to gain warmth. I stood up slowly, only to have my little mouse next to me, wrapping her arm around my waist.

'What are you doing?' I turn to face her, from the little light on the rocks, I see her face turning a little red.

"Don't move silly man you're going to get hurt even more," she scolds me.

'Since when are you my wife?' I move my head, ignoring her scolding, and point at the rope.

'She can't stay here any longer, and that blasted dog isn't coming to help anytime soon,'

"Pull the rope; it will make noise for them to hear." I suggested. She nods at me, and grab the bucket. I move around her slowly and grab the other side and we started to pull as hard as we could. I wince, as my pain started to shoot up.

"HELP US!" Mai yells, but no use, and we try a few more times. I groaned in frustration, as well as Mai.

"Snow, please get them. Please." She begs, while I wince, and leaned against the wall.

'At least we tried,' I took hold of my injury, suddenly feeling sleepy.

"Talk," I told her, wanting to keep up. It won't be good if I fall asleep here.

"Huh?" she asks, confused.

"Talk about anything." I pushed once again.

"Err, that woman scared me." she said. I blinked,

'The voice I heard was a woman's voice, does she mean the one I heard earlier?' now intrigued.

"Woman?"

"Didn't you see her, for a reason, she sounded like Emilia. Not sure why. Now that I think of it, this land is filled with magic, all types of magic. Oh no, Eliot." she gasp out.

'Eliot? Who's Eliot? She never mentioned him.' I somewhat panic.

"Eliot?" I asked her, now getting annoyed.

"The huntsman that tried to kill me, was he discovered, that he let me go? Oh no, Emilia doesn't forgive." she covers her mouth to look at me. I sigh out a relief.

'Oh, okay, that's good. What did I assume a lover, she might love? Just because she has never been with a man doesn't mean she doesn't have feelings.' I reason to myself.

"Don't assume things." I told her, trying to ease her.

I push my body forward and slowly walk towards her and glance up.

"Something else." I asked.

"I like your Godparents; they are good people, and Housho and Ayako as well. I like them a lot." she beams at me. I stare at her, watching her staring at me in a strange way, which cause my heart to race.

'Little mouse, why are you making my heart skip a beat?'

"Good, anything else?" I asked, shaking my thoughts away.

"Prince Leonard. He's very handsome." The princess said out of the blue. That cought my attention, making me look straight at her, I saw her wince and covered her cheeks.

'Prince Leonard? Wait, I have forgotten, have I heard of him before? I can't remember,' I hammer in my head, to see if she mentioned him before. I think she did. So I cleared my throat slightly.

"Is he now?" I played along, even though it bothers me, I want to see where she takes me with this. She nods at me.

"He is. Papa said that I am in age to marry, so he wants me to marry him. He's very good looking," she said truthfully.

'Hmm, blasted bastard, already hate him,' I went rigid, feeling that I want to punch him in his damn jewels.

"You love him?" I said out of nowhere. I blinked, confused why I said that. Yet, I was staring at her with a dark glare, not wanting to know the answer. She does see him handsome. She seems stunned by my question.

'Please say no, please say no, then I can live peacefully. I don't care who you love, while is not a prince.' My heart screamed.

"I…" she was about to answer me, when we heard a yell above us. I mentally groaned.

'Really? Couldn't wait for a few seconds later?'

"Noll, Mai!" I heard again. I lifted my gaze to see Lin shadowy face.

"Lin, oh thank God, Noll is hurt, can you help us up," Mai screams.

"Give me a minute." He yells. I felt Mai grasp my arm and jumps happily.

"They found us, Noll. We won't die in here. I'll take care of your wounds as soon as possible. Thank you for saving me, thank you for the magic rocks." she said so happily. I shrug her off, and move away from her.

'Go and run towards your prince, he'll be happy as well,' I bitterly thought.

"No need, Lin can do it." I coldly told her. Her smile drops, as I look away from her, and run my fingers through my hair.

'Why the hell am I mad about this? She can love whomever she damn wishes, but for a reason is bothering the hell out of me.'


I don't know why, but I haven't spoken to Mai. Ever since the conversation the other night, it just made me mad. I can feel her staring at me at dinner time, or inches closer to me, trying to start a conversation. I just walk away, not wanting to know her answer. I don't want to hear, 'Yes, I love him,' if not, I doubt I can contain myself.

Now we are inside of a hut, where a clinic for pregnant women. The four of us sat, Ayako with Madoka, and I sit next to Mai. The hut is small, but very comfortable. Lin as at work, while Snow staid behind, watching the cottage. Or rather sleeping. Since I saw her lay down on Mai bed, before we left.

"I'm sorry again for delaying you." Mai bows since we delay our meeting. Madoka forbid me to go out, and Mai refused to leave me alone. Madoka raised her gaze, and Ayako shook her head.

"No need, Noll was hurt and you became sick, who wouldn't after being in that cold water for an hour?"

'My injury still hurts. I'm surprised that Mai didn't get sick or I.' Yet, I have been right, she hurt her hand, so while she was busy, I would help her do small things pick up heavy things.' I look down at her injured hand and frowned.

"Sorry, I thought I heard someone in the well, and I slipped in, luckily Noll was there and saved me." She praised. I can sense her gaze at me, and guilt plagues her as well.

"It's okay, oh Madoka, when you can, can you bring Mai over? I want her to see my house, and show her around." Madoka glance at Mai noticing a worried look at her eyes.

"Well,"

"Thank you I would love that." Mai bows down gently at Ayako. Madoka gave a 'Are you sure,' Look at her. I cross my arms, looking at a distance.

"Then in three days worth. Since I have some things to take care of." Ayako seems to be happy about Mai come over. I stood up, feeling bored already. I see the girls looking at me.

"Market," I told them, while leaving the hut, I shut the door behind me and look up at the sky. The air feels crisp. People around talk among themselves or went shopping. I place my hands inside of my pockets, but as I heard the door open, I heard Ayako and Masako talk a little too loud.

"They need each other to heal each other. Time will tell. I wouldn't mind them getting together at all. Mai is a very kind, generous woman, that place herself last and other first. I am praying to God, that they end up tighter even though they come from two different classes, after all." I heard. Mai steps behind me, and I turned to look down at her, as the door slowly closes behind her. Her cheeks flares up.

"You didn't hear that, did you?" she asks. I nodded, and step down, heading for the market.


I separated from my little mouse, and went to look at the fishes. I kept my eye on Mai, as she wanders around her own land. She looks amazing, as though this is the first time she sees this.

'Maybe it is her first time here.'

"Want something lad?" I heard the seller voice. I lifted my gaze to see his brown eyes twinkle. I smirked at him.

"How fresh are they?" I asked, examining the fishes. The old man points at the fish.

"Cought them this morning, how many you want?" he asks me. I took a hold of the fish, and examine it.

"I'll get four," I said. I took out my token and handed it to him, as he place the fishes into two separate bags.

Then I heard the old sells man sneered.

"There she goes again sailing those damn apples," I heard. I lifted my gaze, to see where he was talking about. There an old woman is talking to Mai. Mai smiles at her kindly as the elder woman talks to her about the apples.

"The wench came by a few times, trying to sell her apples," he tells me. I arched a brow, looking back at him.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked. He thins out his chap lips.

"She has no market, those right there are faked, can't sell anything without a real license market those are the rules." he tells me. I frowned, I watch Mai say something to her, which I couldn't catch, then she takes out two tokens out and hands it over to the elder.

I bow at the salesman, and turn around to head towards Mai

"Thank you." She waves her hand, as I finally reach her. She turns around, and slams right on my chest. I arched a brow and look down at her as she looks up at me.

"Sorry I didn't see you there, but Noll, that lady gave me five juicy red apples. Isn't good news? I can make pie's, just like Nana used to make them. I hope you like them. It's the least I can do to thank you." she cheered, while she looks up at me. I heard her, but my eyes watch as the sneaky elder woman runs away, leaving her market behind.

'What are you hiding little witch.' Mai turns to look where I was looking and frowns.

"Maybe she went back to the hut, she looks very old to be standing a lot. Madoka will be very pleased with these." she said, trying to be optimistic. I didn't like this at all. I bend down and took a hold of her bag of apple.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I didn't reply to her, since my thoughts are in the elder woman.

'I have a very bad feeling, I'm not sure it has to do with the elder woman or these apples. I need to keep an eye on it.'

"You heard about the princess," I heard at a distance. I stop in my tracks, to turn towards the woman gossiping, as I felt my little mouse moving closer to me.

"It's been a month since our princess ran away from the castle." the lady with curly red hair said.

"No, the rumors have it, that she went with some man." then another woman appears, a woman with long silky black hair, with a child in her arms, which is sleeping peacefully on her bosom.

"Shame, that princess always causes trouble, I thought she died, but no matter what, her father is very ill, the verge of dying. What a terrible daughter, she is for leaving her father like that. Our poor kind king. The queen is devastated." I heard, feeling my blood boil.

'What do you guys know? Wait, the king is ill. Poor Mai,' I suddenly felt bad, as I turned, to see Mai so still and in shock.

'She can't be here,' without thinking I placed my hand on her shoulder and push her away from the crowd ending up in a small alleyway. In doing so, I spot in the corner of my eye two castle guardsman walking down our way. I felt Mai body going stiff.

"We need to keep looking; she needs to be punished for running away, queen's order." I heard one of the guardsmen speak. I mentally sigh, and move to cover Mai small body with mine, so they won't spot her. I place my arm against the wall, and lower my head, locking eyes with her. Her body starts to tremble violently.

'Please don't go in shock, not the time my little mouse,' I wish I could tell her. She moves her hand and cups my right cheek. I went still on her sudden bold move.

"Please, take me to the castle. I beg of you, I give you anything, anything at all, just let me see my father." her voice quivers, begging me with her eyes. I felt my heart pound hard by her touch, that ache to protect her pulse in me once again.

"Sure?" I asked, as she nods at me gently.

"Anything jewels, money, my price position. Anything." She offers me.

'Anything? My little mouse, you sure like to bargain with me. Let see if this time you remember.' I smirked at her. I hear movement in my right. The two guardsmen returning back. I press my hand on her warm cheek, and close the distance between my lips with hers. I hear her breath catch once again, as I press my body against hers, pinning her against the wall. I felt her hand on top of my chest. Every inch of me flared up once again.

'I want to devour you once again, oh God, this is driving me insane, what the bloody hell does this woman have, that I desire her this much. Not only do I want to protect her, and make her smile, and enjoy her company, I want to ravish her, make her feel alive, and let her know how much I desire her as a woman. I want every man, and the stupid prince to know, this little mouse, the princess of the lands is mine and mine alone. Yet, it's just my inner demons talking because in reality she deserves someone who truly loves her, and I can't be that man,' then here I go, lying through my teeth, not sure lying to her or to myself, but I just couldn't hold back.

"Fine. I don't need anything like that." I whispered to her, so no one can hear us. I can almost feel her soft lips against mine. She licks her lips.

'Don't, I told you, don't do that,' I almost scream at her.

"Then what?" she nervously asks me. I wrap my arm around her small waist.

"Sell yourself to me," are the first thing that pops out of my mouth. I felt myself go into a stop, and mentally wince at my words.

'Sell yourself to me? What the hell is wrong with me? She's not to be sold to,' I'm so going to hell for this. Her eyes are wide in pure shock.

"You're poisonous as well." she catches me by surprise, that I smirked at her.

'Well, at least she knows where to be weary of her surroundings,'

"Dangerous and poisonous, good combo." I told her, acting as though I'm mocking her.

'Say no, say no, say no, please. I shouldn't be doing this. This is dangerous. Please Princess, say no, and I just walk away. I'll take you to see your father, but my other side doesn't want me to just leave it be.' I begged with my eyes.

"Why do you want me to be your slave?" she asks. I stare at her,

'She thinks that I'll turn her as my slave? No, no, don't think that. I'm just venting. I don't need you as my slave, I don't even like that term, damn my lack of speech,' I curse in my mind.

"Not my slave. You're my interest and you have what I want." I cleared up. I watch her lower her gaze and swallows.

"What does that mean?" she asks me.

"What I told you before." I answer her.

"My stepmother, what did she do to you, to hate her so much?" now, that question cause every single piece of me go into a rage.

'She took my family,' I ached to tell her, to tell her how much her lovely step mother made my family suffer. How much I despise her. I can't forgive her. She has to pay, so my little mouse is my only way towards her. Even if I don't love Mai, she's my ticket.

"One condition." Mai spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Promise me that you take me to my father. From this moment on. I…" she gulps once again, mustering courage.

"I promise to protect you. No harm will come to you; I give you my man of honor." I assured her, is the least I can give her. She locks eyes with mine.

"Why? Why are you treating me like this?" she asks, as I smirked,

'Because I'm too afraid to voice my real thoughts, and I'm a selfish man. Also, I don't know how to really reach you,' I mentally answer her. I said instead.

"Will you do it?"

"If you keep your man of honor, yes. From now on, I'll become yours." somehow those words seem to fit. It fit well with me.

'I'll become yours.' her words echo in me. I felt at ease, all my bad thoughts crash down, that I wrap my arms around her, giving her a gentle hug. She's the first woman I have hugged since my mother's death.

'I'm yours as well my little mouse, even though I don't love you, it's only fair. I'll try my best to protect you,' Mai closed her eyes, and held my shirt tightly.

'This feels right and it shouldn't,'

"Why?"she asks me. I became confused by her sudden question,

'Why what?' I wish she was more clear, so I just pretended that I knew what she's asking.

"Because in your eyes, I am a dangerous and poisonous man, and that's all you need to know," I winged out, but is the truth. I don't want her to have good expectation of me. In the end, she will be hurt, when I leave her, so might as well prepare her, at least for now this is the closest thing I can do. I felt Mai gently wrap her arms around me and relaxing.


Upon returning home, Mai went to attend to her dog, immediately.

"Look, snow, I got some apples," I heard her chirp. I move towards the back, only to have Madoka clears her throat, capturing my attention. I stop in front of the stairs and turn to face her.

"Yes?" I asked her. Madoka gave Mai a fast glance and goes up to me.

"I'm going on a date with Lin, please watch Mai. Also," she takes something out of her pockets and hands it over me.

"What's this?" I asked her. She smiled gently at me and pats my arm.

"I found it in your room, while I was picking up your laundry. Please don't leave it anywhere. Your mother ring means a lot." she explains it. I open my hand, and my heart leaps, to see a wedding golden ring.

'Right, I forgot about this.'

"Your father gave it to her, when they were so young. I still remember her excited face when she showed me the ring. She loved your father so much Noll. You actually remind me of him. He didn't speak much either, but when it came to her. She use to tell me, that he would make her world brighter, and he would take hours with her. Which at first she found it weird, but like the fact that he trusted her that much. People didn't understand why your mother fell in love with him, since he always seem cold. She use to tell me your father was the warmest man she ever met," Madoka tells me. My heart tightens at her words.

"Thank you," is all I said, heading for my room. When I finally reach the last step, I tighten my grip on the ring and felt tears gathering in my eyes. Maybe this is a sign of them, that I shouldn't be doing this to Mai.

"Mom, dad, and Gene? Am I doing the right thing?" I thought out loud.

"Noll," I heard my name being called. I turned around to see Mai is holding Snow in her arms, but took notice my strange behavior. I place the ring in my pocket.

"Hmm," I asked. She nervously rubs Snow head.

"Can we go tonight? I'm desperate," she said.

"At eleven, we go," is all I told her, turning around to head to my room.


Thanks for the reviews.

A disclaimer: I Don't own Ghost Hunt.