Tonight, Geese had been in a rather conflicting mood. His poker face around Mai wasn't as strong as he thought it was, but she didn't have the heart to bring it up. He tried his best and she appreciated that - just as she appreciated this outing. She understood he was cautious when deciding to leave South Town entirely. Of course, they weren't alone; somewhere in the distance, a small legion of bodyguards stood by, ready to jump into action at a moment's notice.

But they were far enough to not stare when Geese wrapped an arm around Mai's waist and lead her down a different path than the one, they had been traversing through. For whatever reason, Geese had decided to finish the night with a stroll through this city's park, which was simpler than the one in South Town.

The evening air was frigid and crisp, causing Mai to snuggle close to Geese for warmth despite the thickness of her coat. This year, it would be a freezing winter. If she remembered correctly, meteorologists had been talking about heavy snow soon. Within a few minutes, Geese had taken Mai to a part of the area which was moderately isolated. Only a few distant lamps illuminated the heaps of brown leaves under their feet that crunched with every step.

And Geese.

Mai couldn't quite define the expression on his face. It was hard and a little tight; dead serious and controlled. He was staring at her now like he was trying to see the shape of her soul. His man moved under his coat, fiddling with something in his pockets.

"I've been thinking about things for a good while and you most likely won't believe this but I'm quite nervous. I'm willing to admit that," he said calmly as he stopped moving his arm.

Mai smiled a bit ruefully, unsure of what to expect. It felt good to know that Geese was a little angsty and affected enough to admit it. "I know. You're not all that great at hiding it. I bet it's something important if you're telling me about it."

"Indeed. I find it best to just cut the bullshit," Geese moved his hand out of his coat, with something small and black clenched in his palm. He used his other hand to open the lid and Mai's curiosity almost got the better of her as she almost didn't hear him say; "I want you to marry me."

She could feel the shock completely paralyze her body. With her eyes being the only part she could move, she lowered her gaze to the ring in the black box that sparkled in the light. And then back to Geese's expression and the way his shoulders slumped in displeasure. Either he wasn't expecting that reaction from her or she looked like a doe caught in the headlights of a truck moments away from being smeared across the highway.

"You don't look happy," Geese muttered, his lips thinning a bit.

Instantly reality began to set in for Mai and she raised her hands, fearful that her shock might have come off as outright refusal. "Ah, it-it's more like…aren't you supposed to get your knees?"

That was usually how people proposed, right? Unless he was pranking her. Was her pranking her? Was that why he was being so nervous all day?

"It doesn't matter if I'm on my knees or not. My intentions and my feelings for you are clear," he narrowed his eyes a bit, still holding onto the open ring box. Either Mai was going slightly mad or she swore she could see a faint blush on his face.

"Semantics, Geese. Didn't you…?" Mai lowered her hands, then clasped one over her mouth when it dawned upon her what she was implying. Like a child being caught in a bad act, she slowly let her gaze focus on Geese again.

"It was arranged," he shrugged like it didn't face him but his body tightening suggested that it did. "Didn't get to propose."

"Oh. That explains a lot," Mai mused. It explained his nervousness.

Suppose it was just natural for a man to feel nervous when he had to pop the question. Even more so if he hadn't done it before. Maybe he didn't know one was supposed to get on their knees. It was cold too and the leaves looked dirty, so Mai didn't fault him for not kneeling. For a moment, she thought of Andy and how she'd dreamed of him finally proposing.

She had been so in love with the idea of being tied to him in marriage that she even staged a fake wedding to give him an appetizer. In hindsight, it just made him scared. Such antics were silly fun but made Mai's desires known. Thus, it was surreal to be met with a man who didn't need appetizers in order to tie the knot.

Mai did however love this man. She had given her heart and body to him. He had hurt her but made it up to her and she forgave him. He was honest with her and trusted her enough to divulge his vulnerabilities with her. He showed her the parts which made him a demon and Mai chose to accept them, becoming a demon with him in the process.

Falling so deep that you'd end up on top. That had never been Mai's intention, but she understood that it was just a circumstance of loving someone like Geese Howard. She'd enjoy the perks anyway. She enjoyed the affection and the care he showed her. To be wedded to him would be…a dream.

"Well the answer is yes. I do want to marry you," Mai said softly, staring Geese directly in the eyes so he knew she meant every word. For a moment, he stared blankly at her. Then his eyes widened. His mouth moved open and then snapped closed. His entire body heaved with the deep breath he inhaled.

Finally, he smiled.

"Now I will get my damn knee," he stepped closer to her, kneeling in front of her as he took her hand and carefully slid the ring onto her fourth finger.

When she lifted her gaze to gauge his expression, she noted how proud and relieved he looked like today was the happiest of his life. He was considerably gentle, rubbing his thumb against her knuckles. Perhaps the reality of the situation needed a little more time to settle in and when it did, tears began to roll down Mai's cheeks before she was even aware of it. She blinked some of them away and looked down to see Geese stare up at her with worry in his eyes.

She tried to smile through them, but it ended up just being a meek grimace. The funny was that Mai was beyond happy; so happy that she ended up sobbing, kneeling to meet Geese eye to eye. Or rather, swing her arms around his neck and bury her face in the crook of his neck. A whole host of emotions flooded Mai and she was unable to describe them but above all else, she felt bliss.

Perhaps a little honored too that Geese would be willing to marry her of all the women in the world. She pulled back, rubbing her eyes, not caring about her runny mascara. It had been a very long time since she had cried for joy.

"Does it make me the queen of South Town then?" Mai asked, her voice brittle despite its excitement.

"Yes, it does," Geese rested his hands against her cheek and put an arm around her to help her stand. His thumb brushed against some stray tears, warm against the frigid temperature. South Town was his child – but it would be hers too.

"Okay! I can live with that," she laughed, catching his face between his hands, and kissing him like she had never kissed anyone before.

Now Geese couldn't get away with calling her Miss Mai anymore after all.


A few weeks since that fateful night, Mai found herself waking up to unusual light peering through the curtains. The bed was already empty with Geese leaving early to handle the continued issue of Wolfgang. The bed was still somewhat warm, but Mai didn't find much joy in lazing about alone. Wrapping the thick blanket around her naked body, she slipped out of bed, stepping onto the fur and then the heated floor as she came closer to the windows.

She pulled the drapes and stared into a white void with specks of black underneath. Heavy snow had fallen over the city, coating everything in white. Without the sun out, it truly looked like the world had been thrown into a pale blur. Winter was upon them. Mai stepped away and hurried to the closet, getting dressed quickly before she ventured through the estate, settling in the study.

Since Taiwan, she had bought a journal in which she wrote liberally, sharing her thoughts and fears. Today, it was her elation. The thoughts that swirled in her mind while she mulled over the developments in her life. The biggest one had taken front and center within her thoughts.

She was getting married.

It had always been Mai's biggest dream to get married to her Prince Charming. Someone she loved dearly. Someone to connect with on the deepest of levels. For a while, that person had been Andy. Now, he happened to be Geese, unbelievable as that was. But it had happened, and Mai was living in that reality.

She felt it at every hour of the day when she looked at the proof sitting on her ring finger, tracing the shape of the modest gemstone. She didn't care how the ring looked when she thought about it. The gesture meant everything.

Things would be wonderful when her husband-to-be had rid them both of their common enemy too. And then there would be nothing standing in their way. They'd be at the top of the highest mountain of hell. It was just a perk, however. A powerful one.

Forgoing her own demonic transformation, Mai rummaged through the desk's drawers to find a sheet of paper to write on. A posthumous letter to Andy. She'd leave it on his grave later today. For a moment, Mai felt odd doing this when she had been engaged. But then again, Geese did keep a photograph of his deceased wife in one of the drawers. She came to understand that it wasn't holding onto what was here no longer but rather to honor the memory of what once was.

There was a part of Mai that would always love Andy, like a part of Geese would always love Marie. But in that same vein, they loved each other. Mai quietly penned the letter and stuffed it in an envelope. It wasn't meant to be read by anyone living so she didn't put a return address or such other formalities. She didn't even write a name on the front.

Out in the hallway, the estate was quiet except for the distant hum of the maid staff cleaning. Mai waved at them as she walked past, happy to see her gesture returned. Accordingly, Geese didn't bother with such formalities. It was to "establish clear roles of professionalism" he'd say.

Sounded much like him.

Entering the elevator, Mai took a detour to the floor with the lounge and meeting rooms, walking past them until she reached Geese's office. The marker on the door was green, meaning he wasn't occupied at the moment, but Mai still preferred to be polite and knocked before she entered.

A pleasant warmth greeted her as she stepped on the soft carpet flooring, spotting Geese sitting by his desk with his brow furrowed. The light of the laptop flashed in those blue eyes of his that moved upwards when Mai stopped in front of the desk.

"Are you heading out? It's colder than a witch's teat," he said, his expression loosening a bit as he turned the device to let the curious Mai see what he was researching. It turned out to be something about a new fighting tournament being arranged. Possibly. Mai did recall Geese had mentioned that it'd be the best way to lure out Wolfgang. Something about strong men or something to that effect.

"Yeah, but I'll be okay. I'm not staying out long, I think. Just doing some shopping and leaving this," Mai chuckled and put the envelope on the table. "A goodbye letter."

Momentarily, Geese was quiet, staring at it before he looked upwards at Mai and nodded.

"I'll have the usual suspects accompany you," he said, straightening his tie and conveniently leaving out the fact that he had gotten the terrible habit of sending half a legion on top of Billy, Ripper, and Hopper.

She didn't confront him about this; she knew why he did it. That said, Mai was still a Shiranui Ninja. She could and would defend herself. Wolfgang had just gotten the upper hand the last time. Thinking of that nightmare caused a tiny ounce of anxiety to coil in Mai's stomach, which she quickly forced away. It was going to be okay.

She'd be okay.


The snow was thick and heavy, especially in areas where the snowplow couldn't clear it. Thankfully, walking down the sidewalk proved to be an easy task, even if Mai felt a little odd with the legion following behind closely and Billy right next to her with his staff. Despite being on the job, he had his eyes occasionally glued to his phone, tapping away before he looked around. Only to get distracted by buzzing again.

"What are you doing?" Mai asked, and his face bloomed into a deep red, a shade more intense than his staff. He didn't answer her, only shoving his hand further into his jacket as he kicked some snow. Mai shrugged and let the matter be as they neared a flower shop. Due to the weather, the florist had all the flowers stored inside.

In the Hanakotoba, the morning glory symbolized willful promises. For Mai, this promise would be to live life to the fullest without the weight of grief crushing her. It was a promise to herself, just as much as it was to Andy – and everyone in the afterlife. After what she had become, they wouldn't be waiting for her; they probably didn't like what she had become.

That was okay. Such was life. She would have people to keep her company in hell. But until then, she'd honor the memories of the people she held dear. Thus, the bouquet held nothing but morning glories. A promise to live.

Stepping back outside almost felt like a shock for Mai because of the sudden temperature shift. The flower shop had made things moderately warm, which almost caused Mai to linger more. But she had places to be and things to do, drawing a quick breath of the frigid, carbon air as she was flanked by her bodyguards.

Even if Mai could defend herself, she'd be lying if she didn't acknowledge how comfortable she felt, being encircled by people here to protect her. Now she understood why Geese always had them around whenever he went out – even if he could fight quite well himself.

"Are you going out with Joe?" Mai asked as she spotted Billy with his eyes fixated on the screen of his phone and a big goofy grin on his face. He stiffened, then looked at her, scowling.

"…Here's a better question," he countered, tightlipped. "What's up with that ring? Everyone's been talking about it."

A deep blush heated Mai's cheeks as she clutched the bouquet in her hands. She hadn't made any effort into hiding it or hiding the fact that she slept in Geese's bed every day. But to think that it had become gossip in the tower was still surprising to hear. Of course, Ripper and Hopper just had to chime in.

"Geese is marrying you, isn't he? That's what the rumors say," the baldest of the two said with the tiniest of smirks.

"Ah…w-well they're not wrong," Mai confirmed, her blush deepening as warmth spread all over her body.

It occurred to her then that she should discuss the technicalities of the wedding with Geese. But what her dress would look like and how many guests there would be were questions left to fester at the gates to her active thoughts as Mai reached the graveyard and pushed it open before Ripper could.

Despite being located in the middle of the city, the area was quiet. Serene even with the way snow descended from the sky, covering all the previous footsteps. Diligently, Mai made her way past the headstones until she reached one particular grave. Surprisingly, someone had already visited Andy, leaving behind a bouquet of lilies, fairly recently too. Mai put her flowers next to it, alongside the letter, which had been put into a plastic bag. No one was going to read it but she'd like to avoid it getting ruined.

Billy and the rest of the guards stood nearby, keeping their distance to give Mai some peace while she prayed for Andy's soul in the afterlife. However he felt about the decisions Mai had made, she hoped he'd watch over her with acceptance. He was a rational, smart, understanding man. Mai had a feeling that he would be glad, she was becoming happy again.

Even if that happiness came from something hellish.

You're stronger than you think you are.

Mai had come to understand that. Yes, she liked to think that she was. At least, the version that stood here now. The person who had changed.

That was okay, wasn't it?

Mai stood up, drawing a deep breath of the winter air. She reckoned it tended to be more sharp during the mornings, possibly even more so at the top of the tower. She turned around and headed towards her bodyguards, ready to burn her credit card and indulge in the latest fashions of the season. She was in a particularly good mood today, happy to have more hands to carry her goods once she hit the shopping district. After everything which had happened, Mai wanted to live life.

As the group left the graveyard and headed towards the shopping district, distressed screams could be heard in the distance and people began running for their lives, hiding in side alleyways. Cars sped past them on the road, sending black snow cascading over the sidewalk. Instantly, the legion of bodyguards circled Mai and tried to steer her away from the street, towards the parking lot.

As soon as they had reached the asphalt, a black van came to a screeching halt in front of them and men poured out of its doors, lunging at the group. One of the offenders was someone, Mai recognized. The same tall, bald man who had picked her up at the airport in Germany.

And then she realized what was happening. The defiant, proud ninja inside of her was about to gear up for battle when a hand clasped itself around her arm and dragged her back, pulling her away from the scene while more people in suits arrived.

"Take her to the tower!" Billy commanded, swinging his staff to show the mysterious attackers that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Ripper joined him with a pair of brass knuckles while Hopper and the rest of the bodyguards hurried to the vehicle parked a few tens of meters away. Behind the chaos of a battle continued and Mai craned her neck to see what was happening. However, the towering figures of her bodyguards obscured the scene and so she could only pray for Billy and Ripper's safety.

As one black suit entered the driver's seat to ignite the car, Mai reached for the handle to the backseat when a blast of energy from the scuffle aimed directly for her. She barely had time to turn around before the bodyguards, shielding her from the outside world, were sent flying across the snowy ground.

For a moment, her mind went blank until her survival mode kicked in and she searched the inside of her coat to find her iron fan. When she looked up to confront her would-be-attacker, she froze.

"Terry?!" Mai exclaimed, for a moment wondering if she had laid eyes on a ghost.

But it truly was him with his red cap, red jacket, and striking blue eyes that were similar to Andy's. It was him in the flesh, back in South Town. He wasn't smiling nor did he answer Mai. Instead, he clasped his hand around her wrists and dragged her away from the heaps of bodyguards, eventually sprinting. Forced to run, Mai tried to stop but found herself dragged to wherever she was being taken.

Behind her, she heard voices frantically call her name, growing smaller as the distance grew wider. It wasn't like she wanted to flee. She had nothing to flee from. Her lungs burned and her legs began to ache, yet Terry kept dragging her along. When they had created a substantial distance, they finally stopped. Mai stopped to catch her breath, then looked around to figure out where they were.

They were at the old train station. Terry pushed the door open and dragged Mai inside, shielding them from the endless snowfall. A musky smell filled the chilly hall and snow had blown inside from a nearby broken window.

"Terry-" Mai began but he preempted her, raising his hand as if to shut her up.

"You're safe now. You okay?"

He looked her directly in the eyes, pinning her with an intense, scrutinizing stare. Dead serious, he was and honestly, he probably didn't know better. Yet Mai felt no joy. She pulled out her iron fan, frustration coiling uncomfortably in her stomach. If she had to fight Terry…so be it.

His eyes moved downwards to the weapon in her hands, but he didn't prepare for battle, simply putting his hands down his pockets. And then he smiled. It wasn't the usual friendly, infectious expression he usually bore. It was melancholic like he was witnessing a Greek tragedy.

"What you did was incredibly foolish," Mai said, her lips thinning. "I can't stay here."

He moved to stand near the door to the hall like he was contemplating blocking it. He reached for the rim of his cap, tugging it onto his head tighter.

"It's cold outside."

"Terry. I need you to listen to me for a second," Mai swallowed, ripples of anxiety washing over her body.

The Terry she knew wouldn't make her feel so nervous. He was the type of person to bear no ill will towards others, no matter who they were. At least, he used to be. Mai could see a spark of something unpleasant in his eyes as he looked at her. The changes to his character must have come during her six months of isolation because the man that stood in front of her now, just seemed…different.

Maybe even diminished.

There was something jaded and fragile in his gaze which wasn't there before. Not even at the funeral. Mai didn't blame him for feeling this way. She was well aware of why. Everyone within the once tight-knit group of friends had changed as it became fractured. Split into a million little pieces as they grew apart and tried to find a place in the world again. Finding new people because the old guard was too painful. Whatever anger, Mai felt at Terry for pulling such a stunt, soon vanished and an odd sense of solidarity took its place.

Taking a deep breath, she heard herself utter the words; "I'm marrying Geese Howard."

The implications, implicit and explicit, hung in the air like a dark cloud and the room seemed to grow a tiny bit colder. For a moment, Terry stared at her with an unreadable expression on his face. Then came the hurt. He tried to hide it behind a smile, but it only ended up as a grimace.

"That's a bit unfair, don't you think?" he looked down again, not even having the guts to stare her in the eye.

Mai felt the earlier frustration worm its way through her stomach, her throat and almost leave her mouth as cuss words and scalding retorts. Instead, she took a step forward, mulling over the words she would say in the face of that attack. She was surprised at how calm she sounded.

"…I won't live my life holed up, depressed and alone. I didn't make my choices so things would end up this way, but they did, and I don't hate that."

"You were never alone, Mai. You chose to lock us out. I understand your pain, I really do but…we're your friends," Terry looked at her. Despite his friendly attitude, he was beginning to bristle and break from the emotional instability of losing his brother. And now, he was struggling with the added weight of his former sister-in-law getting engaged to an adversary. If one listened closely, could one hear the cracks in his spirit?

"I'm your friend. I missed him too. I still do but I won't give up on others because of it. If you wanted it, I would have gladly reached out and helped you."

"You left the town and everyone else behind. Me, Joe, Rock, Mary. Everyone. Don't try to guilt me into changing my mind. Being with new people helped me in the long run. Has it ever crossed your mind that it was what I needed?" Mai clutched the fan in her fists, nearly shaking with indignation.

"But Geese fucking Howard? Mai, have you lost your goddamn mind?" Terry shook his head, the act of civility beginning to slip.

Mai drew another breath to quell the flames of anger licking at her insides. She took a glance out the nearest window, seeing only the occasional car pass by instead of any vehicle she recognized. Not even a single one of them pulled over to give her any hope.

"…No, I just changed. I know what he is. I know what he's done and what he's capable of. I also know that there's so much more to him than what meets the eye. I've accepted my one-way ticket to hell but that doesn't change my feelings for him," she answered calmly, pursing her lips at the wounded look Terry gave her. He was about to say something hurtful, wasn't he? Something he hoped she'd mull over; something he hoped could strike at her emotional core and get her thoughts working.

"…What would Andy say?"

And there it was.

It struck deep, causing Mai to flinch outright. She had many times mused over this exact same question, wondering what she should be saying to him once they met in the realm beyond but as her life continued to change and develop, Mai came to understand that it was only a waste of energy to ponder over hypotheticals. She accepted things as they were now, no matter how much it hurt. All she could do was to live her life in the realm of the living.

"…Andy is dead," Mai said, her voice quivering as her gut began to tighten. "He has nothing to say. If I see him in the afterlife, then we'll take it from there but on this plane of existence, Andy will be forever silent."

Rarely was Terry the type of person to become visibly upset so the visceral expression on his face was a surprise. A wholly unpleasant one. Guilt began to simmer in Mai's stomach over her own actions and the heartlessness to wound him back. Momentarily, she almost cowered, thinking of a way to apologize until she understood that it was simply payback.

"It hurts me to say those words. He was your brother, but I loved him too. I always will. But I love Geese as well," she continued, less acidic.

A bitter smile formed on Terry's face. "I can barely recognize you anymore."

"Ditto."

They had both changed, probably more than what the other was comfortable with. Silence filled the old train station as the tension was just below a simmering point with neither person willing to back down for various reasons. For Mai, it was to avoid uprooting her entire life. For Terry, it was an attempt to carry on with things being as they used to be. Almost.

As if some god of irony had been watching the scene transpire, sudden clapping from the doorway to the hall forced the conversation to a sudden end. Instantly, Terry stepped back as the sound of snow being crushed under footsteps became louder. And into the frozen train station, stepped a face, Mai wasn't keen on ever seeing again.

"My apologies for interrupting. I'm here to bring back my toy," Wolfgang's voice could barely be heard over the sound of his sarcastic clapping. "It's been a while, Fraulein. Here I thought you had perished after what that oaf Big had told me. Imagine my elation to see you alive. I am not so pleased to see you use your womanly charms to lure in another man."

As Mai stared at Wolfgang, her breathing accelerated and her heart raced along with it. She felt sweaty. Goosebumps erupted across her skin as she felt her legs trembling. No, her entire body was shaking. Suddenly the memories of captivity began to flood her, almost making her crumble where she stood. She hardly heard Terry calling out to her. Only the sinister cackle from Wolfgang as he stepped further into the hall.

His mustache moved just slightly into what could liberally be called a smile. "Your mutt isn't here to protect you."

No, he wasn't. But Mai was a ninja and her pride swirled up inside of her, choking the fear as she unfolded her iron fan. She hadn't imagined what she'd do if she ever encountered Wolfgang alone but when she stood here, a thirst for revenge began to grow within her, snarling like a blood-starved beast.

"I don't need his protection to beat your ass," she proclaimed, proud as the fighter she was meant to be, feeling the flames of the Shiranui clan burn within her.

"Mai-" Terry began but she stopped him before he could continue.

"Stay out of this, Terry. It's not your revenge."

This time, Mai wouldn't fail.