A/N: Thank you for all those who supported this story until the end despite it being long overdue. This is the final installment of What If

Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.

-oOo-

Flashback...

She returned to the base, her face ashen which made everyone worried but before they could ask she spoke, "The police just called, Takumi's dead. They said that he was in the basement when a water pipe exploded." She then started to cry for the man she loved and married, for Hosuke, for Kimiko and all those who died. Kasumi comforted Miyako with everyone looking down, they all forgot from their joy when the talisman was destroyed that Fujiwara Takumi's life had been forfeit.

...Flashback

-oOo-

The team stayed in the house until the next day, just part of their routine during cases to ensure that there are no longer any activity. Mai and Miyako both agreed to have the house demolished, when asked, Mai answered, "It's true that the house would always remain in my heart but I want to move forward with my life. I can't do that with the house holding me down. All the happy memories I have of it would always be here in my heart."

Miyako adding, "We are not running away from our past, but rather having faced it head on we wish to close that chapter in our lives."

The house was demolished and the lot sold to a couple, who would build the house of their dream and create new memories for that place. Of course, the Amamiya Clan made sure that no taint of dark magic was left in the area.

Miyako held a memorial service for Takumi,she stood with her head held high signifying that chapter of her life to be fully closed. A new chapter opening up for her, now finally able to live with her daughter in an apartment of their own. Though they'll be going on a world tour next month, wanting to spend time just the both of them and to make up for lost time.

Things were finally returning to normal, well as normal as it could be with both Naru and Mai getting used to their link as well as tuning Gene out. Kazuki and Kasumi joining SPR from time to time with their cases as they trained both Mai and Naru with their abilities. Being affiliated with the Amamiya Clan found them receiving some interesting cases with help given of course if things get to dangerous.

-oOo-

Mai was currently travelling to Hokkaido with Hitomi, she just found out that her paternal grandparents were still alive and they've been waiting for the day they could see Mai again.

"How are you feeling, Mai?" Hitomi asked the girl. Feeling quite happy that she could be with her granddaughter again.

Mai turned to her grandmother, "I'm a little nervous about meeting them again, would they be proud of me." Mai had been thinking about this things for a while now, since Hitomi informed her that they would visit them.

Hitomi, placing a hand under Mai's chin to raise it so that Mai's eyes would be leveled to hers, "There is nothing to be nervous about my little Ai, they would be proud of you I know, because I am proud of you."

Mai's eyes began to tear up and she immediately hugged Hitomi, who returned it. "Hitomi-sama, Mai-hime, we have arrived at the Taniyama residence." The driver informed them.

"Thank you, Tetsu", Hitomi said. She then ushered Mai out of the car, the both of them standing in front of a wood cottage, with the front yard filled with different color flowers. The air was permeated with the smell of freshly baked bread. "Let's go Mai, they've waited long enough." Mai took a deep breath then nodded.

The both of them reached the front door, Hitomi ringing the door bell. "Just a second, I'm coming", a man's voice was heard. Mai started to tear up again, remembering the same voice as a young child being read stories to. When the door opened, the man's eyes immediately landed on Mai. The man raised his hand touching Mai's cheek as though checking if she was real or not. "Are you really my little bud, my little Mai?" He asked in amazement.

Mai nodded, "Shou-jii-sama." Mai called out with tears running down her face.

He then crushed Mai into his chest, "My sweet, sweet girl. I thought I'd never get to see you again." Tears running down his face with Mai bawling out into his chest.

He gently pushed Mai to see her face, "Look at you, you've grown into a beautiful flower." Mai gave him a teary smile. Taniyama Shou, turned to Hitomi, "It's nice to see you again, Hitomi-san. Thank you for bringing Mai to us."

Hitomi smiled, "It's great to see you as well Shou. Where's Saya anyway?"

"Ah! Forgive me, where did my manners go. Please come in, the both of you must be tired from the journey." Shou said to them, while inviting them in to the house. Showing the two to the living room, he then called out for his wife. "Saya, would you come here for a sec. We have visitors and you won't believe it, our little blossom is now a flower."

"Honestly, why are you shouting.." Saya stopped with her tirade seeing both Mai and Hitomi in their living room. Saya sat on the love seat, her legs going weak as though she had seen a ghost. "It can't be." She said with a hand covering her mouth, tears began to fall. She looked at her husband trying to confirm if it was real or just a hallucination.

Shou smiled at his wife, "I told you didn't I, our little blossom has finally bloomed into a beautiful flower." Both Mai and Hitomi waited in the sidelines, not wanting Saya to be overwhelmed more than how she is now.

Saya stood up and slowly walk towards Mai, "Your really our blossom, I'm not dreaming."

"It's me, Saya-baa-sama." Mai said in a soft voice, with tears running down her face. Shou went to the two females and hugged them as well. The three of them hugged each other, not letting go for fear that its just a dream. Hitomi just watched with a smile on her face and eyes glistening with unshed tears, heart light in the knowledge that what was lost once has been returned back to them.

When everyone has calmed down, they were in the living room drinking tea, chatting with each other and explanations being given. "When Hosuke told us to go into hiding, we wanted to take you with us to keep you safe. But he said that it cannot be for it would lead to our deaths." Shou explained looking at Mai.

Saya placing some snacks on the table, "If it weren't for Hitomi-san informing us of what is going on we would have thought that you were gone as well. We were starting to lose hope waiting for many years does that to a person but Hosuke's final words to us were that we would see you again." Saya sat down, her hands clasped on her lap. "It was the only thing we could hold on and I am happy that we stayed strong. Seeing you in front of me and getting to hold you in my arms again, clearing the dark clouds from the sky and the sun shining through."

Mai smiled at both her grandparents telling them what she had been up to in her life, about meeting SPR and being nervous about meeting them again. Her grandparents telling her stories about living in Hokkaido, her father's childhood and some stories from when she was still a baby. Hitomi adding things here and there.

They all talked until late in the evening, Mai then let out a yawn. "Oh my! Look at the time the both of you must be tire from the journey. Here, I'll show you to your rooms so you could rest." Saya said standing up from where she was seated.

Mai was about to say she was alright, when a hand patted her on the head. Looking up it was her grandfather, "Go and rest little blossom, your grandmother and I will still be here tomorrow. We have all the time in the world now to make up for our lost time." Shou said with a smile on his face.

Mai nodded, kissing her grandfather on the cheek and saying good night and she loves him. "I love you too little blossom, now shoo, go and follow your grandmothers." He ushered Mai out of the room and up the stairs.

When Saya showed Mai her room, she was in awe. Her room had furniture made from rose wood from the desk to the bed. A door leading to the terrace would have the view of the lake out back, which would be beautiful during the morning. "This is amazing Saya-baa-sama!" Mai exclaimed looking around the room.

"I'm glad you like it, your grandfather would be ecstatic to know. He made each and every furniture in this room in preparation for us seeing you again. This would be your room for the times you would visit us." Saya said to her granddaughter.

Mai looked at Saya and hugged her, "I'm happy to be with you guys again and I promise this room would be put into good use. I'll visit you every chance I can."

Saya patted Mai on the back, "Now then we have a long day tomorrow, I'll teach you my signature dishes and have a tour of the place."

Mai grinned and said that she was looking forward to it. Bidding her grandmother goodnight and kissing her on the cheek as well.

As Mai laid in bed, she was feeling grateful that despite her parent being gone from her life, she still had the rest of her family and friends by her side. She then closed her eyes falling asleep immediate not knowing that she would get to see the two people she longed for.

-oOo-

Dream...

Mai found herself in the astral plane with Gene grinning at her. Mai was about to ask him what going on but before that she heard two voices calling out to her. Turning around she saw both her mother and father together smiling at her. Mai looked in shock, but before her mind could process things her body was already propelling herself toward her parents. Crying her heart out as they held them closed to her. Gene smiled and took his leave, Mai was safe for now.

"Shh, little one, we're sorry if it took as this long to contact you." Mai's father said to her.

"I missed you both so much. But how, how are you both here." Mai asked wiping her tears away still holding onto her parents.

Kimiko smiled, "During our deaths we attached a part of our soul to you, so that when the time comes that you would be free from Takumi's clutches we would be able to see you again and talk to you."

The three of them spent, how long nobody knows, talking to each other. Things about her parents, her life, dreams, hobbies, friends and her love life. Which had Mai blushing to the roots of her hair, quite mortified that her parents, mostly her father saying that he approved of Naru. Kimiko letting out her tinkling laugh as she watched Mai hide her face in embarrassment.

Before they knew it, Gene appeared with a sad smile. Hosuke and Kimiko knew what it meant. "It seems out time is up." Hosuke commented.

Mai who was looking at Gene snapped her attention to her parents. "What do you mean your time is up?" Mai asked with tears running down her face not wanting her parents to go but already knowing the answer to her question.

Kimiko held her daughter as she cried, "Shh, we would want to stay with you as well but our time has stopped a long time ago." Raising Mai's head to look at her and placing her hand above Mai's heart, "We will never be apart from you for we would forever be in your heart."

Mai wiped her tears and nodded, her father placing a hand on her head, "We are proud of you Mai, proud to have you for a daughter. Remember that and live your life to the fullest and without regrets." A knowing smile on his face that Mai would be with the one her heart had chosen.

Sharing one last hug with her parents saying I love you to each other. Mai stepped back to stand beside Gene as they watched her parents go into the light with a wave at them. Mai was crying with Gene comforting her as well as Naru using his link to Mai sent his comfort as well.

...Dream

Mai woke up with her face wet from her tears. Standing up she went out of the terrace staring at the distance, knowing that she won't be able to return to sleep. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, allowing the soft breeze to wash over her.

Thinking about the times she spent with her parents, the fun times, the sad times. She made a vow to herself that she would go through her life without regrets. She will face all the hurdles in life with her family, friends and her parents watching over her. Opening her eyes, the sun began to rise from the horizon signifying a new day, a new life, and a new journey.

-oOo-

The team was in the Amamiya Main House, together with Mai's paternal grandparents. They were there in celebration for Mai's high school graduation. They were eating, drinking and just chatting around having fun.

Mai noticed as she was speaking with all three of her grandparents that Naru left the banquet hall and headed outside. Hitomi pushed Mai, "Go. You have something to do, don't you?" Mai turned around and saw her grandparents smiling at her and nodding for her to go. Mai smiled at them, then made an escape out of the hall without anyone else noticing aside from her grandparents.

Mai rushed out trying to find where Naru headed. When she found him standing in front of a koi pond, Mai stopped running and walked slowly towards the man. "You know, you shouldn't just leave without informing anyone or we'll worry." Mai commented in a soft voice.

"What are you doing here Mai? Shouldn't you be inside, after all your the main guest of honor." Naru said with a smirk on his face, the full moon accentuating it further.

Mai nearly faltered seeing Naru, but swallowed and said, "I wanted to speak with you and thought this was the best time." Looking at Naru in the eye, "You. That's my answer to your question. It has always been you. The one I want to smile at me, the one I want to be with, and the one I love with all my heart."

Naru's eyes widened then lowered his head with his hair covering his eyes. Not saying anything, Mai's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, "I guess I've got my answer. Sorry for wasting your time, I just wanted to get that of my chest." Hurriedly turning around to leave so Naru would not see her crumble, she won't let him see that he affected her so. But was stopped by Naru gripping her hand.

Naru's body and heart reacting first before his mind could so he didn't speak for a while. As Mai was about to shrug Naru's hold off he spoke, "I'm not an easy man to love."

Mai's eyes widening, soon replace by a gentle look, "I know."

"I don't like socializing and being open like Gene." He let go of Mai's hand. Mai answered, "I know."

"I'm not the type to do romantic things." Mai slowly stepped towards the man, "I know."

With shoulders shaking from holding his emotions in, "I'm not perfect." Mai placing her hand on Naru's cheek, "I know."

With a shuddering breath, Naru looked at Mai his eyes red from tears, "Why?" He asked, this being the most vulnerable stated he had been in.

Mai wiping the tears from Naru's eyes, looking into his eyes, "Because Naru won't be Naru because of this, your faults and imperfection are a part of you. So I'm going to say it again, I love you Naru, Shibuya Kazuya, Oliver Davis, Noll. I love you."

Without any preamble Naru crushed Mai into his chest, "Stay with me."

Mai was crying as well nodding into his chest, "I will." The both of them not letting go. Finding solace, comfort, warmth and love with each other.

Their future is not set in stone for there would be hurdles that come there way. But what is important is them to enjoy the present and walk towards the future one step at a time.

Fin

-oOo-

A/N: This story is finally complete. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you again for reading until the end.

It has been a long journey to finish this story and I quite happy to have finally completed it.