Paying the price p2

"Madame Shanice, you have to tell me what you wrote in that letter."

"I can't dearie."

"At least tell me what's gonna be her punishment?!" Ned begged the old woman,"Her hands." she simply replied.

"SAY WHAT?"

"She will lose her hands, That is Belmonte's punishment."

"Do you think she knows that?"

"Dearie... I'm not supposed to even tell you anything...

Though, I'm surprised you are worried about her? when your own mate has a dark road ahead of him.

Why didn't you want me to tell Delun?"

"Madame Shanice, don't confuse me for an Angel because I'm not, I'm mad at you for speaking to him yesterday.

The only one you should talk to is me." Ned replied.

"Then you know that The path you're walking to change his destiny, will be the path you're going to lose yourself in it." Madame Shanice spoke with a booming voice, "I appreciate your concern, but if you're not gonna help me, then mind your business." Ned said sitting back in his chair.

"What happened to you old friend?

What has changed you so suddenly?...how come I can't read you anymore Ned?"

"Because I'm not just anyone Shanice, I allowed you to read me before."

"I see, Acting arrogantly....That is not you speaking, I used to think you hated people who act this way."

"I know, I'm a hypocrite." Ned replied, "Oh dearie, is it Delun? I can see the pain in your eyes even if I can't read you anymore." Shanice said.

"I just can't believe it's him Shanice, no matter how many times I tried to use my ability on him, it didn't work...

I'm glad I don't have to wait for him anymore now that he's here, but why do I feel unready for this...

What if I lose him again?" Ned replied fighting his tears, "Destiny is a pre-settled thing dearie." she replied patting on his shoulder.

"It's not fair Shanice, IT'S NOT FAIR FOR IT TO BE THAT WAY!" Ned bursted, "If the Styles are his target then why did Fernando kill my friends?! didn't he love Garrick as much as I did?!"

"Can't you use your ability on him to find out Ned? or are you having trouble getting closer to Fernando...

You said you have someone new by your side who's willing to help, that someone's driven by love and regret just like you."

"You mean Faunus?"

Giving Ned one last pat on the shoulder, "I can't tell you dearie, you have to figure it out yourself...

*shivering* this hospital...I can feel it, a funeral is coming soon, you will be losing someone so dear to you." she said before walking to the door.

Ned stopped her by asking her a question "I heard that you placed the shop for sale today, are you going somewhere Shan?"

"Yes, If Kimberly ever asked where I went, tell her she moved to a better place...I loved that girl like she was my own daughter." Shanice said heading out.

"Wait Shanice, you're moving on...?"

"Being a ghost was possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me, it helped me live the life I couldn't when I was alive.

I've made all of my wishes come true, and I've found the person who can take care of my shop for me."

"I know, I'll talk to Matilda...don't worry, I'm sure she'll take good care of the shop, she needs something to do in her free time anyways."

"I feel bad for her and her mate...I can't believe I wrote my last letter for Miss Belmonte, she didn't even want to read it." Shanice said.

"I'll make sure she reads it." Ned said standing-up, he walked over to Shanice and bowed, "Goodbye dearie...stay strong, I promise to take care of that woman when she crosses over." Shanice said as she walked outside the door.

As soon as she did, a warm light engulfed the woman until she disappeared into thin air, leaving nothing behind her but her memory in Ned's mind.

Even when she was gone, Ned still bowed for her, unable to get-up as he cried his eyes out, he knew who she was talking about and he dreaded the thought of losing more people.

Although he didn't exactly live for thousands of years but still lived long enough to earn the title of immortal , Ned experienced the mortality of human life and its weakness around him.

When he traveled with Yurei in the past, they left so many good friends they made on the way, and even after that mission ended, hecontinued to lose people he met here and there.

With Yurei, Ned witnessed people around him live and die as history unfolded before his eyes, even when settled down in this new world and started living a normal life, Especially her.

Ned witnessed a certain person by his side, grow older day by day, sicker and sicker with time.

She played the role of a sister, mother and Grandma as age got the best of her, while he stayed young and healthy.

He knew he was never going to be ready to lose her, and he wasn't the only one unready for this sad reality.

While Lost in his thoughts, someone suddenly barged into his office, "Mom I'm sorry, he kept pressuring me to come here...

Oh? why are you bowing at the door Mom?" Jade asked stopping dead in her track with Garrick a step behind her.

Garrick who came to ask Ned questions about what Yuuya told him earlier, was shocked when his heart started hurting as soon as he came in.

He got more shocked when Ned dropped to the ground, with tears streaming down his face.

"MOM!" Jade hurried to Ned's side, she immediately hugged him, "Why are you crying?!"

It took Ned few seconds to finally give a reply " Wèishéme shì wǒ?! ( why me?)" Ned asked, "Don't blame yourself...I don't know what happened but don't bring yourself down mom, Shēnghuó réng zài jìxù (life goes on)" Jade replied.

"You Little ungrateful brat, your Chinese is getting better...Wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ ( I missed you so much)."

"I didn't call you for a day and you already missed me?! AWW! wǒ ài nǐ ( I love you)"

"Your punishment is cancelled, you can thank that dork standing over there, and btw...Wǒ zhīdào nǐ zuòle shénme! ( I know what you did)" Ned said smiling.

Happy that Ned smiled but also confused, Jade smiled back while asking, " Nǐ zài shuō shénme?(what are you talking about?) "

"Zhěnsuǒ ( the clinic)" Ned said referring to the DNA test, making her gasp," Wǒ hěn bàoqiàn ( I'm sorry about that)" Jade replied.

"You guys are so mean...talking in another language while I'm here, I can tell it's Chinese but I don't understand a thing." Garrick said chuckling.

He was mad at Ned, but seeing how broken he seemed a minute ago, put out the anger in his chest.

"Sorry dude, it's a bilingual thing...do you speak another language?" Jade asked while helping Ned up, "Naneun hangugmal-eul handa! ( I speak Korean)" Garrick replied proudly, "But I still struggle with the pronunciation though." he added.

Suddenly, Someone else burtsed through the office doors, scaring Garrick, "WEH?! what the fuck?!" Garrick yelled.

"HEOS-SOLI, HEOS-SOLI, HEOS-SOLI!(bullshit, bullshit, bullshit)" Jasper screamed as soon as he got inside.

Being used to A calm version of Jasper, the other three hugged each other in fear, "What's going on with you Oppa?! what kdrama broke your heart this time? why are you screaming in Korean now?!" Jade asked.

"IJE EOTTEOHGE HAEYA HABNIKKA?! (what should I do now)" Jasper replied tugging on his ponytailed hair.

"Why is he still screaming in Korean?!" Jade Asked, "Geunyang pogi hae! ( just give up) he's going to be like this for a while." Ned answered her.

Turning his attention to his mother "Eomma! (mom)" Jasper said walking towards Ned, both Jade and Garrick backed away as Jasper started shaking Ned by his shoulders back and forth while asking for his help, "EOMMA! GEUNEUN ULI DONGNELO ISAOGO ISS-EOYO! (mom! he's moving into our neighborhood!)" Jasper whined again still shaking poor Ned like a juice bottle.

"Geuneun nugu-inga?( who is he?)" Garrick asked.

Jasper was taken aback by Garrick speaking korean but he still answered, "Nae namja chingu! (my boyfriend)"

"MWO?(what)" the three of them screamed in disbelief.

...Some Time Later...

"Faunus!"

"Oh Mother!"

"Please stop calling me that, how the hell are you moving into the neighborhood so fast?!" Ned asked, then he noticed it was Yurei who was moving Faunus's belongings to his new home.

"Yurei, is pretty helpful." Faunus replied, "I can see you hired him again...is your family okay with this?" Ned asked.

"They gave me their blessings to move out, so I did not wish to waste anymore time!" Faunus replied beaming with happiness, "Mwoya ssibal! ( what the fuck)" Jasper with an annoyed smile said as he stood next to Ned, making Faunus's smile disappear.

"You don't seem in a good mood Faunus." Ned commented, "It is Nothing." Faunus replied while eyeing Jasper.

"Listen, you're welcome here...no one is bothered by it, but next time, give us a little warning." Ned said smiling at him.

Surprised by his gentle words, Faunus smiled again, "Okay!" Then went inside the house in a hurry.

As soon as Faunus was out of sight, "Are you still in your heat? why are you acting like this?!" Ned directed his speech to Jasper who rolled his eyes, "First of all That's sexiest, and second It's good to see you getting along with him, mom." Jasper replied sarcastically.

"Jasper you cursed at him the moment you saw him! what if he understands Korean you fucking idiot."

"WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU?! WHY ARE YOU BEING KIND TO HIM ALL OF THE SUDDEN?!"

"MICHYEOSS-EO?! (have you gone crazy?!) WHY ARE YOU YELLING?!"

Terrified, "Umm...mianhae eomma.

(I'm sorry mom)" Jasper replied.

Ned took a deep breath, "Treat him nicely, even if you don't love him...we need his help." he said.

"I just...feel bad, we're using him." Jasper said, "You should've thought about that before agreed to be his boyfriend.

Are you trying to get rid of Faunus now by being mean?" Ned asked.

"Eomma! he's a person, even if he's untrustworthy and has the same face as that psycho, he's still a person!"

"I can't figure you out, what do you want?!"

"This isn't right! we should cancel it."

"Jasper, he signed-up for this himself, Faunus wanted this relationship and you agreed to it, so both of you take responsibility...

Ugh, this family of hypocrites!" Ned said walking away.

"Eomma! EOMMA!" Jasper called but Ned wouldn't turn back.

"Mother walked away! I was hoping he would have drinks...I bought Soda earlier when Yurei said you guys like it." Faunus said as he came outside with a Soda-filled plastic bag.

Jasper noticed that Faunus's face was red and a little swollen, he understood that Faunus was crying but didn't want to address it, "Oh, yeah...he's having a bad day I guess, we all are." Jasper replied.

"Would you like to take this home with you?" Faunus said shaking the plastic bag, "Sure." Jasper replied but he hesitated grab it, afraid his fingers with touch Faunus's.

Noticing the issue, Faunus pulled a pair of gloves from his coat and wore them on quickly before handing Jasper the bag, "Thanks, you're sticking by the rules." Jasper said "Absolutely, I keep my word, always." Faunus replied.

"It's getting dark, you should go inside, although you don't have to worry about security...This is a safe neighborhood but still, be careful." Jasper said feeling embarrassed.

"Thank you for worrying over me." Faunus replied with a big smile before he went back inside.

"Nan michilgeoya! ( I'm going insane) why did I say that to him?" Jasper said to himself before walking away.