Free A Touch of Mistletoe by Megan Derr, J.K. Pendragon, A.F. Henley, Talya Andor, E.E. Ottoman Page A

spoke up and Maya sighed, clasping her hands together. "We met at the shrine, huh?"
    "Mm!" Maya nodded eagerly.
    "The timing is a little strange." Yuki tipped his head to one side and gave her a sweet, genuine smile. "But I'm glad that I could meet you. It's what you wanted, isn't it?"
    "Yes!" Maya's head bobbed again. "Yes, I was waiting there for so long!"
    "It's getting late," Yuki said, tone gentle. "Don't you think you should be getting home?"
    Maya turned a confused look over her shoulder at Ash. "Yes. Oh, it is late! What am I still doing here?"
    Ash gave her a calm, assessing look in return. She wasn't quite ready, though Yuki's words had put her on the right path. "You don't need to wait anymore?"
    Maya frowned and looked back at Yuki. "I was at the shrine..." she said slowly. She shook her head. "No, that's not quite right. I followed you home, didn't I? I waited at the shrine... I kept waiting... after the landslide." Her face crumpled.
    "It's okay," Yuki said. "I'm sorry it happened, Maya-chan. But you did get to meet someone, after all. Because you felt the same way."
    Maya took a deep breath and nodded. "I can go, now." Her face assumed that look of inner peace Ash had seen many times, and tried not to envy. She turned serene eyes on Ash. "Thank you."
    Ash nodded and spoke a few decisive words, releasing the casting. The paper wards disintegrated, floating up and vanishing as though they'd burned up without a trace of smoke.
    Maya looked to Yuki again. "Don't wait, okay?"
    Yuki looked stricken, bit his lip, and nodded. He managed to summon up another smile and a jaunty wave before Maya vanished.
    *~*~*
    "We appreciate all you've done," Asami said, bobbing her head and extending the money packet toward him in both hands. "Truly. The morning practice was shaky, but his jumps are already back to top form."
    "I'm glad if I could be of service," Ash replied, holding back a dry observation on how Yuki's jumps were the lesser concern, given a spirit had fixated on him. It could have gotten a lot worse.
    Asami bowed her head with a slight frown. It smoothed as she met Ash's eyes briefly before focusing on another part of his face. "Actually, Yuki asked if you could stay on until after Nationals."
    "He did?" Ash straightened in his chair. "But the job's done."
    "That's what I told him." Asami's tone was relieved. "He said something about residual energy, or the possibility of another spirit given how persistent the first was. I didn't understand it. But you are the professional, and I trust your judgment."
    "I couldn't in good conscience keep taking your money." Ash gave a slight head shake. "The spirit has moved on. She won't trouble Yuki anymore. I don't think she meant to, in the first place."
    "Eh?" Asami blinked at him.
    Ash waved a hand. "Never mind. If that's all, then I can be on my way. It's been a few days since I've been back to my shop."
    "Yes, of course. Thanks for all your hard work," Asami said. "We shouldn't keep you." Though she pushed her chair back, she remained seated, frowning in his general direction.
    Ash hesitated, too. "Is there something else I can help you with?"
    She looked beyond his shoulder. "I see Yuki out there." Her tone was wry. "I'll let him ask you. Once again, thank you very much."
    "It was nothing, I was glad to be helpful." Ash returned her bow and excused himself from the office.
    Outside, Yuki was bouncing from foot to foot with his mouth pulled to one side, eyes wide. He smoothed out his expression as Ash emerged and closed the door behind him. "Well?"
    "Well, what?" Ash asked, giving in to impulse and reaching out to ruffle Yuki's hair. He was too adorable.
    "Ahh, Ash!" Yuki batted his hand away and mock-glared. "I am not some cute little schoolboy."
    Ash raised his brows.
    "Not only that," Yuki amended, flashing a quick smile. "Well? Are you staying a bit longer?"
    "I can't," Ash replied at once. A pang went through him as Yuki's hopeful look fell, replaced with a pensive