A/N: These random thoughts of Naru x Mai take place after Naru returns from England. By this time, Mai knows who Naru really is (or at least I hope, considering I've never actually read the novels. I hope to but I have to find them first.) I don't own Ghost Hunt or the characters, btw.
The rain pounded against the car roof, pouring down in sheets over the windows. They sat there, in the parking lot in front of Mai's apartment building. An awkward, sad silence filled the air inside the vehicle.
"I love you, Naru.." Mai whispered, barely audible above the roar of the rain.
Naru's heart began to beat wildly, his hands clutching the steering wheel tighter. He stared straight ahead at the windshield, trying to form any rational thoughts that would convince himself that she only thought she loved him.
"I'm not Gene," Naru said simply, without emotion. Thoughts flew wildly around his head, in a whirlwind of guilt and betrayal.
"You know she loves you!" shrieked a small voice from somewhere within. He struggled to ignore it, to betray his own heart yet again. Naru risked a glance at the silent girl sitting next to him, noticing the streaks of tears flowing down her cheeks as she looked down, trying to concentrate on her wringing hands.
"It was never Gene I fell in love with, Naru..." Mai trailed off. She looked up at him with those beautiful amber eyes, still wet with tears. His heart shattered.
Mai stepped out of the car and began to cross the courtyard of the apartment complex. Naru watched her form walk slowly across the yard, watching as the rain enveloped her like a mist. She disappeared slowly from his vision, like too many of the ghosts he and the rest of his team had encountered. A sudden flood of memories over the last couple of years penetrated his mind, and every single memory involved Mai.
Without any coherent thought, Naru threw open the door of the car. The only important thing, the only thing that had ever mattered, was slipping away from him.
"Mai!" Naru shouted, as he ran across the yard.