Sorry about that guys. When I went to delete a recently submitted story... I accidently deleted this one. *laughs nervously* Sorry 'bout that. Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!

1. Where a client is persistent and Mai is surprised.

It's so strange. You know, I didn't think I'd grow this attached to the place in the beginning. Heck, I didn't think I would even grow attached to him. My narcissistic, stuck up, full of himself boss and his office. And yet, seeing all of these packing boxes made my heart ache.

Of course, it could also be because we had just finished a scary case not even a few days ago. It was during that case that I learned that Naru had a twin brother, Gene, who had died here in Japan. Who had helped us so many times by visiting me in my 'sleep'. Who I had thought was Naru himself.

I shook my head as I continued stacking his heavy books into the box that was currently in front of me. Since Naru had finally found Gene's body, he and Lin were heading back to England to give him a proper burial. Since I was still technically under his employment, I decided to come the last few days to help with the packing.

Mostly, I just wanted to see Naru a little more before he left me for good.

"Mai, hot tea," I heard Naru call out from his office. Great, I fumed. Here I am being nicer than I should be and he still finds the time to boss me around over tea. I sighed as I walked over to the kitchenette, and then smiled a little. I wonder how he's going to get his tea without me around to make it.

Now, being the person that I am, I should have known to be more observant when walking around piles of stacked up boxes, but apparently I never learn. Why do I say this? Because as I was walking over to make the tea, I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I hadn't seen the extension cord dangling out of one of the boxes.

CRASH!

This was how I found myself sprawled on the floor with at least two boxes flattening me. "Why do this always happen to me?" I asked myself. I mean, this wasn't the first time something tried to squash me. There was the whole third floor that one case…

"Mai, when I agreed to let you continue your job for the few days left, it was to help, not make more of a mess."

I glared up from my heap on the floor at Naru, who just stood with no intention of helping me up. Typical. "Sorry for being so clumsy," I said sarcastically. Honestly, the least he could do would be to take one of these boxes off of me. I winced as the edge of a box poked my side. Man, I must have knocked over one of the equipment boxes.

Suddenly, the weight that had been squishing me disappeared. Looking up, I saw that Lin had been the one to come to my rescue. "Thanks, Lin," I said gratefully as I got up. Lin, of course, said nothing at all. I was used to it though. Actually, though he was silent, Lin was an okay guy. And we we're closer than we had been in the beginning. Well, not that I can blame him. I had gotten him injured, after all.

Anyway, by the time I had dusted myself off Lin had already turned to Naru. "There's a client here to see you," he told him in that to-the-point voice he had.

Naru frowned. "I thought that I'd made it clear that we we're no longer accepting any cases," he said to Lin. Which was true. I mean, since they were leaving and all.

I could almost see Lin shrug, though I know he never would, being the kind of person he was. "Though they've made aware of that, the client insists upon meeting with you." He sighed. "Apparently, it's of the utmost importance."

~,~'~,~'~,~

It took a few minutes, but Naru finally decided to go and see the stubborn client that wouldn't take no for an answer. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor guy. Knowing Naru, it wasn't going to be pretty.

Luckily, while Naru was preoccupied with the client I was able to finish making the tea. Tray in hand, I tried to decide weither or not to bring it to Naru right away. Sure, I'd probably pay for it later if I didn't, but I didn't want to risk being sucked in to an argument. I mean, sometimes people get desperate, right?

Whatever. I guess I would just have to deal. Slowly, so that I wouldn't make another mess, I made my way towards the 'living room' where we usually spoke with the clients. As I got closer, I could hear the poor client plead her case. Sounded like a woman from here. Huh.

"…really need your help, Mr. Shibuya!"

"I'm sorry, but there's really nothing that I can do. As you're aware, my assistant and I will be leaving shortly-"

"But you don't understand! The children's lives are at stake! Please, there's nowhere else I can go; no one else will help me!"

"Even so, I can't…"

I sighed as I got to the door. That poor woman. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Actually, I always felt bad for the people that Naru turned down. Or at least the ones that AREN'T trying to pull a scam on us. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what had her pleading with Naru like this. Must be really bad.

I knocked to let them know that I was coming in and then opened the door. "I finally got your tea, Naru!" I said cheerfully.

He glared at me. Crap. "Please set it on the table and get back to your packing," he told me coldly. "I don't believe that I pay you to eavesdrop, after all."

I could feel my face go red. How dare he? I wasn't eavesdropping; I was bringing his stupid tea! And he could at least say thank you for actually bringing it! I could have just not bothered making it at all after he let me almost get crushed!

"Of course, your majesty. Sorry for disturbing your clearly busy day!" I huffed, turning on my heel to leave. I almost made it to the door when I heard my name being called. I turned, confused, because it wasn't Naru that had called my name. It was the client.

The woman had been sitting right behind where I was standing so I hadn't had a chance to see her, but now that I looked I could see that she was a 40 something year old woman with shoulder length red hair and blue eyes. It was strange. She looked so familiar…

"You are Mai Taniyama, aren't you?" she asked me again, which was even weirder because I hadn't said my name to her or anything. This was my first time meeting the woman. I think…

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" I asked her, still confused.

She smiled as she stood up. "It's me, Mai. Remember? Miss Usagi?"

Suddenly, I remembered who she was. And I was shocked. "Kanako-sensei?"

She smiled again, and I couldn't help but run into her arms. "Oh my God, I can't believe it!" I cried out as we hugged. "Kanako-sensei how are you? It's been so long…"

"I'm fine, Mai," she told me. "It's so nice to see you again. And look at you! You're so independent! A job already!"

I grinned at her, and would have continued if a certain narcissist had not interrupted due to lack of attention towards him. "Mai, please explain to me how you know this woman."

Stepping away from her, I looked at Naru. The cold stare he gave me warned me that somehow, things were not going to go well.

"Naru, this is Kanako Usagi. She was my middle school teacher, and she was the one who looked after me when my mom died."

Naru's stare dropped another few degrees, and I almost didn't hold in a very long sigh. Yep, this was going to be loads of fun.

Not.

Hey guys! *waves*

Since I forgot to put my commentary in last time, I'm gonna remember to do it now! So...yeah. Hopefully that'll be a good thing!

So. Basically this came to me in a dream... and now I'm writing it out.

*mutters* Somehow it always happens like that...

Anyway thanks for reading my stories, and sorry for the inconveniance!

*bows deeply*