DISCLAIMER: I do not own, nor ever will own Ghost Hunt
I hope you guys have as much fun reading this chapter as I did writing it! Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews.
Italics = thoughts…mostly
Chapter One
Oliver Davis, commonly known as Naru, was in a foul mood. He had just spent two hours and thirty-six minutes waiting to board a plane, twelve hours trying to rein in his rising temper due to the incompetent staff overseeing first class, not to mention the annoying child two rows down, and then another hour and fourteen minutes confined in a rental car with an equally irritated Lin. To say that there have been better days would be a huge understatement.
"We're here." The car rolled to a stop in front of the building that held the office of SPR.
"I'm aware. There's no need to state the obvious, Lin."
There was no response to his comment, as expected. Lin knew Naru well enough to realize that it was pointless to try and converse with him in his current frame of mind.
Glancing out of the window, while snapping his research journal closed, Naru noticed that the dark ominous clouds which had been looming in the distance had finally plunged Tokyo into darkness. Above them flashes of lightning arced from cloud to cloud, briefly illuminating the sky. While the vibrations radiating from thunderclaps bounced through the air, creating a deafening sound effect. The rain had yet to fall but when it did he knew that the visibility would be close to nil.
Just another unavoidable, unpleasant experience to add to his hellish day.
Exhaling in annoyance, Naru cracked open the passenger door and stepped out of the car's protective confines. He immediately thrust his hands into the front pockets of his black slacks when he felt a chilled wind rush past him. Disregarding Lin, who was ordering him to wait, Naru kept his pace brisk as he made his way towards the stairs leading up to the second floor.
Right as he placed his boot on the the bottom step, Naru finally decided to answer the cell phone that had been ringing non-stop ever since his flight landed. Grasping the mechanical device located under his right hand, he dragged it out and up to his ear.
Without greeting the person on the other end, Naru stated. "Ms. Matsuzaki this is the fourteenth time you have called me within the hour. I believe you are experiencing a mental breakdown."
"I must be." A female voice snapped though the phone. "Especially since I'm currently seeking out your lovely self."
After sighing in exasperation, Ayako quickly turned serious. "Nevermind. Have you arrived at your office yet?"
"Yes." Naru's relatively calm tone was infused with a hint of annoyance. Ayako, Masako, Yasu, even the Monk and John, have been demanding his return for over a week now. Mai's sudden disappearance had created such an uproar that Naru began to suspect something had occurred during his absence.
Someone - most likely Yasu - had even managed to unearth his temporary phone number and distribute it to the others. Since then, those five had been relentlessly calling him at all hours of the day and night. Causing him to despise electronic communication almost as much as he did idiocy. If Naru had been a weaker man whose psychic ability wasn't negatively affected by alcohol, they would have probably driven him to drink.
"Good." Ayako stated, though he could barely hear her over the howling wind. "If anyone can find Mai it's you."
Naru debted silently in his head for a moment, before pausing midway on the stairs and stating "I already know where she is."
Silence.
"Can you repeat that?" That question was spoken so sharply, so quickly that he would have been slashed into ribbons if a voice could accomplish such a feat.
"I am certain you heard me correctly."
Silence. Then…
"You! Asshole! How long have you known!?" Even the wind couldn't mute Ayako's shout.
Naru had his suspicions from day one as to where Mai had vanished to. In fact there was only one reason he was here, at SPR, instead of checking into that luxurious hotel they had passed by ten minutes ago. It was selfish and inconsiderate... but he had his reasons for not mentioning this fact. They centered around a text message that appeared on his phone around a week ago. The one that said…
'Naru!' He could almost hear Mai cheerfully shouting that out. 'I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be at the office researching something I just found out. I finally think I have an idea about what happened to … oh nevermind I'll explain it as soon as you get back to Japan. If you ever return?'
Naru scoffed at the thought of Mai conducting her own research. Especially after reading the messages she would send periodically over the week, updating him on her progress. He would never admit it out loud, but those messages had been the only obstacle between his phone and complete destruction.
They went along the lines of - How can you stand this Naru? It's so boring! or Naru when are you coming back? Research sucks! or I still can't find what I'm looking for... I barely even know what I'm looking for.
This unending cycle had gotten to the point where it had become so distracting, so maddening that he had almost lost his temper and ordered Mai to hand everything over to Yaso. To let him do the research since she was too stupid to even accomplish this one simple task. The sole reason he hadn't acted on that overwhelming whim was due to the fact that Mai wasn't revealing everything she knew to him. And Naru had no desire to be left in the dark while the others knew. Specifically due to the fact that whatever she was hiding revolved around his twin brother, Gene. So Naru would force himself to wait in expressing his exasperation at her idiodicy when he actually saw her in person, after Mai told him what she knew.
Especially since the information regarding Gene's murder wasn't adding up. The evidence that had been documented in the police report and the images his psychometry showed him, contradicted one another to the point that Naru started to doubt himself.
The First Contradiction: That body, which was recovered from the lake, wasn't murdered by a reckless driver. Instead the neck had been snapped with military precision.
The Second Contradiction: The fabric used to encase the recovered body hadn't been a yellow blanket. No. The divers, who had participated in the search, brought up a skeleton that was loosely covered in industrial grade plastic.
But that useless, self-doubting emotion which had been nagging at him was soon shoved to the back of his mind. Naru refused to believe that his psychometric ability would ever be that dramatically off. So there could be only one conclusion: the body that had been brought up was not his twin.
If only he hadn't waited to view the police report until after the funeral, Naru might have been able to study and recover the proof needed to declare that the unknown victim was not his twin. Now though, his parents wouldn't even entertain the thought of exhuming the body. They trusted the medical examiners in Japan who had declared, on no uncertain terms, that the body was Gene. They even used the dental records provided by his mother to justify their conclusion.
Naru attempted to use his psychometry once again to glean more clues but the only thing he saw was the same prominent death aura, the same unchanging scenes. He even went so far as to discreetly hire another search party to go out and check the lake. But to no avail. It was empty, except for the organisms who made that lake their habitat. So where was his twin's body?
Since there hadn't been any progress on that question. Despite renewing his investigation. Naru was now relying on Mai to assist in finding his brother. A girl who couldn't even conduct a proper search for information. An infuriating prospect.
Glancing over at Lin, who was currently hauling out a case of new equipment from the car, he answered "Lin confirmed it today." Which wasn't a lie. The power bill that Lin retrieved for the office had confirmed his hunch. In fact, the hypothesis that Naru had formulated after glancing over the bill was that Mai had been living there for the entire week she had been missing.
"Oh really." Ayako sounded suspicious and sarcastic at the same time. An impressive feat. "So let me guess, you will contact us as soon as you check on her."
"Your intelligence has risen." Naru flatly replied. He started to ascend the steps once again.
All that could be heard for a few seconds was Ayako muttering about how much of a bastard he was. Not about to listen to another insult he moved to hang up, that was when she asked, "You're sure that she is alright?"
Reaching the landing of the second floor, he said with confidence, "She is physically safe."
Any other comment was drowned out by a loud boom of thunder mixed with a terrified scream that came from his office.
Mai!
"Naru!" Panic could be heard in Ayako's voice. "What was that?"
He didn't bother to answer as he dropped his phone and ran full throttle towards the door labeled SPR. Grasping the door handle while simultaneously twisting it, he thrust his shoulder against the wood but it refused to budge. And Lin had the keys. "Mai!"
Not even thinking, just reacting to the urgency gripping him, he stepped back. Twisting sideways, Naru lifted his leg and landed a powerful kick to the area just below the door knob. Wood crunched under his boot as the door flung open, hitting the wall with such a violent force that the glass shattered into countless fragments while the curved handle smashed a sizable hole through the drywall.
Rushing in, Naru froze at the sight before him.
Mai!
The temperature of the room was plummeting at an alarming rate. Shadows were everywhere, slithering around as the lightning from outside continued to randomly invade the blackened office. And Mai… she was just laying there motionless on the couch. Darkness had coalesced above her body and a disembodied hand encircled her throat, squeezing it until a blue tint started to form around her lips. Then the distortion in the air began to solidify right before his eyes. He could feel the power radiating off the unknown entity speering through his tense body. It felt as if a tainted aura was slowly crawling over him, and for a moment he was paralyzed by the very strength and malice that emanated from the spirit.
Then Naru heard it. A voice that sent chills down his spin.
"Answer me sweetheart."
Refusing to be held captive, Naru relaxed his body while allowing trace amounts of his power to break free. This action seemed to counteract the effect that this unknown energy had on him. Once his body was under control, he dashed forwards without even considering the consequences.
Naru was only a foot from Mai when he collided into something that felt like a stone wall. Crackling with energy, a barrier abruptly materialized emitting a crimson light. As soon as the light brushed against Naru's body, it blasted him across the room and right into a window.
The shattered glass, which should have flown outside to land on the sidewalk, was unexpectedly rebounded into the office by a strong gust of wind. Fortunately Naru was sprawled out on ground, stunned due to the impact, so he managed to avoid the worst of the backlash. It was Mai that he was worried about now.
Naru pushed himself back onto his feet just in time to witness the shards impacting the barrier, unable to penetrate the flow of energy surrounding the now solid form of the spirit. Instead, upon touching the barrier's energy, the shards were engulfed in a red flame which seemed to be absorbed into the glass causing them to be flung off in random directions around the room. A stark pain suddenly radiated from his shoulder and Naru could soon feel beads of blood trailing down his chest as it seeped out of the area where the glass had embedded itself.
Now he was pissed. His eyes narrowed on the spirit above Mai. Paying no heed to his injuries, he flexed his fingers and focused on the agony displayed across Mai's face. Naru refused to allow the concept of Mai's death to become a reality.
Electricity sparked along his skin. Without regard to his safety, Naru circulated the power through his body building it up until it was pulsing through the air around him.
"Naru stop! Don't you dare release your power." Lin's boots could be heard crushing the glass littered across the floor as he dashed into the room. Two of Lin's fingers were raised to his lips and soon a sharp, musical whistle could be heard.
Two spheres zipped through the air leaving a trail of fading light in their wake. Then a loud boom resonated as they struck the barrier hard, fracturing it until only minuscule fragments remained. Then, Lin's three other shiki instantly appeared spiraling toward the creature at an astonishing speed.
Naru watched in cold fury as they pierced through the torso, hand, and head of the powerful figure. But unlike that time with Urado, the spirit didn't immediately disappear. Instead it shrieked in denial. Swiping out with its energy, trying to destroy the interruption. But Lin's shiki were relentless as they attacked, even the two that had momentarily disappeared had rejoined the fray, and soon all that remained was silence and the heavy indrawn breaths of both Naru and Lin. But a noticeable third was missing.
"Mai!" Both Lin and Naru yelled out at once.
Mai was lying lifelessly on the coach. Her face was stark white, her lips tinged blue, and her chest still. It was as if she were dead. And soon she would be if Naru didn't hurry.
"Lin call Monk and Ms. Matsuzaki. Inform them to meet us here." Naru ordered as he hastened over to Mai's side.
"Yes." Lin cast a concerned look at Mai, before calling the others.
Kneeling down in front of the coach, Naru didn't even bother to check for a pulse. He knew from experience that it would be wasting valuable time due to the difficulty of distinguishing the difference between his own pulse and hers.
So without a moment of hesitation, Naru positioned a palm over Mai's sternum, interlacing the second one on top of the first and then started CPR. After pushing down several times, he then pried open her mouth and donated air into her starved lungs. He repeated the chest compressions again and right as he leaned down to exhale more oxygen into Mai's lungs, her eyes popped open and a welcomed gasp could be heard.
An unknown emotion spread through his chest as he gazed into her shocked eyes and he couldn't prevent his lips curving upward in relief. That is, until a fist slammed hard into his jaw knocking him flat on his ass.
Mai was drifting in soothing motion. She had her eyes closed, basking in the comforting light that was embracing her. Creating a tranquil environment. Suddenly, she felt a strange pressure right by her breast. Shocked, the light vanished instantly and her eyes popped open. Taking a deep breath, Mai reacted instinctively as she balled up her hand, forming a tight fist, and swung it with all her might at the face that was intimately close to hers.
Loud curses could be heard as Mai twisted the upper portion of her body towards the floor, coughing harshly as she drew air into her lungs. Her throat burning with each inhalation.
"That's the thanks I get from saving your life?" A voice that sounded identical to Naru's, snarled out.
This can't be. This is just a dream. Naru told me that he wouldn't be returning for at least another six months. Mai thought as her coughs transformed into ragged breaths, dragging her gaze up until it landed on the imaginary Naru.
"Naru, Ayako said that they would be here as soon as possible."
Lin? There was no way he would also be here. But her eyes deceived her as she looked to the left and spotted Lin's imposing figure next to the broken door.
"This isn't a dream Mai." Naru said.
The truth of that statement was reinforced by her neck protesting as her head turned back sharply to look at Naru. In fact her entire body was aching. Including the severe pain coming from her chest.
What the hell happened? There was glass everywhere. The door was almost completely demolished. And as she looked to her left, the window was devoid of glass. Turbulent winds were whipping through the room, causing Mai's hair to dance around her.
When her head turned back to Naru's, their gazes met. Mai's entire body went up in flames as an image shoved its way into her mind. Naru's firm lips had been parted as they descended towards her. The perverted, handsome narcissistic bastard had been about to kiss her... while she was innocently sleeping on the couch! Her face flushed beet red as she battled with her emotions. Excitement. Confusion. Anger. Longing…
She opened her mouth to ask what the hell he had been thinking, attacking her like that but all that came out was a painful croak. Confusion and dread shot through her mind. Why couldn't she speak? What happened? Her mind was coming up blank. She couldn't remember. It felt as if her head was shrouded in fog.
"Mai?" Worry could be heard in Lin's voice as he made his way over to her. But before he could even reached her, Naru appeared. Leaning down, he placed one arm around her shoulders while the other was shoved under her knees. Disbelief held her motionless as her body was then plucked from the coach and held securely against his chest.
"Lin see if you can find something to cover the window. The rain will destroy everything if that isn't fixed." Naru's deep voice could be felt rumbling through his chest as he spoke. "We'll be in my office."
Mai wearly tried to hold her head up, but her body was so tired that she couldn't prevent it from lulling against Naru's chest. As she pressed her head firmly against him, the distinct beat of his heart pulsing under her ear soothed her like nothing else.
This is nice. She thought as her muscles started to loosen and a calm stole through her. Even though there was so much she didn't understand, didn't remember. Naru was being surprisingly kind and she might as well enjoy it while it lasted.
"I know that it will be a challenge to keep your mouth shut, but try not to mention this to anyone Mai." Naru's voice spoke quietly as he jostled her to open the office door.
Well that didn't last long…
Looking up at him quizzically, Mai placed a palm against the opposite shoulder but quickly removed it when she felt his body tense.
He then looked down at her and there was an odd expression in his eyes. But before Mai could assess the emotion Naru turned away and actually explained...which, in and of itself, was strange. "There was glass everywhere on the floor and even though I glanced around the room I couldn't find your shoes."
Oh… so that's why he picked me up. Disappointment clouded over her at this realization. A small part of her had hoped that he was finally starting to acknowledge her feelings.
After flicking on the lights, he set her gently down on the desk.
Grasping her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he tilted her head up. Her heart skipped a beat at his touch, but she was unable to prevent a gasp of pain as her muscles spasmed. Parting her lips, she attempted to complain but no sound was made. Instead, that action sent her into another coughing fit.
Her hands started to rise unconsciously to her throat but they were hindered in their ascent by Naru, who had wrapped his fingers round her wrists and positioned them back into her lap.
"Don't blindly prod at your throat Mai." Naru stated as he released his hold. Turning around, he made his way to the door. "I'll be right back. Don't move."
What's going on? Mai was baffled, and a little shocked, at what was happening. First Naru was… well he was acting gentle and nice. She would swear that she was dreaming if she hadn't felt the pain shooting through her body. She could even feel a lingering warmth from his grasp.
Glancing down at her hands, her palms facing towards a knee length, black… wait this looked exactly like one of Naru's shirt. No this was his shirt! Why the hell was she wearing his shirt?! Grasping the bottom edge, Mai lifted it up slightly and reluctantly peered beneath it.
Shit... That was the only word that went through her mind as spotted a black lacy pair of panties underneath.
Wait. Her body stiffened as her mind jumped, envisioning raunchy things. Flat out ignoring the pain radiating from her whole body. So...I stayed the night at the office. With Naru... Wearing lacy underwear. Her eyes widen to the size of saucers. Oh god! Did something happened? It hadn't, right?! I would remember, right?
Trying to recall the events, a sharp pain suddenly pierced through her skull. She was coming up blank. Panicking, she raised her hands to her head trying to relieve the pain. That was when she spotted a red-brown stain covering one of her palms.
Wha…
Naru! Mai quickly glanced in the direction that Naru had disappeared in, completely forgetting about the shirt dilemma. He's hurt. I need to help him.
Jumping off of the desk, she attempted to take a step forward but her knees gave out from underneath her. She hit the ground hard. Frowning in frustration, she grasped the edge of the desk and heaved her body up. She refused to give into whatever was wrong with her. The only thing that mattered was that Naru was injured and badly.
"Mai!" Her name was snapped out in annoyed impatience. "I believe that I told you not to move."
Relief flooded her body, once again causing her to fall to the ground. She meet Naru's blue-eyed gaze and smiled. That lasted only a second before the memory of why she had been so worried returning. Glowering up at him, Mai once again stood with some difficulty and started to make her way over to him. But that action was unnecessary, for Naru was already by her. Scrowling, he put the cup and first aid kit on the desk before grasping her under the arms and hauling her onto the desk. After her butt was planted solidly on the wood, he opened the kit and started to shift through the contents.
Her eyes narrowed in anger at his manhandling. Mai intended to voice her displeasure but the only sound that emerged was a inaudible whisper. Okay...so my voice has completely disappeared. Well I now have an answer as to why my throat is hurting so badly. Not to mention the terrible scratchy feeling.
She shoved that thought to the back of her mind, deciding she would panic at a later time. But right now Naru was bleeding from, what she assumed, was his shoulder area. Mai couldn't exactly spot the wound due to the black color of his dress shirt.
That must be why his body tensed when I touched him earlier.
Before she could act on her realization, something was abruptly shoved into her mouth. Intending to spit it out, Mai opened her mouth but Naru had already shoved a cup right against her lips. "Swallow."
That voice left no room for an argument, nor did the water flowing into her mouth allow it. So Mai swallowed whatever he had given her in displeasure. He was lucky she couldn't talk.
The bastard.
Pushing away his hands, she turned her head away and grabbed the kit. Even though she was vibrating with irritation, Mai still hadn't forgotten about the blood. The image was imprinted into her mind, refusing to go away.
"What are you doing?" The kit was ripped from her hands. Glaring at him in anger, she once again tried to yell. And once again there was no sound present. Tears glistened in her eyes at her inability to talk. No, this wasn't the time to cry.
Shaking her head, she grabbed a random sheet of paper from the desk and a pen. She turned around to face Naru and brought the pen down onto the paper, attempting to convey her thoughts through the written word. But the paper was swiped from her hand before the first mark could even be made. "I don't think so."
What the hell is his problem? I take back the thought of him being nice.
Getting fed up with his attitude but determined to take care of the wound, Mai quickly brought up her hand, fisted her fingers along the collar of his shirt, and pulled down sharply. Buttons flew in every direction, pinging as they hit objects around the office, as she ripped open his shirt.
Smiling in satisfaction, she leaned back and searched for the source of the blood but was immediately distracted by the view. She was pretty sure that she had never seen such a perfect body. Defined muscles outlined his abs, but they weren't bulky. Instead they contributed to his lean, swimmer-like build. His sculpted pecs showcased pale nipples and the only hair visible was a light dusting under his naval.
"I know I'm gorgeous but did you really have to ruin a perfectly good shirt. Though I could always take the shirt you're wearing, you know my shirt..." Humor and a bit of something else could be heard in that statement. Mai might have also heard a hint of exasperation. Which brought her back to her earlier imagination. Oh god, did I really just do that? Her face flushed, stained a permanent bright red, and she tried to focus on anything else but the images running rampant through her mind.
She pointed out in triumphant as she spotted the wound. She really shouldn't be so satisfied with the sight of of his blood but it was a welcome distraction from her thoughts. Snatching the kit back, she proceeded to search for bandages and antibiotic. Taking brief glances at his chest as she went about her task.
"I see." Naru mumbled. He then wrenched off the rest of the shirt, displaying even more of that superb body. Mai hoped that he hadn't noticed her quickened breathing. That would be so humiliating. Though I'm sure his highness' only remark would be that he knows his body is perfect.
Shaking her head, she reprimanded herself. Mai pull your mind out of the gutter. Naru has a serious wound and he looks to be in pain. Focus!
"Mai hand me the tweezers." His voice didn't even pierce the images that were still forming in her mind. "Mai." A hand invaded her vision, snapping its' fingers in front of her eyes. Frowning, Mai looked up at Naru's face to find that his eyes had a hint of mischief that was overshadowed by pain.
"Focus Mai." He demanded. Didn't she just tell herself that? Was he reading her mind? But it was his next statement that made her eye twitch in annoyance. "I realize that my body is perfect. I'm also sure that if there wasn't a piece of glass lodged in my shoulder I would stare at me too, but since I do, I require the tweezers."
I knew he would say that! Mai fumed. Her head snapping down, she violently started shuffling through the medical items in her search for the tweezers. The pain that was almost unbearable moments before was suspiciously absent. The six months apart hadn't changed his narcissistic personality one bit.
Naru was silently enjoying Mai's discomfort along with the temper flaring up in her eyes. Good. Mai appeared to be herself once again. With every emotion apparent on her face. He would have continued to tease, to torment, if it wasn't for the fact that it felt like a sharp needle was embedded in his skin.
Once Mai had pointed out the fact that Naru was injured, the pain that he had been suppressing came back in full force. The adrenaline that had been flowing through his body was now nonexistent and it was taking almost all of his concentration to prevent his agony from showing, his knees from buckling.
Looking down at the kit Mai was digging through, he instantly spotted the said tweezers. Apparently Mai's temper was preventing her from noticing the small metal forceps that were right on top of the pile.
Narrowing his eyes in exasperation, he shoved his hand in front of her face and plucked out the tweezers. "Pay attention Mai." His tone was harsher than he intended it to be due to the annoying throb of his shoulder. "They were right in front of your face."
Naru barely noted the flustered look that crossed Mai's face before irritation flooded her eyes. Paying no mind to the glare he was currently receiving, he started to dig into the puncture wound that was located in a awkward spot. Even though it should have been a smooth retrieval, no matter how long he poked or prodded at the piece of glass he just couldn't remove it. The only thing that he had accomplished was to make it bleed more profusely.
Giving up, Naru decided that he would just request for Lin to remove it at later date. Right as he was about to place the tweezers down, a small hand snatched them from him, moving his hand out of the way. Peering into Mai's eyes, Naru could see determination overcoming the aversion she had for the task ahead of her. Nodding his head at Mai's silent demand when she motioned him closer, he positioned his shoulder until it was right in front of her eyes. Though before she brought the tweezers near him, he saw her swallow a couple of times in apprehension.
Maybe he shouldn't have let her try to dig out the shard. A slight possibility existed, that due to the amount of blood he was losing, his decision making was skewed. There was also the fact that he could feel himself weakening minute by minute. He needed to stem the blood flow quickly.
Keeping his gaze fixed on Mai's face, he watched in silence as she brought the forceps near his wound. Bracing himself, he waited to feel the pain of Mai digging the object out but Mai accomplished a relatively quick and painless retrieval of the shard.
He even had to prevent his lips from turning up at the triumphant look that crossed her face as she held it up for his inspection. "Good job." Pleasure flowed from her eyes at his praise but it soon turned into irritation at his next words. "Now before I bleed out even more I need the medical kit you are holding so possessively in your lap."
He realized that if she hadn't been mute she would have told him off. However he was taking immense enjoyment out of riling her temper and watching her expression. It also had the added benefit of distracting him from the light-headedness he was experiencing.
Mai refused to hand over the kit, mostly due to the fact that she trying to spite Naru by ignoring his orders no matter how sensible they were. Plucking out the required material herself: the gauze roll, the sterile pad, the antibiotic cream and the medical tap. She put them aside and then closed the kit. Putting it behind her, out of reach from Naru.
Mai didn't pay any attention to the raised eyebrow that action had garnered her. Placing the ointment onto the pad, she slapped the pad over the wound. Mai felt kinda bad at the pained hiss he released but she was still fuming silently in her head, so the regret didn't last too long.
Taking the arm that was opposite of the cut, she forcibly moved it until his hand was holding the pad in place.
"Shouldn't you be more gentle?" A snide comment came out between clenched teeth.
Mai didn't even bother to react to that statement as she started to wrap the gauze around his body. She had more then made her point. As she continued to wrap the material over his shoulders, she realized that she would have to press her breasts against him so that she could reach around his back. Cheeks flushing, she hurriedly finished wrapping the gauze trying to ignore his warmth. Her cheek firmly pressed against his shoulder. Thankfully, he hadn't remarked on the intimacy of this position.
Sitting back as the roll of gauze came to an end, Mai went to grab the medical tape when she realized her dilemma. If she let go of the gauze to tear a piece of tape off then the tighten wrap would loosen and come undone but if she didn't release the gauze then she couldn't get the tape. What to do? Before Mai could start to over think the problem, fingers grasped the tape roll from her, tearing off pieces quickly and efficiently. Naru then held the pieces up to her face and waited for her to take them.
Nodding her head in thanks, Mai plucked the sticky tape off his fingers and placed them parallel to the direction the wrap was positioned.
"Thank you."
Eyes widening in surprise, she looked into Naru's face and was instantly worried. His face was extremely pale and lines of pain were forming around his mouth. Mai could tell that it was taking all of his energy to stand and act as if everything were fine.
Mai twisted around to search for a blank sheet of paper. Apparently she had been about to unknowingly write on his research notes before, thus the reason for his abrupt action. Finally spotting one, Mai brought it around and started to write out her question.
Do you want me to find some pain meds for you?
"There isn't anymore." He stated. Stepping around the desk, he opened one of the drawers where he stashed extra clothing for emergency purposes. He barely fixed the last button when raised voices could be heard from the entrance making him pause.
"Mai! Naru! Lin! Where are you?" Ayako's worry was evident in her tone.
"Lin are you guys alright?" Monk inquired when he spotted Lin. His tone was tinged with uncertainty and concern as he looked around the destroyed consultation room. "What happened here? Where's Mai and Naru?"
"We're all fine." Lin stated calmly. "Naru will explain everything once he is ready."
Impatience rung through Ayako's voice as she snapped, "Where's Mai, Lin?"
"In Naru's office."
I wonder what are Ayako and Monk doing here? Mai thought curiously as she slided off the desk, intending to go and greet the two that had taken on a parenting relationship towards her. Though her body was still weak and she was a little unsteady on her feet.
Right as she passed Naru, who had paused by his desk and was leaning heavily on it, a loud boom of thunder entered the room causing the windows to rattle severely. Jumping in fright, Mai lost her balance and landed hard against Naru's chest. A grunt of pain left Naru's lips as he swayed backwards, losing his balance. The two ended up in a jumbled heap on the floor.
That was the scene that Ayako and Monk walked in on as the sky opened up and freed the rain causing it to cascade down onto the city.
Revised 11/8/2013
Okkkk…. So I kinda like this chapter, though it took me forever and a day to write. I also had to go and change some parts due to the fact that I felt as if they weren't explained to the degree that I needed them to be.
And just a little side note: It has been a year since Mai and Naru have seen each other, but the six month comment above is not a mistake so that is a huge hint as to what is happening.
I would also like to thank ladylilyofazra (wonderful cousin/ unofficial beta reader) for arguing with me over random shit and exasperating me. But you have her to thank for Mai wearing Naru's shirt and the absence of most stupid mistakes. :P
Did you guys love it/ like it/ hate it/ characters too OOC (Naru is surprisingly difficult to write sometimes and since I absolutely love his character I don't want his personality to change at all.)/ Any grammar mistakes not caught/ Any questions/ etc...
Please Review! I love hearing from you guys!
