Again, it's a long (ish) chapter but I'm hoping all the filler stuff will add to the over all story :)

Chapter 2

Mai shifted, then scooted back again, eventually she just gave up on trying to relieve the pressure on her numb back-side. She had been sitting in the same uncomfortable chair for the past nine hours and she'd finally had enough. Her fingers drummed on the plastic of her arm rest as she looked around. Naru was sat beside her, reclined and dozing softly with an open book on his lap. If she had her choice, she would've sat beside Monk instead. At least she wouldn't have been bored out of her mind, she thought wearily. And to top it all off, she needed pee – badly.

"Mai, stop that infernal tapping," Naru's sleep laden voice suddenly reprimanded, making Mai jump slightly in fright.

She sighed. "I'm booooored," she whined, slinking down into the seat, "Stupid plane."

Naru's squinting eyes narrowed further, desperately hiding the urge to throw his petulant assistant from the speeding aircraft.

"Hey Naru?" she asked after a few tense minutes. Naru gave up on trying to fall back to sleep and turned a scathing eye on her hunched form. She wore an expression of confused intrigue on her pretty face, much to Naru's detriment. When Mai was curious, she was often relentless in her questioning.

"What?"

"I was jus' wondering," – she averted her eyes, unwilling to hold his intense gaze – "If we'll meet your parents when we're in London."

Naru rolled his eyes. "Mai, do you always ask stupid questions or are you as thick as I first suspected?" he drawled out. Her face grew red, nose scrunching and jaw slacking at the insult.

He snorted, "Very attractive,"

"It was just a question, you jerk," she growled, shaking her head and crossing her arms over her chest. He sighed, too tired for a petty argument right now.

"Yes Mai, my parents are on the board of directors, of course we'll see them," he eventually explained, his droll voice hiding any semblance of vexation.

"That's all you had to say," she huffed, blowing her fringe out of her eyes, "was that too hard?"

Navy blue eyes shifted once again to study the petite girl, pouting in her chair. She had turned her head away to stare through the small rounded window, watching the sunshine break over the tops of the clouds. He was loath to admit it but he'd – quite willingly – given his seat to Mai after unintentionally booking a seat by the window. He was a wary traveller, the thoughts of sitting in a metal tube hurdling through the sky at nine hundred miles an hour was something that had always set his teeth on edge – but Mai most certainly didn't need to know that.

"Naru?"

"Hm?"

"What are your parents like?" came the softly spoken question.

He pondered on whether to answer her as he reflected back on his usual ignorance of her queries, but a quick glance at her owlish cinnamon eyes had him taking a breath to speak.

"They're…pleasant," he skirted after a pause. How else could he describe them?

Martin Davis was known the world over as someone who rigorously sought out answers to problems that had riddled scientists for years. He was uncompromising in his research and fiercely loyal to his field. As a family man, his unerring duty to education and a well-balanced schooling was something Naru had always admired.

Luella, on the other hand, was someone who strove to provide a happy home environment. She was kind and compassionate, not unlike Mai, however she held a fierce intelligence behind her twinkling sky blue eyes that could run rings around Naru. Even to this day, she often left him speechless, mostly from embarrassment, at her observations. She was one of the few in his life that could read him like a book.

"Pleasant? That's it?" scoffed Mai with a rise of her brow to rival Naru's own.

"What else would you have me say?" he shrugged, tossing his book down on the small tray hinged on the back of the seat in front of him.

"I dunno," she floundered helplessly, "How 'bout your Dad plays golf and has a weird fascination with ketchup or something or maybe your mother secretly hoards doilies and keeps them catalogued by size and loop stitch." She took a quick breath, holding a finger to her mouth in thought, her mind was beginning to run away with her. The short brunette was oblivious to the wide-eyed stare being shot her way, "Maybe they're both into cosplay and like to dress up as silly characters at the weekends or perhaps they're more like you – all grumpy with no sense of fun," she snorted, "that would make more sense, I suppose."

A small hiccough, which to Mai sounded eerily like a chuckle, broke free from Naru's throat when she finally stopped speaking. He would've hidden it well, she pondered, were it not for the up-tilted corner of his mouth that hinted at his amusement from her diatribe.

"I assure you," his smirk faded as he spoke, "my parents are none of the sort."

"Yeah, well, I have so little to go on with you," she grouched, hiding her embarrassment.

He sighed and checked his watch – two more hours of this ridiculous chatter. Still, he thought sullenly, at least he managed to catch up on some sleep before his assistant decided she needed entertainment. Speaking of which, she was mooching around in her seat again.

"Will you just go to the bathroom," he griped, pinching the top of his nose with exasperation.

She whipped around and clicked her tongue in distaste. He raised an eyebrow at her, daring his assistant to argue with him. Suddenly her shoulders slumped and the withering scowl she was throwing in his direction, turned to one of apprehension.

"What now?" he bit out.

She mumbled, a red tinge snaking along her neck. He leaned closer, curious to hear her reasons for boycotting such an urgent need. Mai didn't strike him as the picky sort. When she told him the reason, he nearly laughed again. Her idiocy, no matter how endearing, knew know bounds it seemed.

"Mai, you're not going to be sucked down the toilet," he said rolling his eyes, "that's merely an urban myth."

"Maybe, maybe not. You're the one that told me most myths and legends are based on a grain of truth," she tried to argue.

"Yes, the operative word here being 'most'. I can assure you Mai, nothing of the sort will happen. Now go and use the loo," he ordered, keeping a tight grip on his usual condescension.

"What's a loo?" she asked.

"It's a colloquialism for toilet, now go," he chided, losing his patience. In fairness, he held his tongue well for most of the flight. He was almost proud of himself.

"Fine, but don't blame me if my kidneys are suddenly hanging from the landing gear," she warned. Naru wasn't sure if she was joking or not. He decided to remain quiet as he let her pass and smirked once she marched towards the unoccupied bathroom.

"Two more hours," he mumbled with a sigh to himself before picking up his book once more.

"Woah," whispered Mai just as Monk whistled behind her.

They were both staring at the large abode in front of them. A row of white-washed, three story houses lined the narrow, cobbled street with newly sprouted ash trees dotted along the pavement. Mai's eyes widened as she took in the parked cars sitting outside their owner's homes. Red Ferrari's and silver Aston Martin's that spoke of the multitude of wealth amongst the residents made her frown. Her mouth turned dry when she thought of her tiny and cramped apartment back in Tokyo.

"What's the name of this place Naru?" she asked as her neck craned to take in every detail.

The architecture was so different from the boxed housing she was accustomed to. Large paned windows adorned the front of the buildings, surrounding a large solid oak door. Each black door was decorated with ornate brass handles and knockers aiding the appearance of their regality.

"Kensington," he replied with barely a pause as he grabbed hold of a suitcase from the taxi. Mai remembered herself skittering when the black bubble car had pulled up outside the airport. The strangely shaped vehicle had reminded her of a beetle.

"And why are we here? I thought you said we'd be going to a hotel." she queried, leaning up against the ornate, cast-iron railings that ensconced the front of the house, "doesn't look like any hotel I've ever seen," she sniffed.

Monk, who had been silently unloading their bags from the taxi, chuckled at her.

"I don't think this is a hotel, Mai. It looks more like Downing Street to me," he joked.

"Huh?"

"You know, where the Prime-minister of Britain lives?" he pressed as he dumped the suitcase on the pavement.

"Never mind, you do try," he smirked at her blank look, walking up to her and ruffling her hair. She pushed him away and tried to fix the bedraggled strands back into place – with little success.

"So why are we here?" she tried again.

"Change of plans," her boss said cryptically before handing over a wad of cash to the capped and be-speckled driver.

She sighed, he'd gone back into 'Naru' mode now, so one sentence answers were a given.

"And where are the others?" she prodded again.

"On their way," he grumbled when he lifted up the suitcase Mai had packed a few days earlier. "Are you just going to stand around like a spare pole or are you going to help?" he huffed when he reached the top of the small steps.

Mai rolled her eyes, "Wuss."

"What was that?" an irritated voice asked and Mai quickly ducked her head and grabbed the last case. It was light enough so she had no trouble carting it up the concrete steps. When she finally plonked the bag beside the others, Naru reached into his pocket and pulled out a small set of keys. Mai looked on curiously as he slid it into the lock, turning it easily and swinging the door open to reveal a long hallway. Immediately, Mai felt the warmth tickle her cheeks, caressing her frozen skin. Spring in England was not what she had imagined.

"Take the bags to the first room on the left," ordered Naru with a rigid voice. Mai looked at him in confusion. Why was he acting so weird? Monk jabbed her shin with the corner of a case and she hurriedly made to enter.

"Yeah, yeah," she quipped, "Mai the slave, at your service."

Naru ignored her and waltzed down the hallway decorated in an array of paintings and photographs. A delicate chandelier hung in the foyer, its crystal droplets glittering in the soft light. In the corner was a large holder for umbrellas and just above it was an elegant wooden coat stand. Large mahogany stairs carved into an intricate design lead the way to the first floor as brightly painted pictures of landscapes hung in a triad pattern on the ascending wall. A niggling feeling in her gut told Mai that this wasn't a hotel of any sort but was, in fact, someone's home.

"Nice place," commented Monk as he placed the last bag by the far wall.

"It's so…different from anything back home. It feels almost like we've stepped back in time. Old and modern gelled together," she laughed, eyeing the T.V in the corner.

"Hey Naru?" she called as she removed her heavy jacket. She dumped it on the arm of a chair, one of many beige, leather couches littering the large room. A cosy looking fireplace sat prominently in the open space, reminding her, she was indeed, standing on foreign soil.

"I'll go and look for him," offered Monk as he walked out the door, turning down the hall.

"Do we have to take our shoes off?" she called again, looking down at her calf-length boots.

He didn't answer so the brunette shrugged in a 'oh-well' gesture and decided she would have a snoop instead. Her curious nature burned, yearning to know whose home this was. She had an inkling it was Naru's but the thought was too preposterous to comprehend. Naru was a private man. She had yet to see where her handsome boss lived in Japan, even after the four years spent working for him, so there was no way he would invite her to see his home in England. Still though, she thought sadly, she could hope.

"Naru, where are you?" she called again as she glanced at the photos hung on the cream-coloured wall. Smiling faces, young and old, beamed from their frames, lighting a smile of her own as she studied them. Whoever they were, they looked happy.

Her eyes scanned the various photos until they landed on a certain picture. Two young boys, both identical and both smiling albeit one of them rather painfully as they stared out at her with twinkling blue eyes. They couldn't be older than twelve, with their pitch black hair and pale alabaster skin. The scene made her heart lurch and eyes sting.

"Mai," barked a voice, making her flinch at the volume.

"I've been calling you for over a minute now," admonished Naru from a doorway.

"Sorry," she huffed a laugh, scratching the back of neck nervously, "I was just looking."

"Never mind that," he dismissed, "The kettle's boiling."

Mai groaned. Of course the narcissistic caffeine addict wanted tea. So much for settling in and ordering room service.

A little while later, the rest of Mai's colleagues arrived, much to her chagrin. Lin was as stoic as ever, waltzing down the hall and entering another room to the far right. He uttered a quick grunt in the form of a greeting before passing by. It owed to Mai's theory that this was Naru's home so she quickly shook her head and glanced at Masako. She was sitting demurely on one of the leather couches, framed perfectly by the large window behind her. As per usual, not a hair was out of place, even though Mai herself looked like she'd just ran ten kilometres in a hurricane.

"Your tea is as good as always," complimented Monk as he took a mouthful and sighed loudly. She smiled in appreciation and turned to Naru who was stood with his own cup by the fireplace.

"Now that we've all gathered," said Naru gruffly, "I'd like to go over the itinerary for tonight and tomorrow."

He waited for the usual interruptions and when none were forthcoming, he continued.

"Mai and Masako your guest rooms are on the first floors, it's up to your own discretion to choose which one, Monk," he said turning to the hippie-looking man still draining his cup, "Your room is on the top floor at the end. We will be staying here for tonight and then a short debrief tomorrow morning with my father on the upcoming case. More details have arisen which I'd like to analyse before disclosing anything further."

"Like what?" asked Monk curiously.

Naru pinched the bridge of his nose again. Were they deaf? "It will be discussed tomorrow," he growled.

"Take it easy, man. I'm just teasing," smiled Monk easily. Naru glared at him. He did not appreciate his humour right now.

"Are your parents staying here as well?" asked Mai, still standing by the door after dishing out the tea.

"Yes," said Naru, his posture tensing slightly, "My mother will be here shortly. My father will arrive later on tonight. For now, we stay put here until our flights tomorrow."

"Your home is very beautiful, Naru," said Masako meekly. Her sleeve had lifted to her mouth once again causing Mai to bristle. Stupid Masako, she scoffed to herself, always trying to win favour.

"Oh, so this is your house?" said Mai, cutting Naru off, "I thought as much," she chirped.

"No you didn't," smirked Monk.

"I did too!"

"So how does it feel?" teased Monk coyly.

Mai furrowed her brow, "How does what feel?"

"How does it feel to be standing in the great Oliver Davis' home?" he jeered with a sly grin.

Mai felt heat rise once again and her temper bolstered. "I could say the same to you, fan-boy."

Monk spluttered, not prepared for the retort, "I-I don't think like that anymore!"

"Well, if Naru's boxer's suddenly go walkies, we'll know who the culprit is, won't we?" she mocked.

"How do you know Naru wears boxer's?"

The remark had backfired and Mai cringed. "Eh...W-Well I don't. Why would I?" she squeaked in humiliation.

"Mai."

"What?" she spat at the monk. She could feel her boss's eyes on her reddened face. Her hands twitched in nervousness.

"You're blushing," he sneered. The assistant squealed, clamping her cheeks with her palms. This was just so embarrassing. Damn that Monk!

"Children," scoffed Masako with a wicked grin.

"Shut up Masako," grumbled Mai as she sped from the living room to stomp up the stairs. No time like the present to check out her room.

Mai stopped when she reached the landing of the first floor. Her eyes swivelled to take in the decor of another long hallway littered with several closed doors. It was painted a soft olive green, complementing the harsh white of the doors and cornices that lined the walls. Her footsteps were cushioned on the soft green rug at the top of the stairs, hiding the dark wooden floor beneath.

As Mai walked forward, revelling in the beauty of such a big house, her body halted outside one door in particular. Her brow crinkled. There was something about this door. It looked normal enough to her, with its routered panels and lime-washed wood but something about it, no matter how subtle, had her gut clenching. Intrigue flooded her veins just as her mind whispered gently for her to turn the handle and see what secrets the shielded room held.

With a deep breath she grasped the handle and turned, pushing the door open with a gentle shove. Moments later, the young woman gasped as she took in the room before her. The large space held a small double bed, an antique-styled dresser and a cluttered desk. The walls were painted a cheery red, brightening Mai's mood instantly. A small smile flittered over her lips. The room held an inviting aura.

Dusty trophies and hanging medals graced the shelves over the ruffled bed. Books, papers and various writing instruments were scattered over a dark, wooden desk by the far wall. She took a deep breath revelling in the smell of musk and something undefinable. She knew instinctively who's room this was.

"Gene," she rasped quietly. The familiar stinging in her eyes had returned as she took a step into the untouched room. She glided over to the bed and plonked down onto the springy mattress, sending a plumb of dust into the air.

"Woah," she rasped, waving her hand and coughing.

A photo frame, perched on the bed side locker, eventually caught her eye. With renewed curiosity, Mai reached a slender hand over and grasped the shiny frame in one hand, scraping the dust away with a finger. A face, Gene's she assumed, beamed out from the confines of the small metal frame. She smiled as she took in his form, surrounded by a plethora of other celebrating boys his age. They were all donned in white as they held up a trophy and several flat paddled bats in the background. Suddenly, she snorted.

"Really Gene? Cricket?" she chuckled, "That's so lame!"

The resplendent young woman spent several minutes staring down at the picture. So this was the boy from her dreams. It was true, that she had never really known him – his kind smile and his soft words were all she had to remember him by. His cheeky personality and his devious pranks were something that she had learned of from Madoka. The brunette never met him in real life but she still felt like mourning his loss. Mai knew they would've been great friends if they had crossed paths while he was still alive. Such a shame.

So absorbed was she in the mementos of Gene's life, that she never realized someone was standing in front of her, or the rapidly dropping temperature of the air.

"What," growled a deadly voice, startling Mai and making her fumble, "do you think you're doing?

"N-Naru!" she gasped in fright clutching the frame to her chest.

"I asked you a question," he spat viciously, his eyes blazing with unbridled anger.

Mai gulped, never had she seen Naru this furious before. "I-I was j-just looking," she squeaked.

The ambient temperature dropped another few degrees adding to Mai's terror. "N-Naru I'm so-,"

"How dare you –," he stopped, closing his eyes and taking a breath. Mai's own breath stuttered in her chest. Naru's emotions were in turmoil and she could see the pain etched on his pale features. She should've never stepped foot in here. Oh God, what had she done?

"Get out," he whispered harshly, piercing her with a glare. Mai hurriedly complied, slamming the frame back onto the locker and scrambling for the door. She could feel the buzz of energy stemming from her boss as she ran past his tense form. Without a glance backwards she ran from the room, down the hall and down the stairs to the others.

What a wonderful start to the case, she thought morosely.

TBC...