OKAY GUYS! This is the second installment of the fanfiction here. And I promise you – PROMSE – that I will NOT discontinue it until it is done. I'm thinking about making some sparks fly between the characters in a few chapters (especially Naru and Mai – I want the man to SUFFER in his emotions) because I already have this one and chapter 3 hand-written out. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Canadian Dreams
Mai strolled to the telephone, a smile etched into her face. Her hand on the phone, she tried to remember the numbers of her friends. A question surfacing to her mind, she turned her petite frame to face Naru.
"Where are we going anyway?" The brunette asked.
"Canada." Naru replied. "The so-called 'Land of the Free.'"
"Alright then!"
Mai thought of a number she had known by heart. Punching the numbers enthusiastically with an index finger, the phone rang three times before someone picked up.
"Hello?" The baritone voice on the other end answered the phone.
"Hey, Monk!" Mai sang.
"Oh hey, Little Lady! What's up?"
The said brunette played with her hair, thinking of the case details. "Naru's taking us all to Canada for a new case!" Mai said. "It's on a ship somewhere."
"What's it about?" Monk asked, a questioning tone edging his normally cheerful one.
"Naru said people were being attacked by a particularly violent spirit, and that the cruise manager wants whatever it is driven out before he starts up his cruise business on the ship again."
"Well, this definitely sounds interesting." Monk answered. "I'll be over at..?"
"Five."
"Okay then. Bye, Mai!" The phone clicked, and a buzzer sounded. Mai hung up the phone back on its base.
"Next up, Ayako." She whispered to herself. Naru clicked his pen, and wrote more information in his black book that he had so often consulted.
Mai pressed the numbers, and waited for a familiar voice to answer her call.
The minute hand on the clock was reaching the :50 mark (4:50) when creaking and footsteps could be heard outside the office.
"W-what was that?" Mai sat up in her chair faster than a bullet, her voice quivering with fear.
"It's people, Mai. You're going to hear a lot of them in your lifetime." Naru shot back, a wide grin dancing on his elegant face.
At that moment, Monk, Ayako, John, Masako and Yasu walked into the office.
"Where's Lin?" Mai questioned, craning her neck to see any trace of the unnaturally tall man.
Another door, beside the one leading to Naru's private office room, opened, showing Lin, who wore headphones and carried his laptop. He chuckled, walking into the room with the rest and closing the door quietly behind him.
"Well, that answers every question I had about you." Mai laughed.
"Like what?" Slight curiosity enlightened the man's pointed face.
"For example, now I know that you probably watch-"
A series of knocks banged at the front door. Naru strode across the room, saying something that sounded like "that's for me." Upon opening, there stood an airport courier who carried eight passports, a box of tea and plane tickets to Canada – first class.
"Why do you think he has tea?" Mai whispered questioningly to Bou-san.
"He probably ordered some from a gift shop and demanded it be delivered to him!" The man laughed quietly, trying to be careful not to catch Naru's eye.
"Hai." The man spoke. "Have a wonderful trip, all of you."
"Thank you." Naru responded. This caused a mingle of laughter and shock, that is, until Naru turned around.
"Mind filling me in on what's so funny?"
Naru sent everyone on their way to pack things up for the trip. Mai's turquoise skirt flowed freely behind her as she raced around her room, gathering necessities for her packed only what she needed – clothing, hygiene products, a bathingsuit (just in case they have pools at the hotel) and tea, just in case Naru forgot to bring any with him – not that that's likely. She packed two boxes – one of green tea and one of orange pekoe.
Mai heard a car door slam and footsteps outside the apartment. Was somebody visiting her? Maybe it was Naru…
She put on her shoes and walked casually outside. She was greeted by Monk and Yasu.
"Ready to go?" The younger of the two men waved.
"Just wait a minute, I left my bag inside!" Mai rushed back into her apartment, snatching the floral dufflebag off of her bed and ran back outside to Lin's and Ayako's cars. People were gathered outside – John, Masako and Ayako were waiting inside a white car for Monk, along with Naru and Lin, who waited for Yasu and Mai in the midnight-black van. Lin made a gesture for the two teens to hurry, and they hopped in, driving with Ayako to the airport.
"First Class!" Mai sang as she sunk into her cushy plane chair. Everyone were in groups of two – Monk and Ayako, John and Masako, Yasu and Lin, and, of course, Mai had to sit with Naru.
He didn't seem displeased, however.
In fact, her boss looked triumphant to be sitting with her. On the other hand, Yasu looked angry at himself.
Every seat on the plane was filled with chattering people who told stories and jokes. There was only one row that hadn't spoken a word the entire flight so far.
The row that Naru and Mai occupied.
Neither party decided to break the awkward silence that fell upon them – unitl Mai became drowsy. She felt exhausted. Her eyes closed every few seconds, drifting in and out of consciousness until sleep finally claimed her.
The familiar dreamscape of black surrounded Mai. Green, blue and white orbs floated lazily around her, making no sound whatsoever.
A shift of movement; now a dark figure walking in the darkness toward Mai, becoming more and more familiar as it came closer. Trousers, trench-coat, inky-blue hair and a beautiful smile.
Dream Naru…
He came closer and brighter still with every step he took. Finally, he stood a foot away from the brunette, a smile still glowing on his face. "Do you know what you're up against?" His cool voice rang into the nothingness. He had stopped smiling now – instead, he looked concerned.
"'Majin', apparently." Mai responded. The man in front of her had a changed expression – sorrow and sullenness replaced his concern. He bent down to Mai's eye level, gently placing a pale hand on each of her shoulders. Mai turned raspberry pink.
"Just be extremely careful, whatever you do." He smiled again. "Can you at least promise me this?"
Mai looked into his indigo eyes that stared at her, unblinking. "Yes, Naru. I promise…"
He smiled new, brighter than mai had ever seen. "Just be safe…please…"
The chatter on the plane died down now. Most heads, if not all, stopped to stare at Mai, who slept with her head resting on Naru's black-clad left shoulder. The man looked irritable – not because his personal space had been violated, but because Mai had still been asleep, even as the plane had been landing. Masako leaned in from behind, ruining the moment.
"Naru, I know a way to wake her up." The medium interrupted, a devious smile painted onto her doll-like features.
The 17-year-old didn't look back at her. "Go for it."
Masako leaned over Mai, closer and closer until her mouth was close enough for her to hear. "Mai! Wake up! Naru wants to kiss you!"
Mai shot up, almost out of her seat, hitting the left side of Naru's head with hers. "What? What's going on?" She clutched her head, looking around until her caramel gaze met Naru's indigo one, who, holding his head, stared at her in defiance and false anger, and to Masako, who giggled at her embarassment.
"Not funny!" Mai hissed, looking down at her feet in shame, face flushed bloodred. I thought she actually meant it…
Naru chortled; it sounded like a chuckle mixed with a dying bear. His hand still covering his throbbing head, he looked down at Mai.
Her venomous gaze burned into his eyelids. "Are you laughing at me?!"
Naru didn't respond, but continued to stare at her, his eyes filled with an emotion she had never seen him wear. Was it pity? Sadness? Regret?
The plane gave a slight lurch as the pilot spoke through the intercom. "This is your captain speaking, we have landed at the Pearson International Airport. Please undo your seatbelts when the plane stops completely and file out in an orderly fashion.
Mai had felt surprised that she could even understand his English. The plane stopped, everyone grabbed their things and stepped into the airport gates. After a strange baggage check (Lin was asked about the hitogata, and Monk with the Vadjra), all of SPR were driving away to a hotel somewhere over the rainbow (Kingston, ON) in a rental car.
At the hotel's room section, Lin stopped in front of everyone. "We will share rooms like we did seats on the plane. Get a lot of sleep, and we'll all meet back here at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Goodnight." He bowed, opening the room door closest to him and stepping in as Yasu followed. John and Masako nodded at eachother, slightly abashed but cheerful, and walked into another room together. Same went for Monk and Ayako.
Mai looked over at naru, who breathed deeply and opened the only door left. He lifted an open hand to show Mai inside the doorway. As she walked in, she was greeted by the finest hotel room she had ever seen.
"Wow!" She breathed, eyeing the two queen-sized, red velvet beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, television & DVD set and large bathroom. "You really figured this out, didn't you, Naru?"
The teen let a smirk decorate his stoic face. "Yeah. I guess I did."
He sat down on the bed closest to the door, crossing his arms behind his head and closing his eyes. Mai stared over at him, careful not to catch his attention as she tried to imagine the pale chest that lay beneath his dark blouse. Mentally slapping herself, she left to have a shower and change.
She stood In the shower, letting the water run over her.
Finally, she stood in Canada.