A/N: I'm back with another chapter! Thank you SO MUCH for your reviews! I LOVED reading all of them! Please send more after reading this chapter.

!WARNING!: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A SEX SCENE THAT MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt…

Also, please can you check out my new original story on fictionpress . com its entitled Stolen Hearts by Kittenev! Please check it out!

To the Chapter!

Naru couldn't blame her though. He deserved much worse for what he had done…

Chapter Two: Past Families, Present Strangers

Two days passed before Mai found herself alone in her house nervously awaiting the arrival of her old colleagues. Lin had called earlier that day and said that they would be arriving at 4:00pm.

That only made Mai more anxious and wired. Her son was in daycare and would be home at five. She had wanted more time to warn both the team and her son, although now it seemed her time was cut.

Anxiously pacing in her living room, Mai tried and failed to calm her nerves. She shouldn't be feeling this nervous; she had already faced the worst of her fears by seeing Naru again. It should be less difficult when she saw him again, or at least that's what she reasoned.

However, the closer it got to the time of his arrival, the more flips her stomach did. Sitting on one of the couches, Mai held her head in her hands. It had been nearly six years already. Why couldn't she just move on with her life and get over what had happened that night. She sighed; she remembered it like yesterday.

Mai sat nervously at her desk, watching as Lin-san left for the day. She would have gone home already, but Naru had asked her to stay. He needed to talk to her about something important apparently.

Her heart fluttered at the thought. Maybe Naru finally felt the same way. That was the only reason she could think of for him to speak with her in the middle of the night alone.

There were no cases lately so it couldn't be about that. Ever since that last case where she was almost killed, Naru had refused to take on anymore, while she healed. He rarely talked to her about anything else. So, maybe, he wanted to talk about something personal. Or was she hoping too much?

"Mai." Naru called. She immediately stood and turned an impressive shade of red. It was late and Naru and she were here alone. "Come here." He said. Mai swallowed the lump in her throat and nervously made her way over to him.

This was her chance to get things out in the open. After that last case, she had realized that silently coveting her feelings for Naru would never bring her any happiness. Life was too short to stay in the dark, because she was afraid of how he would react. She had to tell him how she felt once and for all.

"Mai, there is something I need to discuss with you." Naru started. Mai's breath caught. Were they going to talk about what she thought they were? No, Mai had to keep a level head. Naru wasn't the kind of person that confessed things of love and such.

He probably wasn't even the kind of person that bought a girl flowers. That didn't matter though; Mai still loved him and all of his narcissism. Finding her courage, Mai blushed a bit as she spoke next.

"There's something I want to talk to you about too." She admitted, fidgeting slightly. She had to tell him. It was now or never and Mai didn't want Naru to never know her feelings.

Her eyes softened as she stared at him and a small gentle smile upturned her lips. She loved him for so long and now that it was time to actually voice her feeling her heart felt as if it were going to burst.

"Naru, for a long time now…I-I've loved you…" She stuttered as her blush became more prominent. He stared at her for a long moment before, as if it were a dream, leaning down and pressing his lips softly against hers.

Gasping in surprise at the sudden action, Mai's eyes were wide as saucers before closing gently at the sensation and realization. Naru was kissing her.

The same boy that she had met years ago during her first year of high school was kissing her. She was nineteen now and the silly crush she had once had had grown into deep love over the years. She hoped with all her being that he felt the same.

Vaguely, she felt as his strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. The action caught her off guard and made her nearly squeak in surprise. She could feel him smirking into their kiss at her response, but pushed down the instinct to argue in favor of opening her mouth ever so slightly to let the tongue swiping across her lips in.

It was a strange sensation at first since she had never kissed someone, especially this deeply. However, after some minutes of the feverish kiss Mai seemed to get the hang of it.

They parted regrettably; the need for air was impossible to ignore. Her eyes opened then and she stole a glance at Naru who was staring down at her with a strange look in his dark blue eyes.

There were so many different emotions that swirled within those orbs, lust…need…want…and maybe even love? Mai couldn't tell; she had never seen so much emotion flood those eyes before.

Unexpectedly then, Naru cupped her cheek tenderly and turned her head slightly to the side to lay a sweet kiss to her other cheek. There were no words afterward, Mai didn't say a thing nor did Naru.

Action was the only thing felt, action was the only communication. Naru's hand slid from her cheek down to her neck, leaving tingles in its wake. Soon it descended and grasped onto her hand, lacing their fingers together. The grip was so strong, so needy…

Mai knew what it meant. She didn't need words to tell her. Looking up into those dark blue eyes she had come to love with all her heart, she squeezed his fingers gently and nodded to his silent question. He didn't need another signal.

Slowly, Naru wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her into his office. Both knew what was awaiting them there. In the corner off to the side lay a small cot that Naru used when the work load was excessive and he didn't get a chance to go home; he sat down upon it and pulled her into his lap. He couldn't help but notice as her skirt rode up her hips as she straddled his lap.

His hands rested on her hips, perhaps unsure of what to do next. They had gotten this far, but neither had gone any farther in the past with others.

"Mai-" Naru tried to say something, maybe something encouraging, but alas he didn't know. All he got out was her name before she pressed her lips to his again. It wasn't as sweet this time, almost boarding on harsh.

Her need and his mixed together and the nearly brutal pace was set in seconds. Lips mashed together and tongues clashed before Naru drew away and kissed down her neck. Sweet gasps were heard for his efforts and a sharp intake of breath for the bite he dealt to her neck. A mark would surely appear later.

"Naru!" Mai moaned as he continued his assault, his hands making their way underneath her shirt and up her frame. Goosebumps followed them and a hot blush streaked Mai face as Naru stopped his kissing for a moment to pull her shirt off and toss it somewhere in the room.

He stopped, staring at her nearly nude chest. A bra was the only thing that kept her upper half from being fully exposed to him. Noticing his staring, Mai went to cover what she could but was held off by his hands holding hers.

"Don't do that. You're beautiful." He whispered. Mai's heart hammered in her chest at the words and with a deep steady breath, she moved her hands behind her and unhooked her bra for him.

Slipping the straps down, Mai blush darkened as her bra landed somewhere on the floor near her shirt. Naru's own face seemed to have a pink tingle to it as he tentatively reached out, as if she were made of glass, and touched one of her soft breasts.

He experimentally squeezed, which elicited a gasp from her. Naru smirked at the reaction. Leaning forward, he took one of her nipples into his mouth teasing it as he squeezed and played with her other breast. Mai moaned at the contact and her hands instantly dug themselves into his raven locks as he continued to suck and nip at her breast, rolling and kneading the other.

"N-Naru! Please!" Mai cried, rocking her hips against his. He gasped as her clothed womanhood rubbed against his hardened member. Feeling suddenly very aware of his own arousal, Naru drew away from her chest and kissed her again as he laid her down gently on the soft cot below.

Without missing a beat, he unbuttoned his shirt and it soon joined Mai's shirt and bra on the floor. Mai stared at his surprisingly muscled chest having never expected him to ever workout or the like. He smirked at her reaction and chuckled.

"Surprised?" He teased her as his hands unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. He shed them a moment after as well as his boxers, shoes, and socks. She did the same.

Before too long, they were both completely exposed to one another. Naru's eyes roamed over her body as hers did the same to his. They had never seen each other like this; it only added to their excitement and arousal.

Working his way in between her legs, Naru stared at Mai seriously as his hand paused at her wet folds. A blush akin to no other arose on her face and she gulped in anxiety before she nodded hesitantly.

He noticed her nervousness and took the moment to press his lips to hers as his fingers slipped into her. She gasped at the sensation as he slowly rubbed her clit. Mai moaned and her arms wrapped around his neck.

"Ah...N-Naru…" She said breathily. Naru understood the silent plea and withdrew his fingers before placing his erect shaft at her entrance. "D-Don't do it hard…I-I'm a…v-virgin." She stuttered as her nerves bested her. Naru pulled her close and kissed her chastely, reassuringly.

"I won't hurt you, I promise." He whispered to her. Mai almost couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe the situation or that this person that was whispering sweet comforting words to her was really Naru.

This Naru right now, somehow she felt as if he was truer than the one she saw nearly everyday. Her heart pounded in her chest as he slowly pushed into her. She squeezed her eyes shut tight and waited for the pain that she had read would come.

However, it never did. Naru stopped short and rocked their hips together gently until he passed through easily. There was no pain and there was no blood. Naru leaned down and kissed her tenderly, wiping away a premature tear.

Mai kissed him back just as passionately and moaned as he began to pull out and push back in. He stared a slowly easy rhythm before Mai pleaded to speed up. Their body rocked back and forth together as only their joined breathes and moans sounded in the air. Sweat clung to their bodies and heat pooled in their abdomens. Their gaze caught and with one last swearing kiss, they both reached their heights together.

Naru slowly pulled out and lay beside Mai, wrapping his arms securely around her. They lay there in each other's arms for what seemed like hours and as their bodies cooled it truly could have been hours.

Too enraptured by each other, time seemed like a foreign thing that neither knew of. They just laid securely alongside each other as if this was a daily thing.

Mai gazed up through sated eyes at Naru who was staring down at her. He too looked satisfied. A tired smile upturned her lips as she continued to rest within his arms.

"I love you, Naru." She whispered. She truly loved him with every fiber of her being. This act they had just completed cemented her feelings for him like nothing else could.

At the comment, his eyes darkened and he sat up. With his back to her, Naru uttered the words that would destroy this night, their relationship, and…her…

"Don't read too much into this. I had a long day and was stressed." He stood, putting back on his boxers and his pants. He never looked back at her as he drove the last nail in the coffin.

"This was just for release. I could never love an idiot like you. Now get out." He said coldly.

Mai squeezed her eyes shut tight as she refused to remember anything more. She didn't want to remember how stupid she had been back then. She didn't want to remember how she had pleaded with him after. And she didn't want to remember how she had gotten dressed and ran to her apartment only to cry her eyes out as she packed her things.

Mai had left the morning after that terrible night and sent her resignation in by mail. She could never go back to that place and yet nearly six years later she had done exactly that, even gone a step further and invited them to her home…

"You're so stupid, Mai. Just what are you thinking?" She chided herself. That night had ruined her and now for the next few days until they exorcised the spirits, she would have to see Naru daily.

Could she take it? Could her fragile heart bear to see the man that had broken it years ago? Mai didn't know, couldn't even begin to guess. Mai would have to try her best though, since soon he would be here and she would have to face him again. Her heart hurt just thinking about it.

Suddenly there was a knock at the front door and Mai bit her lip as she stared at it. She knew who it was. This was the day and the time that they said they would come. Naru would be on the other side of that door.

Working up the courage to stand, Mai hesitantly walked to her front door, pausing as she reached for the handle. That night flashed in her mind and she found her hand trembling. She didn't want to open the door. She didn't want to see him again.

Then, her son's cut cheek arose in her mind and Mai couldn't hesitant any longer. This was for her son. She couldn't let him down. She couldn't let him get hurt. Mai had to protect him…

Opening the door, Mai was faced with the goofily smiling face of Bou-san. Behind him, Lin-san stood emotionless, Yasuhara smiled along with John, Ayako looked in between a mix of worry and anger, and Naru just stood there without expression. Moving aside, Mai let them pass and was immediately jumped by Ayako who grabbed hold of her and hugged her tightly to her chest.

"Mai! How could you just leave us like that! You didn't even leave us a note or a phone number to reach you! We were all worried sick about you! Why did you leave so suddenly? Is this where you've been hiding all these years?" She nearly screamed as her anger and her worry swirled in her eyes and her voice.

Mai could barely breathe as she was embraced by the woman who she had come to see as her mother figure. Ayako had been worried. Mai looked up and saw John's, Bou-san's, and Yasuhara's concerned faces. They had all been worried about her. Mai wanted to cry, but didn't allow herself to. She was stronger than that. She had become so much stronger than that.

"She's right, you know. We were all worried! And we looked high and low for you for months too! We looked everywhere!" Bou-san chimed in as he gently pried Ayako's arms away.

"Ayako, you have to let her breath or else you'll kill her." He teased, although in some strange way he was serious. Ayako immediately backed off and brought a hand up to her mouth as two silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

She looked the same as before, Mai noted. Her reddish tinted brown hair, her soft brown eyes, and her figure were all the same. It was as if time hadn't touched her at all.

Mai was glad; some things weren't supposed to change. Feeling the attention of the room upon her, Mai managed a small smile although she didn't know where she found the strength to do that.

"I'm really sorry that I worried you all, but I've been doing well so there's no need to continue to worry. I have a good life here now." Mai said encouragingly. She left out the parts about her struggles to find a job and an apartment when she had first run away.

They didn't need to know about that. She was all right now, that's all that mattered. Her comforting words seemed to lessen the tension in the air. It was then that Mai noticed that they were missing someone.

"Where is Masako?" Mai asked curiously as she looked around for the girl again. Bou-san waved it off as nothing and rested a large hand on her head, ruffling her hair. It felt nice, familiar. She had almost forgotten the feeling altogether.

"She'll be coming tomorrow. Her producer wouldn't let her off today." He answered casually. Mai should have known, Masako was very famous now even more so than when she was younger.

Looking around the room at the faces of her past, Mai sighed at her realization. They really were here, all of them excluding Masako until tomorrow. She had really come to them for help. That hadn't been a nightmare.

It felt strange, seeing them all together again, nostalgic. And yet, with one look to Naru, that feeling was smashed into pieces and replaced with a coldness only strangers could muster. This wasn't a family anymore. Maybe it had never been one…

Mai hardened at that moment, willing herself to forget the warm memories of the past. If she was going to get through this, with Naru here, she would have to remain strong and unwavering toward the people in her past.

Though, back then, they were like family to her, now they were merely strangers that had come together for a common purpose. And that purpose was to exorcise her home and keep her son safe from harm.

"So, what happens now? Do you want to choose a base room and bring the equipment in or do you want to ask me some questions first?" Mai asked, locking eyes with Naru.

She remained steady in her pursuit of knowledge, wondering want they were going to do. She was rusty when it came to what was to be done in cases. It was understandable; Mai hadn't been on a case for six years.

"Mai, just wait a minute. We don't have to go into business mode right away. Come on, we could all go out and catch up!" Bou-san suggested. His eyes looked almost pleading as if silently asking for her to confide in him. Ayako gave her the same kind of look.

Mai couldn't stand it. She hadn't contacted them for personal reasons. She had given up those connections she had in the past. This was the present. These people didn't belong in her present… Despite how much she wanted them to…

"I already told you, Bou-san, I haven't come back. The only reason why I contacted you all is because my house is being haunted by spirits. This isn't a reunion. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is." Mai explained. The sooner they learned that she had changed, the sooner her son would be safe. This was the way it had to be…

Six sets of eyes stared at her after that statement. Some where saddened, others were neutral and still others held no emotion at all. Mai could feel the disappointment and confusion that radiated off Bou-san, Ayako, John, and Yasuhara, but she chose to ignore it. She didn't want to hurt them, but in order to protect her son and her new life she had to do just that.

"Is there a back room we could use as a base?" Naru suddenly asked, letting his eyes wander for the first time since he had arrived. The place was spacious although a bit small. There were hard wood floors with single couch, love seat, and chair.

A TV was set up against a far wall and adorning the wallpapered walls were photographs, though he was too far away to see what the photos were of. A door to the side most likely led to the kitchen and dinning room and stairs in the back led up to the second floor. Mai nodded and pointed to a hallway around a corner.

"At the end of the hall. It's used for storage so you'll probably have to move some things around." Mai explained before looking up at the clock.

It was getting closer to that time when her son returned home from daycare. She wanted them to get their questions out of the way before then or at least have things set up. Naru nodded and turned to Lin-san and Yasuhara.

"Lin, Yasuhara, go bring in the equipment." He commanded. It didn't take long for Lin and Yasuhara to get the equipment and set it up in the back room otherwise known as the base.

Afterwards, they all sat in the living room readying for the interview with Mai. Naru and Yasuhara sat on the love seat. Ayako, John, and Bou-san sat on the couch, while Lin stood behind Naru.

"Mai, explain exactly what has been happening here." Naru commanded, looking at her expectantly. Stealing a glance at the clock, Mai inwardly cursed.

They were out of time, any minute now her son would be back for daycare. At least they had moved their equipment inside and were all settled now. It would be better this way, if they all knew about Keitaro before anything else was done.

As if thinking about him would summon him, the doorknob suddenly turned and the door swung open revealing a widely smiling five year old boy. He had shaggy brown hair with dark blue eyes, which only added to his cuteness. Upon seeing his mother, Keitaro dropped his bag that had some toys stuffed inside and ran to her, latching onto her leg.

"Oka-san, oka-san, we played hide and seek today!" He enthralled as he stared up at her. Mai smiled back down at her son and ruffled his hair, before turning him to face the group.

Upon seeing the newcomers, Keitaro wiggled out of his mother's grip and hide behind her leg for a sense of security. It only made Mai giggle a little. Her son had always been a bit shy.

"Everyone, so there is no confusion later on, this is my son Keitaro. And no, I'm not married and I don't have a boyfriend." She announced knowing that Bou-san and Ayako would ask her that. Taking in the shocked faces of her old colleagues, Mai kneeled down to her son's level and smile gently.

"All right, honey, I want you to go upstairs and play in your room. Oka-san is busy right now." She told him. Mai didn't want him to be present when they talked about the happenings around the house.

She knew it would scare him and she didn't want that. Keitaro gulped at the order and bit his lip before looking down at his socks. He didn't want to go up there alone.

"But, Oka-san, the monsters will get me…" He whispered, frightened. Mai's eyes started to well with tears at that point remembering the last time that Keitaro had gone anywhere in their house alone. But those days were soon to be ending and in that she took her comfort. Shaking her head at her son, Mai forced a reassuring smile on her face.

"No, Kei-chan, no more monsters will try to get you. That's why these people are here. They're going to make all of the monsters go away for good. So be a good boy and please play in your room." Mai said to him. He called the spirits that went after them 'monsters', although Mai knew differently.

He was a small boy though and shouldn't have been subjected to spirits and the like. She didn't want him to be frightened to sleep at night. Taking reassurance in his mother's words, Keitaro nodded and took one last glance at the newcomers before taking his bag from the floor and going up stairs.

Mai watched in silence until he was out of her view. She hoped that nothing happened to him, while they were down here talking. Mai hoped that there would be no more attacks, but somewhere deep down in her heart she knew that she was wrong…

That's the end of this chapter. I really hope you enjoyed reading it! So please review more! I love getting reviews!

Please review. Please can you check out my new original story on fictionpress . com its entitled Stolen Hearts by Kittenev! Please check it out!

Until next time, Bye!