Unidentified Blue Lightning

Probe 3: Paranoia

Mai couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She knew she was probably just being paranoid, but there were times when she could almost swear there were eyes on her.

It had started the day after she'd fainted and she hadn't thought much of it then, but it was now two weeks later and the feeling was still there. It didn't help that she'd seen things. Flashes of color hiding behind pillars or corners… but nothing was ever there when she checked.

Yeah, paranoia. That's all it was. Probably a side effect from her memory loss. Just like her nausea and headaches. She didn't really tell people about all this, otherwise they'd tell her to go see a doctor, and that wasn't something she could afford to do.-The disadvantages of not being able to afford insurance.

Besides, aside from all that, she was in perfect health. The university nurse said so. All she had to do was take it easy for a few months, and all the headaches would go away. Whether or not she'd be able to remember the past few months was another story, but she was looking forward to getting rid of the pain in her head.

Shaking her head of her thoughts, Mai sighed and glanced up at the red sky.

Two, almost three months were missing from her brain and she still had no idea why. There were times when she felt on the verge of remembering something, but the memory never got through. She didn't dare try and force it; not after just getting over the horrible headaches that always came when she tried.

"Glad you could make it, Mai-chan."

The brunette smiled at her two old high school friends, Michiru and Keiko as she walked up to greet them. "Hey."

They had plans to see a movie together and at first Mai wasn't sure she wanted to go, but after all the stress with her missing memory she felt that it would be a good change of pace for her. There was still homework to be done, but she was confident that a few hours out wouldn't hurt her progress too much.

Plus, apparently during her missing months she hadn't spent too much time talking to them. Of course, she hadn't been keeping up to begin with, but her calls had grown even more sparse. After hearing that, she felt like she kind of owed it to them to come.

"Finally you have some free time," Michiru exaggerated with a dramatic huff.

"I know, it's been awhile," she admitted, giving them both hugs. It felt like an eternity to be honest.

"Let's catch up inside, the movie is going to start soon," Keiko suggested, already holding the door open for the two.

Nodding in agreement, Mai followed Michiru inside of the cinema, Keiko at her heels. It felt good to get out of her usual routine of work and school. Today had been one of the rare days when she hadn't had either to deal with and enjoying this time with her friends just seemed like the right thing to do. It felt a lot like old times.

She couldn't really remember how long it had been since she'd been to the movie theatre, but the smell of buttery popcorn gave her an instant comfort. The three of them used to always come together during their days off of school and just hangout. Movies had been a big part of her life. It was something she used to do with her mother too, before she passed away. Apparently, her father had been a big movie buff.

"I'll get the tickets if you and Mai get the snacks," Keiko announced, already heading toward the ticket counter.

"Alright," Michiru called after her and linked arms with Mai. "Come on."

Luckily for them the line at the stand wasn't very long, there was just one couple in front of them, probably decided if they wanted to share a whole pizza or get separate ones. Sharing was cheaper, of course, but Mai refrained from butting into their conversation. People didn't really like it when she did that. Sometimes, anyway. She kind of had a bad habit of not minding her own business.

"Oh, he's cute," her friend observed off handedly, making light conversation as they waited for the couple in front of them to order.

Mai tapped her friend on the arm with a scandalous expression, "Michiru, you have a boyfriend!"

"What? I'm just appreciating the guy's good looks. Look at him!"

Following her friend's gaze, Mai checked out the potential eye candy sitting down across the room. She was right, with his sandy colored hair and rocker-like style he could be considered kind of cute, but he did look a bit older than the both of them. He was probably in his early thirties, or at least close to it. "Isn't he a bit old for you?"

"I don't mind an older man… besides, I told you, I'm only looking."

Grinning at each other, the girls moved up in line and ordered their movie snacks.

xXx

"American movies are the best!" Keiko gushed, throwing out her empty tub of popcorn.

"That guy who played Loki was sexy," Michiru chimed, still in a daze.

Mai laughed, "That's the same thing you said about Tony Stark, Thor, and Captain America."

The girl scoffed playfully, "I can't help it if they put together the most dazzling male cast ever."

"Well, I can't disagree with that." Keiko giggled.

"Oh," Michiru paused, directing the girls' attentions toward the tables in the concession area. "Speaking of hotties, that guy is still sitting over there."

"What guy?" Keiko questioned, peeking around curiously.

Mai tilted her chin in the man's direction, "The guy Michiru was drooling over earlier when you sent us for food. He's sitting over there by himself."

"Think he's waiting for someone?"

"For this long?"

"He could have gotten stood up…"

"Poor guy."

Michiru sighed and shook her head, "Some people just don't know what they have."

Just as she said that, they caught the man's attention and he winked at them. Watching as her friends turned into puddles of swooning goo, Mai shook her head at them, and lead them off to a their usual bench where they could take the time to talk and catch up.

Michiru talked about her boyfriend, who was a year ahead of them. She had met him in her psychology class and had fallen pretty hard for him. It had been a few months since they'd been going out, probably around five or six. She seemed pretty excited, because it seemed like he was planning something big for their half a year anniversary. Mai didn't even know people celebrated that. It seemed a little silly to her, but she didn't say anything. Her friend was happy and in love, and that's all that mattered.

It was weird though. All her comments about her boyfriend had Mai feeling a little down. She wasn't really sure why though. She hadn't really ever gotten jealous of her friend's having romantic relationships. Mai had never really had a boyfriend, even if she had gone on a date or two in the past. Maybe not having anyone to call her own was finally starting to sink in?

In any case, she felt relieved when Keiko changed the subject to her internship. Despite her slightly innocent appearance, the pigtailed girl was very ambitious and had high hopes for her future. She wanted to become a lawyer, and Mai know full well the girl was capable of it. She was great in debates, and knew just were to look for information. She was kind of like her role model.

They both were, really, Mai didn't really have a clue what she wanted to do, which is why her major was still undeclared. She had an idea, of course. Teaching had always interested her, but she was a bit hesitant if she would be good enough. After all, she had always struggled with school, how could she be trusted to teach the next generation?

"So... Mai," Michiru called, cutting into the girl's thoughts. "Have you gotten any of your memories back yet?"

She shook her head, eyes falling to stare down and the hands clasped in her laps. She sighed. "Nope. Nothing. I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to get them back."

Keiko and Michiru shared a look with each other before smiling at their friend. " They'll come back eventually, I'm sure of it."

Mai smiled back at them, touched by their concerned eyes. "I hope so."

After chatting a bit more about the movie and school, it came time for the three of them to say goodbye. As they exited the theatre, Mai parted from them with a smile and began her trek home. It was a shame that they didn't all live in the same direction. She really wanted to talk with them some more. Human interaction was something she'd been craving a lot lately.

Biting the inside of her cheek, Mai swore she heard the sound of footsteps behind her and tensed. The paranoia from before began to slowly come back. She could feel eyes on her again, following her every move. She suddenly became increasingly aware at how dark it was outside now. Why hadn't she picked an early showing time for the movie?

Gathering the courage, she looked behind herself and found no one. Not a soul. In fact, the streets were pretty much empty. "You're being ridiculous, Mai…" she told herself with a sigh, only to mistakenly bump into someone as she turned back around. Frantically she blurted out an, "Ah! Sorry I—"

Only to cut herself off as she stared dumbly at the stranger before her. With a cap on his head and his collar covering his face, she could make out his features much, but for some reason the sight of him still shocked her. Why? She didn't know. "S-Sorry…" she repeated, this time meekly as she lost herself in amazing blue eyes.

"Careful," he warned with a light growl of annoyance to which Mai only nodded. If she was still the Mai who hadn't lost two months of her life, she may have snapped at him for his rudeness, but she could only gape at him. Familiar. Why did that feel so familiar? And why did it seem like his words held another meaning?

"I won't let them take you."

For a moment, she felt as if she was almost on the verge of remembering something, but then the feeling fizzled out, and not wanting to force it she left it alone. The man continued on his way without a second glance, but Mai was left dumbstruck. She suddenly had the strangest urge to cry and not a hint as to why.

Wiping unshed tears from her eyes, she took a deep breath and attempted to calm her racing heart.

xXx

"Mai-chan."

"Eh?" Blinking, Mai's gaze focused in on the raven haired male in front of her. "What is it Yasu?"

Using a finger to push up his glasses, the young man smiled. "You've been re-arranging that same shelf for over twenty minutes now. Everything alright?"

The brunette glanced down at the cans in her hand quizzically before looking up at him with a smile. "Yeah, I'm alright." She tried to assure him as she set the cans down. "Just thinking."

"About those three missing months, right?" He grinned.

"No… Well, a little I guess." She admitted, scratching the back of her head. "Don't you think it's strange that I can't remember a thing?"

"Of course it's weird…" Yasuhara agreed, labeling merchandise for sale as they spoke. "There isn't much you can do about it though."

"That's the frustrating part." Mai sighed and leaned against the shelf. "What if I forgot something really important?'

"If it's important then you'll remember it eventually."

"Yeah but…" she gave her coworker a curious glance. "Hey, do you remember anything worth mentioning about these last few months?"

Yasuhara shrugged, fiddling with the price gun. "I don't know... Nothing really... I mean, you took off of work a lot. Ya know? But I figured you were just finally using all your vacation days that owner kept bugging you about."

"I did?" Mai blinked. It was the first she'd heard of it.

"Yep."

"Ahem," a voice cut in, causing both of them to jump slightly.

Mai smiled nervously at the store owner standing down at the end of the hall. "Yes?"

"I need to go into the back, so someone come man the register," he stated simply, not waiting for their answer as he left.

The brunette glance at Yasu with a sigh and patted him on the back, "I'll do it."

Yasuhara nodded. "I'll be here having fun with this price gun if you need me," he joked.

Chuckling, Mai shook her head and headed toward the front of the store. She wasn't a big fan of manning the register, but since the shop didn't see many customers too early in the morning she didn't think she would be doing much checking out.

After five minutes of fiddling around with the merchandise at the register, Mai's mind began to wander and she felt her eyes getting heavy. Honestly, it wasn't unusual for her to get tired if she wasn't given something to do.

In hindsight it would have been better had Yasuhara taken over the register. He was much more attentive and responsible that she was, after all. Part of her wanted to go see if he'd switch with her, but her head hit the counter before she could will her body to move, and she feel into a deep sleep.

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Mai tensed as the hands in her hair grew hot, sharp pains spiking across her skull. It wasn't like anything she'd ever felt before. She pushed at the figure on top of her, but he didn't budge. Why was he doing this?

"Ah!"

"It's for your protection."

"N-" He couldn't do this. If he did he'd be alone. Why was he always pushing her away?

"I won't let them take you."

"It hurts!" She'd loose him. He had to stop.

"I'm sorry."

Hot tears ran down her face as her vision clouded in blue. Soon her world went dark.

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Mai gasped, waking with a start. Scanning her surroundings she calmed down when she realized she was still at the register. "I must have dozed off..." she muttered to herself, wincing slightly at the sharp pain in her head. "It must have been a dream..." There was really no other explanation for it.

No matter how real it felt, and how much it made her want to cry-for whatever reason. Maybe it was a memory, but she couldn't think of why it would be. The figure wanted to protect her from something, but she didn't see why anyone would need to do that. Mai's life was too boring and mundane for her to be in any trouble.

But of course, as she thought this, a redheaded woman stepped in, looking serious and all business. With the way she carried herself, one would think her a model, but her expression and form fitting suit spoke of another profession.

Analyzing aside, Mai smiled at the woman as she stepped up to the counter and removed her sunglasses. "Can I help you?"

"Yes," the redhead answered, eyes giving her a once over and making the young woman uncomfortable.

Her smile faltered only slightly. She had dealt with weirder customers before, but for some reason this woman gave her a weird feeling. "Oh, ok. Um... What are you looking for?"

"You, actually," she revealed, reaching for the inside pocket of her blazer.

It took Mai a moment to digest what the woman had revealed. "M-me?!"

The woman pulled out a badge and introduced herself, "Ayako Matsuzaki, Kempeitai, special division." The brunette's jaw instantly dropped.

"You're a K-K-Keimukan?!" she exclaimed, catching the attention of Yasuhara and the store owner, who came up front to check the commotion.

"What's going on?"

Ms. Matsuzaki pursed her lips and glared slightly at the unneeded attention. She flashed them her badge. "I have some questions for Ms. Mai Taniyama. She's going to have to come with me."

The other three in the room stared at her in disbelief. Mai took a step back from the register. What was the Japanese internal police doing here? And what did they want with her? "H-How do you know my name? A-And, what do you mean?" Her head was spinning.

"We're Kempeitai, we know everything," she explained and rounded the counter so that there was nothing between her and Mai. "Come with me, please."

"Hold on! You can't just take her. She didn't do anything wrong!" The store owner objected, stepping forward.

Yasu nodded in agreement. "She has rights."

"She forfeited those rights the moment she started conspiring with a fugitive," the agent told them, pulling out a pair of handcuffs.

"W-what are you talking about. I never did anything like that!"

"Mai's a good girl, she wouldn't-"

The store manager's words were cut short as another figure entered the store. This time a man, and someone who looked very familiar to Mai. She gasped. He was in a suit now, but it was definitely the same person she'd seen before.

"You're the guy from the movie theater!" she exclaimed, but her words fell on death ears.

Ayako 'tsked' and glared at the newcomer. "I said, I'd take care of her myself."

"It's been five minutes, I gave you four. Can't you ever do anything right?"

A vein popped out of the woman's forehead, "Excuse me?!"

There was obvious tension between the two strangers, but just as the woman seemed about ready to rip the man apart, he defused the situation by bring it back to the situation at hand.

"Take her to the car," he ordered, and turned to Yasu and the store owner who obviously didn't like the sound of that.

Mai struggled as the redhead grabbed her and forced the handcuffs onto her wrists.

"You let her go!"

Before the store owner or Yasu could make a move, the man had them on the floor, unconscious. It had been so fast, that Mai wasn't even really sure how he did it.

The teen looked at the scene in horror as Matsuzaki dragged her out. Tears streamed down her face. They were just trying to protect her. "W-what did you do to them? What did you do?!"

"Relax," the male agent sighed, rubbing the back of his head in boredom as he followed the women out of the store. "They'll be fine... probably won't remember a thing though."

"What's going on? Where are you taking me?!" Mai struggled free of the woman grip and threw herself to the ground, making a scene for passerbys. "Help! Someone-"

A sharp pain hit the back of her neck and her world grew dark.

A/N: Wow. This is really late, but here you go!

I'm about half and half with this chapter.

I hope it doesn't seem rushed.

Let me know how you liked it!