hey everyone, happy belated Valentine's day, or for u single folks like me SAD (Singles Awareness Day)! sorry this is so late but i hit a block and i got really sidetracked with labyrinth fiction; love david bowie as the goblin king, and anyways it took a while to finish but here it is. more dialougue than actual plot but i needed a little bit of fluff. i apologize in advance if mai seems a little ooc, but i tried my best to keep her in character and still have her personality the way i wanted it for the story soo... yeah.

In other news; you all know how sporadic my updates can be, but thery're about to get alot more sporadic. I just recently got a job which I'll be starting soon; that combined with shcool and extracurricular activities will barely give me enough time to get my requred sleep hours to function, let alone write, edit, and post chapters. I won't be leaving you guys hanging completely though, as this chapter is part of my see you soon gift I am also working on another Ghost Hunt crossover which I think you guys'll like. The title, if I don't change my mind and I probably won't, will be Within Stone Walls; it'll be one of the longer ones so you'll have it to tie you guys over for the next few weeks. However, it's still in the physical writing stage, so I beg of you guys to be patient. One more thing, I already told you I posted some promo art for this story on my deviant art account: animesage17, PLEASE check it out!

Disclaimer: i take no credit for the creation of Ghost Hunt, however this story belongs to me and me alone

When consciousness slithered in through the corners of his mind the first thing he was aware of was that his head was lying on something soft, and that someone or something was touching his face. His eyes opened to see a soft gray oblivion. Slightly struggling due to his arms and legs still being bound, he looked up to see Mai's face etched with concern, slightly shadowed due to the dim lighting coming from somewhere behind him. She made a movement, drawing her hand back and he realized that's what had been touching him.

"Naru?" Mai whispered softly, almost disbelievingly. "You're awake. Are you alright?"

"I believe so…" Naru replied, trying to contort himself in an effort to sit up. He gave up after a few minutes since his attempts were fruitless. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Hours?" Mai told him, thought it was more a question than a statement. "The guy who knocked you out must have done some sort of fighting training."

"You answered my question with another question. Why?"

"Honestly, I have no idea how long it's been. When I came out of the meeting with those people, they brought me back to you and then they brought us here. There aren't any windows in this room and the only light's coming from the candle behind you." She pointed, more for the sake of letting him know the candle was behind him rather than for him to get up and look.

"Do I at least have my hat?" Naru asked with a sigh.

"Yes, I picked it up while they dragged you away." Mai replied, picking up the hat from its apparent position beside her and showing it to him.

"Why did you do that?" Naru couldn't' hide the shock evident in his tone when he heard her answer.

"I don't know, honestly." Mai shrugged. "I just had this nagging feeling you'd want it when you woke up so I grabbed it. do you want me to help you put it on?"

"I'd rather have you help me sit up and untie me first." Naru answered.

"Okay," Mai replied. She slowly lowered his head to the floor before moving slightly behind him and grabbing at his shoulders. Naru felt the dainty nails dig into him and suppressed the urge to flinch; it had been a long time since anyone had touched him. She pulled, and he pushed as much as he could in his position. When they finally got him sitting on his knees Mai moved fully behind him and began untying his binds. "There you go."

"So how exactly are we getting out of here?" Naru asked her as he could feel her gaze focused intensely on the ropes she was unknotting.

"I'm supposed to let them know when you woke up; then they'll come and escort us out. They said they apologize for the lack of comforts, but as this is a storage warehouse there aren't really any rooms made for guests."

"What exactly did you talk about when you spoke with them?"

"Well, I met them first off. They told me that though they were pretty high up they were not the ones in charge. That no one else but them has ever seen the one in charge and lived. They asked me what we were doing sneaking in here. I told them about what happened to mother and that we thought she was here. They said they'd had no idea about this and they were involved in all money aspects of the organization. And they heard about all of it. And besides that, they didn't go kidnapping someone middle class; they don't do kidnapping at all, they say it's too messy and costs more than it actually brings forth. So now they know they have a rat in their organization they don't want there. So they told me that if we could find him we could bring him in without worry of their support. But…" Mai trailed off as she moved to untie his legs.

"But what? Mai, what did you bargain?" Naru asked, trying to keep irritation and worry out of his voice; he succeeded this time.

He could almost feel Mai lowering her eyes further in guilt. "I now owe them a life debt." She said quietly.

"What? How could you agree to something like that?" Naru asked; exasperated by what she'd done.

"I had to, they wouldn't agree to anything else!" Mai protested, finally untying him completely and shrinking back into a far corner.

"Why?" something about the way she answered was off-putting. It wasn't necessarily her tone or inflection, but rather the speed at which she protested sounded like there was a pretty important reason for her to agree to owing the organization a life-debt.

"Since the rat, as they put it, was threatening me, they felt it necessary to let me go; but a lawman like you…" she trailed off, shuddering slightly as if they told her what their intentions were for him. "I couldn't let them hurt you. You're the only person I have right now. I felt so," she paused. "alone. When this all first started, I felt frightened. I had nowhere to turn to and then when you accepted my case, the way you were just made me feel safe. Even with mother; I haven't felt that way in a long, long time. And when they said they were going to kill you; I just couldn't let them do it." Mai shrugged helplessly and sighed. "I know this sounds like a confession, and when you look at it; it kinda is. But I can't help it; you make me feel safe, like everything's going to be okay and for them to kill you would be like taking the ground right out from under my feet."

Naru, for the first time in his young life, was absolutely and inconceivably stunned. He didn't think this girl was so emotionally attached to him that she'd give the most dangerous organization in Britain and possibly the world a life debt just to save his. He didn't realize he'd made her feel so safe, granted it was because they hadn't been in any particular danger before sneaking in here but still, it was a lot to take in.

"You really feel that way?" Naru asked without thinking.

"I-"Mai cut herself off as her cheeks flushed the brightest shade of red he'd seen yet, and that was saying a lot. "Yes." she murmured shifting her gaze to the floor again.

"I should have known." Naru replied, shaking his head.

"How so?" Mai asked, now openly inquisitive and all earlier embarrassment forgotten.

"Because you're like that," Naru told her.

"Like what?"

"You're an open book when it comes to your emotions Mai. They're practically written all over your face in bold lettering."

"Well to be honest, I myself didn't know I felt that way until I saw them knock you out as I was escorted away." Mai told him. "They did that awful thing to you and I just felt this overwhelming sense of dread."

"At any rate, why don't you go and tell them to let us go, since I'm awake."

"Okay," Mai stood up on her feet, he noticed her boots had been discarded, and knocked on the door frame.

"What?" came a low and scratchy voice.

"He's up," Mai replied. "can you let us out now?"

"Sure thing." The goon behind the door answered without a second thought. The door swung open and Naru realized that it was the same man who'd caught them before.

"Thank you Thomas." Mai said politely grabbing Naru by the arm and lightly tugging to usher him forward.

"No problem ma'am." He said tipping his hat as they walked by.

"Ma'am?" Naru said as Thomas escorted them back out into the main building.

"Being genuinely polite earns genuine etiquette in return." Mai whispered back.

"By the way, where are your boots?"

"I have them in my hands; I snagged them from right next to the door as we left." Mai replied. "I'll put them on once we get outside."

Sure enough, when they got to the main hall of the warehouse Mai took a few minutes to replace her shoes and then they were unceremoniously shoved out of the shipyard. It was true that a good few hours had passed. It was now four o'clock upon looking at the street clock at the corner; there really wasn't a lot of time to go anywhere but it was also too early to go back to the office.

"That was really rude." Mai whispered under her breath as Thomas walked away.

"Well, it's a known fact the Rose Noire aren't known for their hospitality. I consider it lucky that the worst injury sustained is that uncomfortable welt at the base of my head." Naru replied once the gates were closed behind them.

"Shouldn't you get that looked at?" Mai asked him.

"It'll be fine; I don't need to go to the doctor's."

"If I didn't know better I'd say you were afraid." Mai jibbed. "Why don't you like doctors?"

"Why do you get the impression I don't like the doctors?"

"You keep aspirin as well as a multitude of other medicinal serums in that cabinet of yours, practically everything you need except the expensive hospital equipment itself. Ergo, you are either afraid or don't like doctors." Mai replied.

"So you took advantage of my unconscious state and rifled through my belongings did you? Should I be worried about you having stolen any of my possessions?"

"I did not!" Mai snapped indignantly. "I had no idea where you kept some of the ingredients I put in breakfast this morning that's why I went looking through the cabinets and-" she stopped short. "Wait a minute, you're changing the subject! I just wanted to know why you didn't like doctors, but apparently you must be ashamed of it so you're afraid of them!" she concluded, proud she'd figured it out.

Naru sighed, this girl seemed to be sharper-witted than he thought previously. "I am not a fan of doctors Mai. I am not afraid of them, but I dislike being treated like a newborn baby whenever I have to see them; not to mention their bills are amounting to ridiculous prices these days. It's better to self-medicate and only see a professional if the need arises." He explained.

"You're afraid of needles aren't you?" Mai asked quizzically.

"Whatever would give you that idea?"

"Most people avoid doctors and hospitals for that very reason Naru; I used to be afraid of them too."

"Needles have nothing to do with why I don't like visits to the doctor's Mai." Naru replied. "I just don't like seeing them, end of story. Now, we have to figure out where we're going with this case next while it's still daylight out."

"Well, I'd say we're banned from the shipyard." Mai quipped dryly.

"A fair surmise of the situation."

"Isn't there anyone we could talk to who has known ties with the Rose Noire who isn't a criminal?" Mai asked.

Naru thought on it a moment, there was someone they could talk to; but they weren't easy to meet with. "I suppose I know of someone who could be of use, but it depends…"

"On what?"

"Are you willing to take an overnight trip?"

"By what?"

"Train."

Mai looked pensive for a few minutes. "Yeah, I guess. Should we bring an overnight bag?"

Naru looked at the clock they were standing near. "Unfortunately not. The train will be leaving in about half an hour and we still need to get to the station and buy tickets. By that time we'll just make it aboard. If you have enough money you can buy some fresh clothes at our destination."

"That depends on how far out we're going."

"Into the far country."

"Then no, not with the price of train fare these days."

"I'll take care of the tickets, we'll just have to run by my office," he looked at the clock once more. "Emphasis on run."

Mai looked at the clock as well. "Oh!" she squeaked grabbing his wrist. "We better get going!"

And they tore through the streets until reaching the office complex. Mai decided to stay outside while Naru ran up since she was in her boots. He agreed, and it took him all of five minutes to reach his office, go in and get the money, lock the door and run back down. Unfortunately, the scene he was met with coming out of the building was not one he was pleased with. Not at all.

Mai stood surrounded by a group of young men. They were talking; well more like the men were cajoling Mai, who was curled into herself a little, and looking incredibly uncomfortable and trying to get out of the situation.

"Mai," Naru called. Mai turned to him and shot him a look of grateful relief. "who are these people?"

One of the bolder men answered him. "We just wanted to take this lovely lady out for dinner. She doesn't mind at all so why don't mind your own business?"

"Really? I don't think she wants to go with you and your group of ruffians at all." He said walking over and pulling Mai to him. "After all, she prefers my company much more than she would any of yours." Mai was really helping the situation; her cheeks were cherry red and she was suddenly more interested in her shoes than what was going on around her.

The other man seemed at a loss for words. Finally he was able to spit out a coherent sentence. "Well, she won't be with you forever; something will eventually part you two, and I'll laugh when it happens." He gestured to the other men and they walked away.

Naru sighed, could this girl stay out of trouble for one minute of the day?

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Um yeah." Mai mumbled, still looking at the ground. "I'm fine."

"Very well, but we might want to hurry or else we'll miss the train." Naru replied.

Mai squeaked again and grabbed his wrist, running for the train station. They got there with just enough time to purchase tickets and hop aboard the outbound train. Thankfully, Naru had gotten enough money to buy them a more comfortable space on the cars, and they now sat in their compartment side by side; breathing somewhat heavily.

"Well, I do believe we've gotten enough exercise for the day don't you?" Naru asked.

Mai nodded, still too out of breath to answer verbally. When she regained said ability she looked at Naru somewhat shyly. "Um, Naru? What do you think that guy meant when he said he would laugh when something separated us?"

"I assume he was under the impression that I was courting you." Naru replied stoically. "And that something; death or a loss of the theoretical 'love' we had would separate us. And he would laugh at my seeming despair."

"Was that really necessary? Lying to him like that?"

"It wasn't a lie, but if you wish to consider it one than it was a lie of inference. He inferred we were together because of the way you reacted."

"It would have helped if you didn't say suggestive things like that!" Mai yelled.

"Like what?"

"Like me preferring their company over any of theirs."

"And you would have preferred to go with them?"

Mai blushed and didn't answer. She stared out the window for a few minutes before feeling comfortable enough to speak again. "So, who exactly are we going to visit?"

"There is a more prominent family who has a vacation home out in the country. They are known to have theoretical ties to the Rose Noire, but there has never been any proof to back the claim; so they have not been formally accused or convicted of anything."

"Who?"

"The Hara family, we'll be seeing if we can meet with the head; otherwise we'll meet with their heir. I'm told she knows as much as the family business as the head." 'Not to mention she has a great desire to become a woman of mine; a sentiment completely one-sided on her part.' He tacked on mentally.

"Oh, oh I excuse me a moment. I need to use the powder room." Mai said getting up and leaving the compartment. He vaguely heard her ask an attendant for directions from behind the closed door and then her echoed footsteps slightly muffled by the carpeted floor.

The phone at a desk in the woman's rang, startling her out of her musings. She picked it up gingerly out of its cradle.

"Hello?" she said into the receiver. "Oh, it's you. And where is the next destination?"… "Our associate's vacation home, I see. I'll send a message of warning of arrival. Yes, keep an eye on things alright?"… "Okay." … "Yes, it'll be sent right over. Goodbye."

She hung up the phone and pressed a call button. A couple of lackeys filed into the office minutes later. She looked up at them and smirked.

"Boys, I have a delivery to be made," she said holding out an envelope with a rose seal keeping it closed. "Take this to this address," she held out another slip of paper with the destination written on it. "And give it to the person written on the outside of the envelope. When that is done, leave; and don't let yourselves be seen by anyone unnecessary. Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am." They replied simultaneously, taking the envelope and the slip and heading out the door. The woman leaned forward on her desk and let out a sigh; she was getting too old for this, and she wanted to enjoy her youth while she still had some left. It was getting late; hopefully everything would turn out alright.

If asked, Naru honestly couldn't tell anyone how he'd gotten into this mess. Mai had come back from a rather brief foray to the ladies room and requested -more like demanded- her window seat back. After a polite conversation, and a few of his ribs now bruised, Naru was sitting completely still with a slight weight on his left shoulder.

That "conversation" had taken had taken place around two hours ago. Since then they'd eaten dinner and watched the sundown out the window. And now, now Naru found Mai using his shoulder as a pillow. Uncomfortable with a lot of physical contact he tried to move her; but she seemed persistent not to let him go. She, in her innocently unconscious state, had even wrapped her arms around him and snuggled into his chest. He was extremely happy Mai was asleep, because he was blushing like a love-struck schoolboy. An outsider looking in on them might think it was rather cute; a young couple in love, snuggling on a long train ride. However, the truth of the matter was that that was not the case; however disappointing that may seem.

Wait a minute, why would this be disappointing? He was a stone-cold detective who liked nothing more than solitude and his work. It shouldn't be disappointing that he wasn't courting Mai, not at all. And yet, and yet there was this small slightly hollow feeling in the center of his chest. And at this point he felt too world-weary to analyze it further. It was only then an image came unbidden into his head, a memory from his childhood. He remembered going to the pond with his family during one of those long-gone summer days. Remembered picking up shells and looking into a reflection with a shy childish smile; and seeing the innocence and light in the sapphire blue eyes.

He woke in a cold sweat. `He almost cursed, but realized that probably wouldn't be a good idea considering the predicament he now found himself in. Naru lay flat on his back on the train seat, and Mai was lying on top of him, the right side of her face resting upon his chest directly above his heart.

Mai let out a small cross between a groan, whimper, and yawn and resettled into him when Naru's shock at the position jostled his body into moving enough to warrant her notice, even semi-conscious. He watched as she made herself comfortable and fell back into sleep. He only wished he could do the same, but his awareness of what someone would think should they find the pair like this sent his anxiety levels -normally very, very low- through the roof. He knew he should wake her soon -not only would she be mortified at waking up like this but Mai had a slight tendency to turn said mortification into violence and he really didn't want any more injuries, however slight they may be-, but something kept him from doing so. She seemed so peaceful and serene, far be it from him to disturb her.

Eventually, after a great deal of both physical and mental strain, he managed to maneuver himself out from under her and reseat himself on the opposite bench. She woke up five minutes later; slightly dazed.

"Naru? What time is it?" she asked through a yawn as she pushed herself up on her hands and stretched slightly; somehow she reminded him of a cat.

"It's only seven o'clock now, and we're almost there. Should I order you breakfast or would you like to sleep until we arrive?"

"No, I've slept enough. Let's go get breakfast." Mai said standing and straightening out her clothes, slightly rumpled from sleeping.

Naru sighed and made it sound as resignedly as he could. "Very well." He acquiesced, and they left for the dining car together; where they stayed until the train announced its arrival. It was time to go.

so there you go, and before i get complaints; i write by page and this chapter is 8 pages long so i counts. anyways: REVIEW!