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Chapter Four: Late Again

The next morning Naru was on edge. Not only had he not had his morning cup of tea but his assistant was late. Not by five minutes but by thirty. Lin seemed on edge as well and that didn't help Naru's nerves. If they were both to be honest with themselves they were extremely worried for the girl because she had never been this late before. Naru was just telling Lin to go get Mai when the said girl walked through the door.

"Mai, when I tell you to be a work at a certain time I expect you to be here," he grouched almost relieved as he watched her walk through the door. But then he noticed the dark shadows under her eyes and her pale face. He was about to ask but Lin beat him to the punch.

"Taniyama-san, what's wrong?"

Mai gave a weak smile before responding, "I couldn't sleep very well last night. I'm sorry if I worried anyone." She hadn't been able to even get an hour's worth of sleep. And since she couldn't sleep she had caught herself up on a few television shows and had gotten so absorbed in one show that by the time she realized she had to get to work, she was already late.

Lin raised an eyebrow but Mai sent him a look that clearly said, "Later." This didn't go unnoticed by their boss and he wondered what exactly was going on between the two. He said nothing about it though. He just gathered his papers together and said, "Mai, tea." He then made his way back to his office as Masako was still not there.

Mai just sighed and went into the kitchen. "Don't let him get you down, jou-chan. He's just ready to go," she heard Monk call. "By the way, did you have any dreams last night?"

Once Mai had the kettle on the stove she poked her head into the lounge where Ayako, John, and Bou-san were sitting on one of the couches. "Not one of those dreams, monk. But I did have a nightmare. After that I just couldn't force myself to sleep."

After a slight pause Mai realized she'd said the wrong thing. She went back to the kettle so she wouldn't give too much away. In all honesty the nightmare had been about everyone's reactions once they found out Mai's ordeal. She shook her head to dissipate the growing worry. She couldn't let herself be distracted on this case! Once she had all the tea ready and had distributed it to everyone-excluding erself of course- she sat beside Ayako and asked, "Do you think you could make me a protection charm Ayako?"

Ayako and Takigawa both looked at the girl in shock. Lin had remained standing in the lounge and watched Mai carefully. "What's wrong Jou-chan? You shouldn't have any problems on this case considering this particular spirit preys on the pregnant. Unless there's something you need to tell us?" Monk teased.

Mai waved her hands frantically in front of her. "No no, nothing like that Monk. I just have the tendency to attract danger is all. I mean on just about every case I have been targeted for one reason or another and I don't want to burden you guys if it happens again..." She trailed off there and put her hands in her lap and stared at them. She didn't notice the worried looks Ayako and Takigawa gave each other. She also didn't notice when Masako entered.

"Matsuzaki-san, I think it would be a good idea," her soft voice came from somewhere at the door.

"So what? Are you saying she's a burden?" Ayako snapped.

"I wasn't saying that at all. I just feel uneasy about this case. I think we all should take precautions. Besides, if anyone burdens this team it would be you; at least Mai's dreams help," Masako answered, hiding a smirk behind her kimono sleeve.

Mai looked up and gave the medium a small smile as Takigawa restrained Ayako. "So Ayako, will you do it?" Mai asked turning to the miko eagerly.

Ayako sighed. "If it keeps you out of danger, then of course I will. In fact, I'll make them for us all."

Just then Naru walked out of his office. "Let's go; we have a long drive ahead of us."

"Why couldn't we have just gotten plane tickets?" Monk complained.

"Would you rather walk?" Naru responded.

"On the other hand a long drive might help us sort through important facts of the case!"

Mai smiled. She really did love being together with her makeshift family. She grabbed her overnight bag along with a smaller extra bag and followed the rest to the cars they would be taking.

"Lin, you and Hara-san will be riding with me in the company van. Mai, you will be with Brown-san, Matsuzaki-san, and Takigawa," Naru decided. He handed Takigawa a set of directions just in case and got into the van.

Mai rolled her eyes at the demanding tone she had come to know and love. She put her bags in the middle seat in the back and was surprised when Lin pulled her aside. He placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Be careful," before walking to the company van and getting in.

Mai watched a little puzzled but also a little happy. Maybe things wouldn't be so awkward between them after all. "Mai, come on! We're leaving now!" Takigawa called.

A/N: So there should be a little more humor in the next chapter. Please read and review!