Hello! Don't forget to check out my other story "Hot Springs" in "Psychic Detective Yakumo"!

FYI: This is after Akumu No Sumu Ie

Enjoy!

March

Day 2

Mai's POV:

I opened my eyes to see nothing but little glowing specks of light floating peacefully in the darkness around me. I realized I was lying on my back. Whatever I was lying on was warm and firm beneath my body.

This must be one of those dreams.. I groggily thought as I slowly move to my feet. I look around to see nothing. That is until something illuminated in the distance.

The lit object started to float towards me as I stared at it. It started to form shapes within it, completely entrancing me in it's transformation.

"Hello Mai."

I whip around to see none other than that all too familiar form. Blue-grey eyes captured me with a peaceful stare, a small smile formed on his lips.

"Gene.." I sigh as I stare at him. The last time I saw him was on that case with Midori-san and her mother in that house full of mirrors. Naru showed me Gene in his reflection.

After that, he never appeared in my dreams again. Though he was only acting as my spirit guide, he did help me a lot in my dreams so when he never came back, it felt really lonely. Throughout the rest of the cases, I was alone to interpret the dreams, whether I was seeing someone's last terrifying moments or reliving them. At first I felt often lost, inexperienced, or just plain useless; having this ability and yet not having a lot of knowledge to interpret much left me feeling inadequate. But I did learn, and slowly got better.

"It's been awhile. Though it seems that you haven't needed me. I'm proud of you, Mai," Gene softly praised as he walked to me, a hint of sadness dripped through his words. I smiled.

"But why are you still here?" A grim shadow loomed over his expressions to my question. So many questions.. I have to have ask you..

"I have always stayed by Naru, and right now.." he paused for a moment. I mentally noted that he used my nickname for his brother.

"..right now, I felt as though I could help you.." he took another pause as if calculating his next words carefully.

".. You've become so powerful already, I figured you didn't need me. I had used you in the past to get to my brother, and had deceived you into thinking I was him. I feel horribly guilty for it. I don't have to go through you to get to him anymore, and so I decided that unless you needed me, then I would not force you to see such heinous things. While guiding you, I sensed you had great potential in psychic abilities and I figured that if I were using you, then I might as well aid you in the process as well. I merely wanted to help awaken your abilities. And you and your abilities have blossomed beautifully." Gene beamed proudly, still a hint of guilt in his expression.

"Thanks to you, Gene. And I completely understand! I keep thinking that if I had any chance to speak to my mom, I would take it. And you helped me in more than one way! You don't need to feel guilty, so please drop by whenever you want. I've missed you, you can't imagine what it's like with only Naru the Narcissist bossing me around without a single 'thank you'," I waved my hands above my head and acted frustrated. He smiled again, his shoulders relaxing as he gave a small chuckle. I crack a smile as the tension in the air lightened.

I don't think I could ever understand truly what Gene must have been going through, and that made me want to help him and Naru even more. I just couldn't help but feel a little hurt that he was able to see me, but chose not to. I thought about if he knew that Naru thought I loved him. If Gene thinks the same. Maybe that was also why he didn't show up in my dreams. After all, I was half convinced myself. While Naru was in England, I kept turning everything over in my mind. And when I finally saw Naru's emotionless face walk into the office after returning, I knew I was in love with Naru, not Gene. I do care for Gene, but I can't bring myself to actually love him in a romantic way.

"But why have you showed up now," I question, referring to the case we were currently on.

"This time.. I noticed the spirits are rather attached to you and Kinoshita-san. The spirits that inhabit the estate have noticed your presence," Gene's voice took on a very Naru like tone as he looked over my shoulder, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Mai, you are such an understanding, kind, and compassionate woman. And that is something that is so special and endearing about you," Gene looked back at me, his eyes softening as he smiled down at me for a moment as he paused. He continued with a more serious tone, the smile forming into a frown, "But please, try to resist the urge to comply to the spirits. I know they seem harmless, but no matter how sweet and innocent the spirit is, once that spirit gets a taste of being alive again it becomes harder for them to leave your body. No one wants to die, so they will try to possess you and stay in your body for as long as they can. And the longer they stay in you, the more dangerous it becomes for you and that spirit. Please remember that."

His voice fades as he casts me one last firm yet concerned look before I turn around to see a ceiling, my body suddenly in a laying down position.

Gene's gentle voice faintly echoed in the room as if it were a mere whisper in the breeze, "I've missed you too, Mai."

The sound of a piano floats in the air, the song instantly sets butterflies in my stomach. I sit up and take in my surroundings.

This is the same dream I've been having..

I went through the same motions again, standing, walking into the other room, hugging the man who was playing the piano from behind.

Only this time, I didn't wake up when we moved to kiss each other.

His lips felt as soft and gentle as they looked. His fingers left the ivory black and white keys as he turned to kiss me deeper, one of his hands resting on my cheek while the other snaked around my waist.

We broke apart, both breathing a little heavily as I leaned my forehead down onto his. I close my eyes as breathe in his scent.

"Takeshi.." I peacefully murmur. I straighten my back, his head resting on my stomach as I ran my fingers through his soft, black hair. I hum the song he had finished playing while his arms rested around my waist like he was a child holding onto his mother. I inwardly chuckled at this innocent action.

Time seemed to have stood still in that bright, and warm moment for us.

"Haruka," a voice boomed from behind me. I spun around to see an older man standing there. He wore a timely suit, his hair and beard were black with grey speckling through it. The fine wrinkles around his mouth and eyebrows deepened with frustration.

"Why must you be so difficult," the man huffed as his eyes bore into me. I shifted my weight in attempts to block Takeshi and this abhorrent man who seemed to warrant loathsome feelings within me.

"Your father and I already agreed on our marriage. You are acting like an insolent little child who has been spoiled too much," the angry man accused.

"Kato-san, I apologize, but I cannot bring myself to marry you," I strongly state in a low and soft voice. I stare him straight in the eyes, knowing my defiant behavior if seen by father would warrant extreme punishment. But at this point, I couldn't care.

"Please, Kato-san. Show some compassion. We are in love, and cannot bare to be apart. Surely there are countless other women in Japan who would be honored to be yours. You are a powerful politician who is only becoming even more successful, let that be enough for you," Takeshi pleaded, his low voice soft, but firm. He stood to move by my side, taking my hand. I looked up at him, surprised by his boldness. His usual soft eyes stared firmly at Kato-san.

"Don't think flattery will assuage me, boy. An ineffectual musician, the unwanted child of Kinoshita-san. Your father was a brilliant man, ruined by that weak woman who birthed you and yet never got to meet. You are of cursed blood, and a shame to your deceased father and your hard working brother. Would you want that kind of life for Haruka? Our contract is sealed, and we shall wed in a week's time. You shall end this frivolous infatuation if you care for her, lest you must make her suffer anymore," Kato-san firmly stated, his composure stiff as he turned on his heel. He paused and looked over his shoulder.

"I shall not mention this to your father, Haruka. I expect you to make the right decisions and become an obedient wife. I would hate to have to force young Kinoshita-san here out of the picture, however if that is what it will take, I am no stranger to such deeds. I will await to hear your answer on the night of the Ando Charity Ball, two days shall give you ample time to come to your senses, my fiancé. I will be off then," the older man turned his head and exited.

My heartbeat thumped rapidly against my chest, my breathing quickening as the backs of my eyes prickled with threats of tears as I my stare slid weakly to the ground. My body began to quake with the thought of the inevitable end. All this time, our love had felt like a dream, and now I was being woken up with a cold splash of water. The sweet dream beginning to transform into a bleak and painful nightmare.

My body had felt as if it was drained of any energy. My heart, though beating felt as though it was cracked and broken within my chest.

That was a threat against Takeshi.. Against his life.. The shock slowly mulling into sheer panic. The mere thought of Takeshi simply not existing hurt more than having him just not by my side. I felt Takeshi's warm body wrap around my own, molding as it always did to fit me perfectly.

"It's alright. We shall overcome this," he murmured soothingly, his chest vibrating against my hands and face. I clung to his warm body, trying to engrave the feeling into my mind fearing this would be one of the last times he would be in my arms. If I could not be beside him, then I would hope that my mind and body will remember him.

"Takeshi, he threatened you. He has the power to do that. I have heard things from my father, Kato-san is a very powerful man," I shakingly explain, still trying to fight back the tears. My heart felt as though it was about to burst through my chest.

"My dear, I will never leave your side," Takeshi pulled away from me slightly to look at me. Those gentle eyes that I loved so much gazed down at me with such determination that I couldn't help, but to trust him like always.

"Promise?"

He leaned down and lightly brushed his lips over mine.

"I promise."

I suddenly felt my body go limp. My eyes fluttered closed, obstructing my view of Takeshi's closed eyelids as my body was engulfed by a new warmth.

I slowly open my eyes, adjusting to the darkness. I was lying on my back in the middle of a large bed that after a moment of gaining my whereabouts, remembered had been in the guest room of the Kinoshita Estates. I laid there in the aftermath of my dream, warm tears streaked down my temples and cheeks. Unable to think of anything except what had happened, I breathed calmly, the remnants of panic and heartbreak still affecting my heart.

Poor Haruka and Takeshi.. To be refused to love each other. That feeling.. I felt that too when Naru had rejected me and left.. Helpless and in pain, as if my physical heart was breaking..

I closed my eyes and dragged my arm over my closed eyelids as I rubbed the tears from my lashes, my other arm drying my temples and neck from my wandering tears. I silently thought about what Gene had warned me of.

Then I felt the bed shift.

My eyes flew open. I hadn't moved.. So why had the bed?

My heart beat a little quicker as I looked out from under my arm, sliding my eyes to the left. As my eyes adjusted once more, I saw nothing so I continued to slid my eyes over the perimeter of the bed until they froze as I stared to the right side.

There, in the moonlight, sat a figure on the edge of the bed, inches from me. By the way the body was hunched over, elbows resting on their knees told me that it was a man and he was very obviously distressed.

Fear immediately set in as I slowly moved to prop myself up on my elbows. The man noticed my movement and turn towards me.

With the moonlight behind him, I couldn't see his face.

I peered closer at him and sighed, "Ryo. You scared me, what're you doi-" I froze again.

My breathing hitched in my throat as he leaned closer and his shadowed face became more visible to me in the darkness. This isn't Ryo.

"Haruka," Takeshi murmured weakly as he leaned closer to me, his face mere inches from me.

"-try to resist the urge to comply to the spirits." Gene's words reverberated in my mind as the shadowy figure sitting on my bed continued to lean towards me.

Resist! I have to resist! Please don't come any closer, I'm not Haruka! I pinch my eyes closed and flinch back, turning my face away from him.

…

I waited for something to happen, but nothing ever did. I opened my eyes to look at where he was sitting to see nothing there, but an imprint on the sheets.

I sat up and touched the imprint, the warm sheets started to cool.

He was here.. I sadly thought. Everything about this case was becoming more and more heartbreaking. I sighed as I looked down at my hands, only visible by the pale moonlight.

That's when I heard it. That song being played on a piano. That very song that makes my heartbeat flutter and pulls my stomach into knots every time I hear it.

The beautiful chords faintly echoing through the walls of the bedroom.

I couldn't stop my feet from sliding out of bed and walking to my door. I slowly cracked the heavy door open and peeked out into the hallway.

Seeing it empty I slipped through and closed my door then headed towards the grand staircase, only the delicate glow from the moonlight guiding me.

Even without the map and in complete darkness, I feel like I know where I'm going.. Takeshi, what are you trying to tell me?

I finally make it down the steps, my feet now cold from the marble. I stopped at the door to the left of the front entrance, the music more prominent now.

This is the music room.. I numbly think, remembering back to when Ryo mentioned it when we first go here.

I paused with my hand resting on the door. I didn't know what I would find behind the door, but for some reason I felt weak.

I took a deep breath and with some effort I opened the huge door and walked inside just as the song was coming to it's climax.

The music abruptly silenced.

Inside the door was a large room with equally large windows that displayed the front of the estates. The room was filled with various couches, chairs, large cabinets, and tables lining the walls. A few instruments were presented in a glass case, while some instrument cases and music stands were stacked neatly away in the corner. But in the middle of the room stood a grand piano, it's slick black surface shining in the indirect light from the moon.

My barefeet padded over the marble floor towards the piano.

I stared at it sadly as I ran my hand over the smooth keys, sitting down on the bench.

The seat is still warm..! Could someone have been playing and then just ran out when I came in? But.. I don't think that's even possible. They couldn't have known I was coming down here. Not to mention, quit playing and get out of here without me seeing them..

I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of footsteps coming from the door I left opened.

"Mai?" I stared as I watched a tall figure enter the room.

"Lin, hey." I stood and walked over to him, giving a small smile.

"What are you doing," he asked as he looked down at me, turning to the side and motioning me to walk through the door back into the main hall.

"I heard the piano and came to check it out. It was the same song as in my dream," I explained as I rubbed my arms suddenly feeling extremely cold. I realized then that I was standing in front of my co worker in only a pair of short shorts and a loose tank top with no bra on underneath.

I blushed and nervously pushed for more conversation, crossing my arms in front of my chest, hoping my silent co worker didn't notice my body's reaction to the cold air against my chest. If he had noticed, he was polite enough to not stare or mention it.

"How did you know I was here?" I stared down at my toes as I wiggled them.

"I saw you on the cameras," the ever stoic man replied. I look up to see him patiently staring down at me.

Knowing Lin, he probably knows something was off about me tonight.

"Oh.." was all I murmured, once again delved into silence.

"You should get back to bed, it's still pretty late," the chinese man advised, breaking the silence. I nodded, but couldn't help the sad, nagging feeling at the back of my mind.

"Yeah, though I feel like I might not get much sleep.. Takeshi was in my room before the piano started to play. And just before that, I had one of those dreams again." I admitted softly, thinking back to Takeshi's dark form sitting on my bed.

Lin was silent for a moment.

"I see. Would you like some tea then?" My eyes moved to Lin at his gentle request, knowing that was his way of comforting me without knowing any details. He gave me a soft look as he turned to walk towards the base.

"That's usually my line," I quietly laugh as I walk after him.

...

Lin and I ended up sitting in the base in a comfortable silence for about an hour. We had talked a little in the beginning, just about getting the piano on the audio, then about Takeshi in my room, to which Lin simply stated that I had to make sure to tell Naru.

It was about five in the morning when I started to feel drowsy again. After silently sipping tea with that same brown blanket from before drapped around my shoulders, while sitting on the couch listening to Lin type, I decided to head back up to my room.

I said goodnight to Lin and went to exit, pausing a moment to turn around as I opened the door.

"Oh and Lin?"

He turned around at my questioning tone.

"Thank you." I bowed deeply and smiled at him. He gave a slight smile of his own.

"You're welcome, Mai."

With that I exited and began my return trip to my room, all the while thinking about how happy I was with the progress of Lin and I's relationship.

I wouldn't exactly call it a friendship, but starting off from him hating me and me accidently causing him to wind up in the hospital, this was close enough. He even started to call me by my first name without honorifics, like Naru!

Lin and I don't really have long conversations, but he is rather pleasant with me now. Surprisingly, when it is just him and I, Lin often comforts me when Naru yells at me or is hurt during a case.

I finally made it back to my bed and slid under the cool covers.

I watched the dark blanket of stars outside my window faintly glow as the sun began its journey into the sky.

My eyes slipping closed into a dreamless sleep.

...

"Mai."

Who could be calling me right now? Why? Let me sleep! I snuggled further into my pillow with a small groan of frustration as I laid on my side, my knee bumping into something.

"Mai, are you awake?" The cool voice asked somewhere above my head. Whoever they were they sounded close.

"No," I moaned into the pillow I was clutching to my chest and face. As I came to my senses I noticed that the bed was indented right in front of me with a smaller indentation somewhere above my head, causing my head to laul back and rest on top of whatever was there.

"You trapping my hand there will only ensure that I stay here until you wake up," the voice threatened. My eyes snapped open, recognizing just who that voice belonged to.

I glanced up to see Naru leaning over me, his face hovering just above mine. I could feel the blood rushing to my face as I sat up quick, then wobbled back to catch myself on my hand.

"Why must you always sit up too fast," Naru asked as he continued to sit beside me, his thigh resting against my knee. I then realized that I had kicked off my sheets and laid there in somewhat revealing clothes.. in a bed.. with Naru sitting on the edge.

If steam could physically sizzle off of my blush it would have then as I attempted to pull my short shorts a little lower on my thighs seeing as how they rode up while I slept.

"I told you to set an alarm for six, it is seven. Why didn't you get up," annoyance laced through his accusing question. I sat frozen still leaning back on my hand which was planted right next to Naru's causing the tops of my fingers to lightly connect to his. Naru was still slightly leaning towards me as he stared at me, waiting for an answer.

"I had a dream last night, and then.. Takeshi was in my room when I woke up. After that I heard the piano playing and stayed in the base with Lin for a little before going back to sleep," I rushed to explain, hoping it would help me escape out of Naru's inquisition.

Naru stared at me for a moment, his eyes seemingly searching mine. He seemed to find what he was searching for, because he moved away from me and stood.

"Lin had informed me of such events. Get ready quickly, and come to the base to give me a full report of last night," Naru commanded as he walked towards my door. Mentally noting that my door was closed, as he turned the knob.

"Naru.." I called warningly as I felt a tinge of annoyance bubble up through me, realizing that Naru just wanted to give me a hard time even though he knew I had a rough night.

Naru paused, before opening the door to turn to look at me.

"If you already knew then why did you ask me?!" My voice raised as I swiftly stood up and huffed. My hands clenched at my sides. Naru merely smirked and continued to leave, but not before calling out over his shoulder.

"Get dressed, Mai."

I blushed as he closed the door between us.

I grumble as I walked to my bag and retrieved my toiletries bag and some clothes.

"A nice warm shower should make me feel much better," optimistically musing to myself as I hummed while grabbing everything I needed.

I headed towards the bathroom door that was in the corner between the windows and my bed. While continuing to hum I walked in and enthusiastically began my shower.

After I was clean, I quickly used a white towel to dry my hair before tightly wrapping it around my body. I had gotten so used to using only one towel at home in order to not have as much laundry to do at the laundromat that I didn't need the countless amount of towels stored in this beautiful bathroom.

I brushed my teeth and bent over the sink to get some water in my mouth and rinse, the short towel around me loosening ever so slightly. Still bent over, I splashed some water over my mouth to get rid of any remaining toothpaste. While doing this I failed to hear the other entrance to the bathroom, the door leading to the other bedroom clicking open.

I whipped my head over at the unexpected movement and froze.

I watched as the door swung open and in walked none other than Naru.

I hope everyone's having a good week so far! I was a little preoccupied this week, so my updates had to be postponed, but I finally got to it.

As per usual, please do not hesitate to review, tell me what you think, what you like , don't like, what you think will happen, all that jazz.

I'll try to update again soon!

Ciao

-Nekothorn