MERRY CHRISTMAS!
(Yeah, I kinda hated the last chapter, so I really wanted to make this one good! With extra special JohnxMasako-ness!)
It was you that man wanted.
You that man wanted.
You.
The words written in blood glared at him from the candle-lit wood, torturing his very soul.
He wanted you.
She died because of you.
"Naru?"Lin asked him, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder. Naru's black hair covered his eyes as his body tensed and shook. Before Lin's hand reached his shoulder, the narcissist punched the vertical board, surprisingly not even making a dent with the force he hit it with. The message he despised was now smeared all over his hand.
"Naru…you should calm yourself down." Lin advised.
The candles blew out, the small table they had brought in for the seance rattled, rising slightly in the air.
"Naru." Lin's voice was stern.
But Naru wasn't listening.
He ran, pushing Lin out of his way and hurrying out the space the door had once been. His footsteps echoed as they took him quickly down the hall, up the ladder, and out of the alley. The sun was just going down as he ran, not stopping until he reached a familiar door. He ignored the sign on the SPR entrance that read "Out on appointment" and tore through the door. He didn't bother to realize that in their haste to find Mai, they had left it unlocked.
He knocked over a stack of papers that had just recently been organized. They flew all around on their trip to the floor. He didn't know what to do. He just couldn't stand his frustration. He needed to take it out on something. Anything.
The coffee table started to shake.
The desks started to shake.
The doors opened and closed on their own free will.
He went to the kitchen. He didn't know why. It was the place Mai had always made him tea.
He opened the cupboards and threw each fragile teacup against the wall, smashing them in the process.
Naru tried to breathe, tried to calm himself down. But he couldn't.
He marched to his desk, slamming the door to his office and trying to find some peace of mind. He slid his small piles of maps and paperwork onto the ground. Then he froze.
Glaring at him was a picture frame.
The picture was taken after the first case the group had worked together on. Takigawa was rubbing his head and Ayako looked as if she had slapped something. Masako was standing with her sleeve covering her mouth. John was smiling normally. Lin was staring straight at the camera, not really any emotion on his face. Naru's own face looked somewhat annoyed. Mai was smiling brightly, eyes closed and hands in a peace sign.
Mai…
Naru took the picture in his hand. He was trembling.
He threw the picture frame on the desk, the glass shattering.
Naru was bleeding from some cuts, some from when he smashed the picture frame and some from when he massacred the teacups. One was on his cheek. A few were on his hands. There was one on his shoulder. He took a large shard of glass from the picture frame and sat down on the floor, his back on one side of his desk. He could faintly see his reflection. It was then he realized there were tears in his eyes ,threatening to fall.
"Damn." He whispered, clutching the shard of glass. He needed to get his act together. It took him a moment to notice the pain on his palm and fingers from the glass. He looked at his hand. Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to let go. Instead, he gripped it harder.
Slowly, he raised his hand and released the broken piece of picture frame. It fell to the floor, its clink echoing in Naru's mind as he looked at the deep line of blood on his palm.
What's happening to me?
Finally, he stopped fighting the tears that were already streaming and buried his face in his bleeding hand, tremors of sobs overcoming him.
Mai…
He heard the office door open.
"Naru." Lin's voice said, but he could tell the others were there too. He lifted his scowling, tear-stained face from his hand and looked at them. Their eyes went wide at the blood that was covering his face. Ayako slowly went over, ripping a part of her black skirt and wrapping it around Naru's slit hand. John handed Masako a handkerchief from his jacket and whispering something in her ear. She nodded and exited the room. She returned a few minutes later, the handkerchief was wet.
"Sorry I took long, I had some trouble getting around the broken porcelain on the kitchen floor." She stated, walking towards Naru and kneeling with Ayako beside him.
"Gomen." He forced out. She raised the wet handkerchief and wiped the blood and tears off his face.
"It's alright. It's natural to be upset."
"No one blames you, Naru." Monk stepped forward saying.
"But it's my fault!" The broken boy on the floor spat out, the two girls fixing him backing away at the sudden outburst.
"Naru," Lin said. Naru turned his face towards him. "Mai died because she didn't want you to get killed. Killing yourself on the inside is completely counterproductive."
"What are you saying, Lin?"
"I'm saying go visit Mai. Alone."
…
Naru climbed down the concrete ladder and turned on the fluorescent lights. He could already see her. She was laying there so peacefully, as if she were still asleep.
"It hurts."
He could hear her voice echo through the room. She was in pain.
"Make it stop. Please, make it stop."
It sounded like she was crying.
"Stop it! Make it stop!"
He reached her, softly caressing her face.
"Please, help. Someone, help."
She sounded like she was in so much pain. Her gasps and screams wouldn't go away; they just continued until, suddenly, they stopped.
"I don't…I don't like when that happens. Why do I have to feel that?"
Soft tears were coming to his eyes.
"Someone, rescue me soon. Before I have to feel that again."
Naru brought his head to her neck, hugging her.
Mai, who had just finished re-experiencing death again, brought her hand to her neck. It felt as if warm drops were landing there. She could feel heavy breathing on her neck. A feeling of warmth and hope filled her as she closed her eyes, breathing in the happy feeling that the tears gave her.
"Naru…" She whispered. Gene smiled. "I can feel Naru…"
…
Masako walked out of the SPR door and into the moonlight, glancing up at its fullness. She sighed and quietly ambled down the steps. Looking around, she sat on a stair halfway down them and sighed. The medium stayed in the silence a moment, waiting, listening, thinking.
She looked up. 'Mai? Are you there? I just want you to know I'm sorry. For everything.'
She looked back down at her lap as her folded hands tensed.
…for…everything…
"Hara-san?" A high male voice came from behind her. Her small body quickly swiveled around to see the blonde priest at the top of the stairs. He was looking down on her, concern obvious in his tone. "Are you alright?" He walked down the stairs at sat at her side, putting a hand on her back in comfort.
Masako blushed and quickly looked away. "H-hai, I'm fine…thank you for your concern." She stammered, not quite knowing what to say.
"You don't seem fine, Hara-san." The hand that had previously been on her back went to her folded hands.
She blushed harder. What was that electricity that seemed to jolt through her whenever he touched her? It was nothing supernatural, no. It was more like...a feeling...
"M…M-Masako."
"Huh?"
"I-I would like it very much if you called me Masako."
"Oh. Sure, Masako."
"Arigatou." She whispered, he noticed her body was trembling, her eyes were looking down. "Yes…I would like that…very much…" She put her head in her hands, shaking from soft, silent tears that quickly flowed down her cheeks.
'Mai would like that…what would Mai say…if she knew I was in love with a priest?'
"Masako, what…?" John trailed off, bringing his right hand to the left side of her face, turning her head to face his direction. Masako still didn't make eye contact with him in her blurry vision. She smiled a sad smile.
"Gomen." She whispered, drying the tears from her eyes. She tried smiling a bit brighter. "It's nothing."
John's eyes widened at the sight of her pale face in the moonlight, her deep blue eyes sparkling from the light and her tears. His hair covered his eyes.
"Gomen." He whispered.
"Huh?"
"Gomen…I can't hold it in any longer. What is this...what is this feeling I get whenever I'm around you...what is it..."
"John…"
"I'm a priest! I know that! I practiced for years, worked hard to never give into temptation, swore my loyalty to God." He took her small hand in his, clutching it as if he was in pain. His head whipped up to look at her shocked one. So what is it about you that makes me crumble apart? That makes me want to forget everything I've worked for just to be with you? That makes me want to kiss you and hold you and always be there for you? I'm not supposed to feel this way..."
"John." Masako whispered. She looked down at her lap. "All the time I wonder what people would think if they knew that I was in love with a priest." John's blue eyes widened. "I always thought that you wouldn't feel the same way, that you would never risk it. Couldn't you get into some sort of trouble with the church?" She stood up, sliding her hand out of his, looking down at him. He stared at her in shock. "So that's why…" The tears came coming back. "That's why I'm going to stop loving you. I'm going to forget the way I feel. Ignore the way my heart pounds whenever I see you or whenever you comfort me." She smiled somberly. "Trust me, John. I'm not worth it." She turned and began up the stairs again when she felt something grab her hand. Her head slowly turned.
"John…"
He had stood up and was clutching her hand, looking at her seriously. He walked up to the step she was on and smiled. His left hand went to her ear and pushed the ebony hair aside.
"You're amazing, Masako." He whispered in her ear. "But you can be really stupid at times."
The tears of sadness that had been lightly falling before had never stopped, but flowed for a different reason.
Happiness.
John's head slowly went away from her ear until his face was just inches from hers. His hand slid down to her neck as the other went to her waist without him telling it to. One of Masako's arms went around John's neck while the other hand merely stayed at his shoulder. Their lips were so close to touching...so...close...
"I'd risk anything...anything...to be with you..." He whispered
So close…
Neither one knowing who moved in first, their lips finally met.
It wasn't a makeout session, it wasn't a passionate kiss of lust. It was a chaste kiss full of love. The hand that was on Masako's neck also went around her waist, and the hand that was out John's shoulder went around his neck, deepening the kiss somewhat.
Somehow, even though it was breaking every possible rule, it felt so right to the two of them.
Mai merely watched from a stair above them, smiling at how long it took them to finally admit their feelings.
"I'm glad." She whispered. "It's best to tell them how you feel before it's too late, ne?"
Mai brought her ghostly fingertips to touch her lips.
Naru…
…
The sun rose in Shibuya as the Psychic researchers made their way down the street towards the alley.
"Kazuya!" A male voice called from ahead of them. They looked in the direction, to see a man leaning against a wall of one of the buildings.
"Kabasawa Takashi." Naru stated, his voice straight. "AKA William Jennings. We met in America, but were both Japanese. Then we were neighbors."
"Good to see you too, Naru." The redhead laughed, walking from the wall he had been leaning against. He was pretty tall, in a green shirt and some jeans. "I heard about your assistant. You okay?"
"I'm fine." It was a lie. Everyone knew it. "You're acting oddly civil, considering the circumstances."
"You think I would still hold a grudge from you beating my girlfriend nearly to death? I'm hurt, Naru." He mocked, touching his heart.
"She attacked me drunk and got on my nerves. I told you, I simply defended myself and my PK threw a table at her. Does she still walk with a limp?"
"No, but she still has that scar on her face."
"Not too bad."
"In any matter, that's all behind us. No hard feelings, right?" He walked closer to the group. "Madoka ran into me and sent me to see how you were doing. I dunno how she heard, she wouldn't tell me, but she was too busy. She seemed really concerned. Good 'ol Masoka. So, mind if I join your…uh…posse?"
"Not at all." Naru answered, voice hard, and the group began to walk again.
…
Mai walked into the room she was murdered in. She looked at the humans in the room. For some reason, she could clearly see them immediately. They were all there, just like normal.
"Well, this is where she was killed and…that's her."
"Pity," A mystery voice spoke. Mai froze. "She was pretty cute."
"Kabasawa-san," John spoke. "We're going to look around on the other side of the room to see if there is anything on the cameras or any temperature changes. You can just hang around there, is that alright?" He referred to the cameras that were set up in various places in the alley, the hallway, and the room.
"Sure, no problem." The SPR group passed right past her, walking to the other side of the room to and turning their focus to the monitors. The mystery man came into her view, hands in his pockets 'looking around the room'.
Then he looked straight at her.
Those eyes…
"You may be the spirit here, Mai," He spoke in an eerily creepy voice. "But I'm the one who's going to be haunting you."
Ooooooooooooooooh, MAI'SKILLERISBACKOMGWHAT'SGONNAHAPPEN?
And remember, if anyone wants me to read their stories, I'm happy to!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
REVIEWS!
sousie: Thanks! Yeah, she was...but i wonder how she'll be now?
Katie: Thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much! That means A LOT to me :) And, well, I guess you know the answer to both those questions now!
sweetymai90: Thanks! It is sad, isn't it? Well, a little JohnxMasako should brighten the mood a bit!
sakura-moonrise-hime: Hope you liked it!
Chibi-Kyuubi-Chan: Thanks! I'm glad you understand I can't upload as much as i like D: Hope you enjoyed it!
simplyfierceandfearless: AAAAAAAAHTEARSOMGOMGOMG! (tear fanatic XD) Haha, thanks for the review!
herbblood: Your welcome! x however many times you thanked me XD Thank you! (BTW I reviewed your poem, it was really good :D)
Black-x-kimono-x-otaku: Haha XD XD XD HE FELT THE RAGE! REALLY funny review, thanks :) He suffered mwahahaha XD ...you are kinda sadistic... o.O AND IT DOES MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND!
Guby-san: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww thank you so much!
-dreamingwandererofthelight-: Thank you!
Dark Angel Winry Rockbell: thanks :)
BloodyXandra: Thank you so much :D
crazylittlecheezer: Thank you! The thought just occurred to me one day, I don't even know why XD And now you know who killed Mai! Aww thanks! And more CONFLICTING emotions to come :)
melovepickles16: Thanks! I'll try to update more often! Happy Holidays!
cherryblossom1031:Haha, thank you! XD
Aktaiy: LOL XD (TEARS MWAHAHA XD) I read "Dealing With Mai Part 1". I hope my constructive criticism helped! UPDATE FOR GOD'S SAKE! O.O
GaarasLoverGirlKat: Awww thank you! That means a lot to me :) I'm gonna read your story soon, promise ;)
Cross Your Heart For Me: I appreciate your patience with me throughout these chapters :)
SakuraCat96: Thank you!
MoonPieeNinjaaa: Thanks! Yeah haha I get it XD
Akane Taniyama:Haha, I hate them too :P Thanks! I normally don't call him Bou-san unless it's Mai, but I am trying to call him Takigawa more often cuz that's his real name (sorry!) XD But I first watched the English Dub and then the Sub version, so I'm used to calling him Monk. Awww thank you!
Handsome Angel: Thank you, tomadachi!
fallen's child: Thanks! Now ya know!
seiyuurabu: Thank you! I'm glad you like my writing style XD
Hitori15: Thank you! I'm happy that you find this interesting :)
heavenslilangel420: Thanks! You could be right. I just got my info off a site, so they could have been adopted at 9, I'm not sure :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Kenjo: Oh don't worry. I'm not NEARLY done torturing Mai yet...so be ready...she may be vengeful and she may not :)
CHRISTMAS CONTEST!
And now a little Christmas contest! Whoever successfully translates the sentence below first in a review will get a special treat XD A few rules. 1.) NO using anything like Google translate or some other translator! That's cheating! 2.) You can't just translate and be done with your review. If you just translate, I will not give you a treat!
Here's the sentence:
"Watashi wa watashi no rebyū ga daisukidesu. Min'na, arigatō! Merīkurisumasu!"