I'm so sorry guys for not posting any sooner but things have been so hectic, not that that's much of an excuse but it's true. I only get one day off a week with Uni and work so I'm doing my best.
Here's the next chapter that you've all been waiting for, I'll try to get up the next chapter sooner than this one though. Hope you guys enjoy it :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt! I could never be that cool :/
Chapter 7
Everything seemed to happen at once after that. Mai called out to Makoto again while she ran in his direction but she wasn't going to make it in time, she was simply too far away but that didn't stop her from trying. Makoto turned to see the fridge falling towards him, and then Naru suddenly appeared, diving towards the frozen boy. Naru grabbed onto the boy as he slid out of the way but didn't get far enough away in time. The fridge was going to fall directly on Naru's legs. "Naru!" Mai called out in horror. "No!" Mai screamed in despair as the fridge fell with an almighty bang.
Mai ran the short distance left to get to where Naru lay, holding Makoto close to his chest. Makoto was crying loudly, so Mai took him from Naru and looked him over, checking for any injuries. She couldn't find any but she would ask Ayako to check him over to make sure, for now she hugged him close, trying to soothe him.
"Thank you." Mai told Naru sincerely, implusively hugging him as he sat up. Mai then realised that the fridge hadn't fallen on Naru's legs and there was no way for him to have moved completely out of the way in time which meant one thing. "Naru, you should lie down." Mai told him, letting him go quickly, concerned.
"I'm fine." Naru replied. Then he began to stand up, Mai released her hold on Makoto to force Naru back down. "Mai, what-" Naru began but was interrupted by Lin bursting into the room.
"Are you all okay?" He asked as he rushed over to where Mai was trying to hold Naru down and Makoto sat crying.
"Yeah, Naru saved Makoto but he had to use his PK to do it." Mai explained, still trying to keep Naru down.
"I didn't use my PK." Naru objected, still trying to sit up.
"Then how else do you explain the fridge not hitting you?" Mai asked sarcastically. "I saw it Naru. It was going to land on the lower half of your legs no doubt about it." Mai explained, determined to get him to admit it. She didn't know why he wouldn't; it was his life at risk!
"Have you considered the possibility that your perception was wrong?" Naru asked, pushing Mai's hands off him so he could sit up.
"I know what I saw Naru." Mai countered. "There was no way anyone could have moved in time." Mai added, as she forcefully pushed Naru back down. Makoto was still crying and Mai felt bad for not comforting him but she knew that if she didn't get Naru to lie down and lower his heart rate, he could end up in hospital in critical condition or, worse, die. This then caused Mai to come up with a solution of sorts.
Mai picked up Makoto and sat him on Naru's chest, thereby ensuring Naru wouldn't move and allowing her to pay attention to her son. Well, she hoped that was what would happen anyway.
"Hey, come on now. There's no need to cry, everything's okay." Mai said, trying to soothe Makoto. Makoto continued to grizzle. Mai cuddled the boy while he still sat on Naru who glared up at her, trying ever so slightly to sit up but not pushing it. Mai was glad her idea worked. She had taken a guess that seeing as Naru had saved Makoto, he wouldn't want to upset the boy further by forcing him off his chest.
"Naru, I've called an ambulance, just stay down." Lin informed them as he closed his mobile.
"That won't be necessary." Masako declared as she entered the kitchen, followed by John, Bou-san and Ayako. Yasu must have stayed behind to watch the cameras.
"What do you mean?" Mai asked confused.
"Naru did not use his PK." Masako replied calmly.
"But he clearly di-" Mai began to object.
"Mai, let Masako explain." Naru interrupted her. Mai grumbled but complied. At least Naru had stopped trying to sit up.
"When the attack happened, there was another presence. It was only here for a short time and I couldn't tell anything about it other than its need to protect." Masako explained just as calmly.
"But that makes no sense!" Bou-san objected. "The whole time we've been here we've only sensed one main spirit and even that has been hard to pin point." He pointed out. "Why would another ghost suddenly appear out of nowhere like that? There have been no deaths caused by this spirit that we know of so it couldn't be a victim. It just doesn't make sense."
There was silence as everyone thought about this. Mai, not wanting to take any chances, still wouldn't let Naru sit up and continued to comfort Makoto as she thought over what the medium and the Monk had said.
Both had valid points, but Mai wasn't about to let Naru up without having him checked over. She would never forgive herself if he collapsed or worsened an already existing injury because she had let him go off and do whatever after saving her son.
"We don't know that the ghost hasn't killed anyone when they were alive or afterwards for sure. There was a period when the building was empty for a number of years, who knows what could have happened then?" Ayako asked, having to always have a different opinion than Monk.
"That's why you have been doing research." Naru informed her before turning his attention to Mai who still hadn't let him up. "Let me up Mai. Now." He ordered, glaring at her.
Mai looked at Naru, returning his glare as she comforted Makoto. "Not until the ambulance gets here."
"Mai." Naru said coldly, almost threateningly.
"No, Naru. It's best if we get you checked over even if you claim you didn't use PK." Mai replied, making sure to put special emphasis on 'claim' as she still believed he had used his PK. "Besides, it's company policy to have anyone involved in an accident or event like this checked over." Mai informed, using logic.
"I'm fine." Naru disagreed. "I don't need to anyone else wasting my time."
"Well tough." Mai told him, unmoving on the subject. "You were hired by this company to do a job and therefore, for this short period of time, you are an employee. I am in charge and I am telling you right now, you will not be moving from this spot until you have been checked over and given a clean bill of health." Makoto was whimpering slightly but for the most part had seemed to have calmed down. "Now, I will move Makoto off you but if you try and move, I will put him back." Mai threatened.
Naru glared at her but didn't say anything. Mai removed Makoto, watching Naru critically in case he decided to get up despite her threats.
"What are you all doing standing around. I pay you to work." Naru snapped. When the others didn't move fast enough Naru began barking out orders. "Ayako get back to the base and continue to go through the research, see what you can find about any deaths or accidents and make note of them. Monk and Masako go for another walk through of the office and see if you can sense that new spirit. John go take down the temperatures and then help Ayako with the research. And Lin, get me my book."
Everyone moved at once, not wanting to face the wrath of an already annoyed Naru.
Ms Akita burst into the room then. "Is everyone okay? I heard shouting and a bang and now everyone just rushed out of the room." She asked, talking a mile a minute.
Mai smiled slightly when Ms Akita mentioned SPR rushing out of the room. It was for a completely different reason to the one that she thought. "The fridge fell, nearly-" Mai paused, realising how close she had really been to losing Makoto. She cleared her throat before continuing. "-nearly hitting Makoto but Naru saved him." She paused again. It was all starting to hit her now that things had settled down and she didn't have anything to hold her attention, like worrying about Naru's health. "An ambulance has been called but I think they're both okay." Mai finished, hugging Makoto close to her, rocking back and forth slightly.
"I'll call Mr Yoshida." Ms Akita said, dashing out of the room before Mai could say anything. Not that she could at the moment, she was too emotional to speak properly now.
Mai relaxed her hold on Makoto slightly, pulling back so that she could look him over carefully. "Does it hurt anywhere?" Mai asked through a voice clogged by tears and pent up emotion.
Makoto looked up at her and nodded, pointing to his elbow. Mai took his arm carefully into her hands, rolled up his sleeve and looked carefully at his elbow. Mai wasn't a doctor but looking at Makoto's elbow, she was pretty sure it was only bruised. She leant forward and kissed it. "There, all better." She told Makoto as she rolled his sleeve back down and then kissed his forehead before hugging him close once again.
Mai turned her head to face Naru and saw that he was looking at her. "Thank you." She whispered before he had chance to turn away. Naru looked at her not saying anything but also not glaring either. They looked at each other, neither looking away. Mai couldn't for some reason.
It was broken though, when Lin walked in with Naru's little black book. Mai went back to rocking Makoto and rubbing his back in a soothing manner. Makoto's whimpering stopped and his breathing seemed to level out after a few minutes. Mai hoped he was going to be okay. Maybe he was young enough that he wouldn't remember this later on?
As Naru looked through his book, making notes, Lin finished making tea before handing one to Naru and although he offered one to Mai she refused, not wanting to disturb Makoto now that he had settled down properly.
Mr Yoshida came in then and, seeing Mai, Makoto and Naru still on the floor, rushed over followed closely by Ms Akita. "Are you all okay?" He asked, looking between the three of them.
"I think we're all fine. Lin called an ambulance to be on the safe side and they should be arriving soon." Mai explained quietly so as not to disturb Makoto but still loud enough to be heard.
"Good." Mr Yoshida nodded. "Ms Akita told me what happened but does anyone know how it happened?"
"We are looking into it now." Naru replied, still flipping through his book.
Just then the paramedics arrived, forcing their way past Mr Yoshida and to Naru and Mai and Makoto. Lin filled them in on what happened and they checked over Makoto and Naru. Naru was fine and so was Makoto, except for the odd bruise but that was only to be expected from slamming into the floor at speed.
Mai and Lin insisted that the paramedics check all of Naru's vital signs to be sure, and they agreed after Lin had a word with them. Their results seemed to agree with Masako; that Naru hadn't used his PK after all.
Mr Yoshida stayed and watched and when the paramedics left and Naru and Lin returned to the base, he walked over to Mai who was now seated at the table with Makoto on her lap. "I want you to go home and rest, take a few days off if need be." He told Mai.
"I'm fine, I don't need the extra days off but I will take the rest of the day off thanks." Mai replied, not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful.
"Okay but if you need or want more time off just call in and it will be fine." Mr Yoshida replied, giving Mai a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, I will do." Mai replied, returning the smile.
Mr Yoshida nodded and left, talking to Ms Akita as he did. Mai stood up, balancing Makoto on her hip. "Come on then, let's go home." Mai said, speaking to Makoto who was very quiet. She started to leave before remembering Makoto's Sippy cup. She glanced around the room but couldn't see it and then realised Makoto must have dropped it and that it was now probably crushed under the fridge. Better a plastic Sippy cup than Makoto, she thought as she left.
Mai entered the office and placed Makoto on her chair as she started to gather their things. "Mai are you guys okay? Do you want a lift home?" Bou-san asked, standing in front of her desk, tapping it with his fingers.
"We're fine thanks Bou-san." Mai's eyes darted over to where Naru was sitting studying the screens and then back to Bou-san. "I've been given the rest of the day off, so I'm going to take Makoto somewhere special to cheer him up." She told him.
"Do you want a lift to wherever you're going? I really don't mind." He offered. Mai gave a pointed look in Naru's direction this time, so Bou-san would understand. He just shrugged though. "It's not his business and besides, it's about time I had a break."
"We're fine, we've already got tickets for the bus and the next one gets here in-" Mai checked her watch, "- 15 minutes."
Bou-san was about to say something else when he was interrupted by Ayako. "If you really want to help, then help us look through these files." She said, giving the Monk a dirty look.
"Yeah!" Yasu agreed. "I saved a seat just for you." He winked while patting the empty seat next to him.
"Please let me take you somewhere! I don't want to have to sit next to…it!" Bou-san pleaded.
Mai shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't do that. I really don't want to get between you and your love." She replied, deciding to play along as she turned off the computer.
"So you're just going to leave me with the old hag and him?" He asked, pretending to be shocked. "You can't! That's just cruel!" He exclaimed.
"What did you say?" Ayako asked, anger lacing her voice.
"Come on guys, let's just finish going through everything." John piped up, trying to calm things down. He really should've learnt by now that it really wasn't possible.
Mai slung her bag over her shoulder, Makoto's inside her own, before picking up Makoto and turning to Bou-san. "I can and that's exactly what I'm going to do." Mai told him, grinning slightly at his shocked expression. Makoto chuckled as well and Mai was glad that he seemed to be doing okay. "See you tomorrow guys. Good luck with the research." She said to the whole room before leaving.
Mai carried Makoto all the way to the lift but when she was almost close enough to press the button to call the lift, Makoto recoiled, leaning away from the lift and whimpering. "What's the matter?" Mai asked, alarmed by his behaviour when he seemed okay before.
Mai leant down and placed Makoto on the floor so she could see him better. "What's wrong Makoto?" Makoto didn't reply but moved so he was half hidden by Mai. Mai looked to see what he was trying to hide from and realised what was wrong. "You don't want to ride the lift?" Mai asked. Makoto nodded, confirming her suspicions. The lift looked like the fridge and after what happened Mai wasn't surprised that he didn't want to go near it. "Okay then, we'll take the stairs but I can't carry you down them, so you're going to have to walk okay?" Mai asked.
Makoto nodded again so Mai stood and took his left hand and lead him to the stairs. She opened the door and led him through. "Okay, now remember to hold onto the banister and I'll keep hold of your other hand." Mai told him. Makoto nodded again which worried Mai. He hadn't spoken since the fridge almost fell on him.
Mai took the first step down and turned slightly to watch as Makoto did the same. That was when Mai felt how cold it was and realised her mistake. She was just turning to go back up the stairs when she was pushed by some unseen force.
Mai did the only thing she could do in this situation and flung Makoto back onto the landing by swinging the hand she was holding hard and releasing it as she continued to fall backwards into open air. Makoto landed safely against the wall away from the stairs and started crying as Mai fell, hitting the stairs.
Knowing that Makoto was safe, Mai tried to curl up so that she reduced the damage as much as possible and kept her vital organs mostly protected. It hurt as she tumbled down the stairs that seemed to just keep going and Mai realised that she was picking up speed but there's nothing she could do to slow herself down without seriously hurting herself, so she kept curled up as tight as possible and hoped for the best.
Mai was sure she was going to be covered head to toe in bruises by the end of this, and if she was lucky that would be all but with her luck it was never going to be that simply.
Mai reached the bottom of the stairs with a loud bang as her head connected with the floor first. Excruciating pain exploded from the back of her head and Mai lost consciousness as Makoto screamed for her at the top of the stairs.
Once again this will be another long Author's Note as I thank all you new followers, favourites and reply to your reviews :)
I'd like to thank all you lovely people who followed me and/or my story on here: 00-SilentObserver-13, DarkDreams55, alia03, Soul Hunt, Elizabethcica, Ferb O. Oche, chibi konzen, X-Sammie-Jo-X, Iloveanimex, crimsondeath121, alice7666, Vampkisslj, No1DoctorWhoFan, Akimoto Ayumu, Mistykeiry, Cirruz The Night Elf, Agent Valkyrie, Malindorie, Lady Roselyn Riddle, alovinggirl, asyiqkira, Meresdreams, Jc1009, DestinyOrton, Mrose25656, ShibuyaPsychicResearch and Baraonna. I hope I spelt everyone's names right and I'm think I included everyone, if not I'm sorry and thank you as well :)
I'd also like to thank all of you who favourited me and/or my story as well: ardx, JAD Creator, Deep-Lii-chan, Deep-Lii Chan, X-Sammie-Jo-X, Iloveanimex, crimsondeath121, Akimoto Ayumu, Mistykeiry, Baraonna, Cirruz The Night Elf, Xireana Zetsubou, Mrose25656. I've included everyone I think and hopefully spelt your names right and if not in either case I'm sorry but I still appreciate you just as much :)
Now for my replies to your reviews:
xSapphirexRosesxFan: I like what you think. I would say more but I don't want to accidentally give anything away. Hope you liked what I did at the beginning, will be interesting to hear what you think.
Guest: Haha, you are in a lucky position, sister of mine :P I hope you liked this chapter that you and everyone else have been waiting for.
ardx: I'm glad you liked seeing your name down and I hope you enjoy it again :) Haha, your review made me laugh, I have to agree that image does make trying to think hard :P
Hikari Reizumi: Thanks for your support, even if I have kind of taken advantage of it but I promise to try harder! Ooo, I might check out that manga but maybe not for a little while, I don't want to get sidetracked at the moment and it's so easy to do but thanks, I will definitely use it if I get stuck. Yeah, I didn't think Mai would be the kind to spoil her child so much that they end up being spoilt and possibly ungrateful. I thought Makoto would be a lot like her so you don't have to worry about that, I hope :P I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope you enjoyed this one as well and you're really good at guessing what might happen next or the reason for them, I'll have to try and stay one step ahead of you :P
00-SilentObserver-13: Before I say anything I have to say I like your name and I mean that. Thank you for breaking your silent observation to review ;) and I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations.
14AmyChan: Haha, that's a good point! 'Like mother like son' I never thought of it like that but now that you mention it... Yes, that does seem to be the case, but is it O.o Who knows? :P
JAD Creator: Glad you seem to be enjoying it :)
seblackburn4: Glad you like it and yeah, I thought I'd throw in that little unexpected moment to spice things up a bit :)
KittycatGirl: Thank you! Glad you like it and where it's going and of course we can stay in touch via comments and stuff! Although I hope there won't be as long a gap as before (my fault, I'm sorry), I'll try not to leave it that long again. I really like hearing what everyone has to hear and I liked your comment, had me going there for a second :)
SimpleGreyWolf: Haha, yup, another unexpected act for our cold but loveable narcissist :P Sorry for the cliffhanger but these things just have to be done at times, I definitely won't leave it as long this time, rest assured.
MzShellSan: Sorry for not updating soon! Please don't hate me! I won't leave it as long this time! I have to agree, I love Makoto as well, I would cuddle him and never let him go if he was here :)
Ferb O. Oche: Sorry for not updating soon but I'm glad you like the story so far and glad that you like Makoto! He's like my son, even if he's imaginary :P
Iloveanimex: Ooo cool, I've been to London, that's a BIG place. Glad you enjoyed the chapter and sorry for not updating sooner, had uni and work but I'm getting the hang of things now.
Cirruz The Night Elf: I'MSOSORRYABOUTNOTUPDATINGSOONER! I'll make sure to update sooner next time, Promise :) And your review made me laugh, the 'He's so adorable. I wanna squish him.' I see what you did there ;) I'm glad that you think I'm doing a good job of portraying the characters, it's harder than I thought it'd be! And you don't have to be serious, I love funny reviews as much as the serious ones :)
Agent Valkyrie: Thank you and I have to say that your review reminded me of an agent briefing another one, whether that was intended or not, I liked it. You'll be glad to know that I have no intention of giving up this story, I'm just going to continue at my own, slightly slower, pace :P
Xireana Zetsubou: Sorry for not updating sooner but it's here now so I hope you enjoyed it! :)
I think I've replied to everyone who has reviewed, if not feel free to message me and say so or say it in another review and I'll be sure to reply to you next time :)
Hope everyone's doing well and that you all had a fun Halloween yesterday. I didn't dress up or anything but if you guys did feel free to tell me, it would be interesting to see what you guys decided on. I know the trick and treaters had a varied range this year :)
