And the World Turned

"And there in a dream somewhere in the night saw the boy and the locket by the riverside..."


I sipped at my hot mocha as I waited for Yasu to show up for our scheduled "date". He was running late, which wasn't like him. It was Monday but we both were out of school for spring break. It was weird falling asleep at the end of February and waking up the first week of April, it was winter when I fell unconscious and now the cherry blossoms were blooming. I'd been awake for a full week now and out of the hospital since this past Friday after the doctors spent a full work week poking and prodding me to make sure I wouldn't relapse. I didn't even know you could "relapse" into a coma, but what do I know, they're the doctors.

Naru originally wanted to meet with the entire team as soon as I was released from the hospital, but the war council has now been postponed to this Wednesday. Madako, having been called in after I fell into my coma, was concerned that Naru was getting in over his head and called in the big guns. Naru's father was flying in tomorrow night and apparently he wasn't too happy with his son keeping him out of the loop. I wonder what his opinion on his son's boyfriend will be. I snickered to myself, revenge is sweet.

I looked up when I heard the door to the relatively quite café open and waved Yasu over to my table. While not as meticulous with his appearance as Naru, Yasu was still normally more put together then he was now. He looked like he just rolled out of bed.

"Is the grunge look back in?" I asked as he sat down after grabbing a cup of coffee at the counter.

"Sorry I'm late, my alarm didn't go off." I might have believed him if his shirt collar was doing a better job of covering up the recent looking love bite on the side of his neck.

"Uh hu, sure Mr. Hicky says otherwise. You need to fix your collar" I pointed to his collar while giving him my best you're-full-of-shit look.

"I didn't lie I just omitted the reason why my alarm didn't go off." Yasu didn't even look embarrassed about it and calmly went about straightening his clothing. "Naru turned the alarm off before he fell asleep. Said he deserved more sleep after what I did to him last night."

My cheeks flushed and I sputter into my coffee nearly choking. Yasu really has no shame. I was still getting use to the idea of Yasu and Naru dating. I really couldn't take the sexual references this early in the morning. Not that I had a problem with homosexuality it was just so odd imagining Narcissistic Naru-chan unclenching his tight ass enough to actually be intimate with another human being (pun intended).

"Can we lay off the sexual innuendos until the caffeine takes effect, please?" I asked while my face returned to a somewhat normal color.

"I thought the whole point of our meeting up today was to talk about my relationship with Naru?" Yasu settled back into his seat and shot me a questioning glance.

"Well it was until Naru unintentionally spilled the beans by blushing like a school girl when I asked about you two." I shrugged. "I don't know why I'm okay with it, but I am. I should feel upset, because for the longest time I thought I was in love with him, but I guess, maybe I wasn't after all." And it's the truth. There was no jealousy or sadness that Naru had found another. Maybe I was growing up or the events of the last month made me realize some things I didn't before.

I don't think I really ever loved Naru or Gene. I was more in love with a strange combination of the two. Separate I just couldn't see myself falling for either of them. Naru was my asshole of a boss that I enjoyed verbally sparing with even though I always lost. Gene was like the brother I never had, always there with some helpful advice and a shoulder to cry on.

Yasu sighed and ran a hand trough his hair. "That's good. I was worried this might hurt our friendship."

"Nah, we good." We fist bumped and I chuckled in relief, glad that there wasn't going to be any awkwardness between us.

"So, did you figure out what you're going to do about school? You were kind of freaking out about missing a whole month when I visited you on Tuesday." Yasu asked, apparently done trying to embarrass me.

"Yah, Michiru stopped by with a letter from the school saying they're going to let me retake all of the classes I have now failed because of my absence. If I pass all my classes I'll graduate a semester behind my classmates." I'd cried when I first read the letter, but I've always been more of a glass is half full kind of girl so I got over the initial disappointment quickly. So what if I graduated late, at least I would still be able to.

"Well, let me know if you need any help studying. I don't have much time between college and work, but I can always spare an hour or two to help out my favorite dream walker" He shot me a wink as he took a sip from his cup.

"Oh! You know other dream walkers! Yasu have you been running around on me!" I gasped out dramatically clutching my hands to my heart.

Yasu grabbed my hands and clenched them between his. "Of course not Mai! You know you're the only dream walking, astral projecting, tea making girl for me!" He finished off his exaggerated performance by placing a kiss on my hand before giving me a sly wink. We both sat back in our seats and cracked up laughing. There were a few glances shot our way but for the most part we were ignored. Yasu and I came to this café on a regular basis so the staff and other regulars were use to our odd behavior.

"Well what else has been happening since I've been trapped in dream land? Has Naru taken on any new cases?" I was out of the loop and everyone was refusing to talk with me about anything "work" related. I knew I could count on Yasu to fill me in though.

"No, Naru has been pretty focused on his brother's case since Lin told him that Gene's been contacting you." Yasu answered in full on gossip mode.

"What about the case Naru had you calling everyone about the day before I was hospitalized? Lin had mentioned he'd met someone that Sunday at the office about a potential case."

"Yah, well it wasn't so much a case of someone having paranormal issues as it was some crazy guy wanting us to find a spirit for him. Madako was a huge fan of his though so she convinced Naru to at least look into. Your situation ended up taking priority so the case is on hold for now."

"Find a spirit? Why would someone want that?" Whoever this guy was sounded like a nut.

"Well the client it a pretty famous artist, but he confided to Madako that all of the paintings he's famous for were actually painted by a spirit that would come into his cabin at night and use his art supplies. He would leave the supplies out and then when he would wake up in the morning there would be a beautiful landscape painting sitting on his easel. Mr. Isshin claims that this has been going on for nearly two years but a few months ago the spirit stopped showing up." Yasu shook his head in disbelief apparently not buying the man's story.

"And now he's famous and people expect him to continue painting, but he's claiming it was never him that painted any of the works to begin with, right?" If true it sounded like an interesting case, but it seems like the guy needs a therapist more than a paranormal researcher.

"Yup, that's about the jist of it." Yasu answered while looking out the window, watching the people walk by. It was getting to be late morning and the foot traffic outside was picking up. We would both have to leave soon. Naru asked me to stay available until after his brother's case was closed, even offering to pay me, but I still wanted to look for another job.

"And Naru agreed to take the case? While kind of interesting it sounds more like the guy has a drug problem not a spiritual one."

"Well, as I said Madako is a huge fan of Mr. Isshin's work so she kind of strong armed him into taking the case." I shook my head, I think Madako was the only person in existence that could "strong arm" Naru. Well maybe one of two people now, I though as I looked over at Yasu. He looked so happy, which for Yasu was normal, but now he practically radiated contentment.

"Did you know?" I blurted out not even realizing what I said until it was past my lips.

"Huh?" He shot me a quizzical look and I fiddled with my now mostly gone drink.

"Did you know about who Naru was before Lin sent out that email?" Kami, I could be so insensitive at times. I really need to learn to rein in my curiosity, I was getting to be as bad as Naru.

"Yah, but only because I was snooping around in his room the one time he had me over to his place and I found his passport, which of course listed his real name." Yasu seemed blasé but I caught a flash of annoyance pass over his face. "We had only been going out for a couple days so it wasn't a huge, but I sometimes wonder if he would have ever told me on his own."

I placed a comforting hand over Yasu's. "I know he would have, but you know how he is. He was probably just trying to figure out the best way to tell you. He's not the best when it comes to emotional situation."

He let out a sigh. "You're right. I have to remember who I'm dealing with. I decided to claim that stuck up Narcissist as my own and now I must pay the consequences. Oh Woo is me." Yasu flopped back into his chair and draped his right forearm over his face as I fought off a fit of giggles. They'd be fine. Yasu's playful nature and sense of humor was the perfect balance to Naru's more serious persona.

"So does Lin know about you and Naru? I mean if he's been spending the night at your place, Lin must know there's something going on." While I was originally planning on telling Lin myself, I decided it really wasn't my place and Lin seemed to have forgotten my promise to tell him what I was laughing about the night he fell asleep in my hospital bed.

"No, Naru only comes over when Lin stays at the office." I cocked my head to the side confused by Yasu's statement. From the sounds of it Naru had been spending almost every night at his place recently.

"Has he been doing that a lot?" I asked already suspecting that he has. Why the hell would Lin be spending his nights at the office? He promised me he'd start getting more sleep now that I was out of danger. I still had his fire shiki (that I'd since dubbed Fudo) following me around to assure that if I did have anymore dreams it would wake me before I was harmed. I knew Lin must be somewhat okay if his shiki was willing to leave him. Even if it had been ordered, his shiki could disobey if it pertained to their master's safety, or so Lin claimed.

"Naru's been at my place every night this week, so yah. I tried to ask him if Lin was doing okay, but all he said was Lin would be fine, that he just needed some space." Yasu answered, concern written across his face as he shrugged his shoulders in bafflement at his boyfriends behavior.

Naru called me up the day after he met with Lin and I to say he'd be telling the rest of the team about Lin's mom, but he would withhold anything that he didn't believe pertinent to the case. I was surprised at how understanding Naru was being, but grateful that he'd inform the others when Lin wasn't around. I don't think he could take reliving his past again so soon. Lin's wounds needed time to scab over before being picked at again.

"I hope he's sleeping and not staying up working." I mumbled to myself and picked up my mocha only to realize that I'd already finished it. "Damn I need more coffee."

"Then go get one instead of cursing about it." I jumped in my seat, startled to hear Naru. I looked up just as he took a seat next to Yasu. I blinked and then blinked again; I couldn't get over how relaxed Naru seemed sitting next to his boyfriend. I snicker internally. Yasu must have removed the stick up his ass so he could… I gave myself a mental shake. Bad Mai keep your mind out of the gutter.

"Fine, don't even say good morning, you really need to teach your boyfriend some manners Yasu." I grumbled as I made to get up and head over to the counter to order another mocha, even though I should be saving my money. Ayako paid my bills while I was unconscious, but I wanted to pay her back and I wasn't going to ask for another handout for next month's expenses. I sighed, even with Naru paying me a retainer's fee I still need another job if I hope to pay Ayako back.

Naru grabbed my arm before I could make it past the table. "Get me a tea." He order as if I still worked for him. Kami, I wanted to smack him, but settled for ripping my arm out of his hold and glaring daggers at him instead.

"I don't work for you anymore. If you want me to get you something either ask nicely or get it yourself." Errr. He made me so MAD! Would it kill him to be nice to me?

"Fine. Please Mai could you get me a tea while you're up." I gaped at him. Did he just say "please"? Okay who is this man and where the hell did Naru disappear to.

"Well, I asked nicely. Are you going to go get our drinks or stand there gaping at me like a dead fish?" Naru quirked his eyebrow as he waited for my response. Rendered completely speechless I instead turned around and went to get our drinks.

I placed my order at the counter and waited for the college aged girl barista to make up my order. I leaned against the wall next to the counter and looked over to where Naru and Yasu sat quietly conversing. Naru was relax and was leaning in so he could better hear whatever Yasu was saying. The normal dark cloud in his eyes was gone and I think I even saw him smile a bit. I smiled to myself. No matter how much of an ass he was, it filled my heart with joy to see him happy.

My smile changed into a frown as my thoughts turned towards the other Davis twin. He deserved to be happy too and I would do my best to make sure both brothers found peace. How was I going to free Gene though and was Naru really in danger by just being in Japan? I wonder why that demon lady hadn't already made a move before now. Naru's already been in Japan for a year now and nothings happen to him. We were missing something. Gene's spirit became trapped after he died, so maybe as long as Naru is alive he's safe.

I tapped my finger against the wall behind me as I stared down at my pink sneakers. Gene was trapped but the demon lady said he was sneaking out to see me so he must've had some freedom to come and go as he pleased. That still didn't answer how or where he was trapped and why he contacted me instead of his brother or Masako. Grrrr this was frustrating! I grabbed my head in frustration, why can't anything be simple!

"Miss. Excuse me miss. Your order's ready." I looked over to see the young woman behind the counter giving me a strange look. I flushed in embarrassment. Kami I must look like a nutter.

"Sorry, I was a little lost in my thoughts." I apologized as I went to pick up the drinks on the counter, but the barista had already gone back to the espresso machine. I sighed, well it's not like the employees here didn't already think I was nuts with the way Yasu and I normally behaved in here.

I picked up our drinks along with a refill for Yasu for I had notice he'd finished his coffee as well, and headed back to the table. I placed Naru's tea on the table before making my way to my own seat. I didn't want to push my luck so I didn't bother to ask for a thank you. We sat quietly for a moment as we all sipped at our drinks. I took the time to discreetly watch Naru and Yasu interact closer up, they were so cute! Naru would sneak glances at Yasu when he didn't think that other was paying attention and Yasu would brush his arm against Naru's and gently touch his hand when he leaned over to whisper in Naru's ear, causing a slight tinge of pink to shade Naru's cheeks.

"Aaw, You two are so adorable" I giggled as Naru quickly pushed Yasu away while at the same time Yasu chuckled at the other's behavior. Naru took a sip of his tea in an attempt to hide his growing blush. He just made it too easy! I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to tease Naru or that he would react like a blushing school girl! I've definitely found a new hobby.

"So what were you two talking about before I came in?" Naru asked seemingly back to his old self.

"Mai was asking about Lin." Yasu answered for me.

"Oh" Was all Naru said before going back to sipping his tea, but I didn't miss the flash of worry.

"Naru, what's wrong? Lin seemed fine to me, but I haven't had a chance to talk to him in private since Monday night. Did he say something to you?" Naru was tense and he wouldn't look me in the eye, what could be wrong with Lin to get this kind of reaction from him. "Is Lin okay, does this have something to do with why he's been staying overnight at the office?"

"He's been having nightmares and waking up in the middle of the night screaming in Chinese." Naru mumbled into his tea and continued to avoid my eyes. It wasn't concern he looked guilty.

"Okay, that's kind of understandable, but what does that have to do with him staying at the office?" I glared at him as he continued to fiddle with his tea and ignore my gaze. I had an idea what this might be about, but I wanted the ass to admit to his folly.

"He didn't want to keep waking me up." Hah! I knew it, that inconsiderate ass wipe!

"But, Naru you've been staying at Yasu's, why would he have to worry about waking you? Unless you've been selfishly keeping that fact from him because you're too embarrassed to admit that you're gay." I spoke in my most sickly sweet voice. "I can't believe you would be THAT self-centered" I added sarcastically.

"I'm not gay" Naru mumbled under his breath as if afraid to even speak the word.

"Maybe I should record the next time you sleep over at my place if your memory is that short." Yasu replied with a smile, seemingly unperturbed by his boyfriend's rejection. Naru didn't bother to reply.

"Naru, you are going to call Lin up right now and tell him that he doesn't have to sleep at the office tonight." I glared at him as he finally met my gaze. I didn't see anything but contempt in his eyes. How could he be so considerate of Lin's situation one moment, but so gut retchingly ignorant of other's feelings the next?

"And what if I don't? What right do you have to stick your noise into my personal affairs?" I got the impression he wasn't just talking about his relationship with Yasu. My breath caught in my throat. I took a deep breath, one of us had to keep a calm head and I got the feeling it would have to be me.

"I'm sorry Naru, but you're not the only one suffering here. Someone needs to stand up for Lin because Kami knows he won't say anything himself. That's something you both have in common, too much damn pride." I answered trying to keep my voice even, even as my anger rose. "If you don't want your family knowing about you and Yasu yet, I'm sure Lin will agree to not tell.

"Hah" Naru cut me off before I could continue. "Lin works for my parents. It's his JOB to tell them everything I'm doing. He may be willing to lie to them for you but he won't for me." What was his issue? I knew that Lin and him weren't exactly friends but now he was being positively hostile. Lin might work for his parents, but if Naru asked him to keep his secret he would.

"You know what your problem is Naru, you don't even attempt to trust other people." I pointed a finger in his face. "Sometimes you have to have faith in others. Lin is honorable he won't rat you out to your parents, especially when he sees how happy you two are together."

Naru went back to avoiding my gaze and Yasu looked between us clearly amused. Well at least one of us was having fun. I huffed. This is stupid Lin's staying at the office probably NOT sleeping just because of Naru's embarrassment. My ire rose and Fudo unwound from my neck in response to my emotions. Hmm that gave me an idea. When diplomacy fails it's time to bring out the big guns, or in my case one little dragon with very sharp claws and a whip like tale.

"Hey, Fudo why don't you go see if you can scare some sense into Naru?" I mumbled under my breath. The little elemental understanding my intentions floated over and settled onto Naru's head before digging all of his four feet and accompanying needle like claws into Naru's mop of black hair.

Naru yelp and swiped at his head, Fudo with his mission completed, detached from his head and once again came to me and settled around my neck. "What the hell was that?" Naru shouted startled as Yasu glanced over at him trying to figure out why his boyfriend was now rubbing at his head.

"Some sense." I said keeping my face completely blank even as I fought off a grin. "Lin's not going to rat you out so call him so he can get a somewhat good night's sleep."

"Mai, what the bloody hell was that?" Naru once again asked completely ignoring what I said, coming to the conclusion that I was the one responsible for his now aching head.

"You promise to call Lin and I'll tell you." If I had to play off of Naru's unquenchable curiosity then I would, I wasn't above blackmail, at least not when it came to Naru.

"Fine, I will call Lin as soon as you tell me why it just felt like one of Lin's shiki just latched onto my head." I blinked. Well this was an interesting development.

"Lin's sicked his shiki on you before?" I held back my chuckle thinking of all the many reasons why Lin would do such a thing, it was a long list.

"Yah, its Lin's way of reminding me to get home when I stay at the office too late."

"Probably more effective then calling you, considering you never answer the phone." Yasu chuckled out as Naru glared at him.

"Mai, explain." Naru turned his glare on me and I stumbled over my words to reply. You would think I'd be use to his glares by now.

"W-well, you see Lin's fire shiki seems to like me so Lin told it to keep watch over me." I ran my hand over the little lizard around my neck, which must looked odd to those that couldn't see him.

"But you can see him and from the looks of it touch it as well." Naru motioned to my neck were I still had my hand.

"Yah, Lin said it was pretty unusual." I replied looking up at both men who both were looking at me with the same look Lin gave me when he saw me petting his shiki, complete astonishment.

"It's not unusual Mai, it's unheard of and to also be able to command a shiki that you have no contract with." Naru shook his head. He was speechless. Now that's disconcerting. He gave me another look that had me crawling in my skin.

"As I have already told you I'm not a guinea pig Naru, and I promised Lin I wouldn't let you take me off to England to study." I glared back at him; I distinctly remember already having this conversation. He really was like a dog with a bone when he found something or in my case someone interesting.

He huffed. "You make it sound like I'm going to dissect you; I just want to test your abilities."

"No" I promised Lin and even if I didn't think I was going to be overcome by my abilities, the prospect of becoming some sort of test subject for Naru and his Father, took all the appeal out of visiting England. No matter how much I want to see Big Ben.

"Now, I kept up my end of the deal. You have a phone call to make." I grinned at Naru as he squirmed in his seat. He disserved all the discomfort he got.

"Fine" Was all he responded with as he took out his mobile phone and flipped it open. He raised it to his ear and I could just hear the other line ringing. Lin's voice was too muffled to make out what he was saying, but I could tell it was him on the other line when it picked up.

"You don't have to sleep at the office anymore." Naru spoke into the phone without even bothering to say hello. Yasu and I rolled our eyes at his poor phone etiquette. "I've been staying at Yasu's place." There was a slight pause as Lin said something and Naru once again shifted in his seat before taking in a deep breath. "No, we're dating" Naru spoke just above a whisper before I heard a thunderous laughter from the other line. His cheeks turned a bright red and he quickly flipped the phone shut, ending the call with the still laughing Lin.

"Happy" He rounded on me with cheeks still an adorable rosy red.

"Very" I responded cheerfully.

"Bitch"

"Prick"

Yasu laughed. "You two act like siblings."


I wanted to make the chapter longer, but I've had this done for over a week and it's been awhile since I've updated. I just love the dynamics between Mai/Naru/Yasu I couldn't resist having them all together to chat it up. So now we are all filled in with what's been going on since Mai's been out of commission. This was kind of a filler chapter, things will start moving more next time.

I should have the next chapter up by next week. Let's just say Chiaki makes another appearance and Masako finds someone else to swoon over now that Naru is taken. And the "War Meeting" finally takes place!

Chapter Title: "And the World Turned" by Gabe Dixon Band