Author Note: I am sooooo sorry for the long delay in updates. But you see I am a really bad employee and when there is no work to be done I write. But sadly the office has been busy. Two people on vacation and a work load of three. No time to write, consequently. I don't write while home. Then right after that I had the Lasik eye correction done. Haven't been able to look at a computer for more than a half hour straight before I have to run for some eye-drops. It will get better just will take some time to heal…

Chapter Eight

About two steps out the door of the hall Naru's alcohol-cogged wits caught up to him. He had just left his brother behind! Instead of standing, fighting down that ghost and finally getting answers he had ran! After finally seeing his brother, he hadn't stopped to ask any questions. He ran!

Cursing himself and looking rather upset he resettled his burden of punched-out drunk Mai and started towards her dorm. He grit his teeth at the knowing glances given him by other couples walking by. There was no point going back. By now the manifestation of his brother would be gone. Either he had been able to see his brother because of burst of power from Gene or his drinking had opened up his senses a little more and he had been open to invitation. Either way the moment was gone.

The way he saw it he had two options. Get drunk every night in the hopes that he may be able to create the right combination and see his brother again or use Mai. Getting drunk might temporary help but it would leave addictions, create headaches and ultimately he just might be so drunk that even if he did reach his brother he might not remember it in the morning! Then there was Mai. She had called Gene "dream man." Naru recalled that she had likened him to a "dream man" before. But his ego had assumed that she was just one of many who knew he was hot. Now he believed that she had actually seen Gene before and had been referring to him.

He reached the dorm and went to Mai's room. It was unlocked. He stepped in and laid her on the bed. Looking around he could see that Ayako really had shopped until she dropped. Pleased with the nice stuff he decided with a firm nod that if Mai was dreaming about Gene then he was going to be right here to get any information he could. He took off his shirt, pants, shoes and socks. Then he undressed Mai to her underwear. Nodding in approval, she was as shapely as he had imagined; lean strong muscles; small breasts, soft curve to the hips. He climbed in next to her and pulled her unresisting body close.

His mind was still fogged with alcohol, and the warmth of Mai and the blankets dropped him into sleep faster than he had been able to in a long time. Since Gene died.


When I woke up I honestly thought I was on my deathbed. My head pounded, my throat rasped and my eyes stabbed me. I also think something crawled into my mouth and died. I pulled myself off of the edge of the bed where I was perched and grabbed my day-old tea. It was much better tasting then the film that coated the back of my mouth. I also downed some headache medicine. I decided to go back to bed screw Naru and getting to work on time!

However, when I turned to climb back into bed and I realized why I had been sleeping on the edge of the bed. Naru was sleeping in MY bed!! He had sprawled out and had managed to take up most of the bed! He breathed deeply, no snoring.

Last night was a blur, I know we danced, drank… and then there was something else… I don't remember though. I concentrated on myself. I didn't hurt and I know I was told the first time would hurt… so we didn't do anything…Why was he here? My head hurt and felt muzzled. I shrugged to tired to fight and get angry, I climbed right back into that bed and laid my head down on Naru's shoulder, draped my arm over his chest and threw my leg over his like hugging a large stuffed animal. As I drifted back to sleep I felt his arms come around me and then I was out.

The next time I woke up I was sprawled across the bed and had my head buried in a pillow that smelled of Naru's cologne. Mmmm

A firm, "Mai get up." got my attention. My head came up and I blinked at an obviously showered and fresh Naru. I blinked again. He sighed, and then smirked. "The women around here were more than happy to let me use their shower and then wait for my laundry to be freshened up." It took a moment to process. Naru had been to our showers and then most likely sat around in a towel while the girls did his laundry and flirted with him. He had been sitting almost naked and I missed it!!!

He shook his head at me. And turned and started for the door. "Mai, get dressed and meet me at the office. There has been a new development in the case and we will have do discuss the next steps." And with that he left. I laid there still mind caught in the idea of him mostly naked and that other girls had seen him… Well too bad! He is going to be mine!

I pumped my arm up in victory and got out of bed and headed to the showers. That was a frustrating experience all of the girls there wanted to reminisce about Naru and to tease me. But I finally made it out of there and went to get dressed.

Despite my wishing to wear the short flirty skirts the cold weather kept me in a just below the knee wool skirt, a nice long sleeved shirt, and knee high boots and I was ready. I wonder what Naru wanted to talk about?


(Naru POV)

I decided as I looked at my weak tea sitting in front of me that I should have woken Mai up sooner. I don't know what she puts in her tea… crack probably… but that stuff is addicting! Perfectly made, not weak, not bitter and strong. Most of the time I don't even feel the need to add anything!

In disgust I pushed the tea away. Mai better hurry with her primping because if I have to go and try to make another cup of tea there will be dire consequences. I had called Lin soon after arriving in the office. It seems I am not the only one who didn't spend the night in my own bed. I am happy for Lin though, he has been chasing and being chased by Madoka for a long time. I suppose he is going to form a Marriage contract with that woman!

I felt my lip curl with involuntary disgust. I won't get caught like that and I sure as hell wouldn't be caught by some one who argues with me all the time and refuses to do as I say…

I heard the doorbell ring, thank god! Tea!

"MAI, tea!!" I call out to her.

I could hear her muttering to herself as she puttered in the kitchen. I don't care what she calls me as long as I get my morning tea… addicted much?

She comes in with the tea on a tray and I check her out again. She has come a long way from her outback scavenger look. She looks very feminine. Something I wouldn't have associated with her the first time I saw her. She handed me the tea and I gave her my intense look. She blushed. Yep still got it! I smirk as I take my first sip of good tea.


(Back to Mai)

My mouth dropped open and I think I might have had a black out. I am not sure I had heard what I think I did. "Could you repeat that?"

Naru sighed like one greatly put upon and replied. "You will be spending the night at my place tonight. I will be sleeping or at least in the same room as you and we will have a camera on to monitor all activity."

Yep he had said that. Hmmm does that sentence sound as dirty to you as it does to me? I shook my head to dispel my kinky thoughts. "Why are we doing this?"

"I know that your Dream man, Gene, is the key to this case and I am going to use you to get to him."

Gene… Gene is my Dream man? The previous evening flashed back with pictures of two Naru's, and a very very angry woman. "Is Gene your brother?"

"Yes, twin actually." Naru said with the steady voice of someone who is avoiding an emotional scene. I am going to respect that and leave him alone. God knows I don't want my own skeletons aired out. I nodded and we started our day of work.


I am not sure but I know that Lin seems a little surprised with Naru… When Naru announce the need for a video camera in his room and continues feed, he started and then nodded. But when Naru announced that I would be in the room sleeping as well he seemed to jerk and then turned away to run out of the room. If I didn't know better I think I saw him holding back some giggles…

I decided that I would leave them to hash out their manly stuff and went wandering about the campus until evening.

I am in awe of the amount of work it must have taken to get this campus up and running. When walking the paths from each of the Halls it is easy to forget that outside of the high walls of this campus is a world that has been ravaged. Dead decaying bodies are lying in the streets of many villages. Ghosts or worst haunt the roads, homes and land all around. Traveling is available only to people who are with an experienced ghost hunter. Homes are being cleared out and restructured for use; in fact, there is my old home that I have yet to visit.

My old home is in the community that was first cleared out. Of course it is in the most expensive neighborhood that this city had to offer. If you are the only bit of humanity left why not live in comfort and style? Not to mention these are the homes that before the Death Plague took everyone; were made into a self contained property. The rich being able to afford land for personal gardens, their own wells, sewage systems and everything that would allow them to hole up and wait out the plague. Too bad it didn't really work. But at least the survivors now put those homes to good use.

My home had been quite grand. My mother and father being such experienced ghost hunters had many families clamoring to live in their home under their protection. The old homes being able to support and house up to 20 families each. My parents had been the head of the house and the families in the home had worked the land, think old feudal system. The head family being supported by other families on the compound in return for protection.

Even when my father died that protection was still there because of the status and position my mother held as a trainer of ghost hunters. In fact once my mother died the compound was turned over to another team of PK and Medium, being the well run compound it was… and I was moved to the foster house located in my compound to be "kept in a familiar setting" with the lecherous man whose actions I now know were to force me into a marriage contract with him and thus elevate his status. He would have of course kept molesting girls; men like him don't stop…

I stopped in my musings. I wonder if that man is still alive? I eyed the approaching sunset. There may be still time to go and pay him a visit…

I quickened my steps to go to the bus that would take me to that old neighborhood. I hope Naru doesn't mind if I am a little late for our "date" tonight.