Disclaimer: *sighs* If I owned Ghost Hunt Mai and Naru would be married with twins right about now... lol Thanks to all my reviewers! And of course those who liked this so much they favorited it and added it to story alert. Here's a special 4th of July treat! Enjoy!


Chapter Nine: The Truth Hurts More Than One Could Know

Once Naru was in his and Lin's room- how he was hating that man that called himself his guardian- he slammed the door shut. He allowed himself to sit on the edge of his bed if only for a moment before he started pacing. How could this have happened? How could they have done this to him? And then he remembered Mai's words.

"I was LONELY, Oliver! How long did you think I could stand you ignoring my very existence? I can't very well help that the man I've truly wanted just ignores my feelings! I was being honest when I told you I loved you, you ass! But how did you react? Oh yeah, you told me I was in love with your dead brother."

His hand unconsciously went to his chest. Her words hurt. But he supposed he deserved this. After all, couldn't he see the pained expression in her eyes every time she had brought him tea? She always, always, waited for him to say something. At first he had only thought she was expecting to be thanked. And now? He didn't know.

A desk slamming into the wall brought him out of his thoughts. 'Damn it!' he thought as he struggled to bring his anger in check. Yes, the great Oliver Davis was having trouble controlling himself. He was livid- not at Mai, whom seemingly betrayed him- at himself for being wrong. Oliver Davis had been wrong and, he was afraid, it was costing him those he held dearest. His anger subsided in an instant replaced by a hollow sadness he hadn't felt since Gene's death. He made it to his bed and silently allowed the tears to consume him.

~Meanwhile~

While Naru and Mai struggled with their feeling for each other, Lin was in a similar position. He had called Madoka only to ask where she was. She had been at the library so he made a beeline for it, making sure to keep one of his shiki with Mai.

When he'd reached the said library he met Madoka in the private and closed off room that the librarian had given her. She looked up at him, surprised.

"Lin! What are you doing here?" she asked in a chipper tone of voice. He closed his eyes in response. She was cheery then but wouldn't be for long. And all because of him. He'd been so foolish. He sighed. Everyone had their cross to bear but Lin didn't think he was quite ready to break the happy woman in front of him.

Madoka frowned as she caught the look on Lin's face. Something was bothering him. She felt her heart speed up it's pace, as if it knew something bad was about to happen. She walked up to her boyfriend and didn't stop until she was looking up at him. "What's wrong?" she asked, nervous.

Lin opened his eyes and led Madoka to one of the two computer chairs in the room. He pulled the other one up to hers slowly, cautiously. He felt her watching his every movement. "Lin?" she asked and it seemed as if she were pleading with him.

Lin took a deep breath. "Madoka. Mai is pregnant," he stated. He figured that was as good a place as any to start.

Madoka's eyes went wide and suddenly she was bouncing in her seat and squealing. "That's wonderful! Noll finally did it! Gosh, we have to plan her a baby shower and everything-!"

Lin interrupted her. "Madoka... The child is not Oliver's." He sighed and let his head hang for a moment before bringing it back up and looking his girlfriend in the eyes that were suddenly filled with curiosity and dread. "I have something I have to confess to you Madoka. Taniyama and I... Made a mistake."

At this Madoka's eyes filled with tears. She didn't want to hear anymore- didn't have to. She held her hand up to stop Lin from continuing. The only question she could ask was, "Why?"

Lin held his head in his hands for a moment before answering, "Noll kept us both late that night and she was handing me tea. When I stood, I tripped and landed on her. I'm so sorry, Madoka. I didn't mean to lose it the way I did. The sin I committed was unforgivable and I apologize for hurting you. As an onmyouji I should have had better control of myself."

Madoka barely managed to keep from sobbing. What was so great about Mai that he'd wanted to sleep with her so bad? Was she not good enough? "How long have you loved- or desired- Mai?" she asked, her voice breaking.

Lin looked at the woman he loved more than life in shock. This was the last reaction he expected from Madoka. Yelling and hurt of course. But she looked so utterly...broken. He stood and brought his broken world to his chest, cradling her in his arms and prayed to any god willing to listen that he could fix this. After a moment he responded, "Madoka, I have loved only you and will only love you. I don't know what I can do to prove it to you but I swear I will do anything to fix this. I have been missing you this whole time and even when I was with Taniyama I imagined that it was you instead."

It was at that moment all the pent up frustration and sadness Lin had been feeling caught up to him. He barely bit back a sob as the tears started. He lowered his head trying to hide his tears. Madoka let loose then as well and buried her face in his chest. They stayed crying like that for nearly an hour.

A/N: So what do you guys think? Too much? Too OOC? I kinda of like the way Naru reacted. Oh, and in the next few chapters things will lighten up a bit but not much. I think Madoka and Lin will be okay. And maybe once Noll calms down, him and Mai will be okay. Anyway, please enjoy and review!

~Ja ne!~ And Happy 4th of July!