-A/N: I haven't updated this story in about... 6 months or so? Truth is, my muse had completely died out and I found myself not liking where the story was going. But I'm determined to finish it, even if I have to force myself to keep writing! So I really hope the fans of this story haven't forgotten about it - it's because of all the wonderful reviews that I've gotten that I'm still keeping it going :)
I apologize in advance for any grammar/spelling errors or OOC-ness that you may come across. (I haven't written anything in ages, so I'm quite certain my skills haven't improved. Lets just hope they haven't gotten any worse.)
(um... this takes places directly after chapter 8 so...)
Disclaimer: I don't own, yada yada yada...
Naru and Mai found themselves walking through what seemed to be a large hallway. It was much too bright for either of them to make out any details, though.
"Where are we?" Mai asked, lifting her free hand to shield her eyes.
"I think I've been here before..."
"Hm?" The girl looked towards her boss, easily able to make out the small hint of confusion that shown on his face.
"...There..." Naru motioned his head towards the door at the end of the hallway. As the two got closer, they could see that it was slightly open.
Upon entering the room, Mai felt a strong breeze rush past her. She looked up at Naru again, who now appeared to be in a state of shock.
"What..." In an instant, she found the source of his concern. The pair were now in a bedroom, and though it wasn't as bright as it was just a moment ago, it was still very hard to make things out clearly. What they could see, though, was a young man sitting on a bed. His black outfit easily stood out, compared to the rest of the room which was mostly white.
Gene.
"I'm sorry." Mai noticed that he was speaking to a fourth person in the room. Whoever it was, they sat in an armchair that faced out the window, turned away from everyone else. The only visible part of their body was a hand that hung over the side. Though she couldn't be sure, Mai noticed that it seemed more feminine than manly.
"Everything... It's probably all my fault," Gene stated quietly.
Everything faded to white again, and soon Naru and Mai found themselves in a completely different area.
I think I can hear the ocean... Within moments, everything became a lot more clearer. "The beach?" Mai stared curiously at the scene before her.
The place was completely deserted except for two children who sat side by side a couple yards away. A girl and a boy who appeared to be the same age. Mai couldn't help but smile to herself, noticing that the children's appearances were somewhat similar to both Naru and herself. It was almost as if they were seeing younger versions of themselves.
"But who are these kids?" Mai questioned.
Naru remained silent, taking only a couple steps forward. He stopped as soon as he heard the younger girl speak.
"...But what's going to happen to us...?"
"I'd be more worried about Dad at the moment," the boy replied nonchalantly.
"You're probably right," the girl laughed quietly. "I feel bad for him. Almost as bad as I feel for that woman."
Before anything else could be heard, the two children suddenly began to fade away. Soon after, the rest of the surroundings also began to disperse until the area was almost entirely black. Mai found herself cursing inwardly. Not again... Who were those two? When she looked up, she realized was standing in an all too familiar room. Feeling a chill creep up her spine, Mai crossed her arms in attempt to keep warm. "Naru, this is the place," she spoke. "This is where I..." All previous thoughts were completely wiped from her mind when she placed her eyes on those of the man now standing beside her. "You're not Naru."
The look-a-like smiled down at her. "...Aren't I?" he asked, bringing his hand to her face. As his fingers grazed over her skin, leaving a cold trail in their place, Mai felt a loathing replace the fear she had felt just a second ago. But more than anything, there was a deep sadness that came from being touched somewhat affectionately by the monster before her.
"Mai... Mai!"
She blinked and found herself staring into the eyes of Naru.
"What happened?" he asked.
It took a moment before she could answer him. "I-I saw that guy again..." Mai lowered her head and began rubbing her eyes, waiting for them adjust to the lighting. "Are we back in our own world now?" She looked around, relieved to see they now stood in her living room.
"It would appear so."
"...So what does it all mean? I'm so confused..." Mai backed away, realizing that she and Naru were in the same position they had been in just before the lights had shut off. "And Gene... Why did he..." Raising a hand to her forehead, she tried to focus her view of the living room. Do I have a fever or something? Why is everything spinning suddenly? She turned to look at Naru who had wandered over towards the window. "You said you recognized that place, right?" Mai asked.
"Yes," he replied after a moment. "I'm certain I was there at some point when I was younger. But I've no idea what that could possibly have to do with you. And I didn't feel any kind of significance coming from that place, but it's obvious that Gene was trying to tell us something."
"So when he said everything was probably his fault... that was for us to hear?"
"Probably." Naru tried to focused his attention on whatever lied beyond the window, when he was suddenly hit by a slight feeling of deja vu. Hadn't he stood in this same position the night this all began? Even now, his eyes could make out nothing from outside. It was still too dark. ...What we saw... was it a memory, or...? Then there were those children. Sighing to himself, Naru let his head rest lightly against the window pane. Gene ...Why did you apologize?
After a moment of not thinking at all, he turned to Mai, who now looked as if she was about to pass out. "What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing. I just feel a little dizzy, that's all."
Naru immediately reached for his coat. "You should sit down."
Mai slowly headed for the sofa. She was no longer feeling dizzy, but weak. When she had made it to the coffee table, she suddenly kneeled down and let out a small cry of pain. Naru was by her side in an instant. It was only moments before she realized that he held a phone in his hand. As soon as he began dialing, she snatched it away from him.
"Leave the others out of it," she said hastily. "They need their rest." If these are just the normal symptoms of someone cursed by black magic, then it should pass...
"Mai..." Naru stared at her in disbelief. Did he really need to explain that Lin and Madoka were grown adults? That, as she very well knew, they were used to this kind of thing? Certainly Mai knew that they could do more for her than he could. And surely she must have known that if anything serious happened, they would be pissed beyond reason, Madoka especially, that he hadn't called.
"Please..." she continued, trying to ignore the bolts of pain that quickly spread throughout her entire body. "I'll be alright for now. I know it."
Naru looked at her carefully before reconsidering. "...Fine. Lie down," he ordered, taking his phone back. He simply couldn't argue with her anymore.
Mai did as she was told. A small feeling of relief clouded her thoughts as her head hit the cushion of the sofa. Meanwhile, Naru searched the area for something that could be of use. He found the same black fuzzy blanket that he had previously woken up in just two or so days ago. He unfolded it with ease before dropping it over Mai's form.
"Thank you," Mai smiled cheerfully. "Oh... Are you going to go home?"
Naru honestly couldn't tell if she was faking it or not. Was she trying to get rid of him? It was hard to read her nowadays. "...Idiot," he said softly.
Mai frowned back at him. "...So mean." She watched as her boss placed himself on the floor between the sofa and the coffee table. He must be really tired, she thought to herself when Naru leaned his head back and let it rest against her legs. Closing her eyes, Mai tried not to focus on the sharp throbbing within her and instead allowed her mind to be overthrown with thoughts of her favorite narcissist. Perhaps it was completely irrational, she thought, to be even the tiniest bit grateful towards the spell that had been cast on her. But even if it was killing her, it had also brought her a little bit closer to the man she loved. Honestly, when did I become such a romantic? she grumbled inwardly. I guess it can't be helped though...
Mai wasn't exactly sure how much time had passed after that before another question formed in her mind.
"Say, Naru..." she began, breaking the silence. Is he still awake?
"...Hm."
Maybe I shouldn't ask... Ah well. "I was just thinking... You know how to waltz."
Naru slowly opened his eyes. What's she getting at?
"And I just can't imagine you trying to learn something like that on your own," she continued. "So how...?"
"My mother," he was quick to reply. That was really all Mai needed to know. At least, it was all Naru was willing to share.
Mai tried picturing in her mind Luella trying to teach a young Naru the waltz. Though she had a little trouble trying to remember what the woman looked like, she had still painted a rather entertaining image in her head. Of course he would have been throwing frowns the entire time. On the other hand, Gene was probably... Before Mai could form a picture, she felt another burst of pain spread throughout her side. It'll pass soon... Besides, I've felt worse. I think. Slightly cringing, she returned to her previous thoughts, hoping it would distract her. Images of a very agreeable and somewhat ecstatic Gene doing the waltz flooded her mind. She began laughing out loud.
Naru leaned his head forward, surprised. It was a sound that he hadn't heard for a while now. He realized... he missed it. Turning his head, he hoped that this meant she was now feeling better. What he saw was completely different from what he had expected. Though Mai was smiling brightly - at nothing in particular, he could see tears streaming down her face. A mixture of emotions played out on the girl's face. He found it extremely difficult just to look at her.
"It hurts," Naru stated.
"It's fine. I'm in my happy place right now, don't interrupt me."
Naru took a step back and stared at the stubborn girl before him.
"Hey... how strong do you think I am?" Mai asked suddenly.
"...That depends."
"Do you think I might be able to fight this?"
Could he really give her his honest opinion? Yes, the girl certainly was full of surprises. She had proven herself on several different occasions. But this situation was completely different from any other case they had been challenged with. Naru knew well enough that the odds of Mai being able to survive a practically unstoppable spell set on killing her were fairly low, and he was the type of man who went by logic, not by faith. So... Probably not? No. That was unacceptable. Dammit. There had to be a way to fight it. Then again, even if the odds are against us... those kinds of rules don't necessarily apply to magic. She knows better than anyone what her chances of living are. That's not what she's asking me.
"Naru?" Mai gazed curiously at her boss. She was no longer crying.
"Yes," he answered after a moment. He believed it, too. After all, Mai had powers SPR had yet to see.
Mai smiled contently at hearing his reply. "I think so, too."
"..."
Before the girl could say anymore, she found herself drifting off to sleep. It has been a very long day... hasn't it...?
When Mai opened her eyes again it was still nighttime, only the lights were off. She slowly sat up and looked around. "Naru?" Through the darkness, her eyes were slowly able to make out his form. He sat in an upright position on the smaller sofa to her right with his head leaning to the side. He must be asleep... Mai stood up and stretched, letting out a silent yawn. What time is it, anyway? she wondered, walking towards the large window opposite of where Naru slept.
It's really cold. Mai peeked outside, giving one more small yawn. It's so dark out there. It wasn't always like this, was it? The only thing she could make out was her own reflection. I look so tired and - Her thoughts wavered when she noticed another figure standing beside her. "How long have you been there, Naru?"
"Not long," he replied quietly.
Mai returned her attention to the glass in front of her. She looked carefully into her reflection, confused. ....Why? Fear was written all over her face.
"What's wrong, Mai?"
"What do you-"
Before she had time to turn around, Mai was silenced by the rather disturbing sound of something cutting through flesh. In a matter of seconds, she began to feel pain spread throughout her lower region, much worse than any of the sharp pains she had felt earlier that day. She slowly raised a hand to her stomach and let her fingers brush over the object that had pierced through her. Any coherent thoughts Mai had at that point slipped away.
A/N: This was definitely a lot shorter than I had originally planned it to be...
On another note: Last time I updated I had about 80-90 reviews or something, but now it's over 100!!! Lets have a ~Cyber Celebration!~
