Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I recommend listening to Helena by 'My Chemical Romance', maybe not with this chapter but it kinda goes along with the story.


May 6

day 4

Closer


Mai woke up with a yawn, her eyes felt itchy but that was probably because she'd cried herself to sleep. She walked over towards her nightstand, sighing as she noted that, yes, she did have red puffy eyes and no, make-up would most likely not hide it at all. She tried anyway and in ten minutes time Mai was staring at a less red but still swollen-eyed version of herself in the mirror.

Pushing herself away from her reflection she went to get dressed for the day. All of the major wedding preparations were done and Madoka had left the day before her 'wedding' for relaxation. But Mai was hardly relaxed. She had a checklist for today with only one task on it.

1: Spend time with Narcissus.


He couldn't be sure but Naru was almost positive he had just slept in a tree. It hadn't been comfortable and walking in to the house was bothering his back, but he hadn't fallen and that was what had surprised him the most.

He had left the tree, of course, since Natsume's visit. He'd had--stolen--dinner in the kitchen, changed his clothes and snuck a peak at the wedding rehearsal. From his perch in the tree he could see almost everything going on in the house, and now, walking back towards his guest room, he felt uneasy not knowing who could approach and especially whether he wanted to be approached by them.

He turned a corner, careful not to make a sound but his efforts were futile. Standing with her back against the door, looking less than cheerful, stood Mai.

She looked up as he approached and her eyes softened.

"Where were you all night?" Mai scolded.

Naru frowned. "Why you weren't waiting were you?"

Taking a step away Mai blushed and crossed her arms. "Of course not!"

"Of course not." Naru reiterated and reached past her to open the door to his room. For a brief moment her skin met his and they froze for an instant that was over before it had begun.

"Naru..." Mai said slowly.

"Yes Mai."

"Would you like to...go to town with me today?" she asked with a smile.

He blinked, his version of complete astonishment, and then before Mai could change her mind he nodded and left her in the hall so that he could change his clothes.


"You're going to town?" Natsume confirmed with Mai and Naru who were looking embarrassed about having to check with Natsume that this was okay.

'Imagine Naru, embarrassed.' Natsume inwardly chuckled.

"I just need to pick up a few things and then I thought I'd go the bookstore, go food shopping. That kind of stuff." she rambled.

Natsume nodded, fumbling in his pockets for something.

"Here take these." he said, handing her his car keys and a folded square of paper.

She took the car keys, smiling because he'd lent her his Jeep, his baby, his favorite, and first, car in the world. Then she proceeded to unfold the paper.

Once. Twice. Three times she unfolded but it was bigger than she had imagined. The list was long and organized according to 'most vital' and 'knick-knacks.' She practically cried.

"You want us to pick up all of this stuff as well?" she whined. Natsume reached forward and shook her hair playfully.

"Just take as long as you need." he smiled suggestively, and before Naru could insist on knowing what he'd meant, he was gone.


Fact: There is nothing weirder than being set up on a 'date' by your fiancé.


"Ayako?" Monk asked uncomfortably, "Just what are we doing?"

"Just shut up and hold still!" she hissed as she heaved her feet on to his shoulders and looked around.

They were currently looking in through the window of Natsume's bedroom, where said young man was having a 'suspicious' conversation with Madoka and Lin. Natsume said something and the other two laughed, Ayako listened harder.

"I hope those two will be alright..." Natsume said casually. Madoka and Lin nodded in agreement. "But-ah, at least its working right?"

"Phase four is going well correct?" Lin asked his wife.

Madoka winced a little and scratched her head, "Uh, phase four might take a little longer than we originally thought, you see-"

"Ayako, Monk, what are you doing?" John asked from behind Takegawa. Surprised, Monk spun around, dropping Ayako in the process.

With a shriek and a groan Ayako picked herself up from the bush she had so helpfully landed on. Masako and John stared at her in amusement and it was only seconds later that they had burst out laughing.

Picking the bits of brush from her hair, she turned, to give them a Naru-worthy glare that sufficiently silenced them both.

"If you two are done we all need to meet with Yasu. You know? About his plan." she barked, roughly grabbing Monk she dragged him along with her, as he protested and grumbled, "Can it you filthy Monk!" she screeched.

John and Masako looked at each other in confusion before resigning to follow the quarrelling couple. A few stray giggles emanating from the sight of Ayako's bush laden hair.


Disclaimer: No actual bushes were harmed in the making of this fan fiction J


"Naru did you get the-" Mai spun around to face her ex-boss. He was holding two different types of milk, neither of which was right. She sighed pulling the shopping cart out of the cereal aisle and towards the dairy.

"See this is the Whole Milk, its got the red cap and everything." Mai pointed out as she placed it in to the cart.

Skeptically Naru watched her as she expertly maneuvered the cart over towards the tea section. Skipping over coffee and hot chocolate she grabbed a package of white tea, knowing that it was his favorite.

"You're very good at shopping you know." Naru said, coming up behind her, "Impressive for one with such little intelligence."

Massaging her temples Mai sighed in heartbreaking self-pity. 'You wanted this.' she reminded herself, 'You wanted him.'

"Stop belittling my intelligence you egoist!" she sufficed to point out. "Oh and stop insulting me just to make yourself feel more comfortable with the situation!"

Naru blinked.

Mai smirked. "You insulted me in the car, at the dry cleaners, the florists, and now here. If you can't just say what you want because you don't want to ruin your image then don't say anything at all. A 'you're good at shopping' would have done quite nicely."

Naru narrowed his eyes on her. Wondering where she could have possibly attained such wisdom and straight-forwardness in a year and a half.

"Fine, I'll be completely honest then." Naru said emotionlessly, but when he looked Mai in the eye she could many more emotions than he was willing to show. "Do you love Natsume more than me?"


You will never believe what happened to me so I won't even try to explain. No excuses, I'll update tomorrow.

Oh and I am up to my earlobes in homework so I'm not gonna reply to reviews cuz I just don't have enough time.

Try to review so I can update with peace of mind.

I know schools started up again. Try to stay sane.

Hoped you liked it. Ciao.