Like I said this chapter comes with the last one since they got updated at the same time. Now I won't say much this time around enjoy the story and I don't own ghost hunt.


Chapter nine So many problems, and is he a phantom?!

'Mom didn't visit me in my dreams yesterday, I wonder why?' Mai thought opening the room door with her right hand.

"Naru! Naru! Are you there?" Mai yelled into the room as Angel did a quick search of the room.

"Where do you think he is Angel?" Mai asked her cat.

Angel then paused his searching for a bit before dashing out of the room. Mai shocked at the sudden movement took a second before she was able to follow the fast cat. Angel ran outside of the building towards the carriage.

"What is he doing out here? Good boy Angel," Mai petted her cats head much to his content.

"Naru! You're going to catch a cold sleeping out here!" Mai said knocking on the door of the carriage before opening it.

'That girl…' Angel thought about how she was sleeping in a stable but was worried someone else could get a cold.

"…Mai, what are you doing here so early in the morning?" Naru questioned waking up.

"Early in the morning? It's nearly noon; would you like something to drink?" Mai asked with Angel jumping on to her shoulder.

"Sure, some coffee," Naru answered watching the girl prepare him some coffee with one hand then he noticed something.

"Mai, why do you have hay in your hair?" Naru asked stepping closer to take a piece of the hay from her hair.

"Ah, that I-"

"Mai! Where were you yesterday?! Am I interrupting something?" Masako asked as soon as she noticed Naru with his hand in Mai's hair at a questionable distance.

"Oh Masako, no you're not interrupting anything. Naru you should back up a little before anyone else comes," Mai said to Naru after correcting Masako.

Naru nodded and took a step back also because Angel was death glaring him and he would rather not be attacked by it right after he woke up. Mai than explained the situation to Masako.

"Mai does that mean you were sleeping in the stable?" Masako questioned her injured friend.

"Miss Hara what do you mean?" Naru questioned his eyes narrowed.

"Mai was not in her room yesterday, and her bed was soaked. If there was hay in her hair the only reason I can think of would be that she fell asleep in the stable," Masako answered.

"Hey I'm still here," Mai stated to her two conversing friends.

"Mai you shouldn't be so stupid, you could have shared my room," Masako turned to the girl.

"It would be troublesome if you also caught a cold when your arm is like that," Naru commented successfully tag teaming the girl.

"Angel you too!" Mai exclaimed looking at her cat that was standing between Naru and Masako nodding its head.

"I just didn't want to trouble anyone, it's really no big deal," Mai tried to convince the three with no luck.

"Alright if my bed is soaked again then I'll go to Masako's room, now here's your coffee and Masako here's some tea. Did you find anything out last night?" Mai questioned after handing her two friends a cup.

"Yeah," Naru responded taking the cup.

"REALLY?!" Monica shouted coming up only hearing Mai's question and Naru's answer.

"What's going on prince? Are you already packing up?" Bou-san asked.

"Correct," Naru said.

"You must be kidding?!" Ayako shouted.

"Why?" Carmine asked.

"I have decided this case is closed," Naru answered grabbing some papers.

"Did you exorcise?" Bou-san demanded to know.

"No I didn't," Naru answered handing the papers to Bou-san.

"What's this?" He asked.

"A level scale graph. The building sank more than 0.2 inches just overnight," Naru answered.

"WHAT?! Land subsidence!" The others yelled looking at the papers, crowding around Bou-san who was holding them.

"That's it?! The psychic phenomenon was caused by this?" Ayako questioned.

"This whole development was built on top of damp ground, based on the number of wells that I checked directly underneath the school there is a big water vein running through. There are two other wells, but when I checked for the amount of water in them they were both empty. So that's what's going on." Naru told the others who were thinking on his words.

"Excuse me your highness I still don't understand please explain," Monica requested sweetly.

"What I'm saying is the foundation is weak because this structure was built on damp soil. In addition, an underground water vein is half dried out. All these things are causing the land to shift and settle. This area is the most severely affected. The settling is progressing more rapidly on one side of the building and as a result various parts of the building are starting to distort and deform," Naru explained more.

"Then that's would have caused the chair to move and the ceiling to collapse," Carmine observed.

"Precisely, the classroom floor on the west side is three inches lower than the one on the East side," Naru said.

"Three inches… that's about 7.5 centimeters that's a pretty big gap," Mai noted earning a glance from Naru.

"And that rapping sound? " Ayako questioned.

"It wasn't rapping; it was the sound of the building creaking as it sank. The area around the building should be declared unsafe to enter. Sooner or later this building will collapse," Naru announced to everyone.

"That's fine… but it still doesn't explain the idea I was attacked!" Kuroda said loudly.

"Perhaps… it was a floating spirit that likes to follow you around," Naru told her making Kuroda take a step back.

"So Naru does that mean we should all head back to the castle?" Bou-san asked.

"Yes we have finished the assignment," Naru responded.

'What? For some reason I'm disappointed' Mai thought absently petting Angel who seemed to be on high alert.

"I still think there are spirits here," Kuroda told everyone making Angel narrow his eyes at her.

"No there aren't the research results have proven that there's nothing here," Naru replied.

"It may just be that you can't perceive it," Kuroda countered.

"Then shouldn't you just exorcise it yourself, his majesty has decided that the case is over so we are leaving," Carmine stated before Naru could say anything and making Kuroda turn away.

"Oh well, I feel like the dream is ending," Mai said a little dazed catching Naru's attention.

"What do you mean?" John asked

KREEEK BOOOM!

At that moment the windows beside Kuroda burst.

"MAI GET OUT!" Masako yelled.

"AHHHH!" Kuroda screamed blocking her face from the glass with her arms.

"Kuroda!" Mai yelled running towards the girl and knelt down to hold her with her good arm.

BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM

"What… is that? It sounds like someone's banging on the wall… is it collapsing?" Mai questioned as Angel took a protective stance between her and Kuroda.

Mai noticed Naru staring up as if in a daze. She began to worry as the door started opening and closing on its own extremely loudly. Naru watched the door bang open and close with his hands clenched.

"Naru?!" Mai shouted as Naru grabbed her good arm making her stand up.

"Let's get out of here! It's not safe anymore!" Naru directed Mai towards the way out with Kuroda and Angel following closely behind.

OUTSIDE

"Incredible," John said a little dazed.

Mai then noticed Kuroda looking towards the ground. She walked up to Kuroda with Angel trailing behind looking skeptical.

"Are you okay?" Mai asked when she reached where Kuroda was standing; Kuroda nodded.

"You're bleeding; let me see your hand" Ayako said stepping over to examine Kuroda.

"Mai you're still injured are you all right?" Masako asked examining the bandages on Mai's arm.

"So what was that all about? You're gonna tell me that was caused by the land sinking? That your highness was definitely a poltergeist!" Bou-san declared loudly.

"Not only did we hear the building warp but we also heard someone banging on the wall!" Ayako continued looking up from her work with Kuroda.

"Even his majesty can be wrong at times; don't go pointing it out like that!" Monica shouted outraged.

"But that was some serious noise, maybe there's a giant trying to destroy the building?" Carmine attempted to make the situation lighter.

"Sure he must be the same guy that's sinking it too," Ayako said sarcastically.

"We need to take this more seriously," Bou-san added before he and Ayako walked off.

"How dare they don't worry your majesty I'll go knock some sense into those ingrates," Monica announced before following the two.

"What's with those two suddenly acting like buddies," Carmine said after Monica left.

"I'll go after them to make sure there's no trouble," John told Carmine, Masako, Monica, Naru, and Mai since Kuroda had already left and Angel has disappeared once again.

"You will need some help calming those three down, I will go with you. You should come help as well," Masako said referring to Carmine making her reluctantly follow the others.

"Naru, your hand!" Mai noticed as soon as the others left.

"Oh it's nothing, it'll stop bleeding soon," Naru commented after looking at his hand.

"But you'll need to get a bandage on that," Mai said taking steps towards him.

"Go take care of Kuroda-san," Naru ordered not noticing that Kuroda already left.

"Na-"

"I just… I just need to be alone for a while. I hate myself so much that it makes me sick," Naru interrupted her.

"Oh…" Mai sighed.

But instead of listening to his request she silently walked closer to him. Quietly unwrapping some of her bandages she took Naru's hand. This made him jump a little since he thought that Mai had already left.

"Mai I said-"

"I know, and you can punish me how ever you want after but right now I'm going to wrap this up. I know that I really should use new bandages to do this but you'll have to make do with these for now," Mai interrupted him skillfully using one hand to wrap Naru's arm.

"But your arm-"

"It's not bleeding like yours, sorry Naru but you're going to have to deal with me I am you're personal maid and assistant. So please let me help with whatever you have to do," Mai interrupted him once again smiling brightly.

"Don't worry I'll leave you alone now and go check on the others," Mai said leaving Naru before he even responded, without looking back therefore not noticing Naru watch her retreating figure with a contemplative expression.


"Have you guys seen Monica and Carmine?" Mai asked stepping into the room seeing Bou-san in a monk outfit.

"They went looking for Naru. By the way what happened to that other girl?" Bou-san asked his own question after having calmed down from what happened earlier.

"Kuroda went back to the inn," Mai told him.

"Mai! What happened to the bandages I put on your arm?!" Ayako questioned noticing in an instant that some of the bandages were unwrapped and taken off.

"Jou-chan you have to take better care of yourself," Bou-san told her as Ayako finished re wrapping Mai's arm.

"Its fine," Mai said turning to the monitor and trying to put it away.

"Is it okay to put this stuff away?" John asked Mai taking the monitor from the injured girl.

"It would be quite inconvenient if we were not allowed to," Masako continued picking up some wires so that Mai doesn't.

"If we need it we can take it out later, besides we don't know when this building might collapse," Mai said with a small smile.

"You still believe in what he said?" Ayako questioned.

"Well we don't know he's wrong, you have to prove to me that there are evil spirits," Mai snapped back politely, walking out of the room.

Monk started chanting but Mai and Angel still did not believe there were spirits there so they packed up waiting till Bou-san finished. Masako and John mainly helped Mai, Masako did so because she has been working with the prince the longest, does not sense any spirits and because Mai is her friend. John helped Mai because it was in his nature as he also believes in Naru, Masako and Mai. Not to say that they didn't trust Bou-san or Ayako they believe in monks abilities to perform an exorcism and Ayako's ability as a doctor but it's because they trust in Masako's vision and Naru's judgment.

"Mai I set up a tape recorder on the second floor," John told her coming down the stairs.

"Ah thanks. Thank you both for helping me," Mai responded fiddling with her injured arm while Masako petted Angel in her lap.

"No problem I'm gonna go look around a little as well," John told the girls and cat.

"Okay be careful, actually you should take Masako too," Mai suggested.

"Mai I knew you an idiot but really sending me off when you're injured," Masako commented in a light teasing tone.

"This coming from the girl that fell out of a window," Mai quipped back knowing Masako was only worried for her.

"I will be fine on my own Mai," John contributed to the conversation.

"Yeah but it's better safe than sorry and besides I have Angel with me," Mai said determined.

"But-"

"Leave it John she can be as stubborn as a mule let's go," Masako sighed behind her sleeve before walking off with John.

"Keep safe you guys!" Mai yelled to their backs getting quick waves in return.

'I've decided to wait for Naru but I wonder if he really wants me to do anything,' Mai thought when picking up Angel.

"Naru!?" Mai turned when she heard a door slam shut.

"Oh Kuroda," Mai said when she saw it was just her.

"How's it going?" Kuroda asked politely.

"Ah…well… since you left Ayako and Bou-san have both performed exorcisms. We're just making sure everything is okay," Mai answered.

"Where's Prince Oliver?" Kuroda questioned.

"I don't know. I wonder if there really are evil spirits here." Mai said her thoughts aloud.

"I saw one," Kuroda responded quickly.

"That's right you mentioned that," Mai responded in a polite tone.

"Okay we're done, you two might as well leave. The exorcism was a success," Ayako announced coming down the stairs.

"That's what you said last time Ayako," Mai noted with Angel nodding his head.

"This time we're sure!" Ayako exclaimed.

"No spirits are still here, I can feel it, there are many spirits still here," Kuroda said looking up making Mai, Angel and Ayako turn to stare at her.

"Playing your psychic game again? Cut it out and leave it to the professionals," Ayako scoffed much to Kuroda agitation.

"Rest assured, Ayako may have blown it, but I did it right," Bou-san said coming into the room with normal clothes on, John and Masako happened to be behind him.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Ayako screamed loudly at him.

'Here we go again' John, Masako and Angel simultaneously thought.

"I'm just being honest," Bou-san replied.

"Are you trying to take all the credit?!" Ayako accused.

"No, you are," Bou-san countered.

"Will you two knock it off!" Mai shouted at them.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP

They all then heard thumping from above them making them all look up.

"Is someone up there?" Ayako questioned.

"Masako what's going on" Mai whispered to her friend.

"No way! All of us are here…" Bou-san answered Ayako's question.

"I don't know there are no spirits here," Masako whispered back putting her sleeve in front of her mouth.

The seven of them watched as the thumping sounds got closer as if coming down the stairs.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, BANG

Came from up stairs; making Bou-san dash up the stairs.

"Bou-san!" Mai called about to follow him.

Bou-san had just reached the top of the first staircase and was turning to go up the second. Mai watched as Ayako held her uninjured arm so the girl doesn't follow the man.

"Ah… is someone up there?" Mai asked Bou-san.

"No, there can't be," Bou-san said.

"Wait… There can't be?! I know I heard it! Everyone else heard it and Bou-san you heard it too right?!" Mai shouted at them.

"It was just the wind!" Ayako argued.

Mai's response was an unexpected one for everyone except her faithful cat. She laughed it was an almost bitter sounding laugh that didn't sit right with any of them especially coming out of Mai's mouth.

"Some things really don't change… really that is ridiculous you should admit this exorcism failed as well. You two were really arrogant lecturing his highness earlier but at least his highness did not give any excuses like the one you are giving now. Why not try acting like adults?" Mai lectured in a polite tone but you can also detect traces of bitterness and sadness in it.

"Mai…?" Masako whispered confused which only deepened when Mai responded with a smile that looked sincere.

BOOOM! BAM, BAM, BAM

"A knocking sound…" John said.

"Again?!" Mai asked going back to normal.

RATTLE, RATTLE, BAM

The glass near Ayako and Mai shattered. This made Ayako cover her ears while Mai used her good arm to block the flying glass.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP

"More footsteps!" John exclaimed looking up.

"It sounds like an indoor military march!" Bou-san shouted leaning back on the wall.

"Mai get out of there, that ceiling could collapse," Masako told Mai from her spot beside Bou-san.

"Oh okay," Mai said walking towards bunch of bookshelves.

"MEOW!" Angel meowed loudly struggling from the grip Masako had on him as Mai went behind a bookshelf out of sight.

Around Mai the bookshelves started to rattle.

"Ah, whoa, no wait!" Mai shouted putting her right hand on the shaking bookshelf.

'It's warm… objects that are moved by a poltergeist… should feel warm,' Mai remembered what Naru said earlier so focused on her thoughts she didn't notice the bookshelf till...

KREEEK

"MAI LOOK OUT!"

…it was too late.

It was dark all around the entire back round was black with the exception of a few glowing lights and one large white piece of land where a figure could be seen lying down. That figure happened to be Mai; she was asleep but slowly waking up. She opened her eyes into the familiar darkness.

'Where am I…? Dark I wish the lights were on' Mai thought rolling over to lie on her back.

'Ah but it feels good… I feel sleepy…' Mai thought some more, before closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Before Mai fell fully asleep she felt someone touch her forehead. At this moment she slowly opened her eyes.

"Mom?" Mai asked still half asleep as the hand that touched her forehead moved to hold her hand.

"Hi sweetie, Are you going to tell them yet?" Mai's mother smiled at her beautifully.

"It's good to see you mom," Mai smiled back.

Mai suddenly looked more awake gasping and pushing herself up with one arm.

"Ah mom that was… that was definitely a poltergeist, and I uhh... I'm not ready yet" Mai said quickly getting up and becoming dizzy.

"Lie back down sweetie, don't worry so much I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough," Mai's mother said.

"Mom?" Mai asked grabbing the woman's attention.

"You should get a little more rest," Her mother said putting a hand to her head.

"Mom I wish you were still around to help me," Mai told her.

"I'll always be with you sweetie… thank you," Her mother responded with a sweet smile.

Mai smiled back closing her eyes as everything started to disappear.

"Hey… Hey… Hey Jou-chan!" Bou-san yelled making Mai open her eyes and fully awaken.

Above her Mai saw Masako, Bou-san, John and Ayako look down on her each holding a relieved expression though Masako was hiding hers with her sleeve again. Then Mai felt something on her stomach lifting herself up with her good arm she looked at Angel who seemed to stare at her more relieved than anyone else before jumping on her shoulder and giving her cheek a lick. She also noticed that she was wearing Bou-san's jacket.

"Are you okay?" Masako asked worried as she helped Mai up some more.

"Thank you I'm fine," Mai answered fully sitting up with Masako's help.

"What's wrong with you? I kept calling you but you wouldn't get up, I thought you were dead!" Ayako shouted still tense.

"Uh… sorry" Mai said looking a little confused.

"Calm down Ayako," Bou-san told her.

"Shut up, you stupid monk!" She bit back.

"Mai is your arm alright?" John asked concerned with Masako nodding beside him.

"I'm fine," Mai said unused to all the attention.

"You look uncomfortable," Masako pointed out.

"Sorry I got used to looking after myself, its odd having people being worried about me," Mai said honestly much to the bafflement of the others.

"You were out for a while the sun is about to set," Bou-san commented looking at the sun when Mai returned his jacket.

"Oh what happened to Kuroda?" Mai asked.

"She left. Hey don't you think this is getting a bit serious? The exorcism didn't work and I'm beginning to fear for our lives" Ayako stated taking an unnoticeable glance at Mai.

"Oh, are you running away Ms. Priestess?" Masako questioned with her sleeve at her mouth.

"Well what do you suggest we do?! Hasn't our boss already run away after seeing glass break all around him? Right now he's probably in his room shaking in fear!" Ayako shouted at Masako getting up in her face.

"Do you really think that?" Mai asked.

"You never know, he may be curled up in a bed crying because we gave him such a hard time this morning," Bou-san added in snickering.

"That unbelievably arrogant, self righteous, self loving narcissist; Unbelievable!" Mai denied laughing.

"But in the case of the prince... It'd be more like him to be angry and sticking pins in a voodoo doll," John pointed out.

Everyone including Angel thought about it before bursting out laughing. Even Masako giggled behind her kimono sleeve. They then decided to all walk together back to the inn where they found Monica and Carmine. Neither of them was able to find Naru so they decided to wait around at the inn until he came.


"Hey Masako since its still early I think I'm gonna take a walk," Mai told her friend.

"Alright just don't do anything stupid," Masako told her as Mai left with Angel.

After walking around for a bit Mai decided to take a break and rest underneath one of the many cherry blossom trees. She and Angel lay down looking like they were asleep as they stare at the sky that was nearly down setting.

"I thought you were sleeping in Miss Hara's room not outdoors," Naru said walking up to the girl.

"Oh Naru did you want me to do something?" Mai asked completely changing the subject.

"I would like you to ask the workers about the tower and Kuroda, you know the workers better so it would be more productive if you were to ask the questions," Naru told her as Mai began to smile.

"What is it?" Naru snapped when he saw Mai randomly start to smile.

"I'm just glad I can help," Mai told with a sincere smile making Naru stare at her confused though only Angel noticed his confusion.

Mai went to find Keiko and Michiru first to ask some questions with Angel leading the way.

"Hey Mai, I heard you had one heck of a day today," Michiru commented when Mai came into the room she and Keiko were cleaning.

"How do you know that?" Mai asked curious.

"Kuroda been bragging about it to everyone and news travels fast you know," Keiko answered.

"Anyways we were shocked when his highness came over and talked to us earlier today," Michiru told Mai.

"Huh, what for?" Mai asked confused since Naru was the one that asked her to interview the workers.

"Ah well he asked a few things about the old building, about Kuroda and about you," Keiko answered Mai.

'Why me?' Mai thought sharing a glance with her cat.

Mai then launched into a conversation with her two friends; gaining as much information as she could on Kuroda and the old building. After she finished discussing with her two friends she went to talk with Miss Iris and any other workers she knew when she finished speaking to her as well it was getting a bit late. Mai decided that she had just about finished speaking with everyone when Angel ran up and stopped in front of her.

"What's wrong boy there's nothing th-" Mai was cut off as she walked around her cat and falling when she bumped into something.

"I am very sorry miss here let me help you up," a teal blue haired boy around her age said holding out a hand while the other held a book.

"No it's alright I'm sorry I didn't see you," Mai responded taking his hand with her right to stand up.

"You should not worry it is a normal occurrence for me," The boy with a blank face reassured her though actually making her feel more guilty.

"Ah… um… do you work here I haven't seen you around before nor have I seen you when I was working here," Mai asked the blue haired stranger.

"You used to work here ano…" The boy paused.

"Oh I'm sorry that was rude of me my names Mai and yes I did work here for a bit I was actually a traveler going to Shibuya," Mai greeted cheerfully easily speaking about herself.

"No I should have introduced myself as well I am Tetsuya Kuroko, it is a pleasure to meet you may I have your last name so I may address you properly?" Kuroko asked politely.

"Nope I prefer you call me by my first name Mai," Mai responded mischievously while sticking out her tongue.

"Well if you insist Miss Mai," Kuroko responded his mouth twitching upwards a little at the cheerful girl.

"Just Mai you don't need to say miss in front of it," Mai told him while Angel watched the two converse on Mai's shoulder.

"I'm afraid I will have to refuse your offer Miss Mai, is that cat yours?" Kuroko asked to distract Mai.

"Yep his name is Angel, come on boy say hi to Kuroko," Mai told the cat making him jump onto Kuroko's head and stare at him upside down.

"Hello Angel," Kuroko greeted.

"You don't call my cat Mr. Angel so you should call me Mai instead of Miss Mai," Mai claimed exhibiting her unique logic.

"I apologize but it does not seem right to call this cat Mr. Angel as it does not seem right to call you anything other than Miss Mai if you refuse to give me your last name," Kuroko deadpanned initiating a staring contest with Mai.

Blank blue eyes stared at heated brown orbs until Mai finally backed down in defeat.

"Alright you win, so Kuroko how long have you been working here?" Mai asked.

"I have been working here for about two weeks," Kuroko answered curtly.

"Are you a traveler as well?" Mai asked trying to learn more.

"Yes," Kuroko answered.

"Do you travel alone?" Mai continued to ask.

"No, may I ask why you are injured," Kuroko replied not looking the least bit annoyed by all the questions and in return asking one of his own.

"That I simply got into a bit of an accident it's no big deal…Oww!" Mai shouted at the end when Angel flicked his tail at her face.

"I do not believe your cat agrees with you Miss Mai," Kuroko stated.

"Maybe not, can you tell me a bit more about why you needed to work here?" Mai tried to change the topic to something else.

"I travel with eleven other people. One of the people I was traveling with demanded everyone in the group find a job in this town; I decided to work here," Kuroko told her much to her satisfaction.

'I guess he wouldn't really know much about Kuroda or the old tower, but I could still ask,' Mai thought

"Oh okay, by any chance do you know anything about the old tower or a girl that works here called Kuroda," Mai asked Kuroko.

"Ahh… I have heard some things some people were talking about those things they seem to have forgotten I was in the room," Kuroko replied to the girl.

'I'm starting to really feel bad for this boy' Angel sweat dropped.

"Oh really I'm kinda looking for information on those two things to help the inn keeper Miss Iris with a problem, can you please tell me what you know?" Mai asked bowing down.

"Alright," Kuroko answered scratching his cheek a little.

"Thank you!" Mai thanked him sincerely.

"I do not know much I was not really interested in the topic. I remember that some people said Ms. Kuroda has worked here for a while and enjoys attention, she was known for being able to see spirits ever since she started working here and would gain the attention of a lot of different people like travelers, and the other workers. The old tower is rumored to be haunted," Kuroko explained not showing how exhausted he was from talking so much.

"Is that all you happen to know about the tower?" Mai asked.

"I went to investigate the rumors on more than one occasion last week nothing happened, I assume that there was no ghost other people who have gone in have said that they hear sounds inside the building," Kuroko answered.

"How do you know other people have gone in Kuroko?" Mai questioned.

"Everyone knows when someone tries to enter the tower news travels fast, I think I am the only exception to that rule due to my low presence," Kuroko told the cheerful girl making her and her cat feel a little sorrier for the boy.

"Thank you Kuroko how much longer are you working here?" Mai asked her last question.

"You are welcome, I am working till at least the end of this week. I must go now it was a pleasure meeting you Miss Mai" He said before vanishing from sight.

"Whoa, if I didn't know better I would say Kuroko was a ghost don't you think Angel?" Mai asked her cat receiving a nod in reply.

"Well then let's go tell Naru everything we know," Mai said walking off before pausing.

"Ummm… Angel where do you think Naru is?" Mai asked turning and sheepishly asking her cat.

Angel looked as though he rolled his eyes before starting to walk in the opposite direction. It was already becoming really late not quite midnight but late none the less. As Angel was leading Mai to Naru they ran into Carmine.

"Hello Carmine," Mai greeted the girl kindly.

"Hello Mai, what are you still doing up?" Carmine asked curious.

"Oh, just walking around. What about you Carmine?" Mai asked in response her instinct telling her not to tell Carmine that she was about to meet Naru.

"Hmmm… I was going to ask Miss Iris for some ink I wanted to write a letter," Carmine smiled.

"Is that so, I should leave you be then. Good luck finding Miss Iris," Mai told Carmine before walking off with Angel leading the way.

After their run in with Carmine no one else spotted them as they made their way to Naru's room. Knocking on the door Mai waited till someone answered which only took a couple of minutes. Naru opened the door and let Mai in so they could discuss what Mai was able to find out. They both took a seat on the couches of the room sitting across from each other with a table between them.

"…and that's it," Mai finished explaining to Naru all the different things the workers told her along with her encounter with Kuroko.

"I see, wait here so I can reread everything and make sure nothing is missing," Naru responded as Mai yawned, Angel was already asleep in her lap.

After at least 30 minutes of reading Naru was sure that there was nothing missing and that all he needed left was proof for his theory. At this moment he noticed the room was much too quiet considering that Mai was still in it. He looked up from his notes to see Mai asleep on the couch. He then heard knocking on the door.

"You may enter," He told the person outside his door.

"Your highness have you seen Mai she hasn't come to my room and she isn't in her room or the stables," Masako asked opening the door, Naru answered by gesturing to the two sleeping figures on the couch.

"I see," Masako said quietly not wanting to disturb either of them.

Masako then walked over to Mai and put Mai's head on her lap stroking through her hair. Mai's face first tensed when Masako arrived and then become soft and peaceful. Angel on the other hand woke up when Masako knocked but decided to reposition himself and fall asleep again.

"We should take her to my room, her bed is still soaked," Masako suggested quietly to the prince, Naru nodded picking Mai up in a piggy back hold while Masako carried Angel.

They made sure there was no one around as they didn't want rumors to spread before making their way to Masako's room. Once they reached Masako's room they put Mai on top of the bed and Angel on the couch. Naru then left quietly making his way back to his room while Masako got ready for bed. Sliding into the bed with Mai since the bed was really large. Not noticing a little white fur ball leave the room.


"I'm back," A male voice said.

"Ah that's great I was starting to get lonely," Another voice said cheerfully.

"She's been doing really well other than-"

"Yeah I can guess it really does run in the family," The second voice interrupted the first making the first voice chuckle.

"Of course it does, those servant girls are no good," The first voice said seriously.

"Hahaha… now, now last time I checked you didn't have that ability," The second voice said happily.

"I don't need to, besides you do have that ability," The first voice said.

"No I think that belonged more to my wife I on the other hand just have really good instincts," The second voice told the first.

"Hmm… well I'm only here to give you today's update and then I want to go back to sleep," The first voice said.

"You two really like to sleep a lot I'm pretty sure both of you are able to sleep anywhere at this point," The second voice chuckled.

"Guilty as charged now shall I get started?" The first voice teased his friend.

"Sure let's start," The second voice said.


And now for this chapters questions:

1. How does Mai know how many centimeters 3 inches is?

2. Why did Mai act so oddly?

3. What was Mai's mom talking about?

4. Who was Carmine going to write a letter to?

Well these are some things for you guys to ponder on of course along with some other things I may or may not answer some questions you guys have.

Kuroko Tetsuya - belongs to the manga/anime kuroko no basuke (which I don't own)

That ends this chapter I hope you enjoyed it and reviews would be appreciated. If you want tell me a character you want to make an appearance and if I know the character I'll try to add them key word being try. Thank you to everyone how has reviewed or at least read the story.