Disclaimer: Don't own anything. Just borrow the characters for my own amusement. Cause this is a Fanfic
Chapter Ten: Brave
Mai POV
"Ayame!" I called out, as I move Naru body to the side, making him flop on the ground upside up. (Which I might add, wasn't easy to do.) Tears leaking down my cheeks.
"Please, Ayame, help." I begged, standing up, I glance around, only to find that the huts are not as new, as before, no, they look broken down, or burned, and we stood near an open wall.
"What the?" I hiccuped, looking around, to see on my far right, near the cliff, there was a waterfall.
"Definitely not a few months passed, this looks like many years has." I mumbled to myself, but then I turned my gaze back to Naru unconscious state, bending down to his right side, I took a hold of his shoulder to shake it.
"Naru, please wake up." I cried, but he doesn't move. Sighing, I prop my forehead against his shoulder, to give a little pressure on my aching head.
"I need to get to the tree house, how? It was easier for him, cause I'm small, but he's tall and big. I can't carry him." I whined.
'Okay Mai. Collect yourself. Naru needs you right now.' with that thought in mind, I took in a big breath. So I straighten up.
"Ayame!" I called out, but as the minutes pass, nothing. No response from her.
'It took two days to get here. How in the world can I get him back? Apparently our tree house is the only safe heaven. Ayame, please come out. I need help." yet, still no response from her.
Standing up, I grab Naru arm, and start to pull him forward. He somewhat raises up, but flops back down. So I tried about five times, but I failed.
"Darn it. Why did you have to take that hit?" I frowned, feeling very guilty about that.
"He won't awake for a long time." I heard behind me, making me jump, I turned around, to see Ayame cross arms, floating in the air.
"Don't scare me. Already had enough with the phantom guy. Can you help? I can't carry him. I want to attend his wounds, but I'm afraid that the bad guy will come again. He almost killed us," now fresh tears rolled down, feeling very guilty and sad.
'Long time? Please don't tell me, he's going into coma?' That thought terrorize me.
"Don't despair, Angel. Just use your inner strength, and you might find something useful. Also, he won't come, let just say, your lover powers, did some damage to him." and with that, she disappears. I frowned, wiping my eyes.
"That doesn't help at all. And damage? What damage, the phantom didn't even get hit. He waves his arm? Please explain, don't leave." but I gave up. Since she didn't come back. I turned, and grab Naru arm, pulling him back up. His upper half lifts up.
"Okay, now, what do I do? Please, God, help me." I prayed, placing Naru back down, I stood, and stretched my arms above my head.
"Mai, now you're in charge. Look for something useful." with that thought in mind, I started to head down, shaking of the images of the dead corpses, that plagued this piece of land not so long ago.
About five minutes of looking around the big ruin village, and was about to give up, all of the sudden, in the corner of my eye, near the waterfall, behind a log, something round caught my eye. Something brown, and beige. I raised a brow.
"What's this?" I mumbled, rushing towards it. Going behind the log, my eyes set on some old beige worn out barrows, some half broken, and some not. Then scanning more up, as though God heard my prayers, an old wooden wagon, with wheels still in tack. One wheel in the front, and two in the back. Big enough to place a body in. (Well, at least it's something)
"Thank you God, and Ayame." I smiled, feeling hope once again. Rushing my steps, I go around it, and grip the handle, and lift it. Shaking it, and rolling it, to see if it's still in good condition, and from my own good luck, it was. Happiness. Pure happiness hits me.
"Don't worry Naru. I will take good care of you." I smiled, rolling the wagon towards Naru.
"First, I have to make sure, he's not bleeding or anything." I whispered, bending down, I grab his arm, and flop him around, so now his back is facing me.
"Sorry." I wince, when I saw his face smack the dirt.
'Don't say anything, what he doesn't know, won't kill him. Right? Or in this case, kill me.' I mentally thought, noticing that I wasn't crying any longer. Breathing out, I lifted his black shirt, and scan.
In his right upper shoulder blade, I could see a slight redness, and its swollen. But thank God, no blood, or open wound.
'I think Naru Pk, doesn't harm the body, but the soul itself. Why did he do that? He knows, how I feel about that.' Frowning, I lower his shirt, and grab his shoulder, to turn him over.
I heard him groan slightly.
"Sorry," standing up, I went up to the wooden wagon, and rolled it up, close to Naru.
"I hope this holds for two days." I mumbled, bending back to Naru. So I lifted his right arm, and wrap it around me, and with I have no idea with what strength, I lifted him up. Grunting, I place Naru in the wagon, only to make the wagon tilt to the right side.
"Oh no," I panic, taking hold of the handles to steady it.
With a huge breath, and ignoring my own pains, I start to push.
"Well, at least we can go home," I whispered, as a giggle escapes my lips. His legs and arms hang out, but his sleeping form, made my heart warm up.
"Okay, let's go. If I don't stop, we can reach it by tomorrow. I hope I can remember the way." I whispered, starting to push the wagon.
"For such a skinny guy, he's heavy," I mumbled, and then we set off. Rolling down the road, my eyes landed on his sleeping form, and frowned at him.
"I'm sorry to always cause trouble for you. Ever since you met me. You always get hurt. I wish Gene could help. I miss him." the sudden feeling of missing Gene hits me, causing my heart to jump painfully.
Going pass the dirt road, in the forest, sweat rolling down my side, down my neck, while my legs burned from the fire that the phantom guy place, I just ignored it.
'I hope it doesn't leave a scar.' I thought. Gulping, I turned my gaze down to Naru once again.
"At least, this way, I can somewhat repay you. Don't worry Naru. I will protect you. Even if I die trying." with this final word, I kept going.
O.o
"I'm hungry, and hot. I'm so tired. Yet, Home Sweet Home, how I missed you." I whispered, as we finally reach the tree house, the next day. I just took a two hour nap, and kept going, thank God, that no ghost or zombies went after us. Since Ayame kept me company at times, I wonder why didn't she at the beginning? Even thought she followed, she hasn't uttered a word. Which is strange.
I just ate some fruits, and that's all. Naru kept on sleeping. I just force him to drink some water. The only thing I did for his swollen back was placing one of my wash quilts. (Which I ripped) and press it.
'I don't know how in the world, did I manage without fainting? Luckily Ayame helped a lot, by showing me some paths, and it didn't rain. So in reality, our three day trips should have taken a whole day, but that stupid Phantom threw us from course.' I bitterly thought.
"Now, how do I get him up there?" I move the wagon close to the stairs.
'At least, it didn't break.'
"My back is killing me, but I can do this." and with that, I gently took Naru out of the wagon, and place him on my back. Causing me to grunt and squat down.
"Really, he just drinks, tea, why does he weight so much?" I complained. Taking a huge breath, step by step, slowly, and aching, I somehow manage to get him to the tree house. Gasping for air, I kept going, not slowing my pace, until I made it to his bed.
Gently I place him down, moving backwards. Then I heard him hit his elbow against the floor.
"Okay, not telling him that part." I shivered, then I lay next to him, panting for air, stretching my screaming muscles.
'No time to rest, must help Naru.' With that thought in mind, I stood, and started to nurse him.
Gulping, I pick him up, and un-button his shirt. Lifting him up, I stretch out his arm, and took off his shirt.
"At least his shirt is not ruined." I whispered, throwing it on the side. Taking a hold of Naru shoulder, I move him so he can show me his back. I heard him moan in protest.
"Sorry," I whispered, now back showing, I glance at his swollen back.
'How much of the damage can your PK do? Or is it because you used it? Like last time? Or both?'
The shoulder blade seems the same, but this time less red, yet still swollen.
"I don't have any ice. What do I do?" frowning at that, I rushed downstairs, ignoring my screaming body for rest.
'What the heck do I use? The ice is out of the question,' then it hits me. So for the next ten minutes. I went towards the ocean, and with a bucket in hand, gather some sea water, which was perfectly cold. Upon returning, I rushed upstairs, I dip the cloth (That Naru use last time, we kept it just in case, after washing it of course,) in the cold water and rinse it out. Placing it on top of his wound. He hissed in pain.
'That is weird,' I thought, either way.
"At least he's alive." I whisper, as guilt filled me completely. Then I took notice, that Naru is sweating a lot. His once pale face, got some color, after one month living here. His hair, a little longer, but not much. I need to cut that. Naru looks more handsome with short hair, than with long hair.
"I need to wash him. He won't be mad, if he doesn't know, right?" with that thought in mind, I grabbed the same cloth, and rinse it out.
Gulping hard, I gently wash his back. I felt his muscles ripple under my touch.
'Why? Why do you keep getting hurt, because of me, since the day you saved me in our very first case.' I thought, watching as my tears hits his back.
"You don't have to protect me all the time, you get hurt." I whispered. Finishing his back, I move him gently and huffed out. Now lying on his back, Naru softly snorted, taking a breath. I frowned at him.
Then my hands started to shake.
"His back is one thing, but his front? Okay, I can do this." I whispered, rinsing out the cloth, I rose his arm, and cleaned it. Slowly scrubbing, I reach his hands, noticing how big they are, compare to mine, that are two sizes smaller. His fingers long and elegant, yet very masculine. Dropping his arm down, my eyes soften.
"I don't get the chance to do this. I like your hands, besides your eyes and hair, your hands, are the second best feature of you." I whispered, pressing his upper part of his hand against my right cheek.
'His hands, always protect me, not matter what.'
"It even covers half of my cheek, wonder what did your parents fed you and Gene when you both were younger?" I giggled, pressing a small kiss on his palm. Then I sadden. A realization hitting me.
'Even if he saves me all the time, doesn't mean he likes me, nor love me. I'm just his assistant, that can see the dead.'
"I thought you should know. I shouldn't love you. So being friends is good. So I'll try my best to let go of you. Alright Naru. So don't worry any more, I won't be a bother anymore." I whispered, turning and lower his arm. Then I wipe his chest, down to his flat stomach.
"I should let go of you. You have someone, someone special to you." I whispered, biting my lower lip. Going around, (actually jumping over Naru) I took Naru other arm, and started to wipe. Completing it. I throw the cloth inside of the bucket. Then rinse it again.
Lifting up, I move towards his head, and gently rose his head, so he now on my lap. I smiled gently and brush his bangs away from his sleeping face.
"If I should let you go. I would never have the chance. Is it hard? Is it a sin, to desire, that you would be my first kiss and my last." I mumbled, as I trace my thumb across his lips, biting my lower lip, aching to press my lips against his.
'It will be a sin. Since that's being selfish, in many levels.' Forwning, I shook my thoughts away, and wipe his face gently.
Continuing to clean him, I trace his cheeks, gently.
"I don't care how handsome you are. Cause from the beginning I knew who you really are. How cold you are. I fell for you, not because of your looks. I have no idea why, but because, like a rough diamond, you're something precious, deep inside you." I move down, to press my palm against his bare chest, where his heart beats softly. I smile.
'Like a rough diamond. Sharp around the edges, but beautiful in the inside. I know you went through so much, so I understand. So for your peace of mind. I will let you go. So please, Naru. Wake up soon. I promise to let you go.'
After I finished wiping him down, a yawn escapes my lips. Everything around me started to spin. Grasping my head. I place Naru head down, and sat back.
"Now it hits me. At least we are back in the tree house." I whispered. Feeling relief about that.
"A little nap, shouldn't hurt right Naru?" I asked, looking down at Naru.
"Ayame said, he won't wake for a while, so. Would it be okay?" I thought.
"I'll make it fast. After this, I will start forgetting you." I whispered, so I settle down to his side, and lay my head on his shoulder, wrapping my arm around his bare chest.
"Warm. Naru is very warm, despise how hot is in here." I mumbled, snuggling more into him.
"Just a few minutes, and I'll get up." I inhaled Naru scent, just like before, made my heart flutter. Burying my nose in the crook of his neck, slowly closing my eyes, I place my leg around his own leg.
"He won't know... Can't I just pretend for right now, that he's mine, and I can do this? Can I just pretend that I'm his." My heart talked, wishing that with all my heart. That we can be one.
"I'll just put a brave face on, so when Naru wakes up, he'll know I was strong. And not weak. I was brave." I whispered, as finally everything went dark on me.
Missing the chance, to see Naru opening his eyes. Looking down at me.
"Mai?" he whispers my name confused. A headache burst in his head, causing him to moan. Looking down at me in confusion, he was too tired to care, what the hell happened. So he just wraps his arms around me, placing his chin on top of my head, tightening his brace.
"I'm glad you're okay," He whispers, kissing the top of my head, and once again, went into a deep slumber. Embracing each other that night...
O.o
"He's been asleep for a whole three weeks," I whispered, while eating my fruits.
"I miss meat, and some noodles." I frowned, leaning my head against the wall, looking up at the ceiling.
A blush passes through my cheeks, when I lowered my head, to stare at Naru.
'I shouldn't tell him that I sleep next to him. He won't like it. But I'm a fool. If I want to forget him, I should stop right? Then why in the world, my heart is racing?' I signed, touching my chest. Standing up, I licked my fingers, and went up to the mirror to look.
"My hair, is longer. Its on my shoulder now. It looks pretty. At least, I cut Naru hair. Aren't' I lucky, I found some pair of old scissors, buried deep in one of the chest. I sharpened them with some rocks near the river. These past three weeks, has been a lot of work. I'm exhausted." I frowned, looking at my reflection.
I look thinner, but not thin enough. Yet, I look very healthy, do with all the organic food. My eyes are bloodshot red, from the crying, and lack of sleep at times. I lifted my hair, to stare at my neck.
"The burn mark hasn't left yet. And my legs." A tight knot fills my throat, when I glance down. A terrible mark is left behind. A burn mark, that looks like a spider web.
"Stupid ghost. At least Ayame has been helping me out at times." I whispered, rubbing the back of my neck.
'I need to sleep, and rest. I can't, until Naru wakes up.' Frowning, a sudden noise cause me to freeze.
"M.. Mai?" I heard, a familiar voice, that I haven't heard in three weeks. My heart flutters, but I just took in a big breath, and plaster a fake smile.
"Here goes nothing. I was brave, and that's what Naru will see. Not a pathetic girl, that runs and hide." and with that final word, I turned around and went towards Naru.
Naru POV
I slowly open my eyes, my back aching me completely. My sight a little blurry, my bladder hitting me hard.
'What the hell happened?' I thought, rubbing the side of my head. Finally, my gaze turned normal, and I stare at a familiar roof.
'No, is not a dream. I am really stranded. This is the tree house. Mai..' I thought,
"M.. Mai?" her name is the first thing that passes my lips, noticing that my voice cracked.
"Naru! You're awake," I heard a familiar voice echo my name. My heart jumped from the mention of my name. Mai face comes into view. Noticing something strange. Her eyes are red, her hair a little longer than before, she looks thinner, and a bit darker than the normal.
"Wh..." My voice horsed out.
"Here, drink this," she whispers, helping me sit up, leaning against the wall, she hands me the large leaf, and I drank down. Relief passes through me.
"What happened?" I finally asked.
"You have been asleep for three weeks. Its been two months since we been stranded here." she frowns, looking down at her hands.
"Three weeks?" I repeated, trying to comprehend what the hell happened.
"Don't you remember?" she asks.
"No. I have a pounding headache, and I'm starving." I told her the truth. Mai frowns, but hands me some fruit, and some fish.
"I caught this fish this morning. Cause of you, I became a good fisherman, err, woman." she smiles. I stare at her, watching as she just stares at the cooked fish.
'What has she been doing?' I thought, frowning at that. Then I started to eat, silently, while Mai sat across me, staring at the ground, for a whole good five minutes. After I finished, which I might add, was very good, I moved my body only to ache.
"Three weeks? That's.." I paused, trying to remember. Mai sits in front of me, stretching out, she places an old rag on my face, and starts to wipe. My eyes narrow.
"I took good care of you. It was a bit hard, but I feed you the best I could, and gave you some water. Are you okay? I'm not sure if I did a good job." she frowns, lowering her hand down. My heart jumped, a strange feeling filled my cold heart.
"Why do you look so skinny?" I asked, getting annoyed, that she hasn't taken good care of herself. She shrugs.
"I have been doing a lot of house work. Fishing, and taking care of you. You know, last week, I was running away, cause a boar chased after me." she seems to smile at the memory as my eyes narrow.
'She's been doing everything by herself, while I slept?" and a boar chased her?' I thought, not liking this at all.
"I made our house a little more conferrable. Switch things around, and found more clothes. I washed them, so we can use. Come, I know you're dying for a bath, and your bladder needs to be bothering you." she whispers.
"I kept you clean though. I mean. Just your upper part." she blushes, lowering her head. I just stare at her, registering everything she just told me.
'She's so skinny than the normal. Her eyes are red, and puffy. Hasn't she been taking care of her own self?' standing up. I had to take a hold of the wall to steady myself. Yet, anger fills me.
"Easy," she whispers, going to my side, taking a hold of my hand. I shivered from her touch.
"I just need to walk," I told her. Mai frowns, but moves away from me.
"Okay. I'll take you to the stream. I have many things to tell you." she smiles, moving slowly as I walk down the stairs.
"I remember that we were heading for West. How did we end up here?"
"Don't you remember? Oh no, did you forget? Just like me?" she asks. I stopped in my tracks, turning to face her.
"You forgot again?"
"No, I mean, I still can't remember the East, but I do remember the west quite too clearly. Next time, when I'm in trouble, don't block the way." she whispers.
Shaking my head, we kept going down stairs. Looking around, I notice that some things were arranged or change.
"Did you do this alone?" I asked, noticing that there's more food, on the corner, near right, and some beach decorations, like seashells around the window. And some other touches here and there, and the chests moved to the right side of the tree house.
"Yep. I was bored. If you don't like it, I can change it." I heard disappointment in her voice. I shrugged, not caring at all.
"Do whatever you want Mai. Its your house." I told her. Mai eyes widen, while a smile spreads on her face.
"No, it's our house now. You know, if you don't like something, I can..." but I just shook my head.
"Do whatever you like. I don't' care for the least." which is true. I'm just mad right now.
"Okay," she agrees, smiling at me. I just stare at her, with no emotion. Cause right now, besides being mad, I'm confused, about how to act.
She gently grasps my arm, and pulls me towards the exit. I just stare at her, as the same weird feeling grew even more.
'What's wrong with her?'
()
"So, when I saw the boar, I panic, and ran as fast as I could, but Ayame helped me out, It was funny, cause she made the over grown pig squeal," she concludes, while I place my pants on.
"Ayame sure has been a big help around." I whispered, going around the rock, to find Mai, sitting on the ground, cross arms, looking up at the sky.
'She looks nice, but very tired. Very.'
"Yes. She's become a good friend. She won't talk about the past. I want to help her. She seems so sad. Either way. I'm happy, now I'm not that lonely any more." she glance up at me, smiling. I frown, bending down at her level, I stare at her eyes.
'Sadness, tiresome, weary, and full of worry.' all showed. I knew very well, I know her more than she knows herself.
'Why? How in the world did she manage, to get me to the tree house?'
"Mai, stop pretending," I whisper. She tilts her head to the side.
"Pretending? I'm not. Why should I?" Her eyes tell another story.
'I really have to thank Ayame. For taking care of Mai for me, while I wasn't in deposition.'
"Mai!" My voice turned serious, because my heart can't take this. The weird feeling overcame me. Mai eyes move rapidly, trying to think of something.
"Its okay Mai. Just let go." I told her. Mai lifted her gaze, biting her lower lip.
"Let go? Let go of what? I was brave, and kept myself busy, until you awoke," her smile drops, noticing that his eyes turn moist.
"For now, just stop being brave Mai. Just let go. I'm here," I felt miserable, just like that night, and when she awoke, and sat next to me. Taking a hold of my hand (Shyly of course, and I felt a little nervous as well, but I just adjust our hands) and we remained quiet.
All I knew, that she was alive and next to me. The simple hold of her warm hand, was enough for me to feel at ease, to ease my pain. Even if I didn't shed a tear, Mai did, for the both of us. I want to give her that back. I don't know how, but right now, she looks like she's about to break down.
"Mai, just let go." I whispered to her once again, as her eyes widen.
"Can I?"
"Yes." Then she grabs my shirt. Now she lets her tears run down her cheeks freely.
"I was so scared. I thought I lost you. Again. You're a bastard, for playing hero. Don't, please stop." she starts hitting my shoulder very weakly.
"You don't have no idea, how much I worried. Even thought it only past three weeks. It felt like years. I hate you..." she cries. I have no idea what happened to me. I wrap my arms around her, pinning her against my chest, as she cries harder.
"I hate you!" she repeated, as I stare at the rock in front of me.
"I know." I just told her, feeling her small hands fisting my shirt.
"Don't do that anymore." she presses her cheek against my chest. As I kept looking, I flinch as finally my memories hit me.
'Oh, right.' is my only thoughts, as I finish remembering everything.
'She's alright.' I breathed, tighten my hold on Mai.
"Are you okay? Does it hurt? I tried my best to take care of you." she moves away from me, getting on her knees, and takes a hold of both of my cheeks. Her eyes scanning mine. I can see is concern in her eyes, making my heart quaver.
"Mai, I'm okay. You took good care of me. Okay." I cup her cheeks, running my thumbs across her cheeks, wiping her tears away. She leans on my touch, as her eyes softens. My heart gave a painful jump. Making me gulp heavily.
"Are you sure? You have been asleep for three weeks." she whispers.
"I am. I just remember what happened. My Pk, for some odd reason, felt like it hit my own soul, but I'm Okay." Mai frowns, surprising me, she moves closer and wraps her arms around me, pressing my head against her chest, making me feel her bosom. My eyes widen, to feel her softness, and her warmth.
"Good. I took you myself. I use a wagon I found. We'll talk about it later. Just give me a minute." she whispers, tighten her grip around me. My eyes, becomes soft, letting myself be pampered by her embrace, yet, I don't wrap my arms around her. No, that's too personal. I can hear her heart. Is pounding hard against her chest. Her scent is the same, but stronger than ever. So I embrace it.
'Thank you Mai, for being brave.' I thought, closing my eyes and bathe in her warmth.
O.o
Mai drops in her bed, as a yell passes her lips. I move closer, lifting the veil up.
"What's wrong?" I asked her that night. Mai blushes, hiding her face from me, by using the blanket.
I had to get used to moving once more. Every muscle in my body hurts. Especially my back, but I kept it from Mai. She already has enough problems of her own.
"Nothing. Either way, you should rest." she whispers. I tilt my head to the side.
"I'm okay, my back is better." I lied to her. Mai frowns, but still avoided eye contact. What's wrong with her?
"I cut your hair. Please don't be mad." she whispers. I arched a brow. Standing up, I go up to the mirror, and took a look. Pretty good, same size as before, but a little shorter.
"With the knife?" I asked.
"No, some scissors, I found and sharpen it. And since your hair was growing fast, I thought it was time for a hair cut. So don't be mad." her voice muffles. I arched a brow, turning my head towards her.
"Mad? We are in the middle of nowhere, no one around, why in the world will I get mad?" I asked a little confuse. Mai frowns, shyly covering her face with her hand.
"Cause you get mad at me a lot. So I thought."
"I get mad at you for other things, but this, I let it pass, since there's no other choice," I told her, then curiosity hits me.
"What about yours?" I asked. Mai shook her head.
"I want it long, for now. I'll cut it later." turning back, I sat next to her bed, rolling my shoulders, since they felt stiff.
"Have you learned anything from the diary?" I asked. Mai shook her head.
"No. I haven't been reading, because I was too busy taking care of you, and err, some things were in English. I still don't know how to read them." she admits. Lifting the veil once again, Mai covers her face, under the blanket, but on doing so, she lifted her quilt up, showing me her legs. I frowned, noticing something strange. So without a word, I took hold of her chubby legs, and turn her.
"Hey!" she yells, this time she shows her face to me, but my eyes connects with the burn marks in her legs.
"Oh, no. I didn't want you to see them." she shyly grabs her quilt to cover them, but I force her leg down.
"Hey, please Naru, is embarrassing," she frowns, lifting her upper body, she grabs my hand, to swat it away, but I gave her a stern look.
"This is from the fire, isn't?"
"No, I just went swimming in boiling water. Of course, that manic horseman did that. Please, stop looking at it. They look horrible." I heard her cries. Lifting my gaze, tears now rolling down her cheeks once again.
"You didn't take good care of yourself." I spat. Mai frowns, nodding shyly.
"You were unconscious, and.." but anger fills me.
"You should take care of yourself first Mai. Stop worrying about me." I snapped at her. Her eyes widen, sadness passing over. I actually wince at her look.
'Damn it.' I cuss, while Mai hiccups.
"Fine! Next time, I'll let you die!" she bitter spat, grabbing her blanket, and covers herself from head to toe making herself into a small ball. I stare at her,
"Mai, is not about taking care of me. You have to take care of yourself more." I sighed, getting a headache once again. This time, my voice turns soft. Mai turns her body, huffing out.
"Mai, look at me," I order, but nothing, she just kept under the covers.
"No. You always like this. Go to sleep." she orders me. I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated.
"Mai." I tried again. Mai groans, surprising me, she shoots up, but gasp, when she came very close to me, as our eyes lock. Our noses barely touching but almost, my eyes shot to her lips, very rapidly, remembering that night, when she kissed me. How they felt. My heart jumped.
"J.. Just leave me alone Naru. I don't want to talk about it." she whispers nervously, then returns back to her bed. And that was that.
Standing up, I go to my bed, after I lower the veil. Looking up at the roof, my mind wandered. I felt so tired for a reason. Maybe emotionally tired?
Closing my eyes, slumber hits me. Yet.. That night I toss and turned. Half way through the night. I snapped my eyes open.
"Why can't I sleep?" I thought, turning to face Mai bed. She was sound asleep, Her body facing me. Her hand stretched out, touching the floor.
'I'm mad at you because you didn't take good care of yourself, not because you took care of me.' I thought, not noticing that I was sliding closer towards her. As though it was natural.
I slid my hand across the bed. I took a hold of her hand, running my fingers through her fingers. She moans, moving closer.
"Thank you Mai. Thank you for taking care of me, and not giving up. As above all things. For being brave." I whisper, feeling my heart ache, but not a bad ache. A strange ache, that I never felt before. Moving closer, I closed my eyes, and gently kiss her fingers. Laying my cheek on the cold surface of the ground. Staring at her sleeping form.
Mai moans, fluttering her eyes open, but I knew, already that she's still half asleep. She smiles at me, intertwining our fingers.
"I wouldn't change it. Gene." she smiles, as my eyes widen, her words cause my heart to stop. As she closes her eyes, and I yank my fingers away from her. Closing my eyes, I moaned out in frustration.
"Gene.. Right.." I have forgotten... And with that bitter last thought, the rest of the night, I just forced myself to sleep.
Mai POV
"I wouldn't change it.. Gene. I would do anything for you and Naru." I smiled, as Gene smiles back at me. He bows down, taking a hold of my hand, as we stare at each other.
"Thank you." and with that, he disappears.
'What a strange dream. I thought Gene can't come to the island, then why did I dream that he thank me? Strange indeed.' I thought, while I lay on my bed the next day.
'Something is wrong?'
'My body. Why can't it move?' I snapped my eyes open. My body felt heavy.
"Its time to get up." Naru voice echoed on my right. I move my head, only to groan in pain.
'Did it catch up to me? Oh no. I ache, everything hurts.' I thought, feeling nervous. Naru lifts the veil, and bends down.
"Why aren't getting up?" he asks. I Lift my gaze, and shivered.
"My body. It won't get up." I cried, closing my eyes.
"Mai?" Naru asks, not catching the concern look in his blue eyes. I just heard him sit down. I felt his hand on my back. I stiffen at his touch, not because I like it, because it hurt.
"It hurts. Don't touch me." I told him.
"Hurts?" This time, Naru takes a hold of my arms, and flips me around. I moaned in pain.
"My body hurts Naru." I cover my face with my hands. Naru signed, shaking his head.
"You have been over working yourself Mai. Now, it came back to hunt you." I snapped my eyes open, and lower my hands, to stare at him.
"Stop scolding me. If I didn't, you would have died and you shouldn't be the one to talk. You work twice as hard. " I complained. Then his words from last night hits me.
'Right.' I shrug him off, closing my eyes.
"Then why didn't you? Damn it Mai. Look at you now." He hissed, snapping my right eye open, I saw him staring down at me, his blue eyes, cold as ever. I actually wince at his stare.
"I'll take up that offer the next time, you save me. I'll just let you rot, like I told you last night. Happy. Are you freaking happy! Now, Stop scolding me, you're not my father. Just my damn Boss!" I snapped, as anger hits me hard, breathing harder than ever. Why everything I do, he thinks, is bad, or stupid?
'Doesn't he know, that I worried about him? That I spend endless hours, watching over him. Also. The phantom man, he keeps haunting my dreams. I dream that I have been in the fire, burning me alive.
I shivered, as I slowly stood up, to wince in pain.
'I think carrying Naru on my back was the big toll on me, that made me like this. It hurts.' I inner cried, wanting to bash my head against the wall. Naru stares at me, his eyes turning colder by the second.
"What?" I snapped at him, not in the mood. All I wanted is to use the bathroom and sleep. Sleep all day, and not have that nightmare, also, I didn't sleep well last night, because, I felt like I was missing something. Not sure what though?
"Nothing. Do whatever you have to do. Don't call me for help, call Gene for that.." and with that, I see him go down the stairs, and literally slams the door, as my eyes widen.
"Why the hell is he so mad about? And this is new. Naru never slams the door, and what does Gene has to do with it? He's not even allowed to come to this island." I huffed, running my fingers through my hair, feeling so down now.
"Damn that man. Gene has nothing to do with this!" I screamed, shaking my body.
Lifting my body up, aching everywhere, I glance up, to stare at the stairs, feeling fresh tears running down my cheeks, as finally my anger went away, replace by a sudden depression.
"Naru don't' leave me. Please Naru, I just got you back. Do you know, how lonely I was these past three weeks?" I gasped out, lowering my head.
"Either this is going to continue like this, or I'm going to die, but not by a ghost, but from a broken heart. Naru, I gave you up, but at least let me have your friendship." I thought, then my eyes snap open, a strange sensation washes over me.
Rubbing my arms, I stood, as a strange sound (Like walking) is heard from the downstairs. Slowly and quietly, I manage to go downstairs. Only to see Naru standing near the window, cross arms.
"Naru? Since when you return so fast? I thought you were mad at me." I asked, not daring to get close to him. Naru turns his gaze, and smirks at me.
'Wait, Naru is mad, why would he smirk at me?'
"That brother of mine is sure something. Clearly he doesn't see what I see, and he calls himself a genius. So, call for my name then." he says proudly, my eyes widen at his sudden words, making catch my breath.
"Gene?" I asked, not daring to move. Gene nods gently moving slowly towards my side, and takes a hold of my shoulder, and his smirk turns into a full blown smile.
"Hello there Mai, miss me? Cause I surely did."
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