Chapter Nine
A Life of Complications
(Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt, but I do own cute little Hotaru! :D)
Lin stared shocked at Takigawa. Matsuzaki-san was pregnant? Why had she even come on this case in the first place?
Monk leaned even more into his hands. He knew that even though Ayako didn't want to, he told Lin. He could still remember the day before the case. The day he had gotten into a fight with his girlfriend.
^*^*FlAsHbAcK*^*^
Ayako stood in the front Monk's living room, her hands on her hips. Her expression was full of anger and disbelief.
"I already told you! I don't want to do that!" She yelled
"Why not?!" Yelled Monk from the couch on the other side of the room. "If you go on this case you and the baby could be in danger! I don't want to risk you."
Ayako shook with anger before she yelled back. "It won't matter anyway! We can tell them after the case. If we tell them before the case has even started, then Naru would never let us go!"
"Exactly!" Monk yelled "He wouldn't let you go because you would be in danger!"
Ayako's expression changed and her face became cold. "Do not tell anyone of this. This is my decision as much as it is yours." And with that she left the room.
Monk sighed. He placed his head in his hands and massaged the side of his head. He didn't understand why she was being so difficult. This was for her and the they went on the case, there was a chance that they would be in danger. Couldn't she see that he was just trying to protect her?
They had been together in secret for a few weeks now. Monk had finally confessed to her and Ayako had admitted that she felt the same way. They went to a bar that night and one thing led to another… Monk shook his head. This was no time to be thinking about such things. He had to start packing for the case. At the first sign that Ayako was in danger, he would take her away from there and out of harm.
^*^*EnD fLaShBaCk*^*^
Naru was going to be pissed. Mai had just received a call from Lin. He told her he had tried to get a hold of Naru but he hadn't picked up the phone. When Mai had asked Lin what was the matter, he told her of all the drama of that was going on with the couple of idiots in the hospital.
"W-what?" she stuttered "Ayako's preg-prge." She couldn't get out the word. She had no idea that this complication was in the mix. She had been crying in Masako's arms for many hours. Masako just held her and whispered words into her ears. Mai wondered why Masako had just let her do that. Currently, the medium was changing her clothes in the girl's bedroom because her kimono was ripped and bloodied. She was bound to come back in a few minutes.
"Taniyama-san," Lin said "Could you tell Naru? He is trying to get the case wrapped up and is not answering the phone."
"Um. Yeah, Sure I will get right on that." Mai said unsurely.
Lin paused. Through the phone, Mai sounded very unsure. He breathed in a deep sigh and spoke. "Taniyama-san, just talk to Naru. He will listen to you."
Mai rolled her eyes even though she knew that she knew he could not see them. "Whatever you say Lin. I'll get right on it."
The two of them said there good byes and Lin hung up the phone. Naru and Yasuhara were currently trying to find information in the next room. When Mai had started to cry hysterically, Masako had pulled her into the next room. Why? Normally she would just let her embarrass herself in front of Naru. Mai jumped as said girl walked into the room drying her head with a towel. She gave the girl a raised eyebrow. "What?"
Mai shook her head and looked away. She put her hand on her chin and thought of a way to tell Naru about Ayako's condition. Masako came over and sat next to the young psychic sitting cress cross on the floor. Mai gave a confused look as she realized Masako was wearing normal night clothing. Weird. She had this nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she had seen those night clothes before.
She shrugged the feeling of and stood up. Masako stood up with her without saying anything. Mai felt the hair on her arms stand up straight and she looked around the room nervously. Maybe they shouldn't be alone.
Grabbing Masako's hand, she walked over to the door and they both left the room.
"I was getting a bad feeling in there." Mai said
"I was too." Masako said quietly
Mai stopped walking and turned to the quiet girl. "What's wrong Masako?"
The celebrity shook her head and stared silently into space as she thought. She was barely aware of the girl's hand tightening on her own.
Since Ayako had gone to the hospital, Masako had only left Mai's side on a few occasions. It felt nice to stay with the girl that understood her pain so much. They were both in love with the same guy. They had many problems that they shared. They were the two youngest on the team. Mai also had no idea how to handle the spirits of the next world. Masako had been in this business for a long time. Mai had done so much to help her, even if she didn't know the extreme dangers she went through, she still helped. In Masako's mind Mai would be her best friend. She would help her understand the dangers.
Mai was also in the process of becoming a medium. If she did, Masako could explain what would happen and certain things to except. She could help her through the changes that were happening to her spiritual powers. Masako's brother was the same. Even if he was no longer of this world, Masako would respect him until the day that she died.
Once again the hand that held hers tightened. Mai could see Masako's eyes tearing up, but she thought it was for different reasons.
"Its ok Masako," She whispered "Ayako is going to be just fine."
The medium looked back at the tightly smiled girl. "No, that is not what I am worried about. I was think about my past."
Mai frowned. Her past?
"I had a brother." Masako continued on. "He was just like you, always optimistic. He was just like you on your powers as well. His strongest ability was astral projecting. He did the same thing you did earlier today. He was running from a demon on a case that I was investigating. He drew the demons attention away from me, but… he didn't make it away from the demon. My younger brother….." The medium looked back at the girl. "After he died, he still felt the need to protect me. He followed me around as a spirit until just a few months ago, I got him to pass on. For some reason I feel the need to protect you because of that. You are just like him, always reckless. I didn't have the time to protect him. He was so young when he died. Ten years old. I don't think I could stand it if you passed on and started saying around me." She whispered
Mai dropped Masako's hand and moved in front of the celebrity, putting both hands o her shoulders. She looked deep into the eyes of the teenage girl.
"Masako I am not going any where." Then she laughed "Plus if I was going to haunt anyone, it would be Naru." Her eyes glazed over in thought. "Well actually, I wouldn't haunt anyone or anything. I would join my parents as soon as I could. I miss them a lot." Her voice trailed down as she got deeper into her memories. The times mom had picnics with her at the park, when her dad took her to the carnival before he divorced her mom. Mai remembered the day the casket had arrived at her door, her father inside wearing his army clothes. At the time Mai did not understand why her dad was in a box and a cloth draped over his face. All she remembers beside that was her momma crying. Later that week, after having the funeral, they moved to Osaka. Mai was brought back to reality when Masako whipped the tears that had unknowingly escaped out of her eyes.
"It's okay Mai. You can cry in front of me."
At that point, all hell broke loose. Mai hurled herself into Masako's arms and cried until her eyes were red and puffy. Masako moved herself so that Mai was crying in her lap and they bother were leaning against the wall of the hallway. Masako just smoothed the girl's hair back from her face and whispered words into her ear. Masako remembered herself doing the same thing to her parents when the doctors gave her the news about he brother.
After a few minutes of sitting on the floor, Mai and Masako stood simultaneously. They both leaned against the wall, neither looking at the other. Mai whipped the tear stains away.
When Mai's eyes cleared of all the evidence, she grabbed Masako's hand once again and head back into the base room.
"Come," Mai said "I have to tell Naru something very important."
Mai opened the door and stepped into the room. Yasu was pointing out something to Naru on one of the screens. Naru looked up from the laptop Lin usually possessed. When the two men heard the girls entering they turned their heads to the couple that were hand in hand. Naru raised an eyebrow. Since when were they so friendly with each other?
"Naru." Mai announced "I have something important to tell you~!"
Naru raised the other eyebrow to meet the other one. Why was she shifting her body restlessly? Why did she look so nervous?
"Umm. Well you see….. Lin called me because you weren't answering you phone. He was talking to Monk and he said that Monk told him Ayako was pregnant."
Naru's eyes narrowed and he hissed. "What?"
Mai gulped. " Umm yea. That's what he told me."
If at any possible his eyes got narrower. "Why did Lin call you and not me?"
Mai gulped. This was not a good situation to be in. "He said he tried and you didn't answer your phone."
Naru reached into his pants and pulled out his cell phone. He clicked a button and the screen lit up. 8 missed calls from Lin. Why hadn't the phone rung? Checking the sound he was confused to see it on silent. Mai walked over and looked over his shoulder at his phone. Naru was very aware of the fact that her hair was touching the back of his neck. She leaned away and hummed.
"Maybe Lin turned it off when you fell asleep or something."
Naru furrowed his eyebrows. That was possible, but it wasn't something Lin would do. He turned his phone back to vibrate where it should have been. He went to his contact list and looked up Lin's number. He hit the send button and held the phone up to his ear. Yasuhara and the girls watched as he left the room and went to talk to Lin outside of the base.
The sound of the phone ringing stopped giving his the cue to start talking.
"Lin is it true Matsuaki-san is pregnant?"
At this moment John walked down the hall hearing the last three words. Naru watched as John's face turned bright red. He turned around and walked back down the hall muttering on how Takigawa had sinned. Naru smirked then regained his composer when he missed Lin's question.
"What was that Lin?"
On the other side of the phone, Lin frowned. Naru wasn't listening was he? His suspicions were confirmed when he heard Naru's response.
"I said 'Noll is everyone over there alright. I know Taniyama-san was very stricken when Matsuzaki-san was taken to the hospital.…' Are you getting sick? You are not acting like yourself."
Naru pinched the bridge of his nose and took in a deep breath. "Mai is fine. I believe Hara-san calmed her down."
"Hara-san….. Calmed her down?"
"Yes." Naru said firmly
An awkward silence followed before Naru heard the bashings of Mai and the screaming of Yasuhara. He sighed. Typical.
"I have to go Lin. Let me know how Matsuzaki-san is doing later."
There was a Reply from Lin before Naru hit the end button and opened the door back into base. Inside, a very red Mai was beating Yasuhara that was lying on the floor clutching his head. Behind Mai Masako watched with dancing eyes and giggled into her kimono.
"Don't say stuff like that Yasu! It's creepy!"
"Monk!" Yasuhara called "Save me from the best that is killing me! My prince!"
Mai turned redder at this point and John walked into the room. She turned toward him.
"John!" She hissed "Restrain him and put duck tape on his mouth! I can't take this anymore!" She stopped her beating on Yasu when she saw John walking over to them slowly. He pulled out his holy water and started praying. The water hit Mi square in the face and Naru had to stop himself from smiling. At this point Masako fell over and started laughing into the floor.
"John!" She screeched "I am not possessed. I told you to restrain Yasu!"
John continued his chanting and Mai face palmed. Naru heard her mutter something about getting John back later before she stormed out of the room with a barely composed Masako following. Naru almost smirked. The scene was priceless.
When Mai had left the room, Yasuhara sat up his hand holding his head lightly.
"Ugg." He groaned "I swear Mai can probably beat Ayako in a beating match. I'm just going to hope that when they have the contest Monk is the victim."
Naru did nothing but followed the girls out of the base. They hadn't gotten far when Naru over heard then speak.
"Yea right Masako! That won't happen in a million years!"
"You never know Mai, he might just confess one day…"
Mai scoffed. "When pigs fly!"
Naru wondered who they were talking about. Unfortunately, that would have to wait until later.
"Mai, Hara-san, you two will be sharing a bed tonight."
Mai and Masako spun around at hearing their names called. Mai squeaked.
"Oh u-um h-hi Naru. W-when did you get there?"
Naru just looked at her straight not answering her question. "It will be safer this way. You two are not to leave each others side.
"Umm okay Naru, but who will you be with?"
Naru was saved from answering that question when his phone rang. Naru pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the caller id. Lin. He hit the send button and held the phone to his ear.
"Lin, how is Matsuzaki-san?"
"Naruu~!" Monk sang from the other side. "Lin left so I took his phone~!"
Naru sighed "Monk give Lin back his phone. He won't appreciate it."
"Awww but Naru-chan! I wanted to tell you how Ayako is!"
Naru sighed again. He looked at the girls in front of his that were watching him curiously. He clicked the loud spear button and closed his eyes. "Go on."
Monk cheered "Alright! So lets see…. Ayako was close to having a miscarriage and won't be able to be on the case anymore. Sorry also. She is apparently got some sort of Flu making her sickness worse…..hmm yea I think that is about it. The doctor said after some rest she will be fine."
The girls sighed in relief and Monk heard them. "Mai-chan is that you?! Hi!" Naru opened his eyes and cut Mai off from saying. "Takigawa, you and Matsuzaki-san go back. You two are off the case. Takigawa stay with Matsuzaki-san. I assume the child is yours."
When Monk didn't respond, the girls giggled into the sleeved of their clothing.
"Alright big boss…." Monk said in a dejected tone. Then it turned chipper. "Call us if you need anything. I have to go because I don't want Lin to catch me on his phone."
In the background someone yelled Takigawa. Naru could assume it was Lin. Monk gulped and the line went dead.
Mai and Masako laughed. Monk was so going to get in so much trouble.
The girls waved good bye to Naru and entered their room.
Naru headed back toward the base. He entered to the room to find Lin already back in the seat by the monitors. That was really quick. As if Lin sensed his question, he spoke. "We were already almost here. Takiawa lives about five minutes away." Lin looked annoyed as he put on the headphones to the monitors. John was talking quietly with a sleepy looking Yasu.
"Lin can you watch monitors tonight?" A nod was all he got in response.
He turned to Yasu and John. "You two are paired. Never leave the others side. Even to go to the bathroom." John nodded and Yasu gave a sleepy okay. "You are dismissed."
They both stood up. John stretched and they both walked out of the room.
"I'm going to bed." Naru said to Lin.
"Good night Noll." He turned away from the monitors and looked him in the eye. " Do you think Taniyama-san will have another dream. I think she has had too many on this case.
Naru nodded. He began to leave the base once again. On his way put he said. "She is Mai. Let's just hope that no one else will come to harm on this case."
Mai stared at the girl across from her. It felt awkward sleeping in the same bed with someone who had been you enemy days before. Mai liked the fact they were mostly friends, it just felt weird being in the base bed with someone else.
"Hey Masako?" Mai asked after a minute Masako said something.
"I'm giving up on Naru." She blurted
The statement shocked Mai so much she sat up in the king sized bed they were laying in.
"What? Masako are you sick or something?"
Mai felt Masako shift restlessly. "There is no point. He is in love with someone else."
Mai felt her heart drop. Naru was in love with someone?
Masako watched as Mai's face dropped. She had no idea. If she paid attention she might figure t out she supposed. For now, Masako would let the chips fall where they may. She was asleep in less than thirty seconds.
The whole night Mai wondered who the lucky girl was.
(An: Hey everyone! I want to thank everyone that has reviewed my story! Even though she is proababl not reading my story, I want to thank Malindorie! XD She knows why!
I 'm going to be busy the next couple days but I will try to update as soon as I can! You guys are awesome! Thanks for the reviews! keep them coming! :)
By the way if you review, you can decide on what gender Ayako's baby should be. Unless I already asked you! -_- You know who you are. lol
REVIEW!
-WhisperToTheWolves
