Disclaimer: I own nothing! Well, okay the plot but nothing else. XD Thanks to all of you loyal readers and reviewers! It's because of you that me continuing this is possible!
Chapter Eleven: That's Life
When Naru returned to base, Lin had made it back and was reviewing the tapes while John wached over his shoulder. Mai and Masako were sitting on the couch discussing baby names and Ayako and Monk were locked in a silent arguement about who knew what. Naru cleared his throat. "I don't pay you to sit around, Ayako, Takigawa. John, I want you and Masako to go on one side of the house and cleanse whatever spirits you come across. Ayako, Takigawa, I want you two to take the other end and do the same. Lin, Mai; I want any information you may have about this case."
Masako bit back her arguement and followed John while Ayako and Takigawa hung back. "I don't think it's a good idea to-" Bou-san started only to be interrupted by Naru.
"Just go."
Mai and Lin had puzzled looks on their faces and Mai was feeling increasingly uncomfortable. 'What if he wants to yell at us?' she thought.
Naru sat down beside Mai and said, "Mai, I'm sorry but I want you to recount your dreams and talks with Gene. Don't leave out any detail. The faster we solve this the faster we can leave and get rid of the danger."
Mai blinked but decided not to even ask about her boss' strange behavior. She told him as much as she could remember and watched as Naru mulled over it.
Naru turned to Lin and then asked, "Has Madoka found anything?"
Mai flinched and looked away. When Lin had made it back he hadn't said a word to anyone let alone told Mai what happened.
Lin nodded. "She found out about the previous owners but won't be able to come by and present it herself. She gave me plenty of files to sift through but nothing that points to who or what started the malicious spirit. Just a long history on a devasting number of missing children."
Naru sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I suppose you told her about Mai."
Mai glared at the back of Naru's head, wishing he wouldn't have said anything about that particular subject.
It was Lin's turn to sigh. "I did and it devestated her." At this he turned to Mai and continued, "It may be a while before she feels up to facing you, Mai. It's not that she hates you, it's that she feels it would be awkward and she would be jealous."
Mai allowed her head to hang before replying, "I understand. Could you tell her next time you talk to her that I'm sorry?"
"Yes, I can."
Naru cleared his throat, impatient. "I'm bringing Yasuhara in to help gather information. It will be easier to have someone able to come back and forth from the library and with his skills he's sure to uncover something of worth." He then turned to Mai. "Mai, you are to stay with Lin and I at all times. In fact, I'm arranging to have you move into our room to ensure your safety. Also, you are to keep one of Matsuzaki's charms with you at all times."
Mai's eyes went wide at the prospect of sharing a room with Naru and Lin. "Are you sure? I mean, I can bunk with Bou-san and John."
Naru gave one of his dangerous smirks. "Is there a problem, Mai?"
Mai shook her head. She knew better than to argue right now.
"Good. Lin, take Mai to gather her stuff and put it in our room. Oh, and help her make tea."
Mai gulped. This was going to be a long case.
By the time Mai and Lin returned with the tea, the rest of the group was there. And none of them looked happy. "Naru, she needs to have a someone knowledgeable in medicine around. I can help her with morning sickness and everything. Do you know anything about pregnancy?"
Naru scowled. "This is for her good, Matsuzaki-san. Lin and I can keep an eye on her, keep her out of trouble."
Ayako glared back. "I am capable of keeping an eye on her, jerk. So is Takigawa and John! I just don't understand why she has to be put in your room! You're only going to stress her out, Naru and you know it."
Naru just ignored Ayako. Takigawa put a hand on Ayako's shoulder to keep her from killing anyone. "You know, Naru, Ayako has a point."
"I don't see what that would be, Takigawa."
"Listen, Naru, you can't just go and-!"
Mai cleared her throat then. "Bou-san, don't worry about it. He's not going to listen anyway."
"Jou-chan..."
"It's alright. I'll make him read my pregnancy books if he misbehaves," Mai joked. Takigawa and Ayako both looked as if they wanted to argue more but Mai shook her head. "I'll be fine, just trust me."
"That doesn't make anyone feel any better, Mai," Masako spoke up then.
Mai rolled her eyes and took the spot next to her friend on the couch. "So when is Yasu getting here, Noll?" she asked. Ever since she'd told the others, she felt lighter. No one hated her. Yes, the whole thing with Madoka bummed her out but she had the majority of her family. Besides, she figured if she annoyed Naru enough he'd let her go back to sharing a room with Masako and Ayako.
Naru hid his face so that his annoyance wouldn't show at the nickname. "He'll be here tonight. For now, let's try and list what we know so far."
"That's hardly anything," Takigawa muttered.
"He goes after pregnant women and takes their unborn babies," Mai supplied.
"He's been here for a long time and will be impossible to excorcise," Masako added.
That struck Naru for some reason and he turned to Lin. "Lin, do any of your files mention what trimester the women attacked were in?"
Lin looked over the files a moment before answering, "The third trimester."
Naru looked over at Mai, contemplative.
"Then Mai's not in as much danger as we thought," Ayako said.
Mai was starting to feel sleepy again. She could almost see Gene waiting on the spiritual plane for her.
Masako noticed this and signaled for her to lean against her.
Mai obliged. The last thing she heard was Naru saying, "I'm not so sure."
Mai opened her eyes to the spiritual plane and a grim looking Gene. "I'm sorry that I have to show you this. Especially after everything my idiot brother has put you through."
Mai sighed. "Well maybe if I annoy him enough he won't make me share a room with him."
Gene allowed himself a smile. "I doubt it."
"I knew it; this is my punishment," Mai joked.
Gene gave Mai's shoulders a squeeze before saying, "I'm sorry, I have to show you this vision."
Mai nodded and the plane shifted. Mai was now in a quaint bedroom with bright yellow wallpaper. She gave a content sigh as she placed a teddy bear in a crib facing the window. She put her hand to her stomach and smiled. "This will be perfect. Just a little more to go and you'll be here sweetie!" she spoke to her belly.
A man walked in and Mai felt the mood change instantly. "I-is something wrong, honey?" she asked, afraid of what he would do this time.
The man walked over to her a menacing look on his face. "How could you do this to me?" he demanded.
"Do what?" she wondered, trying to keep her voice steady.
"After all I've been for you, you do this! It's unforgivable!" he continued on.
Mai couldn't help herself; she was so tired of living in fear. "What? What did I do to you?" she snapped.
The man grabbed her arm and squeezed tight. "He was supposed to be mine but I heard something interesting today. Do you know what your friend told me? Do you?"
Mai shook her head. It felt like her arm was about to break; a feeling she was familiar with.
"She told me I was a saint for staying with you after finding out our soon to be son is really Malik's! I've been nothing but a loving husband to you haven't I? Haven't I?" he roared.
Mai's blood ran cold. He knew. "Y-yes!" she sobbed. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mori!"
Mori glared. "You're about to be sorry! My own brother, Suzuki!" He then proceeded to break her arm. It was all she could do not to cry out. He threw her against the wall with so much force, she couldn't breath. He backhanded her and then continued to lay into her. "After all I've done for you! You don't deserve me, Suzuki! You filthy whore!"
Mai was glad when the vision changed. She was now in a hospital bed waiting on the doctor. She rubbed her stomach as gently and as best as she could with her good arm. The doctor came in with a grim look on his face. "Suzuki, I'm glad you're awake. Now we ran some tests and you'll be fine with lots of bed rest; however, you took quite a fall. I'm afraid your baby didn't make it. I'm sorry."
Mai buried her face in her hands as Mori walked in a concerned look on his face. "Is she okay doctor?"
The doctor quietly explained that the baby was gone; the fall killed it instantly. Mori's face grew dark with rage.
Mai heard him before she felt him.
"YOU LOST OUR SON, YOU WHORE!" he roared as he ripped the ivs from her arm. "Look at me!" When Mai wouldn't look, he jerked her head toward him by her hair. "IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
It took three doctors to finally to pull him away and by that time Mai had become a spectator of Suzuki's death.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I finally feel like I have a sure idea of how this is going to end. I felt really bad about putting Mai through this particular vision but it was quite nessacery for the story progression. And poor poor Mai for having to put up with Naru! lol Let me know what you guys think and what could be improved upon. So go on; press that button down below! ~Ja ne!~