Chapter 12

Naru decided not to push the issue of Mai living with him until she got released from the hospital two days later. He never once left her side, though. It wasn't until they were all walking out of the hospital that Mai started to worry. "Uh, Naru?"
"Yes, Mai?"
"How am I getting home?"
"I'm taking you, and the twins are already there. My mom and dad are watching them."
Mai groaned. She had hoped, somehow, that he wouldn't have found out they were living in a homeless shelter. It looked like it was a bit too late for that, however. She wondered why he wasn't saying anything about it, though.
"How do you even know where we live?" she asked.
"Actually, I don't. Come on, let's get into the car, and then I need to ask you something."
"Alright."
Mai wasn't really surprised when she noticed that the car he mentioned just happened to be a limo. She knew he was rich, but she thought he would have preferred to drive. He must have noticed her confusion.
"I do prefer to drive, when I can, but I wanted to be able to talk to you, and this seemed like the best way," he told her as he held the door open for her. Once they were settled, he began, "Mai, I want you to come live with me."
"Huh?" she was amazed. He really wanted her to live with him? But, why?
"I would really like it if you would agree to move in with me. I want us to be together, as a family would be."
"Is this just because of Oliver and Narcissa?"
"No, of course it's not. I told you, Mai, I love you. I am not leaving you again. I tried to tell you the other day when you first woke up, but you fell asleep as I was holding you. I want to be with you. If I return to England, I would want you to come with me. I'm not leaving you again, I want to be with you."
She wasn't quite sure whether or not to believe him. During the last two days in the hospital, he had explained exactly what Masako had done to her. She still didn't know why, but now she knew that he had never intended for her to not be able to contact him if she had needed him. While she did still love him, she was hurt, and she wasn't sure that he wouldn't continue to hurt her. But, she also knew she'd never find out if she didn't take a chance, and she really didn't want to keep living in a shelter, either.
Making sure she had taken enough time to really think about it, and also just enough to make Naru start to squirm a little, she finally answered him. "I guess that would be okay, at least for now. We can give it a shot and see what happens."
"Thank you, thank you, Mai. I promise I won't make you regret it. We are going to be making a stop along the way, though."
"Where?"
"Don't get mad, okay? Your boss told me where you had been living, and I had Ayako and Madoka go over there to get your things. I'm sorry , Mai, but they didn't think you would be coming back, and they had already gotten rid of everything you had there."
"Everything?" she practically cried.
"Well, close enough to everything. They did give them a couple of books that look like journals, and some photo albums. But, all of your clothes and other things were gone."
"As long as they didn't throw out the photos and journals. But, now what am I going to do about clothes for the kids?"
"That's where we're going. My mom and dad have already taken them shopping, of course, so the kids have clothes. I'm taking you to get some for yourself. We can still get some things for them, though. I've missed three years of their lives already, so I have some birthdays and Christmases to make up," he laughed.
"Naru, that's all fine for you, but I don't have any money," she really was crying now.
"Mai, stop crying. Do you honestly think I would let you buy your own things right now? Your boss told me what has happened in the past year, how much of a pay cut you had to take, and how hard it's been on you. I know you always want to be independant, but sometimes you just need a helping hand up. So, please let me do this for you?"
"Fine, but..."
"No. No buts. You will not pay me back for this. Consider it part of me making up for leaving you, if that helps. But, I will not let you pay me back."
"But, Naru..." she whined.
"No, Mai. Besides, Mr. Sheppard has given you a six month leave. Since the cut backs, he said that even though he wants to pay you, all he can give you is the vacation pay you have saved up. He'll mail a check to my house, but it won't be a lot. So, right now, you wouldn't be able to pay me back anyway. I'm sorry, but with everything going on, nobody feels that's it's safe for anyone. "The hotel's going to be shut down while the police go through the whole cave system under the building. They are going to make sure it's cleared out, and then permanently seal it. They were even talking about filling the tunnels with concrete. That won't likely stop whoever took you and the other women, however. Tomorrow, a cop is going to be coming by to talk to you. They thought it best to wait until you were out of the hospital, but anything that you can remember and tell them will likely help.
"Don't feel bad, Mai. I know you wouldn't normally accept monetary help from me, or anyone, but this is a special circumstance. So, don't take it too much to heart."
"Fine, but I don't want it to seem like I'm taking advantage of you just because you have money."
"I know you wouldn't do that. Anyone that would think that is just plain foolish."
"Argh. As for what I remember," she started shaking. He immediately moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks. I remember them saying that women shouldn't be permitted to work. That a woman's place was to stay home and please her man. The one in charge said he used Shiki to abduct the women, including me. I didn't even know that was possible."
"It is, but not many people would be able to do it. Honestly, I think it could be possible that the Shiki were really controlling him, not him controlling them. Lin thinks the same thing. For those that are too weak, it would be easy for a spirit to control them and make them think they're really the one in control."
"Wow. Interesting, but honestly, I'm not really surprised by that. I've learned a lot while you were gone. "
"I noticed," he laughed. "What was that you did when you screamed by the way?"
"Oh, good. I wasn't sure I used enough energy for you to hear me," she giggled.
"Wait, you did that deliberately? I thought it was an accident."
"Haha, no it wasn't. Told you I've learned a lot. Gene's been helping me some. I wasn't sure what exactly I could do, so he helped me control it, and make sure that I'm able to use it the way I need to. I gathered what I could before I passed out, and tried to send it straight to you. I had figured you were already there and nearby, otherwise it wouldn't have worked. Did anyone else hear it too?"
"No, should they?"
"No, I tried to yell out your name too, but I just didn't have enough. I was already pushing myself not to pass out from the pain."
"You did great, Mai. I'm so proud of you, and impressed that you were able to do that at all. Did Gene help you with the astral projection?"
"Yes and no. I was really deep asleep from the pain, he just really helped pull me out of it a little ways so that I could project. It was his idea though, I was too far gone to think."
"Well, it deffinately helped us to find you. We were about to split off and go down another path, until we saw you there. But, we're nearing the shopping district. One minor rule while we're here, and I hate to do this to you, but you cannot leave my sight."
"But, Naru, what about changing rooms?"
"The only way I'll let you out of my sight is if Ayako or Madoka go in with you. The other two men are still out there, with the Shiki, and Gene confirmed that there is another person somewhere in the background after you as well. Although, I don't think Ayako's in any shape to be out shopping. Of course, Lin goes everywhere Madoka goes now too."
"Oh, no, she is. Call her and Madoka. I know she's close to going into labour, but being stuck at home all the time won't help. In fact, staying active will help make labour a bit easier on her."
"Really? That's interesting. I never would have thought that would be the case. Monk will want to come with her, of course."
"Of course he will. Hell, might as well call Yasu and John up too then, and make this more than just a shopping trip," she laughed. Naru just grumbled, but knew that she was right. After leaving them alone the other day, he knew there would be tons of questions coming his way, and he wasn't looking forward to it, but might as well do it all at once and get it out of the way.
Walking through the store, they made quite a group. Ayako, Mai, and Madoka were all walking up front arm in arm, while the men followed.
"Anyone else feel a bit out of place?" Monk asked.
"Just a bit, but it is entertaining watching the girls," Yasu agreed. "It's nice to see Mai laughing and smiling again. I have to admit, I missed her."
"Yeah, we all did, Mate," John chimed in. "So, Naru," Monk began, "what exactly are your intentions with Mai now?"
He had known this was coming, but he still wasn't happy about it. "What's it matter?" he grumbled.
"Oh, come on, now," Yasu joined. "It's obvious you have feelings for her. So, why not just tell us now?"
Since it appeared that the three women were heading to the changing room, he decided it may just be safe enough to answer. "Fine. If you must know, I was thinking about asking Mai to marry me, but it's still a little to early for that."
Lin smirked, "About damn time."
"I think you're past the too early part there, man," Monk stated. "You do have kids together now, after all."
"No, I think he might be right on this," John stated. "After all, Mai's been hurt a lot. It wouldn't be fair to her for him to suddenly ask her now. She would think it was only because of Oliver and Narcissa, and not because he honestly loves her. As much as I don't agree with having sex outside of marraige, I believe even God would make an exception with the current situation they find themselves in."
"Well said, John," Yasu agreed. "You're being awfully quiet about this all, Naru. Are you okay?" Lin asked.
"I'm fine, just also watching for the women to come back out," he admitted. "They've been in there for a while, think everything is okay?"
"Knowing them, they're probably up to something. There's nothing to worry about, though. If there was, we would deffinately be able to hear it," Yasu laughed.
"So, Monk, Lin, you both ready to be fathers?" John asked.
"Honestly, it's a bit of a scary thought," the monk admitted.
"Yeah," Yasu laughed, "just thinking about a mini monk like you is scary."
They all burst out laughing, even Naru and Lin, while Monk smacked Yasu across the back of the head.
Calming down, Lin agreed, "It is a bit scary really, though. Madoka and I never thought we'd have a baby. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm really happy," he smiled.
"You know, you really must be. I've never seen you smile like that before," Naru told him.
"Well, what's it like for you? You come back to Japan after four years, and find out you have two three year old kids?" John asked.
"I haven't really thought about it too much. I've been so caught up, first trying to find Mai, and then staying with her in the hospital. I do have to say that I was in shock when I first realized that they were mine. I was scared, but at the same time I was elated. I'm happy, but it's going to take a lot of getting used to. I've missed so much of their lives already," Naru confessed.
"I can only imagine," John told him. "So, what comes next for the four of you?"
"Well, on the way here, I asked Mai to move in with me."
"What?!" they all exclaimed at the same time.
"Well, it only makes sense when you think about it. We already have two children, and I want to be close to them, as well as her. There's still someone out there, and now that she's gotten away, you can be sure they will try to come after her again. So, I want to make sure she's safe."
"Naru, I don't think I have to tell you this, but the Church doesn't agree with unwed couples living together," John stated.
"I know, but honestly, right now, I don't care. It's not like we'll be having sex. For right now, I just want to make sure she's safe, and I want her close to me. I want us to be together, but I'm not going to rush things. I really hurt her, and I'm going to take the time to first, hopefully, heal the wounds before moving forward."
"Well, as much as I can't agree with it from the religious perspective," John said, "from a personal perspective I agree. I don't want anything to happen to her again, and if anything does, you know you'll have to call all of us to help. Keep her close, and be careful."
"I will," he agreed.