You guys! I am on a roll here!

we offically made it to chapter 13! Thank you for reading this far you beautiful souls!

Here we go!

Chapter 13

Naru found Ayako and had told her that I was attacked by Maika, and to help me get patched up. He left out the whole awkward um...occurance that happened after he found the scratches which I was grateful for. If he was saying nothing. I was saying nothing!

This incident goes to the grave with us.

Ayako winced as I pulled my shirt over my head, tousling my already messy bob.

"How did-"

"Maika caused in during my astral projection," I interrupted. "Naru already knows."

"That's a little dangerous don't you think!" She was stern as she applied the alcohol swab in swift dabs down the length of the scratches.

I just nodded. There was really nothing to say. I squirmed every time the cotton touched my skin, and Ayako kept a firm hand on my shoulder to keep me as still as possible.

"And what did Naru say about this?"

"Well, about the same as you..." I hissed as she hit a particularly painful spot. She was silent as she cleaned the rest of the cut, and told me to put my shirt back on. She told me that there was no need to wrap them, and the swelling should go down soon. I nodded, slowly slipping the shirt back over my head.

We walked back to base together, we made small talk, but nothing more. I was grateful to be honest, I wasn't really in the mood to discuss what happened anymore than I already had. I think Ayako realized that, and avoided the subject altogether.

When we entered the SPR irregulars turned to look at us. It honestly made me feel like I just walked in late to class, and I smiled nervously at them. Ayako took a seat next to Monk, which left me the only available seat next to Masako.

My eyes drifted immediately to her neck. I sigh quietly before sitting down.

"Its really not that bad Mai. You're guilt is sorely misplaced," Moisako's bell like voice floated in my ear. When I looked to her, she had her kimono sleeve covering her mouth, effectively hiding the bruise from my eyes.

"I know I wasn't in control but-"

"Really, I've been hurt worse before. It's a hazard of my profession nothing more. I'm over it, so you should be too,"

I nodded. That's all I really could do. Honestly her reassurance made me feel even MORE guilty. She takes pain and near death experiences as a job hazard. That's crazy!

"So, you tousled with a ghost and lost huh?" Yasu said, his voice teasing. He attempted to lighten the mood and for that I was thankful. I gave a genuine laugh.

"Yea, I'm more of a lover. I'm not that into violence,".

"Last week you punched me in the shoulder for stealing a strawberry" Monk laughed at me.

"Yea, well they were chocolate covered and those are my favorite!" I defended. I tried to sound stern but the laugh that was brimming at the surface ruined that facade rather quickly.

"Oh, well then you deserved that one then," Ayako shrugged, her voice teasing.

"Hey!" Monk shouted indignantly, like what she said greatly offended him.

John, bless his heart rose his hands in a placating manner, "Now, now, we don't need anymore injuries this evening," Yasu let out a barking laugh, soon followed by the rest of us.

Well the rest of us minus two. I don't think I need to mention their names do I?

We had a bit of casual conversation before Ms. Hanaki called us down for dinner. Following her to the vast dining hall we each took a seat as workers served us tea. The whole experience still makes me a little uncomfortable. I could never imagine being this rich. Ever.

We were silent as dinner arrived. I don't really think any of us were in the mood for conversation. Especially with the information we all knew. Ms. Hanaki kept glancing at us out of the corner of her eye. She looked abit unsettled at how quiet we were all being. She cleared her throat softly garnering our attention, and giving a terse grin.

"So, how is your investigation going?" She said and she sounded about as comfortable as we all felt.

"Not as smoothly as we would hope. We need a bit more time in order to solve this as thoroughly as possible," Naru said. His voice betrayed nothing as he brought a teacup to his lips.

"I see. Do you perhaps...know about who.." She paused, "Know who's still...here?"

"Your own assumptions were correct on one of them," Naru said, turning his attention to our client intently.

"My husband then..." She trailed before her eyes became wide and wild. "One of them?! There's more!?"

"Only one. I think you know the other one is as well,"

"You mean? I see. If you'll excuse me,".

Her eyes were glistening as all but fled the room. My heart beat in my chest and my stomach twisted. I felt so bad for her I almost started crying out of sympathy. I refrained though. Naru would probably just call me a child or something.

"You didn't have to say it like that ya'know" Ayako said hotly. "She's a grieving mother,".

"The sooner she was aware the better. This isn't information I can exactly hide, she is our client after all" Ayako seemed peeved still but let the conversation drop.

We all finished our meal in relative silence before retiring to our rooms for the night. Naru and Lin wandered back towards base. I really wasn't all that shocked and sauntered off to my room. I wanted nothing more than to take a long hot shower and change into my comfy clothes.

And that's exactly what I did. The hot water stung my back for a few moments before it became pleasantly numb and my muscles began to relax. As I stepped out of the steam filled shower a chill ran through me. I dismissed it immediately, and covered myself in a large soft towel and wiped the condensation from the mirror and stared at myself. Only, it wasn't myself staring back at me.

Maika was looking back at me. I almost screamed, but it seemed to be stuck in my throat. I turned quickly expecting her to be standing behind me but I was met with was grey steamed coated walls. Turning back to the mirror my own face greeted me. Pulling my clothes on quickly I all but ran to our room, and leaped on to the futon that had bed laid out for me, startling Ayako and Masako in the process.

"Gee did you see a ghost?" Ayako said, pulling the duvet back on the bed she had claimed for her self. Masako looked at me from her own futon and raised her delicate brow.

"Yes," I replied before pulling my blanket completely over my head. "Goodnight"

"Are you alright?" Masako said, as I heard her rustling around with her own blanket.

"Yep, goodnight" I said again, hoping she would get the hint that I absolutely did NOT want to talk about ghosts right before I went to bed. She seemed to. I heard two sighs and the click of the light switch.

"Goodnight" Ayako said, I hummed in response and Masako replied with her own pleasantries. At last it was quiet.

Was it...too quiet?

I could hear my own heart beating in my ears, and I was very aware of how often I was blinking. I gave frustrated sigh before turning around and laying on my belly, my face shoved into my pillow. I laid that way for a bit before I became aware on just how much I needed oxygen. I twisted to my side and screwed my eyes shut.

I'm sleeping! I yelled in my head.

I could here the ticking of the clock that sat on the nightstand.

Tic

Tic

Tic

Tic

I groaned throwing the blankets off and standing in one swift motion. I stumbled a bit as my foot caught on the blanket but I regained my balance quick enough.

"What's wrong now?" Ayakos grumbled at me.

"Nothing. Can't sleep is all," I said as I walked to the door. "I'll just head to base,".

"Do you need us to come with you?" Masako said, her voice clearly said she was falling asleep.

"Nah, its not that far. Besides I won't be alone, Lin and Naru are still awake" I opened the door and was met with a dimly lit hallway, "If I scream come save me,"

"Who are we saving you from the spirits or Naru" Came Ayakos joking remark.

"Not sure. It's a toss up" I giggled as I left the room, closing the door softly behind me. The walk was kind of eerie I suppose. I could feel eyes on me, but they didn't feel angry. It was probably Mr.. Hanaki, I quickened my pace know Maika was never really far behind.

When the door to base opened, Naru and Lin turned to look at me. Lin turned back immediately to his computer, deeming my presence unimportant. Naru kept his gaze on my, a question burning behind his eyes.

"Eh, sorry. I couldn't seem to fall asleep,"

"Well that's unusual isn't it" Naru finally turned away from me, "tea". He said just as my butt was about to be seated. I withheld a groan as I got up to grant his command-err I mean request.

It was silent as I passed out the drinks. The only sound during that was the clinking of the glasses and the curt 'thank you' as I placed Lins drink beside him. I sipped my tea in silence as I thought about how I should bring up the shower incident. No matter what way I phrased it, Naru would probably assign me a 24 hour guard. Or worse, actually send me home. I mean its pretty clear Maika has it out for me.

Ok Mai, stop stalling and just say it.

You got this!

GO!

"She was in the shower with me," I mentally slapped myself. Ok, don't say it like that you idiot. It got so quiet, even Lin stopped his constant typing.

"I beg your pardon?" Naru said. I've never seen confusion on his face before. This is a new one. A milestone if you will.

"I mean she wasn't like IN the shower. I don't think so at least. But she was definitely in the room when I got out," I was rambling and I could feel my face getting warmer by the second.

"What-" Lin started to say but I quickly cut in

"I was wearing a towel when I was out so I mean it probably wasn't a weird as you think!" I felt the need to pull myself out of the hole I just dug, but I feel like everytime I open my mouth I'm making it worse. Typical.

"Mai, who are you talking about?" Naru said quickly. His voice sounded a bit different and the corner of his lips were twitching a bit. Like he was trying not to laugh at me.

"Maika," I said like it was the most obvious answer in the world. I heard Lin cover a laugh with a poorly disguised laugh. Naru said nothing as he turned to the monitors.

I am...an Idiot. I sigh quietly before sipping my tea. It was quiet for a while more. The clock beside me read 10:40. I should get back to bed or I'm going to be exhausted tomorrow, but for some reason I couldn't find the strength to pull myself from the couch. Too comfortable.

"One of our camera went off" Lin said. His voice wasn't loud but the sudden sound startled me a bit. Naru hummed in response before moving to the door. I practically jumped from the couch.

"I'll go with" I smiled large. He looked at me before turning back to the door. There was no rejection which basically is a yes, or at least a 'do whatever you want'.

Walking beside him we wandered down the hall to the camera set up in the dining hall. The cable in the back looks like it fell a bit loose. Naru quickly readjusted the cable, and quickly go the confirmation from Lin that it was running correctly again.

On our way back we ran into Ms. Hanaki. She was sitting in an office down the hall from our base. A bottle on wine sat on the table in front of her. She waved us in, and Naru walked in immediately and I followed slowly behind him.

"It helps be to fall asleep on the hard days" She said as we took a seat across from her, "I would enjoy the company if you would humor me".

We sat with her making small talk. Or I made small talk, Naru just sat beside me quietly. She had two full glasses of wine before putting a stopper in the bottle, and quickly moving it away from her.

"I've been clean for a year now, no point in ruing that now" She said, I smiled and felt my eyes began to droop. "I've kept you too long. You should get some sleep," Her voice was quiet and reminded me of my own mother. I fell deeper into the dark. I felt my head land against Naru's shoulder, and heard his voice bid her goodnight, as the sounded rumbled in my ear. It was very...comforting.

Don't make me get up. I'm too sleepy to move.

I felt his arms around my back and under my knees as my consciousness finally faded, and I heard a whisper in my ear.

'Mommy likes you better! That's not fair!'

All done! Leave me a review and I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can!