The Sweet Taste of Death: Chapter 14
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December 14
Day 5
A piercing shriek traveled throughout the hallways.
"Mai?" Naru whispered silently as he stood up in alarm. Takigawa, Yasuhara, and John heard it too.
Lin, who was currently going over the audio feed, took off his headphones quickly. "Naru?"
"Lin: you, John, and Yasuhara stay here. Takigawa, come with me," he commanded.
"What happened?" inquired the Chinese onmyoji. He took out his cell phone, indicating he'd have it on if his boss needed to call him.
"Mai happened," Naru said in a dark voice.
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"Naru!" Mai screamed in panic. She pushed out her chair so fast it fell over, bringing her down with it.
You'd think she would've seen a ghost...
It was like everything happened at once. Mai was on the floor sniffing like a little kid who had just been grounded for a week. She slowly crawled away from the spot she had previously been in. In a rush, Masako stood, holding onto the girl's arm as if to console her. "Mai, this spirit does not mean you any harm. Calm down."
"Mai!" Ayako called out, running back over towards the two. She kneeled down and held her by the shoulders. "Are you okay? Do you want me to get Naru?"
She shook her head wildly. "No!"
"Well," the black-haired medium started with a sigh, "I'm pretty sure he heard that scream."
"Shh…shh…" the miko hummed and rocked a still shivering Mai in her arms. "Everything will be fine. That spirit isn't going to hurt you. You heard Masako," she reasoned, feeling better when Mai started responding with small nods.
The door swung open as Naru and Takigawa made their appearance. "Mai!" the two breathed out, their attention now focused on a rather strange scene.
Mai was hiccupping uncontrollably, Ayako's arms wrapped around her shoulders for support. Masako stood looking down at the two with slight worry.
The monk was the first to speak. "Is…is she okay?"
Ayako sighed shakily, uncovering her mouth to show a nervous smile. "Just a little shock is all. She'll be fine," the miko said as she brushed her red hair out of her face.
"That wa"
Takigawa smiled and offered to carry Mai back to the base. She looked up, tears welling in her eyes again.
"I'm okay," she assured, whipping her eyes of any excess water. "I can walk, I can walk. I'm fine. Don't worry about me..."
Ayako helped her up so that she was on her feet and supported, but after a moment she wobbled and fell into her boss's arms.
She just couldn't stand on her own. Her legs felt like Jell-O as if she were presenting an oral speech to a class or something. And the added pressure of the bruises on her legs didn't help. "I–I'm sorry," she started, forming a proper apology in her head.
Ayako took her by the shoulders.
"I'll do it," Naru interjected, his arm snaking around her back. Peeling the miko's hands from her shoulders, he gently supported her against his chest.
Mai's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment. Her face flushed. "Naru–!" she squealed, almost making her boss dizzy himself.
"Matsuzaki-san, please pick up the file Mai was reading. Bring it with us to the base," he ordered just as strict as ever.
"Uh–Yeah!" she stuttered, grabbing onto Takigawa with one arm and the file in the other. "Come on, Bou-san." And with the most forceful grip she could manage, Ayako pulled the stunned monk behind her and out of the room.
Meanwhile, a jealous looking medium glared at the couple. Why couldn't she be the one Naru held in his arms?
"Hara-san, please read over that file. Report to me anything that sounds strange; even the most minute things. Understand?" he stressed, noticing her glare.
To Mai's (and Naru's) shock, the medium didn't answer.
Naru returned her glare. "Do you understand, Hara-san?"
"Yes…Naru…"
Masako stumbled over her messy strides as she walked out of the room in a flurry. Mai almost felt a little bad for her. She glanced up at her boss with a scornful look. "Naru…Don't you think you went a little too far?" she suggested quietly.
He bent his knees and supported the weight of her legs with one of his arms, the other one already holding her back securely. This earned another squeal from his assistant.
"Na–Naru, what are you doing?!" she yelled, latching herself around his neck as if he were threatening to drop her. He was holding her bridal style? Maybe "piggybacking" just wasn't 'how he rolled'…?
"You're such an idiot; so wrapped up in the well-fare of others. If you're in pain, tell someone. It does no use to keep to yourself."
Mai finally let go of his neck. "What do you mean by 'if you're in pain'?" She wished her heart would stop beating so fast. It was so loud…
"You were upset when that spirit yanked yor hair...Plus, I'm also talking about the bruises on your ankles," he whispered angrily, his grip on her tightening. His assistant winced.
"I didn't know you knew," she replied. Mai couldn't help but be a little scared. Naru did reckless things when he was upset or provoked.
"Because that makes it okay?" Naru questioned sarcastically. He sighed. "Mai…"
"–Don't get mad Naru…I only kept it from you because…"
Why did she keep it from Naru?
Her boss waited for her explanation, but it never came. He sighed again, a hint of frustration showing in his expression. He finally started walking.
Walking…
Walking…
Down the hallway and passed the base. Mai looked back. "Where are we going, Naru?"
"Your room," he replied silently.
She shivered. His words were sharp and cold like a nail piercing her skin. 'How stupid…Where else would we be going? Great, now Naru probably thinks I'm retarded,' Mai's thoughts rambled on.
The narcissus nudged the door open with his foot and walked until they reached the bed closest: Mai's.
There was a thick silence as she waited to see what her boss would do. Would he drop her and tell her what an ungrateful child she was…? Or would he…
Naru lowered his arms until his assistant was positioned comfortably on the bed and slid them out from under her. Grabbing the sheets at the end of her bed, he threw them over her.
"You better rest. There'll be a meeting after dark," he said starkly.
One second he was nice and caring and the next he's been possessed by his 'mean' side. What is with that? Mai pondered over her thoughts as she looked carefully at Naru. His mouth was moving but nothing was coming out; like a dummy without a ventriloquist.
"Mai, were you even listening to me that whole time?"
"Uh…"
"Fine," he resisted his urge to punch something. "You…you sleep and get your rest. You've been looking a little stressed lately."
Naru was just about to leave when Mai grabbed his arm in a firm grip. She pulled him closer. "Stay with me?" she asked quietly.
"Mai, I have to–" he objected, but was stopped at the sight of his assistant's tears.
"I…I don't w…want to be alone!"
Her voice shook and every breath she took quivered. The grip on his hand tightened. "Please don't leave me." She sounded so desperate.
Naru sighed looking around. He grabbed a nearby chair and pulled it up to her bed. "I'll only stay with you until you fall asleep," he said, sitting.
The corners of her mouth tilted upwards in a malicious smirk. Mai knows how to work her magic. Of course, what girl wouldn't use a situation like this to her advantage?
There was silence for a moment.
"Naru…?" she asked innocently.
Insert frustrated groan.
"What?"
"Let's talk."
"About what?"
"You…"
Naru paused looking down at his assistant. Something was really wrong about this girl. Mental problems or something… "What about me?"
Mai smiled. Maybe he would answer her questions. But! If he refused, she could just force out some more tears…
"Personal things like your hobbies, interests, and…stuff like that. Let's start with your favorite color!"
"Forget it," he replied glaring his little death stare.
"Why not? Are you afraid to answer my questions?" she teased, grinning as wide as possible.
"I don't have a favorite color. Next question."
Silence swept over the two. Mai frowned. "You're not playing fair."
"Next question."
"Fine," Mai coughed, covering her mouth with her hand, "Hobbies?"
"Work. Next question."
Mai glared at him. "Work is hardly a hobby."
"Next question."
"Interests?" she waited for his answer. There was no way even he could deny this question. Everyone had interests whether it was psychic phenomena or something…normal.
"I like reading," he commented slowly wondering if that's the type of answer she was looking for.
Mai stifled her giggles into a hand, but couldn't hold out. She laughed hysterically, falling back onto her bed. It was comical to see Naru the Narcissus talk about personal things; absolutely hilarious.
Naru glared down at her. "What? You asked me about my interests."
Her laughter settled in her throat as she looked up at her boss. She smiled. "I just think it's nice that you're opening up to me, you know? But reading can't be your only interest. Tell me what else you like doing."
Mai rolled onto her stomach resting her chin on her knuckles.
"Does it really matter? Next question."
'Opening up? Is that really what I'm doing?' Naru thought regretfully. He sighed again.
"Fine," she pouted, "What's your favorite food?"
"None. Next question."
"Naru!" Mai shouted exasperatedly. She flailed her arms a little in frustration. She wanted a straight answer and she wasn't going to stop until she got one!
He looked over at her for a while contemplating on his answer. Should he just tell her something so she'd move on? Once that happened she'd stop asking questions and go to sleep, right? "Udon," he replied quickly, his answer random. "Next question."
"Udon?" Mai inquired. Another bubbly laugh escaped her throat. "That's so cute, Naru!"
Naru blanched. "…Cute?"
"Why didn't you say so? Maybe I'll fix it for you some time?"
Crap…he hated udon. It was the only food he could think of...
"Mai, I don't have time for this."
"But–" she protested, reaching to grab his arm.
"Mai. Stay."
He was being so nice earlier. What's with the sudden strict attitude? This guy…
"Why am I in bed anyway? I mean, I just freaked out a little bit, that's all. I have two legs and a heartbeat. I can walk," Mai complained, coughing a little.
Naru raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you'd want as much time as possible off of your feet. Besides, it looks like you're coming down with something."
Another cough escaped her. "What do you mean? I feel fine…"
"You're coughing a lot. I'm just guessing, but I'm pretty sure you've caught something. But I'll just check your temperature in case–" Naru sat on the edge of her bed and reached over. He stopped, seeing her draw back from him.
Covering her mouth, she coughed again. "No, no, I'm fine."
Her boss rolled his eyes and pulled his hand away. "Sure you are. Anyway, you'll want as much rest as you can get before tonight. You're going to need it. And I don't want a sick assistant hindering me, so if you feel bad enough you should pass. We don't want you to faint on us."
And that's all he said before leaving Mai with only her thoughts.
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Ayako clenched and unclenched her fists as she waited in anticipation. Was Mai okay? What had happened? Masako had said something about a spirit…Naru carried her?! What was going on between those two? Were they still in Mai's room? Alone? Together?!
All of these useless and yet intriguing thoughts swirled around in her head as she bit her lip with anxiety.
A sigh sounded from behind her.
"Stop fidgeting. You're making a fool of yourself, Ayako."
The miko glared. "Shut up! I'm just worried about them–Well, Mai, I mean."
Takigawa sat beside her and leaned on his knees, setting his cup of tea down. "Mai's fine. There's nothing to be worried about. Naru would never do anything to hurt her; you know that. If anything, he's probably trying to get away from her," he chuckled and smiled reassuringly at the miko. "You know them."
John couldn't help but laugh from the much quieter side of the room where he and Masako were reading over case files. There was no end between those two. They never stopped talking–or yelling for that matter–even if they were fighting.
The smell of Jasmine filled the air as Lin entered the room with a fresh cup of tea.
Ayako slumped back into the couch, letting out a relieved sigh. Her breathing evened as she calmed down.
"You're right, I guess. I shouldn't be worrying about it. I mean, Naru…is a responsible young…guy–but he is still a guy nonetheless, and you never can trust guys–"
John sweat-dropped, Lin wasn't listening, and Masako rolled her eyes.
Takigawa clenched his jaw angrily and forced a smile. "H–Hey!"
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Aww! The rate of reviews has gone down drastically. It makes me sad...