Chapter 14

"So, it's this 'Hotaru' chick?" Bou-san said as he reclined at the kotatsu, arm thrown under his head and his eyes lazily scanning the ceiling.

All the members of SPR were scattered in a rough circle around the room. Though spiritual activity was known to lessen in the daytime, Mai could still sense Lin's shiki circling the area slowly as a safety measure. They never felt malicious, though Mai could feel the power radiating off of the entities. However, she knew Lin was feeling cautious after last night's events and as a result was having his shiki patrol the area.

Naru was sitting on the office chair, which was angled to face all of them, poised with one hand cupping his elbow with his hand propping his chin up.

Sitting next to Yasu at the kotatsu, Mai had an odd feeling about the case. It didn't feel like that beautiful hime she'd seen in her dreams was responsible. Yes, she'd been mistreated, but Mai felt she didn't have that potential to turn evil. Whatever was attacking them was not her.

Feeling eyes on her, Mai turned to lock gazes with Naru. He stared at her in thought before he asked he, "What is your intuition telling you?"

Hesitating, Mai looked back unsure. She knew people said she looked to the good of people to the point of denial, so she wasn't sure if this was intuition or just good intentions on her part.

Receiving a raised eyebrow at her silence, Mai finally answered.

"I'm…I don't think it's Hotaru", she replied haltingly.

Naru continued to stare for a moment before nodding.

"Well, who else could it be?" Bou-san exclaimed, "We barely found anything in the records, just basic births, deaths, marriages. Nothing about what happened to Hotaru"

Shrugging her shoulders, Mai looked around the room to see similar reactions.

Hearing Naru's book snap as he closed it, Mai turned to watch him rise before he began giving out orders.

"Mai, do a walk of the grounds with Brown-san. Take down temperatures and check the films. Be back in an hour".

Nodding, Mai began rising before she was interrupted.

"But first", he said, "Tea".

Feeling the deadpan look appear on her face, Mai blatantly ignored the second command before collecting the appropriate items and walking out the door with John trailing after her.

"How about we split up?" Mai suggested as they began their walk of the grounds, her hands stuffed deep into her pockets and blowing air out to watch it turn into mist.

Chuckling nervously, John rubbed the back of his head before replying.

"I'd feel better if we stuck together, honestly"

Looking at him, Mai blinked in understanding. He didn't want to leave her alone or was told not to, making Mai feel slightly miffed before brushing it off.

Mai elbowed him gently, teasing him, "Don't worry John, I'll protect you"

Chuckling, John thanked her before they encountered another of the many outdoor cameras.

Kneeling, Mai checked the tape and the angle of the camera before turning to John to give him the go ahead to mark it off the sheet. However, after looking around, Mai couldn't see John anywhere.

Furrowing her brow in confusion, Mai called out to John.

Receiving no reply, Mai stood unsure.

"John?" she called again softly, feeling insecurity begin to well up inside of her.

Feeling a pull from her right, Mai followed it until she turned the corner, noticing the change in the décor of the outer building. It looked new, the colours vibrant and the surrounding foliage much more wild, yet beautiful. Soft snowflakes were gently floating down to the courtyard floor, seeming to have only begun to fall.

Finally turning the corner, Mai's gaze was immediately pulled to a figure walking through the courtyard. Whoever they were wore a beautiful kimono, though not as extravagant as the Hime's. They softly padded through the courtyard before they paused, coming to a stop and gazing intently at the main building.

Following her line of sight, Mai looked to see her gazing at open shoji screens where a man and woman were sitting and laughing over their meal. Realising it was the Lord and Hime from her earlier dream, Mai gazed in interest. In this dream, they seemed happy sitting at the kotatsu. The Hime leaned over to pour him some tea while he gazed at her fondly, both laughing at something only they were privy to. It was a stark contrast to what she had earlier witnessed, making her confusion grow.

Shaking her head, Mai remembered the woman who had been looking at them so intently.

Turning back around, Mai instantly could tell they were furious. Hands clenched in anger, chest unmoving and eyes livid. However, if one looked deeper past the unmeasurable anger, a maddening sorrow lingered in her eyes. A quote came to mind from Mai's literature class.

Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned

Mai jumped as they suddenly looked straight into her eyes, their fury undiminished.

Taking a step back as the woman took a step forward not unlike a predator stalking its prey, their gazes not dropping from the other. Mai's heart started to beat rapidly as the woman came closer and closer still.

Finally hitting the wall of one of the outer buildings, Mai's eyes closed on reflex before she threw a hand out instinctively, a shout escaping her throat.

"Stop!"

Feeling nothing, Mai opened her eyes to see the woman gone. Blinking in confusion, Mai turned around searching, only noticing the building was back to its faded colours and the surrounding gardens were returned to their controlled state.

Shaking her head, Mai turned before making her way back to base, suddenly feeling strangely tired.

n

"You're late"

Giving a startled blink before directing her eyes to the speaker, Mai saw Naru leaning against his desk while he read a file held in his hand, ankles crossed, his eyes angled over the top and directed at her.

When she continued to stare at him blankly, his eyes warmed slightly in concern. Directing his gaze up and down looking for the cause, he spoke again while straightening.

"What happened?", placing the book down and walking towards her.

Looking around, Mai saw the room emptied, realizing it was lunchtime and the others must have gone to eat.

Aiming her gaze back to Naru, she noticed he was much closer than before, standing within touching distance

With a sigh, Mai reached a hand up to rub tiredly at her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose to try to ease the strain on her mind that seem to turn into physical as her temple pounded.

Feeling something grasp her hand, Mai opened her eyes to find Naru pulling her hand away from her face.

"What are you-?" Mai began before Naru placed his fingertips lightly on her temple before gently rubbing back and forth soothingly. Feeling a light grasp on her neck, Mai allowed him to guide and rest her head against his shoulder while he continued his ministrations.

Feeling as if cool water was being poured into her head, easing the pain between her eyes and lifting the lethargy weighing her down, Mai slowly relaxed. There was nothing sensual about what Naru was doing. It was just another human being helping another with gentle touches and soft words.

Mai couldn't help feel like she fit quite comfortably in Naru's arms, even though a part of her told herself not to be silly. But she quietly let the thought continue; with her curves matching his sharp angles. Her softness moulding to his solid figure. Her head managing to fit comfortably under his chin. Is this where she would have been if she had not let herself swallow all the words that were stuck in her throat that fateful afternoon she tried to confess to him all those years ago?

Hardening her heart and giving herself a metal shake, Mai pulled away, aiming her gaze at a random button on his grey button down.

"Thank you", she murmured not unkindly, Naru hesitating before nodding in response, his hands slowly lowering to his sides.

Hearing multiple footsteps approaching, Mai turned and placed her recordings on Lin's desk, waiting for the group to enter so she could tell them about her vision.

AN: Okay, so those reviews were a bit confusing, (but still appreciated!). Some of you asked to see more of certain characters and it becomes a bit hard to do that. I do enjoy focusing on Mai and Naru, but will try to keep the other characters (like John) involved.

Also, this is a Naru x Mai story. Any Lin and Mai interaction is PURELY familial and I always thought Lin would be a good mentor/older brother for Mai to have if they had more time. I enjoy making connection like that for Mai to have in this story like with Ayako, Bou-san, Yasu and now Lin. I always see John and Masako a bit more separate from the group in my mind.

I'm glad you're all enjoying the mystery! I've been thinking so hard on how to make it interesting as I didn't want one everyone would guess instantly, so please bear with me as I try to make this interesting

Also so so sorry it took so long for me to update. I've had a really difficult time trying to decide what happens (I think I will need to get a Beta writer so I can bounce ideas off someone) and work has, again, been insanely busy that I've barely been getting sleep, let alone enough time to write. But thank you for sticking with me guys. The reviews I received after the last chapter were lovely and very appreciated.

I love these reviews though, guys. You really get me thinking! I'll take on the suggestions and try to write my best for you guys and myself. Even I'm trying to guess what happens next!

P.s. My line breaks are not working (they randomly disappear and I have to keep inserting them) and haven't been working for ages. If anyone knows HOW THE HELL to make them not disappear on me, please let me know. It's driving me nuts.