Hi There!
Okay…my muse…my muse has taken a vacation. I totally struggled with this chapter, and I apologize for not moving the story line along very much. But good news….one more member of the team is on their way!
And…to comment on a few reviews. Yes, Naru is OOC…but he's fun this way. I'm not turning him into a sap (I hope!). My goal is for him to suffer. SUFFER NARU, SUFFER! Suffer his way through these new impulses and feelings, trying to recognize them and become familiar with them. You see, in my mind, Naru is such a genius…everything has come easy for him in his life and it has left him rather apathetic towards everything. Until Mai comes along…and speaking of coming along, many have asked. And yes, our favorite blonde cutie-pie priest is due to make an appearance. Have no fear. I'll figure a way to work Yasu and Madoka in here in person, but I dunno…I kinda like Madoka and Lin having IM conversations, commenting on the complex but very obvious relationships going on around them. What do you think? Keep them on the computer, or have Madoka turn up?
Lastly…well, second to lastly…I must apologize for the delay in getting this chapter up. Like I said, it's been a struggle. I TOTALLY have the very last chapter worked out, but the words between here and then…they're not coming. I hope this chapter won't be a disappointment.
Please keep the reviews coming. They bring a smile to my face. I'm still so bowled over that there are what…nearly 200 people following this story? And I'm slowly but surely heading towards 100 reviews. Do you know how incredibly happy that makes me? You guys rock.
Okay. On with the show.
Love you all,
tc
Mai's eyes widened. "A Fury? Like from Greek Mythology?" she gasped.
Naru's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. "They're no myth, Mai. It's real. That's how most folklore and mythologies begin. Banshees, Sirens, Tam Lin, Tuatha Dé Danann…most of the stories written by the Brothers Grimm. Stories told and re-told generation to generation. As time went on, the recounting of actual experiences became tales of legend…then folklore. But most of it is based in reality."
"…even vampires" Mai breathed.
Naru scoffed. "I told you before, there is no such thing."
Mai closed her mouth. "What, disembodied demons possessing spirits you're willing to accept without reservation, but vampires are completely fiction?"
Naru leveled her with a glare. "When you can astrally project yourself into a memory and draw out a vampire, I will reconsider my opinion on the matter. In the meantime, you have managed to draw the attention of a Fury. One who appears to be especially interested in you, Mai." Naru looked down as Mai absently fussed with her bandages. "One who can affect you on the spiritual and physical plane." He said tightly.
"Mai," Bou-san chimed in after a moment of silence. "What happened to Gene? Where was he during all this? Isn't he supposed to be your guide or something?"
Naru's eyes snapped to Mai's, watching her closely as her face fell even more. "Mai?" he questioned.
Unexpectedly, Mai's eyes began to fill with tears. "Naru…he was ripped away from me…or forced out of the spiritual plane, I don't know." She looked up at him, eyes shining with the tears she was trying desperately to not let fall. "She pulled him away and told me spirit guides are meant to be guides, and it would be cheating to tell me what's really going on."
Naru's lips clamped shut, he turned away not wanting to see Mai's stricken face, worrying over Gene. He turned and looked at each of the members of his team in turn.
"Takigawa, Ms. Matsuzaki, I need you to go back to the cemetery and fill Lin in on the developments. Matsuzaki, make protective charms to bring with you and use only warding magic to seal off the base at the cemetery. Under no circumstances are you to engage the Fury, am I understood?"
"Hai," they said in unison, looking at each other uneasily.
"Try to get a hold of John and bring him here. If we're dealing with a fury, a Catholic priest has the best chance to exorcise the demon completely." Naru said to them, dismissing them with a curt nod.
"Mai, we're going to pay a visit to Hatakeda Taiji." He said, carefully helping her to her feet.
"The bus driver?" Mai questioned, lifting her arm as Naru's left hand gently grasped her elbow. His free arm snaked around her waist, holding her in place until she regained her balance. At least that was the plan.
"Unless there is another Hatakeda Taiji in the vicinity." He said dispassionately, watching with internal amusement as Mai rolled her eyes. Her earlier tears now held in check. "Call him and ask if he can tell us more about any unusual incidents that occurred here about six months ago." He said, looking down at her. He slowly slid his arm from her waist to her other elbow, positioning her in front of him. Sighing, he slid his hands into hers, holding them loosely. He looked down at her bandaged wrists. "Do they hurt?" he asked quietly, looking intently into her eyes.
Mai cast her gaze downward. Naru was acting way too serious for her liking. "No, not anymore. Ayako took good care of me." she smiled brightly, giving his hands a reassuring squeeze before letting go. "Let me borrow your cell phone and I'll call Hatakeda-sama." She glanced around. "Do you think it's too late to call?"
"I don't care if it's the middle of the night," Naru said seriously. "My brother has disappeared, there's a Fury on the loose, you're being targeted." He looked at her pointedly. "Again."
Mai rolled her eyes. "It's not my fault." She muttered. Naru glared at her as he handed her his cell phone. "What's that look for?" she asked, taking the slim phone in her hand.
"You're a trouble magnet, Mai. We'd probably all be safer if we just left you at home after you have a dream."
Mai smirked. "But then you'd have no one to make your tea, ne, Naru-chan?" she asked sweetly, snatching the business card out of his hand. She whirled around, crossing the room with a bounce in her step.
That's better. Naru thought to himself, watching in satisfaction as Mai's bubbly nature slowly resurfaced. She'd been through a lot these past three days, bearing most of the burden herself, he thought with a trace of annoyance. After all they had been through over the past two years, he'd have thought she would have opened up to him.
The way you opened up to her, Noll? His inner voice mocked. You lied to her for nearly a year, and you expect her to blindly trust in you again?
He watched from across the room as Mai animatedly spoke into the phone. Yes, that's exactly what I expect. He said to his taunting inner voice. He was Oliver Davis, after all. And Oliver Davis always got what he wanted.