This is dedicated to Akaitokaitolove who gave me this fantastic idea.
Thanks so much!
DISCLAIMER; I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT!
Without further ado this is…
Chapter 4 of; 'The Academy'
Home
They walked up the steps to the front door slowly and cautiously.
They knew what was coming. And they knew well enough to know that there was no avoiding it.
She tracing the cracks in the door with wavering eyes, while he, stared at the yellowing name tag making a mental note to replace it soon.
They were home.
Finally.
She looked up at him biting her lip unconsciously waiting for him to make the first move.
He looked back down at her watching her teeth chew at the skin eyes shifting to her hands that nervously twisting the strap of her purse.
"It'll be fine."
She rolled her eyes at him, "You say that now but you just wait and see… They seemed quite eager on the phone."
He placed a hand on her shoulder squeezing it gently, "Your overreacting."
"And you're under-reacting."
"Mai… that's not a word."
She glared, "Well it should be."
He sighed at the younger girls antics, "Mai… it'll be fine."
She nodded before reaching out placing a hand on the doorknob, "Are you sure?"
"Of course." He smiled.
She breathed in and out slowly, "Okay…"
Twisting the silver knob she pushed slowly.
"WELCOME BACK!"
She glared at her boss from under thick lashes, "Lier."
Her body was wrenched forward painfully before strapped against the scent of cigarettes and sweat.
The scent wasn't something that she particularly liked but the way it mixed in with his natural musk sent chills up her spine. She breathed in the familiar scent wrapping her arms around his chest, "Monk…"
He ran his hands up and down her spine, "You scared the shit out of us…"
She pulled back slightly laughing, "It's good to get the shit scared out of you every once in a while."
He chuckled ruffling her hair, "Language young lady!"
The read head shook her head, "Here I thought Monks couldn't curse…" pulling the girl from his arms wrapping her arms around the girl, "How are you?"
The Monk chuckled behind her, "Here I thought I had told you I wasn't a real Monk."
Ayako glared at him before turning back to Mai who shrugged against her chest, "Alive."
The Miko chuckled, "That's my girl… now I do think that someone here really wants to see you…"
She raised a brow, "Who?"
They moved aside revealing patches of blond and Mai couldn't help the tears that had instantly ran down her cheeks.
John reached out pulling the young girl to his chest, "Mai…" It had been the most emotion they had ever seen the young Priest show.
She wrapped her arms around his torso digging her face into his neck praying that no one saw what a mess she had become.
"Thank you…" he whispered.
She shook her head against him tightening her grip against him, "Idoit…"
And all he could do was hold her as she cried.
The team watched with soft smiles and sad eyes.
Pulling back slightly he ran his thumb across her cheeks, "I'm so glad you're alright…."
She laughed, "Look who's talking… I really thought you had died…"
"All for good reason it seems… you've added quite a few things to your resume."
"Fuck my resume."
"Mai! Language!" She smiled nervously at the Monk.
"Mai."
She turned to face the Priest, "Yeah?"
"Thank you…. If it weren't for you I would have been-"
She placed a finger to his lips silencing him, "Don't. You're fine now aren't you?" he nodded, "So then everything's alright."
He couldn't help the love he felt for the girl before wrapping her in his arms again. Tears streaming down flushed cheeks.
(A/N Brotherly love… not romantic)
The Monk pulled the young girl back from the priest, "IT'S TIME TO PARTY!" before running toward the table of drinks and food he had undoubtedly set up.
She felt a soft hand on her shoulder before looking up and seeing one of his rare smiles, "I'm proud of you…"
She smiled, "I haven't heard that one before."
He shrugged, "Originality is important."
She chuckled, "Oh I'll bet. It's not like your nonstop tea commands are getting old." Sarcasm practically leaking off her tongue.
His smile widened a fraction and she felt a surge of pride, not for making him smile before for eliciting a reaction.
One that wasn't anger.
"But I will say that your language has turned to rubble."
"Na-"
"It's not like there was any particular amount of brilliance in the words that you choose to begin with but more so then this…"
"Naru-"
"It's repulsive."
"Naru…"
"I'm going to have to doc your pay for every time-"
"Oliver."
His eyes widened at the use of his real name quickly turning his attention to the girl. "I… I love you."
They hadn't heard the silence that filled the room like a cloud.
Nor had they seen the eyes all pointed at them.
He smiled softly at the girl.
It was funny how she could sum up everything she felt towards the man in three words… and it was amazing that he could feel everything that she wanted him too.
"I love you too."
The silence persisted before the Monk cleared his throat, "While the moment is touching… I mean truly… there is a more pressing matter I must attend to."
The pair glared daggers at him, "And that would be?"
"Naru… I am not sure if I can give Mai up to you fully… I don't trust you."
Lin beside them chocked on his coffee, John and Yasu frozen in fear in their seats, while Masako and Ayako couldn't shake off the looks of pleasure off their faces.
"Excuse me…?"
The Monk simply continued, "How can I be sure that you won't break my precious girls heart… you're a jerk Naru… and we all know it. But how can I be sure that after the two of you are married you won't run off with another woman."
Lin chocked again, "Takigawa… I highly doubt that that would ever happen…"
The Miko laughed, "Monk… think about it. Naru and another girl? Naru and feelings? Naru and feelings for another girl? Not likely."
The room was silent.
The Monk scratched his head juggling the idea, "You know what… your right."
Laughter erupted in the small room all attention either on the self-absorbed Monk or the seething Scientist.
He stopped laughing again, "But seriously… there are somethings we need to talk about…"
The room quieted giving its full attention to the bassist.
He took a breath before turning to the Miko taking her hand in his softly.
"Ayako… I think… I have something to say."
The woman paled instantly getting to her feet as the older man took hold of both her hands wrapping his fingers around hers.
"I love you… more than anything I've ever loved in my life. You make me so happy I can hardly stand it."
"You hit me constantly, and be little me and make fun of my beliefs… and yet I can't help but feel as if something clicked the day we met…"
The room was silent as the man reached into his pocket before getting down on a knee.
"Ayako Matsuzaki, Would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife…?"
She placed a hand over her mouth, "I thought priestesses were supposed to be virgins."
Yasu smirked from the side, "II highly doubt you're still a virgin. Come on Ayako…"
She slapped his arm before turning back to the man nodding slowly, "Yes…"
The team erupted into a fit of giggles and claps and shouts.
"That makes me so happy…." She whispered.
"What does?"
She turned to the scientist beside her, "They're getting married…"
"Marriage makes you happy?"
She nodded, "Of course it does. I'd more than just a ring… it's like starting fresh and experiencing things with a counterpart… one you have indescribable feelings for…"
He shook his head, "That's an interesting perspective."
She glared, "Is everything about experimentation to you?"
He shrugged, "Mostly."
If one had walked in they wouldn't have realized the happiness the group had felt for each other…
Nor the amount of love radiating from a certain dark haired scientist.
…
At 6 P.M. exactly the bell above the door rang and a man in a gray suit walked in.
The group had left an hour ago and Mai, of course, was left with the job of cleaning after them.
She had just finished putting the plates when the man walked in.
Mai stood bowing, "Mr. Akai I presume."
He nodded, "I hardly have any time for petty introductions, where is Dr. Davis?"
She inwardly cringed at the man's words before straightening up, "I apologize. Please right this way."
Leading him into the space she bowed again, "Dr. Davis will be out in a few moments. Would you like anything to drink?"
"Coffee. Black."
She nodded before heading over to the kitchenette and placing both the kettle and coffee maker on.
She set the tray waiting for the water to boil listening in on to fragments she could hear through the thin office walls.
"Martin told me you were the best in the business."
Mai snorted, that was one way to boost his ego.
"Martin is correct."
"But you're so young."
"Age is simply a number, Mr. Akai."
"It's truly incredible… but of course I wouldn't expect any less of Martin's son and prodigy."
Mai shot daggers through the walls before pulling down cups and trays pouring the drinks into each cut.
He had been so rude to here and here he was cucking up to Martin's son.
"While I appreciate the kind words I'd appreciate it if you'd explain you're reasoning fore coming in today. Last I checked Martin told me it was an urgent case."
Mr. Akai nodded, "Of course. Where is that lazy girl!?"
Naru raised a brow, "Excuse me? Who is it you're referring to?"
The man turned contorting his body in positons Mai could only guess were painful in search for her, "The girl who works the front desk."
"Ms. Taniyama?" Lin questioned narrowing his eyes at the man. Obviously irritated.
"I don't know nor do I care for her name. Where is my coffee!?"
At those words Mai hulled the tray all but sprinting towards the man bowing lowly, "I apologize but…"
He glared at her, "And she talks back… Dr. Davis… I expected from a secretary who serves such a high ranking official."
She kept her head down, "I apologize. It won't happen again."
He glared at her, "It better not. Now Dr. Davis…"
"I'm sorry Mr. Akai but I am extremely busy and do not have time for your case." Standing he closed his journal nodding in the man's direction, "Have a good night. Mai. Bring my tea into my office."
At his words Lin stood following his charge to his office, irritation written all over his face.
Her stomach filled with sheer panic standing quickly holding the tray to her chest her eyes widened, "Naru…?"
Mr. Akai stood glaring at her bosses back, "Dr. Davis!?"
"I do not have time for those who think about only themselves and petty positions. Your case has been declined Mr. Akai. Have a good night."
Turning to the girl he picked up the cup before pouring its contents on to her.
She screamed as the scolding hot liquid came into contact with pale flesh. Dropping the tray she fell to the floor as the man walked out slamming the door behind him.
She curled on the floor as the liquid seemingly burned her skin. Footsteps hurried in at her scream before hands grabbed her off the floor patting towels into her skin at an attempt to soak up the coffee that had stained not only her white button down but her skin with its dark color.
She refused to let tears fall instead holding in the pain, eyes scrunched shut as hands continued to press into her skin while Lin behind her almost ripped the soiled shirt from her skin leaving her in her bra and cami.
She wasn't embarrassed.
Both men had seen her in worse shape and still held her dearly.
But there was something in her chest that wasn't there before.
A heaviness of sorts.
One she couldn't describe nor explain.
Breathing in and out slowly she opened her eyes watching Naru work on patting her now dry skin before turning his attention to her, "What happened?"
She shook her head, "Nothing."
She glared grabbing her wrist tightly, "Mai."
She could feel a surge of panic and pain that emanated from where he was touching her. Quickly wrenching her arm from his grasp and grabbing her shirt from Lin she nodded at the two men, "I'm going home…"
Ignoring their protests she grabbed her purse before walking out of the office.
…
She looked disgusting… but that was to be expected.
The feeling in her chest had gotten worse.
She glared at the sidewalk hardly paying any attention to where she was going. She suddenly stopped in front of her apartment complex walking up the rusted iron steps towards her home pushing her key through the key hole before kicking the door open and slamming it shut.
Immediately crumbling to her knees she couldn't explain why she felt like this.
It was as if something in her ticked.
Just broke.
Her heart felt heavy and her chest ached.
A sudden wave of sadness washed over her form and she didn't have time to stop the tears before they were tumbling down her chin falling into a puddle of salt and unrequited emotion beside her knees.
Pushing herself up she walked towards the kitchen setting the water on the stove to boil before throwing in a packet of instant ramen.
She watched the noodles break before becoming as limp s she felt.
It was sickening trail of thought but one she couldn't help but have.
She left the pot on stove not remembering why it was that she made the meal exactly.
It wasn't like she as hungry… no like she had anyone to feed…
Throwing the entire pot into the sink she walked into her bedroom falling into her bed not bothering to change or clean herself up.
She couldn't help the tears that continued to fall.
Nor could she help the feeling building up in her gut that seemed to almost infect everything it touched.
She closed her eyes willing sleep and the peace it bought her.
And it came.
Quickly.
Encompassing her in a blanket of warmth and unease.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you guys soon for the next edition.
PLEASE IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW!
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See you soon!
Lucy