Ch. 20 Fallen Again

"Mai, it's been three days. Let's go."

"No, I'm not leaving until Naru finds Gene's body and we can go home together." I sat stubbornly on the floor. Madoka was holding Megumi, and Bou-san was carrying the bags. They said they were taking me back three days ago, but I was as persistent as ever.

Madoka sighed. "Mai, I told you-"

"I know what you said!" I cried out. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to let you tell me what to do."

-X-

FLASHBACK

"Naru will return to England, but he may not come back."

I was utterly shocked. "What do you mean he might not come back? He can't just go to England and not return to Japan! What about SPR?"

"It's like I told you before, Mai. The only reason Naru came to Japan was-"

"To find Gene's body, I know! But he can't just leave! It doesn't make any sense!" I pulled out of Madoka's grasp and ran.

"Wait, Mai!" I heard her call after me but I ignored her.

I continued to run until I was outside and far away from that inn. It was raining hard outside, but I didn't stop. I didn't know where I was going, but it didn't matter. As long as I was far away from Naru...

"Ah!" I tripped. With support from the wall, I tried to stand up, but then I stumbled. My knees were scraped and my hands were bleeding from clawing at the wall. I was in pain. This was killing me. Why? Why did this have to happen? And to think me and Megumi and Naru would have a chance at becoming a family. A complete family.

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS NARU? DO YOU HATE ME THAT MUCH? DO YOU HATE US THAT MUCH? WHY?"

I froze. I could feel something behind me. It felt eerie and uncomfortable. I had to get farther away. But when I tried to get up, I felt a sting in my legs. I was crippled. And now I was doomed.

Something grabbed my shoulder. "NO! Get away! Get away!" I said, hitting the stranger.

"Mai, calm down! It's me, Bou-san!" He grabbed my arms and made me face him. I was afraid to look at him because I thought he would be angry at me, but when I finally saw him, his face looked more worried than angry. He looked like he was crying, but that could have just been the rain water in his eyes. He hugged me, tightly. "What have I told you about running away like that? You make us worry too much," he said into my hair.

More tears poured out of my eyes. I did it again. I made everyone worry. Typical Mai. "Gomenasai..." I cried.

"At least you're safe." He released me. "Come on. Let's go back to have you cleaned up. You're a mess."

I laughed. "Thanks," I said, wiping my tears. He carried me on his back. As he was walking, I said, "We have to go back... to Japan... all of us... together..."

I knew he was smiling, even though I couldn't see it. He released his grip on one of my legs and put a hand over mine.

"Together."

FLASHBACK END

-X-

"You promised that we would go back together, Bou-san," I stated.

He winced when Madoka glared at him. "Mai..." I was glaring at him, too. He looked like he was about to pee himself. "*Sigh* fine. We'll wait one more day. But if Naru isn't ready by the next day, we're leaving without him and Lin."

"... fine." I sighed stubbornly.

I still didn't like this plan. How long did it take to get a body out of a lake? Actually, I wouldn't have known, but I was sure it didn't take this long... I think. "I'm taking Megumi to the lake," I decided as I lifted Megumi from Madoka's arms.

"Mai, it's like a mile away. How are you supposed to get there?" Bou-san asked.

"You're going to drive me there, of course."

"If you're taking her there, then I'm going with you," Madoka declared.

Bou-san gave another sigh. "Fine!"

When we got there, the road was closed off. It was obviously the cause of our infamous narcissist. Did fishing a body out of a lake take that much effort? We got out of the car and walked up to the construction together, but I walked ahead when I saw someone I recognized.

"Lin-san?"

He turned but his expression looked appalled. "Mai? What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see what was going on. How's progress?"

He sighed. "They can't seem to find anything, but Naru says he knows something is in that lake."

"Really?"

There were a few seconds of silence before Lin said to me, "Madoka told me you know about Gene."

I nodded. "I'm guessing Naru knows now, huh?" He nodded back. I turned towards the lake. "To be honest, I've known Gene for awhile; I just didn't know it was Gene. I thought..." I paused. It would be embarrassing to tell someone that I thought Gene was Naru, especially if that person was Lin. I wasn't sure if he was one to keep secrets because I'd never told him a secret of mine, but I had a feeling I could trust him.

"Can you sense him, Mai?" I looked at him, confused. "Gene. Can you sense his presence in the lake?"

I closed my eyes and waited awhile. "I can't sense a thing. Gomen," I apologized. "The first time we were by this lake, I saw Gene's death flash before my eyes. That must have been what Naru saw, and maybe that's why he thinks Gene's body is in this lake."

He stayed quiet for a long time. Maybe I said too much. I walked up closer to the lake, but then Megumi started to whimper. I took her back to the car where Bou-san and Madoka were waiting. "I'm going to look for Naru. If we don't find him, I guess we can go back."

"I'm coming with you," Bou-san said, going into overly-protective-older-brother mode.

"I'll take her," Madoka said, lifting Megumi from my arms. "A construction site isn't a safe place for babies."

"Arigatou." I bowed.

We left Madoka and Megumi in search of Naru. It took awhile until we finally found him. He was a few meters away, talking to some of the workers. A few feet later, we could hear them having a very intense conversation.

"-sorry sir, but we can't find it. Are you sure there's a body in there?"

"Positive," Naru growled.

The worker scratched the back of his head nervously and said, "Alright, sir. We'll keep looking and call you back as soon as we find him. You should go back. We can handle it from here."

"..." Naru glared at the man when he turned and went back to work. The narcissist walked closer to the edge, but not too close. He looked very thoughtful and ready to pound somebody. I sighed. Talking to him would surely be difficult.

"I'm going to try to say something to him. Can you just stay here, please?"

"I don't know," Bou-san said, reluctantly. "You talking to an angry Naru at the edge of a cliff? Doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do right now."

"Shut up. Nothing's going to happen. I'm just going to try to calm him down. He looks like he needs to relax. It'll just be a minute." I ran over to him. "Hey Naru."

He turned to me. His eyes narrowed. "Why are you here?" he asked venomously.

His tone threw me off. "I-I just wanted to see how you were doing." I paused to make sure I could say more. Naru didn't look real upset with me, so I continued, "So, is Gene really in that lake?"

"Stop talking as if you've known him as long as I have, Mai. He's not your brother."

Okay, that pissed me off. "But he is my friend!" I took a deep breath. I wasn't supposed to wile him up, so I stayed calm. "Look, I know I haven't known him as long as you have, but I do know he's helped me a lot, and if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have solved most of our cases." He turned to me. That got his attention. "So, yeah, we haven't been long term friends, but I do know that he's just as important to me as he is to you."

I was feeling pretty proud of myself, until he said, "How long did it take you to realize it wasn't me?"

"What...? That doesn't matter! I've always trusted him from the beginning! Besides... if it wasn't for him... I wouldn't have realized how much..."

"How much what?" he demanded.

"... How much... I... I love you," I finally said. I couldn't believe I said it. "I love you so much, Naru. I want to know more about you. Please stop excluding me out of your life! I want to help you!" I was almost close to tears. "Madoka told me you were going to England. But you can't just leave! Not when you've got SPR. It's just not right." I put his hand in both of mine. "Please don't leave, Naru. What about Megumi? You can't just leave her when she's so warmed up to you. Please..."

"... Are you sure it's me you love... or Gene?"

I dropped his hand and froze. I couldn't believe what I just heard. I guess he really hates me. I felt like crying.

No.

No more crying.

I wasn't going to look so vulnerable in front of him anymore.

I turned from him and said, "Fine, if you don't believe me, then... I won't try to stop you anymore. You can go back to England once you've found Gene's body, and I'll stay out of your life." I started walking away, but then I turned back around and yelled, "But just so you know, Gene never wanted you to find his body in the first place!" I turned back and ran to the car.

I forgot Bou-san would be waiting, so I accidentally ran into him. "Mai, what happened?"

I shook my head. "Nothing, let's go."

"Mai-"

"I just want to leave!"

I knew Bou-san wouldn't dodge the question for long, but I know he wouldn't push me. He put his arm around my shoulder and led me to the car. When we arrived at the car, Madoka and Megumi weren't there. "Hey Mai, look." Bou-san was pointing over to the cliff. Madoka, with Megumi still in her arms, was talking to Lin. He said something, and then she laughed. They looked like they really liked each other. I wanted to smile, but looking at that familiar scene made me feel a little jealous. I jumped into the car and waited for Madoka to finish her conversation with Lin.

I was grateful that Bou-san had the guts to interrupt their conversation so we could leave. As soon as Madoka sat in the car, she said to me, "Hey Mai, did you find Naru?"

"Uh... Yeah," I replied, glum.

She frowned a little. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just want to go back to the inn, please."

She sighed. She looked at Bou-san and they gave each other the same look. "If you say so."

"I want to go back."

Bou-san and Madoka stopped what they were doing. "Go back to the construction site?" Madoka asked.

"No, back to Shibuya. I want to go back home." They seemed shocked by my decision. I felt like such a hypocrite.

"Are you sure, Mai?" Bou-san asked. "What about Naru? I thought you wanted us to all go home together."

"... I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to do. It's his choice."

"Mai, come with me for a sec?" Madoka grabbed me and we went into the hallway. "Did Naru say anything to you to make you change your mind?"

"Why would you say that?"

"You're not acting like yourself. You would never let Naru win."

"He hasn't won. I just decided not to get in his way anymore."

She sighed. "Alright, if that's what you want. We can leave tomorrow if you like." She turned to leave and said, "This isn't just about you Mai. Think of Megumi and everybody else at SPR."

I know that, but this is important to Naru. I can't just force him. I'm tired of whining!

I went to my room and laid down. I was so tired. This whole day just took the energy out of me. The next thing I knew, I was sleeping restlessly on my futon.

-X-

~Dream Mode ~

Why was I here? I didn't want to see Gene. I broke my promise with him, again. I didn't deserve his help, anymore. After all this, I wouldn't have been surprised if he never wanted to speak to me again. I sighed as I sat on the ground.

There I go again. I was being such a pessimist; but nothing good had happened. That phantom was still out there, Gene wasn't going to help me anymore, and once Naru finds his body, he was going back to England and never coming back. I was a fickle. I didn't care if he wanted to leave, but I didn't want him, either. ARGH! Why should I care! Naru said what he needed to say and he wouldn't change his mind, even though I just poured out my heart to him and he didn't even give a damn... I was such an idiot for falling for him.

He doesn't love you...

That was what he obviously meant. I mean he didn't say it, but the look on his face just gave it away. I told him I loved him and his face just comprised of a frown. A very vicious frown. Plus, he said that I love Gene. Gene! I mean, just because he was nicer, older, and he smiled a lot more, didn't mean I love Naru any less. Gene and I were just friends.

He hates you; he won't ever return your feelings...

But I wouldn't have gone as far as to say that he hated me. Just because he didn't love me didn't mean we weren't friends anymore. He might not return the feelings I had for him, but he would always be important to me.

He's going to leave you...

Maybe not forever. I mean, he was Naru. He was the most unpredictable person known to man. He might come back when we least expect it. I couldn't lose faith, not when the battle wasn't over yet. I still loved him, after all.

He hates you...

No, I didn't believe that. Wait a minute... these weren't even my thoughts! Who the hell was saying these things? "Who are you? Come out and show yourself!"

"Took you awhile, dear," an ominous voice said. "You're such a feebleminded girl, for a psychic." The ghostly figure finally appeared. She was so feminine and so familiar looking. I scowled. "It's a wonder why my nephew fell for you."

"Nephew? What are you talking about?"

"Well, isn't it obvious, dear?" She walked up closer to me. "My name is Shibuya Mitsuki, Aoi's sister. But that doesn't matter right now, does it?" She lifted my chin with her misty hand, but I slapped it away.

"Don't touch me."

"Aw, why do you have to be so mean, Mai-chan? I thought we could be friends..."

"You thought we could be 'friends'? You sick bitch! You put my friends in danger, make me hurt Naru, almost killed my baby while she was still inside of me, and now you were about to convince me to start giving up on Naru!"

"Blame your gullibility for that last one."

"Whatever! I don't care! You're a monster, and I'm never going to trust or forgive you for hurting my friends and my baby!"

"Mai, you don't understand. I don't have anything against you." She put an arm around my shoulder. "It's my damn sister and her sons! I despise them! But you, Mai, you're an innocent victim. You were brought into this mess once my nephew put his seed into your innocence. It makes me sick just thinking about it! I bet it makes you sick too, doesn't it Mai?" Once again, her fingers strung under my chin. "I don't want to hurt you, Mai. In fact, I have a deep interest in you. So let's not fight, let's get to know each other, ne?"

I didn't know what to say or do. This was the same phantom that wouldn't hesitate to hurt me, even when I was pregnant. This was the same phantom that caused us so much pain these past nine months. Now she was right here, touching me, petting me as if I belonged to her.

"I... I..."

"Don't try to deny me, Mai. I promise no harm will come to you or your friends, if you become my subordinate."

"... Nande... why me?"

"I can feel a strong force inside of you. The anger and madness you feel, it gives you strength. You're capable of more than you can imagine. I can teach you to use these powers, if you want..."

"No..." Her words, they were so familiar. I remember a dream I had: she was surrounded by other terrifying apparitions. Some of them looked like demons. My anger and frustration gave me power. Naru was the one who made me angry. She almost convinced me to become one of her minions, but then Gene saved me. She must have sent me that vision. She had been lying to me the whole time. "N-Never... I'll never help you!" I threw her off of me and ran.

"You'll pay for that, you little skank!" I looked over my shoulder, watching a dark ball of flames fly at me. I closed my eyes and got ready for the pain, but I didn't feel anything. I turned again to see Gene.

"Gene!"

"Go to Naru, Mai."

'"But-"

"Go!"

I felt reluctant to leave him, but Naru was in jeopardy. Gene would have to aid us in the battle. "Arigatou!" I continued to run and braced myself for what was coming next.

"Hurry, Mai..."

~Dream End~

-X-

"AH!" I woke up in a cold sweat. My heart was pulsating and my head was pounding. I could hardly breathe. I needed to get out of here.

"Mai, what's wrong?" Madoka ran to me. She must have been in the room with me the whole time, watching me.

"Hey, is everything okay in there?" Bou-san suddenly came into the room.

"Mai, answer me!"

My head was still suffering from vertigo, but then I finally steadied myself. "Omigosh...! Naru! We need to get to Naru!"

"Why? What's wrong with Naru?"

"We need to leave, now!"

"Mai, are you feeling okay?"

"ARGH! Forget it! I'll just call a taxi!" I ran out of the room before they could catch me. Nothing was going to stand in my way. I was going to get to Naru, no matter what.

I couldn't find a taxi, so I tried calling out to other cars. I finally stopped. "Sir, can you please drive me down to the lake, down that road? I need to get there. I'll pay you anything. I just need to there as fast as I can. My friend is in trouble!"

He looked uncertain for a moment, but he took my offer. He drove me until the road was blocked off. "Arigatou. I'll pay you-"

"No charge, ma'am. Good luck with your friend!"

"Arigatou!" I ran to the construction. When I saw Lin, I ran faster. "Lin, where's Naru?"

"Mai, how did you-"

"Never mind that! Where's Naru?"

"Over there." I ran to him. As I suspected, he was at the cliff, speculating whether his brother was there or not. "Naru!"

"Mai?" I stopped beside him, panting heavily. "What are you doing here?"

"Never mind... that..." I said as I panted. "You're... in... danger... We... need... to get out of here!"

"What are you talking about?"

"No time... for questions... come on!" I grabbed at his hand but he drew it away.

"I'm not going anywhere until you explain to me what's going on." I glared at him and he did the same. Explanations would have to wait, but of course it always had to be his way.

"Fine, but if you-" I stopped when I felt someone push me. I lost my balance and began to fall down the lake where sharp rocks and tumultuous waves.

Have a nice swim, dear...

"Mai!"