A/N: Hey, everyone it's me again...I know that I haven't updated soon but I had to focus on my studies first and I'll try to update as much as possible this week before I start review classes for board exams.

Enough of that and let's get on with the story.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ghost Hunt.

Edited: December 8, 2017

-oOo-

Flashback...

Poor Shinji on the other hand, felt two murderous glares focused on him, he realized that Kourin's brothers and him, will be having a very long talk filled with threats. But he also thought to himself that it would be well worth it. He would face anything, climb mountain and such just to be with Kourin. He caught Kourin staring at him with a smile on her face and he in turn smiled at her as well. Shinji finally felt content with his life, surrounded by the people he never expected to be with. Lunch was spent with everyone teasing the couple and having fun.

...Flashback

-oOo-

After lunch, everyone just enjoyed their day which included teasing the two love birds, namely Kourin and Shinji. The event concerning Mai's memories forgotten for the mean time. They spent the remainder of the day by lounging around without a care in the world, next thing they know it was already night time.

They continued chatting about things while having dinner, when Bou-san finally let out a huge yawn. "Ugh, I'm so full that I'm starting to feel sleepy." Bou-san commented.

"Well, that is because you ate like a pig." Ayako jibed at the man.

"Who are you calling a pig, as far as I remember you were the one griping about having gained weight a little while ago." Bou-san shot back not noticing how angry Ayako was becoming, with John trying to placate her.

Bou-san just continued talking, "Well it is only understandable, after all you've been pigging out on those sweets from the bakeshop in town." By then, John decided that he didn't want to be in the middle and was already creeping away from Ayako.

Next thing they knew, Bou-san was groaning out in pain. "What the... Ayako stop hitting me." He was covering his head and trying to get out of Ayako's range.

Ayako didn't stop hitting him with her purse. "Are you trying to call me fat, you stupid monk."

Everyone just shook their heads in exasperation, already used to the antics of the two. They all bade good nights to each other and headed to their rooms to rest, leaving the two to get everything out of their systems. Of course, Luella, with her trusty camera, took pictures of the two before heading to bed.

-oOo-

Mai was having a hard time going to sleep. She was very restless and kept on turning and tossing on her bed, trying to find the best position to sleep in but to no avail. She stilled in her movements and looked up towards the ceiling and stares at it as she tried to will herself to sleep, but after a while she kicked of her sheets and stood up while exclaiming, "That's it, I'm going for a walk." She huffed and puffed on her way out of the room.

While Mai was heading towards the gardens, Naru was heading towards the kitchen to get a glass of water. Before he reached the kitchen, he noticed that the doors to the gardens were opened. Looking out, he saw someone sitting outside and soon enough he recognized his assistant's form. He decided to head outside towards Mai, with his plan to get water forgotten.

Mai was looking at the stars, when she was startled by Naru's voice, "What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

Mai took deep breaths, trying to calm her beating heart. She turned around and glared at Naru, "Geez, Naru, you scared me. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that. I nearly had a heart attack."

Naru rolled his eyes at her, "If you were aware of your surroundings you would have noticed me walking towards you. Which still leaves the question why you are out here." He asked with an arched brow.

Mai pouted but soon after had a smile on her face, "Oh, well I couldn't sleep. Hehe. Funny isn't it, the time I wanted to sleep so badly I couldn't, but every other time I could just sleep in a blink of an eye." She answered while rubbing her head sheepishly. she then turned her attention to Naru, "Why are you still awake as well Naru?" While patting the ground next to her.

Naru answered as he sat down beside her, "I was going to get a glass of water, when I saw you out here and decided to join you."

"You were working late again, weren't you?" Mai asked though there was worry laced in her tone, that the man beside her was overworking himself again despite the doctor's orders.

Naru, oddly enough, answered her, "I wasn't working. I just couldn't sleep." Mai's eyes widened at Naru's answer. Naru noticing Mai's reactions and knowing what she was thinking just shrugged his shoulders, "Mother." He said it in a way that it would answer everything. Mai blinked at his answer but a grin soon enough found its way on her face, she realized that Luella must have threatened Naru with something or another.

With Naru not bothering to react on Mai's grin had the both of them lapsing into a comfortable silence. Just content in the fact that they were with each other.

Mai couldn't help herself, finally turned towards Naru, "Hey, Naru can I ask you something?"

Naru looked at the girl beside him, "What is it?" Mai looked at the distance trying to think on how she would word her question to Naru, "Well, would it be alright if you tell me more about Gene?" She turned to Naru and waves her hands, "If it's alright of course, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Naru's eyes widened a little but composed himself immediately. He looked at the pond, but didn't speak for a while. Mai was about to apologize for asking, when Naru opened his mouth to speak. "Gene, he was always smiling and could make friends with just anyone. Both he and I were inseparable, where ever he was I would also be there with him. We both always got into trouble, with Gene being the instigator and always dragging me with him as an accomplice." He stopped talking, leaning back he looked at the stars,"But then, the day Gene we to the Japan came. It was the first time we were separated. We were supposed to go together, but Gene wanted to go ahead because an acquaintance of his asked for help. It became one of the major fights we ever had or it might have been the worst fight we had. I had a thesis dissertation during the time so I wasn't able to go with him. He kept on telling me that we would see each other in three days, so I shouldn't worry that nothing could possibly happen."

Naru clenched his fists, trying to control his emotions. Mai saw this and reached for Naru's hand and held it in silent comfort. Naru took a deep breath, calming down at Mai's touch. "The day I saw Gene's death was the worst day in my life, it felt as though a part of me died along with him. I had a hard time controlling my abilities the first few days. I started to close everyone off, afraid of losing someone important to me. I immersed myself into my work as well as searching for Gene, these were the two things which kept me going through my life. There wasn't a day I didn't blame myself, maybe if I had gone with him he would still be here. If I stopped him from going then maybe..." Naru stopped talking and just stared at his reflection with a distant look in his face as though remembering the past.

Mai squeezed his hand, "Naru, look at me." Naru didn't move, Mai was about to speak again when slowly Naru turned around to look at Mai. Mai looked at him straight in the eyes, "Naru, please stop blaming yourself. I think, no, I know Gene doesn't blame you. From what you told me, Gene will do anything he sets his mind on no matter what you say or do to stop him. Maybe if you went with him he wouldn't have died and maybe if you did there is also a possible both of you will be dead. There are a lot of maybes in the world, each of them have an unknown answers. Things happen for a reason even if we don't like it to happen."

Naru was about to protest but Mai placed a finger on his lips with a gentle smile, "I might not have met Gene but from your stories, I know he wouldn't want you to live your life blaming yourself. Do you honestly think he would like to see you waste away your life. I don't think so because he would want his beloved brother to be happy. Being happy doesn't mean you have to forget about him but rather live not only for yourself but for Gene as well. Don't carry the burden on your own Naru, everyone is here to help you" Mai said this with conviction in her voice.

Naru's eyes widened at what Mai said. But before he could say something, Mai smiled at him and spoke again, "I know that you will find him and everything will be alright." When Mai said those words, he could feel it in his very soul that he would find Gene. Mai's intuition never failed them before and it will not fail him now. He smiled genuinely at Mai as well, as if though a great weight was been lifted from his shoulders. Mai grinned at him when she saw Naru's smile but a frown immediately replaced it.

"I just hope I could remember my memories as certain as you will find Gene." Mai said down hearted.

Naru noticing Mai's change in demeanor, squeezed Mai's hand in his. Mai looked at Naru from the action. "Don't force yourself, your memories will return in time. As you said yourself, we are to help you as well." Naru told her as he looked directly into her eyes. Mai's eyes widened but soon enough had a smile on her face.

Naru then asked Mai, "How are things going on with you being adopted?"

Mai smiled, realizing Naru was trying to take her mind of things. She took a deep breath then answered. "Everything is alright, I'm happy to be adopted by otou-san. Meeting aunt Kourin, uncle Keiki, Grandmother and Shinji as well. I've learned a lot of things from them and I'm able to control my abilities now. Shinji-san has been teaching me some meditation techniques and it made me feel much more relaxed and have an easier time to focus on things now. He explained me the reason why I was always so flighty and couldn't sit still for long periods of time was because my abilities were untrained so I didn't have a proper outlet for it." She sent Naru a grin.

Then exclaimed, "Oh right, that reminds me, Shinji also talked to me about having a spirit guide who could help me when I'm astral projecting. What are spirit guides anyway Naru?"

Naru started telling Mai any information he knows about spirit guides and any studies made regarding them but what caught Mai's attention the most was what Naru said last, "Spirit guides, normally would be the spirits of those who passed on but decided to remain in the land of the living to aid those who are spiritually inclined."

Mai was thinking really hard on what Naru said and was about to ask an additional question, when they heard a rustling from some bushes behind them. Naru started to move, intent on protecting Mai when they both heard a click, then a flash of a camera. Naru sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose, "Mother, if you do not come out from where you are hiding, I'm going to confiscate your camera and throw it into the pond."

Luella, knowing her son wasn't joking around since she did stress him quite a bit, which was an understatement, came out from her hiding spot while rubbing the back of her head, "Well goodbye and goodnight to the both of you." She rushed back to the house cradling her precious camera.

Mai giggled at the antics of both mother and son. She then grinned at Naru, "You know Naru, this is the first time you and I ever had a talk without you insulting me or calling me an idiot."

Naru rolled his eyes,, "It's gotten really late we should head back as well." Mai nodded her head and started to stand up when Naru squeezed her hand, that was the only time she realized that she and Naru were still holding hands. She blushed and looked at Naru, he smiled at her, "Thank you."

Mai blushed again and stayed rooted to the spot not realizing Naru already left her and was walking ahead towards the house. She was startled out of her thoughts when Naru called out, "Mai, stop standing there like and idiot and don't blame me if you get sick tomorrow."

Mai looked at Naru this time her face red with anger. Naru was just smirking at her. Mai glared at him, "You just had to call me an idiot didn't you, you stupid narcissist" As she stomped towards Naru's side.

The both of them returned back to the house with Mai still fuming at Naru. Mai was about to enter her room without even acknowledging Naru, when Naru took hold of her hand. Mai looked at him, "Thanks for tonight Mai. Goodnight." Naru said with a smile on his face.

Mai smiled in turn as well, "Good night Naru." The both of them then entered their rooms, they both ended up drifting to sleep immediately