Disclaimer: Nope. I Don't own Ghost Hunt, nor Blue Lagoon.
Chapter Seven: My Turn?
Mai POV
"What happened?" I groaned in pain, lifting myself, regaining my sight, I saw the see-through cloth from my bed.
Since when I got here? Why am I here? Weren't we going to the East?
"That's what I want to know as well." I heard on my far right.
Rubbing my sleepy eyes only to groan in protest, feeling my ache. My hand is wrapped with a cloth. (Did I hurt myself?)Shaking it off, I stood slowly, throwing the blanket away from my body and lifting the veil to only see Naru in his usual sitting spot, looking down at some books, noticing that he's wearing his normal clothes that he came with a month ago, but I manage to fix his black sleeves a bit, so it won't look so bad.
"What happened?" I asked watching him stand and came to my side. I lifted my gaze to see Naru bend down to wraps his hand around my waist and gently helps me up. I stare at him, feeling my heart already working overtime.
"Err?"
"You're hurt. You have been sleeping for the last two days. Care to explain to me?" He simply asks, not removing his arm around my waist, only helps me go down the stairs while my back and my legs protested.
"My body feels like a bulldozer ran through it or something in those lines."
"Well, it should, after that throw you received. Luckily you didn't receive any serious injury, some scrapes, that's all," he tells me while he kept helping me go down the steps of the treehouse. I lifted my gaze.
"Throw? What throw?" Naru gave me a narrow look, but we finally made it to the first floor looking out the window, its already daytime, with the birds chirping along.
"Don't you remember what happened?" he asks, moving me towards the middle of the room. I shook my head, trying to remember anything.
"No. The last thing I remember was that we were arguing, then we..." I paused, hissing a little grabbing a hold of my head as this pounding headache began to form.
"We what?"
"We went to sleep. That's all. You told me that you had someone special. That's all I can remember." I told him. Which is true.
"Interesting," Naru whispers, helping me to sit on the ground, watching him move about to get the food. I gulped, tilting my head to the side.
"Interesting? What is? Please, do leave me in suspense," I pleaded sarcastically, Naru paused, turning to face me, and rose a brow giving me a stoic look again.
"Are you being sarcastic?" he asks. I rolled my eyes at him, crossing my arms only to groan once again since I forgot I was in pain for that brief second.
"I just need some pills, to get rid of this headache that's what I need, and I mean it. I don't remember anything. Why do I hurt? What the heck happened?" Naru frowns, while I huffed out.
Naru just went on without a word, he brought me some food. (Fruits and a coconut,) Sitting in front of me he hands me the fruits and I took them. Peeling the banana, I started to eat.
"We went to the east, and found an open place, with one house that is in ruins You saw something and you have been thrown across, landing on top of the ruins," he explains. I frowned placing the peel down, I drank a little of the coconut water.
"I don't remember, give me some time," I told him. Naru stares at me making me feel nervous for some odd reason, so I just shy away and lower my head eating the rest of the fruits.
Upon finishing my breakfast, I slowly stood up, watching Naru gather up the leftover, and then went towards the door. I frowned, lowering my head once again.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked confused, for some odd reason, Naru's behavior is weird, well weirder than normal.
Following him downstairs, I didn't take notice, that he was standing in the middle of the entrance, looking down at the stairs,] causing me to bump into his back.
"Dang, not again," I complained, rubbing my nose lifting my gaze, Naru turned to face me.
"I just saw someone," he admits causing my eyes to widen at his words.
"You did?"
"A man." He says, he moves his right hand, and grasps my hand, surprising me. My heart jumps as I look at our join hands.
"Don't make a noise," he whispers.
"It can be a ghost," I suggested since we do live on an island of the dead. Naru just starts to move forward, going down the stairs, slowly while I tighten my grip on him.
"Naru, it can be a ghost." I hissed under my breath, not loud enough though.
"It was too real, to be a ghost, I'm pretty sure I know the difference Mai," he mumbles, reaching the bottom. Now I'm getting scared by this.
Naru turns his head towards his right and left, searching. I move behind him, feeling my heart race from fear.
What if we aren't alone. that sudden thought crosses my mind, we have been here almost a month now.
"Let's go to the stream," Naru suggested, noticing that his broad shoulders relax a little. I arched a brow, moving to his side.
"Didn't you just say.." I stopped mid-sentence, as soon Naru turns his gaze towards me, with some odd expression, that could send the most chilling sensation down anyone's spine. I shivered, and not in a good way.
"Ne?"
"I have a feeling," was all he said. Shaking my head, I let him pull me towards the stream, which he took his time with me, making sure I won't fall or harm myself, which I thought was very sweet of him.
Reaching it a few minutes later we stood near the edge of the water, looking around, just water and beautiful birds flying around. Nothing new.
"There's no one or anything around these parts, besides nature and animals for the moment." I gaze up at Naru. Naru frowns, shaking his head.
"I swear I saw a man. He had black hair, broad back, wearing a loose white shirt." He whispers, looking down at me.
"Anything else?"
"He didn't look up at me. He stopped in front of the stairs, looking at the treehouse window. I couldn't look at his face since the leaves were overcasting his face. I can tell he as tall as me." he whispers the last part.
"Maybe it was the ghost or the man I saw last time," I concluded for him. Naru seems deep in his thought when he turns to face me.
"He headed this way, he was too real to be a ghost." He seems certain about it. Looking down taking notice that I still hold his hand.
I immediately let go, only to groan in pain once again.
"I forgot, I'm hurt." I protested, Naru took in a big breath not noticing the disappointed look in his eyes, but looks away.
"I'll be right back," he tells me. I stare at him, not liking his words.
"Are you seriously leaving me here? After you saw that man? What if he came back?" I scolded in fear. Naru nods slightly, turning his gaze back towards the trees.
"He's gone now, I'll get your clothes, and such. Just start bathing." My eyes widen a little, taking a hold of his arm.
"Don't leave me alone. What if.." but Naru shook his head.
What is wrong with him?
"We are here for a month now, it won't take long. We need to learn that we can't be together most of the time. I promise to be back, okay, I'll make sure that man is not around." he whispers.
He's right though. What if something happens? I need to learn, but, we are in an isolated place, what if he gets hurt, or worse the bad man gets him.
My fear began to shot up for Naru's well-being, that I never took notice I was shaking.
"Mai," his tone is soft and so gentle, causing me to look up at him as my fear began to go away.
"Huh?" I asked, to see that Naru bent down at my level gently taking a grip of my chin, and our eyes lock. He looks confident as he kept looking at me, to make me feel secure.
"I'll be right back. Trust me," he said in a calming matter making me a nod.
"Don't be too long, okay," I whispered. Naru gently brushes his thumb across my chin, causing me to shiver, my eyes soften feeling trapped by him.
"You won't even notice I left," and with those final words, he leaves.
Watching him blend with the shadow of the trees.
"Okay, Mai. You're a big girl. An adult that is almost twenty, I can do this. Naru promised he'll be back." I pep talked myself, rubbing my arms. I turned towards the water after I made sure no one is around.
"I need to use the bathroom, before taking a bath." whispering to myself turning towards my right, I headed towards our little pool bath, which there's a tree I can use to pee.
Praying to God, that nothing will pop out of nowhere, I manage to let my bladder free and went towards the edge of the pool.
"Okay," I whispered, bending down, only to groan. I place my bare feet on the cool water, splashing.
Upon doing so, a sudden cold brush against my skin. I lifted my gaze to see nothing out of the ordinary.
"Strange. Please don't let it be like last time." taking out my feet, I removed clothes and underwear, very painful to do, but I did it slowly, placing it on the ground firmly. I jumped in the water. Feeling refreshed.
"Good Girl, If I keep distracting my mind. I won't be so scared." swimming to the edge of the water, I lifted my gaze towards the sky.
I wonder why I can't remember? Did we go to the east? Then what did I saw to make me lose my memories?
Deep in my thoughts, a sudden splash behind me causes me to jump in fright, as I cover my breasts with my arm.
"Please let it be Naru. Even if I kill him," turning around slowly, the splashing seems to get louder and louder, then my eyes widen when I finally made a full turn. My eyes landed on a woman. A familiar woman. I breathed out in relief.
Oh, Thank God.
"The Lady from my dreams, you almost gave me a heart attack." I scolded moving towards her. Ayame turns towards me, noticing that she's naked her pale white skin glowed as her long dark hair floats on the water while her eyes searched mine.
"You finally awoke," she spoke, taking notice that her voice echoes.
"Naru told me that I have slept for two days. I can't remember what happened. Why is that? Why are you here?" I moved closer to her, but not close enough to touch her.
"You wish to remember?" was her question, moving a bit closer to me. I gulped, not sure how to respond to that, I just began to feel cold due to her.
"Err, Yes and no at the same time. I'm scared of what I have learned. Yet. I want to know so I can help you guys and we can leave this place." I told her the truth.
Ayame moves closer this time face to face. She stretches out her hand and took a piece of my wet hair stroking it gently. Not liking this at all, I began to shake.
"Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. Have I in the past?" she asks with curiosity.
I gulped, shaking my head. She gave me a sad smile.
"Then don't be afraid. You can't remember, because you don't want to. You have to. There was a big clue in there. To help us. As I told your lover. Head west this time,"a blush passes my cheeks at the mention of a lover.
"My lover? Who? I don't have a lover." I knew my voice thinned out.
Ayame is giggling very slightly, this time cupping my right cheek.
"It's still not time to call him what he's entitled of being called. Is too early. Lover, husband, your Soulmate. You two complete each other. You're his other half. Yet so blind right now, maybe because you two are so young. In time, you'll learn this and when you two leave, you two will remember my words. I promise you won't be able to separate from him, even in the darkest hour. Both of your love is so strong, and so rare these days." she tells me.
"You sound like my dream. You're wrong. Naru doesn't love me. Either way. How can I get to remember and West?"
Ayame smiles gently, she moves her hand down, brushing her thumb across my cheek, almost in a motherly way.
"Trust in my words. Not all you see is what you think it is. That young man loves you more than you two think, just give him some time. Now, to regain your memories is easy. Just let yourself go and for the west. That young man knows what to look for." and before I could ask what in the world she meant by that, she disappears, only to hear a voice behind me, making me jump.
"Mai... Was that Ayame?" I turned around to see Naru standing on the edge of the pool, cross arm looking straight at me, but I took notice his shirt is white.
Did he change his shirt? Wasn't it a black one before?
"Ayame? Is that her real name, as in the owner of the diary?" I asked, he nods as he kept staring at me, not noticing that I was giving him a good view of my front. He turns to place something on top of the boulder, then jumps inside the water, making it splash, and heads towards me, wetting his black pants at the progress.
"It's my turn now." he simply said as he comes up to me.
"Your turn?" I questioned, but he ignores me while I just stare he looks different though, I can't point it, but he looks older but young at the same time.
I watch him as he bends down and gently places his hand on my arm and helps me stand. I kept staring at him, shaking in the cold, since I was naked in front of him, I don't know why, but I felt transfixed by him, nothing registers in my mind, but his presence right now.
He suddenly smirks at me while he places a white fluffy towel around me. (Did he brought it with him? I don't remember him having it while he was walking up to me.)
"This is yours from now on," he whispers to me as he rubs my arms, trying to warm and dry me. I don't know why, but I couldn't say a word but timidly nod at him causing him to look contempt but he bends down and places his arm under my legs and hoist me up to his big arms.
"Naru?" I gasped out in surprise by this bold action. He has never done this unless I'm in trouble. Am I? I felt him walk away from the waters, towards where he place my clothes.
"Hmm?" he asks placing me down, then my heart skips a beat as he leans closer to me, extending his arm on my right side inching his face closer to mine almost in a teasing matter, as though he was enjoying this. I felt my cheeks turning warmer, as I swallowed hard.
"You look different," I admit to him feeling my heart hammering against my chest. His smirk returned, but wider almost turning into a full-blown smile that reached his icy blue eyes, but it looks seductive, mischievous, like... Like he's flirting with me?
No, he's not, he's messing with me, he doesn't flirt.
"Get dress, I'll meet you behind the bolder." He simply said as he hands me my clothes. I nodded at him absent-mindedly while he walks away, but then I look down at myself as the realization dawns on me.
Wait, he saw me naked. Oh no.
"Oi, you jerk, pervert," I grumbled, feeling suddenly embarrassed, and strange. I swear I heard him chuckle, not seeing him rub his chin and cheek as he looks down at the ground.
I look at my pants and shirt, only to take notice of something.
"Is this?" I lifted the red shirt to take notice that it was a part of a dress, only ripped in half. I frowned, running my fingers through the fabric.
"Did he do this?" I whispered feeling the frustration melting away and placed on my fresh clothes.
Looking down, I rub my arms, feeling strange.
I'm embarrassed that he saw me naked, but why did it felt normal? I can't explain it.
I walked around the boulder to spot Naru is leaning against the rock, just looking at me with cross arms in front of his torso. I nervously rub my fingers, feeling shy.
Naru lazily pushed himself forward and walks up to me. I cleared my throat, trying to find my voice.
He saw me naked, this is so embarrassing forget normal now.
"Hey, aren't we going to talk about.." but my words fell flat when he came up to me and inspect my clothing.
"I'm sorry if I didn't believe you Mai, but it makes sense now, so much sense, that I can't help but laugh at the situation." he said out of nowhere causing my heart to jump in a way, but I was lost.
What, I'm lost.
"Who are you and what have you done with my cold Naru?" I asked causing him to chuckle at my response, which reached his blue eyes.
"I'm still your cold Naru. I'm Oliver Davis, your boss, you nicked named me Naru because you thought I was a narcissist back in high school. You thought I was looking at the mirror because I couldn't stop looking at myself, but in reality, is because I wanted to see Gene. Is that enough proof?" he asks me. I swallowed hard and nodded.
It is him, besides the gang, no one else knows that and it's been so long since we have spoken of that topic.
"Then why are you so. Unlike you? I don't know, you look happier and more open? What happened while heading back to the treehouse? It's not that long of a trip, did I miss something?" I question him. He shook his head as he moves away from me, and heads for the waters.
"I can't explain it, but you can trust me, I will never harm you, Mai. I can never harm you," he assures me while taking off his shirt which drops to the ground, showing me his broad back.
His back is broader than ever and muscular as though he's been working out. I swallowed hard at how beautiful he looks, but I took notice that he has scars, old scars.
What happened to him?
Naru turns towards me. He just stares at me, not noticing myself, that I was tracing every inch of him, with my eyes, feeling worried at the same time.
A sudden urge to hug him pulse in my veins, to go up to him and lay my cheek on his bare chest, to hear his heart. To have his arms around me, I want is to just lose myself in him. I never took notice, that my own feet carry me out to stand in front of him nor did I notice that I extended my hand to lay my fingers on his bare chest where his heart lies.
Naru watches me, as I notice many scars around his chest, even burnt ones. I lift my gaze as my heart began to hurt. He lays his big rough hands, which once felt soft on top of mine causing me to lift my gaze to connect with his.
His chest rose unevenly, as though I was affecting him in a way, his eyes become transfixed on me with yearning and love, a deep emotion that shook me.
I felt a tear roll down my eye. No words were spoken between us, but the emotions I felt at that moment felt real and raw, and I knew deep in my heart this is Naru, my Naru.
Naru moves his hand to wipe my cheek which I couldn't stop crying at this point. My heart hurts for him.
I love you Naru. I love you so much that I think I'm going to die, what happen to you? Why are you hurt like this?
"Don't cry, don't cry for me." he gently told me knowing very well that my tears were for him and I have no idea how he knew that. Leaning forward our eyes connect, he gave me a soft smile, one of the softest smiles I have ever seen which causes me to just simply melt.
He leans forward closing his eyes he kisses my forehead very tenderly, making my whole body come back alive, I can feel butterflies filled my tummy. He moves back, causing me to look back at him.
"Naru," I could barely speak since that simple kiss took my breath. He runs his knuckles gently against my cheek, and his eyes couldn't stop looking at mine. I leaned into his touch closing my eyes.
I.. I'm in heaven right now...
"I have something to tell you," he finally spoke breaking my inner thoughts. I slowly flutter my eyes open, while he wraps his arm around my waist pulling me into his embrace. I nodded at him like a fool.
"That's my girl, so listen well," he whispers, as he leans down tilting his head ready to kiss me, as he half-closed his eyes, this new ache in my heart burst, wanting to lose myself in him.
Naru POV
"Why did I leave her alone? I don't get it, a sudden urge to look for her clothes came over me. Strange and the worse part, I couldn't find anything for her to wear."
I shook my head, as the flash of that man came into my mind.
Who is that man? He is real, not a ghost, I know I'm not crazy.
Shaking my head, I returned towards the stream, holding into Mai's clothes, only to hear a splash as though someone went in the waters.
"Mai? Are you alright?" I asked getting worried as I rushed my steps, but stopped trying to not be too prudent since she might be naked.
"She's fine," I heard a male voice instead of Mai's. I lifted my gaze, I see a man, the same mystery man from before, halfway in the water, his back facing me. I can recognize the back structure and the same white shirt.
So it's not my imagination and he's real. I don't know why, but I feel conflicted.
He stops midway and lifted his right hand before I could question him.
"Ten remember that Oliver and treat your wife better, trust me when I tell you this or not you're going to regret it, that woman is your life." His voice seems different but familiar to me.
What is he babbling about? What wife?
"Who the hell are you? What do you want?" I question, ignoring that wife's comment; moving towards the edge of the water. Stopping, the man didn't turn but lowers his hand down.
"She will suffer much Oliver so you must protect her with your life and be there for Mai, you're the only strength she will have on this island as she will be yours. This island has more secrets that go beyond your imagination. All I can say you two will have one hell of a ride that you can't even imagine. Ah, here's another tip for your next clue," he paused, stretching out his right arm pointing at the surface of the walls of the waterfall.
"Besides a Lionheart is stronger than a human heart. The eye of the beholder shows the true path. Don't be fooled. Not only ghosts inhabit this island." and then he lowers his hand continuing to walk into the waters.
"Who are you?" I called out once again. The man stops again and looks at the morning sky, and I can almost see him smile from the side.
"I'm someone that you can trust, not a bad guy or a good guy. I'm a simple man trying to protect my woman. Just don't let Mai near the fire and remember my words Oliver, love her, love her dearly, no one will love you the way she does." and with that, the man went inside the water and just disappears.
"What? What does that mean? Oi, I don't love her, she doesn't love me. What in the world is going on?" I felt frustrated when something dawn on me.
"Damn, where's Mai?" I snapped turning around, searching around, only to spot her. She's sitting against the rock, with closed eyes, while her body leaned towards the right. She wears soft clothing, with her hands on her lap.
Running towards her, I bend down and took a hold of her shoulder.
Please, don't tell me, he did something to her
Shaking her a little hard, Mai protested, fluttering her eyes open.
"Ne?" she lifted her face, rubbing her eyes.
"Naru?" her voice stretched. I sighed in relief, sitting in front of her.
"Who was that man?" I asked her. Mai frowns, only to touch her injured shoulder, but then lowers it looking behind me arching a brow.
"Man?" she asks confused.
"Yes, that man who just swam away. Who was he?" Mai frowns knitting her brows together in more confusion.
"You Naru, there was no one else in this place but you." her cheeks redden, as she covers her mouth, pushing herself back against the rocks.
"You kiss my forehead." she accused, making my eyes narrow at her words.
"Kiss your forehead?" I repeated, trying to comprehend what she meant? I never kissed her forehead. Mai shook her head as her cheeks flare up more.
"Yes. You're so mean. You kiss my forehead, and you told me you had to tell me something, but I don't remember, but it was very important." she whispers, noticing that her eyes scanned down on me.
"When did you change your shirt? It was white, wait, you took it off though," she looks confused. I tilted my head, looking down at my shirt. I am wearing my black shirt, which Mai ripped the sleeves off, a month ago.
What is she talking about? What white shirt? I have that back in the treehouse. Why would she mistake him thinking is me? Or is it was the ghost manipulating everything? but why kiss her though?
Then I began to feel guilty, my eyes landed on her lips for a brief second biting my own.
Damn it.
"I never wore the white shirt Mai, it's back in the treehouse," I told her the truth.
Mai's eyes widen, as something dawns on her.
"It was you Naru, I promise, you told me some things that only our group knows, no one else knows about not even ghosts." she insisted. I knitted my brows in confusion.
"There was a man here before I woke you up, the same I saw earlier. I didn't catch his face. He just disappeared. It could have been the ghost, took the shape of me? Maybe he heard you or heard some information about us." I suggested. Mai shook her head, moving forward, she surprises me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, and held me tight.
"No. It was you, he had the same sent as you, his chest felt so warm just like yours, he was you Naru, everything, but I can't remember what he told me. Please believe me." she looks very convinced.
I had no idea, what to say or do.
"Calm down and tell me everything," I suggested. Mai hiccups, looking up at me as her cheeks remained red. For a brief second, the only thing that passed my mind, how fragile she looks. How adorable and innocent she is. My heart jumped, oddly. All I want is to have her in my arms, and...
What is wrong with me? I shook off my thoughts.
She explains to me, everything that has happened until I woke her up. I remained quiet, as she hugs me again.
"I'm not crazy. I know it was you, I touched your warm chest, and you held my hand, then you kiss my forehead. Nothing else. I can't remember after that. Everything went dark on me. Why can't I remember things? Am I sick?" she questions.
Hold it back Naru, she's not yours, she can do what she pleases, don't get mad. Don't get mad.
"You're not sick. My understanding, you block it off, you saw something very horrid on which your inner conscious built a wall around that memory, and about the guy that looks like me. I have a feeling that he doesn't want you to remember. Not sure why though." I concluded since is the most logical explanation and scolded after.
"Just don't let yourself be kissed by random strangers Mai, it's not normal."
She sits up using her knees to look down at me since now she's higher than me. Her browns become deep staring at me as though I was the only one in this world for her.
"He was you Naru, everything about him was you. Everything and nothing will change that, he has your blue eyes, your body, your hair, your cockiness, both have the same smell, but he looks and acts like you. My heart knows he wasn't an imposter, and it can't be Gene because " she said firmly. I stare at her feeling my heart hammering.
"Do I smell that bad?" I questioned, trying to lighten my heart which was going too fast for my liking especially the way Mai is looking at me. Mai doubled blinked at my question.
"Smell bad? No. You smell like sweet tea, and now the nature of this island. Like spring. It's a very nice smell. I love it." she concludes with tinted red cheeks, looking embarrassed.
Then she hides her face with her hands.
"I can't believe I just said that," she mumbles, making me smirk at her words.
I'm conflicted by this man, but.. It's nice to hear that from her. Hell, I love the way she smells.
Composing myself, so she won't catch me smirk, feeling happy about her words, I cleared my throat.
"Let's go." standing up, I helped her gently, by taking a hold of her good arm. She turns her gaze towards the water, avoiding eye contact.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that." Now confused by her words.
"Say what?" I asked.
"That I like your smell. It just. Nothing. Let's go. Oh!" she smiles, looking up at me, but her blush didn't leave her.
"What?" I played it off, ignoring the fact that my heart is racing a mile per second.
"Thank you for the shirt. It feels good to wear something else," she whispers, taking a small step away from me. A small annoyance formed in my heart at the thought of that man getting so close and impersonating me to fool Mai.
"I didn't bring any clothes for you Mai." She frowns at my words, but
gently and shyly took a hold of my hand, noticing that it was trembling.
I arched a brow looking down at her, giving her one of my poker-face looks to show no emotion. Even though right now, Mai holding my hand makes me sensitive to her touch and shy. But then again as we head towards our new home, no words are spoken.
Just the simple fact, that she's next to me was enough to overcome anything.
I'm bothered that he kissed you on your forehead, but... I'm sorry Mai, I'm worse. I'll try to stay away from you. That man has no clue what's he's talking about.
Guilt is the worse feeling ever, and right now, my chest feels heavy from it.
Mai POV
Fire! The smell of smoke surrounded me. I bolted out of my bed, throwing the blankets away from me, I got up, rushing towards the bottom of the treehouse.
Reaching the bottom, the smoke becomes thicker. Coughing now, feeling the smoke being trapped in my lungs, the panic seems to rush over me even more.
"NARU!" I yelled, scared, scared that we won't make it. Then I heard a scream. A scream of multiple people. Going towards the open window, I look outside. On the ocean shore, there were people around, as a large fire surrounds the trees, and them. Looking down, my treehouse, the fire circles around me.
My eyes widen even more.
"Oh No. If I don't leave, I'll die." moving away from the window, I rushed my steps going towards the door. Slamming it open, I rushed down, only to be stopped watching the fire burning the stairs.
Looking back up, Naru stood in the entrance, with Ayame?
"Naru, Ayame. Help!" I called up, going up the stairs. Ayame frowns at me, shaking her head in sadness.
"You have to remember what you saw Mai or not we will never be free," she whispers while Naru moves down towards me. He gently takes my hand, as we lock eye contact.
"You have to remember. There's something that can help. Mai, just open your mind. Help them." he tells me, then disappears into the smoke. My eyes widen.
"No. Naru, please don't leave me!" I begged, feeling a hand on my left shoulder, Ayame gave it a slight squeeze.
"Look in my diary. It will help, it's time to go to the West. I have to go. Also." she leans forward, to whisper in my left ear. Then she disappears. Leaving me alone.
"Please, don't leave," I begged with a cry. I rushed down, only to stop to see the fire rapidly moving forward, as though it has a life of its own.
Turning back up, a growl is heard. I lift my gaze and saw a wolf emerge from the smoke and I swear, it was smirking at me. My heart jumps.
"You will be next, just like your mate. I hate this place. I hate it with great passion. Since the curse, I can't leave here. Now, be a good girl, and remove it. So I can go and finish the job." he laughs, bitterly. I shook my head, not knowing what to do.
'Nine Cuts,' My brain progress, closing my eyes, I started to do the signs, of the nine cuts, and doing so, the wolf started to yelp in pain.
"Stupid wench. You will pay for that." he snaps, and when I snapped my eyes open, the wolf jumps in my direction, causing me to jump backward, into the fire.
"NOO!" I yelled...
0o
I groaned in pain, hitting myself against the wall, feeling a hand on my shoulder a few seconds later.
"Mai!" I heard a familiar voice. Snapping my eyes open, I felt sweat down my forehead rolling down my neck and it's not because of the heat.
With tears now running down my cheeks, I wrap my arms around Naru, burying my face in the crook of his neck.
He hesitated, but wrap his arm around my waist and picks me up to adjust me so I can sit on his lap.
I felt him rub my back in a soothing matter.
"What happened? Are you hurt? " He asks, noticing how concern he sounds. I kept crying, for a good few minutes and he just lets me.
"I'm okay; It's been two weeks since we went up to the east and I can't remember anything." I cried out as Naru moves away and place his hands on my shoulders.
"We were having a conversation, and you just zone out like last time. Next thing, you were thrown across the room and I'm not liking that at all." I heard him whisper the last part causing me to look at him. I kept staring at him, as he lifts his gaze to look at me.
The man I saw two weeks ago is you, but different. I know you don't believe it, but he is you, but I wish I can remember what he told me.
"What did you saw?" He interrupts my thoughts as I licked my lips, feeling his hand kept on rubbing my back.
"Fire. A lot of fire. You were there and Ayame. She told me it's time to head west." then I explain the rest. Naru remained quiet hearing me out as I calmed down.
"Tomorrow we head out," he mentions. I glance up at him, but then shook my head in protest.
"Just when I just healed. Have you found anything?" I asked as I took notice I kept sitting on top of his warm lap. I slowly stood up, trying to act normal, and headed towards my left, to grab the diary.
"I did," he answers while I bend down near the window and picked up the diary. I turned my head towards him.
"You did?"
"Yes. The West," he mentions as I sat right back down next to him and adjust myself, waiting for Naru, to continue. Yet he kept quiet, as though he was ignoring me, just like the past two weeks, he's been very quiet only talk when is about the case or my dreams and that's all. It was irritating and downright sad because it's not like I have anyone else to speak to. He literally my only source of communication.
"And?" I pushed since he kept his eyes on the book in front of him.
"Dr. John mentioned something,"
"What?"
"The west, use to be inhabited by a tribe," he concludes. I scratched my head, knitting my brows together.
"A tribe? Like Indians?"
"Something like that. He didn't write too much about them. Either way, we have to be on guard for that." he concludes.
A silence fell over us, so I opened the diary to keep busy and began to read, but nothing new. I couldn't concentrate on it, since I kept staring at it blankly.
Something was off, and I am getting to the bottom of this. I slam the diary on the floor so hard that Naru jumps in shock looking at me with an annoyed look.
"Naru, I can't take this, two weeks already, what's wrong? Did I do something to make you this mad at me? Or what? If it's about that man, I'm telling you he is you, he didn't do anything wrong, but kiss my forehead and um.. well, that's all." I finally snapped as I edit out the fact that he saw me naked, I don't know why but I just want to keep that quiet. I turn to face him. To my surprise, he was looking out the window, in deep thought, then he glances down at me.
"Remember the special person I mentioned earlier?" he started throwing me off.
Okay, not expecting this conversation.
I nodded shyly, not wanting to hear this, but what other choice do I have? He's finally opening up to me even if I don't like it.
"Yes?" I barely whisper it. Naru crosses his arms in front of his chest and looks straight at the floor.
"I had a dream with her," he admits. I felt my heart squeeze at this, as many possibilities of what type of dream he had with her.
"Err, okay." Naru turns his gaze back at me, noticing that his blue eyes narrow for a few seconds, not noticing that his body shook.
"What type of dream?" Oh, how hard was that to ask. Naru thinned out his lips, and shrug his shoulders.
"I did something I shouldn't. So now I'm confused if you think I'm mad at you, don't think it, I was just avoiding you because of my dream. I'm mad at myself. So mad, at times, I feel like throwing up." just like the first time, what type of dream would make him so mad at himself?
"The great Oliver, confused? That's the first. Can you care to explain?" I asked trying to lighten the mood. My insides are trembling. Naru tilts his head but stood up stretching his back.
"In my dream. I did something I shouldn't. That's all you have to know, and it confused me to no end. I'm human, I do get confused at times. We should sleep early we have a long way tomorrow." he explains. I shot up, going up to him taking a hold of his arm making him turn to face me looking a bit startled by my action.
"Thank you for opening up to me even if it's a bit and admitting that your not mad at me, it's been bothering me," I whispered, blushing hard.
Naru gave me a stern look, but bend down, eye to eye with me, making me blush at his act. He places his hand on my shoulder. My eyes widen
"Consider yourself lucky. Since I normally don't speak." and with that he leaves, making me stare at his back, feeling my heart race.
What was the dream? Was it horrid? Or just so simple?
Looking down at the diary, I lifted it, looking at the back cover.
"For now, this is important because Naru won't say anymore," I whined, shaking my head.
"I'm so going to get Advil when I leave from here. This place just gives me a headache."
Little did we know heading for the west would be the start, the start, that would bring Naru and me closer than ever and I wouldn't change it for the world.
So I began to change things around, to fit the story more. I hope you all liked it so far. Don't be afraid and leave me a review, it keeps me motivated.