Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Just Lie!
Mai Pov
I placed Naru down on the ground while I try to compose myself, trying to find a way to help him if I continue to cry I couldn't help him at all. I cup his cheek and kiss his cold lips, then I wipe my eyes, not caring that I stained myself with his blood.
"Give me a few my love." I lifted my gaze looking around to see that is getting late.
"Think Mai, what can I do? I'm no doctor, there's no medical emergency. God, please help." I prayed then it came to me.
Ayame!
I stood up and look around while I called out.
"Ayame! Please come out, this time I need you, my husband needs help, Isac did something to him and now he's injured, please help before I lose him." I called out, but nothing came out. I grunted in frustration as I get on my knees and look at the pocket knife on his plunked into his stomach.
"I know I shouldn't remove this, but what other choice do I have? I have zero medical experience." I lower my hands and ripped a strip from the bottom of my dress, and wrap it around the knife. Then I grabbed the handle.
"Naru please endure this," I told him as I remove the knife causing Naru, to grunt in pain and I threw the knife on the ground. I felt a relief in my heart to hear him as I press my dress over his wound and pressed pressure on it making more blood squirt out.
"Okay, now to move Naru, but I can't move him too much." I look at my husband and pat his cheek, staining his cheek with his blood since my hands are bloody.
"Oliver, I'm going to move you know okay?" he slowly opens his eyes looking at me causing me to sigh in relief.
"I thought you died." I puff out as I took his hand and press it over my ripped dress.
"Hold on to this tightly, do you understand?" He blinks but nods at me. As he does what I told him, I place his arm around my shoulders and my arm around his waist and we tumbled to get up, but somehow we did it.
I felt a breeze brush against my skin causing me to stop in my tracks and look up, there Ayame floated towards us looking down at Naru.
"I have warned you." she simply tells me, I began to cry looking at her with begging eyes.
"I know, but I didn't know it would be this bad, I don't want to lose him," I begged.
Ayame points behind me giving me a sympathetic look.
"There's a cave not far from here about five minutes, use it as a refuge. Your soulmate won't die, I assure you that it's not his time for him to die. There are some herbs around that can treat his wound around the cave, you may use that, they are circled shaped with a tint of red on the tip, they are good for healing wounds and killing bacteria. Just make sure you soak them for five minutes no more or no less, or not he will get poison by them.." she explains to me, and then she disappears.
"Thank you.." I bowed as best as I could and look at Naru.
"I won't lose you," I said with determination and we both began to head where Ayame pointed at. I have no idea where my strength came from, but for Naru, I would do anything.
I place Naru behind my back once again and started to head towards the direction that Ayame pointed.
Please Naru, stay with me. I prayed, heading towards our destination.
I look at Naru and smiled at him as he hazily opened his eyes and looks at me.
"Just hold on, I'll take good care of you," I whispered to him as he bobs his head while heading to our destination.
Please Naru, stay with me.
...
...
I gently place Naru on the ground and rapidly went to remove his shirt.
"Sorry, just work with me okay. I need to remove your shirt" I held him against me as I rolled his shirt up gently as possible move his body as he groans in pain, but he moves to help me a bit. After a few struggles, I finally manage to remove his shirt.
"Thir… thirsty," Naru stated as I lay him down as soon I removed his shirt off.
"Okay, just continue to hold the wound, I'll get you fresh water and get some herbs that Ayame told me to find to help you. I have to wash you as well. Give me a few." I bend down and kiss the top of his forehead. He nods at me with a lost look.
With that, I went to get everything prepared.
O..o
"Look I found the herbs, they were a few feet away from the cave and I brought you freshwater." Naru's eyes are closed and he wasn't breathing. My blood pressure lowered feeling my heart skips a beat, but not in a good way at all.
"Naru?" I went up to him and pat his cheek, but no response. I began to cry as I bend down and kiss his lips once again.
"My love, wake up, you have to drink water, okay?" I whispered into his ear causing him to finally move to take a big breath as he groans in pain. I let go of a breath as I leaned down rubbing my chest.
"Oh thank God. Here Naru, drink, I have the herbs already in the water, I only have five minutes to soak them, Ayame said if I leave it longer or less, it can poison you." I told him as I help him rise, placing his head against my chest and placed the cup on his lips and he drank.
I found our bag a few feet away from the cave and I'm sure it was Ayame which I'm so thankful for, so setting the herbs is easy.
After Naru finished drinking, I place the cup down to my right side and checked his forehead for any temperature. I sigh in relief to feel no fever.
"Naru, you have no fever, that's a good thing," I told him as I lower my head to rub my cheek against the top of his head.
"I... didn't harm.. you?" he said in a very low weak tone. I shook my head at him.
"No, you didn't. You know, I was willing to make love with you," I blushed a bit as he takes my hand with his free hand.
"No… No… forced, not fair for… you or me." He said. I went still for a brief second as it dawns on me. I felt fresh tears roll down my cheeks as it clicked. I bend down and kiss the top of his head.
True, he wouldn't like it, he was forced, it didn't come out of his heart. Oh no, I didn't think of that, he would have hated himself.
"I'm sorry Naru, I didn't think of it. Thank you for stopping Naru, I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand you in pain, I never thought it would be causing you more harm since you were being forced." I told him honestly. Naru let go a small chuckle causing him to groan.
"You… You see," he said as I look over him to see him with his eyes close.
"I have to check on the herbs and get that wound treated, if I don't you'll get in infection and we can't have that. I'll be back okay," He nods as he lifts my hand and kiss it. I licked my lips and place his head gently on the ground.
A few feet away from where I place the bowl down, the same bowl that Naru brought six years ago in his trip to take care of my legs. I look at it and to my surprise, the round herbs turn purple,
"It's ready Angel when you see them that color you must remember just in case in the future, now you may apply it," I heard Ayame behind me.
"Thanks, Ayame," I felt so thankful and without a second thought, I rushed to Naru's side and began to work on his wound after I removed the cloth.
"I apologies in advance because this will hurt, the wound looks deep," I told him as I look at his wound, it's deep and hollow looking, but the blood seems to stop.
"Just… Do it." Naru said between breaths as his chest rose unevenly now sweating heavily. I nodded and began to work on his wound.
…
…
Dream:
I peaked around a tree watching timidly at him standing in the middle of the forest holding an ax over his shoulder looking around his surroundings.
I felt my heart pound so hard against my ribs.
"He's very handsome," I whispered enjoying him so much as I leaned my head against the tree, watching him with pure love eyes. I watch as he wipes his sweat with his arm and positions himself again to swing his ax again towards the tree.
I clenched into the tree, trying to stop myself from going to him.
Then a strange woman walks up to him coming from the main dirt road wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his broad back.
I felt my heart jump in pain as I fist my hand.
"Are you going to work here all day?" The woman with long brown hair asks.
Isac turns to look at her and leans down to give her a small tender kiss on her lips. I felt jealousy boil in the pit of my stomach aching for him to do that to me.
"I will be home soon, I just need to cut a few more, go back, is dangerous being out here," he tells his beloved one.
I wish I was his wife, not her. Why her? I love Isac more than she can ever.
"Alright, just don't take too long, dinner is almost ready," she replies, he nods as they give one last kiss and she departs from him.
Feeling my heartbreak once again while Isac watches her leave. Then he turns towards me and smirks.
"You know is rude to be peeping on bystanders," I gasped, hiding from him.
"How did you know?"
"I just did... Go back to your village Kyoko, your husband won't be happy if he knew you were here." he waves his hand,
"He's not my husband." I spat at him as I turned around only to slam myself against someone. I rub my nose and look to gasp to see Isac's twin brother Alack.
"Kyoko, are you still stalking my brother?" Alack muse, crossing his arms. I blushed, looking down at the ground.
"Leave me alone.." I told him, as he takes a hold of my arm, and force me to look up at him.
"You are still my woman Kyoko. Chief sold you to me, anything I do to you will be acceptable.." I flinch at his grip feeling myself shiver in disgust.
"Are you still in love with him?" he simply asks.
"No." I shrug him off as I went around him. Alack grabs a hold of my arm once again turning me around.
"He has this insane plan to get out of here." He tells me with a strange glint in his brown eyes while I stare at him, not believing his words.
"He has?"
"Yes... If you want him on this island, then you will help me."
"What's the catch?" I asked knowing very well that Alack isn't what he seems. A sickening smirk passes his lips.
"Your body..."
...
...
I gasped as I step out of Kyoko's body, watching Kyoko disappear with Alack. I turned, to see Isac watching me.
"Well, now that you know that she plays an important role. I just need Alack body."
"Why? I have no obligation on helping you, especially what you did to my husband and me. I almost lost him."
"But you didn't, he chose death than to harm you, that proofs to me that you're more important than anyone and he's a good guardian. Also, don't ask silly questions and I will extend the date since your mate is hurt. I'll give you four months within those four months, I don't get what I want, I will make sure you will suffer."and with that threat, Isac disappears.
I run my hand through my face feeling so tired.
We can't catch a break, but poor Kyoko, was she sold off to that horrid man?
I rubbed my chest as a deep sadness appears in my heart for her.
She's just wanted happiness and she was in love with Isac, strange. Alack is the evil twin? Strangely, Alack looked like the good guy. Mama is right; never judge a book by its cover.
I shivered, feeling disgusted at the dark thoughts that he could have done to Kyoko.
I will get justice for her, but the question is, what did Alack do to her? Why did he want her body for? That makes no sense.
The background disappears around me as I now I stood in a strange darkness. I lifted my head to see a simple snowflake land on my nose.
Wiggling my nose, I began to look around, I notice that in the darkness there's a blanket of white snow. I began to shake from the sudden cold, as I rub my arms trying to find some head.
"Where am I?" I asked while a red blanket appears around my shoulders sheltering me from the cold.
I gasp, to feel two arms encircling around me, which are so familiar to me.
Turning around, Naru smirks at me.
"You did great," he mumbles making me shiver from his voice, that I miss so much.
"You didn't have to do it." I felt a tear roll down my cheeks.
He leans his forehead against mine.
"I had to, don't blame yourself." He simply tells me.
"You know my awake self, will," I told him.
"I know..." he cups my cheek while the background changes into a large mountain, covered with snow.
"Why are we here? Aren't you cold?" I asked looking around. A gust of wind blows, making my red blanket move with it. Naru began to rub my arms.
"Aren't you cold?" I asked him, he shook his head at me.
"No, since this is your dream and you wanted me here," he explains.
"Maybe because I missed you, it's lonely you know," I told him while grabbing the collar of his dark shirt. I felt him snake his arm around my waist.
"It is? Hmm, I think you have a complex, what would happen if we return and return to normal and we have separate?" he asks me. I run my palms in a small circle on his shoulders and shook my head.
"I don't know, I don't think after six years being inseparable literally without going out and being in a life and death situation since we enter this island will make us able to separate. Can you just leave me like that?" I asked him. Naru shook his head.
"No, even if we argue and fight, I can't leave you. Remember that Mai, no matter what happens," he said taking notice that he looks very serious. I nodded at him as I run my hands up to his cheeks.
Naru bends down and captures my lips with his. I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around him, kissing him softly making my whole being warm-up as butterflies formed in my tummy.
I love his kisses, I don't want to never stop kissing him or Naru stop kissing me.
Letting go, I flutter my eyes open. I yelp, as Naru wraps his arm around my waist, and hoist me up, pinning me against him.
"Ne, Naru?"
"Promise me, you won't overreact." He asks me.
"I will try, but I won't promise you anything," I told him. Naru frowns at me but wraps his arms around me hugging me tightly. I love his hugs, they are so warm and so loving.
"What can I do to make it up?"
"Nothing, you did a lot for me, what I can ask from you? Just be forever my friend and my husband." I told him honestly.
Naru lets go of me and look straight at me and smiles at me tenderly as he suddenly bends down on his knees and kisses me on my stomach as I look down at him feeling a warm tingly sensation run through my body.
"Again? Do you have a fetish?" I teased causing him to look at me and smiles at me tenderly. I brushed his hair gently giving him a soft stare.
"Just wake up Mai, and remember my words." he simply said. I blinked, and before I could say anything, he disappeared.
"Naru!"
...
...
I opened my eyes open, breathing hard. I turned towards Naru on my right to see him sleeping as I press my palm on his forehead. No fever and he looks better, he's less pale. I move and kiss his cheek and then closed my eyes to caress his cheek with my nose in a loving way.
"Thank God, Naru, thank you for visiting my dream," I rubbed my chest trying to get rid of the strange emotion.
Rubbing my eyes, I glance down at his wound.
I'm not sure, if it's a good idea, to have him shirtless, or not, I don't want to add anything to his wounds.
My eyes roam his bare tone chest and stomach; I felt myself grow warm.
Maybe not, it's not wise for his wound, right?
Looking back down at his wound, the wound hasn't closed all the way, but I can see it slowly closing thanks to the herbs that Ayame instructed me to give him. Too bad he'll have a scar afterward, but I don't care, yet for the rest of my life it would be an ugly reminder of what Isac did to us, force us to do.
"It's healing slowly, thank God, the knife wants' big enough, how long was it already?" I look back out of the cave entrance, to see the sunlight shining over the waters.
"A week." I move my hair towards the side and turned towards Naru.
A week since he got wounded, I've been coming in and out taking care of him without resting. I haven't' seen Isac since then or Ayame.
"Please wake up soon," I whispered to Naru while kissing his lips very gently, I stood up and started to do my routine. Which consists of washing myself, eating, and taking care of Naru.
About two hours later, sitting next to Naru, to clean his wound with the fresh herbs.
"So I saw this monkey in the tree not far from here, he was holding a baby on the back, I think it was a female, but it was so cute, you would have liked it." I talked to Naru as I dab the fresh herbs on his wounds.
I shivered from the sudden cold and I knew from who it was at this point.
"Ayame," I said happily, watching her manifest in front of me, and looks down at Naru.
"Thank you so much for your help last week, he's getting better," I told her. She nods at me and simply said.
"No problem on helping you two as though you two are still wanted, as I told you I can just guide as much as I can. As Isac told you, he'll give you four months' worth. I will help you to find Alack's body sooner." she explains.
"Do you know where it is?" I asked her. She just kept looking at Naru.
"I will guide you towards it," she simply said. I pout but then look down at Naru.
"Thank you so much. When will Naru wake up?"
"Sooner than you expected, you did a wonderful job keeping him alive." she praises me. I shook my head as I felt tears gather in my eyes wanting to escape me.
"If it wasn't for you that is, I wouldn't know what to do, I would have lost myself if I lost him." I took a hold of his hand and pressed it against my cheek. Ayame smiled at me tenderly.
"You are very strong as your soulmate."
"We are used to it by now, living on an isolated island makes you learn a lot we aren't pampered as back in the city, to be honest, we forgot how that felt, I don't think we could get used to back to normal if we return," I told her, as I wipe my eyes and look at her.
"Do you need us to continue or go back?" I asked.
"You can return, you got what we wanted you to see."
"I did? We barely left the treehouse."
"You did. Heal him completely, we will send you more messages through your dreams.." she explains.
"Can't wait," I said dryly causing Ayame to giggle. I lift my gaze a bit shocked by her sudden laughter.
"God is always watching over you two, be blessed my child, also I do warn you more trials await you two as your journey is not over." and with that, she disappears.
"I think I age faster than the normal, come on, is not like we haven't gone through enough?"
Looking down at Naru I smooth his face.
"We can go back Naru, let me get you more fresh herbs so I don't have to return for a while, and we can head back." I turned to grab the bowl when I felt a hand grab a hold of my arm causing my heart to jump.
"Ne?" I asked, turning around to see Naru staring at me with clouded eyes.
"Naru!" I shout in relief feeling able to breathe again.
"Careful," I said in a gentle matter as I help him sit up after he gestures me to do so.
Naru groans in pain as leans against the wall, and lifts his head.
"I feel like someone stabbed me," he murmurs. I felt my heart jump painfully my hands started to shake, but I hid them as I grab the cup filled with fresh water.
"Here, drink this." I gave him the cup and he takes it and drinks it down.
"Slowly," I whispered as I rubbed his back. He nods, placing the cup down.
"Why are we in a cave? What happen?" He asks after clearing his throat, looking around the damp cave.
"Cause it's a nice place to sleep in so we wanted to change of scenery." I teased him as he glances down at himself, and arched a brow up.
"Funny, where's my shirt?" He said dryly. I blush while pointing next to him. He turns, holding his stomach, moaning in pain.
"What happen?" he asks. I bit my lower lip, trying to stop myself from breaking down.
"You don't remember?"
"No... The last thing I remember, we were talking about our marriage and you getting a cold, and now I'm hurt?" he admits.
So he doesn't remember?
I frowned, feeling my deep ache getting worse. I rubbed my chest feeling tears in the corner of my eyes.
"You don't remember anything?" I asked with a thick tone, he shook his head as he looks lost.
"That was two weeks ago when you propose to me," I told him.
"Two weeks ago? Then.." I fist my hands not sure how to deal with this, so I look straight at him as my body began to shake. I look at my hands as his blood flashed.
"Mai? Why are you shaking? What happened, tell me," he demands as I look up at him and his eyes narrow as he saw tears run down my cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I didn't want to push you. I… I didn't know. I…" I cry out finally letting go of my stress as I began to cry hard.
I couldn't hold it anymore.
"Mai, stop.." he begs me while moving, but winces wrapping his arm around his stomach and looks down, to stare at his wound, but stare at it this time. His eyes narrow as he turns his gaze at me.
"I have a stab wound? Why do I have a stab wound." He asks.
I wipe my eyes trying to control myself to explain.
"It's all my fault, I think I'm losing my mind this past week, living in a nightmare, do you know that?" I felt my shoulder shake. Naru surprises, when he wraps his arms around me after he came up to me.
"No, it's not, whatever happened, it's not.." He whispers as I cried on his shoulders.
"My heart hurts... I..." Naru moves to capture my cheeks.
"Mai. I know you too damn well, you wouldn't harm even a soul." I shook my head as a strange emotion starts to fill me. It wasn't from guilt but anger. I fist my hands while more tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Jerk!" those words came out of my mouth as a whisper.
"Huh?" Naru moves a little surprised by my sudden words while I move away from him.
"I said, you're a jerk." I cried this time, feeling my heart rip into two.
"I'm a jerk?" he seems to be testing those words in his mouth, I stood up, wiping my eyes.
"Yes..." I growled out.
Wanting to get all this out of my system. What I have wanted to say to him since the accident.
"Wait, why? Mai, I'm so lost, please explain to me what happened?" He looks like a lost puppy.
"How could you, I thought you had to protect me." I spat at him. Naru kept looking at me in confusion.
"Tell me what the hell I did." He growls out. I run my hands through my hair in frustration.
"How could you, anything was possible. How could you do this to me." I cried, feeling my chest heaving even more.
"Mai calm down.."
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down; I have been waiting for you for a week; I thought I killed you, how could you just leave me alone.." I demand him.
"You have no right to decide on your death." I cried even more. Wrapping my arms around me.
All I can think of is his blood in my hands. I killed him.
"Explain to me..." he demands, as I snap my eyes at him.
"I killed you, because of Isac. Why the hell did you place that knife in my hand. What made you think," I stopped feeling exhausted.
"What made you think, that, you had the right to do that to me, we could have found some other way.." I gasped out. Naru tilts his head, as his eyes move swiftly thinking deeply. Then it dawns on him, as he groans, covering his face.
"That..." He moans,
"Mai... I..." He started, but I didn't want to hear it.
"No, no excuses," I told him.
"I'm not." his voice turns dark. I didn't even know what to do. I move towards the entrance of the cave and leaned against the wall covering my face with my hands trying to muffle my cries.
Doesn't he know if I lose him I couldn't handle it? I already lost so much.
"Can you come here?" I heard Naru say.
"No!"
"I'm hurt."
"Don't care." even though, I wanted to go with him, a sneeze escapes my lips.
"Bless you," I heard behind me.
"Thanks."
I haven't gotten over my cold since I spend a whole week here taking care of Naru, even though I won't tell him that. He has too much to worry about as it is.
I felt an arm around my waist and his warm chest press against my back, as he leans into my ear. I lowered my hands and swallow hard.
Don't do this, please then I can't be mad at you.
"You did a good job, I'm very proud of you," he whispers in my ear. I shivered from his low tone and sincerity in his tone while I resisted leaning on him.
"Good job nothing, don't butter me up Naru, you surprised me with the whole stabbing thing." I spat, as I felt Naru nudging the back of my head with his nose in a loving way causing butterflies to form in my stomach.
Not fair, don't do this Naru. I began to lean into him without realizing it, and he felt it.
"If you have an idea, what ran through my mind then you would have the same reaction." He mumbles.
"No, I wouldn't, I would try another way." I simply told him, but then I remember what he told me last time.
"It was hard Mai, I couldn't control myself, I didn't want it, please understand even if you were willing, I was not because it was against my will." he presses his forehead against the back of my head and closed his eyes.
I bite my lower lip as my heart began to hurt because he was right.
"I wasn't thinking about how you felt, I just wanted you to stop hurting, I…" Naru spun me around surprising me as I look at his eyes.
"I know, I don't expect you to be a mind reader, and I knew you couldn't do it so I did it for you breaking whatever was controlling me. I only pass out because I was so exhausted and the blow of the stab just made me too weak to continue." He explains, I cup his cheek and began to cry hard.
"I'm so sorry Naru, I wasn't thinking of you or how you felt, I just wanted you to stop hurting." I cried out feeling guilty.
Naru wrap his arm around my shoulder and held me tight. I rub his back after encircling my arms around him and held him tight but I felt so relieved that he's awake alive holding me. I move to look at him as he cups my cheeks and wipes my tears.
"Naru,"
"Hmm?"
"I think there's something wrong with us, this isn't normal for a couple to do," I told him, he chuckles causing my inside to warm up as he leans down and kisses my cheek in a playful matter making my heart flutter.
"Then I wouldn't change it for the world, you spice up my days Mai, you have no idea, there isn't a day that is boring with you. So those this mean you're not mad at me?" he questions, feeling him holding me in place so I won't escape his grasp, as he laced his fingers together behind me.
"Hmm, yes," I teased him.
"Yes?"
"Yes, very mad." I scrunch my face in a playful matter causing him to lower himself and kiss both of my cheeks causing me to blush.
"Then I'll leave you alone then." he was about to leave when I held in his place lacing my hands together and shook my head like a kid.
"No, there's no other place I will rather be right now than being like this with you, you alive and holding me," I told him honestly. Naru's eyes turn serious as he held me in his arms once again, holding me gently as I lay my cheek on his bare shoulder soaking in his warmth which I miss so much.
This isn't a dream, he's awake and with me.
"I apologize, Mai, I didn't mean to do that to you, but it was the only way and I hope one day you understand that."
Naru Pov
"So in a cave for a week and the herbs help me heal? Thanks to Ayame," I asked Mai as we slowly walk towards our home after a few days of walking since it was painful for me to walk normally, we had to take our sweet time. Mai made sure I ate use the bathroom and groom myself as much as possible. Then she made sure my wound was secure enough for me to leave, to be honest, she would have been a fantastic nurse, she's very detailed and dedicated.
"Yes, be careful," Mai said as she helps me walk around a log that was in the way, she has her arms around my waist and I have my arm around her shoulder for support.
"I'll thank her soon," I said, Mai, nods as we continue to walk very slowly because it was very painful for me to walk any faster than normal.
"Isac helped us to hide from Alack, which was strange even though from what he did to us."
"No comment on that," I told her feeling peeved at Isac.
We finally reach the stairs causing us to look up at the treehouse.
"Ah, home sweet home, how we miss thee." Mai chirps looking at me with a bright smile. I couldn't help but stare at her, soaking in her happiness.
It's better than what happened a few days ago after I woke. I didn't mean to do that. I feel so guilty.
"Take it nice and easy Naru, don't want to open your wound," she said feeling her rub my back. I nodded and we began to walk up.
I have no idea what the hell I did in my past life, or what? Why did God, give me such an innocent and good woman in my life? She even takes care of me without complaining. She does more than I ever can do.
"Slowly Naru," Mai tells me as she helps me sit on my bed after reaching the second floor. I hiss a bit as I sat down and she gets me comfortable, making sure I won't harm myself.
"Thanks," I told her, she nods at me then she jumps into her bed and stretches her body like a cat. I felt a sweat drop at her sudden change of mood, but couldn't help but smile.
"I miss my bed so much. Sleeping in a cave is not easy," she said rolling around while wrapping her body with her quilt, looking like an eggroll. I lifted the vial to look at her.
"Must have been hard," I said feeling more guilty. She stops her rolling and looks at me.
"Nothing that I'm not used to, don't worry I'm a strong twenty-six-year-old woman, I'm still young so I can handle it. Heck, I even carried you at one point on my back," she said.
"You're still human Mai, no matter what age you are, you are bound to crash," I told her. She pouts as she snakes herself up to me and places her chin on top of her palm, looking at me.
"Then you'll let me sleep wouldn't you?" she asks sweetly. I nodded at her.
"Of course, I don't want my assistant to be half deprived in her work, too much trouble." I wave my hand causing her to pout at me as she wiggles herself closer to me and places her chin on top of my leg and gave me puppy eyes making me blush to cause me to rub my neck.
How can she be so adorable? Darn it, it's harder to resist her.
"Don't I get special privilege since I'm your wife?" she plays the card. I rolled my eyes at her and flick her forehead softly causing her to scrunch her face.
"No special treatment even if you're family or my wife. Everyone is treated the same." I told her honestly.
"Chucks, not even to the one that you sleep with, fine," she lays her cheek against my leg as I run my fingers through her long hair.
"Don't be to spoil Mai, I can't treat you any different from the others you know that. It's against work antics." I told her honestly. She stretched once again and rubs her cheek against my leg.
"Fine, but after work,"
"I'll let you sleep all you want, okay as my best friend and wife," I told her honestly. She bolts up and quickly kisses my cheek making my heart pound like crazy.
"You promise?" I nodded at her in agreement. She claps as she stood up and I follow her with my eyes.
"Since we had already eaten, I'll go and clean, it's very dusty and I have to make sure there aren't bugs around."
I shook my head leaning down on the ground, covering my face with my hand.
"I would love to help, but I want to sleep," I told her feeling exhausted from the trip.
"Must have been exhausted for you from that trip coming back. Okay my love, go and rest, I'll be around if you need me," she whispers as she was about to leave, I took a hold of her arm making her squeal as I pulled her down gently causing her to land next to me.
"Sleep," I order, she frowns, looking up at me.
"Ne, Naru, I'm okay, you need more rest and…" but I drape my arm around her and pulled her into my chest.
"And nothing..." I told her while closing my eyes, letting her warmth just bathe me.
"I won't be getting up for a couple of hours," I told her.
"It's understandable, sleep and rest, remember you have to promise me to never do that again," Mai said gently as she caresses my cheek down to my neck bringing delight shivers down my spine.
I open my right eye, to stare. She looks very nervous as guilt plague her eyes. I sigh, pressing her into me.
"I don't promise.." I told her the truth. If she knew, what type of feeling and thoughts ran in my head, that day. I knew, if I didn't plunge that knife into me, I would have done something worse to a point that I would have never forgiven myself, even if she did accept, I would have done revolting acts towards her which plagued my mind because part of me was not me, but Isac.
I move away from her and turned myself towards the wall and cover my face with my hand once again feeling so ashamed of myself and I couldn't even face her.
She deserves better, a better man than me, I'm a horrible husband.
Mai closes her eyes and lays her cheek on my back, getting comfortable wrapping her arm around me. I took a hold of her arm and place it on my chest.
Staring at the wall, I felt tears pricking on the corner of my eyes feeling disgusted with myself.
Mai needs to hate me not love me.
"Naru, if you're still awake for the record, I'm not mad at you, and don't blame yourself because I don't. I don't hate you at all, how can I hate someone that protects me so much even against himself? I'm sorry that I went off on you after you woke up, but I couldn't even hold back, but don't ever think I will hate you because I can't. You all I have in this world and my only family that is related to me by matrimony. These past six years have been stressful, argument, and adjusting to each other, but above all respectful and full of love and so much fun and I can't change that, I have gotten used to you because I can't stop loving you."
I stare at the wall feeling my heart racing as I tighten my grip on my wife's hand. She snuggles more into me, feeling her kiss my back.
I turned my body to look at her as she gives me a warm smile. I don't know how can she make me feel so guilty but so at ease at the same time? She confuses me sometimes.
"Come here," she opens her arms, and I couldn't help, but go into her arms, feeling her wrap her arms around me, snuggling into her warm chest.
She makes me feel like a kid, how in the world does she do this?
"So don't blame yourself," she whispers as she rubs my back making me fall into a deep sleep.
...
...
I awoke to feel an arm around my torso, rubbing my eyes as a yawn escapes me, I look down to see Mai softly soring on top of me. I move my hand to brush the hair away from her face.
How long were we sleeping?
"Naru, tea.." I heard Mai mumble under her breath in her sleep causing me to chuckle.
Silly girl, what are you dreaming of? I never knew how much you set my heart on fire how profound my love for you is Mai. If you only knew how much I love you then you would understand why I did that. I treasure you so much.
Closing my eyes, I leaned down grasping her chin to tilt her head up, I press my lips on hers.
I need to end this. If Isac could have controlled me like this, I don't know if I could stop myself next time.
Lifting myself quietly after I moved Mai to the side, so I won't disturb her, I look over the railing to see sunlight shining through the window.
I turned towards Mai watching her rub her eyes and gives me a soft smile as her eyes soften as soon she looks at me. I fist my hand not wanting to show anything back even though I'm dying to go back to her and just hug her.
"Did I wake you?" I question her. Mai shakes her head yawning while stretching her arms above her head.
"No, I'm rested enough. How about you?" she asks.
"I'm better," I told her. She stands up to go up to me and lifts my shirt staring at my stab wound.
"I'll..." but I shook my head, taking a step back. Mai blinks a bit taken aback by my action.
"I want a bath... I want to walk a little and get fresh air.." I told her.
"Oh great, me too, give me a few to get our things." She heads for the chest.
"You don't have to come with me," I told her. Mai stops her movements and turns to look at me.
"Why not? It's like we haven't bathe together before. I enjoy it, it's fun and you wash my back which feels good and I wash yours. We have gotten used to seeing each other naked, about." she blushes as I cleared my throat, trying to not think of it. She went back to gather our things.
I can do this, don't fall for her, don't fall, don't admit to her that I do too. I have gotten used to bathing with Mai.
"I want to break up with you," I told her out of the blue, I blinked feeling surprised by my own words.
Mai stops, raising her head and gave me a stoic look as though she didn't get what I meant, that she came up to me and press her hand on my forehead to check if I have a fever.
"You're just fine, I have to look at your wound, just give me a minute." she kisses my cheek making it harder for me to let her go if she only knew how tormenting this is to me. Mai turns around to head to the chest, but I took a hold of her arm stopping her in the progress, and turns to look at me.
"Yes?" she said.
"Who said I was?" I said in my serious tone causing her eyes to narrow a bit.
"Break up? That silly we are married. We are tied. We aren't boyfriend and girlfriend to be breaking up, we can't even get a divorce, so stop with those silly words." she said ignoring me.
"Then, let's find Ayame to separated us," I told her.
"Why?" I notice her voice cracked.
"It's gotten dangerous." I made that lame excuse and all I can feel is guilt. I can't even see her straight in the face I'm just a coward.
"You know what, hate me, go back to that Mai, to when we first met," I simply told her. Feeling my heart jump painfully.
"Hate you?" Mai whispers as though she's testing my words. She takes a hold of my arm.
"Yes, hate me," I told her sourly.
She needs someone better, what I did is unforgivable.
"Why do you want me to hate you?" she asks in the softest innocent tone way possible causing me to almost crack, making me weak. I use my free hand to make her let go of my arm.
Don't do this Mai. Please. I begged in my mind, wanting to wrap my arms around her.
"Just do, please; I am begging you," I said coldly going around her. Mai grabs my arm and stops me and makes me look at her as she gets in front.
"Didn't I told you last night that I'm not mad at you, that it's okay, don't hate yourself. I only say those words back in the cave because I was so hurt, it doesn't mean I mean it..." She gasps out.
"Then mean it, hate me.. Hate me completely.. Forget everything that happened in the last six years," (because I might end up hurting you again.) I added in my head.
"I don't get it Naru, why should I hate you? You didn't do anything wrong, it was Isac and.." but I cut her off as I began to walk forward making her walk backward.
"Ne, Naru?" she trembles as I ended up pinning her against the wall.
My eyes are turning colder than normal.
"You want to be with a man, that almost forced you to lose your virginity and was going to kill you after that? Do you want to take that chance again?" I hissed under my breath in disgust and pure anger with myself.
"You weren't going to force me to do anything, I was willing to save you, while is you and I'm willing but I do understand that it wasn't your will, so it would be backward because I would be the one forcing you, and you would hate yourself, I know you to well Naru, I knew you will not live with yourself after you return to normal. I trust you... Please, I'm sorry for ever thinking of accepting it in the first place, I didn't think about your feelings." She begs.
"Then what guarantees you that it won't happen again? Next time I might not stop myself and harm you because you're willing so both ways will harm you and me." I pleaded.
Her eyes widen as she places her fingers in her mouth.
"So you want to end it so it won't happen again?"
"Yes, we don't know if he will do that again, even if we had made love in the past, if one of us is not in consent and if either one of us forces the other at the moment is still called rape Mai, I may not be an expert in the field, but I know that much. I freaking respect you to do that and I know you too, I know how much you respect me because you don't have any malicious thoughts when you take care of me nothing you do is sexual or you push me to it in most sense of the word. So let's break up, nothing between us ever again. I don't trust myself with you."
"So that's why you want to break up?" she asks me.
"Yes." My heartfelt like is ripped into two, but I don't want it to end. I just can't be selfish. I turned around heading out.
"Fine.." she spits dryly making me stop in my tracks.
Why did that fine bring no relief to me? It just brought me pure pain? I rubbed my chest feeling like my heartbreaking.
"Fine!" I tried hard to keep my composure. Mai ran around me and gave me one of the most deadly looks I have ever seen in her making me flinch a bit.
She looks angry, it's good, be angry with me.
"Fine, let's break up, just because we ended up with a bump in our road we should automatically break up. Just like many couples." She somewhat screams.
"You don't understand Mai, we aren't ordinary people or couple. We deal with the dead. They are always after us and I'm your guardian and I need to protect you, not harm you, do you get it?" I bluntly told her.
"SO WHAT!" She screams shocking me, but I cleared my throat.
"You're in constant danger, you're never safe, not even with me. Which part of that you don't understand? Last time I checked we live in the same world for you to not notice it." It's like talking to a wall with this woman. Mai's eyes narrow.
"So you think walking away from my life, will solve my solution?"
"Yes.." I move around her, heading out.
"Well, praise the Lord, that I finally understand your dilemma you are such a hard bastard.." She gasps out.
"God has nothing to do with this, he just chose the wrong guy.." Mai runs towards me, blocking my way once again.
"Mai!" I shout at her giving her a hard glance. She just ignores me.
"Right like he doesn't know anything, he knows more than all of us. He knows, what he's doing. Then tell me right now, in my face that you don't love me. That every touch and every kiss I have given you was disgusting for you. That everything we went through was worth not one damn thing. Tell me right now, I demand you."
She stomps her foot seeing her eyes turning red as her voice shakes, but she stood her ground.
No, everything is worth something. Everything that we went through means something. Every touch and every kiss, is burnt deep in heart and soul and I can't get enough because I love it, I love everything about you even your worse. You have become my world. All I want is you and you alone Mai Taniyama.
Wanting to say those words out loud.
"Fine, you want me to tell them." She nods looking at me with determination.
Just lie, just lie, lie... Tell her lies.
"Everything means nothing to me... Everything is wrong... I was wrong." I lied to her wanting to scream in agony.
Mai stares at me, with tears rolling down her cheeks as my heart breaks even more.
"Now, that you're happy, leave me alone, I'll find Ayame to separate us." Mai takes a step to the side as I walk out, but I heard Mai say to me.
"You sure are a bastard." Mai cries out. I breathed out, fisting my hand so I won't run back to her telling myself.
You did good, this is the right choice. I can't harm her if we separate, I can't touch her or harm her. She needs someone better than me. If someone told me six years ago before coming here that I would love her this much, I would have laughed at their faces, but right now my heart hurts, it hurts bad.
"Think whatever you want," I spat hearing Mai slam the door behind me as I felt tears run down my cheeks.
"From all the lies I made, I hate this one the most, I'm sorry Mai."
Poor Naru, he's very conflicted because he's hurt all because of Isac.
I hope I kept his character in tack in this emotional scene, since I change it a bit from the og story. So next chapter will be different expect for the last part since I need it for the story. Poor Mai…
Thanks for the lovely reviews and that everyone is still enjoying this fanfiction book. Makes me happy. :)