Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost hunt, the Anime nor the Manga

Chapter 9: Case 1

Chapter 9

This was the second time this week she'd awoken to the sound of the shower going, and she nearly wished she hadn't. The pain in her arm hit her like a freight train; it was throbbing and looked like it had bled at bit during the night. Mai tenderly pushed herself upwards in bed so that she was leaning against the headboard. Anything after getting her arm stitched yesterday was foggy in her memory, which Ayako said, would be a side effect of the pain killers.

'Great now, I have a bum arm and leg. Well, at least I won't have to make tea for a while.' Mai chuckled to herself hoping she didn't look like a nut case. She was so busy in her own musing she didn't notice Naru exiting the bathroom.

"How's your arm?" He asked making the brunette jump up in fright and then winced at the sudden movement in her shoulder.

"It's been better." Mai said through her teeth, which was enough of a response to prompt him to grab the first aid kit and sit beside her. He gingerly unwrapped the gauze, and Mai thought better of looking at the wound for herself. He pulled the ointment that Ayako directed him to use and placed a generous amount onto his finger. He had barely touched the wound when Mai's good arm grabbed his own wrist.

"Ouch! Be gentle!"

"I am."

"Not Naru gentle, be Mai gentle." Naru raised an eyebrow somewhat offended. He ignored the comment and moved her good hand away, continuing to address the wound despite her whining. Once he was finished, Naru headed back into the bathroom to dump the soiled gauze. Exiting again with clean hands and a glass of water. He placed it beside her and forced a painkiller into her hand.

Mai looked down at her hand and back up at him as if having a silent conversation with the boy. She made no effort to communicate further throwing back the pill and drinking the entire glass of water.

"Thank you, Nurse." Mai voiced sarcastically. She attempted to stand only to fall into Naru's agile arms. He was quick to steady her and kept his hands on her waist. Mai blushed and let out a grunt of frustration.

'Unbelievable, I can't even use my crutches now.' Mai pouted and performed several mental backflips plotting out her journey to the bathroom. Arriving at the same grim conclusion she sucked up her pride.

"Ummm… Naru can you pick up my towel and help me into the bathroom?" Mai asked blushing, she didn't dare meet his eyes. Mai was surprised with how quickly she was lifted into a bridal hold and let out a squeak.

Naru then disappeared for a few moments for what Mai assumed was him grabbing her towel. Once he returned Mai's head nearly exploded at seeing what her boss had brought her. He was carrying not only her towel, but an outfit (that matched quite nicely), a clean bra, and her lacy underwear. He rested them all on the bathroom table and made a break for the door.

"Wait!" Mai called and Noll reentered with a 'what-now' expression and a glare that could kill.

"I-I-I-i…" Mai's blush grew tenfold as she stuttered like an idiot.

"Spit it out Mai. I don't have all day."

"C-can you take off my shirt and unbuckle my bra? I can't lift my bad arm." Mai blurted out finding the floor by her feet very interesting. Naru slowly approached making Mai felt like a rabbit being stalked by a mountain lion. He reached for the sides of her shirt and started to pull.

"Mai, I won't be able to take it off if you keep your eyes angled towards the floor." Mai slowly brought her face up to meet his gaze and Naru made quick work off her shirt and discarded it on the ground. He reached around and took a few moments to unbuckled her bra.

'Thank God I didn't choose my strapless bra or this would have reached a whole new level of awkward. I don't even want to know how he even knows how to unbuckle a bra.' She strained mentally. Mai realized that the narcissist was still standing in front of her.

"Is that all?" He asked raising his eyebrow. Mai nodded sluggishly and Naru left and closed the door behind him.

Noll sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he heard the shower start. He paced over to the window and opened it glad for the cold air. For God sakes, he was a healthy teenage boy, and there was only so much visual stimulation he could take before it became unbearable.

He couldn't fault her for their awkward predicament. If anything, he hadn't stopped berating himself. For the duration of the entire case, Naru felt like he was driving a bus that had the brakes cut with Mai strapped to the front of the grill. Allowing his team to barely survive was not his idea of strong leadership. He silently vowed to improve his investigation skills in the future.

Oliver Davis preferred control.

His curse of psychometry made life and people predictable. He could imagine countless scenarios for every problem because he'd seen so many lives playing out before his very eyes. Thus, grew his fascination with the unpredictable. Naru couldn't help but to be drawn to that which was unusual because it broke up the monotony of always…knowing.

And Mai Taniyama was certainly unusual.

The young boy brooded about what a horrible time it was for him to suddenly become 'normal'.

"Naru!" He heard from the bathroom and closed the window. He paced over to the door and took a deep breath before entering. He was met with a euphoric sweet scent and in the center of all the steam was Mai wearing knee high black socks and a black skirt. She'd at least managed to a get the bra on once again, but definitely was unable to buckle it. Her good arm held together her virtue keeping her bra from falling down. She looked over her shoulder sheepishly, her bare back exposed and her big brown eyes pleading.

"Sorry, but the buckle." Mai said her hair still dripping.

Little did she know she had just visually overloaded her boss, who was currently swallowing his erratic heartbeat. He fought gallantly against the blush that was creeping up his neck. He wordlessly buckled her and left without asking if she needed anything else.

'Well, sorry I'm not much to look at.' Mai thought as she pulled the sleeves over her arm gingerly putting on her sweater. Once she was dressed, she wondered when the painkillers would kick in. Although, consuming them on an empty stomach left her a bit queasy. Bundling her dirty clothes under one arm, Mai decided to hop out on her good leg instead of asking for help. She limped her way out with much difficulty, and noticed how clean the room was for the first time. Yesterday her clothes were everywhere and there was broken glass all over the floor.

'I guess Naru cleaned it.' Mai surmised.

"Are you ready now?" He asked holding his black book and the first aid kit. He walked up to her and picked her up again, making Mai feel like a sack of potatoes. Noll could smell her freshly lathered skin and sweet shampoo and steeled himself.

He would be damned if he went into base with anything resembling a blush.

"Don't tell me I have to get carried into base for the second time." Mai said no longer even fighting to hide her blushing from her boss anymore, deeming it futile at this point.

Naru said nothing and picked her up wordlessly.

Once in base, the pair received the usual Yasu commentary. Ayako and Monk gave her a thumbs up which she choicely ignored. Masako and John only greeted her with good mornings. Mai ignored the peanut gallery and said good morning as she was gently placed down on the couch, wincing a bit at the jostling of her arm.

"Hey Naru, did you give Mai her medicine?" Ayako yelled towards her boss. Noll merely looked at the doctor, dropping the first aid kit in her lap, and scoffed. Ayako could feel the nerves in her forehead bulging in anger.

"It's fine Ayako, he gave them to me. It's just taking a bit for them to kick in is all." Mai said her voice obviously strained as she held back the pain.

"Well, that's too bad. I was looking forward to pill-crazy Mai. That version of Mai is much more forthcoming with intimate details about her personal life. Thanks for telling us all your secrets by the way." Yasu said enjoying the look of panic that rose to her features and turned to John.

"Tell me everything that happened last night!" Mai pleaded and John, unable to play along, told her everything.

'Well, that's not too bad. I could have said a lot worse. I'll have to keep my senses about me this time.' Mai thought determined not to make a fool out of herself.

"So what if you know what a brat I used to be. Nakano- sensei straightened me out." Mai countered, relieved she hadn't said much more than that.

"I'm surprised that she could handle you. According to how you described yourself yesterday, you were pretty rabid." Monk said playfully, joining her on the couch.

"Well, it helped that she did come from a family that owed a dojo. Whenever I'd act up she'd kick my butt into next week, but she was still very sweet and gracious." Mai explained. Ayako handed out tea to everyone, save Naru, while Monk and herself enjoyed some iced coffee.

"That explains why you're so short. She probably stunted your growth." Ayako joined in poking fun.

Suddenly, the base door creaked open, almost ominously.

After a few brief moments, little Suki poked her head into the room. She walked in cautiously, very aware that all eyes were on her, both hands behind her back.

"Is….Um…. Mai here?" Suki asked bashfully only making the girl cuter.

"Hi Suki, I'm Mai. Nice to see you looking healthy." Suki then had a big smile on her face and walked up to her. She then revealed a hand-drawn card with all the members of SPR as stick figures on the front.

"Father Kato said you weren't feeling well so I made you a card. All of the kids signed it for you too." Suki said and Mai could feel herself getting all choked up as she opened it. In the center were the words: GET BETTER SOON MAI; multicolored signatures decorated the inside as well. Mai hugged Suki with her good arm.

"Thanks so much Suki. This means a lot to me." Mai said and the girl beamed up at her. Suddenly the base door slammed open again, revealing a panicked Suzaku.

Talk about deja-vu.

"HAVE YOU GUY SEEN S-" He cut himself off seeing his sister all good and well in front of Mai. He visually relaxed but was quick to put on a stern face.

"Suki, Come here. Now." He voiced angrily as the girl gave Mai an 'oops' look before pacing over to her brother with her head down.

"Suki, when I tell you to stay put you stay put. You have me running around worried sick trying to find you. Do you know how that makes me feel? Huh?" Suzaku asked hands on his hips.

"Upset."

"Yes, very upset."

"Sorry big brother." Suki said finally looking up at him with sincerity in her eyes. It was clear once she looked at him all his anger melted away and he kneeled down and hugged her.

"I forgive you. Just be careful and try not to make me worry." He finished standing and patted her on the head. He then began to address the SPR team from a bowed position.

"Thank you all for all your hard work. As you can see my sister is priceless to me, and I don't know what my life would be without her. For this I am grateful." Suzaku then pushed his sister out of base and let the team get to work.

Naru sent the team around the grounds once more before calling in Father Kato and pronouncing it a closed case. They packed up all the equipment, said their goodbyes to the children, and with that SPR had completed another case.

Before the team went their separate ways Ayako was sure to grill Naru and Lin on the basics of Mai's medical needs. The girl was still to hyped up on painkillers once the trio arrived at the apartment, and Lin deposited Mai onto the couch. He then got dinner together for the trio. Once the meal was ready Lin called the two to the table to eat and Noll helped Mai off the couch. It didn't take long for the two to notice Mai hadn't touched her food.

"Mai, neither Lin nor I are going to feed you." Naru said rolling his eyes.

"I am deciding what to eat first." Mai relayed as if it were obvious. Naru debated asking Lin to stay the night, wondering if he could handle babysitting alone. Lin seemed to wonder the same and smirked at his colleague. Mai began to sing and dance happily in her seat while her companions tried their best to ignore her antics.

"Lin, can you tell me a story before bed. I always have super scary nightmares after a case." Mai uncharacteristically tugged on his sleeve.

"Really, well Noll is much better at telling stories than I am." Lin shared not even bothering to meet the chilling glare he knew the young scientist was giving him.

"No! Naru does magic tricks that's what he's best at! He did some once for me when I was sad." Mai said smiling at Naru who looked up sharply as if he'd been ousted for a crime. Lin smirked at the boy, which communicated more than words could.

'And here I thought Gene, Madoka, the professors, and I would be the only ones who would ever see his little magic tricks.' Lin made a mental note to tell Madoka who was apparently making a photo album of the course of the teen's relationship.

"Hey Naru. I think I need a reward. I was a complete angel the entire case." Mai said proudly shoving more food in her mouth.

"Why should I reward you for doing what you're supposed to do?" Naru countered, unimpressed.

"Hmm… because I didn't break your stupid rules." Mai said in cute anger. Noll ignored her again and Mai simply shrugged continuing the meal.

Soon Lin did the dishes and left, but not before bringing Mai to bed, who luckily fell asleep at the table so he didn't have to tell her a story. It was a peaceful night and a happy end. Times like these were always short lived for Mai, who couldn't possibly foresee what was in store for her.

So many of you are curious about Mai's past, but after this chapter, I'll start feeding it into the rest of the plot. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, and I'll have to think of a reward system where my fave review gets to have input in the plot. I'll most likely start that next chapter. Don't forget, Mama loves reviews ahaha!