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

Chapter 10

Two weeks had passed since the end of the last case. Mai was finally free of her cast and able to walk on her own. Her stitches were also removed, leaving Mai sporting a heart shaped scar on her shoulder. Some members of the team were sad, others were thankful that she no longer had to be placed on pain medication. Things seemed to be returning to normal.

Well as normal as things were working as a ghost hunter.

The Davis twins had been putting Mai through the ringer. The dashing duo saw fit to ensure that no one could ever infiltrate her spirit plane like the last case. She'd learned about mental barriers, permissions, and even how to sense auras. Noll practiced theories with her while Gene focused on implementation.

To say that the girl was overwhelmed would be a severe understatement. She was exhausted. Using her powers every night, going to school, going to work, doing her homework, and finally studying with Naru in an endless cycle.

Lucky for Mai, today was her day off. She and Masako were finally going to the amusement park. Spring was finally in its better half showing warmer weather with a lot more sunshine. Mai was sporting a sundress with white lace stockings and a jean jacket. Her hair was in a cute ballerina bun with fly away hairs and her signature bangs. She also had on a bit of makeup, which was a lot more than what she normally wore. When Mai exited her bedroom Naru was at the table reading, and Mai tried to make a B line for the door.

"Mai."

'Crap. Here come the fun police.' Mai exhaled loudly.

"Where are you off to?" Naru asked looking her up and down.

"Masako and I are hanging out today at the amusement park." She said cheerfully, not hiding her excitement.

"Did you finish the material I gave you?"

"Yes, we can review when I get back."

"Did you bring your cellphone?"

"Yes."

"What time will you be back?"

Mai shrugged and Naru sighed.

"Make tea before you leave." Mai grunted and placed her purse down and quickly brewed him a large thermos. Once the short task was done Mai picked up her purse attempting to exit only to be interrupted.

"Mai."

"UGH! What!"

"Text me when you get there and when you're on your way back. Don't stay out too late." Naru said never looking up from his book once.

"Yes Daddy." Mai said sarcastically in English. With no more banter she was gone. Naru leveled a glare at the door across from him as if it were the feisty assistant herself.

With Mai Taniyama, out of sight was not out of mind. Which was exactly why the young professor took it upon himself to tutor Mai in spiritual defense. After all knowledge was power.

That was something Oliver Davis knew very well.

Noll did not enjoy constantly having to consider the wellbeing of his assistant. Their stint as roommates had only exposed him to how reckless she truly was. From blow drying her hair in from of a sink full of water to leaving the stove on high while leaving the room; she was a walking accident zone. Today was no different, but he was at least relieved to know she'd be with Masako, who had bodyguards with her mostly everywhere she went.

'Knowing her she'll still find herself in trouble, even with all the proper precautions taken.' Naru sipped his tea which gave him some peace as he wished his thoughts away, burying himself into his book.

"Wow, I can't believe you went on that one! It's the largest ride in the park." Mai said patting her on the back only to realize the poor mediums legs were shaking like a baby dear.

'She was scared but she went anyway.' Mai pieced together and decided to let Masako take the lead on their adventure.

"We've been doing what I want all day, why don't you take the reins for a bit." Mai suggested and the girl nodded. Masako led them to the bumper cars, a photo booth, tea cups, and now they stopped for lunch.

"How's your show going?" Mai asked sipping her milk shake. She still hadn't gotten used to the two bulky men shadowing them with serious expressions. Mai even felt tempted to offer them a sweet treat, but Masako informed her it was best to ignore the bodyguards.

"It's going quite well. The network has chosen to give us more air time and a more popular time slot." Masako said smiling and bit into her pizza.

"That's great congrats Masako!"

"Thank you. I'm also very happy, but I won't be able to go on cases as often though." Masako admitted sadly. Mai deflated visually. Just when the two of them were getting closer, life made it tougher for them to see each other.

"Oh. I see. I hope I'm not the one who has to break this to Naru. He depends on your second sight a lot. When do you start the new schedule?" Surprise and disappointment settled into Mai's expression.

"Actually, today is my last day off for a while. I may be able to pop in here and there, but for the most part I'm booked." Masako said sadly pushing her straw around in her drink. She chose not to bring their boss into the conversation and pressed forward.

"That just means we'll have to have that much more fun today! You'll be cooped up for a while so let's make the most of the park and nice weather." With that the girls enjoyed the park until closing and the limo picked them up.

Mai gave Masako a tear jerking 'see you later' since in truth Mai didn't know when she'd see the girl again. Tired from her day, Mai entered her shared apartment and was surprised by the smell of food. Naru was focused in front of the stove creating some kind of stir-fried dish. His eyes rose to meet hers in momentary acknowledgement, and continued his work in the kitchen.

'What? No good evening? Jerk.' Mai thought blowing off his usual anti-social attitude.

Mai threw her bag on the couch and walked into the kitchen area. She merely observed for a bit, then she grabbed chopsticks with a smirk. Mai took some food out of the pot much to someone's annoyance.

"Wow, it's good."

"Of course it's good. I made it." Naru said smugly as she rolled her eyes.

"Just checking, last time Monk cooked for me it was a disaster. Lin and John are the only men I trust in front of a stove." Mai left the kitchen to go tidy up for dinner. She took a brief shower, washed her hair, and came back out with a towel on her head and an oversized t-shirt. When Mai sat at the table, she realized this was their first dinner without Lin. Naru placed two plates on the table with the proper utensils and two glasses of water.

"Did you run into any trouble today?" Naru probed. Mai wanted to ask why he always assumed she 'ran into trouble', but ignored him.

"Not really. Masako almost threw up after we went on this huge ride. I should have realized that a life as a medium meant she didn't back down from things that scared her. Most importantly, she had lots of fun today, which made me happy." Mai chirped and noted that the food Naru cooked was actually amazing. Not that she would tell him.

"That reminds me, she won't be able to go on cases with us for a while since her show schedule is ramping up. Today was her last free day for a while." Mai shared sullenly trying to gauge Naru's reaction.

"I see." There was an awkward silence between the two that was filled only with the sounds of dishware.

'This feels a bit weird; maybe I should ask him about his day too?' Mai concocted.

"What'd you do today Naru?"

"I did so extensive research on psychic's with clairaudience and the role they played in Egyptian culture."

'The walking encyclopedia speaks. I'm honestly not sure he ever turns that part of his brain off.' Mai wondered.

"Jeez, Naru don't you have a hobby? Something to get away from work when you're stressed." Mai asked as she sweatdropped.

"Ghost hunting is my hobby."

"No, ghost hunting is your job. Hobbies are other interests that you pursue simply for the sake of enjoyment. Like music, movies, or I don't know watercolor painting." Mai countered strenuously.

"It is presumptuous that you think I do not enjoy my work and pursue it only as a means for revenue." Naru scoffed and Mai sighed.

"We all know you enjoy what you do. I'm not debating that. Its just know that sometimes it is healthy to counter a stressful job with something you find relaxing." Mai responded, doing her best not to abandon the conversation out of sheer frustration.

"I don't have time for those types of things Mai. I'm running my own company. There's so much behind the scenes work I have to do that you and the others know nothing of." He disputed condescendingly.

"All the more reason for you to have something to help you relax, or you'll go grey before you're thirty!" Mai exclaimed but he still paid her no mind and continued eating. Mai pinched her nose bridge and slouched back in her seat.

"Well how about we make a deal then. You let me show you a couple hobbies I think you'll enjoy and… well what do want in exchange?" Mai asked, poking her finger on her lip, hoping he wouldn't suggest something terrible.

Naru found his eyes lowering to her lips for moment longer than they should have. Perhaps not the most innocent observation to make when considering what to ask for in exchange.

"I don't think Mai will agree to a physical favor Noll." Gene interjected surprising his brother with his unannounced appearance through their telepathic link.

'Stop barging into my thoughts, it's an invasion of privacy.' Noll thought back at his brother.

"On second thought, maybe Mai would be thrilled with the exchange. But I don't think as a gentleman, you should propose that to her." Gene replied chuckling at his brother's thoughts.

'I don't know what you're talking about. I was merely assessing her traits.' Noll explained away using his chopsticks more aggressively than he should have been.

"Assessing, huh? Is that what they're calling it these days? Well, don't let me stop you, assess away."

"Well… Do you agree to the exchange or not? Or are you just going to sit there pushing food around your plate all night?" Mai asked annoyed huffing her cheeks and crossing her arms. Naru said nothing only placed three fingers up in front of the brunette's face.

"HUH? Three? Three what?"

"Three unconditional favors that I can ask you for whenever and wherever we are. Those are my terms." Noll said smirking.

"Do I look like a genie? How do I know you won't make me do anything embarrassing for your own amusement?"

"I could say the same for this so-called hobby endeavor." Naru argued right back and Mai sighed heavily as she took her last bite.

"Fine, three stupid wishes. Just to let you know I trust you Naru, so don't disappoint me." Mai rose from the table and collected the dishes, and started washing up in the sink.

"Mai, tea." Mai felt a vein pop out in her forehead, but kept her mouth closed.

'Calm down, Mai. He made dinner so just do the dishes and make the stupid tea.' Mai proceeded to put the kettle on as she washed up. When she finished cleaning up, Mai brewed the tea and turned around to see that Naru wasn't there. The apartment was an open floor plan so that only left the bathroom and bedrooms for a hiding place. Mai walked the tea over to see that the bathroom was occupied.

'I'll just leave it in his room then.' Mai opened his door and stood in awe for a second. She'd never entered his room before as long as she'd stayed there. It was neat and surprisingly not a dark bat cave like she'd imagined.

It was actually rather simple.

His bed was adorned in navy blue sheets and pillows, while the floor had a nude carpet under her toes. He had an oak desk and other wood furnishings like his dresser, bookshelf, and desk. Overall, it was a normal room, and his desk was even a bit messy. Mai walked over to his desk and placed down her tea in time for the narcissist to walk in and see her movements.

"Well since you're here, let's review the material you supposedly read through this morning." Naru said still drying his hair with his towel. Mai's felt her face heat up as he was clad in a white t-shirt and a long blue plaid pajama pant bottom. Mai nodded quickly and tried to cool her face by thinking over the paranormal theories they last discussed.

Noll took a seat at his desk and organized the papers a bit before reviewing with Mai. As the lecture progress Mai sat on the only other available real estate: his bed. As he was nearing the end of the material, he heard the girl begin to snore. Naru sighed not even bothering to lift his head knowing exactly what happened. He got up and peered down at his assistant. The towel she'd had on her head now served as a pillow, her hair cascaded around her in a halo of sorts. Her lips were slightly parted as she slowly breathed in and out, dreaming of God knows what.

'Sweet dreams idiot.'

A boy walked into his home breathing hard and covered in sweat not even bothering to remove his shoes as he ran into the kitchen to see his mother there preparing dinner as usual. She turned around to see her son in such ruffled state she was going to ask him what was the matter, but he beat her to the punch.

"I SAW HER! I SAW MAI!" She dropped the bowl of meat she was handling and the raw blood spattered everywhere.