Chapter 50

Byakuya circled the mountain base one final time.

He was confident that the girl must have gotten lost somewhere in the dense forest and was simply hiding among the brush. After all, that was exactly what had happened to the last few people he'd held in that room.

Now he remembered when Kasai called his landline from an unfamiliar number and told him to meet him about thirty miles away. He should have turned him away; that boy was always more trouble than he was worth. However, Byakuya and his mother grew up together like siblings in a dysfunctional household, and if life had taught him anything, family was the only things that held through the blistering whirlwind of life.

Since Byakuya was young he'd always known he was different.

He could never cry or laugh like others, and the things he found joy in; this society told him he was evil. There was only one person he ever wanted to be normal for, and that was the boy's mother. She'd always painted him as the perfect man she'd wanted to see in him. Even though she never loved him and chased that bumbling drunk of a husband, she'd still reach out to him and send him packages every holiday season.

When he arrived to meet Kasai that night, he'd given him a suitcase and instructions on how to proceed with the girl inside. He had plans to torch the vehicle and had already arranged to get picked up from an area just off the highway.

Initially, he'd had no qualms about the boy's little experiment, and did feel less lonely at the prospect of having another person who liked the things he did. Not to mention how young and beautiful she had been when he had finally been able to get a complete look at her.

However, Byakuya had done his killing with a process.

He was never sloppy and unpredictable as this boy had been.

Though he accepted the captive he was completely unsure of who the girl was and what the real-time effects of kidnapping her could be. She could very well be the daughter of some gang leader or mafia tycoon. He was completely cut off from the outside world out here like he preferred to be, but that also meant he had no means of finding out either.

Mentally, he was still struggling to wrap his head around how exactly he'd been overpowered by the girl. Or how he was able to sleep through her lodging two knives through his feet like a skewered pig.

'It must have been some airborne drug, maybe a powder, that's the only thing that could make sense.' He pondered briefly as he rode through the thickening forest. Suddenly, a red blinking light illuminated his dashboard and he cursed.

'I'll have to turn back. I can't believe I blew this much gas already.' Byakuya had been searching for a few hours. He'd have to turn back now or else he wouldn't have enough gas to make it in time. Besides, he hadn't had much food in the house at the time, so unless the girl was some expert forest navigator, he doubted she'd be able to make it out this far.

Unless she had some help.

He decided not to dwell on such things as he headed back towards his cabin. Judging by the location of the sun it had to be at least three o'clock now. He'd eat, refuel, and venture out again before sunset.

'When I find her, she'll regret she ever left that room. That is if she's still alive.' Byakuya raced back to his cabin, but the sound of whipping wind immediately put him on high alert. The closer he got to his cabin, the louder it became, and soon a hovering helicopter came into view.

"Shit." Four police cruisers were parked around his cabin. He had been in such a rush that he'd left his bunker completely open. Few people ever ventured this far into the mountain, and even fewer approached the cabin once they noticed it.

'I assume the girl must have gotten as far as the police station or found by some wandering hikers, but in her condition, she would have to know the forest just as well as I do. That's impossible. Who was that girl?' Byakuya thought frantically and moved to reverse his all-terrain vehicle. Four of the officers exited their respective cruiser immediately and approached with guns aimed. His ATV was nearly out of gas so he couldn't get far, there was a helicopter overhead, and they also had a K9 unit amongst the squad cars.

It would seem he was trapped.

"Are you Byakuya Hidoi? " One of the officers asked and he merely laughed at the formality. He quickly reached back into his waistband to grab his weapon but three shots rang out before he could even get close to drawing it.

He fell to the ground as blood began to pour out of his wounds. Due to his injured feet even running away would be laughable.

"Restrain him now! Byakuya Hidoi, you are under arrest for the crimes of kidnapping, murder, and larceny each on multiple counts." A female officer approached and placed handcuffs tightly around his wrists.

"Alert Detective Nendo. We've apprehended the suspect." The officer informed.

Once Yasu pulled himself together, he graciously accepted the tea and light pastries offered by another employee in the police station. Yasu spoke with his own mother for some time to inform her of Mai's case as well and let her know that he was doing alright. Yasuhara's mother comforted him in the way only she could, and his heart ached for his recently found companion all the more.

'Mai, I know you don't have your parents anymore, but we'll help you recover from this.' Yasuhara silently vowed to himself.

Mai had always been a mystery you never thought to ask about. They'd all only seen the bubbly furiously righteous girl who never let the world get her down. This was most likely why once she began to act out and show her true, deepest, and at times ugliest feelings they all struggled to accept them.

'Perhaps we should have told her that she was justified in her feelings rather than rebuking her at the first sight of aggression.' Yasuhara didn't want to dwell too long on dark thoughts about things he couldn't change.

Quickly loading a plate with hot tea and a few of the pastries, Yasu headed back into the room with his comrades. Taking notice of his bosses' red-rimmed eyes he smiled a bit, knowing that he wasn't the only one worried.

Knowing how prideful his boss was he decided not to comment on it.

"I just received word from John that they finished cleansing the school, but they will remain for a few hours more to monitor the location for further activity per our usual protocol. Ayako is in the midst of creating a report of the entire account, and she'll send it our way as soon as she's done. Is this satisfactory big boss?" Yasu inquired as he handed each man their tea and laid the finger foods over a stack of papers.

Naru said nothing for a few quiet moments and merely nodded his head slowly. Yasu made no note of his odd behavior and took his seat. Just as the young detective sat down the door burst open to reveal detective Nendo.

"Come along. The suspect has been apprehended. I'll escort you all to the hospital now. One of my junior detectives will take your statements once we arrive there." Kikyo Nendo said no more and the three wordlessly tailed behind.

Naru could feel his stomach churning.

He'd been doggedly pursuing these results for nearly four days straight, but imagining whatever state Mai could be in was doing things to his psyche he wasn't sure how to handle. From the police station to the van, the van to the hospital, and the hospital to the cramped elevator Naru felt like he was having an out of body experience.

He was watching himself robotically go through the motions until they were outside a closed door. There was an officer seated outside the door to meet their small group.

"Although we've apprehended the suspect, we still need to keep her location a secret. Please take care not to undo this effort. Your friend is stable for now, but most likely very exhausted. We'll interview you all one at a time to decide amongst yourselves who will see her first." Detective Nendo advised and Naru said nothing to the others just walked into the hospital room. Yasuhara and Lin shared a look of understanding and Lin walked off with the junior detective.

'The picture could not do this justice.' Naru thought as he approached the side of the hospital bed.

Mai looked awful.

She was hooked up to so many machines and there were a chorus of beeps every few seconds. There wasn't a single visible appendage that wasn't adorned with some sort of a scrape or a bruise.

He could only imagine what the rest of her looked was like. Her breathing was so shallow that the hospital sheets barely moved. He continued his pace over to her side and cautiously placed his hand inches from hers before stopping.

Did he really need to see what had happened to her now that she was found? Would it be too intrusive to see just how she managed to find safety before he could find her?

He decided against it…

… for now.

Even with his hands inches away, he could feel how cold her skin was and her pale appearance did little to hide her struggle.

"How did this happen?" Yasu mumbled through his hands. Naru said nothing as they looked over her body.

John was finally taking some much-needed rest while the rest of the team kept a close eye on the school. After giving first aid to her teammates; Ayako was meticulously reviewing the case notes Naru left behind while filling in the rest of the report. Monk was at the monitors with some iced coffee and Masako meditating on the couch.

"Ayako, I told you that you should be resting. You're the only one who hasn't at least tried to get some rest yet." The Monk lamented but was actually quite impressed with her ability to work on so little caffeine.

"Sir, I'm a doctor. I know my limitations and have pulled much longer shifts than this in my time. So worry about yourself old man." Ayako responded barely entertaining the Monk with a glance.

"Well excuse me for worrying about your well-being." Monk mumbled turning back to the monitors.

"Thank you Houshou. I'll rest once this is done." Ayako spoke again softly. Monk turned back to her, his cheeks a bit warm, noting how rarely she said his name, at least around the others. He doubted the others knew just how gentle and shy the woman could be.

"It's been some time since we heard from Yasuhara, do you think they've gotten any word on Mai's condition?" Masako spoke softly.

"You're right, but Yasu is pretty diligent about filling us in. I'm sure he'll call again soon, but if you're anxious call him now. Otherwise, we should make plans to head over there after the case is closed and the equipment returned. My car could fit all four of us if you all are able to get the additional time off." Monk volunteered.

"Yes. I'll contact my manager to see if I'll be able to do that, but in the meantime, I'll wait on Osamu to call us. I'm just worried." Masako admitted as the Monk stood from the monitors and walked over.

"I know how you feel kid. Don't worry though. We'll see her soon." Monk sighed and ruffled her hair, much like he'd do to his little brunette. Masako swatted his hand away in a similar fashion but smiled nonetheless.

Mai floated through her dream plane soundlessly.

This was the first time she could the depth of her spiritual fatigue. Souls floated around her and she allowed her energy reserves to replenish themselves. She'd pushed her limits before but never this far as a means of life or death.

"I can feel him, he is very close to you now." Gene's voice echoed around her. Mai was too exhausted to panic at this point. Last she remembered there was that old man there who had found her, but worse yet of masked man from the cabin. She didn't even open her eyes to greet her spiritual link, whom she could feel was in close proximity to her.

"Who do you mean Gene?" Mai spoke softly with her own voice creating a noticeable echo.

"Try to feel for yourself and tell me." He responded and Mai rolled her eyes at the proposed exercise. They'd done this numerous times with a very low success rate. Although, before Gene arrived, she was merely muddling through her own thoughts.

In short, she had nothing better to do.

Mai recalled that whenever people encounter one another there were ripples in their own electromagnetic energy output from the waves encountering one another. Every person possessed a different frequency, just like radio stations. After being repeatedly exposed to these waves it was possible to remember how they each felt.

She concentrated for a few moments on her own wave output and noticed her outer waves starting to dampen then be reflected back at her. There was only one person she'd know to be able to do that. Then again who's to say her tremendous lack of spiritual energy at the moment wasn't making it easy for ordinary people to have this effect on her.

She was afraid to hope.

"It feels like your brother, but I'm so low on energy right now. It's difficult to be sure." Mai mumbled with a furrowed brow.

"Reach out and touch the energy. Instead of letting it wash over you, try to accept and absorb it." Gene suggested lightly. Mai tried to do just as was suggested by her guide and felt it was simpler than she imagined. She noticed with each passing moment her fatigue lessened and her surroundings became more like the endless night sky she'd painted so long ago.

"That's great Mai! You truly are the best pupil I've ever taken on!" Gene congratulated as he began to manifest into her dream plane.

"I'm most likely your only student, but I won't make any qualms about the compliment." Mai laughed feeling much more rested suddenly.

"Although Gene, you never answered my question. Is it really Naru's energy I'm feeling?" Mai quieted trying to conceal the tension in her body.

"Though I shouldn't be telling you, it is Noll. We'll just have to work on aura reading from the spiritual plane later since you've done great work at it in the waking world. His excess energy should make the both of you feel much better." Gene revealed and Mai could feel her heart leap. She was with him! After the hell she'd survived she was finally back with him.

"Thank you, Gene. For everything. From the beginning, you've always helped me. This time you truly saved my life. If I didn't have you around… I don't know if I would have survived this." Mai spoke feeling tears forming in her eyes.

"Mai, I merely guided you. You've had the abilities to perform these tasks all along. Good luck on the other side." Gene waved and Mai felt a single tear falling down her face as she felt herself gaining consciousness.

It was dark out now and the trio had barely moved from the hospital room. They'd watched the doctors perform some blood tests, replace fluids, and they'd only left when her bandages were being changed. One of Mai's ankles was in a complete cast, and the other was covered in gauze to restrict most movement.

Stitches and bandages littered her back and arms, and a large bruise covered her chin was glistening from the applied ointment.

Naru was the last to be interviewed and he refused to leave the room. The others departed shortly while he gave his brief statement and the detective left, leaving the officer to stand guard outside the door. It was close to ten o'clock in the evening when small fits of rustling could be heard from the hospital bed, accompanied by a soft groaning.

All three men retreated from their own musings to watch the girl awaken. Just as suddenly as her eyes opened the girl shot upward and her heart rate increased rapidly, the heart monitor reaching a breakneck pace.

Mai's eyes were wildly looking around at the bed, taking in the loud beeping around her, and she continued to visually panic. Soon she was hyperventilating and attempting to get up, though her legs were securely elevated.

It had only been a few seconds of confusion when a male nurse charged into the room.

"Patient Taniyama! Please calm down. You're safe now! You're in a hospital." The nurse urged as another female nurse trailed in behind. Mai looked sporadically at the unfamiliar faces and stopped trying to leave the bed. However, her heart rate was still skyrocketing and she flinched at any attempt at human contact.

"Mai. It's okay." Naru's voice cut through the panic and Mai whipped her eyes over to her black-clad narcissist.

A look of disbelief passed over her features her mouth was slightly agape.

Slowly…

... and yet all at once….

... all the tension, fear, and adrenaline that had wound around her so tightly began to unravel.

With silent tears running down her face, without much thought, she reached her hand out to beacon him. He wordlessly approached and clasped their hands, wearing the same stagnant expression. Despite this, his eyes were ablaze, never leaving her own, as he allowed his grip to tighten. Her hands were shaking, but her beeping began to calm slightly.

"Take a few deep breaths, Mai. You need to calm down." Naru spoke softly and she nodded then proceeded to focus on her breathing. She'd been dancing between visions, astral walking, her dream plane, and reality so often these past few days.

It was difficult to accept that this was a reality.

It seemed too simple that one minute she was close to collapse deep in the woods and the next she was being treated in the hospital with Naru by her side.

With shaken faith, Mai decided not to ask questions yet. Real or fake, she just wanted to be happy here in this moment now.

"Thank you, sir. Now, Taniyama, I need you to answer some questions for me. We need to know if there are any additional tests we need to conduct. Alright?" The male nurse spoke and Mai nodded again. Her eyes moved around the room where she noticed a police officer leaning into the doorway, both nurses, and even Yasuhara and Lin looking over at her. She held her companion's eyes from across the room and both of them, Lin included, seemed to be smiling.

Only now was she realizing how wet with tears her face felt, but she was silent still.

"We're quite aware of drugs placed in your system and physical injuries. There are some personal questions we need to ask because of the nature of your kidnapping. Would you like to be serviced by a female nurse instead?" He asked as the other nurse ushered Lin and Yasuhara outside. Mai shook her head no and he nodded slowly, as if not believing her.

"Would you like this gentleman to leave as well?" The other female nurse inquired, her eyes lingering over Naru a bit too long. Mai shook her head, eying him briefly too.

This began a series of questions regarding additional trauma she may have experienced in the shape of yes or no questions, which she was grateful they weren't asking for details yet. She gave no verbal communication through the entire round of questioning, only nodding or shaking her head. Naturally they inquired about sexual assault and even though she shook her head no the female nurse explained because she was drugged there are still moments, she wouldn't be able to account for therefore she'd still need to be swabbed, given antibiotics, and given plan B. Mai tried to remain calm through this explanation, but she couldn't help but tighten her grip on Naru's hand.

Noticing her discomfort her medical assistants were quick to change the topic.

"Taniyama, we have you on some painkillers right now because of some broken bones. Would you like us to increase to dosage?" One of the nurses asked. Mai shook her head, even though she was in some pain, she's disliked the effects of the painkillers last time she broke her leg. Thinking about it now, it was only a few months ago, before this all started, when a similar injury landed her in an apartment with her boss.

Completing their round of questioning both nurses excused themselves momentarily. Naru separated their hands, much to Mai's dismay, to bring his chair closer to the side of her bed. Unlike the nurses, Naru didn't ask questions he just sat with her in comfortable silence.

"I'm sorry."

Mai looked over at him sadly, but he averted his eyes.

"-I- shouldn't have left you behind." Naru choked out his voice sounding strained.

His hands were now balled into fists in his lap. Despite herself, Mai wanted to smile. Whenever things were at their worst with them, he was always the first to apologize. It was so frustrating and endearing all at once.

"Don't be an idiot. You can't always rescue me Naru. This had nothing to do with you. This was all a result of my past haunting me." Mai spoke for the first time. He looked over at her and sighed. She quickly noticed he couldn't maintain eye contact with her for very long. Normally, his gaze would sear right through her.

It was clear the guilt he was feeling.

"Either way if you thought things were bad before, you definitely aren't leaving my sight now." He spoke firmly and Mai actually smiled this time.

"I don't think I'd mind that." Mai replied softly.

'I won't be able to handle being alone.' Mai thought but didn't disclose that fact aloud.

It was then that her two comrades entered the room again. Mai did her best to lean up, much to Naru's dismay. Yasuhara made a beeline to the side of her bed that wasn't occupied by her boss. One look and Mai could tell just distraught Yasuhara must have been.

Mai opened her arms as much as her IV and probes would allow and her beloved tutor fell into them gently.

Soon he began to sob and Mai could only rub his back.

She recalled how frustrated she'd been at the lack of personal space she'd been given prior this incident. Seeing how much they all cared now made her feel like the Mai from only a few days ago was so foolish.

Yasu removed himself from her embrace slowly and Mai laughed lightly.

"I'm alive." She spoke in a raspy tone as if not truly believing it herself.

"I know and I'm so sorry Mai! I should have realized h-" Yasu started but Mai shh'ed him and moved to wipe away his tears.

"I didn't listen." Mai corrected and continued.

"Lin..." Mai called and reached her hand out and he quietly made his way to the bedside with the others.

"Sorry I left you to handle these two on your own. I know they can be a handful." Mai greeted and Lin smiled his rare smile.

"You have no idea," Lin replied a chuckled lightly.

Mai smiled and slowly began to pull herself upwards again, but cringed a bit. Yasuhara made quick work of elevating and fluffing her pillows, while Naru adjusted the elevation of both of her legs. In the midst of their ministrations a harsh knock was heard at the door causing Mai to jump and grab Naru's sleeve.

"Taniyama. I questioned your physician and they agreed you'd be able to handle giving your testimony at this time. Are you ready to give your statement?" A large burly officer spoke into the room as he stepped into the room and Mai eyed him with high suspicion.

On one hand, she was reminded of Nigel, the sweet tea lady's son, and on the other her masked warden. Mai knew that these weren't her instincts speaking now, but just spiking paranoia of an unfamiliar face.

"...I…." Mai started looking to him and then lowering her eyes.

"Taniyama. I know that it is difficult to speak on a trauma you experienced and only eluded hours ago, but the faster we get your statement the faster we can process your case and charge those parties related." The officer advised with a stoic expression.

She wasn't ready to talk to the trio in the room about the ordeal yet. No matter how uncomfortable being in a room with a strange man made her feel. As if sensing her conflict or, worse yet, familiar with people with her experiences he made a suggestion.

"I think it's best the three of you leave the room. I'll call you back once we're done." The officer held the door open and noted the obstinate looks about the room.

"I won't repeat myself. The girl isn't ready for you to know. If she felt differently, she wouldn't protest." The officer crossed his arms over his chest, and Naru and Yasuhara looked down at her.

Mai made no attempt to meet their eyes and stayed silent.

"We will wait outside the door. Call us if you need anything." Yasuhara muttered and the trio filed out. The officer sighed loudly closing the door and took the seat Naru had previously occupied.

"How did you know?" Mai asked quietly her gaze drifting away to the other side of the room.

"Being an officer and a detective teaches you a lot about reading people. Which is also how I can tell you are uncomfortable with being alone in a room with an unfamiliar man. There is a nurse button here on your right you can press if you require assistance and your friends are just outside the door. Now, like a said, I know this will be difficult but the details are important so please bear it and we will do our best to make sure these people are never able to do this again." The officer spoke and Mai listened quietly as more tears paraded out of her already tired eyes.

Mai was willing to bear the resurfacing emotions and panic to ensure her captors could be arrested. Most importantly, so Kasai could be tried for the murder of her best friend in conjunction with her kidnapping.

However, she hadn't predicted how difficult it would be to repeat fresh trauma aloud. The more she detailed from the apartment to the dark room, her 'lucky break' of an escape, and the woods, the more she was shaking uncontrollably and crying. As difficult as it was to repeat some parts of her felt a slight relief at telling someone about it.

Once they were finished, he thanked her and relayed that another officer would be arriving to relieve him so he could help Detective Nendo out at the station. He also warned that because of the publicity around her case there would be a media storm surrounding her soon too.

"Here is my card as well as Detective Nendo, who is a woman incase that makes you more comfortable. You will be given a police escort likely until the case or media is finalized. Good luck." The officer tossed both cards into her lap and Mai looked down at them and nodded.

Requiring no more affirmation the officer departed from the room.

Mai reached forward and clasped both cards in her hand tightly enough that one of them punctured her palm drawing a small bead of blood. She watched it scale down her hand and fall onto the crisp white sheet and discolor the fabric.

'This is real. I am alive.' Mai thought as if it were a novelty of the highest order.

Because it was.

Thanks for reading!