Chapter 51

"I want to leave." Mai spoke softly looking down at the hospital food reluctantly.

It'd only been 24 hours since she woke and she remembered quickly why she hated the hospital.

First, they expect you to rest, but they never let you sleep. Every hour on the hour they take blood, give medicine, change a bandage, or force feed some awful broth or soupy substance that was nothing close to miso.

Second, the trio of investigators apparently rushed to Tochigi, which apparently is where she was and made no hotel reservations. She was grateful that there were familiar faces around her when she woke, but they were all clearly exhausted with no real place to sleep.

It made her feel guilty seeing the three curl up uncomfortably in hospital chairs.

Also… did she mention the food?

"Even if you could leave now; you'd still have to eat that food." Yasuhara reasoned, noticing how upset she looked every time the food cart arrived. She sighed deeply picking up her soup and resigning herself to her fate.

'It probably tastes worse cold.' Mai thought briefly.

Starving in the forest put even the blandest food into perspective. She was very much aware of her injuries, but when the doctor came in, she listened dutifully to her diagnosis and recommendations.

A broken ankle, a twisted ankle, stitches, and bruises on her back and arms, bruised jaw, exhaustion, dehydration, and early signs of

PTSD.

Okay, maybe the last diagnosis threw her for a loop.

At least all of her tests came back negative and neither of her captors assaulted her while she was drugged. Even in this bad situation, she was grateful it didn't get worse. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Detective Nendo walked in.

"Good afternoon Taniyama. I see you're awake now. I'm the lead detective on your case Kikyo Nendo. How are you feeling today?" The detective bowed and remained at the foot of her bed.

"I'm here." Mai replied vaguely. Choosing not to comment further on her condition the detective pressed on undeterred.

"I've come to inform you of the progress of your case. We have Byakuya Hidoi in custody and with the combination of your assault and kidnapping and extensive evidence that other bodies may be on his property he is facing life in prison. However, it appears Kasai Masuku has evaded the surveillance team. We've started our search, but we cannot take more aggressive measures because of the lack of evidence. Besides your testimony and that small private investigation filled with circumstantial evidence we most likely won't be able to pin him. Unless we can get Hidoi to testify against him or bring him in for questioning, we may lose in court." Nendo informed and Mai could feel her heart dropping into her stomach.

"Doesn't the fact that he ran prove anything?! The.. I told.. what about the apartment?! He was there and I saw him! Don't we have security footage of him there?" Mai stammered, visually quite upset.

"The face of the person leaving your apartment building was completely covered and left no trace of forced entry, it could be written off as personal negligence in court as well." The detective dismissed.

Mai's mind began the race replaying the events that transpired. Including the gruesome details of the struggle at the apartment. One fact returned to her.

Blood.

She's struck him with the standing lamp and he was bleeding. Kasai's eyes were wrought with fury and his knuckles were white over his gun.

"There must have been blood in my apartment. Kasai's blood… when I hit him with the lamp." Mai suggested again nervously.

"A team of officers did a search of the apartment and noted the broken lamp. However, forensics was unable to find any viable traces of blood anywhere in the room. It isn't unheard of but there are several readily available chemicals that can be sprayed to elude these tests. Even if the traces of such a chemical can be found, with this sort of tampering, the assailant's blood still won't be able to be uncovered." Nendo explained, her face grim.

Now Mai couldn't even manage to stutter out any words.

"What about his mother? She's still here, isn't she? Do you think you'll be able to get a testimony from her? She must know something about the things he's done?" Yasuhara spoke next.

Nendo paused for a moment considering the possibilities of the suggestion.

"Well, that would have to be a delicate maneuver. With no grounds to hold her son, we'd have even less to keep her on. Although, if we frame our questions correctly, we might be able to convince her to divulge some information." The disgruntled detective relayed. A moment of tense silence hung in the air.

"Was there anything else Detective?" Naru asked noticing the woman's hesitation to leave.

"Well, the media has had a field day with your story Taniyama since it's been picked from the local news cycles to a national one. We've been trying to cover our tracks, but they're relentless. I suggest you turn on the news or avoid it completely. Whichever you think will be more conducive to your recovery." The detective shared and without further details, she left.

The room was so silent.

Everyone afraid to say the wrong thing.

"So it was all for nothing then." Mai let out a hollow laugh. Gripping the sheets of her bed.

"Mai…" Yasuhara began but was cut off.

"I'll get him. I don't care what it will take." Mai whispered harshly. Yasuhara shared an exasperated look with Lin.

"And then what? End up in the hospital again like an idiot." Naru scoffed and he met her fiery gaze. Neither of them keen and letting up on their stance.

"Then so be it." Mai muttered and the loud screeching of Naru's chair echoed throughout the room as he stormed out. Lin was about to follow him, but Yasuhara placed a hand up to him and followed his boss instead.

Mai could feel Lin's glare and met his eyes, having no qualms with a new opponent.

"You all really think that now that Kasai slipped away that he'll give up on finding me? You don't know the things he said to me. He won't stop until I've died in some God-awful manner. And I, for one, have no intention of looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I have to bring the fight to him or he'll find me again when I least expect it. Knowing him he's willing to wait years." Mai explained. She didn't mention how sure her instincts were about his pursuit but hoped it was implied.

"I do not disagree with your line of thinking. Just your methods." Lin countered. Mai raised her eyebrow to insight further explanation.

"It's as if you've learned nothing from this entire ordeal. Do you know the main reason why this entire plan of yours went awry?" Lin asked and waited.

"Because I underestimated the ferocity of my opponent." Mai narrowed her eyes in disdain.

"No. It was because you decided that this was an opponent you could face on your own. Had you told us sooner we could have made better choices to ensure your safety together. Noll is upset because you refuse to depend on anyone, especially him. Even your so-called opponent has employed the aid of others while you continue to believe you can take on whatever he throws at you alone. It's a foolish death wish. If you continue like this, this gruesome end you speak of is all that awaits you!" Lin warned gravely, raised his voice more toward the end of his scolding.

"What do you expect Lin?! I'm accustomed to being alone! Doing things on my own! I'm not accustomed to depending on others and not to mention I already depend on you all too much as it is!" Mai argued unabashedly.

"I think you've known Noll and myself long enough to know that if either of us were put out by helping you we would have said something. You're an eighteen-year-old orphan who supported herself for years and that is something to be proud off, but that should not set the precedent for how you live the rest of your life. Lean on us. Depend on us. It's alright Mai." Lin demanded arms crossed with a look a disappointment.

Despite his poignant expression, she didn't need to read his aura to know he meant well.

Mai sighed loudly and looked around the room. Quickly, she pressed the nurse button, and the female attendant filed in expectantly.

"Yes, Taniyama?" The nurse questioned, deciding not to comment on the half-eaten soup.

"I'd like a wheelchair please." Mai requested.

"Wait up boss!" Yasuhara jogged but his boss didn't stop until he reached the outdoors where the sun had begun to set all over again.

There was a private courtyard that could only be reached from inside the hospital. Most likely a safe haven for patients to experience the outdoors.

"Come on there's a bench over there." Yasu motioned and proceeded hoping Naru would follow.

Luckily, he did.

For the first few moments, they said nothing. Only observed the golden sun disappearing and bubbling of a distant fountain. Small lamps began to illuminate flowers and greenery before either spoke.

"You lost your cool in there boss." Yasu started with a chuckle.

"Stating the obvious." Naru replied pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Truthfully, I can't blame you. You're stressed and haven't had much sleep either. Then just when we finally get her back, she's making plans to do something dangerous all over again." Yasuhara cooed cleaning his glasses.

"Why did you follow me just to repeat everything that just happened?" Naru barked angrily and Yasuhara smiled.

"Because you clearly need a friend. Someone to vent to that isn't your brother's face in a mirror, your shadow bodyguard, or the girl you've fallen head over heels in love with. That much is obvious." Yasu replied plain as day.

Again, Naru chose not to comment on how astute his observations were.

"You just expect me to divulge my frustrations to you?" Naru rephrased with a deadpan expression.

He chose not to ask how his researcher was aware that he spoke to Gene through a mirror.

"In this scenario, you don't need to divulge anything because it's quite obvious how you're feeling fool." Yasu teased lightly. Naru only sighed heavily, putting his elbows onto his knees, and resting his head and his folded hands.

"Let me give you some advice Naru and you're free to either take it or leave it. Mai is a person who operates on emotions and intuition. If you want to convince her of something or dissuade her from reckless behavior, you've got to tell her how you feel. We all are able to read your emotions to a very small degree, just because we have to. You never say. But we cannot read your mind. Lin and I can tell your outburst was out of concern, but it would have been more effective to tell her how you're feeling. Mai is extremely stubborn, but she does hold your opinion in high esteem." Yasuhara concluded placing his glasses back on.

Naru looked over and noticed how exhausted his colleague appeared for the first time since they arrived.

"Perhaps." Naru responded quietly.

"Anyway, everyone else should be here sometime tomorrow. I've arranged for us to stay at an inn near the hospital for a few days. Ayako is bringing the case notes and footage for you to review while you're here. Monk has completed the passport information for Mai as well and should be arriving in the next weeks. However, here are the tickets and photocopy of her passport should the two of you elope." Yasuhara surmised.

The entrance door opened and shut revealing Mai and one of the nurses. Mai was clad in a hospital dress, seated in a large wheelchair, and a large IV stand was trailing close behind her. She wore mixed emotions on her face but managed a small smile once they arrived next to the duo.

"Yasuhara. May Naru and I speak in private please." Mai requested and Yasuhara smirked. He patted Naru on the shoulder twice and rose from his seat.

"Come along Nurse-chan! Let's give them some privacy." Yasuhara hooked arms with the nurse surprising him and dragging him away comically. They passed the stony-faced officer who waited closer to the entrance, maintaining a careful watch over the pair.

"I… I know that ever since we met I've asked a lot of you. That's why I try to do as much as I can on my own. I'm still used to that being my only option. But… I need your help Naru. I know this won't just end with Kasai running off somewhere. I have to be ready for him this time. That is what my intuition is telling me. I know he won't underestimate me a second time. I need to face him. However, I'll understand if you choose to have nothing to do with this, and I'll respect your decision." Mai maintained twiddling her fingers.

Prior to Naru leaving for the case at the school, their 'relationship' had hardly taken off on its Maiden voyage. It had only been mere days since they'd agreed on their mutual feelings before things had somehow become tangled into a confusing mess again.

Right now his eyes spoke loud notes of fatigue, frustration, and disappointment. Though her legs were in terrible shape and she was chained to the IV bringing her fluids back to her; Mai was tempted to get up and hold him.

"So Lin scolded you." Naru evaded causing frustration to appear on her face.

"Yeah so… what of it?" She shot back.

"I received similar treatment from Yasuhara. Also some detailed statements about my own emotional ineptitude." Naru shared freely raising his head and straightening his posture on the bench.

"I see. Then we're both idiots." Mai responded, still trying to make sense of the point he was making.

Naru drew in a deep breath before speaking again.

"Mai, I'm not sure I could say no even if I wanted to, which I do not. Nevertheless, I have never felt like this before. When I realized the situation that you were in and the things that might've happened to you while you were kidnapped; I was barely keeping my composure. I couldn't eat or sleep or barely even think about anything else except how to get you back safely. Then when I finally got you back here, you're making plans to run off again. I know it may seem like I have excellent control of my emotions and PK, but this week I've been falling apart. I'm not built for this range of emotions. I'm struggling to maintain my sanity. I just had to walk away to clear my head." Naru admitted meeting her gaze with sadness brimming his eyes.

There had always been the smallest hint of sadness in his expression from the first day they met. This was the first time she'd even seen him wear it so candidly. Mai wondered if this was how she wanted the boy she loved to feel about her.

It was definitely not.

"I'm here now. We are here now. I'm not sure what this has done to what we'd barely started, but if I'm still willing to try to be with you. I cannot promise that I won't be as reckless as I always am, but I'll try my best not to keep things from you. At least that way we can decide together what the best course of action is." Mai moved a hand over to his cautiously.

Naru was quiet. Likely thinking over what continuing a relationship with her would entail.

"I'm sorry I made you worry so much." Mai spoke again gripping her fingers around his. He reciprocated and interlaced their hands, making Mai's heart flutter slightly.

"If you'd said anything different; it wouldn't have been you, Mai." Naru replied softly. He stood and leaned over her to meet her unexpecting lips. Mai replied in kind but was surprised at just how gentle he was. Naru's style has always been dominating and sure, but this was shy and needy.

'How is it that people can't see how human this boy really is?' Mai wondered as he pulled away.

"Come to England with me." He demanded and Mai was even more taken aback.

"...wha… you mean right now?" Mai stammered and he rolled his eyes. He pulled out the Japanese passport and round trip plane tickets. Mai took them slowly with disbelief and opened the passport, and noticed that he'd somehow gotten a hold of her latest high school ID photo to use for the inside.

"No. After your graduation, I've scheduled two weeks for you to test your abilities at SPR. Even if you decide not to go through with the tests, my offer still stands. Think of it as a graduation present." Naru knew he'd have to reason with her so she didn't think of his actions as charity.

Mai covered her mouth with a shaking hand. Naru was quite skilled at surprising her, but she would never have expected something like this so soon. After all, not only were his associates in England like Madoka but so were his family and home.

She hadn't even said the phrase boyfriend out loud!

Even though she was thrilled at the chance to test her powers and gain some understanding. It was definitely too soon to meet his family.

She wasn't sure what to say.

"This is amazing…but your family is in England. I think it's a bit soon for me to be meeting them. Especially as your… um…" Mai struggles to find the words.

"As my girlfriend." He responded and Mai's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Well you never called me your girlfriend, so I wasn't sure you'd say it! Anyway, I told you that this is an amazing opportunity, but don't you think it's a bit much? I know SPR hasn't funded some psychic orphan from Japan on a whim. You must have paid for this, and my hospital bills, and…. you know how I feel about all the things you do for me. I'm grateful, but I just don't know how I would pay you back." Mai ranted emphasizing her point by speaking with her hands.

"You know, if we are going to be dating on an official basis you'll have to get used to this sort of thing. Besides, I can think of plenty of ways you can reimburse me." Naru lifted her chin with a single finger and a smirk on his face.

Mai was quick to smack his hand away and turned away to hide her blush.

'Reminds me of how he made me his assistant in the beginning.' Mai thought in passing.

"The tickets will no longer be refundable after a week, so you'll have until then to make your choice. The passport, however, will remain a gift commemorating your upcoming graduation." Naru declared firmly standing up straight once again.

Mai nodded as a shiver wracked her body.

"Let's go back inside." Naru proposed noting that the thin hospital garb and blanket were doing very little to help the girl against the night air.

Mai held onto the IV stand while her companion moved to rotate her wheelchair back towards the hospital.

The next week was utter hell once the press became more and more entangled into her story.

Especially once the extent of Byakuya's gruesome crimes were broadcast. Though she was advised against it, she spent a fair amount of time watching the details of her life and her kidnapper strewn around on the news.

Yasu asked if she wanted her phone, since it had been ringing off the hook with high school friends and random news agencies trying to contact her. Other than the members of SPR, the television, and the occasional visit from the detective. Mai wanted no part of the outside world.

She just wanted to focus on her recovery because it was predicted to be a long one.

Talk of permanent deformation from moving on her injuries in her desperate escape.

Extended physical therapy.

Possible surgery or total bone replacement.

It was a lot to take in, but all of her physical injuries paled in comparison to the way her life couldn't go back together. She'd watch them report from her school, the cabin where she was forced to stay, the police department, and recently her old apartment.

Interviewing her classmates, teachers, and neighbors.

Anyone who vaguely knew her.

Realistically, she only had a month left of school. Yasuhara discussed speaking with her teachers and allowing her to complete the rest of her school work in the hospital so she could graduate on time. Even though Mai missed her friends and being a regular teenager, she couldn't help but to agree with his suggestion.

'I was looking forward to returning to some form of normalcy, but that clearly is no longer possible.' She pondered sadly.

The best part of this entire week was when the other members of SPR came to visit her.

Unsurprisingly, Monk had been the hardest to console after news of her injuries. Ayako, of course, immediately made her status as a doctor known with the staff and reviewed all of her medical papers. John prayed with her for a speedy recovery and Masako wordlessly stole Naru's seat beside her while their boss reviewed the case file. As if obeying some unspoken rule none of them asked about what she'd experienced.

Something she was grateful for.

The team only stayed a few hours, but they all were a welcome distraction. Ayako made all the necessary arrangements for Mai to be transferred to a hospital closer to Shibuya once her vitals were stable. Which actually coincided with her end of the week deadline with Naru.

Midway through the week, the detective came back to discuss the case progress with her again, but this time around she knew better than to get her hopes up.

"As I stated before there is more than enough evidence to put this man away for a long time. However, the defendant's legal counsel is seeking an insanity plea. Both lawyers would like you to testify on the stand." Nendo explained. Mai felt her throat tighten and her flesh chill at the prospect of being anywhere near Byakuya again.

"When?" Mai asked quickly.

She knew immediately that this man was not suffering from mental illness. Illness changed the look and feel of an aura. It caused strange ripples in it. She had seen a few spirits with this strange attribute as well, but never attached it to either of her captors.

Detective Nendo left the details and location of the trial with her, and Mai said she would attend. Now that her vitals and pain were leveling out, she could focus more on healing.

Her cast for her broken foot would last two months, while her sprained ankle only two more weeks. Her goal was to walk across the stage at her graduation, even if it was with crutches.

It seemed like she was back to square one.

The entire reason why she was forced to move in with Naru was her inability to take care of herself while in crutches. Now, crutches would be a significant upgrade from her current condition.

The more Mai tried to do things on her own; the more help she ultimately needed from others. The more she pondered the subject the more she was able to see Lin's point.

'So should I go with Naru? I've never been out of the country before and who knows! This could be my only chance. I really do want to go, but can I allow myself too. It's only for a few weeks, at most. I may never have an opportunity like this again.' Mai's thoughts swirled violently in a cyclical storm.

The news was droning on about the weather in the background while Lin was working quietly in the corner. Yasuhara had gone back with the others to catch up on his own school assignments and sleep. Naru was grabbing lunch for himself and his omniyoji bodyguard while Mai was forced to maintain her hospital cafeteria diet as some twisted form of punishment.

"Lin." Mai called over and the sorcerer met her eyes.

"I've noticed my story playing repeatedly, but they've never mentioned SPR. I was worried about Naru's identity being uncovered in the media, but they haven't mentioned anything about my job. Did you guys have something to do with that?" Mai asked suspiciously.

Lin smirked and shrugged mysteriously.

"Well the scholarship you have at your school technically does not allow you to have a job. So Naru made a deal with the principal to keep you off the books. Your payments appear as a payout from your deceased mother, which will be completed when you're nineteen. Conveniently then, if you so choose, you'd be full time at SPR. There is no paper trail connecting you to SPR currently." Lin explained curtly.

"As shady as all that sounds, I'm glad that this won't affect you all and I want it to stay that way. This probably also means I won't be able to make any public appearance with you all either. Like to the court or trial." Mai sorted in her mind quickly.

"There will be little that can be done to keep Oliver from your side now. He is skilled enough at hiding himself when the occasion calls for it." Lin contended and Mai sighed. She wasn't sure if that statement made her feel relieved or more anxious about the events peaking over the horizon.

"Did Naru tell you he wants me to go to England with him?" Mai probed quietly.

Lin nodded.

"Time within the SPR labs will be a good way to get away from the media storm and test your powers." Lin remarked frankly.

"Well... I haven't told him my answer yet." Mai confessed dejectedly.

"Are you afraid to leave the country? Or is this another manifestation of your reluctance to seek assistance?" Lin jeered and Mai sucked her teeth.

"No, I just… I'm nervous to meet other people Naru knows like his colleagues and parents. I'll likely embarrass myself...and him." Mai admitted and continued. "After all, when one imagines the girlfriend of the great Oliver Davis there was no way some high school orphan with PTSD came to mind." Mai complained.

It was rare that Mai showed any interest in keeping up with the status quo because she could never come close. Unfortunately, with the press nosing around her life; she was feeling more self-conscious than usual.

"The professors will be glad to have some life back into their house, and Mai you are some extremely gifted young lady that only needs some tutelage." Lin avowed.

She could count on one hand how many times Lin had complimented her. She felt her face heating up as she looked away, embarrassed.

Mai dropped the subject once Naru returned with paperwork in hand. He raised an eyebrow at her blushing as he pulled his chair next to her bed and handed her a clipboard.

"What's all of this?" Mai asked eyes skating over the pages inquisitively.

"The final paper for your discharge. Matsuzaki has arranged for you to be moved to a facility closer to home. Although, there you likely won't need to be admitted again. Just regular appointments similar to the last time with your leg." Naru returned softly.

He hadn't said so, but Mai could tell by his tone that he was happy she was leaving the hospital. She read the sheets swiftly and signed them just as her doctor came in.

"Mrs. Taniyama, how are doing today?" She asked as she read her charts.

"Much better than how I arrived." Mai replied with a small smile.

Even though she wasn't feeling quite like herself again, physically she was doing better. Her bruises began to fade from bruising red- purple to sickly hues of yellowish green.

"Good. The stitches you were given will dissolve on their own, just keep them dry as you can. I suggest when you bathe dab those areas dry. We've taken care of both of your legs. You'll be able to remove the bandages from your ankles in a week. The broken foot will be another month and a half. The nurse will place your pain prescription with your at-home care bag. Any questions about any of that?" The doctor asked and Mai only shook her head.

"Alright, finally here is a list of psychologists in your area. I've highlighted the ones with the highest ratings. I recommend you visit one weekly or biweekly for at least a year. Out of all of your wounds, I'd say your psychological ones are the worst. You need to be evaluated and I'll allow your physician to take the helm from there." Mai furrowed her brows and nodded slowly.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

She'd done a bit of research on it and wasn't pleased. Mai partially blamed herself for the bias she'd gained from the few pamphlets handed to her from her doctor.

Hallucinations.

Panic attacks.

Anxiety.

… intrusive thoughts.

Mai felt like these things were already a huge part of her life. She wondered if this would make things worse… if that was even possible. The doctor gave her best wishes and dismissed herself promptly.

"Mai. We have a car outback. The police have set up a decoy vehicle out front, so we should be able to make our way to Shibuya without much trouble." Lin entered and handed a bag and some documents to Naru.

"Here. A change of clothes for you. Naru has all of your medication and paperwork from the doctor." Lin expanded. A nurse entered and gave Mai another dose of pain medication before discharging her. The men left the room to give her some privacy as the nurse helped her get dressed.

Once the medication kicked in everything became a bit of a blur. Mai was vaguely aware that she was being pushed in her wheelchair. They entered a parking garage when she was lifted into the backseat of a car by Naru.

"Where is Lin?" Mai asked her voice sounding hoarse. Before Naru could respond to the officer from her room knocked on the car window. Naru rolled it down.

"Mr. Shibuya. It appears there are also members of the media crowded around the back of the hospital as well. I have other officers prepared to block the road to prevent anyone from following your vehicle. I'll be tailing you until you reach your destination, where an officer from your district will maintain your oversight and protection." The officer informed and Naru nodded then rolled up the window.

Mai continued to look around the vehicle and noticed how unfamiliar it was. The windows were tinted, which only strangled out the dim lights of the parking garage. Perhaps it was the painkillers fogging up her thoughts, but the car seemed to be caving in.

The cement walls.

The darkness.

The pain in her legs.

The cold chill down her back.

'Is it my imagination or is it getting harder to breathe in here?' Mai thought as her breathing became more ragged and shallow.

Suddenly a driver Mai didn't recognize hopped into the vehicle.

A stranger. That scared her.

"We're ready to go Mr. Shibuya, Ms. Taniyama. We'll be escorting you to your apartment. My name is Officer Cho." Naru hummed in response and the vehicle began to moved. Mai grabbed onto Naru harshly as she began to hyperventilate.

Her panic escalated from unintelligible works to screams and actual fright.

"Naru! I-I can't! I have to get out! It's too small! There's no air in here!" Mai choked out.

Naru's eyes widened in the smallest fraction at the realization that his girlfriend was having a panic attack. He'd seen his mother go through similar episodes after his brother's funeral.

Loud banging on the outside of the car and harsh flashes from reporters and camera brought him from his temporary stupor. The loud calls of the crowd couldn't drown out Mai's screaming and crying. The terror in her eyes and fear in her voice made his throat tighten like a vice.

'I could never comfort people like Gene, but now, for her, I must.' Naru mentally resigned. He placed an arm over her shoulder and the other interlaced her fingers. He took care to bring her closer to himself, but not make the back seat of the vehicle feel any smaller.

"Mai... listen to my directions. They will help to calm you down. You're having a panic attack. You need to concentrate on your breathing. We will breathe together. Close your eyes." He soothed taking a loud inhale.

"Breathe in… breathe out." He directed and Mai followed his direction. She barely managed to comply, her vocal cords shaking.

"Again." He commanded as he interlaced their hands. She attempted again to comply, but flinched violently at another loud bang on the glass behind her head. This pattern continued for what, to Mai, felt like hours, but was only three minutes of chaos as officers and hospital employees gave their best efforts to push the determined press away from the car.

Squeezing her hand on and off like her own pulse Naru did his best to keep her attention away from the storm of bodies around the car. Almost suddenly, like the eye of a storm, the vehicle was freed from the crowd and sped away onto the adjoining roadway.

Naru was unsure if Mai recognized that they'd escaped media due to her continuously shaky breaths. Therefore, he continued his efforts at calming her. Slowly her cries lowered to soft whimpers.

"Good. You did well Mai." Naru proclaimed softly.

Mai opened her eyes meeting his tenderly. She slowly enclosed her arms around him and rubbed her face against his, taken in his scent. If Naru was surprised at their sudden close proximity, he made no physical display. Instead, he returned her embrace, albeit in his own awkward fashion. The thought that neither party was wearing a seatbelt passed his mind, and he moved away to correct the error.

It was then that Mai leaned back to whisper to him softly.

"Please…. take me to England with you." Mai pleaded softly.

Hey readers. Happy holidays! Hope you enjoy the chapter. I had a hell of a time writting it!