Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt, just use them for me to torment.

Chapter Two: Stranded

Mai POV

I never imagined my death would be in the depths of the waters, sinking, as my oxygen continues to deplete from my lungs. I fell into a deep slumber or something like that.

"My Angel, you finally came." I heard a woman whisper in my ear, feeling light as a feather.

I stood in front of a tall brown tree, now feeling confused.

'Wasn't I sinking? Why am I in front of a tree?' I felt lost, noticing a wild life around me with just trees and no water.

Lifting my gaze, a treehouse came into view, on top of the old tree. An old treehouse, that seems to be ripped and decaying, but covered with long branches and beautiful green leaves. I can swear I can see burnt patches around the opening of the windows, like a fire that happen not that long ago, the patches of burnt on the outside walls look fresh with some smoke coming out.

"I'm no angel. Why am I here? Wasn't I sinking?" I whispered, intertwining my fingers together.

I jump slightly when I felt a hand on my right shoulder, but then soft, gentle ease dawns on my heart.

"I need your help. Please, free us." the same woman's voice whispers in my ear.

Turning my gaze to my right, a woman with long dark hair, that reaches her mid-back, wearing a long white dress stares at me with her brown soft eyes. I didn't felt scared or anything, but something felt calming about her something familiar to me. I can't point it.

"Free us? Can you explain? I'm lost." the woman thinned out her lips, pointing up at the tree.

"This is your new home, the both of you. Also, Remember now alone, you two are in danger. He won't let us go. So please free us."

My new home? What does she means? It's burnt.

"Who's he? Can Gene help? I mean he normally helps me in these cases. I want to help. Wait, what you mean new home? This is a strange case." I offered, turning to fully see her. In doing so, my eyes widen in fear, watching for the first time that her legs are on fire. In deep flare of the fire.

"What the?" I stretched out my hand to help her, but the woman waves her hands to stop me.

"No, you'll get burned. Only a few of us are good, most are just so lost that they can't distinguish good or bad. Just be careful and help us. You two are our last hope." then she fades, turning into nothing.

My heart leaps, when an eerie cold blast of air surrounds me. Rubbing my arms, I took notice that I can see my breath.

"What's going on?" my jaw started to raddled, then I felt it. A hand wrapping around my ankle. Looking down, a head appeared from nowhere between my legs with two bleak white eyes. I jumped up in fear. I fell on the ground painfully, as the thing held my ankle tighter.

"Eii," I screamed while the figure just smiles at me, noticing how white his face is, no form or anything, but with this eery smile, that terrified me to the core.

"Can't wait Mai!" It said, not in a human voice, but a dark echoed one, that sends shivers down my spine. Then it disappears, as everything around me faded into darkness.

I felt pressure on my chest, my lung burns... Then I felt two wet lips on mine, breathing in some air.

Why is that person kissing me? but then I felt more air pressure on me.

No, it's not kiss, but CPR, am I dying?

"Damn it Mai, wake up." I heard at a distance. One last press on my chest releasing the water trapped in my lungs, causing me to cough the water out.

It felt good, but it didn't feel good to cough it out. It was bittersweet.

"Are you okay?" I heard while I felt his hand on my back helping me sit up. I took a hold of my chest, trying to regain my senses, and continued to cough.

"I.." I couldn't even speak. My chest burns as well as my throat. I felt a pat on my back, gently at that. After a few minutes, I stopped coughing, sniffing hard, trying to regain my mind. I turned my head to my left, and spot Naru looking at me and I caught a glance of worry in his eyes. Yet, I shrugged it off. I did notice he's wet from head to toe, paler than normal, and his eyes drop a little.

"Naru? No, I'm not okay. What happen?" My voice is scratched, dried, and worse of all, it tasted horribly like salt.

"You almost drowned and I saved you. Now we are stranded," he murmurs the last part, looking away from me. I arched a brow confused by his words.

"Huh?"

"Look around you, and tell me when you remember," I could tell he wasn't in the mood to explain it. So I did what he asked me. Looking around, my eyes landed on the deep greenish bluish waters, watching the waves.

Beyond that, you can see the horizon and large rocks on the different sections. Then I kept roaming to see a large mountain on the right side, with coconut trees and bananas. Then my memories return to me. I cover my mouth with my trembling hand, gasping.

"What the.. I was knocked out of the ship? And... The ghost lady... She.." I trembled to say.

"Ghost Lady?" Naru asks, lifting his leg, so he can lean against it with his arm. I gulped, timidly nodding my head.

"Yes.. She was showing me a treehouse, and there was a scary man. He had white eyes and white skin. White skin, as though it was made of paper.."

Naru stares at me, progressing what I just told him, while I look around the beach once again.

"We'll worry about that later.. Right now, we need to see if we can spot the ship. It's only been thirty minutes. I think." he whispers, running his right hand through his wet hair.

"You think?"

"Yes, I think.. For a reason, my watch stopped working and I feel unease about this place. It's top peaceful for my liking." he admits, lifting his gaze to stare out. I follow his gaze, to see that he's watching the ocean.

"Oh.. Okay.." lowering my head.

"Thank you for saving me, are you okay?" I asked, not daring to look at him. He turns his gaze back at me and just stares for a brief moment, before answering me.

"Feeling just like Aquaman." he simply said, causing me to look up at him, missing the serious, but playful smirk on his lips. I felt irritated by his answer since I knew he's messing with me, I was about to answer, when a sudden eerie feeling ran down my spine once again, a similar feeling from the ship. I gave up, and rubbed my clammy arms, dusting off the sand that stuck into my skin.

Either way... I'm thankful that Naru is with me and he's not harmed. I wouldn't know what to do if he was.

I gave Naru a secret look, so he won't catch me looking at him noticing how deep in thought he is in.

I licked my dry lips, now shivering not pondering on the fact that Naru gave me CPR, but this eerie feeling.

"Why do I feel as though is the last time we see our friends?" I whispered to myself looking back at the ocean, pressing my palms in the warm sand. Feeling the grains pass between fingers.

"So you feel the same," Naru replies to my loud thoughts causing me to look back at him and blinked a bit startled.

"What?"

"I have this strange feeling as well. Since the ship. Not sure why though, but I feel the same, for now, I have this feeling we won't be seeing anyone, none of our companions and friends." he admits. I swallowed hard, not sure how to react to that knowledge and I didn't like it at all.

Naru stood up, while he dusts off his black pants, making the sand drop-down, then he extends his hand towards me.

I arched a brow, looking up at him, luckily since he's tall, he blocked off the sun rays causing me to not flinch. It was like an eclipse he was forming for me. I mentally chuckle at that.

Taking his warm sandy hand, a warm feeling passes my body. Naru just stares at our joined hands, but no emotion passes his cold blue eyes. I gulped, as he pulls me up.

"Thanks," I whispered, retreating my hand back from him. Naru took his hand, looking down at it, but then shakes his head.

"Let's go," he suggested. Nodding, I shyly walk behind him, staring at the ocean, then at the landscape, that seems like a sandy hill going up, with trees scattering all around.

"I wonder if we are part of Iwo Jima?" I question, wanted to have a small conversation. This island seems dead yet alive at the same time. Sending shivers down my spine.

"No.. If it was, we should have run into some villagers or some fishermen by now." He explains.

"What if they're back home due to the storm? I mean.." Naru stops in his tracks, making me bump into his back, hitting my nose.

"Ouch. Warn me next time.." I complained, rubbing my nose. Naru turns around once again, he signed.

"I know this is not part of Iwo, if it was.. Trust me, I would know and we weren't even close to the island. We needed two hours more to reach at least the Coast of it. This place seems dead and not alive, yet alive more than we know it. It's a strange feeling.." he admits.

Frowning at his explanation, I moved closer to him, afraid that he'll leave me alone.

He feels the same way I do. I wonder what does this island has to feel this way?

"Then shall we try to find our ship?" I asked him. Naru glanced down at me, nodding softly.

As Naru said, time seems endless here. It feels like forever since we started to walk down the shore. Yet now we are climbing a small hill, heading for the high rocks, that overlooks the ocean.

"Here," Naru offers his hand so I can take it. Gladly, I did, as we jump a small brackish point, that disconnected the rocks.

"Thanks," I whispered, walking ahead, to reach the edge of the rock. Naru remained quiet feeling him stand next to me.

"So, do you see anything?" I asked while I covered my forehead with my hand so I can see better.

"Darn it, I forgot my spyglass at home," He sarcastically remarks, causing me to feel annoyed by his remark.

"Ha, ha, ha, it was so funny that I forgot to laugh, I think I left my humor back at home as well. Naru stop messing with me, do you see anything, cause right now I don't. Just water and rocks, and oh yeah and more water."

"I see the same Mai.. I'll look at my right, you look at your left.." he turns heading towards the opposite side of the rock. I rolled my eyes, doing what he orders. Looking out, I saw the mountains, and some tropical birds fly by.. Then I looked out at the horizon, to see, what a surprise, nothing.

"No luck how about you?"

"Same..." Naru answers, turning to face me. I gulped, rubbing my bare arms as the wind picks up.

"I think we should leave a message or something and find shelter and food, and not vast too far from the ocean. Just in case.." Naru suggested once again, watching as the wind play with his hair. I nod, turning to head down once again.

"Thank God, I decided to wear sneakers today or not, this climb will kill my feet," I chirped out, watching Naru hop towards the other rock and stretched his arm for me.. Like last time, I took his hand and jumped into his side.

Climbing down slowly, I took notice that Naru took his time as well, watching if I would be okay. I felt my heart grow warm by his action, even though is out of courtesy, it just makes me feel safer.

Even now, I can't seem to stop secretly enjoy these small moments I have with him. I must be crazy.

"I knew one of these days, saving you will lead to somewhere not good, and look at this, I was right," he mumbles while he takes me by my waist, causing me to blush at his sudden display as I stare at him, licking my lower lip shyly then he hoists me up. I just kept staring at him with soft eyes, feeling my heart racing, at the fact we are this close making me forget to be angry at his dry remark. The amazing thing was that he did it as though I weighed nothing and lets go of me as fast as he could and cleared his throat, looking anywhere but me.

I blushed even more but cleared my throat returning to reality.

"I have no idea how you saved me, you should have let me drown or something.. I mean I never asked you to if it's such a bother to save me all the time." This time I told him feeling a small pain crawled up my heart while we finally reach the sandy floor.

I'm just a bother to him. Nothing more. Why do I torture myself with hopes that it will never happen, he'll never like me back. How can he just stir me up? After almost two years of trying to forget him.

"It would be a pain to hire a new assistant and it became second nature to save you. It comes with the job at this point of my life." he simply replies, walking ahead of me.

I had no idea if I should feel offended or complemented by his smart remark.

"Oi, you are so mean Naru. Is that to offend me or compliment me?" I yelled, running to catch up to him. Naru shrugs his shoulders.

"Take it as you like. I just simply told you the truth.." and with that, he remained quiet for the rest of the evening.

Naru POV

"I hope this work," I prayed, wiping my sweaty forehead, dropping the branch tree, that I found near the shore.

'SOS!'

I wrote in the sand, big enough for a helicopter to catch. I hope it holds up before the ocean water erases it.

Turning my gaze in front of me, I watch Mai lay against the palm tree, closed eyes, noticing that her clothes and her hair are finally dry, just like mine.

I licked my dry lips, moving towards her. Knowing her luck, if I take my eyes away from her for a brief second, she'll disappear or worse get hurt.

I feel wronged, strange, on this island.

After I saved Mai, with the last bit of willpower, I manage to get us both to safety. The strange white light guided my way to this isolated Island, that seems so dead.

I have no idea why I feel that way. Yet, for a reason feels so alive at the same time.

Sitting next to Mai, I raise my leg, placing my arm on top of my knee. I glance at Mai, noticing how tired she looks, she looks paler than normal.

She looks exhausted.

"I think we should get the coconuts up there. I'm dying of thirst. It feels like hours since we got here." Mai suggested, without opening her eyes.

"You look tired." I finally spoke to her, after the silent treatment. Mai snaps her eyes open, to stare at me.

"Oh, now you talk to me, and no, I'm just filled with power, this is just a disguise Naru." she said in a low tone sarcastic way, but then, lowers her head, stretching her body.

I am trying to figure this out, just give me time Mai. I'm so grateful that you're alive and well. I lower my gaze as I brush my lips with the tips of my fingers, as I remember the fill of her cold lips on mine.

Just CPR, it's all.

"I just want to sleep. My whole body hurts. My eyes are closed, and yet I'm scared and hungry. I can't sleep. I want to go home or to an island that has people." she groans, even more, leaning her head against the bark.

Is not like I was planning this either, and it's a bit scary to be alone on an island with no information, but I can't let her know that I think the same way, I don't want her to freak out more.

"We need shelter, let's go, because I have no idea what time is it." My body fights me as soon as I tried to stand up, causing me to buckle back down. I needed to rest, shaking my head I force myself to stand, after doing so, I bend slightly down to take Mai by her arm.

"Hey! I just want to sleep.." she protested in a groggy matter. I just stare at her, not amused by this nor do I have the energy to argue with her.

"If you want to sleep in an open area where we have no idea what lurks around, be my guest, just don't call out my name to save you." I threatened as I let go of her ready to leave. Mai's eyes widen taking a hold of my arm.

"No, I'll follow directions. I promise, sorry I'm just so sleepy. I think almost dying took a toll on my body. And.." she paused, looking up at me, her eyes soften a little.

"And Thank you. Thank you for saving me once again. You should be more than tired, exhausted since you had to swim for me. I have been just a piece of luggage.. Either way.. I'll pay you back. I don't know how, but I will." she gives me a weak smile, but I can tell from her brown eyes that she meant it.

I felt once again, my heart thumping hard against my chest.

You were never a piece of luggage, you never been a burden to me. I wish I could tell her that.. Stepping away from the palm tree, I look around to see if I can find a rock, anything hard.

"What are you looking for?" Mai asks. I lifted my gaze, and automatically answer her.

"Something hard to hit the palm tree. You're not the only one thirsty Mai." I admitted.

Mai's eyes light up at the mention, then she started to look around. About five minutes later, I think, Mai came up to me, holding four rocks at hand.

"Will these do? I tried to find the biggest once." Taking the first big white rock from her hand, I position myself in front of the palm tree.

"Whatever works, and it seems the right size.." I told her feeling a bit proud. Mai smiles broadly at me.

"Go, and hit that coconut, I'm thirsty." she cheered me on.

Without any word, trying to calculate in my head, I threw the rock, and hits my mark, making two coconut fall on the sandy floor.

Then I took another rock and did the same, having four more falls.

"We have to divide it, two for now, and two for later on, okay. We'll take some bananas as well." I mention moving up to grab them. Yet, Mai beats me to it.

"Okay.." She picks up three, as I picked up the rest of them. Then went to get the bananas, near the forest up the shore.

"Now, we need is shelter," I told her, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the situation.

Mai nods rapidly.

Sighing once again, we headed towards our left, entering now into the depth of the mysterious Island.

Mai POV

"You know, this isn't bad," I broke the silence after a long while of just walking, inside of a forest, I think.. Throwing the coconut on the ground after Naru opened it. I can say is the best drink I ever had.

Wash off the salty taste right off.

I wish I can have more, but since we need to adjust, I have to do what Naru says. He knows more than me.

Since is surrounded by huge trees and more trees with wild animals around, I mean just monkeys so far.

"Is that so. We haven't found any shelter. If stranded on an Island is not bad, I wouldn't want to know what's bad," I heard Naru mumble, stopping on his tracks.

"Spoilsport.." I took out my tongue at him, but retreat it when he turns to look at me. I just balance myself on the balls of my feet, trying to act innocent.

Naru arched a brow giving me a stoic look, but before he could answer, a sudden chill ran down my spine once again causing me to rub my arms.

Looking around to see if I can spot it, a sudden realization hits me as something in front of my eyes looks familiar. Reaching out, I took a hold of Naru's arm, tugging it.

"Err, This is the same as my dream. The tree." I whispered, looking around to find myself standing at the same spot in my dream, what jogged my memories is the huge tree that holds the old wood square treehouse, but it doesn't have any burnt marks though.

"It is?"

"Yes, and if it is. Then there's a.."

"Treehouse," Naru finished my sentence, while he has his eyes fascinated on the treehouse itself, not believing it.

"I wonder who use to live here before?" I whispered, remembering that I did mention it to him earlier about the tree. So I started to head towards the tree, but Naru takes a hold of my arm pulling me back.

"Don't, we need to check if it's safe and maybe the woman of your dreams lived here." turning my gaze up, I arched a brow.

"What makes you think is hers?"

"I'm just theorizing, why in the world would she show you this?"

"Maybe she pities us? I don't know. What made you want to come through this path in the first place? This is not just a mere coincidence," I challenge back.

"I... I just felt like it was right. I don't know. Can we stop arguing and see if that place is good for us to take refuge?" His voice sounded exhausted not wanting to argue and I don't blame him.

"Fine, whatever, we talk about it later. The first question should ask, how in the world do we climb that? I'm not good at climbing trees," I whispered, looking up. Naru shook his head while pinching the bridge of his nose trying to calm himself down.

"Why are you even taking this so calmly? Shouldn't you be panicking, or something?" he throws that question out of the blue.

I stare at him, he does have a good valid statement, but I was too tired, and I told him, I'm already scared, but having Naru here with me, is enough to give me some sort of peace, that I wouldn't say aloud.

"Panicking wouldn't solve anything and why are you even asking?"

"Cause normal girls would be crying and such. Panicking. And here you are, wanting to go inside of a treehouse that we have no idea about or who inhabits it. There could be monkeys or some sort of other wild animal living there. Looks abandoned for years now.."

"One: I'm afraid, very afraid one which my heart feels like it's going to leave me. Second, I am panicking, but I'm using my brain. If not, everything would go not smoothly. And three. I trust you.. You're the only human right now that I trust. Since you have saved me countless of times.. I know that we will leave this place in one piece. I don't know when but we will." Naru stares at me, not sure how to name his stare, is just plain.

Right now, you're keeping me sane Naru. I didn't even notice I was staring at him with a strange look, which causes Naru, to turn away from my gaze, as my heart thump a bit over the normal.

"You sure have changed a lot over the past year." Naru broke my thoughts causing me to look back at him. I cleared my throat.

"Since I live in the ghost realm all the time, I think it's time to stop whining like a child. And start to become stronger." I felt somewhat relief

"Remember this Mai. No matter how much you put a brave face on you're still Mai and nothing about that changes.." I had no idea what he meant by that when he starts to look around the tree.

"At least I won't be a burden to you. I'll try my best." I whispered so low, so he won't listen. I'm afraid he'll tell me that I'm right.

Rubbing my arms once again, the sudden chill ran down my spine once again. Shivering, I felt a hand on my shoulder, causing my eyes to widen.

"He knows, both of you are here. Keep your eyes open and keep as one.. Don't separate for no reason.. I'll come again when he's not around! It's safe to go to the treehouse, Angel." the woman's voice echoed in my ear. I yelp causing my heart to race.

I turned around, only to twist my foot, and landed on someone's strong warm chest. A yelp escapes my lips, as I look up to see Naru looking down at me with an arched brow.

I cover my face with my hands, feeling Naru's hands firmly presses on my shoulders.

"Do you want to wake up the dead?"

"Naru that's not funny and I just heard the ghost lady. She said that he knows we are here.. I'm so confused, does she mean the man in my dreams? Also, she said the treehouse is safe to go in." I lower my hands to look at him but blushed rapidly taking notice of how close he has gotten to me.

To close, to close.

"Maybe I found a way up. Can you walk?" he asks. I gulped, taking a small step back.

"Yes, I just lost my balance," I admitted, following him around the tree. Reaching the right section, along edgy stairs seems some are half-broken, or sturdy.

"Wow, whoever lived here before did a wonderful job building this. I wonder why?" I thought out loud, following Naru slowly.

Naru carefully took his time stepping into each wood, to make sure it won't snap or anything.

"Just keep going," Looking up, I watch Naru looking back at me.. Wonder why?

"If you're wondering, I'm just checking if you haven't fallen... I'm too tired right now to even save you. I only get to rescue you once a day." Not sure if he did a joke or not, I just stare at him as though he just grew a second head.

"How did you know what I was wondering? Or rather thinking that?"

"Let's just say at times you're an open book," he simply replies.

"Sometimes I forget how of an idiot scientist you are, and yet, a genius all wrapped in one. Wonder how that head of yours doesn't explode," I insulted back looking down at the ground, feeling embarrassed, just like back on the ship.

"You just make my day Mai. That's all you have to know. I'll take your remark as a compliment.." I can tell he's being sarcastic and I just rolled my eyes at him. Finally reaching the small opening of the treehouse. Taking in a big breath, we entered.

"Wow, this is... Needs a little fixing, but nice." I gasped out, looking around the large treehouse which is covered by an old dusty red old pillow, looks from the late eighteenth early century pillows.

The walls still intact, but some parts are either falling down or just rotting away. Tree barks are growing inwards, spreading around, as cobwebs fill the branch.

Spiders made their home, we need to be careful with those, we don't know if they're venomous.

"It looks like it's imported from England. I have seen these designs before. An old friend of my father has the same." I glance up at Naru, watching him wander the area. Five steps are heading for the second floor.

"This is gorgeous it's. It's like a paradise home. We can stay here for the night, just have to check for any animals or insects and we can finally eat the bananas.. At least it doesn't look burtn either." I declare, going up to an open cut hole which indicated a window since it had two white dirty drapes on the side. Placing my hands on top of the flat surface, looking outside.

Naru gave me a confused look at my statement,

"Burnt? He asks me. I turned to look at him and nodded.

"In the strange dream, there were burnt marks outside the walls of this treehouse with some smoke coming out of this window, it was strange," I told him. He crosses his arms in front of his chest, pondering on my words while I turn again to look outside the window.

Watching the trees, I took notice from above them, I can see the ocean, at least part of it.

"Look Naru, we can see the shore." I pointed out, feeling Naru move towards my side.

"Strange, but that's good, so we can keep an eye out to see if we can spot any ships," he suggested. I nodded while rubbing my arms, closing my eyes, a sudden heaviness hits me once again.

"I hope, I'm praying that they come back. I can't think about staying here. It's scary to be in an unknown place.. I'm just glad that you're here Naru, or not. I doubt I could have made it this far." I told him, not looking at him, cause my cheeks were red, and I suddenly felt shy. He stares at me for a bit before answering me.

"I have a feeling this wasn't an accident, and it's the ghost doing. Now, the real question is. Who is she? And who is he?" I heard him say.

"Those are very good questions, but right now, can we just rest. I'm about to pass out. And luckily our clothes dried and we have bananas and coconut for the night.." feeling Naru move away from me, I open my eyes, and turned my gaze at him, taking notice that he has his black sleeves rolled up, without his jacket on this time around.

Right, he has to be hot, it's a tropical island after all.

If we are going to spend some time together and try to solve this and get out of here, I hope we can do it in a matter that we don't argue, we need each other Naru, I hope you can see that, even if it's short-lived before the others come. So please, God, let us get out of this island in one piece. I prayed, watching Naru starting to pick up some of the pillows. I leaned my head against the wall, staring at him.

I hope we can leave soon.

Hope everyone will enjoy this new version of my story. Let me know if you wish to leave me a review. Thanks for taking your time to read it as a new reader or a faithful