Disclaimer: Don't own Ghost Hunt
Chapter Nineteen: Where My Heart Lies
Mai Pov
If it was a dream, I don't want to wake up ever, am I seeing things? Is this man in front of me is Naru? I move my hand and pinch my arm only to yelp since it hurts. If it hurts it means I'm not dreaming. I couldn't help but smile, smile at the fact that the man I love is in front of me after five agonizing months.
"Naru." his name came out of a whisper from my mouth. As I move slowly, afraid that he's a figment of my imagination. He stood next to the rocks, holding into the bag stripe, just staring at me.
He looks a little taller, his dark hair a little longer, skinnier, all baby fat away from his cheeks.
His blue eyes seem darker for some odd reason. Naru slowly moves towards me, noticing he's limping.
My walks slowly began to sprint towards him as Naru did the same, dropping his bag on the ground, then without caring my sprints became into a full sprint, running towards him. He opens his arms and the next thing, I'm jumping him, wrapping my legs around his waist, as he held me in his arms, holding me tightly.
"Welcome back!" I told him with pure joy while I wrap my arms around his shoulders and held him tightly.
"I missed you so much." I cried hard in his arms, feeling as though I could live once again, breathe. Naru just kept me in his arms, his hold on me becoming tighter.
"Sorry I took so long." was his first words, his simple voice, which made my heart jump as honey in my ears. I never thought I would miss his voice so much. I felt my hands shake, as we kept hugging each other.
"You took too long Naru, Five months is a long time." I accuse. I move back to cup his cheeks and run my thumbs across his warm cheeks. He looks very exhausted. I place my forehead against him and rub it gently.
"I have a good explanation," Naru said as I began to caress him with my nose against his, then bravely I move to the side and kiss his cheek. I glance back at him, I was so overjoyed, that I couldn't believe it.
"Good, I thought I had to kill you." I reminded him causing him to chuckle. Then he places me down gently and I sniffed, as he sits on the ground, (He looks so exhausted.) I kneel in front of him, capturing his cheeks, searching his face, his eyes. It looks lifeless in a way.
What happened to you Naru? What did Isac and Alack do to you?
"I told you I'm hard to kill." He whispers, as his eyes soften, and rose his hand, to gently cups my right cheek. I felt my body tingle, causing me to capture his big hand and lean into his touch.
I missed this, I miss his touches.
"I found the herbs. We should get you treated immediately," he tells me but doesn't move. I don't know why, but I think we were both afraid, if one of us moved, one of us would disappear.
I had so many questions, so much to ask him. Yet, no words seem to leave me. Cause right now, all I wanted is to just stare at him.
"That's good." damn herbs, stupid ghosts, stupid everything. I hated the simple fact of it, it caused us five months to be separated.
"You can tell me later. Just..." I couldn't even speak, all different emotions overwhelmed me.
"We should go," I whispered, not knowing what to do, but my hands kept trembling so badly, that Naru surprises me, when he gently grabs my left arm, causing an electric shock to run through my body, I felt him giving it a little squeeze...
"Just calm down," he simply stated, as the simple gesture cause my trembling hand to relax a little. I move a knee forward, feeling fresh tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Are you.." I swallowed heavily, as I move my hands and cup both of his cheeks. Naru understood me, he knew what I wanted to say.
"I'm okay. I will tell you what happened later, but I can tell you this. Your feeling helped me a lot or not, I would have been dead." he whispers. I gulped heavily, crying softly. Naru stares at my eyes, so I run my thumbs across his cheeks. Feeling my heart hammering harder than ever before.
"Don't ever leave me alone again," I told him, wrapping my arms around him feeling his arms wrap around me and I felt a small kiss on the side of my head. He closes his eyes and lets out a relieved breath.
"I know," he tells me, as he pushes my back, so I can get closer to him. I just held him tighter.
"Isac told me you died." I felt him go rigid a little at the mention but soothes my back.
"It's a very long story," he tells me. I leaned my head against him, closing my eyes, as my body soaked his warmth. His being. I have forgotten how it felt, how good to have his big body pressed against mine and feel so protected, even if I dare to say it, loved?
"We have all the time in the world to talk about it," Naru says as we let go. He cups my cheeks once again and looks deeply into my eyes.
"Alright, you can tell me later. Just..." All I could speak, as I felt Naru wrap his arms around me and he buries his head on my chest. I wrap my arms around him, as I leaned my cheek on top of his head closing my eyes, as I rub his back.
"Just give me a second," he asks me. So I did. I left him. That second just became a minute or more, I'm not sure, but it was more, and I loved it. Cause he's with me and bravery or what, I gave him another kiss on top of his head a few times.
He sighed, scooting forward, and straightens up on his knees. Taking a hold of my cheeks once again, he places his forehead against mine. His eyes searching mine.
"I'm glad that you're okay," he whispers.
"I'm glad that you're alive. I knew you weren't dead. I had faith in both of us. Just like I told you. I won't lose you. Okay. I don't want to lose you. You're my everything.." I told him half of what I wanted to. He nods, wrapping his arms around me. I did the same.
"Just welcome home. Thank you, God, for bringing me Naru back." I cried as we held onto each other very tightly.
…
…
...
Painfully he moves away from me and stood up causing me to look up at him after he gathered his bag.
"Move your legs," he orders. I nodded, doing what he told me. So I stretched my legs out. He moves next to me, and bends down on his knees, and surprises me, when he picks me up in his arms, but not as a bridal way, but I felt his arm under my butt, as I have my arms around his broad shoulders and my legs around his waist. He carried me like a child.
"What are you doing?" I complained because I knew this wasn't easy for him.
Naru ignores me and continues to walk towards the treehouse, noticing that his walking seems off. Limping. Remembering that I saw him do that earlier.
"Naru, did you hurt your leg? Why are you limping?" I asked, my heart hitting me hard. He looks back at me and gives me a deep look.
"I had an accident. Don't worry is not that bad," he explains. I move my head, laying it on his shoulder.
"You didn't break your bone or anything?"
"No, just sprain my ankle, that's all." then I started to struggle in his embrace.
"Please put me down, I can walk, your hurt," I pleaded, but he tightens his grip once again on me.
"Stop worming around, you can barely even stand right." was his response, as he kept walking slowly. I stopped, looking back up at him.
"Stop worrying about me, and worry about yourself. You had it worse." Naru just completely ignores my request. I felt irritated in this part, cause I lost the argument.
He always says that. Even when I took care of him Why does he worry more about me, than himself? I'm not that special to him.
That thought depresses me. I shook it off and leaned my head against his shoulder.
"Fine, like always, you seem to have the last word." how bitter my voice sounded. After a few minutes, I calmed down.
I breathed out in relief. I took a hold of his white shirt, and closed my eyes, enjoying his warmth once again.
He's back. He came back to me. Oh God, how much I missed him.
Finally reaching our house, he places me on top of his bed and sits in front of me. He removes the bag and opens it.
"Look," he simply says. I move forward, to see the inside of the bag full of different green and brown herbs and such. I turned my gaze at him.
I move my hand and nervously brush his bangs away from his eyes.
"Please tell me what happened." I move my hand and gently touch his cheek. I felt him shiver a little, as his eyes move to connect with mine. He looked lost for some odd reason.
"You know, my father use to tell me and Gene an old saying when we were very young." he avoids my question, taking a hold of my hand, running his thumb across my knuckles.
"He did? What?" I move forward, connecting my forehead against his, closing my eyes.
How I missed him.
"Distance from the one you love is like having your heart ripped into two. But not able to see them for the rest of your life, is worse than having it ripped, you die a little without them," he tells me. I blinked, not understanding it.
"I know you died a little when Gene died, I'm sorry. I know how lonely you were when your birthday passed. I wish I could have been next to you. Just like you did to me." I told him, hoping that I was right.. Naru lifts his gaze at me, something in his stare cause my heart to jump.
"Right Gene," he whispers, placing my hand down, but doesn't remove his hand from mine.
"Did you learn anything from that old saying?" I asked him. He nods gently.
"You can say I somewhat did. You seem very banged up. I'll take you to take a bath, so you can be at ease as I can prepare the medicine." he tells me, turning to get the bag. I stare at his back, as he stood up, heading downstairs. Limping. I lower my gaze, and my eyes connect with his feet, his right foot looks very swollen since he had no shoes on.
"He wasn't joking, What happened?" I felt very weary. I need to get information out of him, but how? If he doesn't say.
After he returns, he bends down to see him wince in pain. I move to sit next to him, taking a hold of his shoulder.
"Sit on the bed," I order pointing where I was just sitting. He blinks but does what I told him. He sits on the cushion and I sat in front of him. I cross my legs and took a hold of his foot, he hissed when I placed it on top of my lap.
"What are you doing?" he complains. I ignored him, by taking a hold of his foot, and move it gently. He kept on hissing in pain.
"Stop that," he complains, I frowned, looking up at him.
"It's swollen, it's the size of a tennis ball," I complained.
"I twisted my ankle, I told you already," he complains.
"We need to compress it and stay out of it for a few weeks. You can't keep walking like that." I place my hands around his swollen foot, watching the purple and blue form slowly. My eyes, sadness.
"I know what to do, just let it go, we need to get.." but I smack his foot, to shut him up. He bites off a loud grunt as he makes a fist.
"Mai, don't do that." he is about to move his leg, but I took a hold of it.
"Stop complaining like a baby and let me take care of it. I don't know what you have done to get this bad, but please.." My voice drops, feeling fresh tears roll down my cheeks, landing on his foot.
"I'm not complaining like a baby, I need, wait, are you crying?" Naru seems a bit surprised. I nodded, wiping my cheeks.
"I want to be useful to you. You always do things for me, but I never do anything in return." I sobbed hard, as I heard Naru clear his throat.
"You have when I was unconscious a few months ago, and when you help me find Gene." he reminds me. I shook my head.
'That doesn't compare from all the moments you saved my life.' I thought
"It doesn't count, you have done more than I ever can compare," I explained.
"It did count," he says.
"No, it didn't."
"Yes, it did Mai and it's more that I can ever repay you. Just drop it, but it's." he paused, noticing a little hesitation, as I glance up at him, arching a brow.
"It's?" I pushed.
"It's my job to protect you." he finishes, avoiding my eyes.
"Your job? How is it your job?" he crossed his arms, looking behind me.
"I have met an interesting character. She told me that I'm your guardian," he explains, causing me to blink blankly at him.
"My guardian? Wait, you mean bodyguard? How? Wait, that makes no sense at all." Naru moves forward, his eyes searching mine, causing me to blush and blink rapidly.
"Ne?"
"I need to talk to Gene about that little detail he forgot to mention. So for the meanwhile. I am your bodyguard. You have a tremendous gift, that many evil ghosts want you dead for. You are too bright for them. Either way, I need to keep you safe at all times." I hiccupped, biting my lower lip.
"Bright for them? Then don't protect me anymore. I don't want to. If that includes losing your life."
"It's my job Mai, it became second nature to me." he automatically tells me, as I move my hands, and capture his cheeks.
"Even if it's your job, don't." and with that, I lower my arms,
I don't want him to be my protector, I want him as my friend, my boss, and above all things my husband that loves me, because of me, not because it's his duty.
"Mai, look at me," he orders. I shook my head.
"I don't want you to be my guardian. I want you as my boss and my friend. I want you as my best friend." I hiccupped, wiping my cheeks. Naru gently took a hold of my chin, causing me to wince in pain.
He removes his hand quickly, I heard Naru sighed.
"Hear me out." he started, as I move to stare at his eyes. I felt nervous about what he wants to tell me.
"It won't change anything. Alright, we are friends Mai, and we are married, so it's not going to change anything. Please believe me."
I do, but do you love me the way I do?
I gave up as I nodded at him and look down at his foot. I didn't believe that cause I knew that loving me will be impossible. Now that we know, that his job is to protect me, I didn't like this at all.
"If you say so."
"I do," he replies to me. I licked my lips and stood up, only to wince a little.
"I'll be right back." and without a word, I rushed to get him healed.
O.o
After I wrapped a warm cloth around his swollen feet and ankle, Naru just stood up and took me to the stream, I complained about him resting, but he just ignores me completely. So he helped me take a bath, using the same technique as before.
To tell you the truth, I miss that not to sound perverted or anything. I like the feeling of Naru arms around me when I bathe. Makes me feel secure as I said before, my haven, and the feel of his chest press on my back, is something else, that I never thought. I shivered to feel my heart warm up.
I always wonder if Mama felt like this with Papa?
I couldn't help but to sneak a peek to see Naru looking ahead of me as though he was in deep thought. I kept staring at him with longing and love.
"Naru," I called out causing him to lower his gaze, but his cheeks turn to a lovely pink.
"Hmm?" he looks away as I turned to face him and place my hand on his chest.
"I missed you so much," I told him causing him to look down at me, and with his free hand began to brush my hair gently.
"Me too," he admits to me.
"I don't like it when you leave me for so long. Even when you went to England, it broke my heart, but this one was worse because I had no idea how you been and Ayame didn't tell me anything." I admit to him while I press my hand on the side of his head and tiptoed to kiss the side of his neck, feeling Naru tightening his hold on me while his breathing heightens. I blushed hard, lowering my hand and face when Naru grasps my chin and leans down to kiss my cheek softly making me feel like I could fly.
He kissed me again and didn't get mad that I kissed him. I know this is wrong, but I can't help it. He's been gone for so long and I'm scared that this could be a dream.
"I didn't mean to leave you so long," He simply said as I turned around feeling suddenly shy as my cheeks turn very hot.
Naru moves my hair to the side and leans down to kiss my bare shoulder causing me to gasp in surprise, and my face flame up.
"I won't leave you again Mai, I promise," he promises me as he kisses once again causing me to close my eyes leaning against him because I knew he was telling me the truth. He always says what he means.
I felt him wrap his hand around my own, intertwining our fingers while he held me closer to him causing me to close my eyes.
"Nor I Naru. I won't leave you, I want to be by your side forever."
...
...
Naru placed me very gently on the ground as he sits down near my legs. I look down on myself and I couldn't believe it, I'm wearing Naru's baggy shirt.
Why did he let me use his shirt? I'm not complaining, since it feels great.
"Are you sure? I mean." I started as Naru lifts his gaze at me.
"Just let it go, Mai. It's better than wearing some pants or dress right now, plus I don't mind," he whispers. I stare back at his clean black shirt which is twice as big. Covering me up to my knees. I blushed, as I felt Naru touch my legs, very gently, but I winced a bit.
"It's bad," he said then his eyes roam my body with a strange look but shook his head as I place my fingers up to my mouth, nibbling on my nail.
Why is he looking at me like that?
But in low key, I enjoy how the way he was looking at me, I'm not sure why though, only because it's Naru.
Then he moves, and takes a hold of my arm and looks at my elbow then inspects my chin.
"What happened with Isac?" he questions, while he turns around, and takes his bag, and takes out some herbs.
I hesitated at first watching him take out an old-looking gray bowl with a small wooden thick stick, then he places it inside some green odd-looking herbs and began to mince.
"Mai," Naru asks as he lifts his gaze only to stop his movement and stares at me in a strange way causing his eyes to narrow. I lower my hand and blink confused by his sudden reaction.
"Naru?" I question as he shook his head.
"Tell me," His voice sounded high-pitched that he clears his throat looking back at his work. I nodded as I look at my lap
So I did, I told him everything but I didn't tell him about using our plan, which causes him to stop his movements and rose his gaze up at me. Something flash in his eyes.
I cleared my throat since I don't want him to get mad at me, but look at the old bowl.
"Where did you find that at?" I asked watching him stand and limps towards the stream and pours a little water inside of the bowl, then turns and comes back to me and sits down once again.
"In an old village, far from here," he tells me.
"Another village?"
"I was surprised as well." He agrees, moving closer to me, he starts to place the now smash goo herbs on my legs. Causing me to hiss in pain.
"It burns," I complained hitching forward and took a hold of his shoulder squeezing him.
"Then that's good. It means is starting to work. It's like lotion, but it will heal it. That's what Dr. John said in his notes, it should begin to feel cool in a few." he explains. I nodded as the burning sensation became less and less, now feeling a cool sensation as he told me.
"It's working," I smiled as he runs his big hands down my legs in a gentle matter, but my body began to become sensitive and it's not because of my burns. I fist my hands trying to not concentrate on how Narus' hands felt against my skin.
Think, think of something else, I... Oh no, that feels great, his hands feel great against my skin, he so gentle.
My heart flares up most lovingly as I kept on watching him, aching to caress his face, run my fingers through his hair.
He lifts his gaze at me, and we lock eyes and he arched a brow, I look away feeling shy that I was caught looking at him.
"You should have it on, at least all day, I will be applying the herb the whole week," he suggested to me. I nodded shyly as he stood to clean up.
That means I have to feel his hands touching my legs. I cupped my cheeks trying to calm myself down.
He's going to be the death of me. Oh no.
"What's wrong?" Naru asks after he finished cleaning up and sits next to me, extending his leg out so he won't place weight on his foot. I lowered my hands and shook my head.
"Nothing, I am just hot it's all. Naru, please tell me what happen, why did you take so long?" I asked. Naru stares at me for a few seconds and surprises me when he grabs my hand and smooths his palm against mine.
I smiled at that small gesture, feeling his big cold hand against mine. (Since he just washed them.) I watch him look at my hands.
"Your hands are a little rough and ugly," he said but doesn't remove his eyes from them. I was about to snatch my hand away but he holds it tightly so I won't get the chance to do it.
"Hey, they aren't ugly, I just have been working hard, trying to keep the treehouse safe and clean," I told him, which is true, it's hard to do things when you have no appliances.
"Yet, your hands are very warm, small and very delicate, you shouldn't have been stuck in this island," he mumbles, causing me to blush.
Okay, he insults me, then compliments me? What the?
"Well, tell that to the unrest souls," I told him.
He gently turns his gaze and with his free hand grasp my chin very tenderly once again causing me to lift my head so I can stare at his eyes. They were very soft, and warm.
Without a word, he moves very closer making my heart hammering hard against my chest, and my palms began to sweat. I bit my lower lip.
He's going to kiss me?
He moves closer and closer, that I closed my eyes puckering my lips, yet, I didn't feel any kiss on my lips, what surprises me more, is that he very gently places a gentle kiss on my forehead. I opened my eyes, as he places his forehead against mine.
"All I have to say, thank you for being brave," he said in a sweet honest matter.
Without hesitation, I move and place my arms around him. For the first time since we met, he said thank you.
"That's the first. A third historical moment in my life." I told him. He arched a brow at my words.
"First?"
"Yes, the first time in four years that you have thanked me," I explained.
It was two months before Naru's birthday that I have met him. I still remember it just like it was yesterday. Oh, how much I hated this narcissist person.
"Four years, time flies," he moves back a little but doesn't let go of my hand.
"Yes, it was before your birthday. I can't believe this. Also, three years soon that you went to England to bury your brother." I felt uncomfortable to say that. He frowns at me, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Doesn't feel like it right. I'm twenty-one, and your twenty." he seems to remember his age. I tilt my head to the side knitting my brows.
"You forgot your age?"
"No, just didn't want to remember it at the time being." he shrugs.
"Right. Next year it will be better. I want to spend it with you." I told him. Naru just shrugs, looking out towards the water.
"No need, if by next year we do get found, I have lots to catch up."
"But it's your twenty-second birthday. I know how lonely you feel since Gene isn't with you. So... I want to show you that it doesn't have to."
"Why?"
"Cause I understand. I spend many birthdays without my mom, it was very painful, it still is. Like I told you before after you came into my life, my life has changed a lot. I want to return it to you." I saw Naru shiver a little as I squinting my eyes. I move closer and place my palm against his forehead to check if he has a fever.
He turns his gaze looking up at me and arched a brow. Not sure why though.
"Don't try too hard. I'll do what I think is best for me." was his cold answer causing me to frown at him. I hated that answer. I'll just try. So I switched the conversion.
"You seem a little hotter than normal. Do you feel sick?"
"No. I feel just fine."
"Alright." I move my hand only for Naru, to take a hold of it. I felt him shake a little.
"Something bad happened, didn't it?" I whispered, knowing very well that it did. His words still echo in my heart. He nods gently, no use in covering it up.
"You can say that." then his eyes move towards my hair.
"Your hair grew so long," he whispers taking a hold of it and runs it very gently through with his fingers causing me to blush at this sudden bold action.
"Are you going to cut your hair?" he asks.
"I was thinking about that," I admit, when he stood up, looking down at me.
"Don't, not just yet," he orders, turning towards the water itself.
"I'll tell you soon... Just give me some time," he whispers, as he pulls out his white shirt, and throws it to my side. My eyes roam his body, noticing how tight he became more muscled, but a bit thinner than normal.
I blushed, but what caught my attention was something that wasn't there before.
I use my palms planting them firmly on the ground and push myself up. Wincing, I move towards his front, taking a hold of his arm, looking at his chest. Naru glance down arching a brow. I gulped nervously and place my hand on his chest.
"What happened to your chest?" I asked, feathery touching his burnt scar, just above where his heart is. Its shape is small web-like.
Wait, didn't the other Naru had something similar to this?
"I want to bathe alright." he simply says, taking a hold of my hand, feeling his handshake. I glance up his eyes seem to be pleading. I bit my lower lip, and move aside.
I heard him unzip his pants, and I turned to not see. Then I heard him hiss a little. I so wanted to see what wrong, but I had to give him privacy. Then I heard him splash inside of the water. I turned around and saw him going towards the waterfall. I sat right back down, putting my legs up, and wrap my arms around them.
I have a feeling that was Alack doing, maybe he encounters his fireballs? Oh God, Don't tell me... If my hunch is right, that's why he isn't saying, is to not worry me. Foolish man, I just worry more.
I felt my heart heavy, very heavy, and torn.
I watch him go under the waterfalls and ran his hands through his hair, then washes his torso and under his arms. I bit my lower lip, feeling a tear slip down my cheek.
"Are you watching me bathe?" he asks, turning his sight at me. I nodded, blushing madly now.
"I'm afraid that you're just a figment of my imagination. Don't worry, I can't see anything beyond your waist." I assured him, which is true. He just stares at me for a few seconds but turns around.
"Explain to me how the plan went," he asks, surprising me how he knew.
I move a little forward
No point in lying now.
"Both attacked me at the same time as I told you before, so I had no other choice and I even use the boars as energy resources so I didn't have to use mine completely," I told him, not sure how he'll react towards that. Naru stood still for a brief second but turns around.
He kept looking at me with a stoic look.
"Please don't be mad. I did what you told me, even use a little bit of my energy," I added, so he won't get mad at me.
"I'm not mad... Just stunned," he admits to me. I blinked as I slowly stood up.
"Stun? Why?"
"Nothing," he wipes his face with his hand and gestures me to turn around. So I did, and I rub my hands together.
I covered my eyes, as I heard him move in the background, after a few minutes, Naru bends down and removes my hands from my eyes. I move to stare up at him.
He had his clean clothes, a white old flimsy shirt, that looks that it came out of an old suit, and black pants, that reach his knees. His wet hair plastered to the side, but yet bouncy in a way. He handed me his dirty clothes.
"Hold on to this." he just told me. So I did.
Once again, he hoists me up in his arms and takes me to our house.
"Why do you keep placing me in your arms. Your ankle can't take so much weight." I move, but he tightens his grip on me.
"We went through this already so don't make me repeat myself. Also, we have many things to talk about. Too much to clear up. Every time we think we solved it there's a damn twist to the story. I'm okay. I can handle it. You on the other hand. Can't." he seems to be angry, by the way, he was mentioning this. I leaned my head against his chest.
Why is he so agitated, maybe from the lack of sleep?
"Just don't use too much pressure, okay."
"Fine." he agrees. So then I answered his previous conversion.
"I don't want to think about it," I tell him.
"Me either, but we have to, so I met a woman." he began as we made it to the treehouse, he moves upstairs.
"A woman? There are living people on this island?" I asked, surprised by this.
He continues to limp until we reach our bed. He places me on his bed and sits next to me.
"She is quite a beauty," he tells me. I stare at him, not believing this. I'm his wife, doesn't he know, that affects me?
"Is she now?"
"Yes. She took good care of me, she was the one that told me about me being your protector."
"Oh, that's an interesting character you mentioned earlier. How does she know that?"
"She just did. She asked me to take you to meet her."
"Did she?"
"Yes. I promised I'll take you to her." he lays down, moving his head to get conferrable. I move a little, to give him room. He looks so tired it's not even funny.
"Have you slept at all?"
"No."
"Why?" he opens his eyes to stare at me.
"I couldn't sleep well in the ground."
"Is that so. I thought you were in a hurry to see me. I missed you, you know that." I felt my heart heavy.
"Not in a hurry to see you, but to get in my bed to sleep right. Yet somewhere in me, kept telling myself I should hurry home, before an over sensitive girl starts to lose it." he shrugs, closing his eyes again. His voice is very deep for a reason.
"You're so mean. No matter how much time passed you still tease me. I'm not an overly sensitive girl. I was brave, just to let you know." I cross my arms and proudly nodded.
Naru opens his right eye enjoying the teasing a bit too much.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. That is so." I gave a pat on my back in those words. Naru chuckles softly, causing me to look back at him.
"Keep telling yourself that. It will make you sleep better at night." I stuck out my tongue out at him, as he stares at me.
"Keep doing that, then I have to take care of that tongue of yours." he threatens, as I sucked back my tongue.
"See, you're so mean. I'll just leave you to sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow." I move to head towards my bed, but on doing so, I felt a hand on my arm, pulling me down gently.
"Naru?" I whispered his name, as I land on top of his chest. He groans at the impact.
"Just stay here with me," he mumbles placing his arm under me. I glance up, feeling my heart racing a mile per second.
"Are you sure?" my voice trembled a little. He nods, moving towards me, and places his other arm around me, trapping me in his embrace.
"Just sleep okay," he whispers. I move my head, to look up at him. His eyes are closed, I gently move my hand, and with my finger, I trace his nose.
"Naru,"
"Hmm?"
"Welcome back." he snaps his eyes open to look down at me. I was now tracing his lips.
"Are you that happy?" he questions, feeling his mouth move against my finger.'
"Thrilled. I missed you, like crazy, you have no idea, I repeated it to him" He gently rose his hand, and touch my hair soothing it.
His eyes soften.
"Did you miss me, when I went to England?" I nodded shyly at his question.
"Yes. I miss our little adventure and serving you tea. I miss your guide, and above all things, your friendship." I admitted, Naru just remained quiet.
"When we return to Japan, this will be one hell of a story." I change the subject, since it became too uncomfortable of silence for us, as my hand started to soothe his cheek.
"We just can tell them the basic."
"Basic? How?"
"I'll make something up," he whispers, wrapping his leg on top of my hip and pressed me against him.
I felt my heart beating hard.
"Okay. I think you were right, or I was. I can't remember who mentioned it, but I think Alack did frame Isac, why? And How? Is the only question left?" My hand now roams around his chin. I felt him shiver a little, he's been doing that a lot. I hope he's okay.
"It will be cleared up eventually, like the rest of the case," he concludes while I nodded, moving my finger to trace around his eyes.
"Didn't you miss me just one bit?" I manage to find the courage to ask. He sighed, closing his eyes.
"What answer will you like to hear?" was his question. I frowned, as I move my finger towards his forehead.
"Yes, I did terribly. That you couldn't even sleep right. I miss my wife." I was being serious, but for a reason, I was so nervous, it sounded more like a joke. Naru opens his eyes, and glance down at me, as I cup his cheek.
"Is that the answer you want to hear from me?"
"Yes." I blushed, lowering my head. He stares at me for a brief second.
"Then let's pretend, okay," he mumbles, tightened his hold on me.
"Pretend?"
"Yes, pretend, just for today. I missed you like a crazy madman. You have no idea how much you plague my dreams and my being. I missed you so much, to the point, that I kept ignoring my pains. I worried about you so much, that I thought I was missing a piece of myself. I missed my wonderful wife terribly," he explains, as I stare at him with wide eyes.
"Really?" I gasped out, not believing this. It sounded so real, so not him but him at the same time. Little did I know, he meant every word, no pretend, no fantasy, it was his truth, mask as a pretend.
"For tonight, yes," he whispers, as I move my hand towards his lips, tracing it with my finger and I felt tears running down my cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" he asks, causing me to hiccup. He moves his free hand and wipes them.
"Even it's pretending, I'm pretending that is real, okay. It sounds very lovely for a husband to say that to his wife." I told him the truth. He frowns, as I run my thumb across his lips.
Naru moves his mouth, in doing so, he captures my thumb between his teeth, not hard though, but very light, but still. I felt annoyed by that.
"Hey!" I yelled, wiggling my thumb, Naru holds it firmly.
"Give me back my finger," I complained, but he lets go, I took a look at my thumb, I see just his teeth puncher on my skin.
"Don't bite me." I scolded, he groans once again, and scoop me closer towards him.
"It was tempting."
"Tempting?"
"It made you stop crying, didn't it?" He chuckles, capturing my cheek, wiping the remainder of my tears. I nodded softly. A soft smile passes my lips.
"Can I pretend to say something, wife-like?" I tried to find much courage as much I could muster.
"You are my wife," he stated. I felt my heart warm up at that statement. It's rare for Naru, to admit it. Since we are pretending, just as well get this out of my chest. At least, he will think, I'm just pretending it?
"Okay," I huffed out a big breath, and move down, to cover my face with my hand.
"I know this will sound corny, but here goes nothing. You are where my heart lies. Hopefully, I will one day be that place in your own heart that you can call home." okay, now my whole face is scarlet red, like a tomato.
Naru remained quiet but moves to look down at me. Not sure how to answer that, yet, I felt his heart hammering hard.
"Where my heart lies?" I heard him repeat, as though my words made sense in a way, but then he just shrugs it off.
"Can we go to sleep?" he just stated, causing me to frown at him. He isn't your touchy person, so I just shook my head.
"That sounded a little too sadist, but in a bit. I want to keep talking." might as well.
"I haven't slept well." he seems to beg. I move my head, to stare at him. Ignoring my embarrassing moment in life.
"I know, but.." I lower my head, wrapping my arms around him.
Pressing my hand on his back.
"But?"
"I'm scared that you're my imagination. That you're not real. Isac did say you died. I don't want to find out that you're just a ghost. I can't handle that." for a reason, fear seems to creep up in my heart.
"I'm alive," he moves his hand, and grabs my hand, and places it on his chest. I felt his heart hammering hard against his chest.
"Why is it beating hard?" I asked cause mine is doing the same because I'm so intimate with him right.
"Cause I'm tired." he simply says. I frowned at that answer but didn't reply.
"Now that you know I'm alive, can we sleep?" I nodded, moving to his chest, and place my ear on his chest. I felt Naru move his leg to scoot me closer to him, and using his free hand, he began to caress my back in a soothing matter.
"Alright. Sleep tight." I closed my eyes, hearing Naru breathing even out. I smiled, a true smile, as I slept in the arms of the man I love. For the first time in months, I felt whole, complete.
Truly where my heart lies, is with him.
0.0
I awoke, (The next day) staring at my bed. I rubbed my eyes, trying to remember what just happened.
Why am I sleeping in Naru bed? Did I sleep here again? But when I moved, I felt an arm around my waist. I slowly turned and raising my eyes, I met with two icy blue eyes, noticing how close we were.
I couldn't help but smile, snuggling closer to Naru.
He does the same while I closed my eyes, feeling my heart hammer once again.
"What a nice dream," I whispered causing him to squint his eyes.
"Dream?" he question. I nodded as I grab his hand and press a small kiss on his palm.
"I...Wait." I blinked, when I felt his warm hand, it was real, so real. I blinked a few times as Naru arched a brow.
"I'm real." he simply replies as my heart jumps and without thinking it, I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, feeling his big hands wrap around me, as I lay my cheek against his shoulder
"I thought you were a dream, I thought I lost you." I cried out as I felt Naru trying to soothe me.
"I'm alive, next to you." He assures me as I lift myself and look down at him then leaned down to kiss his forehead.
He stares while his cheeks turn pink. I pressed my forehead against his and rubbed it gently.
He came back to me, I'm so happy, Thank you, God, thank you so much for bringing me back my husband.
He brushes my hair behind my ear and gave me a tender smile.
"I'm glad to be here to Mai with you, but your mouth stinks, so can you please get up," he said bluntly. I blinked but felt my cheeks blast up from embarrassment that I rolled over.
Naru sat up rubbing his hair as a yawn escapes his lips and most stretch. Then he turns to look at me and he arched a brow as his eyes turn slightly dark taking notice that his eyes are on my legs. I lower my gaze and my face turns darker red as I took notice his shirt that I wear is heighten up, almost showing something I shouldn't be showing him.
"Oh no," I bolted up, in doing so, I bump my forehead against Naru's side head, hitting myself hard.
"Ouch.." I rubbed my forehead, as Naru hissed as well.
"Mai!" he hissed, rubbing the side of his head, as I place his shirt down, to cover myself.
"Sorry, sorry." I apologize a lot, bowing down.
He waves his hand.
"I was only checking your legs," he murmurs, turning his body towards me, still rubbing his head. My cheeks are scarlet as I cover them with my hands.
"Your shirt was not appropriate, so, I panicked," I explained. Naru just stares at me for a few seconds.
"I forgot to take out the herbs." he seems to avoid what I just meant. I glance down, to see how the herbs are dried up, and falling into the ground, and to be honest, now that I think of it, I haven't had any nightmares and my legs feel slightly better and moist. I move my hand and touched it.
"Wow, these herbs are a miracle, it feels better. How's your foot?" I move to look down at his feet, to see that his swollen foot seems less swollen, but still there. I move my hand and gently touch it. I heard him hiss again.
"Don't touch that." he limps away from me and heads towards the mirror. I lift my head, to see him comb his hair with his fingers. I stood up, and went to his side, looking at my reflection.
His shirt looks strangely good on me like we are more than just friends. I... He trusts me this much then.
I pick up his collar of his shirt and smelled his scent. Just like him. I blushed to feel Naru closer than ever. Naru glances down at me, staring in confusion at my actions, but doesn't say anything.
This feels as though we are married. If he hadn't left so early, we could have.
My heart warms up at the thought. I know is not easy nor will it be. I just knew it felt right. I'm not sure why, maybe Ayame is right, we are soul mates.
But Mai, Naru doesn't love you. He likes some other girl.
My dark inner thought sweetly tells me. I rubbed my fingers through the fabric of his shirt.
I know that. Can I just pretend that I'm that girl, and even though I'm his real wife, I had that moment with him? That I'm his woman.
My tummy warmed up at the thought, wishing it was true, though.
"What in the world is your little brain is thinking of, to make you blush so much?" Naru snaps me out of my thoughts, causing my cheeks to blast up.
I lifted my gaze to see how close he has gotten causing me to suddenly hiccup. He suddenly smirks as though he was enjoying this.
"My brain is not small, and I'm thinking of err... How much my legs feel better, I didn't have any nightmare. So I'm grateful you went to get those herbs." my voice shook from that terrible lie.
"Sure," he gave me that same look as before. 'I believe that.' as he moves back.
"Want me to cut your hair?" I changed the subject, I turned to face him, and came up on my tiptoes, to brush his hair.
"I want it somewhat longer than last time. Doesn't pass my ear, but above it," he explains. I nodded.
"I'll try my best." he kept looking at me, but then he turns, making me plant my feet back on the ground.
"In two months we need to head north, after the third yellow full moon, I wonder why?" I heard him questioned.
"Maybe to see how Alack died, or what happened?" moving behind him, we headed downstairs, only to hear my stomach growl. I paused, wrapping my arms around my tummy. Naru turns and stares at it.
"When was the last time you have eaten?"
"Um... Two days ago." I admitted, then added.
"Does a banana counts as food yesterday?" He shook his head, heading down once again. I stare at his limping, feeling bad.
"Naru, please stay out of your feet, it looks like it hurts very bad. I am even feeling it, and I'm not the one hurt." I complained heading downstairs. At least my chin and my elbow didn't hurt as bad as yesterday.
Reaching the downstairs, Naru turns his body towards the window. He seems to stare at the ocean. I followed him, taking a hold of his arm, he glances down at me.
"Did you miss the ocean?" I asked him. He nods, looking back at it, feeling his hand slip into mine. I smiled softly as I leaned my head against his arm.
"Then let's spend time over there," I told him. He nods again, but after a few seconds, I felt him go rigid causing me to look up at him.
"Ne, Naru?" I asked, but he lets go of my hand and began to run out of the treehouse, not caring about his swollen foot.
He bolts out of the treehouse, rushing down limping and all. I glance back at the view for a brief second, to find nothing.
Turning my body, I rush behind Naru. Upon making it downstairs, Naru wasn't in sight.
"For a guy that is injured, he moves pretty fast." I groaned, moving my legs, and headed for the beach.
Reaching it a few minutes later, I spot Naru standing at the edge of the water, looking out.
Upon reaching him, I heaved a little taking a hold of his arm, and shook it. He glances down at me.
"What the hell is that for?" I scolded. He seems disappointed, but his shoulders slouch a little in disappointment.
His next words, cause me to freeze.
"Our ship, it was just here."
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