Disclaimer: I DON'T own Ghost Hunt
Warning: Dark Chapter: :(
Chapter Fifty-two: Story Telling?
Mai Pov
Sometimes horrific things happen to people, but I was so blessed to have my husband with me, now that I think of it, we've been through hell and back, trials and tribulations, but one thing I have discovered, it made us stronger, trusting, and depending on each other blindly. Would I like to change it? No, not in the sightless because life isn't easy, but is worth every moment.
Naru and I sneaked quietly following William, trying hard to not be caught at all.
"You know, we can start our detective agency," I whispered to him trying to be as quiet as possible while as we hid behind the plain white wall at the east part of the mansion that William showed us earlier.
It leads to a wine cellar room, filled with large barrels of wine. Naru arched a brow while we peeked around to see William enter the room, examining the barrels.
"Lower your voice, we can't get caught, what type of detective talks when stalking someone?" he hissed through his teeth, looking out while I frowned.
"Wow, stalk not a good word, makes us look like the bad guys, but not a smart one," I mumbled.
Naru takes a hold of my hand as we walk quietly towards the brown doors. We stopped and press our back flatly against the wall when William turned to look our way.
Naru then surpasses me, when we appear in front of the doors, on the second floor.
"Ne, what are you doing?"
"He almost caught us, we'll check the wine cellar later, I want to meet Poppy in person if she is even real. We don't have time." He moves towards the door, that William took Poppy last night.
"Trust me she is real," I argue to him.
"I know she is real I meant if she is in the mansion here now." he hissed back.
"Why are we arguing?" I asked causing him to shrug.
"I don't know," he said with his tone going back to normal causing me to sigh rubbing my forehead against his back.
"I think we're too tense," I admit causing Naru, to relax a bit. With that, we reach the door of the bedroom.
Stopping in front of it, Naru turns to look at me. I look up as he places his hands on my shoulders and gave me a serious look.
"Whatever happens, listen to me, okay?" He tells me. I nodded at him as he nods cupping my cheeks, and gave them a small squeezes them. Then he takes a breath and turns to face the door. I place my hand on his back and rubbed it gently. I watch as he reaches out and knocks on the door.
"Hello, Ms. Poppy, can we come in?" Naru calls out pressing his ear against the door as I did the same thing, his eyes downcasted at mines and I shook my head since we didn't hear any answer.
I stretch my hand and grab the doorknob and twist it open. Naru gave me a startled look. I cover my mouth with my hand acting all surprised.
"Oops, my hand slip, It's open.." I shrugged lowering my hand giving him a mischievous smirk, causing Naru, to give me a sly smirk in return.
"Forgot, how straightforward you are," he mumbles, as I gave him a cheeky smile.
"Seven years stuck on an island, tends to block off the memories. Now..." I whispered as we entered, looking at the small room, similar to my room.
We found a bump on the bed under the white covers. The eerie feeling filled the room, as cold air rushes through me.
"Hello, Poppy, sorry to barge in like this," I stated in English going up towards the bed.
I gave Naru a fast glance to ask for permission. Naru nods and I turn back and grasp the blanket rapidly pulling it.
"AHH!" I screamed while my heart sank to my stomach, as I jump backward, that I ended up falling on my behind. Naru's eyes narrow in pure horror.
"Oh my! Poppy!" I cover my mouth. Naru moves immediately and covers the corpse with the blanket. To our pure horror, it was Poppy in a skeleton, with her long black hair still attached to her scalp.
Tears gather in the corner of my eyes as my mind went blank. Naru immediately comes up to me and wraps his arms around, to help me stand. I leaned against him.
"Oh no, what did that bastard do?" my hands shaking terribly as Naru answers me.
"He killed her, so not only a rapist, but a murderer, we need to…." Naru stops, as he lifted his gaze, to see him look out the window.
"It's dark." He tells me causing me to look out the window. The sun already down, and the same fog surrounds the mansion. I held Naru tighter as my heart sinks even more. I look up at my husband.
"It's not even evening, what's going on?" I asked, Naru shrugs as a sudden weeping sound fills the room.
I turned my gaze towards the bed.
"Do you hear that?" I asked. Naru nods and both of us jump in front with the skeleton arise (Without the sheets falling,) and sit up pointing towards the window.
"HELP ME!"
She screams causing us to flinch at how horrifying that sounded then she lays back down.
"Naru, I think I had a mini heart attack," I gasped out, holding onto my chest, trying to calm down my heart. Naru rubs my arms as we both were fighting.
"Well, that was new," Naru mumbles as I look up at him.
"You okay?" I asked him worriedly. He nods, as he kisses my forehead for assurance.
"Besides having future nightmares, I'm fine, you?"
"Same," I told him, kissing his cheek. He turns back to the window.
"She pointed at the window." Naru points out while I move my shaky hand, to grasp Naru's arm.
"I didn't miss the big cl..." but my sentence was cut off when I felt a clammy cold hand wrap around my ankle. Horrified, with my heart pounding against my chest, I slowly look down to see a dark shadow hand. A scream escapes me.
"NARU!" I called, jumping as I high I ever done, wrapping my legs around Naru's waist, he automatically wraps his arms under my behind so I won't fall and hoist me up giving me a confused and startled look.
"Mai what are…' but he stops noticing my fear, as he turns his body.
"Crap!" Naru moves rapidly and transported us towards the ballroom. I held Naru tightly with all my life shaking tremendously.
"My little worm, it's okay, just open your eyes." he gently asks me as I felt his hand on my back rubbing it gently.
I open my eyes, to stare at the night sky from the window.
"It was the creature's hand, Naru we need to stop this," I told him. Turning my gaze at Naru. He nods, as he wraps his arm around my waist, and holds me firmly.
"We will, I didn't even sense that they went inside of the room. I'm sorry," he said seriously. I shook my head, placing my cheek on his shoulder.
"It's scary, but it's fine Naru, it's not your fault," I told him. He began to rock me back and forth.
"She pointed at the window and I think I know why." Naru moves up towards the window and holding him tighter.
"What?" I asked, looking down at him he turns his gaze at me and gave me a long look.
"The weeping lady... Put it together. She was weeping and then points at the window. It doesn't take a genius to put those things together. There's a connection and a secret." I groaned at his explanation.
"Then, why does she look familiar to me. Why is it nighttime so suddenly? I'm getting a headache."
I rub my temple with my free hand and look straight at Naru, but he was looking past me.
"I.." Naru began but stops when his eyes squinted together, as he moves us closer towards the window. I hitched a little, to look out at well.
I can see William walking out with someone next to him, a woman in front of the trees.
"Is that William? And who is that?" I asked.
Naru frowns, as he places me down on the ground.
"Naru, what do we do?"
"We keep playing along. The fog seems to become thicker than last night and those creatures are in the house. William is doing something with a woman, and Poppy is dead upstairs."
"Such a beautiful family, I envy their family reunion." My sarcasm drips heavy. Naru nods, turning to head out.
"Naru?" he stops, turning his head.
"Now that we know, what's going on, we need to get rid of it." He whispers.
I nodded, running up to him and jump into his back making him hunch, wrapping my arms around him.
"Mai, what the?" he grunts, as I hold him tight. Naru groans, as he places his hands on my legs, and pops us into our room.
"I'm scared, and sad at the same time. Those things are out there and here. We don't even know how to stop them. We need to escape William and see how to stop him, and figure out who is that woman." I told him. Naru places me down, moving towards the window, and glances out.
"They are watching us once again." He murmurs. I frowned, only to hear the door knock. Naru turns his gaze as I gave him a horrified look. He just nods softly.
I took a breath and went up to the door while Naru follows me, and hides behind the door. I slightly open it.
"Yes?" I asked. William smirks at me, as he places his hand on the wall.
"Supper is ready, I tried your brother's room, he doesn't seem to be there, is he here?" he asks.
I rose a brow, only to feel Naru's hand on mine, making me more at ease from his touch. I shook my head.
"No! I haven't seen him for a while, what business you have with him?" a sudden smirk passes his lips, causing me to shiver displeased.
Not only he forces himself at girls, but he's also a murderer. What type of thoughts passes through his mind. We need to stop him.
"Oh, just wanted to invite him for a drink. My mother came over for a visit so I wanted to introduce both. She brought some wine, and vodka, wanted him to give it a try." He tells me.
I frowned, knowing very well, Naru won't be drinking with him.
"If I see him, I let him know, so if you excuse me." I was about to close the door, but he stops it with his hand. My eyes narrow at his sudden reaction.
"Also, I wanted to add, since your brother was near us all day. I wanted to spend some alone time with you. You are appalling to the eye. I wanted to give you these." He flips his other hand around and hands me a bucket of flowers, noticing is the same flower from the bushes.
I blinked a little surprised by it.
"Err, thanks." I felt unease with this.
William smiles gently as he turns his head out. Closing the door, Naru snatches the flowers away from me. I closed the door and locked it.
"Ne, what are you doing?" I asked him. Naru stops turning to face me.
"Getting rid of them.." He whispers, I nodded, moving towards the bed, and sat on top of it. Crossing my legs, Naru waves his hands, and the flowers disappear.
I arched my body forward as a cat would do, and stretched my aching back.
"Where did you take them?" I asked him. Naru sits on the edge of the bed, crossing his arms.
"Where I place the broken glass." He whispers. I lifted my gaze, rolling my legs out, and flatly lay down.
"Oh, in the cave, near the mountains." I move, to sit back up, catching Naru nodding.
"What's the plan. I know he'll do something, and his mother is back... Whoever his mother is." I stated.
Naru smirks, leaning back in his back, and stares at the ceiling.
"Want to continue to play detective?" he asks.
I nodded, moving to place my legs around his waist, and sat down.
"Of course, we need to check on the wine cellar," I told him. Naru lifts his gaze, as I smile gently at him.
"You feel like a cat. Clinging to me.." he tells me. I shrugged, with a blush.
"I would be a cute cat, right?"
"No, an annoying one." He stated. I frowned moving up, I place my hands on each side of him and stare at his eyes.
"I always feel the safest, when I'll be in your arms. Now, that we are free to express our feelings, is a pure joy to do it, instead of dreaming about it." I told him. Naru lifts himself, using his forearms for support.
"You dreamt about this?" he asks me as he brushes my hair behind my ear after balancing with one arm. I nodded at him, blushing hard.
"Since I came to know that I like you. Now that I think of it, I feel bad for Poppy, she never had the chance to do this with a loved one." I told him. Naru frowns at me at the mention
"You do feel bad for her, and scared." He whispers, running his fingers through my hair. I nodded, feeling my eyes tearing up.
"I do; I'm terrified. We have a curse in this mansion, and I want to leave, but I want to bring justice to Poppy. " I admit, feeling my tears running down my cheeks.
Naru sits up as I sat on his lap. I wrap my arms around him.
"Naru, you always come up with things, help.." I begged him feeling Naru wrap his arm surround me, and bury his nose on my nape.
"I have something, but it won't be easy. You need to burn them, as I chant something. It's an old exorcism that Madoka taught me long ago.." he explains to me causing me to nod at him.
"Anything," I agreed.
Naru spins me making me squeak when I land on the mattress as he gets on top of me. His blue eyes scanning mine.
"Then prepare," was all he said, as the next thing I knew, we were in the wine cellar down. I move my head, to see how dark is it. While Naru helps me to straighten up.
"I don't know why you don't warn me when you just decide to just pop like that," I whispered, taking a hold of his hand. Naru remains quiet, as I move to find the switch on the wall. Naru arched a brow.
"What are you doing?" he asks me, as I found the wall a few feet away from us and trace it with my palm.
"Switch," I told him.
"There's no switch Mai, this is before they invented the switch, use your fire," Naru stated at me, I felt a sweat drop.
"Forgot." I rub the back of my head and snap my fingers. The dark wine cellar lights up with my fire that illuminates in the tips of my fingers.
"Better?"
"Yes, never thought I would have my wife as a human torch." He whispers, I rolled my eyes at him.
"Well, I'm not fantastic four, but while we don't meet a bat cave or a man dressed as the batman or the man of steel we are good." I giggled.
Naru nods, as I move up towards the wine bottles. Each stack on top of the other.
"You notice, when he said, he studied abroad? That meant that anyone could have left Black Lagoon at any time?" I asked.
Naru nods, as he traces the wooden crates on the bottom shelf.
"I have."
"So, what changed?" I question.
Naru turns his body as he suddenly straightens. I move my hand, and glare where he was staring at me.
My heart jump, as I move next to Naru.
"Is that blood?" I asked, noticing a pool of red liquid, dripping under the shelves, spilling over the floor.
"Maybe," he whispers, stretching out his hand, he touches the liquid, and I bring my hands closer to him, so he can expect it, then he sniffs it. He rubs his fingers together.
"No, it's wine." He explains causing me to sigh in relief.
"How do you know?" I asked. Naru lifts his gaze, arches a brow.
"Do I need to tell you how I know?" he seems to not believe I just asked that. I shook my head.
"Sorry... The smell, wait you drink wine before?" He slightly nodded,
"Time to time, when I was in England, but not much, I rather have tea." He admits to me. I nodded at him as he rolls his eyes at me. A sudden noise appears from the top of the stairs, causing me to go still.
"Naru?" My voice tightens as I pull on his shirt with my free hand.
Naru takes my hand, blows on my fingers, turning off the fire and we ended up in our room.
Breathing hard, I flop down on the bed.
"Now what?"
"There's something down there, While you had your fire close to me, I saw wind moving it." He explains.
"Really? I didn't feel anything."
"Yes, really, It was coming under the shelves," he assures me as I pointed at him with admiration.
"It's sweet to have a critical eye husband like you, I have missed it. we are going somewhere, finally." I admire him causing Naru, to smirk.
"Well someone has to have some brains to spot these things in this relationship." He spat out causing me to take out my tongue at him.
"Geez, thanks," he chuckles at my response.
I glance out the window, in doing so a yelp passes my lips causing me to jump back. A dark figure floats out there, touching the glass.
"Naru!" I jump out of my bed, as Naru grasp my arm, pulling me behind him. It stares at us with a blank stare. My body started to shake deeply.
"What do we do?" I asked, before Naru could answer, the door slams open not how, and William enters looking enraged. All hell broke loose.
"Well, damn, sneaking around isn't a proper thing to do to your host on which is offering you shelter. Also, you can't keep your future husband waiting forever. My Mother brought gifts. Now, Sasuke, if you can hand me over Alice, so I can marry her tonight if not mother will be disappointed." William spoke, but not in his British accent, but in a demonic voice, as my eyes widen, to see a thick knife on his hand.
Not noticing the wicked smile the creature was giving us as it stares at us through the window.
"He has a knife," I gasped out, Naru eyes William.
"You raped and killed Poppy, and she's not your sister and you think I will hand over Alice?" Naru hissed under his breath.
"Oh, but I never did violate her, she gave herself to me. Little whore she was. Now, hand me, Alice. I know she can't wait, Mother wants a grandchild, and I am here to please her." my hands started to shake, as I dig my nails into Naru's skin.
Something is wrong, if Poppy was the one with the witchcraft, then how come she is dead? No... In my dream, William said to give herself to him. As well, in the hallway, Poppy said that it was her stepmother that killed her father, why doesn't this match up. Poppy is the lady in the glass right? Then who is that weeping lady?'
My head spinning with so many thoughts, that I didn't notice William moving swiftly and swung his knife towards me. Naru reacts fast before thinking.
Naru pushes me out of the way, bringing me back to reality as my eyes widen in pure fear as I fall against the wall hitting my back against it. I didn't notice Naru wincing in pain. (As the knife cuts his side deeply.)
"Naru!" I yell in pure horror; Naru dodges another swing of the knife. Back and forth, Naru tries his hardest to dodge that maniac swings with the knife.
No, Naru, move Mai, protect him.
Then again, I couldn't move I was petrified I have faced Demons, ghosts and so much more, and here I am, doing nothing to save my love. I'm pathetic as a wife. I watch in horror as Naru gets kicked in his side, making him fall.
Mai, move it he needs you!
Naru kept dodging the attacks, as William swung his knife to plunge it to Naru's side.
"NO!" I yelled in desperation as I rushed in front of Naru and acting in instinct I took a hold of the knife blade cutting my hand deeply but stopped the stabbing. Naru turns and his eyes narrow as he saw blood dripping on the ground. I couldn't register the pain at the moment I was under adrenaline, hard to register anything, but protect my husband.
"Stop protecting your brother! He deserves to die for stopping us from being together, for spying on my things" William hissed in anger as he rose his hand and the next thing I knew, he punches me right across my face, I simply felt a piercing pain going through my jaw as my body flew back. William's eyes turn darker.
"Mai!" Naru shouts as he waves his hand to get rid of the knife and was about to reach me when William takes a hold of Naru's hair and pulls it back. I lift my eyes as I saw William wickedly smile at me.
"I do apologize for hurting you, but you can't defend your brother like that! I need to show you where you stand when you become my wife." William spat out in pure evil, his voice turning darker. I stare in pure horror but Naru turns around and using his knee, punches William on his gut, making him let go of Naru's hair.
Then Naru tackles down William and began to punch him in pure anger, but somehow William in a supernatural strength picks up Naru and throws him up, making him almost fly and pulls Narus' body to fall hard on the floor.
"Na...ru!" I yelled as William stood up and kick Naru across his face, so hard that Naru spits out blood, then he goes and hit his back, to the point that Naru went so still.
My world went dark as I lifted my horrified eyes, which were filled with tears and shock at the monster of a man in front of me.
"No, you killed him," I yelled not caring about my pain. William turns towards me, and I shuffle back.
"You bastard, how can you do that to him." I felt angry tears; William comes up to me and bends down gently looks at me with a cynical look.
"It was self-defend, see, I'm hurt as well, I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you," he stretched out to touch my jaw but I flinched from him. His eyes turn darker than normal and
"Now that he's dead, I shall make you my wife right now," He hissed while grabbing my arm and forcefully pulls me up, throwing me on the bed. My eyes widen, fear shook all over me, as he grabs my dress and rips it.
My body shook, and I couldn't think straight. I needed to get away from him and save Naru. He starts to unzip his pants, and I felt frozen.
Move, do something don't stand there like an idiot, Naru will be so sad. He needs me.
Before I could do anything, he pins me down and hovers his body over mine, with his pants halfway down.
"No!" I yelled struggling to get free, with tears running down my eyes, as he smirks.
"Come on, it won't hurt much. And, is a pleasure to kill that bastard, so he won't stop our honeymoon. Now, let's make that grandchild." He smirks as he began to push my dress down almost revealing myself to him. I felt disgusted by this as his lines snap me back to reality.
That line snaps me back to reality, now remembering of my power, about reality.
Poppy, I'm so sorry you had to live this. I'm sorry Naru, for being weak.
A fit of deep anger that I felt a few times before.
"I rather die, having you touch me. No one is allowed to touch me that is not my husband! You nasty bastard." I hissed as I spit on his face, mix with my blood as he removes his hand from me, causing me to react fast and flick my fingers despise from my cut hand, to press my fire on his neck and deeply penetrated his skin.
His eyes widen and he yells in pain. He pins my arms above my head and gave me a deadly smile as he began to raise my dress. Horror struck me again.
No, no, no, no!
"Firestarter you are, I'll teach you a lesson, for hurting me, You Bi.." he stops his words, as his eyes widen.
"Stay away from my wife!" I heard behind me, not a yell, but a deep low growl sort of way but it was threatening, even I shivered from it. Naru's eyes are filled with anger, blood drip down the side of his head as his bangs overshadow his eyes. I can see his pk almost pulsing out of his body like electricity, moving his hair a bit.
Naru grabs William from the caller, and pushes him away from me, hitting him hard in his face, and harder and harder, that blood kept coming, and William's body drops to the ground. Naru's eyes turn so cold and almost inhuman. He was using his pk at the same time with each hit.
"You bastard, don't ever touch my wife or any woman in your life, rot in hell." He hissed. I stumble to get up, but I did and rushed to Naru's side grabbing his arm to stop him. He was heaving hard with pure anger as he turns to look at me. My heart stops beating at the anger and pain in his eyes.
"Naru, please stop don't step into his level, he's not even human or alive." I pleaded with him, watching him shake staring at him as though he was thinking of something. I rose his bloody knuckles up to my cheek and leaned against it as gently as possible.
"Mai!" he simply said as he retreats his hand and gave one last punch to William causing him to grow unconscious.
Naru heaving hard takes my hand, and we disappear from the room.
That was the scariest, horrific encounter that we ever faced in Black Lagoon.
Naru POV
If Mai didn't stop me, I would have murdered him, not caring if he was already dead or not. The anger I experience was beyond my control to wake up and seeing that man on top of my wife, forcing himself on her. While she looks horrified. I felt horrible, I should have just pop out of there with her, but my mind went blank at the moment I was being attacked with that knife. I forgot I had powers, and all I could think of being is a normal human being, trying to survive.
I pop us into the stream of our bathing post since when I tried to enter our treehouse, I was flown out again. I flop down on the ground, aching all over.
It's a nightmare, a horrid nightmare, he almost forced himself on my Mai. I... Stupid bastard.
"N... aru?" I heard a small woman's voice. I turned to see Mai looking at me with petrified eyes, as I see blood running down her mouth then the memory of her protecting me came back to me. My eyes drop to her hand, where it's blood all over her hand. My heart drops to my stomach.
I didn't even... Oh no Mai...
"Mai!" I stood up going up to her.
Please, don't tell me he broke her jaw? I felt pure horror even more guilty as I touch her jaw making her wince, then I grab her right hand and lift it, to see dry and fresh blood coming out from her deep cut.
"N...aru, you...hurt..." she said as she began to fiddle, not caring about her injuries. I felt my heart clenched as angry and fearful tears gather in my eyes.
"Po..or thing... you're bleeding... I'll get..." she comes into shock as her body began to give away.
"Mai!" I wrap my arms around her as she faints.
I ignored my pain and hoist her up in my arms and look around, trying to find a refuge. My heart grew wearier at each minute.
"Ayame, I need your help! This is my fault, please help!" I begged, but no reply, forgetting that she moved on.
I began to walk only to spot a cave near the waterfalls not far from where I was. So without thinking, I pop myself there making sure it's empty, I entered and place Mai on the ground, as I thought of our bag which I left back at the horror place, I retreat it and began to look for our supply.
Without thinking about myself, of my deep wound or my back pains, I began to remove her dress, and change her and aid her cut, it looks deep, it could have even damaged her nerves. After I stopped the bleeding and wrapped it up, I began to work on her jaw. Thank God, it doesn't look broken, but it will be painful and swollen for some time.
From time to time, my hands began to shake violently as I attend to my wife, as what took place came flashing on my head.
I gather Mai in my arms and leaned her against my chest as I press my aching back on the wall for support. My heart aching, feeling tears falling landing on Mai's skin. I wipe them as I held her small delicate body.
"Silly girl, you should stop protecting me." I gasped out, kissing the top of her head, as I closed my eyes falling into a slight slumber, or did I passed out as well? I don't know, but, as long we are safe, I don't care.
...
...
...
I awoke with a slight moan and a pounding headache, as well as feeling my whole body aching so bad. Opening my eyes, I see Mai holding into her jaw as she looks at me.
Mai? what's wrong with her? I wonder for a few, when it came back to me, of what just took place.
"Mai, how do you feel?" I rubbed my eyes as Mai looks at me. Her mouth is so swollen and her cheek, turning black and blue. My heart drops to my stomach. I drop my eyes on her hand, it's slightly bloody, might have reopened last night.
Mai doesn't say anything but stood on her knees wrapping her arms around my shoulders, making me lean my chin on her shoulder as I incircle around her small waist.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault, I should have left popped us out from there, but I forgot about my powers at the moment." What a lame excuse. I felt Mai rub my back with her good hand.
"No, fault. My... love," she said in a small sentence. I held her tighter, swallowing hard, trying hard to not cry again.
We separated after a few minutes of just holding each other, and I look up at her.
Mai started to cry hard, while she cups my cheeks, feeling her hands shaking.
"Sorry, I couldn't.." I tried again, feeling so guilty, Mai shook her head.
"N... Naru.. I... he killed... you." She whispers in choppy sentences crying even more. I move my hand and wipe her tears in a gentle matter.
"I'm your guardian as long you are alive, I won't die," I assured her.
"No...loose...Naru," she said softly, as I cup her good cheek and she leans into it.
"I can't lose you either. Mai, this is a serious question, he didn't, you know raped you?" I gulped heavily with pure fear because I don't know, how far he went with her. All I remember seeing him with his pants drop on top of Mai and pure rage, wanting to kill him.
My poor Mai, this won't make me love her any less cause my love for her is too deep, but she would suffer so much and it would make me suffer from thinking of how I let it happen.
I know how much she doesn't want anyone touching her unless is me. She made that clear to me. It was only four weeks ago that we were able to consume our matrimony, she still as new as I am, and only made love twice. She doesn't deserve this or any woman at the matter.
Mai shook her head.
"No, no, no... Only... you!" she assures me saying I'm the only one that has ever made love to her. I breathed out in relief as I press my forehead against her stomach. I heard Mai wince as she held her jaw.
"Oh thank God," I said while I felt her fingers run through my hair.
"Naru...Thank you... protecting... Me." she said. I shook my head as I look up again.
"Thank you for protecting me. Mai, he did a number on your jaw, you can barely speak, you little fool you didn't have to block the knife, now your hand is seriously wounded." I told her with slight anger and ache as I touch her swollen cheek, but my eyes shot up to feel her skin so hot to the touch.
"You have a fever!" I stood up, but Mai shook her head as she looks at me with teary eyes.
"Na... ru... Hurt..." she said as she touches my nose causing me to wince in pain. I ended up touching it myself and I can feel it very swollen, then I trace up to the side of my head to feel dry blood.
I might have a concussion, but I can't let Mai know this, or let her know that I'm in agony, she needs me.
I stood up and she looks up at me.
"I'm going to get something to eat and get herbs for your wound, the same ones that Ayame told us about. Give me five minutes, the reason I'm going alone is that you have a fever and you're wounded." I told her. She tenses up as I bend down and place my hand on her small shoulder.
"Mai, I can't stand being far away from you, I did try to go back to the treehouse, but that stupid force field thing threw me off again," I told her. Mai shook her head as she wraps her arms around my waist. I sigh, placing my arm on her back, and rubbed it gently.
"Whom am I kidding, I can't leave you even for a minute. Now even less after what happened." I whisper, causing Mai to hold me tighter.
With that, we went together, to gather food and water, and herbs.
...
...
...
...
I manage to fish and Mai cooked it as I gather fresh fruit and water, and we ate as much as possible. Mai had great difficulty eating her fish, so she ate in small bites since I shred the fish and made it as small as possible, but she ate it all, chewing almost none existent, but could swallow without a problem. I made sure no bones are included and for the fruits, I squash them enough to make them as juices for her to drink.
"Ahhh!" Mai whimpers in agony as I rinse out her cut on her palm, the cloth on which I wrapped it was stinking into her skin.
"Hold on," I told her, she nods slightly as I see the old blood flush down her skin to the ground.
"Try to move your fingers," I told her, yet I didn't see any movement. I frowned looking back at her.
"Did you try?" I asked her. She nods at me. My heart clenches at the statement as I look back at her small hand.
"I think this deep cut may have damaged your nerves, so we have to keep an eye on it for now, but you can feel right?" I ask as I touched her fingers. She nods at me after I turn to look at her. I breathed out in relief as I wrap her wound after making sure everything is good.
"I'll help you take some therapy, now, try to move your jaw." I stood up to look at her. It has gotten darker, as she moves in, but whimpers at the progress.
"Do you feel anything out of the ordinary?" I asked her. She shook her head,
"Hurts," she mumbles.
"Then we have to wait until your swell goes down to decide, but I highly doubt it, if not you'll be in greater pain," I told her. She nods as she began to fiddle with me, trying to clean me as she grabs a fresh cloth (Which I ripped multiple, for us to us,) and rings it out. She gets closer to me and began to clean me. Her face looks so flush, her eyes are swollen and red, but all I can see is worry in her eyes for me. My heart clenched at the sight.
"I should have popped us out Mai, I forgot, I honestly did, normally we deal with Ghosts, but he had a knife and logic flew out as my instincts of a man kicked in when he flung at you. I forgot he wasn't human, I..." Mai places her finger on my lips and shook her head.
"I...for...got... to... I... fro...ze... in...fear..." she admits to me. I watch her as she began to clean under my nose, then takes hold of my hand to wash my scrapped knuckles.
"If you didn't stop me, I would have killed him," I told her as she lifts my hand and kisses it.
I gave a dry laugh.
"We both forgot huh?" I said dryly causing her to nod at me.
After she finishes attending to me, she began to remove my shirt causing me to wince.
"I think we do better with ghosts, don't you think?" I asked her. She nods when she finally removes my shirt. Her eyes began to look over my body and her face becomes horrified as she saw deep bruises around my body. Mai straightens my front and touches where my rib is causing me to hiss in pain, then her eyes flicker down to my side and her eyes narrow.
"Broken! Cut!" she whispers as I look down. I see is dry blood around a deep cut I had, I didn't even notice or feel it.
Oh right, I got it when I pushed Mai away, he was going to stab her.
"I forgot about this," I admit, Mai shakes her head and began to work on my wound causing me to wince in pain.
"Deep!" she said, as she blows on it after she cleans it. Then turns to grab those herbs and place them on my wound.
"Well, he got me as well."
"Naru... pu...sh Mai, when, he...stab first..." she meant to say, I got cut when I pushed Mai. I timidly nodded at her.
"I rather have taken everything for you, Mai, this is nothing compare to your hand," I told her the truth. She shook her head at me with tears gathering in her eyes.
"No... Nar...u pro...tect me... I died, if no... Naru..." she told me having so much difficulty talking in a normal sentence.
After she made sure is nicely clean and with herbs to help me, she wraps a fresh cloth around me and made sure it's tightly secure. Then she leans down and kisses my bruises, and goes around me and does the same, kissing each other with a tender matter. I felt this warmth fill my heart as she returns to me.
I kept staring not sure how to progress this as Mai hands me my shirt back.
"No, ice," she whispers with a frown. I nodded at her while I place on my shirt rather painfully. Then I place her between my lap, making her lean against my chest. She protested, but I rub her arm, trying to calm her down.
"You have a fever, and you're injured, so just sleep, don't think of me too much. What breaks me that you just recovered from coming back alive." I admit to her.
"Naru... hurt... to... No... fair..." she said with such pain. I shook my head as I fight off my tears, holding her tighter.
"Just let me hold you okay?" I begged her. Mai nods feeling her hold my shirt with her good hand and rested on my chest, being careful to not hurt me.
I could hear her cry against me, knowing that her heart is broken for the both of us, but I knew mostly for me. I felt tears running down my cheeks, crying for her, how miserable I felt.
This is the scariest situation we ever encounter. I almost lost her again. Oh God, how much do we have to endure this?
I took a breath trying to stop crying, as I wipe my eyes. An idea pops into my head to help her.
I hope this works so it can calm her.
I cleared my throat and lowered myself to look at her, she lifts her innocent, swollen eyes as she began to caress my cheek using the back of her knuckles with her good hand. I leaned into her warm touch.
"Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom, lived an ugly young girl, with soft pale skin, brown eyes, and long brown hair, and she was short. She lived with her three sisters, mother, and father, in a very poor mill house." I began. Mai rose a brow at me.
"Telling... story... Naru?" she asks me as I move my hand to wipe her eyes.
"No, I'm singing to you." I can't believe I was doing this. Mai gave me a soft smile as she kept staring at me, but doesn't say anything, so I can continue.
"This young ugly girl works hard every day, she wished one day to fall in love as well for that man to fall for her. For you see, she had the heart of gold despise of her looks. She is the kindest woman in the kingdom. In so, when she was young, she met four young ruthless guys which teased and bully her to no end. As one of the young guys, threw a rock at her, scraping her face, a sudden storm roared the sky causing her to jump in fright, forgetting her pain. She shook, as one of the young guys, glances at her. She moves to leave, but in doing so, a bolt of lightning strikes a tree branch, causing the branch to snap in two, immediately forgetting her fear. She rushes towards the boys, pushing them away just in time, saving their lives. All the boys with fear stood up and runoff. 'Derek, come, that is a witch.' One of the boys calls out, as this Derek boy stood on the ground shaking in fear, not before giving the girl one last look." I whispered. Mai seems to be engrossed in the story as hope shined her eyes.
"Go, Naru." she pushes me to continue.
I move to run my fingers on her good cheek, feeling her so hot.
She needs medicine, but I can't leave her and Ayame isn't here to help us.
"Her name is Yuki, she wishes with all her heart to have one guy to fall in love with her; no suiters would ever look at her, so she has given up in that dream, as she will never have anything of her own. As years pass by, she watches her sisters get married off with the most handsome of prince, and dukes."
"No... Fair..." Mai said, as I began to rock her gently, but not enough to hurt myself.
"Well, to most people appearances is the number one cause of love at first sight," I told her. Mai looks so sad but told me with her eyes to continue.
So I continued.
"Well, one day, it was her thirty-first birthday, still a maiden. She went up to town, to buy some fish for her supper as you see, her parents pass shortly after her younger sister married off. Now truly alone, she shopped for her supper. Waving goodbye to the elders, she as you see, she's klutz, she drops her fresh bought fishes and stumbles upon a leg. She bows down in apology, and kneels to pick it up." I stop for a brief second to see Mai giving me a questionable look.
"Klutz?"
"Yes, Klutz... So, as she started to pick the fishes up, she stumbles on a bigger male hand that brushes against her small ones, a strange shiver pass by her."
A small smile passes her lips as hope reached her eyes.
"Main...guy," she whispers.
"Yes, Main guy.." I turned my gaze back towards the waterfall, which flows in the main entrance of the cave.
"Yuki lifts her gaze to apologize once again, but on doing so, her eyes connect with two dark caramel eyes, that she has ever seen in her life. Startled, she scampers backward, to see a handsome young man, bend down, staring at her."
Mai's eyes sparkle up at the mention.
"So, as the young man helps her up, she became very nervous, but bows to say thank you. 'Thank you so much, I'm sorry for troubling you.' She tells him. The young man shook his head and turns around heading out. Upon doing that, she notices, that he wasn't wearing his traditional castle clothes. He looks like a pirate, with baggy black pants, and a red shirt.." I stop, as Mai's eyes widen.
"Pir...ates... love...it..." she said softly. I just didn't state anything in her comment. I'm just making this up as I go.
"Since that day, she keeps wishing to meet the young man again, enchanted by him. It's not because of his looks, she was enchanted by, is because he's the first to ever help her. A month has passed, and nothing happens. She lost hope of seeing him again, just everything in her life."
"Sad..." Mai said. I shrugged at her, as I leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Is it? Well let me continue, okay?" she nodded as her cheeks turn red.
"So, one day, she was walking into town, only to be stopped by a commotion in the forest. She heard a gunshot, causing her to become startled, and afraid. She hides behind a tree while her heart began to race. 'What's going on?' she asks herself, while she kept hearing gunshots and such. A horse that comes out of nowhere runs in her direction. Yuki's eyes flew wide open in fear, and she turns to start running away from it. In doing so, she trips on a log and falls painfully on the ground. The horse's long front leg passes by her, hurting her right leg." I paused as Mai hissed, causing me to look back down at her. She looks so engaged in the story.
So I continued.
"She cries in pain, in the middle of the forest while the gunshots drew closer. Her heart racing, and with great pain in her leg, she manages to get up and limps, but doesn't get too far though, she collapses down, and then she heard a strong male voice, in front of her. 'Oi, this isn't a place for a lady..' the male voice scolds. She lifts her gaze, and to her surprise, is the same stranger she met a month ago. The pirate that helped her. Her heart began to race, but not from fear. The male bends down,' What's wrong?' he asks her a bit concerned. Yuki becomes nervous, but glances at her leg. 'A horse, as he hurt my leg.' She tells him. Without other words, the young man picks Yuki up in his arms. She blushes as for her, the first time that a male had touched her."
Mai smiles while she claps and looks at me as though she wants to add to the story.
"You want to add to the story?" I asked her. She nods but then touches her swollen cheek.
I squint my eyes at her but nodded.
"I will guess your thoughts, if I get it wrong stop me okay?" I challenged her. She nods in agreement.
Well, here comes some corniness, knowing Mai too well.
I cleared my throat and gave her a serious look as I came up with the most cringe things I can think of.
"As the young stranger, hold her tightly as for her first time, she felt a strange feeling bubble up in her chest. Her heart raced, and she felt strangely protected. She could feel his warmth and his aroma. For the first time in her life, she felt a little bit of a woman. This strange guy that she has no idea who is, didn't mind her looks and helps her. Her heart racing, she closes her eyes, wishing that he'll be her soul mate." Mai blushes, looking down at her hand after I stopped.
"Did I get it right?" I brush her hair behind her ear. She nods, blushing harder. I arched a brow as a strange idea popped into my mind, well more like a revelation.
"Is that what you felt, in the beginning? With me?" I questioned her. Mai nods, looking back at me with love.
"Yes... still do... My...dark...knight." she admits to me.
After all these years, she makes my heart race as well. As she is not a princess, but my world.
I went back to telling the story.
"So he takes her to his ship into his cabin. The young man treats her wounded leg... 'You'll be stuck with me since right now is too dangerous.' He tells her. Yuki shyly nods, thus, she couldn't go back, as you see, this man is a wanted fugitive from the king himself. So, Yuki had no other choice to run away with him, or not, her head would be next to be served. This broke her heart because she was leaving her family behind. Every day, she would get up and help around the ship, healing at the progress, but kept limping. The young man had his crew member, that mock her because of her ugliness. Do, no one dares touch her. For her, it was a blessing. As months go by, she started to learn little by little about the young pirate, that she learned that he was the captain of the ship, and how ruthless he was. Then again, he never killed nor did, he did things without a cause. One day, on a dark stormy night, Yuki was scared, as the thunder roars the sky. She wished to be back home with her sisters. The captain, came rushing to her cabin. He spots her under the covers, shaking terribly." I stopped when Mai pulls on my shirt capturing my attention.
"Yes?"
"What... name? of main... guy?" she asks me.
"Can I continue?" I simply told her, Mai sighs, but nods.
"The captain goes up to her and uncovers her. He gave a pity soft look, as she glances up at him with teary eyes. 'Captain... I'm sorry, is something you want?' her voice trembles. The captain sits on the edge of the bed, as Yuki sits up. 'Yuki,' he began and glance at her. The ship started to rock up and down. Yuki shook, as he stretches his arm out, and grasp her hand, gently soothing it. Her heart jumps.. 'Captain, I..' she stops when tears began to roll down her cheeks. The Captain gave her a compassionate look, as he grabs her arm and wraps his arm around her. 'Yuki if you guess my name, I'll tell you a secret." He tells her. Yuki lifts her gaze, arching a brow confused by his words. 'Your name?' she asks confused. The captain nods, as he gets closer to her."
Mai frowns, tilting her head to the side to ask me something with her gaze, but I just continued.
"He stares at her with a deep look, causing her to shiver into her core.." I whispered in a deep low voice.
I grasp Mai's head, as her cheeks flares up.
"How can I know your name? I never met you before,' she stated while the young man shakes his head. Yuki, don't you know,' he questions her. Yuki gave him a confused look and answers him. 'Know what? I'm just a simple peasant girl, with no looks I have no sex appeal. I have been told so many times. How can I know your name? You as well, won't see me anything but a plain maid.' her voice cracks while answering him. The Captain gave a painful look, but answers her, 'I will give you a clue,' Yuki arched her brow but nods in agreement. 'If my lord wishes.' she answers him. The pirate stated in the next sentence. 'Years ago, you saved four young boys, from a falling tree branch after a bolt of lightning cracked it into two.' Yuki squints her eyes, trying to remember, but when she does, her eyes brighten up. 'I remember that, I hope they didn't get hurt that day.' she said worriedly, touching the young man's heart. 'We were shaken, but we didn't get hurt, thank you.' he simply told her. Yuki looks straight at his eyes, but gasps as she covers her mouth with her hands as realization dawns on her, tears flow down her pale cheeks. The Captain nods, confirming her silent realization. She lowers her hands... 'Derek?' she barely gasped out as his lips crash with her, stealing her first kiss. Yuki trembles in his arms as she fists her hands, enjoying his warmth. Then moves back to reply, 'I always look after you, ever since you saved me, I couldn't get you out my mind. I wanted to go back to you, but life stood in the way. Yuki, I always watched you, grow into the woman you are. I always wanted to apologize for being so mean to you when I was a child. I have grown to love you.' he said with sincerity. Yuki cries harder, 'Why me? I'm not pretty, nor can I?' but he interrupts her, and kisses her again. 'Don't you know, he is a fool that can't see what's inside of your heart. You have stolen my heart long ago. I wish so hard to stay with you. I'm sorry for being a fool back then. I was only a child.' Yuki shook her head, as she whispers his name.. 'Derek, How I love you as well.' She tells him. As for the remaining years of their lives, she married Derek and because of his support and love, she slowly learns to love herself, and help her husband. Even though they were still wanted, they continue to sail the seven seas with different adventures at hand. Derek loved that woman with all his heart, that every night he showed her how much, be making glove to her, like no other. She could feel it in every touch. Not only in bed, he showed her, but in actions and support, as years pass by. One night, Derek holds her lovingly. 'Are you happy my dear?' Yuki nods, leaning her head agent his shoulder, feeling his love for her.. 'I am blessed, Derek, thank you. Thank you for accepting me, and loving me, I love you.' Derek chuckled, as he wraps around his wife's belly, which grew each day, with a new life. 'You gave me another chance of life, and now, you're giving me a new life. Yuki, love isn't about appearances, but what the other feels, and acts on. Never forget that. After all, I have always been watching you. Even if you have never noticed before, I always love your heart. The End." I finished,
Mai was crying hard, causing me to feel a bit worried.
"Mai? What happened?" I asked her. She shook her head, looking straight at me.
"He...loved...her...that...long?" she whispers to me. I nodded, as I wipe her eyes carefully to not to hurt her.
"Yes.." I assured her.
Mai smiled deeply, leaning against my chest.
"Naru.."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you, I... love... you... so... much." she said, grabbing my hand and kiss it gently.
"As I Mai, thank you for protecting me again Mai," I told her, she shook her head.
"You... protect... I... first..." she said slowly, taking hold of my arm and wrapping it around her.
"Now sleep, okay, you have a fever, you need to recover," I told her. She nods, closing her eyes, as I held her tighter.
We are both frightened and so venerable at this time as those things can come again, that bastard can come and harm us, especially Mai, we can't go back home.
Yet, having her in my arms alive and warm, was all I needed to survive.
Thank you for loving and enjoying their relationship at this point. :) Makes me happy. This chapter is a bit different from the og, I think it makes more sense and goes with the flow... Again, I apologies for what happen to Mai. I hate writing it, but as you can see William doesn't care and I had to build him up to this point and sadly there's people like that in real life which I pray so much for the victims as this type of cases, but I try to keep it as clean and not go beyond it because I have a sensitive heart to topics like this, it touches home to me in many ways, but not everything. :(
Again... Thank you so much for you all loyal readers.
I hope you guys felt the impact on the both how much they are willing to protect each other, regardless on their own safety.