Disclaimer: I DON'T own Ghost Hunt
Chapter Fifty-Three: My Heart
Mai Pov
Little did we knew, that white light that went in side of us, when we first made love was a seal, a deep seal that joined our hearts to become just one. A special seal that makes us stronger and more in love then ever. I wish Naru and I knew this earlier, but it doesn't matter because what Naru told me that day in the cave was all I needed to continue on. After all, it's all worth it.
O.o
I had a horrible nightmare after I fell into a deep sleep, I don't want to recall it, but it has to do with that bastard trying again.
I awoke in a sweat, not sure how to get up my body felt heavy and I was breathing unevenly. I move my hand only to wince in great pain.
"Ahh!" I muted in protest, lifting my hazy gaze to see that Naru isn't around inside of the cave. My heart began to race in pure fear.
"N...Naru!" my voice cracked from the dryness. I began to stand up but as I lifted my gaze Naru appears from nowhere.
"Mai!" he comes up to me and as I rose my arms up. He rushes his steps and goes up to me, wrapping his arms around me, and helps me stand up. I leaned into him, as he has his arm around my waist.
"Where were you?" I asked looking at him a bit dazed, Naru place his arm under my legs and hoist me up in his strong arms.
"I went to check if we can go back home," he told me.
"Oh, can we?" I said in a small sentence, at least I can speak more today.
"Not yet, it threw me out" he explains to me.
"Hmm." I simply said as I lay my head on his shoulder, I felt his forehead against mine, feeling my temperature.
"Your fever hasn't reduced, I need you to sweat this out." He said. I lift my eyes to him but didn't comment and the next thing I knew we were facing a hot spring. Naru gently places me down and bends on his knees. He takes my injured hand and began to unwrap it. I let out a painful cry, pulling my hand away from him.
"Sorry!" Naru said grasping my hand again. I shook my head, not wanting him to continue. I hurt too much.
"It hurts, no touch." I simply told him. He shook his head giving me a soft and worried look.
"I know, but I need to check it, it's a deep cut Mai, you can't even move your fingers, and this can get infected."
I let out a defeated sigh and nodded handing him back my hand. He tries his hardest to delicate remove the wrap he placed last night, and when he removes it, I let out a cry as the dry herbs and the material was stuck into my fresh wound. Crying hard Naru began to remove it carefully, and blows on it, while he apologizes.
"It hurts!" I said to him.
"I know, I know, I need to rinse it out, it has dry blood again," he tells me. I nodded at him and began to work on it while I let out a painful cry each time, trying hard to not complain, but it was so hard, but he did a wonderful job on cleaning it and adding new herb then wrapped it. He gave it a small kiss making my heart flutter.
"You need stitches, that bastard did a number on your hand, I am going to tell you the truth, Mai." He looks at me seriously. I nodded as he gets closer to me and brushes my bangs away from my eyes.
"Since we don't have medical help, I can give you therapy as I told you last night, but I can't guarantee you you'll move those fingers again," he said to me.
"I'll be handy-cap?" I asked him.
"In a way, yes, but you still can feel right?" he asks me once again, I look at my injured hand and try to move them, but nothing, then Naru in a gentle matter touches my fingers, but I couldn't feel anything. I turn to look at Naru.
"No," I said directly. Naru slumps his shoulders, as I felt my heart clenched.
"I'm sorry Mai." He said to me with pure honesty. I shook my head as my throat tightens.
"Naru… while you alive…. This wound…. Was going to be you…. You would be dead by now." I told him the truth.
"I couldn't even protect you and…" I shook my head as I cup his cheek with my good hand and rub his cheek with my thumb.
"My love…. You protected me…. If you didn't wake… up… I would have been raped. That is worse than my cut. Thank you. Thank you for protecting me…. From the first attack as well." I told him honestly.
Naru wraps his arms around me, burying my face in his warm chest, kissing the side of my head.
"You got hurt either way."
"I know… but knowing that you're the only….one that has touched me… and made love to me… is peace and joy on my heart… you have no idea…. How much I value when you make love to me… Even if it was twice, and in the future, so I don't re… regret anything." I told him. Naru thins out his lips, but nods, kissing the side of my head once again.
"For the record Mai, I wouldn't leave you if he did, thank God he didn't, but my love for you wouldn't stop," he assures me.
"I love you!" I said with a deep emotion knowing his words are true, he turns to look at me.
"As I," He simply said as he cups my injured cheek. I wince a bit, but he was about to move away, but I shook my head, grabbing his hand with my good hand.
"At least it's not that bad."
"I… can talk… more…" I told him. He nods, as he turns to look at the water.
"Want to bathe?" he asks me. I nodded at him.
"You have…. To… bath… me." I told him. Naru rolled his eyes at me in a playful matter causing me to giggle while he stood up, and began to remove his shirt, as my eyes scan his upper torso, to see it so bruised up, and his side which I patched last night, pure stained in blood. My heart dropped to my stomach.
"Come here," I told him. Naru places his shirt on the floor and blinks a bit confused as he came up to me.
"Your wound," I told him. He looks down, while I began to fiddle with it.
"I forgot about it." He admits to me.
"You're not old..." I rolled my eyes at him this time, but as he did to me, I did to him, with my good hand I began to remove it, and as mines, it was deep. He winces in pain, making me blow on it, as I remove the herbs. I carefully took care of his wound just like he did to mines.
"There," I kissed it, causing Naru, to give me a strange look.
He protected me, this wound could have been my stomach, how much does he has to go through to protect me? The only truth is that I love him more than ever.
I lock eyes with my husband and gave him a soft smile as my whole being warming up for him.
"Why are you smiling?" he asks me as I felt my heart beating hard against my chest. I couldn't help but let out a giggle, not sure because of my mental state, but because he was with me alive and everything that happened less than a span of a month was too much for me to handle.
My giggle turned out into a full blast of laughter, I began to laugh harder and harder, wrapping my arms around my stomach, which began to hurt, along with my cheek, but I didn't care.
"Mai?" Naru now asks worriedly as tears forms in my eyes, just laughing. I leaned on the floor with my back and continue to laugh and cry at the same time.
Naru suddenly hovers over me catching me by surprise and looks down at my eyes, I cup his cheeks and breathed out.
"I love you, I love you!" I admit. Naru leans down to kiss my forehead again making my heart flutter so much.
"Me too." He admits to me while he lovingly caress my nose with his making me to the same.
I smiled deeply at him as he locks eyes with me once again. Then all of the sudden he burst out laughing causing me to laugh with him once again.
We just laughed like crazy people, with everything that happened to us one thing is true, our love is real and it survives. How can two people, keep falling deeper and deeper in love? I don't know, but it's a feeling that I love, the only thing that is keeping us sane at this point.
Naru is worth everything.
O..o
"Does this hurts you?" I asked Naru carefully as I sat on top of his lap, trying hard to not harm him.
We sat in the hot springs and bathed as best we could without wetting our wounds. Naru was very patient and gentle with me as always. This man deserves a gold medal or something of how many times he has attended me. I don't think he realizes it himself.
"No, I'll let you know if it bothers me," he assures me. I shook my head grabbing his hand and began to play with his fingers.
"I hope so, I don't want to harm you. So, I was thinking." I changed the subject.
"Hmm?"
"Poppy, if she died that... means, she isn't the lady... You were... right. Then... did you notice... the voice of that evil man... before he hurt us?" I asked him. Naru leans his chin on my shoulder and takes a sigh, as though he was trying to calm himself down. I leaned my head against him.
"I was thinking the same, his voice did change, and if you have noticed, it happened, when the creature was floating in front of the window, as well he knew we were snooping around," Naru explains. I nodded at his explanation.
"So, that... creature doing?" I asked him, feeling his shrug at my question.
"Maybe, too much of a coincidence, to be anything." He tells me. I move my head, to stare at the entrance of the cave, watching the waterfall. I smile gently.
"Did I ever told you, that you have a beautiful smile?" He suddenly said. My face shot up making it hot red, as I turn to look at him.
"What?" I asked looking back at him. He blushes but kept his eyes on me looking deadly serious. I felt him run his fingers on my long hair, placing the side of his head against this fisted hand to stare at me.
"You heard right Mai, you have one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen, you're whole face brights up, so continue to smile," he admits to me. I became shy at his statement and a bit took aback.
"Huh? My smile?" I asked. He nods his eyes turn a bit serious with a deep look which made my heart beat harder and crazier than two seconds ago.
He leans forward and kisses the side of my head and slowly stood up holding into his wound.
"Ne? Naru?" I followed him with my eyes, watching him grab the towel to dry himself. I cover my good cheek with my hand, trying to calm myself down, feeling butterflies fill my stomach.
Even if I can't move my fingers, at least Naru is alive. After all, he did the same for me. So it's all worth it.
With that final thought, everything went out.
"MAI!"
...
...
...
I awoke a few hours later rubbing my nose, Naru moves his body to drapes his arm around me.
I smiled, snuggling at his bare chest.
Poor guy, he's so hurt, and aches, and yet, he goes out of his way, to make me feel better. It helps so much, how can I ever let him go? If at this point of my life. I love him so much.
Naru snores gently, while I kiss his lips, he wrinkles his nose causing me to smile, then I remove his hand gently and sat up,m only to take notice I was naked. I arched a brow, as I turn to look down at Naru, to see him only with his pants on. I scratched my head confused by this.
Why am I naked? We didn't make love. While I pounder on this, I can hear the rain pouring outside the cave.
Oh, it's raining, at least is not thundering.
I turn my gaze towards the opening of the cave, to see the rain, it was so hard, that it made a waterfall effect.
I touched my cheek, even though it hurts, it wasn't as bad, I look down at Naru.
"Don't want to wake him. He stayed up all night to watch me." I wanted to leave, but I didn't want to leave Naru warmth.
I was about to lay back down, when Naru breath out, rubbing his hair, and open his eyes, making me smiled at him.
"Afternoon," I told him. He nods, as he stares at me. A blush passes my cheeks, as I watch his eyes roam my naked back. He gently sits up being careful with his wound while rubbing his eyes.
"We slept that long?" he asks with a cracked voice. I nodded and pointed out.
"Maybe, I don't know how long we slept, but It's raining as well," I told him. He lifts his leg and glances out. He arched a brow, as his blue eyes seem to narrow.
"What?" I asked. He shook his head, looking back at me.
"Your fever," he simply said as he touches my forehead with his hand. I felt myself blush like a teenage girl feeling his cool hand.
"You passed out, your fever shot up,"
"Oh, but why am I naked?" I asked him. Naru subconsciously roams his eyes down, tracing my body then looks back at me.
"Body heat, you were freezing,"
"Freezing? weren't we in the hot springs?"
"We were, but your body was rejecting the heat, I don't know, so I had to place my body against yours to get your body temperature up once again. You being in the hot springs might have made you pass out. Plus you couldn't be in the water for that long." He said to me.
"I'm sorry... For being a weight on you." I told him. He shook his head as he leans forward and surprises me pressing his soft lips against mine, being careful to not harm me. He kisses me softly making me feel at ease and in heaven.
"We are stuck together Mai, your burdens are mines, it comes with the package," he said. I brush his bangs away from his eyes and then run my knuckles caressing his cheek.
"Yours too, my love." He nods at me.
Now becoming lost in his eyes, but then he clears his throat and stood up.
"I can see you can speak more now," He said as he heads to grab his bag. I touch my injured cheek.
"It hurt, but I can speak better now. Thank God, he didn't knock out some teeth." I told him. He comes back and sits next to me after he hands me my red dress. Slowly he helps me dress, while my eyes flicker to his wound.
I wrap my arm around his broad shoulder feeling him wrap around my waist and hoists me up. My heart beating hard, I turn my head slightly to see Naru turn his head. My breath caught making me swallow hard, his stares profound, almost as though he can see right into my soul.
"Um... How's... your wound?" I asked him. He clears his throat, moving away from me after he adjusts m
"Still aching, what else?" He said, but not in a malicious way. I watch him adjust my dress, then turn to grab his shirt and place it on.
I slowly sit as Naru went to grab his bag once again and takes out our food, and I watch him as he began to peel the mangoes and apples into small pieces for me to eat.
Yesterday he did the same, it was so hard to eat, I think today as well. Poor Naru.
I move closer to my husband just watching him.
"What do we do now?" I asked him, without removing his eyes at his work, shrugs at me.
"My guess try a way to get back to the mansion without William consent, and see the secret room." He says out of the blue.
I froze at the mention of that man's name, causing Naru to stop and turn to look at me with a concerned look.
"Mai, I didn't mean..." but I shook my head.
"I get it..., but can we name him something else? Please I don't want... to hear his name ever again." I told him. Naru nods in agreement making me smile at him.
"Sorry. Do you still pity that guy?" He asks me remembering our conversation from the other day. I slump my shoulders and nodded at him sadly I do.
"Yes... I still do.." I answer him, cause he lived a sad life. It's still no excuse for his conduct though. I didn't notice the shaky head, Naru gave me.
"Mai, you know what he..." but I shook my head.
"I know, I'm not pitying his attitude or his conduct, but the way he was raised. Like for example, a young child, while his upbringing was horrible, and he turns into a murderer. I will feel so sad about his past because children have no control of that unless a grown-up helps them. But his conduct as an adult, I have no pity, but I can understand where it comes from. So it's a mix, you can't blame him entirely as his childhood is the biggest up bring of him becoming what he becomes if no love or someone is protecting or caring, but as well you can't leave him off the hook for his conduct either. So it's a fifty-fifty emotion. Do you understand where I coming from?" I asked him.
"You know even the most loved shelter children can become monsters too, right Mai?" He asks me. I nodded at him.
"I know, this is complicated, but that's how I feel. Sorry, I can't change it." I told him. Naru nods returning to his cutting.
"Are you mad at me?" I asked him. He shook his head.
"Why would I be? I get your point, it's true what you say when you are young anything can affect your way of growing up, negative way or a positive way. Just like me for example. After I lost Gene, I became isolated, closing my heart." he said.
"True, I became scared that I would be lonely for the rest of my life after I lost my parents, but I learned... when the right person comes to your life, your life changes. I was blessed to meet the greatest coldest man ever." I praised.
I missed the smile Naru gave me while he places the small cuts on top of a leaf. I place my head against his back while with my good hand, I began to play with the back of his hair.
"Naru... Do you think, we can get rid of this curse? I mean, if we can get rid of the creatures?" I asked him.
"I hope so. Living on this island is not that big of a deal, but with these things out there, it means life or death." He tells me as he turns to hand me the leaf. I took it and sat down. I began to take small bites as Naru eat his as well.
"So can you be a little strong?" Naru asks me. I wince as I chewed, but nod and turn to look at him.
"I will try," I assured him. Naru gave me a soft smile of encouragement causing my heart to flutter.
"You know I was thinking," Naru spoke after a few minutes of silence while eating. I didn't take notice of Naru keeping a close eye on me as I ate.
"Of?" I asked Naru.
"When we get back to Japan," He stops as he licks his lips from the mangoes juice. I turn to look at him and arched a brow.
"Yes?" I asked.
"A long vacation, let's take a long vacation," he said while he smacks his lips.
"A vacation?"
"Yes, far from the beach and cases," he stated.
"Sure, straight to a-ward I'm sure our mental state is not normal at this point, we might have developed some trauma, seven years is very long years, and we have three more to go and we don't know what other horrors await us." I somewhat joked. He turns to look at me a bit surprised.
"How did you know, that's the place we were heading? Gee, way to ruin the surprise," he said seriously with a bit of expression of shock. I lower my fruit and gave him a wide-eyed look.
"Seriously?" I asked a bit amazed by this, he chuckles and shook his head.
"No, but at this point, it sounds the best sane thing we ever talked about. Oh differently, we both have lost some marbles, after all, we went through. I'm sure sooner or later it will come crashing down on us." he shrugs.
"Ah, as you see we are in survival mode, that's why we are a bit sane and have each other to keep us in check but sooner or later we'll be locked up when we return, but you know what?" I said looking at him seriously.
"What?"
"While they put me in the same room with you, I would never be bored," I told him honestly.
"Why, in an empty room, with one bed, what possible we could do to pass time?" he seems to be teasing as I shrug at him.
"Certainly not to braid our hairs, that's for sure," I said seriously, Naru burst out laughing. I couldn't help but burst out laughing alongside him, (Even if my face still hurts) at the mental image.
Its true humor is the best medicine and hearing Naru's laughter is the best in this world.
Naru POV
It's been a week and a half since the accident. We've been surviving in the cave, Mai's mouth is almost back to normal, a bit black and blue, but not as severe, but she gets fevers since the wound on her hand isn't healing as fast as it should, I still have to attend to it and it's as open as it is, but at least is not bleeding, I wish I can have it stitched. The herbs are helping a little, but I am worried that they can become infected. She can not move her fingers or feel them which breaks my heart so much. I have no idea how to treat that, but I can still do therapy to as best of my ability.
My wound is healing, but it hurts, it will be long progress again. We can't catch a break what it seems. Mai still has nightmares of that day, but it's becoming a bit less now since I've been holding her and touching her to ease her. She told me that even when she sleeping if I touch her, her body can recognize it, so it calms her, knowing that it is not that bastard.
"At least is not raining hard," I mumbled to myself, as we stood under a tree, trying to find refuge from the rain.
Mai nods, as she kept looking at the sky.
"I hope it doesn't thunder." She shivers at the thought, moving closer to me.
I frowned, tilting forward my eyes landed on the mansion, (Since we decided to get this out of the way, we need to get back home, we can't continue to live in a cave.) watching William standing on the front, oddly enough, with no scratch on him.
Should have hit him harder, bastard.
A fit of slight anger filled my blood. Mai grasps my arm with her good hand as though she could feel my anger, she soothes my hand, a simple touch of hers causes me to calm down a little.
"We can go to the wine cellar, before dark.." Mai whispers, I turned to face her to catch her closed her eyes, breathing hard and shaking. I move closer to her and took her hand. She opens her eyes and gave me a soft expression mix with fear. I felt bad.
"Are you sure, you want to go back there? You can stay behind, I can go." I asked her. She shook her head.
"No, I'm not sure, but we need to get justice to Poppy, and we arent' separating. No separation Naru, not even when we are old. I can't have that" She tells me.
It's normal for two people that went through so much not to want to separate. Even if we are safe, the mere thought or even five minutes will cause anxiety between us. Oh, this isn't good. This place messed us up, I can't even leave Mai for a minute. I get attacks now.
I nodded slightly using my powers, we slip to the wine cellar. Mai flicks her good hand and fire appears illuminating the room.
I bend down, where we saw the spill last week and started to run my fingers around.
"Find a hatch or an open crack," I told her. She nods, getting on her knees, she started to search as well, being careful to not burn the wooden floor or harm her hand. About a few minutes, nothing is found. Sighing, Mai looks at me with a disappointed look.
"Nothing," she whispers. I stood, looking at the old dusty wine bottles, and started to trace my fingers through the glass.
"Why would there be a spill of wine on the floor?" I question. Mai stood, coming to my side, and glances up.
"He spilled it?" she gave me a confused look with a shrug.
I shook my head, turning to look down at her.
"No. These wines look expensive and too fine to be spilled. Remember, we didn't find any glass last week. Think of it Mai," I told her, now, pressing the back of the bottles. Mai furrowed her brows together, trying to figure this one out.
"I… Wait.." she snaps her fingers, as her fire grew more.
My eyes grew.
"Oi, don't do that, you'll set the place on fire." I scolded. Mai frowns, looking at her fire. Her eyes widen, and she took a breath.
"I didn't do that on purpose, it just grew." She defended.
I frowned, as Mai's eyes kept looking at the fire.
It did? Strange.
"There's a secret button, to open it. It should be one of the bottles." Mai tells me and flickers her eyes at the bottles. I went up to them and began to fiddle until I pull on the bottom right-hand bottle.
I heard a click behind us. I arched a brow, looking at her.
"How do you know that?" I asked her. She glances up at me and gave me a shrug.
"I don't know, it's just like, I just knew, You hinted it, and I knew... I…"
"You have been doing that a lot Mai, not just once, but a few times, knowing things. Mai, I think…" but I stop my talking when I heard the door open at the top of the stairs. Mai and I glance at each other, as panic passes her eyes.
We move rapidly towards the now open floor. I turned my gaze, grabbing Mai's bottom hand, which has the fire and pointed towards the shelf which I pulled the bottle
Like my thoughts, it started to drip. Now, going down the long sparrow stairs. The door started to close. Mai waves her hand, to give us light at the dark stairwell. Taking our time, so we won't get hurt. I felt Mai trembling under my touch.
"This is scary, anyone can fall to their death." I nodded in agreement at her statement.
My eyes scan around as we slowly approach the bottom. Lifting my gaze, I notice a torch on my right, sticking on the brick walls.
I move Mai's hand, and she flames the torch itself.
"Oh... Thank God.." she whispers, as she turns off her fire. I smiled, taking the torch, and swing it to my right. There's a large door, made out of silver so slowly we made it there.
"I hope we don't end up in the bat cave," Mai murmurs to herself. I didn't say anything, as we stood in front of the silver doors. Reaching out, I pushed it open, since there are no knobs. The doors squeak open, and we went in. I stood still as Mai gasps in horror and her hand started to shake.
"This is an eerie bad movie or something. There's witchcraft all over." Mai hissed through her teeth, as we stood in front of a chanting ritual. The candles filled around in a circle, with a pentagram in the middle. Red bloodstains, that seem dry though, with books, all scattered on the floor some close or open.
"Is that a knife? Wait, the same knife you took away from him?" Mai whispers, not moving, noticing a knife in the middle of the floor.
"It might be, I don't remember the knife, just that bastard use it to almost kill you," I hissed through my teeth. Mai gave me a strange look, but it made my heart skip as she tips toes and kisses my cheek, then nuzzles her nose against my jaw in a loving way. I tighten my grip on the torch, trying to take deep breaths to not lean into her. Mai takes notice of my behavior and her eyes soften and a smirk passes her lips.
Without a word, Mai moves forward, and glances down at the books, afraid to touch them. I breathed out, rubbing my chest calming myself down.
What was that? This girl is going to kill me one of these days, too weak Noll, to darn weak when she touches you. I act like a schoolboy hell even before the attack, I couldn't help but tease her.
"So, this is where everything began!" I thought out loud, capturing my chin in wonder.
Mai turns towards me and nods.
"I think I got it. Okay, so, this island wasn't cursed at all. Poppy family moved into this place, long ago and built this place.. Mother dies, and father remarries that horrid man mother. Mother is a psychopath and controls everything, thus blame everything on Poppy. The weeping... Err, not sure who she is yet. Either way, after father died, I guess he killed him. He took Poppy by force, trying to have a grandchild. Something happens, and he ends up killing her. So, she isn't, the lady in the mirror. God punishes the real person, which is still unknown. Creatures become so pissed, that now they want revenge, thus we come in to help, and break this curse. That's all I got. What does Alack's head have to do with anything? He came up once in my dream, that's all. I mean the lady in the mirror played with everyone, making everyone look like the bad guy. She even deceived Sasuke."
"Lot of good theory Mai, and it makes sense, now that we know, where the dark ritual is at, we should leave before, Mr. Passionate comes for a second round."
"Oh, okay.." she nods, taking her hand, I wave my hand, to place back the torch not before Mai turned it off. Now, standing in the backyard, behind a tree. Looking out, my eyes roam the bush.
"Are we going to get rid of those?" Mai asks, noticing that she as well is looking at the bushes. I nodded, glancing up at the sky. The clouds turn darker.
"Not today, it's getting dark already. We should find shelter since it's raining, and it's getting foggy." I whispered.
"Foggy, not good, let's go." She agrees. I took her hand, we pop into the stream once again.
In doing so, the sky was already night; it started to rain a little harder than before. Mai looks confused why we were here instead of the cave.
"Can we go back to the cave?"
"In a bit. I need to check something out." I told her since I need to get to the bottom of this.
Mai seems to hesitate but gets closer to me.
"To check on the creatures?" She asks me.
"You know me, I was born curious," I told her.
"Yea, a little too much, didn't you hear, curiosity killed the cat." She gave me a shy smile, but nods.
"Cat still got to see what is on the other side, so, it's worth it," I told her. Mai rolled her eyes at me.
"It's called being stubborn." She says causing me to shrug at her.
"No, getting the facts.."
Moving towards the trees, my heart started to race to hold Mai's good hand firmly, just in case.
"There's someone in the forest," Mai whispers, holding me tighter.
I move my sight towards the forest, to see slight movement, now my heart began to pound harder.
"Keep close," I told her. Mai nods, as I rose her hand and press her arm against my chest, we slowly creep as little noise as possible towards the forest, as this thick fog began to surround us.
Without a thought, we kept walking deeper and deeper into the forest, All of a sudden, an eerie horse noise is heard from our left.
"Alack," Mai tells me. I nodded, adjusting my bag, we stop, as Mai glances around.
"I have a bad feeling Naru, we should go back to the cave. We'll get up early and try to get rid of the curse." She tells me.
"Okay." I agreed as my heart was painfully leaping, and I learned to follow Mai's instincts. The horse galloping seems to get closer.
My heart jumps when I turned around to see a fireball coming straight at Mai's back. I pulled her around me, now behind, I rose my arm to block the fireball. I yelp as the burning sensation pierced my skin, but the fire was gone and nothing was burning.
"Naru!" Mai yells in surprise, as she looks around me with horror-struck eyes.
"You okay?" she asks as she grabs my arm to inspect it after she summons her fire to look at it.
"Fine, it just stings," I told her as she rubs the red spot. She kisses it gently.
"Alack!" she yells with anger, turning around and spread her arms, protectively…
I lifted my gaze to see Alack smirking at us, holding into his horse.
"That was just a warning, time is ticking Alice, you better get to the bottom of this, find my head, I grow tired,"he barks out.
"We are trying, there's a creature and we have been attacked by William most horrendously, please, help us, so we can help you.." Mai pleaded. I kept my eyes on this ghost, as I grabbed Mai's hand and lowered it, and placed her behind me once again.
"William? Never heard of him, stop the curse, and the creatures... You have one week's worth, nothing more and nothing less." And without that, he disappears.
"Mai.." I turned to face her, only to see her looking at me in horror with wide eyes.
I arched a brow, as she takes a hold of my wounded arm.
"It's getting redder." She protests.
"Comes with the job." I simply told her.
"I get it, but I don't like it. This is frustrating Naru, it's so mentally draining to see you keep getting hurt for me," she said almost tears in her eyes. I cup her cheek gently and gave her a passive stare.
"Three more years Mai, it's all we need," I told her. She leans into my palm closing her eyes.
"I'm not sure which is scarier, here in The Black Lagoon, or the outside world."
"A world without you is much scarier," I simply told her. Her eyes widen at my statement and lets go of her tears, wrapping her arms around my waist, burying her face on my chest.
"That's not scary," she said to me.
"It's not?"
"No, that's a horrid nightmare, a world without you is a pure nightmare." she simply said. I wrap my arm around her and squeezed her, kissing the top of her head.
"Yeah, an endless nightmare," I whispered as I held her tight enjoying her warmth, and her small frame against mine.
Mai POV
I found myself in that blasted ballroom once again, but instead of being alone, I stare straight at the weeping woman, sobbing hard with blood running down her face. I swallowed hard, not sure if I should take a step forward towards her or not.
"Can I help you?" I carefully asked her, feeling my heart racing from fear.
The weeping lady stretches her arm out, and with her bony finger, she points down and disappears.
I frowned while I turned and my eyes widen in shock to see a woman, with long dark hair, pale complexion, wearing a dark robe as she stood in front of William. She has blood running down her arms dripping to the floor. She smiles devilishly at William.
"Soon, my dear, soon, all I need is the blood of a pure one."My heart jumps painfully knowing what she meant, sacrifice.
I was about to speak out when I felt a hand on my shoulder causing me to jump in fright. Turning around, I see Gene crossing his arms, looking at me a bit concerned.
"Mai," he calls out, but in a strange tone that I didn't like. It sounded as though he's forced.
"Gene, help, this is confusing, what do we do? Naru wants to chant something while I burn the scrolls, but I have a bad feeling. I'm scared, that something bad will happen. Naru is already hurt as it is. I'm scared that this time around one of us won't be able to come out alive." I told him.
Gene shook his head, turning toward the stairs.
"I'm sorry about what happened to you both, but I do remind you, you have been warned before you came back alive Mai. The creatures are becoming more violent than ever. Keep with Noll, and when you burn the scrolls, don't let Noll be close to it… He's your guardian but if he keeps getting in the way, he might lose his life for real, and it's not his time yet." His words were like a knife through my heart, that I had to grasp my chest trying to not cry.
"I knew it, Now, tell me, how to stop this? Please, I need to protect Naru as well."
"I'm here to show you, not tell you. Everything, that I have shown you, is everything you need, put it together. Weeping lady is someone that you overlooked."And then he disappears.
I groaned, rubbing my head.
"Why can't anyone be straightforward."
...
...
...
I awoke, from my dream, for some odd reason, I felt full and warm. I turned around, to see Naru sleeping next to me, I frowned, trying to remember what happened last night.
"Right, we came back to the cave and ate then slept. Naru is very worried about my hand. It's not sealing up as it should. At least his wound is finally closing, but am I going to lose all movement of my fingers? It's weird." I look at my injured hand, where Naru worked last night. I try to move my fingers, but couldn't.
"I can still feel pain in my palm, but nothing in my fingers." I shrugged, not sure how to react to this since there's nothing we could do.
Naru sniff, catchign my attetion. I turn to look at him and gave him a soft smile.
Who would have thought, this man that I met eleven years ago in my old school would be my best friend and supporter, my family. Such a good man he is.
I leaned down and kiss his cheek softly.
Naru flutters his eyes open, making me tilt my head and smile even more.
"Morning my love," I told him. He rubs his eyes and nodded.
"Morning." he kisses my cheek and stood up only to wince in pain.
"Your arm, let me see," I told him. Naru stretches his arm for me to see and my heart clenched. It's red, like my legs used to be when I was having those nightmares of being burn alive.
"Can you bring those herbs for the burn? I don't think we have them with us." I told him. Naru simply waves his hands and a bunch of them appear on my lap.
"Thanks," I simply said, forgetting about my injured hand, I try to grasp them, but only wince in pure pain as I put pressure on my palm.
"Aii!" I hissed, causing Naru, to grab my hand and shake his head.
"Don't force yourself. I'll prepare it." He simply said. I gave him a defeated look, shaking my head.
"Okay, but let me apply it please," I begged him. Naru nods, feeling him rub my back. I leaned forward and kiss his cheek.
"I'm sorry I'm not useful and being bothersome, I can't even dress, I'm becoming depressed by this too be honest," I whispered feeling so sad about this. Naru leans against me and shook his head.
"Never be sorry and think of it this way, it's a badge of honor, that you saved my life. That it could have been worse," He began as he turns to look at me.
"There are people that have way worse, but they make it, so don't ever think you're a burden to me. No one is perfect including me. You have so much to offer and no problem can't be resolved. At this point you taught me how to have faith and love, so that's what I grasp on, if God gave me my loving wife back, then it's not for you to become depressed or become self-pity, but to become a stronger wonderful, loving full of life woman that takes a day at a time. Mai, I admire you so much, you have no idea." He said to me. My heart swelled up once again, causing my eyes to tear up.
"So even if I can't even move my fingers..."
"Well, we can just continue to live as normal as possible. Don't think I'm here out of obligation because you saved me. Don't ever think that I will leave you. I told you I'm with you because you're my world. No matter what happens. I can't live without you Mai. I truly can't. " He assures me, and I simply knew that I just fell in love with him again as my heart just flew with such warmth and a deep depth that I felt like I was drowning the most beautiful way.
I'm falling in love with Naru again. My love for him has grown even more. He's my heart.
I began to cry, as Naru looks at me.
"Mai?" He asks a bit worried as I kissed his cheek.
"Naru, I'm falling in love with you even more than ever, oh God, I couldn't think I could love you more than I already have. I don't think it's normal to be falling this hard for the same person. " I told him. Naru wipes my cheeks.
"Me to Mai, me to. I didn't know I can fall in love so many times with the same woman and every time is deeper than the previous, I don't know if it's normal, but I can't stop falling in love with you either. I don't know how I got your love, but it's beyond anything I ever experience to have someone love me this much." he whispers as tears gather in his eyes, making them shine. He press his forehead against mine and rubs it lovingly I smiled gently at him, feeling so protected by him and so loved.
...
...
...
"There," I smiled gently at Naru after I treated his burn. He looks content and lowers his arm down.
"Thanks," He said as he waves his hand and the herbs went away. I smiled at him.
"About earlier, sorry I didn't mean to lose it, your words touched me and I promise I won't let myself go down, you're right, there are so many people in the world with a worse condition, but most makes it, so that's how I can see it from now on. God gave me another chance and I won't waste it, for you." I assured him.
He makes me live.
"You're human Mai, it's fine, and great, same here, plus life isn't supposed to be easy, it was it would be boring, wouldn't it?" he winks at me causing me to blush.
"You know Naru," I watch him grab my injured hand.
"Hmm?"
"Mama used to tell me lots of stories of her and papa. One of my favorite stories of theirs is was when they were dating. She told me once, that Papa took her on a romantic date, which turned out to be the worst." I began, Naru rose a brow looking at me.
"Worst?" He asks me, I nodded at him as he lowers his gaze to look at my wound.
"Well, you see, she said that Papa was so nervous, that he kept spilling everything and tripping. She found him so adorable… She told me, that men may look all strong and such.." I stopped as I shyly move my good hand, to grasp Naru's hand. He stops his movement and lifts his gaze to look at me. My heart skips a beat.
He moves his fingers to wrap it around mines. A warm feeling passes my chest, for thinking of my parents.
I miss my parents so much.
"What else?" he said when he lowers himself and kisses my fingers, making my heart speed like crazy.
"She said, that men are so simple. Oliver... I have a question.." I stated his real name.. Naru lifts his gaze.
"What?" He arched a brow as I began to giggle at my Mama's words.
"Mama told me, women are very sensitive, of course, and loves romance, well most of us. My question is... Mr. Oliver.." I cleared my throat.
"Yes? Mrs. Davis?" my eyes widen at his words, as my heart leap.
Is the first time he calls me that… I timidly smiled.
"Well, Mr. Oliver, Is it true, that any man will fall for any girl simple touch of affection?" I asked him. Naru goes still at my question.
"Mama said, even the coldest man in the world, will fall for a simple touch of affection. No men are irresistible to it, Papa fell for it. So.." I move closer to Naru, to stare at his eyes. He suddenly swallows hard.
"Mr. Oliver, tell me that my mother is wrong and that you or any men, isn't that gullible?" I challenge, he stares at me confused.
"Why are we having this conversation?" he asks.
"Just curious," It's all I said.
Moving my hand, and feathery touch his face. I stare at his reaction and his pupils grew. My eyes grew.
Looking straight at his face, for the first time, I notice, how red his cheeks have gotten, making me blush hard as well.
I move my hand, brushing his hair, then trace his eyes and lips, enjoying his warmth. He kept staring at me with longing.
"Sorry, I have mistaken Mr. Oliver, it seems you're immune to it." I teased him, as I move back, but Naru grabs my arm causing me to gasp, and pulls me closer to me, our faces inches away from each other.
My heart is racing beyond crazy as I can feel his soft breath against my skin.
Kiss me, it's been so long, I'm better Naru, my cheek doesn't hurt as it used to, please. Please so I can feel you, I would love to hear you say I love you, I can sense it in your tone Naru, just once. I begged with my eyes.
"Mrs. Davis.." he whispers.
Mrs. Davis, it fits... It feels so beautiful to be his.
"Hmm?" I asked.
"You're wrong.." he stated causing me to arched a brow in confusion.
"Wrong? About?" I asked him.
"Nothing, after I get your hand patched up, we should eat something fast and get going, we only have a week." He changes the subject. Disappointment fell on me as I turned to face the entrance of the cave as he continues to carefully work on my hand.
I turned to see him wrapping my wound and then lowers my hand down.
"Thanks," I told him as I stood up, but Naru surprises me by taking hold of my arm and turns me around, making me land on top of him. I gasped, as my hands land on top of his shoulders. Luckily for my injured hand, I used my arm for support so I wouldn't hurt it. At eye level, Naru gave me a strange look.
"Ne, Naru?" he tilts forward, and the next thing I knew, his lips were on mines. My eyes widen in shock as he crushes his lips on mine, and cups my cheek carefully, and began to move against my lips.
"Did that hurt?" Naru asks a bit breathless as he pulls back. I was half dazed, aching for more.
"N... no," I told him honestly. He smirks all of the sudden, as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
"Good," as he leans forward and claims my lips once again, I couldn't help but close my eyes and began to kiss back.
My whole being came back alive once again, as I felt his big hand on my back, pushing me closer to him, then kisses me harder and deeper with an urgent, causing my toes to curl.
I was in heaven, I was in pure heaven with this man. How much I miss his kisses.
We kissed as two crazy-in-love people that couldn't have enough of each other. I have no idea how long, but we took a few seconds to breathe, and then continued to kiss even deeper, more passionate, not getting tired of this.
As we separated, a sudden strange emotion pierced into my soul as I cup his cheek.
"Ne, Naru," I began as I licked my lips, he rose his gaze at me.
"Hmm,"
"Why do I have this strange feeling?" I asked him. He arched a brow.
"What do you mean?" He said, as he kisses my jaw, I used my good hand to run my fingers through his hair.
"I don't know, I feel like something is wrong with you, like a secret," I told him.
"Ah, yes, I have a secret," he said causing me to look down at him.
"Secret?" I asked, confused, Naru nods, rolling his shoulders, turning towards the entrance as he lays his head on my chest, resting on it. I place my cheek on top of his head.
"Secret, that will be told later, now, are you ready, let's have breakfast, You made me work out too much," He teases me, as he doesn't attempt to get up, I giggled at his statement.
I feel uneased by this, what secret?
"Hmm, it was a good delicious workout, but Naru, what are you thinking about?" I asked, no liking this. Naru lifts his gaze to look at me, and that strange look pierced in his eyes, the same look he had when we first met.
Oh no, he's planning on something that includes me out of the picture... Oh no...
"Naru, no... Whatever you're thinking of, don't." I was now getting worried, and anxious. He gave me a small smirk as he gave me a soft chaste kiss on my lips, and using his powers, places me to his side. I turned to look at him.
"Ne, Naru?" I watch him grab the bag and came up to me and bends down to my level.
"Hold on to this Mai," he whispers, placing the bag around me, and adjusted. I stare with wide eyes.
"Naru? What did you plan?" he smiles gently at me, cupping my cheek. My hands started to shake.
"At this rate, I can't hide from you, huh? Yes, I came up with a plan." He whispers feeling his thump caressing my cheek. Now panic flushed in my veins and alert bells.
"Okay... What type of plan. Please, please, tell me, that involves me... One thing I have to tell you about my dream, and…" Naru captures my lips gently shutting me up once again kissing me profoundly taking my breath.
Breathing hard, he lets go and smiles again.
"Cat and mouse." He whispers… I arched a brow confused by his words.
"Cat and mouse?" I asked confused, he nods as he lets go, and takes a step back.
"Naru?" I stretched my hands towards him, but he takes another step back, making me go frantic.
"Forgive me, I can't let you come with me. I promise to come back later, give me until nightfall. I will come back soon, I promise." he assures me.
"No... Don't you dare Naru.." I scolded, He just gives me a soft smile.
"Mai, I forgot to tell you, I think I know why we keep falling in love," He tells me catching me by surprise.
"You do? Wait, Naru, we don't.." but he shook his head as he sooths my cheek again causing me to shut my mouth. I leaned into his touch without complaining.
"It's because I gave you my heart," He said causing my eyes to widen in shock.
He gave me his heart? He never told me that before.
"Your heart? You gave me your precious heart?" I asked, taken aback from his this deep confession.
"You have my heart Mai, I never gave it to anyone, but now it's yours. You have the power to do whatever you want to do with my heart. That's how much I trust you. You can even break it. Regardless of how it plays out, one thing is for sure, I won't ever regret it because I'm yours completely because you're worth it Mai and you have no ides how much power you have over me." He stood up after he confessed and turns his gaze towards the opening of the cave, taking a deep breath.
Me to, you have my heart Naru, don't do this, please don't leave me. I was about to speak to tell him the same thing, that he has my heart, that it's no longer mines, Naru spoke.
"For the record, you're not near the mansion, nor we are in the same cave. We are on the other side of the mountains, I'll see you later. Please don't follow me, nor leave this cave. There's plenty of food, water, and herbs. Take care of yourself, Mai, and remember this, you're my life and my home, and I won't let anything happen to you." and with that, he disappears.
"I have to warn you.." I cried out, as tears rolled down my cheeks, as I stood up heading for the entry of the cave, leaning against the wall for support as my heart shreds into pieces as tears run down my cheeks.
"Naru, please listen to me and stop being my guardian and listen to me once in your life... DON"T LEAVE ME!"
...
...
...
Deleted Scene: The Sixth year in Black Lagoon
"Twenty, I hope you're hiding Naru!" I called out, as I turned around from facing the tree and didn't spot Naru around.
"You know this is dumb," I heard Naru spat out, I began to sneak towards his voice on my right side.
"Is it now? Then why did you accept?" I asked him.
"Because you made me,"
"Sure I did,"
I lowered my stance as I could spot Naru's foot behind a few trees down where I was counting.
"Oh, Naru, Naru, let's play hide and seek, oh please, if we do, I promise to do whatever you ask me." he did a horrible imitation of a girl's voice. I cover my mouth to not laugh.
"I do not sound like that," I said as I reach the tree he hid.
"Oh yes, you..." but he didn't finish as I jump in front of him.
"Boo!" I shout causing him to jump back in fright.
"Oi, trying to give your husband a heart attack," he spat rubbing his chest. I place my hands behind my back and shook my head.
"You didn't even try to hide, so you deserve that," I said to him. Naru suddenly wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his embrace causing me to gasp in shock.
"Ne Naru?"
"You said you'll do anything if I played with you right?" He asks me. I squint my eyes.
"Yes, fine, what do you want?" I asked him. He gave me a serious look as he wraps his arms around me and gives me a soft hug.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"When we return to Japan, promise me one thing," He said. I kiss the side of his head.
"Yes, what is it?" I asked him.
"Move in with me." He said. I blinked, as I separated from him.
"Huh?"
"I already have a house Mai, we are already married, so when we return, let's sign the papers since we need some proof in humans' eyes, and move in with me. My house is big enough for us, and if we have children, then they will be able to live a comfortable life as well, and for your studies, I can help you with that. Since you're going to work with me and since I thought you so much, you'll probably graduate with ease or earlier than normal." he tells me. I felt my eyes tear up looking at him, feeling so touched that he wants to have me there in his house, to make a family.
"Are you sure?"
"I've living with you for six years Mai, I'm used to you by now," He assures me.
"You won't regret it?" I pushed, as he shook his head.
"I'll regret it if I didn't ask you. So promise me? If anything happens, I wanted to tell you in advance, my house is your house, your home. My home that will feel warmth again by you, if not, I can move in with you, it doesn't matter, but promise me that we will be in the same roof." He said with such intimacy that touched my heart. I smiled at him and nodded at him.
"I promise," I extend my hand and put out my pinky. Naru stares at it causing me to roll my eyes.
"Pinky swear," I told him.
"Aren't we a bit old for that?" He asks me. I shrugged at him causing him to cackle and he incircles his pinky around mine and seals the deal. We swung our hands and I couldn't help but smile deeply at my husband.
"Kazuya-kun, did you know" I began while he lifts his gaze.
"Yes?"
"After living in the Black Lagoon, I learned that if we could make a cave our home for a few days, living with you under a bridge wouldn't matter."
"What does that have to do with anything?" He asks as I pulled him to tippy toes and kiss his sweet lips, and answered him.
His eyes widen in the realization of my words.
"It has to do with everything. I learned that you are my home regardless if it's in a treehouse, a cave, in the middle of the woods, or under a bridge or a normal house. Without money or with money. While you are there, then I have a home because you always there protecting, loving, and providing for me. You're my guardian, my loving home, my best friend, my lover, my loving husband. You are my world and I hope I'm the same for you because I always want to protect and love you my love. I want you to feel at home with me regardless of where we live as well."
Thank you for the reviews and the love between Mai and Naru you guys have.. It makes me happy that you guys aren't bored with them.
Sorry for the long wait, editing was long and I sprain my hand so it was a bit hard to type but now I'm better. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, a good long one. To make it up.