Mai's POV


I found myself watching the time and dreading the switch with Sato. I wasn't nervous to be working in the back or the possibility of seeing everyone again, it was due to how Sato would react. Sato is a wonderful person, but most of the times he's left to work the restaurant part while everyone else worked wherever was needed. To me he seems shy, like he doesn't know how to interact with other people. In fact, he reminds me of Naru oops I mean Dr. Davis in this aspect.

The other employees are always gossiping about some rumor involving Sato whether it is scandalous or not. If a person were to believe those rumors it's a wonder why he tries to be nice to those who are so malicious towards him. I always made sure to say, "good morning" to him and "goodbye I'll see you tomorrow" because I didn't believe the rumors and didn't think it fair that he must suffer because of other people.

I was correct, Sato wasn't happy to hear that he would be the one who was pulled to work in the front. The boss probably wanted someone competent to work with Cathy, instead of sending Adannaya, who just flirted with the male customers and ignored the female ones. I was caught off guard when he stopped me in his way up front. He was currently wearing a frown which seemed to be wrong. If it wasn't for his expressive brown eyes I would have believed him to be upset with me.

Sato was too handsome to have a frown on his face. He stood at six feet so he was taller than me by seven inches. His hair was blonde and swept back out of his face so I could never tell the true length of it. Today he wore a dark grey t-shirt that hugged his broad shoulders and muscular arms pared with black jeans that hugged his slim hips and legs to flare out at his combat boot clad feet.

"Hey there short stuff. You know why the boss has yanked me from the back to the front?" he asked which was the most I'd heard out of him in one sitting.

"Not a clue sorry. Do you have any idea of why I'm to be serving in the back?" I was hoping that maybe he'd heard something that would help put a missing piece within the puzzle.

"Nope, though I do wish you were the one working with me in the store front and not Cathy or the two of us working in the restaurant. You treat me like a person and not someone with a disease. Besides you're the prettiest of all of the female employees." He gave me a soft smile before walking through the doors that led to the front.

The prettiest one? What is he talking about? I thought as I continued, on my way to the female changing room where I donned on the waitress uniform and got ready to start serving.

I was glad that the waitress uniform wasn't like the typical uniform girls would were like the ones you'd see in manga where the skirt was so short you practically saw their butt. The outfit consisted of a black skirt that fell at knee length paired with a crisp button up white shirt and black dress shoes or something similar.

As I left the changing room I noticed that Adannaya stood outside the men's changing room, she was probably waiting for Sato to come out. Adannaya, the newest employee at The Blossoming Tea Shop, was 5' 3" with shoulder length golden blonde hair and dark green eyes. I'm pretty sure she's an American, but I couldn't be sure and to top it off she's very snobby. I've yet to meet a polite American, but then again there is a first time for everything.

She thinks so much of herself that I often compare her to a female version of Naru, but there are times where she is far worse than Naru. Naru at least thought about the well-being of the people around him while he made it seem like he didn't care at all. Adannaya on the other hand doesn't care for anyone at all, if it didn't benefit her then it was no concern of hers.

When she heard the door to the female dressing room open she glanced at me. Giving me a once over she gave me a look of disdain before turning back to the men's changing room. It makes me wonder if she thinks I'm wearing the waitress outfit for shits and giggles. She must believe that I'm foolish and that I'm not supposed to be working back here with her.

"Hello, Adannaya, it looks like you and I will be working in the restaurant today," I said in a syrupy sweet voice. There was no way that I was going to try to get on her bad side. She was a stuck-up bimbo with a bad temper and could hold a grudge like no other.

Giving me a once over she sniffed, stuck her nose in the air and said, "Where's Sato?"

I rolled my eyes half not believing her obvious disdain of me. I decided that I didn't care for her attitude and I figured that no matter what I did she'd hate me even more for it. So, I spoke in a chirpy tone knowing that it would get her panties in a bunch. Childish yes, uncalled for yes, fun? Oh, hell yes. "The boss has him working the front of the store with Cathy while I'm working the restaurant with you."

As was expected her expression was one worth waiting for. Her face screwed up making her beautiful face look like an ogre's, but she probably didn't realize it and thought she still looked pretty. Granted she was pretty just not when she was upset.

"Well I don't want to work with you," she said giving me another disgusted look.

"To damn bad. You're stuck with me whether you liked it or not you stuck up bitch," I said in response. Her eyes got as huge as saucers and her mouth was agape. I was getting sick of her thinking I was less than her quickly. I could only take so much crap before I started dishing it out just as much. I narrowed my eyes causing her to squirm further. I opened my mouth to say something more before I shut it and walked past her making sure I brushed her to the side. I didn't have time to deal with petty people. She smiled thinking that I thought I'd screwed up, but she was dead wrong.

You think you've won for now, but just wait until we start working then we see who will be the one smiling. After all I don't have to help you with your customers.

Walking away I picked up several menus and started seating customers. I knew I would be taking on the brunt of the customer load and I was correct, though I did get satisfaction from her messing up most of her customers' orders. She looked to me for help several times throughout the half hour we worked together, but I refused to help her.

At two o'clock I was ready for my lunch break, but couldn't take it because Adannaya had taken hers a few minutes before two. I was irritated by the time she came back as it was almost two thirty and I was told to have my lunch done before two thirty. Part of me hoped that they would be late or not showed up at all, but then again part of me wanted them to show up so I could see everyone again.

I heard a group enter the from the front and saw that it was the gang. I knew I had to get to them before Adannaya or things would get tricky and I was not in the mood to deal with her or the hassle. I saw that Adannaya had noticed the group or more like she noticed Naru. She was on her way to greet them when she was stopped by a customer. Taking the opportunity, I hustled to the group gaining shocked glances from the group.

"Welcome to the Blossoming Tea Shop. You all wouldn't happen to be SPR would you?" I asked with a sweet smile on my face all the while hoping that none of them recognized me.

An older woman stepped forward with a kind smile on her face and said, "Yes, it is. I'm Luella Davis, I called earlier and made a reservation with a Miss Mai Taniyama."

I watched as everyone perked up at the name, even Naru's head came up and a questioning glint was in his eyes. The only one who wasn't looking around was Lin and he gave me a slight smile which made me frown in return. It made me wonder what he was up to. The man never smiled at me under any circumstance.

"Jou-chan works here? Is it at all possible to see her?" Monk asked obviously not realizing he'd already seen me.

Before I could say anything to the group, I noticed that Lin had bent over and was whispering into Madoka's ear. Fear shot through me when I saw her eye go big and she looked between me and Lin. Getting a closer look, she gave a small squeal before launching herself onto me giving me the hardest hug I've ever had all the while saying, "Oh my gosh Mai! It's so good to see you again. You've changed a lot since the last time I saw you. Don't get me wrong you look awesome! You even got taller."

It took everyone a minute before they caught on to what was going on and when they did they all said in unison, "Mai?!"

"Hello, Madoka it's good to see you again too," I said as I hugged the pink haired woman. She hadn't changed at all since the last time I'd seen her, she was still bubbly.

I gave everyone else a smile before giving Lin a mock glare and saying, "Really Lin-san? Did you have to say something? For once I had the upper hand and you just had to ruin it."

He gave me a sheepish smile before saying, "I'm sorry Taniyama-san, but I knew that no one would have recognized you. I didn't recognize you when we bumped into each other this morning. It wasn't until you said something that I recognized you. Your hair is longer and has highlights in it. Then there's your wardrobe, you're no longer wearing skirts or shorts."

I was shocked to say the least. That was the first time I'd heard Lin talk more than three words that didn't involve Naru or a case. And by the looks of it I wasn't the only one who was shocked, everyone else looked just as shocked. Madoka gave me another smile and a big hug. I heard someone clear their throat and when I turned around there was Adannaya with hands on her hips. She did not look happy in the slightest. It was probably due to the fact that I beat her to a customer she deemed worthy of her presence.

"Mai, what are you doing? You're supposed to be working not slacking off. I've been dealing with all of the customers while you've been doing nothing!" she stated sounding completely irritated. She probably thought that if she said that I'm not a good worker and she is that they would have her serve them, which would happen over my dead body and by the looks of it the gang didn't believe her.

Smiling I looked at Adannaya and said in a syrupy sweet voice, "Adannaya sweetie you've done no such thing. I am the one who has been working non-stop and covering for your mistakes. You're mad that I'm the one working back here instead of Sato and you're mad at the fact that I beat you to these customers, when you wanted to get them because of how handsome one or more of them are. I'm not stupid and if you think I will allow you to degrade me in front of customers then you're more stupid than I originally thought. If anything, it will make me make you look not only stupid in front of the customers, but desperate too. Now you have customers that you've neglected to help and they're trying to flag you down go take care of them while I help this group."

Everyone in the vicinity that heard our conversation was trying not to laugh at Adannaya. If looks could kill, I probably would have just died. She was glaring at me big time, but her glares were nothing compared to Naru's ice cold glares. Speaking of the devil himself Naru cleared his throat and said, "If you don't mind, do as you've been told so Mai can get back to her job and we can get to why we are here."

Adannaya turned crimson red, huffed and turned around, but before she could get far I called out, "Oh and Adannaya before you even think about going and complaining to Reezo-san remember there are cameras in here that have audio on them too."

The look of comprehension that went across her face was priceless. Some of the other customers thought so too because they burst out laughing at her. Poor delusional Adannaya should have known better than to have messed with me. I have had way too much experience with shutting people down. Looking to the rest of the gang I gestured them to follow me. I lead them to a secluded corner where they would be able to talk with relative privacy.

"Here we are you'll be able to talk openly here without people overhearing things by accident," I said as I set menus down for them. "For you all I will be making your tea so it may be a bit longer than usual before I can take your orders for food. I hope you do not mind."

Naru looked at me with bored eyes and said, "That's fine as long as you're the one making the tea."

"All right, does everybody still drink what they did three years ago?" I asked and at their nods I smiled and turned to Luella and the man next to her. "What would the two of you like to drink?"

"I'll take whatever my son Oliver is having," Luella said with a bright smile.

"I'll have the same," the man next to her said.

"All right, I'll be back with your drink orders," I said and as I started to walk away I saw Reezo-san, Sato, and Argyle walk into the restaurant.

Reezo-san motioned both Adannaya and me over. Walking over I saw Adannaya give me a smug look, what it was for I could only guess. Both Sato and Argyle smiled at me when I got there. I noticed that they both pointedly ignored Adannaya.

"Hello Mai-san," Sato said dipping his head.

"Hey there, Mai-chan, working hard like always I see. How are you doing?" Argyle greeted in his deep Irish accented voice.

"Hello, Sato-san. And Argyle-kun you know I always work hard whether I'm on the clock or not," I said giving Argyle a pointed look. As a fellow demon hunter, he should know I can't afford to be lazy. Being lazy can be a sure way to obtain death in our field of work.

"I know I just wanted to give you a hard time about it. We both know we work hard no matter where we are," he said in reply.

"Adannaya I want you to go up to the front and help Cathy work the shop, while Sato and Argyle work the restaurant. Mai you've been here long enough you can leave for the day," Reezo-san said in a no arguments allowed tone.

"Reezo-san may I please make the tea for our latest customers before I clock out?" I asked hoping he would say yes.

"Very well, but you can only make tea for them and them only. I want you clocked out as soon as possible. You work way too hard and need to relax. I mean it young lady."

"Yes sir," I said in reply. Reezo-san was one of the few non-demon hunters that knew about me and Argyle. I have a sneaking suspicion that Sato-san is also a demon hunter based on his lack of reaction of when Argyle-kun makes references to are other hobby, but didn't have any proof.

I felt bad for Cathy because she'd be working with a scowling Adannaya, while I got to go home. I headed for the employee lounge to change into my regular clothes after I let both Sato-san and Argyle-kun know that I only got SPR's drink orders and not their food orders. After changing I got the drinks ready and headed to the group's table. As I arrived and passed out the drinks I got several weird stares from the gang.

"All right here you go. My boss says I've got to clock out. Sato or Argyle will be your server and will be coming to get your guys food order. I'll see you all around," I said trying to get out of here as fast as possible before I got roped into talking with them. I didn't have time for it, I needed to go investigate the park that I passed on the way to work. I'm pretty sure that I felt the presence of a demon and if that was true I needed to take care of it and fast before it hurt or worse killed someone.

"If that's the case why don't you sit down and chat with us for a little bit. I'd like to hear how you've been these last three years," Madoka exclaimed excited at the thought of catching up.

"What an excellent idea," Luella said agreeing with what Madoka said all the while having this smug smile on her face. I have a feeling that she set this up with Reezo-san so I could join them.

Crap I don't have time for this.

"I can't stay long. I have another appointment after this," I replied with a strained smile taking the only open seat left and that seat was next to Naru, this caused everyone, but Masako, Lin, and Naru to smile wickedly.

I stood corrected the demons were at this table.

"So, Mai, what have you been up to since we last saw you?" Madoka asked.

"I haven't been up to much. I've been working here mostly, though I did graduate two years ago," I said not really wanting to talk about what I've been doing. They didn't need to know about my life outside of this work.

"If you graduated two years ago wouldn't that have made you seventeen?" Yasu asked me.

"Yes, I was seventeen when I graduated. I could have graduated at sixteen, but I didn't feel like it." I replied in a somewhat bored tone.

"Since when have you been that smart?" Masako asked snidely causing me to roll my eyes.

"I've always been that smart when it comes to school work. You all assumed I wasn't because of Dr. Davis. If you all would have stopped and thought about it most people would be considered stupid compared to him even if they were a straight A college student at the age of twenty," I spat back at her completely offended at the fact that they truly believed I was stupid.

I watched as most of them flinch and mumble some apologies. Naru just stared at me not saying anything which ticked me off a little bit. I mean I didn't expect him to say anything, but still his silence is unnerving. At least Lin had the decency to look ashamed.

"So, what are you all doing here?" I asked trying to move the conversation along so I could leave sooner.

"Good question. Why are we here, Naru?" Ayako asked while glancing at her perfectly manicured red nails.

"Naru?" the man next to Luella stated in a question.

"That's Noll's nickname here in Japan. Mai came up with it," Madoka said in answer to the man.

"What does it stand for?" Luella asked.

No one answered her, instead they looked at me obviously expecting me to answer her. I stayed quiet because I did not want to bring up old memories and old wounds. It was beginning to become quite awkward until Sato-san came over to get everyone's food order. He seemed surprised to see that I was still here.

"Mai, you haven't left yet?" he asked.

"No, these are some old friends and co-workers of mine. They wanted to catch up before I left," I said with a smile plastered on my face. To most of them it looked genuine, but I probably didn't fool Naru or Lin.

"Oh okay. Do you want me to get anything for you? After all you worked around six and half hours without taking a break. You're probably starving, aren't you?" he asked with a kind smile and concern in his eyes. "As the boss said you work too much and that can't be good for your health. And before you say anything yes, I do care about you. You are kind enough to talk to me when most people don't, you're not intimidated by me and I appreciate that."

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry," I replied. Truth is that I'm starving, but I don't want to fight a demon on a full stomach, that wouldn't be a pretty sight.

He smiled said okay and took everyone's order before walking off. The moment he was out of sight everyone started questioning me about whether I was dating Sato-san or not. I shouldn't have expected less, but it was kind of irritating as I haven't heard from them in three years yet everyone is acting like nothing's happened.

"All right back to where we left off. Why are you all here?" I said completely ignoring the question about Naru's nickname.

"The reason is I am re-opening SPR. This will be a permanent re-opening. I do not plan on closing it down this time and was wondering if you all would like to come back," Naru said with complete seriousness and devoid of all emotion.

That bastard! If he thinks I am going to come back after everything he did, then he's got another thing coming! The nerve of him! He doesn't even look nervous that everyone might say no.

"I'll be willing to come back," Masako said.

Of course, you would.

"I've got nothing better to do," Yasu stated. "After all I am an excellent researcher for the group and college is very boring."

"I'm in," both Ayako and Monk replied as one.

"I'm in as long as I would still be able to help out at the church," John said.

I was the only person left who didn't say anything and I didn't want to. There was no way I could work for Naru again after being rejected. He might be able to act like it never happened, but I can't do that and I won't do that. I looked up and saw that Gene was staring at me. It wasn't the expecting stare like with the other, but one that was trying to figure something out.

"Gene? Is there something wrong? You've been staring at me for a while," I asked concerned that he knows what I'm thinking.

"Mai for the last two months have you been dreaming about a person asking, no pleading for your help?" he asked after a moment's hesitation.

I froze. There was no way he could have known about that. Unless he has had the same dream too and was seeing if I also had them. My eyes were wide and I'm pretty sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights. "How did you know that? Have you been having them too?"

"Yes and no. They aren't my dreams their yours. Every once in a while, I'll be pulled into your dreams. I don't feel the things you do, but I can see your reactions and hear what's going on. I hear the girl that is pleading with you and I see your confusion, but other than that I do not have anything to do with what goes on in the dream. I started getting pulled into these dreams about two months ago," he said with a far-off look in his eyes.

"Yes, I've been having those dreams every night for about two months now. In the dream I feel as if I recognize the voice, but once I wake up I have no concept on who it is," I stated trying to remember as much details about the dreams as possible.

"I see. I have one more question for you," he said becoming serious. For a second he looked just like Naru does when he is about to interrogate someone.

"Okay let me hear it," I replied instantly nervous about what he was going to say.

"The tattoos on your shoulders. When did you get them and what do they mean?" he asked scaring the ever-loving crap out of me.

Fuck! I didn't realize he could see them. The only way he could know about them is from my dreams. I must have been wearing my demon hunter's outfit.

I didn't say a word. My hand on its own volition moved to where one of my demon hunter's mark was located. My eyes felt like they were widened considerably and I'm pretty sure I was pale. But before I could say anything Monk spoke up. "What! Jou-chan having tattoos? That's highly unlikely. Is this true Jou-chan?"

I still didn't say anything though I guess I could give a little information. So, I replied with, "No, I do not have any tattoos." I'm not lying when I say this. I'm a born demon hunter so I was born with the demon hunter's mark on my shoulder. A born demon hunter will have two demon hunter's mark while someone who becomes a demon hunter that wasn't born one will receive only one mark. The marks aren't a tattoo or brand, though they are closer to the second one than the first, they're just a mark that shows up on demon hunters. A non-born demon hunter only receives the mark of a demon hunter once they kill a demon. So, they have a chance to get out of the job if they change their mind.

Once a demon hunter always a demon hunter. Born a demon hunter die a demon hunter. That's the motto for demon hunters and it is truer than anything out there.

"Are you calling Gene a liar then?" Masako asked trying to spite me I'm sure.

Before I could say anything, Argyle came up to our table with everyone's food. He was frowning at me before he looked at the group. I knew he could see my obvious discomfort. "Mai, it is three o'clock don't you have a date you're supposed to meet at the park before you go home?"

I realized what he was doing immediately and was glad for it. He must have felt the demon's presence too. Acting on what he said I jumped up exclaiming, "Shit! It's three already! Yeah, I've got to meet someone. Bye see you Monday."

As I headed to leave Argyle called out, "Oh and I got a call from Stephan. He's in town and wants to talk to you tomorrow. Do you want to know where he's at?"

"Text, it to me. I gotta go. See ya!" was all I said as I rushed out the door.