"It is said that whenever we practice Dharma it should always be pervaded by compassion at all times – in the beginning, in the middle and at the end of our practice. Compassion is the source, the real essence of the entire path."

- Khenpo Appey Rinpoche

Chapter 7

Mai's POV:

Though I was exhausted, I refused to be taken from Naru's side. Mr. Kiba was in a state of shock when we showed up, all looking a little worse for wear. He was especially frightened by Naru's unconscious state and my blood covered toga. As soon as we were in Naru's room and he was laid on the bed, Lin san ran from the room and brought back a piece of paper. He knelt on Naru's other side just as Masako came into the room, her kimono covering her mouth and tears in her eyes. She slumped into Ayako's arms, looking only half awake.

"What is that?" I asked Lin san.

"That phone call I made. I thought we might need it." He explained softly before handing the paper to me. "It has to be said with complete compassion. Mai san, read it exactly as I have written."

Taking the paper with shaking hands, I swallowed and began. "Watashi wa inoru... Kare wa ima, iyasa reru koto ga arimasu. Sore wa subete ima iyasa reru koto ga arimasu. Sore wa subete ima iyasa reru koto ga arimasu. Shira, Samadi to han'nya ni yotte, kare wa iyasa reru koto ga arimasu. Rinri, meisō, to chie ni yori, subete ga iyasa reru koto ga arimasu. Inori to man tora koto de, subete ga iyasa reru koto ga arimasu. Yasashi-sa to bitoku no subete no sōsu ni yotte, kare wa iyasa reru koto ga arimasu."

I felt, as much as heard, the emotion in my voice as I repeated this over and over. As I spoke, Lin san opened his palms and placed them over Naru's heart, a white light emanating from his hands looking as if it were seeping into Naru's skin. Could this be magic...? I froze as Naru opened his eyes and took in a ragged breath. I felt like time was at a standstill as he came to, taking in his surroundings before settling his eyes on my face. I had sat on the side of his bed as I said the chant and I was waiting for his voice, needing to hear it.

"Mai..." He managed to say, though it was soft. I felt my heart begin to pound.

"Yes, Naru?"

He closed his eyes and one of the corners of his mouth turned up. "Tea."

I was stunned at first. As it sunk in that he had finally asked for the one thing I had waited for him to request since I started working for him again, a laugh escaped my throat, followed by another and another until I was slumped over and hugging him with absolute mirth bubbling inside me. I gasped for breath. "I'm laugh sorry laugh I'm just...I can't believe you're finally asking for tea."

I felt a hand rest of the side of my bare shoulder. I knew it was his. The few times our skin had made contact had been enough to seer it into my memory. "Are you going to make it or not?"

I leaned back enough to catch a smirk on his face and humor in his tired eyes. I reluctantly pulled away and hurried to the door. "Right away."

As I made his tea in the base next door, I kept having to repress laughter. I made a large pot of the tea and carried it and several cups on a tray back into Naru's room. I gave him a cup first. Someone had helped him sit up while I was gone and he was ready to drink it right away. He closed his eyes, a peaceful look on his face. "Thank you."

The entire room stared at him like he had grown another head. Ayako spoke. "Did Naru just say thank you?"

Monk walked right over to the window and opened it, letting in the muggy night air as he put a foot out. "It's the end of the world, isn't it?"

Ayako grabbed his shirt and dragged him back in. "Don't be an idiot. Now, I think it's time we all get some rest. Masako, thank you for not trying to follow us to the village. I couldn't have looked after you too with all I had to go through."

Masako nodded, her kimono sleeve over her mouth. "I don't have to be told things twice like some people."

It was clearly a snub at me, but I didn't care. Naru had confessed to having some form of feelings for me and we both survived. If he really wanted...he could act on those feelings. I looked back at said narcissist, his tea cup firmly in his hands. "How are you feeling?"

He looked up at me with only a partial mask on his face, his eyes quickly taking in my attire. "Better. You? You have marks."

I took another look at myself. I did have marks. I had some bruises on my arms at my shoulders and wrists, and some on my legs at the ankle. "Ah, they're alright."

"You fought it." He pointed out, his eyes barely giving away his surprise. "You fought so hard, you kept knocking it back."

"You shouldn't have fought." I scolded softly. "It nearly killed you. Do you have any idea how scared I was?"

He looked away with slight indignation in his eyes. "If I hadn't, it would keep causing trouble. Now it's gone and the villagers have no reason to keep coming."

"And with Konoho getting himself killed, there's no one else that will feed the flames of hate quite so much. Do you think Hana's father will get better?"

He didn't question that Konoho had died, instead choosing to answer my question. "I don't know. It depends what was wrong in the first place."

Someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to find the room empty, except for Ayako, Naru and myself. "You need to get cleaned up. After that, you should rest."

"But..." I was very reluctant to leave his side. Ayako had to grab my hand and hoist me up. As I was pulled away, Naru's hand shot up and took mine, holding on strongly for just a moment before letting me go. I looked into his sapphire eyes in shock until I had been removed from the room.

Ayako helped me peel off the blood and rain soaked toga before running my bath for me and helping me in. I cleaned my body and hair up before letting her use an ointment on my bruises. When I was clean, she had to help me from the tub since my muscles were sore enough to not be helped entirely by the hot water.

Holding my towel firmly around me, I left the bathroom and got myself ready in my blue pinstripe pajama pants and a similar shade of blue tank top. Crawling under the sheets, I fought sleep for only a few minutes before finally giving into it.

I woke up when a particularly loud clap of thunder sounded. Masako and Ayako were both unaffected and I was about to try and sleep again when another hit. I sighed. Storms have always kept me up, though they didn't scare me the way they did when I was a child. Climbing out of bed, I slipped on my warm socks and left the room, looking around the upstairs hall. I thought about going down to the kitchen and finding a comfort snack. Instead, I headed into the base and made myself some tea.

While the electric kettle boiled the water, I looked at the clock on the wall. About four A.M. Nobody would stir, not even the maids, until at least six or seven. As the kettle clicked off, I was brewing my tea when the floorboards creaked. I spun around, my hand going to my chest. It was Naru, already in a pair of black pajama bottoms and a dark gray v-neck t-shirt. I let out a shaky breath. "You scared me half to death."

He smirked. "I could smell your tea."

"What are you doing out of bed?" I attempted to scold, trying to hide that I was embarrassed by my reaction. "Lin san would pitch a fit."

"He told me not to sleep yet, so I won't. We'll be leaving the island early tomorrow, as soon as the rain stops. He's pretty sure I'm fine and I know I'm fine, but there's still a trip to the hospital in order."

Turning around to hide the blush that his smirking was causing, I made him a cup of tea too and carried them to the table. He sat down and took a long drink while I simply held my cup, my eyes on his face. He did look fine... I shook my head, trying to keep my thoughts in check. To distract myself, I attempted to think up conversation. "So the case is over? No twenty-four hour wait time?"

He shook his head, the cup still near his mouth. "I watched my power tear right through it. It's not here anymore. Even Miss. Hara cannot sense it."

"Mr. Kiba should pay you extra." I said half jokingly. "He hires you to rid the island of a spirit and you manage to destroy a god."

"It wasn't quite a god. But it was a powerful enough spirit that no small feat would rid the island of it. I'll admit that I'm impressed with what I did."

I grinned. "You really are a narcissist."

He took his final drink of tea before sitting his cup down and standing. "You should get some sleep. I doubt you'll feel very good when it's time to wake if you wait any longer. Be packed and ready to go by seven."

He had turned and was leaving the room. I felt a protest bubbling in my throat. "Naru?"

I said it a little softer than I intended to, but he still heard me. He stopped, looking over his shoulder, his dark eyebrow raised. "Yes, Mai?"

I looked down, unable to keep his stare. "Nothing. Sleep well."

I widened my eyes as his footsteps approached me again until I could see his socks in the top of my vision. He leaned down until I could see his chest. Looking up in shock, I met his eyes. The frustration was still there, but it was tinged with humor. He reached forward and covered my eyes, pressing lightly and sliding his hand down so I shut them. I held my breath as I felt something warm press against my lips. It was quick, chaste and entirely pleasant. I shivered, having to take a moment to revel in it before finally opening my eyes. When I finally did, he had left the room.

The following morning, It was very easy for Ayako to wake me up. I had slept very soundly after returning to the room, my dreams filled with a certain dark haired narcissist. She gave me a funny look as she leaned back up from the side of my bed. I got up in a daze. It took until I had shut myself in the bathroom and saw my reflection to realize that I had the dopiest looking smile I had ever seen on my face.

I was ready in five minutes and was packing up my clothes when I heard Ayako begin to talk with Monk outside of the room. "Mai's acting like she's on cloud nine this morning."

"Oh?" Monk asked in curiosity. "Did she have a good dream?"

"That's my guess. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's had something very good happen to her outside of her dreams. I'm pretty sure I saw her leave the room early this morning."

I quickly finished my packing and was out of the room a minute later. "Ready, guys?"

Ayako smiled, unaware that I had heard their talk. "Mr. Kiba says we can all have breakfast in the dining room before we go."

I grinned. "Sounds good."

I let them go ahead of me. Hurrying down the stairs, I sat my bag with the rest of the luggage that had been piled near the door before heading for the dining room. I had barely taken a step inside it before I froze, the image of Naru standing next to his seat making my heart skip a beat. Should I smile? Pretend I don't notice him? Last night's kiss was the single most exhilarating thing to ever happen to me, but did he intend on acknowledging it?

To answer my question, he went to stand by a chair next to his and pulled it out. "Good morning."

I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding before going to sit in the seat he was holding out. "Good morning."

His actions didn't go unnoticed. Nearly every set of eyes at the table were on us for all of breakfast. I knew I was eating rice cakes and more mochi, but I hardly noticed what I put into my mouth. I was putting almost all my focus into not letting my eyes dart up to look at him. If it wasn't obvious already that there was something up, me staring at him would definitely clue everyone in.

As the plates were cleared, I caught Masako's hostile eyes, the glare threatening to take over her face. I looked away quickly. If Naru and I did have something going on, I really had hoped that Masako would be the last to know. Oh well...

"That was great, Kitsune." Mr. Kiba complimented. "I've received word from the village too. They want me to convey their most sincere apologies for what they put you all through and they all thank you from the bottom of their hearts for ridding them of the spirit. Also, those who were struck with illness seem to be making a quick recovery."

I smiled. "Oh, good. I was worried about Hana's father. Do you know if Hana is doing well?"

"From what I hear, one of the village elder's sons confessed his love to her, saying he doesn't care if she's been hurt that way." Mr. Kiba smiled brightly. "I think I hear wedding bells."

This news was enough to make me forget my earlier embarrassment. I even looked over to Naru to give him a smile. "Hana will be alright after all. I'm sure of it."

A minute later, we were all standing and heading for the door. Mr. Kiba shook all our hands. As he shook Naru's hand, he handed him a check. "I thank you for all your help. There's a million yen. Let fifty thousand go to each of you as a bonus. You've done splendidly. When I have my Spring parties next year, you all have an open invitation."

Naru bowed his head quickly. "Thank you, Mr. Kiba. My team and I will be off now."

Mr. Kiba saw us personally to the plane. Before we could even board, a man in a captain's uniform ran off it. "Master Kiba, there's something wrong with the engine!"

I smacked my forehead. "Oh yeah!"

Everyone looked down at me. Mr. Kiba looked alarmed. "Do you know what happened to it?"

"When I was kidnapped, the elder Konoho told me he had tampered with the plane so it couldn't even make it into the sky. I forgot all about it."

I expected him to be upset. Instead, he laughed. "I can have it fixed and ready for flight soon enough. Why don't we go inside and I show you to my entertainment room."

Though I had been looking forward to sitting next to Naru for a whole flight, I did enjoy Mr. Kiba's beautiful house and wasn't too disappointed in the delay. At least the rain had stopped, though the clouds in the sky told me it could come back any time. Once back inside, we left our luggage by the door and followed Mr. Kiba through a set of double doors a few feet from the main doors.

It was a spacious, personal entertainment room. It had a large TV with a bookshelf full of movies built into the wall to the right. Across from the TV was a leather furniture set consisting of a sofa, two loveseats to the sides and a metal and glass coffee table in the center. It all sat on a warm toned festive rug. Behind the sofa was a desktop computer sitting on a dark wood desk and to the right of that, against the wall, was a whole countertop full of potential snack equipment, even a popcorn machine and nacho cheese dispenser. To complete the room, there was a Foosball table to the left of the doors.

Monk was over to the Foosball table in an instant, challenging Ayako and anyone who would play to a game. In the end, I agreed to partner with Ayako so that Monk and John san could be on a team. We played for half an hour before I got bored enough to head for the TV. Lin san was sitting on one of the loveseats on his own while Masako was resting on the other, her kimono sleeve over her eyes. She must have a headache from all of Monk and Ayako's bickering as they play.

Naru was sitting on the main couch, leaning slightly against one of the armrests. Feeling a little brave for a moment, I sat on the center cushion, only about six inches of space between us. My eyes remained firmly planted on the TV, even though I wasn't even remotely interested in watching the news.

It was so soft, I didn't notice at first. When a slightly harder tug came at the back of my hair, I glanced at Naru. He had a hold of a clump of my hair, his eyes on the TV like he wasn't doing it at all. A slight smile formed on my lips. It made sense. He's too stoic to show affection in public, so he pulls my hair like a schoolboy interacting with their crush.

"There are other ways to get my attention." I teased softly. His hand was back at his side right away. Looking carefully up at his face from the corner of my eye, I saw a frustrated look in his eyes, a very faint flush under his cheeks. He hid it well, since the smirk on his face was attractive enough to almost make me overlook the blush.

"Then what do you recommend?" He said softly, barely moving his lips. I had to hold in a sigh as an image of him kissing me filled my mind.

"Something more direct." I recommended, not expecting him to actually listen. I thought I would faint as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me towards him, so that there was only a few inches of space between us. He pulled his arm away and took my hand, wrapping it in his. Small, discrete, easy to explain away if someone spotted our closeness. Typical Naru.

We sat like this for what felt like a long time. I was too content to care about how much time passed. It hadn't been said out loud, but it was becoming obvious to me. Naru was not just showing interest in me, he was doing it in a crowded room, even if no one was paying attention. For Naru, that's really something.

When I finally looked at a clock on the wall above the doors, I saw that it was noon. How long would fixing the plane take? Naru's hand quickly left mine as the door opened. Mr. Kiba looked a little concerned. "I've got good news and bad news. Good news, only the engine has been tampered with. Bad news, it was damaged enough that I'll need to replace the whole engine. I can send for one, but it may take until tomorrow evening for it to arrive. My plane is a rare model and my supplier would have to order the engine I need. Would you be against staying another night?"

Naru stood. "That's perfectly fine. It will give me a chance to organize the case file before returning to the mainland."

Mr. Kiba smiled. "Splendid. I'm sure we can get you all home by tomorrow evening at the latest. I've got some work to do so I'll be eating in my office. Lunch is waiting for you in the dining room for when you're hungry."

"Thank you." Naru said. After a quick bow, Mr. Kiba left the room and we followed shortly after.

Lunch took longer to eat than breakfast. Without Mr. Kiba to make conversation with, Ayako and Monk bickered like an old married couple over random things. As soon as we had eaten, everyone began to return to the entertainment room when I eyed the door. I really could use some fresh air after sitting inside for so long. But I had gotten in trouble for taking a walk alone last time. I even was nearly sacrificed to a sex crazed ancient deity. Even with a truce between us and the village, you really never know what some of them might do.

"I'd like to take a walk. Anyone up for one?" I called, but Ayako and Monk's fight was too loud. Sighing, I was about to go curl up in a nearly chair when Naru and Lin san both emerged from the entertainment room.

"Noll needs a walk. I'll take you both." Lin san said in quiet authority. Naru glared at him.

"I don't need a walk."

Lin san grabbed Naru's shoulder and looked at me. "Miss. Taniyama, take that walk on your own. Noll doesn't need one."

I stood there blinking a moment before I realized that Lin san was doing his own version of teasing. Giving a knowing smile, I turned towards the door. "I'll be back soon."

"Hold it." Naru had my elbow in his hand before I could get more than a step away. "Let's take a walk."

I bit my lip to keep my smile at bay as he let go and lead the way out of the door. Lin san followed us down the stairs and to the beach to the right, keeping a respectful distance from us of at least ten feet. I stopped a few feet from the shore and inhaled.

"I love the smell of rain mixed with ocean water." I said with a smile.

"It might rain any minute." Naru murmured. "We should head inside soon."

"We've hardly walked at all." I complained. "You sound like you're already bored of it. Come on."

I ran ahead of him, past Lin san and into the trees. It took the two only a few seconds to catch up. I wasn't very fast when I was trying not to trip of tree roots. I realized we were heading towards the village. Sure it wouldn't be best to visit just now, I turned us to the right, going in a direction we had never been.

"Mai, we don't know what we'll find this way. Turn around." Naru had stopped a few feet into this part of the forest.

Sighing, I did as he said, figuring he was right. Last time I ran in a random direction of this forest, I fell off a small cliff. As I reached his side, a twig snapping in the distance made me freeze up. Naru's hand was latched onto my elbow and I was pulled until I was standing behind him. We all stared in the direction we had heard the noise, ready to run, when one familiar face and one stranger appeared from the trees.

"Hana!" I smiled, running up to her. She was being led by an older woman with strong looking arms and legs. "What are you doing outside of the village?"

"I wanted to visit you before you left." She confessed, a smile on her ashy face. She had much recovered since I last laid eyes on her, but not enough to be walking around for an extended period of time. "Will you be staying another night? We're having a feast tonight, to celebrate the vanquishing of the beast that has haunted and controlled our village for the two centuries my people have been here. With Konoho dead, his son will take his place as an elder once he marries."

"You." I specified with a smile, remembering what Mr. Kiba told me. "I heard the wonderful news."

She flushed, giving her skin a healthy glow. "Yes. The promise has been strengthened to an engagement. We'll marry this coming Spring."

"What kind of man is he?" I asked her, worried that he might be something like his father.

"He's wonderful." She said as if she were confessing a great secret. "He's been under his father's control for years and he's determined to repair some of the damage that's been done. There's talk of a proper school house being built. I'll get to be the teacher. Oh, I'm so rude! Where are my manners? This is my mother, Saki."

She gestured to the woman behind her, who bowed, a smile on her weathered face. "Greetings."

I bowed. "Good afternoon, ma'am."

Hana did the introductions. "Mother, this is Mai Taniyama, Kazuya Shibuya and Lin..."

"Koujo." I whispered.

"Yes, Koujo. They're all part of the team that rid us of the beast."

The woman approached me and bowed low. "Our tribe owes you a great debt."

"Oh, not at all..." I tried to wave it off, embarrassed. She pulled a necklace from over her neck and dropped it over mine. I picked up the pendant that hung from the thin leather rope. It was a turquoise colored stone carved to look like a bird in flight.

Hana took the pendant from my hand and held it before me. "Our village has great respect for the dove. It is an animal of innocence. It is against island law to kill them here. She offers it as a talisman of protection, so that no beast like the one that once haunted this land ever tries to harm you."

I was so overwhelmed, I bowed very low, letting my knees touch the ground. To receive a gift from the wife of a village elder was no small matter. "Thank you, ma'am."

I felt arms on my shoulders a moment later, lifting me from the soil beneath me. I felt my skin warm wherever it met his. He let go as soon as I was standing.

Hana had the brightest smile I had ever seen as she looked from Naru's face to mine. "I knew it."

Any response I could have managed caught in my throat as my face heated until it was a shade of red it hasn't been since I first met Naru. How was I supposed to reply to such an accusation, especially since it's true?

"I hope you feel better soon, Miss. Hana." Naru told her, effectively changing the subject of the conversation. "How is your father?"

Hana gave Naru a humor filled look, aware that he was trying to avoid the unspoken question. "He's wonderful. He's already up and walking. The others are doing great as well. Ah!"

The last noise she made worried me. She was holding her middle. I reached forward, ready to grab her if she fell, not thinking about whether I had the strength to do so or not. "Are you alright?"

She giggled, her face flushing more. "I'm well, don't worry. I just need to use the bathroom."

Her response made me laugh quickly. I tried to stifle it, not wanting to embarrass her. "Hurry back, then. I'll let Mr. Kiba know I saw you."

She nodded and let her mother take her arm before leading her back through the trees, when we could hardly see them, we turned and headed back for the house. I stopped only once to pick a very vibrantly colored flower, but otherwise didn't delay our trip back to the house. I didn't think we had been gone that long until we were met by Ayako's scowl just inside the doorway.

She put her hands on her hips. "And where have you two been? You didn't even tell us you were going!"

"Actually, we did..." I told her.

Thankfully, Lin san stepped inside a moment later. "Noll needed a walk and Miss. Taniyama was restless. I took them to the beach."

Now that she was assured that Naru and I hadn't just walked off on our own, she seemed to visibly calm down. "Well...Still try to let me know when you're going to suddenly leave. Alright, Mai?"

"Alright." I glanced in the entertainment room to find Monk and John san playing Foosball. Other than them, the room was empty. "Where is Masako?"

"She went upstairs to rest after lunch. She has a headache. Come to think of it, I haven't checked on her yet. I wish I had some pain killers."

"I'll do it." I offered, if only with a little reluctance. "I forgot to take my multi vitamin this morning and I'm pretty sure I have pain pills in my bag."

Hurrying past Ayako, I gave Naru one last glance as I headed up the stairs before disappearing down the hall. I was about to open the door to the girl's sleeping quarters when voices stopped me. The door was partially open, so I looked inside. Mr. Kiba was in there. Huh?

"Miss. Hara, Tomo tells me you're not feeling well. I brought you something to ease the pain." He told her and handed her a glass of water and a bottle of pain pills. I recognized the purple label, but it was a bigger bottle than the one I kept in my bag. Masako, already sitting up, took it from him, her face contorting slightly to show her confusion. Normally, Mr. Kiba sent his maids to handle things like this.

"Thank you, Kiba san." She told him softly. He crossed his arms behind his back, his posture relaxed.

"Please, after all you and your team have done for me, it's Kiba kun. Can I get you anything else to ease your comfort. A young lady as lovely and delicate as yourself shouldn't have to be in pain."

While Masako blushed a pretty shade of pink, I could tell it was less from feeling flattered and more because she was shocked to hear those words come from Mr. Kiba. To be honest, so was I. Should I step in? As he went far enough to sit at the foot of her bed, I determined I should.

"Hello, Masako. I was about to bring you some pain pills."

Mr. Kiba was standing before I even had the door entirely open. He averted his eyes. "Ah, well I've brought her some myself. I was going to send Miss. Tomo to do it but she's been looking rather tired lately. I told her to rest."

"Of course." I smiled, eyes closed for a second. I don't know what his intentions were, and I could risk a lot by confronting him on his behavior. For instance, making it to where we needed to find another way off the island and another place to stay until the transportation arrived. "I can take it from here, if you'd like. I understand you're a busy man."

He cleared his throat, his eyes still refusing to meet mine. After a quick bow of the head, he left the room, closing the door behind him. I quickly looked to Masako. She looked a little shaken. "Did you hear what he said...? I saw you in the doorway."

I nodded, my face more serious than ever. "If I didn't know any better, it looked like he was making a pass at you."

She flushed, her eyes firmly on her balled fists over her deep blue kimono. "It seemed that way...Should we tell Kazuya?"

"If he confronted Mr. Kiba..." I started and trailed off. I didn't want to cause trouble where it wasn't due, but if he really had been making a pass, I shouldn't tell Masako to keep it a secret. "What you do about Mr. Kiba's over friendliness is up to you."

She looked up finally. "If I'm wrong and I say something...It could make Kazuya upset. I'll...I'm sure he was being merely polite."

"Yeah." I said with a little uncertainty. To distract myself, I grabbed a multi vitamin from my bag, which had been taken upstairs by one of the maids, and used a glass from the bathroom to get water and take it. Combing my fingers through my hair, I placed the flower I had carried back to the house on the side of the sink and went back into the bedroom with Masako. "Do you want something to drink? I can make tea."

She laid back on the bed and covered her eyes. "Just shut the light out. I'll sleep until dinner."

Turning the light off for her, I left the room as quietly as I could and made sure the door was shut before heading back downstairs.

ALRIGHT, THAT'S CHAPTER SEVEN. HOPE YOU ENJOYED. :D

!MAI'S DHARMIC PRAYER OVER NARU TRANSLATES AS FOLLOWS:

"I pray...May he be healed now. May it all be healed now. May it all be healed now. By sila, samadhi, and prajna, may he be healed. By ethics, meditation, and wisdom, may it all be healed. By prayer and mantra, may it all be healed. By kindness and all the sources of virtue, may he be healed."