THIS STORY STARTED OUT AS A MUCH SMALLER IDEA. I'M AMAZED AT WHERE I'VE TAKEN IT AND WHERE IT POTENTIALLY CAN BE TAKEN. I HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING AND IF YOU FIND TIME TO REVIEW, THANK YOU. :)

!I WANT TO FOREWARN YOU ALL AND LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS CHAPTER WILL BE SLIGHTLY MORE MATURE THAN YOU'RE USED TO. IT'S BY NO MEANS A LEMON OR ANYTHING LIKE IT BUT SOME MIGHT FIND IT QUITE A CHANGE FROM WHAT THEY EXPECTED TO HAPPEN. BUT PLEASE DON'T LET MY WARNING DISCOURAGE YOU. THIS WILL EXPLAIN GENE'S WARNING TO MAI IN THE DREAM SHE HAD BEFORE GOING TO THE ISLAND.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt or any of its characters in any way, shape or form. Enjoy Chapter 8! :D

Chapter 8

Mai's POV:

As afternoon turned into evening and we ate dinner, Masako was particularly shy. She kept her eyes firmly on her plate, not taking the chance to call Ayako or Monk children, no matter how much they bickered. I'm sure she was feeling awkward about earlier. It had shaken her enough that she forgot to confront me on Naru's friendliness towards me.

"Masako, are you feeling well?" Ayako finally asked her, catching on to her unusual behavior.

Masako let her head shoot up, her usual haughty expression in place. "Perfectly fine, save for a headache. I think we all know who's fault that is."

That was the old Masako I knew. Ayako rolled her eyes and went back to talking to Monk. "As I was saying, you're wrong, stupid Monk. There wasn't a hint that Yuki was secretly responsible. Notice she's back to acting terrified by the start of episode twenty-five."

"But she was all creepy in episode twenty-four."

"She was possessed!" Ayako yelled and I sighed. If they kept this up, I'd get a headache too. They usually don't fight this much. Both must feel strongly about this TV show.

"Anyone up for a movie after dinner?" I recommended as I finished the last bite on my plate. "Mr. Kiba has a nice collection of mystery films."

"As long as I don't have to sit by this traitor." Ayako huffed, her dagger eyes on Monk. "He actually ships Yuki with Shu when she's clearly meant to be with Takano."

"Shu treats her like a lady. Takano argues with her all the time." Monk reasoned, beginning to glare himself.

"It's playful arguing! Takano is clearly in love with her. A fiery start is the best kind." Ayako concluded before standing up and handing Tomo her plate as she passed by to collect them. "I'll be in the entertainment room. Coming, Mai?"

I had finished eating, but I wanted to keep sitting next to Naru. Glancing at him quickly, I stood reluctantly and followed Ayako out of the dining room. When we reached the room, I started sorting through the movies while she sat on the loveseat closest to me. I picked up two that looked interesting. "These two both look good. One is a horror mystery."

She examined the cases before pointing to the one in my left hand. I sat that one on top of the TV and put the other away. "Mai, am I imagining it or is Naru actually being civil towards you?"

I froze for a second. Snapping myself out of it, I finished putting the movie away and went to sit on the bigger sofa, my eyes staring at a discarded coffee cup on the coffee table. "Is he?"

"He's treating you like you're friends." Her tone was only slightly suspicious.

"I did just help save his life. It was me that said the prayer." I pointed out, thankful I had a fallback answer. When I risked a glance up, I saw that she was concentrating.

"True...Even Naru the pigheaded narcissist would act a little grateful if someone kept him from dying." As she finished speaking, she smiled and shook her head. "I'm imagining things, aren't I?"

The sound of everyone shuffling towards the entertainment room ended the conversation, saving me from having to make rushed explanations. In the end, Masako decided to go back upstairs to rest and Lin san softly refused the invitation to watch the movie. Instead, he chose to sit at the computer desk and do some research. Over what, I didn't know.

For seating arrangements, Monk and John san shared one loveseat, Ayako lounged on the other, her long legs crossed, and I sat in the middle of the bigger sofa, where I had been sitting when everyone arrived for the movie. Naru spent a few minutes looking over Lin san's shoulder during the credits, offering input on certain things before finally taking his seat next to me, only a few inches between us.

Monk reached for the wall and turned off the light, giving the room a nice atmosphere for the movie. It did nothing to make me feel at ease. If anything, it kept me hyper aware that I was within touching distance of Naru. The movie started with a night scene, casting only minimal light on the room. With the doors shut and the curtains closed, you could barely make out everyone's outlines.

"Akito, wait up!" A teenage girl called as a guy ran ahead of her and jumped off a dock into a lake. He surfaced right away and tried to splashed her as she hesitated.

"Get in, wimp!"

"Is it cold?"

"No, it's-Ah! What was that?"

"Don't try to scare me or I won't get in the water."

"I'm not joking, something touched my leg!"

I rolled my eyes and tuned out the movie at this point. It was starting off similarly to any cheesy horror movie. I felt the couch move as Naru shifted beside me. I glanced and saw that he had thrown his left ankle over his right thigh, his posture a little less rod straight than usual. His arms were crossed over his stomach and his eyes seemed to be on a painting above the TV. He wasn't interested in the movie either.

I slouched a little more, letting myself lean at an angle so that my head rested on the back of the sofa near Naru's shoulder. He didn't make a move to pull me closer and I found myself sighing. What fun is it having a guy interested in you if he's so cautious about affection? The sound of the girl screaming as the boy in the water was drug under startled me. A moment later, it was daytime in the movie and there was less opportunity for anything that could transpire between me and Naru.

The movie did end up getting a little better. It startled me, at least. I felt myself inching closer and closer to Naru each time a scary part came up. When whatever was killing local kids in the lake was finally shown, it let out a shriek that reminded me of the deity spirit I was nearly sacrificed to. Images flashing through my mind of last night, I let out a noise that was a cross between a gasp and a yell. I shrunk back into the couch as image after image flooded my mind until I could do nothing but shake and wait for it to stop.

As the light in the room was turned on and the movie paused, everything faded and I slouched a little. All those images...It was enough that even the concerned faces around me didn't stop my shivering. Everyone had their eyes on my face. Ayako was kneeling in front of me a moment later. "Mai, are you alright? It's just a movie. We can take it out and watch a comedy."

I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears. "It's...not the movie..."

"What did you see?" Naru had asked this. I could feel his arm behind my lower back, but everyone in the room was too concerned over me to notice.

I shook my head quickly, trying to keep the memories from coming back. I looked down and leaned my elbows on my upper legs, trying to even my breathing. "I just...Relived last night..."

Ayako put an arm around my shoulders and Naru's arm vanished. "Take the movie out. We'll watch something funny to get your mind off things. Are you feeling alright or would you like to rest?"

After another moment, I managed to calm my breathing and my heart rate. "No, don't worry. I'd love to watch a comedy."

"I've got something in my bag upstairs. I always come prepared with good movies." Monk said.

"Mai doesn't need to see that kind of film. We're trying to relax her, not scar her for life." Ayako said in a slightly teasing tone. Monk huffed and refused to look at her, clearly offended.

"What kind of films do you think I watch? I'm a Monk."

"Dirtiest minded Monk I've ever seen. Don't think I haven't seen you in the adult section of the video store near the SPR building." Ayako said under her breath and I managed to smile. Their teasing may be loud, but it was usually funny."

Monk was flushed. "What? It's for research purposes."

"Research...right."

"So, a movie?" I interrupted, trying to prevent a big fight from starting.

"This one looks good." John san recommended. "The people on the cover are smiling."

The second movie selection was much better. I was stifling laughs and giggles practically the whole movie. Monk didn't turn the light out this time, giving me a chance to completely forget what I had seen earlier. When it was over, I stood up and stretched, my back aching from sitting so long.

"I think it's time for everyone to get to bed. For all we know, the plane will be fixed by noon tomorrow." Ayako recommended and we all headed upstairs. It was late. Already half past eleven. I ended up taking a quick shower and braiding my hair to the side before climbing under the covers. After laying in bed for possibly as long as half an hour, I finally fell asleep.

My dreams were horrific. I was back in the village cellar, my hands bound and someone at my back forcing me towards the darkened room before me. I fought it, trying to shake myself free of their grasp. I could see the dark spirit floating around the room, but I was too terrified to even scream. All I could whisper was,

"No...Please don't make me..." Whoever was pushing me didn't seem to hear. As we reached the threshold leading into the dark room, the spirit stopped so it was standing a few feet from the door, already in its form of a tribe member. Quickly, I was spun to face the person behind me. I gasped. "M-mr. Kiba?"

He grinned darkly, both hands on my shoulders. "In you go."

And he pushed me into the darkness.

"N-" I began to yell. Quickly clamping my hand over my mouth, I practically hyperventilated as I attempted not to wake everyone in the room. Luckily, the only movement was Masako going from laying on her back to laying on her side so that she faced away from me. She let out a soft sigh. Returning my gaze to the ceiling, I shook and tried to silence any noise I felt in my throat. Throwing the covers off, I threw on my socks and hurried from the room.

Hurrying into the base, I threw open the window and took in a deep breath, actually relieved that it happened to be raining. The water was relaxing and erased the sticky sheen of perspiration that the dream had caused. Ripping the ponytail from my hair, I combed through my braid with my fingers and flicked my hair to my back as I leaned back into the room and shut the window.

I let in a sharp breath as I saw something dark in the corner of my eye. Turning to face it, I went from terrified to angry. "Will you stop scaring the life out of me every time I come in here, Naru?"

He looked taken aback, but his eyes still held some concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine." I snapped, still a little upset over being startled after just having a horrible nightmare that made no sense at all. Mr. Kiba? What was I being told by my dreams this time? I shook my head and dropped my eyes, any anger leaving me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get upset."

I felt his hands ghost to the back of my shoulders before pulling me to him until we were nearly touching. He put a hand to the side of my neck and another to my forehead. "You have a small fever."

I groaned, annoyed with how poorly my body could handle fear. It used to take a lot more than this to cause a fever. "Bad dream." I confessed.

"Reliving the events?" He asked softly, pushing against the back of my neck until I was forced to look up at him. His eyes were dark and piercing, making it difficult for me to do anything but tell him.

"Sort of." I said with confusion coloring my tone. "I was being forced towards the beast's room...but not by who I expected. In my dream, I was being sent as a sacrifice by..."

I trailed off, remembering yesterday and how he had seemingly come on to Masako. Maybe that's why he was in my dream. I must be worried about Masako and my dreams were jumbling things up. He waited only a moment before beginning to look impatient. "...by?"

I took a deep breath, a little difficult to do since he was still keeping my eyes locked with his. "Mr. Kiba."

He frowned a little, but he didn't look outraged that my mind was painting Mr. Kiba as a bad guy. "I doubt we should put any stock into that dream. You're clearly still shaken from the events from the other night and your brain is finding enemies where there are none."

I sighed. He was probably right, as usual. I embarrassed myself by yawning. Quickly putting my hand to my mouth, I closed my eyes for a moment before looking back up at him. "I think I need tea."

"You need rest." He was firm in tone, but I wanted a cup of tea badly enough that not even he could stop me.

"Please?" I whispered, knowing that my eyes were caught until his let me go. After a moment, he nodded and looked towards the table with the kettle. I took that opportunity to hurry from his side. "Do you want one?"

"Yes."

In a minute, we were both sitting in the same way we had sat early yesterday morning, when we enjoyed a cup of tea just like this. "Why are you still awake, anyway?"

He was in his pajamas again. I figured he would be permitted to sleep by now. But here he was, in the base. I saw that the computer near the door had a text page open. Possibly another page for the case? Turning my head in the opposite direction for a moment, the clock read one fifty-five.

"In five minutes, it will be long enough since I've used my abilities to the extent that I did to sleep." He explained with his tea cup to his lips, hiding his mouth. His eyes were on my hands as I rested them on the table and twiddled my fingers.

Though I knew he needed sleep desperately, the circles under his eyes told me that, I didn't want to be alone yet. Even Ayako being in the bed beside mine wouldn't help, since she was sound asleep. What I wanted right now was to talk to someone. "I don't think I'll be going to sleep for a while. I might go to the entertainment room and watch another comedy movie."

"We're heading home tomorrow, Mai. You'll need to get more sleep or you'll pass out during the plane ride. A half an hour flight in an uncomfortable chair isn't enough to make you feel rested either."

I looked down and shook my head. Didn't he understand how difficult it is to get back to sleep after a bad dream? "I can't sleep yet, Naru."

"Alright." He murmured. He pushed aside his empty tea cup, but did not stand even though it was now time for him to go to sleep.

"It's time, Naru." I told him, every fiber in my being wishing to beg him not to leave me alone. But he's exhausted...I'm not that selfish.

"I'll stay up until you go to bed."

I felt irritation bubble in me, but I pushed it down, only letting it slightly color my tone. "I'll be fine. Go to bed."

His careful mask was so firmly in place, I wondered if arguing with him would do any good. He closed his eyes and stood. "Very well. Goodnight"

My jaw went a little slack as I watched him walk towards the door. As he rounded the corner, vanishing from my sight, I quickly stood and followed, instinctively trying to put myself close to him again. He's usually more difficult to convince of something.

As I left the base, I skidded to a stop. He was waiting a few feet away, already able to guess that I would follow. I blushed and dropped my eyes before he could try to keep me looking up. "Um..."

"Look at me, Mai." He ordered softly. I tried. I really did. But I was too embarrassed. I was chasing after him like a lost puppy. I gasped as he grabbed my shoulders and pushed me gently until my back was against the wall between the base and his room. He moved his hands until there was one on the wall on each side of my head. I took in a deep breath, afraid I would stop breathing if he got any closer. My face felt flushed, more so than it had from the fever alone.

"N-Naru?" I stuttered. His face was so close. Just five or six more inches and we'd be...

He reached one hand down and put it over my eyes, making me close them again. The hand vanished, but I kept them shut. Like the first time he kissed me, it was soft, gentle. Only our lips made contact and I was too enraptured to move anyway. As a few second kiss turned into ten seconds, I felt my legs shake, threatening to drop me. I had been thankfully sitting for our first kiss, or I may have ruined the moment by falling like I was about to do.

As my legs finally buckled under me, his hands shot out to catch me, pulling me close for the final few seconds of the kiss. He pulled away his face but kept me in his arms, taking in my hazy expression with a regard I usually only saw when he thought I was injured. "Your face is on fire."

I frowned, my eyes darting to the side to avoid his. "It's your fault."

"It's my fault you can't handle fifteen seconds of contact with me without collapsing?" His tone was teasing, but I scowled anyway.

"Shut up..." I mumbled.

"If I let you go, will you fall?" His amusement was enough to make me want to hit him.

"I'll be perfectly fine." I snapped and he immediately let go and took a step back. I didn't fall, thankfully. I did stumble a little so that my back was pressed against the wall again, but was able to right myself after a moment. "See?"

His half smirk widened, his eyes dark and amused and capable of making my thoughts scatter in merely a second of looking at them. "Then go to bed."

Crossing my arms, I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out before hurrying down the hall. When I had rounded the first corner, I paused, listening as his door opened and closed a second later. The dopey smile was forming again, an after affect from the kiss. I hugged myself for a moment before heading for the girl's sleeping quarters. A muffled voice from downstairs made me pause. Who's talking?

Something in the back of my head was telling me to go to bed. But with my mind still full of Naru and the feelings he brought out of me, I ignored my voice of reason and headed downstairs, towards the voice. It was coming from the entertainment room. Since the door was open a good six inches, I paused outside, wondering if the deep male voice I heard was Monk's.

I recognized it then as I saw Mr. Kiba pacing back and forth, a cup of wine in one hand and a cell phone in another, pressed to his ear. He was in a thick dark robe with red trim, a pair of silky pants on and black loafers on his feet. He was irritated as he paced, a paused movie on the TV all but forgotten.

"I don't care. I haven't gotten anywhere yet. I tried with one and they shied away like a cat from a dog. The other is more fiery. Kind of like Kitsune when she first came here...Because I want to, that's why. You forget who I am. If I want something, I get it."

I backed away in shock, suddenly worried he was talking about Masako and myself. His words completely broke through my haze and I tried to walk away, but a traitor floorboard creaked. I froze as he turned towards me. He snapped his phone shut and dropped it into his pocket, a smile on his face right away.

"Miss. Taniyama, right?" He asked in a friendly tone, already approaching me. He opened the doors completely and I felt my limbs unfreeze. I was backing up again when he grabbed my hand, holding it by the tips of my fingers and pulling me in. "Please, come in. You're a guest. I was just enjoying a glass of wine before bed."

My heart was pounding as he pulled me until I was standing beside the bigger couch. He traded us places so that he was blocking my exit, his charming smile still perfectly in place. I glanced at the door, wondering what my chances were of running around him without him managing to stop me. "Mr. Kiba, I really should be in bed. Mr. Shibuya would disapprove of me doing something so inappropriate as being alone with you at night."

And in a dark room with the smell of alcohol on you, I didn't add. The only light came from a desk lamp near the computer. He waved a hand to dismiss it. "Nonsense! I've hired Mr. Shibuya and he's under my employment until he leaves the island. When you look at it that way, I'm your boss. Now listen to your boss and have a seat."

His tone was light, but his words made me tense up. He stared me down with eyes that told me not to argue. It was such a vast contradiction to his smile, it was unsettling. With wobbly legs, I took a seat. What am I gonna do now? I'm alone with him and Naru, the only one who realizes I was out of my room at all, thinks I've already returned to my bed.

Mr. Kiba went directly to the snack counters as soon as I was seated. I watched over my shoulder as he leaned down to reach inside of cabinet for an extra wine glass. He poured it halfway with the bottle sitting on the counter before turning so that I couldn't see the glass. As he began to turn back around, I quickly looked forward at the TV screen.

"Mr. Kiba, I'm underage. I can't drink for another year." I said quickly as he tried handing the glass to me.

He smiled that same mirth filled smile and pushed the glass towards me so that I had to take it to keep it from spilling on me. He put a finger to his lips. "I won't tell."

"Mr. Kiba-"

"No formalities." He interrupted, a hand up as he went to sit on the loveseat so that we were diagonal to each other. "Kiba kun. Or, just for you, call me Haito kun. That's my first name."

I kept my eyes firmly on the glass in my hands, afraid to meet his eyes. Any amount of eye contact could be seen as a sign of encouragement. Why did the wine in this glass smell so funny? It smelled nothing like the wine I had served potential clients the day I started working for Naru again. "Mr. Kiba, Miss. Matsuzaki, my chaperone, is waiting up for me."

His smile was becoming more strained. He sat his own cup down and walked right for the double doors. He shut them swiftly, a slight click sounding as they came to a stop. My breath hitched in my throat. He turned around, his smile now looking a little forced. "No one is waiting up for you."

For emphasis, he picked up the remote and pressed a button. The screen on the TV went from a paused movie to security camera footage of Ayako and Masako sleeping. He flipped the channel again to show the hallway outside of the base. Another button made the footage rewind until I was pressed against the wall and being kissed by Naru. It looked much more innocent than I remember. He paused it on that image. If I were being confronted on this behavior by any of the SPR team, I would simply blush. Having it pointed out by Mr. Kiba made me pale to the point that my face felt cold.

"I'll admit, I was surprised. You came across as so innocent."

I glared, losing patience. He had crossed nearly every line he could right now and I no longer felt obligated to show respect towards him. I put my wine glass down on the coffee table and shot up from my seat. "I'll be going to bed, now."

I had barely taken three steps towards the doors when he stood from the loveseat and put an arm in front of my waist. "I think you'll stay. We wouldn't want to wake the whole house, now would we?"

His voice made me shiver to my core, but I refused to back down. I looked up at him and returned his glare with equal force. "If you touch me, I'll scream."

He reached for me and I prepared myself for the loudest scream of my life until I felt someone come up behind me, their warm hand going over my mouth and an arm locking around my middle. I was pulled back until I was sitting on their lap. I panicked. Who is this? They don't feel like a man. Mr. Kiba smiled that charming smile again. "Thank you, Kitsune. You've done well."

"Thank you, master." She said near my ear. I watched in fright as Mr. Kiba picked up my wine glass and kneeled down before bringing it to my covered mouth.

"Now, open wide." He smiled and brought the glass forward as soon as Kitsune's hand left me, forcing some of the disgusting liquid down my throat. I instantly began to feel warm and dizzy. As soon as the glass was taken from my lips, I slumped on my side, awake, but not coherent enough to do anything but pant. Why did I feel so funny? What did he put in the wine? "That's better, you can go now, Kitsune."

She slid herself out from under me an curtsied to Mr. Kiba. "Yes, master. I'll be in my room."

She left quickly, the sound of her shutting the door behind her almost inaudible. I tried to move, but it was nearly impossible. I felt so weak... I shuddered as he grabbed me and laid me in the middle of the couch, so I was laying on it properly. "You're more trouble than I thought. The Hara girl would have been much easier. I didn't think I would have to practically knock you out. I do prefer my conquests receptive."

As he spoke, he lifted my pajama top up until it was pushed above my chest. I had actually worn a bra to bed, giving me at least a layer of covering. My pajama bottoms and socks were easier to remove. "Mm!"

It was a pathetically soft noise. It was me attempting to yell. It didn't even echo in the room. He chuckled. "So defiant. I would have liked to have you differently. As a live-in maid perhaps. Keep you around long enough to break you. You look like you'd put up a fight. Kitsune was wild too. But now look at how behaved she is. I liked her hair, redder than fire. But you..."

He paused, as if trying to figure out why he had me half naked under him. He eyed me from the top of my head to my face, then body. "Probably your spirit. I also hear you're clairvoyant like the Hara girl. You'd make a nice story to tell. And that skin..."

I closed my eyes tightly as he stroked my exposed stomach. "Uh..."

It was even softer than my previous attempts. Whatever was in that wine was keeping me very weak, as if I couldn't find the strength to move or speak. But it did not knock me out. I was forced to stay awake for whatever he did. "Oh, you don't have to worry. I'll be good to you. I haven't had the pleasure of a virgin in many moons."

He was done talking. I could tell by the way he was getting down to business. He finished removing my night shirt and leaned down to give me a heavy kiss. I shut my eyes tightly, forcing my lips into a thin line. I shivered, a mix of anger and fear griping me. I had managed to escape from a sex crazed spirit, now I was going to be taken advantage of by a simple human being? No!

I started to wiggle around, forcing away some of the haze. I opened my lips in an attempt to scream again, but he took that chance to force his rough tongue into my mouth. I nearly choked, my gag reflex obviously not affected by whatever I drank. It must directly affect the main muscles in my body as well as drug me up enough that I have difficulty talking. I forced my teeth down, giving him a sharp bite on the tongue. He shot back.

"Ah!" He yelled a little louder than he meant to. He covered his mouth for a second before swinging the hand back and letting it come down on the side of my face. My head snapped to the side and I gasped, finding my voice slowly coming back to me.

"H-help!" I yelled. If someone had been on the first floor, near the door, they would have probably heard. I tried again. "Help!"

He was lifting me up to reach for my bra strap when we both heard a voice. It was distant, clearly on the second floor. But it was loud, a yell. "Where is she?...Mai, you dolt! She isn't in the room, the bathroom or the base! So she's gotta be in here!...I'm not stupid! I know that something is going on! How could you take her in your room, Naru? You're one of those closet perverts, aren't you?"

As Ayako screamed at Naru, Mr. Kiba quickly climbed off me and started picking up my clothes. He carried them somewhere behind me before returning with a small pillow and a throw blanket. He put the pillow under my head and covered me up. "If you whisper a word, I'll have them all killed."

He threw the blanket over my eyes too. I moved my head side to side, trying to force it off, but I was too scared to make noise. He wouldn't...would he? The image in my head of Naru collapsed after using his power last time, me unaware if he was alive or dead, came to mind. I felt tears bubble in my eyes. The voices of Ayako, Monk and even a quickly talking Naru could be heard on the first floor.

"She had tea in the base and I sent her back to bed. I told you she wasn't with me." He was irritated.

The doors to the room burst open. I heard someone sigh in what sounded like relief. "There she is."

"She came in here while I was watching a movie. I told her she could rest. I was just about to come to bed myself." Mr. Kiba spoke in a kind tone from somewhere near the computer desk. As he spoke, his voice got closer.

"Mai?" Ayako called. I moved my head a little, hoping one of them would insist on carrying me upstairs. My heart was pounding so hard, I could feel it in my stomach.

"Let her rest." Mr. Kiba tried again. "I don't mind her sleeping down here."

I heard soft footsteps approaching. "Let me uncover her face."

My heart lurched. Naru... I moved my head slightly again, but the blanket wouldn't come down. I waited impatiently. Hurry up already! When the blanket finally came off my face, Naru saw my panic and tear filled eyes. I sucked in a breath and he stood, taking the blanket with him until my chest was visible, my bra still on, but with the straps clearly not hooked together.

I didn't have to wait long for his reaction. He had spun around in one motion and hit Mr. Kiba in the face, sending him flying back onto one of the loveseats. "Bastard..."

His tone was low, but hostile. The anger dripped from it so tangibly, I flinched. Ayako was at my side right away, covering me back up and tapping the side of my face. "Mai, can you hear me? Mai! Her eyes are dilated. I think she's drugged."

Mr. Kiba was out of the loveseat and running from the room before anyone could move. I listened to his steps practically fly up the stairs while Monk and Lin san ran after him, disappearing from my vision. I looked up at Ayako, fresh tears coming. My shoulders barely shook, even though my crying was violent. I closed my eyes as Naru knelt beside the couch near my head, his face leaning over mine. How could I meet his eyes after what happened?

"Mai, please open your eyes." He softly commanded, the tone he used when the situation was life or death. I instinctively listened, my eyes meeting his dark sapphire ones. He looked...alarmed, angry and scared all at once.

"N..." I tried to speak, but all that came out was a cry. He was to his feet right way, facing the doors.

"Where is he?" Naru demanded.

Monk came in the room, giving me a worried look. "He locked himself in his room. I can probably break the door down, but I figured it would be easier to get some help. Lin san sent his shinigami under the door. He sounds like he's terrified."

That last fact seemed to please Monk, based on his angry smile. It dropped a second later. Naru turned to Ayako, who was back at my side. "Take her upstairs and do what you can. I'll call for an emergency copter and get us out of here tonight. I'll inform them that we need the authorities too."

Ayako was up and trying to lift me without letting the blanket fall. Monk came over and took me from her, carrying me swiftly from the room. Masako was waiting in the foyer, her wide eyes showing her shock, her sleeve in front of her mouth.

Once upstairs, Monk laid me on the bed in the center of the room and pushed the other two against the walls to give some room. Ayako was upstairs shortly after, a first aid kit in her hand. She pointed towards the door, her eyes on Monk. "Out. No men until I'm finished."

He listened right away, not bickering, not even a glare. He shut the door and Ayako was at my side right away, pulling the blanket from around me. She looked everywhere, trying to locate damage. She looked at me. "Mai, if you can speak, tell me where to look."

I shook my head slightly. Taking in a deep breath, I forced the words out. "I'm fine."

Realizing I meant that he hadn't been able to go through with the act, she sighed. "Oh, thank goodness! I was scared to death he had actually..."

I closed my eyes. "I'm fine."

"Do you know what he gave you?"

"W...W..."

"Is it a form of anesthesia?" She asked and I shook my head. "Alcohol?"

I nodded. "W...Wine. Something..."

"I'm going to help you get dressed, alright?" As she spoke, she dug in my bag and brought out the easiest article of clothing to put on I had, a medium green sundress with thin straps. She hooked my bra for me and helped me slip on the dress before throwing open the door. Masako and John san were standing outside. "He didn't get the chance to hurt her, but we should still be cautious of what he drugged her with. I think he laced some wine with a low grade anesthesia. It's already wearing off."

It was wearing off. I could already move my head, fingers and toes. I felt like I could speak too, if I tried. I tried to sit up, but Ayako had to hurry over and help sit me up, propping a couple pillows behind my head. I looked outside the room. "N-Naru?"

Monk was running for the room in a flash. He skid to a stop a foot from Ayako. "Kiba's barricaded the door or something. It won't budge. Naru's pissed. Lin san's holding him down so he doesn't try to blast the door down."

His words made me jolt up, causing a shooting pain to travel up my back and back down again. Gritting my teeth, I slumped back on the pillow. "T-take me t-to him."

"Mai, we can handle this. You need to rest." Monk tried to reason and I glared. I hoped it looked as harsh as it felt.

"Take me to him!" I screamed, not stuttering this time.

He hurried to my side and started picking me up. I put an arm around his shoulders and held on as tightly as I could as he carried me from the room. As we rounded the first corner near the stairs, I saw Naru trying to force his way out of Lin san's hold around his shoulders.

"Noll!" Lin san yelled louder than I've ever heard him. "I've already called the police! They'll be here soon! Stop!"

"I swear, Lin, let me go or I'll make you!" Naru yelled back, already managing to get one arm free, a light came to the tips of Naru's fingers and he pushed against Lin san's chest with them, knocking him back several feet until he slid into a wall. The glow in his fingers was getting stronger, a light forming at his outline and encompassing him.

"Naru!" I yelled, wiggling in Monk's grasp. "I'm alright! Listen to Lin san!"

My voice was weak, and I wondered if he could even hear me when he was in this state. He was covered head to toe in a white light. Before any of us could blink, it shot out towards the door, making it fly off its hinged. It wasn't as powerful as his previous uses of chakra, since the door was still in tact. He didn't even pause. With the light still emanating from him, he headed right for Mr. Kiba, who was on the floor, cowering at the foot of his bed.

"Noll!" Lin san called, but it looked like he was having trouble standing after the force that had been shot through him.

I started to move around with a new determination. In an attempt to get loose, I accidentally hit Monk in the face. He loosened his grip enough that I was able to drop myself from his arms. Gasping in pain, I forced myself up and hurried after Naru, only to fall to my knees a few steps into the room. "Naru, stop! Please! He's a snake but you can't kill him! He deserves prison, not death!"

"Listen to her, Naru!" Monk hurried into the room, reached for Naru's arm. A zap hit Monk's hand when he got too close, making him jerk his arm back.

Naru was raising his arm in the air, ready to send a powerful bolt of energy for Mr. Kiba. Best case scenario, his body would absorb the blast and it would stop his heart. Worst case, it would literally cause him to explode. But not matter what it did to Mr. Kiba, I knew in my bones that this would be it. It would kill Naru this time.

Forcing myself to my feet, I ran for him and threw my weight into his back, wrapping my arms tightly around him and refusing to let go, even as I was hit by the most intense pain I had ever felt. "Naru! Oliver! I'm begging you! If you do this, I'll be affected too! I won't let go!"

The light was brightening, but he dropped his arm and looked over his shoulder, down at me. His eyes were filled with that same bright light. He looked back towards Mr. Kiba, who looked so frozen in fear, he might actually have a heart attack. I could hear Lin san call from somewhere behind me. "Mai, it's taken over him! He won't be able to easily stop! Keep talking!"

I racked my brain for something to say. Anything that might pull him back to reality. The pain was slightly decreasing, but it was still like being inside of a lit light bulb. "Naru, don't you realize what this will do to you? To me? You'll kill us both! Please, Naru...I love you...I don't want us to die before you can fully understand that..."

I closed my eyes quickly as a bright light overtook my vision.