Chapter 4

Terrifying Dreams

"I failed to find the factors that caused these happenings, but I have reasons to believe them to be paranormal." Mai looked at Naru with an expression of apprehension on her face. She could feel the atmosphere was becoming strained with tension.

"Sakamoto-san, what does Rawl say about these incidents." Mai asked.

"That's the point. He does not remember those incidents. He is sleeping one moment and the next moment, he says, he is crying in those trapped positions." Kurasu said with apprehension. "That is the reason I believe the condition to be not mishaps, but paranormal. And the other thing is these feelings my wife experiences. Actually, she's got some spiritual energy." Kurasu looked up to see three pair of eyes boring into him.

"Can you explain these feelings your wife gets?" Naru asked. As it is there was not much information they have gotten for this case, so Naru was trying to strike some gold soon.

"I'm sorry but you'll have to question her about it in the morning. Its something I don't understand." Naru just nodded his head.

"One more thing Sakamoto-san, I think it will be better to put up charms around the house. Will you please show Lin around the house, so he can put up the sutras. Also I will be calling in the whole team tomorrow for an exorcism. And are the rooms arranged?" Naru said, concluding the interview without leaving a breath.

The client looked a little confused for a second, not registering Naru's words. Then realizing that Naru was waiting for an answer he said "oh yes. As for now there is only one rooms, but the other rooms will be available tomorrow for the rest of your team. I am sorry for the inconvenience. If you will please follow me I will show you." with that the client turned and headed out the door.

Lin followed the client and Mai walked slowly behind Naru. Mai decided the house to have atleast twelve to thirteen bedrooms and thought it was a big for a family of three. They went up two floors.

"Thank you." Naru said. "please give Lin a tour around the house." with that Naru went inside the room and Kurasu and Lin retreated.

Mai was left gaping at the closed door of the room. She couldn't believe it. She felt disconnected. She was sharing a room with Naru and Lin-san! that's so awkward! After preparing her facial expression of indifference, Mai slowly opened the door to doom.

Now Mai was left gaping at the interiors of the room. The room was simply magnificent. Mai felt like she was transported somewhere else. There were three solid teak beds with white fluffy mattresses, a wooden desk, four side-boards separating each bed, all polished and varnished to perfection. Burgundy curtains covered one full wall and an immaculate Persian carpet covered almost the entire floor. Adjacent to the French windows was a oriental lounge chaise.

Mai slowly made her way to the corner bed, closest to the large white window. She sat down on the soft mattress nervously, unable to look at both the men, whom she was going to share the room with. Mai was aware that Lin had taken the bed on the other end, and Naru the center one.

Trying to block out the uncomfortable feeling of sleeping with guys and seeing that they weren't showing signs of uneasiness, Mai carefully removed her shoes and socks and placed them near the bed. She had no change of clothes, so she had to sleep in her school uniform. She silently prayed for sometime and laid down with her mind blank, no thoughts whatsoever. Trying to be as less prominent as possible, she pulled the cover over her bare legs and instantly fell asleep.

When Naru came out of the bathroom, he saw both his assistants peacefully sleeping. Lin had bathed pretty quickly and had slept immediately following Mai. Naru wondered how they could sleep with the lights on. Maybe because of exhaustion he thought. Clad in his blue pajamas, Naru made his way to the empty bed and climbed in. He was pretty tired too so he went to sleep, but not before looking at Mai and making sure she was comfortable. Naru suddenly remembered he had forgot to ask Mai about the dream he had but now she was asleep. He will get it out of her tomorrow he thought. Switching off the bedside lamp he closed his eyes for some sleep.

Naru thought that he had only closed his eyes that he was suddenly woken up by a terrifying scream. 'Mai' he thought as he jumped from his bed. He saw Mai still screaming, her face was contorted in sadness and pain. Sweat trickled down from her forehead making her hair stick to it. Her arms were clutching the blanket so tight that her knuckles turned white.

Naru also noticed that Lin was awake and beside him near Mai's bed. Worry started eating Naru on the inside, though he would not show it. With concern etched in every movement, he bent down and grasped her shoulder, stopping her ear-splitting scream. Naru gently shook her. "Mai…" he called out gently not wanting to shock her. "Mai wake up. Is it another dream?" but Mai only started wheezing, her breath came out forced as if lacking oxygen. Naru's attempts only became more aggressive as Mai showed no signs of waking up.

Lin realized what was happening and placed a hand on Naru's shoulder to calm him down. "Naru, I don't think she should be handled that way. But she should be brought out from the state she currently is in or else she may suffer the consequences of suffocation." Lin made a movement to slap Mai awake, when Naru stopped him. His face was unreadable. "nobody hurts Mai." Lin was really surprised at what Naru said.

Naru reached for the jug of water that sat on the sideboard and….SPLASH . He doused it on Mai's head. A shocked and drenched Mai woke up with a start. She wheezed out air, trying to get her respiratory system functioning again. With her hands clenched to her chest, she looked at both the men, and when her eyes landed on Naru, she started sobbing uncontrollably.

Both the men had no clue what to do. They were not accustomed to comforting a person in times of distress. And these were the times they really needed Ayako. The atmosphere was getting really awkward. Mai was still crying into the already wet pillow.

Naru sighed softly and sat near Mai. "Mai…." he began tenderly. "Did you have another dream. What did you dream about Mai." at that Mai raised such a pitiful face that Naru was deeply affected.

"Naru." Lin said "I better go explain the clients about the screaming in case they got scared. And I think we need another blanket and a pillow" with that Lin was out of the room. Naru thanked him in his mind for that.

Mai suddenly latched onto Naru and buried her tear stricken face in his chest. Naru was caught off-guard. Letting his guard fall for only some moments, he slowly and soothingly said to the panicked and alarmed Mai. "Mai you are out of your dreams…. calm down…I am right here." he continued to comb her short hair with his fingers. Mai pulled back embarrassed, after she realized the situation she was in.

And to her horror when she looked down, her shirt was more-or-less transparent and her hair was wet. "hey…" she protested "couldn't you have found a better way to wake me and because of you I don't have any clothes right now." Mai started to feel dizzy and sleepy. "don't sleep Mai." she heard Naru say. Now she was getting irritated. She was going to retort when something black covered her face.

"wear it." Mai found it was Naru's shirt "wipe your hair so you don't catch a cold. How can you be irresponsible to fall asleep just like that. And Matsuzaki-san isn't here. We cant do your things for you. And one more thing, I want my shirt back."

"Of course I'll return it. What did you think, that I will keep it and worship it?" Mai screamed.

"Maybe" was his only reply

Mai entered the bathroom exasperated by Naru's behavior. Mai thought even though Naru may not know it, she was really thankful of him for being so generous materially as well as emotionally.

Mai came out minutes later with Naru's black shirt on, which was a bit big yet comfortable. One can tell the material was expensive. Naru was waiting for Mai with a blanket and a pillow and Lin was already sleeping.

"You are sleeping on the lounge chaise as your bed is wet." Mai turned accusing eyes on Naru but went quietly to the couch. "And tomorrow I will put you through the wringer." at this Mai's steps faltered. Everybody settled in and only then Mai realized that she couldn't sleep. The dream was replaying in her mind like a broken record. After what seemed like hours of sleeplessness Mai looked at the other occupants of the room. They appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Mai noiselessly got up and with her sleeping things she made her way to her bed. She put down the pillow on the floor between her and Naru's bed and lied down on the floor. 'I cant sleep there I am too frightened. I just hope Naru wont be mad and I hope he doesn't step on me when he gets up.' Mai thought. Turning towards Naru's bed, on the floor Mai fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.

(A/N: I am terribly sorry for the very late update. But I have been busy with CWs and HWs and exams. My quarterly exams are next week. I hope to update soon. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW.)

- Shams-chan