Chapter 16

The cold rain piter patters onto the window the moon casting strange shadows distorted by the rain across the floor of the room where Kenji and I were sleeping in. The soft even breathing from Kenji calms me down in a strange room as the piter pater of the rain intensifies against the windows. I pull the duvet tighter around the two of us and wrap my arm around Kenji.

He is already fast a sleep but I'm still wide-awake. I'm the one who needs the comfort. My heart aches as my thoughts drift to Naru. I know how much it hurts to lose those close and dear to you… I know you've always been strong Naru but I never thought you'd have ever gone through something this painful. My heart hurts more for him and for once in a long time the familiar bitter aching is back. I curl up to Kenji's back and hide my face in his back. I'm the one who needs the comforting. Not my child. I think dejectedly, biting down on my lip to stop myself from crying. What I would do just to be near Naru again… I don't know but I know I'd be wiling to do it.

I close my eyes and will myself to sleep. Sleep finally arrives but it is erratic.

---

As the taxi drives up the familiar drive way a knot of anxiety starts to grow even bigger. I can feel the blackness around us and I'm sure Lin can too feel it pressing on all sides making the whole feel of the manor very constricted and claustrophobic.

I push the door open before the taxi completely stops bounding up the stairs two at a time. It's only about ten maybe a little past ten; some people should still be awake in the household. I hurriedly unlock the door and push the door in rushing into the living room to find someone - anyone. My eyes fall on a familiar figure reading a book. She moves the book down slightly and gapes at my arrival.

"NARU!" She nearly drops her book onto the floor in her haste to hug me.

"Mother, mother." I try to pry her off, hugs can be done later but I have something very important to do.

"Mother, where is Mai and Kenji?" She lets me go and holds me at an arms length.

"They're sleeping in your room at the moment." I run all the way up to my room, not caring if I woke them or not. I barge in noisily and my heart starts to calm down when I see their sleeping forms illuminated by the lights from the hallway. I watch them for while until I feel my mother tap me on the shoulder.

"They're fine Naru. See?" I shake my head, knowing what is to come.

"No, not now. There's something coming to get them right now." I go over to them and try to touch Mai but something is stopping me. I press down harder but it is as if a glass box had been set around her. The coldness and blackness that is emitted from around Mai and Kenji makes my hand retract automatically as if I was burned.

My heart pounds erratically.

"Mother. Get John san up. Lin should be downstairs. Get him up here. Now." My fear actually shows in my voice this time. I'm too late.

"Naru…" My mother stops short of questioning me before doing as I asked her. I press my hands against the invisible barrier trying to find some kind of weakness in it I can try to breech.

You're too late. Too late. A mocking voice taunts me and it isn't me. I concentrate harder and the voice comes back. You can't reach her anymore than you can reach her dreams. Her and her son. It's going to kill her and Kenji through their dreams?! I think harder trying to find a flaw in that to suppress the overwhelming panic.

It keeps taunting me. Over and over and over. Until none of the words make sense and they are just a jumble of mocking insults. I pull my hands back and the voices stop. Mai gently turns in her sleep and her brow creases a little her hold on Kenji visibly tightening. It's starting… or it has already started… either way I need to break through to get them out of it.

---

Where am I? I was in bed just then… and now… I scan the emptiness seeing nothing around me. I can hear Kenji's terrified voice in my head, 'It's coming, I'm scared mum! I want to go home…' Where is he? Kenji! I call out noiselessly. My mouth opens but nothing comes out. Where's my son?! My hand closes in a fist and I can feel something solid and soft there, but when I look down there is nothing in my hand. I grip the emptiness and make out a hand. A small familiar hand.

He's still there! I can almost sigh with relief – at least I still know where my son is. I feel his hand tighten around mine and I can hear his voice again. 'Mum… it's coming!' What is coming Kenji? I can't see anything! I think frustrated.

Mai, whatever you do – do NOT let go of Kenji's hand. A different unfamiliar voice urges me. But I know it's someone or something that means no harm.

You can't run any more. A menacing voice leers in my head cutting off both Kenji's voice and the unfamiliar one. No, no, no! I shut my eyes and concentrate on finding Kenji's voice again. Ignoring everything this new voice is saying.

---

"Lin, can you get your Shiki to break the barrier?" I ask him watching Mai and Kenji closely, the lights in the room are on now and yet they still aren't waking up from the lights.

"I'll try, but I don't think it'll yield much results. The barrier is a lot stronger and thicker than what my Shiki can produce."

"John san?" I ask directing my attention to the priest in deep thought.

"I may have a way to break it but I've never done it before and it's very risky." He says contemplating the idea still staring a hole in the floor.

"What are the risks?" I ask as detached as possible.

"I may either hurt or even kill those two if this fails. It's a highly risky idea and I'm against it but I've only suggested it since this looks desperate."

I look up into the dressing table mirror and notice something off with my reflection.

"Lin, do you see anything different about my reflection?" he gives me a puzzled look but answers me.

"No, not that I can tell." I turn my head to the left and to the right; my reflection copies my movements exactly but there's a millisecond delay. I reach forward and place my hand on the cool surface. All at once voices wash over me but there is one distinct one I have not heard for so many years. A voice that I will never forget.

Gene. I think with surprise.

Been awhile hey – idiot scientist.

How are you talking to me?

I'm not sure but I think we have to fulfil a few requirements to talk to each other. I was trying really hard to get your attention lucky you noticed me in the mirror! Mai and Kenji is here somewhere, the demon has locked them in their minds so no matter what you do they won't wake up. I needed to contact you urgently because I know of a way to break them out of this.

"Naru…?" Lin asks trying to get my attention. I tune him out and concentrate on just Gene.

You know what it is?

I can see it bright as day.

Do you know where it originated?

I'm not sure yet. But it doesn't seem to be noticing me, maybe it's because I'm dead. I'm pretty sure we can try doing what we did as kids to increase your PK; if we can talk I'm sure we can bounce off each other.

Let's just try that.

I close my eyes and let my long forgotten instinct take over; I almost unconsciously start to bounce my PK into the mirror. For a moment I don't get any feed back but suddenly my powers bounces back to me almost ten fold.

It works Naru! Bounce more to me!

I close my eyes and focus on bouncing my powers into the mirror steadily increasing the flow by tapping into the increased power into the flow.

Is that enough?

Keep bouncing Gene, we'll just keep this as constant as possible.

I can use this to protect them for a while but I'm not sure if it'll hold. Just get them out before it breaks.

Any time stalling tactics just use it, I'll keep some of my focus on you so I don't lose your connection.

Don't let the mirror go Naru, or we won't be able to connect.

Any mirror would do right?

Yes, but don't let go of this one until you've got your hands on another one.

"Lin, find me a pocket mirror."

"What on earth Naru?" John san asks me disbelievingly.

"It's not for what you think John san!" I snap angrily. "I've got a way to break Mai and Kenji out but I need a mirror." Lin returns with a hand held mirror and I hold onto the glassy surface, directing my PK into the new mirror while reducing the flow into the larger mirror.

Will this do Gene?

Mm, yeah. It'll do.

What do you plan to do exactly?

I'll set up a barrier up between Mai and Kenji and the demon, and then I'll see what I can do with the demon. You'll have to pay attention to me in case I need you to bounce back more.

Take care of them Gene.

You idiot – do you think I'll let any harm come to them? He asks me good-naturedly. Once I can figure out something I'll let you know, just look out for any openings you can take.

I let go of the large mirror and walk towards the bed, the barrier is now appearing to me as a light haze and I can see the basic out line of it.

"If any of you sense a weakening in the barrier do not hesitate to take it." I instruct both Lin and John san. I run my free hand over the barrier – it's still as cold and impenetrable as it was before.

---

A cold hand grips my throat and I gag clawing at the invisible hand. Don't let go of Kenji! The voice urges me. I keep a tight hold on Kenji even as my vision is blurring.

I'll take care of you first then I'll take my time with your little boy. The sinister voice hisses into my ear making the fear in my stomach churn and spread like poison. A warm glow heats my back, spreading across my body.

What?! Cold fury grips the voice but the chokehold on my neck is released. As I rub my neck and dragging in deep hard breaths I can feel the warmth spread down my arms, jumping onto Kenji. For the first time since I awoke to this nightmare I can see my son.

"Kenji!" I scoop him up and hug him tightly. Oh my baby… I was so scared! Scared I'd lose you forever… He wraps his arms around my neck and as I pat his back soothingly he cries into my shoulder.

This isn't a solution Mai; it's just to buy Naru some more time. Maybe he might be able to break you out but I've just set this barrier up for the time being, I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it up but this demon is something I've never come across before.

"How'd you know my name?" I ask out loud holding a frightened Kenji tightly.

I'd been with you for a long time Mai, just be patient. Naru and I are trying to break you out of this.

I close my eyes and sink onto my hunches, sitting down while cradling Kenji tightly. I'm so scared! I bite on my lip to stop a whimper from coming out. I can't let Kenji know I'm terrified! I've never felt this terrified before, not even when I found out I was pregnant… I shut my eyes tightly willing myself to forget everything now except my baby…

---

A rising wave of nausea forces me to run from the office into the toilets located just outside the office.

It's the third time this week. I wipe traces of vomit from the corner of my mouth and flush the toilet again. I rinse out my mouth and spit out the foul tasting vomit. I must have caught some stomach bug or something… I should see the doctor soon…

It's almost two weeks. Almost two weeks since – since that happened. He doesn't remember. I think bitterly. His total indifference to me on that morning told me all I needed to know. I kept away from him for most of the day whenever I could, I was so tempted to call in sick but I had to know. So now I know and I took five days off. I'm such a coward. I accidentally bump my breasts with my arms when I raised them to clean my face, and I wince. Why the heck are they so sore? Urgh, and they feel like they're going to spill out of my bra… I don't remember doing anything physically taxing. I really should see that doctor…

"Mai?" Ayako calls out for me anxiously from outside the bathroom.

"Yes?" I call back wiping my hands dry on a paper towel.

"Are you feeling alright? You sure you don't want to take a sick day off? You've been going to the toilets an awful lot this week."

"No, I'll be fine!" I call back faking a cheerful demeanour.

"You sure? I'll take you down to the doctor's now if you want."

"No, Ayako, I'll be fine! I promise!" I open the toilet door and find her looking at me with a highly worried expression on her face. "I'll go down to see the doctor after work if you're so worried." Her expression lifts for a moment in temporary relief.

At six I pack up my things and start to leave.

"Where're you going?" Naru asks me as he walks back from Lin's office.

"Just going to the doctor's. I only have another hour anyway, you can dock my pay – I don't care. I need to see that doctor before they all close."

"Just make sure all your work is done by tomorrow." That's it. No – are you feeling all right Mai? Or even the slightest concern for me. I pull on my scarf and huff out of the office slamming the door shut with force.

I walk down the street till I got to the main centre of the Shibuya district; I've never been to see any doctors in this area but there must be a GP somewhere here… I find a pharmacy and ask for directions to the closest GP and the counter lady directs me to a nearby GP.

At this time the clinic is almost empty,

"Is there a doctor available at the moment?" I ask the nurse sitting at the reception. She flicks through a few files and nods her head.

"Would you like to see her now?"

"Yes please, it won't take long." The nurse nods her head and gestures for me to take a seat while she informs the doctor. I take a seat and observe the near empty clinic. There are several children's toys strewn all over the kid's corner and a mother is sitting there watching over her children looking very worn. She catches my eyes and gives me a smile.

The nurse returns quickly beckoning me to follow her, I stand up and walk over to the nurse, letting myself be lead by her down a few corridors before directing me into a doctor's office. A youngish female doctor perhaps about ten years older than I am was in there reading through some files.

"Hello, you must be Taniyama Mai? How are you feeling?" She pulls out a chair for me and gestures for me to sit. The nurse closes the door behind her leaving us in privacy.

"I think I caught a stomach bug or maybe a winter cold. I've been feeling nauseous lately and my stomach cramps pretty often." She writes down some notes on her note pad before asking me,

"Are you feeling any other symptoms?"

"Just recently my breast has also been getting really sore, and it feels quite tight." She writes some more on her note pad before turning to me.

"Do you mind if I take a look?" I shake my head and pull off the thick layers of clothes I wear to keep warm. She gently presses down on the top of my breast and I let out a small wince.

"It feels pretty tender," She gestures to me that I can put my clothes back on.

"If you don't mind answering me, this is a really personal question but when was the last time you had sex?" She asks me in full seriousness looking at me with concern. I blink a few times before the question could sink in.

"S-sex?"

"If its too personal, don't feel the need to answer me but…"

"N-no… umm about two weeks ago…"

"What forms of contraception did you use?" Contraception? I feel the whole world spinning, and I have to close my eyes to stop myself from falling over. I burry my head in my hands.

"We… we didn't…" oh my god. How could I have forgotten? You never had sex before – why should that thought cross your mind? But in school… how many times did our health teachers tell us about contraception? Countless. I pull in shaky breaths trying to calm myself down.

"Taniyama san?" The doctor asks me rubbing my back comfortingly.

"I – I… what am I going to do?" I ask her, my fear showing in my eyes and voice.

"I'll do a blood test to confirm it but there are plenty of support groups out there. And there are other options as well – if you really can't have the baby." Abortion? I think repulsively.

"I can't – I won't abort." I amend myself.

"I understand," she says sympathetically, "But if you need some help feel free to come to these sessions." She hands me a few pamphlets about mother's groups and support net works for teen mothers.

"It's all up to you now Taniyama san. I'll do the blood test and the results should be in by tomorrow, come by tomorrow to pick them up – or whenever it's convenient for you." She takes out a syringe and I pull up my sleeves to let her get a blood sample. She ties a piece of rubber across the top of my arm to stop the blood flow for a moment as she drew out blood; I look away as she drew my blood. I could never stand needles. I flinch at the sharp prick but after that I don't feel anything until she presses a piece of cotton wool on my arm to stop the blood.

It was so obvious now that I think about it. I wonder why the thought of me being pregnant didn't cross my mind. I suppose the human mind blocks out what it doesn't want to listen to.

"If you want to talk to me about anything else don't hesitate to come by again." I give her a weak smile.

"Thank you doctor…" I pick up my bag and walk out of her office with her bringing me to the reception.

"Take care Taniyama san, don't do anything too strenuous and if you have any thing you want to check with me. Come and see me again." She is so kind, I think emotionally. What am I going to do now? Tell Naru? Tell him what?

'Naru, I think I'm pregnant with your child.' That sounds so ridiculous to even myself. I walk out of the clinic into the cold evening air. Everyone is going on as it always had, it's just me. I walk home numb. Not feeling, hearing or thinking anything. I just want to get home.

I shut the door behind me; I lean heavily on the door and slide to the floor. In a state of shock. I curl up and cry into my knees, the fear and panic is catching up with me and I can do only so little to stop it. I want to be comforted. I need to be comforted. But I have no one. I cry even harder, cries that – to even myself sound heart wrenching.

---

Why am I remembering this now? What point is it in remembering that? For a moment I don't recognise my own crying but in a short while I do. And my son is comforting me. I want to be comforted.

"I love you Kenji. I love you more than life its self."

Mai! Can you feel my hand? I hear Naru's voice but it's muffled as if I was under water. I feel something grip my left hand tightly but there's nothing there. It has to be him.

"Yes!"

Don't let go of Kenji or me. Gene will try to break the demon's hold on you and I'll pull you out.

"Ok." I close my eyes and keep a tight hold on both Kenji and Naru's hand. Unexpectedly everything goes so quiet I feel as if I had gone deaf. Everything around me is suspended. And after what seemed like a long time I jerk up in bed, sweating profusely a scream coming out of me without me even realising it.

"It's OK Mai! Shhh…" Naru cups my face tightly to calm me down. When I stop screaming the water works turn on automatically. And I'm not the only one. Kenji is crying loudly next to me. I keep crying but I hold Kenji in a hug and cry along with him.

Naru holds us both tightly, rubbing our backs comfortingly.

"Naru… I – I was so scared!" I keep crying and crying, hiccups interrupting me every so often.

"Don't go." I whisper, my breathing hitches with another hiccup. I try to stop crying but no matter what I do the tears wouldn't stop coming out. "Don't go." I repeat again to reassure myself.

"I won't. I won't Mai. I'll be here, I promise." He kisses both Kenji and I to comfort us.

I want to be comforted.

My thoughts and feelings echo back at me.

A/N: Yay, for a new chapter! I finished writing this on a study break :D I'm so happy I managed to do this up! Hope you enjoyed this! To all who don't know yet, I've written a one-shot about chapter 7 called 'Not meant to happen' please note that – it's a LEMON fic. So if you are under aged or do not like reading lemons don't read it. Only MATURE READERS. It contains explicit material and I don't recommend anyone under 16 or even 18 to read it. My first lemon fic too, and since we have -none- in the GH fandom I've decided to write one myself.