Chapter eight: To counter
Warning! This chapter isn't heavy LinxMai; it is LinxMai—limey LinxMai. Just thought I'd warn you all like I promised.
As always, thanks to TitianWren for not only beta-reading this, but putting up with it. This is as close to a lemon as I will ever write. Not a word, Jenx.
This chapter is dedicated to Jenx, for her birthday. Happy (bleated) birthday, darling!
And finally, one last thing: another fabulous quote! "Poor Naru, out in the cold. Eh, give him a mirror and he'll get over it." –TitanWren.H
Yes, my wonderful beta-reader, has given me permission to quote that. If you all haven't figured it out yet, I am LinxMai fan. I have nothing against NaruxMai—I'm even working on a NaruxMai one-shot for a challenge on LiveJournal. You guys have already seen Artemis Bloodshadow's response to it with her latest chapter of Lessons. Have fun in Japan, Artemis-san! Like I said, I have nothing against that pairing, but I don't know what's so great or fascinating about it.
I have a request. For all of you who have this story on your favorites list, I thank you. For those who have it on your alert list, I also thank you. Now, if y'all could drop me a review with cookies and cakes, this authoress would be most happy. XD
As always, thanks to all of my readers on Fanfiction Network and LiveJournal.
Onwards!
…
Despite his decision being made, Lin had no idea how he was going to broach the subject of the counter-spell with Mai; it was one of those subjects that was almost borderline taboo, but was, in actuality a necessity. Mai sat on the couch behind him in their base room, silently working on the assignments that she'd collected from her teachers earlier. Lin glanced at her reflection in the computer screen. It always seemed to be her; no matter what case they were working on, it was like she attracted danger.
At least Mai didn't have to worry about the female population; thankfully, this curse didn't seem to target everyone—if anything, it seemed to pinpoint only those closest to her. He heard a page turn and the scratching of her pencil soon followed. The night that they'd left Mai's apartment—Lin told Naru about a temporary solution that might just shatter the spell long enough for them to find the caster; he'd encouraged him to tell Mai about it so that she knew about what could be their only option. If they were correct, that it was a spirit possessing a student, then dispelling the spell by means of a counter-charm would give them at least a day or two to find the caster. With the amount of energy it took to repair a spell, or recast it from scratch (the method he knew of would mean no less), the student possessed would not come to school the following day or two; they simply wouldn't have the energy to move at all. That absent person would be the one the spirit inhabited. At least, that was the theory. They'd have to take into account the kids who skipped regularly or were ill, but the search was still lessened dramatically.
Naru had adamantly vetoed telling Mai about the temporary solution. Oh, to see his flustered face again! Lin thought, his lips quirking upwards in a quick grin. His grin faded. He was still no closer on how to tell Mai… tell? Convince, he told himself. He really had no idea how to do that. This wasn't like the case in Suwa where it was imperative for all of them to leave Urado's lair before they became his victims.
Two sets of footsteps coming down the hall reached their ears—voices soon followed. Lin paused his typing; neither set of voices belonged to anyone of SPR—they couldn't be back yet, anyhow, and the footsteps were too heavy to be female. The conversation soon reached their ears. From the sound of it, Mai was the topic of their chat. It seemed that they'd come to the base room specifically to find her. "You're sure she's in this room, Daichi?"
"Oh, yeah, Hiko—she's here all right. All I had to do was ask the teacher where I could get another charm and he told me where the priestess that made them was located. Stupid charms, I stopped carrying mine. But it was easy as pie to find where she was, since they won't let Taniyama back into the classroom until this is solved."
"She's probably not alone, though. I'll bet that tall dude is with her."
"Hey, we just want to talk to her, that's all. You're not scared of him, are you?" came the mocking tone that belonged to Daichi.
"Of course not!" Hiko said. Both of them were right in front of the door by now. "He's not that scary!"
I'm not? Lin thought. I don't think the other young men in the school will agree with you. According to them, I'm downright terrifying.
"Taniyama?" they heard Daichi call. Lin assumed that he was the one trying the doorknob as well. "Taniyama!" the young man called sharply. "We know you're in there, open the door and let us in! It's urgent we talk to you! Please?" his tone had taken a wheedling, whining tone; one that Lin particularly detested. "We need two more charms." When there was no response, the young man's voice became angrier. "Taniyama!" he barked.
Mai's pencil clattered to the floor and a sound of panic escaped her throat.
Enough of this, Lin decided. Grabbing two charms, he strode over to the door, unlocked it, and jerked it open just enough for him to peer out. Silently, he handed the charms to the two upper classmen and stood between them and the room, barring them entry. He looked at them coolly, daring them to just try and get past him. "Taniyama-san is busy," he told them tersely, when he'd had enough of their gawking. "And so am I," he finished, favoring them both with a frigid look. "You have what you came for. Good day."
That said, he shut the door in their faces and bolted it. When one of them tried the door again, he said, "I'm still standing here, you know."
The hand fell away and they heard Hiko say, "Ah, we'll catch you later then, Taniyama."
Lin waited until he heard the footsteps fall away before he turned back to Mai. She stared at the door, looking for all the world like a frightened doe. Her eyes were wide and almost dilated—her irises had darkened and instead of whiskey-brown, they were brackish and her skin had lost all its color. He approached the couch, pausing only to bend down and scoop up her pencil. He pushed aside her books and papers and gently lowered himself to the table.
"Mai," he said quietly. "They're gone. Mai?"
There was no answer. All he could do was wait for her to regain her composure. He looked at the Hello Kitty bobble figurine on top of her pencil. This fits her, he thought amused, as he idly flipped the pencil up and down, watching the tiny doll dance and shake.
Mai woodenly watched Lin toy with her pencil. She'd vaguely heard him when he said that the two boys were gone; his words, however, didn't register. I hate this! she thought. I really hate this. I feel useless and helpless and I just know Naru's disappointed in me. What right does he have to be upset? It's not my fault my intuition's not working right now! Tears started to run down her cheeks. It's not my fault that I can't remember my dreams—that my memory's being suppressed. He's so annoying and smug! Oh, I'd love to show him up, just once! Uh… Lin-san was trying to get my attention, wasn't he?
Her cheeks turned ten shades of red and she turned to the Chinese man with an embarrassed smile. "Ah…I'm sorry, Lin-san. I don't think I heard what you said."
"Are you all right?" he asked.
She gave him a tired smile. "I think so."
"You're certain? If not, take your time."
"I'm okay."
"Good," he said, putting the pencil down and watching her silently. This seemed to be as good an opportunity as ever.
"I'm surprised Naru hasn't fired me yet," she said, before he could say anything. "I haven't exactly been helpful, you know."
Lin looked at her sharply.
She continued with a far-off look in her eyes. "My intuition hasn't been cooperating at all and whatever I dream, I seem to forget, except bits and pieces, and the cloud over the school that keeps changing colors. Every day I come into this room, I expect him to tell me I'm fired, rather than bark at me to make tea."
"Why would he sack you? You're the client this time," he told her, cursing the British idiom that had just crept into his speech.
His words hit her like a brick. "That's right! I am, aren't I?" she asked, sheepishly.
"You forgot?" Lin didn't understand how someone could forget the fact that they were a client. Most clients didn't let SPR forget their existence—they were all over them to hurry up and solve the case: Mai's principal during the first case that brought her into their lives, for example.
"Ah, well… you see…" she began.
Lin waited patiently.
Folding her hands, Mai continued. "To me, this is just another case. There hasn't really been anything terribly new. I've set up equipment, as I always do," she said, starting to tick her list off of her fingers, "been reprimanded for doing something stupid, been called an idiot by Naru several times over; I've checked temperatures; I've been saved from something by all of you—just like every other case, might I add." She put her hands back in her lap. "The only reminders I have that it's different are the flowers, candies, and the boys that try to shove their tongues down my throat. So really, it's like any other case."
"But?" Lin asked, not sure if he believed her logic or not.
"Eh?"
"I can see it on your face. But what?"
"It bothers me that I can't remember my dreams," she said sadly. "I feel like my intuition is trying to tell me something, something important, but I can't hear it—if you know what I mean."
He did know. Now, more than ever, it was important for her to know about the counter-method. How to start though?
"I keep thinking of Kasai-san."
Mai's comment brought him back. "What?" he asked.
"Kasai-san. I keep thinking about how her PK-power fluctuated. She called me about three weeks after we finished the case at her school. She told me that she can't use her PK-powers anymore. I wonder if that's happening to me, too."
"I would sincerely doubt it," he told her.
"Really? Why?" she asked.
"Kasai-san's PK came from watching someone on TV use their powers to bend spoons. Gaining powers that way doesn't always have longevity. Remember, many of the Gellerini lost their powers soon after gaining them. Your powers didn't come from a late-night TV show and they're different from hers, too. My guess is you've always had your power. Sometimes, you'd just know things, little things, mind you, nothing grandiose like you've experienced while working with us. For example, the teacher's probably going to give a pop quiz sometime in class. Or maybe you've dreamed that instead of being outside for gym on a certain day, it will rain and the class will take place inside—an unconscious use of your powers that were still developing. The knowledge that you've demonstrated in past cases is a direct result of using your powers in a more conscious setting; you know you have them and thus you are using them."
"But… it seems like my power is fluctuating—just like hers was. I've never once had this much trouble recalling anything that I've dreamed."
"Stress can do that; you know this. And of all us, you've been suffering the most, lately."
She tilted her head to the side and thought about what he'd said. "I guess you're right," she replied, with a thoughtful frown on her face.
She guesses? Lin wondered. She never did cease to amaze him.
"I just wish that there was some way I could do something—or some way to make me remember my dreams… ah! Can't you go through my mind, Lin-san?" Right then, whether he figured out that she was dreaming of Naru or not didn't matter; remembering was more important.
Lin blinked. Not quite the opening I was hoping for. "I could," he said. "But I don't think that will help. It may, for me, be a completely jumbled mass and you'd still have to explain it and sort it out—which directly relates to you remembering. I can't make you remember."
"Is the spell the cause of this?" she asked.
"Possibly. It could also be that your subconscious doesn't want you to remember just yet. A protective measure of your mind."
My subconscious…no, that's not right. …He? Naru? Yeah, that's right—the Naru in my dreams said I'd remember when I need to… "He said I would remember when I need to," she murmured.
"Who said you would?" When she didn't answer, he peered at her face, trying to search for clues. Her eyes had gone wide and glassy—the look of someone about to go into a trance; when she looked like that, he knew that she remembered something from her dreams related to the case. "Mai?"
"He said that I would remember when I need to… it's connected to the spell, the dreams I can't remember. I know this spell's been cast before," she said, her brow scrunching as she tried to remember. "But on a smaller scale. He said I wouldn't remember until I need to."
"Who cast it? When? Can you remember? Who told you that you wouldn't remember until you need to? Mai?"
No. I can't tell him, she thought unconsciously. I'll never hear the end of it. She blinked allowing the snippet to fade away and her eyes went back to normal. The moment was lost. Lin frowned, disappointed. He'd been close to at least gleaning something; on the other hand, that had been productive—her subconscious hadn't blocked the dream; someone or something had. That led to other possibilities, and not many of them were good.
"Lin-san?" she asked. "Is something wrong? You seem frustrated."
"You nearly remembered something," he told her.
"I did?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, but it was gone before you could articulate it." He watched the optimism on her face die and was sorry that he'd caused it to disappear.
"So again I'm no help," she murmured sadly. "I haven't been helpful at all on this case. Is there a way to break the spell—or return it?"
Lin watched her steadily. "Breaking a spell and returning it are two different things. If I knew the caster, I could easily return the spell to them. Breaking it is another story. I could break it completely, if I knew which spell had been used."
"So there are no options?"
"There is one—but it's not permanent. The spell would be likely to come back and with a vengeance, but yes, there is a temporary solution."
She looked up at him with hope shining in her eyes. "There is? What is it?"
"Magic would consider it a counter-spell or a counter-charm. It relies on being the polar opposite of the spell in question."
Polar opposite? What's the polar opposite of lust, she wondered. "Does Naru know about it?" she asked.
"He does, yes."
Mai sensed a 'but' in those words. "But…" she trailed off.
"He doesn't consider it an option."
"And who gave him that right?" she asked, starting to get angry. "Aren't I the client? Isn't he obligated to tell me about these things since it's my case?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch. "Or is this another one of his strategic secrets because I have a big mouth?"
That was harsh, he thought. Then again, he deserves it. "You're right, he should have told you; you're the only one who has the right to decide. I'll tell you what it is, but I want you to promise me something, first."
Mai stared at him, taking in the fact that he was hesitating; there was an odd look on his face. He's… he's… he's troubled, she decided, finally. Normally, he tells us what we need to know and that's that. It must be serious if he wants me to promise something. "What do you need me to promise?" she asked warily.
Good girl, he thought. "Promise me you won't agree until you fully understand; I don't care how many questions you have to ask. No blind leaps of faith. This counter-spell won't work if there's any hint that you didn't understand me."
I suppose that's easy enough, she decided. "Okay," she said, nodding. "I promise."
He searched her face for a moment and then nodded with satisfaction. Quietly, he began to outline the counter spell that he knew of.
…
Mai stared at him and put a hand to her racing heart. She was sure that her face couldn't get any redder and envied the fact that he watched her without the slightest hint of embarrassment or flush. He… he… he had me thinking the worst, she thought. I was seriously worried there, for a minute. Of course Naru would keep this from me! He's already kissed me once and I'll bet he was traumatized by it! Oh… what I wouldn't give to be able to hit him again. I'd hit him so hard; he'd become humble in a heartbeat… a humble Naru, now that's something worth laughing about! Especially since it'll never happen. She looked at Lin-san and smiled, having regained her composure. "You had me worried there, Lin-san."
He raised a questioning brow.
She felt her face turn redder. "I thought you were going to suggest—"
"That's a permanent and one-time-only solution," he said, cutting her off. "Never, ever, go that route unless you have no other options."
Permanent, one-time-only solution… meaning the spell could be cast again and there would be nothing to counter it… A memory sparked. Mai couldn't see the faces very well, but one—who was undoubtedly female—stood in front of a seated man, offering him herself in payment for the spell's removal; with a wicked smile, he'd accepted. Mai shivered. "That's what she did," Mai murmured, her eyes taking on that same glassy quality.
Lin was instantly alert. "Who? What do you mean? Think back, Mai, and talk to me," he said, reaching out and gripping her shoulders. If he could just keep her in that trance-like state…
She tried to focus on the fuzzy scene replaying in her mind—but it was hazy and growing worse every second, until it became nothing but a jumbled mass that she couldn't make head or tails of. Giving up, she blinked and shook her head, the moment lost. Lin sighed in frustration and released her. This had been happening quite often lately. He resolved to try hypnotism if the counter-charm worked…providing Naru didn't kill him first.
"Lin-san, isn't there a possibility…" she asked, trailing off. That was what scared her the most; she didn't want that to happen—there had already been a few narrowly missed escapes.
He stayed silent for a few minutes. Of course there was a chance. In essence, what he would be doing was relinquishing quite a bit of control to make this work and that would leave him vulnerable; he hated weaving counter-charms like this.
"I won't lie to you," he said quietly, keeping his gaze locked on hers. "There is always a chance. This situation is hardly stable—so many things can go wrong. However, I will definitely do everything in my power to make certain that won't happen; that it won't go that far."
Mai believed him; she trusted him implicitly—all of them, really, even Naru, despite how angry he made her. I want to do this, she thought, her previous flush returning. I know it's risky and I know it might not work. But you never know until you try, right? And if it doesn't work, then so be it; at least we tried. And if it does work, all the better—maybe I'll be able to remember my dreams. Naru, you're so selfish! It's going to take a lot for me to forgive you for this!
"Mai?" Lin asked.
Mai turned her attention to her clasped hands. "Naru… must have had a horrible experience kissing me," she mumbled with a sardonic smile on her face. "My first kiss, too—what do I know about kissing boys? It's not like I've ever had a boyfriend before."
Saying nothing in return to her musings, Lin took a moment to recap what he'd learned thus far. Her powers are going through a down-phase, that's thanks to stress, but what about her dreams being repressed? Her subconscious could do that, but it hasn't been. She remembers her nightmare from the mansion quite clearly. If any dreams would be suppressed, that would definitely be one of them. Someone or something is repressing her dreams; she's continually saying that "he" told her that she would remember when she needed too. Who is "he," though? He watched her steadily. Some clairvoyants have dream guides. Normally, dream guides are animals, but some take on humanoid forms. I'd rather believe that she has a dream guide, than think of the alternative.
"Lin-san."
Her voice shook him from his musings and he looked at her.
"Did I ever apologize for injuring you when we first met?" she asked.
Don't tell me she still feels guilty about that! "I'm sure you did," he told her, trying to glimpse her face.
"That's good," she replied, looking up at him with a smile.
He waited.
"It sucks, you know."
"What does?"
"This," she said, gesturing around vaguely. "Almost two weeks ago, I could walk these halls alone, without needing protection. Now I can't."
Ah, I see. I'll agree with her.
"If you don't accompany me and stay with me through class, I end up nearly molested."
Almost raped is actually a closer comparison.
"When someone else is with me, I have to worry about their charms degrading. And when they do finally degrade, I end up being the victim again and another kiss is stolen. That's why I want to do this—the counter-charm you told me about; that's why I want you to do this. I've been kissed by everyone else except Masako and Ayako, thankfully—why not you, too? It can't be easy guarding me with this spell. I know it's risky; I know there's probably a greater chance of failure than success, but I want to try. I don't know what to do—I've already admitted it: what do I know about kissing boys? But maybe it'll work, right? We won't know until we try, right? If it doesn't, then at least we've exhausted every option. But more importantly," she said, "I just want to walk the halls of school unbothered!" she cried, her cheeks flaring a brilliant red color.
Lin stared at her. Of all the things to motivate her, walking through the halls unaffected is her top priority. I should have known. "Fail?" he asked, smirking. "You've been kissing amateurs, Mai. You learn things about people when you simply observe them," he said, when she looked at him. "Trust me when I say that Naru doesn't know the first thing about kissing a girl. Brown-san wouldn't and Takigawa-san needs more time."
"I don't know," Mai said thoughtfully, "John's kiss was kind of sweet. Bou-san's wasn't bad, either—just a bit rough."
And no mention of Naru, he thought. "Amateurs," he said again, shifting closer. "Shall I show you what you've missed? Shall I show you what a kiss can be?" he asked, his face hovering just inches from hers.
He was so close… Mai gasped when his arms caged her body.
"Well, Mai?" A long fingered hand touched her cheek gently. "If you want to back out, that's fine too," he told her. "There may be other counter methods."
N…no, she thought. When he started to draw away, she grabbed his shirt cuff. "Show me," she said firmly. A dusting of red decorated her cheeks, but her eyes were determined.
He stared at her for a few seconds, surprised. He'd been sure that she was going to back out at the last second. He smiled; no doubt he was a dead man when Naru heard of this. "As you wish, Mai," he said, dipping his head. "I'll prove to you that those three were, indeed amateurs."
Confident, aren't we? she thought, annoyed.
"I have every right to be confident," he said, dipping his tongue into her ear.
She gasped. Wha…what was that? she wondered, her hand automatically reaching up to her ear.
He caught her hand before it reached her earlobe and gently lowered it back to the couch, keeping it prisoner with his own. Putting his mouth close to her ear he whispered, "Haven't you caught on yet, Mai? Unlike them, I have plenty of experience."
Shivers ran down her spine. I'm glad I'm sitting! He hasn't even kissed me yet and I'm already weak-kneed! And he told me that this wouldn't be a straight kiss—in order to weave the counter spell, he'd actually have to invoke lust…
He kissed her once beneath her ear softly—she barely felt it. When his teeth clamped down gently on her earlobe and sucked on it, she gasped again. She felt his left arm encircle her waist. He trailed hot, wet, kisses down the smooth, pale column of her neck.
"I'm sure you know this, but allow me to reiterate so you fully understand what this will entail, Taniyama-san."
"Mai."
He rolled his eyes. "Mai. This is not a love spell; you know this. They do not affect groups—unless of course, the caster is truly stupid. The magic of a love spell is directed to one person and one person only."
He'd decided to focus on one place to build half the energy that he would need from her. He'd considered her shoulder, but disregarded the idea almost immediately. Her uniform would hide her shoulder; Lin didn't want this to be easily hidden. He wanted especially for the caster to see and know not to take them lightly. SPR would find him or her and put a stop to this nonsense. He admitted, and only to himself, that he wanted to be selfish about this and indulge. He could be no less than human to weave this counter spell.
"We've established already that this is a lust spell. In particular, this spell not only causes lust, but brings into being and feeds off of all the negative, carnal aspects of this emotion—you've seen from previous cases that this gives additional strength. These negative characteristics lead to obsession, hate, and yes, rape."
He traced slow, teasing kisses from her shoulder and across her collarbone, heading towards the hollow of her throat. Lin found that he had an odd fascination with that part of her that went back to their first meeting—after the shoe cases had fallen on him. Naru had asked her to help him get Lin to the hospital and she'd grabbed his arm, intent on helping him up. He slapped at her hand violently, wanting no help from a nosy brat that had broken their camera and caused his injury. He'd leveled a nasty glare at her and told her he didn't need or want her assistance; Naru had rebuked him for this later—especially since Mai hadn't told them where or how near to the entrance of her school the hospital in question was (a mile, or thereabouts, but when one factored a sprained leg into the equation…).
His tone towards Mai had been furious and it had definitely frightened her; she'd flinched and her pulse started to race—Lin had watched its frantic dance in her throat. He, if ever forced to explain why he'd found that so fascinating, knew he wouldn't be able to; it was just one of those things that really didn't have a logical explanation behind it. Regardless of being unable to explicate his odd interest—he wasn't satisfied with merely seeing it or remembering it; he wanted to feel it. He nipped playfully at the hollow of her throat and was rewarded with the frantic jump of her pulse beneath his lips. He smiled, inordinately pleased with his success. Determined to continue with this vein, he scraped his teeth over the area and was rewarded with a gasp.
"L…Lin-san…" she whispered, trembling. She could feel her pulse racing; she would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to know, and she wondered why the Chinese man found it so interesting. She tried to escape his grasp—twisting this way and that. She'd learned very fast that tossing her head back simply gave him better access. She wanted him to move on—this was torture.
"But the simple fact is, Mai, that lust is an emotion. And nearly everyone encounters it at some point and in some form or another. It is, however, one of the most unstable and unpredictable emotions, which is why I can't guarantee the success of this venture."
Ah, ah, Lin thought when she tried to escape again. His hand slid up her back and came to rest on her neck, pulling her closer and holding her immobile. Just for that… he thought, nipping again at her throat and sucking gently. She gasped again and her trembling increased. How long as it been, he wondered, since I've induced so much pleasure in anyone person? Madoka was the last. If we were, or could be anything more, I'd show you what flying is, he thought, a tad bitter. My name, my given name would fall from your lips, not Naru's; I would be in your thoughts constantly. The things that I could show you are endless.
Too much, Mai thought, trying one last time to twist away and failing. I can't take this! Why didn't I realize it sooner…? A keening sound escaped her throat and that was what Lin had been waiting for. As much as he wanted to stay right where he was—really, her throat was just fascinating, especially when her pulse raced—he needed to stop. He had half the energy he needed. The kiss proper would build the rest. With one last nip and lap, he left her throat and slowly worked his way up the other side of her neck before planting a solemn kiss against her jaw and raising his head higher to flick his tongue into her other ear.
"Do you believe me, now?" he purred.
What is this? This is a side of him I've never seen—I've never even glimpsed! She didn't answer; she couldn't. Her brain couldn't quite seem to form a coherent sentence and then connect it with her mouth—all that emerged was something of a squeak.
He chuckled in her ear. "Oh, we're not done yet. We're going to make that cloud you keep seeing disappear completely. When you dream next, it won't be there."
I…I… Mai couldn't think. She felt the urge to remove his tie—she liked him better when he was dressed more casually. Day in and day out, all she saw him wearing were suits. He looked so much more relaxed when he lost the tie and vest.
When Lin felt her hand start to tug on the knot in his tie, he grabbed it and eased away to peer into her eyes. She blinked, confused.
"No matter what you have the urge to do, don't do it—ignore that so-called inner voice because it's not yours. I made a promise to you, Mai, that I wouldn't let it go that far; I intend to see that through." Holding her eyes, he lifted her hand to his face and placed a gentle kiss on her palm. Folding his hand over hers, he laced their fingers together, and lowered their joined hands to the couch.
Tears welled up in her eyes and began to slip down her cheeks; she sniffed. This… must be making him very uncomfortable. I must be making him uncomfortable.
What the… "Mai?" This was new. Normally when he kissed women, they didn't cry—at least, not this form of crying. She certainly knows how to punch the ego. Now's the part where I start panicking that I've somehow hurt her, he thought dryly. And sure enough, he began to wonder and he went through, step-by-step, making certain that he hadn't inadvertently inflicted any pain. He focused on her throat, extremely pleased that he could already see his handiwork. He didn't see any blood, thankfully, but perhaps he'd somehow caused her some discomfort? He thought he'd only scraped, not bitten—nipping didn't count. Of course it does.
While it was true he was absolutely enthralled with her throat, that hadn't been the only motivating factor, and he was certain that she'd felt pleasure—wasn't he? She was young, she'd said so herself. She didn't know what these feelings were, or what lust was; thinking someone was handsome and feeling a heart go pitter-patter in response didn't equate. Damn, but he hated weaving spells like this! And this was shaky ground, Lin knew; if Mai's mindset changed, then everything so far was all for naught. He was so busy hoping that she didn't change her mind that he forgot all about the strength she possessed as a person.
She raised her free hand to her eyes and wiped away the tears with partial success. "I'm sorry, Lin-san," she said, smiling softly.
No, he thought. Please don't tell me you can't go through with this now and make everything so far count for nothing. "For?" he asked gently. Her answer surprised him.
"Making you miserable; I know I am. I'm young and stupid. You must be so uncomfortable doing this," she said sadly, looking down at their entwined hands. Tears shimmered in her eyes again as she thought about the gentle kiss he'd placed on her palm.
He smiled faintly and the counter-charm, which had started to waver at the onset of her tears, solidified again and waited to be completed. Who knew of this strength within her, he wondered. Everyone, except him, it seemed. "Your crying dismays me more."
Smiling, she sniffed one final time, wiped away the tears for good, and flashed him a small, albeit watery smile. "Crying always scares men. I seem to recall Bou-san being frightened of my tears at the church that Kenji-kun was haunting, but why I was crying, I can't remember."
Please don't, he thought fervently.
"It's not working, is it?" she asked. The way she asked made Lin think that she had an inkling to what her small crying stint had done. He saw no need to add to her guilt, assuming he was reading her correctly.
"It is. I can feel it starting to take effect; the main bulk is done," he told her, touching her throat gently; her pulse began to beat again beneath his fingers and he caressed the area gently. "The rest, if we're successful, will finish on its own. But like I said, we're not done yet." There was no need to tell her that when she started crying the spell had nearly vanished. He moved in close again; she looked up at him. "Bear with me a little while longer," he whispered, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.
She nodded, just once. Taking that as a go-ahead, he tilted her head back and gently, reverently, lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips were soft and pliant beneath his, but would they yield? Since the onslaught of the spell, he'd wondered what it would feel like to kiss her. Now that he knew, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the sensation. He slid off the table, bringing himself closer to her petite form. Mai sunk back into the couch cushion, allowing him the space to get even closer.
"This spell was aimed at you and you alone. To think otherwise is delusional on your part. There is an old saying: 'fight fire with fire.' I'm sure you've heard this before. Literally speaking, it is not true: if you light another fire in a burning building, it will not cancel out the fire already burning. But if Takigawa-san insults you, do you not insult him back? Don't try to deny it," he told her when she tried to protest. "I've seen you. Don't ever think that I'm unaware of what goes on around me. If someone insults you, you reciprocate in kind. In this sense, the analogy works: someone insults you, and you insult back.
But there is one other way to apply that adage. And that is in the magical sense. Remember back at the house with the doll—the woman who was searching for her daughter, who'd been kidnapped. Afterwards, Naru told all of you that there is white and black to any casting. This is quite true; magic itself is neither white nor black. If you had to assign an affiliation to it, magic would be gray."
"But there are white spells and black spells."
"That's true. But Mai, who creates those spells? Magic, or humans?"
"Humans."
"Correct. Magic did not create a black spell and it did not create a white spell. Magic does not create anything—it merely exists. It's up to the person using the power to decide whether it's being used for good or bad."
"But some say gods created some of those spells," she argued.
He shrugged. "This, I do not know. I do not know which god is said to have created which spell. I know only that magic exists—I use it myself, as you'll recall—and that it depends on who and how it's being used. And this brings me to what you need to understand. You need to understand that I intend to make you feel lust, to experience it. If you have the mindset that I'm forcing this on you, well then, you will only feed the spell, because that is taking, and black magic understands that very well."
He snaked his tongue across her bottom lip. Surprised, she gasped, granting him the access he'd hoped for. Leisurely, he dipped his tongue into her mouth, taking his time to explore. It was then that he began to wonder if this would actually work—true, she hadn't pushed him away and wasn't exhibiting signs that he'd forced anything, but all the same, Lin wondered if he wasn't just giving in like the others had.
Lin-san seems worried; it's almost like I can feel it and taste it, Mai thought, her eyes fluttering shut. He hadn't said much about it, but she understood intuitively that the success of this venture also rested on her. Except… his experience versus her inexperience wasn't helping. Between one heartbeat and the next, she felt whatever Lin had weaved begin to unravel. In that space of time, she understood the last part of his warning.
"There is something you should know—a basic fact about magic. Anything willingly given and willingly received is generally positive, and as I've told you black magic does not understand giving and receiving. This is all about power—power and vengeance. The risk isn't so much about potential control loss as it is efforts being in vain. If this doesn't work, well then, I'm sure I've made the consequences quite clear. Therefore, some of the responsibility must also lie with you. Do you still wish to go through with this?"
I do! And I will! Mai told herself firmly. I won't let this fail! Gathering her courage and sending up a quick prayer to the gods that she didn't become a coward, she tentatively kissed him back. Surprised, Lin stopped his own ministrations and let her do as she pleased—provided she didn't go after any of his clothing. Hesitantly, she explored his mouth as he had hers and grew bolder about it every second, much to his amusement. Reclaiming her hand, Mai wrapped both arms around his neck, bringing him closer still. By now, she was in complete control of the kiss and the power of that was heady; she could get used to this…
Lin jerked her off the couch and up against his chest, burying one hand in her hair. Keeping her arms around his neck, she pressed herself closer, eliciting a small groan from the Chinese man. No, he thought. Apparently, the latent telepathy she'd displayed in Suwa wasn't working just then, because she did the same thing again. Angling his head down, he reclaimed the control he'd relinquished. She was a fast learner, the minx, and he had a promise to keep. Gently, he eased her back against the heavy sofa he'd pulled her from, the hand on her head sliding down and cupping the back of her neck; he took her free hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze that she returned. On instinct, Mai craned her head back. Just a bit more, he thought.
Time slowed down as it always did when he worked with what he called heavier magics—the feeling always left him breathless. The spell he'd woven finished on its own, taking energy from both of them. His heart pulsed once and he saw and felt a gossamer-fine web settle over the malignant cloud and begin to shrink, taking the curse with it. Whoever had cast that spell was going to be very unhappy.
It worked, he thought. Color me surprised. Slowly, Lin brought their heated kiss to an end, chastely pressing his lips to hers a few times. He sat back on his knees and let her lean against him until she regained her senses. Gently, he disentangled his hand from hers. How did she know? Imagine, as innocent as she is, making me feel lust and in return saving a good deal of my energy. She truly is something else.
Wow, Mai thought, dazed. How many high school boys can kiss like that? she wondered. Lightly, she fingered her throat, wondering just what he'd done. She couldn't begin to describe all the sensations that she'd felt.
"Are you all right?" he asked quietly, noticing the gentle explorations she made of her throat.
Never better, she thought, nodding. She was grateful for the support of his tall frame.
"It worked," he told her quietly. "Did you feel it; see it?"
She nodded again. "It felt like a cocoon," she said dreamily. "Looked the same, too," she told him as an after thought.
An accurate description, he supposed. After a few seconds, she gave a small laugh.
"What?" Lin asked.
"Nothing," she replied, grinning from ear to ear.
"Liar," he accused, smiling down at her.
"I was just… thinking."
"Oh? A penny for your thoughts then."
"I was just wondering how many high school boys know how to kiss like that."
He smirked. "I told you, did I not? I have every right to my confidence. And how many can you think of?" Lin watched as she fiddled with the knot of his tie, but didn't try to undo it.
She smiled up at him. "None," she said. "You've just spoiled me; they're going to have very big shoes to fill. Maybe you should give them lessons."
He sniffed in mock offense. "I am most certainly not teaching a bunch of hormonal teenage boys how to kiss girls."
"It was just a suggestion," Mai said mildly.
"Not happening."
…
No!
What? What's happened?
Damn that man!
Who? What are you talking about? What happened?
All that hard work—he knew. Damn him to the deepest hell, he knew. And he knows what it'll take to bring it back.
A sigh whooshed softly from her lips. I wish you'd tell me what's going on.
Can't you feel it? He shattered the spell.
Now that it was mentioned... her energy did seem to be returning, slowly but surely. Who did?
That man—the silent one that's always in the room watching over her.
You mean the one she calls Lin-san?
Is that him?
I think so.
Hmm… but how did he know? She squinted at him in the mirror. Well, of course. Why didn't I see it earlier? Our abilities are completely different and he hides his well.
I'm confused. Are you saying he works magic, too?
Why yes, child—he does. I should have realized what he was and found a way to get him out of the equation earlier.
How different are his abilities?
Different enough. True, magic is magic. What matters is how it's used and the philosophies applied to it. And that's where we differ. So he shattered it. No matter—it's not gone. I can bring it back, but it will cost you.
Can't we stop this, her host pleaded. If he broke the spell, doesn't that mean they're getting close?
He didn't break it—he performed a counter-curse. Breaking curses and performing counter-curses are completely different. All he did was give them leeway.
What's the difference between what he did and breaking it? Weren't the effects the same?
No. To break or return a curse, you must know exactly which curse was used. Had he returned it, you would be suffering what she's suffered. More than likely, it'd be worse for you, because the effects would multiply. What goes around comes around. Ugly phrase, isn't it? The karma attached to it is just as ugly. Since he didn't know what spell I used, he cast a spell that contained the polar opposite of what the curse is. It didn't get rid of it, because it's not gone; it can be brought back.
Should we? The thought that it could come back to her and be worse scared her. She wasn't sure this so-called 'guardian angel' would protect her from the wrath of Mai's friends. It's awfully risky, isn't it? Aren't they getting close? She tried not to think about how awful she'd feel if they brought it back.
Elegant hands waved aside the questions. Not enough to make a difference. But… I thought you wanted revenge against Taniyama Mai, came the bland statement. She stole your boyfriend, after all. When we first started this venture, you told me that you would do anything to see her suffer.
Well, yes, but she has, hasn't she?
Are you satisfied, then? There was no need to ask.
Not really, came the admittance.
Then let's recast the curse. We'll make it so that the one who shattered it plays a part in its completion.
I don't know…
Hands ran through her hair soothingly. Didn't your mother ever teach you to start what you finish?
Yes, of course.
Then why is this any different? You started something—you should finish it.
I don't like this. I think they're on to us. On to me.
Trust me, they'll find you too little, too late.
She bit her lip and stared at the other woman in the mirror. All right, she said finally.
Her energy was ripped cruelly from her body and she slumped forward onto the vanity.
…
A/n: And there you have it. Honestly, I think I wanted to make Lin just a bit more human. Sadly enough, we don't see any hint of being completely human until volume eight of the manga. One comment on it: Naru, you're an idiot to think PK-ST will do something against a spirit in motion.
Ah, yes, let's see… hmm… well, I know in my profile on it says what will happen to flames. I have a slight amendment to make to that statement. You see, I originally started with two pet dragons and the shop-keeper assured me they were both female. …Except one was male. So now, instead of having two dragons, I have upgraded to five. The babies are cute… when they're sleeping that is. Anyhow, flames will be fed to the five dragons I now have. Just an FYI. XD Review and make me happy.
Twilight Princess is calling. See you all in chapter nine.