Author's Note:
This is so far my LONGEST one shot, even in my fic IN BOTH REALMS, i haven't written anything this long. Well, there's always a first time for everything. i hope you guys would like this fic. I would like to dedicate this fic to all the authors that inspired me: hiya24, ecyoj06, synemyoa, sara moon, aiel-chan, ogami, minamoriforever, sweet-soft-melody, and to my dear beta reader "ayjah" who is currently busy, that is why the revision of this fic would take a while... bear with me... Also, please submit your reviews and comments. Thank you so much!
Disclaimers:
I do not own Ghost Hunt.
"Death is not the greatest loss in life.
The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."
Mai knew that things don't go the way you always want it to be. Sometimes, life can be utterly disappointing. Believe it or not, life is never fair.
Mai watches as Masako lead Naru out of the SPR main door to what she calls a 'Thanksgiving' dinner. To hell with her excuses, Mai knew that all she wants to do is spend time alone with Naru. Just because she is famous, rich, and pretty, she thinks she can outsmart everyone well, honestly she can.
Mai sighed as she slouched down the SPR couch; everyone has left after the case was finish. Ayako excused herself by saying she has another errand to run. Bou-san said he's got a band practice, John apologized for leaving earlier it's because he got a call from his parish priest friend. Masako and Naru just left leaving her alone with Lin-san who doesn't even leave his office or his laptop.
"It's boring here especially when I am all alone. If only I can get Lin-san to talk much more than he is now…" she murmured.
"What do you want to talk about?" a familiar voice asked her.
Mai jumped from her seat. "GHAA!!!" she yelped.
Lin looked amused at the same time apologetic at the same time. "I didn't mean to startle you Mai… what do you want to talk about?" Lin asked again this time he took time and sat on the chair across Mai.
Mai laughed nervously. "Gomen ne Lin-san, I was extremely bored." Mai said.
"Bored or Jealous? I believe those two are different." Lin-san said.
Mai blushed to the roots.
Lin cracked a smile. "I think it's the latter. Mai, do you want to go out?" he asked.
"EH?!" Mai exclaimed looking bewildered at Lin.
"Sometimes I get pretty tired of work too. I go and unwind a little bit. It happens to be that I don't unwind alone, since Madoka is not around will you be kind enough to accompany me?" Lin asked.
Mai stared at the Chinese man. The realization dawned to her. "ARE! You and Mori-san are an item?!" Mai said disbelievingly.
Lin smiled at the young girl gaping at him.
"Not even Naru knows. So, will you come with me? I already told Madoka that I'll be taking sometime off today and was thinking of taking you with me and she even recommends some places where we can relax. Would you like to come?" Lin asked.
Mai hesitated for a while. "Eto…" she stuttered as she tried her best not to tremble.
"Free of charge. I asked you out in the first place, it would be rude to ask a high school girl to share the expenses right. So, don't worry, just say yes." Lin said with his tiny genuine smile.
"But that's embarrassing! I have some cash with me… just not too much." Mai said.
"Fine… does that mean you will come?" Lin asked.
Mai smiled cheerfully at the diviner. "It would be my honor!" she said.
Lin patted Mai's head as he stood up. "Pack your things. I'll just leave a note to Naru that we'll be taking the rest of the day off. Although, I highly doubt that Hara-san would let Naru go anytime soon" He said.
Mai's smile faded a little. "Probably"
Lin sensed Mai's thoughts. He cannot help but sympathize with the younger girl.
"Don't worry; Naru is not that easy to please. It would take Hara-san forever to achieve that." Lin said. Mai knew that the older man is trying to crack a joke or at least make her smile and she complied, she gave the diviner a small smiled.
"You don't believe it do you? Well, I cannot blame you. But I am certain of what I said."
"Okay, okay. I'll just fix my things and I am ready to go." Mai said.
Lin smiled. "Okay. I'll just get my stuffs too." Lin said and went to his office then to Naru's probably to leave a note on his table.
The ride in Lin-san's car is quiet but comfortable. In less than 15 minutes, Lin parked his car in a shopping centre.
"Eh?! What are doing here Lin-san?" Mai asked quite surprised knowing that the older man dislike too many people.
"That look on your face is priceless Mai. I do socialize to people at some point too. I am much better at it than Naru." Lin said turning the car's engine off.
Mai stifle a laugh at that. "I know and I do believe that." She said.
Both of them get off the car, and then entered the huge building full of stores and fashion icons.
Their first stop was in a highly fashionable teens clothing store. Mai stared at Lin weirdly.
"What are we doing here?" Mai asked.
Lin didn't answer motioning for the sales woman.
"How may I help you sir?" she asked politely but the admiration in her eyes were shown.
Mai smiled a bit. She knew that aside from Naru, it was very obvious that Lin is quite a good-looking man too.
"I want complete set of attire for my companion. Not too formal or too casual." Lin said at the woman.
The woman turns to Mai with a wide smile. "I believe that is you young mistress? Come with me." The woman said.
Mai let the woman drag her out of shock as she stared at Lin-san who smiled waving her off.
After a few minutes of non-stop fitting, the woman that assisted Mai finally found the clothes that fit Lin-san's requirements.
"You are so lucky to have found a guy like him. He's handsome and from the looks of it quite rich too. I envy you. However, with you looking this cute… I cannot disagree. Let's call it draw. You're too cute to be true." She said as she stares at Mai in the dressing room mirror.
Mai stared at herself too. The dress fits her perfectly, it enhances her every assets and the color complemented her skin. Mai was wearing a pale yellow Old World Bohemian Corsage dress with the beautiful old world print along with whimsical beaded flowers that make the wrinkled silk chiffon more elegant at the same time comfortable and since it was summer or nearing summer, it was definitely stylish.
When Mai left the dressing room her worn clothes inside a paper bag, she saw Lin waiting for her at the store lobby where she left him. She immediately notices that he's wearing a different set of clothes; and believe it or not, he looks deadly stunning and young. Mai had to admit at first she believed that Lin-san is at his early thirties then to her surprise, last January, he celebrated his 26th birthday.
"You look charming Mai, you should wear clothes like that more often." Lin commented her outfit and she cannot help but blush bright red at his praises.
"You look amazing too Lin-san." Mai said. Lin smiled at her patting her head gently.
"Let's go and enjoy the day. It's almost dinner; want to grab something to eat? The Play starts at nine so, we still have plenty of time to spare." Lin said escorting her back to the parking lot.
"Play?" Mai asked. Never in her entire living life had she watched a theater play it was way too expensive.
"Yes, you do happen to like Ever After do you? Madoka said that the United Kingdom Theater Arts is performing here in Japan, so I thought that a girl of your age would like to see it, am I mistaken?" Lin asked as he started the car.
"No, no… nothing like that, in fact I've never seen a play before that's why I was caught by surprise." Mai said with a smile.
Lin returns the smile and drove their way to their destination.
In a good twenty minutes drive Lin had parked his car in front of Shibuya District's most expensive restaurant. The Imperial Banquet Restaurant.
"We are going to dine here Lin-san? It would cost us a fortune!" Mai exclaimed.
Lin laughed a little. "This is the fruit of all our hard work Mai. We deserve the treat." He said meaningfully.
"But--" Mai was cut off when Lin went down the car walking to Mai's side of door and gracefully opening it. Mai slipped out of the car still uncomfortable with the place. Lin noticed Mai's inconvenience.
"Relax Mai. I did promise you that it was my treat." Lin said gesturing to one of the waiters.
In a few minutes, both Lin and Mai are seated in one of the best view side of the restaurant.
"Whoa! This is so amazing, not in my wildest dreams did I envision myself dinning in an expensive restaurant like this." Mai said in awe as she just finishes giving the waiter her lists of order.
Lin just watches her as they wait for their orders. He knew that sooner or later the real reason why he is taking her out would be asked and honestly he don't know if he can explain it really well. Like Naru, he is not that good with words too.
And soon enough, just after dinner, somehow, Mai had sensed Lin's worries.
"Lin-san… is there something you want to tell me?" Mai asked setting her eating utensils aside.
Lin smiled at the girl as he wipe his lips with the table napkin. "Mai, Are you really in love with Naru?" he asked.
Mai stared at Lin. Lin stared back.
"I don't know" Mai answered truthfully taking a sip of her drink.
"You don't know? But it pains you to see him and Hara-san together." Lin asked Mai as he too sips his wine glass.
"You asks the strangest question Lin-san" Mai said avoiding the Chinese man's gaze, she stared at the view outside the restaurant.
"You do the strangest things Mai" Lin replied still looking at Mai.
"Lin-san, I am saying the truth. I don't know what I feel about Naru. Since the first time I met him. Since then, I cannot seem to get him out of my mind, in my dreams. He is the reason why I have these weird abilities that I don't back when I haven't met him." Mai explained.
Lin looked at the girl with gentle look. "Mai, these dreams… are you certain that it was Naru you are seeing?" he asked the girl.
"Huh?" Mai turned to Lin instantly at the question. "Is there any other guy with black-dark blue hair and midnight blue eyes besides Naru?" She asked quite sarcastically and Lin can understand that.
"In fact, yes… there is" Lin answered honestly.
"What do you mean? There is another Naru?" Mai asked quite puzzled.
"No, not another Naru, but he does look like Naru because they are twins. An Identical twins." Lin said.
"Why are you saying and asking these things to me?" Mai asked her head is starting to hurt.
"Mai, you told Madoka once that Naru helps you in your dreams and he is very different from the real Naru because of the way he smiles at you. That it makes you feel warm and comfortable with yourself." Lin explained.
"She told you I see. I guess that's the price I have to pay for being such a chatty girl." Mai said miserably.
"No, she's just concern about you and Naru." Lin said.
"What does this got to do with Naru? And who is his twin brother? Why is he, if he is and not Naru, in my dreams helping me understood what my dreams are trying to convey?"
"Mai, Gene and Naru are twins, identical as I said, but there is a huge difference between the two. Naru is serious at all times while Gene is carefree and kind, you said to Madoka that the Naru in your dreams is kind and always smiles tenderly at you. Then I believe it was not Naru you are seeing in your dreams but instead Naru's twin Brother Gene." Lin explained.
"You mean to say the 'dream Naru' is actually Gene? But how---? I haven't met him… have I?" Mai asked.
"What I am going to tell you Mai is highly confidential, promise me that you will never tell anyone not even your closest friend about this." Lin said seriousness envelope his words.
"I understand. Consider it as my death wish if I ever let it slip out of my tongue." Mai said her tone had drop in a very low tone.
"Mai…" Lin felt that he had crossed a line at the tone Mai's having.
"Please Lin-san. Enlighten me." Mai said.
"Naru's real name is not Shibuya Kazuya." Lin set out the first bomb. He waited for Mai's reaction. She stared at Lin for a second or two then nodded her head.
"Oliver Davis is his real name. He is a famous paranormal researcher in England just like Takigawa-san said." Lin paused to observe Mai; she still haven't moved an inch.
"About his twin brother?" Mai asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Eugene Davis is his name. He is a perfect medium." Lin said.
"Where is he? And why is he in my dreams?" Mai asked.
"He is the reason why Naru is in Japan. He is in search for his dead brother." Lin dropped the second bomb.
Mai looked startled for a while and muttered a low 'No' under her breath.
"How did---?" Mai found that she's unable to finish her question, but Lin knew the question she had in her mind.
"According to Naru's psychometric vision, Gene was killed in a Hit and Run." Lin said. Mai gasped.
"But you said that the reason of why Naru is here is to find Gene… then why haven't he found him yet?" Mai asked with genuine interest.
"His body was never found. It was almost two years since that happened. And to be honest, we are not even sure if we can still find his body. But you know how stubborn Naru can get. That is why when you told Madoka about your dreams about Naru. She had a high suspicion that it was Gene. But she had to consult me first." Lin explained.
"Madoka told me not because she wants to betray your trust or anything of that sort. She's just concern about Gene and Naru and most of you… you are getting confused of the reality and the dream." Lin said. Mai immediately understand his point.
"I understand. Then if it was Gene in my dreams… why?" Mai asked.
Lin shook his head. "I do not know Mai. But if my and Madoka's hunch is true… you, Mai, is very much the same as Gene." Lin said.
"What do you mean?" Mai asked confusion written all over her face.
"You have a potential of being a perfect medium Mai." Lin said. "With proper training and use of your psychic abilities you can be a perfect medium just like Gene. Maybe, that is why he was able to connect with your spirit wavelength and not Naru's." Lin added.
Mai look downright shocked. "I? Like Gene? Are you kidding?!" he exclaimed in a low unsure voice.
"You do remember the time when I got upset with your comment about me being Chinese. You remember the things you told me that made me laugh? Those words are the exact words Gene told me before." Lin admitted with a smile. "Honestly, you remind me so much of Gene." Lin added.
"Lin-san… this is all confusing, get right to the point. I know there is something more you mean to ask me" Mai said.
Lin smiled. He knew that Mai is not dumb like Naru says. In fact she's way too smart for her own good and her intuitions are never wrong.
"Yes, and I will have to ask you the first thing I asked. Are you really in love with Naru?" he asked.
Mai stared at the Chinese man hard and long. But her gaze it not really for him. Her thoughts are way far from him. To a certain narcissist she have for a boss.
'Am I in love with Naru? Or it was his brother that I am in love with? But Gene is dead. I cannot fall in love with a dead person, can I?' so many thoughts are running on her mind at this very moment and the pain in her head starts to increase.
Flashes of memories spent with Naru and the dream Naru. (Naru waking up inside the van then looking at Mai, Naru looking sideways to Mai while in a headset, Naru assisting Mai in her dreams, Naru smiling, Naru telling Mai she's been learning but not enough, Naru smiling at Mai telling her that it would be alright, Naru saving her from falling to the tunnel, Naru entertaining her with his pet 500 yen, Naru in her dreams telling her that it was powerful, Naru falling down the floor, Naru telling her she's an idiot, Naru worrying for her safety asking her to wake up and leave, Naru looking dark and mysterious, Naru being rude, Naru smiling hair blowing by the winds, Naru smiling at her in her dreams, Naru almost blaming her for Masako's disappearance, Naru saving her always, Naru beside her holding her hand. More flashes of Naru's face)
Mai clutched her head in pain; Lin immediately got up from his chair and went to the pained girl.
"Mai… are you alright? Mai?" he asked the girl.
Mai let out a pained moan, she's trembling slightly.
Then all of a sudden, she stood up almost knocking Lin to the ground.
"I need to go to the ladies room, excuse me" Mai said and walk straight to the ladies room.
Lin let out a heavy sigh. 'It got her more confused… maybe this was a very bad idea.' Lin thought watching the girl.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Mai stared at herself in the mirror. 'I am so confused… I don't know what to do?' she thought while she stared at herself, she splashed some more water to her face and began wiping it of with the bathroom towel when...
Suddenly, the bathroom's light began flickering on and off. But instead of being afraid… Mai felt weirdly comfortable.
'This feeling…' she thought closing her eyes.
Warm arms enveloped Mai from behind. Her eyes snapped open and she stared at the mirror to find herself in the arms of the man in her dreams hugging her with his eyes closed.
"Naru…" she whispered.
His smile was immaculate, gentle and warm. "Mai" he whispered.
"It's you… Gene… you are Gene… am I right?" Mai said to him.
His smile widens. "Yes, I am Gene." He replied still holding her.
"Why?" Mai asked sadness overwhelming her senses.
"I did it to be able to come close to you Mai. You are my only connection to the world I desperately want to go back. The people I want to see and be with. I know it was wrong to deceive you but that's the only way I could ever get your trust." Gene explained tightening his hold on Mai.
"And you think I still trust you now?" Mai asked.
His smile faded. He opened his eyes and stared at Mai in the mirror.
"I am sorry Mai." He said his voice rich and sincere.
Mai's tears began flowing down her face. "You used me… lied to me. You are not Naru. You are his dead twin brother by the name of Gene… do you know how much it hurts to know that you've been lied?" Mai asked.
Gene didn't respond and just hold Mai to him. With eyes closed he tried to consol Mai.
"I want to hate you but I can't…" Mai finally said.
"I'm really sorry Mai." Gene said.
"Gene…" Mai whispered his name.
"Hmmm?" Gene replied.
"Where can I find you?" she asked the man.
Gene flinched and stiffened. "Mai" he whispered.
"Naru's been looking for you for years… it's time to bring you back to him." Mai said tears long gone from her face.
Gene lifted his eyes to meet with Mai's.
"If I tell you… Naru… Naru will…" Gene trailed off.
"If you tell me where I can find you, then Naru will get you back and bring you home… you and Naru will be united again… isn't that what family is for? To be with each other?" Mai said.
"But you… Naru will leave Japan and you alone… I cannot let that happen all this times I just wanted to get back to my brother's side but when I met you in that dream months ago… I knew that, that is where I should be… guiding your dreams making you understand, saving you from nightmares." Gene whispered.
"Gene… Naru is your brother… would you let him suffer all his life, just to help me?" Mai said.
"You love Naru right? I know it." Gene said affirmatively.
"I don't know." Mai responded.
"Look at me Mai and tell me what do you see when you look at me" Gene said.
Mai stared at Gene's face and her heart sped faster than ever, one name runs in her mind.
"Naru" she whispered and gasped after realizing that she said her boss's name and not Gene.
"See? It's not me you see but him. Naru, if he finds my body then he'll leave. You'll never be able to see him again, and if he finds my body… I'll have to move on since my soul would be purified. That would leave you alone Mai." Gene said.
Mai smiled sincerely at Gene. "Now that I know you are not Naru… I wish for your body to be found, for you to be purified so you can take a rest. It's been hard for you training me all these months." Mai said.
"I never complained Mai!" Gene contradicted.
"Gene… I love Naru, but I cannot continue being selfish. Now, I get it… what Lin-san wants to ask of me… he wants me to ask you in my dreams where they can find you…" Mai said.
"Then I won't tell you." Gene said.
Mai laughed. "Come on Gene" Mai said.
"No, if Naru finds me he'll take me away from you and he'll leave. Leave you alone. I know how it feels to be alone. I don't want you to experience it too." Gene said.
"Gene… I'll be fine. As long as I can see Naru happy it's enough. Besides, I have been dying a slow and painful death each passing day." Mai said her voice sad and lonely. If pains Gene to see her like this.
"What do you mean?" Gene asked with concern.
"Dying physically isn't the only death Gene… death also comes even if your body is still living… it comes when this slowly dies." Mai clutched her chest.
"Mai" Gene muttered understanding her meaning.
"I didn't know love can be fatal…" Mai said tears starting to form again but she's fighting too hard not to let it fall.
"It's my fault. All I want is to at least make up for Naru's coldness and maybe deep inside me he... --that somehow, Naru…" Gene was cut off by Mai.
"Stop being silly Gene. It's my fault I fell for that hope and allow myself to fall in love with your narcissistic brother." Mai said with a smile.
"Mai…" Gene whispered.
"Tell me." Mai said.
Gene remained silent.
"Please" Mai pleaded. Gene's resolve melted.
"Alright. Promise me one thing though Mai…" Gene said.
"That is?" Mai asked.
"Tell Naru how you feel about him." Gene said.
Mai laughed a little. "And look like an idiot in front of him…" Mai said.
"No, you are not an idiot Mai. Promise me, and I'll tell you where to find me" Gene said.
"I…" Mai hesitated.
Gene held her close to him. "Promise me" he whispered in her ears.
"I promise" Mai said closing her eyes.
Even with eyes closed Mai felt Gene smile. "Lake View Park, Kyoto." Gene said.
"You are being honest right?" Mai needed to be sure.
Gene laughed a little. "Yes. I'll show you" Gene said and their images in the mirror changed into an underwater scenery.
Under this beautiful body of water, lies a large black experiment bag.
"That is where I am Mai." Gene said and the images are gone.
The tears Mai was trying to hold back fell feeling deep sadness overwhelming her being. Gene let Mai go and kissed her cheek wiping away any traces of tears.
"I was hoping you'd choose me. But I knew better. You love Naru not me." He said.
Mai's eyes widens. "Y-You?" Mai was too shocked to speak. Gene patted her head.
"Yes, I am… that's the irony of falling in love when you're dead. But, it's okay… at least I know you're in good hands." Gene said with a mischievous smile.
"Silly" Mai said returning the smile.
"I better return you back to the real world before I find myself being sent to hell because a certain idiot scientist can't hear your voice or see your eyes." Gene teased.
Mai looked clueless that made Gene more amused. "Soon you'll know. You made a promise Mai, make sure you keep it." Gene said before disappearing.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Mai opened her eyes and found herself in a dark room. "Where am I?" she mumbled as she sat up the bed where she's been lying, somehow it felt eerily comforting to be in this bed. It's somewhat familiar.
"Mai?" a familiar voice called her name, which made her, turn towards the voice.
Mai found Naru standing in an open glass door, white almost transparent curtains gets blown by the wind giving Naru quite a stunning effect.
"Naru" Mai said his name in a low whisper.
"Lin brought you home, he said you were so tired and fell asleep in the car. He told me you two went out to eat and watch a theater play." Naru said, walking up to her and sat at the edge of her bed.
"We…" Mai cut her off as she remembered what Lin said about telling anyone.
"Yeah… is this Lin-san's room? I better get going, it'll be morning soon." Mai said getting up from the bed.
"Stay" Naru said before Mai can mount from the bed. "And this is not Lin's room but mine." Naru said.
Mai fought the urge to blush failed. Her cheeks heated up, thank god for the darkness.
"I am a nocturnal Mai." Naru said. Mai stiffened blushing redder.
"Forget it… get some sleep" Naru said and stood up, going out of the room.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Days passed, Naru noticed that Mai often talks to Lin privately. Unknown to him she in those days had told Lin where they can find Gene's body and at the same time her realizations and plans.
"Mai are you sure about this?" Lin asked the young girl as she sits in his visitor's chair inside his office.
"Yes." Mai replied with a small smile.
"Naru… he will…" Lin trailed off as Mai handed him a small box.
"Open it" Mai said.
Lin opened the box to find a Silver Dragon pin for neckties. "This is?"
"A thank you gift for taking me out last time. And also a farewell gift." Mai said.
"Mai"
"I have talked to Bou-san and Ayako and even consulted John-kun and they all agreed to my decision." Mai said.
"When are you telling Naru about… and Gene…?" Mai said.
"I'll give him a call tonight. By tomorrow I'll be half way across the continent." Mai said.
"Take care of your self Mai" Lin said.
Mai nodded and went to Naru's office carrying a tray of teapot, teacup and biscuits.
"Naru, here's your tea." Mai said as she put the tea cup on Naru's table. She gracefully filled it with Naru's favorite tea.
After finishing the daily ritual, unlike before, Mai this time, didn't wait for Naru to say thank you which somewhat made Naru curious because she always stay behind and wait for his unheard thank you. Instead, she turned around to leave and when she looks back to him she's already at the door, with her trade mark smile.
"Naru, I'll be leaving early…I have errands to run. You'll still be here till late night right?" Mai asked gazing at the maps and scrolls on his table.
Naru looked at her and nodded. "Then, will you wait for my call?" Mai asked.
Naru remained silent for a while thinking then he met Mai's gaze. "Ok… I will." He said. Mai smiled brightly at him and he felt his heart swell.
"Thank you." Mai said and closed the door behind her.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It was already late but Naru remained unshaken he's been reading different maps and encyclopedias for hours and hours… 'Still can't find what I've been looking for' he thought.
The phone in his desk began ringing, he's about to ignore it when he remembered Mai's reminder, he answered the phone to be greeted by silence.
In about a minute or two Naru listened but then his patience ran out and prepared to slam the receiver back to its cradle when Mai's soft voice spoke up.
"Naru…" she said.
"Mai?" Naru asked.
Silence
"Mai, is that you? It's late." Naru said making sure his voice sounded cold and uncaring.
"Did you know… that death is not the greatest lost in life?" Mai said ignoring Naru's earlier comment.
"Mai, what are you---?" Naru was about to ask when Mai cut him off.
"The greatest lost is what dies inside us while we live" Mai said.
Naru was confused but somehow… he can understand her words.
"When Gene died… you slowly began dying… I know. I can feel and see it with my own eyes…" Mai said.
Naru is beyond shock, he's astounded. "How---?" Mai cut Naru off again.
"My dreams Naru, He was there. Although at first, I thought he was a kind of you created by my silly imagination? But I should have known… there is no way that you'll smile for me." Mai said her voice shallow.
"Mai, what about your dreams? And Gene? How did you know him? Mai don't talk in riddles." Naru said as he starts to get annoyed at the way Mai is speaking.
"Naru, do you really want to find Gene?" Mai asked.
"Of course! That is the reason why I am here, of course I want to find him, he is my brother!" Naru said.
"Naru…" Mai whispered his name so soft that he almost didn't hear it.
"Mai if you know something about where my brother is tell me, I need to know, I've spent all my life trying to find him. Please." Naru said his voice softening unconsciously.
Silence on the other line. Then…
"Did you know that, that was the first time you ever said please to me" Mai said, somehow… Naru knew was in tears.
"Mai" Naru called his assistants name.
"In Kyoto Naru, you can find him in Lake View Park." Mai said her voice held something… something like goodbye.
"Are you sure? Mai…" Naru asked.
Mai didn't say a word.
"Mai!" Naru exclaimed in irritation when Mai didn't acknowledge his words.
"Yes Naru, I am sure. Go there and retrieve Gene… then you can go back to where you belong… goodbye Oliver." Mai said.
"Wait! Mai! Mai!" Naru yelled Mai's name to be greeted by a loud beep signaling the end of the line.
Naru get up and ran outside his office. He immediately grabs his large black coat and took a dash out of SPR office to Mai's apartment complex.
In a good fifteen minutes of speed driving Naru reached her apartment building.
He took the stairs three at a time because the damn elevator is taking so long to go down, he new that Mai's apartment was on the third floor. He'd been there a couple of times to pick up the young girl for their previous cases.
Reaching the said floor he ran up to her apartment door, he was about to knock on the door when the door opens with the slight push of his hands.
Eyebrows meeting, he narrowed his eyes. It was late, he was sure that Mai is not that careless to leave her apartment door open especially she's living alone, something happened and it agitates the young ghost hunter. He pushes the door open.
To his utter surprise, Mai's apartment was empty. No Mai. Nothing to show she's been there… not a thing.
Fear starts to grip his heart, where could Mai be? He did receive a call from her right? All those thoughts run in his mind like crazy.
He tried to make sense. Naru tried to remember the number registered in his desk phone. It hit him. Mai didn't call from her place, she called from somewhere else. Because there is no name that registered on his caller id.
A phone booth or a pay phone somewhere. The question is WHERE?!
Naru pulled out his mobile phone to call Lin when his phone rang. Looking at the screen it showed that it was Lin.
"Lin" Naru answered the phone.
"Did you find her?" Lin's voice sounded quite worried.
"What are you talking about?" Naru asked Lin, although he was quite sure what his Chinese assistant is saying.
"Mai, did you find her?" Lin asked again.
"Do you have a clue on what's going on?" Naru asked the diviner.
"I receive a call a while ago, she said she's leaving. She said that she already told you where we can find Eugene." Lin said.
Naru was shunned to silence.
"Naru! Naru!" Lin called for his young ward over the mobile phone.
Naru shook his head to clear his brain. "I'll give you a call when I find her" Naru said and slid the phone shut.
He walks over to the couch and slumped down. Synchronizing his mind and body to the couch. His psychometric ability starts.
He can feel rather than see Mai sitting on the very same chair he is on. And he knows he's mirroring Mai's actions during the exact moment Mai sat on this chair. She's looking at the ceiling which is what Naru is doing at this very moment.
And she remain that way for a long while till Naru felt a tear slide down his cheek. Mai is crying, and he despises this feeling so much. He hates it whenever Mai shed even a single tear, although he also knows that many times before it was him who causes her tears.
"Idiot" Naru whispered in the vast darkness of the room, it sound like him when he knew that it was in fact Mai who said it.
"I have to let go… it's for the best." She whispered and Naru re-enact each words with precise emotion.
Mai's hand rested on her chest just like what Naru is doing. He closed his eyes just like what Mai did.
"I never knew that love can slowly kill a person, if I did… then I should have stopped myself from loving him" Mai whispered.
Naru repeated each word, but his mind is running a different course. 'Mai was in love? With whom? Why didn't I notice something like this before?' Naru thought.
"This is your entire fault Gene… if only---" Mai giggled, but her laughter is somewhat pained.
"Why am I blaming a dead person in my misery, I brought it down myself. I shouldn't be blaming others for my own fault." Mai said in Naru's body.
Naru's mind is in turmoil. He's confused at what Mai is talking about, she's been saying Gene's name and falling in love in a very close context… could it be…
Naru snapped his eyes open. 'Mai was in love with Gene?' he thought. 'But how?' his brain questioned.
He's stood up and was about to leave the apartment when a Golden Brown Cheshire cat jumped in front of him, he hide his surprise.
The cat stared at Naru with meaningful eyes that remind him of Mai. He bends down and pick up the cat.
"Where are you from? It's late you should head back home" Naru asked the cat.
The cat snuggled close to Naru's chest as it gave a low 'meow'.
"Lonely I see… do you want to come with me?" Naru asked surprised from his own tenderness around the cat.
The cat somehow understood his offer and laid its head on his chest. This made the ghost hunter smile in the midst of his confusion and worry.
"Let's go then, I have a brother to retrieve and an idiotic assistant to find. I wont stop till I get those two back" Naru said with new found resolution. To his surprise the cat 'meowed' in agreement.
His drive to their apartment was slow and deliberate, for he also makes use of this time to scan the place for Mai's possible appearance.
He stepped on the brakes when he saw a figure in the shadows it was like Mai. But then as he looks at it closer it was just a big trash bin beside a non-functional street lamp. Sighing dejectedly he continued his drive.
Unknown to him, hidden in the shadows of the street lamp, a woman-like figure watches as Naru's car pick its speed then making a graceful turn on the next street.
"Goodbye Naru, take care of Hikari for me." she whispered and disappeared in the night.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Naru parked his car beside Lin's van on their buildings car park. He stepped out of the car carrying the cat he found on the way home.
Ringing the doorbell twice, Lin opened the apartment door to meet his ward carrying a cat.
"Naru…" Lin acknowledges his wards presence and in his voice hides his silent inquisition about the cat.
"Evening, I found her on my way out of Mai's apartment." Naru answered his hidden question.
"I see… did you find her?" Lin inquired with concern.
"If I did… then I wouldn't look like the shit I am now…" Naru said calmly,
"You don't look like a shit to me Naru, just confused." Lin said.
"Really, because believe it or not… I feel like one." Naru said walking to his room. "I'm retiring for the night… and Lin, tomorrow we'll drive to Kyoto." Naru said and closed the door behind him.
Lin let out a heavy sigh. 'I am afraid this day would come, he'll become complete for finding his brother then, break in much more worst condition for loosing Mai.' He thought miserably. 'If you only showed you care, she wouldn't have left.' Lin said.
But at the corner of his mind he also blames himself for the bubbly girls leaving. 'If only Madoka and I stayed out of this, then it wouldn't have to happen. But then, both of them would suffer more… if only one would break down the wall…' he thought.
The cat Naru left on the couch 'meowed' at Lin as if sensing his thoughts. Then Lin's head snapped so fast then he swear he hear it snap.
"That's it… if only 'one' of them would break down their wall…" he said voicing his inner thoughts. He stared at the cat. "Your owner must be an intelligent one, for you to think the same." Lin praised the cat rubbing its fur-clad body. The cat enjoyed the treatment and slept through it.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lin and Naru's drive to Kyoto is quiet and full of tension. Naru is more silent than ever and the Chinese man can understand his agitation of finally finding his dead twin brother.
Upon arriving to the Lake View Park, Naru contacted several professional divers to search the area. In less than two hours, one of the divers signaled them that he found something underneath the lake's center. Other divers swam their way to him and other divers prepared their retrieving boat.
After and hour of pure struggle. The divers were able to pull out a black container bag from the center of the lake to the surface. Reaching the lakeshore, the divers place the black bag on Naru's feet.
He bended down to touch the bag when Lin stopped him, he looked quizzically at the Chinese man.
"It would be troublesome if your psychometric ability suddenly kicks in." Lin said.
Naru understood his guardians point and step back. "Okay" he muttered.
Lin opened the bag, and to his, Naru and the rest of the diver's surprise. Inside the bag was indeed Naru's twin brother Gene, judging from his appearance…that leads them to another shocking revelation…
For the last two years… Gene's body didn't decay even under the vast of cold water.
Naru kneeled down Gene's side and touched his twin brother's face, yes, indeed he was dead… but he still looks the same, after all these years.
Upon touching Gene, Naru felt that he was being sucked into unknown universe making his close his eyes at the pressure. When he opened his eyes he found himself standing in the midst of darkness and only tiny little ball of light, brighten the vast space.
"Hi Noll…" Gene's familiar voice called him. Naru turns around to come face to face with his older brother.
"Gene" he whispered.
"It's good to see you again Noll…" Gene said with his trademark smile.
"Bastard. Why only now?" Naru said in mock anger.
Gene's smile widens. "I missed you too idiot little brother." Gene replied.
Naru glared at Gene but the twinkle in his eyes is visible. "Bastard… Mai knew all along it was you… didn't she?" Naru asked.
"No, she just found out recently, that's why I am here with you idiot… Mai is too kind to lie to you." Gene corrected.
"Bastard, that only confirms that you have been seeing her in her dreams…" Naru said.
"Didn't she tell you" Gene asked amused.
"I can be a frank" Naru said as-a-matter-of-factly.
Gene laughed good-naturedly. "Silly brother. Why would she joke about that? Especially when she doesn't have a clue of who I am… in fact in her dreams… she calls me 'Naru'" Gene said.
"Just what in the world are you doing in her dreams? And what have you been doing to her?" Naru asked in annoyance.
"You sounded jealous little brother" Gene teased.
Naru glared.
Gene laughed. "I didn't do anything inappropriate to ruin your reputation as her cold hearted- narcissistic boss… in fact, I only guide her through her dreams." Gene said.
Naru's gaze softens. "I see…" he whispered.
Gene turned serious. "Now that you found me Noll… are you leaving Japan? What of the SPR company? It would be a waste if you'll just have to close it down after years of having it run.
"It was established to cover up my search of your body Gene… I careless if it was shut close… I already found you." Naru said.
"Am I the only possible reason why you have to retain the SPR company? How about your friends? Comrades?" Gene asked. "How about Mai?" he added.
Naru's eyes went to tiny slits. "Mai is gone, she left. And with her gone, the others wouldn't even bother coming back to the office. She was all they want, they cherish." Naru said.
"Even you" Gene said. "She was all you want Noll… admit it idiot. You're driving her away because you are scared that she might hurt you." Gene said firmly.
"You are wrong" Naru simply replied.
"Am I? or you simply can't accept the truth? Face it my idiotic younger brother… you push her away, because you are afraid that she might hurt you in time… like this time… what you didn't notice is you are hurting her as well, while you are submerge to your own shell she's been there suffering from your coldness and uncaring ways." Gene said.
"I did care! Why else would I risk my neck in saving her" Naru defended himself.
"Pride maybe? You tell me Noll…" Gene said.
"I care." Naru said.
"Then why not show it? Was that hard to do? When all these years you've been moping for my death. I know you care… but for you to neglect your own feelings just for the sake of mourning for my death is NOT the right thing to do, and for that I am utterly disappointed with you. I thought with that brain of yours you would have thought of moving on and carrying on with your life, but no… you just have to live in my shadows… to the extent of wearing my clothes. What are you trying to do? Erase your existence and live as if you are me? How idiotic can you get Noll?" Gene said in fits of anger.
Noll just stared at Gene. "Gene… are you mad?" Naru asked knowing that Gene is never the one to get upset or angry to anyone especially to him.
"Mad in an understatement. Furious…is the word. Noll, you have to let me go and sort out your feelings. For your and Mai's sake." Gene said.
"Why are you always putting Mai in the middle of our conversation, she's got nothing to do with it." Naru said getting irritated.
Gene looked at him weirdly. "You wouldn't be here if not for HER" Gene reminded Naru.
"I know that, but for you to continuously insist that I have this feelings for her is annoying Gene." Naru said.
"Then are you saying that you don't?" Gene asked.
Naru didn't answer.
"Noll, you are too lucky to be alive. If I were alive and I was able to meet a girl like Mai, I would never let her out of my grasp ever again" Gene told Naru.
Naru's eyes widens. "Gene… you…" he muttered disbelievingly.
"Yes Noll… I am. Unfortunately I cannot act on my desires… I am dead." Gene said with some traces of sadness in his voice.
"Gene…" Naru whispered his twin's name.
"Noll, you are so lucky to be alive" Gene repeated. "Don't waste the time you have because of your stupidity okay…" Gene said, his warm gentle smile is back.
"Gene…" Naru said.
"This is goodbye idiot scientist." Gene said as Naru began to disappear, but before he completely fades away, he heard Gene said. 'I'll find way to get to your stupid skull idiot brother'.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Naru opened his eyes to find himself inside a moving vehicle. He looked at his side to find Lin driving and a quick glance at the back of the van to find the monk and exorcist in there.
"What are you doing here?" Naru asked.
"Us? Oh, we purified your brother's soul. You just found him right?" Bou-san said.
Naru eyed Lin dangerously, who remained impassive while continuing his driving.
"Don't worry Naru, we had hunches even before and Lin just confirmed them although not verbally." Bou-san said with a smirk that earned him two dangerous glances, one from Naru and other form Lin.
Takigawa Houshou laughed merrily. "Your autograph would be a nice thank you" he added. John smirked, Lin sighed and Naru glared more.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Days had passed and the papers for their return to England were all finish, both Lin and Naru are just tidying things up in their office when Lin came across one of Mai's favorite cup of tea. He turn to the young ghost hunter to side as he continuously wrap tea wares unemotionally.
"Naru, are you not going to find Mai?" he asked.
"What for? I don't see the need to find her… she's not lost…" Naru said continuing his wrapping.
"But--?"
"She left Lin… there is nothing I could have done to stop her from leaving." Naru said as he finish setting the last tea ware on the box on the floor. He stood up and was about to leave the kitchenette when Lin spoke up.
"There is something you could have done, but you did not, you chose not to…" Lin said without looking at his young ward.
Naru stood there silently and then walk to his office and close the door behind him with complete silence.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Standing here at the lobby airport Naru felt an uncanny emptiness. His departure wouldn't be this quiet if she was there. He can vague imagine her crying form while reprimanding him on taking care of himself, act less like a robot, smile more often and for Christ sake talk with some gentleness. But NO, she's not here and he'd never ever see her again.
"You take care of yourself okay Naru" Hara Masako said with a small smile on her lips. Naru just gave her a polite nod.
Takigawa Houshou slapped his back quite hard making him cringed. "Well Naru-bou, have a safe trip okay… and don't forget to call us since you're too lazy to write an email." He said jokingly.
Earning him a loud smash from Matsuzaki Ayako who just gave Naru a reassuring smile, for what that smile is, he'd never know…?
John Brown smiled at him with his ever innocent smile and bid him a blessed life. Yasuhara Osamu gave him a book. He looked at it quizzically.
"Oh, that is my Masteral's Research… that might come in handy." He said with a glint of amusement in his eyes as a mischievous glint of his glasses sends eerie feeling in his gut. Naru looked down at the book and read the title of the research. 'Ways on how to give your romance a boost.' Naru's eyebrows met and he looked at Osamu with mild irritation.
"Trust me, it work miracles… see the testimonials" Yasuhara said with genuine smile.
Naru turns the book open to find several testimonials, his eyes slightly widens when he found out that the testimonials were from them too. Specifically, Bou-san AND Lin!
Naru turn to Lin with a questioning look, Lin just plainly ignored him.
"… it would come in handy… I guess" Naru's only reply which made the college boy's smile wider.
"It would, believe me" he said.
"Calling all passengers of flight 8107, your plane is ready for boarding. Please proceed to gate 11. Thank you" the intercom repeated the message for three times.
"That's our flight. I guess this is it" Lin said. He looked at Naru and picked up his things.
Naru gave the tall mad a slight nod. He turn towards the rest of SPR Japan.
"I would like to sincerely thank all of you for helping inmost of our cases." Naru said.
Everyone smiled back at him, but at the corner of his mind he wishes for one particular smile.
"No problem Naru-bou" Takigawa said.
Naru nodded and turn to leave.
A quick running sounded the tiles of the airport while Naru walk towards gate 11.
"Wait!" a familiar voice called from the hoards of people in the airport. Naru stopped dead and turn his back to find the voice. Seeing none of the owner of the familiar voice he let out of a heavy sigh.
Even his mind is playing tricks on him. he turn back to resume his walking.
"I said wait! Naru!" the voice called again this time he was sure it was close enough.
Naru stood there in the middle of so many people eyes closed. 'Calm down Naru… it's just your imagination, nothing more.' He told himself.
'What if it's not?' the voice of his older brother Gene resounded in his mind making him blink. But the thoughts of brother vanished the moment the female voice he's been thinking of spoke just behind him.
"Man, I thought I wasn't going to make it…" she muttered more to herself while she pants.
Naru refuse to turn afraid that it was all his imagination.
"Naru" Mai's voice called him. "E-er… should I still call you Naru or should I call you Professor Davis instead…?" she asked with a hint of teasing in her voice.
Naru whirl around to come to face to face with a smile Mai.
"Mai" he whispered her name.
"What?! You think I would miss your leaving? Silly Naru-chan! E-er… Oliver" she said.
Naru blinked at her cheerfulness. How could she be so happy that he's leaving? 'Oh yeah, she's in love with Gene.' He thought.
Mai wave a hand in front of him. "Are you okay Naru? You look spaced out." She said.
Naru stared intensely at Mai, making her blush. "Mai" he called her name.
"Yes" she answered.
"Were you here to see me off?" he asked her, Mai looked at him weirdly and blinking while nodding her head.
"Of course… oh, and I also said bye-bye to Lin-san and Gene" Mai said with a smile.
Naru's eyes glazed. Mai looked confused. "Naru?"
"…" he turn to leave before his mind went berserk.
"EH! Naru, wait! I was going to tell you something!" Mai said.
But Naru didn't listen to her, he continued walking. He heard Mai huffed angrily.
"NARU you idiot! I was going to tell you that I LOVE YOU! Baka!" Mai screamed as Naru entered the gates. He stopped dead, as well as everyone else in the airport.
'Did Mai say she loves ME' Naru thought, slowly turning to her. He found her red in both anger and embarrassment for screaming like that and for him it was the cutest sight he ever seen.
Before Naru can stop himself. He had crossed back the gate and enveloped Mai in a tight hug taking the girl by surprise.
Seconds passed… Mai relaxed in his arms. Naru breaths in Mai's scent, he'd forever remember this scent.
"Is it really me you love and not my brother?" Naru asked still holding Mai.
"Of course idiot… Gene is a friend nothing more. I love you not him… even he knows that" Mai said.
Naru let his rare smile out. "That's good to hear." He mumbled.
Mai smiled on his chest.
After sometime the sound of the speaker broke them off their embrace. "Last call for all passengers for flight 8107, please proceed to gate 11 for boarding."
Naru glared at the offending speaker. Mai swatted him. "Stop that idiot. Go" Mai said.
Naru stared at Mai with love. "Should I leave? Or should I stay? Just tell me." he asked Mai.
"Leave… your parents waits for Gene's return… Lin-san needs to spend time alone with people too you know. The world doesn't revolve around you, you know…" Mai said with a smile.
Naru blinked. "Do you really want me to leave?" he asked.
"Yes and No" Mai answered. "Yes, because it the right thing to do, No, because I love you too much to let you go" she said.
"Then I'll stay" Naru said.
"Idiot! Go Naru… I'll be fine. Just take care of yourself okay?" tears starting to form. "Also try acting less like a robot, and you should smile more often you look gorgeous when you smile. And for Christ sake talk with some gentleness, people are not that insensitive as you are." Mai said tears flowing from her eyes.
Naru chuckled. "I'll pretend I didn't hear the last part… and yes, I will try." Naru said giving Mai a soft and tender kiss on the forehead. "Wait for me." he whispered in her ears while wiping her tears away then enveloping her in another warm embrace.
Unknown to Mai, Naru had slipped something in her jacket's pocket while hugging her.
She waved Naru goodbye as he entered gate 11. Just before he disappeared she caught the movements of his lips. Saying 'Find someone else… I'll blast him into pieces.' Making Mai laugh wholeheartedly.
Walking towards the rest of the SPR Japan team as they sat on the lobby waiting for her she gave them a cheerful smile. "Let's go" she said.
They all gave her a small smile; they all went out of their separate ways. John went with Masako because he said they live almost in the same side of Tokyo. Yasuhara met with a black hair girl that looked vaguely familiar to them. Bou-san and Ayako are taking Mai into shopping. (A/N: They just want to gossip.).
Upon boarding Bou-san's white Lamborghini SUV. He noticed something black sticking out of Mai's jacket pocket.
"Mai, what's that on your pocket?" he asked Mai as he maneuver his car out of the parking area, Ayako stick her head to the back from the front seat. "Where? Where?" She asked.
"Huh? There's not--- Eh? What's this?" Mai asked out loud as she take out a black leather bound notebook from her jacket sleeve.
"Open it" Ayako suggested. Mai did just that. Her eyes widens.
"Gene and Naru…" she whispered earning her a concern glance form the two in the front seat.
Mai beamed at the two with tears on her eyes. "It's Naru's pocket notebook… the one carries all the time. Don't worry, I'll be fine." She said. The two smiled at her.
"If you says so" both Ayako and Bou-san said.
Mai's mobile phone starts ringing. Mai curiously answered the phone. "Moshi-moshi?" Mai answered.
"When I get back, I'll show you the real me… the one in the picture… will you wait for me?" Naru's rich baritone voice filled Mai's ears.
She smiled. "Of course." Mai's only reply.
She felt Naru smile. "Thank you" he said and cut the line off.
Mai's smile widens. "He did say thank you. That's an improvement." She muttered.
She looked back at the pocket note book Naru left to her… she ran her hand on the image of two identical brothers, one wearing all black with a large winter coat on him and his gentle smile. While the other wears a long white lab gown over a dark blue long sleeve polo and wearing a thin eye glasses that makes him look more mature than his age. But what makes him stand out is the playfulness of the smile he wears. Intelligent but very sexy.
Mai's smile widens. 'Surprise me with your real self Naru… I'll surprise you with mine' Mai thought.
Then a flash of Yasuhara and the girl he met up with in the airport flash through Mai's mind, her eyes gone wide and she screamed.
"UUSSOOO!!!" Mai screeched. Making Takigawa stepped on the brakes too hard.
"What happened Mai?!" Ayako asked as both she and Houshou stared at Mai in surprise.
"Yasuhara is WITH Kasai-san!" Mai exclaimed. Both Ayako and Bou-san's mouth dropped.
"Are you kidding me?!" both exclaimed bewildered.
"NO! She's the girl in the airport! No wonder why she smiled at us like that! She looks different from the way she was months ago, that's why we didn't recognize her! Stupid Osamu!" Mai said angrily.
Takigawa and Ayako nodded in agreement. "Payback is a bitch" they both mumbled.
"Oh… and isn't it that John live in far end of Tokyo…" Ayako said.
"Why?" Takigawa asked driving again.
"I just remembered… Masako lives opposite from his." Ayako said.
Mai and Takigawa screamed. "Bloody Hell?!"
Ayako laughed nervously. "Hehehehe…"
"Shit! The only ones that are not hooked up is you and me… man, I better pick up my speed." Takigawa joked. When all of a sudden, Ayako pulled him into a searing kiss making Mai laugh hard and Takigawa wide-eyed.
AND thank god for automatic driving Lamborghini or they would have been in an accident care of a dizzy love bugged monk and a foxy priestess.
Mai sighed as she close her eyes. 'And Naru would be furious.'
END.
A/N:
Another one shot for my PROJECT HEART SERIES. LOL. Please leave your review okay! Thank you!
See you on my fic "In Both Realms".Ja nE!