Me don't own GH

Naru was sitting in front of pile of documents trying to figure out what's going on in this damned house. But he was reading the same paragraph for fifth time, or even more, he was lost count of it. His mind was blank, like someone would have wiped it clean. But perhaps this was for good, now he had no thoughts at all, at least better than thinking what would Mai do in this situation. And that he should be glad she's away, so there is no need to be concerned about her. And there is no need for her to suffer. He didn't shove it but he disliked to see pain and suffering in others eyes. He could bear pain if it was his own, but it was harder if suffering was someone else. In all these years his face has become only more and more inflexible, result of not showing care for other. And now they all were thinking of him as cold hearted bastard. Last straw was Mais leaving. They couldn't forgive him for letting her go, even Lin didn't approve of his decision. Couldn't they see the reason he let her go? Were they blind?

"Naru," Lins voice brake in his head. "Are you ok?"

He raised his eyes of documents.

"Do I seem ill to you?"

Lin didn't answer to his rhetorical question and they got back to work. Fourth, eight and sixteenth monitors was malfunctioning again, twenty first had something fog like in front of it. They had checked it countless time, but fog wasn't in that room and object-lens was clean too, but monitor was still fogy. And different form other cameras it was fogy all the time not only time to time like eight for example. And talking to Naru about this would be waste of time and nerves. He was sulky and angry all the time. Nothing was good enough for him. And didn't he see it for himself of just he didn't want to admit he missed Mai. But that was Naru, he never would admit his own mistakes. Lin sighted and kept on staring on monitors. No sight of something paranormal. If doesn't couldn't equipment. He hoped Bou and Ayako could persuade Mai to come and help them, he hoped for it not only for Narus sake, not only for his sake, but for this case too. Masakos collapsing throw them in deep dark pit. And they couldn't see the light. Clue, one little clue, it could save them from this ignorance. He knew Mai could give them this clue, she had never let them down. And one more point-tea she made was really good.

He took teacup without noticing anything. Habits-they have grate power over humans. This time it was better. At least it didn't stink of gasoline and tasted more like tea, if you close eyes and persuade yourself that your drinking tea not toilet cleaning expedient. He rose his head to tell Ayako that she still has long way to go till she'll make even drinkable tea, but he froze seeing Mais laughing eyes. He was shocked.

"What are you doing here?" came out before he even could think.

Mais eyes got darker as anger grew inside of her. Bou-san seeing upcoming storm stepped one step closer in case if he needs to hold Mai when she tries to hit Narus firm head.

…One word! Only one little word! Is it too much to ask form you? You self centred beast!...But for some reason this time she didn't say it out loud. Why? She couldn't find answer herself. Her eyes turned from angry look to emptiness.

She turned around and bumped in to Bou-san who was standing behind her.

"Hei, carefully, young lady! I know I'm irresistible but there is no need of you to bump in me so frankly" she looked in his eyes and he immediately changed his attitude. Holding her shoulders for two reasons, one so she wouldn't run away, other he wasn't sure she wouldn't collapse,he turned his head to Narus direction.

"Naru, don't you think,"

"It's better than that one Ayako was making," said Naru looking in his tea cup.

All stunned. Ayako was first who got out of daze.

"You want to say that mine was undrinkable and disgusting?" She asked eyes burning in anger, but with little laugh sparkle in them.

"Yes." He said and took small nip of tea.

Bou-san started to laugh Ayako got angry and hit him, Mai could stand on her own feat and surprisingly Lin smiled watching screens. Naru rise angry eyes, but didn't tell anything this time. He got back to work and surprisingly found that he can concentrate again even around him was so much noise.

Somehow I felt like I need to end it here for this time. Sorry it was so short this time. If I'll have inspiration I'll continue it here.

(1)I just couldn't think of other way how to explain disgust of water witch has been cleared with chlorine containing stuff.