*Note: Sorry for not updating last week bu homework got to me :/ Well I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, I was gonna leave it short with it just focusing it on Mai in her home, but decided I should put a bit more into this chapter. But first I would like to thank: morningnight, kidofthesky, Team Falcon, kikifan21, and Tbonechick2011. Thank you for your reviews, it makes me feel good when I find people enjoying the stories I write. And sorry if this chapter is a bit boring...I intended it to be like that. Well, please read, enjoy, and review if you'd like ^_^
The Haunted Circus
Chapter Two
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Mai lazily threw her keys onto her kitchen counter after turning on the light. Putting some water into her kettle, she placed it onto the flames on the stove. She thought over the new case that Naru had accepted. The Kanamotos seemed to have been relieved that they were being helped. Apparently they had gone to a few other facilities but were turned down.
Grabbing a cup from her cabinet and a packet of hot cocoa, Mai waited for the water to boil. She rested her left hand on her right side wincing as she put a bit too much pressure, on whatever she was touching, than intended.
The whistling of the kettle brought her out of her reverie and she finished making her hot cocoa. Leaning back against the kitchen counter, her thoughts ran in a wild, yet organized—somewhat, manner. She sipped at her cocoa, not noticing that her front door had opened for a moment then was shut and locked.
"Mai?" said girl looked up startled at the man standing before her.
"You're home early." she smiled, then she gestured to the other cup of cocoa she had made unconsciously.
The man smiled, gave her a quick peck, and took his cup. "Well, Naru wanted to lock up early so we would all have a good rest. Apparently the three of us will be heading out to
the Sakura Fields an hour earlier than the others."
Mai frowned. "But that's way too early. Who in their right minds would be up and about at five in the morning over there?"
The man chuckled. "Ask Naru."
Mai chuckled before placing her empty mug in the sink. "Koujo…what do you make of this case?"
Lin looked at Mai with searching eyes. He sighed, "I'm not sure, since we only received the case a few hours ago, but I think something might happen. I'm not quite sure whether it is a good or bad thing."
Mai nodded then looked at the lone, black and white, photo that hung over the sink. In it was a little girl in a tight dress with sequined sleeves. The little girl's hair was up in a wavy ponytail, her bangs straight and framing her face cutely. Beside her was a large lion that seemed to be grinning.
"Mai?" said woman looked up at Lin. "Will you be okay on this case?"
Mai faked a smile, "What do you mean."
Lin frowned. "I heard you back in the office. You said Louie. Do you think he has anything to do with this case?"
Mai answered solemnly, "I really hope not."
_x-x_x-x_
Mai, Naru, and Lin arrived at the Sakura Fields at five o'clock sharp. Naru made sure of this for he called Lin twenty minutes before he had to pick him up to get Mai first so they wouldn't be late. Lin, however, did not put up a fight of course. Though he did glance down at the sleeping girl they were currently talking about, brushing away a few strands of hair that were tickling her nose.
At the Sakura Fields, the Kanamotos met up with the three of them at the gates. Hiori grinned and immediately ran towards Mai as they group of three got closer. Mai smiled as she gave the young boy a hug and patted his head.
"Good morning, I hope you all had a good night's rest before coming down here so early." Hana said, her mood was very positive, even though it was quite early in the morning and was slightly chilly.
"We did. When will you guys start doing your performances?" Mai questioned as she shook hands with the older woman.
"Well," Koushou began, "We were hoping you would do something…different when helping with our case this time."
Naru raised an eyebrow while Lin looked on with no expression and Mai just tilted her head to one side in a cute manner.
"How so?" Naru spoke this time.
"Hana and I got talking and we realized, just from the meeting with you yesterday, that Taniyama-san seemed rather fond of circuses in general." When Naru and Lin both looked at Mai she blushed before turning her attention to Hiori.
"And this has to do with changing the way we do the cases, how?" Naru questioned, slightly annoyed.
"What my very slow husband is trying to say is that we wanted to know if it would somehow help make it easier if your group were 'part of the circus' so you won't be bombarded by anything that deals with publicity." Hana said as she held her hand out towards her son, who took it willingly.
"Ooh! Naru can we?" Mai asked, excitement seeping into her voice.
Naru rolled his eyes as Lin looked at the excited brown haired young woman.
"I will talk it over with the others and we will let you know before the day is over."
Hana smiled. "Fantastic!"