Author's Note: this is me getting on my hands and knees and imploring the forgiveness of my fans. You're all so nice to me leaving review and then I say Wednesday and its Saturday night. So yes I'm very sorry about the delay, but this chapter is filled with the best stuff of the Ghost Hunt world. So enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT

Chapter Two

Naru's P.O.V

"I'm so sorry Naru," Mai whispered looking down at the table, and then it slowly fell together. The way that she acted, and her earlier actions, the fact that she was acting so anti-Mai. "I just don't know when to keep my mouth shut," I didn't think that she needed to apologize and if she was going to apologize over my actions, then well, it was my turn.

"Mai, don't apologize, if any one has to it should be m—she go up and brought her hands down on the table her expression looking more like herself.

"Not this time. Naru, you aren't going to be the noble one of this one," she said. "You're going to sit there and listen to what I have to say, and then you can comment," out of all the answers I had not expected that one. This conversation had taken a turn I had not expected or wanted, but since I couldn't fall back on that response then I would just have to see where she decided to take me.

"Have it your way," I told her, I waited and finally she sat down.

"Like I was trying to tell you," I scanned the café we still had some time. "I said some things that I shouldn't have and because of that. And because of that you ended up hurt and in the hospital, it was hard, so hard, I'm sorry Naru," she was looking down at the table her hands in fists. It wasn't fair for her to be like this, if I'd known, if' I'd know that she would be like this I wouldn't have done anything, but then there was what would she have done if I hadn't done anything? It was pointless either way I would be facing something similar.

"You shouldn't blame your self over something like this, I don't Mia, and so you shouldn't either," I said getting up, she had already finished, I placed a bill on the table, and I was smiling at her.

"Are you sure," she asked, it was silly and yet pleasing at the same time the way Mai worried about certain things, it was who she was after all.

"I'm sure," I told her and she smiled, her first real smile of the day. Only Mia's smile, only Mai could bring out my own.

Mai's P.O.V

"Are you sure?" I asked him as he got up, he said he didn't blame me, but I wanted, I needed to hear him say it.

"I'm sure," came his reply. And there, there it was the smile that I had come to love and care for; I felt my own lips curve up in response.

We walked out and I felt much better, so much so that I felt myself half bouncing with every step. We got the things we needed and as we walked back I realized how close we were walking, our arms brushing every step. And every time our arms touched I had the urge to reach out and grasp his hand, in an effort to put some space between us I tried moving over and my foot got caught in a crack. I would have landed face first but I felt Naru's arm wrap around my waist, most likely causing him to loss balance because we both landed on the floor. My back was to the ground and he was hovering over me, I couldn't move and I could hardly breath, I wanted to reach up and wrap my arms around his neck but he got up. I propped myself on my elbows and he gave me a hand.

"Are you alright?" he asked, my cheeks were burning and I nodded not facing him. We continued to walk and it didn't get better it got so much worse. My whole body was tingling were we had made contact pleading, no, demanding for it again. I looked up and the office appeared before us causing my shoulders to relax.

"Feeling better?" he asked snapping me back to attention.

"Yeah," I said.

"Good," Naru's strange words caused me to look over at him, big mistake. It was already so hard to stay away from him but looking into his eyes as they caught and held mine, I found that we had stopped walking. I was overwhelmed with the emotions running through me, my feet had moved themselves so close to him that I could feel him, but I wasn't touching him. I could smell him, his smell. It was sharp and warming, gentle and compelling, it was Naru. My hand found his and he was even closer. His skin was soft to the touch sending tingles down my back.

My head turned as light flooded out of the office door. Bou-san was standing there eye wide. My feet moved themselves away from Naru and I watched desperately as he disappeared into the office. Masako was behind Bou-san.

"What took you so long?" she demanded taking the bags, I didn't say anything I couldn't. I felt a feeling of profound emptiness build up in my chest I wanted to go home, curl up into a ball.

"I should be getting home," I called, I turned to escape but I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned around half disappointed that it was only Bou-san.

"It's getting late I'll walk you," he said.

"No, it's alright I'll be fine," I told him, he grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.

"You're not getting out of this one," he growled.

"But your food," I protested trying to think of a way to make him leave.

"It can wait," Bou-san said, I sighed in defeat and let him lead me, this wasn't going well. I found myself being led to a café. Why was it, that cafés suddenly became so popular?

Bou-san led me to a back table, discreet, but not so much as the one that Naru had taken me to.

"Want something to eat?" he asked.

"Not really," I answered.

"Well I personally think they have great food, but," he said.

"Fine then I'll have something to drink," I told him.

"A drink isn't food but, hey, it's your loss," he said, he motioned for the waitress to come.

"Give me an ice coffee, cream, sugar, all that good stuff," he said, she looked over to me.

"And you?" she asked,

"I'll have a raspberry tea," I told her, she nodded and walked away.

"Alright then Mia," Bou-san started I gulped. "Shall you defend your self before I make accusations?" his usual joking mood was covered up by a serious looking Monk that exorcized spirits.

"Well I can't defend my self if I don't know what I'm being accused with," I knew how to work around the Monk, Bou-san was the one that bothered me.

"Very well you have passed the first test," that sounded more like Bou-san; I found my hands twisting together.

"Is it safe to assume that this was the first time you and Naru did anything like that?" he asked.

"Assuming is safe," I told him, I dint know for how much longer I could give light answers.

"What, then was going on?" Bou-san asked, I sighed, and this was the question that would give me the death sentence. "I'm waiting,"

"I don't really know," I admitted.

"Ah! Mai, what am I going to do with you?" Bou-san demanded.

"But, I do know what happened before then," I told him ignoring the comment.

"Well what happened before then?" he asked.

"We talked about the last case, and then well he said that he didn't blame me for what had happened, and then well the scene in the office happened," I said.

"Mai, I can tell when I can get stuff out of you and when I can't, this is one of those times that I can't get anything out of you," he said. "But remember Masako's tolerance won't last forever."

"What are you talking about?" I asked refusing to accept the unspoken facts.

"You've got to be kidding me," he said in disbelief.

"What!" I demanded.

"How long do you think that Masako will tolerate you working at SPR?" he asked, the implied was confirmed.

"I still hate you," Masako's words ran in my head leaving me with a pit in my stomach. Masako's tolerance.

"But even if you do want to keep your job, don't let it go by," he said.

"Don't let what go by?" I asked, even though a little voice in my head was telling me what, but it was too late the waitress came with the drinks. It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair.

Naru's P.O.V

I was trying to read one of the many books that I owned but I just couldn't concentrate.

"Mai, tea!" the one at the café had been no good, the café.

I slammed the book on the table pulling my mind away from the thought. The door opened a few moments later and Hara-san walked in placing my cup on my desk.

"Where's Mia?" I asked her looking at the cup.

"She left,"

"Who told her she could leave," my words were meant for me but I had spoken them aloud.

"How should I know, she's your employ only heaven knows why, thought," I blocked her out I had no patience for this.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter," I said and I waited until the door closed. I leaned against my chair fighting against thoughts that tried to posses my mind.

A while after, when I could take it no more, I grabbed my things, closed the lights to my office, and left the office; the cup of tea left untouched on my desk, it would have tasted no better then the one at the café, the taste that I was looking for wouldn't have been the same.

Mai's P.O.V

Bou-san walked me to my house it was late now.

"See you tomorrow, Bou-san, and thanks for the drink," I said he nodded.

"Just don't forget," he said walking away, I found myself slamming the door to my room. It just wasn't fair; I didn't want to think about it. I was changed and ready for better quicker then I would have liked. Considering the events for earlier that day I should have knocked out, but that, sadly, wasn't the case. I reluctantly laid down and found my mind racing.

Bou-san's truthful words ran through my head. 'his powers are unstable anything could happen,"

My mind drew me an unpleasant image Naru paler then usual and unmoving eyes. I tossed and turned there was no way of getting out of this one.

Near death experiences can change anyone, and I'd had more then my fair share. Before I would have ignored what I felt, but now. I sighed and turned again. Naru worked in a field, not safe. Alright, maybe that was the wrong wording. It was dangerous, bad construction, and the occasional ghost. If something like the last case happened again, or something similar, then he could in fact, end up in the hospital again. And what if, what if that time Naru didn't wake up? I clenched my hands. Would it be better if he knew? What did I want to happen?

It was Naru after all. Nothing would happen and I would tell him because I wanted to, simple, and that was that. And yet my eyes wouldn't close and my mind would continue to see his eyes so near mine.

Naru's P.O.V

I was sitting at my desk, again, that seemed to be the only thing I was doing. The front door opened and the footsteps were familiar but slightly off.

"Mai?" I called.

"Hai?" it wasn't what I expected it had a small hitch much like yesterday and yet it was different. She poked her head into my office.

"Tea," she nodded and left. I closed my eyes and opened then when there was a knock at my door.

"Come in," Mai set the cup of tea on the table.

"So that's where your cup went, I was looking for it," she said picking it up. "It's filled, since when do you not finish your tea?"

"Since I feel like it," I said taking a drink from the tea, just the taste I had been looking for.

"Humph." She picked up my cup and walked to the door turning when she got there.

"Umm, Naru?" she asked hesitantly her voice slightly hitched.

"Yes?" I asked looking up her cheeks had a soft color in them.

"Nothing, don't worry about it," she said walking out of the room I felt myself smirk, where had I heard that before? Mai would always be Mai.

Mai's P.O.V

He looked up, the light highlighting his eyes and the different color in them. I felt like I could tell him anything.

"Yes?" his words snapped me back to reality I felt heat in my cheeks.

"Nothing, don't worry about it," I told him taking my change and walking out of the office; my back found the door and leaned against it.

"What are you doing?" I opened my eyes and Bou-san was standing right in front of me. I screamed, late reaction, but still he had just poofed! His hand was on my mouth.

"Shh!" I pushed against him and we fell. I heard the office door open and I tilted my head back to see Naru standing in the doorway.

"Takigawa, what are you doing?" he demanded.

"Hey Naru, how's it going?" Bou-san asked, I could tell he was trying to provoke Naru.

"Get off me Bou-san," I protested trying to get off me, he let me squirm out from under him.

"Mai, tea," and with that Naru left slamming the door of his office.

"Mai what's with the outfit?" Bou-san asked.

"I'll tell you later," I said. "I'm working right now."

Naru's P.O.V

A scream came from Mia and I walked out of my office. Her head was tilted back and the strap of her shirt was slightly out of place, her skirt was hitched up, and the Monk was on top of her. I felt a strange anger rise up in me, it wasn't purely anger it was mixed with irritation and other things.

"Takigawa, what are you doing?" I demanded, his expression was calculating and then he smirked.

"Hey Naru, how's it going?" he asked, I watched Mai grow uncomfortable.

"Get off me Bou-san," she said, he lifted himself up enough for her to slide out of under him, fixing her skirt in the process. I still had this strange emotion running through me, I wanted Mia as far away as possible from him.

"Mai, tea," and I left before I did anything stupid. I was standing by the window when Mia walked in, I forced myself not to turn the acknowledgement that I wanted to turn was enough to make me frown.

"You didn't learn how to knock?" I asked a little harsher then I meant.

"Sorry," she answered unfazed. "But you always say 'come in' so I figured that you would say 'come in' so I came in," I felt her hand being placed next to mine, so close they were touching.

"Wat'ch looking at?" she asked.

"Nothing," I answered her hand left the window and a tingle on my own, I tightened it into a fist.

"You're hopeless," I turned but she didn't seem to have said anything. The strap of her shirt had fallen down again and her shoulder was bare, her skirt was jean but it came up higher then usual. I fixed my collar forced out of habit, and I watched her as she followed the movements of my hand.

"Do you need anything else?" Mai asked. I felt a strange feeling rise in me I didn't want her out there with him.

"Ayako!" the monk called out from outside, it looked liked the miko had decided to show up.

"No, nothing," I told her and she nodded and walked out of the room. I sat back down in my chair my eyelids felt heavy and I slowly let them close.

Mai's P.O.V

"Hi, Ayako," I said as I stepped out her eyes narrowed and zeroed in on me, making me feel uncomfortable. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," she said waving it off, I took my chance and escaped going to leave the tray. I really had no idea what I was doing but, but, it felt right. It was my gut instinct pushing me forward; it was the little voice that warned me during the case urging me on now. I walked back and Ayako and Bou-san had there heads together talking and I felt that it was about me. Where to escape now? I turned on my heels any where was better then hear.

"Mai!" they called together I froze ad turned a wary smile on my face.

"Yes?" I asked they motioned for me to sit in between them, slowly like my feet were being nailed into the ground I walked to sit down. They put their arms around my shoulder.

"Now, little Mai you wouldn't keep anything from us, now would you?" they asked together, and the fact that they were speaking as one unit, a parental unit almost gave me the urge to make another run for it. Yet it was something I had wanted for such a long time a mom and dad now I understood why all the kids at school said I had the good life, well the stupid ones any way.

"No, why would I?" I asked but I couldn't keep the hitch out of my voice which caught there attention. The front door opened and Lin-san walked in, he was later the usual, he took one look at us and shook his head. 'Help me' I mouthed to him. He smirked.

"Lin would you like to come and help us?" Bou-san asked.

"I'd rather not be charged with murder assistance," he said.

"Murder?" Ayako asked. I wasn't sure if he was helping or giving then more fuel, so once again I mouthed words to him. 'What are you doing?'

"We would never do something like that to little Mai," Bou-san said. Lin-san turned to look at me one last time and shrugged his shoulders as if saying, 'I tried' I practically pounced on him. 'That's the best you've got!' I mouthed to him he nodded his head making Ayako and Bou-san turn to look at me effectively getting ride of my last shred of hope and Lin-san took the opportunity to escape into his office.

I franticly looked around for any form of escape as I practically saw them sending telepathically messages to each other to continue the integration. My phone rang and I thanked my lucky star.

"I better go get that," I said getting up and they allowed me to go. I walked back; it was my cue to go get doing what I had to. Taking a deep breath I ignored them and walked into Naru's office. He was in his chair a bit of his hair had fallen over his face and his eyes were closed. Even in sleep, I assumed, he looked like he was in torment. I struggled with myself if I should walk over or go out and face Ayako and Bou-san, but I would never hear the end of it now that I had walked into Naru's office. Taking a deep breath and all the courage I owned, I walked over to him. I realized with dismay that I would rather be facing the ghost from our last case alone then be here doing this. I giggled nervously.

I lightly brushed the hair out of his face and I was mesmerized by his expression his skin his smell. It was last night all over again. I found myself leaning forward by some outside force. I could feel his breathing and I could almost taste him. I shut my eyes and willed myself to pull away, this isn't what I wanted no matter what happened in this room today I had to keep myself firm. I would do what I had to and work with whatever happened after. I could. I had to.

Slowly again I moved my hand to the side of his face, shit no wrong move. I pulled my hand back and put my hand on his shoulder. I took a deep breath and squished his shoulder.

"Naru," I whispered his eyes opened and he straightened up.

"Mai," he said clearly taken by surprise. "Is something wrong?"

"No," I said. At least I don't think so; I amended in my mind, at least not yet.

"Then what is it?" he asked those words were much nicer then usual I felt something that I had been holding inside of me break. I wasn't usual so close to the edge that I fell over but something about how I had planned things made me snap.

"You don't know do you?" I asked him, he frowned.

"Mai what are you talking about?" he demanded, and that made it all worse. Why was I doing this? I wanted to let him know but I wanted more understanding then what I was receiving I wanted the Naru from last night here, again. I leaned against his desk and I couldn't make myself look at him instead I looked up at the ceiling.

"You must know something Naru, someone like you always teasing me about my intelligence should be smart enough to understand what I'm getting at," I told him.

"Mai, stop beating around the bush, either spit it out or whatever it is you're trying to do, but, but I highly doubt you will so if you excuse me," he said getting up and that's when I really snapped I got in front of him. I'd had just about enough, didn't he understand? I had beaten myself up over something as trivial as his apology. Didn't he notice the things I did for him? I put up with the verbal abuse and continued to come to work every day with a smile! The least I deserved was for him to sit his ass down and listen to my ranting at least once! That was all I was asking for once!

"Sit down," I half didn't recognized my voice but some how it worked because he obeyed. I walked over to him and pushed the chair back so I could stand in front of him. I put my hands on either side of the chair and bend down to look at him in the eyes. I didn't think that I would do it with so much confidence. I never imagined that I would do it like that.

"Mai, what are you doing?" he stuttered out.

"Putting some sense into your thick head," I said.

"And what could you put into my head?" he asked.

"Don't be so cocky Naru, I know something that you don't and that maybe a first," I told him.

"Really Mai, then enlighten me. What do you know that I don't?" he asked. His sarcasm was the very last straw that I didn't even know I had.

"I love you, and I've had for while, Naru" his expression froze in place and I almost lost all my resolve. I waited for what seemed like for ever and slowly I felt rejection flood into me. It was obvious he was trying to find some way of letting me down easy. Suddenly it wasn't me holding the chair down it was the chair holding me up. He wasn't sure how to tell me to go away, I bit my lips and gave the escape he must have been wanting so desperately, but first, first I needed to add salt to the wound.

"You have nothing to say?" I asked and when he said nothing I pushed myself up and took wobble steps away. "Don't worry about it, I'm leaving early," I walked out of the office and out of SPR, I needed escape, I needed realize. I took out my phone and dialed a taxi. It arrived and I stepped in.

"Where to?' he asked.

"Club Nightale," I said, it was well known and I needed it.

Naru's P.O.V

I wasn't appreciating her half empty words. And especially not the situation I found myself in. her hand were on either side of the chair trapping me, my mind kept trying to think about last night but I refused to let it go back.

"I love you, and I have for a while, Naru," her words were filled with so much emotion they almost made me fall over. I had expected anything back that, it couldn't be. She couldn't love me, she didn't know what she was thinking and yet I felt light and heavy. I visibly saw her sag I almost reached out to steady her but she pushed away and straightened up.

"You have nothing to say?" I didn't know what to say I couldn't find my voice. And I couldn't even say anything to that, I helplessly watched as she walked away and it was strange I felt she took part of me with her.

I started at the window my mind running to the morning her hand so close to mine, the way we were almost touching, the door opened and I hadn't even realized that I had leaned forward in my chair thinking that it was Mia. I only realized when I had to lean back when Takigawa entered.

"What is it?" I snapped, I didn't want to see him, I could admit that to myself.

"Naru, between the two of us, do you really want to let her walk away?" he asked.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded. His face had none of the usual bravo that it did, it was completely serious.

"I know that you were jealous this morning, don't even try denying it, it was screaming out in your face," he said. He finally placed a name on that emotion, but why would I be jealous? I didn't want to think about it, not now.

"And why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"Because, Mai went out with someone tonight," he said that caught my attention and made my chest clench painfully. "I think that it's her way of dealing with whatever the outcome was of this situation, but by the looks of it the outcome wasn't pleasant," my fist clenched, I wasn't ready to deal with it but it seemed like I was running out of time and options.

"Where did she go?" I asked, he handed me a piece of paper. I walked to the door of my office.

"Oh and Naru," I turned. "Don't you dare hurt her," I ignored him and the more I continued to walk down the street the more I began to panic. What if I was too late?

(This chapter becomes into a song fic right now, Addicted by Enrique Iglesias)

Don't let me fall…

I quieted my pace, my mind at the same time trying to sort out what I was trying to tell myself.

Maybe I'm addicted/ I'm out of control/ but you're the drug/ that keeps me from dying.

The fact that only she had made me smile since then, the way that I suddenly only wanted to drink the tea that she made. Everything else tasted bad, I no longer could drink any tea, and I needed hers'. No I needed her.

Maybe I'm a liar/ but all I really know is/ you're the only reason I'm trying.

That was it, I needed Mai, and she had changed me in such a way that I didn't even recognize myself. I would never before take the time to track a girl down. But Mai wasn't just any girl she was, she was…

I stopped, what was I doing?

I am wasted away/ I made a million mistakes

What was I doing? I had practically told her with my silence that I wanted nothing with her. And besides he had said that she had left with someone, what if she really didn't want to see me anymore? But, but I had to try. Before I even knew it I was running, Shibuya Kazuya had never run for anyone before. Ever. She was standing outside the club a guy was with her. He was standing closer then a friend would, I felt something crack inside of me.

Am I too late? There is a storm in my head/ it rains on my bed/ when you are not here

I watched as he raised a hand to touch her cheek and I wanted so much to break his arm for even thinking about doing that. But I controlled myself for the simplest of reasons. What if she was happier like this? What if I was just bad time, and bad memories? And then I saw the most beautiful thing in my world she pulled away and stepped away from him. She reached for her again and she stepped away again and then I advanced forward.

I'm not afraid of dying/ but I am afraid of losing you

I pulled her behind me and he stopped when he saw me.

"Move," he said.

"Do yourself a favor and go away, she made it quite clear that she doesn't want anything to do with you," I told him.

"That's not what she said in there," he said pointing to the club and no matter how much that hurt I ignored it.

"I suggest you leave," I told him but when he tried to reach behind me and grab Mai I lost my temper. I reached for him arm and effectively pulled his arm behind him. The slightest bit more of pressure and it would break.

"Alright, alright, I get it, I'll leave," he hissed out o let go of his arm and he ran away clutching at his arm. Finally I didn't what I was trying to avoid all this time, I turned to look at Mai. She was eye wide and she had the same tank top on but with a small jacket and she had changed her skirt, it was frilly now; on her feet where the source of the strange sound in the morning she had on boots.

"Are you alright?" I asked her, she nodded.

"Naru,"

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Why'd you do it?" she asked looking at me with calculating eyes.

"Because," I said turning to completely face her. "I love you, and I don't want you walking away from me anymore, it took me this long to realize it, and for that I'm sorry" her eyes began to water up and I instinctively reached out and grabbed her waist pulling her to me.

"I don't want you to cry," I murmured against her hair. "Tell me to leave and I will," no matter how hard that would be for me I would, I would walk away for my Mai. She clutched my jacket harder.

"I don't want you to leave me, not now, not ever," I felt everything settle inside of me, it was alright. Everything was fine now. I pulled her slightly away and looked down at her, ad did what I had wanted in such a long time, I realized now. I tilted her chin up and pressed my lips to hers'. They were soft and warm, they tasted sweet, and they tasted like Mai. She reached her arms to wrap around my neck and I moved an arm to her waist pulling her closer. We pulled away, her face was slightly flushed. Using the hand that had her chin I caressed her cheek making sure that I touched the place were the man had tried to touch her. I wanted no other man to say they posed any part of her but me.

"Took you long enough," she said grinning and I found myself smiling again the second time this week.

"Sorry," I said.

"Shut up and kiss me," she ordered, smiling I pressed our lips together again, although it wasn't as sweet as the last one, it was deeper and with more passion. Her hands were in my hair and I was pulling her closer to me. Yes I loved Mai Taniyama and I whispered that love into our kiss.

Mai's P.O.V

I was in heaven, I truly was, and he loved me. He loved me and wouldn't leave me. We pressed our lips together again and it was soft and gentle it was hungry, it was love. I was in could nine and I didn't want to come down, not tonight.

Author's Note: I made this chapter long as an apology for the long wait. You must be thinking this is the end but it is not. Next and sadly last chapter Revelation, all seems well in there happy world but things may not stay that way when a certain someone finds out about the happy pair. Please review!