Author's Note: well the moment that you've all been waiting for, at long last the grand finally of Alterations. It has been longer then usual but even when I attempt to keep a schedule I fail to keep it. I have a good reason though; I've had finals one of the many perks of being in high school. That and my mother grounded me, oh well, no use in complaining, enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT

Chapter Three

Mai's P.O.V

We were waking back to my place, it was like last nigh. We were walking so close that our arms brushed together, this time however he clasped my hand, taking me slightly by surprise. His hand was warm, reminding me of the last time I had held his, and he kept making small circles on the back of my hand. It felt wonderful; I couldn't help but think about his words, they kept ringing in my ear.

"Is this is?" Naru's voice startled me and looked up at him, his expression was softer then usual, tender, and it would take a while to get used to, but it was a lot better then his usual glare.

"Yeah," I said looking at my house; I knew it wasn't its fault we had already gotten here. I opened the door and turned to say good bye to Naru, he was closer then I expected. His arm was placed against the side of the door. He leaned forward and I met him half way our lips touching briefly, oh so sweet.

"Sleep well, Mai," he whispered against my lips.

"Good night," I called as he waked away earning my self one of Naru's rare smiles. I closed the door but even as I got ready for bed I knew that I wouldn't be able to get a wink of sleep. Every time I tried to relax my heart would speed up and my cheeks would burn. Finally I couldn't take it anymore; I picked up my phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?" the voice on the other end was groggy and it was about to turn unhappy.

"Bou-san, it's me Mai," I said.

"Mai?" there was a pause, "its freaking 3'o clock in the morning, what's the matter with you!"

"Sorry Bou-san," I apologized. "I just couldn't sleep,"

"And you felt the need to have me join you in the suffering?" Bou-san asked, well it seemed that he wasn't very happy in the morning.

"I have something to tell you," I said.

"And what could that be?" Bou-san asked yawning into the phone. I took a deep breath, playing with the phone cord.

"I had my first kiss," I said.

"Well that's great kid—

"With Naru," I added effectively shutting him up.

"You're kidding?" he asked.

"No, he came to find me, and well," I stopped unable to continue.

"And," Bou-san promoted sounding as egger as I was.

"He said he loved me!" I squealed into the phone letting all the over energetic happiness I had been holding flow out.

"No way!" Bou-san said.

"I know I can't believe it!"

"This is news!"

"I don't even know how it happened, but I don't care!"

And then we both started laughing.

"Thanks for humoring, Bou-san," I said.

"No problem, now go to sleep," he answered in his normal, but brotherly voice.

"Yes sir!" I said effectively sending us laughing again.

"Nigh Bou-san,"

"Good night Mia-chan, don't think I'm done with you, I'm just too tired to integrate you right now," he warned, I let a nervous laugh escape.

"Alright then Bou-san, good night," I said.

"Night Mai,"

I hung up my phone, yet unsure how I found my way to my room and passed out on my bed.

"I blame lack of sleep," I mumbled as if having to give something an explanation, as I fell asleep.

Naru's P.O.V

Our hands were connected and I had never felt a lover sensation then her skin, I traced small circles on the back of her hand, I smirked as I felt the pulse in her wrist speed up ever so slightly, she didn't even notice when we reached her house.

"Is this it?' I asked her, she looked up at me with her soft eyes. I felt my face become tender when she found my eyes, yes, this would get some getting used to, but I'd do it for her, I'd do it for my Mai.

"Yeah," she said, I had an uncontrollable urge to go to her. She opened the door and she turned around I could see her shock at me being so close. I placed my arm on the side of the door leaning forward, our lips met ever so briefly but I could slowly hear her heart speed up.

"Sleep well, Mai," I whispered against her lips. I pulled away and began to walk.

"Good night," she called I turned around smiling as I watched one spread across her face gentling her features. I found myself taking a long time walking home, but eventually I did. As hard as I tried I couldn't get myself to sleep I need some sort of distraction. I picked up a book I had just bought and began to read, I sighed putting the book down. I closed my eyes and for once allowed the memories to consume me. I groaned opening my eyes at how close we had been in front of the office. I couldn't take it; I stood up and began pacing. I shouldn't have fallen asleep in the morning; I wasn't going to get much sleep. And then something wonderful happened I walked into my room and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the mattress.

I rolled over and nearly landed face first into the ground, I smirked. And I was having trouble sleeping. I was ready to leave when I heard my phone ring, I turned around but soon it stopped. Forgetting about it I made my way to the office. I walked in and found Lin leaning against my office door.

"Lin," I greeted him.

"Naru," he answered I sighed taking a seat and waiting for him to join me.

"Spit it out,"

"Well I can't say that I'm surprised but, I am going to say that you need to think about what you're doing Ol—

"Enough," I said cutting him off. "I don't need the reminder, Lin," he sighed.

"Naru, there are many things that I can let you do, but, one thing that none of us will let you do it hurt Mai," he said, I couldn't even believe that even Lin was willing to turn on me. Then again I would turn on myself if I ever dared hurt her.

"I will find a place and time for it, Lin, but now is not the time," I told him.

"I'm not going to tell you when to do it, but I am telling you to do it soon," Lin said, I nodded; I ran a hand through my hair. Funny how I forgot the most important things.

"What's so funny?" Lin asked.

"Nothing, I was just thinking how stupid I was forgetting something like that," I explained. Lin shook his head.

"You two sure are something," Lin said.

"Two?" I asked.

"You and Mai," he answered.

"What does Mai have to do with this?" I asked. He held his hands up as if saying he meant no harm.

"She has a lot to do with this, she would jump into something without sitting and thinking all the possibilities through, she'd just go with her gut instinct," Lin explained.

"You know what I earned Lin?" I asked him turning to him. "If you wait and think everything through you end up losing more then what you saved," he looked at me for a long time.

"What?" I demanded.

"I was just wondering when you got so wise," he said.

"I've always been like his you just haven't noticed," I told him.

"And there's the Naru that we all know," Lin said, I shook my head. We looked up as the door opened reviling a happy Mai. That's how I always wanted her, bright eyes, cheeks flushed, and running in late.

"You just made it," I told her, she smiled.

"Well then victory to me, morning Lin-san," she said,

"Mai-chan," I turned to look at him and I could see that Mai was also startled.

"Mai could you get me some tea?" I asked her.

"Hai," she said hesitantly. I waited until she was gone to begin.

"Mai-chan?" I asked he chuckled softly.

"Well the way I see it Mai-chan might as well be part of the little circle at home," he said I felt the tell-tale signs of embarrassment flood my face, I forced them away.

"Lin if you ever say something like that again I will forget that I cannot use my powers," I threatened.

"And I will forget that my Shiki are supposed to be used to protect you," Lin threatened right back.

"Tea's ready," Mai said walking back with a tray and placing the cups in front of us.

"Congratulations Mai-chan," Lin said, I grabbed my cup and got up.

"For what?" She asked. "Oh,"

"Lin, don't say a word," I said looking over at Mai her cheeks were burning. And then Lin began to laugh followed by Mai, I shook my head.

"Enjoy the conversation," I muttered as I walked to my office. I had to admit I was dying to hear what he was talking about but, I sighed and decided to give reading a try.

Mai's P.O.V

"Congratulations, Mai-chan," Lin-san said.

"For what?" I asked looking over at Naru who was getting up. "Oh," I felt my cheeks burn as Naru looked over at me.

"Lin, don't say a word," Naru warned and Lin began to laugh and I couldn't help it, I joined him. Naru shook his head and waked away. It was pretty funny; I had never seen Naru's face filled with so many emotions. I sat down next to Lin and picked my cup up.

"He told you?" I asked my curiosity striking.

"No, I more or less figured it out on my own," he said, I shook my head. Lin and Naru were so close but I couldn't understand how that had happened, they were so different,

"What's so funny?" Lin-san asked.

"Hmm?" I hadn't even realized that I was smiling.

"You're smiling I would have figured that you found something funny," he said.

"Well—

Lin-san cut me off.

"I owe you one from yesterday, don't I?" Lin-san asked,

"Yes, yes you do," I confirmed.

"Well then, you should know that Takigawa is coming you have, oh, I would say 30 seconds, so I bid you good day," he said getting up and walking to his office.

"That doesn't cover it," I called looking around and I opened Naru's office as Lin-san's laughter chased after me.

"What are you doing?" Naru demanded.

I turned around giving him a dazzling smile.

"Hiding,"

Naru's P.O.V

She gave me a smile that made me think twice about not locking the door.

"Hiding?" I asked she smiled again and walked over to where I was.

"Well as luck would have it I did something that I shouldn't have so now, I'm here," she said leaning against my desk.

"MAI!" I chuckled so she was talking about Takigawa.

"Mai, what exactly did you do?" I asked her.

"Well," she began propping herself up on my desk. "I may have told him something that involved both of us," I sighed grabbing her wrist.

"Why would you do that?" I asked she smiled putting her hands on the side of my chair.

"Why shouldn't I?" she asked, I wasn't found of her trapping me so I placed an arm on her waist and spun her so she was on the chair and I was on top of her, I leaned forward.

"Because, Mai, now you don't want to face Takigawa, what are you going to do hide out here?" I asked her.

"Oh thank you for offering I'll stay right here and you can go make everyone's tea," she said giving me the same smile as before. I leaned forward unable to control myself. Her arms locked around my neck as I pulled her up letting one of my hands rest on the chair while the other wrapped around her waist. I was faintly aware of the door opening.

"I can go in if I want to," it was Hara-san. "Naru—

She stopped and I felt Mai stiffen underneath me, I pulled away carefully putting an arm around Mai holding her near me I do admit that it was rather protective.

"Whoa, you may want to slow down Naru," Bou-san said, but even his words didn't break the tension in the air. Hara-san walked over to were we where and she placed a hand on my arm.

"Naru can I talk to you?" she asked.

"You can talk," I said making it quite clear that I wasn't going to talk to her alone. I turned to look at Mai when she pulled away from my arm her expression was unreadable, which sent me into yesterdays state, so anti-Mai.

"Bou-san you wanted to tell me something?" Mai asked.

"Well it's really not that," Mai grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room. "Hey!" I turned to look at Hara-san.

"How can I help you?" I asked forcing myself to be as polite as I could.

"Does she know?" Hara-san asked.

"She will," I answered.

"Maybe she will find out," Hara-san said, I turned to look at her.

"You will say nothing," I snapped my eyes forcing the message and she flinched.

"Why Naru?" she asked looking to the ground her hands in fist.

"I don't have to explain myself to you," I said. "I need to work so if you don't mind," I sat down and ignored her until she left slamming the door.

Mai's P.O.V

I dragged Bou-san out of the room, it would happen eventually Masako would find a way to talk to Naru and throw it in his face; at least I was here now.

"Mai-chan," I turned to look at Bou-san.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Are you sure you're okay with it?" he asked,

"I know I did the right thing," I answered.

"That doesn't answer my question," he said,

"I know," I sat down on the sofa and Bou-san sat down next to me.

"This should be a happy time for you not something you should stress about!" Bou-san huffed angry.

"Since when is anything in my life non stressful?" I asked trying to make a joke of it to lighten the mood.

"I know Mai, and that I think is worse then anything else," he said I sighed.

"I think I know what I'm doing," I told him.

"That's not good," he said his gaze focused on the ground.

"Good enough," I said. "You guys are great,"

"Most of us," he mumbled.

"Masako had her moments," I said defending her.

"You're to kind," he said.

"I don't like hateful emotions," I responded we looked up as Masako came out slamming the door she however didn't glare at me.

"Mai, would you mind taking a walk with me?" she asked.

"Umm, sure," I said my gaze flickering to Bou-san.

"Yeah, we should take a walk," Bou-san said. "Sounds like fun," she walked over and grabbed my hand and turned to Bou-san.

"You're not invited," and we walked away from a stunned Bou-san.

"Masako that wasn't every nice," I said she had let go of my hand and we were walking down the street.

"A lot of things aren't nice, Mai," she said I looked away.

"But a lot more are," I contradicted she spun around her eyes glaring at me conveying all the dislike she felt for me.

"How could I have lost to someone like you!" she demanded.

"It wasn't a game to win or lose," I stuttered out.

"Do you even know who you're flinging yourself at!" she demanded it shouldn't have bothered me but something in me felt strange at her words.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Do you even know who Naru is?" she asked her eyes merciless.

"Shibuya Kazuya," I said not liking how my voice sounded, she smirked.

"You don't even know who the man you love is, you have no right to have him," she said I walked forward like in a trance and I gripped her arms.

"Naru isn't Naru?" I demanded.

"No show no tell Mai," she said her eyes dancing I shook her slightly.

"Answer me!" I demanded. She flinched, her eyes uncertain for the first time since we began this conversation.

"No ask him who he really is, you don't even know his name," I let go of her as if touching her had burned my hands I looked down at them to make sure I really wasn't burned. I felt strangely empty as if someone hand plunged their hand in my chest and ripped out my heart, the worst part was that no matter how many times I told myself that Masako was lying the little voice inside of me was telling me she told the truth, they voice that I was powerless against.

"Mai!" I turned to look at who had called my name; it was Na… no I didn't even know who it was. Masako walked past me and away from the approaching man.

"Mai," his voice was uncertain.

"Yes?" I asked his eyes searched my face.

"Mai, what's my name?" he demanded I looked away. When I didn't answer he took a step towards me I backed away.

"Stay away from me," I said not recognizing my voice.

"Then answer my question," he shot at me, I snapped.

"I don't know! I don't know your name!" I shouted at him and I ran, trying to run away from the look in his eyes as when I had said that. They were forlorn, glassy as if holding back something that I though he was incapable of.

Naru's P.O.V

Her face was blank but at the surface I could see the pain and confusion. Something twisted in me like yesterday.

"What's my name?" I knew I would regret the answer but I needed to know, I needed to know what Masako had said to her. She looked away cutting off the view I had to her face, unable to read her I took a step forward, she retreated her eyes filled with something like panic and fear.

"Stay away from me," her voice was like a scared child who had lost all innocence in one sudden moment.

"Then answer my question," it was angry but that anger wasn't direct at her but she responded as if it were. The repressed emotions rose to the surface and spilled over.

"I don't know! I don't know your name!" she shouted at me with all the venom her small body was capable of using. I could feel something amiss in myself, what had I done? Mai ran past me and I didn't try to stop her, I was losing her and I wasn't trying to reach her. My eyes stung in a way that I wasn't used to.

"Do I always have to snap some sense into you?" I turned to look at Takigawa, his expression was compassionate.

"I don't know what could have made you two like this but I do know that you shouldn't lose her over something like this," he said.

"You don't know anything," I snapped, yes that was it, anger, anger was safe no one could hurt you with it.

"Shut up!" I looked up stunned his expression was furious. "I don't need to know anything to know that you and Mia belong together, she's crazy about you and so are you, so I suggest you man up and go face her, or maybe," his voice dropped to a deadly level. "You didn't love her at all." My whole body stiffened with fury, who was he to make assumptions of such magnitude. I didn't think I just acted I grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the nearest wall.

"Don't tell me how I'm feeling," I gave him one more shove and then I walked away. It was too late to do things the way I wanted them to go, but I couldn't, I would not leave them like this.

I found myself standing in front of her house, I knew she kept the door lock, if she was smart, and Mai was smart. Taking a deep breath I used the tiniest hint of my power and prayed that she wasn't in the front room, the door opened without the minor hesitation. She wasn't in the front room and I spotted her, she was in the kitchen, on a whim I placed my 500 yen coin on the living room table. I ducked behind a corner as she walked by and stayed there. I watched her as she saw he coin she placed her hand on either side of the table and hung her head, I almost killed myself, almost, but I did this I had to fix it. Readying myself I allowed the power to flow.

She picked up the coin and held in her hand.

"You look familiar," she whispered, all 500 yen coins looked exactly the same, but she wore the expression she did when she was using her powers.

"You look sad," I let the familiar pattern flow this would be second time she saw it. She nearly fell in shock but she held the coin closer to her.

"Are you his pet?" Mai asked I flinched when she didn't us my name.

"Yes,"

"What are you doing here, is he here?" she asked looking around.

"No, I always come when pretty ladies look sad, why are you sad"

"I don't think you want to know," she said.

"I want to help,"

"Fine you can help," she said. "I don't really know how to explain,"

"Why didn't you say whose pet I was?"

"Because I don't know his name," Mai whispered.

"And that makes you sad?"

"How can you love someone if you don't trust them enough to tell them your name?" Mai demanded.

"But you love him don't you?"

"Yes, but—

"Why do you need a name to love someone, do you love the name or the person?"

"The person," Mai answered.

"Besides, he had a name, a name you gave him,"

"And what would that name be?" Mai asked.

"Naru, you gave it to him, that's who he is to you isn't he?"

"Naru is the name I gave him, is the name I know him by," Mai said.

"Who do you love?"

"I love Naru, but that's not his true name," Mai protested.

"What does a name matter? Will you let everything go to waste without a chance for him to explain, without letting him tell you that he's sorry?"

"How can I do that, he lied to me," Mai mumbled.

"Maybe but he may have had his reasons,"

"Well why didn't he tell me them, he already told me the most difficult thing," Mai argued.

"Maybe someone beat him, he didn't tell you this did he,"

"No, I guess he didn't," Mai said.

"So then,"

"I don't know," Mai whimpered.

"Do you love him?"

"I already told you that I did," Mai snapped,

"Dose anything else matter? Do you think anything else matters other then the love you have for each other?"

"It may matter but it's the most important," Mai said she laughed. "I'm getting advice on my love life from a coin,"

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"Yes, I would like to talk with the man controlling you," Mai said.

"Really?"

"Yes,"

Taking a deep breath and getting ready for hateful words I stepped into full view. Mai's expression was open pleading for an explanation, pleading for me.

"Mai," I looked at her my heartbreaking for her. "I'm so sorry," and I couldn't help myself I strode to her and quicker then I could protest I wrapped my arms around her and was kissing any part of her I could reach.

"I was stupid," I said between kisses. "I should have told you but I wasn't ready to, I don't think that I am still, but," I tilted her face up so she could look me in the eyes.

"You will tell me, and soon," Mai said completing my statement.

"Yes," I confirmed.

"Do you love me?" she asked, I wasn't even sure how she could.

"I do more then my life," I said.

"Then I can wait when you're ready, I'll be here to listen, and I won't leave, I love you," she said and I tenderly pressed my lips to hers'. I hadn't lost her I never would; I would never lose my Mai.

SOME TIME AFTER

Mai's P.O.V

I was sitting on the sand of the beach, we had taken a vacation and finally after all this time Naru had finally told me everything. I smiled as I felt the arms of Oliver Davis, the man I loved, wrap around me.

"What were you thinking about?" he whispered in my ear.

"You," I answered.

"Should I be content or worried?" he asked.

"Neither, you should be ecstatic that someone like me is spending their time on you," I teased.

"You're right, and I am," he said completely serious. "I don't even know why you would waist you're time on me," I turned around and I laid my hand on his cheek, his tender expression no longer startled me, I had grown to love it even more.

"I do," I said. "It's because I love you," he kissed my palm.

"Almost as much as I do," he said I wrapped an arm around his neck.

"Prove it," I challenged he smiled, I was lost in the wonderful bliss of the kiss filled with all the love we had for each other. He pulled away.

"Did I win?" he asked.

"You'll never know," I said and he kissed me again. I was ecstatic with my new life. Masako finally became content with being Naru's friend and she was even warming up to me. The others were happy for us and I knew in that moment that I had never been happier to break something that didn't belong to me.

"Mai," I looked at Naru.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I'm glad that you chose me," he said I smiled and leaned forward to kiss him.

"I'm happy that you're happy," I said. "Let's try to stay that way,"

"I couldn't ask for more," he said.

Yes I couldn't ask for anything more, I was with the man I loved and we were surrounded by our closest and dearest friends. What more could one want?

The answer; nothing.

THE END

Author's Note: 11:30 pm on Saturday June 8, 2010, Alterations was completed. I hope you all enjoyed this I know I did. I just have one question should this continue in the form of an M rating or is this ending enough? Thank you for all the support! Please as a courtesy to the last chapter review and give your thoughts!

With love and respect,

Eclipse O. Esor