Hello! Here's chapter 9

Well, not really happy with this chapter, but o'well. It'll have to do if you ever want another update... LOL

Disclaimer – I would never own Ghost Hunt. I would, of course, borrow the characters for a non-profiting fanfiction and mess around with their lives. That I can do. So enjoy the story.

Chapter 9 – When Lines Are Crossed

Shinju was sleeping again, and Mai sat on her bed, thinking deeply. They were back in her life, knew about her child, knew what happened, and they didn't hate her. Well, Ayako and Bou-san didn't, anyways. She was thinking Naru didn't either, by his strange behavior during the interview and the brief touch in the hall. But with him... one could never be certain. He was calling her by her family name, not like he used to do with calling her Mai.

"Hmm... Ouraka-san is taking this very well..." Mai mused aloud. A soft knock sounded on her door.

"Mai-chan?" And speaking of Megumi, she was waiting on the other side of the door.

"Come on in!" Mai answered, and the aging woman entered the room, looking around.

"It really is worse in here, isn't it?" Mai looked at the walls, and shrugged.

"Yeah, but hopefully the guys will figure this one out. They haven't failed before."

"I am still a little shocked about all of this." Mai felt guilt creep up in her chest. She must be a habitual liar or something, because she felt like she was incapable of telling the truth to anyone. She lied for a year about everything with her last job, and a year to Megumi about what that last job was.

"I'm sorry, Ouraka-san. I should have told you sooner, instead of in a crisis."

"You had your reasons; I probably wouldn't have believed you. So you say you've done this before, the 'ghost hunting'?"

Mai started telling stories of the jobs she had been on. How she got to work for Naru in the first place, and how startled she was to find out she had latent psychic abilities.

"I mean, I never had such things happen before, but every time I am in a place where spirits dwell, and I fall asleep, I know what happened, and how, and sometimes even who."

"Wow, that's amazing. So you knew you were being haunted before this happened?"

"Yes. I didn't do anything, because nothing had been happening. But when something did, I had to ask for help from the only people I knew and trusted to do it."

"Well, I guess I will have to start believing in this stuff, for apparently it's very real."

"Thank you for being so understanding and not getting rid of us when you found out."

"I would never do that! I know how hard you've had it before; I couldn't do that to you." Mai gave Megumi a brief hug, before looking at her watch.

"I need to run to the store and grab some groceries. I'll be back soon."

"Be safe."

Mai clutched Shinju, watching in disbelief as the spirit destroyed the aisle. Other customers were screaming, and a few were lying on the ground bleeding.

"Stop! Please! You're hurting them!" Mai shouted at the entity, but it was either unable to hear her, or it just ignored her, for it started moving cans off the shelf and hurling them around.

"Mai!" Mai turned around quickly, catching a glimpse of Takigawa.

"Bou-san!" He started chanting, and the spirit slowed, then soon the air spun slowly one last time, and everything drifted to the ground.

"Mai, are you alright?"

"Bou-san... I didn't know..."

"I know you didn't, but Naru suggested one of us come and get you, since Ouraka-san was worried because you were late."

"Thank you..." Mai started sobbing, and the monk pulled her into a hug, and let her. A siren sounded outside, and Mai and Takigawa made their way out of the store, groceries forgotten, and Shinju wide awake, silently watching the people around her.

"Alright, from now on, Taniyama-san is not allowed to go out by herself. I want someone guarding her at all hours, just in case something like this happens again. Does everyone agree?"

Mai nodded, as did Ayako and Takigawa. Ouraka-san nodded also, clutching Mai's hand tightly.

"Then everyone can resume their duties."

Mai headed to her room, feeling anxious about leaving Shinju by herself in there. She hurriedly checked the now sleeping baby, and sighed in relief.

"Mother's instincts kicking in?" Mai spun around, and Naru was behind her, looking at Shinju.

"Anxiety. I have been like this since I had her."

"People say it goes away after a while."

Mai nodded, brushing a hand against her daughter's cheek. Naru's hand reached out, and lightly touched Shinju, while mostly covering Mai's hand.

Mai blushed, and Naru rested his head against hers.

"I... I was afraid..." Naru whispered, and Mai looked at him startled.

"Why?"

"I thought... you had left again. Because we were here."

Mai was speechless. Was she dreaming? Naru was never like this when she was awake.

"Mai?" Mai took a deep, calming breath, and decided that if Naru was going to be so open, then she was too.

"When all that was happening at the store, I was waiting for you to show up and save us."

Naru didn't say anything for a few long moments, but finally, he leaned into her, and whispered softly.

"I will always come."

Mai jumped when a loud cry sounded from the small crib. Mai quickly picked up Shinju, and rocked her softly, cooing and hushing. Naru moved to the desk, and took a seat.

"So do you have any idea why I'm being haunted?" Mai asked, and Naru tilted his head.

"I believe it has to do with Shinju. If not, you would have had trouble a long time ago. But I don't understand why it didn't start while you were still carrying her."

"Maybe because I was pregnant with her? She didn't want to hurt an unborn infant?"

"Maybe. I am going to call in Hara-san to stay with you. I know you two got along well before you left, and now I know why, but I think it would be good to have her here, along with protection for you."

"I have a question..."

"Yes?" Mai took a deep breath, then asked.

"Why? Why are you being so... open and friendly with me, instead of what I remember?"

Naru stood up, and headed to the door. Mai's heart plummeted, but shot back up when Naru's voice said, "I lost you once; I refuse to lose you again."

-To Be Continued-