Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt
Chapter 7: Trickery of the Mind
Naru Pov
(Three Weeks ago.)
Dream:
"Naru!" I heard a Mai scream from the first floor of our small home the Treehouse.
"Yes?" I called out while I comb Ayame's brown hair to the side, to make her look cute.
"Can you come down here for a second," Mai said as I look down at my daughter and she rose her small head up.
"Let's see what Mama wants," I said to her. She bounces and turns to climb up to me, wrapping her small arms around me. I couldn't help but chuckle and place my arm under her to bounce her up and place my free hand on her very small back.
"You're like your mother, so clingy," I teased, making her giggle placing her small head on my shoulder and closing her eyes.
I jump down to see Mai and Gene, but she looks very concerned as Gene was in her bosom. She lifts her gaze and gave me a pleading look of concern. Alert bells rang in my head
"Naru!" her voice is strained and on the verge of tears and without hesitation as I rushed to her.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I bend in front of her.
"Gene, I don't know what's wrong with him," she said as I look down at my son, but instead of seeing Gene, I saw a dark shadow that she was holding instead of our son.
"Mai, that's not Gene," I told her feeling our hearts clenched with horror. Mai looks down and her eyes narrow, she lets go of that thing, and instead of falling to the ground the black shadow flew out from Mai's hands and even Aya disappeared from my arms. Mai and I look at the situation just horror-struck.
"My babies? Where's my babies?" she asks concerned as though a ball formed in her throat, as I pulled her into my embrace and we both stood up.
This isn't real, no, this is like a nightmare.
We look around the room to see the shadows in circle around us accompany by an eerie laughter that echoes around our room.
"Are those the creatures from the Black Lagoon? I thought they had left us alone." Mai murmured, looking at me to confirm her thoughts. I held her closer to me. The aura got heavier, almost to the point that it tightens my chest hard to breathe.
"I don't think they are, it feels sinister," I replied, when the shadows stopped circling and form in front of us into my older brother Gene and Shibuya, both have dark auras surrounding them with glowing red eyes staring at us, almost amused. Another dark figure appears next to them, it was the lady from the asylum and that mystery man.
What's going on? Why is Gene looking like that? This isn't right. I felt Mai take hold of my hand, making me look at her. She raised her hand and using the back of her hand she pressed it against my cheek.
"Trickery of the mind," she tips her toes up and presses her soft warm lips on mine, giving me a profound kiss, leaving me aching for more. Slowly steps back, pressing her hands on my chest as pain is written in her eyes, not wanting to do this.
I was in shock not sure how to react to this.
I blinked watching her take a step back, licking her lips, and sadness overshadows her. The same aura began to consume her body while her brown eyes that I love so much began to turn red as the rest of everyone.
No, she too? What's going on? This has to be a nightmare.
My heart felt like that is been ripped, as I stretched out my hand to reach out for her, but she shook her head as the man wraps his hands around my wife's neck and chuckled.
"She's mine!"
"No, MAI!"
….
...
I sat up, heaving hard covered with sweat, running my fingers through my damp hair.
Stupid nightmare, what does it mean?
"Again?" Gene asks as he came up to me to hand me a cup of hot tea that he must have prepared while I was sleeping. I lift my gaze and shook my head.
"Again," I admit beginning to drink the tea that he prepared for me.
"This is the seventh nightmare, Noll, in a week," he said as I lowered the cup to stare at my older brother.
It's almost been a week since I awoke and began my search for Mai, I know she's close, at times I feel like if I reach out my hand I can almost reach out for her. It's driving me nuts.
"Have you heard anything about Shibuya?" I question him ignoring his thoughts. Since I awoke he hasn't been around but I do remember him when I first got here. Gene looks a bit hesitant but shook his head.
"I see," I simply said and stood after I handed him the half-drunk tea. Gene frowns looking at it, not liking the fact that I haven't been eating or drinking my teas as I should. How am I supposed to if Mai is out there all alone?
"I think today we should take a break Naru, you're hurt and Tempus won't let you transport towards her, you'll continue to be pushed back," he said to me.
"Tempus met the wrong person to mess with." I simply told him as began my now daily routine, getting ready to search for Mai.
I was in the living room of this strange home, which Gene never clarified what it was. He simply said is a refuge that Mai and I can use for the time being, which I was grateful for.
The living room has a similarity to the Treehouse's first floor, a simple space, there's no furniture, but the walls are painted white, three chairs against the wall and a wooden front door on the far right. Two large windows on each side of the door.
Strange that this place has a kitchen with food and upstairs one bedroom and bathroom.
"Noll, please listen to me," Gene goes up to me, but I shook my head.
"I'm done listening to you, everything you suggested doesn't work. I'm doing this my way." I simply told him. Gene sighs, shaking his head.
"Why are you so stubborn, I know what I speak of, I've been here way longer than you, and Tempus is doing this to mess with you, please think clearly Noll." he pleads with me.
I don't spare a look at my brother and continue to head for the door.
"Oliver Davis!" Gene calls out my name causing me to stop a few feet away from the door and I turned to face him. A dark aura began to form around my brother's soul as his eyes flashed red for a brief second.
"If you keep this up you will die," he stated.
Gene, I know you're worried about me, so I am, but please understand me.
This is another problem, I'm losing my brother and I'm very worried about him. Right now I can't function well since I don't have Mai with me. Maybe my dreams are a warning if we don't fix this I may lose everyone. But if Mai turns to one of them, I know without a shadow of a doubt, I will join her if I fail to get her back.
"It's better than just sitting back and doing nothing, she's mines and no one will have her, not even Tempus."
…..
…
...
Ten days without Mai and I'm going bonkers, the days seem to drag, and the place around me is the same, it felt like I've been going in circles and Gene has been staying back at the house, while I search.
The worse part I keep hallucinating, seeing her in places, every time I wanted to get close she will disappear and my nightmares are getting worse, it keeps repeating, but last night was the worse one yet, she told me she didn't love me.
I felt my body being pulled back and landed painfully on the ground. Grunting, I place my palms flatly on the wooden floor and slowly stood up as I see a pair of legs in front of me. I rose my gaze to see Gene cross arms arching a brow.
"Wow, the hundredth time in ten days, impressive," he said as I arched a brow. Slowly I made myself stand shaking off my dizzy spell.
"Didn't know you kept count," I grunted watching him roll his eyes at me.
"Noll, you're so stubborn, I feel like a scratch record, Tempus won't let you get to her. It's been two weeks," he said.
I turned to head for the stairs that is against the wall on my left side in the living room and began to make my way towards the room when Gene appear in front of me. I stopped walking and lift my gaze.
"Let's have a long chat," he said to me.
"Does it look like I'm in the mood to bond with you right now Gene?"
" Here you have your big brother from the dead living with you and you don't want to chat with me? Noll, I know you love Mai with everything you have, but she's going to be okay. Please let's have a chat at least for five minutes. You need to clarify your head." he pleads to me.
"You know better than anyone the hell we went through, without Mai even a second is like my heart is being chopped into pieces. I'm going bonkers that I'm getting nightmares. All I can think is that someone is harming her. I'm not there to protect her. She is my life, I can't live or function without her." I simply said to him.
Gene frowns, but then disappears from my sight as I sigh shaking my head.
I'm sorry Gene, I just can't do it, my brain and heart aren't here at the moment.
I look at my hands and they were shaking so much that I collapse them, trying to find myself to calm down, but I wanted to cry so bad, I miss Mai that I can literally feel myself dying.
I licked my lips and press my shaky hand on my chest to feel Mai's heartbeat, the only thing that is keeping me somewhat sane. She's been awake for so long now, but she's scared and confused. I can hear her call out to me, but I can't do anything. To get to her, it's making me depressed.
"I'm a mess."
…..
…
...
Two days later I haven't seen Gene, and I was nowhere near finding Mai. My memories are becoming a blur at the same time as my nightmares, I'm beginning to miss what a dreamless night feels like.
"What are you doing?" Gene questions me watching me look around my surroundings from the top of the roof of the house. We both stood on the edge of the roof with crossed arms, feeling the soft breeze pass through me.
"Mapping out the place in my head," I told him, turning to look at him, and I couldn't help but feel a relief seeing my brother again.
I missed him, I hope I wasn't too harsh on him two nights ago.
"Interesting, if you want a map, here," He extends his hand and a map appears in his hand, it's rolled up like a scroll and is yellowish. I turn to look at him.
"You give me this now?" Gene shrugs at me, handing the map to me.
"You didn't want to talk to me, nor did you ask, you are very stubborn Noll," he asks. I sat down on the edge of the roof and slump my shoulders feeling worse for that.
"Gene, I apologies for two days ago, I know is out of character of me, but…." I felt shame as Gene sits with me and place his cold hand on my shoulder making me shiver.
"Noll, I understand you're human and I realized I asked the wrong time, bad timing if you will. I know your character too well, I should have known. Also, I was meaning to tell you I can smell death on you," he simply said making me turn to look at him and arched a brow.
"Is that obvious?" I wasn't even surprised, I don't even know how to feel at this moment but he was right, I can feel myself dying without Mai next to me. Gene nods slowly and lowers his hand to look out at the forest.
"You are reeking of death as the days continue to go. You're lovesick, and since your love for Mai is profound is killing you every second you're not with her," he explains.
"Does that mean Mai is feeling the same? I can feel her, she so uneasy and confused. I can hear her call out for me, but every time I try to go to her, I get sent back." I felt pissed by this situation.
"Trickery of the mind," Gene suddenly said capturing my attention.
"Trickery of the mind?" I question him. Gene crosses his arms in front of his chest and nods at me.
"Tempus is good at messing with humans and turns good souls into evil souls. The reason you two returned wasn't that you two had to separate, that was Lin's Shiki's fault after that ghost attacked you both. It wasn't supposed to happen." I stare at my brother letting his explanation sink in.
"I see, we were supposed to arrive here together,"
"Exactly and not that way either, even Shibuya prepare a welcome present for Mai, well that went south." He mumbles the last part.
That's nice of him, I am sure I'm not sure what to feel about it being here, it's been an endless nightmare.
"I'm sure Mai will love it. So what you mention, is Tempus is turning you evil? Hence the dark aura and red eyes?" It wasn't even a question more like a statement. Gene gasps in a sarcastic way covering his mouth.
"You took notice?" I rolled my eyes at him.
"Gene, I'm going mad for my wife not being here with me, but I'm not that blinded enough for not picking up things," I told him, feeling sad by this. Gene lowers his hand and shrugs his shoulders.
"Well I'm impressed, I thought it was only Mai in your head that you have forgotten about your little ol big brother."
I felt a twig of annoyance as I look at him with a cold look.
"You sure are milking it aren't you?" making Gene chuckles, but presses his hand on his chest and pretends to be hurt. I rolled my eyes at him this time, but then took a big breath to look up at the night sky.
"You are in my heart as well Gene, you're my big brother, and nothing will change that, you're dear to me. Yet, I'm sorry to break it to you, but you're dead, and I finally got around to accepting it, and is all thanks to Mai. It took me years Gene, years. I still grieve your loss because it will never be okay with me the way you died, and I low-key still blame myself. Mai knows this so she helps me, you have no idea how much she helps deal with your death. Is like she knows how I feel since I can't express myself as I wish I could. I don't even know what the hell I did to deserve her." I admit, as I remember years ago when she was rubbing my back, and then lay half naked on my back and began to cry for me.
It's one of the most memorable memories, that has deeply penetrated my heart because it's the first time I truly understood how much she suffers for me when I'm in pain.
Mai is so sensitive, especially over me, how will she react when she learns that my brother is turning evil? It's tearing me apart already.
"Aren't you scared that I'm turning evil?" Gene interrupts my thoughts making me shake my head.
"No, if I was I would have left long ago Gene. You're my brother no matter what happens, I will save you and protect you. I won't make a second mistake. I promise Mai and I will save you." I assured him from the bottom of my heart. Gene let out a large grin and wraps his arms around me giving me a tight hug and making me blush.
"Gene?"
"I got the best little brother in the world, seriously Noll, thank you for not being afraid of me," he said seriously as he kept his arms around me. I pat his arm and nodded at him.
"I trust you no matter what Gene even if you go against us," I told him. Gene nods at me and lets go.
"Even if I stab you in the back?" Something in his tone made me rigid, but I kept my poker face on.
"Will it be your fault?" I question him, he shook his head as he look out the woods once again having this distant look.
"Sometimes I don't know if it's me or not, is like this darkness is too sweet to fight off," he explains to me.
"Then how can we stop it?" I question him. Gene turns to look at me.
"By breaking the curse, but we can slow it down," he said to me.
"Slow it down?" I questioned him. He nods smirking at me as his blue eye glint strangely.
"Gene?" I tilt back, feeling awkward about his sudden look.
"I know Mai hates this, but you two have to take a special trip," he explains. I arched a brow confused by his sudden words.
"Special trip?" I question him. He nods at me as he points behind me, I turned to see a large door standing on the side of the house.
"Door?"
"Take it as Ayame's last gift before she left, but I need Shibuya's help," he said, I turned to look at him as he has a hand lift his fingers positioned to snap his fingers.
"No, not again Gene," I growled at him.
"I'm glad we had this chat, now I'm more at ease. Noll, I am sorry, but this is the only way you can rest, you haven't slept for three days, and you look horrible. I don't want your wife killing me for not taking good care of her husband." he darkly joked and before I could say anything, he snaps his fingers and everything went dark on me.
…
…
...
My sanity was getting the best of me, it's been three weeks since Mai and I separated and the illusions have gotten stronger than ever.
After Gene made me sleep, I slept for two days, none stop and this time a dreamless sleep, until that nightmare somehow resurface waking me back to reality.
I sat on the edge of the bed looking over the map trying to pin out where I have been or not.
"Mai, I know you're around here, this is the strongest I can feel you," I whispered, looking at the far part of the map, which is quite a huge place, with lots of trees and a few bodies of ocean surrounding the place.
"You know," I heard behind me as I felt two soft hands capture the side of my head and tilt it back so I can see two brown ones looking down at me. I felt my heart jump as Mai smiles at me tenderly.
Again my imagination is running wild, Mai I miss you so much, I'm going crazy, yet this is the second closest thing I can have.
"What?" I question her making her giggle for some odd reason.
"You look horrible, you should take care of yourself even more," she said to me while squeezing my cheeks.
"I know, but you're out there, how can I be at peace without you? What if something horrible happens? It's been three weeks Mai, three hellish weeks without you." I felt tears gathering in the corner eyes, Mai's features turned so sad, and pressed her forehead against mine.
"My love, I've been calling out for you, I miss you so much, I'm dying without you. You're smart, think about what Tricery of the Mind means. Shibuya told me about it, but I can't figure it out, I feel like is important." She said to me.
I turned around to see Mai sitting on my bed, noticing that she was wearing not the clothes she changed into before coming here, but a white silky dress that reaches her knees, with straps, that shows a little cleavage. Her skin is pale, but her cheeks are so lovely pink, she almost looks like an angel taking my breath away.
"I have been hearing you Mai, I trying my best to get to you, but I keep getting sent back here." she slides her hand towards mine and grabs it, holding it gently while she sits up on her knees.
"You're dying, I can feel it, but my awake self can't comprehend it. I'm dying myself without you. If you can't get to me, find another way to get me. Naru, I can't wait for one more day,"
"Trickery of the mind?" I question her, but then my eyes narrow making Mai smile at me.
"You're my smart man, I knew you could come up with a way. I have to go, Shibuya is going to wake me up soon. Be aware, I won't remember this at all due to Tempus messing with my head. This is the only way I can contact you. Thank you for showing me how to dream share, I'm not far from you, I can feel you as well. I love you so much." She said, grabbing the hems of my shirt and pulling me forward to give me a soft kiss, which I didn't realize I missed so much, almost becoming desperate, snaking my arm around her small waist and pulling her to me. I slowly began to kiss her back almost feeling the taste of her lips, but it was too fast for my liking that she disappears.
"Noll?" I opened my eyes to see Gene looking at me worriedly. I was still sitting on the edge of the bed holding onto the map, and I haven't moved an inch.
Did I just dream shared with Mai while still awake? That's new.
Gene straightens after he saw me looking at him.
"I made lunch, um, where you speak to someone?" he asks looking around.
I was speaking out loud too?
"Today I'm getting Mai back," I told him ignoring his question. Gene raised a brow taken aback by my words.
"You keep saying that Noll, but it won't work," he said, but I shook my head.
"I've been doing it all wrong," I disappeared from Gene's sight, and instead of heading away from where I normally feel Mai.
I arrived in the middle of the woods, the trees felt eerie almost as though they were watching me.
Might as well get it out of the way, Mai can't wait any longer nor can I.
"TEMPUS!" I yelled so loud that it startled some of the birds that lay dormant in the trees to fly away. The winds began to pick up, and the sky began to turn dark as though it will rain at any point. My surroundings felt heavy making me smirk.
"Why go after a small petite girl? Are you afraid of someone bigger like me?" I growled, but nothing seem to change. Yet I can feel the atmosphere becoming thicker.
"Come on, I'm offering myself to you!" I tempt again when Gene appears next to me.
"Noll, what are you doing?" he takes a step forward, but the angry look I gave him made him stop in his tracks.
"Come on Tempus, I know you can hear me after all this is a trickery of the mind." I taunted again,
"Noll, please listen to your big brother, let's go, Shibuya is close now, I was meaning to tell you and…." but I wasn't listening.
"Fine, then the hard way," I growled as I lift my hand to feel my Pk overcoming me that I can feel my heart was now in overdrive, but I tried my best to hide it from Mai so she won't feel the strain since it's her heart. That light blue electricity began to overcome my hands.
"NO NOLL!" Gene calls out as I began to attack the trees, seeing my Pk rapidly consuming the trees and cracking them in half. I couldn't help but feel proud, as my anger continue to consume me. I continue aiming at everything around me, breaking and creating havoc.
"Why Tempus pushed me to my limit, it won't give me Mai back, then why should I be polite? Anyone that tries to take my Mai away from me will die by my hands." I growled almost in an evil way, causing Gene to look concerned.
The ground under me shook violently making me stop when we heard an inhuman howl echo all over.
"ENOUGH!" we heard a woman's voice on my right side.
I couldn't help but feel almost pleased by this. I turned not expecting to see what is in front of me. From the ground itself, a dead boar is summoned up, letting the dirt be shaken off. The boar was almost like a zombie, the dead skin peeling off, that I can see its bones, and it was twice or more triple it size of a normal boar, on top of it is a woman wearing a white dress, covered with blood, and its neck is bend back, that the head is just hanging, but it looks like it has no head if you face it straight on.
"EUGENE, why is your brother attacking my creatures?" her voice is almost demonic similar to that woman from the mirror that hurt Mai. I turned to see Gene bowing down at the thing.
"My apologies Tempus, I tried my best to keep him away, but my brother is very stubborn," he said to her. I tilted my head turning to face that horrid creature.
Tempus? So it manifests as a woman? What the hell?
"You know very well that humans are not allowed in my place. The reason I have spared your brother was because of your pleading. How can I let my little creature suffer? Yet this low life is destroying my creatures, is this the thanks I get?" she said with a cry and I can hear pure hatred towards
"Don't you see, I am saying thank you for not killing me and separating me from my wife!" I rose my hand and let my pk out, almost as though I had thunder, and mixing it with my other power, I continue to plow through the trees causing chunks of debris to fly all over and my pk aimed at the boar. My pk hits the side of the zombie boar, and he jerks up, almost knocking Tempus out of her seat.
They both let out a horrifying noise that echoed through the forest tenfold.
"Now you pissed off Tempus," Gene grabs my arm and we began to run down the path, feeling the grounds shake under us. That thing was after us.
"GENE!" we heard Shibuya's voice echoed the trees,
That's Shibuya, that means Mai is around, I need to get to her now.
I tried to jerk out of Gene's grip since he kept holding me, but Gene shook his head as we continue to run fast.
"No, you can't!" Gene scolds me, I ignored him and try to use my powers turned to see Gene looking at me with red glowing eyes, and summons a small knife and cuts me on the shoulder, making me shake in pain that I fell on my knee. I let out a grunt as he shakes his head. I look at Gene with wide eyes, as he looks at his hand and his eyes narrow.
"That makes sense now," I heard him whisper as I stare at him wide eye not believing what he just did.
"Gene?"
"Sorry, I got my reasons," he said to me as he lift his gaze to face Tempus.
"Good job!" I lift my gaze to see Tempus looking at me with her coal-soulless eyes smiling proudly at the actions that Gene did.
"Tempus, please spare my brother, he went a little mad,"
"Mad is an understatement," I grumble, slowly standing up trying hard to not think of the new pain in my shoulder. Tempus's smile grew as I can feel more blood oozing out from my new wound.
"It's only fair, and…." she went silent when she snaps her head towards the right side and a dark aura pass through her and an eerie smile pass through her lips.
"I see what's going on, no use in playing with you, I'll go and play with my mouse," before I could do anything she forces the boar to run down the path, making almost an earthquake, that I had to firmly hold myself as much as I could so I won't fall. Yet the speed of that thing was incredible, it was out of sight, leaving massive dust behind.
"BLOODY HELL GENE! I CAN'T KEEP IT UP! HURRY UP! TEMPUS RETURNED! SHE WANTS MAI!" Gene and I heard Shibuya scream and they were close by. Gene and I look at
each other.
"Shibuya! Mai is near," I said trying to get to her, but Gene snap his fingers, and the next thing I was laying down on top of the bed, unable to move. I look up to see Gene looking at me, his eyes flashed red, but I can tell he looks worried. I began to wiggle trying to somehow break away, but I couldn't.
"Gene, let me go, I need to get to Mai, she's in danger!" I demanded, but Gene shook his head as he removes my shirt to look over my wound.
"I will explain everything soon, please trust me, just keep still and take care of your wound, you'll be released in a few minutes." and with that, he disappeared.
As he said a few minutes, which felt like an eternity, I could move again, but I felt very weak that I barely could move, yet this agonizing pain shot through me, it was Mai, she was in pure distress that I had to take a hold of my chest trying to control my heart, that I let out gasp.
Naru please come to me. Please help me!
I heard Mai beg me for her help, as something dawned on me.
I broke whatever Tempus has on us if I can't get to her…. I never tried this before, only with my children, but they are so small so they aren't heavy. It should feel the same as that boulder when I hid the red piece of clothing and the rest of the paper.
I closed my eyes and I can feel our hearts beat at the same time, and the urge to get her back pulse in my veins using the last bits of my pk and my energy, I pulled Mai towards me, with every ounce aching for her. I let out a cynical laugh as I felt my body pulled back falling flat on the bed when I see Mai falling towards me letting out a loud yell. I move slightly and using my powers, I lessen the blow as she lands on me and lands on top of me making me huff.
I look at her almost in disbelief.
I let out a small chuckle, of course, Mai will land this way, this is after all her.
"Finally, but wasn't expecting you to come like that, you never cease to amaze me, Mai," I told her, not helping myself but tracing her curves, pushing her small body closer to me, to make sure she was not my imagination, or my dream. She's real, she is real and alive.
"I'm real," she said watching her close her eyes, leaning into my touches, knowing very well how much she loves it when I touch her like this. I couldn't help but feel our joined hearts race like two teenagers that just found out that we like each other, after feeling her hand press against my chest.
She's back, three weeks of hell and she's back.
"My love!" she screams with such joy, opening her eyes to see so much love and relief. I couldn't help but chuckle, feeling for the first time in three weeks pure joy.
I can live again, now I can face anything without going into madness.
…..
….
...
"That's about it what happen before you came to me," I explained to her as Mai sat on my lap, staring at me, she hasn't said a word while I told my story of what happened in the last three weeks.
After her shower, I got her dressed in a soft black gown, that has straps, showing her collarbone and some cleavage. The bottom of her nightgown reaches to her knees, but she looks so comfortable. It's similar to the daydream I had earlier today.
She ate the food I made her while I was explaining, and again she didn't interject at all.
I shivered when she traces her fingertips down my chest, her eyes just adoring me, but with unshed tears, since she was holding back.
She wants to cry, I can feel her pain.
"Mai, you can cry if you wish," I told her, but she shook her head, while I cup her cheek.
No?
Mai closes her eyes leaning into my touch, kissing my palm. Then pulls back and climbs down from my lap making me frown.
"Give me ten minutes," she said to me. I stare at her but nodded watching her run around the bed, but then stop as though she remembered something while she snaps her fingers and then returning to kiss my lips.
"Forgot about that." she giggles so delightfully, and I watch her leave. I took a breath as I heard Mai's steps going downstairs. I rubbed my bear arms, and look around to find my shirt, which I spot it across the room, but I didn't bother to put it back on.
I need to find new clothing, but Mai hurry up, please. I felt myself becoming anxious but took a breath as I pressed my hand on my lips, to feel her warm lips.
She's alive, she's alive and warm, next to me. I have found her, I broke whatever thing Tempus had us under. She just kissed me.
I was into my thoughts that I lost track of time. I didn't feel Mai sneaking behind me and covers my eyes with her soft hands and pulls my head back gently as I would do to her. I jump slightly as she leans forward and whispers.
"Guess who I am?" she said to me with a slight accent.
"Mai I don't do guessing games," I said, but I can feel her take out her tongue at me, but what catches me by surprise was a strange smell.
Flowers? Why does it smell like flowers?
"Humor me please." she teased, biting my earlobe in a teasing matter, but then kisses it, flirting with me.
"Um, I don't know, Mrs. Davis?" I tried. She lowers her hand and pouted at me even more when I turn my head to look at her, I took noticed her eyes are pure red and puffy.
Did she cry downstairs? My heart clenched at the sight and thought.
Did she want to be strong, for me?
"You're no fun," she pulls back making me turn and my eyes widen to see a few flowers, red tulips, and roses on top of the bed. I turn to see Mai's strap is down showing more skin, making my chest tighten but I cleared my throat.
"Flowers?" I arched a brow as she claps nodding, then turns to spin around and shows me a plate of fruits of cut-up mangoes and strawberries.
"I saw these in the fridge while you were cooking. It's mangoes, so I thought this can be our dessert," she said shyly.
"And the flowers?" I questioned.
"To make up for the days we have missed each other. I know this is weird, but I wanted to cheer you up. Did you know that the red roses mean passion and love and the red tulips mean true love, hope, and rolaty. Well, I hope so, I'm not that knowledge ball with flowers, but I should study it from now on. That's what I will do" She smiles tenderly looking over the flowers.
My heart was now hammering hard and Mai could feel it that she smiles shyly but couldn't contain her smile.
Shouldn't I be the one cheering her up? Mai, do you know how precious you are?
My heart was just melting as I stare at her, slowly inching myself towards her, falling deeper in love with her that it ached my heart so much.
Loving her is so worth it, everything I did was worth it, she's here with me. I missed you, I love you so deeply.
"Where did you get these flowers?" I question her. Mai rubs her hands nervously from the sudden question.
"Shibuya came to apologize to me when I went downstairs, and I asked him to bring me flowers, so he brought me these and told me the meanings. I thought it was perfect. He won't tell me much and he left after I asked him questions about this place. Naru, I want to help them, I don't want to lose them at all. I'm still mad at Gene for hurting you, but I'm sure he had his reasons, so for now let's be weary of them. We only have each other to trust. So I hope these flowers make you happy, is my gift to you." she said to me as I felt my heart about to explode as she picks up a strawberry and lifts it.
"Ah," she opens her mouth for me to do the same, so I did and she pushes the strawberry in. I began to chew, making her smile, wiping the juices that ran down my lips with her thumb and I watch her retreat, licking it off.
"Hmm, it tastes good," she looks adorable as she continues to feed me, and herself. I couldn't help but see her almost joyful bouncing with such delight, but I knew she was sad deep inside.
She is half happy, she must miss our babies so much, and be in such pain with the situation with Gene and her great-grandfather.
So I picked up a mango and rose it so she can eat it. She rose a brow confused, but I shyly nodded so she can get it. Her brown eyes brighten up more and opens her mouth and I pop on in.
"Is it good?" I question her, she suddenly smirks and leans forward and captures my lips, surprising me once again and I can taste the mango juices between our kiss. My eyebrows shot up, but couldn't help but kiss her back, loving this, hell even Mai was giggling between our kiss, loving every second of it.
"Good huh?" she giggles pulling back, and I just nodded like an idiot.
She's trying to kill me, gosh, don't pull away, I want to continue to kiss you.
"So, did you like the flowers? If not I can get something else, um... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it." she looks unsure as I look over the flowers. I picked it up and I felt her heart skip a beat.
"Anything you give me Mai is precious to me. Thank you, these are perfect." I simply said to her. Mai smiles sweetly, as she gets on her knees and I look up. She cups my cheeks and stares at my eyes.
"I'm overcome with so many emotions, I have so much to say, but right now all I can think at this moment is you're with me. That one more day without you, I would have died, now I'm at ease that the babies are safe, but I do miss them terribly, but I will be patient but it won't be easy, so I'm not a hundred percent happy, but I am over joy and alive being with you, and not only for today but for the rest of my life," she assured me.
"I feel the same," I admit to her, without our babies, we aren't complete, but knowing they are doing fine and they won't miss us so much, gives us a little peace.
Mai clears her throat.
"So mister, what you did back there was careless, you could have lost your life." she began to scold me. I blinked rapidly to think about what I did since I was too caught up in the moment, then it dawns on me.
Oh right that, I stirred up hell.
"I know, but I had no other choice, I..." I began when a smile pass her lips when she interrupts.
"But I can't help it find it attractive, not to inflate your ego Naru, but you're very scary when you want something. Yet I can't help but be more attracted to you, I don't know if you rubbed off on me, but I would have done the same, if you didn't do it. I would have burned down the forest to get back to you." she said seriously. I couldn't help but feel my chest fill with pride.
"I'm sorry about your brother, it must have been so hard on you, that explains why you acted that way with him earlier," she said, I nodded agreeing with her. I run my hand down her arm, tracing her warm arm, sliding down under her breasts. Mai leans into my touch once again I couldn't get enough of watching her.
"You're not mad at him?"
"Oh I'm heartbroken, but he's your brother, whatever you decide, I will support you. Naru, even if you are turning evil, I will break hell to get you back, so with Gene and Shibuya, I will do the same because they are our family. I do love Gene regardless since he's like a big brother to me as well." she said to me as I leaned closer to her slowly lifting myself on my knees and watching her tremble to press her hand on my chest half closing her eyes.
I incircle my arms around her small waist and pulled her into a warm hug, she snuggles smiling with contempt.
Does she know how much it means to me? That she's willing to help me? Even though I don't like that she uses love to describe her feelings for another man, I know what she means now. Her love for him is different from the love she has for me. Which is sacred and so much more profound than ever before.
"What if I turn evil?" I whispered while we part and she looks at me. I was breathless feeling Mai's chest rising unevenly, moving forward I couldn't help but give her small teasing kisses on her neck, making Mai bite her lower lip.
"Then I turn evil with you and we can die together if there' s no other way... To turn you back. Naru... " she said breathless as well.
I pull back watching her open her eyes, and I knew her eyes. I knew that look which made my chest tighten. aching for her even more.
She's driving me crazy, she wants me to make love to her.
"There's a bed," she suddenly said causing me to raise a brow now so confused by her random words, now my thoughts flew out of the window.
I thought she wanted me to make love to her. I was ready, hell with my wound, now she's tired? Well, we did go through a lot.
I felt disappointed by this.
"Yes, there's a bed, Mai." I nodded in agreement making Mai burst out laughing at my words.
"Naru you are so adorable. Listen to me carefully, there's a bed," she said slowly this time. I tilt my head confused.
"Woman I know there's a bed, I've been sleeping on it for the last three weeks, well... Not sleeping on it since I barely slept, but you know what I mean." I said. Mai instead of getting agitated, Mai pinched my cheeks gently.
"My silly Naru, sometimes you're so dense for a genius. I have to spell it out for you?" she said as I arched ab row.
"Apparently you do? What does it have to do with anything?" I question again as Mai burst out in giggles, making me chuckle because I have no bloody clue what it meant.
"We have a bed Naru," she said for the last time as her giggle subdue and her eyes becomes serious again places her hands on the hems of my pants and began to unbutton it. It finally clicked as realization dawned on me and it makes Mai smile.
"We have a bed," I said as she nods.
"Finally!" she giggles when I took hold of her hands to stop her.
"Naru?" she asks confused. I rose her hands and kissed the top of each one, as I simply said.
"This time Mai, let me show you how much I missed you, let me lose myself in you" I whispered causing her cheeks to turn so red as I felt myself turning shy.
"Me too, I want to get lost in you," she said so shyly.
I lowered her down after I got rid of the flowers and tray so she won't hurt herself and hovered over her.
Mai looks at me with such shyness but with a tender look of love like I was the only one in this world. It made me tremble for some odd reason and I love it. How come this feels so pure to us? We should have been used to it by now, but we aren't.
Maybe is because of Mai's innocence, she gives herself to me in such a way, that I even get scared that I will taint it, but at the same time, I can't help but treasure it, trying my best to please her and love her as she deserves.
"Mai," I whispered her name, grabbing her chin and lifting it, and run my thumb across her lips, she kisses it.
"Hmm?"
"I love you from the depth of my heart," I said with sincerity, making her tear up, while she says. Yet I can see such happiness.
I love that I can tell her now, and not be afraid of saying those precious words.
"I love you too Naru, I love you beyond anything in this world, even beyond my heart and soul." Making me the happiest man alive.
"And you know what?" Mai added, she suddenly burst out laughing causing me to arched a brow.
"What?" I question her.
"I think I'll miss making love on the floor," she made me burst out laughing as I lowered my head.
"Oh don't worry about that, I think I can make some arrangements," I winked after I lift my gaze and wink at her. She blushes hard and wraps her arms around me being careful not to hurt my wound.
"I can't wait," she whispers making me smile I lowered myself and press my lips on her soft ones, slowly kissing her, deepening the kiss, feeling her responding the same way, as she squeezes my arm, as our joined heart beat like crazy for each other feeling each other love.
Mai, Thank you for being in my life, I can't live without you.