A/N: I originally wrote a random author's note but I decided to get a bit serious.

Life happens. I'm REALLY sorry that I haven't been able to update frequently. I want to let you readers know that I DO work on this but when I have time. With work, SAT, and life it's hard to squeeze writing in there.

Disclaimer: I don't want a lawsuit so I don't own anything. (sad face)

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Theme: Driving

Pairing: Mai and Naru

The hand-and-eye coordination to play videogames was always beyond my abilities. So then why did I think I could drive a car?!

When I was sitting behind the wheel, I refrained from having a full-blown panic attack.

Always a good thing, right?

But what was causing the attack was not the idea of driving but the person who was my instructor.

"Turn the car on, Mai." Naru, my emotionless, asshole-of-a-boss, but handsome crush put the keys to the car in my hand. Was there a bit of hesitation when he let go?

"O-Ok." I tried my best to keep from revealing my nervousness but failed. I put the key into the ignition (of course, my hands were shaking so bad I had to try a couple times) and the car roared to life.

"Put it into drive and gently step on the gas." Naru emphasized the word 'gently' so much I thought he sounded a bit worried. I would have smirked if I wasn't about to take a step toward adulthood that I really didn't want to take.

I put the car into drive and slowly put my foot over the pedal. Then the worst possible thing happened.

"Hi, Mai!" The combination of Bou-san's yell and the 'thump' he made from hitting the driver's side window made me panic and slam on the gas. Naru and I lurched forward at an incredible speed.

"Brake!" Naru had to yell to be heard over my own screaming. My body moved of its own accord and stepped on the brake quickly. We came to a painfully short stop. Without a word, Naru leaned over and snatched the keys out of the ignition. I would have thanked him had I been able to breathe properly.

"Wow, Mai! You speed demon!" Bou-san ran to catch up. Luckily, Naru had chosen the perfect abandoned parking lot to practice; no one saw my embarrassing mistake. I jumped out of the car after I caught my breath and hounded on Bou-san.

"You idiot! You scared the crap out of me! If I died it would have been all your fault!" And I punched him in the gut. Now, normally, I'm a very nice person with a cheery disposition but he had pushed all the right (or wrong) buttons. He dropped to the ground, moaning about how he was going to die. I almost kicked him but Naru's voice made me stop.

"Tomorrow, Lin will be your instructor." And he walked, nearly staggered, away. I stared after him, wondering just how much I shook him up.

"I can teach you, Mai!" Bou-san perked up like a cat hearing a can opener.

"No. Way." I gave him my most chilling glare, daring him to disagree. His smile quickly deflated and he looked away and started to pout. If he thought that was going to make me change my mind, he had another thing coming. I simply walked away. Until he opened his big fat mouth and made a good point.

"Are you just going to leave this car here?" I stopped and turned back. I knew Naru would probably kill me if I lost his car or if it got stolen. Quickly I climbed back into the car and snatched the spare keys on the dashboard. Before I could lock the doors, the menace himself got into the passenger's side. I tried not to make my distress known as I restarted the car.

"Now, put the car in gear and step on the gas." Bou-san said in a surprisingly gentle tone. I obeyed and the car slid forward without a hitch.

"Try a turn. It doesn't matter where." He sat back, relaxed now that I had the car moving at a nice pace. I made a gentle turn, feeling the steering wheel in my hands turn with the car.

"Ok, now take us out on the street." He said suddenly and I felt my grip tighten.

"A-Are you sure?" I knew my voice sounded strained and I hope he knew that this was the first time I have ever driven.

"Trust me." He said and I made a face. Slowly I turned onto the street out and started to drive down the straight path.

"Make for the bat cave, Batgirl!" He yelled and pointed for dramatic effect. My eye twitched but nonetheless made the turn to take us to the office. I noticed a pedestrian walking down the sidewalk wearing all black.

"Hey, it's Naru!" I perked up. Bou-san made a face out the window as we passed him, and started laughing.

"The look on his face when he realized you were driving was priceless!" I grinned and couldn't wait to meet up with Naru at the office.

"Mai, too fast!" Bou-san yelled, panicked. I glanced at the speedometer and nearly choked on my own spit. I was doing 50… in a 35 m.p.h. zone.

"Help!" I squeaked. Bou-san opened the window.

"Hey, Naru, how do you stop this thing?!" He waved at Naru who started running to catch us.

"Bou-san!" I yelled and immediately took my foot off the accelerator. Slowly, we came back to a normal speed.

"Way to go, Mai! You figured it for yourself!" Bou-san tried to give me another hug but I have him another knuckle sandwich.

I pulled over and got out. Naru was at my side in an instant.

"What happened? How were you driving?" He asked, and I noticed he was looking all over me. Looking for injuries perhaps?

"Bou-san told me what to do. But he didn't tell me how to stop." I shot another glare at the hunched over man still in the car.

"That was stupid. You should learn with someone a lot more experienced." Naru took my wrist and led me away as though the car was going to explode at any second. I subtly slid my wrist up and took his hand. If he noticed, he didn't show it.

"If I'm to learn from someone experienced, then why were you going to teach me? I didn't know you had your licenses." I pointed out. He barely glanced back.

"I don't. But I know how to drive." He stated and I nearly fell. What a hypocrite! I rolled my eyes as he led me into a small coffee shop. He sat me down and ordered two cups of tea.

"I just want you to stay safe." If I hadn't been leaning forward for a napkin, I might not have heard what Naru said.

"Really? That's so nice, Naru!" I smiled and placed the napkin in front of me.

"…" If I hadn't been watching carefully I would have never seen the blush either. I tried not to let him know I'd seen so I looked away. And gasped.

Bou-san was lying on the ground tied up with some thick-looking rope. Our car was nowhere to be seen.

Naru turned and just sighed.

"That's all you going to do?" I squealed and made distressed sounds until Naru put a hand on my arm and sat me down again. I stared at him with my mouth hanging open in what had to be an unfashionable manor.

"It was an old car. And not mine." He said as though that made it all right. I relaxed a little and then raised an eyebrow at Bou-san, still lying in the road.

"And him…?"

"Leave him."

"Excellent idea." I smiled and we had our tea.