Shellsan: Soooo here's an update finally. I'm doing 7 days of updates for the New Year and while I intended for this to be longer, I've run out of time for January 1st. Please enjoy.

Counter: Day 1

Ignoring the comment, Naru began walking downstairs again, dragging Mai along with him.

Wobbling slightly at the sudden movement, the brunette struggled to keep her balance as she was dragged along. "O-oi Naru! Slow down or I'm going to fall again." She accused.

He barely glanced back to check on Mai as he continued at the same pace he was already going at, causing Mai to squeak when they came to a sudden stop at the bottom of the steps and he let go of her wrist.

The warmth he had offered her was immediately missed. Despite this however, she tried to act like nothing had happened. She had promised herself before they left that she wouldn't get caught up in him again. This was just business. She'd only be with Naru temporarily and then she'd be starting school. Yasu and she already had their sleeping arrangements sorted out as part of the scholarship program.

Getting lost in her thoughts about her future of being a real student in parapsychology, she didn't notice the looks that Naru was giving her from beside her.

It was an odd feeling, being forced to eat lunch again. It'd been such a long time but it felt like just yesterday that he was being told that Mai had made something for himself and Lin to eat when she got back from work. Mai had always been like that, making him do things that he never used to do. Not even Gene used to make him eat lunch on a regular basis.

But somehow this single brunette had managed to turn his life upside down in just a short amount of time.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he came to a stop in front of another set of French door. "Mai." He called out suddenly, immediately forcing her back into the land of the living with his serious tone.

"What is it Naru?" She asked, tilting her head in confusion. Had she done something wrong again?

The genius hesitated for a moment before steeling himself. "I know he's going to be your professor, but try not to tell him too much about your abilities." He warned her.

Before she could ask questions about any of his proclamation, he swung the doors open and walked into the room, leaving a confused brunette behind, until he turned around and smirked at her.

"You going to stand there all day or are you too busy admiring me?" He teased.

Despite his words though, he hoped that at the very least she would remember his words through her anger. It wouldn't do for anyone else to hear about the things that she can do. It wasn't safe – even in the Davis' mansion. He knew that there was more to everything that she'd told them but he couldn't –wouldn't- ask any more while they were where prying ears could learn about the full extent of her current abilities.

Glaring at him, she refused to answer him, instead grinning at the occupants in the room.

"Mai! So you decided to join us after all." Luella joked, winking at her.

The brunette promptly flushed at her comment, remembering that the elder woman had been in the room when she had told Naru off.

"Come, sit down." She insisted, motioning for her to take a seat in the chairs across from her and Madoka.

Mai was a little wary as she moved to take a seat with everyone else. For a moment it seemed like Naru was going to bail but a look from the brunette had him sitting down next to her.

Almost immediately, he was given looks from most of the table. Luella and Madoka were giggling like children and from the head of the table you could see Martin looking confused but otherwise pleased with the situation.

"Mai, it's wonderful you decided to join us for lunch. There were so many things that I wanted to discuss with you." He proclaimed. It was odd to see the elder man so excited and it caused Mai to flush in embarrassment.

Before she could reply to his comment, Luella cut in from across from her. "Remember the rules, dear. No work talk at the table." She requested. Even if her tone was polite, Mai could easily tell that it wasn't her asking, she was making sure they understood how things worked.

It looked like her husband would argue for a moment before he sighed and nodded. "Of course. We'll continue this conversation later." He offered.

Unable to say anything against the suggestion, she chose to nod instead.

Happy with how things had turned out, Luella smiled at them all. "Help yourselves. There's plenty of food to choose from." Her hand gestured to the table in front of them to prove her point. Many foods covered it and Mai couldn't help but feel a little excited. Being an orphan living alone and working to make a living from a young age meant that she didn't often get to eat something as amazing as how the food on the table looked.

Sensing her hesitation, Naru made a show of grabbing a sandwich from the table. The genius swore that he wasn't doing it for anyone else but that he was just hungry.

Even so, Mai took the hint and began grabbing a little of everything from the table, eager to try the new food.

Madoka giggled, watching the two of them carefully and nudging Luella and Yasu sitting on either side of her and nodding her head towards where Naru was keeping an eye on Mai out of the corner of his eye while nibbling on the ham and cheese sandwich in his hand.

Yasu smirked. "Well since we can't talk business, how about we just talk. I'm curious to see what Big Boss has been doing after he left."

Grinning, Madoka shot Naru a sly look. "From what I remember he spent the entire time sulking after he got back." She teased thoughtfully. "He barely left his office and he didn't take many cases at all."

Bou-san chuckled. "I can imagine why. I really am the best man to be around to lighten up the fun." He proclaimed proudly causing Ayako to turn her head to the side, scoffing.

Turning his head to look at her, the monk tried to look as though he was offended but it looked more like he was expecting that reaction. Before he could say anymore Yasu cut him off.

"Don't insult my dearest. How can I ever expect him to lighten my mood on the darkest of days if you put out the flame that lights his entire being like the warm sun on a cold winter's day?" He announced, his arms spread dramatically as he looked pointedly at Takigawa, facial features giving nothing away.

Sitting next to the Monk meant that Naru was very close to the man when he decided to hide away from the declarations of the other. He winced when they decided to have an all-out 'lovers quarrel' sighing in relief when Ayako took it upon herself to hit her fiancé on the head and kick Yasu under the table extremely hard.

With those two quietened down – if only temporary – the sound of laughter rang clear around the room, Mai beaming at her family. It was… nice, being back with the whole gang. When Naru had decided to leave it had been like they were ripping apart the family she'd worked so hard to rebuild over the time they spent together. It was a horrible experience that she never wanted to repeat.

Noticing her expression going a little sombre from where he was discreetly watching Mai to make sure that she did in fact eat, he couldn't help but wonder what could be causing her to react like that. What was the brunette girl thinking of that had her so solemn.

He could almost hear Gene in the background asking him why he cared.

A long time ago, he would have asked himself the same question. But he was past the point of denial. To say that he cared for Mai Taniyama would be an understatement but it was as far as he was willing to allow her into his life at this stage – if he had really had a choice in the first place.

The way that everything seemed to be falling into place for their group of oddities was almost like someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Shaking away his thoughts, the teen finished what he was eating and began to stand up just as Lin did, ever the silent one. They shared a look of understanding before they were heading towards the door – neither wanting to get caught up in anymore of the shenanigans of their old co-workers.

Looking up at the other boys, Martin also took this as his chance to get out of the lunch. "I'm afraid I have something to speak with you two. Can you spare a moment?" He inquired, directing his question at Lin and Naru.

Nodding their consent, the two waited for a moment for Martin to kiss his wife on the cheek to appease her obvious distaste at him leaving so early into lunch, before they all headed out.

From where they were still seated at the table, Yasu couldn't help but smirk at the disappearing backs.

"I wonder what important and manly things those three are going to discuss…" He joked thoughtfully. "

John chuckled quietly. "Now now, don't make fun of them for wanting to talk business." The priest tried to insist.

Madoka couldn't help but scoff. "I'm sure that there are plenty of important things those three have to talk about. But nothing stressing enough that they'd skip the better half of lunch. They're definitely running away." She disagreed with a smile.

Sighing, Mai finished off the last of her food and grinned sweetly at Luella. "I'm sorry to be a bother but can you direct me to the kitchen?" She requested politely.

Luella looked across at her, a little surprised. "There's no need for that dear. If you need something one of the maids would be happy to grab you it." She informed the brunette.

Still smiling, the petite girl shook her head. "No, no. That's quite alright." She disagreed immediately. There was no way she could let a maid do something that she was perfectly capable to doing herself. Not to mention it was doubtful that a maid could pull off what she wanted to.

Seeing Mai's hesitation, Madoka quickly tried to soothe Mai's worries. "The maids are here to help. You really don't have to do anything that isn't necessary." She tried to convince her. If there was one thing that the she had learnt over the period of time she had known the brunette it was that she was stubborn. Stubborn, to a point where she took everything upon herself. The pink haired woman just wanted to see her relax.

Masako seemed to have the same idea. "Why don't you just enjoy the beauty treatment while it's available to you? It's not like you'll ever get the chance again." The medium sneered slightly in an attempt to agitate the girl enough for her to forget about going to the kitchen.

Sadly Mai was determined to complete what she needed to get done and refused to let the doll like girls words bother her.

"Please. I promise I won't ruin anything."

Still a little against the idea, Luella went to object again but Yasu cut in. "If you don't mind my saying so, I really would appreciate it if you could allow us the use of your kitchen. There are a few tests I was eager to attempt before we left Japan for England that I've yet to have the chance to try out. We'll clean up any mess we make and we'll try not to break anything." He swore.

Noticing that this was a losing battle, Luella finally agreed. "Alright. If you go out that door over there and walk to the end of the hallway, on the right is the kitchen." She directed, motioning to a singular oak door that was in the corner of the room that Mai hadn't noticed earlier.

Bowing gratefully before she could stop herself, the brunette was already out of the room before anyone could ask her what she was going to be doing in the kitchen. Especially since Yasu wasn't with her at the time so she couldn't be working on an experiment – could she?

Ayako gave Yasu and confused look. "What was that all about?" She demanded. What was going on that Mai hadn't told her about?

Shrugging, Yasu turned back to the food on his plate. "Don't worry about it."

Bou-san didn't look too convinced but he let it go anyways.