A/N: SO, SO, SO sorry for the wait! I have been all kinds of busy! I also have been distracted with Naruto stories that keep dancing around in my head that I have to write or else I will die! My plot bunnies must be at war or something...maybe it is breeding season...

Anyway! Here is the next part! I hope to get more written when I have time so that I can be ahead!!

Naru let the thought go; it was no use thinking of it now since he really didn't have much control over it anyway. It would be a waste to dwell upon it. More importantly, lunch had ended and they were now preparing to regroup and venture out into the inn once more.

John, Lin, and Hara-san had already left the room to go make rounds of their own while Ayako and Bou-san fussed over where and what they should do.

"If all you are going to do is argue" Naru started from where he sat, "then do it elsewhere." He fixed them with a glare that clearly stated he was not amused with their antics.

"Fine, fine. We are heading out too. Let us know if anything happens." Bou-san said while tugging Ayako out the door with him.

"Will do." Naru responded gruffly. He was not in the mood to deal with the two and was more than glad to see them finally gone. Now, he could focus on his next task which was currently sitting on the couch not far from him.

Mai was mildly annoyed that Naru had ended her entertainment. Bou-san was in rare form, flirting and teasing Ayako much more than usual. Mai suspected he was close to making some decision on his 'target' or something along those lines. In Mai's opinion, he should just buckle down and say his feelings. Mai knew Ayako secretly liked all the teasing and arguing…which probably meant she liked the man himself as well.

Mai smiled to herself as she saw them leave the room hand in hand. At least someone's relationship was turning out to be alright, or so it seemed…which was better than what she could say for her own relationship. Could she even call it that? Mai was not so sure. Yes, she loved Naru. Yes, she wanted to be with him…but was this ambiguous limbo what she wanted?

'No…' a voice in the back of her head answered her question. She glanced down at the ring still adorning her finger; it felt like a lie in so many ways…it wasn't fair…

-x-

"Mai." Naru's voice pulled her from her thoughts and she turned to look at him moving closer to her.

"Hrm?" She watched as he took a seat across from her, his face a mystery of emotions. What in the world was going through his mind to look like that?

"Is there anything more you can tell me about this place?" He asked carefully, the last thing he needed was Mai to flip out over his scrutiny so he decided it would be best to ease into the conversation. "As you said before, we are essentially right where we started…"

Mai's features darkened. 'So, this is what he was thinking about. I should have known…' she thought to herself absently. "I don't like it here, if that is what you are getting at." She looked away. "Everything I am is telling me to get the hell out of here…"

"Ma-" Naru spoke but was cut off.

"I am sure you have come to the same conclusion…which is probably why you have been giving me that strange look of yours this whole time; we need more…more to go on, more information. You know as well as I do, the best way to do that is for me to dream…"

"I know." Naru answered truthfully.

"So, what's the problem?" Mai tilted her head curiously at Naru. He was acting strangely. Usually he would just tell her to go sleep, or tell her not to fully understanding that she would anyway. But this time, why did he seem so hesitant?

"I don't want you to dream, Mai." He tried speaking strongly but it came out much weaker than he had intended. He watched as her eyes widened ever so slightly. Was she really that surprised? Why would anyone want to see the person they loved get hurt?

"I don't understand…" Mai was truly confused. Was he actually putting her well being before the case!? But the case…they needed more information. If not…Naru could get hurt…or the others…

"What's there to understand? You got hurt…last time…" he trailed off as he was still getting that look. Naru sighed, he didn't particularly want to voice it out loud but it seemed Mai would not get it otherwise. "As I have said before, though on rare occasion…I love you and I don't want to see you hurt, therefore I don't want you to dream. It could be dangerous."

"I love you too, Naru." Mai voiced without missing a beat, her expression barely changing. Naru was stunned to say the least. How could she…?

Mai sighed as well, preparing herself for her response. "I don't want to see you hurt either. If I can help solve this case, then no matter what it takes I am willing to help you. It will be dangerous if we don't figure out what's going on." She couldn't stand the thought of Naru or the others getting hurt when she knew that she could have done something to prevent it.

"Like last time!?" Naru snapped angrily. "You barely made it back from that! And for what? For our sakes…for my sake! To protect us…me! Are you willing to go that far again?! I don't ever want you to do that for me again!"

"But Nar-"

"No." He snapped again. "Can't you see how important you are to me?! I don't want to loose you again…ever!"

Mai was about to speak when a glint caught her eye and grabbed her attention; her wedding band. Maybe he wasn't as laidback with the idea as she assumed. Maybe he really did…

-x-

Unfortunately, Naru was stubborn, arrogant, and full of pride. It would be hard for him to conceive that love was a two way street. It was an equal commitment requiring careful consideration of both people involved. It rather surprised Mai that she was able to get such a sharp and obviously very emotional response out of Naru, it was very unlike him.

It seemed no matter what was tossed at him, Naru remained calm and collected. But now he seemed very much his age. Full of worry and concern…and full of irrational thoughts, Mai wondered if she had really caused such a change in him. Had her actions from last time really affected him that deeply?

'Oh course they did…he loves you with everything he has…that finally made him realize it…it won't be something soon forgotten…'

Mai tilted her head at the words that filtered through her mind. That was probably true…she could not deny the fact that they loved each other. They had been through so much and had come so far…but that small fact still remained…even though progress seemed to be a little rough and shaky…it would not be forgotten; those feelings of love.

"I-I'm sorry…" Mai said hesitantly and softly, averting her gaze. "I didn't mean to make you remember…that…it's just…" she trailed off deciding what she wanted to say. 'What do I really want to say to him? He won't listen to what I have to say anyway…'

"Just?" Naru said calmly having regained his composure. It was a deceptive calm though, since right below the surface the unspoken emotions still remained. Even if he listened, he knew that just voicing it would not deter Mai in the least. She was impulsive and acted on instinct rather than rational thought…

"I want you to see the 'me' standing before you now! I am not a doll or a piece of fine glass to be protected. You can't keep me in a cage and expect me to stay safe. I am a part of this team as much as I am your wife, so you better let me stay by you and be involved!" Mai concluded in a huff, fixing Naru with her best glare.

It took great effort not to laugh, though Naru would never let it show. 'So, that's how it is uh? Well, I can't really beat that now can I?' Naru mused to himself as he effortlessly moved close to Mai and kissed her softly on her un-expecting lips.

"Fine, but don't be too reckless. I can't really afford to find a new assistant now, it would be too troublesome." Naru smirked as he moved away from Mai and towards the monitors. She was flushed a bright red and her face was full of conflicting emotions, most of which Naru could easily name.

'How amusing' he thought as he let a smile grace his lips while his back was turned.

Mai was left standing there in disbelief. 'If he thinks he can solve everything and just end the conversation like….like…that! Then he is dead wrong! I am going to hit him…hard!' Mai told her self as she debated whether she wanted to be angry, embarrassed, or happy. Maybe she was a little bit of everything?

Mai didn't have much time to contemplate her situation, for at that moment John burst into the room in a panic.

"Matsuzaki-san collapsed!" The priest said in a rush.

"What!?" Mai voiced in equal concern. "W-what happened!?"

A/N: There you have it! Let me know what you think! I will try to get the next part out soon, since this was a cliff hanger! SORRY! I hope you all liked it! :)