JADE: Yay, I got to update! *dancing and jumping around excitedly*

MAI: It's about time! I thought this thing was never going to continue and I'd be stuck with stitches forever! Those things are really annoying and painful you know!

JADE: Oh shut it! I have been working my arse off at this new job lady! Unlike some people I know, I don't have the luxury of hanging out and doing whatever on the clock! *glares at Mai*

MAI: *gawks at Jade* EXCUSE ME FOR HAVING A MORE FUN JOB THAN YOU!

JADE: O.O *stops to think* Actually, you do have a rather exciting job, and one that you tend to get hurt at a lot, and you also have to witness some freaky stuff, so I guess I can't really say anything…Hmmm…

MAI: What now? *victorious look on face*

JADE: Well I was just thinking about how much better my job really is considering I get to be in a safe environment AND have set hours *shrugs*

MAI: *jaw drops open* W-well…

JADE: Can't come back with anything huh? Cuz you know I'm right! *smirks*

MAI: *slaps forehead* Are you really Jade? Or did Naru like possess you or something?

JADE: *smiles evilly* Wouldn't you like to know!

MAI: Wha-? O.O

JADE: Read on everyone! Love ya!

"Naru, I said to take this, now do it or I will tell Lin about your little injury, and then you know what will happen!" Mai threatened, shoving an ice pack into his hands. She told Ayako what happened to Naru and the doctor/priestess insisted he let her check him out. He had refused until Mai moved to get Lin, and then succumbed to Ms. Matsuzaki's prodding and probing.

"Mai, do you honestly believe that is going to bother me? You know that I can refuse and Lin will not be able to do anything about it," he replied coolly, placing the ice pack on the table. He then turned to the monitors and sat down, about to start reviewing what they had so far.

Mai huffed and turned to stalk out of the room, but paused in the doorway. She turned slightly so that she saw Naru's figure out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm going to bed now," she began, and when he didn't move or acknowledge her, she sighed. "Goodnight, Naru. I'll try not to drag you in any more of my crazy dreams," she whispered before leaving. She missed Naru's glaring at her before she left.

Mai was in the astral plane again, watching the orbs dance around her. She waited patiently, knowing what was coming, or rather, who was going to be there soon. She smiled ruefully as she saw Gene approach out of the darkness, a familiar smile on his face.

"What, no Noll this time? I thought for sure you'd bring him here," he said. She blushed and looked down, shaking her head.

"Nah, I didn't want to pester him with my problems anymore than I already have," she dropped the smirk as she looked at him, a frown forming on her lips and sadness in her eyes.

"You saw it, didn't you? What happened after you left?"

"I did. I'm sorry Mai. I couldn't tell you, even though I tried to. But every time I went to say something or pop up in your dreams, I was blocked from you." He looked at his feet, frowning too.

"Did I miss something?" a familiar voice said. Both of them turned to see Naru approaching, a puzzled look across his features. Gene smiled and Mai gawked.

"Looks like you didn't leave him behind after all Mai," Gene winked teasingly at the girl, making her bush again.

"I don't understand, Gene. Naru isn't a medium, like us, and so his powers couldn't possibly allow him to be here, right?" she questioned. Gene smiled widely and nodded again.

"You are correct, Mai. However, it's not his powers doing this, it's yours." Her eyes widened in shock and mild understanding.

"Okay, I think I get that, but I went to bed determined not to bring him this time, so what gives?" She looked clearly puzzled at this, and it made both Naru and Gene smirk. Mai giggled as she realized they looked exactly the same in that moment.

"Mai, are you really so dense?" Naru asked, making her stop giggling and start glaring at him. She put a hand on her him and huffed.

"Excuse me? Are you calling me stupid again, you idiot scientist?" she threw back pathetically. He smirked and shook his head as Gene laughed.

"Mai, I have to agree with Naru here. You really don't understand what's happening?" When she glared at him he laughed more. "Man, you really can be a little-"he stopped when she gave him a look that said 'you say it too, and I'll have your head!' He cleared his throat nervously and smiled.

"As I was saying, the reason Naru is here again is because subconsciously you want him here. And since this is the dream world-"

"Where my subconscious rules, or is set free, whatever, then whether or not I willingly want it, Naru will be here," she finished, causing Gene to look astonished and Naru to raise a brow at her. She smirked.

"What was that about being dense again?" Neither of them said anything, so she smiled victoriously.

"Okay, enough of this. What are we going to see tonight?" Naru asked, turning to his brother. Gene shook his head.

"You never change. Come with me and I will show you," he started walking forward, Mai and Naru just behind him. The blackness took on shapes and colors, blurry at first, and then slowly becoming clearer. Mai stopped in her tracks as she realized what she would see.

both stood in front of her again. Gene reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, sadness and regret in his eyes.

"It seems I will be apologizing forever to you, Mai, but this must be done if you want to save your parents." Naru looked wide-eyed at his brother.

"There is a way?" he asked, causing Gene to nod in his direction.

"Yes, but only Mai will be able to figure it out, which is why she needs to relive these moments. She needs to know what she couldn't understand, what her mother wouldn't tell her as a child," he said sadly.

Mai felt tears in her eyes as the scene became very clear. They were standing in a cemetery, and a funeral was being held. She gripped Gene and Naru's arms as she stepped between them.

"whose funeral is this?" Naru asked, and then realization hit him. He glanced worriedly at his brother and then Mai. He watched as she stared hard at the scene. She suddenly stepped forward, but Gene stopped her, making her cringe and stiffen.

"I can't even go to the casket?" she asked. Gene didn't say anything, but she seemed to know the answer.

"I see. I will simply watch then," she said, slicing the tense air with her somewhat seething words. Without thinking, Naru laid a hand on her shoulder and stepped closer. He missed his brother's knowing smile, and the sadness in his eyes at watching them together, and watching her relive a terrible event in her life.

The priest had just finished the sermon and now people were walking up to the hole, throwing flowers into it. The trio watched as everyone slowly fizzled away, until the only ones left were Mai's mother and a little girl of about two, bouncing in a chair next to her.

"There I am," Mai whispered, staring at the back of her own three-year-old self's hair. She watched as the little girl walked up to her mother and hugged her, trying to stroke her back.

"It okay, mommy. Dada in happy place now," the little girl's voice sang out sweetly. They watched as Mai's mother raised her head and suddenly picked the girl up in her arms, hugging her tightly. Little Mai's head popped over her shoulder, and though she was crying, she was shushing her mother and trying to tell her it was okay.

Present-day Mai's head dropped as she started to cry.

"Mai, you have to watch what happens. It's very important," Gene's voice was soft and quiet, but Mai heard. She sniffled and lifted her head.

"You know, I don't even remember my father. I was so young when he died. I wish I could have known him," she whispered, feeling a hole rip open in her heart. Neither brother knew what to say, so they simply stayed quiet. Naru was focused on what was in front of him, trying to see what might be a clue to this puzzle. He gasped when he saw a black raven land in the tree above the pair.

"Gene, isn't that a-"

"Yes, it is. But look closely, Mai," he urged the young woman on. Her face held one of question as she gazed at the bird. And then she saw it.

"G-Gene, N-Naru, did I just see what I think I saw?" she asked, bewildered.

"What did you see Mai?" Gene asked, motioning for his brother to be quiet. He didn't want Noll giving it away. He needed Mai to learn how to decipher these things on her own, in case he was never around anymore some day.

"W-well, I thought I just saw…But that's not possible, is it?" she turned to Naru, who nodded. Her eyes widened in alarm. "But that would mean-"

"Exactly, Mai, which means you are in more trouble than we realized," Naru said grimly.

JADE: So, what do ya think? Working on the next one and will hopefully have it up soon! PLEASE REVIEW! THANKS!