Mai was beyond annoyed at her lack of privacy. Here it was, the middle of the night, and she was up in bed thanks to the more than stressful day she'd just had. She just wanted to cry and let everything out so she could shake this depressed feeling that was hovering over her heart and mind. Instead, she was glaring daggers at her boss who was sitting in a chair at the door, reading a book.
"You know Naru, it's not necessary to have someone with me all the time! Don't you trust me at all?" The words came out harsh, the glare still present on her face as she crossed her arms and huffed.
Naru looked at her and smirked, then let his usual stoic mask slip back on. He returned to his reading, not bothering to answer the feisty brunette. Said brunette, fed up with his overprotective antics, threw the covers from her body, snatched up a pillow, and stalked to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
While she did this, Naru paused his reading to look at her retreating form, flinching a bit as the door slammed.
I've really done it now, haven't I? he thought bitterly. Then he sighed and placed the book in his lap, rubbing his temples, eyes closed, to will away the headache coming on.
I haven't had any proper rest since we've been here, thanks to Mai's dream escapades that she has now dragged me into! Despite being slightly annoyed about the new event, he couldn't stop the genuine smile that graced his face. Still, I get to see Gene again, and help Mai, so it's not all bad I suppose.
Suddenly feeling tired, he stood up and walked over to his bed, placing his book on the nightstand. It wobbled slightly, having endured some damage from the attack several hours ago. Then he positioned himself back onto the bed and placed his arms behind his head, ankles crossed, and stared at the ceiling above. His mind began to wander to the case, and he started thinking of new things to investigate after all that had happened…
Mai slid to floor after she shut the door, pillow gripped tightly into her arms, and sighed. Of course he won't talk to me! Why would he after everything that's happened! A thought suddenly struck her and she sniffed, the tears starting to form in her eyes.
What if he's angry with me for bringing him to the astral plain again? What if he's angry for the stunt I almost pulled twice today? What if-
'What if you had gone through with said stunts, Mai?' Gene's voice rang angrily through her mind. Her eyes widened, never really having heard him speak in such a tone. When she didn't reply, he continued. 'How angry would everyone be? How sad?'
Guilt clenched her heart, tears streaming down her face as she stared at nothing. She sobbed quietly, conscious of the person on the other side of the door, trying not to be heard by him.
'I know it was stupid Gene, but at the time, it was necessary! I just want to keep everyone safe! I just want to save everyone, my parents and you included, from suffering! Is that so wrong?' Even as she thought them, she knew that she was wrong in thinking that way. She knew what Gene would say, and he didn't disappoint her.
'Yes it is! It is terribly wrong when it means losing your own life! Do you even realize how precious you are to all of us Mai? How much worth your life has in ours? The words were soft and angry, and at that moment, Mai would have given anything to have the floor swallow her up.
Her sobs got louder as her body wracked with them. She slumped down on the cool tile floor of the bathroom, face buried in her pillow, and let the cries come. She had had enough of keeping up her control, enough of pushing her feelings down to "be dealt with later!" She had had enough of everything, of the lies her parents told her, the secrets her mother kept from her, the feeling of loneliness in knowing she'd never see them again, the pain in knowing that when this was over, if she survived, she would go home to no one.
Yoko's words reverberated in her mind and she sobbed louder. 'Who do you have Mai? Who is there when you come home from work or school?'
Mai suddenly felt like her world was crashing down, that what little she had kept together since her parents' deaths was falling to pieces, never to be whole again. She began to wail loudly, barely noticing the things flying around the bathroom. She barely registered that stuff was breaking around her and falling to the floor. She didn't even notice when someone opened the door and rushed in, grabbing her huddled form and pulling her out of the room. She was drowning in her sorrows, fears, worries, and no one was going to be able to help her. She felt useless, ashamed, and lonely…
Naru heard Mai's sobs and flinched before getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom door. He knocked softly and waited for a reply, but none came. So, he knocked louder. A couple of minutes later and still no answer.
"Mai, are you alright?" he asked through the door. He could hear her screaming and crying, so he knew that she was awake, but he wasn't sure if she was okay.
Of course she isn't idiot! Or she wouldn't be crying! He chided himself as he knocked again. He was about to walk away and leave her to her privacy when Gene's voice wrang loudly in his mind.
'Naru get her out of there! She's losing her control on her powers and she isn't responding to my calls either! Hurry before she does something stupid!'
Naru's eyes widened as he tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. He grabbed his walky-talky and called Lin.
"Lin get to my room please, quickly! And bring Ms. Matsuzaki!" the black haired teen ordered, tossing the thing down when he was done, not bothering to wait for a reply. He tried the door again, and this time it moved, bumping into something behind it. Naru wedged himself into the bathroom and ducked as a bottle of shampoo came flying at him.
Getting down on all fours he crawled to Mai's shaking form to avoid the flying debris.
"MAI!" he yelled, but she didn't move to look at him.
It seems she is no longer paying attention. Just what exactly happened? Fearing she would get completely out of control of her powers, and not knowing what that would mean, Naru scooped her up and darted into the bedroom. As soon as he did, things began moving in there, flying around aimlessly until the objects hit something.
"Damn it all Mai! Look at me!" he layed her on her bed and grabbed her cheeks roughly, making her face turn to his. She just stared back at him, tears flowingly endlessly. She didn't speak or blink even.
"Naru what is it?" Lin came rushing in, Ayako in tow. She gasped at Mai's form and immediately started questioning Naru.
"What's going on? What's wrong with her? What did you do to her?" the last one came out angry and Naru glared at the priestess.
"I did nothing to her, and I believe she has gone into some sort of shock." He turned to Lin and the Chinese man's eyes were wide.
"You don't think she's-" he began.
"I do, and you know the only way to stop it." Naru turned to Ayako, who was trying not to wince at the brush that just hit her head.
"Ms. Matsuzaki, please tell me you have something we can use to knock her out?" The red head was surprised by his question, but she nodded and immediately ran from the room and back to hers.
"Hey, what's the ruckus all about? Is there a ghost-" Monk's words died on his lips as he saw Mai, and then the room's chaos. "What the hell?" he muttered. Just then, John and Masako came sprinting up, apparently worried.
"What is going on in there, mate? Is everything okay?" John asked. He and Masako glanced into the room and gasped at the site. It was in shambles and things were getting worse by the second.
Ayako shouldered through the little crows and ran to Mai's bed near the wall. Naru and Lin moved so she could access Mai. She took a small syringe from her robe's pocket and gestured to Mai.
"Could one of you please hold her arm out straight for me?" she asked as she tapped the syringe gently, causing the liquid inside to settle to the tip. Lin straightened Mai's arm for her, and Ayako stuck it with the needle. Mai didn't even flinch, but after a few minutes, the chaos of the room began to die down. Within five minutes it was done, and Mai's eyes were closing.
"Is it over?" Masako asked. Naru stood after one last look at Mai and turned his attention toward the group as Lin quietly tucked her in. Surprise loomed on their faces as they saw his expression. It was one of guilt and worry.
"For now, at least," he replied. He glanced at Mai again, a pained expression on his face as he remembered the times he lost control and had similar things happen to him…
JADE: So, what'd ya think? Good for my first update in two years? Is the flow of the story still there, or did I lose it? PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW! I will not be continuing this if no one cares so ya gotta review and at least tell me "Hey, please continue!" Thanks guys and sorry it took so long!