Madoka's Point of View:

The pressure of Noll's power presses down on all of us as I can see the veiled fury dancing in his blue eyes that I've grown accustomed to. The nearly demonic spirit laughs loudly and I shriek as the sound of a whip is right next to me, and then another gash is on Mai.

Lin's beautiful whistle echoes around me and I feel the familiar and comforting feeling of his shiki flying around us and protecting us. The spirit roars in anger and I turn in time to see his hand reach for us.

"Get away from them." Noll growls; a sharp white light bursts past me and the spirit yowls in pain. I turn and see the black haired professor tea lease yet another burst of a PK blast and the spirit is blown to bits. However, Noll doesn't calm down.

"Noll!" Lin yells, trying to fight his way through the power of Noll's anger.

"Noll!" I shout over the howling of his spiritual pressure, "Listen to me! You need to calm down! We have to get Mai to the hospital before she loses too much blood!" Noll looks at the two of us, and his gaze trains on the small brown haired woman. Slowly, the anger in his eyes disappears and the pressure lets up slowly.

Lin stand quickly and moves behind Noll, who stares at Mai for a few more moments, before his shoulders begin to slump and his eyes flutter shut.

I look over at the boys and I see the twins unconscious, Yasu panting on the ground, and Hakashi-kun was standing up as if nothing happened. Geez. How strong is that guy?

"The ambulance is on it's way." Lin's voice reaches me as he lies Noll down on the ground.

"He's really protective over her, isn't he?" A deep voice says from my left, and I look over to see Hakashi-kun watching us.

I smile at him, "Something like that." He seems to know what I mean because he smiles slightly, which makes his dark eyes shine. I laugh, and continue adding pressure to Mai's face.

I've never seen him look this angry. Not at Lin, me, his mother, or even Gene. He was practically foaming at the mouth as he glowers at the poor doctor, who was practically quaking where he stood.

—

After we got the two of them in an ambulance, we all hurried to the hospital, and moved both of them in to the same room. Not only was it cheaper, but it was easier considering we all wanted to visit the both of them.

Mai was issued a sedative as the nurses and doctor rolled her away. Noll, however, was just diagnosed with dehydration, malnutrition, and a severe case of insomnia. Although I know that the last one was normal for my former male student.

It only took Noll two hours to wake up, and he was immediately bombarded with questions about what happened. He retold the story once, and the called for the doctor. After the man was finished checking him up, he asked the question that we all ha been waiting to hear, "What about Mai Taniyama?" His shoulders are tense and he's staring hard at the doctor, expecting the worse.

The doctor gives him a questioning look, "Are you next of kin?"

"Mai doesn't have any next of kin." I say softly, used to this type of thing, "She's been a legal orphan since she was a junior high student. This is Kazuya Shibuya, however, her legal employer of four years. And I am Madoka Koujo, her supervisor of three years. You may check the records if you like."

The doctor leaves and returns with a Mai's folder. He sighs, "Taniyama-san's injuries weren't all badly sustained. As a matter of fact, she couldn't have broke her arm in a better place." He smiles, "She'll be all healed up in a little over two months. Over the years, her healing process hasn't changed a bit."

"Is that a good thing?" Monk asks, looking confused.

"That's an excellent thing." Ayako says, the relief practically flowing from her, "Children heal faster than adults, so the simple fact that her healing process hasn't changed is wonderful. It means she won't be stuck with that cast long enough for it to honestly aggravate her." The room instantly lightens with this good news.

The doctor smiles, before his face becomes very professional, "However, despite this good news, I'm afraid that there is bad news as well." A dark cloud seems to cast over all of us, and the room cools. I notice Lin put a hand on Noll's shoulder, but he doesn't say anything.

"She's not in a coma, is she?" Ayako asks, her watering eyes betraying the strong note in her voice.

"No, nothing like that." The doctor says. He flips over a few pages in Mai's folder, and says, "The gash on Taniyama-san's cheek was much to deep for butterfly stitches or a simple patch. I've sewn stitches to keep the gash close to allow it to heal. However, do to the need of stitches, we believe that a scar might arise to her skin." And que Noll's menacing glare.

—

"Scar?" Monk asks, grabbing Ayako's shoulder, who looked as if she was frozen in place.

"How bad?" I ask, millions of emotions flooding me all at the same time as thousands of possibilities flash through me. How bad was that gash again?

The doctor moves his gaze from Noll, and clears his throat before answering, "If it does scar, which is nearly one hundred percent likely, it won't be a drastic scar." He pull out a picture and we're shown Mai's face after the stitches were put in, "If anything, it should be just a little pink scar." He gives us all a smile, "You don't have to worry about her face being ruined."

"That's not what we're worried about." Masako, who had been quiet up until now, says with her sleeve covering her mouth. She shoots a glare towards the doctor, "Do you take us for shallow simpletons?"

The doctor blanches. He resembles a fish until I clear my throat to catch his attention, "Thank you doctor." He gratefully accepts my way out of this room, but not before saying, "Taniyama-san should be brought here very soon. However, the medicine might make her disoriented for a little while, but it should wear off." Then he leaves.

"They gave her laughing gas?" Noll asks. He probably hadn't memorized that part of Mai's employee review.

I smile at him, "Mai is allergic to any other sedative. She reacts differently each time, so her chart says that if she needs to be sedated, the hospital is to use the gas."

He nods once, and after a brief silence, turns to everyone else, "After Mai is brought, I want all of you to return to the high school and pack up the equipment. Afterwards, go home." They all nod, at least content with the idea that Noll will let them see Mai before they leave. My former student turns to my husband, "I need you to call on the Metigami twins, Miki Yatoshi, and Shuto Hakashi. Have them all come here." Lin nods, and it's then that the door opens and Mai is rolled in.

She's awake but is gazing around the room. She must have just woken up. She turns and grins as us as best as she can with the stitches in her left cheek, "Hey guys!"

A collective laugh comes from all of us. Even Noll, who's normally straight faced, cracked a smile. I turn to them and grin, "Watch." I turn back to my student, "Mai?"

"Yeah boss?" She slurs, pressing the button that sits her up so that she can look at all of us.

"Where's my supersuit?" I say in a deep voice.

Mai laughs and plays the part, "What?!"

"Where! Is! My! Super! Suit!" I practically shout.

"Why do you need to know?!" Mai shrieks back.

Monk and Yasu laugh, "The Incredibles!" Masako's shoulders were shaking and I could feel Lin's shaking form behind me. Ayako had a large smile her face and John was chuckling.

"Does she do that everytime?" Yasu says, still grinning from ear to ear.

I nod, "But this is my favorite." I turn to Mai and everything gets quiet, before I sing very quickly, "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?!"

"SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!" Mai yells, her arms going up in to the air. Everyone laughs again.

Eventually though, they all have to leave, and I make my way to the middle of the room, where a chair sits next to a table. I sit down, and everything gets quiet as Mai daydreams and Noll reads yet another book. Eventually, I put my head down and rest.

"Mai?" Noll's deep voice catches both of our attention, but I don't make it obvious that it caught mine as well. He probably thought that I'd fallen asleep because my breathing evened out. I used to play this trick on both of the twins all the time when they were still my students.

"Yeah?" Mai asks, her words still slurred.

Everything is quiet for a moment, before Noll sighs, "Never mind." Disappointment crashes over me. I really wanted to know what these two talked about when they thought no one was around.

"Don't worry," Mai says, slightly less slurred. Her giggle makes me smile, "It's not your fault, Naru. I'm fine, and it's just a scar." I hear her sigh, "It's just a face. Does it really matter that much?" Her current insecurity was so bluntly obvious in her voice, even if she didn't mean it to be.

I would consider Mai as my little sister, just as I would consider Noll and Gene both my little brothers. I know all of them a lot better than they think I do, and I can tell when they're worried. Mai is worried that Noll will think she's ugly with the scar on her face, but I know him better as well.

"No." Noll's honesty is very clear in his voice, "It doesn't matter at all."

I can bet that Mai has the smile that she saves for Noll on her face, even if I can't see her, "Kay." And with that, everything is fine.

Mai's Point of View:

"I seriously hate you." I growl, glaring at the dark haired man who was chuckling sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. He holds open the office door for me and pushes the elevator button.

"I know you do." Yasu says, he sighs, "I'm really sorry Mai!"

"But why my apartment building?" I ask, honestly a little annoyed, "I really like that apartment! It has a walk in shower! Now I've got to find another apartment that I like! And with in three months!"

The elevator dings and the doors slide open. Naru is reading a book while Madoka is having a cup of coffee. Lin is sitting next to her doing something on his computer. They all look up when we enter and I see Madoka's knowing smile.

"Mai, I'm sorry!" Yasu whines. I ignore him and make my way towards the couches. Naru and Lin both raise an eyebrow while Madoka chuckles soundlessly. He groans and stomps after me like a child, "Please don't be mad at me!"

"What's going on?" Naru says, his eyes darting back and forth between us.

I can feel my eye starting to twitch as a headache forms behind my eyes, "Yasu thought it was an excellent idea to mention to his father that my apartment building was in a nice area for a damn park!"

"So you're being evicted?" Lin asks me, his eyebrows raised.

I nod, rubbing my twitching eye with my hand that isn't hooked to a sling. I sigh, "I have three months to find a new apartment. If not, then they'll give me a really big fine and I'll spend a night in a jail cell." I toss a glare at Yasu.

"I'm sorry!"

"There's extra apartments here, Mai." Madoka's voice tone makes me look at her, and I feel a blush rising to my face. I know what she's doing! She's so trying to put me in the same apartment building as Naru!

"That's actually not a bad idea." Naru murmurs, making my head snap to his so fast that I'm sure I got whip lash. He smirks at me, "Why not?"

I'm sure I resembled a fish. My mouth was opening and closing as I try to formulate an intelligent and coherent sentence. They were all looking at me expectantly, so I did the only thing that I could think of: I nodded.

Madoka squeals, "Oh this is wonderful!" She claps her hands and stands, coming over to squeeze the life out of my poor body as she rattles on about us being neighbors and how we could share sugar and flour and a bunch of other stuff that I didn't catch. I was too preoccupied with Naru's glowing blue eyes, that seems to be watching me with a newfound softness. I feel my eyes flutter slightly, before I smile softly at him, and mouth, 'Thank you.'

He winks.

It wasn't until the next Saturday that I was able to look at the apartments. Apparently Madoka thought it was a good idea to close up shop for the day. She told me, and I quote, ''Mai, you are going to pick an apartment today! Whether you want to or not! If you don't pick, I'll pick for you." And then she dragged me to the only floor in the entire building that I've never been to.

I sigh for the fifth time today. Nope. Another stupid looking apartment. And no walk in shower.

"You look exhausted." A deep voice says from the door way. I turn to see blue eyes watching me lazily.

My face heats up. I've never seen him like this. No jacket, no tie, the first three buttons of his shirt undone, the sleeves rolled up to his elbow, shirt untucked, and a surprisingly tranquil look on his face.

Jesus, he's gorgeous.

"You look… like a hobo." I giggle. He rolls his eyes, but I see the mirth there.

"What exactly are you looking for?" He asks, crossing his arms over his large chest. The black ink on his neck has been exposed more, and I see that from the one black line on his neck, it flares out three ways to his chest. What is that thing?!

"Um, it's actually kind of stupid…" Naru just keeps watching me with the same lazy expression, and I bite my lip, "A walk in shower."

He looks surprised momentarily, before beckoning me with his hand, and turning around. I follow after him with a blush still on my cheeks. Who knew Naru had a good looking butt? He always hid it behind that overly large jacket of his!

He pulls open a door that faces the large windows on the side. I follow him in and feel my eyes bulge at the place. It really was gorgeous. No carpet, except for the living room. Lots of plug ins, with high ceilings and tall door frames. I follow Naru down the apartments hall and to the bathroom. We walk in and I gasp in excitement.

Walk in shower!

"I love it!" I shriek, running over and sliding the big glass door open to see a huge shower.

I do my little happy dance and turn back to Naru, who's got a genuine smile on his face. He rolls his eyes, "Idiot."

"Mai?" Madoka's voice yells from down the hall. Naru and I make our way towards the living room, where Madoka is standing. She grins when she sees us, but doesn't call me on it. She clears her throat, "So?"

"I want this one!" I say, a smile on my face, but then I get serious, "How much is the deposit and the rent?"

Madoka's smile drops, and she leans to the right to look at Naru. I nearly face palm myself. I forgot he was the landlord! I turn to him but flinch back when I see the glower. What's he so mad about?

"Naru—"

"Just move your things in." He says, his cold anger noticeable in his voice. He takes a step closer and his voice drops to a whisper, "Like I'd charge you anything." He brushes past me and out of the door.

My eyes sting. What did I do?

"Oh, Mai." Madoka says, her voice soft.

"W-what did I-I do?" I say, turning to her and wiping the tears that slide down my cheeks away angrily. My bangs flop out.

He's such a mercurial jerk!

"You just hurt his pride." She walks forward and pushes my bangs back behind my ear. She kisses my forehead, "That's just Noll, baby. You'll get used to that again, eventually. He's just PMSing for a few moments. Now, let's call everyone and see who can come help move your things." I nod; Madoka and I leave.

—

"Wait, what color?" Yasu says over the phone. I can hear the sounds of the store through my speaker. I'd sent Yasu to a hardware store for paint and other supplies.

"Blue." I say, waving to Monk, who had just walked in, "A very light colored blue. Nearly a baby blue."

"Where are you putting baby blue?" Yasu says, but I can hear the clank of paint cans.

"The kitchen is going blue and so is the bathroom. Just get the baby blue, I have everything else." I hang up.

"Mai, how do you want your couches?" Monk asks, walking in with John on the other side of my couch. I direct them on how to put it, and then help Ayako and Madoka with the boxes.

"Mai." Another deep voice says. I turn and see Lin holding a cage, "What the hell is this?"

"That's my cat." I say, with a smile. Everyone in the room freezes. I walk forward and open the cage. I pull my very fat and fluffy black cat out. He meows but begins to purr after I put him on my chest.

"That has got to be the biggest cat I've ever seen, Mai!" Monk exclaims, stretching out a hang to pet him.

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrr!" Daisuke growls, swatting at the long haired man. Monk makes a sound in his throat and jerks his now bleeding hand away from the animal.

I grin, "Yeah, Daisuke doesn't like men." Monk glares at my little baby and I wave him away with my hand, "Leave my baby alone. Girls, do you want to pet him?"

Ayako walks over, "Hey! It's nice to see you again!" The red haired women scratches his head and Daisuke purrs like a kitten.

"I haven't seen him since I gave him to you." Madoka says, a grin on her face as she pets him.

"You gave the damn thing to her?" Monk yells, nursing his bleeding hand.

"Is that the kitten that I found in the tires of the company van?" Lin says, watching all of is pet the huge cat.

I nod, "Yes. I fed him well."

"Okay, enough of that." Madoka says, backing away from my baby, "We have to finish before it gets too cold to work." We all agree, and I put Daisuke back in his cage with a promise to be let go after we're done.

We're done by the time the sun goes down. I sit on my couch in my new apartment with Daisuke laying across my lap. I giggle and scratch behind his ear, "Do you like our new apartment, Daisuke?" He meows and lays his head down. I laugh, "I guess that's a yes."

"Only you would be able to make a cat that fat." He says from the door way. I turn and look at Naru, leaning against the door frame. I feel like crying again as he watches me with a cool gaze. I look back down at Daisuke. He lifts in head and gazes at me with his big brown eyes. Naru sighs, "Mai—"

"I didn't mean to upset you." I sniffle, I wipe my nose on my shirt sleeve. Daisuke meows and rubs against my hand.

"You didn't upset me, just…" Naru sighs and moves towards me. He sits next to me on the couch. He watches as I pet my cat, and then reaches out a hand. Naru's overly large hand pets my overly large cat, who surprisingly just meows uncomfortably before falling back asleep. I look up at him and see the mark on his neck again.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask him, really hoping he doesn't make a sarcastic remark about how I already did. He nods once, and I lift my hand. He freezes as my hand touches the mark on his neck, "What is that?"

He reaches up and grabs my hand, before standing and pulling me with him. Daisuke jumps off of the couch, and patters in to another room. Naru reaches behind him and grabs the collar of his shirt. My face turns a burning red as I realize his intentions. I try to open my mouth and say something, but the shirt is over his head before I can say anything. My eyes are immediately drawn to the black mark.

It's some type of weird symbol. It looks Greek but it could also be Romanian. I'd actually put money on the Romanian guess because of the curves and edges of the symbol. I look back up at Naru, who's watching me calmly, "What does it mean?"

"What do you think it means?" He retorts, sounding like Madoka for a moment. I sigh, before crouching slightly and reaching out to touch it. He grabs my hand, "No cheating." I grin; he knows Gene can channel psychometry through me. He rolls his eyes, and just answers my question, "It's basically a spiritual energy eater. In the past year, my energy has grown past the normal capacity. This mark takes all the extra energy and forces it to become something else."

"Like what?"

"Substance." Naru says, shrugging slightly, "It could go anywhere in the world."

"Wait, so the extra energy that you don't want goes to other people who need it?" At his nod, I smile at him, "That's a really sweet thing, Naru."

He rolls his eyes, "Whatever." I laugh at him and he shrugs his shirt back on. He watches me for a minute, "Mai?"

"Yes Naru?" I say sweetly, my spirits lifted again since I know what that damn thing is.

"Tea."

Suddenly it clicks. Why he let me move in rent free and why he so easily agreed that I should move in and also why he allowed Madoka to close SPR for the day.

I turn to him with a glare, "You moved me in to be your tea maid?!" He smirks, and I shriek, "STUPID TEA-LOVING NARCISSISTIC IDIOT!"