Hello everyone. Thank you all for the reviews, story alters, favorites, and ect. I'm SO sorry it has taken us this long to update, we had Exams.....no one likes those. So all the authors apologize for that, please forgive us. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Mysexeyedwardcullen(me) wrote this chapter and I worked hard on it. I will not be asking for a certain amount of reviews this time, but, please still review. The more reviews we get the faster we will update.
Aya kept on walking trying to figure out who that voice had sounded like. She hadn't notice that she was still holding on to Lin's hand. It just wasn't making any since. She knew that if it was someone she had known for a long time she would have recognized it immediately. At least, she thought she would have. For so she could rule out Monk, her sister, and everyone else she knew since she was a child or a teenager. So she knew it had to be either some that she didn't really associate with or it was someone that she met recently. Another thing she knew was that it was a guy's voice. So that ruled out all of the girls. So who could it be? The other question was how did she hear someone else's thoughts. She was so deep in thought that she hadn't realized that she was still holding onto Lin's hand. She also didn't notice that she had been calling her name of the last five minutes.
"…Aya-chan… Aya-chan?!" Lin raised his voice a little.
"Huh, what is it Lin?"
"Could you please let go of my hand now?"
"Oh, sorry I didn't notice. "
"Obviously" Lin whispered with venom in his voice.
Once he said this he sped up his pace. She started to get the feeling that he didn't like her very much. She didn't understand why. She had been staying out of his way, not standing to close to him, not asking him question, and so on. The most she did was sit there and be quiet. ? Was it because she ran into him? She didn't mean too. Then the thought came to her. She was continually getting into trouble because of her gift. But this normally didn't happen. So why was it happening now. They had just walked into the room when she came back to reality.
"Well I can see that she didn't get scared and run home. Now if everyone is now here and accounted for lets get something done" Naru said in an agitated voice. "Ms. Hara did you sense any more spirits here than when you first came into the station?"
"Yes, I did. Actually there was the particular area in the station where the air became so dense and heavy that it wouldn't allow me to go any deeper."
"Sounds, like this is spirit is well a where that is it no longer alive."
"Yes, I'm afraid so. And it has made sure that no one can interfere with its plans I'm afraid."
Naru nodded his head to show that he understood what she was saying and then moved on.
"Takigawa did you get all the equipment out of the car?"
"Yes, Naru I did. I also helped Lin set it all up. That is since you had Mai with you."
"Lin are you picking up anything yet?"
"No, nothing. There is not even a temperature drop yet."
"Ms. Matsuzaki and Mr. Brown anyting happen with you?"
'Well, now that Ms. Hara mettions it there was a particular place towards that back where we got the strange headache as we were walkin" stated John.
"Exactly where in the station is this accuring?"
Masako and John walked over behind Lin to look at the blueprint they had of the station. Masako stood up and shook her head.
"What is it Ms. Hara?"
"It is not on the blueprint I'm afraid. Either that or I can't see it. Which I highly doubt."
Naru then looked at John to see if he came up with the same conclusion. John stood there over Lin's shoulder for quite some time. He was going over the blueprint more than once to make sure his eyes weren't fooling him. Once he had looked over it about the fifth time he also stood and shook his head.
"It is here in the station. But, I'm guessing that the blueprint of what we have is an updated version. Cause everything on there is correct. It's just that one spot that is missing."
"Well let's get some cameras up there so we can get a feed on it. Mai I suggest you get started."
"Now, wait just one minute Naru. Are you saying that you are going to send Mai up there with no one else? And you are expecting that she will carry all that equipment? And set it all up?"
"Well that is what I am paying her for. Now isn't it?"
"I don't care if that is what you are paying her for Naru! She shouldn't have to move all that equipment all by herself!"
"Monk!" yelled Mai out of nowhere. "I ask Naru if I could do this."
"Mai did you not just hear what they just said. Everything that could be causing this is in that area" said Monk.
"Its fine really."
"Now I said that I would allow you to set up the equipment but I never said that you would do it alone."
"Naru…."
"So then who is going to go with her?"
"Well, Naru will go with her and so will you Takigawa."
"What?!" exclaimed Mai.
Naru's face then went cold. He looked at Lin in disbielf as did the rest of the group. They all stood there as he continued to type. The only one that stood there not in shock was Aya-chan.
"Is there something wrong?" Lin asked calmly.
"Why are you making me and Naru help with the equipment?" asked Takigawa.
"Naru, can not carry all the equipment by himself whether he believes he can or not. So Takigawa you will help them bring the equipment up there. Since Naru secret has already been exposed there is no meaning for us to say he can not take care of himself. So you will be continuing your job with Miss Hara when you are done helping them. Since you and Miss Hara have not covered your ground over there you will be close in case something happens. Though I know Naru can take care of himself and Mai I would prefer him not to use the powers he uptains. Is that clear?"
"Um, yes. So then Miss Hara will be with Mai while we get the equipment?"
"Yes, Mr. Brown and Miss Matsuzaki will also be continuing their rounds."
"Lin, remember who is in charge here. And do not over step your boundary. Like I have said before if you don't like the way I handle things then you can leave" stated Naru in an agitated voice.
"Naru, remember who I am as well."
A silence covered the room. Everyone was scared to speak. They just sat there and watched as Naru and Lin had a stare down. Lin had stopped typing which didn't help the heavy air in the room.
"What is everyone standing around for? Takigawa get started getting the equipment. I will meet you there in a little bit. Miss Hara accompany Mai to the destination. Miss Matsuzaki and Mr. Brown start walking around the other end of the station. Miss Aya-chan because of the last few insedents you will be staying here with Lin."
Everyone nodded their heads and started their way out. Once everyone was out except for Lin, Aya, Masako, and Mai, he walked over to Lin to take a look at the blueprint they had found.
"Mai, I am going to the lady's room before we depart. I will not be long so be ready when I am back" stated Masako in a calm voice.
Mai nodded in return. When she turned her head away from Masako she saw Naru looking at her as though he was trying to find something. She then blushed and looked away. She then looked back up to find that he had already left the room. Aya-chan was sitting where she had the entire time. Mai synced that something was troubling Aya but she got what Naru and her would need for when they started setting up the equipment. Aya sat there running everything over and over in her head. How she was causing trouble and how she was of not use to anyone. She continued saying this in her head and then started to believe it. She stood up and walked over to Mai. Mai stopped what she was doing and looked at her.
"Is there something wrong Aya-chan?"
"Yes Mai, I don't think I should stay here any longer. I afraid all I am doing is causing trouble. Not only that, I am useless to all of you."
"I know how you feel. I felt the same way at first too, but, once the case is over and done with it is like there is a piece of you missing. Then you sit for hours remembering what happened and how much you miss it. Then you can't help but wish that it never ended."
Aya stood there silent taking everything that Mai said in. What she said Aya could see it happening to her. But, she would never be as useful to everyone as Mai was. She couldn't even control her own ability.
"I don't think it will be the same for me though. This will always be part of me because of Houshou, but, no one even really likes me here. And as far as I'm concerned all I can do is cause trouble." Mai then smiled at her.
"Oh Aya, you are just trying to find something you are doing wrong. Look at me in almost every case we are on I either fall into a deep hole, get captured, get possessed, locked in or under something, and I mess up things now and again. How do you think I got the job? Now, this whole conversation is pointless cause I know you already know this. So what is really bothering you Aya?"
"How did you know?"
"Because by the way Monk-san has talked about and from what I have seen this is not your normal personality; so either you are possessed or something is bothering you. And I can rule out you being possessed because Masako and Lin would have noticed. So what is the problem?"
"Well, I don't think Lin likes me very much and the same with Mr. Shibuya."
"Naru is just on his bad side right now. Don't worry about him. What is Lin doing?"
"Well I'm not sure. He wouldn't talk to me or look at me. And well he is a little mean to me unless they think something is happening to me."
"Well, that is just Lin. The reason why he is like that is cause he does not really like Japanese people because of what we have done to his people."
"His people?"
"Yes, you see Lin is Chinese. He believes in his heritage very strongly. He doesn't hate you because you are Japanese it is just the way he has been raised. If you want to know more about it you will have to talk to Lin about it."
"Mai lets go" Masako said as she came out.
"Got to Aya" Mai said as she left the girl alone in the room with Lin.
`Aya could hear Mai say to Masako as they walked out "Took you long enough. What were you doing in there making yourself look good for Naru" she said with a fake laugh at the end. Aya could tell that something was bothering Mai when she did that. But, she would ask her about it later. All she heard after that was Masako's response "I don't expect someone like you to ever understand." Aya laughed and sat there quietly for a while.
Lin continued to work as she sat there not knowing how to help. They sat in silence for about fifteen minutes when Aya couldn't take it any longer. She decided to break the silence.
"Lin, is there anything I can do to help?" He remained silent. So then stood up to go make some of her tea in the kitchen connected to the base. She found the ingredients she needed and started. She closed the door that way nothing in the kitchen would disturb Lin's work. She sat there and thought while the tea was being made. When the water was done she put in the ingredients and let it finish cooking. She opened the door and to ask Lin if he wanted any.
"Lin would you like some tea?"
"No, thank you" he replied in an stern tone.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
His attitude finally got her agitated. She poured two cups of tea and walked over to Lin and placed it right by his hand. He then looked up at her with an annoyed face.
"I thought I said I didn't want any. Did I not?"
"Oh, you did but I believe you need some. So I don't care if you don't want any or not you will drink it. Do I make myself clear?"
He looked at her. Though his face did not look surprise, his certainly showed it. He went back to typing and left the tea alone.
"I do not know what I did to insult you. But, because you are treating me in this way I will be treating you the same." She then walked over to her seat and opened the book she brought with her and began to read. The only time she stopped was to drink some of her tea. After a couple of minutes Lin finally got thirsty. When he touched to tea cup it was still hot. So he drank some and then froze. He stopped everything he was doing and looked at her and then the tea cup.
"Aya-chan, what kind of tea is this?"
"Huh, oh it is my Chinese tea. Do you not like it? I have not made it in a while so it might not be too good. I didn't think it tasted as good as it should. Why do you ask?"
"Why did you make this?"
"I'm not sure. I guess it was because I felt like it" she looked up from her book and was now looking at him straight in the eye.
"You made it because Mai told you I was from China right?" he stated in a aggravated voice.
"No, I did not. Yes, Mai told me you were from China. But, that has nothing to do with it."
"I don't believe that."
"Well you should."
"Where did you learn how to make this? Studied it out of a book to impress men?"
Aya then felt rage in her. Her heart broke to hear something like that come from his lips. What kind of person did he think she was?
"No, thank you very much! I lived in China for most of my life! I am half Chinese and half Japanese. Because my father was from China my mother and I lived there. Of course no one could know that I was also Chinese with all the war going on between the countries. So my father kept us in the house. Because the war was so hard my father had to leave to join the army. Because my mother and I couldn't leave the house my step sister would go out and get us what we all needed. My sister and mother taught me how to cook and everything. That is how I know how to make this tea and many other Chinese dishes. Now, if you are done insulting me I will pack up my things and leave. Even if you boss does not think I should. It has come to my attention that you do not want me here."
With that she started packing up her belongings. Lin stood there in shock. Where had that insult come from? He would never tell a young lady something like that. He then put the cup down and ran to her and grabbed her wrist to turn her around to face him. Once he saw her face his heart broke. He saw tears running down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry. I don't know where that came from. It just came out. Please forgive me."
"How can I forgive you? You don't even know me and you just insult me for no reason at all."
"I know. Please though don't leave. Takigawa would not be very happy if you did. No one on the team would. And I would never forgive myself if I was the reason you left."
Aya stood there listening to what he had said and came up with her answer.
"Very well, apologize accepted." She smiled at him and wiped away her tears with the hand that was free. She saw a small smile form on his face. When she looked down she saw that his hand had somewhere during their conversation moved down to her hand and was no holding it. She blushed a deep red. "Lin, could I have my hand back please?" He looked down and pulled his hand away and then they went back to work.
During that time Naru and Monk-san and brought all the equipment to the area John and Ayako said gave them a headache. Once Monk had set down all the equipment that he carried, he and Masako left to walk around the area surrounding that spot. They began to set up the equipment but in total silence. Mai was very grateful for the silence, because this meant she did not have to talk to Naru about their conversation before. Naru on the other hand was going crazy. Thoughts went through his head about what had happened earlier. He finally couldn't take it and broke the silence.
"Mai, hand me that wire."
"Um, this one?"
"Yes."
She handed him the wire only to feel his figures brush slightly against her hand and figures. She snatched her hand back as soon as she knew that Naru had the wire in his hands. She turned around so he wouldn't she her blush.
"Mai, bring me that camera stand."
She walked over and got the stand, but, when she was handing it to Naru she looked away to hide the blush that would not disappear from her face. Naru took the stand and grinned. He knew what she was trying to hide. She went back to work setting things up and unpacking. When she turned around to get the next piece of equipment she bumped into a hard chest.
"Watch where you are going Mai" said Naru while putting his hands on her shoulders to keep her from falling.
"I am watching. You are just not staying out of my way so that I can do my job."
"What was that? May I remind you who gave you this job!!!"
"Well then if you are so fed up with me then just fire me! I'm sure Masako could do all the work I do! She had the talent and intelligence to do it!!"
"Mai what is wrong with you?"
"Nothing, just…nothing."
"It is something! Now tell me what it is!"
"NO!"
"Why are you so convinced that I like Masako?!?!?"
"Because of the way you treat HER!"
Naru grabbed her shoulders and made her face him. He could see that she was on the breach of tears coming out of her eyes. Not thinking he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Mai, I treat Masako with respect. Sue me if that is a crime. I don't like Masako" Naru suddenly realizing what he was doing release the hug and took a step back making his face look serious as always. Mai looked at him.
"Could this be the kind side of Naru that I wished I could see more of?" Mai thought to herself. Not being able to hold herself back anymore ran to him and buried her face in his chest and began to cry. Naru then looked around to see if anyone was looking. Once he was satisfied he hugged the girl once more.
"Now Mai, we need to get this equipment set up. So stop being an idiot and go back to work."
Mai took a step back and smiled at him. Then went back to work; they went into silence once again. Only for Naru to break it once more.
"Mai why do you care if I like Masako or any other girl for that fact?"
Mai then stopped what she was doing and looked at him. She looked down and began to mess with the things in her hand. Trying to like of what to say she turned her back to him.
"I can't tell him the truth! What am I going to say? What can I say? Can I say anything? Well whatever I say can't involve what I have been hiding from him since the day we first met" Mai told herself.