Disclaimer: We don't own Ghost Hunt!

~Jealousy in the office~

Chapter 10

Mai huffed as she finally managed to escape the monk's brutal grip. "Will you two leave me alone?!"

Ayako smirked. "Oh? Hit a nerve did we?"

"Miss Matsuzaki, whatever it is that you're murmuring to Mai about to make her yell, quit it. As everyone knows she can quite loud as it is." Naru's voice commanded. Ayako turned to Naru angrily.

"Why you little brat!"

"Mai must get it from Ayako." Monk snickered. Naru glared at the monk finding no amusement in that statement.

"Why don't you all go do something productive?" Their boss questioned coldly. John smiled nervously.

"Now, now, how about we all just calm down." He spoke timidly. He stood in the middle of the room so he'd be between Naru and Lin from the others. Naru shot John a glare before sighing. Before the boss could say anything, there was a soft knock at the door. When it opened it revealed their client, Hikaru.

"Yes?" Naru asked professionally, trying not to get mad at the interruption.

"I was just wondering how everything was going..." The older man replied as he took a few steps into the room. Nodding Naru began to explain the recent events. Once he was done, Hikaru turned to Mai with an apologetic look. "Sorry." He apologised, bowing towards her. Mai blinked in surprise.

"W-what for?" She stuttered feeling the blood rush to her face.

"Being a target of the ghost..." Hikaru replied. The brunette grinned causing the man to blink in shock.

"Don't worry about it."

"But...but you..."

"As sad as this sounds...Mai's use to it." Monk commented, assuring the older man. Hikaru's mouth gaped in shock.

"How can you get used to being attacked by ghosts?"

"For whatever reason, I'm afraid Mai attracts spirits like a moth to a flame." Naru sighed, taking a glance at his assistant who was beginning to blush. Crossing her arms, she huffed but didn't dare deny the truth. "Now is that all?" Naru inquired none too pleasantly.

"O-Oh, um, yes it is..." Hikaru bowed. "Thank you for your work." He said before leaving. Turning back to the cameras, Naru noticed something...off. He gave a small glance at the tall Chinese man, wondering if he noticed it too. Catching sight of a slight nod, he could be assured he wasn't imagining things. Not that such a thing was possible, but you could never be too sure. Naru leaned closer to the monitors.

"Lin, zoom in over to the right." He ordered. The older man did as requested. A few clicks later Naru could clearly see the small movements of a vase sitting in the corner of the lounge. It began to shake more as he continued to stare at it. Then finally it lifted itself up into the air as if it was being picked up. Before he knew it the vase suddenly went flying across the room and slammed against a wall.

"What was that?!" Ayako demanded after they all heard the noise. Ignoring her, the narcissist focused on the microphones. There was an...unusual sound coming through, sort of like when the TV has bad reception.

"Lin, turn up the volume." Naru told him. Nodding the man did as asked, turning the volume so that everyone could hear the sound. Suddenly the noise stopped. Naru was about to pass it off as the equipment when he heard a hiss. Everyone in base, except of a certain brunette, hovered around the monitors. They waited expectantly, wondering what the spirit would do next.

While they watched, Mai slowly clenched and unclenched her hands. I don't understand. She thought. Why do I suddenly feel so...angry? She gritted her teeth as her gaze landed on the others. Her eyes slowly scanned over everyone until they reached Lin. The anger she was trying so hard to suppress spiked dramatically. She breathed heavily as her hands began to twitch. Don't move. She mentally ordered her body as she fought herself not to step towards the elder man. Mai didn't understand why she suddenly had a burning passion of hatred towards him. But nevertheless it was there and it was becoming worse. Trying to contain the anger, her fists began to shake violently.

"I hate you..." She whispered bitterly. Naru turned towards Mai at the sound of her voice.

"Mai?"

"I HATE YOU! Why did you take him away from me?!" She shouted, looking directly at Lin. The elder looked at her in surprise.

"What?" He asked in confusion. The others watched as Naru slowly began to walk towards Mai, who was still seething in anger.

"Mai." He called again, trying to divert her attention away from Lin. Her breaths were still heavy and her fists were shaking. It wasn't until Naru placed his hands on her shoulders and called her name again did she finally snap out of it.

"I-I'm sorry." She stuttered quietly. "I don't know what happened." All of the raging hatred she just felt a few seconds ago...vanished, completely.

"Mai, what just happened?" Naru asked, careful not to be too forceful. The brunette locked gazes with her boss.

"I-I don't know... When everyone went to the monitors, I just began feeling very...very angry." She replied uncertainly. "Like my dream from before." She whispered the last part so only Naru would hear. Naru placed his hand on his chin in a thinking pose.

"That's definitely something to think about. Is there anything else?"

Mai shook her head. "I don't think so...I was just really mad at Lin for some reason." Her boss regarded her with a thoughtful look.

"What if you're unconsciously channeling the ghost's emotions and reacting accordingly?"

"W-What? But I'm not a..." She started off. Naru rolled his eyes.

"I know you're not a medium. You are, however, unusually in tune to spirits' emotions."

Mai sighed helplessly as she backed up and took a seat on the couch. She looked over to Lin.

"I'm sorry."

Lin gave a nod and a small smile. "It's alright, Mai." The girl smiled back at him before turning to Naru.

"So what are we going to do now?" She asked.

"I was considering calling Yasuhara. I know he's unable to come here, but he might be able to find some information that could possibly be useful to us." He answered after giving her a thoughtful look. Mai's face brightened at the thought of her best friend.

"Can I call him?" She asked, eyes brightening slightly. Against his will, Naru narrowed his eyes.

"If I let you do that, both of you would start goofing off." He stated. Mai pouted slightly.

"I promise I won't! Pleaaaase!" She begged hopefully. Naru glared at her.

"Why do you want to anyway?" He inquired, slightly curious. He wasn't jealous, he told himself. No, of course he wasn't.

"He's always so busy with college now that I haven't been able to talk to him lately!" Mai flailed her arms around dramatically. Naru sighed at the adorable pout that Mai was currently sporting.

"If I catch so much as a single word off topic then I'm taking the phone from you." He warned. Mai nodded hastily with a smile.

"Yes, sir!" She agreed, mock saluting him. Naru gave her a warning look before he handed her his cell phone. Smile still plastered over her face, she quickly dialed the familiar number. After the second ring, Mai heard Yasu pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Yasu! It's Mai!" She greeted. On the other end Yasu grinned.

"Hey Mai! What's up?" He asked. Mai hoped he wouldn't mention something about her using Naru's phone...

"Naru was wondering if you could look up some information for us." She replied, glancing at said boss who was staring at her attentively. She shifted in her seat a bit.

Yasu sighed dramatically. "And here I thought you might want some tips on getting together with Big Boss."

Mai bit her lip as a blush tinted her cheeks. "The information, Yasu." She persisted. Yasu smirked.

"Which information? On Big Boss or on the case?" He inquired mischievously.

"The case!" She hissed through the phone, causing Naru to narrow his eyes further.

"Alright, alright, I'll see what I can find now and give you the rest later." He laughed. Mai could practically feel him grinning through the receiver.

"Thank you soooo much." She rolled her eyes as she spoke sarcastically. Grabbing his laptop, Yasu clicked around a few times on some of the websites and read through some stuff before sighing.

"Nothing. I can't find anything unusual in these files. Tell Big Boss I'll do some further digging later and give him the information."

"Mm, okay, I'll tell him."

"Okay. Don't forget to give my darling some love~!" Yasu stated cheerfully before hanging up before Mai could shout at him. With a playful look of disgust, Mai slowly turned to Monk.

"Yasu sends his love, Bou-san." She said seriously. The monk visibly blanched.

"I thought I told you strictly business." Naru stated coldly.

"I did!" Mai defended herself as she gave Naru his phone back. She briefly wondered if she should've kept it for a bit and look through it while she had the chance. Knowing it was too late now, she mentally sighed. "I did as you said..." She continued to grumble. Her boss narrowed his eyes before finding no reason for her to lie.

"What did Yasuhara say?"

"Oh! Right! He said he couldn't find anything now, but he'll look further into it then call back later." She announced, proud of herself that she did as Naru said for once. Nodding, Naru turned back to the monitors, ignoring the pout Mai sent his way. Monk laughed at seeing the look on his 'little sister's' face and ruffled Mai's hair. Mai grumbled as she tried to stop the elder man. "Monk!" She whined.

"Aww, look at you, Mai! You're just so cute!" The man said as he began pinching her cheeks. Mai huffed and was trying to whack his hands away when there was a slight knock on the door. Wanting to escape the man in front of her, Mai decided to run to the door and open it. Upon seeing the man behind the door she smiled awkwardly.

"Hey Takumi." She greeted, opening the door further. Takumi smiled and gave her a small wave.

"Miss me much?" He inquired cockily.

"Ahaha..." Mai laughed nervously. He's back to being a jerk now. Last night he was better though, at least he was tolerable. She thought. Naru glared at the new arrival coldly.

"Can I help you?" He inquired. Takumi barely spared him a glance.

"Not particularly."

Mai looked between the two before mentally sighing. They were hopeless.

"Naru has a point. What are you here for?" She inquired.

"Remember what I had asked you last night?" He whispered to her so only she would hear. Mai nodded warily at him. Takumi raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

"You came all the way here just for an answer?!" Mai whispered back, bewildered. He smirked.

"And to see your pretty face again." He added. Despite being incredibly annoyed with him, Mai couldn't help but blush. Naru glared at Takumi as he shot Naru a smug look. "I just want an answer, Mai." Takumi said, focusing his attention back on to the girl in front of him.

"W-well, I-I...ummmm..." The brunette stuttered, wringing her hands together nervously. She glanced behind her at the others, especially Naru. Then she turned back to Takumi. "Even if I was going to tell you... It couldn't be here!" She whispered, almost harshly. Takumi smirked again.

"So you want to get me alone." He suggested. Mai's face inflamed as she fought the urge to throw up at such a suggestion. Her eyes narrowed in irritation.

"I think that comment just took away the right for you to have my answer!" She snapped. Takumi looked at her in surprise.

"Ma-"

"I think you should leave now." Came an icy voice. Mai's body instantly stiffened. Turning to him in annoyance, Takumi shot Naru a harsh glare.

"What?" He hissed. Mai immediately gave Monk a pleading look to help her on this. Standing up from his seat, Bou-san came to a stop next to Mai. She relaxed a bit feeling better that the monk was willingly to help her. Her 'brother' glared at Takumi fiercely.

"I think we should have a good chat." He growled. Well that wasn't actually what Mai expected from him, but she guessed that would work too. Although this 'chat' could go very well or very bad... She really wished it could go, I don't know, neither way. If things went bad Bou-san might hurt Takumi, but if they went too well, he might not back off. But who knows what Monk might tell him. Mai's eyes widened a bit. What if he tells Takumi to back off by saying she loves Naru?! He couldn't do that! Then Takumi might tell Naru and after that...after that... She didn't want to know what would happen after that.

"No!" The brunette suddenly shouted, stepping between Monk and Takumi. "I-I mean...I'll talk to him, don't worry about it." She addressed the older man. The monk regarded her with a disbelieving look.

"But Mai, he makes you uncomfortable..." Bou-san trailed off.

"Whaaaat? Pfft! No, no, of course not!" Mai tried to hurriedly assure the man. "Don't worry, I'll be right back!" She grabbed Takumi's arm, ready to drag him away from base. Before she could leave the base, however, she felt someone grab her arm. She turned around to see a rather irritated Naru glaring at her. Or maybe he was glaring at Takumi... She wasn't sure.

"How quickly you seem to forget that you're not allowed outside of base without Lin or myself."

Naruisawesome: Heh, heh, so how do you think Mai's gonna get out of this one?

MzShellSan: I don't know, but I just hope Mai sets Takumi straight. -.-

Naruisawesome: *pats head* I know, I know... You still hate him, just like all of our lovely readers!

MzShellSan: You bet I do.

Naruisawesome & MzShellSan: Please review!