43. She's sitting with her back to a tree, a heavy book in her hands and her hair tied in a high ponytail so it's out of her face, except for an elusive strand she keeps tucking behind her ear. He lays sprawled on the grass beside her, arms crossed behind his head, one knee bent, and squinting against the sunlight flashing through the network of swaying tree branches. "Do you ever get scared of me, Mai?"

She makes a startled sound in the back of her throat and stares down at him in alarm. "Why would I? Do I seem that way?"

"No, you don't. Sorry. It's been on my mind lately." He closes his eyes, letting out a long sigh that might be relief. "I didn't mean to bother you."

He hears the small 'thud' of her book closing and hears rustle of her coat when she moves, then feels the warmth of her face when she leans over him, her ponytail falling over her shoulder and brushing against his neck. His eyes open as she touches his face, and her hand is so tender and soft. Yet her cinnamon eyes are insistent, almost urgent. "You're not a bad person. I've never thought you were, remember? You've been nothing but kind to me since we met, I enjoy the talks we have, I love it when you kiss me, and I know you don't like anyone talking about it, but I've always found your strength absolutely fascinating." She laughs as though he's said something silly. "I'm not scared; I really wouldn't have you any other way. Don't ever worry about that, okay?"

Technically, it's a question, but there are no words he can think of to answer her, so he kisses her instead. Mai sighs and falls against him, relaxing completely as his hand finds the small of her back, the other behind her head and her soft, russet hair. He breathes in her sweet, cinnamon smell and feels her shiver and her heartbeat quickening. She feels small in his arms, almost fragile in a way. Why has he never noticed how thin she is? (Oh, right, she's always wearing that black coat of hers.) Mai pulls away, and his hand slides to the back of her neck, but they don't stay apart long. Their second kiss lasts longer and holds more urgency, running deeper when she gasps and when she tilts her head for better access. He murmurs her name against her lips, heart throbbing when she smiles. Part of him remembers they're at the park, and therefore still in public, but the other part reminds him the place was practically deserted. It's fine, right? Who gives a damn, right?

She's all that really matters.

Mai is the one who breaks it off, retreating with a shy smile and an adorable, red face. Then she suddenly freezes, lifting her head a little, then twists her neck to look to her right, disclosing the smooth, pale skin of her slender neck. Shizuo follows her gaze and notices those assistants of hers staring at them as though they've stumbled upon a gory crime scene. The Ryugamine kid stammers something unintelligible, frantically waving his arms in front of his chest and backing away as if Mai is the remorseless sociopath caught red-handed while the girl whose name he can never remember turns to walk away, cheeks burning pink. She comes back a second later to retrieve her classmate and they hurry off.

Slowly, Mai sits upright, straightening her coat, fixing her ponytail, and tucking that stubborn strand of hair behind her ear again. He clears his throat, peeling an old, dead leaf out of his hair. "Well, um…..okay."

She grins sheepishly, her hand finding his and giving a reassuring squeeze. "I don't know if something happened and I'm sorry if I made you feel that way, but please don't ever think I'd be afraid of you or that I'd never want to be with you."

-0-0-0-

Author's Notes: Writer's block is the bane of all writers. Usually, I kick it in the ass by reading a really good book or listening to an audio book, but every now and then it's just plain stubborn. And not just here, but in almost every ongoing project I have. Not cool. So here's chapter 43, I'm sorry about the long wait.

In other news to Durarara!/Ghost Hunt crossovers, I am consider doing two others now: One featuring Mikado and Anri and their employment with Ikebukuro SPR, the other more in depth on how Mai and Celty met.

Ghost Hunt is owned by Fuyumi Ono and Shiho Inada.

Durarara! is owned by Ryohgo Narita, Suzuhito Yasuda, and Akiyo Satorigi.