DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.

Okay, this one is a teensy-weensy bit risqué…but not really. The characters are all three years older than the anime in this fic, so that would make Mai about 18/19 by my estimate. Anyway, let me know what you think. :)

Chapter 4: Curiosity Killed The Cat

The S.P.R team had been called on a case involving several ghosts attacking a young girl for no apparent reason. As usual, activity started straight away but as of yet, no-one was harmed. Naru had decided to pair each member off for safety. Normally, Mai wouldn't have minded this, she'd be glad of the company, but not today. No today, Naru, as the git that he is, had decided to pair Mai off with a snarky-mouthed celebrity medium who just loved to wind her up. Their task was to do a walkthrough of the house to see if said medium could identify any spirits that were haunting the place.

Wonderful,

"Hurry up Masako, we still have the attic to do yet," Mai grouched as she stomped down the hall. She hated attics. Why were they always filled with eight-legged creepy crawlies that would attack you as soon as you entered? Yeah, she really, really hated attics, and cellars – she hated them too.

"Shouldn't we start with our sleeping quarters first?" asked the medium from behind a sleeve.

Mai rolled her eyes, "Fine," she huffed, "which room should we start with?"

"Naru's is the first," said the Masako with a sly tone.

"Of course it is," tutted Mai.

Masako slid open Naru's door and walked in, followed by a glaring Mai. The room was empty. A small travel case was sat on the floor by the dresser. It was opened and several items of dark clothing were peeking out.

"Sense anything?" asked Mai.

The medium shook her head. Mai sighed, "Yeah me neither."

"Are they Naru's clothes?" she asked, spotting his luggage. Masako gawked.

Mai suddenly feeling bold, leered at the medium, "I wonder what kind of underwear he wears,"

"Please," scoffed Masako, blushing furiously, "is that all you think about?"

"Oh come on," snorted Mai, "Like you've never asked yourself the same thing."

"No, I haven't," she said affronted. Mai raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Yeah, right. Sure you haven't," she teased Masako. She walked over to the dresser and peered into the case.

"Wanna find out?" she smirked. Masako gasped, "You wouldn't, Mai!"

"Sure I would," she grinned, "I wonder if he's a boxers' kind of man?"

"MAI!" the medium squeaked as Mai reached into the case.

"Or does he have a kinky side and wears budgie-smugglers instead?" she mused out loud, placing a finger to her lip in mock thoughtfulness. Masako nearly fainted.

"Mai, for goodness' sake, have some decorum," she scolded, now resembling a plum.

Mai pouted, hand inches away from Naru's tussled clothes, "Jeez Masako, you're such a prude. Grow up a bit," she tutted, "It's only underwear. S'not like I'm some pervert about to sniff them or anything."

Masako choked, her eyes widening at the implication.

"Have you no shame?" she squeaked.

Mai shrugged, "I'm a healthy woman with a libido. Surely you get the same urges?"

"Whether I do or not is none of your business. I am a lady. Such things are never spoken about, never mind actually acting on them," she admonished.

"Fine, I was only having a laugh, you shouldn't be so up-tight. It's natural to wonder," said Mai, moving away from the case and towards the door.

"Maybe to you it is, but I'm not so liberal," sniped Masako, walking behind her.

"Oi, watch it Missy. I'm a bona fide virgin, I'll have you know," Mai rebuked, opening the door to the hall.

"Yes, I'm sure you are," said Masako, rolling her eyes. Mai ignored her insulting comment. "Com'on, I'm feeling peckish, we can do the rest after lunch," she said.

Masako agreed so they both left, closing the door behind them. None of them noticed the blinking red light of a camera perched on top of the wardrobe.

The two trudged down the stairs to a tension filled room. Naru was sat with his back to the door, eyeballing the monitors hard enough for them to burst into flames. Lin was nowhere to be seen, Monk was sitting on the couch, his shoulders silently shaking and John was perched on the chair pretending he didn't exist.

"What's going on?" asked Mai as she entered.

Monk took one look at the pair before he burst out into raucous fits of laughter. He was gasping for air as tears rolled from his scrunched eyes.

"What?" her confusion giving way to irritation, "Is there something on my face?"

Monk's laughter upped another level as he clutched his side. He was holding onto the arm of the couch as he howled.

"Monk, be quiet!" snapped Naru, not turning to look them.

"What is going on here?" asked a scarlet-haired priestess when she entered the room after Masako and Mai.

"I don't know!" she pouted, "He just keeps laughing."

"John what's happened?" asked Masako, feeling a little nonplussed to be left out of the joke.

The priest's eyes widened as he flushed red. His eyes were averted as he cleared his throat.

"W-Well…eh…your conversation was...accidently overheard," he treaded gently, urging the two woman to pick up on his meaning.

"What?" she asked scrunching her face slightly in confusion.

"How could-," Monk choked between fits of giggles, "How could you forget the rooms have cameras?"

Suddenly something clicked. A conversation? No. No way, they did not just overhear her and Masako talking in Naru's room. She paled, horror in her eyes as she looked at Masako. The medium was bright red, glaring at the girl in return.

"BUDGIE-SMUGGLERS!" wailed Monk, still laughing between his tears. He was slamming his hand down repeatedly onto the arm of the chair. Mai felt the blood that had drained seconds ago rush to her face again. She felt slightly faint when she turned to Naru, who was still ignoring them with fierce intent.

"Mai, what the hell were you two talking about?" asked a perplexed Ayako as she watched her sparring partner slump to the floor with his hearty guffaws. Oh, she knew what the nefarious underwear were but she didn't know Mai had such an in-depth knowledge.

"I-I...I was- I was just curious!" she spluttered, her arms waving frantically. Someone give her a shovel to dig herself in deeper.

"About Naru's underwear?" questioned Ayako with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile. Mai was glowing so bright she could pass as a torch.

"Mai," a level voice interrupted. Mai froze, terrified to face the wrath she knew would be coming her way. She was so dead.

"Y-Yes," she warbled in fear.

"Next time your curious, you should just ask me," said Naru, with an undetectable smirk on his lips. He stared at her for a few seconds before spinning back around to face the monitors.

Mai blinked. What?

Ayako snorted, "Seems like your curiosity could reward you with more than just trouble."

A/N: Please, please review. I'd love to hear any feedback. I'm uploading these things as I write them which means I could write three in one go so if you spot any mistakes please let me know. Much appreciated.