CW/TW: This chapter contains graphic details of mental torment, mentions of rape, pregnancy, and mentions of trafficking of children and infants. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

Chapter 23: Raise Your Banner - Within Temptation

Day 9: 0740

Naru

At first, he thought that he had dreamt it when he had heard Mai ask him to make love to her. When he realized he wasn't in some sleep-deprived, post-torture alerted mental state, and that she did indeed ask him, he felt like his heart and soul were connected. It finally felt like he knew why he was born with the powers he had. He knew why he had made the choices that he did. It was all for her.

He knew that something was changing in him as well. He felt and saw the tendrils of silver spiritual energy combining with her golden. He wondered if his eyes also changed color like hers. That would be a thought for later though. Right now he's more concerned with the most beautiful person in the world wrapped around him.

She had fallen asleep on top of him, her chest pressing into his side, arm wrapped around him holding him closer to her, and legs intertwined. He stroked her hair and down her back. She sighed and snuggled closer. She was so beautiful that he wondered if she was truly human. Surely some deities out there must have taken out a part of themselves and molded her out of it. That is the only explanation.

"You are too kind," he heard her whisper. He looked down and saw her waking up.

"Are you reading my thoughts again?" He asked.

"It's hard not to. I'm working on filtering out what you're saying from what you're thinking to even what you're feeling. It all sounds so loud in my head that it might as well be talking out loud. I might need your guidance to help with that," she said. She shifted to look up at him and smiled. "Hey."

His heart melted and he felt like he was floating on air. "Hey," he replied and caressed her cheek.

"Mmm," she moaned. She leaned up and kissed him. He rubbed his hands up her back and down her sides as he returned the kiss. She broke the kiss, climbed completely on top of him, and lay down. He moaned, feeling all of her weight pushing on him. "I really don't want to do anything today. I just want to lie down here with you. All day," Mai said.

"I know the feeling. I'd be much more content with that as well," he replied. "Maybe we can try to have the doctor convince them that for our mental health, we need rest."

"That would be good. I still need to thank him for helping save me yesterday."

"I don't want to think about that right now," he said, "Not while I have the most beautiful woman in the world, naked, and in my arms. That's a much better thought I think."

She giggled and kissed his chest. He felt another tendril of golden light spread through his body. He pulled her up to kiss her and she moaned. 'I hope you know just what those sounds you make do to me. How much they make my head spin. I've spent years being in control of myself and my emotions. Until you came along and changed everything,' he thought.

"Nngh Naru," she moaned.

A knock at the door interrupted them and he growled. "I'm sick and tired of these interruptions! I swear when we get home, you and I aren't leaving my place for a whole week."

She blushed from ear to ear. He smiled and called out, "Give us a moment!" They quickly scrambled to get dressed, trying to figure out where all of their clothes ended up. Even with a newer and clean sweatshirt available, Mai still chose to wear his dirty black button-down shirt. It was so cute and sweet. He knew why too. She felt safe in it.

When they were both dressed he called out, "Ok come in!"

The door opened and Dr. Hiroa came in with a couple of trays of breakfast. He looked up at the two of them, paused, raised an eyebrow, and gave a knowing smile.

"I trust you two rested well?" He asked.

"Very well, thank you," Naru replied.

"Good. Leader Akio seems incredibly shaken up today. He is refusing to go near you Mai," Dr. Hiroa said, putting the trays down.

"Good," Naru growled. He looked over to Mai. She was sitting on the bed with her food in front of her but she wasn't eating. She seemed closed off looking at her food, but her thoughts came in clearly.

'I'm just glad Gene didn't kill him. I was really worried his spirit would be corrupted. Once we get out of this I'm GOING to help Naru find him and put his spirit to rest.' She thought.

His heart swelled. The devotion that she has to help find his brother and make sure he's safe even in the afterlife makes him wonder what he did to earn this devotion. He walked over to her and put his right hand behind her head and his left under her chin. She looked up at him as he tilted her head up and he leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. She closed her eyes and moaned softly. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.

"Thank you, Mai. Now please, eat. You should be starving," he said.

"Nn. OK," she said. She started eating, and he grabbed his food, sat across from her, and began eating as well. Scrambled eggs, ham, toast with jelly, and a protein bar. Served with apple juice and tea. "Hey Naru, hand me your tea please."

He did and he saw her breathe and send a jolt of golden light into the cup. She handed it back to him and he sipped it. It felt like he was home again. He smiled and started eating.

"Alaina wants to talk to the both of you later today. I think they want to explain more about how you two are going to be auctioned. I've been working on the escape plan to happen the night before this happens," Dr. Hiroa said.

"When does she want to talk?" He asked.

"I'm not sure. Sometime soon. She hates waiting," the doctor said.

"Well let's try to enjoy this breakfast until then," Mai said dejectedly. She began eating but started looking sad and depressed.

"I'll leave you two to it then. Be safe you two," said Dr. Hiroa taking his leave.

"Mai? What's wrong?" He asked reaching out to hold her hand.

"I'm trying to be strong. But I'm scared. Walking out of here every day…not knowing when or how we'll be hurt, but just knowing we will…it's draining. I know our team…our family…they're coming to rescue us. But it hurts. Expecting the pain but not knowing from what," she said picking at her food.

Naru sighed. He picked up his tray and put it on the nearby table. He did the same for Mai. He climbed into bed and pulled her down so she was resting against him. He started stroking her head. "This has been hell. Despite everything that we've accomplished, despite being together and bonding together, it's still hell. There's no questioning that. And it's ok to feel the way you feel. I'm scared too, you know. But like you said," He looked her in the eyes. "Our family is alive. And they're on their way to us. We just need to survive a few more days. And then we're gone. We'll be home. Back to bickering on cases, demanding tea, and moving cameras and equipment. So please Mai, stay strong with me, and let's go home together."

Mai teared up and whimpered into his chest. He held her tightly as he felt his PK well up and pass to her. A sense of calm energy was returned. They rested like that for the rest of the morning.

-o-

Day 9: 10:26

Mai

They finished breakfast and rested in bed with each other until they heard a knock at the door. Dr. Hiroa came in and let them know it was time to go. She held Naru's hand as they exited through the door.

'Aya…st….ho…on' she heard faintly from the doctor.

"What did you say, doctor?" She asked.

"Hmm? I didn't say anything," Dr. Hiroa said.

She looked at Naru who looked at her quizzically. She shrugged and they kept walking. She heard the sound of the two armed guards following behind. She heard a quiet voice, softer than a whisper.

'Man I'm so done with this job, I fuckin hate kids.'

She paused in her walk briefly but quickly kept moving.

"Mai, are you ok?" Naru asked through their bond.

"I don't know. I hear quiet whispering. I'm not sure from where or who though."

"I'm not sure, I'll keep listening."

They entered the room filled with personnel of all types. Gunmen, computer workers, and guards were all walking and maneuvering things around. The whispering got more intense.

'I need this over here…'

'Here come the brats…'

'Only a few more days,'

'She's looking real pretty, I haven't been with one since…'

'I wish I could just shoot them, this job is so irritating'

Mai groaned and held her head in pain. She scrunched her eyes shut and leaned against Naru. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her to him.

"Mai? Mai, what's happening?" Naru asked through the bond.

"Naru, are there people talking right now?" She asked.

"No, it's quiet. People are just moving around right now. Why? What's happening?"

"Too many…too many sounds…" she groaned.

"Aah, good morning you two. How are we doing today?" The voice of Akio pulled her out of her thoughts. He walked over to the two of them and got closer to Mai. Naru positioned himself more in front of her. "Are you feeling better today sweetheart?"

They said nothing but Mai could hear Akio say, 'This bitch. I really wanted to feel her nice warm cunt around me yesterday. Maybe I still can before we sell her.'

She gasped and clung to Naru tightly. He glared at Akio and growled, "Back away. Now!"

He backed up holding his hands up while smiling. Naru looked at Mai. "Mai, what's going on? You look sick."

"I'm hearing…so much…I don't…" she tried to reply but was overwhelmed.

"Now then!" Akio said, clapping his hands. "When you two are up for auction…."

Neither of them paid any attention. Naru was more concerned with Mai right then and Mai felt nauseous and in pain with the amount of thoughts rushing through her head. She leaned hard against Naru.

"Naru, I need…help. I can hear…EVERYONE'S thoughts. It's too…it's too much! What should I do?" She pleaded through the bond.

"Focus on my voice. Keep trying to breathe normally. One voice. One thought," he said, getting to calm her down.

"One voice. One thought. One voice. One thought. One voice. One thought!" She repeated back like a mantra. She breathed deep in and out. She was shaking, but she tried to calm that down. She looked around the room and noticed that those thoughts were getting quieter and quieter. Then she focused on Alaina and everything changed. Alaina was looking at Akio but she looked bored. Mai couldn't hear anything else but her thoughts.

'These fuckin kids are giving me a headache. They've been nothing but difficult. They are both quite powerful though. Maybe I can get more money if I breed the girl first and sell the kid? Or maybe I can force Dr. Davis to breed her and then sell the kid? Ooh, now there's a thought. Before they're gone though I'm definitely going to fuck Dr. Davis. Maybe the kid he gives me can be just as powerful. If they give me trouble I'll let Akio fuck the girl next to me. I'll talk to him about that plan later…Why is that bitch staring at me?'

Mai heard nothing except the sound of her blood pulsing through her ears. She couldn't even hear Naru through the bond. Rage filled her thoughts and she let go of Naru. Her breathing increased. She glared at Alaina, turned to her, and charged forward.

"RIN! PYŌ! TŌ! SHA! KAI! JIN! RETSU! ZAI! ZEN!" She screamed and performed the nine cuts at Alaina. Power flowed through her as she performed the cuts and she could feel that instead of shallow cuts like before these were slashes that cut deep.

"AAAHHH!" Alaina screamed as blood was drawn from her face. She didn't even have time to react before Mai came crashing into her with a fist to her face.

The two of them crashed to the ground and rolled as they both struggled for dominance. Rage and adrenaline filled her as Mai rolled on top and began punching and grabbing with all of her might. She could feel her aura mixed with PK inside as she landed punch after punch. 'How dare she?! How DARE she?!' She kept thinking as she punched. No matter the pain in her knuckles, no matter the grip Alaina had on her arm, she would not stop in her assault. With a buck of her hips, Alaina maneuvered and kicked Mai off of her. Mai rolled back and felt the electricity flow through her as she rolled backward and upright again. She focused on the energy flow of the PK and pushed it to the point of her fingers. Alaina was clutching her face in pain.

"I'll kill you if you touch him!" Mai screamed at her.

Alaina got up off the floor and lowered her hands. She was bleeding across her face and partly across her shoulders, and chest, and a nice solid red line across her throat. "You bitch! What the fuck did you do to me?!" Alaina yelled back. She looked into Mai's eyes and stopped. "Now when the fuck did your eyes turn gold missie?"

Mai growled and felt her spiritual aura combine with Naru's PK. She heard the sound of a gunshot and she turned in that direction. She saw the bullet going towards her and time began to slow down and move in slow motion. Just as she thought she was going to feel the impact, a silver shield erupted around her and she saw Naru holding out his hand over to her. The bullet disintegrated upon impact against the shield and fell to the floor in a pile of dust.

She turned back to Alaina who had her pistol drawn on her. Mai held her fingers out but with golden PK crackling in a golden ball of electricity on her fingertips. She had her left arm under her right elbow to stabilize it from all of the power being created. For a moment everything was silent except for the sound of electricity crackling. Mai's arm was shaking from concentrating and holding the PK in this way, but she continued to glare at Alaina waiting for her next move.

"It would seem like you've gotten some new abilities missie," Alaina said while panting. "It also seems like you read my thoughts. Telepathy right? That's what it's called? You heard the things I was thinking about doing, let's see if you can see them!"

Images flashed in Mai's mind of all the things she wanted to do to the two of them. Torture, of all kinds, flashed by rapidly. She saw and felt everything that Alaina thought about. How she wanted to beat and brutalize them; the pain and suffering from forceful intercourse; Naru looking at her dead and no light seen in his eyes as she was raped next to him.

She saw herself holding a crying newborn that she for some reason instinctively knew to be her and Oliver's baby. Fear and parental protectiveness overcame her as she saw and felt strange hands reach down and rip her child from her. Her screaming and the baby's screaming echoing loudly in her head. The pain of childbirth gripped her as they left her to hemorrhage and die alone. It was more than just seeing it, she could feel it! She was living it! 'It hurts! Make it stop!' She begged in her mind. She heard Alaina laughing deep within her psyche. She opened her eyes and found herself back in front of Alaina where she was a second ago. It was like she just lived through weeks of torture in milliseconds. Her brain was pulsing with fire!

"GAAAAAAHHH! STOP! STOP! MAKE IT STOOOP!" She screamed, clutching her head in severe pain.

They all flashed through her mind all at once it was hard to differentiate one image from the next or one thought from the next. Her brain was taking in images, feelings, and sounds so quickly that it caused sudden nausea to build up and she threw up. As she doubled over Alaina took this opportunity and front kicked her in the chest. Mai flew back and Naru dashed forward to break her fall and catch her.

"Mai!" He yelled.

"Come here, you wretched girl!" Alaina growled. Alaina started to walk over to them and Naru brought up his silver PK shield over both of them. She threw up again on her side and cried. Her body started trembling hard and uncontrollably.

"Get away from her!" Naru yelled out.

Mai cried as she worked to filter out all the noise, thoughts, feelings, and actions happening around her. It felt like so much electrical activity was happening in her brain she was going to pass out. A feeling of dread set in.

"STOP!" The voice of Dr. Hiroa called out. "EVERYONE! CLEAR THE ROOM! NOW!" Everyone except Akio and Alaina began to shuffle away. Dr. Hiroa stomped over to the two leaders. "Everyone! That means you two as well. Go!"

"You'll regret this doctor," Alaina said before they both backed out.

Finally, it was the three of them alone. Naru dropped his PK shield and began panting heavily in exertion. "Mai…doctor what's wrong?"

"Dr. Davis lay Mai on her side. Put her head in your lap," he said.

Mai felt them maneuver her as she continued to tremble. She could feel the electrical energy in her brain simmer down. She felt nauseous still but started feeling better being on her side with her leg up.

"Dr. Hiroa, what is happening?" Naru asked apprehensively.

"Hold on," he said.

Mai's trembling began to slow down. She could breathe normally again and hear only Naru's thoughts.

'Please be ok, please be ok, please be ok,' Naru thought.

"I'm ok, I'm ok Naru," she said through their bond. She heard him take in a shaky breath and relax.

"When Alaina mentioned telepathy, I paired that up with her other signs and symptoms. Sudden headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness; Alaina sent so many thoughts into Mai's brain that the electrical impulses in her brain couldn't handle it all at once. It sent her into what is called a Grand Mal seizure. She should be coming out of it now though. Are you with us Mai?" The doctor asked.

She opened her eyes but squinted shortly after as a severe headache gripped her. "My head…my head hurts!" She cried.

"That's normal just after an episode. Just breathe and we'll be able to get you some pain meds soon. We need to gently move her back into bed. If we go too quickly it could send her into another episode," he said.

Naru gently got up off the floor and picked her up. She turned her head into him and clutched his shirt. Dr. Hiroa led the way making sure everyone got out of the way first. She felt so light and spaced out. Finally, they got back and she felt the bed under her. She sighed and relaxed. The lights were dimmed and she felt sleepy.

"Doctor, am I safe to sleep?" She asked.

"Yes, you should be fine now. We'll keep an eye on you to make sure you're ok," the doctor said.

"Naru?" She called out through the bond.

"I'm here Mai. What do you need?" He asked.

"Don't leave my side. Alaina wants to do something awful to you. I won't let that happen," she begged.

"I promise love. I'm not leaving. Never again," he vowed.

She smiled and let sleep take her.