SPR: Is This Normal - CH 52

14AmyChan: I AM SO SORRY YOU GUYS!

Mai: I thought you were dead!

Naru: You left us for a month.

14AmyChan: I KNOW AND I'M SORRREEEEEHHHHH! *wails loudly*

Mai and Naru: *stuff their ears*

Mai: *mouths* 14AmyChan does not own Ghost Hunt!

The next afternoon found Naru in the room he had been assigned to at the hotel. Given that it had been too dangerous to stay in the orphanage in the duration of the case, the team had been forced to go back to the hotel, and had rented out practically the entire fourteenth floor for the children and team to stay in while the case was ongoing. The children and Mrs. Murray had been returned to the orphanage two hours prior—now proclaimed safe.

In the end, Mrs. Murray had insisted on paying the team the full amount for all of their trouble. Luella had snuck half of the money back into Mrs. Murray's wallet when she was not looking. Any more and the English woman was absolutely sure that the orphanage head would cause some serious consequences in the future. Besides, Luella had rationalized when she had told the rest of the team; the orphanage needed that money to provide for the children.

Naru took a black button up shirt and folded it up neatly, placing it in his suitcase. It was then that he heard a knock at the door to his hotel room. Given that he had felt her presence for more than fifteen minutes at his door, Naru already knew whom he was allowing inside. He did not turn to Mai as she entered, but simply reached for another shirt.

Mai could feel her courage falter as she watched Naru continue to pack. It hurt her to see him leaving so nonchalantly, as if he felt nothing at leaving them all behind again. Obviously, now that the case was over and his parents wanted him near to them, he would return to England once more.

Mai wondered if talking about how they felt would help their situation or simply hurt them, seeing as how they were going to be separated once more. She did not know if she would ever see him again, but the last time that had happened he had come back and things had felt awkward for her. But still, she felt as though she had to know now, to talk about everything.

Funny thing was, she had no idea where to start.

"So…" Mai tried to talk with the spring in her voice that she knew everyone seemed to come to expect from her. And normally, she did not mind. She rather enjoyed the fact that her family had come to view her as a positive person. Except for times like these. Sometimes she wished that she could be sad for once and not have to act strong. Sometimes—

"Don't try to pretend to be happy. I can see how you feel, remember?" Naru said, and Mai looked up. Once she did, she realized that he was pinning her with a glare that she was not familiar with. She could feel a pang of his irritation, as well as another feeling. Sadness?

"I guess that works both ways, huh?" Mai asked, allowing her smile to fall into a sad shadow of its former brilliance. Naru turned back around to continue packing, not saying a thing. The silence made Mai uncomfortable, so she rambled about the first thing she could think of. "I think we'll all miss him. He was a great help."

"He should have moved on immediately after his death," Naru stated bluntly, picking up a pair of slacks and folding them. Mai bit her lip, wondering if she should have not brought him up. It was not like she could read Naru mind verbatim anymore. She just had feelings to work off of right now, and he seemed very annoyed. Though the reason as to why, she could not tell.

"I don't understand why he didn't," Mai stated truthfully. "Really, it's a miracle he went as long as he did without something bad happening to him."

"As positive of a person he was during life, I doubt it would have taken fifty years for him to turn," Naru observed. Mai felt Naru shut himself down, and that in turn made her feel confused. Naru, mistaking her confusion, continued. "Those who died bitterly can take anywhere from one to one hundred years to turn into something horrible such as a demon. He died confused, but far from bitter. That's just who he was, like you."

"Like me? What, you think I've never been bitter?" Mai asked, shocked. Naru made no response and Mai huffed in irritation. If this was how he was planning on saying goodbye, then—

"You feel lonely," Naru said. Mai did not answer because she did not know how to. How do you tell the man you loved that you felt lonely because he was leaving you behind? For good reasons, but still…

"Is it because Gene is gone for good now?" the raven-haired boy asked. He felt almost…resigned. Yes, resigned would be the word. Like he had been defeated in something. This did not escape Mai's notice, and she narrowed her eyes, suspicion evident across her features.

"Partially. He was, after all, kind of like my older brother," she answered, suspicious as to why Naru would ask such a thing. Naru interpreted that as being defensive, and a solemn feeling of acceptance washed over him. Mai still loved Gene. And that hurt. He would never tell her that, though.

He would never tell her that she could hurt him. Not like this.

"Did you want me to love him or something?" Mai asked, blurting out her thoughts before she could hold them back. Again, that habit of hers was going to get her into trouble some day.

Or now. It could get her into trouble now.

"My feelings are irrelevant on this matter." Naru stated, his eyes and voice cold. He sounded almost robotic. However, as he made to continue, Mai's anger made a rapid climb, already having a hunch at what he was going to say next. "I know that—"

"Okay, stop right there," Mai ordered, and was surprised when Naru actually complied. He turned away from his suitcase and looked her in the eye. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself down, but it did little to help. Instead, her frustration mounted so quickly that she had no choice but to let everything out in one giant wall of rant.

"That day next to the lake I told you exactly how I felt. I know my own feelings and my own heart, you arrogant jerk! You had no right before this case to tell me what was on my mind or how I felt, because you didn't know for sure. All you could do was guess and hypothesize and do whatever it is scientists do to see if they're right! You asked me a question and I didn't answer. It wasn't because I didn't know the answer, but because I knew I had wronged Gene in the worst way possible. I believed I had unintentionally stripped him of his name and identity and that was something I could not forgive myself for.

"I was hurt because I had hurt a good friend, but it didn't mean I didn't love the pain in my butt who ordered tea countless times every day, gave me too much frigging paperwork to complete, but also saved my hide more than once, gave me a job out of the kindness of his heart that even he doesn't know is there, distracts me and makes me laugh when it counts, is willing to argue with me when it counts, listens when it counts, and I know—without a shadow of a doubt—will keep me safe no matter the odds or danger! And if he can't figure that out by now, he really is an idiot scientist!"

Mai huffed off the remainder of her adrenaline as she glared at Naru, who, at the moment, seemed to be feeling some sort of shock. Mai could not understand why until she realized everything she had said.

Out loud.

For the world to hear.

Embarrassment flooded through her and she felt the strong desire to leave, but a small portion of her forced her to remain still. She felt rooted to the ground, suddenly afraid of having Naru reject her once more. And yet, her heart could not help but hope he would respond well this time around.

She really should have put more thought into her words before saying anything.

Naru could feel his mind racing at a breakneck pace. This was exactly what he had wanted. Proof that he had been wrong, proof that Mai did not love Gene, but him. And now? What was he supposed to do now? He had not prepared for this, given that the chances of it happening had been slim to none in his mind. He had been bracing himself for heartbreak, not for acceptance. What was he supposed to do now?

"And if you two don't talk, sort out your issues, and make me a proud uncle, I'm going to come back just to haunt you!" Gene had shouted before leaving with Kyle. Naru had assumed that his deceased twin had been jesting, thinking that Mai had loved the more studious of the twins rather than the more loveable one. Now that Gene had been proven right, Naru needed to figure out what to do about it.

"If… if you don't feel the same, then I'll understand," Mai finally squeaked out, her face blasting red. Naru turned to look at her, feeling incredulous. Mai misinterpreted it as relief of some sort, having felt the emotion fleetingly run through her system. "I mean, after this case your parents wanted you nearby, so you're going to England anyways, so it's not like we'll see each other again, but if you're going to reject me, please do it plainly so I can move on. I can't—"

Mai was interrupted by something on her forehead. A kiss, short and to the point, had been bestowed upon her before she could understand what had happened. By the time she had registered it; Naru had already moved away and was staring at her intently.

Just like the Astral Plane… she thought mildly when Naru spoke and interrupted her train of thought.

"I didn't want to reject you, I never have. I just needed an answer," Naru stated. His deep blue eyes searched Mai's cinnamon ones. He watched as she processed his words, connected them, and then made a response. He thought she was going to answer him with words as action was more of his style rather than hers.

How wrong he was.

Mai reached her right hand up slowly and brushed away a few locks of his raven hair, giving her a better view of the clear cobalt eyes she had fallen in love with. Those eyes stared at her with a mixture of curiosity and subtle excitement, yet he made no move to control what was happening next. He was giving her control of the situation and letting her do as she pleased. Gathering up her courage, she put her heart on the line by standing on her toes and gently pushing her lips against Naru's.

The response was immediate.

Naru refused to let this opportunity pass him up, and his hands instinctually took their places. His left hand rested on her waist to keep her steady while his right gently traced Mai's jaw line, easing her into a position far more comfortable for kissing. Mai's left hand slid into a comfortable position around Naru's neck as he stooped his head so she would not have to reach so far.

Both were certain the other could hear-if not feel-their heartbeat. Both were ecstatic at this moment, and happy they had finally stopped with the guessing of who loved who and who did not love who. It had been confusing and tiresome for the both of them, and they now felt at home and peaceful in the arms of each other.

When the necessity of air became far more demanding than either thought possible, the two separated, though did not lean back very far. Naru's forehead rested atop Mai's, and the girl had a fierce blush dancing across her face. Despite the euphoria she had just experienced, she bit her lip nervously.

"You're worried," he stated. Mai gently closed her eyes and laughed to herself. Even after a somewhat odd and roundabout confession without actually saying the three little words, Naru was still Naru. He never asked questions.

"You keep assuming things," she observed quietly, suddenly finding the texture of the back of Naru's hair most intriguing. Her fingers began to muss with the hairs at the nape of his neck lightly as she struggled for an answer to his unasked question.

"Mai," he whispered firmly. Almost against her will, her eyes slid open and met with Naru's. The sight of those eyes made her halt in thinking for a little while. They were the most passionate she had ever seen them. Overflowing with love and a subtle sense of protectiveness. The blue eyes she had fallen in love with were now softened towards her, though somehow still attentive. Mai vaguely wondered how he could do that. These emotions had never been seen in these eyes before with such potency, and Mai was to be the first to ever see them like this.

"You're going to England," she finally admitted the cause of her worry. She knew Naru cared, and she knew she loved Naru, but she also knew his parents would want him around. It would be terribly selfish of her to—

"I'm going to Japan," he contradicted. Mai looked towards Naru with incredulity.

"But your parents—" she protested, only to be cut off by Naru.

"Will be fine," he stated firmly. He held her gaze for a moment longer. "They will travel first to England for packing and then to Japan to make a more detailed report on the Japanese branch of SPR, seeing as how they did not see all the members in action here in America. The decision was made two hours ago."

Mai blinked owlishly at Naru, processing his words. Naru would not be leaving her behind. She was torn between happiness that she would not have to say goodbye again and frustration that she had not known sooner and that this was so sudden.

"Mou, I thought you were gonna leave us all behind!" Mai complained, finding the frustration easier to deal with first. She frowned up at Naru, who only saw a pout and smirked.

"Would you rather I did leave for England?" he inquired, causing Mai's eyes to narrow.

"That's not funny, Naru," she pointed out, not realizing that she was getting riled up and thereby entertaining Naru, whom she was currently frustrated at. "I wasn't ever gonna see you again!"

As Mai continued to ramble about how frustrating the situation was, Naru pulled his head away slightly, intent on packing up the remainder of his belongings with a content chuckle. The cycle of Mai was back. Depression, anger, happiness. It was amusing, though this time it seemed as though the last two phases had been switched around.

"...and then I'd have to marry some ugly old bald guy because my standards were low, and-Naru, are you even listening?!" Mai asked, exasperated once she realized the black haired boy was no longer hearing her.

Naru stood stock still for a moment, and Mai could feel a new aura come off of him. It was one she had felt frequently, every time he had saved her from disaster, though she could not put a name to this emotion he was not bothering to guard from her. Mai gulped nervously as Naru did not turn to look at her, his eyes focused on his bag that he had just finished packing.

"Mai," he stated in a low, dangerous tone. It was not threatening to her, because she knew he would never, ever, ever hurt her, but it did make her feel a bit uneasy. She chuckled nervously.

"Yes, Naru?" she asked, hoping her innocent voice would not incur this new emotion on her. She would not want to be in the way of an angry or...jealous...? Wait, was he being jealous!? Over an ugly old bald guy that did not even exist?

Suddenly, Naru turned around so Mai could look at his eyes. They were cold and calculating and had obvious plans for horrible, horrible things for whomever was currently in his thoughts. Mai instantly wanted to pray for the poor person's soul, whoever it was.

"If you did wish to date an old bald guy, as you so eloquently put it, he would have to visit you at the office at least once, is that correct?" he asked, his tone causing Mai to be wary. He took one step towards her.

"Yes…" she answered hesitantly. Naru took another step closer.

"Then he would have to meet every one of us at the office, is this correct?" Naru pressed on as he made his way closer. Mai nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Did he have to come so close?! He was practically breathing on her nose! Ooh… mint…

"And if he were to meet everyone in the office, he would eventually have to go through the boss. And who would that be Mai?" he asked. It seemed as though he were close enough in his eyes, as he could not take another step closer. The poor girl somehow managed to get a coherent thought together to reply. He was so close!

"If you weren't there… then Madoka would be boss…" she stated, holding onto her argument that Naru would have been out of the picture for her to even consider dating an old bald guy in the first place. Naru stooped his face close to hers, and her face erupted in red.

Gah, so close! she thought.

"Wrong, I am always the boss," he whispered, causing Mai to huff in embarrassment and irritation.

"You are so full of yourself, aren't you, Naru?" she asked in return. Naru smirked for a moment before Mai caught him off-guard with another kiss. Though really, the boy should have seen it coming. He was, after all, far too close for her to ignore the temptation. However, this time, she scampered off before he could take the chance to respond. He managed to blink before he realized Mai was waiting at the door for him.

"Well, we've got a plane to catch for Japan, right, Naru?" she asked, her cheeks still flushed with the stunt she had just pulled. Naru made a mental note to get her back for doing that to him.

"It seems as though your brain cells are developing enough to make an observation," Naru stated smugly, as though everything were the same. But it was not. Not really. He smirked as Mai shot a sarcastic smile back at him.

"You jerk," she stated lovingly as she waited by the door for Naru, who came along quickly enough with his luggage toting along behind him. He opened the door and allowed her to go first before exiting the room himself.

"And when we get back to the office, tea," he stated punctually, causing the girl beside him to flare with quite visible irritation.

"You tea-addicted workaholic!" she chided angrily as the two walked down the hallway. The two would remain in good company, arguing, competing, ignoring each other, glancing at one another, throughout their trip back to Japan. Then they would await the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Davis into the SPR office, and then they would take their next case on Japanese soil.

This next case would determine the fate of the business of the Japanese branch of SPR.

...A tisket a tasket
A forgotten lonely basket
Stole a poison from my love
And for his sake I drank it…

To be continued

14AmyChan: Yeah, you read that right, there's ONE MORE CASE!

Naru: Hopefully you will not leave it alone for another month this time around.

14AmyChan: *tears well up in eyes again*

Mai: Naru!

HalyPooH: *comes in and whacks Naru on his head* Be nice.

14AmyChan: HALY!

HalyPooH: Hi, Amy!

14AmyChan: OKAY, SO EVERYONE MEET HALYPOOH, WHO WAS UP WITH ME HELPING ME TO FINISH THIS CHAPTER AND MAKE IT BOOTIFUL! Actually, there are a lot of people that helped out with this.

ChikitaWolf: You forgot who all was on that join, didn't you, Amy?

14AmyChan: ehe…

HalyPooH and ChikitaWolf: *le sighs*

14AmyChan: anyhoot, I'm super grateful to everyone who helped me put this chapter together! *bows deeply* Thank you all, and please don't forget to read and review.

…

14AmyChan: Oh, and by the way…

Everyone: *listening*

14AmyChan: GO LOOK AT HALYPOOH'S AND CHIKITAWOLF'S GALLERIES! THEY ARE BOOTIFUL! *^_^*

HalyPooH and ChikitaWolf: / Amy!

14AmyChan: what…? XD