AN: See bottom of the story for notes now.

Day 1: 12:07 PM

Mai

It had been a month since Naru had been released from the hospital. Things started to go back to normal at Shibuya Psychic Research. Well, as normal as things could go and to be expected for a group of professional supernatural investigators. Normally Mai would be happy, if not tired, to be at work helping out the dynamic duo of Lin and the ever narcissistic Kazuya Shibuya or as Mai calls him Naru. However, since the incident with the demon in the cave on their last case, an uncomfortable silence filled the office air. A few clients have come in for Naru to listen to their supernatural issues; all rejected by him. When asked why, Naru didn't seem to give a good answer, or ignored it, or changed the subject. The most that she could get out of him was when they had turned down a blond man in his late 20's asking about a ghost girl that supposedly had been creating mischief in his house. When asked why he turned them down he answered, "There was just something very unsettling about that man,"

She thinks back to the cave incident often. How close she was to losing Naru to that demon. How he had given everything he had, all because Mai challenged him. It must have truly struck a nerve to make him nearly give his life for that. If she'd known that her actions would lead Naru to become so reckless, she wouldn't have said anything. The guilt that she has felt ever since has been insurmountable.

Weirdly enough, Naru seemed to go back to normal almost instantaneously! That is what had her confused, concerned, and irritated. Nearly died one day, in hospital for the next few days, and then poof, back to the computers and her tea. Honestly she would take on any case at this point, because she was starting to go stir crazy! Speaking of that tea loving narcissist, it should be just about time for him to-

"Mai!" she heard him call from the office.

Speak of the devil. "Coming!" she replied getting up and making her way over to his office door.

Naru was sitting behind his desk, staring down at the paperwork in front of him. His disheveled hair hanging over his eyes. He looked to be so in focus with what he was reading, he didn't even seem to acknowledge Mai coming in.

"Tea. And something for lunch for the three of us. There should be some soup in the cupboard that Lin brought in this morning," he said flatly.

"Alright," she replied. She was about to leave when she turned and asked, "Hey, how are you feeling by the way?"

"I'd be doing better once I have some tea."

"Fine, fine! I get the message."

Mai made her way over to the kitchenette and started up the kettle. She rummaged through the cupboards until she found what she was looking for: a couple of cans of vegetable and rice soup. She grabbed a pot and put it beside the kettle. Before long she had the kettle and the soup heating up. As she was grabbing bowls and mugs she let her thoughts take over.

'I'll be better when I have some tea. Like tea will somehow make things better, make the atmosphere around here a little lighter. I can't believe that out of all people to fall in love with, I had to fall in love with him!' she thought despondently.

She wasn't entirely sure when it had happened. It certainly wasn't when they first met. She had seen through his facade almost immediately. Mai thinks it must have just happened through all of the shared experiences they've had together. The times that she stood up to him on his ideas, and the way he would still save her from peril after peril. Then there were the dreams he would guide her through. That smile was beautiful, filled with life. Mai vowed to get Naru to smile like that in the waking world.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't even realize that the office door opened and a voice called out. "Excuse me? Is anyone here?"

Mai jumped.. "Ah-! Hello one second!" she called double checking on the kettle and soup once more before moving out and into the main area, "Welcome to Shibuya Psychic Re-" she paused noticing that there wasn't just one man in the doorway, but five coming in and closing the door behind them, "search..." she concluded.

"Why thank you little miss. I think we'll make ourselves at home," he said with a sly grin.

Mai didn't even have time to object before the men behind him were moving out to investigate the office. Some of them picking up objects and investigating them, others looking at the diplomas on the walls.

"Erm, do you all have an appointment with Mr. Shibuya?" she asked tentatively.

A couple of the men snickered, a man glared at her. As she looked closely she recognized the blond man who glared at her as a man that was a potential client a couple weeks ago. Just as she was about to open her mouth to say something, the raven haired middle aged man who spoke to her initially grabbed her chin with his hand. He turned her face toward his and leaned in close.

"No we don't, but you're going to get him for us anyways. Alright sweetie?" he sneered.

The man then grabbed Mai's shoulders, turned her around, and gave her a pat on the shoulders. As she made one step forward, the man slapped her hard on the ass. She jumped and whipped around quickly to glare at the man. Reddening in the face from embarrassment and anger as she saw him smile and the other men laughed.

Mai made her way over to Naru's office, a quickened glide in her step. She didn't even stop to knock on the door as she opened it in a hurry. "Naru," she said obviously upset.

Naru looked up from his paperwork. "Mai what is going on out there?" he asked.

"I-I think you should come out and see..." she said apprehensively.

Naru stood up from his desk and made his way over to the door. Mai turned sideways to let him pass, but Naru stopped beside her. She looked shaken and upset, he could easily see that. He raised a hand up to her shoulder and lightly squeezed. She blushed and he gave her a smirk; something to try and convey confidence. Naru stepped out into the open area.

Lin was already out in the area and looked up towards the two. All of the men were standing up looking at Lin, but followed his gaze when Mai and Naru returned. Lin was squared up towards the men, and Mai felt the need to get closer to Naru.

"Ahh!" said a shorter man near the corner of the room. He had a higher pitched nasally voice, graying hair, and a scarred face. "Little miss stick returns!"

"Stick?!" Mai asked defiantly, now even more red in the face. She tried to charge forward but Naru held out his arm to hold her back.

"I am Kazuya Shibuya, and unless you have any actual business being here, I'm going to have to ask you to leave or I'll call the police for trespassing," Naru said.

"Sorry to say Noll I'm already ahead of you on that," Lin said coldly. "This man," he pointed to the raven haired man, "assaulted Mai twice in less than a minute of them being here. I've already taken the liberty of calling the police."

The raven haired male sighed and looked at Lin, "You shouldn't have done that you know." The man pulled out a handgun. "You're only going to make things more difficult."

Mai gasped and gripped onto the back of Naru's shirt. Naru move to protect Mai, and Lin moved to protect Naru. "What do you people want?" Naru challenged.

The other men snickered and stood at the ready. The man with the gun pointed the gun at Lin, "We want you," he pointed it to Naru, "and you to come with us. Now. The police can deal with that bitch's body when they get here!"

A loud whistle erupted in the room and Lin's shiki's materialized in a brilliant flash of white. Two of the men became occupied with them, the blond man tried to back away, another man who seemed to be the tallest and strongest of the group ran to the front door. While this was happening, the raven haired man was pushed back in a bull rush from Lin. A shot rang out. Lin fell to the ground with a heavy thump.

"LIN!" Mai screamed breaking away from behind Naru. She tried to charge towards Lin but her arm was grabbed by Naru.

"Mai go! Get out of here!" he spun and threw her towards the front door.

Mai stumbled but managed to regain her balance. The large man who blocked the door stood at the ready. She didn't have time to react when he clothes lined her, knocking her down to the ground by the entrance to the kitchenette. The room started spinning, and she could hear faintly Naru screaming out her name. She crawled into the kitchenette. She grabbed a hold of the stove top to pull herself to her knees.

"It's nothing personal girl. It's just, well, can't leave any loose ends you know?" the familiar male voice said behind her.

"You're not going to take him!" she said defiantly and grabbed the soup pot handle. She flung its contents behind her and towards the man.

Screams of anguish and pain erupted out of the man, who Mai saw had the gun initially pointed at her. She had just soaked his entire right hand, arm, and parts of his face with boiling vegetable soup. The man fell to his knee clutching his hand and arm.

"You fuckin' bitch!" he yelled.

Mai tried to run. Stepping over him, around the corner and-! Punch! Mai fell to the ground as a large fist collided with her face. Another punch. 'I have to help...' Mai thought before another punch to her face made her start to black out.

"Moku! You useless shit, grab the girl!" she faintly heard the leader of the group yell, "Damn, she's gonna be pissed."

'I'm already pissed...' was the last thing she thought before she blacked out completely.

-o-

AN: I am back everyone with a brand new story! If you've been wondering where I've been, please check my profile for a nice comprehensive list of my activities since I last updated 5 years ago.

Reviews are welcome and appreciated! I don't have a schedule of uploading, since I have an 8 month old daughter now. Quality versus quantity is best. See you all soon!