A/N: No owning. That's all I gotta say here.

It had been a little awkward between the two since Naru had awoken again.

Okay, so it had been really awkward between the two. It was only expected.

Mai didn't feel a grudge against him. She really didn't. She knew that whatever had tried to hurt her had not been Naru and had been purified by Ayako. It was gone. It would not return.

But she still found herself clinging to the company of the others before she and Naru were left one on one, her subconscious fearing the worst for her.

Only once had Mai acted too late.

It was one instance they were left alone. After Ayako's only successful exorcism and before they left for the shrine, Mai found herself on her own with the grumpy Naru, unable to do anything about it. They sat in opposite corners of the room; Mai watching the monitors, Naru immersed in the files.

Normally, it wouldn't have been an uncomfortable situation. Mai would have just gone on daydreaming and Naru would have just gone on ignoring her if it wasn't for the fact that their minds were both heavily at work trying to figure the other out.

Why doesn't that jerk just say something? He hasn't even apologized!

Does Mai honestly expect me to say sorry? She knows I won't because in no way was this my fault. I told her to leave and she didn't listen.

He's too caught up in those damn files to even ask how I am! I know it's been over a year, but why did I ever agree to work for this idiot workaholic?

She's clueless.

Sighing, Naru called out, "Mai, come here."

Mai snapped her gaze off the monitors to transfix it on Naru.

"Huh?"

"Come. Here," he said again, not turning to look at her.

"Well, I – I mean – I don't really—"

Naru cut her off. "I don't pay you to babble, Mai, just get over here."

Mai jumped up from the monitors and skittered over to when Naru was sitting. He stood as well and suddenly she felt vulnerability eating away at her stomach. Upon pure instinct, she hastened backward to which Naru responded. Looking at the ground, she didn't see the flash of regret pass over his eyes momentarily.

"Mai, I wanted to talk to you. About…"

His gaze fell to the lingering bruises.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah. The – the bruises have almost healed and nothing was wrong with my neck. I haven't been feeling lightheaded or any—"

His sharp sigh silenced her. "No, Mai. That isn't what I meant. Are you feeling okay?"

"Oh." She fell silent, daring a glance at her boss. He was really asking about her, not her health. Gathering up any courage that had not fled her yet, Mai spoke softly, "You scared me then, Naru. You really… made me think you wanted to kill me."

Naru continued to stare directly into her eyes, only listening. He showed nothing of his thoughts. Mai could not find anywhere else to look but into those mesmerizing eyes, which forced her mouth to keep moving and would not let her mind keep any secrets in.

"I thought I was going to die, Naru, I really did. But that wasn't what hurt me. Because you were the one who…"

She fell silent as Naru raised his hand to caress her neck, gently tracing the imprints of his own fingers. "I tried to make you leave."

"That's how you always act, Naru. Do you think I'd listen to you then if I don't listen to you normally?" Mai smiled slightly and gave a short laugh.

"You underestimate yourself, Mai."

"You underestimate us all, Naru, ordering us this way and that. I thought you just didn't want me there." Mai tilted her head back ever so slightly to gaze at him more directly. She had still not pulled away from Naru's gentle touch.

His voice softened a bit and he muttered into her ear, "I have my reasons. You see the one for my being so candid a few days ago, now, don't you?"

Mai scrunched her nose in defeat, but nodded sheepishly. "Why didn't you just tell me you didn't want to hurt me?"

"Would you have listened?"

"That's not fair. You're using my own words against me," Mai muttered bluntly.

"As do you," he countered.

"But even still… why did you not run? Still too proud to save even yourself?" Mai ventured daringly. Naru's fingers slipped from the bruises on her neck.

"I…" Naru stepped closer, never unlocking that hypnotic gaze. "I have my reasons," he finished quietly, firmly, as if that resolved it all. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"You keep avoiding my questions."

This time, Naru did not respond. Mai gave a snort of laughter. "Why not let yourself go for once, Naru? What are you so afraid of that makes you this way?"

His eyes turned from sullen blue to polar ice blue in a matter of seconds so fast that Mai's fears again kicked in. She stepped backwards, arms raised slightly in a makeshift protection. This time, Mai saw the remorse pass over Naru's serious façade.

"Is this what you're afraid of now? That I'll become a monster again?" His tone was lighter now, if not slightly comforting.

Mai slowly lowered her arms, slightly ashamed she had reacted that much to a simple glare. It was Naru anyways.

"That wasn't me, Mai," he said. Mai had only just noticed how close he was to her again. "You should understand that, no matter how dense you act."

How her scowl and blush together was amusing to Naru, she'd never know. He simply showed her one of his rare, true smiles for a few fleeting moments, then inches away from her lips, his hot breath on her face, her blush deepening to a crimson…

He turned swiftly away, catching Mai off guard.

She stood in the center of the room alone, wide-eyed, jaw hanging slack. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest. Naru had already snapped back into work mode, as if nothing between them had ever happened.

Again, he had left her breathless. But this time, he left her aching for more.

Outside, the members of SPR all groaned, each placing five thousand yen into Masako's kimono-sleeved hand. She simply giggled behind her other sleeve and glided back into the room.

Takigawa muttered bitterly under his breath, "Damn it. I could have sworn he was going to kiss her."

Ayako turned her head to the monk, throwing a smirk his way. "Didn't we all?"

Before the rest of the team could enter base again, a surprised little shriek came from inside. Just as fast as she had entered, Masako came flying out of the room, pale cheeks on fire. Yasuhara peeked inside and pulled his head out, smirking.

"I want my five thousand yen back, Masako-san!"

A/N: Complete. Did you like or not? Well, you know how to tell me…