Disclaimer: Ghost Hunt isn't mine.

Chapter One: A Nobody?

Mai Taniyama had just received the shock of her life: Akira Yamada asked her out. For most girls, that wasn't a big deal – he was normal looking, acceptably intelligent, an all around okay guy – but she had never dated. As such, she had no experience in affairs relating to love and instead of acknowledging his feelings, stuttered something unintelligible, and practically sprinted to work.

What should I do? I don't really know anything about boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, but Akira's a nice guy, maybe I should... But I like Naru! Is it okay to go out with anyone else?

Naru looked up at the clock just as the front door burst open. Odd… his bubbly assistant arrived ten minutes early, which never happened. If anything, the brunette was ten minutes late. "Mai, tea!" he called through the closed door, knowing she would hear him. The teen waited five long minutes for his refreshment. But, no tea. What in the world was taking her so long? The black haired teen sighed, stood, and exited his office. Such a bother…

Mai stood near the office's entrance, staring blindly into space. Do I say yes? Or no? I don't know!

"Mai?" Naru asked, waving a hand back and forth before her dazed cinnamon eyes.

"Huh? Eh! Naru? What?" The brunette stuttered, which she appeared to be doing quite a bit today, snapping back into reality.

"You haven't made my tea," deadpanned Naru, adding after second thought, "Are you okay?"

So he didn't actually sound that concerned, but it was the thought that counted. Mai was touched, her narcissistic boss wanted to hear about her problems? "Well, Akira Yamada from school asked me out and I have no idea what to say..."

Naru's eye twitched.

"Say no," her black haired boss said, taking a couple steps toward the confused brunette.

"Wha...?" Don't get your hopes up. He doesn't really care; he must be worried about a relationship affecting my work! Mai crossed her fingers behind her back

In a split second, Naru made his decision. He didn't want to lose Mai to anyone, especially not some nobody from her school. The teen closed the space between himself and his assistant in a few short strides, gathering the girl in a tight hug. He smiled as he felt her face heat agains his neck, and propped his chin on the top of her head. "Don't go out with him."

Mai continued to blush madly and pinched him. Was this some figment of her imagination?

"…You're mine." The very solid Naru wondered if he had just been bitten by a bug, but ignored the painful sensation, leaning his forehead against Mai's. "Mine," he said again possessively, hugging her tighter.

Mai grinned up at him, blushing lightly, "Of course."

to be continued…

Author's Note: Thank you for reading, please review! Revised August 9, 2010.

~Shinigami's Lullaby~