Innocence's Deception

By: Chi~

GHOST HUNT

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

A/N: Ugh, the last chapter wore me out. Enjoy anyway. :smiles:

Chapter Two

Children

A dark brown brush ran through auburn hair, the bristles untangling light knots in the mane. Cinnamon eyes followed each course the brush took as if they were watching for some flaw to happen. The owner of those eyes sighed, concentrating on every stroke.

Mai had many things on her mind. No matter how many times she went over every event that happened that day, she still ended up having an intolerable knot in her stomach.

First, the morning started off with a dream that was way too innocent for its own damn good, and then later on, a woman comes in asking for help with her house which was a family heirloom. And even though she had all ready decided, way before the woman even came, that the dream she had simultaneously shared with her lover would bring a case; she still couldn't help but wonder just what the case would unfold.

From what the woman, who introduced herself as Tomo Himura during their interview, had explained; her house was being haunted. She didn't know what by, but she knew that something was causing strange behavior. The 'inadequate' behavior was a faint yet continuous sound of a rocking chair creaking in the living room, low temperature (especially in the living room), the smell of blood, and humming…

:~:

"The humming isn't much of any problem to me, because it's still possible that I might be imagining it...but…" Tomo trailed, her eyes troubled.

"But?" Mai sent a small chiding look to Naru for his pressing.

"But," Tomo echoed, brows furrowing with thought, "I know when I'm not imagining most things…and so…"

Naru didn't say anything after the redheaded woman trailed again. He sent Mai a small look, seeing that she was staring at the woman intently with her hand read to keep scratching down ever word she said. They knew what the woman was about to say was something very important to keep in mind during the case.

"At the stroke of midnight, of any night, a music box plays. I don't know how or where a music box can just play at such a time and be in such a place where I can't find it…but it does and it plays a forbidden lullaby in my family. I can't even speak the name, my family hates it so much…" The woman shook her head, looking pained. "I know it sounds cliché as well, but I mean what I say and I can only hope you take my case."

"We will," Naru answered immediately, as if he hadn't given any thought or light of day on the situation. Mai closed the notes by writing down the time and set the clipboard down on the table. "Due to your circumstances though, I would like you to wait for at least a week, and then contact me again, Himura-san. After all, your house's behavior somewhat seems minor. I just want to make sure what you're hearing is, overall, not your imagination getting the best of you," Naru exclaimed, nodding over to Mai to add what he had just said to her notes. She lightly puffed, but did as she was silently told, holding back her impulse to roll her eyes.

Tomo nodded and smiled politely to him and Mai, who was still scratching down more notes before sitting back, symbolizing she was done with her little task. "Of course, I've lived in that house for only three day. I understand," Tomo's blue eyes flickered between Naru and Mai, slowly putting two and two together by their body languages. She didn't say a word about it though, the atmosphere seemed too tense to do so.

"Then it's settled. I will inform the rest of my team and we will wait for your call," Naru stood up, the two other women followed. He and Mai bowed to the woman, bidding her a nice day.

"Thank you," Tomo bowed back before making her way out of their lives, all until she needed them again. Mai and Naru exchanged glances once again before they nodded.

"So it begins," Naru murmured before leaving her in the sitting area, lightly closing his office door behind him.

:~:

Mai set down her brush, looking at herself in the bathroom mirror and peering at her troubled face. What she and Naru had expected happened, and they got clues that would help them in the future, but they were still so lost in the dark that it was suffocating. Just what in the world would the case unfold? And if it had something to do with a lullaby of some sort, wouldn't that mean a child's death had something to do with it? What if it was a murder? What if it was both? Mai felt her heart wrench. She couldn't handle knowing such a murder of those circumstances was part of this new case…

Mai's eyes lit up suddenly, remembering a piece of the dream she and Naru dreamt together. The baby! The bundle the woman had been holding in her arms in a pink blanket; the child the woman had brushed its black hairs out of its face. The lullaby, the rocking chair, the humming…it all fit!

"That's obvious!" Mai slapped her forehead. "No shit!"

"Mai!" Naru poked his head into the bathroom, giving her a glare through the mirror. "Would you stop making yourself seem more of an idiot?"

She sighed and rubbed her hand over the flesh she just irritated on her face. "Sorry," she mumbled.

Naru stared at her for a few more moments before stepping into the bathroom himself, seemingly curious. He stood next to her, staring at their reflection. Cutting the silence, he decided to start a conversation and softly said, "The music box seems peculiar."

Catching onto his sentence, she set her hand down on the edge of the sink and gripped it, furrowing her brows. Him starting a conversation out of the blue like that was part of something you'd have to get used to, if you were Naru's girlfriend. Voluntarily, it wasn't something new to her, these sudden conversations he'd start out of no where. She grew used to it in time when he would start them (random conversations) because they pertained to their current situation (such as a new case, or groceries, or something), but overall…it was just how he was; sudden and mysterious. She had learned that during the long, six month process of their relationship.

She had to admit, it took her a while to pass in 'Understanding Naru: 101', but she did overall; it brought them closer. Yes, there was plenty of things during these six months that were learned and experienced between her and Naru, but none of it was achieved easily. Remembering back on it too, Mai knew she had gone through a long six months to get to the point of understanding her boyfriend like the back of her hand.

From the events that happened that mere, seemingly normal afternoon where she had tripped, spilt the tea on them…and then suddenly ended up having sex with him in his office, was the start of their unusually precious relationship. It had been dark and confusing at the beginning in fact. Overwhelming, even, because of the depth of the situation. In Mai's perspective, it almost seemed like they had had a one-time stand. Like, they had just acted on teenage hormones, and lost their virginity on a whim, which almost immediately pulled them into a maelstrom of isolation and un-said feelings.

Mai may be an orphan, and she may had been raised most of her life, but she was still young with a heart that she kept dear to herself because she no longer had her mother in her possession. To say it bluntly; she had treated her viginity as a treasure. So, surely it was understandable that she had every right be hurt and pissed at the fact that she had lost her virginity with her boss (who she loved by the way),as just some suddenly spontaneous one-time fuck, because Naru didn't show any sign of wanting a relationship with her after. It truly almost broke her heart, because after she had slept with him, he didn't say anything and hardly ever came out of his office. He didn't even look at her for the most part; it made her feel like a worthless whore. She felt used and dirty.

Finally, after a week of emotional hell, Mai decided to toughen up and give him a piece of her mind; to talk to him and find out just why he had used her like in the most dispicable way ever. She was alone in the world, and she knew she had to defend herself. She sure as hell wouldn't be thrown away so easily, even if it was Naru (the ass).

The day she had gathered up enough courage to confront him was the day he had shown up in front of her desk, beckoning her to get into his office immediately. She had been confused out of her mind, not only because it was new for him to come out of his office, but because he urgently wanted her. She was broken enough, what would he need her for so suddenly? More sex, maybe? She felt her courage evaporate from her being as she followed behind him, like a lost puppy. She didn't know what to do; she figured she would probably let him have his way with her.

It suprised her when it turned out he didn't want to have sex with her again; he wanted to have a very private, heart-to-heart conversation. It also surprised her to learn that Naru himself had a heart; and one that he deeply wanted to protect. That was when she realized that she was not the only one deeply confused and hurt by their 'one-time deal'. She also realized just how extremely different their personalities and emotions were. She understood that for some situations, he would be blunt and would want a simple answer and then he would handle it without a sweat…but when it came to his feelings, isolation was his answer. He was emotionally different from her; she, the optimist, had the will to just push away the fact that he may have deceived her and could still try to live on with a smile, while as for himself (the pessimist), he couldn't practically live with the fact that they had lost their virginities over lust, and not love (so it seemed). What was a large laceration to him, was a healable scar for her.

He explained his side and how he felt, which made her practically melt into a puddle of sympathy for him. He had been worrying about her, as well as himself because sex was a big deal. They both agreed that their viginity was something they held precious to each other; something precious they had wanted to save for the true love of their to come along, and take it from them. Naru then got remorseful, actually apologizing to her for taking her virginity, when she didn't love him; that he was sorry for taking advantage of her.

That was when Mai had confessed to him, bluntly, to set him straight, and then broke out into a long speech explaining the exact reason why she had even let him take her; even kiss her, in the first place. "This is all a misunderstanding!"

Remembering these events, Mai look directly up to her lover and said, changing the lingering subject Naru had started with his statement, "Remember when you told me about Gene?"

He looked down at her, taking his gaze away from the mirror and answered with his eyes. Something they had been doing quite recently and seemed to understand each other that way. Yes.

Her eyes warmly complied, Yeah…

"You confessed, and I took out that picture I always kept in my desk. The picture of me and him…" He blinked down to her, his eyes questioning her as he added out-loud, "what does the music box have to do with my brother?"

"…that was the day we started dating," she smiled softly up to him, a small flush growing on her cheeks. "…when we confessed crucial things we couldn't keep in, due to our large predicament..." That reminded her; he had confessed about his brother, and asked which one she loved, him or his brother, Eugene (who was dead). It was a ridiculous question, she remembered thinking at the time, but going back on it...He didn't utter a single love-confession, in any way, state, or form...

He was quiet, trying to get an explanation out of her eyes before nodding. "Yes. It was, because of the confusion, mixed feelings…," he shook his head, remembering it all. "Why bring this up, Mai? I thought we wouldn't speak of it again, because it's so worthless to us now-"

"It's how it all started," she interrupted, turning to him directly. She didn't know what she was thinking, or how she got the thought in her mind, but her next statement she uttered was,"when you started loving me back…" He didn't love me before we had done it our first time...He couldn't because he still wanted to know if I truly loved him or his brother...

"You thought my confession about my brother, about my whole reason why I was here was some beginning point of my love and trust for you?" He couldn't stop himself when his hands cupped her face, looking her deeply and tenderly in the eyes. "Mai, I most likely started loving you way before I even told you all that. Just telling you made me want to know…"

"…by then you knew I had been dreaming of your brother," she said softly, her voice seeming strained as if she was about to cry. "You thought I didn't love you…didn't you? You thought I loved him instead."

"Of course," he said lowly, his voice softer to match her pained tone. "He's better than I am."

"That's not true!" Okay, now she was starting to get confused with herself. She was suddenly getting so emotional, express herself correctly anymore. Perhaps she was dwelling on the past too much, or she was just pondering too much on how much of a mess the beginning of their relationship…she had no idea. Just the realization of him not believing he loved her made her heart throb hurtfully and brought tears to her eyes. Why had she even started thinking out this? First she had been pondering on their new case that would soon be commencing in investigation, and then she was suddenly crying from being nostalgic.

"Mai," his brows furrowed and he gently pulled her to his chest. "What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

She choked up, softly sobbing against his t-shirt. "I-I don't know…just thinking back on everything made me so," she paused to regain her voice, since it seemed to be failing her, "so sad."

"I will agree that it was troubling, but we cleared it up and I love you," his arms wrapped around her, enveloping her into a warm embrace. "Do you understand?"

She sobbed in his shirt for a small while, since her voice had escaped her. He repeated his question again, his voice strong. He couldn't handle her making such a dilemma about their relationship now. Did she forget how much hell it was for him six months ago? He couldn't help how much their actions had hurt him, and he didn't ever want to feel such pain again. It was a pain similar to how he felt when he had lost his brother, and it was something he never wanted to feel again. It pained him just knowing that she was fretting over him not loving her…when it was quite evident that he did more than anything.

"Yes! Yes," she choked, wrapping her arms around him almost desperately. "I'm sorry…"

"Goodness," he muttered lowly, kissing her hair as he tightened his hold on her. "What am I going to do with you, you emotional maniac?" He smirked when he heard a muffled retort in his shirt, telling him that she had apologized. "Perhaps you need rest."

Lightly nodding to in his shirt, he complied in picking her up and carrying her to their bedroom. For some reason, she wouldn't stop crying. They didn't know why, but he was there, wiping her tears away. It only made her love him more.

Despite the emotional night Oliver witnessed from his lover, he couldn't help but stare at her as she slept. He had done so many times before, especially when they had decided she was to move in with him and Lin. He remembered that day he had asked her, and it was a morning after they had made love (shocking), and they were making breakfast. He remembered watching her as she drowned her cereal as she always did, and suddenly asking her to just move in, without even bringing up the subject.

He remembered how she had almost dropped the box of cereal she had been holding, staring at him a shock. She replied with, "We've only been together for three months!" He rolled his eyes at the memory, such an idiot.

My idiot.

Seriously, if they had gotten to the point to where they were sexually active, then they might as well be living in the same apartment. He had said the exact words, and her face just flushed out of embarrassment. "I suppose that's true, ne?" He lightly glared at her as she tried to brush it off with a nervous laugh. But then, she looked up at him, eyes bright with a beautiful grin on her face. "You're packing the boxes."

Lightly snorting to himself, he watched his lover's chest rise and fall slowly, listened to the soft air that left her lips as she exhaled, and how her hair covered half of her face. She was facing him, her hands unconsciously gripping at his pajama shirt as she slept. To top it all off, the moon seemed to shine perfectly on her form, lighting her face with its silvery light.

He sighed, letting his arm that was propping his head up collapse, making his head drop on the pillow next to hers, face to face with his lover. His eyes tracing ever feature of her face, as if he was processing it to memory, until his eyes came upon her red-rimmed ones. She had cried, for no reason…he still didn't get it.

He remembered that after he had said his statement about the music box, she had gotten a serious stance and seemed to be pondering on, what he thought, what he had just said, but instead her mind had flipped over to their past. Why would she do that? It seemed unlike her, because she usually concentrated on the 'now' and not the 'before', which was sequentially the reason why she usually got into trouble. It wasn't because she didn't ponder on the past, no, it was because she wouldn't ponder on the future either. She was a spontaneous person. If he started talking about a current case, she would too without thought…so, why she would just suddenly bring up their past relationship dilemma was beyond him.

Her emotional hormones get unstable unpredictably, and it seems to be uncontrollable. It's weird, because it feels as though she had the same emotional flip not long ago, for a different situation...

Ah, it was a week ago, now he remembered.

The week before, Mai had suddenly begun cursing him out, for no apparent reason, claiming he wasn't paying enough attention to her. It had been a surprise to him, because Mai hadn't shown such behavior to him such a long time, and it was slightly hard to absorb in. But, being Naru, he decided to pick fun at her, accusing her of being a spoiled brat for wanting his attention twenty-four-seven. And what she had done next, wasn't something he had expected.

She cried, and wouldn't stop crying after a long period of time. He didn't even know why, but he still tried to fix it up. After all, he was just picking fun. 'Course, she had never cried at his teasing. He knew damn and good well she knew when he was evidently teasing, so why she was crying was a mystery. After she had stopped crying, finally, he had questioned what had been wrong, why she had reacted in such a way when he was only playing a childish game on her.

She had replied, "I don't know."

Brows furrowing, he stared down at her still sleeping form, which seemed to be murmuring in her sleep. She even changed positions, turning onto her back and taking in a deep breath. A small frown painted her features.

Mai…

A kiss from Oliver's lips was what awoke Mai from her slumber, making her yawn and stretch. Groggily, she looked over to her lover, absentmindedly smiling to him. "Good morning," she slurred, running her hand over her hair to keep it out of her face.

She heard him scoff. "More like afternoon," he answered, just as the bed seemed to slump on her side of the bed. She realized he had been standing next to her when he had kissed her awake, and was now sitting next to her legs.

She then blinked at his answer, running it through her mind again. "Eh? Afternoon?" She looked over to him, observing him. To her surprise, he wasn't in his pajamas. He was actually dressed in his usual black clothes, showered and ready for work.

"It's two in the afternoon, Mai," he said. Her mouth hung open slightly as she stared at his examining expression. He was probably wondering the same thing: why had she slept in so late? They both knew when she had fallen asleep; it was at around nine-thirty the night before. And Mai didn't sleep long either; she never slept in.

"You're obviously under some stress, so I want you to stay home today as I take care of some paperwork at the office," he held up his hand at her immediate protests. "Do not argue with me. You're staying home."

"Naru," she sputtered, her brows furrowing. "What have I done that could possibly cause me any stress? We haven't had a case in over a month, and this new case hasn't even started an investigation! I don't understand why-"

"Didn't I tell you not to argue with me?" She huffed at his cold tone, sending him a glare, which he gladly returned.

"Oliver," she hissed.

He narrowed his eyes. "You. Are. Staying. Home. End of discussion."

Letting out a frustrated growl at him, she turned over on her side, not wanting to look at him anymore. She hid her face from him, pulling the sheets over her head. He took that time to stand up and leave the room, closing the door behind him after he explained to her that he would be back in around six to check on her.

He didn't hear her small string of angry curses as he proceeded into the living room, starting for the door. His thoughts were around her sudden address to him. She had…called him by his real name. She never did that, not even while love making, or the gentle sweet nothings they ridiculously shared with each other, mostly in the privacy of their room.

It was the first time she had ever said his name, and it was out of anger. He knew she wouldn't like the fact that she'd have to stay home, but he never knew she would say such a thing.

He never knew she would use it in such a hateful way, too. Seriously, he knew she would have argued with him, but she seemed more worked up than usual. Yes, she was a hot-head…but even she knew when it was time to consider what someone was telling her when they were saying it. She always took her friend's considerations, especially his…

And she had uncharacteristically lashed out at him.

'Why should I care? The woman's having ridiculous mood-swings. She didn't mean anything,' with that thought, he dropped the subject.

On an alternative, though, he felt a slight shiver run through his spine as her voice, uttering his name, echoed throughout his mind. He had to admit; he liked the way she had said his name, if only there wasn't poisonous venom dripping from the way she said it.

Left alone in an apartment that suddenly felt too big for her, Mai tiredly lied on the surprisingly soft carpet, staring up at the ceiling of the living room. He didn't let her go to work. She overslept. She suddenly got so angry with him. She said his real name...was she going insane?

Unemotionally, she turned over to her side, looking absentmindedly through the door frame that led to the kitchen. Perhaps she really was under some stress. She hadn't ever lashed out at Naru like that in a while, not since she had accused him of not spending enough time with her.

I didn't make any sense…to him… or to me. It was like I was some emotionally impaired maniac, lashing out at anything that came into my sight like an animal. She slowly curled up on the floor, her white, silk pajamas flexing with her ever move and curve. She hugged her chest.

…Ouch…

She blinked, moving her arms away from her chest and immediately sat up, pulling her shirt away from her chest and peered into the fabric that hid her naked breasts. She raised a brow, confused. They looked fine, nothing had changed. So, why did they hurt? Using her other hand, she poked her right breast and then recoiled, a small hiss escaping between her clenched teeth.

Come to think of it, they sort of ached. She blinked again. Why were her breasts suddenly aching? Was she sick? More questions came to mind at that moment; the same questions she had been asking herself as she stared at the ceiling before. Why had she slept in? Why was she having emotional problems?

Urr, all these questions were starting to give her a headache.

Suddenly not really caring anymore about her problems, she tiredly got on her feet and padded over to the couch, where she merely plopped down on her back, and stared at the ceiling until sleep pulled her into slumber once again.

:~:

A woman with vibrant blonde hair smiled; amused by the little creature that was moving its head curiously around the room. "Little one, what is so mysterious about this room?" The woman stared fondly down at the little child, her smile becoming warm.

The child looked up at her with its bright blue eyes, black hair framing the child's face. The baby seemed to have a great mane for its age, and it seemed so adorable. It looked around its large, innocent eyes as it took in the surroundings.

The woman sitting straight with her ankles under her bottom, the traditional Japanese way to sit, lightly giggled at the child as it let out a small sound after noticing the red wooden box next to it. It reached out its small chubby hand, patting the box lightly before pulling back as if the box had burned it.

"Little one, it's only a music box," the woman giggled once again. She leaned down and kissed the small baby on its head, making it look up at her with its innocent eyes. This caused the woman to brush some of its black hair out of its face. "Do you want to listen?"

It let out a response, one that was undistinguishable, but this made the woman smile even more. She pretended to know what it had replied. "All right."

The baby watched as she reached over to the music box, her slender hands unlatching the lock with ease and lifted the top. It looked into it, seeing nothing but small golden gears and machinery that it could not comprehend at such a young age. Though, seeing such a thing, the baby clapped its hands and giggled, its chubby cheeks flushing with excitement.

Laughing cheerfully along with the child, the woman reached around back of the box, her wrist soon twisting the small knob that made a gear-wrenching sound. The baby watched, amazed, ceasing it's composing hands.

"There we go," the woman muttered as she pulled back her hand, watching as the machinery in the music box composed a song. A innocent melody that made the baby blink out of recognition and got a smile on its chubby face. It looked up at the woman, their eyes meeting.

"You like that song, ne?" The woman gently picked up the baby, pulling it to her chest and rested its head in the crook of her neck. "This song is just for you, little one." The woman slowly tightened her embraced against the child, almost as if she was protecting it, but overall, the music box kept playing the same grace. "Mommy loves you…"

:~:

The song of the music box played still rang and echoed through Mai's head as she woke up, eyes meeting a familiar ceiling. She blinked her eyes as they adjusted to the semi-bright light the window behind the couch produced. Leaning up slowly, afraid that she might be hit with a sudden headache or blunt wave of nausea, she propped herself up on her hands, peering around the room.

It was lit with the light of a sunset, she distinguished, and she figured she had slept through the day. Her hand unconsciously reached up to her head, resting over her disheveled bangs. Perhaps Naru was right. She was under stress; she had never slept through a whole day before.

"Oh, you're awake," she turned her eyes to the kitchen, seeing the love of her life leaning against the door frame. His eyes peered over to her diligently. "How do you feel?"

"I…" she trailed, furrowing her brows. Faintly, very faintly, she felt a ache in her head. "…I have a headache."

"Well, yeah, you slept all day," he muttered, padding over to her swiftly and leaning down, peering into her eyes. Moving her hand away from her forehead with his, he flipped her bangs out of her face. She lightly flushed when his forehead met hers, memories of the day before running through her mind like a film.

"No fever, I think," he muttered, leaning back to observe her face and then grimacing. "Stop blushing."

"Can't help it," she lightly smiled, amused at his facial expression. She looked into his eyes, swimming in their deep depths. The events earlier that day ran through her mind, making her suddenly feel guilt in her heart. She figured she better apologize to him, before she forgot.

Slowly reaching up, she rested her hands on either side of his face, gently pulling his down to hers. "Sorry," she said between the soft kisses she gave him, "I was out of line today."

He grunted, kissing her back willingly, and she took that as an 'apology accepted'.

"Man, what am I going to do with you," he muttered as he grasped her hands with his, and moved them from his face. He looked down at them, seeing how small they were compared to his, and he lightly ran his thumbs over her tiny knuckles. It still intrigued him, how her small hands seemed to fit perfectly in his. It was obvious that they were meant for each other, they were practically inseparable, but it was still strange how they seemed to fit perfectly, and yet not fit at all. They were like two elements, fire and ice, and though they were so different…there was always something that kept them close and together.

"Naru," she said softly, staring warmly at him, a small flush on her face. She couldn't seem to help it, his touch always had a ridiculous effect on her. She figured that no matter what, no matter how long they were together, his touch would always have an unexplainable influence on her. His eyes, mouth, body; everything about him, would always seem to keep her heart beating and skin blushing, thoughts racing and smiles coming.

"Lin made you something to eat before he went back to the office. I want you to eat it and get some more sleep, all right?" He changed the subject, turning his mind from his feelings to his lover's health. He didn't know why, but she seriously seemed stressed. And she had slept so much that day; still looked tired as she stared up at him.

"I had a dream," not answering him because the thought had just snapped into her head at that moment.

He blinked, his thoughts turning to her dreaming abilities. Perhaps, since she had those abilities, they were the cause for her stress? It could be so; she always woke up with a weak body after one of 'those' dreams, so it could be possible.

"What was it about? Was Gene there?"

"No," she slightly frowned, slightly puzzled at that fact. "But I still think it's useful."

"Tell me about it," he said softly, lightly tugging her to stand up. He wanted her to tell him while the walked to the kitchen. Their hands didn't leave each other's.

She explained of how the woman had such a close relationship with the baby, how they seemed to be having such a good time. And then she mentioned the music box, describing it the best she could remember it. She trailed off when she was about to explain the tune the music box played.

"..," he looked down at Mai, watching at how she seemed lightly dazed, as if she was thinking deeply to herself. He gave a few moments, until she finally snapped her head up to his, an excited, bright expression on her face.

"Naru, I know the tune! I know the lullaby," she smiled up to him.

He felt his eyes soften at her suddenly ecstatic posture, even though his face didn't falter. "What is it?"

"Dango. Dango Daikozoku."

"…D…Dumpling…" He stammered, trying to recognize what she was saying. "The Large Dumpling Family?"

Mai nodded hastily, excited that she had been able to obtain more clues. This would really help with their case now, because they knew exactly what tune they would hear when they would move in to investigate.

"Hum it for me, Mai," he commanded after sitting her down at the table. She looked up at him, surprised with a flush. Though, without protesting, she did as she was told and kept her eyes away from his.

"That's," he paused, slightly feeling uncomfortable. "…expected, unfortunately. Such an innocent sound…and it's related to, most likely, a murder…I'm not surprised at all."

Mai slowly nodded, agreeing. "I grew up with that song. My mother always made me sing it with her if it ever came on…" she trailed, looking down at the dishes Lin had made for her, which were still wrapped in plastic wrap. "It's a song I hope to sing to my children someday…"

Not getting into that subject, he excused himself by merely kissing her forehead, telling her he was going to go back to the office to help Lin and then add what she just told him to her notes. He gave her one last glare, though, which told her to rest more after she ate, and that if she knew what was good for her, she'd better eat as well.

Though, Mai didn't mind his commanding front. She felt tired, again, anyway. She decided that the excitement she felt mere minutes ago was taking its toll on her. Though, the food brought another matter at hand.

Peering down at the dishes of food, she held back a small wave of nausea, and forced herself to begin eating. Somehow, she knew that if she dumped the food in the trash, Naru would know. It didn't seem to occur to her the density of her symptoms. Nor, did she really care. All she wanted to do was eat a little and then go back to sleep.

Fatigued and trying to battle her pulsing head, she forced down tiny bites of rice, a few slices of grilled fish, and barely ate half of the serving of vegetables before finally getting up and washing out the dishes.

Well, this chapter sure was long. I'm surprised I finished it in one day though. It must be a new record for me. Please review people; I don't post this merchandise just so it can go to waste! Haha, kidding. But seriously, review? Thanks! Now, for the italics, I just want to tell you that they were meant for the dream sequence, and the nostalgic dialogues, their small conversation through eye contact as well as that flashback at the beginning of the chapter, so don't get confused, lovers. :smiles: Thanks for reading.

P.S. - I do not own the ending theme song from CLANNAD; I'm just using the lullaby for a murder. But who doesn't? :smiles innocently:

P.S.S.- I edited parts of this chapter, because after reading over it a second time, I realized it was crap. So, nothing's really changed, it just makes more sense at most parts. (My writing skills are horrible when I rush myself. I don't even know why I do it; I don't have to rush myself.)