THIS IS A SEQUEL.
Just in case you didn't know. :)
Please read the first story – The Black Cat – first, just because it would make this more understandable…
SO! Thank you to all who have been with me… With all your responses, how could I not do a sequel? I think I came up with another good idea… If this one isn't as long – or as good – I'm sorry! But I hope you guys like it as much as the first one!

PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU LIKE THIS AND WANT IT TO CONTINUE~
I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT!

The Mirror: Chapter 1

The cloudy sky cast a slight gloom over Naru as he stood in front of the SPR building. Every now and then the wind would pick up, causing him to dig his hands deeper into his jacket pockets. He glanced down the street in hopes that his girlfriend would actually show up – for once – on time.

Naru blinked. Girlfriend… Even now, using that term to describe Mai seemed unusual to him. Sure, they had been dating for about a month now, but… Naru just couldn't get over the fact that they were actually together.

Looking back on the past month, he couldn't decide on whether things were still the same or severely different. The SPR team still went on cases together. No one was awkward about Mai and his 'going out'; if anything, they were a little too enthusiastic about it. And he and Mai still bickered like they always had. At first glance, it seemed like nothing had changed. But then, when he thought about it, Naru realized that many things had become different. He could feel himself slowly starting to open up more with Mai. Small smiles would break out onto his face when he would talk to her, and he was having a harder time maintaining a nonchalant attitude when with her.

Also, Naru noticed that he had started giving into her requests more easily. After having accepted the black cat into the SPR building for a little while, Naru began to feel that denying Mai of things that she felt truly emotional about was something that he did not want to do. This was the reason why he was standing out in the somewhat chilly weather, waiting for Mai to arrive. The whole thing had started the night before…

Naru glanced at the clock in his office and realized that it was past the time when Mai usually would go home. She always waltzed through the door, proclaiming that she was off, saluting as she did so. Staring at the door, Naru wondered why she hadn't yet done it. Had she already left and not said anything? He got up and went into sitting area, only to stop as he spotted his assistant/girlfriend. She had her head resting on her arms, which were folded on the top of her desk. Light snores were emitting from her, and a strand of her hair kept flying into the air with every breath she released.

Approaching her, Naru felt a gentle smile creep onto his face. When will this girl stop sleeping on the job? He looked down at her intently. His eyebrows rose as he noticed that her face was suddenly turning red and incoherent mumbles were starting to tumble out of her mouth. Naru reached a hand out and placed it on Mai's shoulder, giving her a gentle shake.

"Mai. Wake up." At Naru's voice, Mai's eyes snapped open, and she bolted upright.

"Ah! Oh, jeeze, Naru! You scared me," she stated exasperatedly. Naru crossed his arms, giving her a look.

"Maybe you shouldn't sleep on the job, then." Mai stared at the nearest clock, alarmed. Her eyes widened.

"Wha – It's that late already? I'm sorry, Naru! I just laid my head down for one second – I was so tired – I didn't really get any sleep last night…" She hastily went around and gathered her things. Naru followed close behind her.

"Why didn't you sleep last night? Did you have one of those dreams?" Mai shook her head, pulling her coat on.

"No, no. It was just one of those weird, sleepless nights. And I haven't had a dream with Gene since the Takumis' case…" Mai frowned, her face turning slightly pink. "Ah – well – now that you mention it, I just had one of those dreams just now. Um, Gene says 'Hi', by the way." Naru nodded slowly, curiosity in his eyes.

"Did something happen in your dream? You were acting weird while you were asleep." Mai laughed nervously.

"Nope, not really. Gene was just being – Gene, I guess. Saying weird things, you know." The two's eyes made contact, making Mai glance away quickly. "Well, I'll be going –"

"Mai, what did my stupid brother say?" Mai stayed silent. "Was it that bad? Do we need a repeat of the last time you tried to keep something from me?" Mai sighed, turning her slightly-pink face back to him.

"N-No, I'm good. Well… Gene told me to tell you…" She took a deep breath, "…'It's about time you told Mai how you feel, Idiot Scientist. Try not to make her cry anymore, or else I'll have to haunt you. Oh, and… and…'" Mai mumbled through the rest of the sentence. Naru took a step towards her, a smirk creeping onto his face.

"Would you repeat that?" Mai looked at him briefly, before covering her face with her hands.

"He said, 'Oh, and hurry up and get married so I can call you guys Mr. and Mrs. Idiot Scientist'!" she exclaimed in a rush. Naru fought to not roll his eyes. Smirk still in place, he leaned towards her, placing his mouth by her ear. Mai let out a small squeak when she felt his breath.

"Next time you see him, tell him to mind his own business." He pulled away from her, and Mai stepped back, waving her arms in front of her blushing face.

"Ah – sure – I'll tell him that! Well, s-see you tomorrow!" She practically ran from the room, shouting a 'good-bye' as she went. Naru chuckled lightly and went back to his office.

Not an hour later, the SPR phone rang. Naru tore his gaze from the book he was reading to look at the clock. Who is calling at this hour? He heard Lin's voice as he answered the phone, followed by his footsteps. The door to Naru's office opened.

"Noll, Taniyama-san is on the phone," he said, then went back to his office. Naru raised an eyebrow. Mai…? When he got to the sitting room, he picked up the abandoned phone.

"Mai? What is it?" He heard her sigh, exhaustion clear in her voice.

"Oh, Naru… Are you doing anything tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is the consultation with Hiraoka-san at 12:00," he reminded her. I would think she would remember, considering she is the one who basically made me agree to even see them… His eyebrows furrowed as he remembered how easily he had given in to Mai's request.

"Right, I guess I forgot about that… Are you available before, then? I – uh – need your help with something." Naru narrowed his eyes.

"I might be available. What do you need help with?" He heard a small 'bang!' on the other end, followed by an 'ow!'. "Mai, are you feeling alright?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired, forgot there was a wall there!" She laughed halfheartedly. "As for tomorrow, I wanted to know if you had time to… go grocery shopping with me…"

Silence.

"I know that it sounds like a weird thing to ask, but it's just that… my refrigerator broke while I was at work today. Everything in it spoiled, and I have to replace it all, but I don't know if I can carry it all at one time… Usually, I get a few things here and there, but to get it all at one time is a little –" Naru frowned.

"Mai, you're rambling. Go to bed. Get some sleep. I'll meet you here at 9:30 tomorrow morning." Mai yawned.

"Thank you," she mumbled in a sleepy voice. "Ne, Naru… I love you… you know?"

"Yeah," Naru said softly, "I know."

"NARU!"

He snapped out of his reverie, turning his head to see Mai running down the street towards him. Her face was flushed, and she waved her hand energetically at him. He began slowly walking in her direction, his gaze now on the street beside him. Stopping as she reached him, he looked over to see her doubled over, breathing heavily.

"Sorry, Naru, I really tried to be on time! But the refrigerator guy was late, and that made me late, and – " She halted, seeing Naru's raised eyebrow. "Ah… Rambling. Whoops."

The corner of Naru's mouth lifted briefly as he turned and began walking down the street. Mai paused for a second before smiling and running to catch up to him.

Lin also couldn't help but smile as he watched the couple walk down the street. They just seemed so unusual. There was Mai, who was clad in bright colors and constantly smiling and talking to Naru. And then there was Naru, who was wearing all black and almost always looking in front of him, hands in his pockets. Appearance wise, they looked like they would never belong together. As he settled back into his chair with his hands automatically moving to their spot on his computer keyboard, Lin shook his head.

I guess it's true that opposites attract.

An hour-and-a-half later, Naru and Mai were walking back to the SPR building, the new groceries having been purchased and sorted into Mai's repaired refrigerator. When they drew nearer to the building, Mai looked up at Naru, their grocery trip replaying itself in her mind.

"Ne, Naru?" He turned his head slightly towards her. "Thanks for helping me… I hope I didn't take up too much of your time…" She looked down at her jacket, her hands playing with the hem.

"Mai." She glanced up at him. "You're not taking up my time. Don't hesitate to ask me for help if you need it." They had reached the door and were now just standing in place, staring at each other. Mai smiled brightly.

"Will do!" She pulled open the door, and Naru walked through it. Mai paused and craned her head, a random thought popping into her brain.

"Naru? Aren't you supposed to hold the door open for me? I am a girl, you know!" Naru hung his coat on the coat rack.

"Yes, but you're my assistant, so you open the door for me." He walked away into his office. Mai glared at his retreating back, huffing as he closed the door.

"Well, pardon me! Assistant? Girlfriend wins over assistant, if you ask me." She tugged her own jacket off and threw it onto the coat rack. Just as she was about to walk away, Mai stopped. She reached into Naru's jacket, pulling out the black pair of gloves that he had been wearing for quite some time. A sigh of relief escaped her mouth.

Good. He hasn't bought new ones yet. She thought, remembering the gift for him that was currently sitting at her house. He really should pay attention to these things, though…

"Mai, tea!" Naru yelled, causing Mai to jump a foot in the air. She rammed the gloves back into his jacket.

"A-Alright! One second!" She scurried into the kitchen. As she made the tea, Mai glanced at the clock in the sitting room. 11:50 A.M., it read.

Guess I should get tea ready for the potential clients, as well. I think the caller said over the phone that she was bringing one other person… so, I need four cups. No – five, including myself. Nodding to herself, Mai pulled five cups out of the cabinet, along with a tray to rest them on.

A couple of minutes later, Mai had all the cups balanced on the tray and was just leaving the kitchen when the doorbell rang. She carefully placed the tray on the table by the couches before rushing to the door.

Opening it, Mai examined the two people before her. One was a man, while the other was a woman – most likely the one who had called beforehand, Kaoru Hiraoka. The man had an arm wrapped around the woman's shoulders.

"Hello!" Mai greeted the two, then turned to the woman, "Are you Hiraoka-san?" The woman nodded in response.

"Yes, I am Kaoru Hiraoka. You may call me Kaoru, if you wish. This is my fiancé, Chiaki Tsukino." The man tipped his head, and Mai smiled at him.

"Well, congratulations to you both! Ah – Please, come in… I have some tea prepared; feel free to have a seat. I'm going to go get my boss." She showed the two of them to the couches before bowing and heading to Naru's office. Opening the door, she poked her head in.

"Naru, they're here!" He walked towards her, placing a book down as he did so. Mai looked at it, then back to him.

"Jeeze, is there any book you haven't read?" Naru gave her a look.

"Is there any book you have read?" Mai crossed her arms as he passed her. "Maybe that's why you don't do well in school." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"I do fine in school, thank you very much!" Turning on her heel, she relayed her message to Lin, who followed her to the couches.

The two clients sat on one side, while the three SPR members sat on the other. Lin prepared his pen and paper, while Naru took a couple sips of tea. Kaoru and Chiaki awkwardly sipped their tea, as well, nervousness apparent in their miens. Setting his cup down, Naru shifted his attention to the two before him.

"Na – Boss, this is Chiaki Tsukino and his fiancé, Kaoru Hiraoka. Tsukino-san and Hiraoka-san, this is my boss, Kazuya Shibuya." Mai introduced them to each other. Naru nodded curtly, activating his business mode.

"Would you two tell me your reasons for requesting to come in today?" The two clients shared a glance. Chiaki cleared his throat.

"Well, Shibuya-san, my fiancé and I believe that there is some sort of thing in our house. I was never one to believe in supernatural ideas, but I have come to accept that there is definitely something unnatural in my house." Kaoru grabbed onto his hand, nodding sadly. Naru looked slightly impatient.

"Can you explain what has changed your mind?" Chiaki shook his head.

"Right, sorry. You see, I just moved into my fiancé and her sister's house about… two weeks ago. The first couple of days that I was there, everything was fine. However, as the days passed, my fiancé and I started to see weird apparition-things. During the daytime, there would be shadows in places where the sun was brightly shining, and there were no objects around to make the shadows!" He frowned deeply.

"We just figured that the lights were playing tricks on us and, for the most part, tried to ignore the shadows. A day or two later, however, I started to notice that items would move overnight. There are certain objects that I like to keep in certain places, so it didn't take long for me to realize that something was going on. I asked my fiancé and her sister about them, but they insisted that they didn't move anything. I couldn't come up with a plausible reason, so I just pushed the thoughts out of my mind. But then…" He glanced at Kaoru, who had tightened her grip on his hand.

"The voices started," she whispered. Mai felt a shiver run along her body. Voices?

"What were the voices saying?" Naru asked, completely unmoved. Hiraoka-san glanced at him, tears in her eyes.

"I've only heard them say one thing… and as far as I know, I-I'm the only one who has heard them. My sister doesn't a-answer me when I ask her about them, and Chiaki says t-that he hasn't heard them. When I hear the voices… something n-nearby me always breaks or c-cracks. The last time I h-heard them, the lights flickered… and a p-picture frame that I h-have rose into the air like it was going to… to…" She covered her face with her hands, and Chiaki started to rub her back. Mai realized that she was death-gripping the couch, so she loosened her hold. Naru narrowed his eyes.

"Hiraoka-san, if you can, tell us – what do the voices say to you?" Kaoru removed her hands and sat up a little straighter, wiping her eyes quickly with her hands. She breathed in a shaky breath and tore her gaze from the floor to look at Naru, fear and confusion swimming in her eyes.

"Why aren't I pretty enough?"

Alrighty then! :) Whaddya guys think so far? Sounding somewhat interesting?
A fun fact, I kept spelling refrigerator wrong. Thank gosh for spell check!~
**It'll be awhile before I update, probably!**
I'm gonna be in a play! Gotta practice~
Thanks again guys!
-Allikitty13+Tuna =^.^=