Blame It On The Wine

PART TWO

Mai pulled the door closed with a slam before she darted her eyes from left to right. What is she doing, running away from her own husband like that? It seemed ridiculous, yes, but Mai couldn't possibly face him now more than ever. And because she couldn't think of anything else, Mai jumped on the bed and crawled under the bed covers just as the door opened. She drew the covers around her shoulders and leaned against the headboard. Go away.. please, go away.

Naru came out of the door and looked at her flushed face for a moment before he closed the door firmly behind him.

"What are you doing?" He stated in a stern voice as if he was dealing with a five year old. Mai fidgeted under his scrutiny. No, she didn't feel like a child who was caught red handed, rather, she felt like a cornered cat and he the big bad wolf.

"Naru.." Mai closed her eyes, hating the fact that her voice came out like a squeak of some sort. Then, she peered at him through her lashes and noticed for the first time the beads of water dripping from the tips of his hair. He was wearing a dark robe. It fit him perfectly, like a prince of darkness, he crossed his arms and stared at her with that impassive expression on his face. Ah, she knew that look so well.

"Do you know how much trouble you've caused last night?" He said. And Mai winched at his tone. She did get into a big trouble, even if she couldn't remember, his tone said enough.

Naru took a step towards her. "You didn't call."

"I couldn't." She said with a pout.

He ignored her and took another step. "You got drunk."

Ugh. Mai blushed deep red and bit her lower lip in frustration. It's all that damned wine's fault! Naru's right. It is vile— evil, despicable, a malign on innocents.But the thought was not comforting at all, it made her even more depressed. If it's possible to die of mortification, then she should be dead now, right? RIGHT?

"Have you nothing to say for yourself?" Naru said with an irritated sigh, his voice was edgy as if he didn't sleep. That's right, she interrupted him in the middle of work as well.

Mai pouted. "I'm an idiot."

"And?" He stated. Mai scowled, he's not an affectionate husband at all. They usually made up after a long series of arguments and frankly speaking, they'd stop fighting once she really snapped and they would leave it just that without anyone apologizing— not her, not him.

And aside from that, it was also difficult to reason with him when he already made up his mind. He wouldn't consider her thoughts on any matter because he always believed that his decision's the best. Also, he criticized her compassion for other people, saying that it's unnecessary and that people need to realize their mistakes the hard way in order for them to learn.

Mai sighed.

"Well?"

She looked back at him. "I'm sorry."

Those words were always hard for them to say because they're both stubborn people with great pride, and between the two of them, Naru's the worst. He wouldn't apologize unless he couldn't help it. And also he didn't value anyone's apology because he always say that those who disobeyed are stupi—

"Okay."

Mai raised her head quickly. Did he say 'okay'? Just that? Okay? No, 'idiot' or 'stupid'

She stared at him.. Maybe he got drunk too? Mai thought with astonishment. But, then again.. he would always do something contradictory. A long time ago, she told him that he was a heartless know-all, that a man like him wouldn't know how important compassion is. Then, right after they argued, he did what she told him and did just what he was opposed to. And sometimes he'd go beyond her expectations. Naru had an unpredictable personality. He would deny having any filial emotions and yet his actions would just state the opposite.

Mai blinked, her eyes hopeful. "So, am I forgiven?

He stared blankly at her. "No."

Her face fell and she gaped at him with a dumbstruck expression on her face. "B-but.."

Naru's eyes darkened. "Do you think I'll let you off so easily?" He stated with a voice laced with venom that she gulped nervously, and started to back away. But, there's no way to run, her back was already flattened against the headboard. Ah, she's in trouble. Mai looked from left to right.

"There's no way out. Unless you want the other guests to see you." Naru stated.

"What are you going to do?" Mai gripped the bed sheets tightly against her chest.

He snorted. "Do you even want to know?"

No, she'd rather not.

"Ugh.. are you okay?" Mai said nervously. He's not possessed, right? Oh, god. He came from work, and that means he was investigating a case. Oh dear.. he's acting very strange. It's not like him at all. Mai began to panic. What if he's possessed? She wouldn't be able to use the Buddhist chant and she didn't have powers like—

"I didn't sleep at all last night, and you're asking me that stupid question." Ugh. He's always so sullen in the morning. The bed dipped. Mai shrieked and scrambled away from the headboard only to be thrown back against the pillows. Naru was holding her down and looking at her with such intensity that made her pale. Oh.. no. He's.. he's... He's gone berserk! Possessed, he's possessed. There's no doubt about it.

Mai pushed with her hands and kicked her legs to get away from him. Amidst their struggle, however, Naru's robe parted and dropped away from his shoulders.

Mai became as still as a rock. "Wha- wha.."

Too shocked to even form a coherent word, Mai gaped at the kiss marks on his neck and chest. She saw his bare body many times but.. but those.. those are not—

Hickeys.

... Hickeys..

...Hickeys...

... HICKEYS...

Or are they?

Mai fainted.

...

"Good morning."

Rensuke looked up at his sister, Aine, before he huffed away with a scowl. Aine smiled at him and pulled a chair to sit on. "How's your head?"

"Don't even ask." He muttered. It's true that his head was aching because he got totally drunk at the party last night, but his hangover was no where near the throbbing pain coming from the big lump on his head given to him by Mai's husband.

They were only having fun— well, he did like Mai when they were in high school but he had no intention to molest the girl... maybe a simple kiss or two. However, her husband, that arrogant prick, clearly didn't see that. He only placed an arm around Mai's shoulders like good old buddies at the same time her husband appeared in front of them. Then, he was sailing through the air and crashed against the floor head first, he rammed against a table after and embarrassed the hell out of him when the beers from the other table fell on him. Not only that, he had to pay for the damage when it's all that guy's fault.

"Come on, Ren. You're still not upset about what happened, are you?" Aine said in exasperation.

"I am upset!" He exclaimed and then grumbled under his breath. "That man's a demon."

Aine laughed at him. "Oh, I think he's handsome.. and very manly." Rensuke glared at her. "It's your fault. You shouldn't have hit on her. She's married already! And even if her husband's not around, you shouldn't have done something like that, geez."

"I was drunk! I didn't know what I was doing."

Aine raised a brow at his excuse. "That girl was drunk too and from what I saw last night, she didn't even notice you."

Aine worked as a waitress at the bar and because she's a close friend of the owner, Rensuke was able to get a discount. She saw what happened last night, and dragged him toward the kitchen to make him work as payment for what happened. She clearly sparred the man who started it and even accompanied him and his wife to a room while he was washing all the dishes downstairs. That traitorous woman..

Going back to her statement, Rensuke frowned. "She was too busy talking about her husband that's why." Mai was obviously in love with her narcissistic husband, but she was downhearted because he was busy all the time. Her cute face and the vulnerability in her eyes got to his head and loins faster than the wine and before he knew it, he was already besotted. Then, her husband came and spoiled everything.

"She's so in love with him." Aine said while looking at him with a dreamy smile on her face. "Didn't you know? She was clinging to him like a vein and saying how much she love him and miss him while he.."

Rensuke placed his hands against his ears. "Arg! Shut up! I don't want to hear it!"

She smiled cheekily at him before continuing, "HE WAS HOLDING HER SO CLOSELY AND BRUSHING HER HAIR SO GENTLY."

"No!" He pushed away from the table, the chair screeching against the floor. 'I'm leaving! And I will not buy you any souvenirs when I get back!"

Aine's jaw dropped. "Don't you dare!"

"Oh, I will." He snickered. "It's payback time. You made me wash all those dishes. Now, I'm going to have my revenge."

Outraged, Aine slammed her hands on the table. "You ungrateful brat! I did all those odd jobs so that you can graduate!"

"I didn't ask for your help!"

"You're an idiot! I wouldn't blame that girl for not falling for you! You're horrible and you smell of alcohol— You stink!" She pinched her nose and pointed at the door. "Go and take a bath before you defile my precious kitchen with your stench."

Rensuke grinned evilly before he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Ack!" She pushed him away. "Don't come near me!"

"Oh?" He said with a wide grin. Then, he took off his shirt and threw it over her head. She shrieked and stood from her seat, her hands pushing the garment off of her.

"I think I'll have my revenge." He lunged at her while ran away with him chasing her around and around the table.

Back in the hotel, Mai's head was swirling and she was blushing profusely. He was.. he was.. "Ahh, no—"

"Shut up."

She was falling.. falling, her skin was tingling wherever he touched. Warm.. his breath brushed against her neck followed by something soft. He was moving.. those lips was moving up the curve and against her ear before it parted and drew the lobe with a nip that he instantly soothed with his tongue. Then, he breathed against the shell of the her ear, making her shiver and whimper and strained for more.

"No.. Not there." She gasped. Then, his hands.. those hands.. molding against her small breasts.. seeking those tips that grew erect by the touch of his fingers. Mai sobbed and threw her head back. She could no longer think past the sensations. Too enraptured by it, she could only hold him, her arms around his shoulders, her nails digging against his back. It was too much. The taste of faint wine in his kiss and the feel of his hands as he gathered her closer to him. It's the first time they made love that way. Passionate and unrestrained, she didn't know if she had given him the same pleasure that he was giving her, only... she could only follow his lead while he took her to the waves and higher.

Crying out, Mai tightened her hold on him and pulled at his hair as if she was drowning.. drowning. She couldn't catch her breath, she needed air. He pulled away from her but returned after she had taken enough air in her lungs.

"Wrap them... . there.." He whispered against her lips breathlessly, his voice rough and so unlike his gentle hold as he guided her legs until she was open and ready for his possession.

He pulled her closer until there's nothing between them. Only desire. Mai bit her swollen lips and held on for dear life until the blaze of their passion erode to a dwindling fire and she was falling once again.. but this time in a dreamless sleep.

"Naru.."

...

Brrrrrrrr

... Brrrrrrr

Mai frowned and pulled the pillow over her head. What's that sound?

... Brrrrrrrr

Pushing her hair away from her face, Mai squinted her eyes and looked at the one who so rudely interrupted her sleep. She rose on one elbow and stared at the rectangular contraption on the night table.

Naru's phone. And it was vibrating.

Reality came crashing down! on her. Her eyes widened before she looked at the other side of the bed and saw him. It's real. He's real. What happened.. it's all real.

Mai watched him. He was facing her, his brows curving to a frown and his eyes opening. She panicked and backed away until she ended up sprawling on the floor and bringing the bed sheets with her.

Her cheeks reddened as she stared at the ceiling. Then, a hand appeared in her line of vision and drew back with the phone. A deep voice answered a sleepy 'Hello'.

"What?" Naru said irritably. He's in a foul mood, Mai thought. Of course, thanks to her, he didn't have enough sleep.

"No, I'm just a few blocks away." He said.

Huh? Few blocks away?

Mai frowned in confusion.

"Ok, bring it here. I'll send you the address."

Who's bringing what here?

"Tell that stupid monk to shut up or else I'll reduce his salary."

Stupid monk..?

"Okay." The sound of a phone flipping reached her ears. "Mai, are you going to stay there all day?"

Mai scrambled to her knees and clutched the bed sheets against her chest.

"Take a shower and get dressed." He said while pulling his pants on. Mai averted her eyes. "I'm going to call for room service." He said before he walked away.

Mai noticed grimly that he was back to his old self. He looked as if nothing happened.. as if he was not affected at all. That's it! She's not going to talk to him. She would act as if they hadn't had the best sex ever.

With that thought in mind, she stood. "Where's my clothes?" She said cooly.

"In the trash." Naru said with a dark scowl.

"What?!" Outraged, she fisted her hand and glared at him.

"If you want to dress yourself with puke then go ahead, don't let me stop you." He stated.

Mai breathed deeply and strove for patience. Dear heavenly father, why did you let me marry this man? You should have struck him with lightnight the very minute he stepped on the aisle.

"How am I going to get dressed when you threw away the only clothes I have?" She reasoned out. The strip of fabric you call 'nightgown' wasn't on her choice list even if it's the only thing left. She would burn it as soon as she got hold of that exquisite candelabra on the table a few yards away from her.

"There's a few clothes in the closet. Hurry up before Lin arrive."

"Lin?"

Naru stood and ran his hand through his tangled hair. "Yes." Then, he sent an impatient glance at her. "Didn't you hear me?"

That jerk.

Mai whipped his head away like a sullen child."Fine, fine. I'm hurrying. I'm hurrying. Geez."

After taking the shower, Mai came out of the bathroom wearing a light pink robe and looking beet red. She acquired a few more kiss marks, two in her neck, one in her hips and one in her shoulder. Great, just great. Didn't she say that she will act as if nothing happened?

Grimly, she stomped toward the closet and pulled the doors open. Naru's right. It did have a few clothes, but.. but.. they were all indecent. Not only that, she saw a few (questionable) objects in the drawer bellow. What kind of room is this?

She kept her face straight and composed the instant Naru returned with a tray in one hand. He was dressed in his usual black turtleneck shirt with long sleeves and a slightly loose black slacks. Mai watched him from the corner of her eyes as he leaned down to place the tray on the small table. She caught the kiss mark on his neck just below the fabric before he straightened back once again.

Then, he glanced at her and Mai had to look away to keep him from seeing the blush on her face. "We'll take breakfast after you're finished."

She nodded and took out a dress. It was not like the nightgown that she had worn. It's definitely not translucent that you would see through the fabric. That telltale observation made her stiffen. Frowning at it, she sent a questioning glance at her husband who was straightening the bed. In one arm, he held the nightgown and the dark robe.

Mai looked back at the dress in her hand. He arrived at the party and clearly saw her make a mess of herself. He threw away the clothes that she'd worn at the party because like what he mentioned earlier.. she regurgitated the food contents of her stomach the night before. So, that's why she felt so hungry when she woke up. But.. then after that, they stayed at the hotel.

She was putting bits and pieces together because she couldn't remember anything. So, the question left was the night gown and why she was wearing it instead of something more decent like the one she was holding.

Mai looked at the dress and then dropped it all of the sudden.

Naru looked at her from across the room. "What is it?"

She looked at him in horror and then blushed. "Err.. nothing." Then, without anything better to say, she said. "There's nothing appropriate to wear."

Naru made a reply that suspiciously sounded like a 'hmp'. Then, he opened the door to the bathroon and said. "I told you so."

"What?" She stared at him, confused. "But you didn't tell me anything."

Naru glanced over his shoulder. "I told you last night, but you didn't listen to me and insisted on wearing it."

Her eyes widened. "You— you mean.. you didn't."

"What do you think?" He smirked darkly at her one last time before he closed the door. The sound seemed like a noose around her neck.

Grabbing the door for support, Mai bent her head, her mind swirling.

He didn't dress her in that vile strip of fabric. She's the one who wore it and probably did all those horrifying things that whores do. And the reason why he wasn't able to sleep last night was.. .

Mai grabbed the hanger attached to the dress and threw it (along with the dress) against the bathroom door. "You bastard!"

EXTRA SCENE

Takigawa, Ayako, John and the rest of the SPR members entered the small cafe near the lobby of the hotel. They were all grinning except Lin of course who was expressionless as always.

As they walked closer, Naru raised his head and looked at them with eyes so chilling that their grin changed to a pout.

"What happened to him?" Ayako muttered with a huff while Takigawa shrugged. "Maybe the honeymoon didn't go well."

"I'm sorry. They insisted." Lin cut in.

Naru looked away with an irritated sigh. Then, they all sat around the small table and looked quite ridiculous as they gazed at Naru with such curiosity. Lin remained impassive and waited until Naru finished taking a sip from his tea.

"Where's the document that I asked you to bring?" Naru said, placing the cup down.

"Here." Lin said and placed a manila envelope on the table. Naru took the folder and flipped through the contents.

"Where's Mai by the way?" Takigawa said before he looked around.

"Where's the other one?" Naru said to Lin, who turned and regarded the Monk questioningly. "Takigawa-san, where's the other item?

He squirmed. ".. I forgot." Then, his face perked up. "But hey, she wouldn't need them anyway, right?"

Naru pushed away from the table and stood. Then, he stared at the monk while the rest of the group quieted down.

"Takigawa-san." Naru began. "I'm firing you for the day. Go and buy something for Mai to wear or else I won't hire you back."

An hour later, a knock came on the door. "Wait!" Mai said before she drew the robe around her shoulders. She padded across the room barefooted until she finally reached the door and opened it.

A female wearing a uniform smiled at her. "Here's a package for you, Shibuya-san." She handed a box to her and Mai took it with a smile.

Closing the door behind her, Mai took off the lid of the box. She peered inside and saw a bottle of wine beside a plastic wrapper. Mai stared at it for a few moments and finally remembered where she had seen the bottle. It's that Habu Sake (Snake Wine) that she had seen in the bedroom earlier.

Then, she shifted her eyes on the piece of folded paper and read it:

'Enjoy - Bou-san'

Mai frowned then took the paper and unfolded the plastic wrapper on the clothes and shook it. The fabric unfurled and cascaded down. Mai gaped at it.

"Bou-san!"

It was another nightgown after all.

FIN

...

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Now, how was that? (Hehe) The smut scene's rather short and not that explicit because I only wanted it to be simple, not too much, but just enough for them.

To all those who reviewed, followed, and favorited this story:

I want to thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews. You made me very very happy. Thank you all so much. I'm proud that I'm a writer because I was able to make people happy. :)

...

INTERVIEW W/ THE CHARACTERS:

Reader: I want to know something..

Aine: Yes?

Reader: About the room? What objects did Mai see in the closet?

Aine: The naughty toys of course.

Reader: Ehhhh?! Then that room is...

Aine: A honeymoon suite (Grins)

Reader: But surely Naru wouldn't..

Aine: Of course he wouldn't but a few push here and there would do.

Reader: What do you mean?

Aine: Ehhhh. (Smiles wickedly) You see I lied to the check in and said that they're in their second honeymoon. Naru's clearly had his hands full because Mai's making such a fuss, so I booked the room for them and with his permission too, though he did not know what I said.

Reader: You're terribly wicked, Aine-san.

Aine: No, blame the author. She should stop making Naru do wicked things. He'll hurt his narcissistic reputation.

Me: *achoo!*

...

Me: Bou-san!

Bou-san: yeah?

Me: Are you alright?

Bou-san: No, I was fired, thanks to you.

Me: Hehehe. Sorry.

Bou-san: Anyway, what's with the wine?

Me: Well (Smiles). It's an aphrodisiac wine. Snake Wine is the best natural viagra in Asia. In Japan it is called Habu Sake. And since Naru couldn't read Japanese... you know what happened.

Bou-san: But I thought he doesn't drink alcoholic beverages.

Me: Well, Mai seduced him into it. That's why he went berserk.

Bou-san: H-how did she do that?!

Me: I don't know. Don't ask me.

Bou-san: But you're the author!

Me: I'm afraid my imaginative capability could only take a certain amount of *ehem* hot scenes. Once is quite enough for me.

Bou-san: That's too bad.

Me: Why? Want me to write a hot scene for you and Ayako? *smiles wickedly*

Bou-san: *glares*

...

Me: Hey, Naru-bou!

Naru: *glares*

Me: easyyyy, I'm just going to ask something.

Naru: what?

Me: Well, you did say you're just a few blocks away from the hotel. Why?

Naru: the client's haunted store is not that far.

Me: Ehhhhh. So you allowed Mai to attend the party because you can check on her. But you didn't tell her that and she was upset that your work's more important than her.

Naru: *silent*

Me: You plan on surprising her, aren't you?.. My, my *smiles*

Naru: Don't you have anything better to do than interrogate me?

Me: Well, I do have something better to do. You see? I want to write what happened at the party—

Naru: *DEATH GLARE*

Me: .. okay. never mind.