Disclaimer and author notes: I don't own any characters from the amazing anime Ghost Hunt. Please go easy on the reviews… but review okay? I'd love to hear from you; it motivates me to continue and finish!
Chasing the Forbidden
The call was sudden but no one seemed to mind. The last few days were nothing short of boring and hesitantly disappointing. Even Mai, who was usually happy about being on a break, was a bit upset by Shibuya's lack of interest in the many cases they received.
Still no one complained. Day after day and ignored case after case they waited as if returning to their separate lives for a while. Then just as suddenly as they'd all gotten use to a peaceful life a call came in.
"We're taking the case." Shibuya said carefully, "Lin and I will be at your house in a few minutes so pack your things so we can go."
"Naru, how am I supposed to pack everything on demand?! At least give me half an hour to—" Mai sighed, wondering if she should even try and complain to him. "Anyway, I guess I'll be ready to leave when you get here."
"Good, you're only wasting your time trying to complain to me."
He hung up, leaving Mai to wonder what kinds of clothes to pack and where they were going.
Though she assumed she wouldn't have much time to get ready Mai stood outside of her house for a good half an hour before Lin drove up. She hadn't seen him in at least a week, yet she'd already been mad at him twice within the first hour of hearing from him again.
She expected Lin to overlook her but a fire rose within as Shibuya refused to even turn his blue eyes towards her when the car stopped. Instead the others made up for his emotionless conduct.
"Hey, long time no see Mai. You ready to go swimming?" Houshou called from the van.
Ayako and John waved too as Lin pulled over properly. Mai waited as they managed themselves and let her in.
"Geez, I thought you guys would be here sooner." She said.
"You missed us that much?" Ayako asked.
"No, she's referring to the fact that I asked her to come out a few minutes after I called everyone. Apparently she's been waiting outside her house for quite some time. You did ask for an extra half an hour." He said, not even cracking a smile.
Her fists tightened up but she said nothing, holding it in as her gaze fell on John who smiled innocently at her.
"Are you excited?" he asked, "Most people are happy to learn that they'll be staying at a private island."
Mai's glare weakened and finally she shrugged. "I actually didn't know where we were going. What's going on anyway?"
"Listen closely; I only want to say this once." Shibuya stated, "Yes, we're going to a private island but it's important that you leave all types of weaponry in this van. The island is actually owned by a marine, which means he lives on base and their entrance rules are very strict. The case will be fully explained later, but until then try to relax until we get there."
"You know, I thought he was going to explain more. Here, I'll tell you then. This marine's daughter is supposedly being haunted by a ghost. Of course the marine doesn't think so, but his wife does and she wants it gone. The only problem is she isn't even sure if it's there. That's where we come in." Ayako explained.
"That sounds kind of scary." Mai said softly.
"Yeah, but on the bright side they're rich! Naru picked a really good location for us to work at. Let's hope it's worth the wait." Houshou added cheerfully. "Since it took so long we know for sure it'll be interesting."
Mai agreed and thought it over a while. It was still summer and although Naru seemed pretty serious about the trip she couldn't shake the thought of hanging out at the beach or relaxing. After all she always seemed to be stuck waiting behind to watch the cameras or off looking for clues. A little time to watch the waves wouldn't hurt right?
And besides, it also wouldn't hurt to have Naru there with her. Maybe he'd open up a little more like he would in her dreams… even if they were just dreams. And that especially wouldn't hurt either one of them.
It was a forty minute ride to the ferry and once there they were met by two men in uniform. Shibuya glanced testily at his group before Lin went to consult the men. Everyone else waited quietly as they spoke and after a few moments Lin motioned to Shibuya to follow.
"They're foreigners?" Mai asked.
"The wife is from America." John replied. "Shibuya didn't tell you anything did he?"
Mai smiled weakly and followed everyone onto the ferry. She tried to stay focused in case someone decided to talk to her but once the ocean came into view all she could think about was how much fun this trip might actually turn out to be.
"Staring out into the ocean can't be good for your focusing skills." A quiet voice said.
Mai turned around to see Masako in a bright green kimono. She blinked, opened her mouth to speak, but could say nothing since she didn't really hear her. Smiling awkwardly she laughed, "What?"
"Nothing... There's the island if you were looking for it." She replied.
Mai turned again and lit up like a match. "How cool! Hey, you guys we can see the island!"
The others came along and they all grew excited at once as most people do upon seeing their destination over the horizon. Shibuya and Lin however stayed behind and watched them.
"Did you really need to call everyone?" Lin asked.
"Well, I think everyone deserves a vacation once in a while." Shibuya replied.
"This isn't—"
"Not for them, for the girl."
Lin stared at him for a moment before dropping the conversation completely. He was satisfied as long as Shibuya had things under control.
"Her name is Alicia, right?"
"Yes."
The boat docked and they were escorted to the house in a golf cart. No one said much but as the house came into view everyone, except Shibuya, was surprised.
"Is it a resort?" Ayako asked excitedly. "Was this all just a ruse to take us on vacation?"
"If I were to go on vacation why would I bring you all?" he asked curtly.
"Well you don't have to be mean about it." Ayako whined.
"It's still beautiful though." Mai mentioned.
They gazed at the marines' manor, white like the few clouds above it. The closer they got the larger and more complicated it looked. Separate buildings surrounded the back and the main house seemed to connect them all together in the front. A mural of windows were organized symmetrically all across the front.
Once they arrived a young woman met them in the courtyard. Her strange unfriendly nature was off-putting but she didn't seem to mean any harm. Instead she forced a smile, "Hello you must be the paranormal researchers." she said stoically. "The Takeda family will be with you shortly. I will escort you from here inside."
She turned abruptly and quickly walked towards the house. Mai frowned a bit, wondering if there was something bothering her, but since no one said anything she didn't either.
The main house was just as large as they imagined it might be. A large crystal chandelier hung from the center of the room and four staircases welcomed them to draw near. The maid turned right slightly and hurried up the stairs to the dining room.
"So nice of you to finally join us Angela—" a much older woman paused seeing them all enter the room seconds after. "Ah, Kazuya Shibuya, it's nice to formally meet you and your partners. My name is Elaine Takeda and my daughter here is Alicia. Say hello Alicia."
The young girl seemed to suddenly appear beside the window sill. Her short brown hair and green eyes glared out towards the ocean and she said nothing. Instead she smoothed her yellow dress and reached out for a small brown kitten that played with her fingers before moving down to pull at the fluff balls hanging off of her red knee socks. Her mother glared, opening her mouth to yell, but the young girl looked up.
"My name," she said stubbornly, "is Alice."