A/N: Well, here is my second Ghost Hunt fanfic so please be kind. If I have made any mistakes when it comes to characters and such please forgive me. I have not read all the Ghost Hunt manga's. Only 3 and 7 so far but I will be reading the rest soon.

A young woman stood atop a beautiful white marble balcony as the wind whipped her gown around her. The dress was a blood red colour lined with gold trim. The trim cris-crossed over the bust as thought it was threaded ties. The wind whirled the material of the skirt around her petite figure, revealing a pair of simple black heels. Her face was covered in shadow but she carried an air of grace and happiness. She clutched tightly at her necklace as she peered out into the darkness.

The girl entered a room and walked serenely to her desk. She then laid atop it a letter. She grasped a nearby glass of wine and brought it to her silky lips. The liquid flowed freely but tasted bitter. Before anyone could stop her, her body slumped to the ground, her skirt pooling around her. Her last words whispered and echoed around the silent room.

"I'm sorry"

Startled awake by her dream, Mai Taniyama practically leapt from her bed, clutching her chest and gasping for air. When Mai finally got her breathing under control and she walked briskly into her bathroom.

Depositing her pyjama's on the floor, she thought about her dream as she climbed into the shower.

'What was that about? I shouldn't have read that story before bed' she thought. Mai was referring to a romance novel that Ayako Matsuzaki, her fellow worker, had recommended. It told the story of a pair of lovers whom loved and lost each other. As usual. Mai couldn't really remember the details but that was what it was basically about.

Mai shook her head to clear her thoughts. She felt the tension ease from her body as the water soaked into her short brown locks and flowed over her body. Once she had finished, she exited the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and headed for her closet.

After rummaging for at least 10 minutes she emerged in a blue turtle neck shirt, a red skirt with a lace trim and a pair of black flats with strings that tied up her shins. She quickly ran a brush through her short brown hair, making sure it looked at least presentable, before fixing herself breakfast.

As she munched on a piece of toast Mai let her thoughts wander to the day ahead. She could just see it now. As soon as her foot stepped through the door, Kazuya Shibuya would demand his daily dose of tea.

'Look on the bright side Mai,' her head soothed, 'If anyone ever needs him dead, you are just the person to do it. That man goes through tea like it's going out of fashion.'

Mai chuckled at herself. She may not like his narcissistic attitude, or his strange affinity with tea, but she knew that he just wouldn't be Naru without them. And Naru was the one she loved. Faults included. She had chided herself many times for falling for the pompous asshole that was Kazuya Shibuya, but all it took was one slight smile, or a vote of trust from the man to make her fall even harder. What, with his deep blue eyes that just screamed mystery and his blacker than night locks that she just itched to run her fingers through. He was gorgeous. Not that she'd ever tell him that.

Mai shook her head to clear her wandering thoughts as she finished off her breakfast. If she was late, Naru would take the mickey out of her for it.

"Take the mickey out of me. Ha. He'd just call me stupid" she muttered darkly while washing her plate. Mai then put on her coat and shoes and headed off to work.

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At exactly 8:00 am, Mai entered the Shibuya Psychic research office to find Naru and Lin already there.

'Big surprise' she thought sarcastically as she hung up her coat and removed her shoes. She immediately went into the kitchen and put some water in the kettle to boil. She pulled out their cups, black as usual for Naru and white for Lin, and made the beverage for the pair.

Mai placed the cups on a tray and left the kitchen. She first went into Lin's office.

"Here is some tea Lin," she said cheerily. The man nodded without taking his eyes or hands from his laptop screen. Mai just sighed and let the stotic man to his work. Next she crossed the room to Naru's door. She knocked loudly and when she received no answer, wandered in.

"Your tea Naru" she said simply. Naru looked up at her and nodded.

"You are finally catching on," he said smugly. Mai scoffed and placed the cup down on his desk. She tucked the tray under her arm and crossed her arms, refusing to move. Naru raised his eyes once again to look at the brunette.

"Was there something else?" he said emotionlessly.

"A thank you would be nice" she replied. Naru put down his book and leant back in his leather chair.

"You are right. It would be nice. But I'm not nice. I'm your boss. Now if there wasn't anything else please leave my office and do what you were hired to do" the narcissistic man said. Mai spun on her heel and made a move to exit the room. Once she reached the door, however, she turned and poked out her tongue at the 17-year-old boy.

"Jerk," she hissed before storming out. Naru shook his head and returned to his momentarily forgotten book.

Mai practically threw the tray into the kitchen before stomping to her desk and flopping down behind it. She pulled out a large pile of folders and began sorting the papers. Before too long, the shrill ringing of the phone broke the silence that had engulfed the office. Mai dropped the file she had been working with right on the floor.

"Damn it!" she cursed while reaching for the receiver.

"Uh hello. Shibuya Psychic Research, Mai speaking" she answered automatically. There was a few moment of silence in which Mai stretched to retrieve the dropped papers before a deep voice sounded through the plastic phone.

"I am a potential client that is in need of your...unique talents," it said. Something about the voice made Mai shiver but she ignored it as she went about gathering what was left of the file.

"Okay well then I think I need to put you in touch with my boss, Kazuy-" she began before being interrupted.

"No!" it almost shouted. "I mean no. Sorry but I just would prefer to tell my tale in person." Mai scrunched her brow in confusion at his statement.

"Okay then. According to what I have here, Mr. Shibuya would be able to see you at 10:30 am tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you?" she said flicking through the daily planner. Again there was a moments silence.

"That is fine," he said after a few seconds.

"And you are?" Mai questioned.

"Paolo. Paolo Keranzi" he supplied.

"Okay Mr. Keranzi" she said, writing down the information.

"Paolo please" he said again interrupting the girl.

"Very well then Paolo, I will see you tomorrow at 10:30am. Goodbye" she said.

"Until then. Goodbye" he replied before hanging up. Mai placed the phone back in its cradle before picking up the post it note and heading for Naru's office once again. She didn't bother with knocking this time. She just turned the handle and marched right on in. Mai wen to speak but Naru just held up a hand in a "wait a moment" gesture. She stood here for around 5 minutes before it clicked that he was ignoring her on purpose. She slammed a hand down on his desk as to gain his attention. And gain his attention she did. His steely blue gaze met hers briefly before she launched into her speech.

"Naru, there was just a phone call from a Mr. Paolo Keranzi. He said that he was in need of our services but he wouldn't tell me over the phone. He said he would only speak to us in person" she explained. Naru just looked at her with a slight bored expression.

"And you're telling me this why?" he asked. Mai rolled her eyes.

"Because I scheduled you a meeting with him at 10:30 am tomorrow morning. So that he can explain his case," she said in an irritated tone of voice. Naru sat silent for a moment and Mai thought he had begun ignoring her again. She placed the note in front of him, on the desk, and made a move to leave. Just as her hand grasped the doorknob he spoke.

"I expect you to be here on time then," he said emotionlessly. As always. Mai smiled brightly and left the young man to his musings.

'That girl...' he thought. Naru quickly shook his head so as to prevent his mind from following that train of thought. He quickly refocussed on his work and ignored the warm feeling in his chest.

The rest of the day was very uneventful. Lin had emerged from his office a total of twice since Mai had arrived that morning, and Naru hadn't even left his.

"I swear, Naru must have been a vulture in another life" she said to no one in particular, looking down at her desk.

"I don't know about vulture, but hermit crab sounds more appropriate," a male voice said in her ear. Mai jumped about six feet in the air, effectively smashing her head into the offender's nose. As a result the both ended up on the ground. Mai was clutching her head as the pain began to subside.

"Bou-san! How many times have I told you? Sneaking up on people is going to hurt you one day. And if I'm right, that day is today. I'm just sorry Mai had to get hurt too" Ayako's voice sounded throughout the office as Mai opened her eyes to come face to face with a starry eyed monk.

"Oh no. Bou-san. I'm so sorry" she apologised. The monk quickly shook of his daze and smiled at the worried girl.

"It's okay Mai-chan. I guess the old lady is right. I should stop sneaking up on people," he said with a chuckle. Ayako nodded in agreement.

"Of course I a-Hey! I am not an old lady!" she practically screamed once the words had sunk in. A whelp on the back of his head quickly joined Takigawa's sore nose, compliments of Ayako's handbag. Takigawa then climbed to his feet and offered Mai a hand to help her up.

"Thanks" she said. Unfortunately, the monk pulled a little too hard, which ended up with his arms around the startled brunette who had unintentionally buried her nose into his shirt. At that precise moment, Naru, the hermit crab, decided to make an appearance.

"If you two are going to get intimate, please don't do it where others have to endure the display" he said casually, but firmly. Mai blushed scarlet red and attempted to pull away from him. Takigawa just laughed and pulled her closer.

"What's the matter Naru? Wanna join in?" he teased. Naru shook his head and re-entered his office, closing the door with an effective click. Mai tore away from the monk and shot him a withering glare.

"Why the hell did you do that!?" she yelled at him, still red, but this time from anger. Takigawa just laughed at her. Lin quietly poked his head out the door to see what was going on.

"Is everything okay out here Taniyama-san?" he questioned the fuming teenager. She furiously shook her head, whether it was for Lin or Takigawa was anyone's guess, and she then stalked into the nearby kitchen. Lin returned to his office as Takigawa stood there laughing. Masako had skilfully entered and disappeared into Naru's office as the whole fiasco unfolded and was only now re-emerging to join the group.

Mai went about making herself a cup of tea in order to calm herself down.

"Would anyone like some tea?" she asked from the kitchen. A chorus of "no thank you" replies reached her ears and she silently thanked the gods. Mai downed the warm liquid in one gulp and roughly washed the cup in the small sink. She exited her sanctuary to find only Ayako sitting in the room.

"Where is everyone?" she asked the red head. Ayako just looked up and smiled.

"Bou-san was too scared to apologise and Masako left just after you went into the kitchen" she explained. Mai suddenly felt bad for yelling at Takigawa like that. He really was only joking around.

"Oh, I didn't mean to be so hard on him. I was just embarrassed I guess" she said quietly. Ayako stood and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He'll get over it. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Naru informed us about the possible client coming in tomorrow too, so no need to worry," she said kindly. With that she turned and left the now silent office.

'Thank you Ayako,' Mai thought with a smile. In the beginning they had fought like cats and dogs but now Ayako was like a mother figure for the 16-year-old. Mai sighed and stole a glance at the clock adorning her desk.

'5 o'clock. I guess I can leave now' she thought. Mai put away the last of her filing, threw on her jacket and shoes before knocking on her bosses door. She didn't bother to wait for an answer and entered swiftly.

"Naru, I'm heading off. It's 5 already" she said to the raven-haired teen. He just inclined his head ever so slightly and Mai took this as her answer. She left his office and the building in record time.

Mai flopped down on her sofa and drifted off into a deep sleep. She again dreamt of the girl in the red dress and again she couldn't make out the girl's features. But the story was clear. The girl, whoever she was, had killed herself. Something told Mai that she wasn't going to be sleeping well for quite a while. And how right she was.

A/N: Okay well there is chapter 1. I have quite a few ideas for this story and please be kind about my updating. I have a ton of work from school to do so updating at first may take a while. Please let me know what you thought of the first chapter. Read and review people. Read and review.