There was a spirit attached to John. Masako never brought it up, because there's really no right time to say "excuse me, did you know there's a dead person following you around?", and he didn't seem to notice. It was hidden most of the time, so Masako only caught glimpses of a faded pink sweater or long black hair. Sometimes, she would catch light laughter or a soft lullaby.

It raised all sorts of questions, of course. There had to be a strong connection or the spirit would've gone away by now. At the same time, she didn't want to pry. It wouldn't be the proper and polite thing to do (and she could just hear her mother's voice scolding her). So she waited and hoped that someday, it would stop being such a- excuse her barbaric wording- such a bitch and just show itself.

Her opportunity came on a late summer night. Takigawa somehow heard that Yasuhara had dumped his girlfriend and decided to celebrate the occasion with an all-night horror movie marathon. What horror movies had to do with disastrous relationships was a mystery to Masako, but she saw no harm in accepting the invitation. So there she was, in the bassist's apartment, curled up in an overstuffed armchair amidst half-eaten bowls of popcorn, crumpled candy bar wrappers, and empty soda cans while "It: The Terror From Outer Space" played on the TV. Maybe it was because the movie was so boring or maybe it was the warm breeze from the window, but the others had all fallen asleep. Mai went first, resting her head in Takigawa's lap (most unladylike), then John in the loveseat, then Yasuhara on the carpet, and finally Ayako and Takigawa on the other end of the couch, leaning against each other while Takigawa's hand rested on Mai's head. Masako waited a few minutes after Takigawa's eyes had drifted shut, just to be safe. Then she fixed her eyes on the arm of the loveseat.

"Are you ever going to show yourself?"

Silence.

"I already know you're there. There's no reason to hide."

On the TV, someone got pulled into a ventilation shaft and mutilated.

"You know, I'm not going to try and send you to the next world."

There was a flicker of chalk-white hands, then they vanished. Masako sighed. She should have expected as much.

"Well then, goodnight."

She settled into the cushions as best as she could and closed her eyes.

"…You won't?" It was a sweet voice, heavily accented like John's. Masako opened her eyes and sat up, but the space was still empty.

"No," she said slowly. "I won't. You don't seem inclined to harm anyone, so there's no need to make you leave."

"Are you sure? I would exorcise every spirit, just to be sure."

"I'm not you."

"I should hope not, seeing how I'm dead and all. But promise."

"Alright."

"No, no, say the words. I promise… come on…"

"…I promise…"

"Not to exorcize this ghost…"

"Not to exorcize this ghost," Masako repeated, starting to feel a bit ridiculous.

"And if I do…"

"And if I do… excuse me, but I've already promised-"
"Then I'll turn green and get purple warts."

"I will not!" Masako protested.

"I can make you if you exorcize me," the empty space said.

"If I've exorcized you, you can't do anything," said Masako. The empty space said nothing. "But I'm not going to exorcize you," Masako said. She felt a headache coming on.

"Alright," the empty space said, voice heavy with melodramatic defeat. "If you insist."

In an instant, there was a full-grown woman occupying half of John's seat. Her legs vanished behind his and one arm was wrapped around his waist. It was a wonder the chill hadn't woken him up. She was clearly not related to him- her eyes were green, her hair was black, and her sharp features looked nothing like his baby-face.

"There. I hope you're happy."

"Thank you," Masako said. She hadn't expected the spirit to actually cooperate, so she had never planned out this part. "Ah. So. Who are you?"

"Madeline Shepard. I was his favorite hooker," she declared, nuzzling into his chest.

Masako stared. There was nothing she could say to that. Well, there were a good many things she could say to it, if only her brain were working.

" But… he… priest!" she choked out. Madeline laughed, the same tinkling laughter Masako had heard before. Then she pulled away from him and Masako felt that maybe she could breathe again.

"I'm just kidding. I was the choir leader of his church."

"He sings?"

"Sang," Madeline corrected. "He hasn't in years."

Masako considered this for a moment.

"Why did he stop?"

Madeline's brows furrowed and she bit her lip.

"I… don't think he deals with death very well," she said slowly. Her gaze was fixed on his sleeping figure. "And we were… close."

"Lovers?" Masako asked.

"No. He didn't want that. It's just… his parents were never supportive about the priesthood. He needed someone to guide him." She tried to tighten her grip on his waist, but her hand just slipped through his flesh. A pained look flitted across her features, but was quickly masked by an apologetic smile. "So I did. I mean, until I died."

Masako studied Madeline's face for a moment as she absently ran her hand through John's hair. It was a useless gesture; she couldn't touch him. A pang of sympathy welled up inside Masako as she imagined years of this. Years of Madeline watching John, following him, reaching out- and having no effect at all.

"You can go, you know," she said. "He's a man now. You don't have to watch over him. You have an afterlife to look forwards to."

Madeline's eyes narrowed.

"You said you wouldn't exorcize me. You promised."

"I won't. I just don't understand why you stay."

"Well, you see…" Madeline trailed off, searching for the right words. "You've heard of guardian angels, yes? Christianity has generally lived up to my expectations, except that we don't have guardian angels. And I think that sucks!" she exclaimed, balling a fist. "God knows the young need them. Especially this boy, running with you freaks-"

"Excuse me?" Masako asked, indignant. Madeline ignored her.

"I mean, do you know how many times he'd be dead if it wasn't for me? When he escaped the roof cave-in back at the abandoned schoolhouse- me. Oh, and the child spirits from the well? I think being thrown into a wall is much better than being mauled. And in Urado's estate-"

"Alright, alright, I understand," Masako said, rubbing her temples. "But are you really happy with this?"

"Masako-chan?" Yasuhara's voice drifted up from the floor, clouded with sleep. He sat up halfway and rubbed his eyes. "Who're you talking to?"

Madeline sat very still and gave Masako a stern look.

"No one," Masako said. "Go back to sleep, it's not even sunrise yet."

"Ah, but I'm missing such a great movie," he muttered, giving the TV a groggy smile as a laser-blaster defeated the wart-covered beast. Masako couldn't really stop him, so she sent an apologetic look in Madeline's direction. Madeline shrugged. Then she leaned in close and kissed the top of John's head. Her outline blurred and faded, but she just smiled at Masako.

Yes. I'm happy with this.

Then she was hidden, and Masako was alone with some cheesy ending credits. Yasuhara stretched, more awake now.

"Mou, I think that would've been a more exciting ending if I knew what happened in the first half of the movie. Was it good, Masako? …Masako?"

"Sorry," Masako said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I didn't really pay attention."

I swear to god, I AM working on something chaptered! I have 2 pages of it! It's just... other stuff... keeps coming up... XD Yeah. So. B will either be for Beach or Beauty, depending on which one works out best. And Beauty is for Lin, so don't go thinking anything about Naru. Sorry, kids! Lin needs love too!