This is mostly for fun. Don't know if I'll even update. Review if you want. No flames though, got it? Good reader.
April
Thursday
File one
Mai's P.O.V
Every family has a secret or an outcast, or perhaps both, as one or as two different people. Affairs, serial killers, etc, have sometimes been forever kept out of the public eye by family. Or, in my pathetic case, a family curse I had no clue about until I hit the all knowing age of 11. And then, they kicked me out. So much for being covered.
Yup, you heard right folks; I've got me a curse. Normally that would make everything seem mysterious, dangerous, or fun. In my case, it makes me furry. You ever hear about the whole 'I'll curse your great, great, great, great, great, grandchild?' or the well known one 'once every 500 years…'? Well, I'm one of them. Which one, well, I have no clue.
And yes, when I said furry, I meant furry. One of those lovely threats mentioned above hit me when I turned the happy go lucky age of 11, and from then on, I've been a talking mutt.
And before the whole fangirl squeal pops out of your mouth, I'm no werewolf! As far as I can tell, I'm a dog of no specific breed. Same thing to most, but you won't see me fighting sparkly vampires of walking around people with my shirt off for no specific reason.
My fur is shaggy (but not long) and brown, and I got short brown ears on top of my head my chest fur is dirty brownish-white. My paws (yes, paws) are white, with nice short nails that are good at tearing things, just not simple tasks most humans can perform with ease, such as putting on clothing or writing. My back paws (or legs, whichever you prefer) are the same. My tail is bushy towards the tip, and becomes smoother towards the tip. I've got a dog snout and even canine teeth. It makes it really hard to be polite when eating.
(A/N: I just realized, I'm trying to describe a walking version of the animated Balto. Well, I don't own him, but you can look his picture up if you're having troubles.)
And just to clear thing up, I can walk on both two feet or all fours. Both are comfortable, but fours is easier with the tail to do.
Most of you fangirls are probably thinking it's the best dammed thing you've ever heard off, but it sucks, big time. Paws are exactly flexible like human hands, and I have no opposable thumbs, so getting clothes on and off are a HUGE struggle I have t face every night and morning.
Fleas attack my apparently tasty fur-coat every summer and spring, leading me to be itchy for months on end. And before you question me, you try going to a vet for yourself! It never turns out well. ("hey, um, doc? You see, my pelt is getting attacked by these fleas, so if you could prescribe me some killers?")
Then there's school. I can't go to school with a furry face and paws! So, I end up being the only person who doesn't mind the dress code (they tried to fix that, they soon learned it wasn't going to work) by wearing a sweatshirt with a HUGE hood and jeans. As I'm sure you can guess, I keep my paws in my pockets pretty much all day and my face covered.
Because of this, I always end up with no friends, which gets pretty lonely. I was quickly kicked out of my family due to the whole dog look, and no people to talk to gets pretty annoying and boring. Although that is easily cured by my hysterical laughter that bursts out of me whenever I hear people say I'm a 'lone wolf'.
Which leads me to where I am now, hands in my pockets and hood over my face, telling ghosts stories with the only girls in school who bother talking to me: Keiko and Michiru.
I've always like the paranormal, and believed in it, for obvious reasons. So telling tales was my favorite thing to do in my free time. Where we start this story is actually me, finishing my story. It was pouring out, adding to the effect of the creepiness, as if the shadow the hood over my face hadn't done that already.
"And then the woman led the policeman through the dark hallways to the public restroom in the back. Once there, the policeman told her to go back inside and wait to see if she could hear the voice again. And she did just as she was told. 'Do you want me to cover you with a red coat?' She answered 'Y-yes.' AND THEN, she screamed! The policeman burst through the door and found the girl totally covered in blood as if she had a red coat draped over her." Original, I know, but I haven't had the time to find out new ones lately, with finals coming up.
"Mai you know we hate it when you use that creepy voice," Michiru said as Keiko leaned into her for comfort. Sad part is, I know scarier ones, but I don't want to give these girls nightmares.
"AH, it's so dark!" Keiko said, getting a bit teary eyed as I turned my light off. How does it make any difference? My lights been in my pocket the entire time, and it may be noticeable, but it's not exactly bright anyway.
"You're next Michiru," I told her. Hopefully she'll have a good one.
"Okay, this one is about the old schoolhouse," she began. I frowned, and kept in a groan. Not another story about that place!
"Do you mean that creepy old building down the street that's collapsing?" Keiko asked. What else is there? Is there another schoolhouse around here I'm not aware off?
Michiru nodded before continuing, "It's not collapsing, it was being demolished when all the workers suddenly quit because of a curse." Man, people always come up with the craziest of stories.
"Lots of people have died in that schoolhouse over the years. Most famously a teacher that committed suicide, so when they decided to build the new school, they started to tear down the old one… But then, the ceiling collapsed on some of the workers. The demolition ended that day. Last year they started the demolition again to make way for a new gymnasium, but a truck driving by lost control and crashed into a group of kids outside, killing some students." Keiko gasped. Well, the schoolhouse is around 50 years old last I checked, so it doesn't surprise me that there might be some casualties there.
"But there's more. I heard about this from an upper classman. One night a student was walking past the old school, and in one of the windows they saw a glowing figure in the window before it disappeared." Let me guess, a senior? I'd bet on my tail he was drunk or on something illegal. Or perhaps he was just tired. Everything can easily be explained. "Here goes. One."
"Two, Keiko said shakily.
"Three,"
"Four," said a masculine voice. Michiru and Keiko gasped then shrieked before Keiko grabbed me by the neck. I silently berated myself. You should have smelled him! Thankfully, my hood managed to stay in my face, and my paws were still unnoticeable in my pockets.
"The ghost is here to murder us!" one of them shouted, I didn't notice which; I was more focused on the girl who was holding me for dear life and the man at the door. the lights flickered on and Michiru stood up and faced the door.
"Oh please tell me that was you just now!" she said to the man at the door. Strange…. He smells like… tea, and books….
"Am I interrupting?" he asked, acting like he hadn't just scared us to death and back. Seems like while he smells nice, he'd actually a pain. Lovely... oh, excuse my sarcasm.
Michiru and Keiko fell back to their seats while Keiko exclaimed, "I thought for sure it was the ghost!"
The man started talking again, "Sorry, I didn't expect anyone to be here, but then I heard your voices and I couldn't help myself." He turned towards us with the fakest smile I'd ever seen.
Michiru and Keiko didn't seem to notice, though, and stood up for a better look at him, then said things like, "Oh no it's totally fine!" while giggling and running towards him, obviously attracted by what I could only suppose was some quality about him. I guess to people he was cute, but to me he was just another person passing through my standstill of a life… not worth thinking too much about.
"So what year are you?" one of them asked.
"I'm seventeen this year," he answered, facing the two in front of him.
So he's a dropout? Strange, while as annoying as he seemed, he also looked like a smart guy.
"So we were just telling ghost stories," Michiru tried to start a conversation.
"I see, well maybe I could join you guys sometime," he answered blandly.
"Wow, you mean you like telling ghost stories too?" Keiko asked. Who doesn't?
He nodded, saying "Yes" which brought both of my friends into a giggling fit.
"You seem like a really cool guy, what's your name?" Michiru asked. Wow, even I can tell she's flirting with him now.
"My name is Kazuya," he answered.
"Why are you here?" I demand. I know I must look creepy as hell, with a hood up over my face and a disembodied sounding voice coming from somewhere within. Maybe I can scare this guy away.
I suddenly found myself to be under his scrutinizing gaze. Unlike with Michiru and Keiko, his eyes were interested and curious. His eyes wandered over my sweatshirt covered body and I could almost feel the gears in his head turning as he tried to figure out just why I looked so strange to him, hunched over with my face covered and paws jammed deep into my pockets.
Finally he said"There are some things I need to take care of," he turned towards the door.
"Don't let us stop you." by the way, that's girl for 'get the hell out of here!' or at least, it is in my case.
Michiru then asked, "Do you need our help or anything?"
No. no he doesn't. Now, can we go back to our scary stories?
"No, but I would love to be invited to join you the next time you tell ghost stories," he answered smoothly. Great, a smooth talker.
"Of course, you're welcome anytime!" Keiko exclaimed happily.
"How about tomorrow, after school?" Michiru said.
"Okay, but where?" Kazuya asked.
"Right here!" Keiko answered.
Well, I guess I'm skipping the next story telling.
Friday
'Good weather' I thought as I walked to school. I came by the old school building, and stopped mid-step. I lifted my head and sniffed the air. Something… is wrong. I better check it out.
I continuing a few steps up the building before stopping again and looking at it once more. Some crows cried in the distance, causing my ears to swivel towards the sound. Had anyone been watching, they'd see the top of my hood move on its own accord.
I walked to the door of the old building. Through the cracks in the glass I was able to look inside. The new scent is coming from in there… I thought before stepping in.
I noticed that a camera was in the middle of the room, a shoe rack nearby. No wonder why I smelled something strange, electronics have a weird scent.
"I thought this place was abandoned…" I said to no one. "It doesn't make sense that someone would just leave it here…"
I leaned down to look at it, about to light a paw out of my pocket to touch it, when I heard a masculine voice "who's there!?"
I shouted out, starting to leave. "I'm sorry, I'll leave now!" before accidently hitting a shoe rack, causing it to start falling.
What is my luck?
A few moments later I'm as on the ground, surprisingly uncrushed. Then the scent hit me, blood. I look over, and a man next to me is lying on the ground.
Quickly I sprung over asking, "Hey mister, are you okay?" He didn't respond even the slightest. Oh man, how am I gonna hide my fur with a prison uniform!?
"What's going on in here?" I heard a man demand. Kazuya? Oh man, this sucks!
He wasn't smiling, and it seemed strangely more natural. "Lin, what just happened?" Kazuya asked the man, coming by his side.
"You're bleeding, can you stand?" Kazuya asked.
"Yeah," Lin said softly.
"This is my entire fault!" I quickly took responsibility "I will pay for his hospital bills an-" I was quickly cut off.
"Never mind about that, is there a doctor close by?" Kazuya said, facing me slightly.
I stood up and said, "There's a doctor just down the street from here. Would you like some help taking him there?" I was quite prepared to show my furry arms to help the fallen man.
"No thanks, you've done enough already as it is," Lin growled darkly while Kazuya helped him up onto his shoulder. I hope he doesn't find out where I live, I don't really want to meet him again.
"We met yesterday, right? What's your name?" Kazuya demanded, adjusting the man on his shoulder who was obviously taller and probably heavier than him, making me believe he was pretty strong.
"Mai," I answered, unworried. If he wanted to find out my name, he could easily just go asking around my school.
"Alright then Mai, I thought you'd like to know you're going to be late for your first class since the morning bell just rang," He said snidely.
"I'm aware of that." I muttered, having heard the bell with my ears. I stood up and walked away, leaving them in peace.
Later
"Mai are you leaving now?" Keiko asked after the bell rung.
"We're supposed to tell ghost stories with that cute guy, remember?" Michiru added.
"No thanks" I muttered, remembering my brush with Kazuya earlier. I might have to run off if the police come. Then again, I could always take my clothes off and run to a nearby pound and act like a dog until the day I die.
"Aww come on Mai, please?" Keiko begged. "This is our chance to tell ghost stories with a senior!" a senior who probably wants to kill me for hurting his friend. No way in hell.
"Did you say ghost stories?" a girl with glasses and two braids said from the door. Isn't her name Kuroda? "Is that what you do after school every day?" she continued. She didn't seem happy.
We stayed silent.
"Well than no wonder I've had this headache for so long. I'm very attuned to spirits. When they gather in groups I get headaches." Is that so? Well, if you were, you might notice I might be possibly possessed by a spirit! Then again, maybe I'm not. I still don't get much about this curse stuff.
"So you're blaming us for that?" I asked, then shrugged "I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but tons of kids here do it. That doesn't mean it was our fault you're getting headaches. Maybe you're stressed from exams?" I ended.
Yes I am. Whenever you tell one of your little ghost stories you attract low level spirits and they attract stronger spirits. And then we're in big trouble, so when you entertain yourselves with these stories you're putting me at risk!" Kuroda said stepping in front of us. Nice way to ignore me completely
"So tell me," I heard Kazuya say from the doorway efficiently sneaking up Kuroda, while I had smelled him earlier. "If you're sensitive to spirits like you claim do you sense anything with the old schoolhouse?"
I mentally sighed while Michiru and Keiko said at exactly the same time, "Oh my god Kazuya came to find us!" or maybe for me… sadly.
Kuroda starting stepping towards Kazuya while saying, "Hold on, are you the one who put these girls up to telling these ridiculous ghost stories?" how does that even make sense?
You didn't answer my question," Kazuya answered calmly "Could it be your psychic abilities are made up?" nice comeback. Man, he's rude.
For your information there are numerous spirits of those who died in the war that gather in the old schoolhouse. In fact, I'm positive that building was used as a hospital during the war. I've just seen too many injured spirits in there," Kuroda said, quite upset. Me, not being much of a history buff, was quite ready to yawn, just to speed things up.
Kazuya simply responded, "I was not aware of a hospital being here during the war. I know that this school was founded well before the war so maybe, this was a medical school?" checkmate, Kuroda.
Kuroda then stopped being so tense and looked at him in shock before turning her face away saying, "Look I don't know. But I really do see spirits, if you're not psychic then you wouldn't understand." This is getting far too personal for my tastes.
"Sorry Kazuya, can we do this some other time?" Keiko said shyly, obviously upset about all that had been said.
"Yeah I'm not in the mood anymore either," Michiru added, her head down, obviously ashamed.
"No? Perhaps another day," he said, turning to leave before looking at me. His interest from the night before was still in his eyes. "Oh, and Mai? Would you mind coming with me for a moment?"
"If I must" I muttered, hiding the fear beneath irritation.
We stepped out in the hallway as Michiru, Keiko, and Kuroda left. "How is your friend doing?" I asked, knowing I was in trouble anyway, so I might as well start this conversation.
"Yes about him, he suffered a sprain to his left leg and I'm afraid he won't be walking for a while," he said as we walked towards the exit.
"Sorry to hear that. What were you even doing in the schoolhouse?" the saying should be curioustiy killed the dog.
"We were working," he responded.
"Ah," I said as I stopped walking, "You work for him. Are you his assistant or co-worker?"
Kazuya continued walking "No not quite." He stopped and turned to face me. "He's the assistant, I'm the boss," he told me.
"I see" my surprise is hidden as best as I can.
He continued, "Now my assistant is stuck in bed. I believe it is up to you to take his place."
I stiffened, "no way in hell."
"The camera is broken, "he said, changing tactics "My assistant tried to stop you from touching the camera, and now it is in several pieces."
"How much do I owe you?"
"It's… quite expensive," he said
"Then I guess I'm screwed." I told him, unworried. Dogs can eat pretty much everything. No food? Oh well, hand me that old car tire in the backyard.
"You can't afford to reimburse the damaged equipment which means there's only one other course we can take," he calmly replied "You'll work off the debt as my assistant."
Curiosity killed the hound "what do you do?"
Kazuya turned slightly away from me before answering, "I hunt ghosts. In other words I exorcise spirits- ghosts. My company, Shibuya Psychic Research, was hired to conduct an investigation on the old schoolhouse."
What am I getting myself into?
He turned away from me and heading down the hallway. "Psychic research is another term for spiritual investigations. We basically examine and scrutinize reports of supernatural phenomenon," he said as he walked before he turned around to face me again, his shoe squeaking on the floor as he did so. He then said, "And I run the company."
I'm doomed.
Friday
Evening
I followed Kazuya outside, he did say I started right now, and I had no doubt he would literally drag me by ear to the schoolhouse. Kazuya lead me behind the schoolhouse and to a van. He opened the door, revealing lots of equipment. "I see why you have a fully grown man work for you".
"You'll have to help carry these" he told me, I stiffened once again.
"Um… I happen to have a rare hair condition coupled with a genetic disorder" I lied through my teeth "my hands… don't really work like normal hands."
"Can you pick things up?" he asked me, curiosity in his eyes once again.
"Yes."
"Then you can help." He told me, watching me from me to pull my arms (as far as he knew, they were arms, at least) out.
I slowly got my arms out form my sleeves, not missing the way his eyes widened slightly as he looked at my brown, furry arms. I'm more worried about the fact he was so smart, that he probably knew that I had paws, not deformed hands.
Instead of saying anything, he just handed me a box and started explaining "One week ago your principal contacted my company. He told me that the problem was that they constantly have to run damage control over a rumor that the schoolhouse is haunted.
"When I checked the records, I was able to verify until eighteen years ago, while the old schoolhouse was still being used, there would be at least one or two deaths inside the structure every year" isn't that a lovely number? Excuse my sarcasm.
I grunted to show I was listening, feeling more than a little self-conscious about how my paws were out in the open for his probing gaze to look at.
"It's also true that when construction crews were demolishing the east side of the building, there was an accident were the roof collapsed prematurely. None of the workers died as a result, although five were injured in the incident which was ultimately blamed on human error. Construction ended with only a third of the planned demolition work ever being finished." We started to walk inside, each of us carrying something.
"A teacher did in fact commit suicide in the building, but that was explained in the suicide note left by the victim." Can't blame the lady.
"The incident with the track last year was a drunk-driving accident. That's when construction was stopped for the last time. No doubt the rumors were a part in this decision. Based on my research the existence of paranormal activity here is nothing more than fiction. For a place this active every occurrence has a reasonable explanation.
"We will set up base here," Kazuya said, finished with his explanation, setting down his box on a table as we finally reached our destination in the schoolhouse. Knowing I would look like an idiot, I didn't mention I had no clue what a base was. I thought that was for baseball, not ghost hunting.
He turned towards me before continuing with, "We will conduct all of our observations from this room."
"Okay" I silently thanked the gods that be that he explained what a base was.
"Set up those shelves for me. I'll start bringing in the equipment," he said as he got to the door.
"I'll try" paws don't grab things well.
I heard a creak from somewhere in the building. I leaned back and listened, tilting my ears behind my hood for a few moments, before I heard Kazuya say "Stop goofing off and get back to work
I'm not going to get along well with my new 'boss', I can just tell.
Later
Soon all the equipment had been set up and on magnificently put-together shelves which I had put together. Kazuya seemed to realize that I'd rather not talk about my 'condition' and had stopped asking, but I could tell he was probably wondering what my face looked like. But I knew that if he saw my ears and muzzle, he'd know that I didn't have a condition.
"What are those?" I gestured with my paw to two strange looking cameras he'd brought in.
"An inferred camera and a thermal imagery camera. They're used to shoot in total darkness. This one uses thermography to record temperatures. When a spirit appears the temperature near it will drop and show up on the camera," he answered.
What made you decide to go into the ghost hunting business?" I asked curiously
"Because someone has to do it," he answered simply, looking over more equipment.
"It seems you know a lot" I complemented him, something that made me feel like I was making a bad mistake.
I'm very good at my job," he answered nonchalantly.
"Amazing, he's as smart as he is handsome," I rolled my eyes.
"So you think I'm handsome, huh?" Kazuya said, turning towards me.
"Me personally? No. I'm just saying what my friends said." I answered truthfully.
Kazuya turned back to the equipment before responding with, "Well, they have very good taste."
From now own, your name is Naru the Narcissist! I thought savagely I will never compliment you again, your head's gonna need a crane to lift it.
Later that day
"Well that's all we have to do for today" Naru said, stirring me from my half-asleep state I had fallen in after he made me set up cameras everywhere. And write down temperatures every hour. And let's not forget all the microphones. Did this guy do any work himself? I've never had a better workout though, not that I need to lose any pounds. I'm okay sized, for my breed.
"I'll see you here tomorrow," Naru continued while leaving.
"Likewise, sadly" I told him.
I walked out of the building and to the street, just in time for a flashlight to click on and to see kieko and Michiru.
"Mai? Have you been here with Kazuya all night long?" Keiko asked.
"What were you two doing?" Michiru added. I could feel my skin heat up under my fur. They couldn't possibly think that he and I were…?
"This is the strangest story I've ever told you" I started…
Naru's P.O.V
I walked over to the van to do a bit more research on the land itself; perhaps it is something that happened on the land that caused the haunting.
Although, what I really wanted to research was the girl, Mai.
I looked her record up, and she didn't have any conditions, yet from what I'd seen of her arms, something was very wrong.
The part that confused me was the fact it didn't look like he had hands… but instead, paws. I couldn't help but want to know what her face looked like.
Mai seemed to have a lot of secrets…. And I loved finding out secrets.
Mai's P.O.V
I had told my story about what I had gone through for the last few hours after us three had sat down on a bench. I wanted to just go asleep. I slumped down on the bench.
"Paranormal investigation?" Keiko asked.
"So he's not an upper classman," Michiru murmured. Am I the only one who isn't surprised?
"According to him he's a ghost hunter," I repeated. "I didn't see any weapons though, so I can't see him tracking anything down."
"Mai?" Kuroda appeared. What's she doing here so late? "I was wondering if you would introduce me to him."
"I'm sure Naru remembers you" I murmured "you've made quite the impression on him" good or bad, I'm not sure "just go up and talk to him."
"What's this Naru stuff all about?" Michiru asked. Oh right, I didn't tell them about that yet.
"That guy's got to be the biggest narcissist I've ever met in my life! I can't believe I actually have to work for him now!" I responded irritably.
"You know, I have many psychic abilities myself and I think I could really help Kazuya with his work," Kuroda continued.
I shrugged "I'm sure you could. Just ask to work with him; I doubt he'll say no."
We sat there in an awkward silence for a bit before Michiru and Keiko stood up, Michiru saying, "Let's go Mai," as she took my clothed arm and dragged me down the street.
We made it in front of a shop before we stopped as Keiko said, "That girl is such a weirdo, she's been like that since middle school."
"Yeah, she's a freak," Michiru added on, making me cringe. There wrong… there talking to the freak….
I turned towards Keiko before asking, "Wasn't she in a lot of the same classes as you Keiko?"
"Yeah, and she would constantly bug people about her spirits or whatever," she said as she and Michiru started down the street again. I turned around to see if Kuroda was still there, but she had left.
"Wait, I know why she wants to help Kazuya! Maybe she's already fallen in love with Kazuya!"
"EW! Gross!" they said before they started giggling. I wanted to scream how wrong they were, but I said nothing.
Saturday
I walked up to the van where I figured Naru was, and sure enough, I found him reading a clipboard.
"What's that?" I pointed at what was probably research.
"Checking yesterday's data. So far there seems to be nothing unusual," he answered before a man and a woman walked up.
The woman's heels clicked as she said snidely, "That's some fancy equipment you got there. It seems a bit too high-tech for a couple of children to be playing with." Great, I hope we don't have to work with you.
"And who might you be?" Naru asked as I tried to hide my paws behind my back. I don't want anyone to see…
"I'm Ayako, the shrine maiden. The principal wasn't sold on you so he called me to drive the spirits out," she responded. Lovely, yet another arrogant person to deal with.
"I was under the impression that only innocent virgins can become shrine maidens," Naru said snidely. I winced, damn, that was below the belt. Excuse the horrible pun, I couldn't think of anything else to say.
"I see, and, your point?" Ayako said slightly peeved. And she is apparently she is ignorant and arrogant.
"At the very least I'd say you're looking a little old to be calling yourself a maiden," Naru said bluntly.
"Nice, very funny you smartass," she said, her voice shaking with anger.
I turned to the man "I feel sorry for you if you're her assistant. I can barely deal with my boss, and I've only been here two days."
"I'm a monk from Mount Kouya. The name's Takigawa Houshou," he responded, straightening up.
"Since when were monks allowed to have long hair?" Naru asked. I couldn't help but feel thankful that he hadn't made comments like this on my arms.
"Ahem, apostate," Ayako coughed. She seems to be a wonderful person. Sorry, my sarcasm is acting up again.
"Hey I'm just on a little hiatus, okay? At any rate playtime is over, kids. Now you may have gotten this gig because your office is nearby, but the principal himself said it seemed like a scam to have a teenager running the show," the monk said, getting a bit aggravated.
This isn't going to go well.
Naru coolly responded "Did he now?"
"The principal's wasting his money. There's no need to have all of us for such a simple job," Ayako said confidently.
"Yeah, all he really needed was me," the monk said. Since I'm not going to know you for very long, I think I'll just call you monk. I'll forget your name eventually.
"Right, I wouldn't be so sure," Ayako argued back.
They just stared at each other until we were interrupted by a voice saying, "Oh, thank goodness you're all here. That haunted old schoolhouse has been terrorizing me for weeks."
"Kuroda?" I greeted, turning to her.
"You see, I'm a psychic. The souls of those trapped there have-"
"Stop grandstanding. You're just looking for attention," Ayako rudely interrupted. "Are you really that desperate for people to like you?"
"Why don't you give people a chance?" I defended "or are you just too caught up in your world to give a damn?" I was once again hopelessly ignored.
"She claims to have psychic abilities in hopes it will somehow make her popular."
Suddenly Kuroda's muscles got tense and cold, meaning she was mad. "I'm going to call a spirit to haunt you," she said coldly.
"Hold on Kuroda," I said "there just idiots, calm down."
She ignored me. "You're the fake, and you'll regret this," she said as she turned around and left.
I didn't follow.
I looked over at naru "what are we doing today Naru?"
"Wait, what did you just say?" Naru asked, looking very confused. "Did you just call me Naru?" he said as he stood up to face me.
"Uh, sorry, I…" I answered. Great, now he knows what I refer to him as…
"Where did you hear that?" he asked looking angry.
"naru the narcissist" I explained "it fits you."
"Morning everyone, nice to see you all," a voice said from behind us. That must be the principal... I don't see him often... who's behind him?
"Say hello to John Brown," he continued, stepping away as John Brown bowed.
"Goo' day mates," he said as he bowed. He straightened up and said, "My name's John Brown, and I came from the great outback of Australia. I can't express how excited I am to join you."
"I like your accent" I told him "it's very interesting"
Ayako and Monk were having a giggle fit as my principal said, "Mr. Brown is relatively new to our country so please show him the respect he deserves."
Monk stood up a bit as he laughed while Ayako said through her laughing, "No no let me guess, you're looking for a playground, right?" give it up already. He's probably older than Naru.
John looked used to it as he responded, "Well, actually I practice the ancient art of exorcism."
Both Ayako and Monk stopped laughing to evaluate him. Like a new threat…
"Only those who have been ordained in the Catholic Church as priests have the ability to conduct exorcisms. You seem young for that," Naru said questioningly.
"Wow, you really know your stuff mate, to be honest I just turned nineteen a few weeks ago, that's why I look so young," John said as he scratched the back of his head.
Suddenly, he seemed to find new interest in me. "I hate to ask this" he told me "but is there something wrong with your arms?"
Suddenly I had everyone staring at me, or, to be exact, my arms. "It's…. a condition" I uneasily told them, before shrugging "let's go inside."
He seemed to want to ask more, but Naru started inside, and everyone followed, leaving me in peace.
Later
We all were in base, despite Monk and Ayako's apparent distrust in Naru.
"So we have an Australian exorcist, an apostate monk, and a teenage ghost hunter," Ayako said.
"And an old shrine maiden" I countered.
"Obviously this bone-headed principle doesn't have much faith in my unique cleansing abilities. Hmph, Just watch, I'll clear this entire place myself," she said as she left the room.
Why do they keep ignoring me?
"I'm going to do a walkthrough, see ya later," Monk said as he also left the room.
"Uh, excuse me, sir?" John asked politely to Naru. Wish Naru was that nice.
"You may do as you wish," Naru told him.
"I mean, I'd really like to work with you on this," John continued.
Suddenly we heard a scream. "That sounds like Ayako!" John said as we rushed to where the scream oriented from.
We rushed over and ended up gathered in front of a door as Ayako banged on it and screamed, "Open up!"
"Stand back!" Monk shouted through the door. "I'm going to kick it down!"
My nose twitched. Do I smell what I think I smell? I sniffed a little deeper, not heard over the noise. Kuroda….
"Hurry up and do it!" she shouted back. Monk then kicked the door down forcefully.
We all gathered in base after that, I having made Ayako sit down for a little bit as she explained what happened.
"I was looking around the classroom. Suddenly the door slammed shut. I tried opening it but it wouldn't budge. There's definitely a spirit here," she explained. I could smell kuroda on that door, it was her, not a ghost.
"No, there isn't. I haven't sensed one paranormal being," a voice said from the doorway. I look over, a girl in a Kimono.
Her smell hit my nose and I jumped back in shock. Makeup, lots and lots of makeup. It smells horrible!
"Relax Mai, she's human," Naru said, as though I'd thought she was a ghost, as the girl stepped further into the room. "Masako Hara is a spirit medium," he explained.
"Fantastic, so now they're calling in a TV star?" Monk said snidely.
"This is ridiculous. It's easy to fake results on television. The only reason she gets ratings is because she's pretty and wears that silly kimono," Ayako told everyone in the room.
Great. Can I go home now?
"Why thank you, I take that as a compliment," Masako said. I… really don't belong here. Everyone here has (or claims to have) something special, while all I have is fur… I really want to leave.
"Well, trust me it's not," Ayako said rudely.
Masako ignored her while turning to Naru saying, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before."
"Yes, we've never met but your reputation precedes you," Naru answered.
"Right," she answered softly. Had this been a cartoon, I could imagine tiny hearts flying around her head. She liked Naru.
"Anyway, there is a haunting here. In my professional opinion, we're dealing with an earth-bound spirit," Ayako said. I didn't realize she was a professional. She doesn't act like one.
"I believe it's a residual haunting. A traumatic event must have happened in this building in the past," Monk inputted. "I think the entity is afraid it's going to lose its home, so it's attempting to block the construction,"
Naru then turned to John, asking, "John, what do you think?"
"Well to be honest I'm not sure, but usually a haunting does originate with a ghost or spirit occupying a structure," John answered.
"So it's either a haunting, or fiction and folklore," Naru said. He turned towards me. "Are you listening Mai?"
"Why?"
"These are things you need to learn," He responded.
"I'm aware of that." I told him, sounding disinterested.
"Enough talk, I'm getting rid of this thing as soon as I get back," Ayako said as she turned around and left the room. "I don't know how long I can put up with you people," she muttered to herself.
Ayako got to the door when Kuroda came in front of her, blocking the path. "I wouldn't be so confident in your abilities. The spirit that haunts this site is incredibly powerful," she said.
Here we go again.
"Move aside," Ayako said as she pushed Kuroda to the side before leaving. I ran over to her as she slid down the wall. I lifted her, knowing she could feel my fur, but didn't care.
I helped her sit up before she looked at me, as though I could be of any use, and said, "The spirit attacked me."
I could feel the statement have its effect on everyone.
"It's true," she continued, "I was walking down the hallway when suddenly my hair was yanked back with amazing force. When I tried to flee it started strangling me. 'You're interfering with this site. Leave or die,' is what I heard it say."
"When did this happen?" Naru asked calmly.
"A few minutes ago, in the second floor hallway," she answered.
"That's false, there are no spirits here," Masako interrupted.
"Yes there are! There definitely are. And they're angry," Kuroda responded hotly. Cat fight!
"You said it was the second floor hallway?" Naru asked before turning towards the monitors and typing something in. I didn't look, but I could smell Kuroda on the machine.
I think I'll keep this quiet… for now.
I saw static on one of the screens. "What just happened, is the camera broken?" I asked. That must be Kuroda's work.
"No, but it is quite strange," Naru answered. He explained (although mostly for my sake, probably), "When a spirit becomes active electronic equipment will often malfunction, but here I am not so sure. Is it, a spirit or EMF interference…"
"It's quite obviously a spirit. Interference doesn't cause someone to be attacked," Kuroda defended.
"But Masako said there are no spirits here," I mentioned.
"Well let's just say I'm a little skeptical, about her," Kuroda said with venom lacing her tone.
"It's common for female mediums to be either exactly right or way off base," Naru said, almost sensing the cat fight waiting in the air. "Even if she can't sense any spirits now doesn't mean the haunting isn't active. If what you say is true, then it's possible that the spirit than inhabits this place is very attuned to your wavelength," he continued.
"Yeah, that's right," Kuroda said.
If that's the case, then all this our fault? She did say that ghost stories attracted spirits… Oh no, did our telling ghost stories about this place actually attract real ghosts?
Why me?
Again, this is for fun. Please review if you like, but I don't know if I'll continue this.