Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt...it wouldn't have ended if I did

January 15th Day 1

Soft little globes of light floated around her as she awoke.

"I haven't had a dream like this since Naru left to take Gene home…" she said out loud to the black space. Soft footfalls could be heard behind her.

"Mai," a voice called. Startled, Mai turned around to meet a handsome smiling face with dancing dark cerulean eyes.

"Gene?" She asked confused. He's supposed to have been put to rest what's going on? she thought as she looked at the boys spirit.

"Is that all you can say to me after a year of not seeing me?" he asked smirking at her dazed look.

"Why are you here? I thought you were put to rest? Am I here to be shown something?" questions spilled from her mouth like water, "Is Naru….." her mouth clamped shut. I will not ask about that Narcissistic-Tea-Addicted-Jerk of an ex-boss of mine. She thought. Gene's eyes saddened for a moment at the mention of his brother. Does she only care about him? he thought sadly.

"I'm here to see you," he responded smiling. Mai's face was painted red as a blush covered it. "And to show you something…" he said slowly, "and you're not gonna like it." Before she could ask a question she was standing in a kitchen looking out the window.

Where am I? Gene? Where did you go? she thought. Her body moved on it's own accord as she heard someone call a name.

"Suzuki!" yelled the voice with venom. The woman's body stiffened. "No not again…" her voice trembled over the words as she turned and headed towards the back door. A group of men were walking quickly towards her. She ran heading for the woods. One man yelled and pointed at her and they all sprinted after her. Someone yanked on her hair she was wheeled around to see her captor. His gray eyes pierced into hers. "NO!" She screamed. "What did I do? Why do you keep doing this?" a large fist collided with her jaw. Mai felt the pain rip through her and screamed with the women in her head. Please stop this! Gene! Help me! Mai pleaded as she was kicked in the stomach repeatedly by the men. Blood spilled from her lips and were soaked up by the thirsty ground. Voices were swirling around her, but she could no longer hear them as black began to cloud her vision, "You'll all be sorry someday" the woman said with her last breath looking up into the forest as the darkness consumed her.

"NARU!" Mai shouted as she shot out of bed. Her eyes stung with tears that would never fall I said I wouldn't cry anymore she thought as she brought he knees to her chest which still throbbed from the beating she had just endured in her dream state. Maybe just this once she thought as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. Naru where are you?

It was a frigid day. Just like the day before and the day before that. As frigid as it was it was still beautiful. Mai Taniyama was making her way to her part time job admiring the white that winter had brushed onto the landscape. Is it weird that I find trees that look dead beautiful?

Mai walked down the familiar street of Shibuya and headed towards her old deserted work. She had come every day since Naru and Lin had left for England. It had been over a year. Her hands fingered the two keys around her neck. The one that her mother had given to her before her death; the one to their old house; the one she had given Masako Hara during the Urado case; her good luck charm. The second key was the key Naru had told her to keep; the key to her past life; the key to the Shibuya Psychic Research office; the key to her heart. Her hand clenched around the two keys, their jagged teeth biting into her hand. She walked up the stairs to the second floor to the door which still had SPR painted on it. She sighed as she reached the door and inserted the key, but she paused.

Are those voices I hear? Who's in there? she thought as she grabbed a hold of the handle and took a deep breath before pushing the door open. She froze in the entrance and dropped her keys and her bag.

"Lin put up the shelves I think I heard someone at the door—" Naru said without feeling as he stepped out of his office with a file in his hand, he lifted his head to see was at the door. Dark cerulean eyes met brown and for a fraction of a second Mai could have sworn she saw surprise until they clouded over again with indifference.

"You're back," she said.

"Yes, I can see that Mai, did you slip further into the depth of dumb while I was away?" He said looking back at the file he was holding. Mai's eyes flared with anger.

"I'll have you know I'm top of my class now, Naru," she said crossing her arms, Naru looked at her with unwavering eyes and smirked.

"Mai, while you're here," he said coolly, "Tea."

Mai scowled as he uttered the last word. All he's ever cared about is his damn tea she thought as she marched into the small kitchen passed him.

"It's good to see you, Mai," he said as he continued past her. Mai stopped and looked at him and her eyes softened. A smile pulled at her lips as she reached for the kettle from the cupboard about the stove, she hadn't made tea since they had left, but she always kept it there for when they returned. She pulled out the tea from the cupboard and leaned against the edge of the table. At least he's still the same old Naru. she thought as she saw Lin peek his head into the kitchen. She smiled brightly at him.

" Hey Lin!" she beamed up at him. "How are you?"

"I thought I heard your voice Mai," he said as his eyes softened as he looked at the petite girl who had scolded him for hating the Japanese for purely hatred's sake. "I'm doing well, Mai, has he already set you to work before he even rehired you?"

"She was never fired, SPR was just on a little hiatus," said a cool voice from behind Lin.

"Who said that I'd still work for you, anyways? Maybe I have another job!" Mai huffed. Naru's eyes looked astonished for a second as if he hadn't thought of the possibility.

"Fine. I think I can find another suitable assistant if you are unavailable," He said with a shrug. Lin gave him a wary sideways glance.

"Naru! You already know I'd come back to work for you, you insensitive narcissistic jerk," Mai said as the kettle whistled. She turned around and began to prepare the tea, once she turned around she handed both Naru and Lin a cup.

"Good because we already have a case."