DISCLAIMER: Ghost Hunt (or Akuryou Series) and all its characters is copyrighted and owned by Ono Fuyumi-sensei, JCStaff, and FUNimation Entertainment. This author is merely borrowing for a few pages to amuse herself and for entertainment.
Title: Only Sleeping
Genre: Supernatural/romance/adventure/AU (as this continues where the manga left off, with the exception of Noll not returning to Japan and instead opting to stay at England. Mori Madoka is the one handling the Japan SPR Branch in Shibuya.) This is five years after (hence, Mai = 23, Noll = 24).
Characters: All
Music: Daichi no La-li-La (Yoko Ueno/Masumi Ito, Scrapped Princess)
Heavily Inspired by: Clamp
edited: 01 Jul 2011 (Corrected ages)
Oliver Davis – fondly called Noll by his parents, and Naru by his friends – looked around and frowned. The last thing he remembered was sitting on his desk, reading one of the cases his father had endorsed to him. But now he was standing outside, squinting in bright sunlight – surrounded by trees, and birdsong floating sweetly in the air. His blue eyes narrowed.
It would seem that he fell asleep.
Lucid dreaming? The 24-year old scientist started to walk forward, following a well-worn path. Where am I? This place is vaguely familiar –
The trees cleared, and Oliver found himself standing in a place that he'd never thought he'd see ever again; a place he'd desperately buried in his subconscious, trying to forget. The one place he'd associated with pain, separation, and sorrow.
Eugene's lake.
His lips twisted in a bitter smile. He thought he could forget, but it would seem his memory of this place was as vivid as ever – as vivid and unforgettable as the pain that ripped through him when his twin died. Even five years have done nothing to dim his memory of the place. But still – the lake was as beautiful as he had first seen it, pristine water glimmering in the sunlight
Perhaps this time, he could see Gene, and talk to him as Mai had once did – but Oliver never did believe in false hopes; nor could he lie to himself. Gene was gone; forever lost to him.
Oliver took a step forward, and it was then that he saw someone crouching by the lake's bank. His heart leapt against his will. Gene?
The scientist took another step forward; a twig snapped under his foot, its sound jarring and unwelcome. Startled, the figure stood up, whirling to face him. His eyes widened, disbelieving. Time seemed to freeze as he stared. "M-Mai?"
Wide brown eyes stared at him, fright flashing through its depths. There can be no mistake – it was Mai, clothed in white, long auburn hair swirling around petite shoulders as she stared in shock at him. It was Mai, not as the sixteen year old school girl he'd met, but Mai, as a young woman.
"N-Naru?" She took a step forward. "I-It's you – I was hoping it would be you – "
Suddenly, time seemed to move again, broken as soon as she spoke. Oliver walked forward, stopping in front of the dazed woman. "What am I doing here in your dream?"
"I – it's not my dream, Naru – " Mai swallowed. "It's your dream."
Oliver frowned. "That's not possible. I would think I'm better trained than that."
"Believe me, it's your dream!" the woman desperately shot back, fists clenched. "It's your dream – and you already know it. This world belongs only to you. Idiot scientist, why would you be able to influence this dream so much if it's not yours?"
"Use your head, Mai – if it was mine, then you shouldn't be here. Nor should it be here. At the very least, it should be the office – " Oliver broke off as the surroundings faded away, and his memories of the SPR office took its place. "What –"
"It's your dream, Naru. And somehow, I'm here." Mai took a step forward. "I tried to get out, but I couldn't - "
"If it's my dream, then you're just a figment – "
The woman shook her head. "You don't understand! I – I've been walking through other people's dreams, Naru! Going through other people's dreams, seeing the present, the past – the future! I can't control it – "
Suddenly, she looked frightened, and despite himself, Oliver was concerned. Intending to shake reason back to the distraught woman, Oliver lifted his hand to place it on her shoulder – but his hand went through, as though she was merely a spirit. "Mai, what's going on – "
"Kazuya," Mai interrupted, eyes pleading. Her voice was hushed, laced with urgency. She took his hand. "Wake up."
Oliver opened his eyes.
Groggily, the man straightened in his chair, hand running through tousled dark locks as he took in his surroundings. He was in his study, papers scattered on his desk. A cup of tea lay cooling by his elbow. What was that dream -
It was then that he realized that he was holding something – a key. Blinking in surprise, Oliver studied it, blue eyes narrowing. There can be no mistake – it was Mai's. Her name was on the key holder. Taniyama Mai.
That was no dream.
"Lin – "
"Noll." Lin stood at the doorway, a cordless phone in hand. His face flashed with some unknown emotion before he ruthlessly suppressed it. "The monk called from Japan."
Somehow, Oliver was not surprised. He stood up, sliding the key to his pocket as he did so. "It's Mai, isn't it?"
"…she's in the hospital."
The psychic frowned. "…and?"
"She won't wake up – it's as though she's trapped, perpetually dreaming." Lin shook his head. "The doctors can't explain it."
"You don't understand! I – I've been walking through other people's dreams, Naru! Going through other people's dreams, seeing the present, the past – the future! I can't control it – "
Oliver's eyes narrowed. Is that what she meant? Aloud, he spoke. "Book a flight back to Nippon, Lin. We're going."
Author's Notes: This was originally posted in my LJ account around two years ago; I recently revisited it due to a renewed interest in Ghost Hunt and CLAMP and decided to continue it. Hopefully this will be short. 10 chapters, maybe? This will not involve SPR cases (i.e. investigating ghosts, supernatural phenomena, etcetera ad infinitum). Since this involves CLAMP, expect angst. :D