A/N: I've kind of been writing a lot of stories... but this is another idea I had. Let me know if it's worth continuing.
Also, italics during a conversation means that the speaker is some place other than where the scene is taking place.
Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.
In a distant and lonely place high in the heavens, atop a mountain range engulfed in a thick mist, rose an ancient and secluded temple. Looking out over the horizon, bathed in a sea of orange, it was as if there was nothing else in existence.
Mai had dreamt of this far off land before. She knew every detail of this dream, every detail of the empty courtyard surrounding her, every detail of the man that circled her in a predatory fashion as her body strained to hold itself up.
Her mind was consumed by this man long gone from existence. Perhaps he never existed at all. He was impossibly tall as he loomed over her, his brilliant blue eyes a mixture of fire and ice as they pierced her soul.
"Focus!" he called out, his voice deep and stern.
"Yes, Master," she said obediently, her voice trembling. "I apologize."
"You must remain diligent at all times," he instructed in a tone that brooked no argument.
"I understand," she acknowledged as a thin trail of sweat fell from her brow.
"Consider yourself lucky that your family sent you instead of your brother," he added coldly. "No woman has had this opportunity before."
"Yes, Master," she answered diligently. "I am grateful."
"Stop talking," he said, his voice even and cold.
"Master…" she struggled to voice. "Why do you dislike me so?"
"There are many reasons," he said, stopping just in front of her. "You're Japanese, you're a woman, you're weak, the list is almost unending."
"Most of which seem to be those things that are beyond my control," she breathed, on the edge of exhaustion. "And I've come here to grow my powers."
"You are also loud and speak your mind too freely," he countered.
"These are indeed my shortcomings," she agreed, "but I won't apologize for having opinions."
"Enough," he commanded, though he did not raise his voice. "You try my patience."
"I sincerely apologize," she responded quietly.
"I said enough," he reiterated. "Leave me for the day."
"Yes, Master," she choked out as she finally collapsed.
As she laid on the ground, she looked up to the brightening sky feeling dejected and alone. She had no one else but him on this lonely mountain top. As she thought this, he appeared above her.
"Give me your hand," he said softly as he extended it towards her.
"I don't think I can stand," she confessed.
"Then I shall carry you until you can stand on your own," he vowed.
~oOo~
Mai woke in a cold sweat, consumed by a multitude of emotions.
'That man...' she thought achingly, pressing her hand to her chest.
She hadn't dreamt of that man in a long time, though she had many dreams that involved him. She held so many mixed emotions about him that she felt as though she had lived someone else's life. These emotions couldn't be hers. They belonged to someone else, someone who knew him, someone who loved him. He had so many conflicting traits and she loved every single one.
"Get ahold of yourself," she said aloud. "It's just a dream. He isn't real."
She was startled as the phone rang. Looking at the clock, she saw it was only five in the morning. Wondering who could be calling at this hours, she slowly reached for the phone.
"...Hello?" Mai asked hesitantly as she held the phone up to her ear.
"Good morning, Taniyama-san," came a deep voice from the phone.
"Ah, Lin-san," she sighed, suddenly relaxing. "Good morning."
"...Is something wrong?" Lin asked slowly.
"No, no," Mai lightly laughed, "just dreaming of distant places."
Lin remained silent, the light sound of his breathing the only sign he was still there.
"Is everything okay?" she questioned, suddenly feeling uneasy.
"Yes, it's just..." Lin trailed off.
"Just dreaming of distant places, Lin-san?" Mai asked playfully to ease her nerves.
"...Sometimes," he admitted somewhat absently. He seemed to have something on his mind.
There was an awkward silence as Mai stared blankly at her ceiling.
"Taniyama-san?" Lin said, checking that she was still on the phone.
"Hmm?" Mai replied absently.
"Naru wanted me to call and remind you we have a case," he informed her.
"I remember," she said. "I was awake."
The line fell silent again. Several moments passed without a word.
"This is kind of awkward, Lin-san," Mai told him truthfully.
"I apologize." Lin instantly replied.
The way he said that triggered something in Mai, causing her breath to hitch. For some reason, she suddenly felt panicked, her heart starting to race as it became harder to breathe.
"Don't say that," she commanded breathlessly.
"I'm sorry," he quickly blurted. "I didn't mean to be so formal. —Did I upset you?"
Mai breathed deeply several times, trying to calm herself. She felt guilty for acting so rude.
"No," she said after a moment, "it was just… I don't know what it was."
There was another silence between them. Mai found it heavy and unnerving as she unconsciously placed her hand to her chest, feeling a slight twinge of pain.
"...I should go," he finally announced.
"Wait, Lin-san," Mai exclaimed, "I..."
Mai wasn't sure what she had meant to say, but for some reason it didn't seem like the conversation should be over.
"I'm sorry, Lin-san, I don't really know what I wanted to say," she confessed.
"That's alright, Taniyama-san," he reassured her. "I'll see you at the office."
"See you," Mai said before hanging up the phone.
She laid back down, staring at the ceiling absently. Their conversation had left her confused. She didn't know why it had been so awkward. They had grown more comfortable with each other over the years, so it was strange that they suddenly couldn't hold a simple phone conversation.
Sighing, she decided to attribute it to the dream. It made her feel torn and out of place in the world. Obviously, her strange mood had affected him. Considering Lin usually disliked holding a conversation in the first place, she thought he must have felt severely uncomfortable.
Pushing the strange conversation from her mind, Mai looked over to her travel bag. It was already packed, so the only thing she had to do was shower, but she didn't have to be at the office until seven.
Mai groaned in frustration.
"Why did he have to call so early," she lamented, ruffling her messy hair with both hands.
Mai snapped her head to the side as her phone rang again. She stared at it for a moment, letting it ring again before it suddenly stopped. Bringing her hands down to cover her face, Mai decided this morning was turning out to be very strange. She was curious who could have been calling. She considered it could have been Lin.
Unable to control her curiosity, she decided to call Lin and ask. She sat up and grabbed the phone, dialing Lin's number.
"Hello?" Lin answered, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"Lin-san, did you just call me again?" Mai asked straightforwardly.
"…Yes," he admitted.
"Did you need something else?" she inquired, absently biting her lip.
"No," he denied, "it was an accident."
"Really?" Mai questioned doubtfully.
"No…" he confessed, "I just..."
Lin was having trouble finding the words to respond.
"I don't know why I called," he finally supplied.
"Just needed someone to talk to?" she asked jokingly.
There was a brief pause as Mai waited for Lin to answer.
"Yes," he sighed.
Mai was surprised at his honesty. She wondered what could have caused him so much distress that he needed someone to talk to.
"Is everything alright?" she asked sympathetically.
"Yes," he sighed again, "just dreams."
"I know how you feel," Mai said, nodding even though she was alone.
Lin lightly laughed. "You would, wouldn't you?"
"Yes," she laughed.
After a moment they fell silent again. The silence continued for several minutes.
"Lin-san," Mai attempted.
"Yes?" he responded.
"Do you… do you feel out of place," she questioned hesitantly. "Like… you belong somewhere else?"
"Right now?" he clarified.
"Yes," she confirmed.
"Yes," he replied, "it's called soul disconnect."
"What's that?" Mai asked with interest.
"It's what happens when you dream of past lives," he explained.
"You mean… reincarnation?" she asked.
"Something like that," he murmured.
"You believe in that kind of thing?" she wondered aloud.
"I suppose… it's hard to say." Lin mused. "There isn't a lot of data on the soul. Although, an overdependence on data disallows flexibility of thought."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Depending on the teachings, there may be some belief of reincarnation in Taoism. Perhaps this is what some refer to as immortality. According to Zhuangzi, in death, one gives up one form of existence to assume another… though, whether this can be assumed to mean reincarnation or something beyond physical existence is unclear."
He stopped to take a breath, unused to speaking so much.
"In addition, earthbound spirits are those that have lingering regrets, those which have yet to accept their deaths. It has been theorized that cleansed spirits do not return to earth once they move on, but this perhaps is evidence that they have accepted the natural process of death and thereby were reintegrated into the cycle. Perhaps this is why spirits attempt to possess the living, since they cannot be reintegrated."
There was a pause as he finished his thoughts.
"Wow, Lin-san..." Mai finally replied, slightly shocked. "I think that's the most I've ever heard you talk."
"Don't tell anyone," he laughed. "It could ruin my reputation."
He hadn't exactly confirmed his opinion, so Mai was still curious. "But... you do believe in it then? Reincarnation?"
"Mm..." he hummed uncertainly, "I won't say one way or the other whether it's true, but I like to believe that it forms a basis for the term soulmate."
Mai was fascinated by the turn the conversation had taken. "You mean two people who are meant to fall in love?"
"Perhaps, but more so those souls which are drawn together throughout life due to past associations," he corrected. "It might explain why Gene's spirit had a stronger pull towards you than Naru."
Mai grew quiet at the mention of Gene.
"I'm sorry," Lin quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to bring up Gene."
"It's fine," she reassured, though she felt slightly subdued. "Are you feeling better now, Lin-san?"
"Yes," he replied, "thank you. —But I should go now."
"Okay... " Mai said somewhat reluctantly. She had never heard Lin speak so much on one topic, so she was slightly disappointed to let him go. "See you."
"Alright," he replied before hanging up.