Jinkies, We've Got A Mystery…
Summary: What happens when you mix together the famous mystery solvers of Mystery Inc. and the professional ghost hunters of SPR? Well jinkies, you've got a mystery on your hands. SPR gets a call from a client residing in Florida, which is in North America, all the way across the world from our ghost hunters. What is it that makes this case so urgent, exciting, and dangerous enough that SPR is sent to America? And why is it that another group of people- Mystery Inc., happen to be there, too? Fred and his gang solving this mystery out of logic and the belief that ghosts don't exist. Naru and his associates working on putting the ghost to rest and cleansing this haunted house. The two teams, both going into this case head on with different ways of thinking, will experience new things, make rivals, and even gain a few friends. Well, only if they can work together. But why does Naru have such hatred toward Mystery Inc.?
Chapter One: Encountered-
I looked up as the door chimed, alarming us of a potential client making their way in. With a smile playing at my lips, I stood from my place at the secretary's desk and made my way over to the door. A woman of her late thirties nervously stepped forward, taking in her surroundings. She had lightly tan skin, hazel green eyes, and bouncy wood brown hair. Not from around Japan, I noted. The lady seemed distraught. As she locked eyes with mine, I brightened my smile.
"Hello, miss. This is Shibuya Psychic Research, I'm Taniyama Mai, but please, call me Mai. Have you scheduled an appointment?" I asked.
The woman jumped slightly and bit at her lip, "No… I'm sorry, was I supposed?" I was a bit surprised to hear her speak perfectly fluent Japanese, with a slight Kansai accent.
I laughed and answered, "No, that's alright. Please, take a seat, "I motioned towards the couch as I walk. "I will go and get my boss. May I offer you a cup of tea? Or water, if you'd like."
She nodded gratefully, "Tea, please, Mai-san. Thank you." I nodded and sauntered towards the kitchen for tea, first. On my way, I vaguely looked behind me to see the woman twiddling her thumbs, looking even more anxious than when she first walked in.
While the water boiled in its pot, I pondered over what the case could be about. My stupor was caught short by the inevitable shriek of the kettle. I set to work on getting two cups of my special blend of Earl Gray for the workaholics, a cup of Chamomile Tea for the potential client and regular Green Tea for myself. Once the brews were done, I place them on a silver tray and carried it out into the living room.
Knocking on Naru's door I called, "Naru, there's a client." And just to be sure he would come out quicker I added, "I have your tea.
Smirking I left for Lin's door, tapping it twice. That was something I worked out with him, since he wasn't one for talking. He's worse than Naru. One knock means I'm coming in, two for a client, three for an emergency, and four if Naru needed him. I mean, Nary calling for Lin is shoddier than an emergency. I giggled to myself.
Soon both men and I were seated on the plush leather seats of the couch. I handed each cup out to its owner, lay the tray on the end table to the couch, and rested myself in between Naru and Lin.
"Miss…?" I inquired. The woman sat upright and cleared her throat, "My name is Celia Jennings. I have a request for you."
I could make out Naru quirking an eyebrow silently from the corner of my eye and grinned. That's so like him.
"And that request would be, Jennings-san?" Lin wondered. I almost chocked at the fact he spoke up. Normally he just sits there and types away facts and what not on his wife: the laptop.
Instead I coughed. Well, it sounded more like a cat hacking on a fur ball, but, I'll just say it was a cough. All eyes were on me for a moment. Naru glaring, but amusement somewhat noted in his eyes. Lin with a smile barely etched onto his features.
The tension in the room lessened and Celia seemed to thank me with her eyes. "The request is from a very good relative of mine in Florida."
My eyes sparkled and I sat up straighter, Florida? In America?
"You see, I live here in Japan, and my younger sister lives down in America. We've always been close and I help her out through thick and thin. Recently, she's been calling me more frequently, scared out of her mind. She owns a large estate, a campsite, actually. Every summer she holds a camp out on her island. A battle of the sex's sort of thing. It's a rare thing, to have a kid's summer camp on an island. Well anyway, strange things have been happening over the past two weeks. All camps have their share of 'ghost stories' and camp folklore, right? But, normally that folklore isn't true. Normally it's just stories the camp counselors make up to scare the kids."
Naru finished what everyone was thinking, "But at your sister's camp, that isn't the case, is it?" It was posed at a question but sounded more like a statement.
Celia just grinned meekly, "That is correct. The legends have been coming true and more and more weird things besides that are happening."
"Like?" Naru questioned?" "Like every story you'll hear, happens. The kids at camp claim they've been visited by a peculiar seeming angel in their sleep. Only the girls, though. And the strangest part about that, is that their all 15." Naru and Lin shared a glance at Mai, unnoticed. Mai just stared at Celia, getting sucked into the details of the case, gasping every now and then and biting her lip.
"Also, some of the girls disappear at random hours of the day, coming back without memory of where they've been and with a weird mark on their left breast. The same mark each time. I haven't seen it yet, though. Messages have been written in the sand on the shore and lastly, the other day during one of their camp activities, one of the children got lost and stumbled into a large hole in the sand away from the path that they have. In that hole was a small underground room, made of bricks and concrete. The room was painted red and on each wall were two single photos. Each of a child from camp. So in total, there were eight photos. Some had large X's on them, and that matched up with the girls who had the mark. Those girls remain at camp, just in case. My sister has yet to notify the parents, and hopes that this mystery can be solved before camp ends at the end of summer. Five of the pictures have X's on them and three are left. My sister has those three girls monitored and sleeping in her cabin. Please, I really wish you could accept this case, for the sake of my sister and the victims at her camp. We are willing to pay any price, to give you plane tickets. Just please, accept the request."
By now, tears were threatening to spill from her eyes, and mine, too. I reached my hand out and took hold of Celia's, giving it a tight squeeze.
"And what has lead you and your sister to believe it is paranormal?" Naru told her.
"Naru!" I snapped. "We'll take your case, Celia-san!" My long lasting love glared at me, "I do not believe that you call the shots, Mai."
I returned the stare, "Don't tell me that you aren't interested, Naru, because I know you are! And besides, this woman needs help. Her sister needs help. C'mon, please Naru! Onegai…" I pleaded, looking into his eyes.
A miniscule pink tinted his cheeks. I didn't notice though, I was too busy being teary-eyed. He turned his head so he was looking at the wall. He pondered silently for a moment and then nodded with a sigh, "Very well. Leave your contact information with my assistant, Mai, Jennings-san. I can take care of flight costs. Expect to see us in three days."
With that last note, Naru stood and left for his man cave. Lin followed in suit, but instead, went into Naru's office. I smiled wide once more and wiped the side of my eyes, calming down. Celia did the same.
"Arigato, arigato, arigato…" She kept re-saying. I shook my head, "Ie, I'm glad we could help, Celia-san.
She finally looked up, trembling a bit but better than earlier. Sticking a hand into her purse, she fished out two business cards. "This has the campsite's phone number, address to the port which brings the campers to the island, and my sister's email. This one," She told me, indicating the second card, "has my home and cell phone numbers, email address, and my home address."
I took the cards from her hands, looking them over. Once I finished I replied, "Okay, thank you. We will require three rooms, er, cabins. Make sure they have a lot of plugs…if that's possible."
She nodded, "Yes, the cabins have access to plugs. We've gotten that installed. Three rooms? Alright, I'll tell my sister. I shall see you soon, Mai-san. Thank you, again."
"You will be coming to the camp, then?"
"Yes, I will. I'm a doctor so I thought…it would be nice if I went." She went on.
I added, "Oh, good. We also have a doctor on our team, but you know what they say. The more, the merrier." We both laughed together, feeling happier. Our client got up and bowed, taking her leave. As soon as the door to SPR closed shut, I sunk further into the couch, massaging my temples. This was going to be quite a case. Springing up, a new determination hit me. This time, I am going to be useful. Not just the tea maker, or the one who always needs saving, or the temperature reader. Nope, I'm going to solve this case! I skipped across the room to the phone, ready to dial everyone up.
Velma hung up the phone, turning to her friends. "Guys, we've got a mystery on our hands." Shaggy and Scooby exchanged looks before attempting to dash off.
Fred grabbed them both by the collar, "Now hold it you two. You're a part of this team, too."
Shaggy groaned, "But, like man we don't want to go. Whenever a mystery comes up, we are always the ones getting chased down by goblins and ghouls. Not cool."
Scooby bobbed his head in agreement, "Ruh uh."
Daphne frowned, bending down, "Would you do it for…a box of Scooby snacks?"
Both of their heads bolted upwards, "Scooby snacks?" They asked.
Daphne nodded. "A whole box, just for you two."Without another word, the duo agreed, licking their lips.
Fred sighed and let out a chuckle. "The things you guys do for Scooby snacks…" Everyone joined him laughing.
"So Velma, when do we head out? And to where?" Fred asked the genius teen.
She only smiled, putting her hands behind her back and clasping them together, "Florida, at an island camp, Fred. And we can head out tomorrow. We're supposed to be there in three days, so that'll give us enough time to get there by car."
Daphne squealed in delight, "Florida! The beach, the sand, the guys!" Fred coughed and again everyone was in a laughing fit.
Shaggy thought aloud, adding to the laughter, "Like, I hope it's nothing like the Camp Little Moose adventure."
"Why so soon though, Velms?" Shaggy inquired. "Yeah, three days is short notice…" Fred added.
Velma only tilted her glasses, her face passive for a moment. "Well, this is no ordinary mystery, you guys. Apparently the camp we're going to investigate at has also hired professional ghost hunters, also. We are supposed to be there at the same time. The camp owner's sister had a hard time getting these people to take their case up, so they don't know that we are going to be there, yet."
Scooby trembled and hugged Shaggy, "Rhosts?"
"Oh, but c'mon Velma! We all know ghosts don't actually exist, right?" Daphne thought aloud. It was silent. She coughed.
"Well, all of my logic is based off of science, so my answer would have to be no, Daphne. But these people are professionals, and famous too. Who knows who they could be?" She answered.
Fred grimaced, "Well I for one believe in ghosts. And I can't wait to meet these guys! I mean, ghost hunting must be so cool! Imagine, they could be dressed in all black like spies and have high tech laser guns and-"
His imagination was cut off by Velma speaking, "Fred," she warned. He sighed, "Yeah, yeah."
Time Lapse; Three Days Later-
The taxi car pulled up to Bay Port, the docking area which leads us to the island. Bou-san's, Ayako's and Yasuhara's taxi followed behind, and behind them was John and Masako. Before the vehicle came to a complete stop, I hopped out, appreciative to be on land again, on foot. I would have kissed the floor, but refrained from it. A few seconds later, everyone was out of their taxis, equipment and luggage in tow and the cars were driving off.
I smiled happily and ran over to the edge of the large, baby blue, concrete dock. I stuck my hands out and closed my eyes, letting the breezed ruffle my short hair and dance with fabric of my strapless, white sundress.
The angelic white bow in my hair flew out behind me and when I turned to go retrieve it, I felt my feet misguide themselves and I was falling into the water, about ten feet below me. I closed my eyes, waiting for the splash, but it never came. Instead, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into them. I blushed mad crazy as I pulled away, looking into the deep blue eyes of my boss.
"Next time, Mai, desist from jumping off the dock. It's not very clever," he retorted, gently tying the bow back in my hair, his back in the way so no one but I saw.
I widened my eyes but before I could utter a word, he was gone. My mouth was gaped open.
As he walked back towards the sniggering others, he called, "Close your mouth Mai, or you'll catch flies." I swiftly shut my mouth and glared, sticking my tongue out in a childish manner.
"Hmph," I muttered, stalking over to everyone else. For a moment there, he was very…un-Naru like. I thought it could've been a dream…until he said the last part.
Bou-san ruffled my hair, "Be lucky your prince narcissist caught you Mai-chan~" I swatted at his hand and he laughed. Luckily, Ayako came to my rescue, thwapping Bou-san upside the head with her purse.
"OUCH! Woman, what the hell was that for?" He yelped.
She rolled her eyes, "Be nice to Mai!" He seemed aghast.
"WHAT! I was only teasing her! Calm yourself, grandma!" Double Thwap. Ayako growled and walked off next to John, who sweat dropped.
I smiled. Naru and Lin were as stoic as ever, (but I'm starting to doubt Naru's stoicism a tad) leading us to the right boat since there were so many. Ayako, John and Masako had small talk together while Yasuhara and Bou-san were evilly planning something. I could tell. They had that mischievous glint in their eyes. Yes, the one that looks like a diamond in the eye on anime shows. Keiko-chan has made me watch so much of her anime, I've memorized everything. I shivered.
The boat was extraordinary! Large, almost like a mini yacht and has spaces for cars, too. The whole boat was snow white with a teal borderline color, and the edges were black rubber. The left side of the boat says Battle S. Camp in a cursive font, and beside the name were the gender signs. Around the edges at the front of the boat was a metal. The bars were metal and the handles (top and side bars) were a light wood color.
Poor John got seasick during the first five minutes of the hour long ride. He was being talked to by Ayako. I was sitting at the very front of the boat, my legs slipped through the railings and dangling off the boat, my shoes beside me. I laid back a bit, propping my elbows behind me.
"Boo." Someone whispered in my ear. I jumped, a hand flying to my mouth. I turned and glared at the culprit- Yasuhara.
"Yasu, you scared me!"I shrieked. He only chuckled, taking a seat next to me.
"What's up, Mai-chan?" I lifted my eyebrow at him suspiciously but didn't press further.
I replied, "Not much, Yasu-kun. Sitting on a boat, watching John heave up, the usual." I grinned. We laughed in unison.
"Mai-chan?" Yasuhara finally asked. I tilted my head at him. "Well," he began, "what would you do if I told you that I had another ingenious plan. A plan that could get you and your future hubby together during this case." His eyebrows did a little dance and I punched his arm playfully, giggling.
"Nope. There is no way I'm going along with anymore of your plans. And plus, Naru doesn't like me, we all know he likes Masako," I flushed, turning my head away.
He tsked me, "You silly, silly girl. Well, suit yourself, but I'll work my magic anyways," he cracked his knuckles and winked at me, going back to talk with Bou-san. I sighed, face palming.
This can't be good, I thought.
Shaggy and Scooby dined on sandwiches in the back of the Mystery Machine, filling up for the boat ride, the main dish. Daphne grabbed the map off of the dashboard. She flipped it around a few times and her end result was groaning.
"Fred," she whined, "how much longer until we get to the Port?"
He took his eyes off of the road for a moment to look at her, "Another five minutes, Daph." He reassured her.
She sunk into her seat, "Thank goodness. We've been driving for almost 36 hours!"
Velma countered, "Plus the time spent stopping at restaurants for the two in the back, "she illustrated, pointing her thumb backwards. Shaggy and his partner looked up with a face full of food, turkey falling out of their mouths.
Shaggy swallowed his helping whole and answered, "But man, we like, get hungry," and chuckled, rubbing at his stomach. Scooby approved of that retort and went back to stuffing his face.
Daphne giggled and Fred chuckled at the two. Always the same.
"Look," Fred started, "it's the Port." He drove up to Dock 17 and saw a large boat. There was a tubby man inside, sitting on a chair.
Fred stopped, "Wait here a moment, guys."Opening up his door, he approached the boat. He looked up, shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun with his back hand.
Cupping both together he called, "Excuse me, sir," until he got the man's attention. The tubby guy got to his feet, shuffling to the edge of the boat, peering down.
"Oh yes, how may I help you, lad?" "Well you see, my pals and I are here for the camp, Battle S. Camp?"
The man eyed Fred for a second before letting down the launch for cars to get on, "Bring your car up."
The mystery solver jogged back to his car, started it up and drove into the ferry. Once he stopped, he rolled the window down and said, "Thank you, sir. I'm Fred Jones, and this is my team, here."
Looking at every individual in the car, tubby was satisfied, putting a grin on his face, his mustache curling upwards. "Alright then, make yourselves comfortable and it'll be another hour journey, son."
Daphne inwardly sighed. "Yippee," she muttered, voice dripping in sarcasm.
Shaggy gulped down another serving of food and piped up. "Like, that ain't so bad, Scoobs. Gives us more chow time, right buddy?"
The canine slurped up some mayo, "Rummy~"
Velma roller her eyes, smiling ever so lightly, and turned to the gang, "Here, lets step outside and sit at one of those tables. I've looked into the ghost hunters coming to camp, and found some information.
Daphne hopped out of the car happily, "Awesome!"
As Fred was leaving the car, he turned back and looked at the guys, "You wanna come?"
They both shook their heads. Shaggy told him, "No thanks, Fred. Scoobs and I will be fine here."
"Suit yourselves," he supposed. He joined up beside the girls, taking a white plastic chair.
"So what do you have on them, Velma?" Fred queried the thought he and Daphne shared.
The girl lifted her glasses a bit before talking. "It wasn't easy. For being famous, they sure didn't have much info to get a hold of, but luckily I have a pen pal who is friends with these people and he was nice enough to give me a small amount of information on them. I did some additional searching on my own, too," she added, "SPR stands for Shibuya Psychic Research, but also stands for the Society for Psychical Research. The ladder has two main branches. The first in Britain, the second in America. But they are Shibuya Psychic Research. It's a bit suspicious how the names are so similar, so be weary of them."
The two listening nodded along, "But it's only a name, Velma. Pure coincidence." Fred pointed out.
She let out a breath, "Yes, Fred, but still. You can't be too careful. Anyway," Velma continued to talk about the SPR.
"The boss of their business is named Shibuya Kazuya," She was a bit tongue tied at the foreign names but soon got the hang of it. "And get this, he's only 17! Here's his photo." Velma handed her colleges a printed picture.
Daphne gasped, blushing, "He's so hot!" Fred pouted and snagged the picture, handing it back to Velma.
"Thank you, Fred. That's all I could get on him. He has two assistants, Lin Koujo and Taniyama Mai."
Fred wondered, "So Taniyama is that girl's first name?"
"No, in Japan, the surname comes before their first names. So that would be her last name."
"Oh, this one is hot, too…" The girl in lavender noted, picking up the picture of Lin that Velma laid out.
Fred inhaled air, clenching and unclenching his fists. He took the picture, analyzing the guy, and handed it back to their friend.
"Lin Koujo, twenty five years old A/N: It isn't mentioned in the series. I think he's more like twenty seven, even though he looks young, but I'm going to put him as two years younger(: and he is an- an onmyouji, which is a specialist in magic and divination. The can keep track of the calendar, or protect from evil spirit, and apparently, they can even summon and control demons!"
Everyone's eyes in the semi-circle widened, looking at the picture of the man before them.
"Can he really do all that, Velma?" "I'm not sure, Fred. It also says here that he's originally from China, and that he is the boss', that guy Kazuya's, guardian."
It was silent for a second, tense. Fred loosened his ascot and gulped, "W-What about that girl? Mai?"
Velma flipped through a folder in her hands and pulled out a few sheets of paper, "Taniyama Mai, 15 years old, a freshman high school student. Average grades. Exceeds in singing, dancing, and cooking. She is an orphan, both of her parents died when she was younger. She has no other blood family. My pen pal- Yasuhara, tells me that she is socially outgoing, kind and always helps others, never thinking of herself. Those were his exact words. She works as Kazuya's second assistant."
Fred looked at the sheet in her hands, scanning through it, "Does she have any crazy power or whatever like that scary looking guy with the hair over his eye- Lint, Clint, Lin?"
Velma flipped to the next page and read on, "She has ESP, which includes post cognitive dreams and clairvoyance. She can also astral project and she shows high levels of intuitive power."
Daphne and her crush looked quizzical, "What is all that?"
The brainiac informed them, "ESP, which is extrasensory perception, or the sixth sense. Here's something on that," she slipped one of her papers out and gave the two a minute to take in the information.
Fred passed it back and looked astonished, "Woah."
"Yeah. Astral Projecting or travel denotes the astral body, leaving the physical body to travel in the astral plane. Basically, an OBE, which is where while you sleep, your spirit leaves your body and goes to a spiritual plane. This girl Mai is supposedly a powerful psychic. According to my pen pal."
Daphne stood, hands on the table, "Huh! But, look at the picture! She's just a high school girl. Look at how fragile she looks. There is no way she could be some sort of powerful psychic."
"Oh, but she apparently is, Daph. I know, it seems impossible, but it's true. Supposedly. That would make up the main SPR. They have five, sometimes 6, people who assist on their cases, one of them, my pen pal. I couldn't get anything on them, though. Yasuhara would only tell me about those three. Don't know why."
"Why are these names so weird?"Daphne posed. Velma only sighed, giving Daph a pat on the back and walked over to another table to do some more research on her computer. Once she was gone, the social teen turned to Fred.
"What do you think about this, Freddy?"
He blinked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, do you think it'll be worth it to go to Battle S. Camp with those ghost hunters? It could be dangerous…"
Fred smiled genuinely, putting an arm around Daphne, "Don't worry," he comforted her, "When has Mystery Inc. ever failed?"
Time Lapse; One Hour-
SPR's ship arrived at a smaller wooden dock. I watched as a drawbridge lowered from our boat onto it. One by one we all filed out onto the dark brown board, loading the equipment and luggage with us.
The moment my foot stepped down on the pier, I set everything I had down and collapsed. Bou-san came over and hovered above me, "Hi, Jou-chan."
Smirking, he scooped me up in his arms and dangled me above the crystal clear water. I grasped his shirt in my hands like it were a lifeline and struggled.
"Bou-san, not funny! Put me down!" I begged. He laughed and set me back on my feet. I pressed my lips together and pushed him. He was laughing so hard that he stumbled backwards before falling in himself. I puffed in shock, hearing Ayako's snorting laughter behind me.
He swam up for air and I stifled a laugh, "Gomen, gomen, Bou-san~ I didn't mean to push you that hard. But, that's what you get for messing with me." I stuck out my tongue and high fived Yasuhara.
Naru cleared his throat, "I don't pay you all to horse around. Get moving."
We all jumped and John helped Bou-san out of the water. "You'll pay for that one, kid." He teased.
John sweat dropped. A thought came to mind, "Are you feeling better, John-san?"Concern smothered my words and I walked over, putting a hand on his shoulder.
He blushed and muttered, "Yes, thank you Mai-san." I smiled and grabbed some stuff, following everyone else on a beige stone path.
I ran up beside Naru, where Masako kept trying to start a conversation with him, but he just remained silent, answering with the shortest response, yes, no, maybe, most likely, that's improbable. I snickered, earning a glare from behind a certain someone's kimono sleeve.
"Naru?" I asked.
Without looking back at me, he replied, "Yes, Mai?" I beamed.
"Um, do you know where we're going?" I shyly question. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks for asking such a stupid thing.
"Of course I do. Come now Mai, even someone with a brain as incompetent as yours should be able to understand a simple route. But, I don't expect it from you anyways." It was Masako's turn to smirk, now.
I pouted, what a jerk. I expect even more, was what Naru was thinking.
A few minutes later, we were all standing outside of a gigantic wooden cabin labeled REC HALL at the top. We made our way inside, setting everything down and looking around. Everything looked to be made of dark, strong wood. The ceiling was at least fifteen feet high, pretty tall if you ask me. The occasional moose head or animal head hung on the wall, which really freaked me out. And Masako and Ayako, too, because every time they saw one they'd clutch the life out of someone's arm.
A familiar looking woman walked up to us. A click sounded in my head, "Celia-san?"
She shook her head, smiling sorry, "I'm her sister, Selena Jennings. It is very nice to meet you. You must be SPR." So she isn't married.
I decided to surprise the group by saying in almost pretty good English, "It is vewy nice to meetchu, too, Miss Jennings. I am Taniyama Mai, but pwease, call me Mai." And for added effect, instead of bowing I put out my hand and gave her a hearty smile.
Yasu whistled, Bou-san, Ayako, and John gasped faintly, Masako glared, and Naru and Lin looked legitimately surprised. Score one to Mai.
"Thank you and I am very glad you speak English," she complimented, shaking hands with mine.
"Yes, my fweinds like to make fun uf me because I am nut vewy smawt. So, I've been wearning Engulish over the past thwee months," and there goes the stinger. Burrnnnnnn, is what I wanted to scream in everyone's face, but I settled for an innocent grin.
Selena laughed at me, "Well, it sounds divine."
"Tank you, Miss Jennings," I said.
Lin uttered in monotone, "And you've yet to stop amazing us, Taniyama-san." But I heard him. And I was almost sure no one else did. "Thank you, Lin-san," I whispered. He nodded.
"Oh look, here comes the other team."Everyone froze and it got silent.
"Um, what other team?" John asked in English.
"Did my sister not tell you? We've hired two teams to solve this case. A team who fights the paranormal and a team who fights mysteries." I looked over to see how Naru was handling this and unconsciously took a step back.
His eyebrow twitched once and his mask of calmness cracked for an instant.
"Naru-"I started, but he cut me off. "We were under no condition told that my team and I would have to work alongside another group of people, Miss Jennings." Naru speaks English? Go figure, he's smart enough…
Ayako nudged my shoulder, "What did he say, Mai?"
I gazed up at her, "You don't speak English, Ayako?" She shook her head. I began translating whatever was said in English to the best of my abilities.
"Well I distinctly told my sister to-""It doesn't matter what you told her to do, Miss Jennings. It matters that she didn't tell us."
"But, please, can't you-""No, I'm very sorry. I cannot work under a client who can't even tell us a simple matter such as that."
"Naru!" I bellowed. He turned to me, slowly becoming more tranquil.
"We both know it's not her fault. It can't be that bad to work with some other people. Just give it a try. Please?" If begging worked the first time, maybe it'll work the second time.
"No." Well, there goes that theory.
Masako stepped forward nonchalantly, sleeve over her mouth, "I'd have to agree with Mai. Surely it wouldn't be that bad."
Bou-san pumped a fist in the air, "Come on, and loosen up! I agree with the lady's, Naru-chan." Putting one arm around Masako and me, he winked at our boss.
Ayako sighed, "Eh, why not," and stepped in line beside us. John quietly stepped forward and Yasuhara slapped Naru's back, "Sorry big boss, I'm with them."
Naru looked at us all and rubbed at his temples, "Very well. After introductions I want you to set up base, pronto. No slacking. If I find one of you sleeping on the job, "he stated, glancing at me, "then you're off the case, clear?"
Everybody agreed. I'll have to remember that. If begging fails, turn to over powerment. But, normally that doesn't work.
The new 'team' walked up to us, giving us suspicious glances but jovial nonetheless.
A man with bleach blonde hair and a bright orange neck tie went up to Naru, shaking hands, "Nice to meet you. I'm Fred Jones. This is my gang, Mystery Inc."
Naru returned the gesture, and bobbed his head once. I eyed the man down. How did he know Naru was the boss? Most people guess Lin-san…
"This would my team, SPR. Shibuya Kazuya." The Fred man was a bit confused on how Naru spoke English. Ayako and I seemed to notice though, and giggled. Fred looked up and Ayako and I, flashing us a cheesy wink.
"Naru-chan's got some competition." Bou-san whistled. John's face flushed in embarrassment and mine blushed for the same reason. Masako's morphed red in anger.
I pointed out, "Then you've got some competition for your lady, too, Bou-san."
He stuttered, "W-What?" I chortled. Naru glared at us from behind and I put my hands up in defense, "Gomen, my lord. I shall abstain from anything fun, "and curtsied.
In Japanese he commented, "Who signs your paycheck, Mai?" My cheeks flared, "Y-You…"He smirked, "Thought so."
The people from Mystery Inc. looked utterly confused. "Well, this is Scooby," Fred announced, ruffling the hair of a chocolate brown dog. 'Scooby' licked Fred's face. "Shaggy," he pointed to a scrawny looking guy in an olive green shirt. "This would be Daphne." A really pretty girl waved. She wore a lot of makeup and reminded me of Ayako. "And lastly, Velma." This was a girl with short hair like mine, glasses and an orange jumpsuit. Velma stood there uncomfortably, "Hello."
"This is my assistant Lin Koujo, and here is my other assistant, Taniyama Mai," Naru alleged apathetically, putting a hand towards us. "Matsuzaki Ayako, Houshou Takigawa, John Brown, Yasuhara Osamu, and Masako Hara."
Everyone examined one another before Yasu stepped up, giving Velma a hug, who blushed. "Nice to finally see you, Velma."
She put her arms around him also and then pulled away, "You too, Osamu."
I gaped, "Yasu-kun, you know her?" He nodded, pushing up his glasses. "International pen pal." I sweat dropped. "Only you, Yasu-kun…"
Daphne whispered to Fred, "Hey, isn't that the girl? The one who's like an amazing psychic?" Fred nodded. I tilted my head. I don't think I was supposed to over hear that.
"Who's an amazing psychic?"
Juliet: Hey guys! So, I know I haven't updated on my other three stories, but it's because my computer has been down since last September, I've had to go through a new move, and then final exams. I will be updating the other three soon, but I'm also starting up another story. So yes, four stories at once! Now that my computer is up and running again, I can type! Thank the heavens.
Mai: Took you long enough.
Juliet: Yeah, yeah. Well I really hope you all like this story so review because I need feedback! I'm typing up the updates for my other stories as we speak.
Mai: Hurry!
Juliet: Oh, I will. And I'm just so sorry that you guys had to wait nearly a whole year to hear from me! :'( But I'm back and better than ever! REVIEW!