Hey guys… alright so I guess that an apology is in order. School is back… which is OK I guess. I know that a lot of you are in school and still keep up with a lot of what goes on in the fan fiction world but I'm not like that.
The school I go to is not a very good one to say the least. I mean the education is OK but the students and representatives are really terrible. In order to keep up with the work and requirements I need to be in 110%. It's hard and I can't wait to leave and enter college, but that's that.
I decided that I really didn't like the direction of the story so I'm changing the Tiled Floors and reposting once everything is set. This is my new story 'NO' so I hope you guys like it!
I promise that I won't do this anymore… it's just been very stressful. I'm in the process of writing chapters that are far ahead so there should be enough material to last us a while. I'll be posting a few chapters right after each other as compensation, so I'm really sorry. Also these chapters a REALLY LONG! About fifteen pages each… so you're welcome.
DISCLAMER; I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT!
Without further ado this is…
Chapter 1 of; 'NO'
Nanami
Tuesday, May 7th, 3:02 A.M.
The hammering in her chest was untamable.
Adrenaline pulsating throughout her veins…. frozen… despite the need to leave.
To run away, away from this house and people surrounding her.
She was sick of everything… of nothing.
Tired of the thrashing and the words… of the hands she wished to break...
Hatred…
No… that isn't enough
She loathed her
She loathed everything about her
But now… nothing mattered… nothing mattered more than the numb girl in her bound arms.
"Nanami… Nanami wake up… please Nanami!"
Tears stung the edges of her eyes threatening to spill but she held them back.
She had to stay strong now… for 'her' sake.
"I'm sorry Nanami for everything… but please wake up."
She was still… her face drained of all color with the exception of the blue tint taking form under both her lips and eyes.
'She' would be home…
What would 'she' think if 'she' saw this…?
It was her fault… in the end everything was her fault… she said so herself.
She told her this would happen… and Nanami always hated her… because it was her fault.
Footsteps down the halls and the sound of her voice.
Now that Nanami was gone… she knew she wouldn't last much longer.
She ran the back of her hand across her cheeks.
They were wet… she was crying again.
Of course she was, it was natural for her to wake in this state.
Her heart hammered in her chest, her breaths coming out in short gasps.
It had been a week since the dreams had started.
They were the same, always the same.
She would wake every morning soaking in sweat, yeah, 'normal'.
She turned her head slowly staring at the neon green characters, it was only three. She had a good four hours before her presence was expected in the office.
It was a burden.
She wanted to tell him, but they was her dreams, they had nothing to do with him.
She couldn't bare him turning her down again stating that it was insignificant or that she would know the difference between dreams and reality if she studied harder.
Not that the two had anything to do with each other, but she dropped it seeing that having an argument with herself was fruitless.
The brunette shook her head slowly pealing the muddled sheets away from her wet form before walking towards the shower.
Stripping quickly she stood under the lukewarm water eyeing her wrists ever so slightly.
They were bruised… which was normal… but then again she couldn't remember hurting herself.
Had she done something intentionally?
Was it the remains of a case?
No.
The last case they had accepted had been two months ago, any bruising or scars should have faded.
Was it the dreams?
…
Of course it was… you see bruises and bumps a few days after a case was almost expected… but a few months… not so much.
She wanted to tell him that the dreams were causing her pain that her powers growing far faster than any of them would have ever imagined… but she couldn't.
Finishing, she rinsed stepping out quickly wrapping herself in the towel. Brushing her fingers through the auburn tassels before drying them out with a towel.
Turning to the clothing she had left out yesterday. Foreseeing the dream and its after affects she realized it might be a good idea to be prepared.
Slipping into the clothing she sat on the side of the bed her mind racing. There had to be a reason for these dreams… was it a case. They were anticipating a guest today… could it maybe be related to her? No… there was no way. It would have appeared on site, while she was directly faced with the issue. But… maybe It was related to her? No way! She had never been in contact with someone dying in front of her, excluding her mother of course. Besides dreams never came to her before the case itself was presented… was this another one of her growing powers, foreseeing? Insight? Precognition?
She shook her head giving up far too quickly for her liking. Standing she glanced at the paperwork sprawled out upon the table.
Collage forms.
Lin had asked her about them only days prior, wondering if she had decided what she wanted to do with her life. In all honesty it had never once crossed her mind, that one day she'd be leaving. She had been under the impression that she'd work for the Japanese branch of psychic research till the day she died. She hadn't considered leaved her family behind…
After careful consideration she had decided upon psychology.
A field she could understand far too well after the death of both her parents and the abonnement of the one man she actually loved.
Besides the obvious ghost hunting aspect of her job, Mai happened to be an extremely well mind reader. It was a gift she had possessed after struggling with both Naru, Lin, and her mother for many years.
Her mother…
She remembered it all too well, the feeling in her gut the day her mother had walked home. Something was wrong, but her mother threw any and all accusations to the wind claiming that she was 'tired'. It was after sneaking a peak into her desk she had found out that her mother was suffering.
Mai raised a hand to her eyes whipping away the last of the tears before shuffling towards the kitchen where she proceeded to place the metallic kettle atop the stove.
Walking slowly towards the stool behind the small slate of countertop flattening her skirt against her legs. Laying her head on the cold tile she replayed the previous months in her mind, as she had seemed to do so every morning.
It had been over a year since he had returned.
Three years since Gene's burial.
He was the same in some aspects, he had grown a few inches, broadened out, and had shaped out… he was, after all, an adult now. But still the same.
But she had to admit to noting the small differences in his behavior. How he extended his hand to help her down the stairs, how he seemed to trust her more, and how he smiled at her ever so gently.
Yes… that was Naru.
Or Oliver Davis, or Noll, or Kazuya Shibuya, or Narume.
The man of many personas… and the liar.
Then again so was she, she was a liar too.
She chuckled sardonically pulling at her moist hair, she had changed too… not extravagantly but she had undoubtedly changed.
She moved her hands to her temples rubbing the sore area in an attempt to rid herself of the headache, to no avail.
Having had enough she poured her tea into a mug before slipping on her coat and shoes heading out silently.
….
Japan had always been so beautiful at this time.
The sun barely grazing the silent skies, the far off calls of the Merlin, and the sweet scent of the bakeries starting off for the day.
She slowly made her way towards the office her legs moving on their own accord. It was a bad habit she had to admit. Dozing off while walking across the streets, he had commented about it on more than one occasion. Telling her that she had better not get herself killed, rambling on about what a pain it would be to hire a new assistant.
That was back before he had left.
Back before he had broken her heart.
She shook her head ridding her mind of the negative thoughts careful not to irritate the growing headache, she smiled brightly, "I woke up early, made tea, and am going in three hours earlier… this is bound to be a good day." Her much needed optimism seemed to calm her down, but only for precious moments.
From where she stood she could see the office.
The place she called home.
Madoka should be in today… she had promised.
Lin had practically threatened to drag her to japan if she didn't comply. It had been the most emotional she had even seen from him… but then again he had every right. Call it deprivation if you will... besides it had only been about seven months since he was born, Lin was bound to be missing all the best parts.
That's right, seven months since little Jun was born.
She had seen enough videos and pictures of the child to know what he was like.
The soft tuffs of black hair and the light brown eyes (A/N Just because magenta is NOT A NORMAL COLOR) he had no doubly taken from his mother.
She had also mentioned something about a case or a client, but Mai had been too bound by her dreams to spare a thought.
Waiting for the cross light she ran across the street towards the building.
Slowly trailing up the stairs she propped open the office door, entering the threshold she had come to recognize as her home.
….
The scent of Earl Grey welcomed her.
Its bittersweet nature she had memorized. A scent she had grown to love, even after all the shit he had thrown her way.
The lights were on.
She inwardly sighed realizing that only one person had the ability to stay up through nights on end and never feel the effects.
Slipping out of her jacket Mai wound her way across the foyer towards his office peering through the door.
He was asleep.
His head lying flat against the hardwood desk.
Smiling gently she ran towards the kitchenette quickly fixing her boss a cup of tea It would help, seeing that he had complained of a head ach earlier… poor guy, it must have driven him insane.
Carrying the silver platter to his office she set it down on the corner of his desk before kneeling down placing a hand against his shoulder.
"Naru… Naru."
He stirred gently before sighing, his eyes fluttering open seconds afterwards, "Mai." He breathed.
She could feel his breath fanning against her skin, sensing the heat of a growing blush on her cheeks, "You ok?"
Nodding he sat up his hands rubbing circles around his temples, "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
She stood grabbing a cup and saucer placing it in front of him, "Couldn't sleep."
He stared up at her, even in the dim light he was breath taking, "Try again."
Shaking her head she pulled up a chair, "Why do you think I'm lying?"
Grabbing her wrist he pulled up her sleeve, "I was planning on asking you about these earlier… what's going on!?"
"Nothing."
"Mai!"
"Oliver!"
They stared at each other for what seemed like hours, their unwavering glares and close proximity seeming to only fuel their anger.
After moments she sighed tugging her arm slightly, "It's nothing… I promise. Just let it go."
He nodded against his will sitting back in his chair, "For now." Taking a sip of his tea he looked back up at her, "Do we have anything on the agenda for today?"
"A client at three, I've got some filing and repots to fill out, other than that we should be good. Madoka should be in today, if I'm correct Lin should be at the airport any minute picking both Madoka and Jun up.
"Right, and this client, do we have any knowledge about what they're here for?"
"Yeah, she claimed that a ghost was haunting both her and her daughter. She refused to say anything else, when I tried to push for something we could grab on to, she broke down into tears. So please Naru, try to go easy on the questions today."
"I know how to run my business, Mai."
She shook her head running her hands across my temples, the ach refusing to subside. She closed her eyes the growing pain seeming to take over.
Throbbing tightly… painfully.
She stiffened grinding her teeth not wanting to scream out in the pain.
"Nanami… please…"
Her breathing faltered as she abruptly, stood the chair toppling behind her, her hands latching on to the sides of his desk.
She could hear him shout her name but she ignored it, all she wanted was silence.
"Nanami…"
It was then when her subtle voice began to surface…
A child's voice…
"Nanami… I'm sorry, please… forgive me… Please… Nanami… I don't want this anymore… it hurts… tell her to stop… Nanami… please it hurts so much… Nanami… don't let her do this… Please I love you… Nanami…! PLEASE NANAMI!'
Tears escaped the sides of her eyes, as she felt her body being pushed down. Erupted warmth following the constant shouting outside.
"Make it stop…" She whispered to no one.
She could hear his voice in the distance, and the sound of several other voices, before blackness overtook her.
…
Staring ahead rows of blackness were all that she could see.
She knew there was something more… but the restless pain in her head seemed to refuse any and all pleas of rest.
There was a strange humming. A tune she felt like she remembered once, but had long forgotten.
Its soft and angelic nature left feelings of euphoria in their wake.
She felt almost… at peace.
And for the second time that night she heard the cries of the child… the sound of the doors slamming shut… and the voice of a woman.
And nothing more.
…
A stifled moan filled the office.
From where she sat all she could hear were whispers and the voice of a child somewhere.
She stretched her fingers and toes enjoying the sensation, it seemed as if all tension was lost, the headache a thing of the past.
A heavy weight against her chest shifted hands probing her face.
She giggled softly prying her eyelids apart staring at the child who had so nonchalantly settled against her chest.
"Jun…?" she breathed brushing her fingers against the warm skin of the infant a smile tugging against her lips. The infant snuggled against her chest arms sprawled out breathing Intune to the soft taps against his back
Turning to her side she found herself staring into cool waters.
It always was a wonder how she could get lost in them.
It had been the reason they had met after all… his lips that donned a smile but his eyes that shown years of pain and angst.
"Hey…" she whispered watching a string of relief flash quickly being replaced with anger.
"That's all you have to say for yourself?"
She nodded stiffly, "You want to give it shot?"
He sighed staring at her blankly, "Madoka was worried."
Raising a brow she smiled, now this was something she could have fun with, "And do pray tell, what was Madoka doing here at three in the morning?"
"What are you suggesting, Mai?" He glared her hands folded across his chest.
She smirked, "I think you have a good idea. I just didn't know you were 'that' type of person. Madoka is a bit old for you don't you think, not to mention the fact that her child is sitting right here?"
Sensing the air of competition he smirked, "You hardly have any room to speak Mai. Your dinner invites seem to be a little less than innocent? I didn't think you were one to get involved with a married man."
She blushed several shades of red, "What… what are you talking about!? I only invited Lin to…"
As if on cue both Lin and Madoka strode into the office hand in hand. Madoka smirked, "You only invited Lin to what?"
Mai blushed scarlet refusing to meet the eyes of the older man, "Nothing I swear! Naru's delusional."
She smiled at the two patting the back of her infant, "I'm teasing. How are you feeling?"
"Better, thank you."
Madoka smiled, "You had us worried, now why don't I go fetch us some tea." Her perky essence following behind her in waves.
"How are you feeling?" Lin asked bending down placing his hand on her forehead searching for some sort of indication of a fever.
She smile at him, "I'm fine." Turning she stared at the smirk against Naru's lips, eyes widening. She smiled quickly swatting his hands away, careful of the child in her arms, "I'm fine I promise." Sitting up she smiled reassuring, "Jun I presume?"
Lin nodded a soft smile against his lips as he reached out rubbing his palm against his infant's head, "Yes… he seems to have taken a liking to you. Although to be honest I think we all had seen it coming."
She smiled staring down at the infant who was busy pulling at her fingers, "He's adorable."
"Let me know if you're in any pain." She nodded watching as the silent omnojie walked into the kitchenette after his wife.
She turned staring at the smirk on her bosses face, "Get your head of out the gutter!"
Naru looked up at her narrowing his eyes, "I'm only stating the obvious."
Mai stared ahead, feeling of both unease and fear creeping into her mind.
Something was coming.
That she was sure of.
The constant and persisting dreams, and the warnings and cries were only proof of the inevitable. Something was going to happen… soon.
"You said it was nothing."
She turned to face her boss, "What?"
"You said it was nothing Mai… it's getting involved with your social performance, as your employer I have every right to intervene."
"But you won't."
He glared, "What makes you so sure?"
"Because I know you better than that." She countered, "Besides, I'm your assistant and you're my boss… end of story."
She couldn't help but sense the tension after she had uttered those words. But she was right. Nothing was going to change.
…
The day continued the hours ticking by far too slowly.
Jun had silently clamed Mai's lap as his territory seeing as he wasn't planning on leaving her side any time soon.
At ten to three the group of four had welcomed a client to their office. Settling down the woman introduced herself as Asami Nagashi a woman living on the outskirts of Nikkō.
Setting a tray of tea against the wooden coffee table she watched as Madoka spoke the formalities, ushering towards Naru who then began the interrogation.
"When have these series of events started happening?"
The woman shook her head a hand tightly against her chin, "About five months ago, back when we first moved in. So around April."
Naru nodded taking brief notes, "And why did you wait so long to contact a paranormal specialist?"
"To be honest, you are not the first person I confided too. It was just after my daughter's death… so you can imagine the stress. When the happenings started and I stated that there seemed to be a child haunting the house, they had shunned me stating that I was hallucinating."
"I understand. Now, if you could please restate the information you told my assistant."
Mrs. Nagashi nodded, "My husband passed about seven years ago, just after my eldest daughter Nanami had turned four. At the time I was pregnant with my daughter Haruko…"
Nanami…
"During my first pregnancy there were several complications…. The doctors had told me that there was no way she would survive. But she did… until seven months ago when she passed away. It was a miracle she had lived to see the age of six… honestly I couldn't ask for anything more."
Nanami… please….
"Overwhelmed with grief I realized that our home had brought nothing but misfortune… so I took Haruko and ran away. We bought a house just outside of Nikkō, and settled down. For the first few nights it seemed like the prefect neighborhood. We were far from our neighbors and the location in relativity to the schools and shops was just too good to be true. Then it started. The banging, crying, flying objects, words on the walls, and everything else she has done…"
"You say 'she', what makes you think it's a female?"
"She told us… she said her name was Nanami… the name of my…." She hunched over holding back her tears.
Mai stood slowly deposited Jun into Naru's lap before walking to the woman's side placing a hand over her shoulder. She couldn't help but feel like something was off. Almost like a part of the story was missing… a large part.
"Mrs. Nagashi…" She whispered.
The woman looked up at her through eyes glazed with tears, "I'm sorry…"
Mai smiled, "No don't worry about it…Take your time…but… I do have a question for you."
The woman nodded, "Yes?"
"How did Nanami die?"
"…Heart complications… does this have anything to do with the case?" She choked out the answer.
If one had been paying close attention you would realize she had missed the golden moment… she had spoken too soon… a mother with a dead child would usually take a moment…
"And she lived to six…?" Mai continued.
Mrs. Nagashi nodded, "The best six years of my life…"
Nodding the brunette smiled sweetly before turning to Naru who had securely wrapped his arm against Jun's waist keeping him at bay, "What do you think?"
Naru shook his head, "Tell me about Haruko."
"She turned ten as of last week. She's a silent girl who keeps to herself… but she's an absolute joy. She tells me most of the things the spirit says…"
Mai's eyes widened… "She tells you!?"
Mrs. Nagashi nodded, "Yes…"
"And how do you know she isn't lying?" Naru interjected coldly.
Mai smiled at the shaken woman glaring at Naru's bluntness, "Have you heard anything?"
"Yes, the spirit only comes to Haruko in her dreams or when she's alone. But I've heard her whisper in my ears in the midst of conversation."
Mai nodded, "Right, and when did your daughter first tell you about seeing this spirit?"
Mrs. Nagashi shook her head, "About a week after moving in… she was against the idea of moving so I had no choice but to force her."
She nodded, "Naru… what do you think?"
He sighed staring ahead, "I'll need a few more answers, but from what I hear you've caught my attention. We'll head out the day after the next. We need a few rooms to be used as our bedrooms, and another as a base to set up our equipment. We'll also need you to live on normally in that house as if this confrontation had never occurred. The last thing we need to do is anger this 'sprit'. Mai."
She looked up, 'Yes?"
"Take Mrs. Nagashi's information down and then call the others."
She nodded slowly watching as the man clad in black handed the child over to his mother before returning to his office, the omnojie following suit.
Turning to the woman she smiled, "If you don't mind could you give me any and all contact information, and please if anything happens within the next few days do not hesitate to call or come in. We're here to help and we will do so no matter the consequences."
…
Nanami…
Why that was name so familiar…. Why did she feel this way… as if the world around her was collapsing…?
Nanami…
That name, so foreign yet I feel as if I've heard it….
As if I know her… as if I know Nanami…
Nanami… who are you…?
…
Hey everyone and thanks for reading the first chapter of One after the other!
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you guys soon for the next edition.
I'm really sorry, I'm in the process of editing the Tiled Floors so until I am completely content with it, it won't be posted. I promise this is for the good of mankind!
PLEASE IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW!
Alright, you guys, don't forget to review, favorite, and follow… and again I'm terribly sorry for the abandonment.
See you soon!
Lucy