Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt in any way, shape, or form. I just like to play with the characters.

Warnings: Later chapters will contain violence, injury descriptions, and suicidal thoughts.


Tuesday - SPR Office


Kazuya stood in the doorway.

Why did I hire such loud, noisy people? he asked himself again, probably for the hundredth time as he looked over the crowded office. Takigawa was laughing, rolling about on the couch, holding Matsuzaki's purse over his head and away from her. The priestess kept reaching for it, but hadn't been able to snatch it back yet, and was adding her own sharp curses to the general mayhem.

Taniyama and Osamu were hunched over the glass coffee table, one typing frantically on a laptop, pounding keys that were half worn away, while the other was scrubbing away pencil from a sloppily written report. Taniyama let out a small shriek as her paper tore, and she scrambled to her tattered backpack, most likely to find extra supplies. Osamu seemed to ignore the outburst, but his fingers struck the keyboard quicker, harder.

Well... at least she got into university. All of them had helped her study, but it was most likely thanks to John, and the English interview she'd passed during the entrance exam. Now, he was studying criminal justice, and she was majoring in cultural studies, both of them emphasizing English as their language.

Thinking of the priest, he and Hara were standing by the coffee and tea selection they had in the kitchen, John sipping something light brown in a glass cup, nodding as the physic talked in a low voice as she cupped her, most likely, hot green tea. No matter the season, that was the taste she went for.

I need to look into Catholic practices again, and see if there's an argument for priests to get married. Don't they normally in Ireland? There seems to be some chemistry there, and John would make a good father.

"Looking for me?" inquired a smooth voice behind him.

Ah, Lin. My anchor in this storm.

"No," Naru said. "Just… taking in the local scenery. And fauna."

The boy didn't see the smirk that his friend gave, but he knew it was there.

"Admit it, you'd miss any of them. After all we've been through here in Japan, they've become family. Closer, since we chose them."

Kazuya's wandering mind was brought back to reality as a string of rude curses was followed by what sounded like a face-slap. Everybody stopped and turned to look at Takigawa, who was holding a hand to his reddened cheek.

"Next time," snapped Matsuzaki, "when I tell you not to look inside my purse, don't grope around like the pervert you are!"

As good a time as any.

"Ahem," said Kazuya, stepping in before Takigawa could form a retort.

Just let it go.

"Are you two quite done?" Kazuya gave them an arched eyebrow. "I'd like to give out the specifics of our new case, if I may. It looks to be a bit more... unusual than the others we've solved."

Hara took a seat in one of the armchairs, John stepping to her side and choosing to lean against the wall. Mai and Osamu kept on scribbling and typing, and since Lin could apparently read his mind, the taciturn Chinese man went to go sit between the two dagger-glarers on the couch.

"We're listening," said Yasuhara, his face never leaving the screen's illumination. "I promise. Our assignments just need to be handed in tomorrow."

Kazuya cast a suspicious glance at Mai, but she was too busy copying her essay to give anything more than a agreeing nod.

"To being with, it's out in Gunma prefecture." He paused, and wasn't disappointed.

"In Gunma? Ugh, middle of nowhere!"

"The inaka of the inaka!"

"That's okay Ayako, you don't need to go," teased Houshou from behind Lin's back. "Stay here and try to get some beauty sleep. You need it."

"In addition to being in Gunma," Kazuya continued, raising his voice a smidgen. "The timing of this case means that it will go through the entirety of the coming week."

"My tests!" Mai cried out, turning toward Naru in horror.

Well, at least she cares about school now.

"My reports!" Osamu added, looking up at the ceiling in exasperation. "Well, goodbye free time, I hardly knew you."

Ingrates.

"I could not ask your teachers for an extension," Kazuya threatened icily. "If you so wish. Sending another email wouldn't be that hard."

And you two should know better by this point. As if I'd ever let either one of you slack off.

"Ha, haha," said Mai, flashing a thumbs up and giving a weak smile. "No, that's fine, Gunma sounds great!"

"Maybe we can hit the onsen when we're done. Relax a bit. I can do some research on the best ones."

I'm sure you can, but I don't think we're going to get a chance to be tourists this time around.

"Naru, you seem a little on edge," Hara noted.

Of course she would notice. The most "sensitive" among us sometimes.

"Do you need some tea? I can make-"

"I'll get it!" Mai called out, pushing off of the table and scrambling to get to the kitchenette.

"Thank you Hara." Kazuya rubbed his temples. "And Taniyama. This case is a little... different."

A lot different than our normal ones. I don't like it.

"What's up?"

"Two children were taken from the same village," Kazuya started, seeing the details from the report swimming in front of his eyes. He took a deep breath. "One of them came back."

"…is the other one still missing?" asked John frowning. No doubt thinking back to the church's case they'd helped solve.

"No… she was found."

Might have been better if not.

"You're not telling us something," prompted Houshou, his voice serious as he focused on Kazuya.

"Her entire family was found with her."

"Dead." Matsuzaki added shrewdly.

"Dead," confirmed Kazuya, nodding. A clattering sound drew his attention to Tanigawa behind him, his tea cup shaking in its saucer.

"That's so sad," she said, eyes filling up with tears as she handed off the tea. Naru felt a little bit of his soul settle with the warm cup in his hands.

Just a fraction, unfortunately.

"What about the other child?" Houshuo asked.

"She was returned, thirsty, hungry, and a little hurt, but in otherwise good condition. However, because of the high probability of danger, this case will be a volunteer one. I'll not order anyone to go.

I can, however, hope that I'll have enough volunteers as backup. As much as I don't want to take this case, I think we must.

"Takigawa-san, your answer?"

The monk narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms firmly over his chest.

"Always Naru."

"You have a concert-"

"-always," he repeated, his voice unwavering. "They already have a backup for me. Helping others is more important, hands down."

"Very well," nodded Kazuya. "I feel your strength will especially be needed this time, so I won't try to change your mind."

The look on the monk's face wasn't a happy one, but he nodded.

"Matsuzaki-san?"

She tapped a red fingernail against her cheek, thinking.

"Honestly Naru, I suppose I'll have to agree to this one since I'm the only doctor on the team." She flashed a look at Takigawa. "If you think we'll need Bou-san's strength, then I think you'll need my help."

Quite correct.

"Indeed," nodded Kazuya, "but I hope not."

"Osamu-san?"

The university student lifted his head.

"Of course!" He smiled. "Who else is going to come in last minute with the information needed to save everyone?"

Kazuya nodded, not saying anything to that.

Good, we can use your research skills and an extra pair of hands.

"Brown-san?"

"Something's targeting children?" The man's blue eyes flashed, not with anger, but with determination. "Of course I'll be there."

"Hara-san?"

"They've already taped my show this week," she said quietly, "so I can come."

"Taniyama-san?"

"You'll need me and my dreams, won't you?" asked the girl, her voice wobbling.

Those are going to be some harsh dreams.

"I understand if-"

"Nope." She shook her head, hair fluffing up like a bird; it brought a quirk of a smile to his lips. "If I can stop another child from being taken, it's worth it."

"Good." Kazuya looked around the room again, concentrating on each of his chosen family members. "And thank you. We leave in two hours with three drivers: Lin, Takigawa, and Matsuzaki."

Out of the three mentioned people, two looked a little surprised, but they nodded, accepting the assignment.

There should be no fighting with the two of you in different cars.

"I'll be driving with Lin. The rest of you can decide which car to be in. Please pack for a week. Yasuhara and Tanigawa, I've already written to your universities, and your teachers have given permission. As for the rest of you, I'll hand out the briefing before we head out, including the autopsy reports."

"Thanks Naru!" Osamu closed his laptop with a snap, tucking it under his arm as he stood up. Everyone else begain to move around, in their various stages of getting ready; John and Hara were finishing their drinks, Taniyama was stuffing paper into a clear file, then sliding that into her backpack.

Talking about assignments, hot springs, and getting gas before heading out to Gunma, the various members of SPR exited the doorway. Takigawa was one of the last ones out, looking thoughtfully at Kazuya, but thankfully leaing with saying anything.

Kazuya collapsed into the abandoned armchair with a heavy sigh.

Ugh. I can't get it out of my head.

"Something you forgot to mention?" asked Lin, still sitting calmly on the couch. "You still seem troubled, even though everyone agreed that we need to solve this case."

"I… I had a dream of my own last night," Kazuya admitted, resting his forehead on his hand. "Much in the manner of Taniyawa."

Fright - sadness - the loss of close friends. He could still feel the terror clutching at his spirit, sucking away at his steadfastness and determination.

"That seems a little out of your normal habits," Lin said,not looking at him. The older man had learned that Naru hated being stared at when revealing something difficult. "And I doubt it was in the same manner as Mai. What was your dream about?"

"It was more of a nightmare," Kazuya explained. "That's why it's sticking to me."

"Ah, I see. Was is about Mai?"

He twitched, and looking up he saw a flicker of a grin on Lin's lips.

No Lin, not everything is about Mai... well, not 100% of the time at any rate.

"No." Kazuya shook his head. "No one in particular actually. Just… the knowledge that I'd lost one of them. I don't remember who it was, but they had been spirited away from us, and as much as we searched, as hard as we tried to find them, they were hidden, used against us. And after all of that pain. That worry and fear… they were suddenly gone. For good. We'd won the battle, but lost the war."

He shuddered just remembering a fragment of the dream.

"That does sound like a doozy of a nightmare, but again, I feel the need to point out that you've never had a premonition from a dream," Lin said, standing up and crossing the room to place a comforting hand on Kazuya's shoulder. "Nightmares have a way of sticking painfully in the psyche. I think it's nothing more than that."

"I-" Kazuya's voice stuck in his throat, and he cleared it. "I can't lose anyone again. Not-"

"And they've become family." Lin's voice was comforting. "It's completely understandable, and I feel the same way. We've all been through a lot together, emerging stronger and wiser for it. That's how dreams needle you though, by identifying what's important and threatening it."

"…do you really think that it was a nightmare?" Kazuya cringed at his small voice. "Nothing more?"

I really wish I could believe that.

"I've known you since you were a young child." Lin smiled, most likely reminiscing about something from those days. "You've never had a dream premonition, and since Mai said nothing during the meeting, I would firmly place this in the realm of nightmares."

He does have a point about Taniyama speaking out if she had dreamed something like this.

"…Thanks."

Lin lifted an eyebrow.

"Thanks for confirming your suspicions? Or for the comfort?"

Kazuya turned around to give Lin a wry smile.

"Does it have to be one or the other?"

Lin chuckled.

"I'm going to pack."

"I'l meet up with you later," promised Kazuya, seeing the older man off with a hand wave. Then the room was completely empty, a real echo of what his nightmare had whispered.

"I can't Gene. Not again. Not after you, and not any of them."

Images of each person burst in front of his eyes. A protective, playful, musical monk. A blonde, level-headed, and calming priest. One by one they came and went, the last one a smiling Mai, offering tea.

"Not her. I can't lose any of them, but especially not her."

How can I even admit that?

He got up from the chair slowly, and grabbed his cup. In an uncharacteristic move, he threw his head back and gulped down the lukewarm remains of his tea. Step by step, Kazuya made his way over to the sink, savagely twisting the tap and scouring the cup with a sponge.

This nightmare is gong to grate on me until this case is over.

He sighed. Lin was right. He'd never had a dream premonition, so there was no use in worrying. Still… he gripped the cup tighter. It had felt so real that half of him was already convinced.

"Naru? Have you packed yet?"

The young man shook his head and placed the cup onto the drying rack. Leaving the room without a second glance, he didn't see a new crack in the ceramic, running from the thicker bottom to the thinner part of the lip.


Thanks for reading ~ reviews are always welcome!