AUTHORS NOTE - PLEASE READ
Hiya! Ok...
First - In this story the main chara's name is May Talia. Before you get confused - yes it is Mai. She just has an English name for when she's abroad.
Second - I have a lot of OC's in this story cuz it's set three years later. I'm also not sure if I should call Prof. Davis OC or not as he doesn't really appear in the anime or manga... but you guys have seen it right? You know.
Third - Yuki is an OC of mine, she's a Goddess who's shrine was destroyed. In order to save herself she tied herself spiritually to Mai and follows her everywhere. I really thought the tiger thing was cool...
Fourth - I wrote a lot about the Astral Plane and psychic abilities etc, in this story and part of it WAS wrong but it bothered me so much that I fixed it. :P All of the abilities/powers I got from the anime and my own ingenious brain XP. The 'Lewis's Law' thingy I made up but it sounds kinda right ne?
Fifth - PLEASE DON'T FLAME! Any flames will be ignored. I write fanfiction for the sake of writing - it's fun and I enjoy it. If you are just going to write to tell me how bad it is, then please don't bother - I like it and if I didn't then it wouldn't be here. I would love to hear any ideas about what I should do later in the story though and if you see an error or mistake anywhere in the story then please let me know! I'd appreciate it.
Seeing as this is a website purely dedicated to fanfiction, I really don't see the point of writing a disclaimer. You all know it's not mine.
About Updates - I was going to go for five reviews per chapter before I released the next one, but I decided against it seeing as I released the first three chapters at once. I'm going to try and upload one chapter every Wednesday so look out for 'em and I hope you guys enjoy!
I'm writing this stuff here so that I don't have to repeat it every chapter, so remember it.
And now ONWARDZ!
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'Ghost Hunt - Resurrection'
A Ghost Hunt Fanfiction by Alara Phoenix
Chapter 1
Wow, so this was Heathrow Airport. Looking around in awe that she did not let show on her face, the young Asian woman went with the crowd pulling her dark purple suitcase close behind her. Not that she was worried about it being stolen, no way; after all, she had something better than a guard dog and normal people couldn't even see it.
She did not seem like a typical tourist even though she wore casual clothes; black skinnies, a matching faux leather jacket and a dark blue tank top. Not wearing much in the way of jewellery either, what she did have was a simple silver chain with a small round gem that could have been a diamond and matching jewels in her ears. A simple silver watch decorated her left wrist and a black hair lackey wrapped itself around the other. Needless to say her light brown hair flowed loose, stopping just short of her elbows. Moving easily in shiny dark blue high heels that matched both her top and handbag, calm confidence radiated from her as she walked. Before arriving here she had studied and memorised map after map, so she knew exactly where she was headed.
Getting a taxi as soon as she stepped out of the doors seemed lucky to those around her, but she knew that her invisible friend had most likely used her powers of persuasion to deter them from taking it. Although it was a little like cheating it didn't hurt and, unless they had some psychic ability themselves, they would not notice that it wasn't their original idea.
"Where to Miss?" the cabby asked her in English after he had kindly loaded her suitcase for her. She smiled at him and watched in amusement as he went a little pink. Apparently the British found her attractive too. That was good to know. "The Laxton hotel on Valley Street please." Her perfect English even held a slight upper class British accent, something she had taught herself to do.
The cabby seemed like a talkative type and was very friendly. He reminded her somewhat of Bou-san... ah, no she was in England now, she had to speak and think in English. Hmm, the correct translation would be... monk? Abruptly rubbing a hand casually over her mouth in an effort to erase the smile that had just pushed its' way onto her lips, she tried to calm the hilarity she was feeling at the moment. 'Monk' just sounded... weird. Like... a monkey. Picturing Bou-san as a monkey just fit so well she almost gave in to her laughter. But she didn't. Schooling her emotions as she'd taught herself how, she made an effort to focus on what the cab driver was saying. He was rambling on happily about his family and his children and hadn't even notice that she hadn't been paying attention. Feeling somewhat guilty, she made an effort to now.
Arriving at the hotel, the cabby whistled as they pulled up to the drop off area. Not recognising the name of the hotel, he had used his navigation system to guide them there and now he understood why he hadn't been here before. "Wow, you must be rich for such a young lady." He commented with a laugh, as he handed her suitcase over to a porter who had rushed out as they had arrived. She smiled at him and paid him extra than what she owed. "In my line of work the pay is usually quite good. Please say hello to your family for me, they sound like wonderful people." The cabby beamed and she waved good bye as the porter led her inside.
It was no wonder that the cabby had been in awe; this hotel was five stars, very good and very expensive. A beautiful chandelier decorated the main hall and all surfaces seemed to be made from granite or marble.
At the front desk, she came face to face with a very pompous looking older woman who asked very politely how she could be of service. "I have a reservation." She told her and the woman seemed to smile in relief. Apparently they often got people waltzing in and asking for a room without booking a reservation. In hotels such as these, the idea was ridiculous. "If I could have your name please, oh and I shall need some form of ID if it pleases you." "Of course..." Taking her passport from her handbag she opened it, flicking through the pages deliberately so that the woman could see how much she travelled before opening the ID page and passing it to her with a smile.
Glancing at it for only a moment the woman smiled, this time very warmly and gave it back. "Ms May Talia, correct?" Ms May Talia smiled very warmly right back at her and inclined her head graciously. It was amazing how the people working in such high class hotels changed their tune when they realised that you were well off. Then you became a valuable customer.
After tapping her name into the computer, it didn't take at all long before the woman found what she was looking for. "Ah, here we are: A reservation for a balcony suite on the thirteenth floor, containing one double bed, walk in robe, luxury bathroom with spa and a sitting room with a small kitchenette; already paid for in full and in cash." As she spoke she pressed the enter key on her computer and another machine next to it spat out a golden key card with 'Laxton' sprawled across it in fancy letters.
Getting up, the woman held out her hand to May who shook it with another smile; "Welcome to the Laxton Hotel! My name is Laura and if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to call. Now if it pleases you Ms Talia I shall show you to your room." "I would appreciate that Laura." Giving the young woman another smile, she inclined that May should follow her and when she thought May wasn't looking she waved frantically at the porter to take the suitcase up to the room, before hurrying after her beaming. "Ah, now please this way Ms Talia."
Laura led her up a grand stair case and around the landing to a row of elevators. To the right and left were corridors that May assumed where either for the workers or else more guest rooms. Entering the large glamorous lift, Laura tried to engage her in conversation.
"So Ms Talia, if I may ask, for what do we owe the pleasure of your company? You only just arrived here in Britain?" May smiled. "Yes, my plane landed here from Tokyo at ten thirty this morning; I plan on staying here for some time." Responding to Laura's encouraging nod she continued, "I've received a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in Britain." Laura's eyes widened a little and May knew that she thought that she was talking about Oxford; which she was, but still.
"To be perfectly honest I was greatly shocked when I received it, I mean, it's always been my dream to study here but I never thought I'd get the chance. Not to mention that they tracked me down all the way to Alaska." "Alaska?" May looked around, "Yes, at the time I was studying at a university in Alaska. Although I've only studied there and in Tokyo, each and every country has different ways of viewing things and I wanted to know how they differed, so I've travelled as much as I could to some of the most famous countries to see how people think.
Not as much as I would have liked to of course, but I'm still very proud of what I've learnt. This was just so unexpected... I had happened to speak about my dream with my professors and then..." May laughed at the memory, "Apparently all of them where so impressed with my work ethic and enthusiasm that they contacted each other and composed a letter and file, with my details and my work, and sent it here to the leading expert in the subject I'm most interested in; parapsych... ah... psychology." May hoped that Laura hadn't notice when she hesitated. She just didn't think she should mention the real thing she was interested in. After all, not all people believed in that kind of thing; yet.
Apparently Laura hadn't noticed and had started gushing about how amazing and wonderful May was. May knew that this was all part of the job but she thought she perhaps saw a glimmer of real admiration in the woman's eyes. Although May knew it was probably only her imagination, it was still somewhat gratifying. The elevator came to a smooth stop with a chime and the doors opened to reveal a hallway much like the one on the first floor. Laura led her devotedly to a black door adorned with golden swirls and after swiping the key card, led May into the room.
She didn't have to pretend to be impressed this time as she had with Laura's manners, the apartment was beautiful. The decor was black wood and creamy white walls, the coffee table was black, the carpet white. There was a black feature wall on the left as they came in that was offset by a large white painting. That wasn't all, around the edges of all the black objects swirled pretty golden patterns, just like the door. "My goodness, this is magnificent isn't it..." May walked around setting her jacket down over the back of one of the couches.
"You are pleased with it then?" Laura asked her from the doorway. May turned and went back to her, clasping her hand and doing her very best to look completely and utterly gratified, "You have done a lot for me Laura, I am looking forward to the time I spend here; Thankyou so much. Oh!" Abruptly fumbling around in her bag, May pulled out a notebook. Scrawling a short but thickly honeyed letter of recommendation regarding Laura to 'Whom it may concern' in as fancy writing as she could and signing it, May tore it out of the book and placed it in Laura's hand giving her no choice but to accept. Although May's fatigue was causing her to be a little theatrical it did not seem to matter as a blush lit Laura's cheeks and she beamed tearfully before practically bowing herself out the door after giving May her key card.
Once she'd gone, and May watched through the spy hole to make sure she'd gone, the young woman breathed a loud sigh of relief and after locking the door went to flop down on the couch, kicking off her heels with a groan. "Ugh... Why don't these people understand that no one really feels like talking or being nice after a long flight? Such a pain..."
'And you wondered why I dislike most humans.' As the voice echoed in May's head, she huffed and threw an arm over her eyes. "I don't dislike them; I just wish that they could have a little more consideration. Oh well, I'm crying over spilt milk here... Suppose I should go and unpack."
As she uncovered her eyes and sat up, a strange blue-white misty fog appeared seemingly from nowhere and accumulated to form into a very solid white tiger. It playfully bit down on May's thigh gently and not at all worried she scratched behind its' ears. Purring loudly, it climbed half onto the couch and pushed its' face into her neck. May hugged it, giggling a little before pushing it away gently, "You're gonna get fur all over my clothes." She spoke in Japanese now, lapsing easily back into her old speech.
Grumbling, the tiger fell back onto the floor and stalked away its' tail in the air. May followed it as it vanished through her new bedroom door, opening it to get through herself.
"Wow, this bed looks massive... is it really a double? It looks like a queen or king..." 'That's only because you're small.' "I am not; five foot five is tall back in Japan." 'That's because everyone is small in Japan.' May turned and glared at the tiger before walking over to her suitcase propped against the wall and kneeling beside it with a huff. The tiger let its' mouth hang open like it was laughing silently. 'I never said it was a bad thing.' "Well that's what it sounded like to me."
Still laughing silently, the tiger reverted to the bluish mist once more only to reform as a tall beautiful woman with long white flowing hair like liquid snow. Her skin was a creamy white and her perfect lips a soft pink. Her eyes were ice blue like that of the tiger and she wore a long soft white sleeveless dress that clung like a second skin to her hips before flaring and billowing softly, showing off a flat stomach, wide hips and barely containing her huge chest.
She came up behind May, silent and graceful like a cat and hugged her from behind pressing her chest into May's head. May yelped and started to say something, but the tiger woman covered her mouth with her hand. Putting her head close to May's head she said "You're adorable when you're angry." May tried to speak again so the woman graciously removed her hand. "Could you get off now?"
"That's not a nice thing to say, I haven't been able to hug you like this since we were in Japan..." May groaned exasperated, "Yuki, I can't do anything like this. I have to go in to meet Professor Davis in the morning before my first lecture and it's already getting late. The drive here was longer than I expected not to mention the ordeal at the reception took longer than it should have. I still haven't unpacked, I still haven't called Bou-san like I promised I would when I arrived and I still haven't done any studying! Please let me do what I have to do; you can do whatever you want later when I have time!" Yuki's eyes flashed, "Anything I want?" "Yes! So please...?" May knew that she'd probably regret saying that later, but for now she had things to do.
With a sigh Yuki reluctantly let go and moved away to sit on the bed. As she watched May unpack her eyes followed every movement. "Can I ask a question?" May looked over at her, surprised before continuing what she was doing, "Of course, go ahead." Yuki turned her gaze to the floor. "Why do you not just order me to do what you want? I am tied to you after all." May hung a dress up and sighed. "Because spirits and all of those are still thinking beings; I hate the idea of taking away something's freedom." Yuki's eyes looked up to meet hers. "But I'm an Ekiki. A spirit you command; the same as your friends' Shiki." May shook her head.
"No you're not. Ekiki are spirits or whatever that you catch and work for you. Firstly you are not just some spirit or whatever. You are a Megami; a Goddess. Secondly I did not catch you; you were the one who asked me to take you with me." "But Kami have to be tied to something to be able to appear in this world and I tied myself to you, which means..." "That you have no obligation whatsoever to serve me like a slave!" May finished for her firmly, "I think of you as a close friend who helps me occasionally; nothing less. If ever I ask you to do something and you do not want to do it, then don't! I do not own you."
May went back to hanging her clothes up; and almost threw up on them when Yuki grabbed her tightly around the waist. "Yuki, don't do that you're going to make me sick...!" "Ah; sorry Goshyujin-sama." "I just said I'm not your master!" "Then... Hime-sama?" "Do I really look like a Princess!" "My apologies Ojyou-sama." "Nooooo!"
Yuki had to fend off clothing as May attacked her with a skirt in one hand and a dress in the other. It was a fierce battle and many lives were lost before Yuki retreated outside and closed the door laughing. Wondering what to do to pass time, Yuki's eyes fell on the Kitchenette and smiling she started to make dinner.
After a short while May emerged from the bedroom having finally put away all of her clothes and came to check on Yuki's cooking. "It smells good." She commented, peering over the tigress's shoulder. "Miso soup?" Yuki smiled, "Just for you." May gave her a small hug before going to the phone and calling Bou-san's number.
It rang for a while before an out of breath Bou-san picked up. "H-hello...?" "What is this Bou-san? You sound like I caught you in the middle of something..." "MAI!" May had to hold the phone away from her ear as Bou-san yelled down the line, "Ok, I can hear you! And I told you not to call me that when I'm abroad; use my English name."
Bou-san just laughed, "Haha, you'll always be little Taniyama Mai-chan to me... ah, hang on one sec..." Bou-san's voice got distant like he was talking to someone else, "...it's Mai, get over here... Leave your clothes it doesn't matter; you're only talking over the phone..." May, or Mai, was not at all surprised to hear Ayako saying something sharply in the background, no doubt telling him off. "Yeah, yeah you can yell at me later just get over here... Ah, Mai? Sorry... Ow! Gah, what was that for! Oh come on just talk already your making her wait..."
May giggled as she heard them arguing with each other, until eventually Ayako's voice sounded over the phone, "Mai? Sorry about that, someone was trying to be a smart arse while I was trying to come to... ah, anyway; how are you? Are you ok? How was your flight?" May smiled at Ayako's usual mothering as she answered, "Fine, fine the flight was surprisingly smooth so I didn't feel as bad as I usually do. Your tablets seemed to help though, thanks a lot."
Since SPR had disbanded three years ago, Ayako had concentrated on medicine and was now a fully fledged doctor just like her parents. Not that she'd given up her status as a Priestess, but both she and Bou-san hadn't really been involved with many supernatural jobs since. Bou-san, who didn't really act as a Bou-san anymore, had instead concentrated on being a good stay-at-home dad. Yep, that's right. The two had gotten engaged and then married, both within the year SPR ended. They had one son and a little girl well on the way.
"How's little Hayate?" May asked eagerly. "He's fine but he misses you. Although he doesn't really talk much yet, he often stares at your picture on the fridge before starting to cry. Houshou thought it was cute; apparently the three of us have missing you in common." She laughed. Bou-san, or rather Houshou-ji as she usually called him these days even though he'd told her rather exasperatedly to leave off the 'ji' part, hadn't hesitated in making her an Auntie to his two and a half year old son Hayate.
Ayako had insisted that she as well as Masako came over regularly to have dinner with them or just to chat and play with the little boy and with Ayako almost due with her second child, Houshou had sheepishly asked them if they could give him a hand with the housework. Of course, May being a sucker for little children could not refuse.
"And you Ayako? How's the tummy and the nerves? Has Houshou-ji gotten used to your mood swings and cravings yet?" "Hah, I doubt it... which reminds me... Love, could you get me more of those frozen prawns? I'm feeling a little hungry..." Laughing as she heard Houshou do as ordered grumbling, May remembered something she'd been meaning to ask.
"Oh yeah, have you two heard from John and Masako yet?" "Ah, yes actually! Masako called yesterday to say hi. I let her talk to Haya-chan over the phone; he misses her almost as much as he misses you. He's in bed at the moment or I'd do the same... But yes, she said to say hi if you called and wishes you good luck with your studies. Apparently her own are going very well over in Australia; she says she can read English almost flawlessly now and is just working on speech. I think the accents are confusing her." "Well, of course," Said May giggling, "She has an American and a British teacher, not to mention she get's John to talk to her in English in her free time. With an American, British and an Australian accent trying to mean the same thing in her head, it's no wonder she's having a hard time." Ayako joined her in her merriment and they spent ages just mimicking John's way of speaking when he was in Japan.
"Ah..." May sighed wiping her eyes that had started leaking from laughing so much, "Well, as much as I hate to say it I have to go; I haven't done any studying since I finally got here and I'd hate to get behind." "Ahaha, you and your study... Oh well, I'll pass you back over to Houshou to say goodbye. Now, don't you forget to eat properly you hear? If you get back looking like a matchstick I'm gonna lock you up and feed you until you can't get out the door, understand?" "Don't worry; Yuki's taking care of that." She replied giving the Goddess a smile. "Well, that does make me feel somewhat better... but you had still better look after yourself! Got it?" "Yes mother..." May said meekly. "I'm allowed to mother you, we're friends." Ayako replied matter of factly. "Well then lot's of love!"
May waited until Ayako had passed the phone over before cheerfully teasing Houshou about his growing age again. "I'm only thirty-three damn it! Quit writing me off! Come on Mai-chan you're making me cry here..." They laughed together passing jokes back and forth like they used to. "Well, Houshou-ji..." "It's Houshou!" "...seeing as I'm a legitimate adult now I'm thinking about getting an adorable English boyfriend that you don't approve of..." "Eh? That's not fair... Why not a nice Japanese boy? That way you can bring him over and if he's not good enough I can just 'smash'..." "Houshou!" "Ah, well maybe not 'smash' but..." The two of them laughed. "Well, approve of him or not; if he makes my Mai-chan cry I'll send him flying." "Haha, you're only saying that because Ayako left the room." "Err... Well, only because she gets weird and hits me... Says something about hitting on younger girls..." Mai giggled at Houshou's hushed voice.
The three of them knew that their relationship was nothing of the sort; Houshou viewed May as an adorable little sister. Ayako knew only too well but, like she had said to May one time, she just liked an excuse to smack her husband.
"So what would you do if he was a pro wrestler?" May said still teasing. "Send him flying!" "How about... one of the mafia with loads of subordinates?" "Smash them all and send him flying!" "O-k..." May wracked her brain trying to find someone he couldn't beat. "Oh! What if he was someone like Naru?" Houshou choked, "Mai-chan, cut me some slack will you! He's the one and only Oliver Davis; how am I supposed to go up against that! He'd burn me alive with his eyes alone!"
May couldn't help but laugh at that because what he'd said was true. She could still remember his indifferent glances, emotionless expression and the raging intelligence behind amazingly blue eyes. When he was angry that lack of emotion seemed to only make him scarier as only his eyes would blaze with carefully controlled icy flames.
"Well," Houshou was saying cheerfully, and May snapped out of her thoughts. "I think it's safe to say that I won't ever have to deal with something like that, because I highly doubt that you'll ever find someone like him again..." May paused and didn't say anything for a while, just letting him chat and not really listening.
'I doubt you'll ever find someone like him again...'
She knew he was right. That was probably why it hurt so much.
Ooooh! A cliffy! Ahahaha... yeh, not really ay... *sigh* Oh well... R&R!
Btw, do you know how cool it would be to have a tiger? It's almost on the same level as sending Orlando Bloom flying off into the sky with balloons... oh, I'd love to have that drop through my ceiling...
