A/N: Hey everyone I hope that you would enjoy this chapter as well.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt

Edited: November 22, 2017

-oOo-

Flashback…

Her mood began to brighten when she passed by a park, where a lot of children were playing, laughing, and just enjoying themselves. Her dream forgotten, she started humming a tune she knows by heart and made her way towards SPR. Not realizing that the day was only beginning and things would become much worst.

…Flashback

-oOo-

As Mai stepped through SPR's door Naru's order, "Mai tea" could be heard. Mai's pleasant mood immediately vanished the moment she heard those two words, she then glared at her boss and said, "Geez, Naru can't you give me time to rest."

Naru, reading his notebook, without even looking at Mai, answered, "It's not my fault that you are late, and I'm not paying you to just stand around there all day, idiot."

Before Mai could retort, Naru was hit on the head by a red haired woman, "Naru, Luella and I taught you better than that, how many times do I have to tell you to treat people with respect?" the woman berated him while he just glared at her, despite knowing that his glare has no effect on her what so ever.

Mai was shocked, though not at Naru being berated but rather by the red haired woman being there, and with elation greeted the woman at the same time giving her a hug, "Madoka, it's so great to see you! What are you here for?"

Madoka returned the hug and answered "It's great to see you again Mai as for why I am here I was visiting a friend and thought that it would also be good to visit with you guys."

Mai grinned at her and realized that she was holding something, "Oh, what's that you're holding Madoka?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, these" while showing the item, "These are some reprints of my favorite paintings and thought that it would look good here in the office", Madoka answered cheerily.

Naru glared at her and said, "As far as I remember I did not give you any permission to put those up Madoka".

Madoka returned his glare and retorted back, "That's not going to work on me Naru, this place looks like a dump and I think a few paintings would make this place a little more lively, your attitude is already putting a damper in the atmosphere thank you very much."

Naru just continued to glare at her and shifted it towards Mai who was trying her best not to laugh. Noticing Naru's glare on her she stiffened a little knowing that if she made a sound that she would be done for.

"Mai tea", Naru ordered again and went to his office slamming his door. Lin just sighed and after greeting Mai went to his office to do who knows what. While Madoka was making funny faces at Naru's door.

She then turned towards Mai and with a smile said, "Go and make his highness his tea, then I'll show you the prints."

I nodded my head and went to the kitchen to prepare Naru's tea, while Mai was preparing the tea she suddenly felt a chill as if though something bad was going to happen. She just shakes her head and thought that it was nothing and went to give Naru his tea.

After giving Naru his tea, Mai then headed back to the office's receiving area where Madoka was waiting. When Madoka saw Mai she smiled and patted the sit right beside her. Mai sat down next to her and looked at the prints that Madoka brought, the moment she saw them she stiffened and her hands started to shake.

Madoka didn't notice Mai's reaction as she was telling her about the painter, "This paintings were done by a Japanese painter, he goes by the pseudo-name Hoyama though only a select few knows his real name. He is regaled as one of the most prominent painters here in Japan", she then finally noticed that Mai wasn't responding.

"Mai, Mai what's wrong, are you alright?" Madoka asked the younger girl worriedly.

Mai suddenly stood up and said with a shaky voice, "I'll just go to the restroom." Mai, not waiting for Madoka's reply, rushed towards the restroom and closed the door and started crying. She thought to herself why this things kept on happening, how that morning she had that dream and now those paintings. She was also thinking about how life was too cruel and despite her wanting to forget things keep popping up reminding her of all those memories.

She then heard a knock on the door and someone calling her name, "Mai, Mai honey are you alright?" Mai recognizing the voice a Madoka's. Standing up Mai composed herself drying the tears away before opening the door. She was met by a worried Madoka looking at her, "Are you just fine Mai?"

Mai smiled at her though it wasn't her usual smile, "I'm just fine, I don't know what got into me; it might just be the emotions coming from the painting", she answered while chuckling a little that sounded off.

"Hmm, that's possible since there have been a lot of reviews regarding Hoyama's paintings being able to express strong emotions to it's viewers and with your abilities it must have been too much." Madoka said, although she was still suspicious of what Mai had just said since the print she was holding was not one of sadness but of joy and tranquility. But not wanting to set Mai off she decided to keep quiet and just observe Mai.

Mai then answered, "Yeah that must be it", but you could still see in her eyes that she was still distracted in a way.

Madoka was about to say something when the the door opened with a client standing off to the side. Mai plastered a smile on her face and said, "Good morning, welcome to SPR how may I help you?"

With the appearance of the client, Madoka forgot what she was going to say and went to stand beside Mai entertaining the client. Mai then went to prepare the tea leaving Madoka with the client. Mai was grateful for the reprieve not knowing that it would become a lot worse than before.

As she was heading out to hand the tea she heard little snippets of the conversation between Madoka and the client, "Oh my! These prints are beautiful, they're by Hoyama right?" the client asked.

"Yes, these are reprints of his paintings, you're quite knowledgeable about them" Madoka exclaimed.

"Oh, yes, well he is one of my favorite painters and the house that I am currently living in was the house he used to live in until his mysterious death, which up until now no answers have been found about what caused it," the client answered.

When Mai heard this, her grip on the tea tray slackened and a loud crash was heard throughout the office. Everyone rushed towards the kitchen and saw Mai standing there with a shock look on her face.

Madoka with a worried face asked "Mai, are you just alright?"

Mai nodded her head and said, "I'm just alright, I just lost my grip on the tray, and I'll clean this up so you guys go ahead and speak with the client and I'll make some more tea." Mai started picking up the broken tea cups though it they looked closely her hands were pale white and shaking.

"Alright if you're sure" Madoka said though her suspicion about there being something else was starting to grow. Naru remained a little longer than the others watching Mai though she didn't seem to notice or if she did she didn't comment on it.

When Naru finally left to follow the others Mai slumped down on the floor her body shaking due to silent tears. As they headed to consult the client they were wondering what was wrong with Mai and could it have something to do with the case with Madoka not voicing out her suspicions since Mai needed her privacy and with her mental state Naru hounding her wouldn't help.

The three then sat in front of the client with Madoka apologizing to the client for the delay and there was nothing to worry about. Naru then asking the client what it was that he came for, Lin typing on his laptop starting a new file. The client the began to inform them of what is happening in his home, like apparitions, doors and windows slamming and other things. As the client finished explaining what has been happening in his home he then asked, "Umm, if it is alright with you may I ask what the girls name is if it isn't a bother?" Naru narrowing his eyes though before he could give out a scathing remark he was bitten to it by Madoka.

Madoka answered, "Her name is Taniyama Mai." The man's eyes widened at hearing the name, with Madoka asking, "Is there something wrong or any particular reason why you wish to know her name?" Both Naru and Lin narrowed there eyes noticing the man's hesitation to answer.

"Oh, no, nothing is wrong it's just that I thought she looked somewhat familiar and I thought she might be related to someone I know", he answered distractedly then composed himself saying, "Thank you for taking my case I'll be expecting you by tomorrow then."

Naru nodded his head, though he was still observing the man, "Yes, we will be there tomorrow morning, we would need a room for our base and two rooms for our members to sleep in."

The man nodded his head and said, "Very well, I would be taking my leave then and prepare what you would need". Lin showing him out the door.

Mai then came out of the kitchen and said, "Oh, you guys have finished", she handing everyone their tea. As Mai was doing this she was trying to avoid their eyes knowing quite well that if she sees their eyes she would truly break.

Naru wanted to know what was going on but stopped himself knowing that pushing Mai would just make the girl clamp down and that would not help anyone, he then ordered, "Mai, I want you to contact the others and tell them to be here early tomorrow morning, once you finish calling them you may go home and pack, make sure that you are here before five in the morning and do not be late".

Mai nodded her head and as she headed to make calls Naru called her back and said, "Before you leave, tea." The girl just looked shocked and stuck her tongue out at Naru as he closed his office door.

Mai then proceeded to make the calls to the others and made Naru's tea. Knocking on Naru's door, she entered as she placed his tea on the table she started telling him what the others' responses were, "Bou-san, Ayako, and Yasuhara would be here first thing in the morning while John and Masako would just follow later in the afternoon since they have some prior commitments." Mai no longer waiting for Naru's thank you having known him for so long.

Naru nodded his head and said "You may go and don't be late tomorrow. Tell both Lin and Madoka that I wish to speak with them."

Mai nodded her head and headed home after informing Lin and Madoka that Naru wanted to speak with them. Mai was so distracted of all the day's events that when she reached her apartment she just broke down and cried herself to sleep.

-oOo-

Once Mai was out of the office, Naru began giving orders to both Lin and Madoka, "I want the both of you to search anything about the client and if he has any sort of relationship with Mai. As for the house's history I'll leave that up to Yasuhara our priority for now is Mai."

Both Madoka and Lin nodded their heads without questioning Naru since they were also a little bit suspicious with what's going on. Madoka also having relayed to Naru what transpired before the meeting with the client. As they were leaving Naru's office, Naru gave a final order, "Make sure that Mai would not know any of this unless it becomes necessary for her to know."

Both of them acquiesced, Lin turning towards his charge and asked, "What about the others, are we going to inform them since it is a given that they'll start asking questions especially it being related to Mai?"

"I'll be the one to deal with the others if they start asking questions the both of you just do what must be done", with that they know that their conversation with Naru was over and no other information would be forthcoming.

When the door to his office was closed, Naru groaned and ruffled his hair a lot of questions running through his mind. Wondering whether the client has something to do with Mai or Mai was just picking up some things with regards to the case and just chose not to say anything. It would only be later when they would all realize that the case was related to Mai more than what they have thought.