Normal P.O.V
A young girl, no older than six ran through the streets. To where? She didn't know. How far? She didn't care. She just had to run. This girl was none other than our Mai Taniyama. She ran and ran until she couldn't run anymore. Collapsing to her knees she breathed heavily, processing everything that had happened moments ago. She was young; she never really understood death, that was until she witnessed it with her own eyes.
Tears streamed down her face when she realised, they were gone and they weren't coming back. Mai Taniyama, at the age of six, witnessed her parents being murdered before her. But that wasn't all she witnessed.
As the rain began to pour, the sky banged with thunder and lit up with the lightning. Footsteps could be heard, they were getting closer and closer. Mai's breath hitched in her throat, had it followed her? Yes, it, not he, not she, not them, it, a thing.
Mai looked ahead, it had followed her. With its knife in hand it launched for her. Mai squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the pain, but it never came. Instead a low growl was heard in its place.
Risking it, Mai opened one eye, only to be met with a large….dog? The dog was over ten feet tall as it stood protectively. Mai didn't know this creature, but he seemed familiar to her. Looking around, Mai saw it again, the thing that followed her. It looked pissed, but confused at the same time before it launched again.
"NO!" Mai yelled as she watched the thing pounce on the animal that saved her. She felt something sprout from her back, before her hands began glowing black. She looked at the knife that lie forgotten on the ground when the animal tackled the thing. Running to it, Mai picked it up before looking at the thing. The animal bit and scratched as she watched the two fight, the figure clawed and mauled at the animal.
Mai growled as she saw the animal that saved her be thrown into the wall of a building. The figure then turned its attention back to Mai. However, when the figure laid its eyes on Mai, it cowered away in fear. Mai glared as she threw the knife at the thing, she didn't know how or why she did it, it just happened.
A scream of pain pierced the air as the thing was sucked into the blade of the knife. The blade then turned an eerie blue colour, before it reverted back to silver. Mai frowned as she picked the knife back up, then looked around. The creature that saved her lie motionless under some rubble.
Mai rushed to his aid as she moved all the rocks, she watched as the animal shrunk down before picking him up gently in her arms. This animal wasn't an actual dog, that much she knew, so if she took him to the vets, they wouldn't be able to treat him properly.
"You need to take him to the hell hole that opened up," a girl's voice came behind Mai, she jumped before turning around. A girl with electric blue hair with piercing green eyes stood there, "Relax, I won't hurt you, neither will he," the girl explained as she pointed to an older man walking towards her. Mai didn't hesitate, for some reason; she knew she could trust these two.
"Are you Ayo Taniyama's daughter?" the man asked, Mai only nodded her head as tears sprung to her eyes at the mention of her mother. The man nodded his head once as the girl with blue hair walked over to Mai.
"We're sorry about your parents, but we'll take care of you, your mother was one of us," the girl smiled warmly. Mai gave her a confused look before the older man cleared his throat.
"My name is Noburu Shizuyumi; I am the leader for the Angels of Darkness. Your mother was one of our bests, we never expected your powers to kick in at such a young age, you're one of the lucky ones," the man, Noburu explained. Mai looked at him; he had silver-white hair with red eyes, though they weren't hard, they weren't soft either.
"Angels of Darkness?" Mai repeated as she looked at the man in front of her, who nodded to her back. Mai turned her head to see big black feathered wings sprouting from her back. Her eyes opened in shock as she looked at the two in front of her. The younger girl closed her eyes as she willed for her wings to sprout from her back, while the older man just smiled as his emerged.
"What about this animal?" Mai asked, she didn't think about asking any questions about the Angels of Darkness, there really was no point when there was a dying animal in her arms. From her world or not, she didn't want anyone else to die tonight.
"We will get him healed, come with us," the man ordered, Mai nodded as she followed him and the girl, who turned to look at her.
"My name's Chiyo by the way," Chiyo smiled innocently, Mai smiled back as she looked at her.
"My name's Mai," Mai answered as she looked at a, rather large, gaping hole in the floor near the woods.
"We have to hurry, if anyone comes while we jump, we're in serious trouble," Noburu stated, Chiyo nodded as she took hold of Mai's free hand.
"This is going to be a little bumpy, so whatever happens, don't let go," Chiyo ordered as she took hold of Noburu's hand. Mai nodded as all three of them jumped into the spiralling vortex. It was that day, that night, that changed Mai forever, made her into what she was, an Angel of Darkness and one of the best at that.
Mai's eyes snapped open as she looked around the room; her cell phone was ringing as she did so. Rolling over in the bed, Mai picked it up; she hit the answer call button as she placed it to her ear.
"Hello?" she asked, the sun hadn't even rose over the horizon, who could be calling her at this time?
"Mai?" it was Masako's voice, but Masako never called Mai, in fact, Masako was never up at, Mai looked at her clock, five thirty in the morning.
"Masako? What's up?" Mai asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, Masako's breath hitched on the other end as she looked around. Mai frowned as she got out of bed; she picked out some new clothes before setting her phone on speaker. Jihoki covered his eyes with his ears as Mai changed from her pyjamas to her normal clothes, knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep anymore.
"I think there's someone in my house," Masako whispered into the phone, Mai frowned as she looked at Jihoki, who was heading to the door.
"I'll be right over," Mai answered as she hung the phone up, not giving Masako the chance to respond to her words. Mai allowed her wings to disappear, no matter how much it annoyed her. She then threw her cell in her pocket, grabbed her knife and keys before walking to the door with Jihoki.
When they were outside the apartment, Mai locked her door before hopping onto Jihoki's back. The hellhound then took off, running down streets and alleys to get to Masako's house before anything happened.
It didn't take long for Mai to arrive. She looked at her clothes, a plain white t-shirt with black skinny jeans, a white zip up huddie and her black trainers. Jihoki sized down before jumping into Mai's arms. That was one thing Mai loved about hellhounds, they could size down so small that they'd fit into your pocket, but you'd have to be careful with them.
Venturing up the steps, Mai stopped outside Masako's door before knocking. Why did Masako call her of all people? She could have called Monk, John, Lin, Naru, Ayako, Madoka, she could have even called Yasu, so why Mai?
"Mai?" Masako whispered as she looked at the girl in front of her, Mai nodded as Jihoki moved from her arms to her shoulders. Masako threw her arms around her.
"Oh Mai, I was so scared, there's someone in the house, I know there is," Masako whispered as she led Mai inside to her room. Mai looked around, with her good eyesight she was able to see, even in the darkest of places, but in here she could not see anything out of the ordinary.
"Masako are you sure there's someone in here?" Mai asked, Masako nodded her head vigorously as she hid her hand behind her Kimono sleeve, "Have you slept?" Mai asked as she looked at Masako, who shook her head, "Why?"
"I told you there's someone in here, I'm unable to sleep knowing that," Masako whispered as she looked around the room. Mai flipped a light switch as the light lit the room up, Mai walked towards Masako's drawers. They weren't the best of friends, but they were friends nonetheless. She took out a pair of pyjamas for Masako to wear.
"Change," Mai ordered as she turned away from Masako, knowing she wouldn't go into the bathroom by herself. Masako sighed silently but did as told.
When Mai couldn't hear her moving anymore she turned to her. Jihoki hopped off of Mai's shoulders as he hopped onto Masako's bed. Masako sat on her bed, looking at the animal before lying back on her pillows.
"Get some rest, I'll look around the house, Jihoki'll watch over you. Don't underestimate him because of his size," Mai explained, Masako only nodded, not taking note that the dog was at least three times as small as earlier.
"Be good Jihoki," Mai whispered as she walked out the room, Jihoki barked once before looking at Masako, who reached out to pet him. The animal didn't object as she fussed him. Yawning, Masako slid down to make herself comfortable, she soon found herself asleep, feeling much better knowing someone she could trust was in the house, even if it was just Mai.
Mai walked down the corridors as she looked into every room, nothing, nada, zilch. She couldn't find anything Masako could be scared of. Sighing, Mai decided to test her look as she sat on the sofa, she turned the flat screen TV on before surfing the news for anything good.
"Recent sights of people seeing figures around the city have been reported in," Mai stopped news surfing right there as she turned the volume up.
"Apparently these figures have had beady red eyes that could pierce through to you. We interviewed a few people; most of them said they were scary, while others didn't want to relive the experience of seeing them. One of the people actually claimed to have been grabbed by them on the streets before being dragged into an ally. We have this girl here with us today," the reporter explained, Mai listened intently as she watched the news, she hadn't noticed the sun rise, or that Masako and Jihoki were now sitting next to her on the couch.
"I was just walking down the street when I was grabbed by nothing. It dragged me down the alley before it bit me," a girl with blond hair and green eyes explained, the reporter looked at her worried.
"Could you show us this bite mark?" the reporter asked, the girl nodded before lifting her hair up, showing a purple mark in the shape of a fire.
"Oh dear," the reporter said, Mai flinched when she saw the mark, she knew what it meant, every Angel, whether they be in heaven or hell, knew what it meant.
"Poor girl," Masako muttered, Mai looked at her and Jihoki a little startled but smiled at them.
"Morning Masako," Mai chirped as she turned the news off, Masako smiled at Mai.
"Good morning Mai," she answered, Masako had stopped dressing in a Kimono, now she wore normal blue skinny jeans, a white top with a reed rose in the middle and white trainers.
"How'd you sleep?" Mai asked as she walked with Masako to the kitchen. Mai stopped in the hallway though, she felt something, but she couldn't put a finger on what it was.
"I slept fine, Mai," Masako answered as she looked at the girl, who was staring at the floor, "Mai?" Masako asked, no answer, "Mai?" Masako asked again, this time she snapped her fingers in front of the girls face. Mai snapped out of her state and looked at the girl in front of her.
"Oh, sorry, did I zone out?" Mai asked, Masako nodded her head as she frowned a little, Jihoki nudged Mai's hand. Absentmindly, Mai lifted her hand to pet Jihoki's head.
"I'm fine boy," Mai smiled as she walked back towards the kitchen with Masako. The two grabbed a few slices of bread before putting them in the toaster.
Mai smiled as she walked around Masako's rather large kitchen. She didn't understand why she needed it to be so big, sure she had everyone over every Friday night, but still.
"So, what time do we have to be at work?" Masako asked, Mai looked at her before looking at the clock, 7:30, it read. Mai shrugged as she grabbed a carton of orange juice out the fridge. Masako smiled as she turned to get some glasses out the cupboard.
"I think at half eight, it's what time I normally go in, but we might be better going in at eight, if Naru's as swamped as Monk said he was, then it might be for the best," Mai mused aloud as she filled the two glasses up. Jihoki barked once before wagging his tail, Masako laughed at the animal as she grabbed a bowl from the cupboard.
"What's he drink?" she asked, Mai shrugged as she looked at Jihoki, who barked again.
"Water's fine for him," Mai answered, Masako gave her a confused look.
"You understand him?" Masako asked, Mai smiled as she looked at Jihoki, who sat in the middle of the Kitchen.
"In a way, I guess," she answered as she took the bowl, now full, from Masako before setting it down in front of Jihoki, who barked a thank you.
"Well, the toast's done," Masako smiled as the two pieces of toast popped up out the toaster, Mai smiled as she ran towards the fridge.
"Go long!" she winked, Masako laughed as she ran to the toast before Mai threw the butter in a rugby style action towards her.
"And it's a touch down," Masako laughed as she caught the butter, Mai smiled.
"AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!" they both yelled as Mai ran over to Masako before high fiving her. The two buttered their toast before eating it. By the time they were done it was 7:45.
"It's a fifteen minute walk to the office, you ready?" Masako asked as she walked to the door, grabbing a light blue jacket along the way. Mai nodded as she and Jihoki, who had sized up sometime during Masako's sleep, walked to the door with her.
Masako opened it only to see Monk stood in front of the door, with his fist hanging in the air. Saving him the embarrassment, both Mai and Masako gave him a fist bump before he put his fist down.
"Mai there you are, we went to your apartment for you but you weren't in, you had us worried," Monk explained, Mai cocked an eyebrow.
"Us?" she asked, jus then Masako and John came running over to them, both of them giving Mai and Masako confused looks.
"Long story, explain later, work now," Mai stated as she walked towards Monk's car. Everyone looked at Masako, who just shrugged.
John and Masako jumped into the back seat along with Mai and Jihoki, who was at her feet. Masako moved her feet so she wouldn't step on the animal that watched over her at early hours that same morning. John, however, kept stepping on Jihoki's tail, but the animal didn't seem to mind. Ayako was staring at the large dog with wide eyes at how big it was, while Monk was having a panic attack about the animal having an 'accident' in his car.
"Jihoki's house trained, he can't feel anything when anyone steps on his, he can only feel something when he's seriously injured and the only who's going to have an accident is you Monk, if you don't stop looking at us in the rear-view mirror," Mai explained as she answered everyone's unasked questions. Masako just smiled as she petted Jihoki's head as it rested on her knees.
"How long are you looking after him Mai?" Ayako asked, Mai sighed as she looked out the window; she had to make up a lie about why she was keeping him, since they'd see him with her almost all the time now.
"I'm not looking after him anymore, I'm taking him in permanently, his owner was arrested for animal cruelty so I adopted him, he's really grown on me," Mai explained, everyone looked at her in shock before nodding their heads.
"Well, let's hope the owner burns in hell," Ayako stated as she petted Jihoki's head before turning back to the road. Monk began muttering something about the traffic in a morning.
"Well, if Mai gets her hands on them then they'll sure as hell burn in hell," Jihoki laughed silently as he looked at Mai, who glared at him.
"Do I have to take away your toys again?" she asked, Jihoki gave her a scared look.
"I'll be good," he answered as he set his head onto her knee, a pleading look in his eyes, while everyone else looked at Mai in shock.
"Don't ask," Masako whispered as they pulled up outside SPR.
"About damn time," Mai smiled as she walked with the others up the steps of SPR's building. When they entered, Naru was on one of the sofas, surrounded by about a thousand pieces of paper.
"You're all late, Mai tea," Naru growled as he held his head in his hands. Mai, finding it better not to argue with him, obediently walked to the kitchen while the others sat around the room silently. Lin walked out of his office with Madoka, both carrying a large stack of papers. Monk and John both stood as they took half the pile from the two of them, finally being able to see their faces.
Mai walked back out with tea for everyone. Naru took his without the thank you, while everyone else thanked her. Naru noticed Jihoki in the room, but didn't say anything; he just gave Mai a warning glare.
"He's house trained," she stated, Naru only nodded before getting back to work on the papers he was doing. Everything was silent as Naru scribbled on the papers before he ran his hand through his hair. Lin and Madoka were working on separate piles.
"Naru, have you slept at all?" Ayako asked as she looked at him, Naru just shook his head.
"I don't have time for sleep when things have to be done," he answered, everyone gave him a concerned look, while Masako looked at Mai, knowing she's make him sleep, like she made her sleep.
"Oh no Mister," Mai said as she stood up, everyone stopped what they were doing, which wasn't much, to look at her.
'Here we go,' Jihoki thought as he watched Mai take the papers and hand them out between Masako, John, Monk, Ayako and Yasu, who had been sitting in one of the chairs silently.
"Go to your office now," Mai ordered, Lin and Madoka both smirked as they watched Naru obediently walk towards his office, "He does have a sofa in there right?" Mai asked as she looked at the others, who nodded. Sighing, Mai took her pile of work before following Naru into his office.
"Who knew she's do that?" Monk asked, Masako shook her head.
"She did it to me last night when I called her," she stated, John looked at Masako.
"Why was Mai at yours?" he asked.
"I thought I saw something in the house, I could have sworn I felt something too," Masako mused aloud as she looked at the papers in front of her.
"Are you alright?" Ayako and Madoka asked, Masako nodded her head.
"I'm fine, Mai said there was nothing in the house," she answered as they all began to work on their share of the papers.
"Don't you even dare get up," Mai said as she sat at Naru's desk, the boy looked at her in shock, she hadn't even looked at him, how did she know he was getting up?
"I'm not tired Mai," Naru stated as he sat up. Mai set the things she was working on down before walking over to him.
"Bullshit Naru, now sleep, or I'll knock you out," she glared at him, Naru smirked to himself.
"Don't overdo your brain Mai, whatever's left of it might explode," he stated, Mai just kept glaring at him as he looked at her.
"Normally I'd retort back, but you're in no condition to argue with me. We've all noticed you getting sloppy around the office Naru, you haven't been sleeping properly, so sleep," Mai ordered, Naru sighed as he laid back down, he knew there was no point in arguing when Mai got like this. For some reason, she had been looking out more for everyone in SPR lately, he didn't know why and neither did the others.
Mai sighed as she looked at Naru; he was just staring at the ceiling. Absentmindly she carried on filling the forms in, her mind wondered to a song her mother used to sing her when she was little, it would always put her to sleep.
Mai had grown up with the Angels of Darkness and passed the song down to them. Whenever they couldn't sleep, she would sing it to them, it would always help. She wondered if it would help Naru sleep.
'Only one way to find out,' Mai shrugged as she finished off the rest of her papers, knowing that splitting it between everyone was the best idea to make. She carried the papers out the office and placed them on the coffee table in the middle of the room.
"You're done?" Monk asked, Mai nodded as she looked at the others, they seemed to be done too.
"Is Naru asleep?" Masako asked as she looked at Mai. The two really had grown close, Masako didn't like Naru anymore, after he started being a dick to her the day Mai was off sick, ordering her around and making a fool out of her, she moved off of him and became friends with Mai.
"No not yet," Mai sighed as she shook her head.
"Maybe we should leave?" Yasu suggested, Mai shook her head.
"We have clients that'll be coming in a couple hours," Monk stated as he looked at the clock, only half eight. Mai sighed silently as she walked back to the office, not bothering to close the door behind her.
"Naru?" she whispered, Naru looked at her, Mai sighed loudly, "Why won't you sleep?" she asked, Naru just shrugged as he looked at her. Mai shook her head before walking to a CD player in his office, she placed a CD in and hit play. The soft music played throughout the office, though Mai knew it was a karaoke one, so she would have to sing along.
'When Daytime turns to night,
When the moon shines bright!
When you're tucked in tight,
And everything's alright!
Jihoki walked into Naru's office to see Mai perched on his desk with her legs crossed. Her voice rang softly through the SPR Office as everyone walked into the room. They sat in front of the couch Naru was laid on as they all watched her sing. Jihoki laid on the ground as he listened intently.
Slip softly to that place,
Where secrets thoughts run free!
And there come face to face,
Of who you want to be!
So, swim across the ocean blue;
Fly a rocket to the moon!
You can change your life
Or you can change the world!
Take a chance, life is yours to live!
Naru found his eyes closing as he watched Mai sing. Her eyes were closed, her face was peaceful, she was at peace, true peace. He, and SPR for that matter, had never seen anyone so a peace before.
Make a wish!
It's up to you!
Find the strength inside, and watch your dreams come true!
You don't need a shooting star.
The magic's right there in your heart!
Close your eyes, believe! And Make a wish!
Oh, I've always hoped for happiness,
And finally fulfilled my wish,
'Cause I just need, to see you smile!
Ooo-ooo-woah-yeah!
Make a wish!
It's up to you!
Find the strength inside, and watch your dreams come true!
Watch your dreams come true!
Mai smiled softly as she opened her eyes, everyone saw the tears in her eyes, their small smiles turned into frowns as they saw her. Masako, Ayako and Madoka wanted to ask her what's wrong, Monk, John and Yasu wanted to be the big brothers to her, while Lin pondered on what could be wrong with her. Naru would have stood to hug her, but his body felt so tired, so weak. He smiled softly at Mai as he closed his eyes, drifting away into a deep sleep.
You don't need a shooting star,
The magic's there right in your heart!
Close your eyes, believe, and make a wish!
Make a Wish'
Mai smiled as the song came to an end, a single tear escaped her right eye, but she wiped it away, knowing it was best not to cry. Masako, Ayako and Madoka all stood to hug her, John, Monk, Yasu and Lin silently applauded her as saw Naru sleeping. Mai smiled wider before grabbing the blanket on top of the sofa and putting it over him.
"Sleep tight, Naru," Mai whispered as she and everyone else exited the room. Jihoki stayed, knowing Mai would want someone to watch over Naru.
"Mai that was amazing," Ayako smiled as she hugged the girl, Mai smiled back at her.
"Thanks, my mom taught it me," Mai stated, Masako hugged her afterwards.
"That explains the tears," she smiled softly, Madoka was the next one to hug her before she was enveloped into a bear hug by Monk, John and Yasu.
"Aw, our little Mai, are you ok?" Monk asked, Mai laughed as she felt Monk squeeze harder. By accident he put pressure on where Mai's wings came from her body, causing the girl to gasp in pain.
"I'm sorry," he said as he looked at Mai, who fell to her knees.
"Don't be, I'm alright," Mai answered as she stood up, trying to ignore the pain in her back.
"Here let me look," Ayako ordered, Mai nodded as she turned around, she knew Ayako would think the mark on her back was either a burn or birthmark.
"Woah, that's a nice birthmark," Ayako smiled, Mai nodded as she thanked her before they all sat on the sofas. Time ticked by slowly as they waited for their first client to arrive.
Well, here's chapter 2, hope you all liked it, please REVIEW and I will get the next chapter up soon. Oh yeah, also Jihoki is the same hellhound from Old Faces, New Cases, but in this story he has nothing to do with that, please REVIEW :D