Chapter 3

August 4th 3:30 pm Location: Japan

Oliver Davis and Lin Koujo were discussing some matters according to which cases were more possible to be paranormal phenomena or just simple natural and completely normal events caused by the aging of the house's materials or whatever other environmental causes could be the real problem instead. It was good for Naru, it kept his mind away from the constant twig of nervousness from meeting the others and Lin was relieved for not hearing the constant passing that came earlier from his young boss, when they heard the door's bell tingling slightly in a soft tune, indicating someone was there.

Noll looked at Lin questioningly but the other just shrugged standing up, he went out of his office to receive their unexpected client.

Much to their big surprise in the main room standing there, was no other than Housho Takiwaga grinning madly while waving to the both of them but he was not alone, not even taller than half of the man's leg stood, a little boy with light brown hair and dark brown eyes trying to get a look of the place and the people inside. The Monks stood tall and looked pretty much the same as he did the last time they saw each other. For the exception that he had his hair a little bit shorter and he either was letting his beard grow or he totally forgot to shave, could be anything.

"Lin-san, Naru-bou" he smiled while extending his hand to shake it with the both of them in the respective order as he named them. Naru noticed the ring that was holding around Monk's finger, an indication that he was now a married man and as he could see, a child of his own as well "Long time no see! This is my four year old son Haruki" the man proudly patted the little one's head.

The boy looked between his father and the two other grown-ups in there, not being really intimidated by the slight glare in both of their faces, but in reality he was amazed by how tall people could be.

The other two grown-ups stood there without really knowing what to do or say for the matter, for none of them were exactly good with kid talking, that was Mai's job. But much to their own relieve the monk spared them from it by saying he was there to pick them up. The four of them got out of the office, having Lin closing it after everyone got out and went to Takigawa's car.

For a moment there was a wondering of how could such a little kid with so little lungs talk so much in one breath, but no one said anything about it.

Watching the streets of japan made Noll started to wonder what would happen when he arrives to that restaurant. No, that was a lie, he knew they would yell at him or probably something else, but truly, he was thinking specifically of Mai. Did she hated him for stating out who in reality was she in love with? Was she angry with him? What happened to her after he left?

Stopping himself a question rose to his mind, why does he care anyway? Mai was a friend he met for two years a long time ago.

Friend. That was exactly it. Just a friend. Maybe it was the bad way they parted that made him feel so unnerved.

His trance was broken by the Monk who announced their arriving to the so call restaurant. It was a simple but cozy and very good for meetings place, they had coffee and tea as well as some food to pass the time.

Noll took one silent and calming breath before following the two other men and the little kid to the table the former SPR team were waiting for them. The younger member of them ran to it and greeted everyone cheerfully and so did the others. And finally he and Lin step on sight.

If the expression "pure shock" is put into someone's face, this would be the right time to see it. Both Lin and him bowed slightly in recognition and greetings before a waiter arranged the tables and the seats so everyone could fit perfectly.

Even after five minutes all were looking at them as if they were some sort of ghostly apparition and a heavy silence filled the entirety of them. It was a priceless moment, Lin thought he had never been in a room with all of them together and being silent, that's when he noticed a new face, a young woman sitting beside Yasuhara.

The both of them took a seat and suddenly the Monk laughed so hard, it looked he was going to fall of the chair "Oh my God! Just look at you!" his laughing voice was enough to make everyone react.

Multiple steps passed through them as the first were still a shocked one, for second they seemed to pass to a glaring at them stage and finally Yasu, being the first one to speak said "Big Boss! It is so weird to see you not all in black! Lin-san hello, you seem very happy today" for a moment there was silence until the girl next to him face palmed her forehead and look at him in an exasperated way.

"Seriously?" She moved a lock of her long straight hair behind her ear adverting her eyes from the man at her side to both of the men that were foreign to her. The younger one was glaring at all of them while the elder one remained in an observing silence.

"Hitomi!" Yasu pouted before addressing once more the two men "This is Inoue Hitomi, my very smart for her own good Beyoncé" he said still sulking a little before winking at Monk, who shuddered.

"A pleasure to finally meet the famous Oliver Davis and Lin Koujo, I have heard so much about you from these morons" the girl said excitedly watching the other two bow their heads slightly in recognition of her words "Except for Hara san and John san, the only sane people on this group" she finished while smiling at the pair who was seated on the opposite side of the table looking uncomfortable.

Finally noticing the absence of Ayako, Yasu decided to ask "So darling where's your wife?" he eyed the Monk with a dumb face and the other recoiled at the way he was called.

"The old hag is doubling her shifts today at the hospital" Takiwaga said not really thinking about the words that came out of his mouth.

"What is an old hag papa?" a little voice full of curiosity asked. Monk felt his eyes widened slightly at the big mistake he made but before he could correct it Hitomi smiled and addressed the boy.

"Ne, Haru kun, why don't you ask your mommy? I'm sure she can explain it to you better than any of us, but make sure daddy's in the room as well" as she instructed the smile on her face change to a fake innocent one.

"Ok, I will" the kid said not really understanding why his father was glaring at the woman so hard that he thought it was scary.

Yasuhara burst of laughing followed by the others and grabbed Hitomi's hand "I love you so much" he said between giggles.

Masako was the first one to compose and covered her mouth with her hand but quickly turned it down, remembering she was not wearing a kimono today but a simple cream color long sleeved blouse and dark jeans "I imagine, Oliver, that you must have some issues to discuss with us, I just can't picture the two of you here just to catch up on the day after six years" and although her voice was neutral a coldness could be heard in it as well.

Noll looked at everyone on the table and suddenly it hit him, everyone was there for the exception of one single person. Mai. Why did it took him so long to notice that?

"Maybe she's late as usual, the idiot" he thought.

"You are right Hara-san" he said "but before continuing I'd like to know where Mai is? I don't like the idea of repeating myself" He dismissed the glares directed at him but instead was surprised when all of them looked sad and his heart twitch slightly, had something bad happened to her?

"We don't know" was Monk's soft reply.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Naru repeated glaring at all them, how could they not know? Everyone winced at how sharp and cold his tone was, so Masako decided to speak for all, her eyes matching the same intensity in his.

"After the both of you left, two weeks later we agreed to meet each other again, so naturally we called each other to sort out a place and a time, but were surprised when we couldn't reach Mai by phone, so we went to her apartment and found out she was not living there anymore" the girl took a steady breath. Even though Mai and herself hadn't been the best friends of times at first, during the two years they worked together the brunette assistant had been there all the time for her, there were so many memories that it pained the medium.

"Worried, we went to her school and found out she was not studying there anymore, and when we asked no one said anything, we searched for almost a year and couldn't find a trace of her, not even Yasuhara-san could, it's almost as if she had vanished entirely" The medium felt John resting his hand on hers, smiling she squeezed softly in thanks before turning her attention back to the two men that caused so much pain in her old missing friend.

Oliver felt guilty, it was his partly his fault after all. What if he had confused everything and Mai in reality had loved him truly and not Gene? His eyes widened a slight fraction, then he had diminished her feelings and crushed them in the worst possible way. The worry in him increased, what if something bad had happened to her and that's why no one had been able to find her? So many feelings started clawing their way in him, making hard to breathe. He looked at Lin seeking answers in him, Lin knew everything and right now he felt so lost. But the similar expression that the elder carried on his face made him feel even worse than before.

"You know now, so what is it, Davis-san that you need to talk with us?" John spoke. Interrupting everyone from their little doze to the past. The young boss watched him for the first time and noticed something different in his gaze, he didn't look sad, instead something else was bothering the young father.

"I am in no position to ask you this and still expect to be answered in a positive way, but I'm here to reopen SPR, as you can imagine, your abilities and work would be openly accepted back if you as so, wish for it" he paused for a moment "I may have no right to say it, but Mai is an old friend of mine as well and if you aloud me, we could search for her again" he offered sincerely.

No more words were needed to say and all the members gathered in there, for the exception of Hitomi and Monk were deep in thought about the offer that had been place in front of them, being Yashuara again the first one to accept.

"Like fun old times, I trust we can find boss" he said smiling softly, indicating his agreement.

Everyone else was quiet, John and Masako talking to each other in low tone, while Hitomi and Yasuhara were sorting something out. Little Haruki took the opportunity to ask incessant questions about what was going on.

Finally John spoke for both him and Masako "We decided its fine for us" he said softly, seeing a thankful nod from Naru and Lin.

"Then it's all set" Monk said, who had already agreed and was sure Ayako would too "Let's hope we can find jou-chan" he said hopefully.

It seemed like a long afternoon-night that was the meetings time length, they talked about how would they arranged their horary to match SPR and their current jobs, so it was decided that only on cases the team would gather completely and work to solve it.

But Naru's mind was on something else, for every time Mai's name came out, the same look was shared from everyone except John, it wasn't sadness but something else. Lin noticed that his charge was glancing towards the priest and knew that he as well had noticed it. Taking out a piece of paper the Chinese man wrote a single word and handed it discretely to the younger one.

Naru startled by the sudden movement of Lin looked at his lap and found a tiny piece of folded paper, so he took it and opened it, what it said made his mind worked up in many possibilities.

"Guild" was all it said.

John felt guilty of something whenever Mai's name was mentioned, maybe he had something to do with her sudden disappearance. Naru almost rolled his eyes, no, the priest couldn't harm a tree, less of it a human. So what was it then? And suddenly it hit him, he knew where Mai was. His eyes widened slightly and turned to meet Lin's gaze, seeing his older friend nodding he almost wanted to yell at the blond man.

How could he kept something like that away from everyone? But then again, the only probability he could think of, was that Mai had asked him to do as so, therefore it meant that she did not want to see any of them and gained John's silence, but why?

"Well it's almost bed time for Haru so I'm going to take my going" said Takiwaga who stood up with a sleepy child on his arms "Do you need a ride home?" he addressed both John and Masako, the latter nodded and stood up as well and glanced towards John, who sighed tiringly.

"Thank Takigawa-san but I'm afraid I can't take the offer, I have been asked for help in the church this night" he smiled apologetically.

"No problem John" the monk smiled and waved goodbye before addressing Naru and Lin "would you like me to drive you as well?"

Before Lin could answer yes his young charge spoke "No, thank you, we have something to do"

And so it went their goodbyes, Hitomi and Yasuhara leaved after the monk so there was just John and the both of them remaining.

"John-san" Naru called. The blond man looked at him and asked if he could help with something.

"You know where Mai is, don't you?" again direct to the point.

John looked so surprised and it had taken him off guard that he stutter his answer "W-what makes you think that Davis-san?"

So he did indeed knew, but Naru never answered his question, instead he narrowed his eyes "Please tell me where she is" his voice was cold and he saw the young priest cringe a little but he needed that information.

"I can't, I promised to her I wouldn't tell" He confessed in a whisper, there was no point in denying it, besides that he didn't wanted to tell, he believed in Mai's reasons for going away and Naru back will hurt her. As a friend he couldn't, Mai had been there for him when he almost drove mad, it would not be right to betray her confidence and heart like this. But something within him made a counter argument of that when he saw the man's eyes. They were pleading and guilty, he knew the story about their goodbyes and how it ended was present in everyone's life whenever someone said something about Mai.

"Please John, I need to talk to her, it is important, I really need to" Naru had never begged or asked for something like this and somehow within, it hurt his vanity and pride but he was willing to do it if it meant peace to his mind and making amends for his horrible mistake and maybe they could be the weird, loud and annoying family they once were. Just maybe.

The blond haired man couldn't for once decide what to do, for one side, his friend would feel betrayed and hurt and that didn't seem right but for the other side it meant the opportunity to close what was left unfinished and maybe just there, Mai and Naru could be at peace not only between them but with their hearts and minds as well. He sighed.

"Tomorrow at 5:00 pm, we are going to meet at her apartment, you could come with me and see Mai, if she is willing to talk of course" John sighed in a defeated aura, feeling extremely guilty he just prayed he was doing the right thing.

"I can't thank you enough, John" Noll and Lin stood up to leave and waited John outside the restaurant.

"Just one more thing Davis-san" his voice made the young boss pause on his tracks while Lin asked for a cab "This opportunity, please don't hurt her more" he pleaded worriedly to Naru before turning around and walking to the church that was almost 3 blocks away, hoping that just this once, to break a promise for the first time didn't lead to more bad.

Oliver watch with a frown as John's retreating figure was distancing more and more before allowing his mind to re-capacitate about what he had said. Even through the way back to their apartment the outcome of the meeting was still fresh on his mind. After a cold shower and dinner the dreaded bed time arrived but Naru found himself unable and it quickly changed to "let's think time".

"Please don't hurt her more" the words taunted his mind again. Why would anyone had to ask him not to hurt Mai. That was the last thing he wanted to do but then again he already did that. He knew how emotional she could be, he noticed the way the look in her eyes changed when she looked at him, it was different, even special if it must be called like that, but the moment he found the way his brother and Mai knew each other made him mad, so naturally when the young girl confessed her love the first thought was the memory of how all of the girls they had the misfortune of meeting had always fell in love with Gene with no exception, so the feeling of disappointment filled him entirely, he had thought the crazy teenager girl was different from them, but once again, he had been confused with his twin brother. He snapped and without thinking he assumed the first thing experience taught him, it was not him but Gene.

He rolled over his bed and sighed, how he hated the lack of peace his mind has having. And the worst part was that he didn't understand why he couldn't be at ease.

After two hours of thinking his eyes felt heavy, the last thought in his mind was the slight hope that he could amend everything up.

August 4th 09:00 pm Location: Japan

Mai's mind had been tormented with that dream. She knew what it meant, there couldn't be any misunderstanding with it.

Oliver Davis was back.

The young girl went back to eating endlessly from a bag of chips while having Kero sitting by her side, constantly nudging at her, feeling the distressed in his owner. Even after making dinner she couldn't calm herself.

That was until the door opened and a very familiar and so welcome voice filled the room.

"Hey Mai, I'm home" it sounded a little tired but when the girl didn't answer he looked at her and a worried look crossed his face "Mai? Are you alright?" he sat by the girl's side on the couch and poke her slightly on the arm.

"Hmm?" Mai looked at him realizing that Ryo had talked to her "Oh! Welcome home!" the girl cheered and smiled. He glared at her and she sighed "yes, fine, healthy, unharmed and happy" she dramatically said while sticking her tongue out in a childish manner.

He asked once again what was wrong with her but Mai just shrugged his question off, which meant she totally ignored him and instead ask him all she could think and then proceeded to watch a movie that neither of them paid attention to.

The girl took Ryo's hand and leaned on his shoulder, something that only made his worries increase, for the brunette girl just did that whenever she felt either scared or distressed. He squeezed her hand in a comforting gesture and waited for her to be ready to tell. Mai was grateful with him for that.

"In my dream Naru was calling out to me" Mai thought "Why?" no one knew where she was with the exception of John, so maybe he spoke with everyone and asked for her. No, Naru didn't care in the slight fraction and definitely would never bother to do something like that. She was after all a distant and passing memory for him.

But then again, no dream she has had was meaningless, so she allowed the possibility that perhaps, just maybe, Naru was looking for her, so it meant only one thing.

"He's going to find me" Apprehensive nervousness and slight anxiousness took hold of the Taniyama girl, eyes widening in the slight fraction before reminding herself she was not alone. In all these six years Mai thought that she could handle this situation but right now a feeling of being lost overwhelmed her senses.

So before any emotion could slip through her face she announced that a good sleep was needed and that dinner was on the table and still warm for her friend to eat. Before she could enter her room Ryo stopped her.

"You know Mai, you can count on me on everything, right?" he asked reassuringly "So, if there's anything you need, I will help you".

"I deeply thank you for it" Mai smiled truly for the first time since that dream, reminding herself that Ryo was only worried because he cared and that alone made her feel almost completely better "Know that you do as well count on me" she bowed before giving her brother like figure a hug and entering the room being followed by the giant dog.

"He's coming" was the last thought that Mai had before drifting to sleep "Or not".

Ryo sighed for the millionth time since he met that girl before helping himself on the table to eat the Miso Ramen that Mai prepared. He couldn't help but worry a little for Mai, hell he was sure there was something she was not telling him, but he had learned that Taniyama Mai wouldn't talk unless she was willing to.

At least the presence of Kero brought a little more peace to his mind, the dog was capable of protecting Mai from any intruder and great for therapy.

He glanced at his now empty bowl of Ramen before putting it aside and taking the fried rice Mai had also prepared for him, that girl could eat as much as he could or even more.

Finishing all the food, Ryota washed all the dishes and cleaned the table. But instead of going back to his own apartment (which is across the hall) to rest he decided to stay and sleep on the comfy couch. One never knew and Mai's mysterious behavior didn't help to ease his worries, besides her shift would soon start so he better take her to the hospital instead of letting her walk alone before the sun could come out.

He retrieved some blankets to make himself more comfortable and almost immediately fall asleep.

The next day 4:49 pm Location: Japan

After finally finishing what seemed the most long shift she had ever had and the most long shopping line for groceries on the world, Taniyama Mai was making her way back to her apartment and even though she wanted nothing more than sleep or rest a little, John said he needed to talk with her about the same trouble he had been struggling with for the past years, so Mai decided that a very well made dinner was in order.

Finally her apartment came to view and she went up the stairs directly to her home she opened the door easily and before she could step in, the voice of John greeted her so naturally she turned around and smiled.

But the second after Mai realized that John was not alone, made her froze. One of the bags she was carrying slipped from her hand right on the floor and one of the cans she had bought rolled directly onto the feet of the man that was with her priest friend.

The young man leaned to the floor to pick up the can and stood straight before directing his cold blue eyes to the brunette in front of him, watching her shocked face and the chocolate brown eyes that were once cheery.

"Hello Mai" he said and offered a really tiny small smile, extending his hand to return her shopping to her.

Mai stood there with no words to offer, first of all the man she met 8 years ago and disappeared for 6 was standing in front of her and second of it, he smiled. "What the hell is going on?" she thought extending her hand to him but before anything could happen with a yelp Mai was suddenly taken off guard and tackled to the floor by a black ball of fur, a gigantic one. In any other situation she would have laughed, but right now she wanted to slam her face on the floor and hope this was some kind of horrible dream.

"6 six without seeing each other" Mai thought still on the floor with an overly energetic dog sitting on her, with her face so red of embarrassment that she had to cover it with both of her hands "and this is how the 'second' impression ends up, just great".

And the end. I'm sooo terribly sooorry, but I couldn't update before, college has been a hell with all the "team" projects. Advise: never trust your team mates to remember by themselves to bring their part of the work on the due date. NEVER! ;n; spam them to death the night before, seriously.

Anyway I'm so seriously sorry! :c luckily I will have the next chapter so soon that it might be tomorrow c: or Sunday who nose? ¬u¬

And I wanted to thank you for the reviews, seriously you made my day, may cookies be always on your side and spaghetti but only if you like it.

Thank you with all my heart!

Mayu