an/: Discolaimer apply. Many apologies for the delay in this chapter. I endeavor to update at least twice per week, but this one got away from me. I already have 2 chapters written out, but they're not meant to be seen until a later date. Mu ha ha! Anyhow...hope you enjoy the further setting up of the plot...hang onto your hats and br prepared to pull a blanket over you in a few chapters...

...let me know what you think of the setup... (hint: Reviews! Reviews! lol)

-TC

The bus moved along the streets of Tachikawa City, assaulting Mai with memories of her unhappy childhood with every street corner that trudged by, stopping to unload or take on passengers. As a child, Mai kept asking her mother, over and over where Oto-san was, and finally her mother tearfully explained how he was shot and killed by a bad man, but remained tight lipped on the rest of the subject, choosing to protect her daughter's innocence of the world, just as Yutaka would have wished for their only child. It wasn't until she was 8 and learned how to use the computer for more than just chatting with her friends that Mai researched Taniyama Yutaka that she found an old article describing exactly what the 'bad man' was. How her father was walking past a convenience store, and a man carrying a gun, a case of beer and a bag full of money came running out of the store and shot him. It was so senseless.

Mai closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep – if even for a few minutes. The trip to Sunagawa Bochi took less than 45 minutes. She glanced at her watch again. It was just nearing 5:00. Naru must be pretty furious with me by now, she thought lazily, her closed lids becoming heavier Why didn't I remember to bring my…phone…this morning… Within moments, she was in a deep sleep.

GHGHGHGHGH

Mai awoke in darkness. She turned around in circles, shock etched on her face.

"Are you kidding me? I thought I was done having these dreams." She said out loud. Ever since Naru and Lin had laid Gene to rest, Mai hadn't had one single dream of Gene. Though she was heartbroken at the loss of her friend (and to be honest, pissed off that she lost her chance to yell at him for impersonating his twin), she knew he had finally crossed over and was at peace.

Or so she thought.

A shadow formed in the distance. As it approached, she could make out Gene's outline. He was trailed by several glowing spheres, each casting a different hue of green. The spheres grabbed Mai's attention. They were unearthly and beautiful.

"My shiki" Gene grinned as he approached, bathed in several unearthly shades of green which enhanced, rather than marred his appearance.

Mai blinked. "Shiki? Since when? And why are you back?" she punched his arm. "And how dare you pretend to be Naru. What the hell was that all about?" her voice rising as the questions tumbled out.

"Well, to be honest, I never pretended to be him. You made that assumption. I just never corrected you." Gene smirking, as though channeling his live twin, making him appear more Naru-like than Mai appreciated. "And by the way…ow!" Naru-façade dropped. "You're a lot stronger than you look." He said, rubbing the arm Mai had punched. The smirk turned into welcoming smile. "I've missed you. And I'll explain why I'm back at another time, right now we have other business."

Mai stepped back, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Of course we do. What is it this time? Oh, don't tell me, let me guess….One Direction is really a bunch of kids who made a Demon Pact so they could be famous? Or maybe…maybe a bunch of possessed unicorns decided to spread glitter and fear throughout all of Tokyo by way of Justin Bieber and My Little Pony!" Mai scoffed. She was still miffed at his sudden appearance and lack of apology.

"Mai. Stop." Gene said seriously. He stepped closer, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Everyone knows that One Direction called upon the powers of Witchcraft, not Demons." He chided. "I don't know what's going on here, but you have to be on your guard these next few days. There's…something…" he trailed off, struggling for the right words. "…a presence that has gained a lot of power in an alarmingly short amount of time. I don't know what it is, but you must extremely cautious . You are very vulnerable right now."

Mai felt the blood drain from her spirit-form's face. "Vulnerable? How? Physically? Psychically? Gene…that's really all you can tell me?"

Gene smiled despite himself. "I've been waiting for over a year to hear you call me by name," he said quietly, smiling to himself. Then he thought of Noll and his thoughts sobered. Noll would never be the same if anything happened to Mai.

"Mai. Stay close to your friends. Stay close to Noll and Lin at all times. Tell Noll I've…well, for lack of a better term, I've been promoted. I am your spirit guide."

Mai smiled. "You are?" she stepped forward, allowing herself to get caught up in his warm embrace. He didn't smell like Naru. Instead of the usual hint of worn paper and earl gray tea from Naru, in Gene's arms she smelled spring air and…mischief, if there was a possible scent one could use to describe the word. "Thank you, Gene." She stepped back. "Ummm…how long do I have before I have to start worrying about this danger?" she asked, her voice suddenly becoming smaller.

Gene ran his hands through his hair, a gesture Mai was familiar with – Naru did the same thing when he was about to tell her off for doing something reckless. Or stupid. Or both. …usually both.

Gene dropped his hands to his sides. "Where are you?" he sighed.

"Tachikawa City…" she murmured, the reason for her journey suddenly returning to her mind. "…it's…there's been…" Gene was horrified to see tears slide down Mai's cheeks.

"Hey, hey…you don't have to tell me. Does Noll know where you are?"

Mai shook her head no, not trusting her voice.

Gene sighed. Of all the places she could be, she had to blunder right in the middle of it. "Alright, when you wake up, call him. Finish your business as quickly as you can and then get to him. Tachikawa City is not safe for you." Gene leaned forward, giving the shaking girl another hug. "And don't let him bully you into telling him why you were here to begin with. You tell him when you're ready. I'll contact you again when I have more information. Please," he squeezed her one final time and stepped away. "Be safe, Mai. Something is looking for you."

Mai sighed as Gene disappeared into the inky blackness of the spirit realm, his Shiki trailing merrily behind. "So what else is new?" she muttered to herself as she felt herself drift back to consciousness.

GHGHGHGH

"Miss….Miss…." an urgent voice followed by a violent shaking of her shoulder snapped Mai awake.

"Gomen nasai," she yawned, blinking at the bus driver. "I fell asleep."

The driver chuckled "I'd say so…we're at the last stop." Mai watched a small shudder ripple through the kindly, over driver.

"Sunagawa Bochi?" she asked, yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

The driver looked at her soberly. "Hai. It's about six blocks north of here" he pointed out the window. Mai looked around, startled to see the bus was void of all passengers.

The driver watched as she took in her surroundings. "No one likes to come here after dark. Not since the graveyard incidents began." He said quietly, straightening up. "I can take you back to the train station, no charge. " he offered with a kind smile.

Mai returned the smile. "No, thank you," her gentle words conveying gratitude towards the man who watched out for her well-being. "I am expected here."

He lifted a hand and helped her to a standing position. "Alright," he said begrudgingly. At the same tim, he pressed a business card into her had. "I have heard a lot of rumors which stem from this cemetery. If you need help, please do not hesistate to contact me. This is my personal number. If my wife answers, tell her you need my help at Sunagawa Bochi. She will get the message to me immediately." He promised.

Mai stood and accepted the proffered business card with a bow. "Arigato, gozaimasu," she bowed and thanked the man, tucking the card into the inside pocket of her uniform before pulling her backpack on. The driver watched as his last passenger of the evening slipped away from the bus into the rapidly descending darkness. He wished her all the best.