Chapter 3

It was seven in the evening and darkness crept down on the house. Several small lamps and a crackling warm fire cast a cosy glow over the contents of Naru's home. Monk was dozing softly on one of the couches whilst Masako had retired to her room. Lin had bid them farewell for the night, promising an early return in the morning. Naru had also disappeared shortly after introducing his mother, who had arrived not long after Mai's reappearance.

"Thank you for having us," said Mai as she sipped from a warm cup of tea.

Luella smiled, "Not at all dear. You should be thanking Oliver. It's his home after all."

Mai blanched, "Huh? This is his house? I thought you and your husband lived here. I mean, Naru, he's only twenty. So I just assumed…," she trailed off, frowning.

Luella reached over and patted her hand. "It used to be our house, but me and Martin fancied something a little smaller so we bought an apartment in the city centre and left this one to the boys when they turned fifteen," she explained, "They were quite independent for their age so we left Lin to watch over them. We're not short of a few bob so it was no hassle and I think the boy's flourished with us not around to watch over their shoulders," she chuckled, Mai noted a touch of sadness in her voice but refrained from commenting.

"It's an odd set-up, I know," grimaced Luella as she continued, "But it worked for us. In case you haven't noticed my Noll doesn't do well with constant parental supervision. He practically ran to Japan after I, not-so-subtly, suggested we move back in after the funeral." Mai snorted, picturing a fleeing Naru scrambling for a plane.

"He does have a stubborn streak," commented Mai with a soft smile then grimaced when she remembered earlier events, "I might have upset him though, I can be a bit nosey sometimes and I think I crossed a line. I don't think I've ever seen him so angry before." She could feel her eyes water slightly.

"I guessed as much. From what I've heard, you're usually a sunny girl with a bright smile," teased Luella, "Noll did seem rather anxious to leave your company."

Mai nodded sadly. "He found me in Gene's room."

"Ah," nodded the older woman, "Not to worry my dear, he'll get over it soon enough. And if I have anything to do with it, tomorrow morning by the latest," she smiled, crinkling her nose.

Mai couldn't help but grin in return. When she had met Luella earlier, Mai had been beyond nervous. Her fear, however, had been unfounded. She had greeted everyone with a kindness and warmth she herself could empathise with. Mai was instantly at ease around her. So here they sat, in a deserted kitchen munching on digestive biscuits and drinking tea with a woman she could easily see as a surrogate mother of sorts.

"Now, it's getting late, you should hit the hay. Big day tomorrow."

Mai was about to protest when another voice interrupted.

"You heard the woman," a voice called from behind. Mai spun in her chair to face the intruder and noticed a bleary eyed Monk leaning on the doorframe.

"Well, look who's awake," joked Mai, ignoring her yawning friend.

"Not for long, I'm beat!" he blew his drooping fringe away from his face, "And judging from those bags under your eyes, so are you, missy."

The brunette slumped against the hard cold marble of the breakfast bar she was sat at and exhaled loudly. She really was exhausted.

"Fine, I'm going," she drawled, sliding from the tall stool.

"Sleep well, dear," bid Luella with a gentle tilt to her lips.

Mai nodded and waved, "You too," she said as she left the marble and oak kitchen, patting a smirking monk on the arm as she passed. Monk followed the young woman down the hall, rubbing his sleep-laden eyes. With a tired smile he bid goodnight to Mai and rounded the second set of stairs. A good night's sleep was what they all needed right now. Tomorrow, the real fun began.


The next morning greeted Mai with the harsh glare of a watery Spring sun. The beams of light pierced through a crack in the heavy curtains lining the window and shining straight into Mai's squinting eyes.

"Ugh," she groaned turning over onto her stomach and burying her face into the soft pillow. She could feel herself drifting off into sleep when a hollow knock sounded on her door, rousing her into a permanent wakefulness.

"Whaaaat?" she moaned, slowly digging her head deeper into the downy sheets.

"Wakey, wakey. Rise an' shine!" sang Monk as he threw the door open with a bang. He waltzed over and, with a flourish, grabbed the duvet covers, yanking them to the floor and leaving a curled up Mai groaning on the bed.

"Moooonk," she whined petulantly, sitting up with droopy eyes.

"Woah," he reeled dramatically, "That's one serious case of bedhead you got there."

Mai pouted, "And I'm sure you look like a model first thing?" She was busy trying to remove the hard crusted sleep from the corners of her eyes. Her rubbing fingers just seemed to make them worse.

"Don't you know it," he grinned. Mai rolled her tired eyes and scrambled off the bed, swaying slightly as she stood for the first time that day.

"Get cleaned up and meet us downstairs. Naru says you got five minutes before he comes to get you himself," warned Monk in a mock serious tone.

"Slave driver as usual," she scoffed, ignoring the anxious squelch in her chest, "Tell him I'll be down when I'm ready," she dismissed as she went digging in her suitcase for clothes.

"Alrighty, but don't blame me if you see a bad-tempered tea-demon standing in your doorway," joked Monk as he left the room.

"Oh wait, hold up a sec!" said Mai suddenly remembering something.

"What?"

"Any news on you-know-who?" asked Mai standing with a bundle of heavy clothing.

The Buddhist nodded, hiding a smirk. "Touchdown was this morning, Lin said he'd sort it."

"Phew!" breathed Mai, "Naru doesn't suspect anything?"

"Not that I know of," he shrugged.

Mai felt her gut clench. She was doing the right thing but still…, "He's gonna be furious," she shifted nervously.

Monk shrugged again, "Probably, but it'll be too late to do anything by then."

"Yeah…I suppose you're right," nodded Mai sagely and walked to the en-suite attached to her bedroom. She didn't want to push Naru's temper any further but it was too late to back out now.

"Of course I'm right," shouted Monk as she closed the bathroom door.

He was about to leave when Mai shouted back. "Stop imitating Naru, it's weird!"

The monk chuckled and left to join the others over breakfast.

Mai entered a noisy kitchen twenty minutes later with a grumbling stomach. She could smell something frying, making her mouth water at the thought.

"Ah, Mai dear. Sleep well?" asked the gentle looking older woman she had met last night. Her greying hair was styled in a neat bun and a baby blue dress hugged her curvy frame. Mai thought the colour suited her soft features, making her eyes appear brighter.

"Yup, the bed was so comfy, I died as soon as my head hit the pillow."

"I'm glad," she beamed, "come and sit. I'm sure you're hungry."

She heard a snort and then a cough. Mai threw a glare over at Monk, who just continued to snigger. She walked over to the round glass breakfast table that could easily sit ten people, and took as seat beside Luella.

A plate suddenly appeared in front of her, laden with all kinds of strange food she struggled to recognise. Naru was sat opposite her and Mai wondered if he was still angry about yesterday. She looked back down at her food and wrinkled her nose.

"Honestly Mai, its food not poison," he scoffed harshly from across the table.

"I know that, you jerk!" she spat, forgetting about her present company.

His face remained blank, but his eyes weren't as cold as they had been. Still though, she couldn't forget the sheer terror she felt when he had found her. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. Someone coughed quietly and Mai blushed. How the hell did she forget Naru's mother was sitting right there!?

"Well, that told you, Noll," Luella laughed lightly.

"Oh, I'm sorry for my rudeness," Mai blanched at the older woman as Monk snorted into a mug of tea. Masako was perched primly on a chair beside Naru, nibbling on some toast and shooting the stink-eye in Mai's direction. What the hell did she do now to warrant Masako's anger?

Luella waved a hand, "Not at all, dear. I dare say my son could use a firm hand when addressing his manners," she smiled warmly and Mai relaxed. She picked up a fork and buried it in what she thought was scrambled eggs.

"It's a fry-up Mai," explained Luella at seeing her apprehension, "It's practically a staple over here."

"Oh," she chirped, suddenly remembering the term from her English classes, "In that case, I'll have to try it!"

"That's the spirit," chuckled Luella.

"I'm sure your bottomless stomach can handle it just fine," interjected a coy Masako. Mai's eye twitched but she ignored her, sending a glare instead. One outburst was enough.

"Martin said he'll be down soon. He got in quite late last night," said Luella to Naru. He nodded and continued to sip his tea as Mai picked at a thick, black disk sitting on the edge of her plate.

"It's called black pudding," offered Naru dully as he watched her nibble it cautiously.

"Pudding?" she asked, pulling a face as she bit into it. It had a strange taste and texture. It was soft with a crispy skin and it tasted almost metallic, like liver, only spicier.

"Yes," said Naru, the evil glint returning, "It's pigs blood."

Mai instantly choked, coughing on the piece now lodged in her throat. She could hear several guffaws around her but she was too busy focusing on removing the vile food from her windpipe to take any notice. She heard a clink and someone calling her an 'idiot' before she looked up with watering eyes and a roiling stomach.

"Drink," he ordered. She grabbed the cup, draining the tea it held with fervour. When the horrible taste and half a bite had been cleared, she took a breath and noticed that Luella was patting her back sympathetically whilst Monk and Masako were tittering quietly.

"Jerk," she growled when she noticed her boss's smirk.

"Noll, stop teasing," reprimanded his mother lightly. Mai decided to forgo the breakfast, deeming toast the safest option right now. The rest of the morning flew after that and a chiming clock marked the arrival of Martin Davis.


It was after ten when the tall, plump and moustached form of Naru's adoptive father waltzed through the sitting room door where the SPR team had gathered for a debrief of upcoming events. Mai thought the man oozed charisma. To her, he looked the epitome of an English gentleman and a professor to boot. With his salt and pepper hair parted to the left, a thick moustache framing his top lip and a rather stylish navy suit dressing his frame, he was definitely a man that demanded respect.

"Now then, introductions over and done with, we can get started," he said with a confident voice and smiling green eyes.

"The five of you, including Lin and Oliver have been requested to sort out a rather perplexing case we've failed to rectify. As you all know, the case is located in the centre of Ireland, in a small town called Tullamore. There's a castle there known as Charleville and it's been rumoured to have been haunted for the last two hundred years. Whether that's true or not has yet to be determined," he explained.

Mai looked around, not understanding a word that was being said. She really regretted not paying attention in her English classes. When she caught Monk's eye, she breathed deeply when she noticed the same puzzlement on his face. They didn't interrupt because Naru had promised to explain everything later but that didn't mean she had to be happy about being left out of the loop. Martin was apparently brilliant at many things, unfortunately, languages wasn't one of them.

"Luella if you'll translate for me…" he said turning to his wife, "…this is rather important." She nodded with a smile and signalled for him to continue.

"Ireland is a completely different kettle of fish when it comes to the supernatural," turning back to the seated group, "The country's religious and Celtic roots make hauntings a little different from what you're used to. As it stands, the legends surrounding the area go back hundreds of years, all very fascinating but quite bothersome when trying to find concrete proof of origin," he waited for his wife to translate for the two members lacking in English before opening the file in his hand to show several photographs.

"These are photographs taken of the area around Charleville castle, there's a thick forest with the town situated quite close," he said passing them around.

Mai grabbed a photo that Monk passed along. It was an aerial view of a town. She noted thick cut lines criss-crossing the glossy paper indicating roads and buildings and to the far left, surrounded by open green fields and a small forest, sat a castle. She could just about make out the tops of the buttresses and turrets that lined the upper walls. Several blue and red dots, indicating cars, were parked in the forecourt of the large, robust building. People obviously had road access to it so it couldn't be derelict. That was good.

"The castle itself isn't the only problem. The forest around it has also caused trouble. Several team members have been seriously injured after being lured into the foliage, only to be left with a blank memory of the events. And sadly one person has died. A young researcher by the name of Mary Thompson. She was on the first team we sent over. On the third day of investigating, the team recorded a loud wailing coming from the distance. They failed to pinpoint it but Ms. Thompson never woke up after that night. She died from a heart attack in her sleep," Martin explained sadly. The same compassion filled Luella's eyes as she spoke to Mai and Monk. They both gasped when they understood.

"She was a healthy woman and it remains unexplained but the coincidence is too obvious to ignore," he sighed.

"Noll, maybe you'd like to take over," it wasn't a question, "You've examined the case; I assume?"

Naru nodded, not giving his father an excuse to belittle him in front of his team. He stood with a grace belying his jet-lag and took the file from Martin. He cleared his throat and began to speak in Japanese.

"After a minor suspension of investigative works, the BSPR were once again propositioned into sending another team. By now, several locals have fallen victim, all medical autopsies concluding cardiac arrest as the main cause of death -,"

"They died?" baulked Mai, forgetting Naru's coolness with her at the moment.

"Yes, five in total, all living in close proximity to the forest. Their homes are marked on the aerial view with a green cross. The pattern suggests these are not random occurrences," he explained.

"I've done a little homework on Ireland before coming here, there's a famous Irish legend I came across that sounds a lot like what's been happening here," Monk frowned.

"The banshee," said Naru nodding.

"The banshee?" asked Mai, perplexed at the odd name.

"An old Irish myth. Banshee, Irish for 'fairy woman', is an old tale that speaks of a woman – usually a hag – that wails loudly on the night she has predicted someone to die. There are conflicting accounts, some say she's the bringer of death herself or she's a warning to a death that's about to happen. Either way, according to the myth, if you hear the cry of a banshee, someone close to you will die that night."

"That's awful," gasped Mai, holding her hand to her mouth.

"No more awful than our own legends," piped up Masako, who had been sitting quietly until now.

Mai shivered slightly, "When you put it that way…"

"Anyway," drawled Naru, "whether or not there is a banshee, is debatable. We have been hired by the caretakers of the castle as well as the local governing body to investigate these matters. The second team we sent were unsuccessful after just two days."

"Wow, what happened?" asked Monk, wincing.

Naru sighed, "They're not one for fitting in with the locals. One member in particular, Joshua Lowbridge, had an altercation with one of the caretakers and was thusly banned from the property."

"So? Surely they could still investigate without him."

Naru shook his head, "He was their team's leader."

"So he's just like you then, likes to rub people the wrong way," Mai giggled. Naru glowered at her and she promptly shut her mouth.

"Our flight for Dublin airport leaves at three so make sure your belongings are packed. I will not tolerate forgetfulness," he turned a scathing look on a shrinking Mai, "Once we land, a van that Lin has hired will take us to the location where we will immediately set up for a night's recording. Again, laziness or mid-night wandering will not be tolerated," he turned another scathing look on Mai. "Hey!" she protested weakly.

"Once Lin returns from whatever preposterous errand he's managed to ensnare himself in," – Mai and Monk shifted uncomfortably – "I want you all to have your bags packed and passports at the ready. A taxi cab will take us to the airport."

Just as Naru finished speaking a loud buzz of the doorbell chimed, interrupting the groups chatter.

"That must be Lin," cooed Luella as she left to answer the door.

The next voice they heard had Mai and her cohort Monk frozen in terror. Their worried gazes had pinned on Naru as he stilled at the familiar barking.

"Worst flight ever!" snarled an irate miko as she entered the living room, followed by a bemused Luella and a stoic-as-ever Lin.

Naru spun to face Mai as she tried to push her body as far back into the couch cushions as possible. The fearsome scowl on his face promised immeasurable punishment.

"Care to explain?" his deadly voice hissed and Mai whimpered, hoping the soft leather couch she was sitting on, would swallow her whole.

TBC...