Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost hunt, the Anime nor the Manga

J'espere que vous l'aimez !

Chapter 3: Case 1


" WHAT!" Mai wailed.

"Mai be quiet before you wake everyone up."

"B-bu-"

"Mai stop fooling around and get ready for bed." Mai was at a loss. I mean, of course, she was over the moon at the chance to get close to the Oliver, but there were so many more cons to the situation.

'Oh God, what if he sees my bed head or me drooling, well I'm pretty sure he's already seen that from all the times I've fallen asleep in base. But still, I just hope I don't say anything too embarrassing in my sleep.' Mai willed the heat in her cheeks to dissipate as she got into her night rituals as well. She grabbed her pajamas and headed into the bathroom that was connected to the room. She made quick work of washing her face, changing, and brushing her teeth. Well, as quickly as a bum leg could make the entire procedure go. When Mai exited Naru was clad in a black t-shirt and long pajama bottoms were enough to make her swoon on her crutch, but she was wise enough to only give the boy a passing glance and go lay in her bed.

'This is so awkward.' Mai said sitting on her bed, but not really wanting to go to sleep. She grabbed her papers and placed them out on her bed just as Naru exited the bathroom.

"Mai, what are you doing?" His tone ready to scold her.

"What?! I told you two hours ago that I don't want to go to sleep!"

"And why is that?"

"B-because I slept all day and I'm not tired."

"Mai, I saw you nodding off in base. Don't lie, you're horrible at it." Mai narrowed her eyes as he approached her bed and placed all of her papers back into her book bag.

"Naru!" Mai growled, but he paid her no mind and paced toward the light switch.

"Sleep. Now." That was all he said as he shut off the light and silenced filled the room. Mai continued to sit on her bed and pulled her knees in toward her chest as much as the cast would allow. Mai listened to the sound of the rain as Naru lay under his sheets on his side.

"Are you afraid of him, is that why you're refusing to sleep?"

Naru's question lingered in the air quieting all suspicions in the young man's head.

"Mai, just go to sleep."

"What if he-"

"If he does anything I'll be right here, and I'll hear you. Just call me, and I'll wake you up." The sincerity of this statement made Mai lift her head from her knees and was surprised to see Naru staring back at her. Her eyes widened, even more, to meet those intense dark blue eyes with her own. For more of what felt like hours they simply stared. Finally, Mai was able to open her mouth.

"Do you promise Oliver?" Mai said sadness in her voice apparent. Naru was set aback by her saying his real name with perfect English.

"Obviously. Now goodnight." Mai gingerly placed herself under her sheets and hesitantly let sleep take her.


What Mai's eyes met when first arriving in her astral plane confused her. She could tell that it wasn't a vision but wondered why she was surrounded by roses of all different kinds. Her plane had been turned into a beautiful nighttime garden with a fountain, statues, benches, and a gazebo included.

Mai let her curiosity carry her inward toward the beautiful sight. There were even crickets singing, which tempted Mai to relax into the grass, but she knew better. She went inside the gazebo and took a seat. A rosebud caught her eye as she slid to the left of her seat to further inspect the flower. She leaned in and smelled the vines, and it even smelled exactly like roses. It was all so perplexing.

"It all so real…" Mai allowed herself to say allowed.

"Well, that's the power of the mind my dear." Mai quickly turned right to see the handsome gentleman himself seated to her left eyes burrowing into her. Mai gasped with fright his deep husky voice surprising her.

"I redecorated the place, I hope you don't mind. The endless darkness was tasteful and definitely my cup of tea, but I don't believe it suited you very well." The stranger spoke smirking as his eyes danced her. It made her feel completely naked and disturbed.

"Let me get this straight, you did this for me? Why? To try and persuade me to bargain with you?" Mai's eyes narrowed not buying his suave act in the slightest.

"Oh no! I have other means of doing that, but I just wanted to create it as a tribute your innocence and beauty Mai. You see this flower bud you were so curiously admiring a few minutes ago?" He gracefully slid close to her and let his hand wave over the flower. The rose bloomed right before her eyes and fanned out as beautiful white petals.

"Wow, it's lovely." Mai said nearly forgetting how close her company was. He leaned in and whispered into her ear sending chills down her back.

"Stunning and naive, just like you." He grabbed her hand, and she attempted to pull away, but he was too strong. He forcefully pressed her finger into the thorns of the same flower and dragged it creating a deep gash. He then made a fist over hers and squeezed forcing blood to drip onto the white petals. Mai whimpered out in pain and hissed as he squeezed her hand. Once the flower was coated with a red layer he released her hand and she immediately recoiled it into her own grasp, cradling her wound.

"Why did you do that?!" Mai cried pushing him away and standing in order to get some distance between them.

"Now it's the spitting image of you; A beautiful flower coated the blood of sorrow and malice, but that's a story for another time". Mai pouted and gave him one of her most disgusted expression as she backed away this time exiting the gazebo and placing a more sizable distance between the two of them.

"God, you're so sick! Why do you keep messing with my emotions! Do you get off on making girls feel this way?" Mai yelled frustrated with the man.

"No Mai, you're the only one that has ever gotten this close to me. In life, my psychic powers were similar to yours. I'm an astral walker just like you, and that is how you had the pleasure of catching my attention." He said haughtily he plucked the blood covered rose and smelled it with a long inhale.

'So I was right. He is like me.' Mai confirmed mentally.

"Well then if I'm so close to you, why don't I know your name?" Mai asked hoping she was at least pry more information out of him to bring back to Naru. The man moved his eyes from the rose and eyed Mai once again. He tutted his finger and shook his head at her obviously refusing to give her such information.

"Why not?"

"Because Mai, you have bargain for this kind of information."

"For a name?"

"Not just for any name, for my name." Mai pinched her nose bridge reminding herself of Naru.

'Why do narcissist flock to me?' Mai asked herself.

"Fine, let me hear the terms."

"Oh, they are very simple, and not too steep if you ask me. All I ask for in return is a kiss."

"A what?" She spat as she visual recoiled and covered her mouth with one hand.

"You heard me unless you want to run back to your boss with nothing to offer I suggest you think it over." Mai was surprised that he knew about SPR which made her think he was far more in tuned than he let on.

"Fat chance."

"Well once you get desperate you'll be back. Ta-ta Mai."


Mai woke with a start again her eyes flying open and her grip on her cover lethal. She was getting all too familiar with what it felt like to be kicked out of her plane and she wasn't thrilled about it. Mai rose and looked at the clock beside her that read 6:30 AM. Her eyes wandered to see that a certain narcissist wasn't in the bed next to hers. Mai then was attuned to the sound of the shower, and then it turned off only to realize that he must be in there.

'To think Naru's on the other side of that door naked. Ugh... clear your head Mai, you've been hanging out with Yasu way too much.' She thought upset at her own behavior.

Mai got out of bed and grabbed one of her crutches, and walked over to the window in their room, which was inconveniently placed on Naru's side of the room. It was no longer raining, but the day seemed like it would be a cloudy one for the most part. Mai could hear the bathroom door open behind her, but she didn't bother to turn around.

"Good morning Naru."

"Did you get any information?" Naru asked.

'Straight to business, why am I not surprised?' Mai rolled her eyes and turned around to look at her boss.

"Good Morning to you too Mai. Isn't it a nice morning? Why yes it is Naru? How did you sleep last night Naru? Well I'm a robot Mai so I don't need to sleep much so I'm fine. How about you Mai how did you sleep?" Mai mimicked as Naru continued to dry his hair with the towel and rolled his eyes.

'I don't pay her for conversation; I pay her to help me on cases.' Naru placed his towel down ready to further interrogate the girl when her hand caught his eye. Naru paced over to Mai and grabbed her hand taking the girl by surprise. Naru was looking at her hand intently, and Mai followed his gazed and saw her hand. Blood was freely flowing from her sliced finger.

"How did this happen?" Naru asked though Mai was asking herself the very same question when her dream came back to her.

"Well in my dream my finger was cut, and it really hurt but I didn't…" Mai said no more when grabbed her wrist and guided her onto his bed without hurting her leg. He disappeared into the bathroom, and rummaging could be heard, and then he reappeared with a box of band-aids.

"These are waterproof so you should be fine to function, as normal as is possible for you. But first, lick away the blood." Naru said and Mai made a face at his request.

"No, blood tastes gross."

"Mai, just clean it up so I can apply the adhesive." He requested more blood continued to blood down her hand.

"No, I can just get a towel."

"A drying cleaning agent isn't as effective without a wet one."

"Well it'll hav-" Mai was stopped as she felt his tongue lick from her palm all the way to her sliced finger. He proceeded to suck on her finger dragging his tongue back and forth over the wound, his eyes never leaving hers. Mai let out a sound something close to a moan and then quickly covered her mouth with her other hand becoming redder at what she had just done. When he was done he released her finger with pop and was quick to place a bandage over it before it could spill anymore.

"Who knew you were so… easily excited." Naru said raising an eyebrow at her and wearing a haughty smirk.

"S-Sh-Shut up! It's only because you caught me by surprise. I wouldn't have done that if you hadn't jumped the gun." Mai said crossing her arms knowing her face was completely red.

"Is that so, then I'll be much more deliberate next time." Naru said as he grabbed his towel and went over to hang it up.

"W-what do you mean by next time?" Mai asked but was ignored after getting no response Mai just 'hmph'ed, hobbled over to her suitcase and grabbed her things, and then hobbled into the bathroom. She was sure to be quick because she was sure he'd have to wait for her because if the nature of the case.

"About time Mai."

"What? That's the fastest I've ever done my bathroom routine, and not to mention I'm crippled! Naru, you're one of the most ungrateful men I've ever met, and you're so darn fussy like a baby." Mai cried as she threw her PJ's in her suitcase and put on her backpack.

"Mai, I don't know about you, but I take my job seriously, so I don't put stock into frivolous things or wasting time." As he handed her the other crutch and held the door open for her.

"Sorry that I'm a waste of time to you." Mai mumbled and entered base. The only people currently inside were Lin and John. Mai would have run to the priest if she could once she arrived she immediately plopped next to him an eager smile on her face.

"Good morning Mai. How did you sleep?" John asked with a kind smile.

"I slept okay under the circumstances. See Naru someone gets it!" Mai called over to him with a smug expression.

"Mai, Tea." Was all he said and Mai rose and complied. As Mai was prepping and waiting for the water to boil the rest of the team entered base.

"Good Morning dearest friends, it's a pleasant morning." Yasu started dramatically making everyone in base roll their eyes.

"Speak for yourself! Ayako snores so loud I'm surprised you guys couldn't hear it." Monk said only to get hit in the back.

"Oh please, Monk, its bad enough you talk while you're awake, no one wants to hear you talking in your sleep too." Ayako retorted. Mai grabbed a few more cups and poured enough tea for everyone.

"Hey Monk, could you help me please?" Mai ask accidentally surprising everyone in the room.

"Hey, Mai you were so quiet I didn't see you there. Sure, I'll lend you a hand." Monk jogged over and picked up the tray and distributed the tea to everyone.

"I'm surprised you're up so early Mai." Masako said condescension evident in her voice. Mai could feel her heated gaze as she narrowed her eyes.

' I should have figured that reaction from our room arrangments.' Mai groaned mentally.

"Oh please, like Naru would have it any other way. He's the meanest babysitter I've ever had. "Mai huffed as she moved from the kettle and found her place next to John once again.

"Mai, I take it you had a dream." Naru stated more than asked as he opened his black book.

"Well I didn't get much because that guy is still acting like he owns the place." Mai said a light blush dusting her face.

"Mai, detail the events of your dream from start to finish and let me be the judge." Naru barked.

"Okay. So I arrived in my dream plane and he remodeled the whole place into this really nice rose garden, with a gazebo, fountain, statues, and everything. I mean, my dream plane is usually just darkness with the glow of souls every now and then. It really threw me off. Anyway, I start wandering around the garden and into the gazebo, and sat down. Then out of nowhere the guy pops out and sitting right next to me. Then he starts telling me how beautiful and naive I am and telling me the garden was for me. It was pretty creepy." Mai started when Yasu put in his two sense.

"What? He was putting the moves on you?" Yasu said chuckling.

"Son of a-." Monk mumbled clearly fuming.

"You would think if he wanted to make a bargain with me he would be nice, but the psychopath grabs my finger, and slices it on one of the thorns. Then he squeezes my blood all over this poor white rose." Mai continued.

"My word, do you think he's dangerous Mai?" John asked very concern.

"Obviously he is dangerous. Can't be sure if these are idle threats trying to throw us off or something more sinister." Monk said slamming his fist on the table surprising John.

"Is that all Mai?" Naru asked looking up from his notebook.

"Well no, but this part isn't really real-" Mai started.

"Mai, didn't I say let me be the judge. Don't lie either because I can tell when you do." Her boss cautioned.

"B-but it's embarrassing!" Mai said quietly her face getting redder.

"Well then, I suppose you'd better get it over with." Naru pressed not bothering to look up from his aggressive notetaking.

"Okay fine! I push him away and yell at him, and then he admits he's the one who's been taking the girls. Then he says when he was alive he had the same psychic power's as I did, and that why he's so drawn to me. Then I asked him his name and he said he'd only tell me if I kissed him. I refused so he kicked me out, and told me to come back when I was more desperate." Mai said her face so reaching a whole new level of red and fidgeted in her chair.

'God, I want to just crawl into a hole right now!' Mai thought sinking in her seat.

"Alright Mai! Now, all we have to do to end the case is use your feminine wiles to get some answers!" Yasuhara winked.

"Absolutely not! I will not have Mai using her body to appease that corrupt pig! And Yasuhara! You should know better! Mai is an impressionable young lady, and we shouldn't encourage this type of thing or who knows what she could allow men to treat her in the future." Ayako yelled not all too pleased with the situation herself.

"I'll excorise that spawn for laying hands on my little girl." Monk said his knuckles turning white. As the group shared their anger about the spirit's audacity, Naru was dealing with some anger of her own. His PK was leaking through his hand and his mug started to boil the tea.

"Noll, you're boiling the tea." Lin whispered. Once Noll became aware it stopped immediately.

'I didn't expect myself to react this way. Why am I so angry?'' He thought his anger boiling up again.

"Noll, the tea." Lin said again prompting the boy to take a deep breath and refocus his PK.

"Alright Yasu and Matsuzaki, I want the two of you researching the church as far back as it can goes, including profiles on the missing girls. John exorcise all the points of interest on the blue prints make sure the cathedral is included, Hara accompany him. Monk walk the outside of the grounds, and let me know if you sense anything. You're all dismissed." Naru finished as base once again, only occupied the two stoics and the spunky brunette. Everyone left with a new sense of determination at the plight of their comrade. Mai was touched that they cared, thought that didn't make the past two minutes any less embarrassing.

"Hey Naru…" Mai started getting the narcissist to turn his head.

"What is it Mai?"

"Do you think you could let me go to the kitchen? So I can make everyone lunch?"

"No Mai. I already told you how dangerous it is for you to be alone, even if you weren't injured."

"Well then come with me or send Lin. Can't you guys read stuff and take notes anywhere?" Mai inquired her voice just above a whinny.

"Mai I-"

"PLEASE NARU, I'VE BEEN SO GOOD!" She whinned.

"Mai."

"I've even plotted an elaborate escape plane, but didn't go through with it because I wanted to be on my best behavior." Mai said showing Naru her plans getting Lin to smirk.

"Mai."

"Oh pretty please Olly, I promise to be good!" Mai said with puppy dog eyes in perfect English, accent included, this time successfully getting Lin to laugh aloud. For the first time in a long time, Naru feel his face heat up a bit, ever so slightly. He turned his head away from the girl quickly so she wouldn't be enlightened of his situation.

'God, where does she come up with this behavior?" Naru thought to himself, not accustomed to the feel of heat in his face.

"Fine, just don't ever call me that again." Naru spoke angrily through his teeth.

"Wow. Way to go Gene, he said that would work! Alright, to the kitchen." Mai cheered grabbing her crutches and hobbling to the door waiting for Naru to open it.

'That girl is so full of surprises." Lin refocused to his laptop, and the monitors.


"Well there's rice and some spices, now let's see what we've got for meats." Mai rummaged through the freezer, where she was told the meats were stored.

"Wow, they even have American foods in here. I learned how to make this one Italians dish from Michiru's mother, she's a professional chef. It's like noodles and round balls of seasoned ground beef, then tomato sauce. I thought it was weird, but it tasted pretty good. What was is it called?" Mai said thinking to herself.

"Spaghetti and meatballs, Mai." Naru replied flatly.

"Oh yeah, that was it. It was pretty quick and easy, I wonder if they have that sauce here?" Mai wondered aloud.

"Mai, the point of me being here isn't so I am forced to hear your food inquires. Unlike you I'm trying to solve a case of missing people, now try to be quieter." Naru barked irritated not even bothering to look up from his book to gauge her reaction. Mai tried to hide her hurt with an angry expression, and turned away from the boy.

'He's always so rude! I get Naru's busy solving the case, but he doesn't have to be so mean to me. I get that I'm not useful, but he could at least treat me like a person.' Mai fumed turning away from her boss in anger. She attempted to ignore the boy, and refocus on her meal plans. Deciding finally just to make sandwiches and a fruit platter because anything else would be too heavy for a lunch, and make the team lethargic. Mai was limping around keeping herself busy the young scientist was attempting to pull the case together in his mind.

'The obvious connection is young females, but two of the very first victims were Nuns working for the church. Both of these women were above their 40's, so it's obviously not the youth the spirit is looking for.' Naru placed the Nun's profiles next to each other along with a frustrated stared at their missing person's report that was on file form the police investigation.

'There have been other women that have worked at the church, and been unaffected by the activity here. So what do these Nun's and small girls have in common that the spirit takes into account? Also where are all the bodies of the missing, and why were none of the victims ever found? All of these people have most likely already perished, but what is the spirit trying to do with these girls. What's his point?" Noll had far too many questions and not enough answers. The cameras and audio hadn't picked up much so far on the investigation's first night, which wasn't strange, but with the rampant history of the church he'd expected more.

'Perhaps tonight will be more informing.' Naru settled hoping for the best at this point, and let his eyes follow Mai at this point. She had grown so much right before his eyes; from an annoyingly noisy teenager to smart and capable young lady with so much potential. He wasn't all together sure what her plans were for after she graduated, but she was currently in the process, with much help from Yasuhara, of applying to differently colleges. So he knew she was at least trying to further her education. The thought of Mai going far away for college made his chest feel heavy in away the made him very uncomfortable.

'Why do I feel this way? I should be happy at the prospect of Mai's acceptance into college, I'm a professor after all, but why aren't I?' Naru left his musings of the girl at that and eyed his watch. Some time had passed since they'd enter the kitchen, and Mai seemed to place the finishing touches on her lunch plans.

"Alright, all done." Mai said happy with her culinary success. Just as Mai was about to ask Oliver for some help a voice entered the kitchen grabbing the spotlight in the room.

"What smells so good? Mai, I see you're cooking up a storm in here, you shouldn't have." Monk said the food helping to remind him of his light breakfast.

"Well, I wanted to make you all lunch at least since I can't do too much else." Mai said rubbing the back of her head in bashfulness.

"Why thank you Mai. The sentiment is very much appreciated, how about you and Naru head back up to base, and I grab some help to bring this all up there?" Monk suggested and Mai nodded in acceptance. Naru collected all his research back into his folder and followed Mai back to base.


After everyone was back in base and fed Naru returned to his notes, and called to John.

"John, Hara-san the walkthrough?"

"There aren't any spirits in the church." Masako said shocking everyone in the room.

"How is that possible with all the girls that have disappeared here? Not to mention the havoc going on with the apparitions!" Ayako voiced clearly annoyed with the psychic's verdict.

"If you were silent and let me finish perhaps you would understand." Masako replied sassily making the priestess roll her eyes.

"As I was saying there are no spirits in the church itself, but they are wandering in from the forest outside. The problem isn't with the church, though the land here feels very…ominous." She ended grimly.

"I'd have to agree with Masako on that one, on my walk around the church the woods felt very unsettling. Not to mention how in tuned with nature this place is, and yet I haven't heard a single bird since we got here. I think it's odd that even they would steer clear of such a pristine area." Monk stated.

'Now that you mention it, I haven't heard any bird here either.' Mai thought to herself.

"Good observation Monk, you too Hara. Yasuhara, what did your research reveal?"

"This church was erected in 1910, which was a difficult time in Japan for those who worshiped in the Catholic faith. In order to gain the trust of public eye, they created an orphanage for the abandoned children in the area. Lots of children went through this place ever since then, but the first person to disappear was a nun name Sakura Kowichi three years ago. Ever since her, a total of 34 people have gone missing here, none of them or even a trace of them were ever found. Police suspected the previous priest who ran this place, but there was no evidence that could tie him to the crimes since none of the bodies of the girls were ever found. Father Kato arrived here only a year ago replacing the previous caretaker, but girls went missing under his watch ask well, not to mention a female staff member. The locals aren't too keen on the church or anyone who lives here ever since the disappearances have started." Yasu concluded, Noll said nothing only looked over his notes and made several additions.

'How does the man from my dreams tie into all of this? Why is he taking the girls, and where are their bodies?' More questions just continued to pile up in her head, but no answers seemed to arise. She let her gaze wander from her lap over to her boss, hoping that he had at least had drawn together some clues.

Mai was brought out of her stupor the door slamming open revealing a boy who was the same height and build as Yasu, but had brown hair and beautiful green eyes. Fury was apparent in his features as he stormed right up to Naru.

"I thought you were supposed to stop these things from happening!" The boy yelled confusing and surprising everyone in the room.

"If you're upset me at least have the brain capacity to elaborate instead of blathering unintelligent bits of information." Naru said harshly not even batting an eye at the lad.

"Suki, she's gone missing!"