Disclaimer: Do not own Ghost Hunt
Chapter 3: Bairn part 1
August, Saturday
Mai sat on her desk mulling over random things. It's been three years that she'd been a part of the Japan's branch of SPR or most commonly known by the world (well they were not really known worldwide on every sense of the word, it would be proper to say that it is known by selected groups of people - namely people who are very interested on the paranormal and supernatural) as Society of Paranormal Research.
Mai had been clueless about that fact, she had only known SPR by its' pseudonym Shibuya Psychic Research. She just agreed to work on the company because she thought it was fun, after all, she did love to tell ghost stories with her friends. But it never occurred to her that she would loveand enjoyghost hunting. It was scary, yes but it was fulfilling. Fulfilling - because they could help people that were tormented by the existence of spirits or sometimes even more powerful than that.
Another thing that she never really had imagined that she would have the appropriateskills and gifts to actually help on cases. She had always thought that have a rather strong intuition, there was a time when she was little (before her mother died) that she had to attend her classes but she had a nagging feeling that she shouldn't go for whatever reason that she didn't know. And then it happened, the bus that she rides every day to school had been in an accident that day and many were injured and there were even lives that were lost. It was devastating, that there were people that could have been saved if she had spoken up, but then when she thought about it now that she's older the people wouldn't even believe her anyways. Who would believe an eight year old girl? No one. They would even think the worst of her and accuse her of things that she weren't (namely - insane), though her mother was very happy that she didn't want to go to school that day because her life was spared. 'Mom' Mai could now feel tears that were stinging her eyes
'No I won't cry. I'm much stronger than this.' she thought as she took a deep calming breath.
Mai also never thought that her dreams could have meaning to them, she often dreamed of random things and she never thought that it could be possible that the things she dreamt of had happened or couldreally happen. Even the fact that sometimes she sees herself sleeping at night, she never thought that it was called 'Astral-projection' and when she does it, her soul literally leaves her body. And then there were things that she couldn't explain either, she would sometimes be pulled into 'visions' by just watching scenes in front of her and just by touching things. It also seems that her sixth sense had developed, before she could only see silhouettes and shadows of spirits but now she could see them clearly as if they were people too. Mai could tell that her powers were growing (but Mai being Mai) but she didn't tell anyone about it. She would sometimes zone out for no reason and the SPR members are really getting worried about it, she would only tell them that there were things that she was thinking about. She didn't want to worry them much less include them to her problems.
Mai sighed. Her life was now officially a chaos. SPR members are now fretting about her.
SPR – her family. It was the family she longed to have, being deprived of one for so long; she was really happy and grateful that she have them. They were makeshift. And they were mismatched on the eyes of other people but for her it was just perfect.
John Brown is her kind big brother and he is an exorcist. He is now 22 years old he was just as tall Mai so he's smaller than the rest of the guys from SPR. He was a priest 2 years ago. He gave up priesthood because he found someone that he would love as much as he loves God – namely a woman, not just any woman a very deserving one in Mai's opinion, but sadly because of John's shyness and timidity he hasn't made a move yet, in fears of ruining the relationship that they have now. The church gave him permission that he could do cleansings and exorcisms even if he's not a priest anymore.
Hara Masako is her sister. She is as bratty and as snobby as a sister could get, but it was understandable, after all, her position as a famous and renowned medium was something that she didn't achieve on overnight she worked hard for it and her hard work wasn't in vain. Masako and Mai were cats and dogs in the past; however it was understandable because they were vying for the attention of one guy. Masako even resulted on blackmail that time, something that she now promised that she would never do again. She learned that her professed love was just an infatuation – something that was understandable if you had a glimpse of the person that they once fought over for. And the fact that she saw how Mai cried (she winced, she didn't want to remember her stupidity) she understood that she would never be as heartbroken given that the same thing happened to her too, now they were best friends. Now, she is in love with someone, however, all that self-confidence seemed to have drifted in the wind and she never found it again. After 2 years of being in love with the same guy, you would think that she had already made a move. But no they're still friends. Mai groaned, as much as she wanted to intervene, she wouldn't because she knew that Masako is strong and given the right opportunity she would definitely make a move. It's also a pity that she only grown an inch (which was Mai's height 2 years ago) because she would make a very pretty model if she ever wanted to have a change of profession. In appearance there wasn't anything that changed much about, her face matured and she now had curves of a woman not a teenager.
Yasuhara Osamu, or just Yasu, is her playful and annoying older brother, metaphorically. In real life he is Mai's best (guy) friend. He had matured (physically and mentally), but not much he's as sly as ever but Mai is very thankful that he is her best friend. He is older than her by 2 years but they are still classmates, he took Political Science when he first enrolled at Todai (Tokyo University) but he got bored. And when he realized that Mai was graduating he asked what course she would take she answered that she wanted to continue ghost hunting so she wants something that could teach her more. Thus, he researched and found out that a dual course on Folklore and Psychology is best if you wanted to further your studies to Parapsychology in the future - seeing that there wasn't a Parapsychology course on Todai. He stopped taking his major subjects and just took minor subjects and just took a minor in Research Methology (his parents didn't seem to mind, they had faith on his decisions) seeing that Mai's road will be more adventurous and exciting than the one he took. And they reviewed for the entrance exams on Todai, although for Yasu it was a shifting exam, and then they took it together, hence they were now classmates. He may be playful but you could count on him when you need him. Namely: research. He is still a researcher at SPR and with a new addition to his job description - he is also now an assistant alongside Mai.
Matsuzaki Ayako is her mother. She is a Shinto priestess, she cleanses using trees and is good at making protective charms. Not to mention, she is also a doctor, being that both of her parents are one and the fact that they own a hospital. For the past 2 years she resumed her profession full time, whereas before she was only on call. She is as motherly as a mother can get, she takes care of them and being a mother-figure, she also nags a lot.She hadn't really changed, seeing that she was waypast of having a growth spurt (Mai is now taller than her by 2 inches) and the fact that she matured long before the younger members of the gang did.
Takigawa Housho is her father, and he also acts as one (too much in Mai's opinion). He is a monk, hence being called Bou-san, and a professional bassist. In the past 2 years he still performed exorcisms, tagging Mai, Yasu and Ayako with him. Masako is too busy to participate but she meets them whenever they meet at a café or restaurant to catch up in each other's lives. John, sometimes tagged too (on exorcisms and reunions), but he was busy on the process of leaving priesthood and helping the church and the orphanage. He hasn't changed much, although he had cut the part of his hair that he could tie, so now he looks more mature. Not like before he looked like an over aged hippy. Mai giggled at that thought. And one of the most changes that she had seen would probably be, he's now in a relationship with the scarlet haired miko.
Mori Madoka is her loud but fun aunt. She is the resident researcher of SPR. She's a fun and enjoyable person to be with, from what Mai gathered from when she met her and the few times she saw her. During the past 2 years they had been closer, even though there were a thousand of miles in between them. Madoka remained in touch when SPR closed down so she pretty knew what had happened over those 2 years. However, even though she knew what changed in those years Mai didn't know what changes and what happened to her, the woman she was tight-lipped and oftentimes when Mai decides to delve into that subject Madoka changes the topic and she often finds herself being swept by the woman's flow. Madoka could be quite imposing when she wanted to and that's why Mai had decided that she never wants to be on the bad side of the woman, she would be a scary and difficult enemy, as Mai had concluded.
Lin Koujo is his serious but protective uncle. At first he was very indifferent towards her, but Mai didn't heed any meaning to it other that she had unintentionally injured him when they first met. She just shrugged that off, but when it continued she felt that there were more to it than what she knew. She was shocked that Lin was Chinese and when he heard her stupid question, that indifference turned into a full blown loathing. Lin said that he hated Japan (and Japanese) because of what it did to China and Mai almost cried as she reasoned to him that he shouldn't hate her because of what her ancestors did. And Lin actually laughed! He said that someone had said that very same thing to him. After that, he became more social, or as social as he could get. She didn't know what had happened within the 2 years that he left Japan but Mai had a feeling that he is very much in a relationship with SPR's resident pink hared researcher, judging from when Madoka was around he became more less stoic and he would show subtle changes in his expressions and body language that if you don't know him you would think that he's the same as ever.
Oliver Davis or Shibuya Kazuya when he went to Japan to search for his twin, or Naru to Mai and all of the other members of SPR. He hid his true name in fears of stirring the media, which wouldn't be good, seeing that he isthe famous Dr. Oliver Davis and the fact that he was on a mission to find the remains of his twinbrother while the killer is still on the loose. And there's the reason why he always wore black, he was mourning for his brother at that time. It had angered Mai that he kept something like that from them but after that revelation, reason overruled emotion and she understood why he needed to do that. However, what she didn't understand why that idiot had even thought that the person she loves was Eugene Davis, or Gene –his deceased twin brother. Sure Mai was infatuated with the smiles that Gene gave her while she dreamt but the reason why she felt that was because he thought that he was her 'Dream Naru' – someone she created because of her crush at her boss. She cried when Naru asked her that fated question, but not because Mai felt that the love she had finally felt was lost even before it started – no, it was because she had been rude to Gene, he was always there, saving her and comforted her when she was in trouble and when she was scared. Mai had always had that nagging voice that was telling her that 'Dream Naru' was not Naru and a whole different person – and she was right. She felt like an idiot that she didn't listened to that voice, given that that voice had never failed her. And the fact that Mai didn't asked for his real name when she got the chance, she always called him 'Dream Naru' which was something that would've probably hurt him on the times that they saw each other. Naru left after finding Gene's body. Mai didn't know what happened to him in that 2 years of his absence, however it was comforting that when he came back the relationship that he had with SPR hadn't changed the slightest. Or so she would like to believe
It had been a month since they returned, and Naru hasn't taken a single case – and Mai was bored. She sighed.
"Mai, tea." Naru's voice told her, which was barely muffled by the door where his office resided. Mai was pulled out of her musings and then she saw Yasu – who were sitting in front of his desk that was just in front of her desk – giving her weird looks. She then remembered that she was so engrossed that she didn't even noticed that she zoned out.
Mai smiled at Yasuhara and proceeded to the mini-kitchen to prepare the tea that her boss asked her, making hers', Yasu's and Lin's tea in the process. When she finished preparing the tea she went back where Yasu's and her desk were and put Yasu's tea in front of him.
"Thanks." Yasu grinned.
"You're welcome." Mai too, grinned at him. She then placed her tea at her desk before taking the tray with her and knocking on Lin's office, before entering, to give him his tea he whispered "Thanks" to Mai when he received the said tea, whereas, she just smiled at him before going to Lin's office door and exiting it. Mai proceeded Naru's office to give his tea. She knocked but there was no response so she just went in.
"Did anyone told you to knock before enter?" Naru said as he diverted his eyes from his (paranormal) book that he was reading to look at her.
Mai just shrugged "I knocked, but apparently you were just too engrossed on reading that you didn't hear me." she then walked towards his desk to place his tea. She was about to turn around to exit his office when he called out for her.
"Mai, is there a problem?" Naru asked his voice soft as his face remained passive.
Mai turned her attention back to him "There's nothing wrong." she lied.
"Mai you know yourself that you're not a good liar, so why lie now? I know there's something wrong, your face is pale and it seems that you haven't slept well judging from the bags from your eyes." Naru stated his eyes not leaving her face.
Mai had to fight back a blush, which she successfully hid, from his intense gaze. She sighed. "Fine. I had a dream, there were children crying and I just remember feeling so sad. Like there was someone who I loved was taken away from me. I couldn't fall asleep after that." Mai said now looking at the floor that she didn't see the unnamed emotion that passed in Naru's eyes.
"I see." Naru said, as he put his arms on the desks and proceeded to bring his hands together as if contemplating over something, after a few seconds he said, "Mai, get ready for an interview."
Saying that she was confused was an understatement. "Why? Was there a client that was scheduled for an interview?"
"No, but there might be one." he cryptically said to her.
Mai huffed and left the Naru's office. True enough, when she exited the office a man who was on this early thirties came in with a woman who looks about the same age as him or just a year younger. Mai gaped.
"Mai, I just told you to get ready for and interview and not stand there and look like a fish that got out of the water." Naru gave Mai a smirk as he passed her and he then went to the couple and shook the man's hands. "My name is Shibuya Kazuya, I own Shibuya Psychic Research." he then turned around and went to his chair and sat leaving the two flustered, probably not expecting someone so young running the office.
Mai fumed but she didn't retort she went to her desk to grab a note pad and a pen to take notes for the interview. Yasu had already occupied the left couch beside Lin who was already sitting with his laptop on his lap, ready to type the conversations that were going to occur. She noticed that the couple was still standing on the doorway still flustered. Mai glared at Naru while he just smirked at her. Not noticing the amused glances Lin and Yasuhara were giving them at their exchange. She went and motioned the two to sit down before she introduced herself, Yasu and then Lin.
When everyone was seated Naru started the interview.
"What were the things that you experienced that you thought you needed to seek professional help?" Naru asked.
"I'm sorry for coming here unexpected." the client said a bit embarrassed.
"Contrary to what you think, we were expecting you." Naru said and then glanced at Mai. Mai arched an eyebrow while the other occupants of the room glanced at her too, like her confused.
Even though confused he continued. "My name is Inukami Yoru and this is my wife Inukami Sakuno. We own an inn on the outskirts of Tokyo, an hour or so away." Inukami-san breathed. "It all started when children would end up missing and will be found the next day mutilated." he looked down, while his wife seemed, weirdly calm. Mai gasped, horrified, but then noticed Inukami-san's wife Mai then stared at her.
"Have it ever occurred to you think it could be just be a killer on the loose?" Naru stated with an unwavering scrutiny reflecting his eyes.
Inukami-san sighed, "We also thought that it could be a psycho on the loose at first but you will change your mind when you see that the children's stomachs were not sliced opened but clawed opened." he closed his eyes and put his hands on his face in frustration.
Mai just sat there horrified and then she saw it the children's bodies were flashing through her eyes. Her breaths were becoming so heavy that she was having a hard time breathing. Then it stopped she quickly ran to the bathroom and threw up. She didn't even notice that Naru followed her and was now rubbing her back in a comforting manner. When she was finished she slumped on the bathroom's door still holding the sink. Yasu then came holding a glass of water, he gave it to her but she didn't took it yet she slowly stood up and rinsed her mouth before she accepted the glass and drank from it.
"Are you okay now?" Naru asked Mai but his eyes were telling her that 'we'll talk about this later' look.
Mai just nodded and sluggishly went outside the bathroom to go back to the lounge with Yasuhara helping her. Naru was behind them with brows knitted and lips pursed. They returned to the lounge and when Lin saw Naru's expression he smirked, truly amused about his charge's dilemma. Naru saw that and he scowled for a moment before replacing his mask.
"Sorry for the interruption but my assistant was just feeling unwell at the moment." he said motioning Mai "If you would continue what you were talking about."
"Ah, yes. After that there would be knocking and banging sounds, writing in the walls saying 'help us' and then there would be children's cries would be heard at the inn at night." Inukami-san stated. Mai's eyes widened at that statement.
"We'll take the case, we'll arrive Monday at 11 am. Please give your information with my assistant Yasuhara." Naru said still sitting on his sit while he fixed Mai a steady gaze.
Yasu went back went back and was confused as to why Mai was sitting on the client's couch but just shrugged it off and went back to his previous seat.
"Explain." was the only thing that Naru said but Mai understood.
"I h-had a v-vision. I-I saw t-the children's bodies." Mai stuttered feeling goose bumps forming on her skin because of what she saw. Mai was scared but she didn't shed a tear and you won't even see tears forming in her eyes, she just rubbed her arms in an attempt to get rid of the goose bumps, the three were utterly in shock, well Yasu was just a little bit shocked. He had seen her get stronger over the years that passed and knew that she was much stronger than this, as much as that thought was comforting it was also alarming, he didn't want Mai to bottle it all up and then break down later on. So he decided to talk to her later.
"It seems like Mai's power is growing. She's now having visions without her going to sleep." Naru drawled with something akin to anger lacing his voice.
"I always thought that there was something strange happening. You always seem zone out these days." Yasu said even though he already knew the majority of what was going on around Mai's powers, after all she told him herself but he won't tell anyone until Mai felt she was ready he already promised but of course he couldn't pass up the chance to tease her. Mai scowled at Yasu he just added to fuel to the fire, she knew he's just teasing her and she had faith on Yasu's word so she relaxed a bit.
When Naru saw that Yasuhara and Mai were having a some sort of secret conversation, he narrowed his eyes at the two. He knew that they had gotten close over the 2 years but how close? Lin saw the slight narrowing of his eyes at the two's seemingly secret conversation and he had to stop his full blown smirk that was coming, but to no avail, a part of his lips curved upward but thank God no one saw or he's in for an explanation.
Naru glared at Mai. "Mai had a dream yesterday and she heard children crying on that dream. And now she's having dreams before we have a case." Mai was confused as to why Naru had cut a part of her dream but she just shrugged it off. What she didn't know was, Naru did not think he has the rights on disclosing what Mai felt so he intentionally cut that part out.
"So that's why you were talking about you were expecting the clients, big boss." Yasu said now piecing the puzzles together.
Naru merely nodded. "Mai why didn't you tell us that your powers are growing." he demanded.
Mai gulped, but firmed her resolve. "Just because I didn't want to. And that's final." Naru scowled, Mai is harder to crack after 2 years it seemed that there were many things that had changed, especially with Mai.
Irritated and not in the mood for argument, Naru stood up. "Well talk about this later.For now call everyone and tell them we have a case and to meet here at 8 amand inform the university that you have work so you two will be gone for at least a week." he and Lin then went back to their offices.
Mai sighed, again (how many times had she sighed today?). That talk will be a long one so she better ready herself for that while she can, she knows that Naru will strike and demand answers when she least expected it. And knowing Naru, he would get it.
Mai then called the SPR irregulars while Yasu called the university and their professors informing them about their case that was going for this week. The university gave them an exception seeing that they were exceptional students and that their job is directly connected to the course they were taking not to mention they seem to got hold of the information that the SPR they were working at was a branch of the Britain's Society of Psychological Research. The university was more than glad when they informed them about changing their sections to fit in their schedules to be able to work in the afternoon and whenever there's a case their professors just give them hand out and their homework to be done, sometimes even research papers. Though she had a nagging feeling that Naru pulled some strings and intentionally let that information out.
