Chapter 3
mayanntompong: I'm glad you like Irina, she's probably my main character though I would switch between POVs. I was visualizing how a daughter of Naru and Mai would be like, and voila!
Miss KuroYuki: Thank you! I'll update as frequently as possible, so keep a lookout.
Barajou29: Aha, pairings. I have a few in my head so I'll be leaving clues here and there. Try catching them! XD I do intend for the SPR gang to show up, since it wouldn't be Ghost Hunt without them right? Oh, I hope you like the previous chapter with Naru and Mai.
Enjoy!
"This place is pretty big…" Mizuki said, eyeing the hallway of the house.
"That's because you live in a shack," commented Hime, putting a hand over her mouth. "My house is much bigger than this."
"Why you little…"
Irina ignored Mizuki's indignant outburst. Ever since they had arrived at the Wright's house, Hime had been giving out remarks about the décor and design of the house - most of them rude. The 'royal princess' had found the house too small, the furniture outdated and the décor tasteless. It was really fortunate that their clients have already left them to set up their base alone.
"There, there, Hime, Mizuki. Let's not dilly-dally or Leo would be in a worse mood," said James, attempting to settle the brewing argument.
Hime turned up her nose, signaling the end of the argument. She stalked into the base without another word, leaving the trio in her wake. Irina sighed. Hime truly is full of theatrics, just like how Masako could be. James caught her eye and gestured toward the base with a sweeping motion – his 'after you' gesture.
"Welcome back," Treize called when they entered. "You guys were a little long out there."
"No doubt Hime started another argument," said Miyuki, flicking dust off her sleeve.
"A lady does NOT argue," said Hime tensely. "It was merely a conversation between me and a fool. But then again, since you are not a lady, you wouldn't know the difference."
"Why you self-important…" shouted Miyuki.
"Who's a fool?!" yelled Mizuki.
Irina had to admire the way Hime could rile up both Takigawas in the same sentence. She was glad Hime was on close terms with her. No enemy of hers would survive if she was to be extremely poisonous.
"I've sent Sara off to do some research," said Leo. "Hime, what is your opinion of the house?"
"I sense a dog spirit - it's hiding. It's wary of us, but it does not emit malicious intent," replied Hime.
"Same as Treize's opinion then," said Leo. "In a short while, I'm going to interview the family. The rest of you will be watching the monitors. No fooling around or I'll throw you into the Thames. Irina, you are coming with me and Treize."
Irina was delighted. Leo never let anybody except Xin and Treize attend to the interviews with him. If he's including her, that meant she was reliable enough to Leo. Not to say that Leo didn't trust her, it was just that Irina was always too young in his mind. It was nice to know that she was no longer babied.
Meanwhile, Mizuki and Miyuki shivered. The Thames threat was directed towards them since Leo had considered them to be the primary troublemakers. Leo could very well carry out his threat – he was that scary.
Mrs. Wright sat directly in front of them, fussing over her elder daughter, Emily Wright. Emily had been discharged from the hospital with an injured leg. She had to walk with the support from someone. Irina thought of how badly she must have been bitten by the dog to cause that much damage.
"So you're saying that the dog just appeared and attacked you, Miss Emily?" Leo asked.
"That's right. I was upstairs alone when it appeared. It was huge – twice my size. I'd seen it before, but it never attacked me like this previously. When it lunged at me I was frozen to the spot. I could only scream." Emily replied, touching her cast.
"I heard her scream, so I ran upstairs to see what happened," Mrs. Wright continued. "That was when the monster took Emily by her leg. There was just so much blood."
Mrs. Wright looked badly shaken. At the mention of blood, Jane shuddered. She then continued the story.
"That coincided with my arrival at the scene. Like I said, the dog disappeared once it saw me. I then rushed to my sister and called for an ambulance."
"Why did you not do anything, Mrs. Wright?" asked Leo. "I noticed that neither of you mentioned your role after the discovery."
Irina was not surprised to see Mrs. Wright balk. Leo's tone implied that she was being irresponsible and suspicious. Xin glared a little at Leo. Clearly, he too, reckoned that Leo had been too blunt.
"My brother didn't mean anything bad," Treize clarified. "I'm sorry, he's just extremely blunt. We merely wanted the whole picture so we may find out what triggered the attack."
"I couldn't help it!" cried Mrs. Wright. "That was just too frightening – much too horrible! I…I couldn't move!" Her entire frame trembled at the memory.
"We understand," Treize said soothingly. "You just witnessed a spirit attack your daughter. Not to mention, the sight of a spirit disappearing must have been rather shocking. It is natural that you would be in shock."
Normally, it would have calmed the client. Treize had a knack for showing compassion and averting emotional distress. However, Mrs. Wright only grew more agitated.
"You do not understand! It was the blood! The blood…all that blood! Oh, I thought I was about to faint! How could there be that much blood! Just thinking about the sight of blood…ohhh, my stomach is churning…" exclaimed Mrs. Wright.
There were immediately sweatdrops all around. Irina's eyebrows twitched, her expression showing disbelief and mild amusement. Treize was highly amused whereas Leo was highly irritated. Xin attempted to look indifferent, but Irina caught him suppressing a grin. She grinned at him and earned herself an eye roll from him. It made her grin wider. He could be so cute in an awkward way.
"Sorry," apologized Jane. "My mother has a severe phobia of blood."
"At least she didn't faint this time. Last time she collapsed when she saw Dad cut himself with the knife. It was beyond humiliating once we've got over the amusement." Emily shook her head in exasperation.
"Anyway, I think that's all we have to tell. I hope that it's of help," said Jane.
They thanked the Wrights and made their way back to base. Treize was openly chuckling over the 'blood thing'. Suddenly, Xin's phone rang. He took the call and eyed Leo, who stopped and glanced at him enquiringly.
"It was Sara," Xin replied. "She says she found something. I'd better go get her from the library."
"Good. We'll wait in the base," said Leo, walking down the hall. "Bring her in as soon as you get back."
Once again, please leave a review!
Fear of blood isn't that funny, but some people actually find it amusing. Treize's reaction was part of being that kind of person. So it doesn't represent my point of view :D
*However, I do find Mrs. Wright's overreaction quite funny...*
Over and Out
