Yo! Thank you to all readers so far!

Ten minutes later, Mai found herself sitting on a lovely couch in a very large room that, for the time being, was meant to be their Base. Naru and Lin were conversing quietly in a corner, leaving the others to do as they pleased, temporarily, of course. There was no way Naru would allow them to run around half cocked.

Yawning, Mai stretched, then looked over at Bou-san and Ayako, who were arguing about who even knew what, as she and John watched them in amusement. Those two really could be so silly sometimes, especially for a couple of adults. But when their argument suddenly changed from one topic to another, Mai rolled her eyes. They never had to worry about getting bored when these two started arguing like this. Seriously.

Slumping down in her seat, Mai carefully examined Bou-san from beneath her lashes. She was getting confusing feelings when it came to the monk. She...considered him her older brother, right? Just as she knew he considered her a younger sister, right? She sighed inwardly. Sometimes she really wished he didn't see her as a sister. She didn't want to be seen as a little sister. Actually, she didn't know what she wanted. She was seeing him in a way she hadn't really seen him in before, but at the same time, these thoughts weren't exactly...new.

Even when she'd been completely obsessed with Naru, the occasional odd thought about the monk used to sneak up on her. Obviously, being more attracted to her boss at the time, she'd been more concerned with that than anything else, but now...now she wasn't really sure.

She didn't like Naru any more-love Naru any more, and maybe she never really even had. At least, she didn't think so. But with no more Naru to think about, there was nothing left in the way to distract her from her rather confusing, but not so innocent feelings for a certain monk who just happened to be in a band. On of her favourites band actually, now that she'd bothered giving them a listen.

"Guys, listen up, because I'm only going to say this once," snapped Naru suddenly.

Everyone immediately fell silent, knowing that it was time for work.

"Yasuhara-san will be doing some research from home. It will be on the usual. You know how it works."

They nodded to show that they were listening, silently allowing him to go on. After making sure that they were indeed listening, Naru continued.

"Matsuzaki-san and John, I want you to conduct a walkthrough of the property. Take a MEL Meter* with you and note down the base readings in every, yes every room." Ignoring John's polite stare and Ayako's indignant sputters, he went on. "Takigawa-san, Mai, set up equipment in the locations I've specified on this list. We don't have enough cameras or mics for every room, so you lot will have to make continuous trips to verify both EMF* and temperature." He watched them all nod, then frowned. "Well, what are you all waiting for?"

The four immediately jumped to their feet, gathered what they needed, and practically flew out of the Base. Naru seemed really pissy today, probably due to the fact that since Masako wasn't with them, he couldn't shag her. The group knew that all Naru and Masako really did when they were together was have sex. Even Lin was aware of it, considering his office was right next to his ward's, and Masako wasn't exactly...quiet.

It was with deep sighs that the group split up in their teams in the hallway outside the Base. With the house they were in being so big, just doing simple jobs was going to be such a drag.

"You alright, Mai?"

Mai looked at the monk, blinking in an almost owlish way. "I'm fine," she said. "Why?"

Bou-san shrugged. "Nothing, it's just that you seemed a little distracted earlier. While we were talking to Isaiah? You kept looking around."

"Oh, right." She hesitated slightly, wondering if she should confess her concerns. After a moment, she decided she should. It never mattered what she said, Bou-san always believed her without question. So she began to explain what she'd both seen and felt in the parlour not all that long ago.

Bou-san did exactly what Mai had expected him to. He simply listened to her quietly, not interrupting her for anything. His face betrayed nothing, but his eyes remained trained on her. He didn't speak at all until she had finished.

"I see..." he said slowly. "And you feel as if this thing is bad?"

Slowly, Mai nodded. "Un. I don't know why though. And I couldn't get a direct look at it either. Every time I looked, it would vanish, but when I looked away, it would reappear."

Now Bou-san nodded, silently showing that he was listening. Finally, he said, "You know you're going to have to tell Naru-bou this, right?"

"Yeah... Yeah, I know." She sighed. Mai didn't really like dealing with Naru much any more. Not after he had rejected her. Not when Masako flaunted her relationship with Naru in her face whenever she had the chance.

For the next little while, neither Bou-san nor Mai knew what to say. Their silence wasn't exactly awkward, but was a little strained. They continued with their set up, only speaking to confirm camera angles with Lin over the walkie.

It was a few minutes later that Mai suddenly began to feel faint. Surprised and confused, she stopped and placed a hand on the wall when she felt like her knees were going to give out. Trying to regulate her breathing, she realized that Bou-san hadn't noticed anything yet. He was still walking down the hallway.

"Bou-san..." She felt her eyelids begin to droop as she watched the monk glance over his shoulder, watched him rush towards her. A pair of strong arms circled around her body, and Mai knew no more.

*EMF-electro magnetic field, a type of magnetic energy that spirits are said to give off, though electronics do as well, and so does the planet itself.

*MEL Meter-a device that measures and displays both the EMF and temperature readings of the area just around it.

That's it for now. Looking forward to reviews! Laterz!