I woke up to the smell salt from the ocean but it was mixed with the pine trees of the forest and it had a strangely comforting effect, just like I'd remembered it. I was stuck in the van with Lin, Naru and Yasu. Everyone else was in Monk's car. Hopefully John can keep Ayako from killing Monk or Masako if she hasn't already. Naru and Lin were in the front with Lin driving while Yasu and I were in the backseat.

"I hope you had a good sleep Mai, because we might not get to rest for a while as we'll be working as soon as we arrive." Said Naru the Narcissist.
'Ha! Good luck I was thinking as we pulled up in front of a large, old-fashioned stone inn.'
I jumped out of the van followed by Yasu. It's so good to be home, we had so much fun here.
I thought back on the memories of when we'd all come up here on weekends or holidays.
Helping Rose run the inn, leading tourists through the forests and just hanging out or performing on the beach.

"Mai stop spacing out or I'll have to dock your next pay-cheque." Said Naru.
'Whatever you narcissistic gerk!' I'm pretty sure Naru and Lin had got out of the van when Monk's car pulled up behind ours.
That's when we all heard this high pitched scream before I was tackled to the ground.
"Mai we missed you so much!" there's only one person who I know sounds like that. Rose.
"Rose…..I…..Can't…Breath!" I barely managed to squeak out. She let go of me and took a step back to observe me.
"Wow you've grown up so much! You've grown into the beautiful charming woman I always knew you'd become." Rose said with a grin on her face.
"Thanks, you're not looking to bad yourself." She hadn't changed at all. Rose had long greying hair tied up in two pig-tails and was wearing tie-dyed hippy clothing that made her look young and old at the same time.

"When Alice told me you were part of the paranormal researches that were coming to investigate we were all so excited. Everyone is in the lounge waiting for you; I think you should go see them before they destroy more of my vases." Rose had a smirk on her face, I'm guessing they decided to play football in the lounge or something.
"As much fun as this conversation is I'd like to know what's going on and how you know Mai!" Naru was clearly annoyed and I didn't want him to dock more of my pay but before I could get anything out Rose told everyone the story of how I went to CSM and all my friends and how I know this area like the back of my hand.

By the time she had finished everyone save Naru and Lin had their mouth gaping open.
"Well now that that's out of the way I'm going to go and see the gang before they get into real trouble, I'll be back soon to help unpack everything ok Naru?"
Before I gave him the chance to reply I jumped up the 3 steps and walked into the house.

The white stone walls still had the carvings that we did as kids and the polished wooden floors were lined with shoes of my friends. I could hear the TV going. Uh oh, they must be having a Castle marathon or something. We'd spend the whole weekend watching Castle, Bones, Hawaii 5 o, Revenge, Once Upon a Time, The Finder, Ncis or Ncis la. We'd eat popcorn and ice-cream and all that other junk food.

They were the good old days, curling up on the couch and going for swims in the ocean. I made my way into the lounge room where there were frons and plants on the walls and in huge pot plants in the corners.

Alice was the first to spot me and when she did she came running over to crush me in a bear hug. Everyone else finally noticed and came running over to join in the bear hug so it became a group hug. They were saying things like 'I missed you so much' or 'I'm so glad your back' and 'it's great to see you.' After they'd all came up to give me individual hugs we all sat back down on the couches and chairs. It was Riley and Sam (of course!) sitting together on a chair, Anne and Alice were sharing the couch (they are really close friends) and Shane and I were on the floor together.

It was so good to be back with my friends and in a place I'm familiar with. I used to have a thing for Shane but I'm over that now, I don't take note of his muscly arms and broad chest and handsome face. Wait, what am I thinking? This is Shane I'm talking about the obnoxious, annoying, slack, yet sometimes sweet guy who I think of as a brother. Wow I have to stop having these conversations with myself, people will start to think I'm crazy.

"Hey Alice, would you pass me the popcorn." Sam asked.
"Why don't you get it yourself lazy bones." Anne replied.
Shane jumped in and said "Because he's too busy making out with his girlfriend."
This went on for about 4 minutes till Sam untangled himself from Riley and got it from Alice.
Then Alice suggested we all play truth or dare. Shane and I immediately said No at the same time because the last time we played truth or dare I got dared to kiss Shane on the lips and it's been awkward for us ever since.
I've never told Naru of this, not that he'd care but Masako and I are still love rivals for him so I can't tell her that I don't love him because she'll think she won. Which she obviously didn't.

Time Skip

After setting up the base we all helped Rose make dinner and set it out for SPR and my gang and they both got along instantly. Shane, Yasu, Monk and Sam were having an interesting conversation that I don't want to know about while everyone else save Lin and Naru who were just eating quietly were talking about what it was like growing up here.

There hadn't been any paranormal occurrences so far but usually nothing happens within the first 24 hours. After we had finished washing up after dinner Alice said; "ok guys, let's go down to the beach for the bonfire!"
So we all went down to the beach where there was a bonfire and a stage just like I remember. Before anyone could ask what was going on bright stage lights came on and the song Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammer came on full ball. Rose opened a curtain and there was a fold up table with food and drinks. We took our shoes off and the sand instantly sunk between our toes. The guys ran off somewhere and 3 seconds later they were all up on stage! Shane had his electric guitar, Sam was with the drums, Monk was with his guitar and Riley and Anne were up with microphones.

"This song is dedicated to our special friend who just got back from Japan." Anne said into the mic. Then after a huge guitar solo from Shane the 4 plunged into Born This Way by Lady Gaga. The rest of us went over to the drinks and food then set out blankets on the ground. After the song was finished we all gave a huge round of applause before Riley said; "since we have kick-started this party we think the next song should be sung by Mai."

I was pushed up onto the stage and asked Alice to come up on stage. "Ok so everyone knows Alice and I'm Mai. We're going to be singing Wings the Glee Cast Version." We got a few wolf-whistles and cheers and by the time we finished singing everyone was up and dancing. Even Lin and Naru were swaying away to the music. Just as we were about to walk off the stage, a huge crash was heard and the trap door on the stage fell through almost taking Alice with here but she wasn't directly over the door so she managed to pull herself up.

When we were investigating the door later on, we should have known something was up because it was bolted to the rest of the floor. We just rounded it up to faulty construction and a coincidence but we should know better. If you work with the Paranormal there are no coincidences.

So guys that's Chapter 4, it's a bit longer than usual but yeah.
Please R & R, it'd be much appreciated.
Thanks! :P