Sequel To Kayashima

by ayafangirl

Good title, right? Another super-natural adventure for Kaya, Naka and the gang. Once again, non yaoi though I do love yaoi when I have a plot, I'll post it.

4. Chapter 4 In the Dark

Disclaimer: I want Hana-Kimi-hi-hi-waaaaaaa!! (Kayashima shakes his head in shame)

Whoo! I'm super-happy 'cause my other story just got reviewed! If anyone knows Gin-Ryuko, tell her ayafangirl thinks she's awesome. Anyway, forgive me if the plot is rushed a little, but I really wanted to put up this chapter since I got the idea back a while ago. Of course Kayshima's in it (DUUUUH), but bear with Nakatsu and Nakao, too. They're rough on the outside, but deep down they really hate each other. Wait...

Ch. 4: In the Dark

The friends all stood in front of the door together, frowning. Kayashima held the keys to the manor in his right hand, but he couldn't seem to bring them up to the door to unlock it. He stood, transfixed, not wanting to run away, but also not wanting to enter the dark house. The shutters were crooked, like jagged teeth. Then house was Victorian style and a faded green-gray in color. Inside was dark and the property around it had overgrown grass and weeds and little else. Kayashima found himself reminded of the Marsten House from 'Salem's Lot. It had been the center of evil in the book he had finished two weeks earlier. What dark monsters awaited company from the cellar...or perhaps they were sleeping in coffins in the attic...

You're being ridiculous. The boy thought, shaking his head. Of course there was something in there. The fine line between stories and reality was the power of the forces he sensed coming from the house. Sure, Yamimaru had been strong, but most spirits weren't. There was very little to be afraid of.

The others had all been equally engrossed in the aura of the house, but Nakatsu's ADD kicked in and he glared.

"Why are we all standing around?" he demanded. "Kayashima, what do you feel?"

"Dark forces." he responded in a creepy voice. Noe, Mizuki and Nakao visibly shuddered. He smiled to himself. Now that he had calmed himself down, why not have a little fun?

"Well, are we going to go in, or stand here all day?" Sekime asked.

"Right." the violet-eyed teen answered. Talking made him less nervous, and he unlocked the door.

Ka-Chink!

Silence fell once again.

"...The door's open." Mizuki stated.

"Yeah. It is." Sano agreed.

Taking a deep breath, Kayashima grabbed the doorknob and pushed the heavy door back.

CRRREEEEEEEAAAAAAAKKKKKK.

Noe shuddered again. Nakatsu placed a hand on his roommate's shoulder.

"Hey, Kayashima! Let's be the first to go into this creepy place!" he suggested.

The paler boy nodded and stepped forward into the blackness. Nakatsu began to follow him. The boys walked into the dark house. Kayashima let out a loud breath. He could feel it. A presence in this house. A lot of secrets lay hidden. The answers to the questions he had been looking for would soon be revealed.

"This place is compelling." he said flatly.

"I think that means it's safe...come in!" Nakatsu urged.

The rest of the teens flooded in, nervous but eager. The sun was still up and none of them felt it would be scary enough to hold a séance in the sunlight. After unpacking in the living room (which was big enough for them to all fit their sleeping bags in) they decided to check out the town, grab some dinner and then return home after dark. Once they returned, the house seemed much spookier than when they had left.

"Sekime...you have the candles?" asked Kayashima.

"Yeah. And matches too. Got the ouiji board?"

"Of course he does." Nakatsu answered excitedly.

"This house seems to have a life of its own after dark." Nakao whispered. No one seemed to hear his terrified remark. He looked around fearfully when his eyes fell on the top of the staircase. Some one was up there. His pale brown eyes returned to his group of friends. All six of them were there. Wait...there are seven of us! Oh wait...that's me. He shivered. Then who was...

"Guys, do you see that?" no one answered. Kayashima was talking to Mizuki. How did he not see that? How did no one else see that figure right—no one was there. Nakao whimpered, edging closer to Noe when his eyes fell on the figure again. It was now down the dark hallway, in the opposite direction they were heading to get back to the living room. Nakao had to know who this was. Maybe only he could see the ghost! It didn't occur to him to mention he was going to explore the house himself. In fact, the only thing that did occur to him was to follow the shadowy figure watching him from afar. He stepped closer. It began to drift farther away into the house. The pink-haired boy followed the ghost into the darkness.

XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD

Once several candles had been lit, Kayashima pulled out his ouiji board. "OK. Let's start by—wait. Where's Nakao?"

Everyone looked around. He was no where in sight.

"Uh-oh." Sano muttered. "Looks like we're gonna have to search."

Nakatsu groaned. "What a pain!" he cried. "He was probably afraid of holding the séance, so decided to waste our time. NAKAOOOO!"

"OK." Sano cut him off, annoyed. "We'll break into groups. Let's pair up with our roommates to make it easy to remember who's with who. Mizuki and I will take upstairs. Noe and Sekime get the left side of the house. Nakatsu, you and Kayashima check the right side of the first floor. Got it?" Everyone nodded. "Then let's go."

The groups split up. Mizuki and Sano scaled the stairs. "Do you think Nakao will be OK?" she asked, clearly upset.

"It's hard to say." he told her honestly. "But...if there are any dark spirits in this house, they'd probably go after the medium, Kayashima. That's why I'm so glad he has Nakatsu for a roommate. I know he's safe. As for Nakao's safety...remember Kayashima's grandmother was a good witch. Just think, she could be watching over all of us."

"Yeah!" Mizuki agreed. Just then, Sano's stepped on a loose board in the hallway. It squeaked and Mizuki screamed.

"Relax. It's just me." he sighed. Then, he held out his hand. "Here. Take my hand. If you get scared, just squeeze it tight. We're safe if we're together."

She blushed, but was too scared to argue. "O—OK. Thanks, Sano."

XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO XO

Nakatsu and Kayashima walked side-by-side, entering every room they found. Kayashima couldn't pick up on Nakao's spiritual energy. That might have been partially due to the fact that Nakatsu's aura was so bright. He would never admit it, but he was scared out of his mind and the stronger the emotion, the brighter the aura.

"What if he goes back to the living room and no one's there?" the blond asked as they ran out of rooms.

"Good point." the medium admitted. "Tell you what, I'll check this last room and you go back the the living room. I'll meet you there."

"All right. Careful, Taiki."

He rolled his eyes. "We're in a haunted house were my family's enemy once lived, investigating the deceased people living here and currently searching for a lost friend, and you're telling me to be careful?"

"Um, yeah. I am." he answered seriously.

Kayashima nodded. "Same to you, then."

Nakatsu felt a little relieved to be going back into the living room, bright with candles and filled with his belongings. As he neared the end of the hallway, he realized he and Kayashima had not checked the very first door in the hall way they had gone down. Opening the door, he saw a staircase. It was a basement. Oh, how effing fantastic. The room was lit by the light of the moon, streaming in through the small window. He was about to close the door when he heard something. It was whimpering.

"Nakao?" he called. There was no answer. "NAKAO?" he called louder.

"Who's there?" demanded a very small, very familiar voice.

Nakatsu made his way down carefully, leaving the door open as he walked down. "It's me, Nakatsu. Are you hurt?"

He hopped down the last two steps and hurried over the the corner of the room Nakao's voice had come from. He found him, curled up, tears in his eyes. He looked up miserably.

"Not too bad. I did fall down the staircase though. Then he closed the door. He said he's gonna kill me."

"Who?" Nakatsu asked, kneeling down to help his friend.

"I don't know. The ghost who I followed."

"Why didn't you tell us you were following him?"

Nakao looked as though this was the first time that had occurred to him. "I...don't...know. I was fixated on finding out who was watching us. And why Kayashima didn't sense him before I saw him."

Nakatsu sighed. "We'll probably learn all that later when we have a séance. Can you get back up the stairs?"

"Um, yeah."

They both rose to head back up the stairs when the door swung shut. Nakao screamed. Nakatsu ran up the stairs to re-open it when a voice stopped him.

"I told you I was going to kill you, didn't I? And now there are two of you."

Nakao sank to his knees. "He's back." he moaned. "He's back. We're going to die now. No..." he glanced up. "Nakatsu! Get down or he'll push you down the stairs!"

"How can a ghost push you down the stairs?" Nakatsu asked sarcastically.

"Like this." he answered, lifting his shirt to reveal the bruise along the side of his torso. "I landed kinda hard."

"Which one? Which one? Which one do I kill first?" asked the dark voice. Nakatsu leapt down the stairs.

"Wait. That's Yamimaru's voice! He's dead! Well, he already was dead...he's gone!"

"What a foolish child. I might have to kill you for your ignorance. You know nothing."

Nakatsu glared into the air. He could hear Yamimaru although he couldn't see him. Nakao, meanwhile, was shaking in fear.

"I think I'll go with the little one. Just to make you pay for everything you've put me through, loud mouth."

"NAKAO, WATCH OUT!"

It was too late. Nakao shivered, then screamed. His high pitched wail echoed off the walls of the basement and made Nakatsu shudder. He ran forward, grabbing Nakao's wrist and jerking him to his feet. He shook his shoulders. "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

After a few seconds, Nakao's mouth shut and he blinked at Nakatsu blankly with wide eyes. Recognition flooded in. "What was that? We need to get out of here, I'm so scared, Nakatsu!"

"Don't admit to being scared! Don't let the freak break you!" Nakatsu shouted back.

"Why the hell not? He'll kill us regardless! I'm scared, OK? I'M SCARED!" he had returned to sobbing. Nakatsu sighed heavily. Something had to be done soon. If Yamimaru didn't kill them, they might go insane from fear. If only Kayashima were here! OK, I'll do this on my own! Nakatsu thought. He wrapped one arm around Nakao's shoulders and led him around the room.

"What are we doing?" he asked.

"Looking for a way out."

"I tried the window. It's locked."

"Damn. Let's see..." Nakatsu looked for any hidden doors. He opened what looked like a cupboard, figuring it might contain something with which he could break the window open. It was empty and looked more like a box than a cupboard.

"Good idea! A lift!" Nakao cried.

"A what?"

"In old fashioned homes, maids sent things up to their masters in lifts. They put something on this and pull a rope. It's secured to a pulley, see?" he explained, pulling a loose rope. The box in the space behind the door began to lift up to the next floor. "They used them in hotels, too--"

"Great. Get inside."

Nakao looked surprised. "What? No. You first."

"Nakao, this is old. The ropes are probably fraying. We can't both fit, so--"

"Exactly. I'm lighter than you. You go first, Nakatsu and they should still hold my weight once you're safe."

Nakatsu was surprised by Nakao's selflessness in such a scary situation. Nonetheless, he wanted to be the hero this time and make Kayashima proud. Even more, he wanted to get Nakao out of danger and away from Yamimaru. "Look, Senri, We can argue all night or you can get in."

The smaller boy looked like he was about to object again, but Nakatsu grabbed him and lifted him off his feet. "Climb in."

Without a choice, Nakao obeyed. There was plenty of room inside since he was so small. Nakatsu repeated the motion Nakao had showed him, pulling the rope on the pulley as fast as he could. Nakao cried out as the box swung under his weight, but agreed to elevate. He bit his bottom lip as he realized he'd be traveling up in absolute darkness. It's just like an elevator...in the dark. He told himself. He still couldn't help biting his lip until he tasted blood. After a few seconds, he noticed a small amount of light. It looked like there was a door above him. The first floor! Nakao shifted as he drew nearer once he was well-aligned, he kicked with all his might. The door swung off its hinges and he lurched forward, falling to the floor with a thud. He forced himself up and grabbed the box Nakatsu was still forcing up. "I'm there! I'll lower it for you!" he yelled.

"OK!" Nakatsu called up.

Nakao waited until he was sure Nakatsu was in. He grabbed the ropes. "OK, Nanba-senpai. This is to make you proud!" he cried, jerking the rope.

Nothing happened.

"I'm not strong enough!"

Meanwhile, Nakatsu was squeezed in the mini-elevator. His chin rested on his knees and his back hurt. "Hurry up, Nakao." he muttered, annoyed. There was a cold rush of air around him. Yamimaru. "HURRY UP, NAKAO!" he screamed, urgently.

Nakao was panicking. "I should get help. Someone else can help me, that's it!"

There was a muffled cry from the basement. "No time!" he grabbed the ropes again and pulled with all his strength. The ropes shifted a fraction of an inch. "Yes!" for the first time, the bisshounen remembered the ghost that had tried to kill him was still in the basement. That was why Nakatsu was screaming!

How dare that stupid Yamimaru try to hurt one of his friends?! Nakao felt a wave of anger wash over him. His dark side came out, aura shining with so much fury Kayashima might have shuddered if he saw it. Nakao pulled with new-found strength, ignoring the rope burn he seemed to be obtaining. All that mattered was smiting that stupid manifestation! Soon, he could see Nakatsu. He pulled harder, faster, he was almost there! Nakatsu smiled.

"Way to go--" there was a snap. The rope had finally frayed and snapped in half. The elevator box began to plummet.

"No!" Nakao grabbed his friend's arm, refusing to lose him after he had tried so hard to save him. Nakatsu seemed equally eager to stay where he was. He grabbed Nakao's wrists.

"Don't let go! I'll fall!" he cried.

"Yeah, I know!" he snapped, struggling to pull them both back up.

The most amazing part was that he was actually succeeding.

After a few minutes of struggling and supportive words, Nakao had dragged both boys out of the shaft and into the hallway it led into.

"You did it!" cried Nakatsu, holding up his hand for a high five.

Nakao lunged into the blond, hugging him instead with all his might. The taller boy smiled and wrapped his arms loosely around his friend's shoulders.

"That'll do, Senri. That'll do."

"We never discuss this to anyone." he responded. His head was buried in Nakatsu's chest, but he could picture the pout on his effeminate face as he said those words. Unfortunately, those words were spoken too soon because in the next instant, all five of their friends ran into the hallway their friend's voices had been coming from.

Mizuki smiled at the sight of the arch rivals hugging. "Found them." she said with a mixture of relief and amusement.

"See?" Kayashima asked. "I told you you didn't hate each other." but even he was smiling.

I hope you liked it. Yeah, I brought Yamimaru BACK! Feel free to through rotten tomatoes at me. I had fun writing this chapter though, so review and maybe I'll put up a new chapter soon. Sorry this one took so long. REVIEW!!