CHAPTER 4

Wednesday arrived sooner than expected and Mai was running late as always. Although she didn't know it as of yet. Currently she was sleeping and her alarm was off. The next thing she knew she was slowly opening her eyes listening to the sound of an unfamiliar ringtone from her cell. She picks it up.

"Hello?" She mumbles tiredly.

"Taniyama-san" A familiar hard voice replies

"L-Lin-san?" She asks while yawning. "Why are you calling me—"She looks at her clock and frowns cutting herself off. "Did Naru make you call me just to make sure I'd get up on time? The jerk."

"Taniyama-san, he did in fact have me call but it wasn't due to make sure you get upon time."

"Then why are you calling me?" She whines into the phone her voice still laced with sleep thinking it was too early in the morning.

"Naru asked me to call due to the fact that you are late."

"What?" Mai shoots up into a sitting position.

Lin cringes a bit."You're late and it's in fact almost 2 PM."

"Please tell me you're joking?" She says as she gets out of bed.

"No, I'm not."

"Tell Naru I'll be there soon. I've just got to—" She ran into her wall.

Lin had faintly heard an oof followed by on ow. "Taniyama-san?" He called a bit worried. "Taniyama-san are you alright?" A moment later she picked up the phone.

"I'm fine Lin-san." He heard a small clicking noise. "I just ran into my wall. My power is out."

"I see." He said quietly. "I'll tell Naru you'll be here soon."

"Sure, okay Lin-san." She replied then hung up. He followed and entered Naru's office relaying the message to someone who wasn't at all happy.

"She'll be here soon. She had a power outage." He then returned to his office and began to work more while they wait. He heard her come in and sounded out of breath as she apologized to Naru about being late yet again. She didn't mention that it wasn't her fault this time. He listens as Mai makes tea then waits for Naru to notify them they are leaving.

In the van were Naru, Mai and Lin, while Takigawa and John drove together. The drive lasted about 2 hours. During that time Mai had almost gone insane from the silence. She couldn't stand how Lin and Naru could be so silent. She let out a sigh. Lin glanced into the rearview mirror to look at Mai. He saw her stare out the window a few times but she would mostly fidget. She couldn't sit still to save her life. She hated silence and stillness it was amusing to him how she'd fidget and want to give in, the poor girl. He continued driving with a slight smile gracing his lips. He almost felt the urge to talk to her but let it pass. He had more important things to concentrate on.

Two hours had come and gone and they now arrived at the house. It was small and what an upper-middle class family would own. Murakami-san was well off enough. Their home was two-story white building. The door was painted a dark wood color with two windows on each side of it. It had square pillars holding a lovely but small balcony on either side of the balcony was also two windows, the door was the same color as the main entrance but it had two glass panels. The yard was plain, no garden just two large trees off to the side and a tree in the back and further back looked like it may be some woods. The chimney was brick and it made the house look so peaceful with smoke coming from it.

"Why is it all the haunted houses that we've been to don't look as if they really could be haunted?" Mai thought to herself. She let out a sigh.

"Mai stop wasting time and get out here." Naru called.

Mai slid the door to the van open and stepped out. She got a better view of the house and smiled. Definitely a tragedy this place is haunted. The group walked up to the door with Naru ahead. He knocked on the door and waited impatiently for it to open. The door was answered by a young man. He was Naru's height. He had a muscular structure as well but had pure white hair that looked un-kept but worked well with his look and crimson eyes. Mai couldn't help but stare into them. He looked at the group.

"Can I help you?" His voice was smooth and deep which sent shivers up and down Mai's spine.

"We are here to see Murakami-san" Naru said in his cold annoying voice. It seemed incomparable to the other.

"Yeah, sure one moment." He left the door open implying they should step in. He began to walk away slipping his hands in his pockets.

Mai stared after him as he walked. He walked idly up the stairs to what she assumed was to find Murakami-san. She felt herself blush when she realized she was staring up the stairs long after he was out of sight. She gave her head a small shake and looked around. The entry way was nice and plain. The marble floor looked beautiful with its swirl of black and white, above was a beautiful chandelier making Mai spin in a circle looking upward smiling.

"Mai." A cold voice called her out of her trance.

"What?" She answered back.

"Stop messing around and pay attention." He sent a glare to her and she just stuck her tongue out at him. She huffed then walked over and stood beside them as Murakami-san came downstairs followed by the young man they met at the door. Mai let her attention go to him and stared at him he was so handsome and just alluring. They arrived at the bottom of the stairs.

"Please follow me into the living room." Murakami-san said. They followed him into the large living room. Two of the large windows made the room bright. There were two large sofas and two large chairs all sage. The carpet was a light tan color matching the walls. The curtains were a bit darker than the walls and they had sage sheers hanging forming a wave like design and hanging on either side of the curtain. The coffee table and end tables were a cherry wood color and fit the room perfectly.

Everyone took a seat and waited for Murakami-san to begin his speech just like all the clients would do. Mai yawned a bit and waited bored for him to begin.

"I have already discussed this with Shibuya-san but I shall inform you four as well." He paused collecting his thoughts. "Things started off as what I would think just to be my mind blanking on me forgetting where I put certain things. Many were lost and for the life of me I could never find them. Sometimes I would enter a room and partial, majority or all of it would be in disarray. I thought I had been robbed but I could not recall hearing anyone entering my home." He paused looking directly at Mai which gave her a funny feeling then caused her heart to sink into her stomach when he spoke. "Finally the last bit which I can't stand is the fact that any time a relative of mine, specifically ones between 14 and 19 that are female. They always end up hurt very badly." He let his gaze slip from her and back to the group. "So there you have it. I'm not sure why this is happening all I care about is getting it to stop."

"And what about you? Have you experienced anything while being here?"

"I just—"

Naru turned to the young gentleman standing behind Murakami-san.

"No, I just come for a visit every now and again. I only stay for a few days." His voice catching Mai's attention yet again.

Naru nodded and began thinking.

"I have your rooms prepared. If you would like a tour."

Naru nodded again and stood. The rest of the team followed looking at each room as they pass, on the first floor was beautiful. Across from the living room was the dining room. It too had two large windows which were first seen when approaching the house. The dining table was long. It looked as if it could hold maybe twenty or so could be seated at the sides of the table and two at either end. Hanging above the table were three large chandeliers just as beautiful as the one in the main entrance. From what she could see there were two doors in the back, Mai assumed they led to the kitchen. They left that and walked around a set of stairs.

"Of course the stairs lead to the second floor but I have 3 more rooms I wish to show you." He led them around the stairs. "Here on the left." He opened the door. "This is my office." It was large and dark. There was a large desk, with a black leather desk chair behind and many shelves full of books. The carpet was a dark color as well as the walls but you couldn't really tell since its window was small and was covered. He closed the door. "Over here." He crossed the hall and opened the door. "This is my library." It was very large and held many books in the center of the library was a set of 6 tables with 2 chairs on either side.

"Oh my gosh the guy has a personal library. Who owns this many books?" She thought.

"You will also be using this room as your ah... base." He informed them. "I'm sure it should suffice you."

"It will do fine." Naru replied with his cold voice.

Murakami-san closed the door and began toward the stairs. Mai looked back at the double doors wondering what was behind them.

"Mai, stop standing around and catch up." Naru was glaring at her. She huffed and followed.

He led them upstairs to the second floor. "Here there are a total of 6 rooms. The last room at the end of the hall is the master bedroom at which I reside. Each room contains its own full bath. Also room 2, 3 and 6 as well as the office have a lot of activity." He looked at the group. "Rooms 1 and 4 will be your rooms, but 5 is also available for you to use if necessary." He began heading down the stairs, SPR following. He stopped and looked behind the stair case. "Ah, yes there is one more room." He led them behind the stair case. "This is the best room." He opened the double doors and flipped a switch.

Mai gasped at what she saw. It was a large beautiful ball room. It held many chandeliers all glowing brightly making the room spectacular. Mai looked around spinning in circles smiling happy at the beauty of the room.

"I have a request of you if you wouldn't mind."

Mai stopped spinning and giggling looking at Murakami-san.

"In a few weeks time I am holding my annual winter ball. I would be greatly honored if you would attend." He spoke to the group but let his eyes slide to Mai a couple times.

"I am sure we can accommodate and adjust our schedule to attend." Naru replied.

Murakami-san smiled pleased. "Very well. I shall leave you to your work." He gave a bow and left.

Naru turned to the group. "Lin and Mai set up base. John and Takigawa do a walk through." Naru ordered. Mai grumbled but obliged following Lin to the van to help unload.

"Hey Lin-san." She asked.

"Yes?"

"I just thought of something. You never answered my question the other day."

Lin glanced at her then held the door open for her. "Simple. I am an onmyoji and I have shiki to protect him. Modoka does not."

"That may be so but still." She picked up a monitor. "You've only used them what twice? Well two times that I know of." She adjusted the monitor in her hands. "And honestly I'm sure Modoka could have had Monk or Ayako do some charm stuff or have something that would have helped." She began walking. Lin looked at her watching her a moment, then picked up two monitors. He walked to the Library and placed the monitors on the table. He and Mai walked back to the van.

"Why do you keep asking me these questions?"

"Just curious as to why someone who doesn't like people like me would come here even if they were asked when someone else who qualifies just the same could take your place." Mai picked up the microphones balancing them carefully.

Lin thought about it a moment. "I believe it is more the fact that Naru doesn't like Modoka."

Mai looked at Lin and thought a moment. "He doesn't like you either." She replied. "I don't think its like. I think it's more of who he can tolerate better." She began walking inside.

Lin looked after her a moment a small amused smile in his face.