A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you will like this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ghost Hunt

Edited: November 29, 2017

-oOo-

Flashback...

The others nodded their heads in agreement. Before any of them could speak the room's door suddenly opened, "You know, you shouldn't come up with plans in here, especially it is quite easy for anyone to eavesdrop on you."

...Flashback

-oOo-

The occupants of the room tensed as they looked at the person who barged in. Two of them were shocked to see who the people were. Before Keiki could ask who they were, Mai suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "Guys! What are you doing here?"

"You really are an idiot, you know that. You are definitely a danger magnet, I never thought I'll get to meet a person who is capable of getting into dangerous situations no matter the place." A barbed answer came from a certain narcissist.

Mai was ready to throttle Naru when a voice could be scolding him, "Naru, Where are your manners? That is not the way to speak with your assistant or for the matter any person at all." Mai's eyes widened to see the whole gang present.

Before Mai could open her mouth to speak, she was tackled into a bear hug by Bou-san. "Bou-san, I can't breathe." Mai said out of breath, trying to pry herself from the strong hold.

Bou-san was then hit on the head by Ayako. "What was that for you old hag?" He exclaimed looking at Ayako and rubbing the bump on his head. The two were about to start fighting but they were interrupted by Lin.

"What are you guys exactly doing here?" he asked the group still in disbelief that they were actually in Hong Kong.

Madoka answered, "We came as soon as possible because we were worried that something bad happened to the both of you."

"What do you mean? How did you know that something happened and be sure of it? Keiki asked looking at the group.

Kourin added, "Not to be rude or anything but who are you exactly?

That was when they noticed that Mai and Lin were not alone. "Well, I guess time to make introductions." Mai exclaimed with a smile, happy to see the others despite her confusion on why they came.

After the members of SPR were introduced to Lin's sibling they continued their discussion. "As for the answer on how we knew Mai and Lin-san were in danger. Naru-bou contacted us and told us to pack and that we would be heading to Hong Kong." Bou-san answered.

Ayako then looked at Naru, "Come to think of it how did you know that something was wrong."

"Ah, that would be because while Naru and I were in the office, one of the pictures in the living room fell and try frame was broken. Not only that the cracks on the glass were over Lin and Mai's faces. From there we made a conclusion that that something bad was going to happen." Madoka member of the team remembered their own set of omens. From broken tea cups, shoelaces, eyeglasses to experiencing unlucky things.

Kourin asked, "Usually people would just make up reasons on why something broke or that it was just an accident. Why did it make you consider that they were in danger?" Though she somehow have an ideas on the why.

Naru answered, "We would be considered hypocrites if we do not believe in this stuff. We deal and investigate things related to the paranormal, it wouldn't do as any good if don't follow what our instincts are telling us. There is also the matter of Mai's current track record of getting into dangerous situations, so it is quite possible."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" An indignant cry came from a certain brunette.

"It means, what it means Mai. It just prove my point that you are and idiot." Naru said impassively.

"Geez, Naru, stop calling me an idiot. People will think that I am one." She growled at the man.

Naru smirked, "I beg to differ. Considering how you are being targeted by someone again, proves my point." This prompted the two to start bickering.

Leaving the two to their own devices, the others began having a conversation albeit in a calmer manner. Kourin was the first one to speak "Umm, are those two always like that, or should we be worried?" Looking at her niece banter with the man she called Naru.

Madoka answered, with a mega watt grin on her face, "It would be a lot more worrying when those two don't act that way."

"What do you mean?" Keiki asked. Curious as well, after seeing Mai who had been reserved but already started to warm up to them turn into a boisterous young lady.

"Naru has the tendency to make comments that would end up aggravating Mai. I have a theory that Naru makes it a point to rile her up just to see her reaction." Lin answered with a bemused expression.

Bou-san then quipped, "Yeah, it's just fine if we are not on a case but whenever we are on one is a different matter. Whenever he does rile her up on a case, Jou-chan ends up storming away and lo and behold she either gets attacked by a spirit, end up getting lost or injured in a way."

"True, though when all is said and done, Naru usually ends up the being the one to come to her rescue first. Now that I think about, Naru seems to have the ability to find Mai where ever she is." Ayako said with with contemplative look on her face.

John then added, "When you think about it, you guys are right. Shibuya-san would always be harsher on us whenever Mai-san is injured or even when she's absent." The others nodded in agreement, to Keiki and Kourin's amusement.

They were all quiet for a while, until Keiki broke the silence, "You already explained the reason why you are here, but the real question is how did you managed to find us?" Keiki asked.

Madoka answered, "Actually it was just a coincidence we even found you guys, we were only here to check-in for us to rest from the flight before we would head to the Lin's compound."

Bou-san interrupted her, "Are you sure it was just a coincidence? You seem to forget that Naru-bou rejected all the hotels nearest to the airport and chose this one instead." Which earned a blink from everyone.

"Well that just proves my point that the guy has a radar for Mai." Ayako snorted.

"Well, we'll just have to test that in the future. Now where was I, ah, right. When we came in to get rooms, we saw Lin carrying Mai. Calling the others, we followed you here to the room." Madoka finished with a smile.

They were all startled by someone asking, If you're finish with your chit chat, will any of you bother to explain what's going on?"

When they all managed to calm their beating hearts, they turned around to see who it was that asked the question. They then realized that it was Naru, as both he and Mai were staring at the group. Kourin then started to explain what has been going on and what they found out so far.

After Kourin finished explaining, Keiki asked the members of SPR, "Now that you know everything, are you all willing to help us?" He just asked to confirm but he had a feeling the bunch would agree, after all they did fly to Hong Kong just because a picture fell and broke.

Naru looked at him nodding, "We will help you. After all, I can't let my idiotic assistant to cause any of you trouble."

Mai was seething in anger again and was ready to throttle Naru for what he said, but Bou-san was holding her down to prevent her from attacking, "Come on Jou-chan calm down."

Both Kourin and Keiki looked at each other and nodded, "Alright since you're accepting of it, what excuse are we going to give to the elders about you being here."

Mai made a suggestion, "How about saying that they are here for a vacation, since they have been working hard. They also decided to come and surprise me."

The others looked at her then smiled, "I think that's a great idea Mai-san." John told the girl with his usual smile.

Naru nodded his head in agreement, "I wouldn't agree if this were a different case but since we need to keep a low profile this excuse would allow us to move freely."

"Alright then, now that's settled why don't we all head to the compound for you guys to rest. Tomorrow I'll tour you guys around, what do you think?" Kourin offered to the group. She wanted to know the people her younger brother and niece's co-worker and friends. Even a possible lover for the two. The others nodded in agreement and they all headed towards the Lin Clan's compound.

-oOo-

When they reached the compound, they headed towards the clan head's room. Keiki knocked on the door waiting for permission to enter, which only took a second of wait for them when they heard Houki's voice telling them to enter.

They entered the room in a single file. Houki looked up from what she was doing and saw her children, granddaughter and the team. They all bowed down to her in respect.

"Ah, you guys are back. May I ask who this people might be." Houki said looking at everyone in the room.

Lin spoke and said, "I think it would be best if we place a silencing seal on the door. We do not want for the wrong people to hear what we are about to say."

Houki narrowed her eyes, but none the less began chanting. When she finished, she leveled a look at her children, "Now that is done with, would anyone please inform me what is going on?"

Lin began to explain to his mother the events that happened as well as the course of action they have agreed to. Houki closed her eyes, sighing, "I think it is for the best. The elders wouldn't be able to keep this a secret and would immediately alert Koshou which we do not want. Before anything else, I believe you haven't introduced me to your companions."

Mai introduced the team to her grandmother. After the introductions were finished, John suddenly asked, "Would you mind if I asked what you just did a while ago?"

Houki looked at him then said, "It's alright, what I did a while ago is merely a spell to prevent those who have evil intentions from hearing what we are talking about. They would only be able to hear us talking of certain things like "Did you enjoy?" or something to the likes of it." John nodded his head in understanding and thanked the woman for her explanation.

"What language was that grandma?" Mai asked having recognized it.

"It's an Ancient Chinese Language utilized by the Lin clan in our spells, why do you ask dear?" Houki asked her granddaughter curious as to why she wished to know.

"It sounded familiar to the one elder Koshou used in his spells, though unlike yours it was full of malice." She answered with everyone narrowing their eyes on the information.

Houki then became curious, "Mai what were the color of the symbols you saw?"

Mai answered in contemplation, trying to remember what she saw, "It was black at first, afterwards it changed into red then returned to black."

"Did you just say that it was black, red, then black again." Keiki asked with a worried tone in his voice. Mai nodded her head in affirmation and was about to ask about it when Lin suddenly started cursing in Chinese.

Naru narrowed his eyes at Lin's reaction, "What do those color mean?" He asked while thinking in his head about Mai having a penchant for trouble.

Houki answered with a grim look on her face, "Those three color and their sequence means that he was trying to summon a demon. Mai, were you able to see whether the light on the candles have been extinguished?" Mai shook her head, when she began to fall down into a faint.

"Mai!" They all shouted worriedly while, Lin manage to catch her before she fell on the floor. He stood up and laid her down on the couch.

-oOo-

Dream...

Mai opened her eyes and noticed she was in the same dark room as before. Looking around she saw elder Koshou doing the same ritual, making her realize that it was a vision of the past. She reached the part where he was saying his plans on taking over the Lin Clan. Mai thought that she would wake up the same time as before but she didn't. It was then she noticed the lit candle at the same time as the elder did. When he noticed the lit candles, his face began to contort in pain and he let out an ear splitting scream.

...Dream

-oOo-

Mai woke up seeing the others with relieved look on their faces. "What did you see?" Naru asked the girl, knowing that she had a vision.

She turned to Naru, "I saw the same thing as the one from this morning, but this time it was a vision of the past. I saw the candles still remained lit and as I was waking up I heard him scream as though he was in pain."

Houki then spoke, "Since the candles were still lit he wasn't successful in summoning a demon. When the summoning failed, the dark magic would cause the one performing to be in extreme pain as punishment.

"Why would it cause him pain when he wasn't able to summon a dark creature?" Mai asked her grandmother

Lin answered, "In Chinese summoning of an entity or a demon, it is necessary for a sacrifice to be given. The sacrifice is that of a living being or the blood of a living being. He must have been to confident that he would be successful in summoning and thought that his blood is more than enough as a token for the creature."

Masako then asked, "What do you mean by the need to use a sacrifice as a token for summoning a dark creature?"

Houki answered the question, "Summoning a demon in Chinese culture is equivalent to asking for a death sentence. That's why there is a need for a sacrifice to placate the demon from taking your life. If the summoning fails, the demon would inflict pain on the one summoning it for its failure in giving a worthy sacrifice."

Naru then spoke, "I think I understand now. Giving your own blood as sacrifice will not necessarily mean the summoning would be successful but rather the sacrifice given must be worth what the person ones the demon to perform. If the sacrifice required was not met, the person would pay the price."

"Naru-bou what do you mean?" Bou-san asked. Still not understanding the connection to why elder Koshou was in pain because of the ritual failing.

Mai answered this time, "I read it in a book I saw at Otou-san's house. A worthy sacrifice would be required to ensure that the person summoning a demon would not take their soul in exchange. Failure would mean the person's soul would be forfeit and ripped piece by piece until an equivalent exchange for the contract would be given. In the event the summoning succeeded the person's life is still forfeited because the demon would devour the soul of its contractor as full payment for its service, the moment their contract is finished." The others looked at her in shock but Ayako's shock was on an entirely different matter.

Bou-san was the one to speak, "Wow, Jou-chan, who would have thought that you would be the one to answer?"

"Geez, not you guys as well. Come on now, why haven't you figured out the reason why my school allows me to work and miss most of my classes? Do you even remember the reason why I had to even be adopted?" Mai asked with a pout on her face. She turned around to face Naru with a glare on her face, "See, I told you to stop calling me an idiot or everybody else will think of me as a real idiot.

Before either Bou-san or Naru could comment, Ayako immediately butted in, "That's not the part I'm shocked about, it's the part where Mai called Lin otou-san."

The others blinked and as one looked at Mai for an explanation, Mai was flustered from the attention, "Umm, well, I started calling him otou-san after I met grandma." She answered sheepishly while rubbing the back of her neck.

Before they could comment Naru's sharp tone put a stop to it, "Enough we didn't come for that." Shifting his gaze away from his team to Houki and asked her, "Shouldn't elder Koshou have known the consequence of performing the summoning."

"Maybe he didn't understand the text or even the warning." Mai answered with a tilt of her head.

John turned to Mai and asked, "What do you mean he by that Mai-san?"

Kourin suddenly exclaimed, gaining everyone's attention, "Of course! The text of that particular ritual isn't that forthcoming and if you weren't careful you might interpret it in the wrong way, since the text is read as 'Those who will summon the great demon will be given the ultimate power, the demon will vanish along with the soul of the first mortal who has experienced its power'."

"Which means that elder Koshou must have interpreted that it refers to the soul of the first target he sent the demon to, but in actuality ' 'the first mortal to experience the demon's power' was him." Keiki expounded with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

"Wait a minute, didn't you just say that he didn't succeed with the summoning, does that mean that a part of his soul has been ripped? How will that affect him?" Ayako asked.

Houki then spoke, "Allow me to answer that. As you've stated his soul was ripped from him, this in turn would incapacitate him and his powers would be out of control for the moment. But this does not mean we should be complacent, this would only put a set back on his plans. So long as his still alive he would still continue with his plans, thus we need to spend this time to make plans and counter measures to stop him for good. We also need to be vigilant with our surrounding for I'm sure the man has eyes and ears all over the place." She said this with a serious look on her face.

The others nodded their heads and they were all thinking the same thing on what elder Koshou's next move will be and how many followers he has within the compound. None of them expected that the end was near and they would receive help from the least likely person.