Hi Everyone!

I know it's late…and I know I promised the reuinion…bad news first: it worked out to be the next chapter. Good news? The next chapter is up! J

I want to give a HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to WhisperToTheWolves for all the feedback, sharing of ideas and editing so kindly provided. I think I've found a most excellent beta reader, folks!

…and without further adieux…here is the next chapter…

thank you all for the kind (and patient!)reviews!

- tc

~GHGHGHGHGH~

The next morning, at 7am sharp, Yoshi had arrived to collect Mai to take her back to the cemetery and survey the damage. Mai was feeling anxious as they pulled up to the large gates of Sunagawa Bochi. The cemetery was beautifully landscaped. Tombstones and grave markers spanned the horizon. Cherry blossom trees and low cut hedges dotted view, discretely serving as landmarks for visitors to quickly locate the resting place of their loved ones when they came to pay respect. Asphalt paths wound their way throughout the cemetery, flowing naturally with the terrain.

Mai exited the vehicle to absorb the solemn atmosphere of the graveyard. Last night it had felt hostile and angry, but that was likely due to her own heightened emotions and latent psychic power of spiritual sensitivity. She had discovered her sensitivity to spirits had become stronger over the past several months. Today, the atmosphere felt peaceful. She closed her eyes. Almost peaceful. She amended in her mind. She stretched her senses out and felt a sense of restlessness that was not her own.

"Your parents graves are in section 62," Yoshi stated as he walked to where Mai still stood as she surveyed the landscape. It's a fair walk from here, but not too bad." he said quietly. I must warn you, we have not completely finished restoring the destroyed plots. It may become distressing for you."

Mai nodded. Whatever feeling of restlessness her sixth sense tasted had retreated. "I'm ready."

The pair entered the graveyard and proceeded along one of the asphalt paths, taking them deeper into the graveyard. Mai tried not to read the grave markers and tombstones they passed, but some grabbed her attention nonetheless. 1981 – 1984. He is not far away read one. Three years old. Mai ignored the slow ache building in her heard. They passed a single headstone with two names and dates on them. We lived together in happiness, we rest together in peace. A husband and wife, sharing an eternal resting place. Mai felt a lump in her throat form as they continued on. Eventually Mai stopped reading the epitaphs and decided to focus on the shape, style and in some cases, artwork.

"Why are there rocks on some of the headstones?" she inquired after spotting the odd trend on at least fifty graves they had passed.

"It's an old Jewish custom that has been adopted by many different religions as a way to honor loved ones who have passed on." Yoshi told her as they continued to wind their way through the cemetery. "Visitors leave a small stone on the top of the headstone. It is done as a show of respect, the symbology inherent in the use of a stone is to show that the love, honor, memories, and soul of the loved one are eternal."

Mai smiled. "That's beautiful. Much better than flowers."

Yoshi looked over his shoulder and caught her eye behind him. "I agree." He stated, as he slowed to a stop. "Mai-chan," he turned to look at her. "This is where…well, this is where the unrepaired damage starts. The areas you will see are in the progress of being restored, but you may see some disturbing things." he warned. Mai smiled inwardly, her mind recalling the time she was nose-to-nose with the decaying, maniacal Urado two years prior. "Thank you. I appreciate your concern." She told him, walling up her emotions.

Yoshi nodded grimly and continued on. Twenty feet in, Mai spotted the first signs of disturbance. Three grave markers had been violently uprooted, leaving gaping holes where they were once ensconced in the earth. One of the markers had cracked in half. Mai turned her gaze from the site, resolutely keeping her eyes glued to the path they walked.

Yoshi took a right turn and Mai looked up, wishing she hadn't. A section of at least twenty tombstones were severed in half, as though death itself had taken a clean swipe at the markers with his scythe, leaving each headstone sliced perfectly in half. Mai winced and mentally said a prayer for the families of each victim of the senseless vandalism. At the same time, her intuition sparked to life. This isn't simply vandalism the internal voice told her. Her gaze immediately returned to the path beneath her feet.

After another three minutes, Yoshi came to a slow stop, causing Mai to bump into him. He grasped her arms to steady her balance. "Mai-chan" he said quietly. "We're here."

Mai closed her eyes tightly, desperately summoning her courage. Please, please let me get through this she begged her inner voice. To her utter shock, she felt a comforting warmth surround her body. It gently pulsated three times and disappeared. Gene. Mai could feel it. Despite the fact they could not communicate directly, he was able to give her a subtle signal that he was present.

Her courage renewed, Mai opened her eyes, looking into Yoshi's gentle eyes. He inclined his head to the right. Mai turned and felt her knees give out on her.

Here parents tombstones were gone. In their place was a large construction vehicle, its jaws clencing two large straps. Mai instantly knew were meant to lower a coffin into a grave. Or in this case, as she noted the smashed tombstones, raise it from the ground.

"Oh, God," she whispered, tears slipping down her face. "You had to…"

Exhume. She thought. The word would not pass through her lips.

"I am so sorry, Mai." Yoshi said, kneeling down to help the trembling girl back to her feet. Mai looked around. All of the tombs and markers in the immediate vicinity were left undamaged. It was as though her parents were targeted. A spark of anger flickered within her.

"Why only my parents?" she asked rhetorically. She noted her voice held a sharpness and accusation not normally present. What's going on? She wondered. I'm angry but…this feeling…

She whirled on Yoshi. "How could you let this happen?" she demanded. Her hands curled into fists and she pounded ineffectually at Yoshi's chest.

Yoshi comforted the devastated teenager as best he could. Being a father of three girls himself, he was used to comforting and reassuring his children when they had nightmares, or if they were left broken-hearted by a boy.

"I am so sorry, Mai-chan" he whispered as she broke down. "We're still trying to sort out how this – any of this could have happened. This is the fifth time over the past three months disturbances like this have occurred." He straightened his arms and held her at arm's length. "Mai," he said, waiting for her watery gaze to meet his own steady eyes. "We will get to the bottom of this, and the perpetrator will be caught and punished." He vowed. "I hired a team of investigators to examine these desecrations, and I was promised they will get to the bottom of it. They will begin their investigation before the week is out." He promised.

Mai tearfully looked up into Yoshi's earnest face. She couldn't help but think her own father would have been like him. Solid, comforting and protective. Had he lived.

Yoshi gently pulled Mai away from the scene and led her back to the caretaker office. He knew they needed to discuss insurance coverage, re-interment arrangements, and all the other devastating paperwork necessary to complete the process of laying a loved one to rest. But that could wait.

"Hey, Mai-chan," he said when they got back to the office. He handed her a cup of tea. "We don't need to go over everything today. Let me bring you home to my wife and she can give you a proper breakfast and then you, young lady," he pulled the Dad card on her. "You are to take a nap, have lunch and then I will drive you back to the train station so you can go home. I will call you in a few days after everything has been cleaned up and we have the final tally from the insurance company."

Mai nodded and a hint of a smile cracked her face, making Yoshi beam. "Hai," she said quietly. "That sounds…that sounds like exactly what I need right now." She admitted. She had been taking care of herself for so long, she had forgotten what it felt like to have someone take care of her.

Is that really the truth? Her inner voice asked. Mai frowned. No…it wasn't true. Hadn't Ayako taken care of her when she fell down her (first) well? Didn't Lin try to save her? How many times had Bou-San risked his life for her? Yanking her out of harm's way when she foolishly tried to stop Naru and Lin from reversing the kodoku curse. Keeping her warm by giving her his jacket when she ran out into the bitter cold snow when she was possessed by Kenji. Taking her on a "date" to the movies to cheer her up. How many times had John's simple words of encouragement and thoughtful advice help her through a troubling situation? She and Masako eventually warmed up to each other after Mai astral projected to and helped save her life. And then there was Naru.

Naru who had inquired after her head injury during the case he was investigating at her school. Naru with whom she fell down (her second) well. Naru who distracted her with his ventriloquism to keep her from getting scared – all while fighting off his battle against unconsciousness because he had used his PK to keep them from falling into a dangerous pile of debris. Naru whose face was the first she had seen after being rescued from the deadly formaldehyde gas filled in the biology room. Naru who sat on her bed, tense and worried, while Ayako berated him for having sent Mai out for a video tape. Naru who threw himself on top of her to protect her from a ceiling falling down upon her. Naru who brought her a cup of hot tea after her first death experience dream?

Naru. She had yet to call him. Or anyone, for that matter. But, she reasoned this isn't about a case. This is personal…and I don't want to burden them.

Satisfied with that thought, she decided she would call Naru tomorrow after a well rested day and night. She would figure out how to explain her two-day absence without worrying him or any other members of her adopted family. Right now…right now breakfast and a nap sounded like heaven. Naru could wait.

~GHGHGHGHGH~

The spectre howled in impotent rage as the girl with the Power slipped easily from her grasp. What was that strange barrier she erected around herself as she gazed upon the destruction of her familial burial ground? How had she escaped her grasp for a second time?

This isn't over, little girl. The spectre said as she watched Mai's form enter the vehicle, whisking her away from her clutches yet again.