Author Note: Sorry it took so long to update. It has been one of those months that have been awful.

Chapter Seven

"Damn, did someone get the license of that noodle cart?" I groaned. My whole body ached as though I had been beaten. The words that had come out of my mouth slightly mispronounced. It is hard to talk around a fat lip. I heard the voice of Ayako calling my name out in joy. I couldn't see what she was so happy about! Ouch I hurt. Can you wake up on the wrong side of the bed if you haven't gotten out of bed yet?

I tried to open my eyes, when I finally pried them open my vision was off. Wow I must have a spectacular black eye! What in the world happened to me? Last thing I remember is telling Naru that I was hungry.

"Naru?" Hmmm that didn't come out right, sounded kind-of pathetic…

"Naru?" Crap that sounded worse, I think I'll just keep my mouth shut it hurts anyways.

Suddenly he was in my line of sight, leaning over my body lying on the floor. "What do you remember?"

"I remember… we were going to get some food…"

"Hmmm."

Suddenly the silence was cut off by a loud rumbling noise.

Naru lifted an eyebrow at me as I blushed. What I didn't get any food that I remember! Sheepishly I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm still hungry."

"Oh Thank Buddha! She has returned!! The exuberant voice of Bou-san echoed in the room. Naru shook his head and stepped back. Ayako reached behind me and helped pull me to a sitting position. Ow…ow…ow… Finally I was up. Wow! I saw my arms, handprints in deep dark bruises marked my arms. Fear swamped me, what happened!

"Naru!?" I looked at him, please what happened! Why am I so hurt!

His blue eyes went from ice to ocean blue. He relaxed his stiff posture a little. "Mai you have been spirit walking and got caught. We had to save you as usual." His eyes changed back to an icier blue. "Ayako will be taking you to the hospital to be checked out and…" He cut a glance at my tummy "…feed you on the way. Lin please help them out to the van."

Lin nodded and came to me. With a stoic face he leaned down and picked me up. A soft whimper escaped before I could stop myself. Naru looked away from me. I watched his stiff back as Lin carried me out the door, Ayako leading the way. Well ... I guess I am just going to have to pry it out of Ayako! My tummy rumbled again… Better yet pry it out of Ayako while we eat!

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When I heard Mai talking it was all I could do not to fall over in relieved laughter! Noodle cart indeed! The topping on the cake was the fact that after all of that she was still hungry!

Naru, Naru! Watching him interact with a hurt Mai is like watching a wonderful anime with a big bowl of popcorn! Finger-licking good! Obviously he doesn't want to get involved and yet was restraining himself from jumping over there at every whimper and cry. One day he will admit to his feelings! Until then bring on the popcorn and candy! Hehehe

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After Mai left the room, Naru turned to Bou-san, John and Masako. "We will begin the exorcisms in one hour. The sun will be fully down at that time. Prepare yourselves." He turned away and started to work at the computers. The three of them looked at each other and nodded.

When the night had fully taken over everyone was ready.

"In the beginning…" John in-toned, splashing holy water about him.

Bou-san began his chant and Ayako stood still eyes flickering watching the ghosts being removed from the physical world to the spiritual. Lin and Naru followed them from room to room. When they reached the math room the room began to shake, dark encroached the room and the figure of a demented tortured woman appeared at the head of the classroom.

"Nooo!" She wailed hands to her head, body arched unnaturally in response to the pain of the exorcisms being cast at her by John and Bou-san.

"Stop!" Masako called rushing in front of the men. Startled they did as she commanded. She turned to the woman who was whimpering, holding her head.

"Momma, momma please! I don't want to go into the dark! I'll be good! I will do just as you say. Please momma!"

Masako approached the ghost carefully, the men behind her ready to defend. "Jun Hisoka? Please we just want to help. No child should have to go through what we know you went through. Please, you need to accept that you are a good girl and you are sorry for what you have done."

A breath of air let out in a soft sigh, "Momma…"

"It's ok; I know that she was proud of you."

"She was!?" The woman ghost looked up to Masako hope and pain in her child-like eyes.

Masako nodded.

The ghost gave a soft happy smile. "Momma." Golden light filled the room and the ghost of a happy girl child rose from the room, taking with her the bright lights of the girls that had been trapped in the school with her. Everyone watched, happy smiles on Masako's and John's faces.

When it was over everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They all walked out into the court yard for a breath of night air. After a moment Naru turned to Masako and John. "I want you two to go check up on Mai and Ayako. We will start packing." The two nodded and set off for the van. As they were driving down the road, Bou-san cut his eyes to Naru. "There is still one more ghost."

He nodded. "Yes, but this one will be shown no mercy for what she has done."

Bou-san nodded looking at the fading tail-lights of the van. Naru had just effectively taken the most soft-hearted team members out of the building. There would be no mercy for the woman, no monster who had tortured Mai, her students and more importantly her very own daughter.

Lin, Naru and Bou-san turned and went into the school. It was time to hunt.