Disclaimer: Don't own GH.
Chapter 7: Bairn part 5
August, Tuesday
5:30 am
The room was quiet, and Mai was bored. Except for the 'happenings' yesterday wherein she fainted due to a pre-cognitive dream and the shadow that she saw trailing (Mai was not sure if it was trailing or just stuck) Sakuno-san.
'Oh, then there was that I zoned out and went to the front door, I almost went outside if not for Naru and the others.' Mai thought and then with renewed determination she whispered "I'll check it out later."
"What are you going to check later?" Naru's stony voice said from beside her, she was too preoccupied that she did not notice that Naru was already sitting on the unoccupied chair on her right.
"Oh Naru you're awake!" Mai said rather cheerfully while she turned to him, it was obvious that she was trying to distract him.
"You are ignoring the question Mai." Naru said undeterred.
"What question?" she said innocently – too innocently.
"Mai." Naru growled while his blue eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"Fine," she said but then whispered "if I don't answer you'll be on one of your moods again."
The raven haired lad did not understand the whispered mumblings that his brunette assistant said, as it was too inaudible, he was going to reprimand her but she already started talking.
"You remember what happened yesterday, wherein I got separated from you guys a bit?"
Naru just nodded. "I was too preoccupied with our conversation yesterday evening that I almost forgot about that. I was going to ask you about that this morning."
Mai internally winced with the mention of 'conversation', she did not want to go through that again. Naru was worse than that of a police officer when interrogating. But she knew that that interrogation like conversation will definitely not be the last time she'll experience it, after all there are things that she had left unsaid – she did not want to tell them or more specifically him, yet, or as much as she could, it will remain as it is. A secret.
"I don't remember what exactly happened but there was a pull that made me want to go outside."
"Outside?"
"Yeah." Mai all but said, she doesn't have anything more to say about it.
"I see." Naru murmured.
The next couple of minutes were spent in silence, Mai continued what she was doing earlier before she got bored which was watching the recordings last night. While Naru was scribbling something on his notebook when he finished he asked something he wanted to ask before he heard her whispering to herself.
"Why are you up so early?"
"Huh?" Mai said startled that he was the one who broke the silence.
"…" he did not answer instead he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, I don't know. I woke up and I couldn't sleep anymore." she was annoyed that he did not answer but she knows more than anyone that he did not like to repeat himself so she just answered.
"Dreams?"
"N-no, I actually don't remember. I just woke up and I don't remember whether it was because of a dream or not." the brunette did not know why she stuttered while she was really telling the truth about not remembering,
The raven haired lad furrowed his eyebrows, he could see in Mai's eyes that she was not lying when she said that she did not remember, but why did she stutter? He could also see now that there was confusion in her eyes, it seems that she was also confused as to why. So he filed this conversation in his head, he knows that sooner or later the truth will come out why Mai had been having sleepless nights. It was obvious that she wasn't having enough sleep there were bags under her eyes, her pale skin were paler than usual and the pinkish tint that was usually on her cheeks were almost nonexistent.
Mai was now feeling uneasy with the probing gaze that Naru was giving her.
That was interrupted however by the sound of the door sliding open, the occupants of the room turned to the newcomer, Naru nodded to the onmiyouji as greeting while Mai cheerfully greeted the man "Good Morning."
Lin was confused so he checked his watch and saw that it was just 5:45 in the morning, he was right about the time alright. Naru he could understand whenever there was a case the most late that he'll come to the base will be 7:00 however whenever he was anxious or confused about the case he wouldn't let himself rest that long that's why there are times that he'll be even earlier than the Chinese sorcerer but it must be the first time that Mai was early on resuming her duties on the base he was of course aware about the changes that the brunette has undergone during their absence physically and mentally… and dare he say psychically. It was not apparent just like the first time he met her – it was just a hum of energy but when they came back it was already coming off of her in waves.
The first time, he did not tell Naru because it was not something that he should be privy to, adding to the fact that her psychic powers were almost non-existent if not for the fact that they had a close encounter where he saved her from being crushed by a shelf he wouldn't even notice it, then there was also an issue before where he couldn't place her existence in his life due to his general hate for the Japanese citizens.
This time, however, it seemed that she already had a tight hold of it even though it was evident to him she was untrained, and that she could only control it with only her sheer mental capacity wherein he knew that was not much. Don't get him wrong, Mai is smart (even though there are instances that she doesn't display it; and Naru's teasing of it being otherwise) it was a fact that she was studying on one of the most prestigious universities on the world, but what she was doing needs a totally different knowledge – mainly in the psychic world. But what he wasn't sure of is whether the brunette was aware that she was controlling it or she was only doing it by instinct – as Naru dubbed it 'animal instinct'. True, such knowledge can be attained through books but there are techniques that can only be learned with the proper tutelage and some techniques can only be passed through by means of master to student.
Yes, if given the situation he was willing to teach Mai everything he knew, after all he was the one who taught the Davis twins the control they had over their powers, so who was he to deprive her the chance to control her powers? After all, it will not only beneficial for Mai but it can most importantly be a move that could prevent unpleasant results if she lost the rein she has on her powers now.
He cut his own musings at the sight of pouting Mai and Naru smirking at her.
"Lin-san!" she said indignantly.
The tall man quietly chuckled at her behavior, because they were the only ones in the room so it was quite quiet the boss and the female assistant heard him. But they did not gape or stare blankly at him, after all, even though actions like this are rare it is not unheard of or more appropriately - it's not as if they haven seen the Chinese man let loose like this openly showing his emotions even if in a short while.
Mai just smiled brightly at him, glad that she made him laugh… even if it was at her own expense.
Naru just shook his head at him, it was unbelievable how the brunette next to him brings out emotion out of people she meets. And he was not immune to that trait of hers, he observed.
Lin then proceeded to his chair beside Mai and continued the task that she did not finish – watch and listen to the audio from last night. Although he had rewound the videos from the time they ate their dinner.
7:30 am
Mai was reading a book that she brought during the case, she had nothing to do of course so might as well do something productive. She originally wanted to explore the inn or even check temperatures but her black clothed boss did not allow her saying:
"Mai you attract trouble wherever you go, so I won't let you go on you own."
So the brunette huffed and glared before she shot back, "I do not attract trouble!" cue - raised eyebrow from the narcissist.
If possible Mai glared even more, "If you're so hell bent that 'I attract trouble wherever I go' that 'you won't let me go on my own'. Why don't you accompany me oh great one?" she quoted Naru while doing an almost applause worthy imitation of the man, whilst the last sentence was said scathingly.
Lin, who was listening to the entire conversation since it started, covered a laugh with a cough – which poorly covered it – when he heard Mai's imitation of Naru.
The raven haired lad glared sideways at the Chinese man, since Mai was sitting in between the two men she could feel the glare Naru was giving Lin – and if Mai was not mistaken, a part of that glare was for her.
"Unlike you Mai, I have more important things that needs my attention than answering your whims." He kept his glare for a while before returning to his black notebook, writing or reading something in it.
Mai just growled in irritation before bolting out of her seat – almost knocking over the said chair – and stomping her way to the couch on the corner of the room. But before she could even sit on the said couch the narcissist just had to open his mouth again…
"Mai, tea."
Mai angrily messed her hair in frustration, resulting to her impeccably tied hair in a ponytail be tousled. Speech failing her, due to immeasurable exasperation at the gracefully seated boss of hers – who was watching her actions with great amusement. His almost grin – at Mai's behavior was greatly more entertaining than any other book that he had read – was hidden behind a case file that he was now reviewing, for it had been a long time in a while since where he had successfully riled her this much.
The angry brunette stomped her way to the sliding door only to be stopped… again.
"Where do you think you are going?"
Mai snarled, "Going to the kitchen so that I can prepare your God forsaken tea!"
He closed the case file that he was (not) reading to address his assistant, "If just use your eyes once in a while and not just your mouth, you would've noticed the electric kettle that is placed in the corner of the room." then he (seemingly) went back to his case file.
True enough, there was another coffee table in the corner just a bit farther than the couch were placed, and on it there was a electric kettle and all the things she needed to make tea – including a gallon of water under the table so that she could refill the kettle. Now more than ever… she wanted to throw the innocently placed kettle to her boss. Argh.
Instead she grumbled profanities under her breath and then started to make the tea. Making tea always calmed her and it also did now. A bit. There was a thought a crossed her mind, how come there were no one who wore up during the ruckus she was making, yes her. As much as she wanted Naru to take credit for aggravating her, he did not (not even once, from what she could remember since knowing him) raised his voice. It seems that the other two females of SPR sleep like the dead. Cue – face palm, mentally.
And that was the conversation that resulted to her sitting on the couch (after preparing that damn tea – for all three of them) and just reading away her boredom. But since she was also too into what she was reading she didn't hear the rest of the male members of the team joining them inside the base.
Bou-san was the first to notice the brown eyed girl so he decided to greet her in a very Takigawa manner.
"Good morning Mai!" he happily greeted her whilst hugging her with all his might.
For once Ayako was not the one to stop Bou-san on chocking Mai it was… Yasu.
"Aww, Mai-chan why didn't you say that you already had a copy of Theoretical Approach on the Paranormal by Kubo Shinji? Wait, this book won't be published on at least for another two months!" Yasu let out an almost girly shriek.
"What?!" Bou-san said totally gob smacked. The said writer was famous in their world whether it was one of them who were active in the field or just a geek that has a perchance on the paranormal. It can also be said that the said writer could almost measure to the popularity of Dr. Oliver Davis in terms of his books. But the said writer remains a complete mystery the only fact known about the man was that he is Japanese and well, a male – in short he was a mysterious writer. So it was astounding that their own Mai was somehow connected to him. Or was she?
The said person rolled her eyes, they were making too much of a big deal out of this. "I have connections okay?" she said simply and nonchalantly, as if that sentence will answer the questions running in their heads.
Even the stoic men were stupefied about the revelation that somehow the mystery writer was connected to Mai. Naru wouldn't admit it out loud but he respects the said writer – his theories, observations and hypotheses were all laid out cleanly and he presents enough proofs that were already experimented and tested diligently before he presented them to his readers.
And the person who was the most affected on the topic was whining at Mai.
"How could you do this Mai-chan! I thought we're friends…" he fake sobbed. "How could you keep a secret something like this? You know how much I idolize him." he wailed.
And at that wail, the answer was a hit upside the head.
"Could you shut up?! It's too early in the morning for your drama." said the annoyed shrine maiden.
It felt weird… that monk was not the one to be hit by the miko. But they just brushed that feeling away, Mai saw Masako emerging from the room, so she moved to make space for the other two females on the sofa. Which they took as their queue to sit down as well, wher the newly arrived men of SPR followed the action and position themselves at the exact seats they had seated on yesterday.
Naru did not leave his place but instead addressed them where he sat.
"Yesterday, Yasuhara had already researched about the property and gave me the files – which we unfortunately did not have time to discuss as one of the team members is out of commission." Mai internally winced at the last word knowing that Naru was pertaining to her.
Masako just patted her shoulder but Mai knew she was enjoying this.
Naru gestured Yasuhara to take the files, which he did. Yasu knew what boss wanted him to do so he started reading the information he gathered.
"At year 1800 this land which was barren, a house had been built and as Mai's dream had provided the first family that had owned this land was the couple Sasaki Hiro and Aiko who were newly weds. At the time after five years of trying Aiko finally got pregnant and were now expecting their first child. However for some unseen circumstances she had a miscarriage…" Mai stifled a gasp.
Yasuhara continued. "and a year after that they left. Sold the property to start a new life on another place. After the Sasaki family, the house and land had been sold and bought by three more families in which all had left the property after living in it for three years or the longest was ten years which was the Haruno family who sold the property to Inukami-san's grandfather – who built this inn. There were no unusual deaths recorded in this property, most of it were of old age which was Inukami-san's grandparents. Before now, there was nothing unusual or paranormal that happened here."
"What about Inukami-san's parents? Where are they?" John asked.
"They are currently living in the next town over, which is just a 30 minute drive, with their daughter and their family. After they relinquished their control to Inukami-san they decided they wanted to live a life outside the inn's walls. Though they visit Inukami-san and his wife from time to time."
"That's weird, nothing about this research gives us answers as to why there are children being killed in the property. Naru, where did they say they had seen the bodies?" Mai asked their boss, who was just writing something in his notebook, no doubt he had already read the information once Yasuhara came back from the library.
Naru looked up from the notebook and answered her. "Inukami-san had said that the bodies were always found at the edge of the woods. "
"Hmm, that doesn't answer the why, how and what… just where." Monk contemplated.
Yasu whistled, "What a Naru-ish statement."
Mai burst into laughter, the others just looked at her dumbfounded – thinking she had lost her mind – Lin just briefly shook his head while Naru just sighed.
When she got the semblance of control of her laughter the brunette explained in broken gasps of laughter. "It's like you're classifying Naru as an itch that has to be scratched. Naru-ish, pfft."
The other SPR members then laughed, some were laughing hysterically while the others more discreet then there was someone who smiled a miniscule one and there was one who just shook its head at the craziness of the people who are laughing.
Mai smiled while wiping the tears that had formed because of her laughing. This was one of the reasons she loved her SPR family, strangers they may be and not bonded with blood, but in them Mai could feel the sense of belonging. Something that she had not felt for a long time since her mother's death. Sure she had friends – close ones – but it never felt like this, maybe it's because her friends is in her age bracket while the members of SPR varies in ages though not much or maybe it's something she would never be able to figure out.
Blue eyes were watching the reminiscing brown eyed girl, something that he had been doing unconsciously these past few months, but for the life of him he couldn't figure out why. He then gently shook his head to break himself out of reverie before ordering his team for what they were going to do.
"Hara-san, Matsuzaki-san, Bou-san and John do a walkthrough just like you did yesterday. Let's see if there's going to be changes with what you felt yesterday in comparison of today now that our presence had been known." At that the people who had their names uttered sprang into action.
Mai for once was thinking and not complaining that he had not assigned something to do for her, when she made her decision she voiced a statement which shocked her boss and everyone left in the room for that matter.
"Naru."
At the sound of his name he turned to the brunette and raised an inquiring eyebrow.
"What's the point of Bou-san and the others' walk though?"
When he was about to make a sharp-mouthed remark, she cut him off knowing him enough to know what he was about to do.
With a glare, she explained her question. "I mean this is an inn, where various people come and go everyday, it's not that much of a difference now that we're here."
Naru smirked, "You had finally grown some brain cells, Todai definitely lives up to its name."
Mai just huffed and crossed her arms. "You're not answering my question smart ass."
If Naru had been offended or anything by the (a bit) crude statement, he did not show but Lin could see the mirth that is dancing in his eyes which Mai would have notice if she was not glaring at the top of his head. Something that she did when she feels a bit guilty for saying what she said but not totally wanting to give him the satisfaction of her guilt when he was being a jerk.
"There is a difference." Naru said not continuing the rest of the sentence just to rile Mai up.
"And that is?" Mai snapped, not amused that Naru was stringing her along.
"You."
Mai just sat there, aghast. While Yasuhara, who was sitting quietly listening and watching the conversation of his two bosses, inhaled a quiet breath – which was still heard in the quiet room because Lin was not typing anymore.
Naru pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated.
"Have you ever wondered why you seem to be always be the target of ghosts? Why you seem to always get hurt?" Naru said it as if there was an acid in his mouth.
"Ah. Er. No?" Mai said but then continued "I just assumed that I'm just unfortunate?"
Naru raked his hands in his hair, something he rarely did but Mai now knew that it is something he did when his patience is wearing thin. She had seen him do that yesterday. But that action makes her wonder if his hair is just as soft as it looks like.
"Lin and I had discussed this before, and we had come to a conclusion that it's either your presence beckons their attention or that you have a certain aura that calls for them."
Mai was speechless that she looked to Lin then her boss, she could not believe that they had discussed this.
But it seemed that he was not finished.
"However Lin had come into a conclusion with the help of his shikis. And had stated that it is both."
At the mention of shiki Mai's eyes automatically settled on top of Lin's head – where his shikis were floating , just two of them, Mai did not know where the other three went – but before she could ponder about that question her eyes had trailed to Lin's face where Mai could see that his left eyebrow were raised in question. Mai then immediately turned her attention back to Naru who then started to talk.
"In accordance to that, come with me."
"Why?"
"We'll, go outside as your instincts yesterday had wanted."
Mai just nodded, not wanting to argue again and wanting to satisfy her curiosity.
Just as they got outside the room, Naru addressed Yasu and Lin.
"Watch the base we'll just be out for a bit. If were not back when the others finish their walk through, you can go ahead and eat breakfast, but don't forget to set the equipment to record." was his instructions and then not waiting for a reply he slid the door close.
